Why Should The Kids Have All The Fun?

I was shopping (for my mum!) in Gap the other day and noticed the postcards on the side advertising Stella McCartney's upcoming collection for Gap Kids and Gap Baby. I was instantly hooked by the tutu that the little girl is wearing in the picture (see below).

I got to thinking, when did kids clothing get quite so stylish? I personally think it is unfair. I don't remember clothes being anywhere near as stylish as Stella McCartney when I was little. In fact, my enduring memory of being dressed as a child is of navy. I don't remember much of what I wore but I just remember a lot of navy. I think, however, it is a rite of passage to be dressed badly as a child and to be given the chance as a teenager and young adult to develop your own sense of style as you discover the world of fashion. What does the little girl dressed in the Stella McCartney tutu have to look forward to as they grow up?

And that brings me to another thing; who made the rule that it is perfectly ok for little girls to go around in a gorgeous dusky pink tutu but not for big girls (of 25!)?! I would get some seriously strange looks if I went out for a coffee with my girlfriends or to the shops with the boyf in a tutu but someone of, say, seven wouldn't draw any attention! Jealous. Well, I have decided that my mission is to make acceptable the wearing of tutus by grown up girls. I just have to find a lovely one first.

More soon. Love, SG

LUST LIST: The Most Perfect Closet In The World

I have been a fan of Sex and the City for years. I love Carrie's style and the girls' chats and fun. But more than that, I love Carrie's closets; the one in her apartment and the one that Big builds for her in their "heaven on Fifth penthouse"! These are the closets that dreams are made of. If I had a closet, even the size of the one she has in her apartment, I would never have to complain that I had too little room. But do they actually exist?? One of my friends turned her boyfriend's spare room into a walk-in closet one week when he was away! She got a carpenter in and had it all done. Good work, I say.

Whilst the closet that Big builds is obviously bigger, more luxurious it is also more clinical and less characterful. I think I prefer her original one. Which do you like best?


More soon. Love, SG

Gig chic II

This is my gig outfit from last night, I am wearing leggings from Topshop, Office shoes, an open backed tee from Dorothy Perkins (a girft from a friend), a bangle (also a gift from a friend) and earrings from a market in Italy.

Jimmy Choo for H&M: what will you be buying?

Courtesy of Grazia - this is the Jimmy Choo for H&M collection to be launched in just over two weeks time (17 days to be precise!). Enjoy!

Tuesday Morning Pic-Me-Up

I realise that I didn't post a Monday morning pic-me-up yesterday, so here is something that made me smile this morning when I found it in my pigeon hole at work!! My Jimmy Choo at H&M launch invite! Sorry for the poor quality scan.

How to... dress chic for a gig (revisited!)

The boyf and I are off to a gig in Bristol tonight. Before the boyf, I had been to concerts before but not really gigs. I would define concerts as those musical occasions where you are in an auditorium, sitting down and generally the audience in either under 15 or over 50!!! A gig is usually in a more relaxed venue with a bar close at hand and a sticky floor!! This is my experience, anyway. But everytime it always begs the question, what do I wear?

1. First things first: shoes. I'd recommend wearing a pair that you don't mind a pint ending up all over, i.e. not your favourites. Converse usually work well I find. Or an old pair of pumps or even boots.


2. Wear: something you feel comfortable in. Jeans and a band tee always go down well. But again, as these venues tend to be pretty relaxed, you can go as dressed up or as dressed down as you fancy. A dress with tights and brogues or Converse can look just as good.


3. Tie hair back. This is adviseable as it can get quite hot when the band gets playing and everyone is dancing around.


4. Make-up: go wild. I don't think there are any rules for make-up at a gig. Little, none, Amy Winehouse-esque eyeliner and false eyelashes. Quite literally, anything goes.


5. Jewellery: pile it on! Layer necklaces, stack bangles, load fingers up with rings. Whatever takes your fancy.


6. Make sure that if you take a bag, it can go across your body so that it is secure and you don't have to hold it all night.


