Meet my new friend

I know I haven't posted for a while (I've been a very bad blogger, but have good intentions going forward, promise), but I had to share my new best friend with you. Meet Alexa... x

THE most exciting fashion collaboration

This is our first look at the much anticipated collaboration between H&M and Lanvin. Come November 23rd fashionistas will be queuing in their thousands to get their hands on these limited edition pieces. Staying true to Alber Elbaz's vision for Lanvin, so far it looks like the collection will feature his signature asymmetric sleeve and simple colour palette. I've got my eye on the tuxedo style dress second from the right.

Knits, Fur and Leather

Fairisle knit - £13 - Primark, tan belt - £28 - Whistles, leopard print bag - £40 - Topshop, leather panel leggings - £14.99 - H&M, fur-lined Reagan boots - £125 - Bertie

I've finally worked out how to use the timer on my camera and doesn't it make a difference?! I'm so pleased. It took a while to figure out the where to balance the camera (on the breakfast bar stool against a bottle of water), I still chopped my feet off a few times and I'd like to get rid of the kitchen tiles on the right hand side, but overall I think it is much improved from the iPhone in the bedroom mirror shots I was using before.

Outfit-wise I told you I'd be repeating variations of the Christmas knit over the coming weeks and months, and here's my second interpretation with added belt and leather. This Primark Fairisle knit was such a bargain, I think I will be stocking up on other colours and multiples too as I'm sure it will lose it's shape quite quickly, but for £13 you can't complain!

Christmas Knits

Knitted snowflake dress - £45 - Topshop, jeans - £40 - Topshop, leather jacket - £250 - Whistles, leopard print bag - £40 - Topshop, wedge boots - £160 - Kurt Geiger

Fairisle jumper - Dolce & Gabbana

Well after a short hiatus, I am back to blogging and feeling inspired. I've already stumbled across my go-to look for lazy days this winter: enter the fairisle Christmas knit, teamed with skinny jeans or leather trousers, ankle boots and a chunky snood once the weather gets colder. Dolce & Gabbana showcased this cosy look to perfection, teamed with fur and cinched with a belt, but the high street has some great offerings too. My Topshop knitted snowflake dress is a dead-ringer for D&G, and I picked up an even cheaper delight in Primark today which is identical to the monochrome number in the final picture. This is such an easy look to pull off, and will suit all figures and budgets - I can't wait to experiment with more variations (especially once I finally get my hands on some leather trousers; the perfect pair still eludes me).

Most Wanted

Dress - £65 - Topshop

Sorry, I've been a very bad blogger this week with my measley two posts. Things aren't going to improve either as I'm holidaying as of tomorrow. I'll get back on the case upon my return - I promise. In the mean time, here is a beautiful dress that I wish I could get my hands on for my hols, but it only came online today and it wouldn't get delivered in time, but here it is for your delectation. I wish there was a better Topshop in Brighton, it's pathetically small here and they never stock the good stuff hence my online obession.

Allaismalardık (that's Turkish for goodbye).

Shorts Appeal

T-shirt - £15 - Topshop, leather shorts - £68 - Topshop, watch - Casio - £22, sandals - old - New Look

These photos make me realise how much I need to buy myself a decent camera, but then I can't afford to buy new clothes and I'd have nothing to blog about! Vicious cycle.

I've been eyeing up these leather shorts for a while, but they kept selling out and I couldn't quite commit to the price tag. However yesterday I discovered an unworn shirt and jumper from Topshop in the back of my wardrobe - I bought them in London some time ago and just couldn't quite get them to look right on me. Receiptless, but exchangable - these shorts felt effectively free, and were just enough to satisfy my impossible last week of the month shopping craving. I'm not 100% on the flattery of them on the slightly more shapely thigh - but I'm thinking with black opaques I can just about pull them off.

Ode to Marc

Babooshka metallic sweater - £130 - Whistles, maxi skirt - £79.99 - Reiss, military boots - £59.99 - River Island

Here is my little ode to Marc Jacobs AW10 - shimmering metallics, military boots and maxis. I felt a bit too dressed up for Tesco though, so I changed into jeans shortly after taking the pictures, but this outift is definitely stored in my outfit bank for future wearing.

Jourdan Dunn spends her Burberry fee in Whistles!

I was working up in the Kings Road Whistles yesterday and who should stride in, all long and lithe limbs and no baby weight to be seen, but Jourdan Dunn! She must have had a few hours off in the morning before she walked for Burberry SS11 in the afternoon, and chose to spend it in Whistles.

