Flaring Up

1. Wishbone necklace by Astrid & Miyu – £29.00 here
2. Gold initial rings by Astrid & Miyu – £39.00 here
3. Sophie Hulme Bordeaux cross-body bag – £425.00 here
4. Topshop Premium Prowl boots – £120.00 here
5. Topshop cropped shirt – £36.00 here
6. Miss Selfridge skinny flared jeans – £38.00 here

I'm a denim devotee. Monday to Sunday, season to season, I rarely stray from my skinny jean rotation: Moto Leighs one day, Hollister Ryans the next (don't judge - they are actually not as bad as the so-called "models" would have you think) and then back to my go-to Abercrombie & Fitch pair. The sartorial equivalent of a big ole' bowl of mac'n'cheese, skinnies are my comfort, despite being nigh-on impossible to remove in a remotely elegant, or sexy, manner. Just do the skinny shimmy or shake 'em off if you're feeling Swift-y.

Back to the matter at hand: denim. This season is all about the stuff– be it Alexa Chung for AG's delectable white dungaree dress or Victoria Victoria Beckham's chic flared mini, the workaday fabric is back on the sartorial agenda for SS15, and it's looking rather foxy. Inspired by the changing demands of their ready-to-wear clientele, designers took note, debuting an array of dressed-up denim pieces. Stella McCartney ticked off two trends in one, whipping hers into utilitarian overalls, while Burberry Prorsum took the perennial jean jacket up a notch or two with exquisite tailoring and tactile trimmings. The catwalk has spoken: it's time to take your denim in a new direction.

The Chic List

Image from Skandilicious

From Monday morning cosies to tempt you out of bed through to warm-and-fuzzy Friday night funsies, here are a few of my favourite things for the week ahead.

Dungarees, Darling

Granted, they are not to everyone's taste, but dungarees really are back in fashion.

Hey, 90s, i've missed you!

While there are some really hot overalls around ranging from simple boyfriend vintage washes at Mango through to mini denim dunga-dresses (yup- let's coin that phrase) at Urban Outfitters (I love!) and smart black pinafores at Zara, but my favourites have to be the chic all-black dungarees, particularly these ones from River Island.

I first spotted these in The Sunday Times Style a few weeks ago, as worn by a member of their ridiculously stylish staff, and I kind of fell in love and felt this overwhelming urge to shun my shopping ban (i'm not allowing myself to buy any more clothes until i've returned to a healthy weight) and buy, buy, buy.

I have a pretty exciting placement coming up next term, and I really do think that this natty little ensemble would go down a treat. Bright, bold and flattering: what more could you ask for?

1. I've been obsessed with Sophie Hulme handbags since the Atelier-To-Go dress up event during London Fashion Week, where we had this bright blue number from London boutique Austique. I have been lusting after these wonderfully stylish and simple handbags for a good while now and this bright orange one is certainly a favourite for S/S13. Tangerine is arguably the hottest hue of the season and this uplifting bag offer just a touch of citrus sweetness to every look. The best thing about Sophie Hulme bags is their accessible price-point and this beauty is just £410.

2. Finding truly wonderful, unique shoes that don't break the bank is no mean feat, but Kat Maconie heels have been at the top of my lust-list for a few seasons now (check out my post on them a while back, here). For S/S13, there are some strikingly modern block-heel styles available online, but my favourites have to be these silk printed Abigal t-bar platform heels which are just £230. In an artful print marrying shades of lemon, orange and hot pink, these are certainly a worthwhile investment. While, sadly, they are sold out, it is certainly worth getting in contact with their customer services to see if more shall be coming back in stock.

3. Monica Vinader jewellery is always so simple and elegant. For Spring, I love this jade green version of their classic Mini Siren pendant. The pendant is just £65 and, for this look, I would wear with a long navel-grazing chain for a cool, understated style that is still undeniably modern and luxurious.

