Wednesday Winners: A Wintry Edition

Hey!

We know that Wednesday Winners is a firm favourite amongst our readers so we hope that you like this week's Winter edition. As we have been reaching for the thermostat this week, we have also been seeking out our favourite winter must haves, for it seems that the cooler temps are here to stay!


Naomi's Picks:
So after announcing my love for the puffa jacket a couple of weeks ago I have received a string of abuse from my friends and family. One 'friend' informed me that purchasing a puffa would give him the right to call me Bianca Butcher (from EastEnders), now I don't watch EastEnders but I had a google and concluded that this is sad, but true - he would have every right to call me Biancs!  So with a heavy heart I have accepted and mourned the loss of the toasty sensation that could have been this Winter and carried on my search for a comfy but fashionable Winter coat. 

For this week's Wednesday Winners I am presenting to you my top 5 (warning: no puffas allowed) 

Reiss Lois Soft Blue Oversized Jacket £245
I love the style of this pea coat. The oversized cocoony look is a big trend this AW and it seems like it would be really cosy (almost as cosy as a puffa?!). 78% wool will definitely keep you toasty too! Pair this up with skinny jeans to contrast the size proportions. I also think the pale blue colour is an amazing pretty colour for Winter - step away from the glum grey/black/navy and brighten up your day with this coat! You must!

H&M Fake Fur Jacket £34.99
I love love love the colour of this fur. I would say that this jacket is more for aesthetics than functionality as I doubt there is much of a warmth factor to this! 

Topshop Navy Bound Seam Duffle Coat £89
A duffle had to make it in to the top 5! A classic coat that is always good to have in the wardrobe. I love the checked lining of this Topshop one. Did you know that the name derives from a town called Duffle in Belgium, where the Duffle material originates? Yep this is true, also, Duffle bags were orginally made from this duffle material.  

Whistles Jaime Animal Car Coat £295
You may have seen my tweet about this - I have been eyeing it up for a while. I have never heard of a car coat before, but I love it! I love the slouchyness and animal print is one of my favourite prints! 

Monki Mella Jacket £60
This coat is all about the colour! A gorgeous blue that is bound to stand out in the gloomy-ness of Winter! The collarless feature and shape make this an elegant little number! Wrap up and stay warm!

P.S. Don't fancy a coat? What about a coatigan? That's right, coatigan. 

Button Back Throw on Coatigan Throw on that coatigan and go...

Chelsea's Picks:

I feel I should apologise as I very much doubt I can throw in the casual historic fact as well as Bianca Naomi has but I do hope you like these wintry must have to accompany your coat!

1. Mulberry Jacquard Logo Scarf Pink Merino £120


I am probably not living in reality when I think £120 is good value for this scarf but it is MULBS!! My absolute fave! I can guarantee this will be the softest ever wool - there is nothing worse than an itchy scarf!! And it has pink on it. Perfection!

2. Marc by Marc Jacobs Logo Print Umbrella £55

Umbrellas are a bit of a nightmare as they just blow inside out or make it hard for you to walk or see where you're going etc but I have faith that this one will be pretty robust. And it's a nice bright colour to cheer up a rainy day. Did you know that umbrellas were invented in a town called Umbrella where it rains every day of the year?*

3. Topshop Chunky Zip Leather Gloves £24

I love a nice pair of leather gloves; warmth, grip and moisture protection! Enough said!

4. Miss Pom Pom cable headband at ASOS £18

I'm not really a fan of hats as they totes mess your hair up but I think the headband is a good alternative! I love cable knit and your ears are sure to stay cosy! This one is pretty understated so will look great with almost any coat!

5. Paul Smith Fairisle Socks £17

I love these socks! The fairisle print looks a bit like little bunny rabbits going round the edge which is super cute!


*I have definitely made this fact up in order to compete with Bianca Naomi (coincidently, Bianca was mine and Naomi's fave school teacher ;-))

So now you have no excuse to be cold this winter!

Love

Naomi and Chelsea x

Thursday Three-Way: New Knitwear

As we are now fully into Autumn (and it looks like the weather has finally realised it too) I thought I would do a three-way post on my new Next cardigan. I got this cardigan a couple of weeks ago and I love the little flick detail in the navy wool and the elbow.

I have pretty much been wearing this cardigan over most outfits the last couple of days as it's turned so cold but here I have narrowed down 3 looks you might like to try.

Geek Chic

Here I decided to embrace the elbow patches and go with the whole geek look. However, I made sure I kept it chic with high heels and a cute blouse.

