An alternative to the Tory Burch Robinson Satchel (courtesy of Zara) and some exciting Boden news

 

I was uber excited to find out today that there is a pop up Boden store opening in Birmingham at the end of the month. I have one or two Boden vouchers to my name at the moment and I can't wait to go and see and feel the new collection.  Having been to the press day earlier in the year, it will be great to be surrounded by Boden again - in all its various prints and guises.

 

On another note, this Tory Burch Robinson Satchel is something I first spotted in Selfridges in Birmingham a few months ago. I was smitten with it then - as I am now. I loved the shape and the size of it but the price tag of £495 didn't sit too well with me. 
 

                                          

 

It was the navy one I first fell for, but it has now been withdrawn as it was faulty - so obviously that price tag was a sign that it wasn't meant to be. However, the shape of the bag - half bowling bag, half doctor's style, stayed with me and I was looking for an alternative, which I have now found - and it's navy! 

 

This is the Antik leather combined bowling bag from Zara, which costs £59.99

 

 

                  

 

 

I suspect that the fabric panelling in the side is a cost cutting exercise (it's 25% cow leather and 75% polyurethene) - but I can live with that - or at least I am prepared to explore it.

 

                            

 

I took a look in our local Zara this morning but they didn't have any in.  One of the assistants there suggested that I order it online to be delivered to the store free of charge - which I have done in the past. As she pointed out, that way I could be sure of a brand new, perfect one, which wasn't in the least shop soiled - which I thought was a top tip - and so that's what I will be doing.

 

Once I have given it the once over, I will report back on the results!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An outfit for a meeting with a media company - plain basics plus a new Whistles scarf and an Orla Kiely bag

Well, we managed not to sink the boat when we were away, which was a relief. I returned with bites, bruises and having worn the same clothes for more days than I should - hence the lack of photos - but we had a brilliant time on our (very narrow) narrow boat.

On the first morning that we were away, I had to be dropped off at the side of the canal to do another Radio interview. So there I was, giving my view on some research which concluded that men no longer cared how they looked after they reached 37, when the boat went by with 6 children hanging out of the windows and on the roof shouting "hi Mum, hello, coooeee" and me gesticulating wildly for them to BE QUIET!

So, today I had a meeting with a media company about an up and coming project which I will tell you more about when I am allowed.  I think that I had been walking around in my Next chinos and a vest up until that point, so had to do a quick change before dashing out of the door.

I relied on my usual trick of a simple colour scheme - in this case grey and pale blue - and wore plain basics (Cos grey jeans, NW3 top) and then added in some nice accessories for print, colour and texture.

My accessories were grey patent Reiss wedges with snake print detail, Whistles scarf (as featured on my last post) - this was its first outing, Orla Kiely bag - also its first outing, pale blue snake print Reiss cuff and nude Coccinelle cuff.

The meeting was great and on returning home, I cast aside all of my glad rags in favour of my Next chinos once more. Bliss!

Style Tip - How to choose and wear prints - and boy, what a selection there is this season!

I was talking on the Radio yesterday about gifts.  One of my aims was to persuade men to buy great gifts for their wife/girlfriend/partner.  My suggestions were a) Mulberry handbags, b) shopping days with me, c) to get them to ask their wife/partner/girlfriend what they would like, rather than guessing and getting it wrong, d) giving them gift vouchers so they could choose their own presents.

Hopefully the men of the West Midlands will now have a better idea of how about going to buy their other halves decent presents! Naturally I should qualify this by saying that Mr SG doesn't need any guidance on this subject (as I am sure is the case of many men out there).

The presenter was brilliant - very funny.  Anyway, if you would like to take a listen, you can do so here - my feature was on at 1.05 hours into the programme.

I am getting ready for our long weekend away - the final short trip of our "Portfolio Holiday".   This trip is taking place on a barge, along with another family of five. I think as I mentioned in another post, the boat we were meant to go on sank. I am still not quite sure how that happened, given that the water in a canal is only about 4ft deep and that there isn't any tide, wind or waves. Anyway, a replacement has been found and we will be heading off tomorrow so I will be taking a mini blogging holiday until we return on Monday.

So today's post is all about prints. From Jacquard at Miu Miu, to Chinoiserie at Proenza Schuler, to Houndstooth, Brocade, Animal, Winter Floral, Digital prints and Geometric prints at Prada and Jonathan Saunders - prints graced skirts, trousers, shirts, jackets, shoes and bags on the catwalks for A/W '12, as they will the High Street too.

I could easily spend a week or more writing about the different prints - but I shall aim to keep it brief. 

