ASOS Floral Skater Dress With Lace Tights

I always feel that this dress is just a little bit too pretty and girly for my taste so I tried to rock it up a bit with some dark pink lace tights and worker boots (yes I do wear them every day). I did get this dress free from work so I can't really make any complaints about it and it has a nixe exposed zip on the back...it's just a teeny bit tight for breathing,

Ghosty Gothic

I should have taken the time to iron the big crease in this dress but I still think it looked nice despite that. It's a lovely silk DKNY dress with hanging ribbon straps and pintucks to the bust. I can't wait to wear it with bare legs and worker boots in the summer. I glammed it up by putting some eyeshadow on for once, this rusty colour is my new favourite, its a MAC one and I find rust and reds is really great for green eyes as it brings the colour out. I then added my jersey and chain necklace from ASOS and another necklace from Primarni on top. All in all a pretty easy throw on outfit that still made me feel dressed up.

Love My Bones

This is a Topshop T-Shirt I bought as I found it very controversial. For me a 'Love My Bones' T-shirt is pretty much a pro ana statement. Not sure whether they thought of it that way when they designed it since 'love my bones' could have the other meaning 'to love the bones of someone = to really love them'. But for me it will always be a Pro Ana T-shirt. Not that I am pro ana myself, as we all know it's an horrific disease, but I just love how controversial it is. Especially from a store who already has tiny sizes (to accommodate their tween customers) and has recently added in a size 4 (the highly publicised US size 0) 'for their Japanese customers'.

Emo Ban In Russia

I just stumbled across this article on the guardian website. Russia is trying to ban "emos" as they believe the trend promotes social withdrawal, depression and suicide. Outrageous. Totally horrifying thought that in 2010 there are still people who think that what we wear should be controlled and there I was getting all excited about the burgeoning fashion industry in Russia - they can forget that and all the revenue it would pull in if they continue with such draconian attitudes. Read the article.

Hackney Wick Flea Market Photos

Found some photos on facebook..

Hackney Wick Flea Market

Unfortunately still only got a big ass expensive camera so couldn't take it out and get any pics but just wanted to write a note to say that I loved the Hackney Wick Flea Market today. There was a moment, after taking numerous buses into Hackney and ending up in the middle of an industrial estate being directed up to the top floor of an abandoned building that my bf began to question what we were doing but my spirit of adventure had really kicked in by that time. Lo and behold it was a hidden gem of the brick lane variety - a dj, pretty iced cupcakes and people selling vintage and bits of their wardrobe. One mans junk is another mans treasure.

Conveniently there was also "Stour Space Designers Market" on down the road where I found a lovely jewellery stall, storm in a teacup, and picked up two really cute bracelets. The woman who makes them was also super friendly and lovely - I wanted to tell her that the faux suede (veggie friendly) and metal chain bracelet I bought was very similar to the ones I like in Libertys that retail for £70. Her price was a lot more reasonable at £10 : )

Check out the website especially loving the vintage range.

Nautical Stripe Dress - Not Just For Summer

This is more an evening dress due to its low cut despite it being jersey. However I think it works really well as a daytime look with a t-shirt underneath. If I'd had one in my wardrobe I would have worn a red polka dot top with it to mix pattern with pattern but I didn't so it was ye olde trusty grey marl. The dress I bought from TKMaxx about 8 years ago. I put a pretty floral scarf in my hair to add to this Marc Jacobs SS10 inspired look. When I tried this on this morning bare legs looked a million times better with it than tights (as most things do) so I'm raring to go for the summer. Cannot wait to throw my tights out. May even burn them. Does anyone else share the joy and freedom of bare legs in the way I do?

I Love French Boys - This Tee Was Made For Me

It's no secret that I have a penchant for French men. This T-shirt is from Wildfox Couture - one of my favourite new brands (new to me), go and check out their prints they're very cool, very now and very individual. Tempted to flash some cash.

Getting Me Through The Week

It's not a secret that working in fashion buying is hard graft. This week has been harder than most but I had something special to help me through. A personal message on my door every day. If you don't have someone that does this for you in your life then try to find one. There's nothing better.

YSL Retrospective Paris

I don't even know where to start with this..

I once read a quote about people weeping at a fashion show as it was just so spectacular and I thought it ridiculous but coming to the end of the YSL retrospective show at the Musee des Beaux Arts in Paris, I felt tears come to my eyes. I didn't ever want to leave. I wanted to stay and drink in these most beautiful surroundings forever, filled with inspiration, talent and a truly enlightening view into the past and the revolution of both fashion and society.

Videos and audiotapes showed public figures reactions to women wearing trousers after YSL introduced 'Le Smoking' tuxedo and pioneered this freedom for women in fashion. Suffice to say in todays times their objections to women wearing trousers was laughable. But wow how far we have come. Even earlier than this we had a representation of YSLs work whilst at Christian Dior where he went against the famous 'New Look' of nipped in waists and launched a collection aptly named 'Trapeze' of beautiful Trapeze shaped dresses and coats. Looking at the pieces on show there felt a real freedom to the movement and to the body of women that previous couture styles did not have. "YSL emancipated women with his clothes".

