How To Have Fun With No Money

It's no secret that I love Marc Jacobs. I'm also a huge fan of his brand stratgey, so so clever. Think of all the teenage girls or poor fashionistas like me that wander into Marc Jacobs to fawn over the clothes they can't afford and lo and behold the lovely Marc offers is stuff we can. Only increasing our brand loyalty and spreading a little bit of Jacobs Joy into the world. We trotted off to London flagship store today on Mount Street, passing Lanvin, Balenciaga and Christian Louboutin on the way. After aforementioned fawning over the clothes and discreet balking at the price tags, although each and every piece was worthy of it's price, I found some trinkets which have cheered me up no end. The broken heart compact mirror at £3 and this neon Marc shopper - for gym days only £19. I shall never use a Tescos bag again! I think the biggest bonus was the 2 big Marc Jacobs bags I got which made me feel so speacial. I walked around town the rest of the day pretending they were full of expensive off the catwalk items and it just felt so good. Other people noticed too, I heard the sighs of envy from some teenage girls on the tube who obviously thought I'd been on a big spree. Well go get some for yourself, the carrier bag is free!

Sunday Best

My bf found it amusing all day that I was so dressed up on a Sunday but remember back when people used to wear their best clothes on Sunday? Personally I don't. But I wish I did. It all ties in with going to Church on a Sunday something which has never really been my thing but I went to my version of Church today, shopping Mecca Liberty so Sunday best was befitting. I love Libertys. I walk round in awe picking up all the beautiful trinkets and declaring I must have them before my attention is caught by another. Catching my eye today were the beautiful studded belts and bracelets by Felder Felder with oh so soft leather and extra heavy studs. The bracelet is a steal at £115 (yikes). The kind of thing you can pick up on the high street but just never has the same weight or handfeel as the expensive original version. I also fell a little bit in love with the metallic leather hair bows which came in at £25 and £35, altogether more affordable.

As for my outfit, the shift is an old one from Zara sale, the tweed Jacket is Anne Brooks from the charity shop completed with my accessories du jour multi strand pearl necklace and chiffon neck scarf. Talking of scarfs you should see the scarfs at Libertys, special, we saw one for £800 and it wasn't even silk! Must have been spun with gold.

Pretending To Be A Rock Star

I walked round pretentiously all day in sunglasses even though the weather was dull. I like pretending to be famous sometimes. My new leather jacket from whistles and high top trainers fitted my prentending to be a rock star look. I know it's silly but that's why it's fun.

ASOS Africa and Fairtrade Fortnight Fashion

ASOS has recently launched the Green Room where all products are fairtrade and ethically sourced. The catch is they are fabulously fashionable to boot. I'm a believer that you shouldn't have to choose to make a moral decision to buy fairtrade or organic instead you should see something you love and want to buy it like any other product and it happens to be fairtrade. Only a clever retailer can achieve this and I think ASOS is well on it's way. The ASOS Africa collection happens to tie in ever so nicely with the tribal trends seen on the SS10 catwalks most notably at Marc by Marc Jacobs (my fave collection of the season). Spot the difference. Also hitting key trend of paperbag waists on shorts and skirts for the summer there isn't a good reason not to buy. Except I'm still broke! Even the day after payday how sad : (

Mismatch

As I lay in bed ignoring the alarm I was hit by a sudden and rare flash of inspiration for what to wear today. A mismatch of my old H&M high waisted navy chino hareem pants (which I thought I wouldn't get to wear again but reminded me of Richard Nicolls chinos for Topshop), a cheap lace top I got in China and this lovely apricot coloured blouse which I got from H&M (again) about 5 years ago. I topped it off with the velvet headband from ASOS, I was right about it being a good cover up for scruffy hair as I didn't have time to wash it this morning. Must actually start to get up when alarm goes off not half an hour later. I did eyeliner dots in the corner and outer parts of my eye, don't really know why, just thought it would look cool. Responses varies from 'you have a black smudge in your eye' to 'love your make up today' so I'd gauge that a hit!

Giles Deacons Shiny Dinosaur Bag

How much would you love to own this handbag? Only me?! And of course the matching trousers such a beautiful shade of blue.

Velvet Headband

This headband is from ASOS and is a flat velvet strip with wiring in so you can create whatever look you want with it. A bow, mickey mouse ears, bunny ears or a turban shape. Not sure whjat I created but I like it! Might try it again tomorrow as a cover up for scruffy hair!

Cream Shift Dress with Pearls

I had a meeting today so thought I'd step it up a bit. I went for this cream snakeskin print shift dress that I got from a charity shop added a multi strand pearl necklace to make it a bit less grown up and a bit more fun.

LFW so far a bit disappointing!

Well I've been checking out a few shows and a few reviews and so far I'm a little disappointed.