I spotted this woven print front cardi £40 at Warehouse in John Lewis.  I loved the pretty colours in it.                                              
                                                       
 
Here is a closer shot of the print. It would be easy to pick up any of the colours in the print - or to just team it with jeans if this was a first foray into prints.

   

Not dis-similar to the print above, these Printed Silk Trousers by Malene Birger £225 would work well with a plain knit or cream blouse.  Wearing print on your bottom half can take some getting your head around - and they can require more styling with heels etc - but they can make a great change from plain coloured bottoms.

   

 

These Sub Zero slim fit trouser £82 from French Connection are lovely in real life. There's a closer shot of the print on the site, so it might be worth following the link. Neither floral, nor animal print, they are just something slightly different - with a great colour palette to them.

This Gita V neck flare dress £179 from Reiss is really flattering - with a navy background, v-neck, nipped in waist and slight flare to the skirt.  The lighter print in the centre of the dress draws the eye inwards and the positoning of the stripes is really flattering.  So all in all, from a styling perspective, it's a winner.

  

        

   

This printed blouse with applique around neckline £29.99 is from Zara. The darker background makes it a really stylish, and subtle, option.

Leopard print has been around for seasons and will continue to be for many more no doubt, so this Zara leopard print sweater  at £25.99  should stand you in good stead for many winters to come.



                      
 


People can be unsure as to how to wear prints and clients of mine will often ask me for advice. So here are my top tips for buying, and wearing, prints:

• Our reactions to prints are individual and instinctive - often because they remind us of something from our past - a dress when we were young, a fabric print in our Grandma's house, something we wore in our teens etc.  Only buy something with a print if you really love it;
• Be prepared for others to comment on the prints that you are wearing - it often happens, so be confident in your choices and don't be put off by what others say -  otherwise, you may find yourself only wearing something once!
• If unsure about wearing prints, start off tentatively with a scarf, belt or bag;
• A light print on a dark background is more flattering than in reverse;
• A large, bold print can drown a smaller frame but equally it can be very dramatic. A low grade print which contains several shades of the same colour is much easier to wear;
• Print will draw attention to the areas on which it is worn. Digital printed pencil skirts are stunning on those apple shaped ladies who have narrow hips and long, slim legs (Karen Millen is great for these). Conversely, a bold floral print is stunning on blouse on a pear shaped lady;
• Unlike a floral print, it is difficult for a digital or geometric print to be "grannyish".

The topics of prints could go on for ever and ever - as could the prints that I could feature - so if you have any queries, please just drop me a line via FB, email or twitter.

Trend Tip - Studs are everywhere!

Whilst reading the magazines and watching the stars is great for identifying the trends, there's nothing that beats going into the shops to see where it's really at.  I love to look at, inspect and feel the pieces that I have seen in magazines, just to see what they are really like - and then to pass that information on to everyone else!

What I really noticed when in the stores yesterday - it was difficult not to - was that studs were everywhere. They graced ballet pumps, smoking slippers, stilletos and bags.  I felt slightly under attack by them at one stage - wherever I turned, there they were!

First off, I spotted these ballet flats  - Lieutenant by Carvela at Kurt Geiger, which cost £95.  For me, the studs on these shoes serve to make them a much more up to date style of ballet pump. Just so you know, they are really heavy!

                             
   
Next up, I love this Steve Madden studded slipper shoe £80. The shoes are seriously wicked.  They also come in black and they are brilliant. I know, I can't believe I'm saying that either but they are! I tried them on and loved them - though the studs which stick out at the side do have the effect of widening the feet - which I am not sure is a look I am entirely after!



                                             
 
   

 Or, for a bag, how about this Slyvie stud tote at Kurt Geiger, reduced to £119 from £260.

       

And finally, for something totally off the scale - The Only Way Is Essex anyone? Here we have the KG Kurt Geiger Eris £190. They make me feel nauseous just looking at them - the vertigo, the pain, the cost - just the shoes really.  But I accept that some will love them - and all items deserve to be loved by someone - it just won't be me loving these.




                                      
 


If it's a nod to the trend you are after - as opposed to a full on Sid Vicious onslaught, how about this Renegade Cluster Bracelet  £45 from Stella & Dot, which also comes in silver. It's a lovely piece which shows that you know where it's at, rather than screaming it from the roof tops!

                                                    
        

So, that's a whistle stop tour through one of the major trends of A/W '12.   Just remember that you saw them here first!  

Looking for shoes inspired by the Charlotte Olympia Bisoux Loafers - and possibly the only scarf you will ever need!

