Nailed it!

My week in nails... (as you can tell by all the bright colours, I've been very excited for Springtime sunshine!)

Nails Inc 'Notting Hill Carnival'

OPI 'Sweet Heart'

OPI 'Miami Beet'; Rings (Top to Bottom) vintage, Saint Laurent

OPI 'Hot & Spicy'; Rings vintage

MAC 'In the Limelight'



No7 'Poolside Blue'; Rings by Freedom at Topshop

Photo credit: Goody Two-Choos

Gilt set - go!

I love anything that glitters, glimmers and shimmers. It's true, and I am willing to bet that somewhere in there I am part magpie.

Here's why...

Lanvin

My favourite flats are, without a shadow of a doubt, the best way to inject some gold into the everyday menial tasks. They are well worn- and well loved.

I love black, and wear dark colours all year round. So, to brighten me up and to add a dash of gold dust to the sea of black, navy and grey, I will throw on something like this jacket here (a new addition to my wardrobe). The boyfriend shape stops it being to 'showbiz' and brings it into the sphere of insouciantly cool. There are a pair of matching gold shorts that I purchased also, and you will be seeing them shortly in my summer edits!

Carvela

 Yes, more shoes, but then this is written from a shoe addict's point of view... #PerfectPartyShoesEverInventedForThePartMagpiePartLiberaceShoeGirl

So you weren't a huge fan of glitter? Well, you are now. Case closed.

Photo credits: Goody Two-Choos

Closet envy

If, like me, you like nothing more than spending an evening stalking ultimate super-closets thinking 'why isn't this mine?', then you will certainly enjoy these...

 





Cashmiracle

When you are lost in transition, as Winter makes way for Spring, we turn to the old faithful: Cashmere.

Many top editors and bloggers turn to this marvellous piece of engineering to keep both warm or cool, depending on the time of year and weight of the ply. Take, for example, this fashion week go-er (Ada Kokosar) who looks ready for, well, just about anything the day has to throw at her. The outfit has a play on texture, with the softness of the sweater and her Hache clutch against the sheen and high-tech finish of the heels - layered with socks - and skirt (both Jo No Fui).

Cashmere is an investment and so my preference is for easy-breezy pieces that will work hard to earn their keep. My advice is to stick with easy-to-wear hues, in classic shapes. If you are one for a hit of bright colour, I love a bright sock to draw the eye down to your (fabulous) shoes. However, Chinti and Parker have a great selection if you have a penchant for prints, stripes, brights and amazing shapes. Here are my top picks of cashmere delights to make you both spring and fashion ready.

Johnstons of Elgin, £159

Denis Colomb, £436

Burberry Prorsum, £2,195

Brora, £39

Chinti and Parker, £350

Photo credit: Madeleine Thompson blog, Johnstons, Farfetch, Matches, Brora, Chinti and Parker

Trends you should hate (but actually LOVE)

1. Retro denim
When denim is so bad, it's so good... Double denim, denim dresses, frayed hem denim skirts, patchwork. I. Want. It. All.

P.S. Flares are back.

2. White shoes
Stigma of trailer parks and colouring in scuffs with Tipp-ex - but when paired with boyfriend trousers, good things happen. The more I see it, the more I like it.

3. Metallic leather
So outdated, but so cool!

4. Mirror lens
The trend better suited to scenes in Top Gun, this look has travelled into the blogosphere of certified stylistas.

5. Sliders
Tres Unchic. However, I'm willing to let this slide (ahem) as it looks SO comfortable for the summer heat.

Photo credit: WhoWhatWear; Stylelist; Fabsugar; the xtyle; Vogue; Pinterest; Pinterest; Le 21eme; modern legacy

St. Paddy's perfect picks

Shoes: Miu Miu

Not normally one for fancy dress or fashioning novelty hats for one day of the year, I am on board when it comes to an excuse for wearing something a little bit more special. See below for Patrick's (and my) perfect picks. Enjoy them tonight or throughout the week to bring you, with any hope, the luck of the Irish.

 

 

Photo credits: Goody Two-Choos

Bombers away!

My new hero piece for this week is a dashing piece of kit from Baum Und Pfedergarten, a Danish label known for their fearless approach to current trends, and currently celebrating a marked climb to popularity over the last few seasons. But the winner for me is, clearly, their bomber jacket.

Although a piece from their winter collection, I have enjoyed wearing this jacket in both rain and shine, as the stunning emerald colour truly stands out when the sun is high in the sky. Within two consecutive days of throwing the jacket on, I had two people stop and ask me where they could get their hands on it, and I couldn't help but let out a subtle smile and dared to reveal my secrets.

So, seeing as I have already spilled to two others, I thought I should share with you all, too. A great piece for all ages, it may even be the perfect Mother's Day present for all the yummy mummies out there. I wear it with a fabulous hat, and push the sleeves up to the elbow.

Jacket (Baum und Pfedergarten), Fur collar (Twinset), wide brim hat (Miss Selfridge)

Photo credit: Goody Two-Choos

Surreal so real

News just in! the masters at Opening Ceremony meet the master of surrealist art culture, my all time favourite: René Magritte.

With collaborations including Vans, Birkenstock and Manolo Blahnik himself, OC has brought Magritte's art collection to life with works including Scheherazade, The Lovers, The King's Museum and The Blow to the Heart emblazoned across wonderfully cut pieces which have been both carefully considered and skilfully constructed.

With the collection launching in the Covent Garden store May 2014, put any plans you may have on hold and fetch yourself an eyeful of art history in the making.

Photo credits: Suleyman Karaaslan

The Oscars: Hit or Miss?

With the Oscars 2014 taking place yesterday, it is only right that we should take a look at some of the best (and not so great) looks from the Red Carpet.

The Hits:

Charlize Theron in Dior

Charlize shows the newcomers how to dress like a movie star. An amazing fit, this dress proves it is possible to be shocking in a black gown. Although not her best look from her personal Oscars history lookbook, she still looks beautiful to me.

Lupita Nyong'o in custom Prada

Wearing 'Nairobi blue', Lupita has revealed her top trump for the Awards Season. She looked absolutely beautiful, and it was the perfect princess moment wearing the colour that set itself apart from the sea of dark gowns.

Cate Blanchett in Armani Prive

Although I am sure this dress photographs nowhere near as well as it is in the flesh, it looks pretty special from where I'm standing. In an interview, Cate shared how incredibly heavy the dress was and, despite its weight, brings home the gold in the style stakes.


The Misses:

Amy Adams in Gucci

Kudos to Ms Adams, who announced she had no stylist for the night, and instead decided she would wear what she wanted. Not that the dress was ill fitting or a complete disaster... it was just incredibly underwhelming. Although I can see how it could be classic, it has no personality and, for someone who is nominated, she certainly could have made the most of her 'look at me' moment and shone for the night.

Matthew McConaughey in Dolce & Gabbana and wife Camila Alves

What do you get when you cross a poorly fitting suit- just look at those trousers! (why, I ask, when he is the male face of the fashion house?)- with a caped marshmallow? The dress is totally overwhelming Camila's petite frame, and it shows on her face. Mr McConaughey, meanwhile, could have gone for a less disappointing tux to collect his award.

Jennifer Garner in Oscar de la Renta

If you want to see a human lampshade, look no further than Mrs Affleck. Although metallic was a big hit on the Red Carpet yesterday, this did not shine out as one of the winners of the night.

Photo Credits: movifone, B.Scott, Getty, Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, Getty, Steve Granitz