7. Remember: your ticket. Very important. Ask my boyf if you don't believe me!!


For me, Fearne Cotton always does great 'gig chic'.

Fearne is always rocking a band tee with shorts or jeans, or a lovely vintage dress at a festival with leggings and boots. Perfect every time.

I promise to post a pic of what I wear later. Love, SG

Because I'm worth it...!!

Work has been so busy recently and I had my little trip to hospital and I really am trying my very best to write my dissertation, so I decided to treat myself to The September Issue on DVD when I was ordering a present for my sister's birthday. It arrived on Friday and I am now looking forward to an evening, when X Factor isn't on, to sit down and watch it.

And then today, after a full day in front of the computer trying to do research for said dissertation I got side-tracked slightly and came across the book below - My Wonderful World of Fashion. It's tag line is, a book for drawing, creating and dreaming! Sounds perfect. I can't wait for it to arrive now.

Do hope you've all had a lovely weekend.

More soon. Love, SG

Are you intelligent shopping?

For 15 weeks I have been on a self-imposed shopping ban – no new clothes, shoes or accessories. The aim is to refrain for 6 months. So far, I am succeeding.


The main driving force behind the ban when it started was money; a lack of it due to my over-indulgence in shops like Topshop and a desire to pay off my student overdraft and to maybe start putting together some meaningful savings.


However, while my bank balance at the end of each month is looking decidedly healthier, the ban has also made me think about why and how I shop in the first place. It is certainly true that shopping can be a form of therapy; there have been countless occasions when, after a bad day at work or a difficult test at university, I have found myself trudging home from town hours later with a few shopping bags in tow. And I would be lying if I said that I hadn’t felt compelled to dash to the shops after a long and stressful day in the office in the past 15 weeks and make myself feel better. But I have resisted. Nearly always, after such a trip in the past, something, if not all of what, I have bought has been taken back once I have felt better anyway.


The ban has also made me question the way in which I shop.


In recent years cheaper and cheaper clothes available on the high street have fuelled a trend for “throw-away fashion”. Despite the obvious ethical questions behind how a t-shirt can possibly only cost £2 or a pair of shoes only £5, the price tag is often too tempting for many people to dwell on these for too long. But who wants a wardrobe full of cheap clothes that will not only age quickly but likely fall apart after just a few wears. It might be boring to hear it, but spending more on essentials and basics that you will return to again and again really does pay off. With no new clothes to inject something fresh into my looks for over 3 months now I have had to really stretch my wardrobe to stop my outfits looking tired too quickly and I have found that it is those items on which I spent a little more that continue to look good.


Likewise, I have also begun to realise that I shouldn’t always buy something just because I love it; it needs to be able to fill a gap in my wardrobe. There is no point in buying a skirt for which I know I have no shoes and, in the same vain, there is no point in buying items which are essentially the same as others I already own; unless to replace something. This is particularly true of accessories; I have discovered an absolute treasure trove of earrings and necklaces, most forgotten and bags for every occasion. Sure, it is always nice to have something new for a special occasion but going without means that you appreciate it so much more.


As the recession has hit and people are thinking more carefully about what they spend their money on, so-called “intelligent shopping” certainly seems to be a trend that has come to stay. Fashion lovers everywhere are more conscious and well informed of where their clothes come from and so have sparked a trend of greener, wallet-friendlier and more intelligent shopping.


Make-do-and-mend – of the post-war era – has made a comeback. Indeed, the credit crunch has made some people look to new ways to acquire a new outfit without spending too much money. Swap parties have become THE place to “shop”, while many women are learning to customise old or tired or charity shop finds.


Tell me how your shopping habits have changed – or not – as a result of the credit crunch?


Happy shopping ladies. More soon. Love, SG

Baby, it's cold outside

It seems to have gone from autumn to winter in the last week and so I have rediscovered my beautiful Zara cape. I'm wearing it here with H&M gloves, Topshop leggings, black leg warmers from an Italian market and those New Look mustard shoes again! Lovely and warm.

