Clear thinking

I can see clearly now the rain has gone...

Well the rain may still be lingering in the true British summer fashion, but my penchant for perspex and see-through accessories is sticking. 

Take, for instance, the crystal-heeled Chanel boots from AW12/13, or the Marc by Marc Jacobs PVC cross-body bag. At first glance, you see nothing untoward or particularly striking. But then, after a double take or two, you can see just how clever the craftsmanship has led the eye to see how the finer details have been finished perfectly- whether it's the stitching, hardware or the sculpting of a heel.

Although a perspex heel has never been seen as particularly chic or possessing any kind of positive connotations (think Red Light District), Chanel managed to prove them wrong and  re-imagine the potential of see-through materials. Totally modern, totally cool. 

Charlotte Olympia's perspex clutch sold out in mere minutes at one store in Dallas, and the Hermes Birkin has been toted by the elite few in the fashion world. If that doesn't whet your taste buds, I don't know what will. 

All that can be said is that now, as designers and fashion houses are beginning to experiment with innovative and sustainable materials, it's time to rethink the possibilities of your sartorial recipe. It's not that cashmere doesn't still hold true as a staple piece... you just have to pair it with some faux leather, rubber, and maybe even some PVC.

So let's forget how quickly the rain came along and banished the heat wave, and try to see clearly now even though it's pouring. 

Photo credits: Michele Silvestro; La mode oui c'est moi

Pass on punk

Madonna at the Met Ball, May 2013

As far as my involvement in the punk trend goes, it only stretches as far as my checked bathrobe. I have never been one for punk trends, so I was not overjoyed at the prospect of an autumn-winter season filled with studs, mohawks, rips and fishnets. Again.

Although it was a big part of the new urban scene in London, and therefore plays a role in our heritage, as far as I am concerned it should be left in the history books along with bonnets and long johns.

Having said that, I do think that the August cover of British Vogue is very appealing, and I have already mentioned the lovely checkered outerwear of the Celine AW13 collection here. So although I will personally be passing on the punk and gearing more towards pink (as a personal preference), I think it can be done tastefully and in a way which emulates one's own personal style, and not that of a past generation.

Photo credit: Vogue.co.uk

Wardrobe woes

Having returned back home from my brief stint at University, it appears that the contents of my wardrobe have more than doubled... yet the capacity has remained the same.

Over the last three years I have done a whole heap of closet editing- donating my old clothes to charities and friends- but it only seems to have made a small dent in the mountain of dresses, tops, shorts and skirts which has swollen to a ridiculous number, fuelled by my shopping antics at University (I blame student discount allowances and Topshop lock-ins).

So I may have to call our local handyman to come and find a solution to my storage needs, perhaps more shelving... and to say a few prayers.

Here is just one of my wardrobes, so you can gain a feeling of the severity of the situation in which I find myself. Wish me luck!

Photo credit: Goody Two-Choos

Ladies no longer waiting

As baby mania sweeps not just this country but the world, and the first few days of Baby Cambridge are shared with us all, I thought it was very fitting that both Mum and Dad emerged wearing baby blue.

So show your support for the new parents and Prince, and wear something blue tomorrow. For all those looking to emulate Catherine's style, see some fabulous suggestions below.

Congratulations to the new family.

Uttam Boutique at House of Fraser- £50

ASOS Smock Dress at asos.com - £50

Photo credit: Vogue.co.uk

Meet Mr. Nichols

Uh oh... it looks like I was let loose in Harvey Nichols again.

Whenever I visit my friends and family in Bristol, I always make sure to visit my second boyfriend, a certain someone who goes by the name of Harvey Nichols.

This particular visit, however, was unusually quiet which I really enjoyed as it gave me the opportunity to get to know the girls who were working on womenswear and beauty that day. It's very easy to walk into a department store and keep very much to yourself, particularly when (like me) you prefer to shop alone. There are moments, though, when you just need a bit of girly support and the occasional ego boost: and for this, Harvey Nichols is the place to be.

Although I personally believe it is not as well stocked as Selfridges and Harrods, with the odd piece priced at a higher premium, the service I have received over the past 4 years has been unrivalled. They make the time to speak to you as a person (not a number) and get to know you beyond your waist and shoe size- where you are treated like one of their friends rather than a customer. This, I believe, is what makes a shopping trip enjoyable, and reminds me that online shopping isn't always more fun.

On this occasion, I spent the majority of my time in womenswear, trialling new brands and experimenting with my new favourite: Finders Keepers. Think Australian cool, but with realistic sizing where everything you pull from the shop floor fits...

Although I went in with a certain dress in mind, I came out with something completely different- post to follow- and boy, was it worth it.

So, don't neglect your local department store, no matter how convenient internet shopping may be. You never know who you may meet, or what you may find in amongst the expansive rails of clothing.

Warning: May contain nuts

I have a secret of the nutty kind...

The footwear addict that I have become means that I am forever spending my precious shoe-wearing time battling with the removal of stickers on the soles. Even once I have finally managed to get rid of all the paper, there is still the sticky glue which collects fluff, dust and all manner of grossness from the carpet, creating an ever-so-attractive rectangular shaped fuzz coating on the bottom of my new favourite shoes.

So, to make my life easier and to save my soles, I turn to the kitchen cupboards and seek solace in a jar of peanut butter. No, before you ask, I don't mean comfort eating (that's another story)- I mean using peanut butter as a glue residue remover.

Any peanut butter will do: crunchy, smooth, Skippy, organic, full fat, low fat, Tesco, Kraft... take your pick (although I wouldn't recommend the specialised protein building as for some reason the consistency isn't quite up to par). Just smear the peanut over the desired area, leave for 2-3 minutes, then remove with kitchen roll or a dry cloth. Et voilà! Sticky-free soles.

Pass it on.

Photo credit: nydailynews.com

Polished work

I have caught wind of a fantastic piece of kit which I just had to share as it will make all you nail polish addicts out there squeal with delight, and sigh with relief.

Carolyn.K London has introduced their new 'Polish Pod', a half-moon shaped bottle holder which enables you to paint one-handed without fear of the polish which threatens to spilleth over. When, like me, you have reached the last dregs of your favourite colour (and particularly the frequented base and top coats), tipping the bottle whilst picking up just the right amount of polish on the brush and painting, all at once, is a bit too finnicky.

Anything which makes my life easier and my nail painting faster is fine by me and, at only £9.99, I will definitely be adding this nifty little trick to my cosmetics tool kit.

Find out more here.

Photo credit: Carolyn.K London