No More Wants Challenge SS10 Trend - Shorts

At Alexander Wang

At Etro

At Rochas

A Matthew Williamson

There seems to be a pair of shorts for just about any occasion for SS10 from evening to tailored and from leather to super short and sporty. I bought myself a pair of navy blue shorts in Topshop last year but I don't think I have worn them once yet. They looked great in the changing room mirror but once I got them home, I went right off them - what is it about changing room mirrors in shops

Anyway with shorts being a big trend and my self imposed shopping ban, I decided to give them another go. I have not been blessed with the longest of limbs and so shorts can be a bit of a challenge of me. But I rolled them up a little bit and took advantage of the cold weather to wear them with tights. Finally I took the opportunity to wear the new Topshop wedges to add a much needed bit of height and length to my legs(wow I almost feel tall). The top also fits in with another major Spring trend and one of my favourites - florals.

Shorts - Topshop

Top - Next (second hand)

Tights - present from my lovely mum (Tesco I think)

Cardigan - Fennwright Manson

Boots - Topshop

Necklace - pressy from my sister

green ribbon - borrowed from a skirt

Catwalk pictures from http://www.style.com/

I am so over those Topshop Emma Cook wedges

I spent so much time gazing at and thinking about buying those Emma Cook wedges from Topshop. In the end I just couldn't bring myself to spend the money on them. Perhaps it was my subconscious telling me it wasn't meant to be when I never even bothered to log onto the Topshop sale until they were all gone (but one pair not in my size) and when I would only allow myself to bid a really low price for that pair on ebay. Perhaps deep down I knew they just weren't right for me, that animal pint just wasn't flexible and versatile enough for my wardrobe.

But I have moved on. Even since, I have been searching for that perfect pair of wedges with a sort of fanaticism but to no avail , until I unitil a search on the word 'wedge' these babies on the Topshop website. They are so exactly what I need. No price tag is going to put me off these shoes. I will have these wedges!

Spring Summer 2010 according to Topshop

I don't actually buy that many clothes from Topshop as I have convinced myself that the cut of their clothes often doesn't suit my figure (perhaps I should just lose weight). But when it comes to getting a general overview of the main fashions for a season (and I realise there is a lot more besides) Topshop is really the gospel. It has most of the main trends even fringe fashions to some extent in some form or other. What I am really trying to explain is why I love checking out the Topshop seasonal previews but when it comes down to actually buying, I often opt for either slightly more grown up or just slightly different. But so much of my inspiration is taken from key trends which show their face in Topshop. So enough rambling, Topshop lookbooks for SS10 and here are my thoughts.

Patterned leggings - my love for these is almost the same as my love for patterned tights. Actually I have a pair on order as I write this post.


The crop top trend is great. But I will not be baring my midriff this summer, at least only perhaps on the beach after some fairly intensive pilates, I will definitely be getting a loose fit crop top to layer though.

I love the florals, the mixtures of patterns and the business of these looks. I have already been combining my winter florals with floral tights, for spring I may well try floral jeans, floral shorts and even floral shorts with floral tights. Tan shoes work so well with these rich coloured florals and the flat boots in the top picture have just made a direct entry onto my must have list.

Loving the mixture of blue and black, a combination I have been meaning to give a try for the last few weeks, now I can see how well it can work. Also loving these trousers with the cutout ankles, corset style top, textured cardi and oversized bow.

Overall, I am most definitely looking forward to spring and summer. I have never been a minimalist sort of girl. I will definitely be taking full advantage of the chance to completely indulge myself with florals, patterns, spots, dots, stripes and mixing patterns and textures including lace and a reall busy look.

Post Christmas Sales

After much waiting, some how with the bloating and lethargy that follows the post Christmas sales, I managed to miss out on those Emma Cook shoes that I so badly wanted from Topshop. By the time I visited the Topshop website on Sunday there was just ine pair of size 5 left, unfortunately too small. To make matters worse, not only had they been reduced to a mere £60 but I also spotted them on Ebay for £250. I like them very much, but not that much!

I am stil dithering about what to buy in the sales with the money I recieved for Christmas. No doubt by the time I make up my mind, everything that I want will be gone in my size as usual.

