A Little Bird Told Me

90s Style - It's Totally Rufus!

2012-01-31T17:30:00.000Z

"Do you know what time it is?"
"A watch doesn't really go with this outfit, daddy."
Clueless

Topshop leather trousers, Uniqlo cashmere jumper, H&M blouse, wedge heels c/o Sarenza, Lauren Elan necklace, Miss Selfridge necklace

I loved the 90s. The 90s was my TIME. My most important teenage years took place between 1997 and 1999 - I experimented with hair mascara (and boys), wore a Slipknot hoody, swapped Bliss for Elle Girl and watched many, many rom coms. Back then, fashion blogging was still a twinkle in Susie Bubble's eye and magazine editorials were far too serious, so all my style inspiration came from music and movies.

I went through phases - in 1997 I was obsessed with The Spice Girls and wore stacked Buffalo platform trainers with embellished jeans and slogan tees. After watching Clueless for the first time I took up pleated skirts and knee high socks. Then came my The Craft inspired goth phase, complete with heavy eyeliner and swathes of black lace. The 90s was the decade of the fad and my friends and I always participated - from Cleopatra's goggles to All Saints and their baggy cargo pants.

I think today's outfit has a distinct 90s vibe. Maybe it's the preppy shirt-and-jumper (so Cruel Intentions) or the pointy court shoes (very Posh Spice). All I know is I've spent all day looking up my favourite 90s film quotes and reciting Shaznay's rap from Never Ever. Can we have the 90s back, please?

Do you remember the 90s? Which trends sum up the decade for you? And can you name the film that's inspired today's post title? 10 points to the first correct answer!

What Jen Did - Very SS12 Preview

2012-01-30T17:30:00.000Z

Last week I popped down to London for a few meetings, a spot of shopping and the Very SS12 preview event. I'm always thrilled to be invited to press events - there's always lots of food, a steady stream of alcohol and plenty of other bloggers. What's not to love?

Admittedly, Spring/Summer is not my favourite season, and January is hardly the month to inspire thoughts of bare arms and beachy hair. But after three glasses of Prosecco and a mint green manicure, I was feeling decidedly sunny! The bright, bold colours and contrasting prints soon pushed all thoughts of a Slanket from my mind.

I'm looking forward to wearing all the romantic, floaty styles coming for Spring 2012, so I was particularly pleased to spot an abundance of chiffon and pastels. This gorgeous beaded dress has a 40s feel about it too - perfect for fans of the vintage-inspired look.

Hi Kim!

I wore my vintage leather pencil skirt, a mint green jumper from Forever 21, grey flats c/o Sarenza and my faithful ASOS necklace. In hindsight, the leather skirt was probably not the best thing to wear on a 2.5 hour train ride. Luckily I regained my circulation when I got off!

The lovely people at Very were kind enough to provide us all with a generous goody bag - mine included a beautiful red lipstick from Daniel Sandler and these amazing leopard print brogues. J'adore!

It was great to see some of my old favourites - Kristabel, Becca, Kavita, Lily, Tor, Reena and Sophie - as well as meet some new bloggers I've been following for a while - Claire, Susie and Kim. Thanks Very!

What Do You Wear At The Weekend?

2012-01-29T17:21:00.000Z

I've always considered the weekend a bit of a fashion No Man's Land. After a week of shoehorning myself into leather pencil skirts and never wearing enough layers, I start my Saturdays in yoga pants, a 5-year-old uni hoody and Ugg boots. Admittedly, it does get better after my Pilates class but for me, weekends are usually about casual comfort.

Zara jeans and faux fur gilet, Uniqlo cashmere jumper, Zign brogues c/o Zalando, 'take charge' necklace c/o astrid & miyu

This is what I wore today. Not a bad outfit, but nothing to write home about. Neither stylish nor heinous. And very typical of what I wear at the weekend.

I very rarely snap my weekend outfits because I like the break from blogging. Documenting what you wear every day is brilliant motivation for being more creative with your style, trying new things and moving away from your comfort zone (hello jeans!), but it's also nice to just throw on the first thing you think of (hello again, jeans!). And honestly, it's a bit of a relief to put on an outfit without wondering if it'll make a popular post.

What do you wear at the weekend?

How To Wear Coloured Jeans (Take Two)

2012-01-26T17:30:00.001Z

If you've been reading Little Bird for a little while you might remember this post from last summer, where I explored ways to wear coloured jeans without looking like a 5 year old (tackling the tough issues, as always). Those peachy keen Diesel denims were my first foray into coloured jeans, and since then I've amassed quite the collection of eye-popping leg coverers. But these are perhaps my favourites...

Next coloured jeans, American Apparel tee, vintage wool boucle jacket via charity shop, Ara flats c/o Sarenza, Etui London clutch, F21 necklace, 'adore me' necklace c/o astrid & miyu, ring via charity shop

Next do the BEST coloured skinny jeans. Ever. They're the perfect fit with just the right amount of stretch, they come in loads of stylish shades AND they're only £24. The range comes highly recommended by me if you're looking to buy in to the trend without spending a fortune/leaving the changing room aghast when a pair of size 12s won't go over your bum *ahem Topshop ahem*.

But how to wear them? My earlier post saw me team them with crisp whites - great for summer, not so much for mid-January. So this time around, I chose dark grey marl and a heavy jacket in complementary but contrasting colours, along with a colour pop clutch and a bit o' bling. The jacket was a particularly good charity shop find, while the beautiful antique necklace was kindly sent to me by the lovely ladies at astrid & miyu.

And that's it - my winter-friendly way to wear coloured jeans. What do you think - are you sold?

PS - My cute flats were sent to me by Sarenza as part of their blogger ambassador programme. They're currently running a competition to find a new member of the gang - if you'd like to enter you can find all the details here. Good luck!

Giveaway - ghd Deluxe Scarlet Collection Set

2012-01-25T17:30:00.001Z

Oh happy day - it's giveaway time at A Little Bird Told Me! I have an amazing prize up for grabs and entering couldn't be easier... take a look!

This is the rather amazing Scarlet Deluxe Collection Kit from ghd. Isn't it pretty?

Inside the sumptuous red box is a pair of super smooth, red-plated ghd straighteners, a cute travel hairdryer, a protective plate guard, a heat resistant styler clutch vanity case and 2 sectioning clips. And you could win it all!

Because you're worth it
If you'd like to win a Deluxe Scarlet Collection Set for your very own, just tell me a truly hair raising tale. I want to know, in no more than 100 words, about your best bad hair day. The time your BFF convinced you 80s perms were back, or when you went in for a cute pixie crop and came out with a mullet. It's okay - we've all been there!

In the interest of sisterhood, I'll tell you my story. Way back in 1998, Friends was huge and everyone wanted 'The Rachel', including me. Aged 13, off I popped to the hairdressers to spend an hour being primped, preened and layered. Unfortunately my hair has neither the bounce nor the thickness of Jennifer Aniston's, and The Rachel fell decidedly flat. In an attempt to cheer me up, my mum gave me the blow dry to rival all blow dries - she got so happy with the round brush, I ended up with a longer version of the bowl cut. And then I went to my Year 8 disco, with hair that looked like a spaceship and not even an ounce of resemblance to Rachel Green. I did not find my Ross that night.

So that's my hair raising tale - what's yours?

The science bit
- In no more than 100 words, write a comment below that describes your best bad hair day or most hair raising moment
- Make sure you leave a method of contact - either an email address, Twitter name or link to your blog where details can be found
- The giveaway will run until midnight on Weds 1st February
- Only one entry per person

Travis says good luck!

Mixing Fabrics - Leather and Denim

2012-01-24T17:30:00.001Z

As regular readers will know, I love me a bit of denim. Jeans are my ultimate wardrobe winners - if I'm ever in a fashion pickle, out come my trusty Topshop Kristens (and usually a breton stripe tee) and I'm soon back on track.

But today I wanted to do something a little bit different with my denim. Inspired by this photo on my Pinterest inspiration board, I reached for my chambray shirt and a berry-coloured pencil skirt I haven't worn for ages. Not satisfied with the result, I switched the skirt and headed out wearing this...

Vintage leather pencil skirt via eBay, Topshop chambray shirt, Bertie boots, Miss Selfridge ring and necklace, neon friendship bracelet via eBay, Zatchels bag

Mixing casual denim with a dressier fabric like leather is a great way to give your outfit a more relaxed feel. I love this leather skirt but it can be a tad full-on for the everyday, so teaming it with the chambray shirt gives it a more casual edge. Then I threw on a statement necklace (which made my neck blue... great!), grabbed my favourite bag and headed out.

Which fabrics do you think work well together?

PS - How do you like my new indoor outfit photo location? To set this up I had to move two tables, a massive armchair, a guitar and a cat scratching post. And then put it all back. It probably won't be a regular thing...

PPS - The black cable is courtesy of Sky. BLACK cable on a WHITE skirting board... who does that?!

The Charity Shop Shuffle

2012-01-23T17:30:00.002Z

Last week I took a trip down to London to take part in a rather exciting 'thing'. I don't think I can really share what that 'thing' was yet, but I can tell you that it involved lots of charity shop clothing. An entire outfit of it, in fact.

When I heard that I'd need to be dressed top-to-toe second hand, I panicked a bit. Although I love my charity shop finds dearly, I almost always mix them with high street pieces. There are few people who can pull off the full-on vintage chic look (Vix is one of them, Fleur another) - it requires bags of confidence and a really good eye. And maybe smaller feet - I have yet to find a pair of second hand size 8s!

Vintage wool dress via charity shop, Michael Kors leather jacket via TK Maxx, Bertie boots, ASOS clutch, Lauren Elan necklace, F21 necklace, Miss Selfridge ring

This outfit is a classic example of mixing second hand and high street - a process I like to call The Charity Shop Shuffle. The wool dress, which was £7.99 from St Gemma's, forms the base of my outfit. I layered a long sleeved striped tee underneath then added my MK leather jacket over the top. Chunky boots, stacked necklaces and an envelope clutch - all high street buys - finish the look.

Charity shops are great for those statement pieces - the LBD (or LGD, in this case!), the floral blouse, the sharp-shouldered jacket - that you can wear with more modern wardrobe staples to create a look that's unique without being too granny chic.

Are you a Charity Shop Shuffler? How do you wear your second hand finds?

PS - I've been nominated for Best 'What I'm Wearing Today' Blog and Blog You Love The Most in the Company Style Blog Awards 2012, along with lots of lovely bloggers. If you want to vote (for anyone, no pressure), you can do so right here. Grazie!

Pinterest - My Online Inspiration Board

2012-01-22T17:44:00.000Z

(I know, I know - I'm very late to jump on this particular bandwagon.)

On Friday night I asked Twitter for an invite to Pinterest and within five minutes of signing up, I was hooked. Which is exactly why I didn't join earlier - I really don't need another social sharing website addiction *ahem Facebook Foursquare Twitter Instagram*.

But alas, I have already added 348 pins to my assortment of online inspiration boards and I could spend hours just browsing all the amazing imagery that's out there, pretending I have the space for a bathroom like that, the money for a wedding like that, the body for an outfit like that etc etc.

It is actually extremely useful if you're planning anything that requires a bit of creative thinking - one of my close friends is getting married this year and there are lots of brilliant ideas for hen dos, wedding favours, table settings and so on. Similarly, I'm getting some excellent outfit inspiration for Fashion Week, using the stylish images as springboards for ensembles from my own wardrobe.

You can find my Pinterest inspiration boards here - take a look at my current favourite pins...

Credits:
Shirt tails, jumper and skirt
Suitcase stack
Pointy heels and tailored trousers
Bright bedroom
Chicago in winter
NYC
Grey oversized jumper dress
Clutch, nails and watch

Are you on Pinterest? Leave your profile link in the comments!

Project Take 10 Challenge 19 - Zalando

2012-01-18T17:37:00.000Z

It's the first Take 10 Challenge of 2012, and we're kicking off (literally) with some shoes. The lovely people at Zalando gave us free reign to each choose a pair we loved from their Zign range... so that's just what we did!

Cos top, Primark jeans, Miss Selfridge necklace, Zatchels bag, Zign brogues c/o Zalando

I love these brogues. Love. Them. The tassels, the dark brown leather, the fringing - all winners in my book. They've made their way into my favourites, and so I decided to style them with other current wardrobe favourites. My Cos top (a very wise sale buy), these super soft and super skinny Primark jeans and a bit of bright and bold bling make for a simple, classic outfit. What do you think?

Here's how the other Take 10 girls styled their shoes...

Sherin, Harriet, me, Sarah, Susie, MJ, Sabine, Ellie, Vicki, Paula

How would you wear these brogues?

Lesson Learnt

2012-01-17T17:30:00.002Z

Yesterday I ventured out into the deep British wintertime in a sleeveless gilet. I was cold. Today, I've learnt my lesson...

Vintage wool coat, Reiss wool jumper via charity shop, Primark jeans, Ravel heels c/o Sarenza, Lauren Elan necklace, Zara bag

At the weekend I nipped to my favourite charity shops for a mooch around and came out with two absolute triumphs. The coat is by Italian designer Marella and is pure wool - the slouchy fit is perfect for wrapping up against the wind, and all for just £9.99. The grey jumper is the kind of thing I'd shell out for - it's a basic shade, meaning it goes with everything, it's a relaxed fit and it's beautifully made in pure wool. I'm guessing this beauty would cost me around £80 brand new in Reiss, but from my local branch of Mind? £6.50!

Ravel 'Heidi' heels c/o Sarenza

Lauren Elan 'Olivia' necklace

I love tough pieces with a feminine edge - these amazing heels by Ravel have cute ruffle details to balance the studs, while my new Lauren Elan necklace mixes dainty diamante with rough rocks and gold chain. Gorgeous.

So that's me - what are you wearing today?

Keeping Warm Without A Coat

2012-01-16T17:30:00.001Z

I have a mild obsession with jackets. Coats I can take or leave (apart from my new French Connection beauty, but I've worn that far too often for it to still be interesting) but jackets - aaah, jackets. Nothing finishes off an outfit like a natty blazer or tailored gilet.

If you're currently experiencing the full force of British wintertime, however, you'll know it's far too cold for anything less than a fur-lined parka, hat-and-scarf combo and thermal underwear. It's freezing. Despite knowing this, I decided today would be an excellent day to wear my Zara faux fur and wool gilet... which is sleeveless. Look:

Zara faux fur gilet, Topshop jumper, jeans c/o Next, Belmondo boots c/o Sarenza, Cambridge Satchel, Topshop ring

Of course, I was cold. Then I thought it'd be a good idea to show off my jumper, so removed the already-inefficient gilet and got even colder...

Brrrr.

And when I put it back on, the damage was already done.

This is my 'I'm freezing, can I stop this now?' face.

I'm all for making sacrifices in the name of style - these boots, although beautiful, aren't exactly slippers - but sometimes it's better to admit defeat and wrap up in something that resembles a sleeping bag. And maybe some Uggs. Come on - I know you want to!

What do you wear to ward of the winter weather?

What To Buy In The January Sales

2012-01-15T17:27:00.000Z

I'm somewhat of a sucker for a good sale. I don't like rummaging through messy racks or elbowing people out of the way for the last ill-advised printed jumpsuit but fortunately (or unfortunately, depending how you look at it), most retailers host their sales online too - with free delivery and plenty of discount codes to be found, it's far too easy to indulge in a spot of sale shopping from your sofa.

This year, however, I had a plan. I wanted to invest. I had some money from Christmas to spend and I wanted to buy well-made, timeless pieces that would last beyond next year's sales. So here's what I got...

The one I'd been waiting for

French Connection wool dress coat, £80 from £200

A coat was number one on my 'must buy' list, and I'd had my eye on this one since I saw it on Wearing It Today. It's beautifully cut and so warm - a real bargain.

The one that nearly got away

Zara faux fur and wool gilet, £29.99 from £69.99

I tried on this gorgeous gilet when it first hit the rails at Zara and very nearly made it to the till, but the hefty price tag put me off. When I spotted it at more than 50% off I snapped it straight up - very satisfying.

The ones I wouldn't buy otherwise

Cos striped cotton top, £35 from £60 and Cos neon yellow dress, £30 from £70

Cos is a brand I admire from afar. I love the clean simplicity of their designs but always think the prices are too high for such minimalism. When I found myself browsing the online sale, I had to stop myself buying every last piece. Great reductions meant I came away with a classic breton stripe and this eye-popping dress - definitely one for Fashion Week!

The one at an amazing price

Gap grey blazer, £14.99 from £39.99

The Gap sale is amazing. AMAZING. Clearly I have an addiction to grey tailoring, and I got my second fix with this cute blazer which I know I'll be wearing as soon as the weather allows.

The ones I couldn't resist

Topshop nautical jumper, £20 from £40 and Topshop lace bow jumper, £18 from £38

Okay, okay. My mission was to invest in classic pieces and these jumpers are... not. But I couldn't resist the bright colours and quirky details. These two beauties will look great with jeans and flats. Hurry up March!