I know that Fashion means so much more to people that clothes - expression of ones self, an art form and a zeitgeist of our times. Androgyny goes to show that Fashion is not just about pretty dresses. However I feel like people are missing the point - yes fashion is about all these other things but ultimately it has GOT to be about looking at a show ans thinking wow. Thinking I want that now. I want to look like that. It simple MUST be aspirational. And here's where I've been let down so far LFW.

I always look forward to Topshops Unique catwalk show so I looked up that one first and was completely underwhelmed. Yes antlers on the models heads are cool, but the models looked ugly with their fake animal fur bushy brows and the trawled through a hedge look and the clothes weren't even exciting enough to make this into a spectacle. Louise Gray, another designer I look forward to...I'm lost for words, just horrible, unwearable, uninspired yeti outfits, REALLY badly styled. Louise Goldin was doing sci fi again, this collection is so AW09 it's just a boring rehash. If she isn't even inspired how can she expect us to be? Finally Twenty8Twelve, I've never been a massive fan of the Sienna sisters venture since I believe Sienna's style icon status is a little frazzled these days but I have in the past appreciated their work. Their SS collection was criticised by the fashion press for being an overview of current high street trends rather than being fashion leading, true criticism coincidentally. This season their collection has some really nice pieces but it looked more like H&M right now than something fashion leading and creative enough to be showing at LFW. See the pics above and let me know if you agree or you think I'm very rude.

Will you be my boyfriend?

Nasty Gal - My New Favourite

Searching for images I came across this US website http://www.shopnastygal.com/ full of designer pieces and vintage one offs, best new clothes website I've come across in ages. Very Gaga and not even that expensive. These gorgeous Jeffrey Cambell shoes are $120, the playsuit is $280 (vintage so only one available!), Chloe sheer ruffle back blouse $78 and the beautiful floral patch jeans by Cheap Monday $88. I know someone who will love this site : )

I wonder what the shipping cost is...

Richard Nicholl for Topshop SS10

Currently featuring top of my wishlist for summer outfits is this Richard Nicholl Jumpsuit. I would wear it with 40s curled hair and a side parting, red lipstick and sume huge wedges. I just need to part with £70 and my dream outfit will come true.

Say it on your t-shirt

My friend was telling me about an R.I.P YSL bag last night and a quick search pulled up this Brian Lichtenberg T-shirt. I want one! The Anna Wintour Fan Club T-shirt is by Urban Outfitters. BF - if you're reading this please buy it me! Long live The September Issue

Mischa Bartons New Do

Mischa Bartons new hair colour is fabulous. Exactly the tone I'm trying to lighten my own hair to but it's a slow process. On the flip side I know we're not meant to say it but doesn't she look so much better thin. I'm torn here because I think she looks ultimately a lot more glamourous and fashiony thin (call me shallow if you will) but at the same time thats when she was completely spiralling into drug use and depression. It took a lot of cociane (apparently) to maintain that weight so that's defintely not good. If only it was achievable without drugs. It seems there's been a real spate of Hollywood celebs/socialites dying from drug abuse all in the name of thin. It's been much publicised so I don't have much to add just that it's sad that they have to resort to drugs to reach this 'ideal weight' and that people like me look up and aspire to them for looking so catwalk model when they achieve it. What a cycle.

I couldn't not mention the Brits

I've heard mixed reviews of Lily Allens dress pictured above (I heard it's Chanel). Personally I like it.

Fot Lady Gaga there have been no mixed reviews as everyone agrees she looked amazing. Last week she stuck pearls to her face this week it was lace. I love it although I do have the sensation that noone dares stand up and say they think it looks stupid. I would respect that even if I didn't agree because surely some people do?

White Floral Edge Shirt - Hobbs Limited Collection

I went for anm update on a 70s flower girl look today. The white shirt is a Hobbs limited collection piece that I picked up from a charity shop in Kensington. It has a beautiful floral trim edges on the collar and sleeves. Worn with bright blue jeans and a slick of red lippie. Simple and pretty.

50s

I rolled my hair back in a quiff almost by accident and it turned out looking really 50s. You know since I did it by accident I'll never be able to recreate it now! I tailored my outfit then around my 'as luck would have it' hair and picked this short sleeve pink shirt from Uniqlo, high waisted blue skinnies from Topshop, rolled up the hems for a more 50s look and naturally finished off with some converse. I got these Converse for free but they're too small! I need to put my hand in my pocket and pay for some that actually fit me. It's just not as fun when you have to pay though.

T by Alexander Wang

I don't know what's wrong with me. I don't know how this could have passed me by. Alexander Wang has a diffusion line. That I can afford! It's mostly jersey basics but then that's why we love him anyway. Roll on payday I am investing. Never undervalue the perfect T-shirt people. Or the perfect T-shirt dress. Or the perfect sweat top. Where to start my collection?