Embellished Knitwear at Topshop

The latest email shot from Topshop, one of hundreds that arrive in my in box each day, high lighted some very gorgeous embellished knitwear. Noteably this knitted draped beaded top. I was quite shocked to read that it is machine washable and can't see how that can be. But if they say so, I am happy to go with it. This is one of those purley whimsical buys that has no practical benefit whatsever but looks great so who cares!

They also have a range of other knitwear pieces embellished with beads, sequins, bows and the like.

Dress Me Up at Topshop

Another exciting fashion initiative from Topshop, this time, it is for charity (Age Concern and Help the Aged) so no guilt at money spent. What perfect timing, just in time for Christmas, you can pop along to the Oxford Street store (if you are near enough) and try on one of their dresses donated by celebrities and designers. If the dress fits (sizes range from 6-14) then you can book a slot to hire it for a day. At the end the dresses will be auctioned for charity.

I am definitely having another 'I wish I lived in London' day

Style Eyes Autumn Wants

I can't believe that November is here already. Despite the unusually warm weather over the last few days, autumn seems to have arrived in style today with lots of wind and rain. I am feeling really cold and especially broke at the moment so in need of cheering up with a bit of sparkle, glamour and warm clothes. So here are my autumn wants.

Aztec Cardigan - Motel

Webbed Crew Tee - Urban Outfitters

Sequin Snood - Wallis

Velvet Bow Playsuit - Topshop

Feather Collar - Topshop

Emma Cook Boots -Topshop (again)

I am not sure why black features so much in these clothes. I am now frantically working out my cash flow to see if I might be able to get just one or two of my autumn wants.

The last of summer

I thought that I would make the most of the last of summer with a sleeveless dress. I am guessing we won't be getting much more sunny warm weather so, it will be layering from her on in.

Dress - Wholly Cow

Jegging - Top Shop

Fabric belt - not sure, found in the bottom of my draw

A Shopping Trip in London

Scarf - Charity Shop

Dress - Oasis

Jacket - Autograph at M & S

Bag - Littlewoods

Shoes - Poetic Licence at ASOS

Tights - I can't remember

I don't often go shopping in London, I usually shop online or in nearby Bath or Bristol but yesterday I grabbed the opportunity to spend a few hours shopping before a meeting in Oxford Street. I am still getting the hang of the new camera and was in a rush to get the train hence the grumpy face and eyes shut. This outfit was my attempt at looking slightly business like (for the meeting) without doing the whole boring black suit thing. Also with the autumnal winds yesterday, I felt it was high time that I admitted summer was over and put some tights on. No hardship really as I completely love my coloured tights and they added some much needed colour.

I'll have to admit I didn't end up buying very much just a pair of long navy shorts which I intend to wear in navy tights and a bright orange top and 2 necklaces. Infact I hardly made it out of Topshop, I just wandered around in complete amazement at the size of the place (I haven't been there for quite a few years). How could someone as indecisive as me possibly make a decision on what to buy in just a few hours?

I was completely flabbergasted by the cost of the train, even off peak, which meant that I had to hang around until 7pm to get the train home. I would probably have been cheaper to hire a chaffeur driven limosine. Now there's an idea for my next shopping trip!

Topshop AW09 - boots, sequins and studs

I am writing this post at 5am on a Sunday morning (don't ask), so forgive me if I it is slightly rambling and lacking in clarity. But when I opened my emails to find (amongst several hundred other emails) a mailshot about the Topshop AW09 collection, I couldn't resist a little look. The look book centered around four main themes. There was just one thing that really jumped out at me - the boots.

As part of my carefully planned winter wardrobe, I have already decided that I will be needing some new boots and was pretty excited to see what is on offer. I couldn't believe it when I spotted the over the knee boots. Although I am really unsure how these will work on someone only 5ft 2 tall, I am going to have to give them a try out anyway. I was pretty disappointed to find the electric blue ones were not for sale but consoled myself with the fact that they had some flat options (perfect for everyday wear). I also love the lace up boots, perhaps I will give these a try aswell!

Whilst none of the lookbook outfits really appealed to me (but then I am probably slightly older than your average Topshop customerr) there were plenty of individual items that I really liked.

The skirt and boots.

The boots again

Not sure about this one - all that drippy blood writing is not really my thing.

The trousers and guess what? the boots.

The jacket (and boots)

The jumper

The bag

yet more boots.

The jacket

This was probaby my favourite of all the looks, I love the electric blue with the black and sequins.

The jacket

No surprise then that I loved the sequins, studs, patterns and bright colours.