The designer one

Day Birger necklace, £24.99 from £49.99

I'm allowed one designer piece, right? This amazing necklace was calling my name from MyWardrobe.com and I simply couldn't say no.

The practical ones

Topshop pants, £1-2 from £4-6

Topshop's underwear sale is a treasure trove of cheap yet pretty pants. I stock up every time to keep my underwear drawer looking beautiful.

I'm really pleased with my January Sale purchases - I didn't go overboard, get sucked in by huge discounts or buy anything I won't wear. I got the items I'd been stalking for months, stocked up on the practicalities and allowed myself a little bit of frivolity. And I completely revamped my wardrobe too - a job well done, I think!

Did you buy anything in the sales? What was your best (and most useful) bargain?

The Wrap Dress and Why it's Okay to Play it Safe (Sometimes)

2012-01-12T17:30:00.000Z

After Christmas, I set myself a little January Sales Challenge. I'm well-known for going a bit mental when things are reduced, and have three bags of clothes waiting to be eBayed to prove it. But this year, to work with my maturing style, I decided to invest in some classics. So far, so ordinary. I'll tell you more about my January Sales Challenge later this week, but for now I just wanted to share one of the items I bought...

Gap wrap dress, Michael Kors leather jacket via TK Maxx, Bertie boots, Zatchels bag, Day Birger necklace via MyWardrobe.com, Jana Reinhardt Sleepy Fox Ring c/o Damson Jewellery

This printed wrap dress is from Gap - a shop I don't usually frequent for anything other than basic tees, but one I'm adding to a list entitled 'Amazing Sales'. I paid £9.99 for this beauty, which was reduced from £40. It's definitely one of my best bargains!

Wrap dresses are often included in articles about how to dress a 'curvy' body. Something about accentuating the waist and smoothing over the hips, I'm sure. But they've always been missing from my wardrobe because... well, they're just so safe. Wrap dresses remind me of office workers in the mid-90s, Susannah Constantine (of Trinny and Susannah fame) and the first series of 10 Years Younger. I'm convinced the answer to every woman's fashion woes in 1997 was a belted wrap dress.

But there's a reason wrap dresses are so popular, despite not being particularly fashion forward. As Diane von Furstenberg knows, they are flattering for anyone with more than their fair share of T&A. When I bought this dress, I didn't need to try it on because I knew it would suit me. And although it's far from inspiring and not really that imaginative, I love it. Sometimes, it's nice to wear a piece you know is doing you justice.

What's your 'playing it safe' piece?

The Edit - Bib Necklaces

2012-01-11T17:30:00.000Z

I have a big thing for statement necklaces. Love them. A bit of bling will add that fashion edge to the simplest outfit - I regularly throw my favourite ASOS necklace on over a plain t-shirt and jeans and call it a day. I prefer the higher bib style that sits on the collarbone and have a magpie eye for splashes of colour and spiky bits.

As I'm being lazy (or rather, ill-prepared and unable to take a photo today), I've compiled a collage of my favourite statement necklaces - The Edit, if you will. Here they are...

1. Forever 21, £10.65
2. Marni, £185
3. Topshop, £28
4. DANNIJO, £320
5. Lauren Elan, £61

Re-wearing Your Wardrobe

2012-01-10T17:30:00.000Z

I won't lie to you. I do have quite a large clothing (and shoe and accessory and bag) collection. Some might say I have knitwear coming out of my ears. But I'm very strict with my wardrobe. I've mentioned this many times on Little Bird - I clear out my closet on the regular and eBay/donate/chuck anything that's no longer suitable, whether due to a change in style, size or general preference. And that means I'm left with only the things I love.

So it's no surprise that I wear the same pieces in quick succession. I have my favourites, and I wear them again and again and again. My tendency to wear the same necklace/coat/shoes/jeans time after time is a regular topic of discussion in the comments - apparently, lots of you wear your favourite purchases all.the.time too!

French Connection coat, River Island jeans, Gap shirt, American Apparel t-shirt, Valensi flats c/o Sarenza, F21 necklace, Primark leather gloves, Zara bag

With the exception of the gloves (which were £7 in Primark - BUY THEM, they're amazing), you've seen everything here before. Heck, I wore the coat-and-necklace combo mere days ago . But surely that's just a reflection of normality? In real life, we wear the same clothes day in, day out. And why should a fashion blog be any different?

I'm so enamoured with my Zara faux fur gilet, it featured in outfit posts four times in three weeks before I decided to give it a break. And I'm sure you're all sick of the sight of my favourite ASOS necklace. But if it can be reworked with fresh accessories, a different lipstick or new shoes, I'll love it forever.

Take a look at how I've worn each piece in this outfit a different way and tell me - what's most-worn in your wardrobe?

The grey wool coat
The spiked necklace
The white shirt
The polka dot jeans
The patent pink flats
The quilted bag

Monday Style - Keeping It Simple

2012-01-09T17:30:00.000Z

It usually takes me a few days to get into my style stride. The weekend is reserved for denim and flats, so when Monday rolls around it can take a bit of effort to get back into the fashion mindset. And sometimes, I just can't be bothered...

Zara faux fur and wool gilet, Primark jeans and tee, Zign brogues c/o Zalando, ASOS necklace, Butler and Wilson ring c/o QVC

Today was clearly one of those days! Black skinnies and a basic striped tee (both weekend Primark purchases - the jeans are particularly amazing) make for a simple outfit, but leather brogues, my favourite necklace and this amazing faux fur and wool gilet from Zara (£30 in the sale) add a fashion edge. Kind of.

Not the most inspiring outfit, but a reflection of a real Monday wardrobe. What are you wearing to start the week?

Getting Older - How Has Your Style Changed?

2012-01-08T17:16:00.000Z

At the end of 2011 (30th December, to be exact!) I turned 26. I've always been 'an old head on young shoulders' (as my mum would say), and over the last few months I've noticed my taste in clothing is maturing, too.

French Connection coat, H&M silk shirt, Whistles jumper via charity shop, Uniqlo jeans, Zatchels metallic satchel, F21 necklace, Ara flats c/o Sarenza

The girly, vintage look is popular in fashion blogging and was a real favourite of mine - nothing could come between me and my floral tea dresses. But recently, I find myself favouring clean lines, classic colours and graphic prints over anything cutesy. I'm visiting French Connection (where I got this amazing coat reduced from £200 to £80 - thanks to Laura from WIT for the heads up!), Uniqlo, Cos and Zara much more, and making a beeline for the basics.

There's a notion that as we get older, we should be dressing more conservatively. Once we're ticking that 26-35 box (or the one after it), should we be swapping the flirty florals for sombre suits and sensible shoes? Well, no. Of course not. But as I move further away from my early twenties, I can see the definite shift in my style. It's not about becoming boring or safe or 'classic', but about being a bit more comfortable in your clothing. It's about knowing what suits you and what doesn't (hello midi skirts!). And it's about experimenting less, (hopefully) avoiding those mistakes, and really understanding your wardrobe.

How has your style changed as you've gotten older? Have you noticed a sartorial shift, or do you dress the same way now as you did at 18? (And if you're still 18... I'm jealous!)

So You Want To Be A Freelancer?

2012-01-05T17:34:00.001Z

Back in June 2011, I shared some big news - I'd quit my job and had decided to go freelance. Seven months later, my freelance business is going well, and I often get asked about my work and, well, how it works.

Today I posted about a copywriter job on Twitter, which led to a few discussions about getting into freelancing and the best way to do it. After seven months I don't think I'm an expert on the subject. But when I first started out I found it really helpful to hear others' perspectives and experiences, so thought I'd share my own.

So You Want To Be A Freelancer?

My home office

The question I'm asked most is 'how did you do it?'. And my answer is really simple - I quit my job. Taking that first step was the hardest, scariest, most irresponsible thing I've ever done in my career - I wasn't forced into it through redundancy, it wasn't a necessary move, and I left a full time, well paid role behind. But all that turned out to be an excellent driving force - I had to make it work, or live with the knowledge I gave up a secure job to bum about watching CSI: NY reruns all day (which does still happen, sometimes).

With that drive behind me, I pulled in every contact I could think of. After working in a range of advertising agencies I had a fair few entries in my little black book and I'd remained on good terms with them all. That's another thing about freelancing - you can't burn bridges, ever. In an industry like marketing, everyone knows everyone and word will soon spread. When it comes to social networks, I have a strict 'don't talk about work' rule - unless it's something positive, I just don't say it. And maintaining those strong relationships meant work was soon coming in.

For the first few months, I had no idea what I was doing. I swung between sitting rigidly at my desk from 9-5.30pm to taking three hour lunch breaks and coming home laden with bags to working 'til 1am, hunched over my laptop. Managing my own time has been the most difficult part of freelancing - there's no one to tell you work starts at 9am, no one to stop you spending all day on Twitter, and no one to tell you to go home when you're still working at 10pm. I'm slowly adjusting now though - I've realised I can go swimming in the morning and start work afterwards, or take a day off in the week to see a friend. The beauty of freelance is in creating your own schedule and not having to adhere to a traditional working week.

I love my work and enjoy being my own boss (no one can tell me a leather skirt isn't 'appropriate office attire'), but freelancing is hard. I've seen it described as 'feast or famine' - some months I'm up to my eyeballs in Word documents, and others I'm twiddling my thumbs (well, not quite). Saving for and paying your own tax is hideous. Working from home is lonely (although Twitter helps, and I'd thoroughly recommend a cat). After five years of working in close-knit creative teams, I miss having people to sense-check my ideas. But it's all a learning process, and every day it gets a little bit easier.

The other thing people often say to me is 'I really want to do it, but I'm too scared'. Most days I operate in a state of managed terror - I check my accounts constantly, calculating and recalculating my figures to make sure I'm earning enough. Every conversation is an opportunity for work, and I take the chameleon approach - not every offer is the perfect match for my skills, a well-known brand or a big payer but if I can help, I will.

Going freelance hasn't been simple. I still hate Excel and I miss wearing shoes every day (slippers are a freelancer's best friends). It was a bold decision, but one I don't regret and one I hope will continue to work out for me. For anyone thinking about taking the leap, I'd recommend hunting down fellow freelancers on Twitter, reading everything you can (especially this fab post by The Dexterous Diva) and making sure you really understand the tax stuff. Those HMRC guys mean srs bidniz.

Have you ever considered going freelance? Are you a freelancer yourself? Share your thoughts, tips, advice or concerns in the comments.

PS - If you'd like to chat about freelancing, writing, tax returns (don't expect much on that one) or anything really, you can email me or find me on Twitter.

Thrift Finds of The Month - January

2012-01-04T17:30:00.000Z

I'm not being entirely truthful with this post, as only one of these pieces was found in January. But hopefully you'll forgive me for getting creative with the dates when you see what I found...

I've been searching for an ornate silver tray since I saw one on Paula's blog. When I spotted this beauty for only £2.99, I was at the till in a flash.

I must thank the lovely volunteer at my favourite St Gemma's Hospice shop for pointing this one out. I had a grey wool coat in my arms and was ready to pay when she mentioned 'the grey scarf' that would go with it perfectly. It's gorgeously soft and was a steal at only £1.50.

I'll admit - I have no idea how to wear this. I bought it for the beautiful collar alone - wouldn't it look great peeping out from under a scoop neck jumper? For £2, it's a worthy style challenge.

Ralph Lauren isn't a brand I'm usually drawn to, but the colour caught my eye. This shade of blue looks good on everyone - I'm saving this one for summer to wear over cute dresses.

Have you bagged any bargains recently?

How To Wear Leggings As Trousers

2012-01-03T17:30:00.001Z

Well, that's a blog title I never thought I'd write...

Zara leggings, Uniqlo jumper, H&M blouse, Jonak brogues c/o Sarenza, F21 necklace, Topshop ring

Leggings as trousers - a topic of hot debate (ahem) among fashion fans. Some believe anything higher than 120 denier provides suitable coverage to be worn alone (although their visible underwear begs to differ) while the thought of such flimsy fashion leaves others cold (literally).

A few weeks before Christmas, I spotted these subtly sparkly leggings in Zara and was immediately smitten. They're a heavy, stretchy cotton mix with a seam down the front and zips at the ankles, making them a beautiful fit and flattering to boot. The glittery sheen may be a little New Year's Eve for the 3rd of January, but a cosy jumper and simple shirt takes the edge off the sparkle while 90s brogues give the outfit that 'My So Called Life' look.

So while I'm generally against major fashion crimes, I'll make an exception for leggings as trousers... as long as the following guidelines are adhered to!

1. Wear a longline top - no one needs to know you wear your 'Wednesday' pants on Fridays
2. Choose leggings in a thicker material - not only will you feel more 'covered' but they'll suck you in, too
3. Stick to simple colours - neon leopard print won't flatter anyone's thighs
4. Pay a little extra - invest your pennies for a quality cotton mix, stronger stitching and added details. Zara and Topshop have some great styles around the £20 mark

What do you think - would you wear leggings as trousers?

2012 - The Year of Travel

2012-01-01T17:20:00.003Z

Image from Malias' Flickr

These days, admitting that you're not particularly well travelled is something of a social faux pas. The trend for gap years, the cheapness of flights and the intrigue of the faraway mean that by 26, many people have seen the world three times over.

I haven't. I can count the number of countries I've visited on one hand, and they're all in Europe. I love going on holiday, quite enjoy airports and have developed a taste for in-flight meals (that stick of cheese and the bread roll? YUM). I've just never been interested in travelling. I have no desire to pack my life into a rucksack and live off Imodium and beer for 12 months (I know, I know - I'm generalising here).

But recently, I've discovered my sense of adventure. I've realised that travelling doesn't have to involve a first aid kit and a bar job. I could start with a weekend away here, 10 days on a beach there. And if I stopped contributing to my already over-stuffed wardrobe, I'd be able to afford it too.

So that's my one and only New Year's Resolution. To travel. I'm starting big with an American roadtrip in May, taking in Chicago, Maine and New York. Then I'd love to see some cities, maybe even a beach. And I'm not just talking overseas travel - there are so many beautiful parts of the UK that I've never seen, and I'd love to get more acquainted.

How about you - have you seen the world or are you just getting started? Any recommendations for me?

PS - Happy New Year!

Stylish Organisation

2011-12-28T17:30:00.005Z

One of my resolutions for 2012 is to get more organised. No more replying to emails three weeks late. No more frozen pizzas for tea because we haven't been food shopping in a month. No more 'bonus' payments from my business bank account because I forgot about my massive phone bill and bought new shoes instead. Ahem.

Over the last six months I've learnt that running your own business requires SERIOUS levels of organisation, and so have vowed to get on top of my entire life. Of course, I'll need some functional yet fashionable items to help me do that. What do you mean, any old diary will do? Pfftt...

Osprey handbag

My lovely mum has been integral in the get-Jen-organised-for-2012 movement. For Christmas she bought me this beautiful Osprey handbag - it's a soft, chocolate brown leather with a padlock detail and over-the-shoulder straps. Inside is even better, though - this beauty has plenty of compartments for all the various technological gadgets that rule my life, and my MacBook slips in perfectly. Which means no more lugging my briefcase on the train with me, inevitably leaving it in the overhead compartment and running back onto the train like a mad woman screaming 'WAIT!!'.

Leather Filofax

Despite owning an iPhone with a calendar, reminder system and thousands of organisational apps available to download, I still love writing things in a diary. There's something about writing plans in pen that cements them in my mind. My mum stepped in again to make sure I was set up for 2012 and beyond (the inserts are refillable) with this stunning leather Filofax. I love the business card compartments and felt very grown-up writing my name on the front page.

Personalised planner, c/o personal-planner.co.uk

The lovely people at personal-planner.co.uk sent me a personalised planner to try out for 2012. I absolutely love it - there are so many ways to customise your planner, from the front cover to the calendar pages to the greeting at the beginning. I love the workout tracker on each page... something to aim for!

So that's how I'll be keeping myself in check next year. Any tips for me? How do you stay organised?

What I (really) Wore This Christmas

2011-12-27T17:30:00.000Z

I don't know about you but for me, Christmas is an excuse to eat a ridiculous amount of cheese, watch copious amounts of TV and not be particularly bothered about what I'm wearing.

Over the last few days I've worn leggings, Christmas PJs, old university hoodies and always, always slippers. I do like to get a little dressed up for Christmas dinner and the Boxing Day buffet, but as soon as I'm back on the sofa, out come the comfy clothes. And when I finally get spruced up enough to face the outside world, I'm more M&S than D&G...

Topshop jeans, H&M striped tee, Uniqlo jumper, Zara faux fur gilet, Valensi boots c/o Sarenza, ASOS necklace, Zatchels satchel

See?

These boots have hardly been off my feet since they arrived on my doorstep. Flat, brown leather boots may not be the last word in high fashion, but they are so. useful. I love them.