 

 

Nothing says geek chic like socks and shoes. It's an acquired taste but I think these cute school style socks in cream go well with the brown ASOS wedges - plus they keep my feet warm!

 

Skinny Diesel jeans and the cute buttoned blouse from Topshop help take the look from geek overkill to more chic. The giant glasses (which are super strong prescription btw) complete the look!

 

Winter Warmer

 

I think this next outfit is perfect for a walk in the crisp Autumn air - maybe I'll wear it when I walk the dogs?

 

 

 

The flat boots were my buy of the year last winter - just £18 from Florence and Fred at Tesco. They are super comfy and look great over jeans or with opaque tights and a dress as shown here. As the nights draw in, it's probably best to wear a scarf too - this furry leopard one is super cosy!

 

Wooly work wear

 

With my final look I tried to make the cardigan a little more formal to create a look more suitable for work.

 

 

Pairing it with tailored trousers makes it seem more smart - as do the heeled court shoes. A Paul Smith t-shirt with a colour print stops the outfit looking too drab.

 

 

I could have gone on and on and bascially put this cardigan over every outfit! The other day at work, someone said they didn't even own a single cardigan - I just can't get over this!! Not one! For me, they are an essential for warmth and style!

 

Lots of love

 

Chelsea 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

Wednesday Winners

Hey guys

Who's that girl? loves a feel good charitable act and for Wednesday Winners we are donating to you the results of hours and hours trawling the web for your fashion pleasure. Chelsea and Naomi have both picked their top 5 gems emerging on the fashion sites this week and they sure do hope you agree that these are some special items.  Which one(s) will you be getting?!

Chelsea's Picks:

I am desperately clawing on to the last days of summer and am pleased to see that some of the Internet retailers are too. I managed to find these Summer treats amongst the A/W lines...

1. Mulberry Locked Cosmetics Purse in Pink Glossy Goat (£150)
This may strictly be a cosmetics purse according to the people at Mulbs but I think it's far too pretty to be smearing the inside with lipgloss and eyeliner. With dimensions of 21cm x 13cm I think it'll be the ideal clutch to put your phone, money and keys in for a night out.

2. Accessorize Black Glitter Heart Studs (£2)
You have read correctly - this is not a typo - £2!! They may not be Tiffany diamond studs but they sure look sparkly with all that glitter and who can resist anything heart shaped? Not me!

3. Miss Selfridge Hubabuba Glitter Wedge (£55)
I guess I'm still in wedge mode after yesterday's Tuesday Shoesday! These sparkly shoes look super comfy and will compliment the earrings perfectly.

4. Topshop Pansy Print Crochet Collor Top (£34)
I am a serious sucker for a collar. Sometimes I just filter the results by the keyword 'collar'. Especially, a Peter Pan collar (I'm delighted to hear that Marc Jacobs will be heavily featuring Peter Pan collars in his A/W line so hopefully it will continue to be a hit on the high street). Combined with a cute ditsy print, this top will be perfect with skinny jeans or tucked into cute shorts.

5. Ted Baker Birdie Branch Print Dress (£139)
It was hard to pick just one dress as Ted Baker's latest collection is filled with interesting prints and great shapes. However, this quirky bird print dress caught my eye. Not only do I love the design but it's an unusual shape compared to my other dresses and I can imagine it would look great with a colour pop clutch and some killer heels.


Naomi's picks:

I am loving the AW12 pieces hitting the fashion sites this week! 

1. Kookai at ASOS Floral Trousers (£85)
I LOVE these trousers! Oriental chic or what?! Visit the blog next week for tips on how to style floral trousers!

2. Paul Smith at Coggles.com Fairisle Scarf (£125)
What I love about this scarf is the combination of fairisle, solid pink and stripes - a combo perhaps only Paul Smith could pull off.   The 94% wool and bright colours will keep you cosy and cheerful during the impending winter months.

3. Whistles Marianne Satchel (£195)
I have been wanting to invest in an across the body bag for sometime - there are days and events where you just need to be hands free! This is a classic style that won't date - a perfect investment piece and heirloom ;)

4. Miss Selfridge Cream Textured Jacket (£35)
A Chanel-esque jacket for a millionth of the price, you can't say no! Dress this up or down, but don't forget the pearls!

5. Fred Perry at ASOS Gingham Shirt with Roll Up Sleeves (£65)
Burgundy is going to be a big AW colour this year. I love the small collar with the baby buttons and the classic Fred Perry look. By the sounds of the materials: "a blend of cotton and linen with a soft, flannel hand feel", it's going to be delightfully comfy!


We would love to hear your comments and any details of your top 5 items this week!

Lots of charitable love,

Chelsea & Naomi