Big girls blouse

Every time the temperature drops and the rain clouds blow in, I feel the persistent need to inject some long sleeves into my wardrobe and purchase shirts. Taking me through from autumn days to Christmas parties, it is the humble silk blouse that truly marks the turning of the seasons.

Today, I took the bull by its metaphorical horns, and bought two silk shirts which will perform nicely from office to bar... just switch up the cashmere cardi for a tailored tux. Take a look, and tell me what you think.

DAY BIRGER ET MIKKELSEN, NIGHT DUSKY PAISLEY SHIRT

FILIPPA K, SILK POCKET BLOUSE

Both shirts have a gorgeous collarless finish, a look I tend to gravitate towards as it has a failsafe minimalist neatness to it, yet remains feminine with the soft folds and pleats. The Filippa K blouse is a colour called 'silver mint', and is a beautiful tone against pale, sun-starved skin.

It seems I can't wait to get back to work, just to have an excuse to wear them.

Photo credits: Polyvore.com

Warning: Radioactive material

Bananas and brazil nuts have been found to be radioactive, and these items are equally explosive. Here is how to be in your element in prints, all courtesy of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York. Who said Chemistry can't be fun?

Step 1. Find yourself a nice set of wheels and go head-to-toe.

CZAR BY CESAR GALINDO S/S 14

Step 2. Toughen up a pretty, sweeping dress with slick make- up and plenty of attitude.

FALGUNI AND SHANE PEACOCK S/S14

Step 3. Lose the accessories. That's an order.

NOON BY NOOR S/S 14

Step 4. Top it off with a pair of shoes that will shake 'em to the core. These Charlotte Olympia's fit the radioactive bill nicely.

Photo credits: mbfashionweek; backseatstylers

Fashion Week hits Somerset House

Another year has come around, another summer at its end (and all too quickly, if you ask me). To soothe the anxiety of the impending winter, however, we have five days and 58 high impact shows to look forward to- all starting tomorrow.

Run the trailer, and let the hyperventilating commence...

Video credit: FashionTV

30 shoes has September

To mark the 30 days of September, here is my pick of autumn's wishlist-worthy shoes: one pair for every day and every possible eventuality. Whether you are a heel hero or a friend of the flat, read on before you get left behind.

Isabel Marant/ASOS/Pretty Ballerinas/Nicholas Kirkwood/Hoss Intropia/River Island/French Sole/Saint Laurent/Bruno Premi/Hudson/Topshop/Bloch/ASOS/Dries Van Noten/Ted Baker/Jimmy Choo/Russell and Bromley/Kenzo/Christian Louboutin/Zara/ASH/Grenson/Nicholas Kirkwood + Erdem/Oscar De La Renta/Ilse Jacobsen/Tabitha Simmons/Dune/Alexandre Birman/Gina/Camilla Skovgaard

Get the look: VMA Red Carpet

Take inspiration from the red carpet of this year's VMAs and find your dramatic evening look from the likes of Rita Ora, Lady Gaga plus so many more. Just top it off with the right attitude and the right chauffeur...

Black leather dress, DSquared - here

Leopard dress, Stella McCartney - here

Black sandals, River Island - here

Feather skirt, Matthew Williamson - here

Silk blouse, Helmut Lang - here

Losers weepers

Anyone who hasn't yet heard of Australian label Finders Keepers is losing out. Mentioned in a previous post (here), I have fallen head over skirt for this brand which has made a name for itself in my closet, cuddling up to my others from the likes of McQueen, Paul Smith and Tibi.

The 'You Sent Me' style that I personally went for also comes in a dress version, available here, but I decided to leave the dress as it wasn't lined as well as the skirt- buy it here and here- and I am not one for a sheer dress unless it comes with a slip.

I have never before pulled on a skirt and felt that my legs look photoshopped, until now. The cutaway hem has a slimming and leg lengthening effect which could previously only be achieved with the help of Tracy Anderson or a really good dream. Plus, paired with a simple white tee and subtle strappy heels, it is a skirt which certainly does all the talking, therefore taking away the headache of pairing together printed separates.

Now the secret is out, spread the word. You can thank me when you see yourself in the skirt and fall back in love with your legs!

Photo credits: Harvey Nichols

Review: Ciate Caviar polish

The Ciate Caviar nail polish is not only a fabulous piece of nail wear, but is iconic in reintroducing the power of nail art to many a finger and toe across the land. I decided to give it a go and see what all the hype was about.

Price...
Considering you get two bottles in one go, always with a beautiful basecoat colour, the £18 price tag isn't too tough to take. It is even possible to get said fingers on a set of eight from ebay for £35, which is very reasonable indeed.

Colour...
The pearlescent effect of the micropearls are not only unusual but in the evening really do sparkle under the ambient lighting of a restaurant or the decadence of a cocktail lounge.

Staying power...
I was not overly impressed by the stamina of the Ciate. It wasn't just the beads chipping away by the end of the weekend, but the base colour was easily peeled off as well. I would want this nail polish brand to perfect the quality of the polish itself, before getting too fancy with decorative accessories. By the end of day two, I was desperate to take it off.

Overall satisfaction...
Very little jewellery is required on one's hands when sporting the caviar finish, therefore saving you the last minute already-running-twenty-minutes-late mad rush when on your way out for the evening. It's amazing how many comments your nails can attract, never before noticed until I wore the polish. I even experimented with half-dipped nails, as well as the all-over caviar look; both of which are striking and unusual. Just make sure you sprinkle your nails over a piece of paper to save the beads from escaping all over the floor, and don't expect the caviar to remain intact for more than 48 hours. That's long enough for a weekend of frivolity and festivity, at least.

3.5/5 stars

Photo credit: iamfabulicious.blogspot