Sarah's Suitcase

Natalie B Coleman; you all know by now just how much I love this innovative Designer's quirky, romantic collections with their unique prints & details that truly set her apart.

This beautiful dress is from her dreamy S/S13 collection, 'Sarah's Suitcase' (named after her Grandmother who sadly died while she was designing it). The collection is Natalie's diary & was inspired by her wedding; a time filled with her daydreams of romantic olden days when people put a Trousseau together. It's a Honeymoon collection; whimsical & romantic with a delicate summery pastel palette on soft lightweight fabrics.

The collection features the most fantastic hand drawn & digitally printed illustrations; Butterflies, symbolising spirits. Greyhounds, inspired by the elegance & nobility of a romantic relationship. The Oyster & palm print on my dress was inspired by Natalie's Confirmation outfit. She says it reminds her of holidays in Miami, 80s pastels, Summertime & being a kid.

The beautifully printed dress features a cowl collar front, low collar back with gold button detail, side pockets and an intricate pleated shoulder and arm detail. It is loose by design & immediately makes me long for lazy, hazy Summer days.

I styled it with Summery sandals from Reiss, my beloved Chloe bag, tousled, wind swept hair & tanned legs! I actually wore the dress back to front (on purpose!) so watch out for a 'Snapshot' post soon when I will wear it the right way round... two beautiful dresses in one... genius!

Get The Look:
Dress: Natalie B Coleman 'Oyster & Palm' dress
Shoes: Reiss 'Cedar' Sandals (similar)
Bag: Chloe Paddington Bag (similar)

Eastenders

After some recent fantastic purchases from UK based brand Antipodium (blogged here and here), I have been absolutely obsessed with their cool, modern, laid back designs. My most recent purchase is the achingly cool 'Greenwood' dress. 

This cute girly dress features a deep v-neck, contrast semi-sheer back & sleeves, an elasticated waist & a flirty, swingy skirt. Taking her inspiration from the streets of London, print designer Chloe Constantindi's exclusive 'Eastenders' print for the Brands A/W12 collection, shows the River Thames snaking it's way through one of the most vibrant Cities in the world; an iconic image we all see in the opening titles of 'Eastenders' the TV programme.

I styled the dress with a very neutral pair of nude shoes, my go to Tiffany trinkets & off I went to meet friends for coffee! I was singing the Eastenders theme tune for the rest of the day; you just can't help yourself, duff duff duff!

Get The Look:
Dress: Antipodium 'Greenwood' Dress in Eastenders print
Shoes: Geri by Next Nude Patent Shoes (similar)
Jewellery: All jewellery from Tiffany & Co

Snapshot: Étoile Isabel Marant

Snapped Wearing:
Dress: Étoile Isabel Marant 'Fita' Dress
Shoes: Ash 'Bea' Wedge Sneakers
Belt: Twenty8twelve Belt
Sunglasses: Chanel Bow Sunglasses
Necklace: Nadia Minkoff London Eye Necklace
Note: Photos taken with the Hipstamatic App on my iPhone

Pretty Rock & Roll

This cute, Summery cotton voile dress is my very first purchase from the fantastic new Winter Kate S/S13 collection and it's fair to say it won't be my last! The collection is incredible, full of the most beautiful, feminine, romantical pieces; Nicole Richie has simply outdone herself this season!

The 'Freesia' dress is adorable; it features a beautiful print in soft pastel hues of olive & ivory. It is sleeveless, a loose fitting A-line shape and has delicate lace detailing at the neck & hem which adds a very girlie feel to it.

This soft hazy print is featured a lot in the new Winter Kate collection; on various tops and most interestingly on a fabulous pair of slouchy trousers called... wait for it... 'Fiona'! Named after me I like to believe, har har!