We're off to see... the new St David's 2 shopping centre!!!

As soon as I get out of the office tonight I am off to check out the new St David's 2 shopping centre in Cardiff. Obviously I will not be spending, except maybe on a celebratory dinner for the very clever boyf who has had a shiny promotion (well done to him!).


But, of course, I will let you all know what I think!


More soon. Love, SG

Because it costs less than a cup of coffee!!!

Whilst browsing another blog the other day (I forget which one now, sorry!), I came across a student-run charity issue magazine called Lipstick Royalty. The magazine is an online enterprise run and written by a group of high school students and this month they have produced a special issue which is available for £1.50. I'm not going to try to sell it to you but I did ask Lipstick Royalty's Fashion Editor, Amy Thompson to answer a few questions and very kindly, she did! So here is the interview!

What is Lipstick Royalty?

Lipstick Royalty Magazine is an online fashion and lifestyle magazine, which publishes as a .PDF document bimonthly, now, as it's run by students who juggle the magazine, school work, part time jobs, blogs, and actual lives. We're all passinate about what we do - and we think that you should definfitly check the magazine out! (We're considerate like that, you see - we wouldn't want you to miss out!)

How did it start?

Once upon a time, a long long time ago (2007), there was a very bored fourteen year old girl at boarding school in Kent. Her name was Rachel Phipps, and she loved fashion. So, she decided to start a fashion magazine online.

Over time, her baby grew and grew - writers and designers came and went, but she always loved it very, very much (well, almost always - it's stressful at times, I tell ya!), and so it came about. In December 2008, it was reborn and Lipstick Royalty Magazine, and that's about that, really.

How did you get involved?

Well, that's another long story... but I'll tell it boringly, I'm afraid. Third person narrative hurts my brain.

Basically, I'd always loved writing, and I used to publish my stories online. On one site I used, I found a link to Rachel and the magazine, then named Inside Out, and I asked for a position. When I signed up, I said I'd do anything but fashion writing... and four months later, I went from Editor's Assistant to Fashion Editor - and honestly, I've never looked back!

How long has it been going?

As Lipstick Royalty, since December 2008 - with breaks here and there, due to the pressures of exams and stuff!

What is special about the October issue?

The October Issue, "Think Pink" 2009, is the first one that we've ever charged for, and all of the profits are going to charity!

It's also special because it's the most stressful issue we've (ok, Rachel's) ever completed, and so we're very very very proud of it!

Why the Laura Crane Trust?

Oh, for about 87 000 reasons!

Firstly, Rachel and I are in a writers' group called Literary Den (www.literaryden.wordpress.com), and we were both published in their charity anthology last year - with the profits going to LCT... secondly... well, cancer is an illness that will affect almost all of us at some point in our lives, and both of us have already been affected in that friends and family have suffered.

But mostly, it's because the Laura Crane Trust is a teenage and youth cancer charity - our readership is mostly within the age group that they help - and for people to be that badly affected at such a young age is tragic, really. It's a drop in the ocean, but we wanted to do something about it.

Why should people buy this month's issue?

In memory of someone they've lost.

Because they want to help.

Because, one day, they may be grateful that people like LCT exist.

Because it costs less than a cup of coffee.

And because we worked our socks off to bring it to them...

Are all issues for sale?

No; all except this one are free. Some back issues are free to download on the website - but please, please, pleaseeeeee don't let that stop you buying this issue!

What articles are there this month?

There's obviously all the usual; "Ask Amy", "In The Spotlight", "How to be a..." (this time it's "How to be a Model"), and "Hot Young Talent" - but we also have an exclusive sweepstake featuring C.TA Glam Couture, Haydria Perfumery, and FashionVictime.Fr, as well as an interview with Nylon Pink, and a special guest blog by Magda Knight, of Mookychick.co.uk.

And, of course, there's a report about Laura Crane Trust, proving to you that your £1.50 was well spent!


