LFF SHOPS THE AW12 SALES

Forget the January sales, if you want to find the real bargains the time to head to the high street is now. Online there are plenty of sales to be taken advantage of too, with the Matches, my-wardrobe.com and ASOS sales in full swing. Another one to look out for is the Topshop sale, which without fail has started online on Christmas eve for the past few years. I've found that people don't catch on to this until boxing day, so I log on to Topshop website on Christmas eve every year to snap up the best bargains. Here's my pick of just some of the fab sale buys available right now:



1. Freda fuschia silk dress, Matches, was £375 now £187.

2. Minnie Mawi necklace by Disney Couture Little mini necklace, ASOS, was £50 now £30.

3. Farhi lambswool colour block sweater, Atterley Road, was £150 now £85.

4. Francis mirror sunglasses, Kurt Geiger, was £60 now £29.

5. Berry animal print jeans, Dorothy Perkins, was £30 now £17.

6. Joey glass earrings, Kurt Geiger, was £30 now £15.

7. Colourblock mohair jumper, Dorothy Perkins, was £32.00 now £17.00.

8. Metallic PU skirt, H&M, was £19.99 now £7.

9. Grey toe-cap pointed courts, H&M, was £24.99 now £10.

10. Yellow beanie hat, H&M, was £3.99 now £3.

11. Rose and rhinestone bracelet, Wallis, was £14.00 now £7.00.

LFF TREND ALERT: STAR PRINTS

Star prints are one of those timeless motifs (like polka dots) that never really date, but right now they are having a definite moment. It’s in the depths of winter when the days get shorter and the nights get longer, that constellation-inspired prints really come into their own and will add some much needed star-quality to otherwise drab outfits.

If your mind has turned to what you’ll be wearing over the festive season like mine, then any of the below pieces should do the sartorial trick. Snuggle up in a star print sweater  (Chinti & Parker- no.1) on Christmas day, and dazzle after dusk come cocktail hour with a suitably sparkly pair of star earrings (Kenneth Jay Lane- no.4). And unlike your average novelty festive jumper, these styles have post-Christmas mileage so you’ll get plenty of wear out of them come the New Year too.  

1. Chinti & Parker star print sweater, Matches, £350.

2. Orelia double star necklace, ASOS, £10.

3. Comme Des Garcons zip wallet, Farfetch.com, £148.71.

4. Kenneth Jay Lane star earrings, ASOS, £20.

5. Star print scarf, Jaeger, £45.

6. Shooting star trousers, Hobbs, £44.

7. Orelia star bracelet, ASOS, £10.

8. Illustrated People jumper, Topshop, £30.

9. Sonia by Sonia Rykiel strapless dress, The Outnet, £138.25.



LFF ATTENDS: THE LAUNCH OF ANTONI & ALISON'S YE OLDE WORLDE SUPER MODERN TEAROOM

A couple of weeks ago, I was lucky enough to attend the launch of Antoni & Alison's new tearoom, located in Clerkenwell above their shop. The 'Ye Olde Worlde Super Modern Tearoom', (try saying that after a glass of champagne) is the fashion design duo's latest venture,  and I am happy to report, is every bit as wonderful as Antoni & Alison themselves.

I met up with my fashion blogger/ journo buddy Natalie for the event, where we headed upstairs to the tearoom space to sip tea and nibble Victoria sponge (served by Alison herself, no less).

 

The concept behind the tearoom is to create a space where visitors can think and be creative; there’s no wifi or fancy coffee machines to be found, instead guests are handed an Antoni & Alison pencil and pad upon entry to accompany their breakfast tea and Victoria sponge. Add some very chic Antoni & Alison illustrated china into the mix and you have an endearing little haven.

I was also really chuffed to have a chat with Antoni at the tearoom launch, and he was every bit as charming as I had hoped (possibly have a little crush). Here’s my snaps from the launch:

 

Antoni & Alison cups & saucers (felt tip pen designs)

The Antoni & Alison victoria sponge that I am happy to report was extremely moist!

Natalie doing a little tea-drinking/ posing

Some more obligatory posed tea-drinking. My Christmas bow ring is by Whistles and the nail polish is Barry M.

