Holiday Wardrobe: Big Yellow Taxi

From West to East, our final US stop was the city of dreams- New York.

I must say that I did not know what to expect from the ultimate metropolis. I had heard mixed opinions: some loved it, some hated it, and I had no clue into which category I would fall. However, as we flew across the city, taking in the iconic scenery, my mind was pretty much made up. And now I get why everyone wears those t-shirts... I, in fact, also love NY.

We were very lucky to stay in the luxurious Gramercy Park hotel in Manhattan, just across from the private gardens of the same name. The hotel was darkly decadent, dripping in chandeliers and oozing old-time luxury.

Our first day was spent doing all manner of tourist-y activities, including a trip to the Punk exhibition at The Met, which I would highly recommend. With everything from risqué t-shirts from SEX on The Kings Road through to delicious Balmain RTW and dangerous Givenchy Couture, the Met's Punk curation plays on the interrelation between punk and couture- namely the DIY spirit which ties the two together.

We then took a trip down Madison Avenue to the flagship Kate Spade store, which was a girly paradise complete with oodles of glittering pumps, colourful enamel jewellery and kitschy popcorn clutches.

For lunch we made our way across the road to Barneys, intending to dine at the celebrated spot for "Ladies Who Lunch": Fred's. With a half hour wait and some rather weary feet, we decided to retreat downstairs to their interactive lunch stop Genes at CO-OP.

I. Loved. It.

Genes is a little glass enclave in the corner of the contemporary designer department. Futuristic and suitably fashionable, the cafe features one long dark table made up of full-screen touch tablets, from which you can order and surf the web. Tweet while you eat? Don't mind if I do!

My order of the day was a green juice, an iced double espresso and a hearty raw superfood salad- dressing on the side, of course: ideal fuel for an afternoon spent milling around Tiffanys and SAKS. 

WHAT I WORE:

Get Your Neon On

Okay so tomorrow is the start of May, today I went out in a strappy camisole and a lace jacket from The Kooples and this afternoon I received an email from Company magazine reminding me that it was almost a year ago that I took part in Company Grads 2012 (read about it here if you've forgotten!). I am 20 next year and will be a graduate by next Summer. This is scary- i'm practically a grown-up.

In the mean time, rather than getting all teary about this being my last year as a teenager, I shall instead do a bright and beautiful post with a whole lot of glowing neon products to put a big summery smile on my face.

Smile, guys, it's Summer (ish)!

1. Essie polishes are my favourite. There, I said it, let's just all move on. They are so richly pigmented and always in the most glorious colours with the cheekiest, cheeriest names. Their new neon collection for 2013 is deliciously juicy and I want every last shade. This bubblegum shade is called Bottle Service.

2. Acid green nails are not to everyone's taste, granted, but with a name like Shake Your $$ Maker, how could you resist this funky shade?  A tan is an essential, i'd imagine, but go for this shade if your feeling a little brave. 

3. Orange you lovely! Gosh, one day i'll cease with the embarrassing puns, but that day is not today. This acidic orange shade is perfect to pep up your nude studded sandals and it has a suitably uplifting name: Saturday Disco Fever!

4. This refreshing purple shade reminds me of Atelier-To-Go and, of course, for that reason I love it. DJ Play That Song is like parma violets on acid and would look amazing worn with hot pink sandals or lashings of aqua (my new favourite hue... as this instagram shot shows)

5. Topshop's fashion-forward budget beauty collections really are second to none, and this sexy peach Lip Bullet is fabulous for adding a little vivacity to your make-up bag and will bring a tropical touch to a "bare-faced" look.

6. Another gem from Topshop, this Bombshell lipstick just screams 90s nostalgia! In a clear case with an almost gelatinous look, this bubblegum pink shade is great fun. Get them feelin' Hella Good with this fabulous fuschia. 

7. I spotted this Ciaté polish a couple of days ago on my Twitter feed and I have been getting rather excited about it since. An interpretation of the famous Caviar set, this bad boy glows in the dark: seriously! Read more about Ciaté Corrupted Neon here.

8. The Red Roses scent from Jo Malone is one of the most iconic fragrances of recent years, and all with good reason. It is soft, sweet and feminine but also still a little musky and certainly rather sophisticated. In her new role as Style Editor to the brand, Charlotte Stockdale has updated the scent by dipping in neon pink paint with a limited run of 300, each one individually engraved. Available exclusively at Selfridges, Charlotte's neon collection also offers a number of other pretty rosy treats with a little fluoro-floral touch.

