Sunday 31 July 2011

today i love... zips

If you've been following my "today I'm wearing" posts, you'll probably have noticed that I really do rather like a zip. From my black ankle boots to my leather shorts and red cropped jeans, I have a lot of clothes emblazoned with the little metal fastenings, so much so that I often have to refrain from wearing them together for fear of looking like one giant zip (or just a bit silly). Part of the reason I bought my zip-free ASOS leather shorts is so that I could wear them with zip tops or jackets, which I can't do with my zip-tastic Topshop ones. Anyway, there's something I just can't resist about zips, whether they actually lead to a pocket or not. They add a little bit of edge and interest to absolutely any item of clothing, be it a leather jacket, a bag, a shoe or a jumper. They're not too girly, like cutesy buttons, but they're also not too fierce, like studs: they strike a happy balance in between. When I assisted stylist Priscilla Kwateng at the Guardian (very lovely and very stylish), I remember being astonished when she told me she didn't like zips. I couldn't understand how she could be immune to their charms (but it's true, you'll never see zips on the Guardian Weekend All Ages page). To this day I've never met an item of clothing embossed with zips that I didn't love. The selection below shows some of my current favourites on the high street. Some of them are just simple items with a zip fastening; others put zips centre stage. I particularly love the cream leather ASOS dress, the simple Zara sweatshirt with standout zip sleeves and the chunky navy River Island jumper. I also thought the Schuh boots were a pretty good substitute for the sold-out Topshop Ambush ones. Anyway, I recommend you add a few more zips to your wardrobe: in my opinion you can never have too many.


3. Mango double zip purse, £3.50 (reduced from £14) at ASOS
12. H&M skirt, £14.99

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Saturday 30 July 2011

today i'm wearing...



Shirt from Topshop; shorts from H&M; boots from Topshop; bag from Zara; necklace from ASOS; sunglasses from ASOS.


So I bought some House of Fraser sunglasses recently, but it turned out the frames were too small and didn't suit my face, so I went for these ASOS ones instead, and I'm rather pleased with them. Today I wore them on a lovely jaunt to Oxford, and it actually felt like summer for once!

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Friday 29 July 2011

today i'm wearing...



Shirt from Topshop; jeans from Topshop; shoes from Zara; bag from H&M Fashion Against Aids; necklace is old; ring from Topshop.


I don't usually like florals at all; in fact this is the only floral piece I ever wear, and I don't often feel like putting it on. But it is a beautiful shirt and today I just felt in the right mood for it. I do really like the contrast between the pretty floaty shirt, the tough zip jeans and the bright shoes and shiny bag. (Obsessed with this bag.)

By the way, apparently the Topshop glitter boots came back in stock today, but again had sold out by the end of the morning. If they come back again and stick around long enough for me to do a post on them, I will let you know right away!

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today i want... zara black and snakeskin flats

It was one of my New Year's resolutions to wear heels whenever possible, and I think it might be the only one I've ever genuinely kept to. So much so that when I wear flats now I feel very odd, and really quite frumpy. They just never look as good in my opinion, and there's no surer way to ruin a perfectly good outfit than by sticking on a dull pair of flats - or worse, trainers (I absolutely love Sabrina of Afterdrk's style, but I do wish she'd throw out her Converse). However, while I can happily wear my heeled boots 24/7, some activities like commuting and shopping are just not possible in most of my heels. So inevitably I need a good pair of flats to turn to. And I think I've found them in Zara's latest drop. The black pointed toe, the snakeskin panel, the Chloé-esque ankle strap: these babies prove that shoes do not have to be ugly to be comfortable (take note, all those women who commute in horrible chunky trainers: a pet hate of mine). And at £39.99, they are a very affordable way to make those times when you really can't wear heels just a little bit more elegant.



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Thursday 28 July 2011

today i'm wearing...



Jacket from Topshop; top from Topshop; jeans from Topshop; shoes from Next; necklace from ASOS.


I've decided to join Bloglovin, which allows you to keep track of all your favourite blogs in one place and shows you when they've been updated. Click the link below if you'd like to follow me! Thanks! X

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Wednesday 27 July 2011

today i'm wearing...




Jumper from H&M; top from Topshop; shorts from H&M; shoes from Topshop; bag from Miss Selfridge; tights from M&S; ring from River Island; nail varnish is old.


