Trend Watch: Flower Prints

Now is a really interesting time of year fashion-wise as we see the catwalk collections filter down into the pre-season ranges that are just now beginning to appear in the shops for us all to drool over. One of the biggest trends of the year - PRINTS - is going absolutely nowhere. I'm glad because I think this trend alone is allowing everyone to add a bit of excitement to their wardrobes. Sure, we'll probably all look back at photographs of us in 2007 in years to come and think 'my God what was I wearing' but lets at least have fun with it now whilst we can. The prints you'll see in the stores are very varied but flower prints are one style that's gaining a lot of exposure. This v-neck tie waist top by FCUK [£55 /pictured top left] is stunning and works perfectly for autumn/winter for a multitude of different occasions. Expect to see a lot of this deep purple colour around. This rose swirl print silk cami by Warehouse [£35 / pictured bottom left] is also a great buy.

Lauren Conrad in Arden B

You gotta love it when celebrities wear clothing and accessories that are pretty attainable for us all. I really like Lauren Conrad's style as she tends to mix it up a little - a Forever 21 dress with a Chanel clutch. It works and frankly, when you're out partying every week who wants to spend hundreds on a dress you'll only want your friends to see you in once. Lauren was spotted this week in this sexy gold dress by Arden B - a great place for evening tops and dresses.

Celebrity Weight Loss: Jessica Alba

When I spotted this photograph of Jessica Alba (pictured this past week) the phrase 'lolly-pop head' immediately sprang to mind. Jessica has gradually lost weight over the past 18 months but I really didn't think she'd get any thinner, especially after professing in several interviews that she's a curvy women (what curves?!) who isn't interested in succumbing to Hollywood's size zero expectations. Does anyone else think she lost maybe another 7 pounds?

Yay or Nay? : J Crew Varsity Cardigan

I've never shopped at J Crew before but stumbled across this Heather Grey Varsity Cardigan yesterday. I'm intrigued by it and half of me says it'll be a very comfortable (oversized style with cashmere) item which will look cute in Autumn/Fall over a white tank teemed with black jeans. Being the celebrity follower that I am the fact that it also reminds me of a sweater (with two purple stripes to the left sleeve) that Jennifer Aniston wore on Friends is also attracting me. I think the other half of me is making me distancing myself because of the price...$128 (approx £63). Now, this may not seem too expensive to you but I don't know J Crew and have never felt the quality of their garments. What do you think is it a Yay? Or Nay? Would you wear this?

30% off at Shop Epic

The summer sale savings are not over yet girls - fab online designer store Shop Epic are offering us 30% off orders over $100. Use code SUMMERSAVE at the checkout. Head straight to the T-Bags and Juicy Couture. I also noticed a new style of Oh Deer pumps - the satin sling - so HOT!

New UK Online Fashion Store: Oli

UK girls, we have a new online fashion store: Oli. The store carries brand names such as Warehouse, Oasis and Accessorize alongside cheaper throw-away fashion garments at one end of the spectrum and designer labels such as Jasmine Guiness, Jodie Kidd and Naughty at the other end. Take a look and let me know what you think. What I do particularly like about the site is that you can see every garment on a real model - this is like the Catwalk feature some forward-thinking online store have adopted and really helps you to get a feel about how it's going to look in real life. I'm tempted by the following: We have too few online stores in the UK so i'm always happy to see a new one crop up. I wonder how successful this one will be? I signed up for the newsletter/email last week and yesterday received a 15% code with free delivery.

Rate Her Outfit: Jessica Alba

Here's your chance to rate Jessica Alba's most recent outfit (yesterday in Madrid, Spain). Feel free to leave a comment and be as brutal or honest as you please! Jessica Alba is pictured at a photocall for her new film Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer and is dressed head to toe in Versace (shoes and mini-dress):~

The Sunglasses of 2007: Tom Ford Whitney

I've just bought a pair of Prada 75G sunglasses (photos to follow), which I love, but now i'm yearning for something a little more glamorous. God only knows why i'm getting an addiction to sunglasses when the sun shines, oh, maybe once per month in England. I have my eye on these fabulous Tom Ford Whitney, which have old-skool Hollywood glamour written all over them. These have undoubtedly been THE sunglasses of 2007 with Gwen Stefani, Angelina Jolie, Nicky Hilton, Christina Aguilera and Jessica Simpson all spotted in them. Please leave a comment and tell me which shades you are sporting this year. Here's a little deal for you...use the discount code '1234' at checkout at Sunglasses Italy and you'll receive a massive 20% off your order (code applies to in-stock frames) - note that shipping to the US is FREE.