And the bag? Oh, the bag. It was a Christmas present from Rob and of course, I'm in love (as I often am with inanimate but truly stylish objects). He ordered it on December 11th and it arrived on December 22nd, with a certificate of authenticity stating it was handmade by Janet and Lindsey (thanks ladies!) on December 20th. Now that is quick service for handmade leather goods. Thank goodness for Zatchels, because without the bag I fear this outfit would be straying into suburban mother territory.

What did you REALLY wear this Christmas?

My Ultimate Christmas Dream List

2011-12-23T17:08:00.000Z

Okay, okay. I'm phoning it in a bit with this post. But I have just spent an enjoyable hour browsing all the sites I usually ban myself from through fear of bankruptcy (Net-a-Porter I'm looking at you) to come up with a rather delightful Christmas dream list. It's not a wish list, because even wishing for these items seems expensive. No - these are the things that come to me when I close my eyes...

1. Miu Miu embroidered open-knit cotton sweater, £570
2. DANNIJO Syrah necklace, £573
3. J Brand 912 low-rise skinny jeans, £200
4. Deborah Lippmann nail polish, £16 (I can probably stretch to this, actually)
5. Mulberry Alexa satchel, £795
6. Christian Louboutin Décolleté 100 leather pumps, £375
7. Mawi Mythical Panther ring, £243
8. Miu Miu studded leather iPad sleeve, £250

Which brings my Ultimate Christmas Dream List to a grand total of... £3,022. Good luck with that, Santa.

What's on your Christmas dream list?

Dressing for the Season

2011-12-22T17:30:00.003Z

At this time of year, I'm drawn to luxe fabrics, rich colours and plenty of sparkle - black is banned 'til January (when I'm in mourning). As Christmas draws closer, I like to look as festive as the tree.

Primark sequin cape, cable knit jumper c/o Clothing at Tesco, Uniqlo jeans, Bertie boots, ring c/o Butler and Wilson at QVC

What started out as a simple jeans-and-jumper combination was soon made festively appropriate with the addition of the ubiquitous Primark sequin cape. Okay, so I did get a few odd looks in M&S while picking up the Stilton, but still. I can deal with that!

What do you wear to make you feel festive?

In My Festive Suitcase

2011-12-21T17:32:00.000Z

Let me start with a confession - I am terrible at packing. I suck at it. I'm ridiculously indecisive so need a whole wardrobe (and overspill rail) of options before I can choose an outfit. I also have a stupidly complicated beauty and makeup routine - yes, I am that girl arguing with customs about how much liquid can be taken on to a plane.

My indecision coupled with a reliance on a huge amount of products means my bags are always bulging and I rarely leave anything behind. But this year I've vowed to change. I'm only going home for three days over Christmas and have told myself I really DO NOT NEED to take two types of eye cream. So I've streamlined my suitcase and stuck to the 'bare essentials' - here are my favourites...

Topshop knitted scarf

I love snuggling up in this scarf - the chunky knit is so cosy and the bright colour adds a pop to a simple jeans and jumper outfit.

Grey leopard print flats c/o Sarenza

I love the chic, Chanel-esque style of these cute leopard print flats. They're the perfect mix of smart/casual - I'll be wearing them with a tea dress and tights on Christmas Day.

Amazon Kindle and Forever 21 necklace

I wear this necklace constantly - it adds instant edginess to even the plainest sartorial combo. I got a Kindle for my birthday last year and I love it. It's brilliant for reading on the train and tube, but over Christmas I'll be delving into The Hunger Games from the sofa.

Primark Christmas PJs

I adore these bambi-printed beauties! Christmas trees, holly sprigs AND toadstools? Need I say more?

Primark sequin cape and vintage Christmas jumper via charity shop

This Primark sequin cape has really surprised me - it's become a festive season staple. I wear it over grey marl t-shirts, long sleeved striped tops, fine knit jumpers and block colour jersey dresses. The Christmas jumper still poses a challenge - can satin bows on a dogtooth print ever be stylish? - but it comes with me regardless.

Zara glitter leggings, Topshop polish in Lacquered and lipstick in Brighton Rock

This is probably the one and only time I'll endorse the wearing of leggings. This sparkly pair caught my eye in Zara - I've been wearing them with a cream silk shirt and longline grey jumper and I'm not ashamed. Finally, the two beauty products guaranteed to make me feel more polished, even after too many pigs in blankets - nail varnish and lipstick.

Are you packing for Christmas? What's in your festive suitcase?

What Jen Did

2011-12-19T17:30:00.000Z

Weirdly enough (for a blogger), I'm terrible at taking photos when I'm out and about. But last time I posted a few images of what I'd been up to it seemed to go down well, so over the last month I've been making an effort to capture more moments to share with you. Should you find such photos interesting, you can find them just below...

1. 2.

1. Technically, it's been more than a month since I saw Britney Spears at Sheffield Motorpoint Arena. But I think she deserves a mention! If you follow me on Twitter you'll know my musical taste is limited to 90s hip hop, 00s pop punk and classic cheese. I went to Britney's Femme Fatale tour and loved every second. Girl still got it!

2. Forget goodwill... Christmas is the season of snacking! I have little bowls of treats dotted around the house, so working from home is a constant battle of wills. This is my attempt at 'healthy' festive food - two chocolate coins balanced out with a clementine. Oh, and a copy of Stylist to keep me occupied!

3. 4.

3. You've already heard about my day with Dita, but this photo is worth a second share. I never miss an opportunity to whip it out and ask 'did I tell you I met Dita Von Teese?' to which the reply is always 'yes and I don't need to know again.'

4. I never knew how cold life was without a wood burning stove, until I got one. I worship this thing. I'm not happy unless it's roaring with fire and the house is so hot I have to open a window. If you have the chance, get one - you won't regret it. Oh and also - pretty flowers.

5. 6.

5. I snagged this vintage jumper at a charity shop a few weeks ago but still haven't plucked up the courage to wear it. Any ideas? I have a pair of glittery leggings (I know, but trust me - they look good) but think that might be a tad OTT, even at Christmas...

6. Our tree has been up for a couple of weeks but I still can't stop gazing at it. I did a whole post about my Christmas decorations - getting the house all festive is definitely one of my favourite Christmassy things.

7. 8.

7. Christmas celebrations (round one) with my girls involved an M&S turkey, robin-printed loo roll and homemade, ridiculously strong Cosmos. Round two is coming up this evening and I predict more of the same!

8. Gratuitous mirror shot for you. I had lots of lovely compliments on my hair when I tweeted this image - I've been growing it out for AGES and it's finally getting past the hideous mullet stage. I need a little more length and then I can start curling it like my hair idol The Glamourai. Love. Her.

9. 10.

9. I cannot WAIT to wear these babies! I've been saving them for Christmas week which is finally here - they'll get their first outing at tonight's Christmas celebrations and yes, I will be wearing them by 6pm. They're from Primark and cost just £7.

10. This is the Giddy Giraffe smoothie from, erm, Giraffe. They've recently opened a restaurant in Meadowhall Sheffield and I've been along a few times - I love this smoothie and the Farmers' Market Veggie Burrito. Nom.

11. 12.

11. Travis working hard on a Sunday night - kitty labour! He's such a loveable little guy - although still quite naughty - and keeps my seat warm when I get up. I was a dog person for 25 years but can now officially confirm I've been converted!

12. One final tree shot. These are my favourite decorations - the bird is from eBay, the straw reindeer from Ikea and the moose is from Liberty. His name is Angus, if you were wondering!

What have you been up to recently?

The Second Hand Home Challenge - Christmas Edition

2011-12-18T16:51:00.000Z

Earlier this year, I set myself a challenge. I'd just moved house and decided to furnish my new place with second hand pieces wherever possible. I did quite well, picking up all manner of thrifted treasures on my car boot and charity shop jaunts - you can see my updates here, here, here, here and here.

Unfortunately, the once-empty house is now rather full of stuff and so the challenge has been on hold for the last few months. Well, it was on hold... until Christmas called for a spot of second hand shopping!

My tree decorations are a mix of charity shop and eBay finds. The hand painted baubles and birds came all the way from India - 15 pieces snapped up for £15 after a frenzied bidding session last year. And just the other week, I found four handmade baubles in a charity shop for 25p each. I've never been one for minimalism and love the slightly mismatched, haphazard nature of a mix of decorations.

I love Christmas traditions, and collecting decorations is one of my favourites. Last Christmas I went to London with the girls and picked up this spangly Harrods bauble, then in November Rob and I were in the city, so I bought Angus the moose from Liberty. Hopefully I can continue to build my collection over the years!

This gorgeous Holly wreath is from The Perfumed Garden in Chapel Allerton. The shop only opened a few weeks ago but I'm already a regular customer - I love their fresh flowers and pretty arrangements.

I'm a bit rubbish at wrapping presents - I always plan to buy brown parcel paper and decorate it with my own handmade stamps, stick it with patterned tape and tie it up with home-dyed string, but the reality is a roll of M&S paper, sellotape (and one year, duct tape) and a cheap plastic bow. This year I'm a little more organised - I bought these brown luggage tags on eBay to use as gift tags and think they add a nice 'home made' touch to presents.

I'm not particularly good at Christmas crafts. I won't be making my own Christmas pudding or cooking a dinner for 10. I'm hopeless with cards and always spend more than the requisite £5 on my Secret Santa gift. But I do have an eye for a second hand bargain, and I'm pretty pleased with the Christmas edition of the Second Hand Home Challenge.

Have you bought any second hand bits for your Christmas celebrations? What does your tree look like?

Things I Like - Le Bunny Bleu

2011-12-15T17:30:00.001Z

A couple of weeks ago I received an email containing the words 'boutique' 'cute' and 'shoes'. I was interested. In fact, they had me at 'boutique'.

The email was an invite to visit a new shoe boutique in Westfield Stratford City. As I happened to be at Westfield Stratford City on the day, I was more than happy to pop along for a nosy. Plus, the brand is called Le Bunny Bleu - with such an adorable name, my hopes were high. Take a look at this exclusive video to see the shop in all its glory, then check out my photos below...

The shop is nestled on the LG floor of Westfield Stratford City. True to that initial email, it has a very boutique feel - from the hood over the door to the meticulously displayed shoes.

The shop had a very 'New York' vibe - I loved the artwork and framed shoes.

Le Bunny Bleu deal exclusively in flat shoes, stocking every style from vintage Oxfords to sheepskin boots. There was so much choice, it took me an age to pick a favourite, but I got there eventually...

You know you're in for a treat when your shoes arrive in a black box tied with a velvet bow!

I chose these pretty leopard print flats - I couldn't resist that bunny! A little warning for big footed girls - Le Bunny Bleu shoes only go to a UK 7 but they do run a bit large, so my size 8s were catered for.

I was really impressed with the range from Le Bunny Bleu - it's nice to see something a little different on the UK high street, and the New York boutique feel is very appealing. With a UK website just launched and plans for more stores across London, I think these fluffy fellows will soon be adorning the feet of fashion bloggers everywhere.

What do you think - would you wear Le Bunny Bleu shoes?

Is Being Busy Killing Your Style?

2011-12-14T17:30:00.002Z

Image from Decor8

The weeks before Christmas are always a busy time - deadlines loom, the days seem inexplicably shorter and the sheer number of Out Of Office replies is enough to send you into a panic spiral. And when you're buried under a (virtual) pile of papers, it's hard to care about what shoes you're wearing.

When I'm busy, getting dressed is less about fashion and more about function. Woolly jumpers, jeans and slippers - yes (it's worth noting here that I work from home and would not wear slippers to the office!). Cute dresses, heels and anything with a clasp - no. It's as if there's no room in my head for sartorial creativity, and if I do spend a little more time getting ready I feel guilty for not using that time to balance my books or tackle my inbox.

I've always loved planning my outfits and coming up with new combinations, but sometimes style needs to take a backseat. And that's okay. Because even the typical successful woman - the one who works 12 hours a day, does Bikram yoga and learns advanced Spanish all whilst wearing a pristine pencil skirt and size 8 sweater - wears a greying vest and Primark joggers sometimes. Even if it is only at 3am after a long-haul flight.

Do you struggle to stay stylish when you're busy? Any tips for fast, fuss-free and fashionable dressing?

How To Wear Sequins During the Day

2011-12-13T17:30:00.000Z

If you've been reading Little Bird for a while, you might've noticed I have a fondness for sparkly things. You could call me the magpie girl, if there wasn't already a fabulous blogger going by the same name. I like statement necklaces, blinging rings and sequins... lots and lots of sequins. Just yesterday I was prancing around in a sequin cape, and you can see further evidence of my Strictly Come Dancing tendencies here and here.

Despite my love affair with shimmer, I often find myself swapping my most sparkly clothing with something more demure for daytime. But the festive season is more forgiving than most when it comes to fashion (reindeer jumpers, anyone? Snowman earrings? Tinsel worn as a necklace?), so now's the perfect time to get your Joan Collins on. Take a look at my tips for wearing sequins during the day...

Zara skirt, H&M top, F21 necklace, Bertie boots, Michael Kors watch

Choose simple separates - a cotton top, wool jumper or fitted cardigan will soften the sparkle
Keep accessories to a minimum - don't overload the look with excessive bling
Go for chunky heels or flat pumps - anything too delicate will give your outfit an evening edge
Mix your sequins with denim or 120 deniers, depending on the format!

Any tips to add? How would you wear this skirt during the day?

PS - Have you entered my Eclectic Eccentricity competition yet?

Giveaway - Win With Little Bird!

2011-12-13T10:24:00.002Z

*GIVEAWAY CLOSED*

I am spoiling you with all these giveaways, aren't I? Must be the season of goodwill and all that. Take a look below to see what you could win!

Doesn't '12 days of blogging fun times' just sound awesome?! I want a piece of that action! The lovely people at Eclectic Eccentricity have donated their gorgeous, vintage-inspired jewels to 12 bloggers as part of their 12 Days of Christmas giveaway, and today it's my turn!

Up for grabs is this so-adorable-it-hurts Cottontail Hare Necklace.

I die! So cute.

If you'd like to win, just leave a comment on this post telling me how you'd style this necklace. The winner will be chosen at random on Sunday 17th December. See below for terms and conditions, and good luck!

Competition Rules of Entry

The winner of each competition will be drawn at random from all the correct entries received
Each blog will announce their winner on a day of their choosing, as advised at the start of the competition
Only one entry per person per blog
Offer is open to UK residents only
No cash alternative available
Prize is non returnable and non exchangeable
Judges decision is final
Entrants details will be used for the sole purpose of forwarding your prize should you win
All queries regarding the competition should be sent to info@eclecticeccentricity.co.uk

Project Take 10 Challenge 18 - House of Fraser

2011-12-12T20:41:00.002Z

'Tis the season to be jolly, which in this century means a sparkly party outfit, a glass of champagne and Slade played at full volume. I've had the champagne chilling since late November and Slade is the first track on my Spotify Christmas playlist, so all I need is the sparkly party outfit - enter Project Take 10 Challenge 18 and the lovely people at House of Fraser.

Therapy at House of Fraser Bird Print Dress, Primark sequin cape, Miss Selfridge ring, ASOS clutch, vintage Gina heels

The relevance of the bird print was not lost on me - A Little Bird Told Me wearing birds! So cute. The shift shape of this Therapy Bird Print Dress inspired a 40s look, with a scallop-edged sparkly cape and delicate shoes. Because this is a straight up-and-down shape and I, erm, am not, I had to size up to get it over my bottom half, but I think the looser fitting is much more flattering. I love the bright orange colour and adorable print and can't wait to dress this down with leather brogues and a woolly cardigan.

House of Fraser sent each Take Tenner a different party dress to suit our individual tastes, chosen by the HoF team themselves. I think they did a great job with mine, but what about the other girls? See for yourself...

Susie, Sarah, Paula, me, MJ, Sabine, Sherin, Vicki, Harriet

We're missing beautiful Ellie this week due to mix-ups and sizing woes, so we're actually Project Take 9. Doesn't have the same ring to it, does it? Still, at least there are lots of lovely dresses to distract you from the uneven numbers.

What do you think of the HoF party dresses? What are you wearing for the festivities?

Christmas Gift Guide - The Fashion Blogger

2011-12-11T18:41:00.000Z

Us fashion bloggers are simple creatures - give us a leather satchel, some red lipstick and a pair of ugly-pretty shoes and we're happy. If you're struggling to find the perfect present for the fashion blogger in your life, just take a look at my Christmas Gift Guide and you'll be shopping in seconds. You can thank me later*.

*Any of the below, along with cash and diamonds, can be sent to my PO box - address available on request.

1. Knitted Large Spot Jumper - £40, Topshop
2. Metallic Copper Leather Satchel - from £99, Zatchels
3. Mac Lipstick - £11.47, Debenhams
4. Betty Bike - £725, Beg Bicycles
5. Nail Art Pen in Barbarella - £6.50, Topshop
6. Creepers by Underground - £98, Topshop

What would you add to the Fashion Bloggers' Gift Guide?