9. Burberry beauty is usually all about redefining sultry nude shades, but this new lipgloss shade, Pink Sweet Pea, takes a new direction with a zingy, poppy colour and luxuriously glossy finish. It is £18.50 at Harvey Nichols here. 

10. The go-to beauty brand for all things bold and theatrical, if you're looking for a show-stopping lip colour then you need not look much further than Illamasqua. Though it is certainly not one for shrinking violets, this Intense lipgloss in Indulge is a bit of a corker. Pucker up boys! It is £14.50 here. 

11. Be a blushing beauty with this Love blush from Lancome. A pearly blush with an apricot core and candy pink trim, this blusher is flecked with light-reflecting particles to make it the ideal partner to gloriously bold lips. The packaging is rather cute too! The perfect gift, this blusher is £34 from Harvey Nichols here. 

Bright and Beautiful

The simple little white dress can work wonders and this new pleated number from L'Agence, exclusively available at Atelier-To-Go, is just made for showing off a wonderful tan and even more wonderful accessories.

While it would look amazing with simple metallics or even bold monochrome accents, I would wear with a whole lot of neon for a really fresh take on the little white dress. 

1. Senso is an affordable Australian footwear brand that has been on my radar for a few months now. These dazzling yellow strappies are sure to attract many admiring glances over the summer months. These XIXI II shoes retail for $229 (AUD) and you can find UK stockists of Senso here.

2. My go-to girl when on the hunt for new fashion labels, Atelier-To-Go's retail director tipped me off about KlearKlutch a while back, just before this simple little number made it's way into all the top glossies. If you've been reading the blog recently you'll know that i'm experiencing a certain fondness for perspex clutch bags and this one is the pièce du résistance. It's big enough to fit all manner of odds and ends in, but make sure they do the rest of your outfit justice. You can pre-order this in-demand clutch here for £59.99.

3. Aah another day, another Chanel nail polish that I need in my life. My lovely mother received the limited edition Fracas shade for Mothers Day from my younger sister and was sweet enough to let me pinch it. A juicy shade of pink that flatters all skin tones with a touch of coral and shimmer, Fracas is a truly delicious shade for summer and has already got a fair few fans. Yes, I have a million and one nail polishes, but this one simply must join the collection. You can buy it online from Selfridges for £18.

4. Ooh la L'Agence ! Say hello to the star piece from Atelier-To-Go's latest curated collection from L'Agence. The minute I laid eyes on this luxurious ivory dress I fell a little bit in love. It is demure but still sexy with an exposed back and suggestive split at the front. With flattering pleating down the front and a floaty skirt falling just on the knee, this is a great investment piece.

Someone help me resist the urge to buy: i'm weak.

5. I adore Shourouk for showstopping neon jewellery, and these bright orange earrings are a new favourite. The bodice detailing on this L'Agence dress means there is simply no need for a necklace, but earrings? That's a different story!

6. A little finishing touch to keep all things bright and beautiful- these ASOS bracelets are such a great find. I won't tell anyone they are not Dannijo if you dont! They are £18 here. 

 

Hey, Hot Stuff

So it's bloody freezing again... Just when I thought I was okay to go out in ballet pumps, to dance into spring in my balletic maxiskirts and cycle around London with flowers in my hair, the temperature plummets below zero and I once again forget what my hands feel like.

(Maybe i've not quite braved the maxis and hippy cycling, but I have worn ballet pumps, okay?)

Anyway, I thought that i'd try and keep my spirits up by posting this bold and exciting little dream outfit of mine, boasting the most sunny colours imaginable. I'll take that Sophie Hulme handbag and these J Brand jeans now, please.

1. A perfect coral pout will never go amiss during spring, and I love this shade by MAC. I picked this up in a MAC goodie bag but passed it onto a friend as coral lippy doesn't tend to suit me, but this Vegas Volt lipstick is a great shade for warmer skintones, not pasty Scottish birds like me.

2. Aaah The Kooples, someone tear me away! This little lace trim camisole from the new collection at The Kooples is top of my new season wishlist, purely for it is so very versatile. Perfect with little denim shorts or with distressed skinny jeans, this is a little gem right here (£65) 

3. When we first shot these jeans at Atelier-To-Go, I think I fell a little bit in love. Dishevelled denim at it's most stylish, these J Brand 620 Skinnies in Revenge are the most wonderfully soft blend and they fit a dream. J Brand skinnies are a modern classic... If only I could justify treating myself!

4. You probably all know that i'm a statement jewellery obsessive, and this necklace from Jolita has been on my radar for a little while now. It is coming soon, but will retail at £480. Featuring a rainbow of  acid bright matte gems in a bold collar style, this necklace marries together all these warm shades for a lively look that exudes modern style.