I will be purchasing my copy from http://www.lipstickroyalty.com/ later today, I hope as many of you as possible will do the same.


More soon. Love, SG

Help! I need your opinion ladies!

So I am relying on you lovely ladies (and any men folk out there too!) to help me with a dilemma!


It concerns my shopping ban.


I have just sold two pairs of lovely boots that were completely unworn on eBay and made £50 on the sales. Now, I am thinking that as I am two pairs of shoes down I could possibly use this eBay money to buy another pair of shoes. As technically it's like swapping one pair for another. Actually, I suppose, technically it is shopping and therefore breaking my ban but I think I deserve it?!


Let me know what you think. Please!

Art and Photography: Week 4

These are some of the photos that I took during my class last week. We used models again but at the beginning we were given the opportunity to photgraph exhibits from the studio's recent exhibition. I particularly like these brown paper roses. They have a sort of mythical quality to them and they are all alone in a little low ceiling-ed back room with little light which is a challenge for photographing. So here are a few of the photos of them that I took. I love them.

Photo information: Nikon D40; 22 mm focal length; F/6.3; 1/20 sec exposure; ISO-800

Photo information: Nikon D40; 18 mm focal length; F/6.3; 1/20 sec exposure; ISO-800

Photo information: Nikon D40; 18 mm focal length; F/6.3; 1/20 sec exposure; ISO-800

Photo information: Nikon D40; 18 mm focal length; F/6.3; 1/20 sec exposure; ISO-800

Photo information: Nikon D40; 35 mm focal length; F/6.3; 1/20 sec exposure; ISO-800

Photo information: Nikon D40; 24 mm focal length; F/6.3; 1/20 sec exposure; ISO-800

Photo information: Nikon D40; 18 mm focal length; F/6.3; 1/20 sec exposure; ISO-800

LUST LIST: Mulberry Heart Pin

I absolutely love Mulberry's quintessential British style and this prefect style pin is so cute! I want it. Now!

And for £40 it's not like it's an impossibility! Is it?!

Check it out here.

More soon. Love, SG

Monday Morning Pic-Me-Up

I love this pic - taken on holiday in a square in Lucca. The little boy was just having so much fun running around after the pigeons. As we sat drinking an aperatif before dinner.

I love my mustard shoes!

Today was hangover Sunday, spent drinking vanilla lattes and catching up with friends. I am wearing a green Topshop t-shirt, Topshop leggings, the Pilgrim necklace my mum bought me in Paris and my favourite mustard yellow New Look shoes.


I hope you've all had a nice weekend. I have had an uncharacteristically active weekend, kayaking down the river Wye yesterday for five hours. I loved it but am paying for it today!


More soon. Love, SG

Learning to walk in heels: Week 4

 

This week I have been mainly wearing these gorgeous New Look patent heels. These are 3-and-a-half inches. To be honest, I have been a little unsteady on my feet in these, so I will be needing another week of them.

Obviously week 3 didn't happen due to my little hospital visit.

More soon. Love, SG

Dress Down Friday

This is my Friday work attire. I am wearing a scarf from H&M, a zebra tee from Topshop, my work pass (!), Topshop skinny jeans and Urban Outfitters boots (from NYC baby!!).

My Spanish Tee

This is the lovely t-shirt that my sister brought back from her Spanish summer holiday. What do you think?

Dilemma

So today I received an email which told me the exciting new:


"I am delighted to confirm two places for yourself at the H&M Jimmy Choo launch on friday, November 13, from 6.30-9pm."


However, as exciting as this is, it does rather pose a dilemma regarding my shopping ban. With all those Jimmy Choos at a fraction of their normal price and 25% off the rest of the H&M collections, what am I to do?


I had thought that this might be the perfect opportunity to do my Christmas shopping but having just checked out the H&M website, there are too many things that are going to test my resolve.


Well, I have four weeks to make my decision.


More soon. Love, SG

LUST LIST: Samantha Cameron's recession-chic shoes!‏

I love love LOVE the shoes that Samantha Cameron wore, not just once, but three times to the Conservative Party Conference last week!!