Tesco Magazine - My Winter Wardrobe Essentials

2011-12-09T15:17:00.000Z

The lovely folks at Tesco Magazine recently asked me a real million dollar question (well, for a fashion blogger anyway) - what are your winter wardrobe essentials? Now, I could reel off a list of 20 things I consider 'essential' for winter - I have enough chunky knits to clothe a football team (probably. What do I know about football?) and a worryingly large collection of boots. But I had a feeling they wanted something more comprehensive...

After much deliberation and a few hours spent gazing into my wardrobe, I eventually settled on five key pieces. You can see the items I chose and my tips on how to wear them in the Tesco Magazine article here... and here's a sneak peek!

Zara faux fur gilet

Bertie ankle boots

Topshop scarf

What are your winter wardrobe essentials?

As Inspired By... This Time Tomorrow

2011-12-08T17:30:00.000Z

This Time Tomorrow is one of the first blogs I ever read, way back in 2009. I love how Krystal mixes her feminine, girly style with fierce accessories and killer heels. And she works for Google - total girl crush! When I saw this outfit featuring this season's ubiquitous polka dot trousers, I remembered my own pair and vowed to give the look a go. Here's how it turned out...

River Island jeans, H&M shirt, Uniqlo jumper, F21 necklace, Bertie boots, ring c/o Butler and Wilson, Michael Kors watch

My photography is woeful, WOEFUL, compared to Krystal's but it's been raining for 10 million years here, so you'll just have to cope. If you squint enough you'll see my British winter version of Krystal's San Francisco outfit - I swapped the lightweight knit for something more heavy duty and went for platform ankle boots over delicate courts. I love this look - it feels 'fashion' enough without being uncomfortable and/or OTT. Something that's increasingly hard to achieve (skintight sequin skirt, spray-on leather trousers and 'architectural' heels - I'm looking at you)!

What are you wearing today?

Very Special Things - Jewellery at Damson

2011-12-07T17:30:00.000Z

My usual jewellery preference is bright, bold and cheap. Remember my ring collection? I have a vast selection of brass, copper and gold plated jewels and more than one green-stained finger. But that doesn't mean I don't appreciate a truly beautiful bit of bling, so when Damson Jewellery asked if I'd like to pick a piece from their site, I was delighted.

Jana Reinhardt Sleepy Fox Ring c/o Damson

I am in love with this sleepy little fellow. Damson offer a range of quirky, original rings (I much prefer rings to any other type of jewellery), so it took me literally HOURS to choose between them. I know - total first world problems. Eventually, it was Jana Reinhardt's designs that stole my heart, and about a week later I had a foxy friend on my finger.

Damson's luxury offerings aren't an everyday purchase, but if you're looking for a unique, handmade, bespoke piece then you're in the right place. And if you're feeling a little light of pocket, take a look at the Christmas gift guides for pieces for under £50. Here's my wishlist...

Hummingbird Ring, Fly Earrings, Garnet and Rose Petal Necklace, Cicada Collar Slides, Flock Eternity Ring

Sigh! I hope Santa's reading this...

Are You Style Secure?

2011-12-06T17:30:00.002Z

I've been writing A Little Bird Told Me for over two years now, and in that time my style has changed dramatically. That's not really surprising - in two years, trends change, situations shift, taste develops. Looking at my outfit from this time last year and a December 2009 outfit, I can see I'm much better at dressing for my shape now, and my love for bow-shaped hair accessories has, thankfully, waned. Over the course of a lifetime, we're bound to go through sartorial stages. But what about over the course of a month?

Dress c/o Matalan, Zara faux fur gilet, ankle boots c/o Sarenza, ASOS necklace, Cambridge Satchel Company bag

When I put this outfit on, I was struck by how different it was to the things I've been wearing recently. And then, as I looked back through my last month of posts, I realised that all my outfits are at odds with each other. At the beginning of November I was punky in polka dot jeans, then quirky in satin and sequins, classic in monochrome stripes and last week, preppy in dark denim. If this were an American high school drama, I'd be in a different cliqué every week.

This indecisive way of dressing could be described as creative, eclectic, experimental. But for me, it's about style insecurity. I'm still not quite sure what my style is. Am I vintage and feminine? Laidback and cool? Fierce and fashion-forward? All three?

There are some bloggers who have their personal style nailed. Vicki pulls off girly vintage style with ease. Kristabel works simple separates. Paula is classically chic. There's a real confidence in their clothing. In comparison, I'm still the 6 year-old rooting through her mum's wardrobe. When it comes to style, I'm still trying it on.

What about you - are you Style Secure? Are you confident in your clothing, or are you (like me) still searching for 'you' in your wardrobe?

The Day I Met Dita

2011-12-05T17:30:00.000Z

It's not every day I get to say "oh, hello Dita Von Teese"...

Last Thursday, however, was a little different. I was invited to an evening at the Cointreau Privé pop-up lounge, hosted by the lady herself.

After walking up and down Piccadilly numerous times and seeking the assistance of no less than three supposed southerners who had no idea, I finally located the venue, tucked away beneath the bustle of the city. The lounge is a sumptuous affair, draped in red velvet with some lovely art deco touches and just the right number of glittering chandeliers.

Dita is the face of Cointreau Privé and launched the lounge earlier in the week with an exclusive performance. I love the pure glamour of her performances - that nipped in waist, the 40s waves, a perfect pout and endless sparkles. Her stage costume was just stunning.

We learnt how to make the signature cocktail - the Cointreau Citrus and Spice. I love mixing my own cocktails and this one was delicious, if a little strong (which is not necessarily a bad thing). Here's how to make it yourself:

37.5ml Cointreau
25ml fresh orange juice (and not Tesco's own, the barman warned us)
1 fresh ginger slice
10ml fresh lemon juice

Slice the ginger and place in a cocktail shaker. Add all other ingredients, shake well (watch the lid!) and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with orange peel and enjoy (responsibly)!

I'm wearing: Zara dress, grey leopard print flats c/o Sarenza (not shown), Mango necklace, Topshop ring, Michael Kors watch. Dita's wearing: D&G and Louboutins (not shown)

After cocktail making, we each had our photo taken with Dita and got a few minutes to chat to her. As you can see from the photo (hello arms!), I was ridiculously awkward. What do you do when Dita Von Teese puts her arm around you? Stand stock still and give your best 'yes-I-am-crazy' smile, apparently. I pulled myself together for our chat though, and asked Dita about her outfit (naturally). Her amazing black ruffle shoes were made by Christian Louboutin, who created the specific heel design just for her. Oh, to be a celebrity!

It was an unforgettable evening and a great introduction to the Cointreau brand - Dita is a perfect fit for the sultry style of the liquor and she was extremely knowledgeable about it too. I'll be making the cocktail at home and visiting the Cointreau Privé pop-up lounge next time I'm in London - if you'd like to go along, the lounge is open until 17th December at 215 Piccadilly, London. To book for the guestlist just visit the website.

Giveaway - Win With A Little Bird Told Me!

2011-12-04T17:22:00.012Z

*GIVEAWAY CLOSED*

When it's cold outside, there's nothing I love more than having the girls over for drinks, nibbles and chatter (often accompanied by a cheesy 90s film and/or soundtrack). I'd much rather slather on a face pack than stick on my heels, and I truly believe I know more than any DJ when it comes to female R'n'B artists from 1998-2001 (Sweet Female Attitude, anyone? Mary Mary? Brandy and Monica?!).

When Clothing at Tesco asked if I'd like to host a Jemma Kidd masterclass @HOME party, I was initially dubious. I've been to my fair share of Ann Summers, Avon and Body Shop parties to know that these things are usually just a hard sell for the products, often with a lukewarm glass of Chardonnay and a limp sausage roll. A bit of research, however, soon had me interested...

"Be your own makeup artist and learn how to apply perfect, glamorous evening makeup, acquiring the professional skills to create three stunning looks - all in the comfort of your own home. Starting with the basic principles in achieving a flawless canvas, you'll learn all the backstage techniques and tricks to create a hi-impact red lip and structured eye line, a smouldering smoky eye and full-on glamour using touches of shimmer and glitter."

Sounds good! I like to think I'm pretty good at doing my makeup - after all, I've had 10 years to hone my technique - but I am rubbish at doing anything 'special', like straight liquid liner or lipstick that doesn't look like it was applied by a 3 year-old. And because it's hosted '@HOME', I can get the girls round, wear my slippers and play all the En Vogue I want.

The lovely people at Jemma Kidd have invited me to host a makeup masterclass at Little Bird Towers (cue lots of frantic texting trying to locate a table to seat 9), and they'd like one of you to host one too! And if that wasn't fabulous enough, Clothing at Tesco are throwing in a party dress of your choice - hooray!

The prize
- A Jemma Kidd masterclass@HOME makeup session for one winner
- Suitable for 6-10 guests
- A professional makeup artist will visit your home at an arranged time to demonstrate a range of makeup techniques
- All products and materials are provided
- A party dress from Clothing at Tesco

How to enter
- Leave a comment with a link to your chosen party dress from Clothing at Tesco to enter. You can browse all the styles here
- Leave a method of contact - your email address, Twitter username or a link to your blog where contact details can be found

The terms
Open to Little Bird readers in the UK ONLY. Giveaway opens on 04/12/2011 and closes on 11/12/2011. Winner will be selected at random and notified by contact method provided. Masterclass to be booked in 2012.

THE PROMOTER IS JEMMA KIDD MAKE UP LTD & CONVIVIALITY LTD, THE WHITE HOUSE, 2 MEADROW, GODALMING, SURREY, GU27 3HN. THE COMPETITION IS OPEN TO RESIDENTS OF THE UK, NOT INCLUDING EMPLOYEES OF JEMMA KIDD MAKE UP OR CONVIVIALITY LTD, THEIR FAMILIES, AFFILIATE COMPANIES, SUPPLIERS, COHABITANTS, AGENTS OR ANYONE ASSOCIATED WITH THE COMPANIES AND THE OFFER. MASTERCLASSES MUST BE HELD BY 31 March 2012. THE PROMOTER RESERVES THE RIGHT TO AMEND OR ALTER THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS. THE WINNER AND HER GUESTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR EXPENSES AND ARRANGEMENTS NOT SPECIFICALLY INCLUDED IN THE masterclass@HOME, INCLUDING ANY PERSONAL TRAVEL COSTS. FAILURE TO RESPOND WHEN CONTACTED ABOUT THE masterclass@HOME BOOKING POST-OFFER MAY RESULT IN FORFEITURE / CANCELLATION OF THE masterclass@HOME BOOKING. THIS OFFER MAY BE MODIFIED OR WITHDRAWN AT ANY TIME. IN THE EVENT OF A DISCREPANCY BETWEEN THESE STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS, AND THE DETAILS IN THE PROMOTIONAL MATERIAL (OR ANY OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS PROVIDED/REFERRED TO AT THE TIME OF ENTRY), THE DETAILS OF THE PROMOTIONAL MATERIAL SHALL PREVAIL. THE PROMOTER WILL NOT BE HELD LIABLE FOR ANY LOSS OR DAMAGE INCURRED BY THE GUEST AS A RESULT OF HOLDING A JEMMA KIDD masterclass@HOME. IT IS DEEMED A CONDITION OF ENTRY THAT THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS ARE ACCEPTED.

Thrift Finds of the Month - December

2011-12-01T17:30:00.005Z

Despite owning up to a slight shopping addiction, I can't resist the lure of the charity shop. Taking an hour out to visit my favourites is a great stress-buster, and setting a £10 spending limit means I don't come home with more floral dresses or yet another tea set. Admittedly, during this particular charity shop jaunt I 'forgot' my usual spend limit and scooped up quite a basketful of bargains. But I think you'll agree they were worth it...

Vintage Gina heels, £7.99 and vintage leather riding boots, £9.99

My two priciest purchases are also my most impressive. I spotted the Gina shoes straightaway - Gina is a familiar name on the second hand shopping circuit, but the designer label usually carries a hefty price tag. These gold kitten heels are in beautiful condition and although they're only size 6.5, I can just about squeeze my clown feet into them.

Sitting just below the Gina heels were these brown riding boots. The curved top and supple leather brought on a sigh of longing, but a check of the size had me cursing my aforementioned clown feet. They're a tiny size 4 so totally unsuitable, but how could I leave them behind?

Wool skirt, £3.99

A red wool skirt seemed more than appropriate for this time of year, and the button detail (plus very reasonable price tag) soon had me sold.

Knitted jumper, £4

Christmas is the only time of year you'll see me wearing anything that could be described as 'novelty' - I have a pretty awesome collection of crappy Christmas jumpers. The volunteer at the till was genuinely perturbed that she missed it when it came in and for a second I thought I might have a fight on my hands, but she eventually released her grip and this bow-adorned beauty now awaits its first outing.

Have you found any second hand bargains this month?

A Lesson in Creating Volume - My Flat Hair Care Routine

2011-11-30T18:14:00.000Z

My name is Jen and I'm addicted to volumising products.

It's true - I've tried every 'innovation', from 'shaft-expanding mousse' (seriously) to pouring beer over my head (again, seriously). My quest for big hair has spanned decades and probably cost thousands in products that are used once and quickly resigned to the this-doesn't-work pile.

But after much trial, plenty of error and a very close call in a wig shop, I've finally stumbled upon a routine that kinda sorta works. I haven't achieved the big hair Holy Grail as seen on every female celebrity ever, and I'm still a sucker for new 'miracle' products, but generally, my tried and tested method achieves a moderately lifted 'do for those with fine hair, or as lovely Olivia put it - 'ghost hair'.

It all starts in the shower (or bath, if that's your preference). I wash my hair with Big shampoo by Lush. This has been the biggest revelation in my haircare routine - it contains grains of sea salt that give my hair texture, which is something I could never get with synthetic volumisers. It's not cheap at £10.95 a pot, but a small amount goes a long way... although the stack of empty pots in my bathroom doesn't really support that theory!

Fine hair doesn't need a lot of conditioning, but skipping this step leaves me with flyaway, static hair. Veganese is another Lush product that works like a charm - it's really light so doesn't weigh my hair down and contains lemon to give it great shine. I apply to the ends only, so my 250g bottle lasts months.

Fine hair is a fickle mistress - every few months, it gets bored of my miracle products and decides it needs something new. To keep it happy, I have a break from my usual routine and use whatever's on offer in Boots. At the moment it's Umberto Giannini - I'm a bit of a beauty snob so always go for mid- or high-end products.

Once washed, I have an arsenal of products to battle deflation. Moroccan Oil doesn't really do anything for volume, but it keeps my hair smooth and supple. John Frieda's Brilliant Brunette volumising mousse, on the other hand, volumises like a BAWS. If this product is ever discontinued, I will weep. Backcomb in a Bottle is a great thickening product - I spray this after styling to create a mussed-up effect. And Osis Dust It can be used to add texture, again after styling - I bought mine from eBay as it's much cheaper.

When it comes to styling my hair, I'm lazy. I blowdry it upside down and use my trusty, 10-year-old ghds to straighten the kinks. The Babyliss Big Hair styler is a new addition - after reading countless reviews and not finding a single negative one, I bought it hoping I'd finally found the answer to my big hair prayers. But unfortunately, it can't change genetic makeup (I know, such a bummer). My hair is baby fine, so although the hot rotating brush does add volume, it doesn't give me the dramatic umph I was looking for.

So there you have it - a lesson in creating volume from someone whose hair very often resembles a pancake. YOU'RE WELCOME.

What are your must-have haircare products? Any fellow flatties got a tip, trick or cheat to share?

Favourite Colour Combos - Navy and Orange

2011-11-29T18:12:00.000Z

Uniqlo jeans and jumper, blouse c/o Next, heels c/o Sarenza, ASOS necklace

When I snapped these photos it was raining buckets outside and my house was shrouded in darkness - not ideal conditions for photography (which I struggle with at the best of times), but I love the colour combination so much I just had to share.

The leopard print heels are by Georgia Rose at Sarenza - they're hella comfortable so therefore my new favourites. The jumper and jeans are Uniqlo, somewhere I've never purchased from before but definitely will do again. And you've seen the blouse before, but I love how it pops against a navy background. All in all, a winning outfit for a rainy day of meetings.

What's your favourite winter colour combination?

Faux Fur, France and the Fashion Blogger

2011-11-28T17:30:00.000Z

Two things any fashion blogger worth her salt loves - faux fur and France.

Zara gilet (that's the faux fur), Next breton stripe jumper (that's the France), Topshop jeans, ballerina flats (also a little bit French) c/o Sarenza, Miss Selfridge ring, Topshop belt, Zara bag

Black skinnies, ballerina flats, breton stripes, faux fur and big sunglasses - the ultimate 'fashion' outfit, perfect for flitting around Somerset House, reading Vogue and... erm... whatever else it is fashionable people do on the regular. What would I know - I wear Uggs!

What do you wear when you need an instant style injection?

My Sartorial Guilty Pleasures

2011-11-24T17:30:00.001Z

There are lots of things that make me feel guilty. Buying Ben & Jerry's ice cream when it's not on offer, for example. Using the last of the milk and not mentioning it. Genuinely enjoying Snog, Marry Avoid. But in a sartorial sense, there are a few items in my wardrobe I class as my guilty pleasures. When I wear them, I feel a mixture of shame, guilt and pure, unadulterated joy. Take a look...