5. I have been loving Sophie Hulme handbags for a good while now, and this orange number is certainly a new favourite. Around the £400 mark, these handbags aren't ludicrously expensive, but they are beautifully made and totally timeless. This soft apricot shade is bang on trend for spring and also looks rather delicious with this particular outfit.

6. "Aw, Topshop have so many nice wooden shoes at the moment"

These words perplexed my flatmates a little bit earlier this evening, but they'll know what I mean if they take a look at this post. The wooden wedges in at Topshop for Spring at just gorgeous, and I am particularly drawn to these clompy but cool wedges in a soft sandy suede. The perfect neutral to balance the bold shades in the rest of this outfit.

7. Last but not least, make like Rosie Huntington Whiteley in a crisp red jacket, like this little number from The Kooples. In a corally red, this slick tailored jacket is a great buy and will see you through season upon season... Okay, maybe not, but it will look fit this season. Try with a cute creamy lace dress for a modern look. 

LFW Dream Wardrobe #3

Happy Valentines Day ya'll! Hope you have a lovely day, single or not so.

Anyway, what with Pancake Day, Pancakelentines Day (The 13th... What do you MEAN you didn't celebrate?!) and now Valentines Day sort of out the way, we can focus all our attention and excitement on London Fashion Week which dawns tomorrow.

With the launch party for #HPMLFW this evening (if you're going to be there, drop me a wee tweet at @SWfashion_ ) and lots of exciting shows tomorrow, I am officially excited.

Today, though, I am shooting with the lovely team at Atelier-To-Go, so thought that I should share with you this little dress which has been miraculously reduced in the Atelier-To-Go sale to just £130 - amazing for a little slice of luxury, delivered straight to your door.

Atelier-To-Go is launching very soon so please do make sure that you follow us out on Twitter @ATELIER_TO_GO and like us on Facebook for our fashion and lifestyle musings on a daily basis. Most importantly, though, make sure you shamelessly self indulge this Valentines Day by treating yourself to some of our lovely new in.

1. This candy pink midi dress from Alice + Olivia at Atelier-To-Go is a total steal at just £130 in the sale. With fine and balletic pleats and a simple elasticated waist, this pretty pink dress is a great piece to see in Spring seamlessly. Yes, it's very girly, but the brighter shade of pink brings it bang up to date. I'll race you to the checkout, yeah?!

2. My latest discover is Shourouk jewellery, and I would be so thrilled to get my hands on this killer Venus necklace. It is available in three weeks from Shourouk's online store for €375, and is just truly beautiful. I feel that this may be my new statement jewellery obsession, Mawi who? With twinkling crystals and bright touches of orange, lime and hot pink, this bright and bold necklace would look devastatingly amazing with this pretty dress. 

3. What could be sweeter for Spring than some lemon yellow pointed stilettos from Whistles. The entire Whistles SS13 collection is a knockout, and their footwear is particularly stellar. These suede pointed courts are perfect with pretty neutrals or with other bold shades and are a great way to breathe life into simple Fashion Week looks.

4. Aaah The Kooples. If ever i'm rich and famous can we agree, Mr and Mrs Koople, that you will provide me with a full wardrobe season by season, primarily made up of these immaculate little jackets? Cool, i'm glad we've got that sorted. This creamy double breasted blazer from their new Spring collection, dotted with gleaming gold buttons, is the perfect way to keep out the chill without ruining the flirty shade of the dress. It's £315, but the cut makes it a wise little extravagance. 

5. Another season, another collection of Zara handbags to make me even poorer. In a bold, uplifting tribal print, this boxy clutch belies the £39.99 pricetag and is a great way to marry these bright shades together. Someone try and dissuade me from buying this... I don't think I can resist much longer!

6. The finishing touch? A fluoro nail polish that is just the ticket for instagram ready nails. This bright Portobello polish from Nails Inc is perhaps my favourite summer shade as it really brings a smile to my face, while also making me look nice and tanned. It'll look fabulous with this clutch as well! For £11, it's 100% worth it. 

A Spring Fling

1. Everybody say HEY to the bag of my dreams. This Prada tote in clay grey leather has overtaken the navy Céline in the dreamy bag stakes... It is just such a beautiful neutral, a lovely alternative to black or tan, and is just divine. I want it so much but I can't seem to find that spare £1290, did anyone see where I left it?

2. This lemon yellow cropped sweater from Topshop is a SS13 must have. While the colour may not be for everyone, it was a huge hit at the Balenciaga SS13 show (see my new season references here) and looks gorgeous with a geometric black and white print. Wear this chunky sweater (£30) now with a long skirt and boots, and channel with a flirty mini come spring... If it ever arrives, of course.

