My new home!

After three long months of commuting to various London stores, I finally have a Whistles home. We opened our new store in Brighton on Saturday, much to the delight of the town's shoppers. It is my excuse for neglecting the blog for the last few days, long hours and no energy when I get home. Can't wait to see what we get in delivery tomorrow!

Random tryings on

I had to model my new boots today. I traipsed round Brighton in them all day and they were mostly comfortable - nothing a little wearing in won't solve! I was on a mission today to find two outfits; one for a friend's birthday cocktails and one for my boyfriend's friend's 30th. Preferably an outfit that worked for both. But all I could find was knitwear as far as the eye could see. Topshop is knitwear floor to ceiling. H&M? Knitwear. Zara? Yes, knitwear. I was most disappointed.

I did manage to find a beautiful 'midi' length floral dress from Zara. Not really my style, definitely not right for either party, but a consideration all the same. And I'm loving the black skater skirt with the cream lace top in the second photo, but thinking that's a little more office appropriate. Please, any ideas?!

Top photo was an outfit possibility for a thai dinner with a girlfriend. Topshop jeans and shirt, Primark shoes and Whistles leather jacket. Bottom was today's outfit. Old Zara dress, old Topshop mac and NEW BOOTS!

Sorry for the random blathering, I'm half focused on this whilst watching Eastenders out of the corner of my eye.

Thank you Grazia

When I noticed Grazia had a 25% off voucher for Kurt Geiger inside this week's issue I knew these boots were meant to be mine. I know I've been going on about waiting till payday, but I got some expenses back from work, what perfect timing! I think these will be my go-to boots this winter. Not too high for work - they don't even feel like you're wearing a heel, and one of those things that make you feel instantly cool the minute you slip it on. Sublime.

Oh hello

I stupidly wondered into New Look a couple of days ago and stumbled upon these beauts being unpacked. I want them all! The peep toe wedges are SO mine for a friend's birthday this weekend, and the faux-fur lined boots are perfect heel height for work. Fingers crossed they're still in stock by payday. I might cry if they're not.

From top: Peep toe wedge - £24.99, lace up cuff boots - £29.99, suede fur trim wedges - £34.99 - All New Look.

This week's haul...

I wondered why I had no money left this week! I was up in London for work so I got enticed by beautiful new season drops in Topshop, Reiss and of course Whistles.

Knitted stripe cocoon jumper - £40 - Topshop. I've put a similar jumper in the link, as I can't find mine online. Reminds me of the knitwear Stella McCartney and Isabel Marant sent down the catwalks.

Mabel woven harems - £95 - Whistles. Already posted an outfit based around these gorgeous harems. They are THE colour of the season.

Short sleeve tab shirt - £38 - Topshop. A little obsessed with military style silky shirts, I love the details. This is a great silk alternative and a perfect mustard colour. Just saw Florence Welch wearing it - not sure how this makes me feel.

Maxi pleated jersey skirt - £79 - Reiss. Perfect, long, dark khaki jersey maxi. Boyfriend hates it, I love it for a Marc Jacobs look, with military boots and cable knit jumpers.

Petra Eyelet Dress - £150 - Whistles. Needed a new dress for meeting with the regionals this week. Apparently everyone who's everyone in the business is wearing the Petra. Just as amazing with gladiators as it is with tights and boots.

What I wore yesterday...

Denim jacket - £45 - Zara, vest - £20 - Whistles, mabel trousers - £95 - Whistles, tan satchel - £39.99 - H&M, sandals - £6 - New Look.

I've been eyeing up these trousers from the AW campaign for weeks, so I snapped them up the second they got delivered. The colour is perfect for the season, the shape is easy and comfortable to wear, and I FINALLY got my staff discount on Tuesday so they were half price too! What more could you ask for?

Finally some time to try things on...

I was hoping I wouldn't like any of these items. But no, it was one of those days when you grab random stuff, you try it on, you want it all, but you have no money. Thankfully payday isn't TOO far away. What items are on your wish list for purchasing at the end of the month?

From top: Crochet/lace top - £39.99 - Zara, navy trousers - £39.99 - Zara, tan trousers - £95 - Whistles, two tone dress - £39.99 - Zara, black skater dress - £79.99 - Zara, black sandals - £6 - New Look.

More treats from Zara

My eyes sought out this dress (middle photo) in Zara today. I've already raved about Zara's AW collection several times recently, but every time I go in, there's another treasure to be found. Annoyingly I didn't have the time to try it on or buy it, but I'm definitely going back in tomorrow to give it the time and attention it deserves.

I love how this dress combines trends from Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter, making it the ideal transitional piece. It's reminiscent of Alexander Wang's obsession with sporty tan and grey, highlighted perfectly in this leather shorts and marl tee combo. Yet it has a shot of ladylike chic so exquisitely exemplified by Phoebe Philo at Celine. Great for now with black sandals, or during colder climes with tights and lace up skater boots.

Bootiful boots

And so the hunt begins for the perfect pair of winter boots. This year I'm thinking black, I'm thinking ankle and I'm thinking wedge, with some laces and buckles thrown in. AW 2009 I wore my All Saints-esque military boots to death, and I think I'll pull them out again this year for a Zara/Marc Jacobs vibe, but I feel the need for a little elevation for work. I'm looking for a one boot fits all, but this suggests of course that whichever pair I pick needs to go with ALL my work uniform and comfort is paramount. No mean feat. What's your winter footwear of choice?

