Saturday Splurge: Mulberry

Hello!

After seeing the SS13 collections at London Fashion Week this week there are plenty of splurge options floating around in my head! One show that stood out for me was Mulberry - how could it not? It looked beautiful with all of the pretty flowers and not to mention the front row consisting of Alexa Chung, Kate Moss, Olivia Palermo and Lana Del Ray. How smug would you feel at a Mulberry show with a Mulberry bag named after you? I bet Alexa and Lana were feeling pretty good armed with their namesake bags! 

Like the stage decor, the collection consisted of neutral colours with a touch of pastel greens, oranges and pinks.  I want to be put in a time travel machine and find myself in spring now. 

Olivia Palermo

Lana Del Ray, Kate Moss, Alexa Chung

The beautiful set

Model and poodle

So anyway, I fell in love with Mulberry again. Here are some of my favourites from the SS13 show. Obviously they are not available to purchase at the moment, but I'm giving you ample time to save!

(This is my ultimate favourite of the new collection!)

(This one looks like a Chanel number) 

                                          

    

If you need an intermediate bag in the meantime, our favourites are the Lily...

...and the Bryn

Go on, spoil yourself!

Friday Focus: The 90s are back

Apparently, the 1990's are back! It seems odd to me that they've been away long enough to warrant a comeback, or that they were cool enough to make a come back, but they're back.

During the 1990's I was aged 5-15 - so you could say that this was the decade in which I graduated towards developing my own style. However, it wasn't. The 1990's was the least cool decade for me. I was finally allowed to start choosing my own clothes but since it was the 90's this meant my biggest choices were what colour shell suit to wear (I picked purple and green aged 7) or what sports brand to go for (Kappa, Kangol, Ellesse anyone?)

Here are some other 90's trends I indulged in but would rather forget:

Hair wraps:

Me and my sister were literally obsessed with having these in our hair whenever we went on holiday. You paid by the inch and they were a nightmare when you accidently brushed through them. They didn't look good either!

Floppy hats

Not only did I love Tia and Tamera (has anyone seen their new reality show - it's amazing!) but I must have thought they were style icons too as these hats, adorned with matching flower, would have been right up my street aged 11!

Reebok Classics

Aged 13/14 I never would have thought about putting on a pair of sky scrapers - it was all about the Reebok classic for me! I didn't even opt for the subtle version like the ones shown above but went for a pair with a lime green design on! Nice!

Scrunchies

Having just gone from blonde to brown, I had to go out and buy all new hair grips and ties to blend in with my new hair colour. Back in the good old 90's this wouldn't have been a problem as a giant, metallic scrunchie goes with all hair colours!! My favourite thing to do was to scrape my hair into a bun and use the scrunchie as some sort of decorative adornment around the bun!

Surely, these fashion disastors won't be making a come back? I'd be gutted as I have long since thrown away all traces from my wardrobe!

So, what parts of the 90's are worth bringing back?

Double Denim

Well, it's been creeping in for a while now but double denim is officially no longer a faux pas - when executed correctly!

This means that the head to toe stonewash of the 90's is out of the question! To avoid doing a Britney and Justin or looking like the cast 90210 (the original) you should make sure you pick contrasting denim:

Preppy Style

When it comes to preppy in 2012 you need to think Blair Waldorf and not Cher Horowitz! You can update the look made famous in Clueless by choosing more neutral colours and keeping the argyle and checks to a minimum. Olivia Palermo gets the look spot on. The jury's still out for me on knee length socks though!

Grunge

Celebrities like Mary-Kate Olsen, Alice Dellal and Agyness Deyn are the epitomy of how to carry off the grunge look in 2012. Think oversized checked shirts, unkempt hair, ripped denim, biker boots and not forgetting lashings of eyeliner. You need to make sure you're a modern day version and not walking around like a Courtney Love wannabe - Taylor Momsen take note!

So there we have the Who's that girl? take on 90's trends! What do you hope to see making a comeback and what do you hope stays banished in the 90's forever? I've shared my 90's secrets so let's hear yours!

Love Chelsea x

Tuesday Shoesday: A Zara Special (with a block heel added extra)

I am a big fan of Zara at the moment, not only do they sell my beloved puffer (which by the way has now changed name to Padded Anorak with Hood? Anorak?! Whatever, it has puff written all over it!), but also their shoe collection contains some real gems.

First up are the Snakeskin Cowboy Ankle Boots £99.99

100% cow leather - so, not snakeskin?! I love these boots. Pair them up with a cute skirt and opaque tights or tuck some skinny jeans into them and head to the saloon pub. 

Studded Peep Toe £69.99

Studs studs studs. These will glam up any outfit. The peep toe is cute and the studded heel is grungy - a contrast that works well here.

Riding Boot £39.99

Riding boots are a winter essential. They are comfy and warm and again, look good with jeans or tights. These are a good price, although, they are not genuine leather or suede. I like the additional buckle on the back. 

Vamp Shoe Velvet Heel £19.99

Not entirely winter-proof but they are so cute with the ankle strap. It's good to have a black alternative. 

Biker Ankle Boot £49.99

Not too sure on the specifics of this shoe, as the website only states the 10% cow leather lining. I hope the entire boot is leather but for that price I don't have high hopes! I really like the rich and vintaged colour of this boot! Like the riding boot, I think a biker boot is an essential! Pair with pretty dresses or skirts for a contrast! 

