It's All Black and White

etailPR are hosting a competition to win £75 to spend at marc b. and £175 to spend at ASOS - once I'd had a peek at marc b.'s amazing selection of new season bags and acquainted myself with the latest additions to the ASOS treasure trove, I couldn't wait to enter!

I decided to concoct an outfit around the Molly Black Ostrich Handbag - a classic ladylike style with evocations of mid-twentieth century Hollywood, and the perfect go-anywhere accessory to this spring's monochrome mania.

Inspired by the vintage feel of the bag, I wanted to create a glamorous "starlet" silhouette with an elegant high-waisted below-the-knee pencil skirt, ladylike shoes and fascinator, but gave it a contemporary twist with playful touches like the bear ears and two-tone ankle socks. The tucked-in baseball jacket plays up the '50s Americana vibe and adds a hint of sports luxe. For a more casual feel, I'd leave the top untucked and swap the heels for black patent wedge high-tops, and the fascinator for a blinged-up baseball cap. See? Wear anywhere.

Molly Black Ostrich Handbag, £49 - marc b.

Premium Leather Snake Effect Skirt, £90; Baseball Jacket, £40; Bear Fascinator, £12; Pixel Pointed High Heels, £40; Monochrome Ankle Socks, £4 - All ASOS

How do you feel about monochrome? I've always loved it, so I'm taking every opportunity to rock the look at the moment!

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My First Cat Print Dress and the Wonders of (the) Amazon

With pointy ears ticked off the list, I was still desperate to get my paws on some cat print clothing... So I'm indebted to both Daxon, who were as good as their word in sending me my £50 Amazon voucher for joining their VIP Blogging Network, and Victoria from Victoria's Vintage, who recently enlightened me to the feline delights that can now be found amongst the bookshelves in the Amazon warehouse...

This AX Paris dress is on sale here and here (strangely at 2 different prices!), with a few 8s, 10s and 12s still waiting to be snapped up. The elasticated waistline does require a belt, and I'd recommend going up a size if you're busty, as the waistline is quite high, but overall, I'm in love with the sweetly flirty style and elegant nude and black colourway - perfect for my first foray into cat print!

Dress: AX Paris (available here and here), Shoes: Marks & Spencer (£15, available here), Belt: Primark (Past Season)

I'm sure it will see me right through Spring/Summer, but for now, I'm styling it with a chunky black jumper and ankle boots to see off the late winter chills!

Dress: As Above, Jumper: Primark (Current), Boots: Primark (Past Season)

I also snapped up a nail art brush and tool kit (first attempts to use it haven't met with great success, but this is probably more the fault of the workwoman than the tools - kinda wishing I'd gone for this one now, and blown the extra £3!) and two gorgeous vintage fashion coffee table books - 100 Years of Fashion and Marilyn in Fashion - I'm a bit of a history geek and love reading about the evolution of fashion, and how it ties in with societal change, but even if you're not, the pictures are lush! Full reviews coming soon...

I'm sure Amazon are trying to make the need for shopping anywhere else obsolete... Which I'm in no way complaining about, as long as I can tick kitty slippers off my list next.

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A Couple of Changes And A Few Great Offers

I just wanted to take a minute to introduce you to a couple of changes I've made to the blog - the main one is the addition of a new Deals & Sales page, which I'll be keeping updated with the latest special offers, discount codes and sales as I hear about them.

My inbox is constantly inundated with amazing deals, and it's become so hard to keep track of them all that I thought it would be really useful, for me as well as you, to have them all in one place. So, if you're planning a spot of online shopping, you'll be able to see at a glance whether there are any sales or special offers on at any of your favourite stores (in the name of full disclosure, some, but by no means all, of the retailers I mention are affiliates - I'm collecting the best offers I can find regardless of whether I might make a few pennies from them or not). All deals are valid for UK readers - many will also be available to my international shopaholics, but you'll obviously need to check delivery policies etc.

As well as fashion and jewellery offers, I'm collecting all the beauty, gift, homeware, travel and fitness-related deals I can find too. There are lots of special offers around as Valentine's approaches, so check it out! Deals ending soon are highlighted (if you're after anything from Wallis, they're offering 24% off until midnight tonight, so get in quick).

