30.07.2011- Holding out for a Hero (& Cape!)

There's no doubt that the classic white tee is a staple in any style savvy girl's wardrobe. There are occasions, however, when I find myself wishing for a more unique twist on this fashion essential- step forward Hero&Cape! The brand's debut collection, featuring the beautiful illustrations of Niki Lau, launched this week, and breathes new life into the white tee:

How cute are they? I'm seriously struggling to whittle down this pretty little lot to try and pick a favourite, but I think the Scalloped Peter Pan collar tee might just be winning- it's the perfect way to incorporate the collar micro-trend into any outfit and I adore the ribbon detail. I also love how versatile these tees are- perfect for dressing down with a pair of jeans or up with a cute skirt or smart pair of trousers. The full collection can be viewed over at the Hero&Cape website, and whilst you're there be sure to check out the jewellery, especially the stunning Skyline necklaces.

What do you think of Hero&Cape's capsule white tee collection? Are you impressed?

(Image credit: Hero&Cape.)

29.07.2011- Weekend Wishes

This weekend, I wish I could spend my time outside in the garden enjoying the best of the sun:

Julija Steponaviciute in Summer Breeze, shot by Nick Dorey and styled by Michelle Duguid, Goodwood Spring/Summer 2011. 

But first I need to track down a fantastic sun hat like the one in the first photo!

What have you got planned for the weekend? Will you be making the most of the weather?

(Image credit: NOIR FACADE.)

26.07.2011- First Look: Elle Fanning for LOVE

You may remember about this time last year, the fourth edition of LOVE magazine was available with eight different covers. Well, issue six of the magazine comes out at the beginning of August, with three different covers to choose from, and, a month after this, a second run of the issue with five special edition fashion covers will be available. I've just caught a sneaky peek at the first cover to be released- rising star Elle Fanning as photographed by Mert and Marcus:

Elle Fanning, LOVE Magazine August 2011 by Mert and Marcus.

If all of the covers are as lovely as this one, then it's going to be very hard to make a choice! Keep your eyes peeled for the rest as they are released throughout the week.

What do you think of Elle Fanning's cover for LOVE? Will you be buying the issue?

(Image credit: LOVE on facebook.)

25.07.2011- Monday Must-haves

Typical. The moment I come up with a knitwear themed post, we experience what feels like a mini-heatwave. I suppose it just serves me right for being uber-organised, eh? Anyway, this week's must-haves post features some of the gorgeous jumpers which are already making their way into the shops in preparation for winter:

A few years ago I bought some gorgeous jumpers which are now either a) too big for me or b) too small for me (having been shrunk in the wash). Whenever it's freezing cold in the winter, I go to reach for a cosy jumper only to discover pretty poor selection, some of which would even look small on Thumbelina! I've adored this River Island jumper for ages, and think it's a really versatile piece- it would look great with jeans or over a cute tea dress. I love the vibrant colours of these knits from Oasis, so refreshing to see something for winter that's not black or grey! This adorable pink number from Rokit has just shot straight to the top of my wishlist, it's a stunning colour and incorporates a big trend for the coming season- the collar. You can't go wrong with an oversize cardigan from Topshop, and I adore the chunky buttons on this mohair version. And whilst this embroidered jumper from Monsoon is a touch on the expensive side, I think it would look fabulous teamed with a blood red pleated midi skirt (dare I utter the phrase Christmas party outfit?!)

I'm off to evaluate my knitwear collection make space for some more clothes in my wardrobe.

Do you think it's too early to be looking at winter clothes in July? And what are your thoughts on my picks for this week?

(Image credit: River Island, Oasis, Rokit, Topshop and Monsoon.)

22.07.2011- Fashion in Motion: Yohji Yamamoto

At the start of the month, my best friend Sarah and I went along to the Yohji Yamamoto Fashion in Motion event at the Victoria and Albert museum. We'd been to the Kenzo show last November, and were very excited to see the work of another designer up close against the backdrop of the museum's breathtaking Raphael Gallery. Celebrating the retrospective of Yamamoto's work which had been housed in the museum until only a few weeks ago, the show had an entirely different aesthetic to the Kenzo presentation and featured a selection of both menswear and womenswear. Most endearingly of all, however, the looks were modelled by real life couples from London, mirroring the approach Yamamoto took to casting his Spring/Summer 1999 menswear show, where the models were handpicked from the streets of Paris. The designs featured in the presentation showcased Yamamoto's famous approach to cutting womenswear; loose, flowing fabrics and shapes were utilised to create a distinctly androgynous feel. The menswear featured was also quite unconventional, with suits in a riot of colours and longer lines used to play with proportion.

I really enjoyed this event, and loved the fact that the models were real couples. I'm now on a mission to track down a t-shirt with the slogan 'I am a deeply superficial person' on!

Have you ever been to a Fashion in Motion event? And are you a fan of Yohji Yamamoto's work?

(Image credit: Sarah Farrell, please do not reproduce without permission. Images edited using Picnik.)

19.07.2011- LOLA's Pink Label

If you're a regular reader, then you'll know that I'm a complete and utter cake junkie. Whether they're home-baked or shop bought, I'm not really fussy, but one of my favourite bakeries to visit is LOLA's. You can probably imagine then, how excited I was when I heard about their Pink Label cupcakes, which are described as 'elegant and sophisticated' versions of their signature cakes, perfect for parties and to give as gifts. With twelve gourmet flavours to choose from, you'll certainly be spoilt for choice! Here's my pick from the range:

Mouth-watering! Each Pink Label cake is priced at £4, and the full range can be viewed over at the LOLA's cupcakes online store. I was also really excited to hear that Romy Lewis and Victoria Jossel, the founders of LOLA's, are releasing a cookery book in October. Entitled Making Cupcakes with Lola, the book features signature cupcake recipes and introduces some new cake-shaped delights.

