Indian Summer

You might all remember how bereft I was when I had to say goodbye to my favourite Boho clothing brand, Nicole Richie's beautiful Winter Kate (blogged here). I've been searching for a replacement brand for months but to no avail. Until now! I stumbled across Spell Designs completely by accident and have subsequently spent many happy hours on their website drooling over their dreamy, ethereal designs.

My first purchase was a playsuit (of course it was; I'm obsessed with playsuits!) and what a beauty it is. Described online as 'the perfect Summer romper' (it really is), it is made in a beautiful cream broderie anglaise cotton with an embroidered tangled strawberry vine floral detail all over. It has a drawstring waist, 3/4 length sleeves and cute flirty frills on the shorts hemline. 

I styled it with my fab Country & Western-esque 'Jalouse' boots by Ash; yes I finally found the perfect replacement for my much loved, absolutely battered, completely worn out Karen Millen boots!

I wore my cute little playsuit for the very first time on a glorious sunny Sunday at Mayfield Lavender Farm in Surrey. We wandered dreamily through 25 acres, the fields carpeted in rich purple lavender, listening to bees humming, crickets chirping, the sweet, aromatic scent of lavender evoking a feeling of calm and tranquility. It is such a magickal, enchanted place. 

Get The Look:

Playsuit: Spell & The Gypsy Collective 'Indian Summer' Romper

Shoes: Ash 'Jalouse' Boots in taupe

Golden Girl

Where do I even begin with this beautiful metallic gold leather tank? It is a stunning top, a real stand out piece and much easier to wear than you might think; it is a great layering piece when worn with chunky knits, a sexy, dressy top with skinny jeans or as I've styled it here, glamorous & girly with a cute skirt.

The 'Dakota' leather tank by the extraordinarily talented Emma Manley features snap fasteners on both sides, and is studded with dome shaped studs in an irregular pattern all over.

I styled it here with another beautiful Manley piece, a firm favourite, the 'Dakota' studded skirt (also blogged here & here). I added towering heels to glam my look up even more and kept my makeup simple, using golds, nudes and metallic browns to compliment such a stunning top.

Get The Look:

Top: Manley Dakota Leather Tank in gold (similar)

Skirt: Emma Manley 'Dakota' Studded Skirt in navy (similar)

Shoes: Topshop 'Adina' Platform Ankle Boots in black (similar)

Smile For The Camera

"Smile for the camera

For me one more time

So the memory of you

Will never fade away"

~ Robert Guerrero

I promised you a post about this cute Sugarhill Boutique dress when I blogged about the gorgeous top version (here). I'd struggled to choose between them so ended up buying both! I don’t feel at all guilty though as I know I will get great wear from both pieces.

The beautiful skater dress in a rich vibrant blue (that matches the colour of my eyes exactly!) features Sugarhill Boutique’s exclusive, quirky, hand-drawn camera print. It is fitted at the waist, has short sleeves and a cutaway back that adds a cute detail but still manages to conceal pesky bra straps.

I styled my dress with a simple pair of black brogues, a statement red lip and a big smile. It needed absolutely nothing else; simples!

Get The Look:

Dress: Sugarhill Boutique Camera Print Skater Dress in blue

Shoes: ASOS 'Marky' Brogues in black (similar)

Photographer: Kate Carpenter

The Midi Skirt

 

The midi, or mid-length, skirt is sometimes regarded as being dowdy, with some gals fearful it will make them look frumpy. They imagine it will cut their calves in half, thicken their ankles or shorten their legs. Oh how wrong they are!

The midi has become a very credible style staple. Between mini & maxi lengths, the midi sits below the knee and above the ankle; it is an ultra-ladylike, poised, chic style. The reality is that it shows off a tiny waist and highlights trim ankles. Leaving more to the imagination makes it a sexy and alluring style.