High Heel Platform Ankle Boot £49.99

If I could I would, but how can anybody? These are ridiculous, but I love them. I can't comprehend how anybody could possibly walk in these with an 11cm heel, but I imagine Chelsea could! 

Combined High Heel Court Shoe £49.99

Again, if I would I could! The heel looks way more stable but at 12cm it would take me to about 6.5ft! I love the colour contrast and block heel! The block heel seems to be making a comeback at the moment particularly in a lower format...

...check out the lower block of these High Heeled Ballerinas £49.99.  A 2.5cm heel - that's more like it - style plus comfort! Red shoes are always a good way to perk up an outfit and your mood and a block heel adds a refreshing spin on the ballerina pump that quite frankly needed an update!

Here is our beloved style icon Alexa Chung channeling the 60s block heel...

 

...and not to mention Chelsea's fave - Zoeey Deschanel

And let us not, not give credit to the Queen for probably being the greatest advocate of the block heel!

Do you think we would catch Victoria Beckham or Chelsea in a block heeled ballerina? I'm not so sure! More importantly, will you be investing in the block?

Naomi x

Friday Focus: Alexa Chung

This week Friday Focus is focusing on one of Britain's hottest fashion icons - Alexa Chung. With the success of her collaboration with Madewell and news that she will soon be designing her own line (and she really does input into the designing) we thought she was more than qualified to feature on Friday Focus.

We first loved Alexa's style back in the days where she was taunting celebrities with her quick wit on Popworld. Her skinny jeans, checked shirts and pretty flats made her the epitomy of laidback chic.

With Alex Zane on the Popworld set

As she's grown up, so has her style; she now channels a timeless look - girly yet tailored, hot yet cute and the perfect mix of high street and designer. Now when we think of Alexa, you can't help but think Mulberry, Chanel, ballet pumps and killer accessories. Alexa says she dresses for herself, and sometimes other girls, but never for guys. We think whoever she's dressing for - she's doing something right!

Here we take a look at some of our favourite Alexa looks and attempt to re-create them in a budget friendly way (apart from the Mulberry but you can hardly create an Alexa look without THE Alexa!)

Comfy and casual

One look Alexa carries off to a tee is the casual style. Short shorts or a short skirt can easily look dressy but Alexa manages to make the most of one her best features, her legs, without looking tarty by keeping the look simple with cute flats and a casual top.

You too can imitate Alexa's casual look by teaming a short skirt with ballet flats and a loose fitting t-shirt or shirt:

1. Loud Clothing Sonic Youth (Goo) T-shirt (£13)
For an authentic Alexa look, buy a boy's t-shirt and keep it loose with rolled up sleeves.

2. Oasis pleated faux leather mini skirt (£45)
I think this Oasis faux leather skirt is very Alexa - short and flaired!

3. Levi's Western Shirt (£80)
 Worn buttoned up and tucked in or undone over a printed t-shirt, this classic denim shirt is so Alexa!

4. River Island Black Cage Toe Ballerina Pumps (£25)
Get the Chanel look for a fraction of the price with these pumps with a toe detail.

Red Carpet Glam

Whilst Alexa may be better known for her every day style, it doesn't mean that she doesn't know how to do all out glam on the red carpet - whilst staying true to her quirky style. Here are some of our favourite Alexa evening looks:

If you love the look of Alexa's red carpet dress, why not try to recreate it with one of these high street versions?

1. New Look Gold Lace Brocade Skater Dress (£27.99)
This gold dress combines Alexa's short fit and flare style with the golden glamour of her 2009 Bafta dress. Team with opaque tights, shoe boots and even a long sleeve t-shirt underneath for true Alexa style.

2. ASOS Nude Quilted Lock Across Body Bag (£16)
At just £16 this ASOS quilted bag is a bargain version of Alexa's Chanel favourite. Plus, nude goes with everything!

3. Topshop Textured Pleat Tunic (£26)
This coral skater dress is a more casual version of Alexa's red-carpet puff ball number. If you're creative, you could add your own neckline embellishments or just dress up with heels and some red lips!

4. Dune @ John Lewis Leather Accrington Monkstrap Shoe Boots (£85)
Style like Alexa and add a quirky touch to the red carpet glam by toughening up a pretty dress with these black shoe boots.

Out and About

My faviourite of Alexa's looks is when she is wrapped up for the British winter (or sometimes even Summer) in a stand out coat.

You can steal Alexa's street style here:

1. Johnstons @ ASOS Merino Wool Check Scarf (£39)
This colourful scarf is bound to brighten up a winter's day and we bet the merino wool is super soft too. Wear outside your coat to show it off.

2. Zara Trench Coat with Sleeve Detail (£69.99)
Alexa is known for her trenches and whilst her's may be Burberry, we think this Zara one is just as stylish and great value too.

3. Topshop MOTO grey supersoft skinny leigh jeans (£38.00)
It's not often you see Alexa in jeans but when you do, you can guarantee they'll be skinnies. We love Topshop's supersoft (and stetchy) range.

4. ASOS fur trim duffle coat (£75)
Channel your inner Paddington with this navy duffle coat from ASOS - if navy is not your thing it comes in three other colours too!

5. Mulberry Alexa in Oak Soft Buffalo (£795)
We couldn't very well cover Alexa's style without including the bag that was named in her honour! We are lusting after the Alexa in every colour - we better get saving!

So there you have it - style queen Alexa Chung's style well and truly stolen!

Lots of imitable love

Chelsea xx