And at £29 from Zara, they are totally affordable! They are completely testing my will power!

How To... Shop Successfully for Vintage Clothes

Vintage clothes have been "in" for quite some time and there seems to be a certain kudos associated with finding a unique vintage item for an outfit. But, much like charity shop shopping, vintage shopping often entails rumagging through rails and rails of clothes, most of which are totally unsuitable, for that one find. In my experience, at least, vintage shopping needs patience and is often not very successful. Most of my vintage finds are accessories which are easier and quicker to find, scarves and bags, in particular.


Whilst checking out some new fashion blogs I came across A Fine Line. Despite not having long started blogging, the blog already has some good posts, in particular, She's the Bees Knees! This post is all about Pam Scrima of Parkerhawn Vintage (read it to find out more).


The bit which caught my eye were the Five Rules "that turn secondhand shopping into an art":


1. “Shop like a buyer.”


Pam’s top tip? “Buy off-season.” Think ahead to what you’ll need or want 3-6 months down the road and you’re in serious bargain territory. Think coats in the summer, beachwear in the fall,


2. “Go for classic fabrics and seasonless pieces.”


Pam recommends The One Hundred by Nina Garcia as a guide to must-have wardrobe essentials. Choose these items in silk, cashmere and animal prints for year-round wear.


3. “Befriend a great dry cleaner and an alteration specialist.”


You must have a go-to guy or girl who can take a dress in, hem a pant leg or otherwise alter your latest vintage find. If you’re not sure where to go, Pam recommends asking a personal shopper at a department store for a referral.


4. “Know thyself.”


“I look at the trends,” our expert states. “But I don’t have to follow them.” Pam believes in embracing your body type and shopping for styles that compliment your curves. Further, she says knowing your measurements is vital, and that a tape measure is a key part of any shopping kit. Many vintage stores don’t have fitting areas, and this trick will help you determine if a piece is a keeper. Don’t trust tags, as vintage sizes will vary.


5. Vintage “red flags”


First of all, perspiration stains are a deal-breaker. According to Pam, “They’re never coming out!” Second, never buy too small. Going up a size or two is okay, but too small can rarely be tailored to fit. Finally, our expert warns us against shrunken wool. Pam says none of the wives’ tales about restoring these items are true – and you can definitely take her word for it.


I have also hunted out an old Telegraph article, entitled The knowledge: how to shop for vintage fashion. This is also filled with useful hints and tips for a successful vintage shopping trip:


The seasoned bargain-hunter and style journalist Bay Garnett shares her tips for buying second-hand clothes



DON'T BE FOOLED Essentially, 'vintage' is just another name for second-hand clothing, but it's a label that has been adopted by the fashion industry to make it sound more exclusive and aspirational, like 'vintage champagne'. In other words, expensive! Yes, antique flapper dresses from the 1920s and original Ozzie Clarke designs are beautiful, but the joy of finding something that's 'one of a kind' needn't be so costly.




BE OPEN MINDED If your funds don't stretch to antique 1920s flapper dresses and classic Balenciaga, try 'thrifting', or charity-shop rummaging instead. It takes a little more effort, but the results can be far more fun and affordable. And although today's environmental concerns weren't such an issue 15 years ago when I first started thrifting, the turnover rate of clothes has now become so rapid that there's something refreshing about stepping outside of it occasionally.


MOST WANTED LIST The key to a successful expedition is to go with a tangible piece in mind, otherwise the whole thing becomes too daunting. Chloe Sevigny is my favourite person to go thrifting with. There are some fantastic thrift stores in her hometown in Connecticut, and she'd begin every trip with 'So, what are you looking for?' If you go in blank, it's much harder to feel inspired.