I expect to be updating the page most days, but will try and send out a Twitter/Facebook alert when I do, as I won't be publishing a new post every time! So, if this is something that will help you out, great, and if not, you can just ignore it as it won't be cluttering up my home page.

The other update I've made is to my How To Wear... page - I've added links to my more recent posts (e.g. How To Wear Disco Pants, 5 More Ways to Wear... etc etc) as well as links to all other posts featuring the key items and trends I've discussed. I'll be attempting to keep it in good order from now on!

Phew - pre-spring clean complete!

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Rocking Baroque Into 2013: 5 More Ways to Wear Metallics

Metallics will be shimmering on into Spring/Summer again this year, so I thought I'd show you how I'm wearing them post-party season...

The Baroque Jeans

The Michaela jeans were the first thing into my basket when my Boohoo shopathon began - it was love at first sight. Although I love disco pants and velvet leggings (close enough to the "trouser" threshold to be flaunted without concern for top length), I've never really been a printed leggings girl, so I was ecstatic to find this now-iconic motif on something a bit more substantial!

As I warned in my original How to Wear Metallics post, shiny, light-coloured surfaces can make the wearer appear larger than actual size, so, unless you're seriously snake-hipped, balancing this effect out with a bit of added volume on your top half is a good idea, whether it's with a peplum or a slouchy tee or sweater. I've been sticking to a black and gold colour palette with these patterned lovelies, to avoid the 5-year-old-in-the-fancy-dress-box look, but chocolate box neutrals and rich berry tones also look great with plain gold varieties.

Lace and Leather

Jeans*: Boohoo (Current), Top: New Look (Current), Shoes and Belt: Primark (Past Seasons)

A black peplum top and killer heels work perfectly with metallic jeans for a high-octane glam look which still lets your legs do the talking (or, er, walking). A waist cinching belt emphasises curves - leather and buckles add a hit of tough girl (I did try a pretty-pretty version but decided it rendered the overall look a bit pedestrian).

Heavy Metal Princess

Jeans* and Boots*: Boohoo (Current), T-Shirt: Forever 21 (Past Season), Body Chain: Topshop

Who says you can't rock head-to-toe metallics in February? For an edgier evening look, Lita-likes and a loose tee are perfect partners... this look really wouldn't be cool if the tones matched exactly, but I think the carefree clash just saves it! I piled on a gold body chain for a final dash of rock star chic.

Blackout

Jeans*: As Above, Jumper and Trainers: Primark (Current)

*Part of my Boohoo #PartyPose People's Choice Winner's Haul

Adding some mid-winter cheer to your standard jean-jumper-trainer combo - sticking to black separates keeps it daylight-appropriate.

The Pleated Skater Skirt

Although my wardrobe seems to have experienced a great gold rush over the last few seasons, I had to have this pewter skirt... But, perhaps due to the aforementioned gilt addiction, it's been a little neglected... You might just have spotted it with my £2 bralet wonder-buy in my How To Wear Sequins post, but I was determined it would see the light of day again before next Christmas!

Slouch and Creep

Skirt: Forever 21, Jumper: Marks & Spencer (Past Season), Creepers: New Look

How to dress anything down 101 - the relaxed sweater. If I've done it once I've done it a thousand times, but it's always a winner! Grey tones in effortlessly with silver shades - I slipped on some contrasting creepers to tone the look down a little more.

Mixed Metals

Skirt and T-Shirt: Forever 21, Shoes and Pony Holder: Primark (Current), Necklace: Peacocks (Past Season)

A little DIY-alloying - I think it works well with these slightly muted metallics - the bronze-gold tee and pewter-silver skirt combination isn't too loud. I added a black and gold statement necklace to dress the look up with a bit of a Baroque vibe, whilst my new £6 Primark wonder-brogues and pony-holder keep it cute and quirky.