She purchased the hexagon draped jumpsuit (£195), the cut out back strap maxi (£120), the ivory Amy blouse (£95) and the Esther skater skirt (£125).

As for the Burberry show it was by far my favourite of Fashion Weeks so far. I'm already over the aviator - give me studded bikers and trench coats cinched with neon belts and accentuated with bright clutches any day. Apparently there was an issue with ill-fitting shoes resulting in poor old Nina Porter taking a rather dramatic tumble at the very end of the show (I wondered why her walk looked so awkward), but Jourdan looked cool, calm, composed and beautiful throughout.

'To Buy' List

Shoes - £59.99, Maxi - £25.99, Skater dress - £69.99, Midi - £49.99 - All Zara, lace up shoes - £24.99 - New Look.

Why do I always go to Zara a week before payday when I can't buy anything?! I really need to learn from my continuous mistakes here. I'm lusting over a midi skirt or dress for this season. I spotted some beautiful, soft, pleated midi skirts in black and cream/pink in the new Topshop LookBook today, so I'm keeping my beady eye out for those, but in the mean time I think this grey marl Zara Studio number will keep my cravings at bay. Loving it now with open toe heels, and in the colder months with cable knit leggings or socks, military boots and leather.

Also how stunning is this white skater dress? I feel very Blake Lively in it. I think it deserves to be worn on a special occasion, so I'm on the look-out for one of those too! Will someone get married/christened/engaged soon please. A birthday will do.

As for the sleek, minimalist wedges, I've actually been eyeing them up for some time. However I don't get on with Zara shoes - never found them particularly comfortable and always have to go up to a size 8, which depresses me a little.

What items are on your 'to buy' list come pay day?

Coletroversial

I've not exactly sung Cheryl Cole/Tweedy's praises in previous posts, but my negativity is generally chanelled towards her style. I have to admit I love her music and I've consistently watched her videos in repeat. How it is possible for someone to be so pretty I don't know. This is the video for her new single 'Promise This', and I think it's absolutely beautiful. I especially love her 90s dancing and topknot during the sped up clouds section - reminds me a little bit of Madonna - 'Ray of Light'.

Shoes Shoes Shoes. Again.

You'll have to excuse my posts this week as I'm blogging from my tired, clogged up old laptop as my very selfish boyfriend has taken his lovely Mac on a work course. I popped into Office today as I was contemplating getting a pair of shoes with the 20% off voucher currently in heat magazine. I can't really afford more to be honest, but couldn't resist the temptation of saving myself a few quid! I've been eyeing up the heeled brogues for some time now, but can't quite decide which colour I like best. Then I laid eyes upon these heeled hiking boots. I've been salivating over various styles like this from River Island and ASOS, but they all have such huge heels I just couldn't teeter around in them at work (especially with our five floors of stock room and office space!). These ones (£98) are a perfect height for more every day wear. Laces, khaki, gold hardware? Love love love!

Thanks Bertie!

I just wanted to say a huge thanks to Bertie and Leon at IUnderEye for inviting me to the Bertie blogger event on Tuesday night at the new store on South Molton Street. After a long day at work, and some serious debating on whether to go or not, I didn't arrive until 8:30, and most bloggers had already left, but I was thrilled to meet Sandra from 5Inch and Up, whose blog I have admired for months now. Us lucky bloggers were offered a free pair of shoes for posting about the event, and I already had these Reagan fur lined hiking boots in mind. I spotted them on the shelf and lo and behold, they were the last pair left and they were my size! Clearly it was meant to be.

A mention for Marc

I couldn't let my day's posting go by without a mention of Marc Jacobs SS11. Marc was by far one of my favourite shows for Autumn Winter. All those shimmering maxis, chunky knits and military boots sum up how I want to dress this season. And he's pulled it out the bag again for SS. Giant corsages adorned waists, shoulders and heads, 70s maxis reigned supreme and a colour palette of pinks, corals and oranges lit up the catwalk. Now where can I find such an outfit for my hol in Turkey next month?!

Still not over my maxi obsession...

Leopard print maxi - £29.99 - H&M

Aaaah H&M, I thank you. I saw this beautiful leopard print maxi dress on Giselle at Style of a Fashionista, earmarked it for future purchase and have been searching for it ever since. A quick dash into Hennes after work this evening proved worth the delay in dinner. Not only will I work this all winter with warm layers underneath (it's very sheer), chunky boots and leather, but it is just what I needed for my late summer jaunt to Turkey next month. So pleased!