Vintage Pringle jumper via jumble sale

I bought this Pringle wool jumper at a jumble sale earlier this year. It was £1 and the condition reflects the price - it's bobbly, faded and misshapen with a few pulls in the knit. I wear it over the faded jersey dress (see below) when I'm rattling around the house, trying to pull writing inspiration from mid-air. It reminds me of granddads and Scotland and I love it.

Zara striped dress

I snapped this up for £10 in the Zara sale a few summers ago and initially I wore it in properly - with bare legs and sandals in the summer, then with tights, cardigans and boots the following winter. But the loose, tunic shape and fast fading meant it soon became my 'wear-over-swimming-costume-on-way-to-gym' dress.

Sheepskin boots c/o Whooga

I know, I know. Uggs. But they're so warm, I don't even care. I had a pair of Uggs a few years ago but sold them in a fit of 'I'm-too-fashionable-for-these' madness. Yes, they're ugly. Yes, I could just wear some nice leather boots. No, they're not suitable for wet weather. But I still don't care.

And yes, I do wear them out of the house.

Topshop Andie jeans

I have never been able to pull off boyfriend jeans. If I wear them with Converse and a cotton tee, I look like a (male) member of a 90s pop punk band. With heels and a blouse they look like emergency trousers I had to buy on my lunch break after splitting the skinny jeans I was originally wearing. These Andie jeans were £25 in the Topshop sale and are the softest, most comfortable jeans in the world. They never see the light of day, but j'adore them.

What are your sartorial guilty pleasures?

A Little Bird Told Me for innocent drinks

2011-11-23T17:30:00.000Z

In 2007 I was freshly graduated and working as a junior copywriter in a creative advertising agency. I was being taught the skills of my future trade by my lovely boss (and now good friend) Lisa, who introduced me to a range of different writing styles used by brands. Of all these examples of tone of voice, one really stuck out - innocent. Their friendly, jovial words and quirky metaphors have shaped my writing career ever since.

Later that year Lisa bought me a bottle of innocent smoothie with a tiny knitted hat sat atop it. Since then, I've bought a knitted bottle topper from innocent's Big Knit campaign every year, and have a collection of innocent promotional materials to keep me inspired when I'm writing about less interesting subjects (hello ISAs). You could quite accurately describe me as an innocent fangirl.

So, when an email from innocent themselves popped into my inbox a few months ago, I was beyond excited. Those lovely juice-making folks wanted me to design my very own bottle topper for the Big Knit campaign, which they'd knit it up at Fruit Towers along with a full sized big brother. Wow. Now, unlike the wonderful Kristabel, I'm no designer (and she's a knitwear designer at that - I call cheating). I actually had to purchase a pack of coloured pencils to do this as all I had was a biro. When it comes to creating I'm much better with words, so rather than trying to be all 'fashion' about it I went for full-on knitted fun...

So much woolly goodness! I love my little and large pair so much, I'm actually quite sad that I have to give one away. But, luckily for you, I still will! If you'd like to win the mini version of the Little Bird for innocent drinks (hee) hat, just leave a comment on this post and I'll pick a winner next week.

As well as being super cute and supported by celebs like Sienna Miller, Heston Blumenthal and Sophie Ellis Bextor, innocent's Big Knit campaign helps make winter warmer for older people across the UK. For every woolly-hatted bottle you buy, 25p goes to Age UK. And you can join in too by knitting your own mini hat and sending it to innocent.

What do you think of my design - would you wear it? Are you a fan of the innocent brand?

What Jen Did

2011-11-22T17:24:00.003Z

Because I am naturally inquisitive (or incurably nosey, whatevs), I love reading blog posts about what people have been doing. Unfortunately my name doesn't quite fit into the classic 'What So-and-So Did' formation (unlike two of my favourite bloggers, What Katie Does and What Olivia Did... damn them and their multiple syllable names!) but we shall soldier on with some Instagram shots of what I've been up to the past few weeks.

1. 2.

1. A little while ago I was invited to an event at the Nails Inc Champagne Bar in Harvey Nichols Leeds. I ate sushi (which was rather difficult when having a manicure, but I digress) and a whoopie pie and had my nails painted with colours from the new Gossip Girl range. I chose Blair's version - a deep teal background covered with a blue and green holographic overglaze (their words, not mind). I loved it - subtle with a hint of sparkle. Events at Harvey Nics are always excellent and I know I'm guaranteed a good time with Lucy and Elly around.

2. I'm not particularly familiar with Starbucks as I don't drink tea or coffee (I know, quelle horreur), but after a stressful morning of work I went for a wander and ended up in a window seat with a hot chocolate and an apple fritter doughnut. As any freelancer will tell you, when you work for yourself there's a tendency to keep going until you can go no more, so these afternoon breaks need to become a more regular thing.

3. 4.

3. I wrote a whole post about this last week, but it's quite an exciting thing so I think it deserves another mention. Seeing my bedroom door in Company Magazine was quite a thrill but so far, not ONE SINGLE PERSON I know in 'real life' has mentioned it. What are they all reading... books?!

4. Ask any copywriter for an example of great tone of voice and they'll give you Innocent. I've followed this brand since I started my career and have used them in countless presentations on how to write good copy, so when they asked if I'd like to work with them I squealed. I designed the hat (and there's a big version too) - but more on that tomorrow.

5. 6.

5. Rob and I went to London at the beginning of last week. I love meeting up with London-based bloggers and seeing the city through the eyes of a local, and I always remember their recommendations for restaurants, events and things to do. Proper Londoner Kristabel took me to The Diner in Soho last time I was in town and I loved it, so Rob and I stopped by for breakfast one morning. Pancakes with bacon, eggs and maple syrup - seriously good.

6. I was in London just before the Versace for H&M launch and passed this outdoor promo on Regent Street. What could be more fitting for such an ostentatious brand than a giant, neon-lit, leopard print handbag? So Donatella.

7. 8.

7. After seeing Ellie's amazing Chanel-shaped bargain from Mary's Living & Giving Shop in Primrose Hill, I went on the hunt for something similar. The shop is just beautiful - full of vintage furniture and cosy spaces to sit - but I came away empty handed. I did grab a pair of Beatrix Ong brogues with an £80 price tag but swiftly put them back when Rob gave me some major side eye. I guess £80 in a charity shop is a little steep...

8. Clearly I've developed a taste for the overpriced - I bought Ladurée macaroons (£12 for 6) and a ridiculous Christmas ornament from Liberty (£7). Okay, I admit it - I really just wanted the paper carrier bags.

9. 10.

9. A proper London visit always requires a trip to the theatre, and as we stayed in Victoria we decided Wicked would be perfect (and easy). It was an amazing show with some brilliant songs but it was one of the longest I've seen. We left the Apollo Victoria at nearly 11pm with only gin and tonic and Haribo to fuel us... I don't think the staff at Angus Steakhouse were happy to see us with only 20 minutes 'til closing.

10. The Natural History Museum is one of my absolute favourite places to visit - it has a serene, gentle atmosphere that's perfect for dawdling about and marvelling at dinosaurs (although I take all that back if there's a school trip attending). Right now there's an ice rink and merry-go-round outside the museum - very festive, if extortionately expensive.

11. 12.

11. Back in Leeds and with a Christmas ball to go to (I know, so early), I was on the hunt for a suitable party dress. I'm not usually one for the LBD (sorry Company...) but this sheer, spotty number caught my eye at the Mango press day a few weeks ago. Lovely Jenny from The Style PA styled this dress as part of a blogger challenge, and when I saw the results I bought it straight away. It's probably the most flattering dress I've ever owned - I love it.

12. And finally, a gratuitous picture of a (fast growing) kitten. Back in September we picked up a teeny bundle of monochrome fluff and named him Travis. Now he's nearly five months old and very, VERY naughty. But he keeps me company when I'm working from home and Rob and I are ridiculously besotted. Keep this to yourselves, but he even sleeps on the bed.

What have you been up to recently?

PS - If you'd like to see my Instagram feed (be warned - I'm a bit obsessed), you can find me by searching for jenholmes85.

Do You Have A Shopping Addiction?

2011-11-21T17:30:00.002Z

Today I'm hiding behind the camera lens and tackling an issue that's centred in fashion and blogging - won't you join me for a discussion?

Photo from 4nitsirk's Flickr

Well - do you? I think I might. I've always loved clothes and since my first job as a pot washer at an Italian restaurant, most of my wages have been sartorially spent. I'm a functioning addict - I don't have an out-of-control debt, and my fridge is as full as my wardrobe. I can still buy food and pay bills and have a life, but I have a reliance on new purchases that makes me uncomfortable.

I'm an emotional shopper - when I'm feeling sad, or stressed, or even just bored, I love wandering round the shops. New purchases are the perfect pick-me-up after a bad day - they may be small, high street items, but if you have an average of two bad days a week, they soon add up. And the high street is not solely to blame - second hand shopping is just as addictive, if not more so. With charity shops, you're always chasing the next bargain... and the rush that comes with finding it.

For someone who has a predisposition for impulsive purchasing, fashion blogs can be a minefield of triggers. As fashion bloggers, we display our tendencies for consumerism with every post, often making it ridiculously easy for readers to join in by using direct purchase links to the items we're wearing. So easy, in fact, that The Man Repeller made $10,000 in two months when she started using affiliate links. There's such a stylish display of fabulousness on blogs that I find myself coveting every outfit, wanting every item (and the necessary accessories) and adding more and more to my wishlist.

New purchases make great blog content, too. The easiest, quickest blog post is one that shows off your 'haul' - a virtual look inside your shopping bags. Only yesterday I found myself in TK Maxx, holding a pair of bright pink leather gloves and thinking 'these would make a great blog post'. Surely my first concern about bright pink leather gloves should be 'will these make me look like Barbie?' or, even better, 'will they keep my hands warm?'

For me, there comes a time when responsibility needs to be taken. Sometimes that's when you hit your overdraft limit (and then some), or when your wardrobe collapses under the strain. The tagline for my blog is 'fashion for the skint yet stylish', yet the conveyor belt of clothing that appears here may make you think otherwise. And I didn't start this blog as a way to display my vast assortment of chunky knits.

So I'm taking control, cutting down and clearing out. I want to recapture the sentiment that so attracted me to blogs in the first place - that notion that we don't all have endless rails of beautiful clothes, but that we can work with what we do have and still be fashionably relevant. Will you join me?

Do you find yourself shopping too much? Do the blogs you read encourage you to shop more than you usually would? Do you feel the pressure to wear or feature new things on your blog?

Project Take 10 Challenge 17 - Company Magazine (!)

2011-11-15T17:30:00.001Z

When I started A Little Bird Told Me, of course I had the pages of a national women's magazine in mind. So my appearance in Company Magazine (as part of the fabulous Take 10) came as no surprise.

Psych!

All the Take 10 girls were giddy with excitement when we were asked to take part in a special LBD challenge for Company's December issue. Blogging brings with it some fantastic opportunities, but when we started this project I don't think any of us thought we'd get into the glossies. But here we are!

Company sent us a simple ASOS black dress - a perfect blank canvas for our styling skills (as I said in my 'official interview'). It should've been the easiest challenge ever, but the pressure of being in print brought on sartorial panic and I lost my head a bit...

ASOS dress, Topshop belt and faux fur stole, Jonathan Astor pink socks, Bertie boots, Miss Selfridge ring, vintage bag

I like to call this method of getting dressed the 'throw-on-the-entire-contents-of-your-wardrobe'. When it comes to evening outfits I prefer simple, understated pieces mixed with blingy accessories, but it all looked a little flat. So I added the faux fur stole and the pink socks - hardly the simple, understated look I was going for, but cute, fun and good enough for Company.

Here's how my homegirls styled the LBD...

1-10: Sherin, Ellie, Susie, MJ, Sabine, Vicki, Paula, Sarah, Harriet and me.

Lookin' good, ladies!

What do you think of challenge 17 and our Company Mag spread - did we do good?

Blogger's Block

2011-11-14T17:30:00.002Z

Sometimes, the words just won't come.

It doesn't matter how long you've been staring at the keyboard.
Or how many half-baked sentences you've written and swiftly deleted.

Even the most inspiring views don't inspire.
Even the most encouraging words don't encourage words.

And although it's frustrating,
And although the situation's far from ideal,

It might be time to experience life through my own eyes,
Rather than a camera lens.

Just for a little while.

Because
sometimes, the words just won't come.

Have you ever experienced Blogger's Block? How did you deal with it?

Friday, Friday, Dressing Down on Friday

2011-11-11T17:13:00.000Z

Zara faux fur gilet, Zara long sleeve tee, Topshop jeans, Topshop scarf, Converse trainers c/o Schuh, ring via charity shop

I rarely post on a Friday because most of my Friday outfits look like this - comfy, cosy and distinctly average. But in the interest of 'keeping it real', here I am in all my dressed down glory. The faux fur gilet strikes again!

Have a wonderful weekend.

PS - Sing the title of this post to the tune of Rebecca Black's Friday. Go on, I dare ya.

Thrift Find of the Month - November

2011-11-08T17:30:00.001Z

I've noticed a pattern in my second hand shopping. In the summer, when the car boot sales are still going strong and waking up at 7am doesn't involve stumbling about in the dark, I find more for my house than my wardrobe. The Second Hand Home Challenge thrived this summer as I picked up gilded mirrors, coffee tables and a decorative sewing machine.

The car boots have packed up for the year now though, so the focus of my finds has shifted back to fashion. Which, obviously, is fine by me! I've found some lovely things in my local charity shops over the last few weeks, but one piece definitely stands out...

Gap sequin skirt via charity shop, blouse c/o Next, Michael Kors jacket, boots c/o StylistPick, Topshop necklace, Butler and Wilson ring c/o QVC

Are sequin skirts like buses? I've gone almost 26 years (argh, old) without owning one, and now I have two! Not that I'm complaining. This little beauty was just £3.99 from St Gemma's Hospice - the loose, floaty shape is far more relaxed than my Zara pencil skirt version, making it perfect for daytime. Teamed with a simple shirt in tangerine (my new favourite colour), a classic leather jacket and wedge boots, it's a grown-up look with just a little bit of sparkle to satisfy the Disney Princess in me.

Have you done any second hand shopping recently? What did you discover?

How To Wear a Faux Fur Gilet

2011-11-07T17:30:00.004Z

It was summer 2004 and Sienna Miller's brand of 'boho chic' was the look du jour. Wardrobes across the country groaned under the weight of tiered maxi skirts, leather coin belts and battered cowboy boots. Leggings were bandied about as a legitimate style choice. Ditto Uggs. Females everywhere spent hours trying to recreate Sienna's undone, relaxed style, and sales of Bed Head by Tigi shot up. Probably.

There was one item that defined the Sienna years - the faux fur gilet. In autumn 2004 and spring 2005 the gilet reigned supreme and its enormous popularity meant I desperately wanted, nay - needed - one (hey, I was 20 and very impressionable). I tried on every style, in every colour. I tried it with jeans, with skirts, over dresses and over jumpers, but nothing looked right. The faux fur gilet didn't work for me, and I was devastated.

In 2005 I gave up on boho chic and made my own 'style statement' (ahem) by wearing pink Converse boots, skinny jeans and band t-shirts until I graduated. Over the years, the faux fur gilet popped up again in various A/W collections and try as I might, I could never pull it off. So when I spotted one in Zara at the weekend, I sighed despondently and continued on to the knitwear section. But like a dog with a bone I soon found myself wearing another of the damn things, twisting and turning in front of the mirror, trying to be objective, remembering 2005 and Sienna bloody Miller...

Zara faux fur gilet, shirt and jeans c/o Next, boots c/o Sarenza, Topshop necklace, Mango ring

After seeing this post from my ultimate style inspiration, The Glamourai, I decided to forgo the boho bit and just go for chic instead. A loose silk shirt and skinny jeans in autumnal colours plus leather ankle boots and gold jewellery make for a more put-together look. And I think, after six years of searching, I've finally found the one.

What do you think of the faux fur gilet - how would you wear it?

An Ode to My Polka Dot Jeans

2011-11-02T17:30:00.000Z

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways...

River Island jeans, tee c/o Wildfox, blazer via charity shop, Bertie boots, Mango necklace, Topshop ring, Michael Kors watch

Oh, polka dot jeans. You make my heart sing. And you make my legs look thin. For that, I declare you a ... win... ahem.

Obviously poetry is not my strong point. My love for these jeans, however, is unwavering. I was reading Grazia on my way to London last week and these jeans were featured in their Lust List. As soon as I hopped off the train at Kings Cross I was on the Victoria line to Oxford Circus and in River Island's dressing room (advertising - it works).

Jeans are my everyday staples - I have so many pairs, from my faithful Topshop Kristens to the Next coloured skinnies in maroon and plum. They're so easy to pull on, can be dressed up with heels or down with flats and have solved many a wardrobe crisis. I wouldn't usually go for patterned bottoms (it's the child bearing hips) but I think these babies are rather flattering - they're so tight, they're practically Spanx. Not great for eating or sitting down but hey - this is fashion, people!