4. We recently shot some gorgeous Zoe Karssen tees at Atelier-To-Go (have a wee browse here) and I am so glad we've picked up this amazing little tee brand. I managed to snap up a Oh La La tee in the Harvey Nichols sale in Edinburgh for just £35, and the quality of these cool tees is truly unrivalled. A long-sleeved white tee is a basic that I really cannot live without, and this Zoe Karssen version is universally flattering with a subtle scoop neck and a-line fit. It really is the ideal tee to pair with smart dungarees.

5. Though stackable rings have been at the forefront of fashion recently, I am far more drawn to simple, futuristic bands like this Maison Martin Margiela set. A set of four glossy gold-plated rings, these are striking worn all on one hand. A contemporary touch of avant-garde class.

 6. And now, my lovelies, for the pièce de résistance: these truly cool dungarees from River Island. At £40 these tailored overalls are a really worthwhile purchase, especially as they can be dressed up or down. Paired with a simple white-tee they offer an updated 1990s aesthetic that is more than a little bit sexy but they also look amazing with printed blouses and statement necklaces. I would certainly keep it simple, though, and let some killer accessories do all the talking.

Let me know what you think- even the most simple of comments can make my day ! 

Minted

Ooh, hello there sunshine, how we have missed you !

Today is the hottest day of the year thus far, so I thought i'd present to you a look based on the hottest colour of the season: aquamarine.

Or coolest, if you are being pernickety. 

Mint green is always a favourite of mine come the warmer months. It is a soft, pretty shade that works with all colours. I find it truly comes alive when paired with crisp white pieces and the softest golden tan.

For SS13, though, I am loving mint styled in a more directional, futuristic way as demonstrated above in a gorgeous spring-ready look that just exudes editorial cool. 

This is street-style snapper stuff, if you ask me.

1. These earrings from Whistles are a fabulous, space-age interpretation of classic costume jewellery. Such shapes are often associated with a certain Miss Butcher in Eastenders, but this new season version from Whistles (seriously hot at the moment) is a million miles away from Albert Square. In smoky pewter black, these slick earrings work wonderfully with this cool look. 

2. Here ye, here ye, I have a new obsession: Sophie Hulme handbags. Since laying my eyes on the marine clutch at the Atelier-To-Go blogger event at The Apartment during London Fashion Week, I have been a little bit smitten with these luxurious handbags. This simple black one with graphic hardware detail is a great investment for the new season, and it is such good value! You can buy them in Harvey Nichols among other stockists.

3. Ooh hello. I've been after this butter-soft icy leather jacket by Reiss 1971 since their press day and I am still doing all the chasing. I am seriously beginning to begrudge the fact that i'm just a poor little student, for I could give this jacket such a lovely home. I would take it everywhere... It would have such a good time (particularly with my new bone skinny jeans from Topshop - ice cream chic!)

4. Every time I get a little statement jewellery craving (which happens once a day, by the way) I head straight to the American e-boutique Bauble Bar. While I am not entirely sure whether they ship over here, I can but dream, and their collar necklaces make for the perfect addition to any outfit post. I adore this mint green offering interwoven with aqua suede and studded with punchy jade opaque crystals.

5. Another blog post, another item from The Kooples! This sculptural white miniskirt from my favourite Parisian label is a total summer must have. With an origami-esque fold at the front, this tapered white pelmet skirt has a distinctly futuristic look which would work wonderfully with a printed top and killer sandals.

6. Speaking of killer sandals, if you want a pair you should probably check out Australian shoe brand Senso. I found them, again, through Atelier-To-Go and I am absolutely in awe of their slick, contemporary designs. The SS12 collection is gorgeous, I particularly adore these SASHA II metallic marine sandals with a perspex heel and minimal strap detailing.

7. I'm not usually a fan of python print, but for this Proenza Schouler jersey top new in at Harvey Nichols, I shall make an exception. I adore this long sleeved, soft jersey top from the New York design duo, and doesn't it just look ssssssublime with the mint green?

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.