Love love this jumper.

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Tuesday 26 July 2011

today i'm wearing...




Jacket from Dorothy Perkins; tee from Topshop; jeans from Topshop; boots from Topshop; bag from Topshop; bracelet from ASOS; necklace is old; nail varnish is old.


Sorry for the rubbish picture quality - unfortunately I've had to return the amazing DSLR I'd been borrowing. Hopefully I'll be able to get it back in a week or so but until then my old camera will have to do. Anyway, don't you just love these amazing Topshop glitter boots? Paired them with a really simple outfit to let them rightfully take centre stage. I'm a bit in love.

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Monday 25 July 2011

today i'd love to wear...

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Sunday 24 July 2011

today i bought...


Found this lovely jumper in H&M today. If you spend as much time reading fashion blogs as I do, then this may well look a little familiar, because H&M had one just like it last winter and for a while you couldn't move for seeing it all over the internet. Anyway, having missed the boat on that one, I was rather pleased to find this very similar version in store today (in the Divided section). Typically the weather's now picked up a bit, but I'm sure it won't be long before the grey skies reappear and the knitwear can come back out.


If the sunshine does persist, however, then these will come in handy. I've been desperately wanting some classic Ray-Ban Wayfarers for quite some time, but seeing as how I couldn't bear to drop over £100 on something I'd probably end up sitting on, instead I found some standard lookalikes, reduced to a mere £3.60 from Therapy at House of Fraser. Can't go too wrong for that price, can you really?

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today i want... asos leather biker with leopard panel

If you've read my "today I love... basics" post on leather jackets, you'll know I really can't get enough of them. And today I've come across another to put on my wish list: this ASOS beauty, complete with ponyskin leopard print panel. Not quite as versatile as your standard black one, granted, but it would be perfect slung over the simplest of outfits: denim shorts and a white shirt, a black playsuit or jeans and a grey marl tee. Considering how much I've been buying recently though, I think I might wait a few months and see if it goes on sale...



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Saturday 23 July 2011

today i'm channelling... elin kling


Click here to see Elin Kling's look




Elin Kling posted this outfit on her blog a few weeks ago now, but I haven't been able to get it out of my head since. It's just perfect. She wore it to a Chanel event and to me the simple monochrome ensemble is absolutely representative of what that label stands for. It's effortlessly simple but unutterably chic. Oversized white blazer, black shorts, simple court shoes, Ray-Bans and a classic Chanel 2.55. It's a formula that can't fail to look chic and will never date. And lucky for us, it's also a formula that can easily be replicated on the high street. So I've scouted around for some suitable alternatives which won't break the bank (loving that Mango jacket especially). I'd love to try this look out for drinks with friends sometime soon, although I might suggest wearing something underneath that jacket in this weather...

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today i bought...





They've arrived! What could be better to wake up to on Saturday morning than a polka dot package containing these beautiful Topshop glitter boots? I wasn't expecting these until Monday so it was a lovely surprise (kudos on the fast delivery, Topshop). And wow, aren't they amazing? They are seriously glittery, almost like mirror balls for your feet, so not for the faint-hearted. But I love them, and think they'll be the perfect way to bring a bit of shine to this dreary so-called summer. I also have a size 6 (39) which I'm not keeping, so I'm considering putting them on Ebay. Watch this space!

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today i'm wearing...



Top from ASOS; jeans from Topshop; boots from Topshop; clutch from Topshop; bracelet from ASOS; ring from Gogo Philip at Topshop; lipstick is Mac Viva Glam Gaga.


Finally got a chance to wear my shiny silver ASOS top for dinner & wine in London town tonight. Talking of shiny silver, I also trawled round another three Zara stores searching for the shoes that got away... and I have now found them in every single size except my own. Oh well. At least I got the silver boots yesterday. You win some, you lose some, eh?

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Thursday 21 July 2011

today i'm wearing...






Jumper from Topshop Boutique; mesh top from Zara; jeans from Topshop; boots from Topshop; bag from Zara; necklace from Topshop; ring from River Island; nail varnish is Topshop nails in Galactic.


Used some time when I was ill yesterday to read through a bit of the manual for this lovely Canon camera I've been borrowing. Being a DSLR virgin I'm a long way from getting the most out of it, but hopefully these pictures show I'm gradually improving!

