Break a Sweat

My ex used to wear grey hoodies. Pretty much all the time. I wasn't a fan. Well, some were better than others, but there was one that was really oversized and swallowed him up. I hated it. Really, really hated it. To the extent that I asked him not to wear it when I saw him.

Does that make me a crazed fashion (ex)girlfriend? I've always tried to be careful not to be one of those women who tell their partner what to wear. Mostly because I don't want anyone to ever tell me what to wear, and so I wouldn't expect to do that to others. But I drew the line at this one particular item and I banned it. Fortunately he took it in good humour.

So it surprises me to learn that I am craving a sweatshirt. Not a hooded one, but a sweatshirt nontheless. I am not the super casual type so I'm always on the look out for something for the weekend. The J Crew at the top is super cute. And if those jeans weren't quite so skinny I would really like the look. Then the Whistles one is pink, so the association would be less acute.

(Images via J Crew, Whistles, Topshop, River Island)

But could I really live with myself if I've been so critical of it before on someone else?

Girl Next Door

(Image via Lou, Boos and Shoes)

What the Dickens is going on? I saw not one, but two grown women wearing two plaits today. I like a plait, I think they can look very pretty, but two French plaits? The last time I wore my hair like that I was a pre-pubescent. On adults it just looks creepy. Wouldn't you agree?

Polish it Off

I fell in love with pastel shades last year (lilac and powder blue) and I'm glad to see that they are still in favour for summer.

I particularly like the idea of pistachio. I have been intrigued by green polishes for a while but I don't want to look like a schoolgirl as I fear I would with some of the lurid shades.

Pistachio seems like a grown up version of green and as soon as they are out in the shops I am going to snap one up

(Images via Refinery 29, Butter London)

This colour is less appealing, pretty but not for everyday. But the name of the colour is Slapper, which is amazing and put a smile on my face. So I thought I would share it with you. Enjoy!

Not the Sharpest Tulle in the Shed

Gosh, aren't these pretty? Mid-length tulle concoctions in sorbet shades. Bliss.

(Images via Net a Porter)

Follow the Yellow Brick Road

 3.1 Phillip Lim

I am properly excited about yellow coming back into favour. Particularly with this dull grey weather we are having. It isn't necessarily the easiest colour to wear but I reckon there should be a shade I could work with, and if not a skirt would do the trick.

And the best thing, for right now, at least, is that it works really well with grey so I could wear it now with my woolens without looking like a complete nut job.

A.L.C.

Alexander McQueen

A.P.C.

Asos

Carven

Giambattista Valli

Marc by Marc Jacobs

Mason by Michelle Mason

Moschino Cheap and Chic

 

Oasis

Stella McCartney

Topshop

 Vanessa Bruno Athe

(Images via Asos, Topshop, Net a Porter)

Little Miss Saucy

I love leather. I think it can look very sexy. My one major complaint with it is that it isn't very flattering. I always ended up with my thighs looking like sausages that need pricking (trousers) or with my boobs looking like a matronly shelf (dresses or t shirts). I have more or less come to the conclusion that it is something that I will never be carry it off.

Because, truly, one of my personal mantras is: If Salma Hayek can't do it, it can't be done. And I'm afraid, Salma, the proof is right here.

(Images via Reiss, Daily Mail)

But clever old Reiss, with their missy leather skirt, have put regular skirt material round the back. If there was one part of my body that couldn't stand up to the pressure of being encased in leather it's the tush. Lovely as it is, it's not small and putting a tight shiny fabric on it would be the equivalent of attaching a big pointy lit up arrow to it. This however, looks much less scary. And the skirt is super sexy, no? Hmmm, I'm tempted to go and try it on.

Although, thinking about it, I don't work as a dominatrix, so when would I actually have the nerve to go out and about in it? Precisely never, that's when. I think I'll save my pennies after all.

Twenties Twenties Vision

I know I shouldn't get wound up, but whenever I look at Ralph Lauren's magazine ads they make me cringe. They are soooo dated looking. There is always some kind of seventies flavour in there, even when that isn't the trend he is running with.

Plus they are always so American looking. Not that being American is a bad thing, but that fresh faced, preppy innocence is just so boring. And, again, dated. In terms of advertising anyway. The adverts look as though they are for an American market (which, admittedly, they probably are) and that the rest of the world will just have to lump it even if they don't appreciate the aesthetic.

But I hear you: "What's she getting upset about? The whole Ralph Lauren aesthetic is Americana. If you don't like that why would you be interested in Ralph Lauren anyway?"

And I would have agreed with you up to a point.

Specifically up to this point.

Where he sent fresh faced, rosy-cheeked girls down the runway in these fabulous twenties styles.

These dresses are so beautiful. And really sum up many of the things that I love about the trends for the coming season. Pastel shades, and easy elegance and a bit of Gatsy flavour.

This ice blue dress is enough to bring tears to my eyes with its beauty.

So, what do we reckon? Is it just a blip? Or am I going to have to overlook the hideous advertising and admit that I (gasp!) like Ralph Lauren?

Fortunately I don't have to decide just yet. I can enjoy this collection as a stand alone, and I don't have to worry myself about what's to come.

Phew!

(Images via Style.com)

MACGuinness

How glorious does Daphne Guinness look in the MAC ads? Loving every minute. Slightly strange collaboration as I would imagine MAC to be a bit mainstream for Little Miss Couture. But whatever the justification, I like it.

Warm and Fuzzy Feeling

I really need to hold back on the spending. I've got a wedding in South Africa and New York in the next couple of months. Which I'm super excited about.

But it does mean I should reign in the spending.

The fact that finally the sales are petering out and the new spring summer collections are arriving isn't helping things.

Basically because anything that has a flower on it or a pretty pastel shade is calling my name, Siren-like

Like these treats from Reiss.

Plus I saw the look book and I am pretty excited about what is to come.

I need to remember not to get too excited when the first wave comes into the shops, because invariably I will wish I'd held out until I knew what all my options are, rather than splurging the second the new season is in the shops.

But restraint and patience have never been qualities I'm particularly familiar with.

None of this is helping either.

Because all these things are so pretty and I want to go shopping really, really badly.

What can I do to distract myself? Errr....

(Images via Reiss)