Of all the fashion exhibitions I have been to see this was by far the largest collection. My favourites included the oriental themed collection with metallic jacquards and 'chinaman' hats, the beautifully intricatly beaded and tasseled Africana collection and the wall of all the different versions of 'Le Smoking' that YSL created. Ever evolutionary yet always sticking to the same principle. And and the elegance and opulence of the ballroom outfits - 'the last ball' a celebration of the dying nature of true 'red carpet' wear. What struck me most was that almost every piece could be worn today and still be fashionable. What genius to tap into styles - not necessarily classical - that would live on forever and never date. In this instance I feel obliged to use that film critics phrase - if you do one thing this year, go and see this.

Adidas x Jeremy Scott Sneakers

Visiting Colette (accoladed as the 'hippest' store in Paris) I spotted these womens Adidas x Jeremy Scott sneakers. I didn't buy them as I had the nervous thought of where would I ever wear them and could I ever be cool enough to pull them off since they're not really my usual style. I am still thinking about them though as they're just soooo cool at 200 euros they're also not too far out of reach. If I were to convince myself to buy them what colour would I get black or silver??!

French Elle Cover - Retro Sunglasses

I spotted this at Gare Du Nord but my bag was bulging and I'd spent my last centimes so couldn't buy it. I found this image, albeit a little small, to show my new shopping quest. I want a pair of sunglasses just like those on the Elle March cover. Any ideas where I can find some do let me know.

Vintage Oui Set Black and White Check Dress

So my first stop when I arrived in Paris was my favourite vintage store Killiwatch (more on vintage shopping in Paris later). So on my first day I blew my whole shopping budget but being as fortunate as I am my wonderful mother offered to pay. Now I just have to find the means to pay her back! On my first day back in work today I just had to wear one of my spoils from Paris and I chose this black and white check dress. Vintge from Killiwatch the brand is 'Oui set' which I had never heard of but my mum insisted couldn't leave it in the shop. I'm very glad I let her convince me. It's got a beautiful little buckle on the back to draw in the waist, faux knife thin pockets on th front and some great 80s shoulder pads.

Long Weekend In Paris

I have been away or in my mind I have been home to Paris and now I'm away being back in London. Either way I haven't had chance to do any blogging but I have lots of updates from Paris, not enough photos as I am saving my pennies for a new camera, but lots of new fashspiration.

Corset Top - Underwear as Outerwear

I've had this corset for ages (in fact I've probably blogged about it before). I bought it with a matching skirt (which I wish I still had) for my school leaving do at 16. This just adds weight to my argument that you should never throw anything away. I was tempted to wear it with my army pants but I've been doing that 'land girl' look all week so I opted for my black Topshop jeans covered in gold studs. Pale and nude shades are my colours with dark hair, they are fast becoming my new black.

Lace

I bought this really cute black lace top from Giles Deacons range for New Look awhile back. In my quest to not wear black every day this piece had been relegated into the back of my wardrobe however after 36 days of not wearing black (I made that bit up) I decided today, a day when I was lacking inspiration was time to tun back to that old friend black. I know everyone always says this, but I couldn't believe how much thinner I looked dressed in all black. I teamed it with my navy coat breaking the 'rules' of fashion (never wear navy with black) and embracing the new trend (wear lots of navy and black) it's fashions new rule. I've never really followed the rules anyway so I don't find this revolutionary, I've always thought navy and black go well together it adds some pretty to gothic.

Manufacturing The Fell Out Of Bed Look

I thought my hair could survive another day without washing (day 3) but it was a bit tatty so I decided to go with out and make it as messy as possible. Seemed like a good idea at the time until I found myself tearing away at the knots in work this afternoon and my hair falling out. Back combing may look good but it is hazardous for the hair. I wore my McQ high waisted red denim skirt with the old fave stripy top. My work colleague said if she wore this outfit she'd look like a secretary but I like to think the 'just got out of bed' hair (or dragged through a hedge backwards) dispels any notions of a secretary. Killer heels would have worked really well with this too for a heroin chic still out from last night look but I just can't bear to walk to work in them and taking them with me to change into at the office just seems a bit try hard.

Alice In Wonderland Fashion

Best film ever. I'm looking but yet to find anything that really gives the Alice effect even though a lot of fashion retailers are using it as inspiration. I think the white queen is my favourite of all. So pale and lovely with that dark lipstick I'm almost tempted to bleach my hair white again. Except I think it never really recovered from the last time.

Pretty in Pink

Sonia Rykiel Jumper with little bow pockets and a matching diamonte bow in my hair. I also matched the shocking pink of my jumper with my MAC lipstick.

Japanese Artist Kid

Still trying to emulate the effortless cool of those Japanese kids you see in all the street style blog. A visit to the Tate this weekend mde me decide to dress as an art student (in Tokyo of course). I wore lightweight denim hareem jeans from Mango at ASOS, tweed blazer with fur collar warehouse sale about 6 years ago, Tommy Hilfiger newspaper print t-shirt freebie from work, Nike high tops from Office and my 40s hat from bricklane market. Oh and my new favourite Marc Jacobs neon shopper bag.