Following on from yesterday's post, where I showed you the lovely Charlotte Olympia Bisoux loafers, I have been doing a little research to see if any there are any shoes on the High Street which have taken their inspiration from them.  The answer so far, is no - but I stand to be corrected!

I was working today and I disappeared into House of Fraser with my client at 9.30am, only to re-appear at 2.30pm.  During the course of that visit we went to the shoe department and I didn't see anything there which remotely resembled them.

On returning home, I did some more research and although I didn't find any similar shoes, my money is on New Look coming up with the goods. Why? Well because one of Charlotte Olympia's best known style of shoes are these....

the Charlotte Olympia Kitty Flats  (£465), which have clearly inspired these...

 New Look Blink Black Cat Face slipper shoe £34

Clearly New Look have their eye on what Charlotte Olympia is up to, so I wouldn't be surprised to see a similar version on the shelves soon.

Here I am dressed for my day in the shops - less Charlotte Olympia and more Jones (several years old) on the shoe front but they are red with pink hearts and it's the nearest thing that I have to them!

I also wore navy Cos trousers, NW3 knit, Jigsaw necklace and Warehouse bag. I love styling in the summer - it's so much easier without all the extra layers to carry, which means lots of space for extra bags - and we had oh so many bags today!

We bought many lovely pieces today and this was one of them, which I thought I would show you as it is a scarf in a lovely Whistles print (there are three dresses and a shirt in this print). With so many beautiful colours in it, it is really versatile and will go with so many plain tops. It is called the wild meadow scarf £45



                                                               

 Lovely isn't it?  And great with grey, blue, pink, navy, black, green and camel. Possibly the only scarf you will ever need.

Style Guile Smile - Is it a ballet flat? Is it a smoking slipper? No, it's the Charlotte Olympia Bisoux Loafers

                                                 

You may have seen the post that I did last week about smoking slippers. On the whole, they were received very positively but I can understand that some have reservations about them. 

So these, I think, are a half way house between a ballet flat (which are starting to, dare I say it, look a bit dated) and a smoking slipper - the Charlotte Olympia Bisoux Loafers

At £465 they are not at all cheap but, the good news (I think) is that they have sold out in most sizes, other than a 37 - so even if you were tempted, it may not be possible to push that button on the computer which would make them yours!

However, what these did more than anything when I saw them, was make me smile. I love red shoes, I love pink shoes, so the combination of the two together and the cheeky lip detail were a perfect combination for me. They won't ever be mine but I can live with that!

Anyone else hoping to watch the Spice Girls in action tonight? It's got to be done really hasn't it?  I'm just off to whizz up a Union Jack dress from a tea towel in preparation.

A night out with the girls - in Jigsaw, Reiss and Alexander McQueen

I just wanted to say "hello" and "thank you" to the new readers who have found Style Guile as a result of the joint post that I did earlier in the week with Avril from School Gate Style and Joanna from Poppy's Style. It's lovely to have you along!

On a recent night out with some friends, I wore these new Jigsaw stretch cotton sateen ruched trousers (reduced from £98 to £45 and available in a size 12 online), with an Alexander McQueen top and Reiss grey and black wedges with snakeprint detail.

The girls in the Jigsaw store in Birmingham were great at tracking the trousers down for me and eventually they found them overseas - in Belfast in fact. They are really comfortable - soft, with a decent rise on them and a pretty ruching detail around the cuff. Mine have given slightly so I would go down a size in them if you are tempted.

I was in Harvey Nichols when I spotted this Alexander McQueen top in the sale. Alexander (Lee) McQueen had just died and this piece was from the last but one collection that he designed. I felt that it was a little piece of history and somehow it became mine.  

The Reiss wedge shoes were bought for my husband's 40th, one or two years ago now. So the outfit is made up of something old (Reiss shoes), something new (Jigsaw trousers) nothing borrowed but something blue (in the circumstances surrounding in which the top was acquired).  But I have to say that a combination of a balmy evening, some Pimms and Pizza, meant that we had plenty of laughs!

Bring it on, that failing sight: Victoria Beckham designs glasses for Cutler and Gross but until then my new Boden sunglasses will do perfectly!

I read in a magazine the other day that 50% of the signs of ageing on your face are in the eye area.  Oh flip - for one who pays little or no attention to the products she is using on her face, that's not good to know.

After reading the article I dug out a  sample of eye cream that I had: Lancome Renegerie "repositioning eye cream".  The trouble is, I don't really want my eyes to be repositioned.  A little less crepey looking would be great but as for their position, they have worked fine where they are up until now.  I have visions of waking, having used it, with one eye on my forehead and one on my chin.