Mr & Mrs Smith Hotel Guides

As someone who loves to travel (and shop along the way!) I've just had the pleasure of receiving a hotel guide like no other ~ Mr & Mrs Smith Hotel Collection: European Cities. If you've ever had your stay ruined by a dodgy hotel where you've been met with dirty carpets, a musty smell and frayed bed sheets (haven't we all) then this is the guide for you. The authors of this must-have book have provided us with a definitive guide to the best boutique hotels across 17 of Europe's most fashionable cities, including my personal favourites London, Paris and Barcelona. Hotel J in Stockholm photographed by Adrian Houston for Mr & Mrs Smith You'll find reviews from big names such as Stella McCartney alongside striking photography, making this the perfect coffee table book. I particularly like the insider tips on where to eat, drink and most importantly, shop at each destination. What makes the guide so unique is the membership card that comes along with it, which entitles you to special treatment at each of the featured hotels. Live the V.I.P lifestyle why don't you. Examples are champagne on arrival, room upgrades and wait for it...late check-out. Heaven. As this simple, yet innovative idea has gained in popularity, more guides have been released to include UK & Ireland and European Coast & Country. Even a super-chic soundtrack, Something For The Weekend, has followed. Amazon currently has 35-44% off the collection so now is a great time to get big luxury for a small price.

Reese Witherspoon Carries the YSL Yris

The Yves Saint Laurent Yris Hobo, retailing at a little over $1,000 and released earlier this year never achieved much popularity, especially if you compare it the the YSL Muse. The stock photograph at Neiman Marcus simply doesn't do the bag justice. Reese Witherspoon was spotted in it last week and made it look sooo much better. The bag was reduced to a very reasonable $548 but is now all sold out online (probably on the back of Reese's appearance with it!). As i'm in the UK it's a bit too much hassle (and I don't trust myself with a light coloured bag) but if it appeals to you then you could try Neiman's fabulous 'live chat' facility. Ask them to try to locate the bag in one of their many stores and if you get lucky they'll do a charge-send to your home.

Jessica Kagan Cushman Bangles

Gee, this is just one of those ideas I really wish i'd thought of! Jessica Kagan Cushman has brought out a range of bangles each with a slogan such as 'You're not the boss of me' and 'Does this bracelet make me look fat'. I love them! Keeping in mind the sheer magnitude of success enjoyed by the producers of slogan tees this looks like it could be a real winner. As soon as one of these unusual bangles appears on a young Hollywood celeb (which, I have no doubt, it will) then these will fly off the shelves. Unique concept huh? I wonder how long it will take for the likes of Forever 21 to produce a knock-off. What do you think?

Fashion & Celebrity News

£2000 Denim Giveaway! [Denimology] The Louis Vuitton I Phone Case [Bag Bliss] Jessica Alba's Look for Less [Frugal Fashionista] Hayden Panetierre In VIX [I Heart That] Libertine for Target Available Now [Nitro:licious] Mustard Yellow is IN! [Omiru] AW 07: Bows [My Fashion Life] Sequins [Style Bytes] David Beckham's Official Blog Launches [Just Jared]

Nicole Richie Hides Her Bump In Kate Moss for Topshop

Well we all know Nicole Richie is pregant now and what better way to flatter a growing bump than in this print dress by Kate Moss for Topshop. Sold out online, your best bet is eBay where i've spotted some starting from around £45. This poppy dress has been the most outstanding seller to date - perhaps because style icon Nicole gave it the thumbs up. Out of all the celebrity collaborations (Lily Allen for New Look, Madonna and Kylie for H&M etc), unsurprisingly Kate Moss has been the most successful increasing Topshop's already massive sales by a whopping 20% since launch.

