THE VERY BEST OF VERSACE for H&M Winter 2011 (Spot)

In true Donatella style (meaning she is no conventional wall flower) The Versace for H&M advert is a surrealists dream- brilliant and kooky. Models, Lindsey Wixson and Daphne Groeneveld star in the minute-long TV commercial, directed by Jonas Akerlund. Donatella controls the models, who don a variety of the collaborated outfits, with a series of ropes and marionette style puppetry. The advert ends ever so slickly with Donatella turning around and simply stating; "My house, my rules, my pleasure."

Black and tan...

*apologies for the stern face, it would appear I am adverse to smiling in photos- must take note* Long and arduous is the search for 'The coat' many a day has been spent talking about this- with friends, boyfriend, any stranger passing by who will listen! This little number I stumbled across it whilst working on a styling job last month, but they didn't have it in the size I wanted- ain't that always the case! On a recent trip out I managed to secure the size and after a lengthy drive got the little bugger before it slipped away again - oh the lengths we will go to for love! Just what I wanted- plain and simple (my best friend and I had a lengthy chat about what we wanted in a winter coat, this ticks all the boxes!) it isn't too far from my Winter coat last year which did me well- and it was 1/3 of the price!! Coupled with a snood (another steal) and I'm as snug as a bug in a tan rug. These shoes are just my heart at the moment- they go with everything and are so comfortable I am pretty sure I could do a marathon in them!! I love the fresh feel of Black and tan- it is such an underestimated combination and I always feel positively Parisian in the 70's (not that I know what that was like- but a gal can dream!)

Fashion fades, style is forever...

Forgive a moment while I collect myself as I have been left completely dumbstruck by the news that follows... Karl Largerfeld and Carine Roitfeld - long standing friends with a well publicised relationship- I gushed here about their collaboration over the new Chanel advert featuring Freja Beha Erichsen,. It would appear that this utterly inspirational duo are releasing a book.... (cue pause for jaws to be re-attached to faces) Rumoured for a long time by non other that Roitfeld, evidence has emerged via the latest issue of V magazine that it is indeed true! The issue in question has published some images from the book, still in production, which features stylish women and men- Dakota fanning, Daphne Groeneveld and Saskia de Brauw to name a few. The shoot focuses on the iconic Chanel tweed jacket and the re-working of it *genius* styled by Roitfeld and shot by Largerfeld... I know that I am not alone when I say... I wait with breath that is baited. "This jacket is a vital and irrational impulse open to creativity and transformation," Lagerfeld explains, adding: "Especially in the hands of Carine Roitfeld."

The kind I'd like to meet...

Pretty woman has to be an all time favourite for nearly every woman I know- The modern day fairytale of prostitute meets wealthy business man to sweep her off her feet and give her a fairytale life- not the greatest platform for women to aspire to but you get the gist non the less. I recently re-watched this little gem and let me tell you, it does not disappoint the 27th time round- The clothes, the clothes, the clothes. Not only early 90's (A well documented favourite of mine) but also an extremely wonderful variation of cuts, materials and tailoring. You can imagine my excitement. The cocktail dress- although slightly busy, has divine neck detail- The white dress- take out the pads, rid the opera gloves and add some flop to that hat- you've got yourself a variable feast for the eyes- and as for the red opera dress- well, that can stay exactly where it is.. emotional attachment prevails in this instence.

Glitter in the air...

Shirt: Burberry Jumper:H&m Trousers: Zara Bag: Zara Shoes: Primark It was only a matter of time before the high street started to mimic the glitter shoes that have taken this season by storm- The awe inspiringly beauty of the Miu Miu's I posted about here and their impossibly perfect balance of statement and festive still sends me spinning. Months ago Zara, Topshop and office started releasing their own take on the glitter trend but these little beauties are one of the best I have seen; cute, comfortable and cost effective. Hailing from non other than Primark- I have been having a lot of luck there lately, that place is like Russian roulette! An Autumnal pallet for an Autumnal climate- My love for maroon is very well documented and olive green is a welcome seasonal hue. I don't think you can ever have enough 'smart' trousers as they transcend both day and evening. A weekend involving catching up with friends, Britney Spears (so sad to see her demise but glad to see her fighting fit) and trips to see the boyfriends parents. Nothing quite like the feeling of a Vicarage on a Sunday morning while the leaves are falling and the fire burns. I can smell Christmas already, even driving home felt festive- I think I'm going to be donning an annoying 'festive spirit' this year.

There's something about Miu Miu...

I like to think I'm not 'the mark' when it comes to fashion fads/trends. Having my own preferences of tailoring, materials and cuts I generally stay true to my own style and merely infiltrate tidbits of current trends and seasonal 'it' items...That was until Miu Miu came along and rubbished my whole being. The Glitter boot is an item that I have completely fallen head over heels for(excuse the pun)and I am not ashamed to say it, in fact I am ready to immerse myself in a life of glitter and sparkle- cue full body glitter suit a la Britney 'toxic' Spears.. These boots are completely impractical, only go with about 40% of my wardrobe and are so 'of this season' that in 6 months they will look dated and sooo 'AW2011' Even with all this working against these glimmering bootis they still haunt my dreams. weighing in at £555 that's only a months worth of my livelihood right?

A Grand accomplishment...

I have already gushed all over LOVE magazine and its genius content, editorials and colour scheme (the muted pallet are a pleasure to the eye) but behind it all- Katie Grand is a personal hero of mine. Not only is she the fearless leader of LOVE magazine - a perfect publication for the aspiring, wannabe editor- balancing controversial whilst still maintaing an air of effortless sleekness *take notes* Grand is also the former editor of POP and mastermind behind Dazed and Confused Before any of this has even sunk in I should probably mention that Grand is also head stylist/consultant for Marc Jacobs, Giles Deacon and Azzedine Alaïa. The word Superwoman comes to mind- but Katie seems far too humble and invested in the 'cause of fashion' to adhere to the hype and fickle nature of being branded as popular. Painfully cool with an outstanding accuteness for all that is and will be relevant in popular culture - Grand is an absolute inspiration and epitomises all that suggests a woman really can have it all. If you have a spare few minutes the Telegraph did a fantastic interview with Kate Here