I know not everyone shares my love for jeans. Apparently, some people don't even own a pair! Quelle horreur! So tell me - are you a fan of the humble denim trouser? Do you have a favourite pair?

Giveaway - Win With A Little Bird Told Me!

2011-11-01T17:30:00.004Z

*GIVEAWAY CLOSED*

In my gushy thanks-for-being-awesome post about the Cosmo Blog Awards, I spoke of a special post. A special post that was to contain a proper thank you for reading, commenting on and sharing this here blog. This is that post. *cue dramatic music*

In my humble opinion, the best way to say thank you is with material stuff. Pretty things to go in your already-overstuffed wardrobe, but they're allowed because you didn't buy them. Shiny new things! Hooray!

The Little Bird Giveaway

First up, for the vintage vixen...

The prize
A vintage chestnut faux fur coat, size 12. This coat is a true vintage gem, bought by me on one of my charity shop jaunts. It's in perfect condition with no damage. The faux fur is soft and super warm with a pelt appearance. The coat fastens with hook and eyes and a button at the top. It's a large size 12 but would fit sizes 10-14.

And for the designer diva...

The prize
A rose gold watch by Guess, kindly given to me by John Lewis. This beautiful watch is a classic timepiece in this season's hottest metal. It comes in a cute quilted bag with heart charm and will look much better on your arm than your boyfriend.

The rules

There are TWO prizes available
You can enter to win the prize of your choice or both prizes
If you'd like to win the vintage faux fur coat, leave the comment "I'm a vintage vixen!" on this post
If you'd like to win the Guess watch, leave the comment "I'm a designer diva!" on this post
If you'd like to win both prizes, leave the comment "I'm not fussy!" on this post
Leave a method of contact - your email address, Twitter username or a link to your blog where contact details can be found
You can also tweet for an extra entry using the hashtag #littlebirdgiveaway

Good luck!

Terms and conditions

Open to Little Bird readers worldwide. Giveaway opens on 01/11/2011 and closes on 07/11/2011. Winner/s will be selected at random and notified by contact method provided. If the first winner selected has entered to win both prizes, no other winners will be selected. If the first winner selected has entered to win one prize, another winner will be chosen from those who entered to win the remaining prize and both prizes. The second winner selected will receive the remaining prize regardless of if they entered to win both prizes. Prizes will be posted to address provided.

Designer on the High Street - Missoni for Target

2011-10-31T17:30:00.000Z

I'm a fan of affordable fashion, a second hand shopper and a high street girl through and though... but there are a few ridiculously expensive designer brands that I adore. Michael Kors' all-American leathers, Diane von Furstenberg's fabulously flattering wrap dresses, and Missoni's chevron rainbow knits. I'm always on the hunt for cut-price pieces from these three - I scored a MK leather jacket in TK Maxx and very nearly 'invested' in a DvF dress during my trip to Bicester Village. So when I heard about the Missoni for Target collection, I was poised over my MacBook for three weeks waiting for it to drop. Well, not really. But I was excited.

Unfortunately Target.com doesn't ship to the UK (which saddens me, as the site is awesome), but luckily I have a very lovely sister-in-law-to-be living in Chicago. When the collection went live, I ordered online, paid via PayPal and used her address for the shipping. That was my way around the shipping issue, but if you don't have a kindly relative living in America you could use a mail forwarding service like Reship.com.

Missoni for Target cardigan, American Apparel t-shirt, Next jeans, flats c/o Bertie, Cambridge Satchel Company bag, pearl collar via car boot sale, Michael Kors watch

I ordered this cardigan and a coat from the range, but due to huge demand the coat still hasn't been shipped. And this is where Target come into their own - they're in regular contact via email about the status of my order, they ship each item when it's available with no extra charge and they only take payment when each item is shipped. I'm holding on for my coat which is due in December, but I still have the option to cancel my order if I change my mind.

Post from the US is painfully slow so although I ordered this cardigan back in September and it arrived with my sis-in-law a few days later, it only came through my letterbox last week. As soon as I saw her familiar handwriting on the envelope, I squealed 'it's the Missoni!' and ripped it open while Rob looked on blankly.

I've heard mixed reports about Target's designer collaborations - similarly to H&Ms designer ranges here, quality varies and often you pay a much higher price just for the designer tag. I paid $49.99 (about £30) for this cardigan - it's a rayon/cotton mix, super soft and fits like a dream. It's well made, the colours are vibrant and the design is instantly recognisable. In short, I love it.

High street/designer collaborations are a great way to get your hands on a piece by your favourite high fashion brand without paying the hefty price tag. And although some partnerships fall flat, Missoni for Target got it spot on. Their famous chevron print is easily transferred to reasonably priced clothing, homeware, swimwear and footwear. I'm now planning a transatlantic flight to coincide with the next collection - I'll be the crazy lady dragging a suitcase stuffed with bedspreads and bikinis.

What do you think of the Missoni for Target collection? Have you bought from a high street/designer collaboration before?

Cosmo Blog Awards 2011

2011-10-30T16:38:00.000Z

Well, what a whirlwind week! My obscene lack of posting means it must've been a busy one. I've been in London for a few days, catching up with my favourite bloggers, popping in to a few press days and attending the Cosmopolitan Blog Awards.

When I found out I was shortlisted for a Cosmo Blog Award, I was quite gobsmacked. I won't patronise you with the whole 'humble blogger' thing - it's not that I didn't think I deserved it. I put lots of work into A Little Bird Told Me and I wouldn't spend so much time on it if I didn't think it was worth it. But there are so many blogs out there, some with actual millions of readers. There are also lots of London-based blogs that are featured regularly in the mainstream press. To beat off such stiff competition seemed like an impossible task. But I did it!

Photo courtesy of KBel

The awards were held at Bond in central London. There were cupcakes and (extremely low alcohol content) Cosmos, of course. But my favourite feature was the wall projection, which displayed all the blogs shortlisted alongside a quote from someone who nominated them. This is mine - I was truly touched to read it. If the author would like to step forward, I have a virtual hug waiting for them!

Photo courtesy of the Cosmo street style snappers, who got me mixed up with the lovely Vicki. If only I really did have her fabulous hair!

The dress code was 'awards fabulous' which immediately sent me into a panic spiral. I don't own fancy clothing! Eventually I decided on my Zara sequin pencil skirt, teamed with a Zara velvet tee, French Connection courts (which crippled me, as always), an ASOS clutch and Mango necklace. In this photo I was using the clutch to hide my food baby. Just like the celebs!

Yum!

I didn't win, but that's okay. I was beyond delighted to be there with so many talented people, and the fact that a mainstream media powerhouse like Cosmopolitan is recognising and embracing bloggers is a prize in itself. And as well as being a wonderful way to reward bloggers for their hard work, the awards are also a goldmine of inspiration and new reading material. Just check out the list of winners!

I have a special post lined up for tomorrow to say thank you to everyone who reads Little Bird, but for now I want to say thank you so very much for nominating and voting for me in the Cosmo Blog Awards. It's your support and interaction that makes this blog what it is, and for that you all deserve a cupcake. Not that I have enough for everyone (or any at all, in fact). But you know what I mean.

Were you at the awards, or did you follow the evening on Twitter? What do you think of the winners - have you found your new favourite blog?

Fashion - it's Just a Walk in the Park

2011-10-24T17:30:00.000+01:00

Jeans c/o Next, Zara jumper, brogues c/o Bertie, button necklace via charity shop, Zara scarf, Edina Ronay bag via TK Maxx

A walk in the park requires nothing more than a chunky knit, a pair of jeans and some flat shoes. Of course, the raging fashionista (ahem) in me means the jeans are skinny, the flats are actually brogues and a colourful necklace adorns the chunky knit.

I'm wearing a few of my favourite things here - the handmade button necklace which I snapped up at a charity shop for £2, the grassy green chunky knit which is my ultimate way to keep warm, and my new plum jeans from Next, which I am determined to acquire in all available colours.

How do you dress up your basic items?

Project Take 10 Challenge 16 - Next Round 2

2011-10-20T17:30:00.001+01:00

Next are no strangers to Project Take 10 - our first Next challenge involved a rather itchy jumper. For round 2, however, it was a far classier affair...

Next Double Breasted Coat, Bertie boots, Edina Ronay bag via TK Maxx, Topshop necklace, H&M hat and ring

This coat is so far from my usual style - it's red, a colour I never wear because I find it quite harsh against pale skin, and it's a structured, military shape. It's at complete odds with my usual relaxed, girly style... but I love it. I love the button detail, the sharp shoulders and the nipped in waist. Paired with feminine accessories and a touch of leopard print it fits right into my wardrobe. Take a look at how the other girls worked the colour pop coat...

Ellie, me, Paula, Harriet, Susie, Sherin, Sarah, MJ, Vicki, Sabine

What do you think - are you feeling the Little Red Riding Hood look or does it give you the rages? How would you style this coat?

Staying Stylish During Cold Weather

2011-10-19T17:30:00.000+01:00

It's the first really cold day of autumn. The first day my car has to be coaxed into starting because it's too cold. The first day we put our heating on in the morning. The first day I consider stew to be a viable dinner option.

With frost on the ground and a bite in the air, I really only had one option when it came to today's outfit. Dig out the biggest, cosiest, most blanket-like item in the wardrobe and wear it with gusto. So I did.

Topshop cardigan via charity shop, high waisted cords c/o Next, Zara long sleeved tee, Miss Selfridge ring

I like to think of this cardigan, which I picked up in my recent charity shop knitwear haul for a fiver, as the stylish slanket. It's Topshop's version of a blanket with armholes, knitted in the finest Alpaca wool with a few buttons thrown on for posterity. It's ridiculously warm and two sizes too big, so when I wear it I am literally swaddled in fabric and quite red in the face.

To play down the slanket factor and redeem some style points, I teamed my oversized knit with skinny, high waisted cords, a basic long sleeve tee in rich plum and some statement jewels. Add a pair of platform boots and the effect is chic, rather than cold-at-a-festival.

Is it chilly where you are today? How did you keep warm?

A Guide to Shopping in TK Maxx

2011-10-18T17:30:00.000+01:00

TK Maxx has been my high street must-visit for many years. When I lived with my mum as a teen we'd visit our local store and trawl through the homeware section, picking up pretty cushions, candles and photo frames for the house.

In recent years the discount brand has shifted the focus to fashion, stocking high end designer pieces for a fraction of their original cost. But it's hard to change perceptions, and many people think the endless rails are full of last season's tat. So here's my handy guide to bagging the best bargains, sorting the fashion from the faux pas and finding that perfect piece (in your size). Read on, intrepid shopper!

Paraphrase angora jumper, £19.99

With such a wide selection of brands, quality varies hugely
These handy (and totally cute) labels make it quick and easy to pick out quality pieces - look out for them!
Give each piece the touch test - feel for roughness, loose buttons and hanging threads

Jessica Simpson hat, £14.99

Each rail is spilt into sections according to size, but don't let that stop you. Things get mixed up, so search through all sections
If you're a less common size, you're in luck - the sizes that get left behind in the shops are often found in TK Maxx (especially size 3 shoes)
Try before you buy though - TK Maxx stocks unusual brands with unusual sizing!

Edina Ronay leather bag, £49.99

TK Maxx is brilliant for discovering new brands - from fashion houses like Gharani Strok to indie labels like Rose and Crown
If you're looking for something unique, keep an eye out for quirky patterns. TK Maxx is great for pretty prints you won't find in Primark
The lesser known brands are often cheaper too

Michael Kors jacket, £100 (RRP £300)

If it's an investment piece you want, TK Maxx stocks lots of luxury labels with huge discounts
The Gold Label range offers brands like See by Chloe, Versace, Stella McCartney, Moschino and Marc Jacobs
And it's not all old stock either - my Michael Kors jacket is from this season's collection

Do you shop in TK Maxx? What's been your favourite purchase? And if not, what's stopping you?

As Inspired By... London's Ladies

2011-10-17T17:30:00.001+01:00

Over the last few months I've spent a lot of time in London. I've already written about the inspiration I get from the city itself, but for sartorial stimulus I look to London's ladies.

At London Fashion Week, I saw an outfit that really stuck in my head. A short leather skirt, oversized chunky knit, platform boots and bright lips. Such a simple look, but one that worked so well the street style photographers were falling over themselves to snap a shot. I've been searching for the perfect jumper to recreate the look, and I finally found it in Zara.

Zara jumper, River Island leather skirt, Bertie boots, Primark tights, Topshop ring

Metallic elbow patches? Yes please. I love the snugly, cosy jumper with the slightly slutty (sans tights, at least) leather skirt and fierce boots. If I wanted to be all fashion douchebag about it, I'd describe it as a juxtaposition of femininity and androgyny.

I'm heading to London again tomorrow and can't wait to while away a few hours with some people watching, gathering inspiration for my wardrobe back up North.

Who or what is inspiring you today?

Leeds Fashion Blogger Challenge - High Street vs. Market

2011-10-15T11:00:00.001+01:00

I'm not usually one for competition, probably because I'm a hideously competitive person and hate to lose. Seriously - I have been known to throw the small dog from Monopoly at a sibling. And don't even try playing Charades with me - I will scream every film in the history of cinema at you with increasing volume until you finally break and shout 'it's bloody Titanic, alright? GOD!'.

So, when lovely Elly contacted me about the Leeds Fashion Blogger Challenge, I was a little wary. Were my fellow bloggers ready to see my competitive side? Maybe not, but when I realised the challenge involved shopping I decided to take the risk. After all, shopping is my relaxation technique.

The challenge is simple. Four Leeds-based fashion bloggers - me, Lucy, Lauren and Elly - are split into two teams and given £100 per team to spend on an A/W outfit. The twist? Lucy and I are tackling the high street, while Lauren and Elly are heading to Leeds Market. It's a sartorial showdown!

Photo of Victoria Quarter by Ariaski

Photo of Leeds Markets by Nicolas Smale

As part of team high street, Lucy and I have free reign to shop across the city, including independent stores. Here are my ideas:

TK Maxx - great for high quality trend pieces at brilliant prices
H&M - plenty of basics to mix with statement items
Mighty Baby - fabulous vintage goodies, perfect for creating a unique outfit
Primark - a must for any budding barganista

The two outfits we create will be displayed at an event next month when a winner will be declared. So, any tips for us? If you had £100 to create the ultimate AW outfit, what would you buy? And where would you go?

Alternative Autumn Essentials - Jumpsuit

2011-10-13T17:30:00.000+01:00

Now, you all know I'm fond of a floral dress. For me, the epitome of autumn style is a cute tea dress, thick tights, a chunky knit and some leather brogues. But ladies, we're talking about alternative autumnal outfits. And floral dresses in autumn are about as alternative as My Chemical Romance.

French Connection jumpsuit, vintage cardigan, ballet flats c/o Sarenza, H&M ring, ASOS necklace, Primark belt

If you've followed me on Twitter for a while, you might recognise this jumpsuit. I first tried it on in summer 2010 (and tweeted a photo of me wearing it) and fell in love, but at £95 it was far too expensive. So I bided my time, watched the sales like a hawk and finally, just after Christmas, spotted it for £20. High five!

I snapped it up and wore it a few times over summer, but I think it works wonderfully as part of my AW wardrobe. I wore it with ballet flats instead of sandals and threw this cuddly mohair cardi over the top (another item from my charity shop knitwear haul, bought for £3.50), but it works equally well with heels and a blazer for a smarter look.

The jumpsuit finishes off four days of alternative autumn outfits - first it was the leather trousers, then the non knee high boots and yesterday, the sequin skirt. So, do you have a favourite? Which would you wear with pleasure, and which have no business in your wardrobe thank-you-very-much?

I hope you've enjoyed the Alternative Autumn Essentials series, and the other posts in my AW11 style guide (like my Look Show AW11 round-up and my Wearing the AW Trends guide). If you have, I'd love you to vote for me in the Cosmopolitan Blog Awards in the 'established fashion blog' category (where I'm known as Little Bird Fashion for some reason!). The competition is fierce and I'm up against some of my blogging besties, so your vote means a lot. Thank you to everyone who's voted so far, and to everyone who reads, comments and tweets - big hugs for you all!

Alternative Autumn Essentials - Sequin Pencil Skirt

2011-10-12T17:29:00.000+01:00

The humble pencil skirt is a staple in workwear wardrobes the world over. Most commonly seen in muted tones of black and navy, it's the perfect partner to a crisp white shirt and a mid-heel court shoe.

Thanks to fabulous ladies like Joan Holloway in Mad Men and Maggie Gyllenhaal in The Secretary, the sensible pencil is shedding its goody-two-shoes image and developing a reputation for being ever-so-slightly sexy. For my third look in the Alternative Autumn Essentials series, I've ditched the subtly and gone all-out with sequins. Well, why not?