Outfit of the week

I ordered this Mango skater dress from ASOS a couple of weeks ago now. It looked so amazing on the model, so I was skeptical to say the least about how it would fit a somewhat rounder figure, but I love it! The colour is just right, and it works styled up with military boots and leather just as well as it does with the new ASOS wooden platforms, as seen here.

And now I ask for your opinion... I, as I'm sure you do, love to read blogs such as WhereDidUGetThat and Style Scrapbook and 5 inches and up, which use beautiful and inspiring photography to punctuate and illustrate their blog posts. Much as I adore to pore over these images, I find them a little unattainable and aspirational. I wanted to know what readers of both my, and other blogs think about the styles of photography used. Mine are more often than not a quick shot taken with my iPhone in a fitting room, or as I'm about to run out of the door to work. Whilst I feel this is perhaps a point of difference and makes yourfittingroom a more realistic blog, I am considering trying to use more 'professional' photographing methods! What do you think? xxx

Blogger event

Bloggers take note! Bertie are offering a free, yes FREE, pair of shoes to London based bloggers who attend the launch of their brand new store. The event takes place at their South Molton Street branch on Tuesday 14th September at 6pm. All you need to do is send an email to Leon at lbent@thedunegroup.com stating your name and blog address for an invite, and then blog about the event. What could be easier?!

Oh the dilemma...

Opinions please! I ordered these platforms in tan and 'navy' (though I'd say they're more black) from ASOS. They were in the sale, hence the choice of both colours, but they're not entirely comfortable so I'm going to send one pair back. But which pair?! I'm leaning towards keeping the 'navy' but I need your help...

Saturday night

Saturday night outfit post, as promised:

Camisole - £12.99 - H&M, high waist trousers - £39.99 - Zara, purse - £28 - Accessorize, diamante heels - £59.99 - Zara.

Apologies for the poor quality photos - taken in a rush!

A trio of Chanel

If only I lived near Selfridges. The new Limited Edition Les Khakis de Chanel nail polish range is launched today. Sludgey browns and greys with purple, pink and green undertones are the rigueur du jour this winter, and needless to say Chanel is leading the way with Khaki Brun, Khaki Rose and Khaki Vert. After the success of Particuliere earlier this year, I'm not surprised by Khaki Brun, which looks very similar indeed, and Khaki Rose is pretty, though maybe better suited to a lipstick. However it's Khaki Vert I've got my eyes on. Perfect for channelling the military vibe championed by every designer worth their salt this season.

I'll be scouring eBay today for the first listings, but in the mean time I've satisfied my Chanel nail polish craving with Paradoxal, a stunning grey plum with red and violet microshimmer.

What is this?

Oh. It seems to be April again. I find this Vogue cover somewhat confusing considering it's the October issue. Anyone with me? Having said that, Cheryl DOES look beautiful, and I'm the first to admit I'm not a massive fan of hers (so contrived). I'm looking forward to seeing the full shoot and interview - I wonder when the interview took place (pre or post malaria?).

A fortnight's haul...

Yes I am a shopaholic.

High waist pleated trousers - £39.99 - Zara. Hard to see the beautiful embroidered detailing of the trouser, but it's almost like lace. I was looking for a black pair for evening and these are absolutely perfect. I wore them on Saturday night. Outfit post to follow.

Ivory Amy blouse - £95 - Whistles. Silk blouse with military style detailing, mother of pearl buttons and grandad collar. A key piece from the Whistles collection, this will go with almost every trouser and skirt style out there this season.

Babooshka foil stitch sweater - £130 - Whistles. Possibly the best named item of the season, this chunky rib stitched jumper has a metallic silver foil finish. Can't wait for the weather to turn so I can wear this with the mabel harems featured in my last haul post.

Knitted fisherman rib cardigan - £45 - Topshop. I bought a larger size in this so it is super big and baggy and long. It's so cosy!

Silk mix camisole - £12.99 - H&M. I wanted a feminine silky cami to wear with the Zara trousers on Saturday, and I liked the price of this one.

Tan lace up shoe - £25 - New Look. I loved these until I wore them to work and Saturday and they tore my toes apart :-(

Taupe lace up shoe - £8 - New Look. What a bargain, real leather too.

Chain print silk scarf - £55 - Whistles. Been eyeing this scarf up for a while, it really makes a simple outfit more interesting. Love the little whistle and horseshoe charm print.

Plaited loop belt - £40 - Whistles. As you can see I've been stocking up on Whistles accessories now that I've finally got my 50% discount.

Flowery clutch bag - £28 - Accessorize. I'd been needing a new clutch bag for ages, and this beautiful, dainty, feminine one fit the bill for Saturday night's outfit. The girls said it was very Carrie, so I'm happy with that!