Don't Let the Sun go Down on Me

I am the first to admit that I am terribly contrary. One minute I'm craving winter clothes and colder weather, the next, and the current one, I am annoyed that I can't go to the shops and buy something summery to wear over the next few days while the weather is lovely.

I know it is unreasonable, but I can't help it.

Hot on the Heels

(Image via Topshop)

Fluorescent pink sheer heels?

I just don't agree with that.

By the Skin of Your Teeth

(Image via the London Chatter)

I really like the use of real (but still incredibly attractive) women in LK Bennett's advertising campaigns.

But I'm slightly confused as to why they have decked out environmentalist Sophia Rogge in leopard print shoes and snakeskin and shearling bags.

Surely that goes against the whole environmental thing. Even if they are faux, it's kind of giving mixed messages.

Ricci Pickings

(Image via Matches)

Isn't this sweater heaven? Feminine colour and belt, but quite masculine with the ribbing and miltary style epaulettes. Dreamy!

Clever Nina Nicci.

The Cat's Pajamas

(Image via Elle)

Now talking of excessively expensive things, I bring you the Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci panther necklace. Isn't it gaudy and wonderful? It's love. For sure.

Nowt So Queer As Folk

I have been having some dilemmas about my winter wardrobe. Specifically my off duty wardrobe. I want something a bit casual but not jeans and sweaters. So when I saw the latest issue of Harpers and the folk spirit story I thought that might work. Floral dresses and slouchy knits with leather belts and boots.

The piece showed this dress by Jigsaw, which is terribly pretty. But at £329 the price is beyond ridiculous. That is not a high street price. And no matter how much I like it and the cardigan that they have paired it with in their display I just can't bring myself to spend that much money on something from Jigsaw.

(Images via Jigsaw)

Is this just the way that things are now? Because at those prices I could surely buy something at the lower end of designer.

Hell for Pleather

The trend for adding leather sleeves or panels to items of clothing that started last autumn/winter has filtered down to the high street. But while Burberry's trench is pretty fierce, and much of the real leather pieces look amazing, the cheaper pleather used by the high street brands has really cheapened the look.

Topshop have a version very similar to the Burberry and it looks hid. Really plasticky and nasty. And even this Zara version looks nice from a distance but up close, the the cheapness of the leather fails it.

(Images via Urban Gear, Zara, Topshop)

And don't even get be started on the skirt. It is beyond words. The high street's desire to rip off designer should really be tempered by a thought to whether the look can actually be carried when using cheaper materials. In this case I think it should have been left well alone.

The Ties That Bind

(Image via MFL for Him)

I can't tell you how excited I am that I have learnt to tie a bow tie. Tricky little number, but I finally mastered it. I can't imagine that there will be too much call for the application of this skill, but really that's by the by.

I will be able to rock it for my friend's hen do this weekend (I am borrowing a terribly de trop black and white polka dot tie from my dad) and that's what matters.

Jump the Kew

I can't say that I was ever that tempted by Kew. I remember there was one on High Street Kensington when I lived near there. I don't think that I ever ventured in.

But I am older now, and my tastes have changed. And I want to explore new places to shop now that I have decided to give it a rest with To'Sho', River Island and Hennes.

So, I ventured in last week and I was pleasantly surprised. The clothes are grown up but also colourful and appealing. Not super cutting edge but wearable and pretty.

They have also rebranded as kew.159, and I'm pretty impressed with the whole thing.

These dresses would be great for work with heels and a jacket or for the weekends with a cardigan and brown knee high boots.

And I would be super snuggly warm in any of these knits.

Admittedly it does make me worry that I am becoming old and conservative. But the truth is that I don't want to dress like I'm in my twenties anymore.

So I think kew.159 might well be on my radar from now on.

And looking at these nice winter weather clothes it makes me sad that the weather is getting warmer.

(Images via kew. 159)

Is that perverse?

Garden of Edun

(Via Daily Telegraph)

I wore a chunky knit today. Belted over my pleated midi skirt and a Breton stripe. And very fetching I looked too. A little too warm, maybe, but cute. And as we all know it's about how you look, not about how you feel. Clearly.

It did make me start thinking about other ways to wear chunky knits. For me it is really all about the cardigan. As much as I love the chunky sweaters if they aren't v or scoop neck they make me look like a shelf. So the cardigan is my go to.