Zara sequin skirt, cashmere jumper via charity shop, Primark collar, Bertie boots via ASOS, Butler and Wilson ring c/o QVC

I don't know who came up with the rule that sequins were strictly for eveningwear, but clearly they had never owned a sequin pencil skirt. I plan to wear this every day FOREVER (okay not really, but I am rather fond of it). To tone down the Strictly Come Dancing factor, I paired the skirt with a fine knit cashmere jumper (part of yesterday's charity shop haul and a steal at £5), added detail with a jewelled collar and finished the look with my beloved ankle boots from yesterday's post. Not sure about sequins during daylight? Swap the jumper for a grey tee and the boots for heels for a perfect drinks-and-dancing outfit.

What do you think - is the sequin skirt already on your A/W wishlist or is it just too magician's assistant for you?

Autumnal dressing can get a bit repetitive - we all have the ubiquitous knitted cardigans, wool coats and knee high boots in our wardrobes. So this week I'm choosing my alternative autumn essentials to create a sartorial survival kit that'll get you through the colder months with style. Chunky knits need not apply.

Alternative Autumn Essentials - Non Knee High Boots

2011-10-11T17:30:00.003+01:00

I guarantee you've read at least one 'guide to the best knee high boots' feature since September. And as we're now half way through October, you're probably on your third. Knee high boots are fashionable favourites for the colder months. They're classic. An investment. Go with anything. And also, just a tiny bit dull. Yes yes, they're more suitable than 6in stilettos for trudging through snow, but they don't excite me. When it comes to shoe porn, the knee high boot isn't even slightly x-rated.

Bertie boots via ASOS, skirt c/o Motel, Topshop tee, necklace and ring

These sexy little things, on the other hand, get my pulse racing. Ankle boots still have all the practicalities of knee highs, but they're just so much cooler. This platform pair from Bertie have a chunky heel and a devilish pointed toe which I adore. They add instant style points to the simplest of outfits, giving this girly skirt and colour clash tee combo a high fashion edge. I've worn them with everything from jeans to evening dresses - it's true love!

But what do you think - are ankle boots an edgy alternative to our beloved knee highs? Would you wear them?

PS - The lovely people at Motel are offering a generous 20% off everything on their site with the code STUDENT20, including the mustard yellow skirt I'm wearing here. Off you pop!

Autumnal dressing can get a bit repetitive - we all have the ubiquitous knitted cardigans, wool coats and knee high boots in our wardrobes. So this week I'm choosing my alternative autumn essentials to create a sartorial survival kit that'll get you through the colder months with style. Chunky knits need not apply.

Alternative Autumn Essentials - Leather Trousers

2011-10-10T17:30:00.002+01:00

Okay, okay. I know what you're thinking. Since when have leather trousers been essential to anything, right? Bear with me. I'm getting to that.

Topshop leather trousers and necklace, Paraphrase jumper via TK Maxx, tee c/o Wildfox, ballet flats c/o Sarenza, Miss Selfridge ring

I bought these leather trousers last year but have rarely worn them because I find them so difficult to style. Skintight leather immediately screams 'rock chick!' (or S&M, depending on your personal preferences) - a look I haven't been able to pull off since I was 15 and Papa Roach were popular. I'm now (nearly) 26 and like girly things like floral tea dresses and faux fur coats. Leather trousers have no business in my wardrobe.

Or at least I thought they didn't, until I tried them with a fluffy pink jumper, basic ballet flats and simple jewellery. The cute jumper cancels out any biker babe connotations, giving a soft and cuddly edge to an otherwise tough outfit. And leather trousers are a great alternative to jeans, especially if you're a denim obsessive like me. Still a bit unsure? Wear a longer tee or tunic over the top for extra coverage.

So, do I have you convinced? Have you decided you simply cannot function through autumn without a pair of leather trousers? Are you running to your nearest retail establishment as we speak? Or have you read this entire post with a mental image of Ross from Friends covered in lotion, desperately trying to pull his leather pants back up? Yes well, there is that...

Autumnal dressing can get a bit repetitive - we all have the ubiquitous knitted cardigans, wool coats and knee high boots in our wardrobes. So this week I'm choosing my alternative autumn essentials to create a sartorial survival kit that'll get you through the colder months with style. Chunky knits need not apply.

Let's Discuss - Women's Clothing Sizing

2011-10-09T17:30:00.001+01:00

It's fair to say I do a lot of shopping. I love browsing for new things, finding bargains and skipping home with a carrier bag (or two) swinging beside me. I don't, however, love trying clothes on.

High street changing rooms are a sartorial nightmare. The lighting is hideous, creating cellulite in places you didn't even know it could exist (my ankles? Really?!). The space is tiny, leaving no room for manoeuvring into those slightly-too-small leather trousers. And there's never a seat, so don't even THINK about trying to get your tights back on without stumbling into the curtain and spilling out into queuing shoppers. With such horror waiting for you behind that sheet of polyester, it's no wonder so many of us despise trying clothing on in-store.

I very rarely brave the changing rooms when I'm shopping. Instead I pick out my size in the items I like, buy them and try them on in the comfort of my own bedroom, where the lighting is flattering and there's no maximum number of items. But although it seems like the ultimate clothing convenience, there's a huge problem with trying on clothing after you've purchased it - when it comes to women's clothing, size means nothing.

Photo by sporkist

In my wardrobe, I have clothing ranging from size 10 right up to size 18. And all of it fits. The number in the label doesn't bother me in the slightest - I don't care what size the industry says I am, I just want to be able to go into a shop and know that an item in that size will fit me. I don't want to buy a pair of shorts in a size up (because I like them loose), only to find I need at least two sizes bigger because they're skintight (H&M, I'm looking at you). I don't want to buy a form-fitting pencil skirt in my normal size, only to find it sags immediately (hello M&S). And I especially don't want to repurchase my favourite jeans, in the same style, in the same size, only to find they're far too small (Topshop, you're guilty).

It's not just clothing either - shoe sizing varies wildly from shop to shop and even something as fundamental as bra sizing, for which you get professionally measured, is not the same across brands. But why? Is it a vanity thing - are we so body-obsessed that we'd rather see a lower number in the label than have 'true to size' clothing in our wardrobe?

Photo by aussiegall

This post on Retro Chick gives a fascinating look at the actual measurements used by high street stores - information that's not included in the label. Her Campaign for Clearer Clothes Sizing calls for shops to disclose the measurements they use to cut their items - it's not about standardising sizing so all size 12s are the same, because not all size 12 bodies are the same. It's about shops being more open about the true size of their clothing, so we know that in Topshop we might be a 10, but in H&M we're more like a 14.

For me, I'd like to see some consistency within stores. If I already have a pair of 30/32 jeans in my wardrobe, I expect the same style in the same size to fit... well, the same. Is that really too much to ask?

What do you think - do you struggle with clothing sizes across shops? Are you often left frustrated when you discover the number in the label is a barefaced lie and you'll have to take the offending item back? What do you think could be done to make clothes sizing clearer and less rage-inducing?

The Classic Shirt Dress

2011-10-04T17:30:00.000+01:00

I've always thought of the shirt dress as somewhat matronly - a bit safe and dull, worn with black pumps and a faded cardigan by mid-level banking sector workers. Usually I wouldn't look twice, but when I spotted a navy Gap shirt dress in a charity shop for a mere £3, I decided to think of it as a blank canvas and see what I could create.

Gap shirt dress via charity shop, Primark tights and belt, Topshop necklace, boots c/o Sarenza, Edina Ronay bag via TK Maxx, H&M ring

Because the dress is so simple and well-fitting, I could add cranberry tights, a statement necklace, skinny belt and splash of pink lipstick without looking like Zandra Rhodes. The cute leather boots and leopard print bag pull everything together for a look that's more stylish than systems-analyst-in-a-meeting.

Do you have a shirt dress in your wardrobe? How do you style it?

If In Doubt, Do Denim

2011-10-03T17:30:00.001+01:00

That's my fashion motto. Whenever I'm feeling unsure about my style, fed up with my wardrobe or confused by the weather (that's today), I reach for the denim and suddenly all is well once more.

Skinny jeans c/o Next, Topshop shirt, Vivienne Westwood shoes c/o Sarenza, ASOS necklace, Edina Ronay bag via TK Maxx

Denim can be drab when worn alone, so I have a few other items that are perfect for dressing up jeans or a chambray shirt. The ASOS spike necklace is an old favourite I wear every other day, and my Vivienne Westwood shoes are surprisingly versatile considering the sparkly pinkness of them. Finally, a touch of Topshop's Brighton Rock lipstick and a shiny new handbag and my outfit doubts are put to rest.

What's your failsafe when you just can't decide what to wear?

Let's Discuss - Haggling at Charity Shops

2011-10-02T16:15:00.000+01:00

Last week I wrote about the faux fur coat I picked up in a charity shop. I bought it from a shop I visit frequently and buy from often - the North Leeds branch of Mind. It was priced at £45 which I considered too high for a charity shop purchase, so after a chat with the manager (who I've spoken to a few times during my visits), I asked if she'd consider an offer. She was happy to, and five minutes later I left a happy customer.

I didn't consider it 'haggling'. In fact, I didn't think anything of it until someone left a comment on the post saying I'd cheated the charity (and the people it helps) out of £10. And that got me thinking.

I'm a regular second hand shopper and visit a range of charity shops, supporting both local and national charities, on a weekly basis. I know many of the volunteers well and can often be found chatting away about my latest purchases. I would much rather buy my vintage faux fur jacket in a charity shop for a decent price, donating money to a worthy cause while I'm at it, than in an overpriced vintage shop or a high street store. But it's still a purchase, and I'm still handing over my own cash. And I've spent enough of my salary in charity shops to know when something's overpriced.

So, what's better? Walking away without spending a penny because an item's overpriced, which means it'll probably linger on the rails for months? Or having a friendly chat with the manager and coming to an agreement everyone's happy with? When I asked on Twitter, opinions were mixed. Some said they'd never question a charity shop's prices on principle, while others said it's better to donate something to charity than nothing at all. The response that summed it up perfectly for me was from belledidyoutell, who manages a charity shop. She said it completely depends on the situation, and I think that's key to this discussion. I would never quibble over a few pence, or 'try my luck' to save more money. I would also never ask for money off in a charity shop I'd never visited before. But in this situation, it didn't feel wrong to do so. If the manager had said no to an offer, I would've accepted with grace and left without the coat.

So, what do you think? Would you ask for an offer in a charity shop? Have you asked before? Does it depend on the situation or is it a clear cut case of cheating a charity? Share your thoughts and experiences below.

And in the interest of keeping things positive, here are a few of my favourite charity shop bargains...

The faux fur coat in question, from Mind

These vintage high waisted trousers were from St Gemma's Hospice

A cute floral tea dress, also from St Gemma's

This sunflower skirt is a summer favourite, bought from an RSPCA shop

This Vogue mirror was another Mind find

The wicker basket that holds logs for our fire was from Age UK

A vintage bag from St Gemma's

Wearing the AW Trends #4 - Colour Block

2011-09-29T17:30:00.002+01:00

After my time at London Fashion Week and The Look Show, I came home with a notebook full of inspiration for my Autumn/Winter wardrobe. All this week I'll be creating looks based on the AW11 trends, using pieces from my wardrobe and a few key purchases.

Colour Block

Block colours were popular with stylish sisters all summer long, and the trend looks set to continue through the cooler months. For autumn, cyan blue, hot pink and neon orange have been replaced by mustard yellow, grass green and rich burgundy. Sounds good enough to eat!

Zara jumper, ASOS blouse and necklace, jeans c/o Next, Vivienne Westwood shoes c/o Sarenza, Cambridge satchel, H&M ring

When I spotted the gorgeous Laura from Wearing it Today in this outfit, I knew I wanted, nay - needed a bright chunky knit. Both our jumpers are from Zara and I totally copied that 'pushed up sleeves' thing she works so well. To build my colour block, I wore a yellow Peter Pan collar blouse and my burgundy skinnies, finished off with a touch of shoe porn courtesy of Viv.

What do you think - is colour blocking the Autumn/Winter 2011 look for you? Or are you smitten with Animalism, Swinging Sixties or Androgyny?

PS - I whipped the jumper off after these photos as it's swelteringly hot outside. Autumn: you're doing it wrong.

Wearing the AW Trends #3 - Androgyny

2011-09-28T17:30:00.000+01:00

After my time at London Fashion Week and The Look Show, I came home with a notebook full of inspiration for my Autumn/Winter wardrobe. All this week I'll be creating looks based on the AW11 trends, using pieces from my wardrobe and a few key purchases.

Androgyny

Aaaah, the androgyny trend. It rolls around every year and strikes fear into the heart of anyone over a size 12 and a B cup. The art of dressing like a boy while still looking like a girl is one I've always found impossible to pull off. My natural style is quite girly, so wearing mannish brogues, minimalist jewels and buttoned-up shirts is way out of my comfort zone. But, androgyny is a big trend for AW11 and no one ever said this blogging thing was easy...

Trousers with braces c/a Republic, Primark blouse, Zara bag, Topshop pumps, Miss Selfridge ring

Okay, so maybe I cheated a little. I don't think peachy pink sheer blouses with horseshoes on really fit into the androgynous trend. Forgive me. The trousers are surprisingly flattering, and wearing them with more feminine pieces like the blouse and pumps softens the look. I added a tough bag and a simple statement ring to fit with the minimalist look.

What do you think of today's trend - will it be appearing in your wardrobe? Or do you prefer trend #1 - Animalism or #2 - Swinging Sixties?

Wearing the AW Trends #2 - Swinging Sixties

2011-09-27T17:30:00.001+01:00

After my time at London Fashion Week and The Look Show, I came home with a notebook full of inspiration for my Autumn/Winter wardrobe. All this week I'll be creating looks based on the AW11 trends, using pieces from my wardrobe and a few key purchases.

Swinging Sixties

There was a definite 60s vibe in the AW11 collections. Models trotted down the catwalk in short skirts Twiggy would be proud of, wearing floppy hats and cable knits with tapered trousers and pussybow blouses.

The 60s is all about feminine prints and flattering shapes - the look is cute and kooky without being twee, so swap your brogues for ballerina flats!

Oasis dress, Next trench coat, flats c/o Sarenza, H&M belt, ring and tights, Cambridge satchel, name necklace, vintage silk scarf

I bought this knitted Missoni-style dress in the Oasis sale for £10. It's a clingy, stretchy style that's very unforgiving after a big Pret lunch (as I discovered today), but some artful belting soon sorts that. I wore it with a classic cream trench, thick autumnal tights and cute ballet flats with bow details. I originally wanted the silk scarf in my hair, but the risk of looking like an extra from Mad Men was too much so I threaded it through the belt loops on my coat, instead.

What do you think - will you be joining me in the Swinging Sixties? Or did you prefer yesterday's animalistic look?

Wearing the AW Trends #1 - Animalism

2011-09-26T17:30:00.004+01:00

After my time at London Fashion Week and The Look Show, I came home with a notebook full of inspiration for my Autumn/Winter wardrobe. All this week I'll be creating looks based on the AW11 trends, using pieces from my wardrobe and a few key purchases.

Animalism
It's a trend that comes up every season - animal print has been a firm fashion favourite for years and 2011 is no different... although maybe a little more exotic!

Classic leopard print is still key to AW style, but there's a new king of the jungle this year. Step (or rather, slither) forward python prints - a cooler, rockier alternative to those cuddly cats.

H&M dress, Michael Kors jacket via TK Maxx, TK Maxx hat, brogues c/o Bertie, Topshop necklace, Mango ring

I love leopard print but I'm ready to spread my wings and try on another member of the animal kingdom. I picked up this python print dress for £19.99 in H&M - it's a short, tunic style so requires a good pair of 120 deniers. I teamed it with a leather jacket and gold accessories for a luxe look, adding the 60s style hat and brogues for a touch of girliness.

What do you think - would you wear this trend?

Thrift Find of the Month - October (ish)

2011-09-25T17:29:00.001+01:00

Yesterday, my usual city centre car parking facility had been transformed into a pop up vintage fair. Thinking it'd be rude not to look as I was passing through, I stopped for a moment. As I browsed the rails - filled with chunky knit jumpers for £25, leather skirts for £30, faux fur jackets for £70 - I found myself tutting and frowning. When did second hand shopping get so expensive?

Maybe I've been ruined by car boot sales. Once you've scored a leather suitcase for £2, paying £35 for one seems sacrilegious. I'm not adverse to paying a little bit more for something really special, but £25 for a floral dress from 1997 doesn't sit well with my vintage moral compass.

The overpriced 'vintage' inspired me to hit the charity shops in search of a real bargain. One leopard print dress and a fluffy beret later, I scored...

Faux fur and leather coat

I am bowled over by this beauty. As soon as I spied the faux fur pelt, peeking out from a rack of polyester and fleece, my step quickened. I was over there like a shot, throwing it on my shoulders and waltzing around the North Leeds branch of Mind like Marilyn Monroe (kind of). The leather panels break up the faux fur, making it much more wearable, while the longer length gives it that old Hollywood glamour. I love the gold chain belt loops and the exaggerated collar - it's little details like these that make this coat so special.

