Outfit Du Jour-Spring Summer Christening

Last weekend I had the absolute pleasure of being invited to the Boyfriend's baby cousin's christening. The sun was shining in the Shropshire hills, and we were blessed not to have any of the blustery winds that were visiting the week before. We travelled over the day before and the sky was grey, so I thought ahead (a rarity for me) and packed two outfits; one sun-suitable, one rain-ready.

My sunny delight was this.

Whistles Lara Dress, BCBG Max Azria Waterfall Jacket, Christian Dior Sunglasses and Carvela Shoes.

I topped the outfit off with my favourite Jimmy Choo clutch in acid pink to really make the outfit pop!

This outfit is also great to wear to a summer wedding, graduation ceremony or (lose the jacket) out on a date!

I'd love to know what you think!

"Don't Tell Your Kids They're Beautiful"

If you've been anywhere near Twitter, Facebook, a TV or the radio so far today, you will have probably heard the story of MP, Jo Swinson telling parents not to tell children that they're beautiful. Apparently this leads to 'body confidence issues' in later life, and makes kids think that appearance is the be all and end all in life.

I was told I was beautiful all the time by my parents, not because they wanted to feed my young ego, not because they are shallow, but because they loved me. They were proud of me, they brought me up to have self confidence, a high self esteem and to hold myself in high regard. And what's wrong with that?! Nothing. I admit, I love fashion as much as the next girl, isn't it engrained into our DNA to love fashion? But, I'm not some egotistical, image-obsessed bimbo that thinks with one flutter of my mascara-clad lashes and I'll get whatever I want. I'm sorry to tell you, the notion that "wearing a pretty outfit or having nice hair are the most important thing to succeed in life" must not have rubbed off on me Miss Swinson. In fact, I'm quite sure that the exact opposite happened. I learned to dress appropriately in a variety of situations, formal occasions, job interviews, even something as mundane as walking down the street. But it appears that many weren't. Perhaps if those girls that strut down the street in next to nothing, or the lads that saunter around with their trousers by their ankles, or in mucky old tracksuits, were put in a nice outfit and told that they were beautiful when they were younger, then they'd also have some pride in their appearance now?

As for this rubbish on it somehow being detrimental to self-esteem and encouraging a negative body image, I again must disagree. For anyone who knows me, you'll know that promoting body image diversity is a great passion of mine. A couple of my idols include Caryn Franklin (of All Walks Beyond the Catwalk) and Yasmina Rossi (the 50-something model featured in the M&S ad), and I 100% back their goals and ideals that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes, ages and ethnicities. This diversity is sadly not celebrated in the media mainstream yet, but doesn't it make more sense to tackle this problem than to neglect complementing our little ones?

 

I was also taught as a youngster (as I'm sure most youngsters are) that beauty comes from the inside too. It's a bit 'cheese on toast' I know, but bare with me. So many things come together to make a person beautiful, and we should be teaching and praising the children of today about all of these. I completely agree that we should be praising our children for their 'curiosity in asking questions", and their ability "to complete a jigsaw puzzle", but don't you think it's taking a step backwards to not celebrate their beauty?!

Surely the way to celebrate body confidence is to teach children that they are beautiful no matter how they look, and that their kindness and joie de vivre do nothing but add to that beauty?

What do you think? I'd love to hear your opinions in the comments box below!

Ciao, Mr Missoni

Hello everyone! I know, I've been away a looooooong time...In fact, I didn't blog once in April on here! Sorry all, but I do have an excuse, I'm house-hunting! It's going well so far, but it's very time consuming! I'm also in the process of looking for puppies! Hungarian Vizsla tops the most wanted list...

Now that I'm here, I also want to pay tribute to one half of one of the most incredible fashion duos in history. Ottavio Missoni passed away this morning aged 92 years. After meeting his wife Rosita in London in 1948 (he was there as the outfitter of the Italian Olympic Team no less), they married in 1953 and soon became a great force to be reckoned with in the fashion world. Known for his bold geometric designs, beautiful colours and bevies of bronzed beauties in his ad campaigns (Kate Moss, Rachel Weisz and Lara Stone to name but a few)! This is one man who may well be gone, but will most certainly not be forgotten. Here are a few of my favourite Missoni pieces to finish on...What are yours?

Breast is Best

Yes, today is National Cleavage Day. No really, it is. What on Earth I hear you ask is the point? A day thought up by Wonderbra? Or  a few handsy old men that haven't been laid in a while? Perhaps.