The wonderful Alison- photo courtesy of Village Press.

The witty menu- photo courtesy of Village Press.

Head upstairs above the Antoni & Alison shop floor to find the tearoom.

Antoni - photo courtesy of Village Press.

 No launch would be complete without a little champagne- here's the after-tea party happening in the basement.

 More tea & cakes!

A typically quirky Antoni & Alison film reel streamed in the basement.

Beautiful patterned knits in the shop.

The characteristically bold shop frontage.

The Antoni & Alison notepad & pencil- can you tell I'm just a little bit thrilled by mine?

 

A big thank you to Village Press for the invite & to Antoni & Alison for a wonderful teaparty!

 

The Ye Olde Worlde Super Modern Tearoom is open now between Thursday- Sunday on Roseberry Avenue, Clerkenwell.

LFF'S GUIDE TO: CHRISTMAS BALL OUTFITS 2012

So here's my third and final blog of the season centred around Christmas party outfits. And this blog is dedicated to the dress code that can often be quite daunting when it appears on an invitation: black tie.

Black tie dressing can look frumpy if done wrong, so my advice is mix textures, metallics, sequins and embellishments to keep the look interesting and modern. Luckily the high street also have a really impressive offering when it comes to ball gowns this a/w- would you believe the Phase Eight full length sequinned number below was off the rack? Cinders doesn't need to have a designer budget in this day and age, although the last tube might mean the 12pm curfew can't be avoided!

1. Phase Eight Collection 8 Colette dress, John Lewis, £275.
2. Glitter Ball earrings, Cinderela B, £35.
3. Lanvin gold metallic logo clutch, Liberty, £225.
4. Hyla strappy heeled sandals, ASOS, £35.

LFF'S GUIDE TO: CHRISTMAS COCKTAIL PARTY OUTFITS 2012

So here's the second of my blogposts themed around styling your christmas party outfits. Today I am tackling cockail hour, which I have to say is one of my favourite occasions to get dressed up for. The key to getting cocktail hour fashion right is dressing for low-lighting; look for embellished, jewelled and glitter-encrusted styles that will shimmer after dark. A touch of vintage styling is also key to this look; cocktails were popularised during prohibition in the 1920s and were the preserve of the 1950s housewife, so anything a little bit vintage feels highly appropriate!

The next installment will be coming shortly...

1. Feather hem dress, Warehouse, £130.
2. Kenneth Jay Lane Swarovski crystal clip earrings, Net-a-porter, £60.  
3. Ted Baker glitter origami clutch, John Lewis, £79.
4. Hustle heeled sandals, ASOS, £35.

LFF ATTENDS: MODUS PR'S 25TH PRESS DAY & BIRTHDAY PARTY

It can be hard to find time to let your hair down when you have a full-time job and fashion blog to run, which is why it’s so nice to be invited to an industry party from time to time. Last week I had a great time at Modus PR’s 25th press day and birthday celebration; afterall when you have beautiful fashion, delicious champagne, a fun photobooth and a DJ that plays Spice Girls and Little Mix, what more could a girl ask for?

Here's my pictures from the event...

An iridescent crystal-encrusted Phlip Treacey hat

Happy birthday Modus!

 The prettiest packaging from Fragonard Parfumer

 I fell in love with metallic green python skin detail heels by Michel Perry- one to watch!

 Whimsical patterns from the queen of prints Celia Birtwell

 Love the jewel detail on this striped sundress by By Malene Birger

  It's pretty obvious that I love a neon knit! This one is by By Malene Birger.

 Fun jewel-detail frames from Marchon Eyewear

 Don't forget to pack your highlighter! Obsessed with these neon leather goods from Undercover stationary

Super pretty exotic skin & nature print slippers from the Jacksons

 Consumed a fair few of these canapes!

 Katie's neon and geometric knit from Topshop induced some serious sweater envy within me!

Doing some obligatory posing in the Modus photobooth with Katie of Glass of Fashion / alongside Jaime of Boy Meets Fashion. My neon jumper is from Forever 21.

 Modus really did think of everything- after a few champagnes the delicious Koshari street food stand was much appreciated!

A BIG LFF thank you to Modus for the invite & a fabulous evening x