Topshop Has a Code! £5 off £40 Spend

It is VERY rare for Topshop to have a code - I just came across it on the internet by chance last night. It was all the nudging I needed to buy this unusual ruched neck top [£20] i've been eyeing over the past week. I'll be wearing this with black skinny jeans, black peep toes and lots of gold jewellery - bangles and earrings. To make up to the £40 I also got this cardigan [£30] which i'll wear for work teamed with a C & C classic layering tank. The code to use is SCDS15 to get £5 off a £40 spend. I could have spent a fortune but I was trying to be practical...plus i've not been happy with the quality of Topshop lately. I've had a few casual t-shirt style tops which have gone straight in the bin after a few wears - has anyone else noticed a quality issue of late?

Must See: ALDO Summer Sale

I've been a big fan of Aldo for a few years now, ever since I stepped in to their Covent Garden store. My friends are still clueless and look at me with screwed up confused faces whenever I mention 'Aldo' even though we've had a store near us (up North!) in the newly renovated Manchester Arndale Centre for over a year now. The UK website is still relatively new and is a godsend as there are still far too few Aldo stores! Aldo is great for jewellery - good quality and cheap but not as commonplace as other high street finds so you're less likely to see someone else wearing your stuff. I particularly like the tooth charm necklace [now £3.47], silver flats [now £29.95] and anchor necklace [now £3.47]. There is currently FREE DELIVERY regardless of the size of your order! Sale aside, if you go for the whole coloured-shoes trend, aren't these Sassandra at £60 just delightful.

Eva Longoria in Chanel

Eva Longoria has rocked several stunning outfits this past weekend (including a wedding dress!) and certainly looked pretty in pink in this Spring 2007 Chanel dress with the most daring of hemlines. Off course with her tiny frame she can pull it off, no problem. Eva pulled on this outfit to walk to Paris' City Hall on Friday to make it legal with now-hubby Tony Parker. She is carrying the infamous 'Eve' clutch by Lauren Merkin in silver. Lindsay Lohan and Lily Allen both sported the white version of this straight-from-the-runway Chanel dress in May - click here to see the full range of photographs.

My Devi Kroell for Target Hobo Bag

Devi Kroell for Target was recently launched and I've pre-ordered the hobo in Anthracite which looks like a slightly metallic dark charcoal grey with a snakeskin effect. I figured this would be a really useful bag which is likely to match with a ton of different outfits. It could even work for evening if you're the type that rock the oversized bag trend. The price is $34.99 (plus shipping). For an original Devi Kroell snakeskin hobo you'll get little spare change out of $3,000. Here's an in-real-life photo of my hobo in the light goldtone [photo courtesy of Jessica Style Forums]. The bag is already getting rave reviews on the Target website. Here's an example: "This bag is absolutely beautiful. The texture really looks like python skin and very well made. It's roomy enough to use as a work bag and is not as structured as pictured. The bag drapes nicely once it's filled." Now i'm really excited to receive mine!

S.W.O.R.D Leather Jacket

Can anyone tell me why Shopbop would be so mean as to send me this email today of the most 'must-have' jacket I have EVER seen, allow me to imagine myself wearing it in each of the ways shown in the four styled photographs and then let me click through and see that the S.W.O.R.D Argenta Jacket is completely *Sold Out*. Arghhhhh!!! I hate you Shopbop. There are 3 other style of jacket by S.W.O.R.D on offer but they don't quite compare (IMO). Have any of you seen this stocked elsewhere?

Topshop Sale Launches Today!

But don't get too excited...it's not all that great. With Topshop generally churning out a lot of cute stuff most lines sell out at full price, which means the sales are never that inspiring. Don't listen to me though - log on to Topshop to see if you can find a gem amongst the average.

American Apparel 10% Off!

Now this is a first (so completely warrants a post of its own) - American Apparel have just added 170 new lines to the UK web site and are offering us 10% off until 16th July using code JULY07UK at the checkout. Geri Halliwell was recently spotted in their Sheer Jersey Long Sleeve Henley Dress (in 'Sangria' worn over jeans). The quality is very good but I did have to wait 4 weeks for a refund on a returned item recently (so be prepared to chase them on the telephone should you need to return). If you love AA and want to stock up you should consider taking a look at eBay seller 'Tuffy' - link is located in the left sidebar under 'Recommended eBay Sellers' as her prices are unbeatable.

Shopbop Celebrates July 4th...

By giving us some awesome discount codes. Also valid on sale items. Happy shopping at Shopbop.com AND Happy 4th July [for tomorrow!] to all my America readers ;o)