Never one to be convinced by expensive lotions and potions, I thought that sunglasses might be the answer to my problems - particularly as the sun was shining today.

So, for the first time, I wore the new Boden sunglasses that I was lucky enough to have been given at their press day, way back when.

They are a fab orange colour on the inside and then a mink colour on the outside, which suits my colouring.

As I have mentioned on more than one occasion now, I think that it might be time that I started wearing glasses.  Never one to be negative about the inevitable, with the new Victoria Beckham range for Cutler and Gross in the pipeline, and having spotted one of my friends recently wearing a pair of fab new glasses, I can feel a whole new, never previously explored (and totally necessary) world of accessories opening up to me! Bring it on, that failing sight!!!

A style event at Hobbs - and a preview of the Autumn Collection - so exciting!

A couple of months ago, I was invited by the Hobbs store in Birmingham to run a Style Event with them.  The evening, which took place two weeks ago, consisted of cocktails, champagne and 20% off their new season's stock.

I gave a presentation on some new season pieces that I had selected, together with advice on trends for the season and some capsule pieces for the winter wardrobe.  The audience were great and the presentation generated a lot of chat and questions, which gave for a lovely atmosphere.

These are three of the NW3 necklaces which I styled on one of the models.  I love the look of them layered together and it is a much more modern way of wearing more dainty pendants which, on their own, may not amount to much. Try it with some pieces that you already have in your jewellery box at home to see if you like the results!

Whilst they wouldn't stay like that when on, this is a nice way to display them. From left to right they are the NW3 horseshoe pendant (£25) the  NW3 sparkly bee pendant (£29) and the NW3 doormouse pendant (£25).

This is a photgraph of me mid flow, animatedly talking about what I love best - clothes!

and this is something, which, I think you can tell from the photo, I seriously have my eye on.

It's the Lisset Bag which costs £199 and which also comes in black and patent

                                  

These are some of the lovely ladies that I met on the evening.

And now briefly for a few of the pieces:

This is the NW3 gallop dress, (£129) aptly named given the print. It reflects beautifully the equestrian trend which we are going to see so much of this season.  What I really like about it is that it's a feminine way of wearing the trend - and there can be no suggestion that you have just jumped off your horse.

The gallop dress isn't going to work for all bodyshapes, so as an alternative, there's the NW3 gallop shirt (£75) which is also lovely.


                                     


I loved this simple, elegantly stylish Talitha Dress (£159) which is in one of the hottest colours of the season - Red. Neatly fitted with elbow length sleeves, I wouldn't be suprised if we saw a certain Duchess wearing it at some point!

                               


This Coco dress (£189) is a great shape for pear shaped ladies. With a neat fitted top half and a slight flare to the skirt, it will flatter in all of the right places.  The white trim will ensure that the eye is drawn to the cuffs and collar.

                                

As I was driving along today, I saw a woman walking along the road wearing a fab white collar over a black dress. I thought to myself "Wow, she's rocking the trends way ahead of the season, and I thought how similar her outfit looked to this dress.  Only as I drew level did I realise she was a nun! (Hope I haven't put you off the dress!)

You are going to see this dress EVERYWHERE this season! This Caravaggio Dress (£199) reflects perfectly the decadent floral prints which were seen at Erdem and Dolce and Gabbana. If you find the combination of the print and the peplum a little overwhelming, Hobbs have done a separate skirt and blouse in the same print, which you can see here


                                    




I loved this unstructured Jean Bag £229.  It is quite a departure for Hobbs from their more structured, traditional style handbags and whilst not inexpensive, it could easily be mistaken for a Balenciaga bag.


                               
 



This Maris Peplum belt (£99) is a little different.  It taps into both the trend for leather, and peplums - but obviously being a belt it provides more versatility as it can be swapped between skirts and dresses.  I have seen another one at Asos and there are also designer versions too.  What do you think?

                                    


And finally, the Mara Toecap court (£149).  Toe cap shoes are a big trend at the moment. Jimmy Choo, Yves Saint Laurent and Louboutin all have shoes with toe caps and they have now filtered down to the High Street, where they can be found at Topshop, Dune and Kurt Geiger.

This pair also come in other colours.  Irrespective of trends though, I think that these are beautifully elegant and the animal print on the shoe will do a fantastic job of adding some interest to any plain work outfit - from a trouser suit, to a skirt suit, to a pencil skirt and black polo combination, or a shift dress. They would also look fabulous out of work with a pair of black cigarette pants and a trench coat.


                                          

For more pictures of the evening, and also her great write up,  please pop over to  Emma at fashion mommy. Thanks to Emma for providing the photos of me in action!