ACCESSORIZE If you're still a bit squeamish about second-hand clothes, start with accessories. Bags, belts and scarves instantly refresh an outfit, and are easily incorporated into your everyday wardrobe. A shop's accessories are a good indicator of the rest of the stocks


FOLLOW YOUR INSTINCT My most treasured find is a studded punk belt from the seventies that I found in a downtown New York charity shop, and fell in love with on the spot. I didn't have a single penny on me, but I'd gone in to pick up the sales money from a magazine I write called Cheap Date - it wasn't very professional of me, but after a bit of bargaining they kept the money and I took the belt.


KNOW YOUR LIMITS Build up a suitcase of ideas whenever you go shopping and come up with your own list of thrifting rules - I automatically pounce on anything leopard-print or patent. Steer clear of anything stained rather than just a little grubby and always pay attention to the fabric. Nylon or polyester is an instant veto


PAY ATTENTION TO DETAILS Look out for little details that lift a piece and make it part of a bigger style picture- a little lace edging round the cuffs, a great set of buttons or a fantastic loud print. The key is to imagine them out of the bargain bin and in the context of your own wardrobe.


HAVE PATIENCE Thrifting requires a different attitude from regular shopping. You need to be in a more relaxed frame of mind. Try church fetes or second-hand markets and pop into charity shops regularly for a quick browse - choose upmarket districts if you're after designer labels. Nine times out ten you won't find anything, but the tenth might unearth a real gem of a piece.


If anyone else has anything further to add, please let me know.


More soon. Love, SG

Monday Morning Pic-Me-Up: Free Muffin Day

Thank you to Starbucks for Free Muffin Day!!!! Skinny Peach and Raspberry Muffin and a tall Vanilla Latte is just what the doctor ordered for breakfast on a Monday morning!!

Mrs Cameron gets it spot on!

Samantha Cameron accompanied her husband as he addressed the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester yesterday afternoon, in a £65 dress from Marks and Spencer.


Samantha has spent the week at the conference in a number of outfits straight from the British high street. This particular dress is from the housewife's favourite's 125th year anniversary collection which was out earlier this year.


After Sarah Brown's designer outfit at the Labour Party Conference last week, Samantha chose to demonstrate her recessionista credentials.


She teamed the grey polka dot dress with the £29 Zara heels that she's been photographed in a number of times this week. Perfect.


For anyone who might be wanting to dash out and grab the dress, it is unfortunately no longer in stock but M&S have confirmed that a navy verson will be in stores shortly.


More soon. Love, SG

Tights glorious tights!

Anyone who has read this blog will know of my obsession with tights. I love dresses and skirts but hate my pasty legs which never tan! So tights are my secret weapon!

Well now British hosiery brand Charnos have set up a new website which aims to find you your perfect pair of tights!

When you visit the site, you choose your leg shape; from The Athlete to The Show Girl to The Pillar. Once chosen, you're given a 'lesson' for your leg shape, followed by a tip for day and another for night.

Check it out for your perfect tights!

More soon. Love, SG

Blue Satin

After spending Tuesday night in hospital with a suspected kidney stone I decided I needed a little present to make myself feel better. So I went out and bought myself a beautiful Blue Satin Chanel nail polish. It's definitely made me feel better!

Calling all students

Sorry for the lateness but tonight and tomorrow night Topshop in Cardiff is holding its annual Student Night. Pop along between 7-10pm with your NUS card for 20% off and a goody bag when you buy something! I'm pretty sure this will be happening nationwide, is check out your local Topshop for more details.

Happy shopping.

More soon. Love, SG

Sarah vs. Samantha: battle of the wives‏

Their husbands might be getting ready to battle it out in the polls but Sarah Brown and Samantha Cameron have been doing battle for some time already in the style stakes.

Conference season is traditionally the time of year when the political parties do battle, so it is interesting to compare what the wives have been wearing whilst out supporting their husbands.

The fashion headlines today are focused on the choice of designer of Sarah and Samantha: Erdem Moralioglu. 


Canadian-born Erdem Moralioglu is a graduate of London's Royal College of Art and the rising star of the British fashion scene. In 2005 he won a Fashion Fringe award for a capsule collection and two years later the British Fashion Council’s Fashion Enterprise award. He specialises in beautiful feminine dresses in watercolour florals.


