Spot the difference

Earlier this year I had a bit of a love affair going on with this French Connection Skirt.... Oh yes I loved it alright, sat on the shelf it caught my eye and I thought it was beautiful, sexy and glamorous. Although no matter how badly I wanted it I just couldn't bring myself to cheat on my bank balance and justify spending £75 on a skirt I would only wear once or twice.

Don't get me wrong I'm not tight, I just have a serious shopping habit I need to fund, and so my morals got the better of me and I forced myself to refrain from purchasing. Once again, it was Primark to the rescue....

After already dragging my friend around Meadowhall and finally promising H&M would be the last shop, on walking past Primark I spotted this little black number in the window and couldn't believe how similar it was to the skirt that was once the unrequited love of my life. Not quite the same by the fact that it is black, but for £10 it would do for me! So, off I dashed inside to buy that skirt leaving behind my friend with the familiar look of dismay I've received from plenty of shopping partners.

Mission accomplished! Not only is the high-waisted ruffled wasitband and tulip shape skirt flattering on any lumps and bumps, but it is also very versatile. For a high fashion look wear it plain with the sash tied in a huge bow, another detail that is currently seen on style icons across the globe, or dress it up differently with one of your own belts or a sash. It's a great all-rounder little black basic to have in your wardrobe!

Fashion Fantasy.... Peek-a-boo shoe boots

Just one more reason why I love Primark... Patent peep-toe lace-up shoots!

They were always destined to be THE shoe to be seen in this season after both D&G and Gucci featured them heavily on their Spring/ Summer runways, but after seeing Sarah Jessica Parker wearing a pair there's no doubt I just had to have some to add to my already extensive shoe collection!

Peep-toe shoe boots have recieved mixed opinions, with some people actually calling them 'Ugly' and others unable to understand the reasoning behind cutting out the toes from what could be a very practical, stylish shoe to keep feet warm on those breezy spring days. But me, I think its a genius style statement from the Italian designers and a trendy twist to update last season's shoe to be seen in!

However, as much as I dream about being able to afford a pair hot off the catwalk, once again the bank balance stands in the way! So, I'm sure you can just imagine my euphoria at spotting this almost identical pair in Primark for a bargain £12 - a mini fraction of the cost of a designer pair!There's no doubt I just had to have some to add to my already extensive shoe collection!

To all you sceptics out there, take a tip from me and pair them with a pair of cute, glitzy socks. Ok, so it kind of goes against the whole concept of the peep-toe by covering your peeping toes, but at least it goes someway to adding a little warmth to your feet on those breezy spring days.... oh so very Daisy Lowe style!

Just hang on a darn 'mini-trend' minute... foil wrap dresses

Im usually a big fan of mini-trends – those blink and you’ll miss them kind of trends that for one mini moment in fashion time allows fashion followers to step outside of the parameters of the season’s major trends to experiment with something a little different.

However, this flash-in-the-pan mini-trend is far too flashy for me! Don’t get me wrong, being the vintage vulture that I am a bit of 80’s gold lame has been no stranger to my wardrobe in the past…. but I’m talking in small doses like the odd accessory and a funky cropped cardigan I was once the owner of (that’s a thing, where did that go!?!?)

However, and despite Daisy Lowe usually being one of my favourite style icons, dressing head-to-toe in foil and resembling a turkey with all the foil trimmings on Christmas day just does not do it for me!! I’m not claiming to be a style guru of any kind, but in my eyes foil wrap dresses look tacky and cheap despite the designer label!!

Although, if this is a mini-trend for you DO still take a gold leaf out of Daisy and Dita’s lookbook and keep the bling accessories to a minimum to avoid the full-on glitterball effect! I don’t know how she does it, but even Dita still manages to carry it off and look glamorous at the same time!!

Whatever you do, DON’T do a Denise Van Outen! Shiny material can be severely unflattering so remember to choose a dress with a cut to suit your figure. Thumbs up for the fab heels though!

To hoard or not to hoard.....

...now that is the question! Finding this old photograph of my mother in the seventies I found myself overwhelmed with the sense of deja vu, realising not but a few days before I had worn almost exactly the same outfit!I'm loving the seventies vibe that is rocking the high street at the moment, and looking at a mirror image of my mother 30 years ago, albeit give or take a few accessory and hair colour differences, is just as frustrating as it is humourous.

See, my mother is one of those people who seem to take pleasure in having a good wardrobe clearout from time to time, unlike me. I'm the complete opposite and not ashamed to admit it that I'm a hoarder - yes, one of those annoying people who will live amongst boxes and storage bags full of previous season's clothing, knowing that one day the fashions will once again come around full circle!

