Cornflower Blue For Summer

For those that don't already know, I am a Style Councillor and also lucky enough to work with a really amazing fashion forum called the Shopping Forecast. Not only can you have your say on what you would like to see in the shops for the season ahead (don't complain about it if you haven't voted!) and enter competitions to win lots of clothes but you can also have a good nose at what everyone else likes for the summer and get plenty of inspiration.

Over the last few weeks, the voters (or electorate) on The Shopping Forecast have been showing a distinct preference for the colour Cornflower blue both on its own or combined with white in a pretty print and mainly on cute fifties style dresses.

The funny thing is amongst all of the reading up on trends I have done for SS11, I don't think I have heard a single mention of cornflower blue. But I really do love this colour, it is much easier to wear for daytime than the bright/ cobalt blue that I have seen and heard quite a bit about. I am really hoping that retailers are going to take note of this fab colour and serve up lots of beautiful Cornflower blue dresses for us this summer.

If you need any further persuasion here is just a little inspiration:

Popular Cornflower blue items on The Shopping Forecast

Interestingly, the colour Cornflower is most commonly associated with the blue Cornflowers but also a Dutch Painter, Johannes Vermeer who used the colour along with yellow extensively in his paintings. Both provide a great source of inspiration for summer outfits - here's one I made earlier on TSF.

Cornflower Fairy Plate - Heinrich Villeroy and Boch

Mulberry SS11

Stella McCartney SS11

Carven Blazer and Shorts at Net A Porter

 A Cornflower!

Belted Blue Print Dress - Oasis

 Dress by Jonathan Saunders at Matches - now sold out!

Isla T shirt Maxi Dress at Think Boutique

What do you think? would you like to see lots of Cornflower blue in the shops for summer? Please stop by The Shopping Forecast and vote.

With warmest wishes

Ceri X

All catwalk images from http://www.freehairstyles.us/

Tapas and Baroque

Dress- Monsoon

Legging Topshop

Jacket - People Tree

Shoes- Spartoo

hairband - Dorothy Perkins

I have decided that Mr Style Eyes and myself really need to get out more. As I hardly leave the house all week when working from home, there is nothing that I love than getting a bit dressed up for a night out (and I enjoy the night out too). On Saturday night we made a start by going to the local tapas bar for something to eat. As we were walking, I had to abandon my heels for a pair of comfy flats but still managed to get a bit more dressed up than I would for an average Saturday night slobbed out in front of the tv.

Tunic - Next (very old)

Bolero - Marks and Spencers

Leggings - People Tree

Necklace - Present

Shoes - Spartoo

Bag - Desigual

This weekend, I have been planning and booking festival tickets and some trips away in our old VW camper van. I can't wait and this got me thinking about what sort of clothes I could wear camping. That got me in the mood for wearing something really colourful.

I have had this tunic top for years (at least 5) and had forgotton all about it until the Prada SS11 collection with its bold stripes and Baroque prints- ok not quite the same but sort of similar minus the monkeys. It just goes to show that the trends are on a constant cycle and if you hold on to a piece of clothing it is likely to come back into fashion at some point - great news for a hoarder like myself, although the  fact that something isn't in fashion rarely stops me wearing it.   I have invested in  this Desigual bag which is perfect for packing up with everything I will need for camping trips and festivals and I just love all of the colours.

Do you have any of this summers trends hoarded away from previous seasons? and are you planning anything fun for the summer?

With warmest wishes

Ceri X

Brightly Coloured Inspiration For SS11

I can't wait until the summer. I always think it so much easier to wear bright colours on a sunny summer day. This year there is also plenty of catwalk inspiration to give me ideas on what to wear and how to wear it.

I couldn't really mention bright colours for SS11 without including Christopher Kane with his neon Princess Margaret on acid collection. I absolutely love it and although it is quite an extreme collection there was definitely lots there that I would wear, if I could afford it.

At Jonathan Saunders there were some great micro prints and also some great pattern mixing going on. A very eyecatching look which was not quite as full on as block colour but still very eyecatching and stylish.

