Back In Action!

Hello All!

So... where on earth have I been? Why have I seemingly abandoned this lovely blog? Well, it's been a strange old year. With too much work for not quite enough money, and plenty of hours taken up by finishing studies, there hasn't been too much time for the joys of shopping and general style adoration. But forget all that, it's time for this style dissection and appreciation lark to get back on track, and back to the fun!

I've been ferreting away writing regular articles for some other lovely blogs, all in the name of sharing fashion must haves, but from now on they'll be right here too. I don't need to tell you lot that fashion and style have evolved so very much since my last posts, and we all have some opinions that need airing!

Tune in regularly for the good, the bad and the downright flabbergasting! Thanks for having me back, ladies. xx

Gorgeous Sale bargains from Oli

Hi All! Happy New Year to everyone, and goodness... I can't apologise enough for the hiatus. You ever have those months where everything just happens at once? Anyway, enough of my wittering, it's time for the dreaded/beloved January Sales!

I've been shopping already, and boy has it been fun. So it's no surprise that I couldn't resist giving you all a little nod towards www.Oli.co.uk since their clothes and service have put a grin on my face this morning. Rarely would I ever advertise a company so willingly, but they really do treat a girl well!

I've picked three pieces that I fell in love with myself. Both the dresses are excellently tailored and of great quality. The mustard number feels luxurious and wonderfully lined, with a really gorgeous retro feel at an astonishing price. It's just a shame that the Jasmine Guinness item runs a little big on sizes, so beware when ordering! Finally, the Satin T-bars, which are gracing my feet at this very moment, make a gorgeously glamorous flat shoe that will translate easily into any day or night wardrobe. There's loads more online at Oli, but be quick or you'll be cursing your size going out of stock!

Jersey High Neck Dress, £14
Satin T-bar Shoes, £16
Jasmine Guinness Print Dress, £25

Where have I been? Working to horrible deadlines, damn it all!

Hello All!

This is just a little note to say a big Sorry for the lack of updates of late. Sometimes a Stylish Fille is unavoidably a very busy one too!

There'll be much more in the way of news, views and general fashion rants in the run up to Christmas and in the New Year.

I hope you're all getting into the festive spirit and buying gorgeous sparkly things to stave off the cold Winter thoughts.

x

Fun and stylish jewellery at extremely affordable prices

If you can't afford a whole new and 'cutting edge' wardrobe every season, I firmly believe that accessories can transform every outfit into whatever you see fit.

There's a huge range of great, quirky little jewellery items available at the moment. I've chosen some of my favourites from the high street and online. The best part being the affordably low prices. The best, for my money are the Hultquist Frog Earrings (left), which are perfect for wearing with a dressy evening outfit, or lifting a jeans and sweater out of boredom during the day. Get clicking to see how to buy these great wardrobe diversifiers!

Product Details:
Hultquist Frog Earrings, £15 from Oli
Large Enamel Flower Ring, now £3 from Miss Selfridge
Red Cameo Lady Brooch, £9 from Junkie Lovers
Butterfly Wood Pendant, £10 from Accessorize

John Frieda's Frizz-Ease Serum - A haircare wonder product

John Frieda may well be a god like genius in the world of haircare. Frizz-Ease hair serum is, quite simply, a wonder product for any hair type out there. A pre-curser to the mass marketing of straightening irons, this serum promises to give a girl frizz free hair come rain or shine. Miraculously enough, in my experience it actually lives up to its promises.

This must-have comes in various strengths, depending on your hair type, and the original product has spawned a whole family of frizz battling products. Perfect for girls with curls or even, like me, bordering on the poker straight. Frizz-Ease gives perfect shine and no fuzzy bits at all.

Best of all it won't damage your hair like over use of hairdryers and hot straighteners does. Oh, and it's cheap as chips at £5.98 from Boots. Thank you, Mr Frieda.

When fashion gets it wrong: Over hyped and over priced - Kate Moss for Topshop

Kate Moss' collection for high street big name Topshop was one of the most talked about fashion events of 2007. There were well documented scrambles for some of the pieces from her first range, and many restocks were required. But this is a perfect example of what I can't stand about fashion.

Her ranges have been, at best, very ordinary. Yet we have seen stars like Cameron Diaz wearing Kate's clothes on red carpets, and it can only be because of the celebrity name tag. Kate's second range for the store (selected pieces shown above) is no more designer than the shop's duller end of their range. Without discernible sparkle in most of the pieces, the rest is just plain unwearable and overpriced. This wet look maxi dress is something I would never be seen dead in, but more annoying is the chiffon blouse, which inexplicably costs £30 for something that will not stretch to regular wear in your wardrobe. Even the tie costs £20.

The mark ups fail to entice me into believing these are must have items for this season. While most of the range is cute and would make wonderful wardrobe staples, it seems as though Kate's 'people' got greedy. At prices like £120 for this frankly ugly green dress, this is one range that's hype won't sway girls with sense.

If you think I'm crazy, check out Kate's range for yourself at Topshop online.

Stylish Filles: Style Icons past and present - Brigitte Bardot

Brigitte Bardot was a very stylish fille indeed. The french model, singer and actress was a fantastic poster girl for the '60s...quite literally. Being the pin up and even muse of many a man, she oozed sex appeal in her hey day.

I count her among my personal style icons, purely because she knew how to do sexy with all her clothes on so very well. Her trademark blonde hair was often styled into a fantastic sixties bouffant or perfected into what can only be described as 'sex hair'. She accompanied this with classic silhouettes in clothing, pencil skirts, figure hugging dresses, clean lines and a dollop of distinctly french flair.

Of course, true to all stylish sixties girls, Brigitte was always seen in dark kohl eyeliner, with fantastically overdone lashes too. A style I'm forever taking off.

Brigitte is a reminder of how sex appeal is supposed to look, not like so many stars of this decade who've gotten their arse cheeks out to get attention. Not that Brigitte wasn't known for showing some flesh when the occasion was right...

Check out Brigitte Bardot with Tom Zé, showing exactly why every man loved her flirtatiousness, and she loved it right back.

Gorgeous daywear to brighten up your Autumn from Miss Selfridge

I often get the feeling that Autumn inspires despair in the hearts of ladies everywhere. I take a different view, there's new stock in the shops, fabulously rich colours and even a few gorgeous dresses preparing for the run up to party season.

This outfit from Miss Selfridge is a perfect example of why I love Autumn clothes. The rich browns and golds work fantastically together, and I love layering so very much. I chose a casual dress that's still effortlessly flattering with an empire line and heart shaped neckline. I then teamed the dress with a cute, chunky knit mini cardi to keep out the chill without fear of drowning your frame. Accessories in bronze/gold give this outfit a lift from the ordinary. I love these point toe pumps, perfect day shoes that I'd gladly wear to death.

Product Details:
Check Empire Dress, £35
Landgirls Chunky Jacket, £40
Bronze Buckle Point Pump, £25
Gold Look Medieval Necklace, £15
Glass Stone Bangle, £15