Banks on it

Boy! I love Azealia Banks.

The High Life

I have been craving a pair of wedge high tops for a while now. Mostly the Isabel Marant pair above. I have tried to put them out of my mind, but it is evident that they just won't be silenced.

The Isabel Marant pair are waaay out of my budget but Ash have a few nice pairs to chose from. I think a pair in black would work best for me.

And I would like to pair them with these high waisted Current/Elliott skinnies. But I don't know if I am just kidding myself that I would be able to carry them off.

(Images via ASH, net a Porter)

I Want Candy

On my flight to South Africa it was hard to avoid Lea Seydoux. I bought the perfume that she advertises.

And I was surrounded by people watching Mission Impossible 4: Ghost Protocol which she appears in. (I did not partake. I am not a fan of the diminutive Mr Cruise and the film looked laughable at best. Yes, I know. I have been told before that I'm a film snob.

She seemed to be the only redeeming feature. Just look how pretty she is.

In my eyes she is something of a miracle. She makes both mousey blonde hair and eye bags look both sexy and desirable.

Honestly, I think she could sell me anything and I'd buy it. (Please don't do that though, Lea, I have rather limited funds at present.)

A Bird in the Hand

I love ostrich effect leather.

And I am really enjoying these Michael Michael Kors ostrich effect leather handbags.

 Can I have one please?

 (Pictured here is order of preference. Just, you know, FYI...)

(Images via Net a Porter)

It Ain't Over...

Do you remember when Rachel Zoe wore kaftans wherever she went? I want to do the same right now. I ate so much delicious food in South Africa that all I want to do now is hide myself in glamourous sacks. But I don't think I quite have that boho flair. And of course, La Zoe is teeny tiny, and as much as I would like to think that the more the fabric the smaller the person inside looks I know that it just isn't the case and I will just look like I'm wearing a pretty tent.

It is a bit of a wake up call about my weight though. I am back to my biggest again. Over the last few years I lost weight and maintained it but slowly but surely (and then not so slowly and even more surely) I have gained it all. And I don't feel great about that.

Carven

So I need some inspiration.

Alexander Wang

So I have decided to pick an item of clothing that I would never consider wearing because I think it is the least flattering thing for me and that I could never, ever wear it.

Anna Sui

And that for me, is the short. Honestly, right now I would rather die than be made to wear a pair of shorts. The very thought sends an absolute shudder down my spine.

By Malene Birger

But it wasn't always that way. I have been known to wear a short in the past, when I was rather smaller. And I think getting back to a place where I am happy to wear shorts again would be a good place for me to be.

Callula Lilliebelle

I don't need to be like a stick, but slimmer and much more toned would be ok.

Chalayan

Plus I love shorts. Look at all these pretty pairs. And I would love to be able to wear some. They are much easier to wear than mini skirts. You don't have to worry so much about flashing your knickers, which is always a bonus.

D&G 

So I am embarking on the shorts plan. By the end of the summer, and before the shorts season is over again for another year (shhh, I know, we don't need to think about that yet) I want to be able to happily walk down the road in a pair of shorts without wanting to die inside.

Diane von Furstenberg

I'll let you know how I get on. Wish me luck!

Emilio Pucci

Giambattista Valli

J Crew

Jigsaw

 Marc by Marc Jacobs

NW3

Paul and Joe Sister

Yves Saint Laurent

(Images via Net a Porter, Hobbs, Jigsaw)

Seeing Red

(Image via Ted Baker)

I fell in love at the wedding. I fell in love with Franschhoek where the wedding took place. I fell in love with the couple a little bit more. And I fell in love with a fabulous girl.

She was wearing this incredible Ted Baker dress, a sweet little red bird in her hair and a YSL cocktail ring. I didn't fall in love with her just for how she looked. Sure, it might have piqued my attention at first. But it was so much more than that. Namely that she was oh so much fun.

She was also sporting a red nail. Which I haven't done for donkey's years. I have been dilly dallying with pastels instead. But I realised why it is a classic as it is such a strong look.

So I have painted mine red (over the top of my previous, chipped colour because I couldn't find the remover which probably wasn't a great start) and I matched my lip and paired them with a breton stripe. And... well... I suppose at least I tried. But in reality I fear I might look rather like a slovenly French tart. Which wasn't quite the look I was going for. Harrumph!

Fashion Crime Doesn't Pay

When it comes to fashion I've got a big mouth. I says it likes I sees it. I've got pretty strong opinions and I'm not afraid to show them.

But I have to admit that when it comes to men's clothes I am less sure. Some guys look great in a suit, some in jeans and a t shirt. It is not a cut and dried thing. Generally I would go for preppy and classic over trendy.

But I do know what I hate. And I will be very, very vocal about it.

The Telegraph have neatly and amusingly pulled together these dreaded items:
20 things women hate about men's wardrobes

Some of them are my real pet hates: jeans tucked into boots, short sleeve shirts, jewellery, low cut t shirts.

Some are surely everyone's pet hates: shiny suits, no?

Some are weirdly specific: denim hot pants, anything worn by Matthew McConnaghy...

And some I actually just don't mind too much. OK, sure, not too many men can carry off the double earring, but my good friend Patrick rocks it and Mr Day Lewis here is definitely not being beaten. But maybe they are merely the exceptions that prove the rule because I can't actually think of any other example of a man in a jewell that doesn't turn my stomach. So, ignore me.

And who can ignore the Fassbender? Such an adonis. And in a flip flop. This doesn't offend me. Obviously, when it comes to a flip flop a serious amount of care needs to be taken to remove any crud from the foot before it is revealed to the world, but as long as that it done and the foot isn't

a) rotten

b) mishapen

c) hideously hairy

then I'm all for the flip flop. Far better than a stinky rancid trainer in the summer. As long as it isn't paired with cropped cargo pants. Obviously. Because they are unforgivable. And that I know without a shadow of a doubt.

(Image via Telegraph)

Baroque and Roll

What is it about being or going on holiday that makes you quite take leave of your senses?

My flight to Cape Town was delayed and so I spent rather more time than expected sifting through all of those things that in normal circumstances you know you don't need, but when you have time on your hands and are in a holiday state of mind suddenly seem like just the very thing.

(Images via Prada)

For me it was these Baroque sunglasses by Prada. It occured to me that there was really no good reason why I shouldn't have them. Not even their hefty price tag.

It seemed totally normal that I was considering paying the same amount as a couple of nights' accommodation.

Aren't they awesome? I am still pining slightly. But I distracted myself with Prada Candy perfume instead (rubbish name, utterly lovely pong). Clever old me!

Wedding Daze

Hello darlings! I'm back!

So sorry to have left you. I was celebrating the lovely Amelia and Harry's wedding in South Africa. Aren't they a handsome pair?

The bride and I both wore Temperley. It was a glorious day and week away.

But I am back now, ready to take on the fashion challenges of the moment.

Let's go!