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today i love... topshop silver glitter boots

That's right, people, the Topshop silver glitter boots have finally arrived. And if you want them you'd better act fast. They only landed two hours ago and already sizes 36, 40, 41 and 42 have sold out online. Luckily I snapped mine up before my size disappeared but if yours has gone, I recommend heading down to your local store pronto (item code is 32A03ASLV). If your size is still available, then click the picture below to get shopping. Quick quick!



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Wednesday 20 July 2011

today i'm wearing...



Jumper from George at Asda; jeans from Topshop; belt from H&M; shoes from Zara; rings from Topshop; nail varnish is Topshop nails in Galactic.


Feeling a bit too ill for a proper picture today I'm afraid but I took a couple of quick snaps anyway. Hopefully I'll be right as rain by tomorrow!

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today i bought...


Feeling pretty rubbish today, but at least I have some lovely new purchases to cheer me up. I featured both of them in 16th July's "today i'd love to wear" and they are both things I'd been wanting for quite some time (sometimes I think Topshop reads my mind, because I often think of an item only to have it appear in their online shop a couple of weeks later). Anyway this beautiful Topshop Boutique jumper is precisely what I'd been searching for (sold out online now). Yes, angora in July does seem a little incongruous, but then with this weather you'd be forgiven for thinking it was October. I can't wait to pair it with leather shorts; I just love the combination of a fluffy knit with tough black leather.


I featured this Topshop silver torque necklace and its gold counterpart as 13th July's "today i want" and it was a tricky choice between the two, but given that I've recently bought a gold collar necklace I figured I'd go for silver this time. I love how incredibly simple it is and can't think of anything it won't go with. I'll be wearing it with the jumper tomorrow so stay tuned for outfit pictures...

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Tuesday 19 July 2011

today i'm wearing...


Shirt from Topshop (borrowed from my sister); top (underneath) from M&S; leather shorts from ASOS; shoes from Topshop; bag from Zara; necklace from ASOS; ring from Gogo Philip; nail varnish is Topshop nails in Galactic.


I've never really liked denim shirts but when I saw this in my sister's wardrobe I changed my mind; it's just the perfect wash. Anyway, feeling a bit emotional tonight as I've just been to see the final Harry Potter film. I am a huge HP geek (I even have one of Hedwig's feathers!) and I feel like I've grown up with it my whole life, so this was a really sad moment for me... end of an era.

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Monday 18 July 2011

today i'm wearing...



Leather jacket from Topshop; top from Ann-Sofie Back for Topshop; trousers from Topshop; shoes from Next; bag from Miss Selfridge; watch from ASOS; necklace is old.


Went for double leather today, little bit daring... what do you think, too much? Also did a cheeky bit of after-work shopping. Haven't yet decided if I'm going to keep what I bought, though, so stay tuned...

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Sunday 17 July 2011

today i love... basics

3. Leather jackets

So it's time for another basics post (click on the tag "today i love basics" at the end of this post to see the series). Sorry that these have become more monthly than weekly features; they take a bit of time and I'm super busy at the moment. Anyway, this time around I've chosen to concentrate on leather jackets, another item I think every woman should have in her wardrobe. Now I did consider just doing jackets in general, but that's far too vague a concept in my mind, and there are lots of different types I think everyone should own. Besides, you will be able to tell from my "today I'm wearing" posts that I am a serious leather jacket addict, so I definitely think they deserve a post all to themselves. So, here are my golden leather jacket rules...

Firstly, make sure it's real leather. You will have to pay more, yes, but you will also love it much more and it will look infinitely better. The same goes for bags; there's nothing worse than when fake leather gets old and starts to peel. Real leather, however, only improves with age (though you probably should treat your bags, or your black leather may go a little green, like my studded bag has). Anyway, I can promise you that if you invest a little more in the real deal it will pay off in the long run.

Secondly, the style and colour is of course up to you. A classic black biker will undoubtedly see more wear than, say, a cropped red version, but both will serve you well when putting outfits together and you may well love that red one a little more. I also quite like leather jackets that are a little bit different and stand out from the crowd. As well as colour and cut, this means details like quilting, studs, fringing and zips. Granted, these extras may mean your jacket isn't quite as timeless, but if you absolutely love it when you buy it, chances are that won't change anytime soon. My own collection of leather jackets currently comprises a cropped black number with frill detail (see it here); a studded cream version (see it here); a metallic biker with a snakeskin-esque texture (see it here) and one in classic black with all-over fringing (see it here).

