Slasher

I've blogged about Irish Fashion Designer Emma Manley on here before so you all know how very much I love her work! Her fabulous designs are described as "an affordable, beautiful, crafted luxury. Garments that are both hard & soft, powerful & preciously delicate at once".

The Slasher dress is probably my favourite piece from her A/W11 collection; I say probably as the entire collection is amazing so it's hard to pick a favourite! Slasher however, is that rare dress you can just throw on and immediately feel fabulous. The dress features two soft jersey layers; a fitted mini underneath and a midi length top layer with two slits running up the centre of each leg. 

The best way to wear Slasher is with a statement belt. You can hide the belt under the front outer flap and tie it to the back to hide your tummy and flatter a pert bottom. Or you can leave the back loose and close the belt over the front layer to give the illusion of a tiny waist. 

The 'Harlech' studded warrior belt by Burberry Prorsum is the ideal statement piece to give a harder edge to the deceptively simple lines of Slasher. The over-sized studds add an edgy, punky feel that is both bold and glamorous. 

The shoes are classic Jimmy Choo courts. They were my first ever Designer shoe purchase many years ago and are so popular they reappear in Jimmy Choo collections season after season.

Get The Look:

Dress: Emma Manley 'Slasher' Dress

Belt: Burberry Prorsum 'Harlech' Studded Belt (similar)

Shoes: Jimmy Choo 'Eros' Shoes

Jewellery: All by Tiffany & Co

Twinkle Little Star

This iconic Alexander Wang cowl-neck mini dress, featuring figure flattering drapes & a shimmering sequin finish,  is the ultimate sparkly party dress. Worn by celebrities such as Cheryl Cole and Kristen Stewart, the Designers signature Goddess style dress became an instant classic when it featured in his Resort 2010 collection.

Navy is such a chic alternative to black & I simply love how the tiny sequins catch the light and make me shine & sparkle with every step, both on and off stage! Such a stunning dress needs nothing more than towering heels, a show stopping clutch and a big smile for an unforgettable entrance. 

I styled it here with my go-to classic Christian Louboutin peep-toe shoes, an oversized Michael Kors gold watch, bright red lips and one of the most amazing bags I own; the limited edition Jimmy Choo 'Pilar' Bakelite clutch. Designed to look like a rolled up magazine, this quirky clutch features a fabulous Richard Phillips 70s style pop-art print. I had to phone the Jimmy Choo store in New York to get hold of this beauty and I'm so glad I did, it is too gorgeous for words!

Get The Look:

Dress: Alexander Wang Draped Sequin Mini Dress in navy (similar)

Clutch: Jimmy Choo 'Pilar' Clutch (similar)

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

Watch: Michael Kors Gold Chronograph Bracelet Watch

Summer Lovin'

From sunny stripes to fresh florals, I am seeing gorgeous Summer dresses everywhere at the moment, thanks to the lovely warm Summer weather. 

It prompted me to get out one of my own favourite Summer dresses. I bought this adorable little number from Reiss last year. It is fun, flirty & fabulous and with it's ruched bustier detail & cute floaty skirt it is absolutely perfect for sunny Garden Parties, Summer Weddings or a day at The Races. You just can't go wrong with a ditzy floral print!

I styled the dress very simply with leg lengthening tan sandals, also from Reiss last Summer, and some delicate silver Tiffany jewellery. 

Get The Look:

Dress: Reiss 'Daffy' strapless floral dress (similar)

Shoes: Reiss 'Cedar' tan sandals (similar)

Jewellery: Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti silver jewellery

It Takes Two

When I think of the Acne brand, I think of minimalism with an edge. I think of wearable, luxurious clothing with attitude.

The 'Atlantis' dress sums up the Acne aesthetic perfectly. When I went to their London store to buy this dress (in the blue colourway), I actually ended up getting two of them, the blue & another in dolphin grey. I just couldn't choose between them so it seemed like the sensible thing to do! It was also available in black but I was a good girl, I put that one back.

I love everything about the 'Atlantis' dress; I love the colour of both, the asymmetric shape, the draped front, the pleated shoulder detail and the curved hem.  I especially love the exposed, copper-coloured side zipper which toughens up this feminine dress. 