Oh, for the evening I wore a French Connection dress, Hobbs belt and Pied a Terre shoes.  One of the most exciting things for me was being shown through to the back of the store and the staff room!  Best of all, I noticed that on one of their noticeboards they had pinned up the article of me in Woman & Home magazine. The girls are so lovely in the Birmingham store! Thanks to Eleanor, Jenny and Suzie for a great evening.

A collaboration between three bloggers and their printed Primark jeans!

A while ago now, Avril from School Gate Style suggested that those of us who had featured the same Primark printed jeans on our blogs, might like to do a joint post together. And so here we are: Avril on the left, Joanna from Poppy's Style  in the middle and me on the right.

It was always my intention to return my jeans, not because I didn't like them but because I didn't want to tread on the fashion toes of our thirteen year old.

However, for various reasons I didn't manage it and they remained in the back of my car until it was too late to do anything other than try and see if I could make them work for me.

These jeans aren't the easiest piece in the world to style and they do require some perseverence. A light background is always less flattering than a light print on a dark background.  Also, because they do add a little bulk, I prefer them with heels - and it's quite hard to find heels to wear with them for a day time look. Here are some of the ways in which I have styled them.

Outfit 1 above: Topshop sequin T, Jigsaw necklace, H&M shirt, New Look desert boots, La La Rocks bracelet;

Outfit 2 below: With plain grey Jigsaw top and cream Dune brogues for a day time look.

                                                 

Outfit 3: With wedge desert boots, sparkly Topshop top, open shirt (H&M) and Zara boyfriend cardigan.  Out of all of the looks, this is my favourite - a bit of height from the heels, coverage from the boyfriend cardi, and a less fitted top than the one above means no breathing in required!  

Outfit 4: Dune brogues, Coast grey silk vest top, H&M shirt

Outfit 5: Lilac striped French Connection jumper, H&M blazer, LK Bennett Sledge shoes.  This is obviously more of an evening outfit.  The lilac stripes in the jumper pick up the lilac of the jeans.  However I  then toned it back down with the addition of a white jacket.



                                

I think that I got there in the end and that the £13 ish that I paid for them won't have been wasted.  Now that I have found a combination that I like (outfit 3) and which I can wear locally without feeling too daft,  I will try to get maximum wear before the summer is out. 


So, here we are again! Avril looking beautifully serene and stylish as ever, having styled her jeans for an evening out.  Joanna, in one of  my favourite Boden blazers, which adds a stylish sophisticated feel, and me in a casual look with heels.

Why not head over to School Gate Style  and Poppy's Style to see how Avril and Joanna have styled their floral jeans and also to read their fabulous blogs, which I am sure you will love.

Smoking Slippers - Where do you stand?

 

         

From left to right:

Jeffrey Campbell at Harvey Nichols £125
Heraki Glitter Slipper Shoe from Ted Baker £75.
Jimmy Choo Wheel for £235

I can feel a Volte-face coming on. It happens at least once a season.  The signs are there - I can't ignore them - and it's not good.
 

This is the usual pattern: I see a particular item (in this case smoking slippers) and have an instant and intense dislike of them.  Even being exposed to them on a daily basis, via magazines and in the stores, still I can't shift my irrational dislike. I even try them on, just to be sure that I'm not being narrow minded - and still I hate them.  I write about how I dislike them and then something happens.  Having committed my thoughts to writing, they somehow worm their way into my consciousness and I start to see their appeal. It's predictable, it's fickle but it happens.

That doesn't mean to say that I am going to rush out and buy a pair but I am starting to see their appeal - especially the sparkly ones, because really they don't look like something Hugh Heffner would wear. No, not at all. Rather they are more of a cinderella slipper without the heel, a ballet pump with an extra piece up the front of the foot - and that I can get my head around.

Smoking slippers come in many, and various, finishes, from leopard print to sparkles and patents to pastels.


  
                                    



                                     
The leopard print ones above are  Alvin by Sam Edelman at Kurt Geiger and cost £150.However, again you can find versions at Dune, Topshop, New Look, Kurt Geiger and now even Clarks has a leopard print pair for £39.99. Yes, they too are on the Slipper Shoe bandwagon! 

Like the wedge trainers, I think that they provoke strong emotions in us - which camp are you in - love or loathe, like or dislike or on the fence - but kind of falling off?!!

Tapping into next season's trends for all things Oriental, Embellised and Baroque (you can take your pick with these), IF I were to buy a pair, I would them with these Orienatal Floral Cigarette trousers from Topshop, which are £45, and a plain black knit - just to avoid looking too fairy like!




                                             

How will you be wearing yours - or won't you - never in  a million years!