And this lovely Edun dress caught my eye. It would look fantastic with a cosy grey knitted cardigan and winter boots. Plus the colour is pretty close to some of the autumn leaves which is no bad thing. Hmmm, I can't wait for it to get colder so I can really get in to the cold weather gear. Bliss!

Lip Service

(Image via Elle UK)

Why has Holly Fulton torn off the head of Mrs. Yeti and made it into a handbag? Especially when she's done her lipstick so nicely. Honestly, what is the world coming to?

Another String to Your Bow

(Image via Hobbs)

I saw this shoe in Hobbs the other day, and I was quite charmed by it. But it confuses me, because I also think it might be slightly ugly.

Like last year's court that someone has tried to modernise with a bow and some spindly straps. I'm not quite sure what to make of it.

But I appreciate its differences to most of what is out there.

She's The Don(na)

My friend Annie and I were discussing Donna Karan the other day.

And we decided that while lovely, it was a label more suited to the maturer lady.

There is no denying that she makes very elegant clothes, that need a certain amount of grace and poise.

These are not clothes for tearing around in.

They are clothes for being a grown-up in.

Going to grown-up meetings, and grown-up dinners, and back to your grown-up, delightfully decorated pied a terre.

(Images via Net a Porter)

The good news is that it gives me something to look forward to in getting older.

What You See is What You Get

If you remember, I got terribly excited about my hiking boots last year. And I'm awfully glad that the trend is still knocking around this year, so I can get another year's joy out of them.

(Images via Net a Porter)

The only problem is that I'm also lusting after another pair. Which is bad.

Here Comes the Bride

OK, you don't need to tell me, I know that as a single girl with not even a glimpse of a potential date on the horizon, looking at dresses and thinking "I would love to get married in that" marks me out as being completely insane, but I just can't help it, this dress is beyond lovely.

(Images via Net a Porter)

You really would just feel like the most special girl in all the world, wouldn't you? I mean, on top of the whole promising to spend the rest of your life with the man you love thing. I know it's not just about the dress.

I promise.

Best in Show

The fabulous dancer from Glee

Sorry, I can't remember her name... And I don't like the hair, but the dress is kind of majestic.

Emily Blunt

Can do no wrong. Elegant, classy. Hmm, yes please.

Evan Rachel Wood

Understated and dramatic at the same time. Nicely done.

Gwyneth Paltrow

She seems to have got a lot of stick for the bare midriff, but seriously, if you've worked for it why not show it off? I really love the skirt. Sure, I'm not in love with it being two pieces, but it doesn't offend it and makes it a bit younger and more interesting.

Julie Bowen

Elegant and classy, plus I love a deep v on a reasonably flat chested girl. Wish I could do it. I wish her hair and make up were different but the dress really works.

Kate Winslet

I am increasingly irritated by her, particularly her gushing acceptance speech, but she is working this dress, there is no denying that. I love the shape and the colour. And so much better than anything she wore in Venice, so thumbs up from me.

Katie Holmes

OK, so looking at this in comparison with all the others maybe it isn't one of the best. But it is elegant and the colour is pretty.

Martha Plimpton

Martha Plimpton, people! I loved her in Parenthood. And look how amazing she looks now. Is she going to be doing stuff again? That excites me. Plus this dress is really awesome. Great rack!

I don't know who this is, but I love this dress. It is like the dresses that I used to have for my Cindy dolls. Fantasy ball dress style. Yes, it is far too much, I can admit that, but it doesn't stop me loving it. And for a big dress she is really carrying it off.

(Images via Fashionista and Go Fug Yourself)

Sofia Vergara

Kaboom! Wow, she is not mucking around. Great colour, great cut, great fit. Love it.

Oh, Bee-hiiive!

Oh Cheryl, what has life come to?

Having to backcomb your hair to ridiculous proportions just to get some publicity.

(Images via Holy Moly and Daily Mail)

I didn't think I would ever say this, but please make another record so that you don't have to go to such extreme measures for people to notice you.

No One Does Wood More Good

(Image via Daily Telegraph)

Apparently this lady is Ronnie Wood's girlfriend, a fact which I could hardly be less interested in. But I think the shirt creation she is wearing is extraordinarily lovely (and I'm really feeling her turban).

The shirt is by Simone Rocha, John Rocha's daughter. If this is anything to go by I think she might be worth getting excited about.