Being such a a short girl I must admit I was a bit nervous to try this potentially tricky style but being made up mostly of legs I was assured that I could carry it off. I turned to my favourite Designer, Ireland's Emma Manley, for inspiration. Her 'Erin' skirt is such a cool, punked-up take on the midi trend. Made from perforated navy leather, it features a cross-over double front and a lamb nappa waistband in black with snap fastener detail. The perforated leather is studded with conical antique gold studs, the skirt has pockets on the side seam, is fully lined in silk and, thanks to all the studs, it literally jingles, rattles and sings along with every step you take!

I styled my skirt with a fantastic matching top; the 'Dakota' sleeveless, button down silk shirt. It features the same navy perforated leather as the skirt on its bodice and is embellished with the same Manley signature stud detail. The metallic Dior shoes add a very 70s touch & the vibrant red of the gorgeous, over-sized Nadia Minkoff clutch brings a great pop of colour to this super cool look.

Get The Look:

Skirt: Emma Manley 'Erin' Studded Midi Skirt in navy

Top: Emma Manley 'Dakota' Sleeveless Shirt

Shoes: Dior 'Extreme' Metallic Shoes (similar)

Bag: Nadia Minkoff 'The Aldwych' Over-sized Clutch in London red (similar)

Snake In The Grass

Snake print is really hot this season; it’s a trend that has never really gone away and I am delighted that it has slithered its way back to the forefront of our Spring/Summer wardrobes. As animal prints go, snake is one of the easiest to wear; not as Bet Lynch as leopard print, not as bold as Zebra print, it is instead, elegant, sophisticated and very versatile.

The ‘Rafi’ shirt from Reiss is a great way to rock the snake print trend; the silky shirt, in striking black and white, features a cute little collar, covered button placket, single button square cuffs and is a gently fitted shape. Rafi can be dressed up or dressed down; it would look great teamed with a classic black pencil skirt and heels, with tuxedo trousers and a tailored jacket or as I’ve styled it here, with a pair of distressed denim shorts and comfy ankle boots.

I went very casual with this look but even so, the shirt still makes quite a style statement. I love it to bits and I’m trying very very hard not to purchase the Reiss dress, skirt and clutch that all feature the same cool print. Lets see how I get on with that!

Get The Look:

Shirt: Reiss ‘Rafi’ Snake Print Shirt

Shorts: Zara Denim Shorts (similar)

Shoes: Karen Millen Stack Heel Ankle Boots (similar)

 

Faster Better and Stronger

My band Alter Ego was recently booked to perform at the 30th Anniversary celebrations for iconic 80s TV series Robin Of Sherwood (remember when it was the law to love the Hooded Men Michael Praed & Jason Connery?) and I wanted something new and green (the green bit was particularly important, obviously) to wear for such a cool gig.

This beautiful Karen Millen shift dress, in the brands signature stretch fabric, was perfect! A figure caressing style that sculpts a flawless silhouette, the dress features sexy cut-outs at the shoulders, zip closure to the back and a stunning, dramatic splash print (in green) that I knew would stand out on stage. Such a stunning dress deserved equally stunning accessories so I styled it with classic Christian Louboutin peep-toe shoes and a statement clutch bag from Kiwi Designer Karen Walker.

Karen Walker's Fall 2014 collection was inspired by the way New Zealand's Suffragettes printed their messages on dresses, bags and even on money; making a statement without having to say a word. The limited edition 100% leather clutches read “Young Willing and Eager”, “Hello and Goodbye”, “Liberal Miserable and Cynical" & “Faster Better and Stronger”. I chose the latter slogan as it struck a chord with me and perfectly describes the me I am today. I am faster. I am better. I am stronger.

The outfit was perfect for the Robin Of Sherwood gig; comfortable, green (the important bit) and a little bit sexy. We played our way through two energetic sets, watching actors I adored as a youngster and so many of their wonderful, enthusiastic fans dancing to our music all night long. It was wonderful; the trippiest gig ever! As Robin and his Merries would say, "Nothing's forgotten, nothing is ever forgotten".

Get The Look:

Dress: Karen Millen Splash Print Shift Dress

Bag: Karen Walker Limited Edition Statement Clutch

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

Photos: Kate Carpenter