I've pre-ordered my copy already!

What do you think of LOLA's Pink Label cupcakes? And will you be getting the book when it comes out?

(Image credit: LOLA's and Amazon.)

18.07.2011- Monday Must-haves

After a little break, 'Monday Must-haves' is back with a rather autumnal feel (which seems oddly appropriate given the awful weather!)

I stumbled across these loafers from Tesco whilst having a browse on their website over the weekend, and was amazed at how much of a bargain they are! They're a perfect caramel colour for the autumn, and I adore the patent effect. And for £14 you can't really go wrong can you?! I love this blouse from Miss Selfridge, and the ankle boots are a must-have for any winter wardrobe, especially if (and not wishing to tempt fate at all!) we have a repeat of last year's horrible snow. I've been after some stag earrings for ages (which I put down to a childhood obsession with The Animals of Farthing Wood!)- these beauties from New Look are lovely and such good value at under £3. The Topshop website has also steadily been updated over the last week with some pieces from their AW11 collection, and this beret caught my eye as it's so cute and very reminiscent of a Chanel-esque elegance. Finally, I included this scarf from Warehouse as I love the vibrant colours and it's a much more affordable alternative to some similar styles from the Mulberry SS11 range.

Have you bought anything recently? And is there anything you've seen recently which you're currently coveting?

(Image credit: Tesco, Miss Selfridge, Topshop, Warehouse and New Look.)

15.07.2011- Weekend Wishes

Long time no see! I'm so so sorry I haven't posted in nearly a week, I've just been so busy (and really tired!) this week so haven't had much time to blog. I hope you've all had lovely weeks and are enjoying the Harry Potter hype as much as I am- I'm off to see it on Sunday evening and am so excited. I'm also noticing some AW11 pieces making an appearance in stores at the moment, so although I can't bring myself to wave goodbye to the summer just yet, my wish for this weekend would be to get my hands on these gorgeous outfits for next season, as modelled by Coco Rocha for ELLE UK's August issue:

Coco Rocha shot by Matthias Vriens-McGrath and styled by Anne-Marie Curtis, ELLE UK August 2011. 

What do you think of the looks Coco is modelling? Are you impressed? And what have you got planned for the weekend?

(Image credit: fashiongonerogue.)

09.07.2011- Weekend Wishes

I'm a little bit behind on the couture shows at the moment, but am hoping to catch up over a lovely cup of tea when I get a spare minute. One presentation which I did manage to catch a glimpse of was the Givenchy one, and I'm yet again bowled over by the intricacy of the designs. So my wish for this weekend (as far fetched and highly unlikely as it is) is to own a piece from the Givenchy Fall 2011 couture collection:

Givenchy Haute Couture Fall 2011.

So beautiful! I can't wait to see these pieces on the red carpet.

What do you think of Givenchy's latest couture collection? And what are your wishes for this weekend?

(Image credit: fashiongonerogue.)

07.07.2011- Glamour of the Gods

If you're anything at all like me then you'll love looking at photographs of old film stars for inspiration. There's something so magical about looking back at the glamour of bygone eras, and I don't think that today's film stars have got anything on the icons of the past. Give me Audrey over Angelina any day! With this in mind, I can't wait to make my way along to the National Portrait Gallery's Glamour of the Gods exhibition, which opens today. The exhibition, which showcases over 70 portraits from the Golden Age of Hollywood, features a range of images which were instrumental in cementing the appeal of stars such as James Dean, Marylin Monroe, Greta Garbo and Rita Hayworth and have since become iconic in their own right. Here's a little glimpse of some of the portraits on show:

Marlon Brando

Marlene Dietrich

Grace Kelly

Elizabeth Taylor

The prints, many of which are being displayed for the first time, are taken from the John Kobal Foundation Archive, which features over 22,000 images from Hollywood's Golden Age. The foundation has also produced a book to accompany the exhibition which features over 200 rarely seen images from the Kobal Foundation archive and is sure to be an inspiring read.

The exhibition runs at the National Portrait Gallery from today (July 7th) until October 23rd. Standard tickets cost £6, and more information on how to book can be found here. I can't wait to visit!

Will you be visiting the exhibition? And who are your favourite Hollywood icons?

(Image credit: The John Kobal Foundation, National Portrait Gallery and BBC.)

06.07.2011- My Month in Pictures: June

I can't quite believe June has come to an end already! I had a lovely month, and here are some of my highlights in pictures:

2nd June- Spent the day in Hyde Park with my lovely friend Liz and trekked back to Trafalgar Square (where we bathed our aching feet in the fountains!) via Piccadilly.

14th June- Baked these yummy chocolate cookies.

15th June- The view of a particularly striking moon from my bedroom window, snapped just before I went to bed.

17th June- Spent the morning exploring the National Gallery with my bestie and afterwards we indulged in a delicious Pizza Express lunch. The Legerra pizza is my new guilt free favourite!

18th June- Picked up this beautiful vanity case in the Cath Kidston sale, the perfect excuse to organise my make up (and make room for some more!)

20th June- Caught up with some of my gorgeous college friends over noodles and frozen yogurt (another guilt free indulgence!)

23rd June- Spent a Saturday off work in London with my mum, where we went for a lovely lunch and apple crumble pudding in Covent Garden before heading to Les Misérables (review coming soon!) 

29th June- Rounded off the month by seeing Dr. Faustus at Shakespeare's Globe (again, review coming soon!)

Looking back, this post mainly consists of food! Not that this is a bad thing at all. What did you get up to in June?

(Image credit: Sarah Farrell, please do not reproduce without permission. Images edited using Picnik.)