At Dries Van Noten this coat really caught my eye amongst the much more washed out and muted tones of the rest of the collection. I love the graduation effect making it a little different and more subtle than block colour.

At Prada, the look was pure, simple and bright. I love the idea of wearing just one very bright colour. I am not sure if I would ever be brave enough to do so though! I also love the bold stripes as the black just increases the intensity.

At Prabal Gurang, I loved the combination of blue and my favourite yellow.

I loved the neon tribal prints at Proenza Schouler and the greens and oranges, will definitely be looking out for these on the high street.

 
At Marc Jacobs, there were some amazing colour combinations with lots of oranges plus a really sugary mix of pink and purple.

My attention was drawn to Issa by all of the media speculation about Kate Middleton's wedding dress and I am glad that it was. I love the simple and clean lines of this label. One of my favourite looks is this combination of blue and yellow. The collection also featured lots of other beautiful colour combinations.

Will you be wearing brights this summer? which are your favourite looks

With warmest wishes

Ceri X

All images from http://www.freehairstyles.us/

Tailored Jackets For Spring

Tailored jackets are one of my favourite pieces of clothing and the great news is that they are right on trend for SS11. They are great with jeans for a more casual outfit but can also be worn with a dress, skirt or tailored trousers for a smarter look. As I am quite short, fitted clothes tend to most flattering for me and a classic blazer is usually just about the right length too. For Spring 2011, there is a whole host of amazing tailored jackets and blazers out there. Here is just a few that I have spyed.

This simple style of black blazer is part of the Emma Watson for People Tree Collection. It has three quarter sleeves which are super flattering for petites and is hand woven in 50% silk and 50% fairtrade cotton.

Everyone should own a classic black tailored jacket. It is so verstaile for wearing with a party dress or day time outfit. This is one of those items that I think will get so much wear, it is worth investing in slightly better quality and cut as it is likely to get so much wear. I love this Navy Blazer by Paul Smith - well worth saving for and perfect for working the summers minimalist look.

For the spring and summer a white tailored jacket is a great choice as it goes with lighter outfits. White tailored jackets are also incredibly on trend this summer. I love this Cyril cropped blazer by Noir. Again cropped styles are great for petites.

Jersey blazers are another great variation on this theme. They are slightly more casual and a little more practical than a traditional tailored blazer. This one is from Boden and has a great contrast lining which shows when the sleeves are rolled up. It is also available in grey marl or navy Breton stripes (yet another key look for the season).

Of course a classic blazer is great, but I am also quite partial to a floral blazer. There are some great choices at Annie Greenabelle including this one made from reclaimed fabric.

Second hand and charity shops are usually great places to find tailored jackets. They are usually in great condition and if you look carefully you can find some really good quality choices.

Happy Hunting

With warmest wishes

Ceri X

Patterned Cardigans For SS11

Lets face it we have a few months to go yet before the weather really starts to warm up but in true fashionista style, I have already started lustiing over beautiful summer dresses and even started digging out one or two from last year. I don't like to limit my summer dress wearing to those few unpredicatable weeks in the middle of the summer when the sun decides to come out, this seems like such a waste.

The cardigan is the perfect answer for multi seasoning those summer dresses and tops. For SS11 I have also been noticing a bit of a trend for some very pretty patterned cardigans. If you love pattern mixing like me a patterned cardigan is the perfect cover up for the spring and summer. For a simple but busy outfit you could layer over a simple striped top. But they are also great for brightening up a plain shift dress or pair of jeans. From florals to spots and cute little dogs to fruit, there is a patterned cardigan to suit most tastes. Here are my favourites:

 Camel Scotty Dog and Navy Scotty Dog Cardigans at Dorothy Perkins

Rose Printed Cardigan by Marks and Spencers

Kimchi and Blue Slub Floral Cardigan at Urban Outfitters

Black Eagle Cardigan- H By Henry Holland at Debenhams

white and black cherry cardigan by Oasis

Kanga Floral Cardigan By Paul Smith at My Wardrobe

Do you like any of these patterned cardigans? How would you wear them? #

With warmest wishes

Ceri X

PS - just to let you know that this post contains some affiliate links