Don't get me wrong, I'm a champion of the female form and I freely admit that breast is best, but I can't help feel that this day should be something more than Wonderbra honouring a few famous ladies with special cleavage knighthoods (no really, they did). Holly Willoughby and Katherine Jenkins are four good examples of those 'lucky' enough to make it onto the list.

This day could have been the perfect platform with which to launch a breast cancer awareness campaign or some such similar idea. Instead of a pointless day staring at boobs (even if they are fabulous boobs). I may just be slightly bitter because no amount of tit tape, chicken fillets or 'massaging three times a day with olive oil' (unbelievably the most popular answer on Yahoo?!!) would even remotely resemble a cleavage on my non-existent chest, but can't help but think that someone missed a trick here. What do you think?

Global Kids Fashion Week

Global Kids Fashion Week ( GKFW ) went off with a bang last night in London. Gorgeous kids laughing, skipping and jumping along the runway, striking a pose here and there, and just generally having the times of their lives!

The FROW was filled with yummy mummies, like the fabulous Victoria Beckham with Harper in tow (well she's far too stylish to miss an event like this), and Pippa Vosper, editor of maternallychic.com - looking far too good for a recent mum (but she never was one to don the sweatpants anyway)!

Why where they here? To celebrate the Kids fashion industry of course. Full of fun, fluff and frivolities, Kidswear designers turned out in numbers, from Paul Smith to Tommy Hilfiger, those kids were picture perfect!

And with all the proceeds going to charity Kids Company, founders Alexa Till and Alex Theophanous must be ecstatic the first wet Global Kids Fashion Week went so well.

Read more on my GKFW blog for Cheltenham Fashion Week here:
http://www.cheltenhamfashionweek.co.uk/gkfw

Plastic Fantastic! Women's SS13 Fashion Trends

Ultra modern and slightly kinky. The two phrases that sum up my next spring/summer 2013 trend. Plastic has sneaked onto the scene almost everywhere this season, from wet-look whites, to dramatic brights.


Burberry, SS13

This look reminds me of childhood, remember those jelly shoes that I'm sure we all had a pair of?! Well, this is a similar kind of thing, only it's not just jelly shoes. It's 'jelly' coats and dresses, bags and macs. The glossier the finish, the better as far as this trend goes.

What I like about this trend is that it comes in a variety of 'ways to wear'. For the bold; a bright blue Holly Fulton jacket, for the not so bold; a plastic accent such as those seen on Hussain Chalayan's wide-brimmed hats (a bit space age but some people dig futuristic fashion and who am I to judge). I personally love the look this way, a plastic peplum here, a kinky collar there.

 
Chalayan, SS13




Holly Fulton, SS13

This trend ties in nicely to the high-shine of iridenscense. Wear your plastics with shimmering finishes to kill two birds with one suitably stylish stone. Stick to nudes and sheer or incorporate high-gloss accessories for a more subtle way to wear.


Simone Rocha, SS13

Although I don't think I'm brave enough to wear head-to-toe polyethylene or some such other substance without looking like Jessica Rabbit, (and not a sexy human representation-the actual cartoon version), there is a place for plastic accents and accessories in my book. Perfect to add a smidge of texture and detail to an outfit.

Are you brave enough to try this trend? Let me know your thoughts!

Floral Madness, Women's SS13 Trends

When thoughts turn to Spring Summer, pretty perennials are never far from our minds. Just as in nature, spring bursts onto the fashion scene with an explosion of flowers, textures and colours.


Valentino, SS13

Applique florals, beaded blossoms and printed petals in lace, organza and silks, are just the beginnings of the wonderous melting (plant) pot that is one of my favourites of the SS13 trends. Pick a peony-printed day dress or opt for a beautiful bouquet embroider - there really are a multitude of ways to wear florals. Including a nod to the sixties with boxy jackets covered in giant daisies from Simone Rocha and Giambattista Valli.

 

Alberta Ferretti, SS13, Josie Natori, SS13

I do always love a good floral trend, so feminine, so happy. It really is the pinnacle of summer and never fails to cultivate a smile on my face. A favourite designer of mine, Erdem, is the king of the floral piece and a truly regal royal blue dress that I have been obsessed with for the past two seasons is still perfect to wear this spring summer!

Erdem, AW13

So let that happiness grow inside with the thought of florals this season. And with the range of colours, patterns and pieces on show, there's something for everyone, even if just an accent by Alexander McQueen...



What's your favourite flower this spring summer?
Will you be blossoming in sculpted sprigs or incorporating one key piece with plains?