I styled the blue dress with my favourite Christian Louboutin studded 'Pigalle' shoes & the dolphin grey one with towering Topshop shoe boots. I wore a simple, chunky Tiffany cuff with both.

Get The Look: 

Dress: Acne 'Atlantis' silk dresses in dolphin grey

Shoes: Christian Louboutin studded 'Pigalle' shoes

Boots: Topshop 'Adina' shoe boots (similar)

Cuff: Tiffany & Co 1837 cuff in silver

Anya

The 'Anya' silk vest top with its unusual tail detail and self adjusting zip-up back is one of my favourite pieces from Kymerah's stunning S/S12 collection. My heart literally skipped a beat when it arrived (thank you so much Kymerah!!) & I simply couldn't wait to wear it! 

This incredibly versatile top can be worn in so many different ways; loose & flowing as I've worn it here, for a carefree, comfortable look or tucked in for a smarter, more tailored look. The tails can be tied at the back for a funky, fitted look and the zip at the back can be opened as far up as you dare for an effortlessly sexy look!

For a romantic night out I paired the top with tailored, high waisted shorts in sky blue from Reiss and the most delicate, feminine, Swarovski crystal encrusted t-bar sandals in soft metallic leather by Gina. Accessories were kept very simple with a Reiss colour block box clutch, in blues to compliment the blue shorts, and my Michael Kors gold watch.

I cheated on MAC and swapped my usual matte red lipstick for a brighter, creamier one; 'Heat Wave' by NARS, my new favourite. You must try it, it is absolutely gorgeous! 

Get The Look:

Top: Kymerah 'Anya' Top in nude-to-tan ombré (gifted)

Shorts: Reiss 'Kaian' Shorts in sky blue (similar)

Shoes: Gina 'Cabaret' Strappy Sandals in platinum (similar)

Clutch: Reiss 'Austell' Box Clutch in blue (similar)

Watch: Michael Kors Gold Chronograph Bracelet Watch

Lipstick: NARS Semi Matte Lipstick in 'Heat Wave' 

Peter Pan

I have been in and out of love with Topshop for as long as I can remember. Right now, I am hopelessly IN LOVE! They have produced some incredible, wearable pieces over the last few seasons and my bank balance can hardly keep up!

One of my favourite things to wear is a shorts playsuit and a shorts playsuit is something good ol' Toppers does particularly well. I live in them all year round, with bare legs and a big smile in the Summer and with black opaque tights and shoeboots when the weather gets cooler.

This gorgeous little shorts playsuit is a case in point; it is so special! The navy velvet lends a very luxurious feel to it, it looks expensive but it was actually a very affordable £50! The white lace Peter Pan collar adds a gorgeous girly contrast. I love a Peter Pan collar; that girly rounded collar that evokes a sense of innocence and is favoured by ingenue-esque starlets like Alexa Chung and Kirsten Dunst. It was allegedly named after the collar of the costume worn by actress Maude Adams in 1905 when she played Peter Pan and has since become a trend that reappears season after season, year after year. 

Here I have teamed my playsuit with nude patent shoes and a delicious pink lipstick in keeping with the cute, girly look.

Get The Look:
Playsuit: Topshop Navy Velvet Lace Collar Playsuit (similar)
Shoes: Geri by Next Nude Patent Platform Shoes (similar)
Lipstick: MAC Lipstick in 'Lustering'

Black Lace

A little while ago, designer brand Issa produced a range of beautiful lace dresses exclusively for Net-a-Porter. They cost an absolute fortune and I knew I could never have one without at least taking out a second mortgage!

So instead, I searched the High Street & the Internet for a cheaper alternative. I struck solid gold when I came across this Juicy Couture 'Guipure' black lace dress (also on Net-a-Porter) and was absolutely thrilled when my darling Husband bought it for me for Valentine's Day! 

It is the most gorgeous, girly dress & one of the very few I own that didn't require some alteration or other to make it fit! 

I have styled it here with my ever present Tiffany charm bracelet (a wedding anniversary present from years ago... it is rarely off my wrist!) & a pair of blue satin shoes. I love a bright pop of colour with a simple, sweet dress like this!

Get The Look:

Dress: Juicy Couture 'Guipure' black Lace Skater Dress (similar)

Shoes: Reiss 'Theo' Blue Satin Shoes (similar)

Charm Bracelet: Tiffany & Co Charm Bracelet in silver