Sarah Brown chose to wear an Erdem dress from the pre-Spring collection when she introduced her husband, the Prime Minister, at the Labour Conference in Brighton last week. While last night, arriving at the Tory conference in Manchester, Samantha Cameron accompanied her husband in an Erdem jacket from last autumn's collection.

The dress chosen by the PM's wife, in an abstract, poinsettia-print, silk organza, is beautiful, however, the cut is not altogether flattering on Sarah Brown's pear shaped figure which is a shame.

Samantha Cameron manages to mix designer with high street and pulls it off with aplomb. She chose a simple and yet elegant outfit to complement the suit which her husband is wearing. And it works well.

Indeed Samantha Cameron is such a fan of the designer that in her role as creative director of the stationery brand Smythson, she has invited Erdem to create a selection of notebooks and diaries that will launch next month. The collection will include limited-edition set of notebooks and diaries featuring his beautiful fashion sketches and signature silk graphic flower prints. I can't wait. Check out Smythson's blog for more information.

Who do you think is winning in the style stakes?

More soon. Love, SG

Paris vs New York: Battle of the TV ads

I have been in love with the Keira Knightley TV ad for Coco Mademoiselle ever since I first saw it. It has some beautiful shots of Paris at night. In addition, the red dress that Keira Knightley wears is incredible. It is the ultimate in glamour and certainly reflects the Chanel 'look'. Love it.

From Paris to New York and the catwalk to the high street. I am now loving the new season's Next TV advertising campaign. I love the scenes of New York. And the clothes aren't bad either. Check out the ad here.


More soon. Love, SG

Monday Morning Pic-Me-Up

Was home for weekend and the leaves were turning everywhere. They just looked so beautiful that I couldn't help but post another autumn pic. Hope you don't mind.

My personal style

Personal Style Week may have been last week but it got me thinking about my own personal style and what that means.

I guess if I had to use one word to describe my style I would like it to be; classic.

I like to follow trends but am not religious about it. Firstly, because I don't have the money to update my entire wardrobe every season and secondly, because (I hope) I know what does and doesn't suit me and therefore work with those trends that do.

My style icon is, without a doubt, Audrey Hepburn. Particularly in Breakfast at Tiffany's. I think she is exquisite. Her style is classic. It is all down to Holly Golightly that I began my love affair with the Little Black Dress.

For work, I go for a classic and simple combination of a dress and heels. It's like a school uniform; it takes the pressure off deciding what to wear each morning and always looks smart.

For play, I can dress it up or down to suit the occasion. I spend much of my weekends in my baggy jeans and man's jumper! For cocktails with the girls (or the boyf), I usually chuck on a pair of heels with leggings and a simple tunic top.

Personal style does not just apply to clothes, but also to make-up, interior decor, lifestyle, etc.

My make-up bag in recent years has become far more streamlined. I used to buy a new eye shadow or lipstick or lip gloss or eyeliner on a weekly basis but I have now found a look that I like and stick to it. This does not, of course, mean that I don't like to experiment but I like to have my fail safe that I can fall back onto, for everyday and last minute evenings out. Next time I go out I’m thinking I might give false eyelashes a try (I like the Jordon look!!).

I think that the way I dress and apply my make-up - in a simple and often minimalistic manner - reflect the way in which I would like to live, but fail spectacularly!

I would love to live in a clutter-free, minimalistic apartment. But I am a hoarder. I find it impossible to throw things away, as you never know!! But it does mean that my flat more often than not resembles a car boot sale than a show flat.

Let me know your style.

More soon. Love, SG

My Stylish Sister!

My sister arrived at lunch with my parents today in this rather fetching outfit and I thought it was only fair to share her look with you!

She's wearing; a handband and bangles by DP, cardie by Zara, top from a store in Spain, a scarf bought by mum and me at a market in Paris, a necklace from GFW, leggings and boots from M&S.