Freesia is such an easy to wear dress; you can literally throw it on & you're good to go. I decided however, to add a little definition to the slouchy shape by styling it with a studded belt from Twenty8twelve. Sticking with the rock & roll edge the belt gave the dress, I added a great pair of rock chic boots from Russell & Bromley; the iconic 'Rockafela' ankle boots. I then braved the very chilly Spring weather to take a few snaps for the Blog. Oh it felt so good to wear Spring clothes and to get my legs out again at last... roll on Summer!!

Get The Look:

Dress: Winter Kate 'Freesia' Dress

Shoes: Russell & Bromley 'Rockafela' Boots

Belt: Twenty8twelve 'Penfold' Belt

Say It With Flowers

This incredible dress by Irish Designer Emma Manley is an actual work of art; a fashion masterpiece. I literally gasped when I unpacked it from it's huge box; it weighs a ton and is quite exquisite!

Contrasting fabrics & tough, yet feminine silhouettes is something Emma specialises in & this dress is pure Manley! The leather body is completely embellished with leather studded circles in a simple neutral palette of black, white, cream, blue & grey. The top of the bodice & the lower back is sheer black layered silk chiffon.

A dress like this doesn't need any help in terms of styling so I paired it with black Christian Louboutin peep-toes and carried a red clutch bag to match the iconic soles of the shoes and my scarlet lipstick. This masterpiece, with it's leather floral appliqué detail, is cool alternative evening-wear at it's very very best!

Get The Look:
Dress: Emma Manley 'Daisy' Leather Flower Appliqué Dress

Shoes: Christian Louboutin 'Very Prive' Peep-toe Shoes in black

Bag: Lulu Guinness Red Lips Clutch

Lashes of London

I came across this cute dress almost by accident; it is by Lashes of London, a relatively new online brand (launched SS12), who source their inspiration from "flee markets in LA to art museums in Paris". Their fantastic, affordable collections are full of the cutest party dresses, cool tops, skirts and playsuits.

Originally £55, I purchased this cute dress in their online sale for only £16.50! What. A. Bargain. Made from a soft stretch material, the sleeveless dress has a loose fit and features a dropped waist line, a deep v-neck & a stunning neon, sequin embellished collar with a hidden hook & eye fastening to the front.

Because of the gorgeous contrasting collar, the dress needs very little accessorising so I styled it simply with a pair of black suede Christian Louboutin pumps & a clutch bag I recently rediscovered in the back of my wardrobe. I love the black diamanté skull on the bag, it adds a cool edge to any outfit.

Get The Look:

Dress: Lashes Of London Mellow Contrast Collar Dress

Shoes: Christian Louboutin 'Rolando' Shoes in black

Bag: Diamanté Skull Embossed Clutch Bag in black (similar)

Black Magic

One of my favourite dresses of all time is the achingly cool Antipodium  'Dearly Departed' maxi dress with it's fantastic Bunny Boiler illustrations by Karl Maier (blogged here). When I discovered that the dress was also available in plain black... well, you know the routine... I simply had to have it! Unfortunately it was way too late in the season and my size was sold out worldwide.

I contacted the lovely people at Antipodium in the vain hope that they might have one lying about; of course they didn't but they very sweetly promised to let me know if they came across one in my size. I didn't expect to hear from them again but bless them, they found the dress for me & I snapped it up quicker than you can say "My name is Fifibaggins and I am a shopaholic"!!

And here it is; the darkly dramatic 'Dearly Departed' maxi dress in black. The dress features a high neckline, long sheer sleeves, a high waistline with subtle pleat detail & a black under slip that sits just above the knees. I love how a sexy glimpse of leg can be seen through the sheer maxi skirt! I styled the dress with a fierce pair of Jeffrey Campbell 'Lita' boots that are very in keeping with the dramatic look of the dress but toned the whole look down with a very delicate, almost there make up.

Get The Look:

Dress: Antipodium 'Dearly Departed' Maxi Dress in black

Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell 'Lita' Boots in black

Lipstick: Bobbi Brown 'Sandwash Pink' Lipstick