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Valentine Date-Dress Dilemmas Solved by Coast

As February dawns, thoughts begin to turn towards that most dreaded/eagerly anticipated day of the year (delete as applicable). Deciding on the perfect gift, outfit, destination (preferably incorporating a buffer zone of at least 3cm of "personal space" between you and the 987 other couples there)... leaving the booking of said destination to your other half and ending up on his hygienically-challenged mate's sofa wearing sequins whilst "enjoying" some hardcore rap (true story) - Valentine's Day is a minefield which I'll happily eschew for a night living vicariously through the Kardashians this year. If you are throwing yourself unto the breach, however, maybe I can offer a few words of consolation, or at least point you in the direction of the perfect peplum.

As part of their Dating Dress Diary competition, Coast have asked bloggers to reveal their past dating style disasters, but allowed them to redeem themselves by putting together the dream Valentine's outfit from their current collection, for the chance to win £100 worth of beautifully appropriate clothes.

I'm happily resigned to being pretty much permanently overdressed by most people's standards, but, on the odd occasion, it's been ever-so-slightly excruciating... Particularly on the teenage first date when "going out for a drink" turned out to refer to a night in the pub with 6 other people (all clad in scruffy combats, jeans and Converse), overlooked by some rather interested old men having their regular evening pint - I was wearing my brand new sheer mesh top (with underwear underneath, yes, thank-you-very-much, but no other modesty preserving layers to speak of). I kept my (faux fur) coat on as long as I could without frying alive, and it didn't do much to endear me to the female contingent, but, hey ho, I think the guy(s) liked it!

Moral of the story: Stay true to yourself and your personal style, yes, but know your destination and your audience, and, if in doubt, keep your underwear firmly under (opaque) wraps. These days, I'd go for a slightly more, um, classic look (at least for the first date!).

My Dream Date Outfit

Arabella Lace Top, £80; Tressi Full Skirt, £115; Rachella Fur Cover Up, £75 £45; Paloma Pearl Clutch, £60; Dottie Shoe, £85 £25; Tatum Earrings, £20; Freya Band, £25 (All Coast - click on item names to view details or buy)

Classic definitely doesn't need to be synonymous with "boring" though - this is what I'd wear if Chace Crawford got hold of my number and begged me to clear a space in my diary for champagne cocktails on the 14th... It would also be perfect for the champagne afternoon tea at the Savoy with the girls that I actually have planned!

Although I do love a little red dress for Valentine's, this time I decided to play around with monochrome separates for a timelessly chic and very OTM look. Striking a balance between sexy (courtesy of the top's bodycon fit and sheer lace panel), sophisticated (you can't beat a just-below-the-knee cut for a shot of '50s elegance) and fun (come on - a tutu and faux fur), all wrapped up in a princessy package painted in shades of Grace Kelly.

I'd accessorise my trademark beehive with the super cute diamante hair band, showing off those gorgeous earrings to full effect. In terms of make-up, I'd either go for smoky eyes and neutral lips, or a matte red lip teamed with a simple feline eyeliner flick.

My "Ready for Anything" Outfit

Beau Knit Dress, £150 £95; Livia Cape Coat, £195; Billie Bow Belt, £12 £7; Bow Clutch, £60 £35; Tess Shoe, £85

But for anyone who's still haunted by memories of fashion-related romantic wipeouts past, or taunted by the possibility of a future faux-pas, I also wanted to put together a failsafe go-anywhere ensemble - as long as you don't end up doing some romantic rock-climbing or something, this outfit should be date-proof - perfectly practical and practically perfect, whether you end up at Claridge's or Wagamama. You could even wear it straight from the office!

The bodycon knitted peplum dress is sexy-but-demure, and the cut-out sides give the classic courts a subtly sexy twist. I've retained an elegant monochrome colour palette, aside from the pink belt, which injects some sweetness and sass. The cape tops the look off beautifully - keeping you stylishly sophisticated and warm (if your chauffeur happens to have the night off) - its volume balances out the bodycon skirt section, whilst the belt ensures your curves look their best outside as well as in.

Beauty-wise, I'd complete this look with my even-more-trademark loose waves or a messy top knot to soften the graphic outline, a flirty-eyed flick, and a bright pink lip to match the belt if I was feeling cheeky.


What are your Valentine's Day plans? Have you planned your outfit yet? Any past debacles you're determined not to repeat?

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