Fashion Against Aids

I try to do a little bit for charity - I buy a Big Issue if I see a seller, I'm forever putting loose change into boxes and always sponsor friends and work colleagues in their bid to raise money, but obvioulsy I don't have the millions to really contribute - so a big thumbs up to H&M who have combined my love of shopping with a very worthy cause close to my heart!

H&M have teamed up with Designers Against Aids (DAA) and commissoned a handful of celebrities and designers to design artwork for a range of 100% cotton clothing. Not only to help raise awareness of Aids amongst young people, but 25% of each purchase from the collection will be donated to improving HIV/Aids awareness.... And I think you'll agree, this is a funky range of tees and hoodies designed by the likes of Rihanna, Jagger, My Chemical Romance and Timbaland.

Not only are these clothes stylish, they're good on the bank balance and even better on the conscience in the knowledge that the fab purchase you've just made will contribute that little bit more.

Never has shopping been so important... so, what are you waiting for?! Head to your nearest H&M now and prepare to be morally proud!

A word from the queen of the catwalk....

It has to be said that Vivienne Westwood has to be one of my favourite designers, not least because of her outstanding collection of clothes and fabrics that never fail to liven up the catwalk, but because of her sense - of course her design sense, but mostly her common sense!

In a fashion world gone mad where size zero reigns supreme as the ultimate ambition for every model; a world where it isn't acceptable for her to strut her bony stuff on the catwalk unless she's bordering on skeletal, to hear Dame Vivienne Westwood's view on BBC news this morning was so refreshing - especially coming from a designer!

Dame Westwood recalled in utter disbelief how, when working with a 16 year old model who she described as "being pretty" and "a perfect size 10", she was shocked to hear that her agency had told her to slim! and went on to say how she preferred her models to have "an attitude", not so much a skinny figure!

Good on ya Vivienne, it's good to know not every designer is pro - size zero and there's still the occasional one who recognises women for their curves!

All hail Queen Vivienne....

This weekend I'm... very vintage in purple

As the previews of Autumn/Winter 2007 collections appeared in last summer's magazines, I found myself in a flurry of fashion excitement to see purple in all shades a dominant colour on the catwalks. Apparantly, it is a colour to make a rich, royal and opulent statement, but for me it is a colour I prefer to wear.

Purple was the colour of choice for my Friday night accessories, combined with a flash of gold to vamp up the vintage vibe. So, as I faintly hear the designer clad clan tut their Dior glossed lips at my charity shop bargains, I admit they may not be the most regal of items but, most importantly, they make a statement of my individual style, how I wear purple with personal panache... and that's what makes an opulent outfit in my eyes!

The outfit out and about!

Although my neckscarf is a one-of-a-kind find, if you're a fellow fan of purple prints you can find a similar one in Topshop, albeit at the not-s0-bargain cost of £15. But who says style has a price eh...?

Floral weave paisley neckscarf

Topshop £15

Wool at work... or on the weekend!

Take one knitted dress...

... and you've got an outfit for all occasions! My favourite store on the high street, H&M, hasn't failed me yet, and this fabulous vintage-inspired neutral knitted dress for just £24.99 is my latest favourite wardrobe staple to wear any day of the week.

Some of my friends have a love-hate relationship with H&M - occasionally they pick up the perfect purchase, but most of the time they can rummage for hours and not come across anything that catches their eye, but I always find something! In my world of shopping, H&M stands for 'holy & magical' - a land full of treasures where I know it's a certainty I will find what I am looking for, or even something I'm not looking for but just have to buy! From the basics to the bang-on-trend items, H&M has it all... I favour the uniqueness of some of their ranges, and still even own a couple of classic little black dresses with a difference I bought a couple of years ago that I rely on from time-to-time and bring up-to-date with the latest season's accessories...

...and I have a feeling that this beige knitted dress will be added to my long-term collection! Very versatile, it creates a neutral base ideal to smarten up for work or dress down for the weekend, and I just love its vintage theme with the gold buttons, fake pockets shift shape.

For work, my accessories of choice are these bargain brown lace-up brogues that are a great take on the designer versions that strutted this season's catwalks, a waist-cinching belts to emphasise curves and pretty gold-tarnished accessories. When the weekend comes, I prefer to vamp up the vintage look with neckscarfs, flat slouchy boots and a vintage handbag. However, these are just too of the many loks that could be created with this dress... go on, use your imagination!

S/S 2008 - The New Tailoring... Wide-legged Wonders

JJ Park metallic rosette sleeve top - ASOS £65
White rib frill vest - Topshop £10
Faceted beads and charm necklace - Miss Selfridge £8
Black Trousers - River Island £34.99
Quilted Mary Jane pumps - Topshop £25
Carta - Faith £55

You see, I am a great believer in investing in quality staple garments that will last last me many seasons, such as a perfect fitting pair of skinny jeans and a classic LBD or killer heels, but for some reason I have an aversion to spending anything over £20 on an item for work! I'd rather rummage through the sales for a bargain pair of trousers or shirt, which isn't very logical considering 4 days out of the 7 demands a specific dress code for work so really I should be spending a lot more money on items I have to wear the most (Friday is 'wear what you want' day, my favourite dressing day of the working week!).