Thirdly, you can never have too many. As I'm sure you know, leather jackets go with everything and anything, adding a little bit of edge to a slightly-too-girly dress, amping up basic jeans and a tee or finishing off a high-octane evening look. I could sing their praises all day, but all that's really left for me to do is to encourage you to peruse my selection of high-street beauties below and invest in what will doubtless become one of the hardest-working items in your wardrobe.




2. All Saints leather mini mac, £147.50 (reduced from £295)
9. French Connection Marylou leather jacket, £147 (reduced from £300)

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Saturday 16 July 2011

today i'd love to wear...


ASOS chain fringed side leather shorts, £39 (reduced from £65); Zara leather bandolier, £29.99; Topshop smooth silver torque necklace, £8.50; Topshop Boutique cream angora mix jumper, £55; Topshop Ambush black glitter side zip ankle boots, £80; Topshop nails in Mover and Shaker, £5


Yep, the black Topshop glitter boots have arrived online. No sign of the silver ones yet, but I'll keep you posted!

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Friday 15 July 2011

today i want... acne patent leather biker

Wow... have you ever seen such a beautiful jacket in your life? I am completely obsessed with this beauty. Now I normally don't put designer items in "today i want" because I can't afford them. But this jacket is reduced from £1,440 to £432 at Net-a-porter.com. That's a grand off! Ridiculous, eh? Now if I were just a little bit richer I'd be snapping this baby up, and it's taking all my willpower not to go for it. But even though I can't have it for myself, I thought I'd share this amazing bargain with you, because I cannot believe it isn't sold out. If you can afford it then I suggest you don't delay. Just be warned that I will be unimaginably jealous...


Acne Rita patent leather biker jacket, £432 (reduced from £1,440) at Net-a-porter.com

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today i'm wearing...


Shirt from Uniqlo; leather shorts from ASOS; shoes from Topshop; bag from Topshop; tights from M&S; earrings bought in Croatia; ring from ASOS; nail varnish is Topshop nails in Galactic.


Bought these leather shorts in the ASOS sale, reduced from £65 to £33 (forgot to put them in a "today i bought"). Not a bad price at all for real leather, and they're a really versatile style. I love my Topshop zip leather shorts, but they are super short and not exactly daytime-appropriate, so it's great to have an alternative that I can wear to work (with tights, of course).

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Thursday 14 July 2011

today i'm wearing...



Leather jacket from Topshop; mesh top from Zara; jeans from Topshop; shoes from Primark; bag from Miss Selfridge; bracelet from ASOS; necklace is old; nail varnish is Topshop nails in Galactic.


On Saturday I'll be running the Race for Life to raise money for Cancer Research. If you're feeling generous then please give a couple of quid to a fantastic cause: www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/annaelliott.

Thank you! X

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Wednesday 13 July 2011

today i'm wearing...



Sleeveless trench from Primark; tee from Whistles; jeans from Topshop; shoes from Topshop; bag from Zara; necklace from ASOS.


Love love love my new Zara bag.

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today i want... topshop torque necklaces

Right now I've got no time for fussy jewellery: silly little chains, pendants and charms are not appealing to me at all. It's all about strong, clean lines: a pair of striking silver cuffs or a standout collar necklace are my accessories of choice at the moment. And these beautiful Topshop necklaces fit the bill exactly: statement yet somehow subtle, they'll be the perfect addition to any daytime look that feels a little too pretty or contrived. They will go with absolutely everything but won't dictate your whole look, making them as versatile as jewellery can be. And at only £8.50 each, I'm quite tempted to snap up the pair.



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Tuesday 12 July 2011

today i'm wearing...



Dress from ASOS; shoes from Next; clutch from ASOS; cuffs from H&M.


Tonight I've been to a private viewing of the Royal Academy of Arts' Summer Exhibition. It was a lovely evening and a fascinating display of art. Though I must say, why anyone would pay £18,000 for a Tracey Emin scribble in which she can't even use the right 'your' is beyond me...

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