3. This Accessorize necklace is such a lovely way to instantly update your look. The turquoise shade will lift neutral pieces to new heights, but it is also a great colour to make other brights sing- especially this zesty yellow. Shades of marine are going to be a huge hit for spring, so this is a great way to get ahead without feeling like you've splurged. It also has an alluring Elizabeth Taylor vibe which certainly belies it's £15 price-tag.

4. Any excuse for a new accessory, eh? Ever since my friend Nicole pointed me in the direction of the Kate Spade store in Westfield, I have been smitten with this bow-detail iPhone case. It is around £30 but is such a lovely way to treat yourself on pay day, not to mention a great way to lift your spirits in this horrible, horrible snow.

5. I am in love with these new season Kurt Geiger ELLA shoes. While white shoes may have horrible connotations of fake tan, Malibu and bleached hair (and no that is NOT a description of my Friday night look), in recent years they have been given a sartorial update and have become a beacon of modern elegance. Just ask Sarah Harris, the incredible fashion features writer at British Vogue, who wrote a great piece a few issues back about why white stilettos were her new season must have. If the Vogue girls are doing it, why shant we? White shoes are actually rather chic and lend a contemporary and fresh edge to everything from simple skinnies to little black dresses. These block heel shoes from Kurt Geiger (at £195) are just the ticket and I really rather fancy a pair.

6. My latest purchase is this flirty little miniskirt from Topshop, which I initially bought as a piece for work, but have unfortunately been very short of opportunities in which to brave the opaques. I am dotty for this miniskirt (£22) which looks fun worn with a little white crop top (channelling Balenciaga the very best I can) or with a crisp white shirt tucked in. It also looks playful and modern when paired with bold brights like this sherbet sweet sweater.

7. This is a classic nude polish from Nails Inc which has a soft caramel tone to it. Basil Street (£11) is a warm and elegant shade which goes with everything yet looks particularly delicious when paired with zingy aqua.

8. In time for last summer, I featured these fabulous nude and neon nails by Nails Inc, and I felt that they would look particularly fab with this look, as a way of marrying in the cyan blue. Simply paint the base of your in the afore mentioned Basil Street (two coats), then leave to dry before applying a french manicure sticker to the nail and painting the tip in this refreshing Pool Party shade from Topshop. Simple and quirky nail art that is sure to put a smile on your face.

50 Shades of Louise Gray!

Lipsticks in Legend and Mexican Wave, £10 each

Oh gosh, excuse this dire pun!

I could not resist... I've been tempted to do a post on tea so as to incorporate "50 Shades of Earl Grey" into my blog, but count your lucky stars that my writing skills are not quite up to writing a tea-based short-story romp.

Thank you Topshop for collaborating with the eccentric Brit designer Louise Gray and allowing me to indulge in this pun. I'm also rather excited about this beauty range- I love, love, love the fun colours and  quirky packaging.

These lipsticks are the perfect way to inject a little bit of fun into your make-up bag and keep you feeling bright all through to Christmas time. They are instant mood-lifters!

Chelsea Chic #2

by Shona Wallace, @SWfashion_

As a brief continuation of my last post, here are the actual bracelets as worn by Millie Mackintosh at last nights Look awards. I just loooove the Bibi Bijoux and Swarovski Crystallised fluoro friendship bracelets- perfect to add a bit of zing to a neutral outfit. A must have!

Chelsea Chic

by Shona Wallace, @SWfashion_

I never once thought that I would be citing a reality TV star as a style icon, but that was before I realised how much of a style crush I had developed for Millie Mackintosh. While Made in Chelsea is certainly a guilty pleasure of mine, I no longer watch it solely for the dramas, I'm also a little bit infatuated with Millie's wardrobe.

An enviable blend of chic French labels like Maje and Sandro (my favourites!) topped off with luxurious accessories and glossy hair, Millie's look is polished elegance balanced with a youthful edge. She dresses the way I would if I were rich... And pretty... And not so lazy. 

Her outfit at last night's Look awards is a case in point, showing just how to work brights this season. I love, love, love the look! She tweeted today that she was wearing Australian designer Rachel Gilbert with Jimmy Choo wedges (mmm, so lush!), and her papaya leather jacket is by the amazing Parisian brand Carven. I adore her style- she is the perfect example of how to wear a trend without looking a fashion victim.

Steal Millie's style at: Net-a-Porter; Topshop; Missguided; River Island

Ooh You, Miu Miu!

by Shona Wallace @SWfashion_