Boots from top: New Look, Office, Kurt Geiger, Kurt Geiger.

Most Wanted

Top - £59.99 - H&M

Camel? Leather? Minimalist? Celine? Yep yep yep. Love it.

My personal AW lookbook

H&M

Zara

Topshop

Whistles

If I had to pick one look from each of my four favourite stores' lookbooks this season, these are the images I'd go for. Simple, elegant and unfussy, these looks feature key pieces for Autumn Winter. Tailored trousers, military silk shirts, maxis, cosy knits, capes, skater boots, perhaps the only thing that's missing is the much hyped aviator jacket, and I've definitely got my name on one of those.
I actually can't wait to ditch my summer wardrobe now. Though it's only August, the weather feels more October and I hate transsitional dressing. This season is full of truely stunning pieces - I've got to say goodbye to my wages. What purchases have you got planned?

America's Next Top WHAT?!

Here's a trailer for the forthcoming season of America's Next Top Model. I'm not really a fan of the American version (much prefer the British one - especially since the AMAZING Elle took over), and this clip has been causing controversy throughout the media today.

Considering Tyra Banks, who has been pictured looking 'larger' herself, should be advocating a "seriously real model search", this wannabe model's figure comes as quite a shock.

Is it just about the viewing statistics, or is this body fascism at it's ugliest?

Most Wanted

Silk military shirt - £45 - Topshop

Next on my hit list for the coming season is this beautiful, simple silk military shirt. This Topshop incarnation is affordable and so Chloe. Have a look how Topshop themselves have styled it here. No doubt I'll be picking up the Whistles version so I can wear it to work. I can't get the image uploaded on the post, but get some inspiration here. Personally I'm desperate to put it with some camel tailored trousers, a tan belt and a satchel bag. So chic. When I get hold of that outfit, I'll be sure to post it!

I just couldn't resist

Vest - Whistles - £25, silk harems - Whistles - £125, satchel - H&M - 39.99, sandals - New Look - £6

These dundee print silk harems have been winking at me ever since a friend bought them early this year. Then they sold out. But now they're back in stock, and I spotted Ellie Goulding working them on Something for the Weekend (yes I am a geek) on Sunday morning, so I just couldn't resist. They look amazing with a simple black or white tee and flats or heels. I've become a bit of a harem convert - maybe a little too late because every magazine I read is saying harems are 'so over' - tell me it isn't true!

Maxi Inspiration

Ashley Olsen

River Island

Nicole Richie

Zara

Rachel Zoe

My key piece of the summer has probably been the maxi dress, and my collection has grown and grown, so I'm very pleased to see that the maxi's reign continues into AW10. The image from Zara's lookbook completely embodies the look I will be interpreting myself this coming season. I love the Zoe-ness of the grey jersey, teamed with the chunky cable knit and military boots. A look that is both practical and cosy. The designer who really showcased this trend to perfection was Marc Jacobs. Imagine gliding into a glamorous bar during a cold winter night in his beautiful gold sequin maxi, mustard knit, mussed up hair and coral stained lips. Faultless Autumn Winter dressing.

What I Wore... yesterday

Top - £22 - Topshop, belt - £9.99 - Hennes, skirt - £14.99 - Hennes, bag - £36.99 - River Island

I saw a version of this outfit on a girl wandering around Brighton the other day so I can't really take credit for it. I didn't realise how much I wanted a slinky black jersey maxi until I bought this one. It's long enough too, which is a bonus (as mentioned in previous posts I'm a good 5'8" if not a little more). You can wear it on your waist and hips too, so you get ultimate outfit options. One of my greatest maxi inspirations is Karen Blanchard at wheredidugetthat.com. If you haven't read her blog, do so. She gives a fashion masterclass in maxi wearing.

And the bag... I'm not usually a fake leather, obvious copy of a designer bag kind of girl, but this River Island one really caught my eye. More than a bit Alexa, with a little PS1 thrown in for good measure, this will see me through the first months of the new season.

Have you made any Autumn/Winter investments yet?

Zara's pulled it out the bag

Dress - £119.99 - Zara, trousers - £39.99 - Zara, vest - £20 - Whistles, sandals - £6 - New Look

I'd started going to Zara purely to say hello to former colleagues (I used to be a Visual Merchandiser there), but after a few dud seasons, Zara have pulled out all the stops. There is a trend full of furs and chunky knits in white and beige referencing Chanel AW10, but what really stood out was their English trend, full of heritage style cord, fur and quilted jackets, taking inspiration from everyone from Burberry to Chloe to Pringle. The perfect camel coat? The ideal fur-lined parka? Even my future wedding dress (see top photo), there is now many a Zara item on my Autumn/Winter wishlist. I'm keeping my eyes peeled for more...

Wedges Wedges Wedges

Wedges - both £85 - Office

THESE ARE THE SHOES I'VE BEEN SEARCHING FOR. I'll have both pairs please.

What I Wore

Linen tee - £65 - Whistles, jersey tube skirt - £40 - Whistles, tan satchel - £39.99 - H&M, sandals - £6 - New Look.

I spent about an hour of today rifling through my wardrobe looking for something to wear. Nothing looked right, nothing felt right. Thankfully I found my linen oversize tee thrown over a chair in the kitchen. It's a shape Whistles do so well, and I love it with a streamlined bottom half. Obsessed with the colour too. I'm definitely a khaki/tan girl. My outfits aren't complete without a tan accessory - be it belt, bag or shoes.

Do you ever have wardrobe meltdown?