So, with my new monthly shopping fund sitting in my bank, what else was a girl to do on Saturday except hit the stores - with the plan to find myself a new pair of work trousers, straight leg being my preferable choice for a change. After scouring the usual H&M, Dorothy Perkins and Primark for the perfect pair of (cheapish) trouse rs, I was out of luck and in despair heaving round my unexpected heavier environmentally-friendly M&S shopping bag bulging with a few unplanned purchases I just had to have (You know the kind I mean!).

Until I came across these black beauty's from River Island. The fact that it was in River island was a shock - is it just me or have they transformed their rails from what was once a range of sequin clad lycra to a new fab collection complete with pretty details, fabulous fabrics and hot handbags, shoes and accessories!

With a feminine edge on masculine tailoring riding high in the fashion stakes and a military theme with a classic, old-school influence adorning the catwalk, these trousers with their nautically nice buttons and wide-leg, slouchy cut tick a combination of trends that will see me through to spring - and what's more, they were the only size 8 in short length, which for a girl at just 5 foot is an absolute blessing that you don't find often... it was a sign I just had to buy them, they were obvioulsy made with me in mind!

There's nothing more powerful than a woman dressing in tailored men's clothing and black trousers are a necessary staple for any girl. The buttons on these make this particular pair even more versatile.

• Tick the box for sheer tailoring and team with these beautifully bowed peep toe heels and black rosette sleeve blouse to create that perfect desk-to-dawn dancing outfit.
  
• Or keep the silouhette slim and dress down with a this pretty frilled vest. Take the look into S/S 2008 with statement jewellery.
• For a smart weekend look add cute quilted flats.

If you can't beat em, wear em... Winter Blues

Feeling blue?... Great, you're in fashion!

Who'd have thought scientists are so stylish? well, some clever boffins are certainly bang up-to-date in the fashion department with their latest diagnosis that this time of the year is officially the bluest... makes me wonder if their research came from the latest fashion magazines and a wander around the high street? Because fashionistas, it's a blue, blue season!

The high street is awash with blue hues at the moment, from baby blue to midnight blue, electric blue to navy blue, it's the latest colour to have in our wardrobes! So, let's brave the windy wet weather and defy the dark days to shop til we drop. Not only will shopping make you feel good, but a blue splash on any outfit will make you look good!

H&M's latest Spring collection certainly makes the most of blue. This blazer should be a staple garment for those with a love of all things bright and beautiful, and combine with these fabulous dresses and make a bold statement in top-to-toe electric blue - or add a spark to any outfit with the shoulder bag. A look not for the meek and mild, but not to worry, H&M has thought about you too with this cosy cardigan and trendy trench coat in baby blue. And I'm loving this knitted beige dress at £24.99... so much so, it's already hanging in my wardrobe!!

Being blue makes a statement dahlin'.. not only of our mood but also our style!

"Just hang on a darn 'mini-trend' minute..." - Leopard Print Accessories

Bring out your inner party animal, literally, with the latest mini-trend to hit the high street - leopard print. From scarves, tights to bags and shoes, just a glimpse of leopard print is purrfectly cute and stylish!

Love it or hate it, leopard print has been a favourite of fashionistas since the 1960's, evident in the timeless faux fur calf-length coat from Topshop that kept my mum stylishly snug through her punk phase in the 1970's. The coat survived the many gigs and today the tradition continues with this priceless piece (still with the original Topshop label!) proudly gracing my sister's winter wardrobe.

A classicaly vintage statement piece, this original number never fails to express my sister's 'rock chick' persona when teamed with a simple combo of jeans and slouch boots.

However, this much leopard print isn't for everyone. So, if you're more like me with the attitude "a little bit of leopard print goes a long way", then take a trek through the high street to pick up some of these latest stylish accessories and you'll soon be feline fine!

Tights - Dorothy Perkins £8
Pointed Ballet Pumps - Miss Selfridge £20
Neckscarf - Marks & Spencer £12
Leopard cub Raglan Tee - Urban Outfitters £35

But beware, leopards can be dangerous... leopard print is attention-grabbing and one to wear with caution. Too much can be cheap and chavvy (especially on the wrong material and style of clothing) and always steer clear of the tackier prints.

So, if you're still not sure if leopard print is too loud for you then secretly indulge the trend with this cute and sexy underwear. This jewelled leopard ring is also a multi-trend must-have as chunky is in. And for the leopard print lovers in your life, you can't go wrong with this kitsch fluffy hot water bottle as a gift!

Jewelled Leopard Ring - Urban Outfitters £12

Animal Hot water bottle - Topshop £8

Animal mesh thong - Topshop £3

Animal mesh balconette bra - Topshop £14