As I type there's no mistaking the faint tut tuts from the likes of Trinny and Susannah who recommend a regular wardrobe revamp and throwing out the old to make way for the new, but, take it from me, make room for the old I say! My wise belief has saved me a few pounds in the past however much it annoys my housemates and parents that I take up all the spare space in the house and closets with my clothes, shoes, belts, handbags, etc. etc.

How I wish my mother had the same attitude! Just lately it seems that every time I bring home my latest purchase she says "Ooh, I had one of those just like it at your age!" Great mother, I've seen the pictures of you as a once very stylish twenty-something in your bright red stillettos and funky outfits, which leaves a hoarder like me wondering why the hell didn't you keep your wardrobe? See, if my mother had the same attitude as me I would now be the proud owner of quite a few original styles that have greatly inspired this season's trends.

Take these jeans for example. As my previous posts have told you trouser shopping for a shorty like me is a challenge. Well the same goes for jeans. Fortunately, being the 'expert' shopper that I am I finally found this perfect pair from H&M, but imagine the trouble and money it would have saved me if my mother had saved hers from all those years ago! More importantly, imagine how great it would be to own an actual pair of vintage flares from the seventies!

Oh well, I guess I'm just going to have to lump it and hope that someone somewhere is putting to good use my mother's cast-offs because, luckily for me, I take after my nannan. Her three wardrobes and shed piled high with boxes is a vintage treasure chest full of clothes and accessories that have survived the decades. Up there with the vintage boutiques in Paris, 'shopping' at my nannans is one of my favourite places in the whole wide world....

If it's good enough for celebs...

It's common knowledge that whatever you buy in Primark it's highly likely you will see it on everyone and their mothers. In order to avoid this fashion faux pas I try and purchase items that won't be favoured by the population and basic wardrobe staples that I can dress up in my own way.

However, on a recent trip to Primark I couldn't resist this beautiful bag even though my stylish sixth sense knew it would be bought by half of the city. So, imagine my pleasant surprise in not seeing any members of Joe Public carrying the same accessory in Leeds, but Fearne Cotton with the exact same bag in cream as she stylishly struts the streets of London!

Well, who can blame her for buying this bargain! Despite being able to afford designer clobber, seeing Fearne with this Primark bag just goes to prove to all of us with a less attractive bank balance that it doesn't matter how much it costs or where its from, its how it looks - and this bag looks fab for just£6! Patent and oversized with a big bow, this bag is bang on trend.

I just have one slight issue in owning the same bag as a celebrity style icon, and its that people will now know where I've got mine from (well, that's if they havn't seen it already)... Oh well, if it's good enough for the famous it's good enough for me! And what's more, I also have the same anchor printed neckscarf that cost £1 from Primark, but can I just state for the record that I bought both items before seeing the picture of Fearne, honest! Not that I'd mind anyone thinking I got my inspiration from Fearne Cotton anyway, she always looks great.

Nautical as a nipper

Looking through some old photographs the other day I came across this cute pic taken of me and my sister in the late 80's. With our nautical tees and Kate Moss fringes, this is proof if ever I saw it that what goes around comes around in fashion!

Living the London Look

Well, I've put in a poor, poor performance lately when it comes to my beloved blog, but I do have good reasons! Some of my time has been taken up by that thing we all call our 'day job' and seeing friends but, not to worry, I've also managed to squeeze in lots of shopping and even a week in London, which obvioulsy involved shopping! Well, it would be rude not to visit the capital and peruse a few stores, so I've got lots to report....

Starting with my new favourite outfit which I've affectionately labeled 'The London Look'.

On my recent trip to the Big Smoke, I decided against getting caught up in the crowds on Oxford Street and took my shopping shoes in the direction of the quirky markets, vintage and high street stores we're not lucky enough to have in Leeds... and it turned out to be up there with one of the best shopping decisions I've ever made!

Obvioulsy, escaping the crowds wasn't possible, I mean it's London I'm talking about, but what was possible was succeeding in my search to purchase items I knew would be scarcely seen outside of the London Boroughs.

And so, ladies and gentlemen, travelling all the way from London to make a rare appearance in Yorkshire is my new favourite outfit "The London Look"!

Tuning in my bargain radar led me to the Illustrated People shop on Brick Lane, where I stumbled across the sale with everything selling for £10 and picked up this fab printed t-shirt. Not only are graphic prints a look to be seen in these days, but funky flowers are a fashion must to step into spring with style.

Apart from the cute pocket detail, the skirt from American Apparel is plain and black - but that's what makes it a great wardrobe staple. This really will go with anything, and because it sits on the waist it covers any lumps and bumps you want to disguise. Also available in lots of different colours and a bargain at £20, so why not collect the whole range?