The tag read £45 but after a little bit of negotiating with the shop manager, I walked away £35 lighter with the coat tucked under my arm. Certainly not my cheapest second hand buy (in fact, it's one of my most expensive), but still a complete bargain. And I can't wait to wear it!

Did you bag any bargains this weekend?

Project Take 10 Challenge 15 - QVC

2011-09-23T15:30:00.001+01:00

I've been quite open and honest about my borderline obsession with rings. I think they finish off an outfit perfectly, and I'm rarely seen without a bit of bling on my finger (although it's more likely to be a stag's head than a diamond). So when QVC asked us Take 10 girls to style up a Butler and Wilson ring for our next challenge, I was all for it. Hooray for pretty, sparkly things!

Thing is, a ring is usually the last thing I add, not the first. And when it came to styling an entire outfit around one, I was a bit stumped. So I did what any girl would do when faced with a sartorial head-scratcher - I went for leather and leopard print.

H&M cardigan, vintage shorts, boots c/o Sarenza, belt c/o Next, Michael Kors watch, Butler and Wilson Crystal Wrap Ring

I'm dressed as a Rovers Return barmaid. Clearly I didn't listen to my own advice. But how did the other girls get on?

Me, Ellie, Harriet, Vicki, Susie, Sherin, Sabine, MJ, Paula, Sarah

Easy Autumn Style

2011-09-21T17:30:00.003+01:00

Dress c/o Republic, Topshop cardigan via eBay, boots c/o Sarenza, Topshop necklace and tights, Primark belt, Cambridge Satchel. Please excuse the hair - it was so windy!

A few days ago I popped into the new Republic store in Westfield Stratford City to pick out my key pieces for the new season. The colourful print on this cute tea dress immediately caught my eye - I think autumn is the perfect time to wear bright colours and bold prints. A drab November sky provides a great backdrop for something eye-catching!

On a cold, blustery morning, I threw on a chunky knit cardigan and my faithful ankle boots and I was good to go. Dress + cardigan + boots = easy autumnal style in three simple steps.

What are you wearing today?

As Inspired By... London Fashion Week Street Style

2011-09-20T17:30:00.001+01:00

I've always maintained that clothing is much more interesting when worn by 'real' people. That's why I read blogs, not editorials - I love to see how trends are taken from the catwalk and transformed into Tesco-suitable outfits.

Although there were many, many outlandish outfits at London Fashion Week, there were also lots of impeccably dressed regular folk. It was easy to pull out the popular looks - soft, loose jumpers with ladylike skirts, tailored trousers in block colours - and I soon spotted a theme. The people most popular with street style photographers, including lovely bloggers Jazmine and Gem, went for a 90s grunge look. There was lots of draping and studs; chunky DM boots and leather jackets; deep plum and black. So I watched an episode of Daria and delved into my wardrobe to recreate the style.

Lasercut blouse c/o Republic, Topshop jeans, belt and necklace, Primark wedges

I love the delicate lasercut detail on this pretty blouse. Teamed with high waisted skinnies (these are the black version of my beloved Topshop Kristens) and wedge shoes (a Primark bargain at £16), the look is less girly and more grunge - as seen on the cobbles at Somerset House this season.

What do you think - will you be trying the grunge trend for AW11?

What to Wear Now - The Look Show AW11

2011-09-19T17:39:00.002+01:00

As a long-time fan of the high street and champion of all things thrifty, I was very excited to be invited to the Look Show this season. The show is based on Look Magazine's weekly High Street Hottest, turning it into a catwalk display of the best of British fashion for those of us on a budget. And the items featured are current season - unlike the designer shows at Fashion Week, which showcase a season ahead - so you can get your grubby mitts on everything right now. Be still, my beating heart!

The AW11 show was held at the new Westfield Stratford City shopping centre in East London, which thrilled and terrified me in equal measure. Never have I seen so many people desperate for a Primark freebie. Once I'd fought my way through the crowds and reached the show location, I was whisked down the red carpet into the champagne reception. After filling up on canapés (I actually chased a waitress, they were so good), we were taken to the catwalk to be seated. And amazingly, I ended up on the FROW...

FROW hoes Gem, me, Katy and Lily. Not seen - our bottles of mini champagne with straws! Classy.

We were in excellent company with Kelis opposite, Kimberley Pussy Cat Dolls a bit further down and just a few people separating us and a late-coming Alesha Dixon.

I loved Kelis's Opening Ceremony boots. Hot!

Finally, the plastic floor covering was pulled back (so stylish), the lights remained bright (good for photos) and the music pounded (the soundtrack had Gem and I singing along) as the Look Show AW11 got underway.

Just moments before this, Sarah Harding opened the show.

I absolutely adore high street fashion so spent most of the show snapping hundreds of photos for closer analysis later. Here are my favourite looks - be warned, there are lots!

Marks and Spencer

Forever 21

Forever 21

Miss Selfridge

Miss Selfridge

Oasis

Oasis

H&M

Monsoon

Monsoon

Mango

Mango

Mango

New Look

New Look

Urban Outfitters

Urban Outfitters

There was so much awesome strutting down the catwalk, if Westfield Stratford City hadn't been so busy I would've probably hotfooted it to the nearest shop, credit card held aloft. Autumn/Winter is my favourite season so it was a joy to see all those snugly cardigans, wedge boots and felt hats parading before my eyes.

Attending the Look Show was definitely one of the highlights of my time at London Fashion Week - not only because of the amazing clothes, free food and booze, celeb spotting and FROWing, but because I met so many wonderful bloggers and had such a giggle with them all. Huge thanks to Lara for sorting my invite - hope I can come back next season!

My Fleeting London Fashion Week

2011-09-18T18:06:00.003+01:00

As day three comes to a close, your reader is probably packed with London Fashion Week posts. So here's another! Sorry.

I spent a couple of days in the city watching some shows (thanks vitaminwater!), hanging out at Somerset House and generally pretending to be fashionable. Take a look...

What I Wore

Day one: Warehouse maxi skirt, H&M cardigan, boots c/o Sarenza, belt c/o Next, Cambridge satchel
Day two: Topshop top and jeans, Michael Kors leather jacket, Vivienne Westwood shoes c/o Sarenza, ASOS necklace, Cambridge satchel.

I was street style snapped a few times, but my satchel and shoes got far more attention than anything else!

Who I Saw

Grace Woodward and Paloma Faith sitting FROW at Ashish

Ashish SS12

I absolutely adored Ashish's bright, bold, beautiful looks. The sequinned sunflowers, the mixed prints, the relaxed shapes - the show was a feast for the eyes (and ears - even Grace Woodward was singing along to the awesome soundtrack). Ashish is known for statement design but I can see these pieces filtering down to the high street and being mixed with denim for the everyday.

Jean-Pierre Braganza

In stark contrast to Ashish, Jean-Pierre Braganza showcased sharp tailoring in classic white, black, grey and a pop of pink. I loved the structured jackets and spike heels - a look so easy to replicate with pieces from my own wardrobe. The cute fishtail plaits had me yearning for long hair, too.

What I Did

Projection at Jean-Pierre Braganza

Somerset House

Somerset House is an inspiring location for style - the building is stunning and although they make walking in heels almost impossible, I love the cobbles. Anyone can walk around the grounds during Fashion Week, and many hours can be whiled away just watching the comings and goings of London's most fashionable.

Bloggers now have their own registration area

The beautiful Susie from Take Out in Couture and gorgeous Jazmine from Jazzabelle's Diary

The very best bit about Fashion Week is meeting up with so many gorgeous bloggers. The British Fashion Council, who run LFW, changed their approach to bloggers for this season and in some ways, it meant we were a little left out. Of course, that didn't stop us getting together to chat, laugh, eat and enjoy ourselves.

The designer exhibition

BFC NEWGEN exhibition

Exploring the exhibitions is a great way to discover new designers and see the trends for the coming season up close. This season, the jewellery displays seriously impressed me - if I was looking to blow a chunk of cash I don't have on something bling, it'd be by Mawi or Holly Fulton. The stairwell installation looked amazing, too.

My Fashion Week was fleeting - I spent most of Saturday at Westfield Stratford City for The Look Show, which I'll tell you about tomorrow - but I thoroughly enjoyed it all the same. Bring on next season!

The Thrifty Girl's Guide to Fashion Week

2011-09-14T17:30:00.000+01:00

As New York Fashion Week comes to a close, London is waiting in the wings and practising air kisses for its turn in the style spotlight. Friday 16th September marks the start of London Fashion Week 2011, where the best of British will showcase the biggest trends for SS12. Yes - fashion fans will descend on Somerset House to sit in draughty warehouses during cold and rainy September to watch models flounce about in shorts, sandals and chiffon. Bring it on!

London Fashion Week is a wonderful way to celebrate the fantastic work of British designers, but it's also dangerously indulgent and if you're not careful, a few days at Fashion Week can leave a gaping hole in your bank account. One that looks suspiciously like a Mulberry Alexa.

During my time at Fashion Week I'm determined to stay true to my thrifty(ish...) ways, so I've put together a slightly tongue-in-cheek guide to surviving Fashion Week on a stylish-but-skint budget. Take a look...

Got your dress from a charity shop? Picked up those heels at a car boot? Darling, you're vintage. So when you hear the (inevitable) cries of 'who are you wearing?', don't say 'errrm... it's a Topshop dress from 1995 that I found in the dressing up box' - say 'vintage'. Preferably while waving your hand in a dismissive way and flouncing. Everyone flounces at Fashion Week.
If you have an exhibition pass, make your way to the nearest presentation, STAT. Champagne flows freely at presentations and they run all day long, so set up camp inside and enjoy a glass... or five.
A week-long diet of M&S salads, Pret sandwiches and itsu sushi will lead to a penniless purse (and possibly bloating). Blag your way into the press lounge to fill up on free nibbles, and don't forget to stash some in your Alexa for later. Those catwalk shows can drag.
Don't waste your makeup by doing your face for Fashion Week - book in for a free Mac makeover and let someone else prepare you for those close ups.
If you really can't imagine Fashion Week without a key designer piece, head to TK Maxx and invest in a coat, a bag or a pair of shoes. Do not, I repeat DO NOT blow a month's wages on snakeskin leather trousers that the sales assistant tells you are 'sure to make the flash bulbs pop!'. She's lying.
And some final words of wisdom from a, ahem, seasoned Fashion Week attendee with a grand total of FOUR shows under her belt - be yourself. The most stylish people are the ones whose clothes reflect their character. So if you'd really feel more comfortable in jeans than snakeskin leather trousers, go ahead and WORK those jeans. I know I will.

Are you going to Fashion Week this year? What are you looking forward to?

Inspiring London

2011-09-13T17:30:00.001+01:00

As stylish people from across the world congregate in London for Fashion Week, I thought I'd share a few photos of the city taken during my recent visits. If you're looking for inspiration, London has it in bounds.

The London Eye

It's an expensive tourist trap, granted. But I unashamedly love the London Eye... especially at night.

The Corinthia Hotel

Buildings are my favourite things to photograph - they don't move, so capturing them is easy.

Boris Bikes

Pigeon sitting on Westminster Bridge

County Hall

I recently stayed at County Hall and was taken with the grandeur of the building.

London taxis

Moschino 'Chocolate' bag in the V&A

The V&A gardens

The V&A museum is one of my favourite places in London. It's packed with a fascinating array of cultural objects, serves delicious food and has free WiFi. What's not to love?

Rachel making her way down the stairs

I'm wearing an American Apparel tee, skirt c/o Next, brogues c/o Bertie, Cambridge satchel and Topshop necklace

Kylie's dressing room

The theatre exhibition is my absolute favourite - so many costumes, posters and props.

V&A ceiling

My top tip for an interesting photograph - look up. Skylines are beautiful.

What's inspiring you today?

Monochrome - Both Sartorial and Feline

2011-09-12T17:30:00.000+01:00

I love monochrome - the simple pairing of black and white never fails to look chic. Whenever I'm having a fat day/bad hair day/general freak out at the contents of my wardrobe, I pick out something black and wear it with something white.

High waisted cords c/o Next, Primark striped tee, pumps c/o Bertie, necklace c/o Me & Zena, Cambridge Satchel

A casual Saturday called for this easy outfit, but I must admit, I was coordinating with someone else...

Meet Travis C Barker. I've always been a dog person but this little guy has totally won me over.

Vogue Fashion's Night Out

2011-09-11T18:12:00.005+01:00

On Thursday I was lucky enough to be invited along to a host of Fashion's Night Out events in London. Usually, attending events in London is difficult for me as I live up north. I travel to and from London regularly and am practically on first name terms with the East Coast train guards, but it's always better to have a base in the city to head back to after a hectic day in heels. So I was delighted when Premier Inn offered to swap my uncomfortable train seat and soggy panini for a bouncy bed and fluffy pillow.

The blogger bundle waiting for me on arrival

I stayed in the County Hall hotel which was spotless, well-equipped and perfectly placed for exploring London. I've stayed in countless budget hotels on my travels across the country and County Hall is one of the best I've visited - it impressed me both inside and out.

After a quick change and a bottle of bubbly, Rachel and I headed to Oxford Street to kick off Fashion's Night Out at John Lewis.

I wore: American Apparel tee, skirt c/o Next, Michael Kors jacket via TK Maxx, boots c/o Sarenza, ASOS necklace, Cambridge Satchel Co bag
Rachel wore: H&M blazer, Topshop dress via charity shop, New Look shoes and bag

First we were treated to an OPI manicure by the lovely Mercedez, then after taking a million photos of Mischa Barton (who was in store to promote her handbag range), we headed upstairs for the AW 11 fashion show.

Mischa looked stunning in a simple black dress and those shoes

The gorgeous girl in the Chaplin-inspired outfit did a dance at the end of the catwalk!

I have total hair envy - bobbed red curls are on my wishlist

My favourite outfits were a mix of 40s and 60s influences with touches of androgyny and oversized accessories. I love the tea dress with leather accessories and the patterned tights - sure to become staples in my winter wardrobe. To see more from the evenings, take a look at the video of Fashion's Night Out created by John Lewis, featuring some fabulous bloggers sharing their thoughts on the big trends for Autumn/Winter 2011.

After John Lewis we stopped at Yo Sushi for sartorial sustenance then powered on down Oxford Street, stopping at Selfridges and Topshop for champagne, music and some shopping.

There was lots going on inside Liberty, but the building itself is exciting enough

A cute pink mini with a Biba mannequin perched on top, parked outside House of Fraser

At Michael Kors in Selfridges, there was a 70s houseparty theme as we picked keys from a bowl... the winning keys opened the padlocks to reveal a shopping spree, an iPad2 and a trip to New York. Sadly our luck was out!

With achey feet and swimming heads we finally made it back to our hotel, with the London Eye (which I unashamedly adore) lighting our way.

Thanks for having me, London - see you again soon for Fashion Week!

How to Wear Leather Shorts Without Looking Slutty

2011-09-07T17:30:00.000+01:00

Leather shorts - once the uniform of street walkers, then (weirdly) adopted by dads in the 80s, now wardrobe staple of the stylish and readily available in your local branch of Topshop. Unfortunately, leather shorts still have an air of the cheap and easy about them, especially when teamed with a low neckline and mottled skin.

I picked up a vintage pair over summer but have been too terrified to tackle them sans tights. They've been loitering in my wardrobe waiting for a pair of 120 deniers to hook up with, so now the weather's cooler and my self-imposed hosiery ban has lifted (May-August people - tights look wrong in summer) I'm giving them a go. Here are my tips for wearing leather shorts without looking slutty...

A fine knit jumper in a pretty colour will soften that 'biker babe' look. Go for something loose and floaty to keep it casual.

Fine knit jumper c/o Next, vintage leather shorts, brogues c/o Bertie, brooch c/o Stolen Thunder,

Only the thickest of thick tights will do - this is not the time nor the place for anything sheer. A sturdy 100+ denier should do the trick.

Flat brogues like these Bertie beauties add to the vintage style. Ankle boots with a small heel would work well too, but steer clear of the perspex platforms.

Mango ring, Michael Kors watch, Models Own nail polish in Pink Fizz

Go for delicate accessories - a cute brooch and chunky ring keep things simple.

Optional - pink sparkly nail varnish sends out mixed signals when worn with leather - your fingers may say 'princess' but your ass says 'kinky'.

What do you think - can leather shorts be daywear or are they distinctively 'lady of the night'?

A Little Ray of Sunshine from The Cambridge Satchel Company

2011-09-05T17:39:00.002+01:00

I've been searching for a vintage school satchel for years. In every charity shop, at every car boot, my eyes are peeled for a brass buckle or leather strap. I've come close to buying from eBay before, but it's hard to gauge the quality of vintage when you buy it online and I wanted this bag to be perfect.

Eventually, my need for a new bag overtook my desire for a truly vintage piece. When the strap breaks on your plastic faux-satchel and the contents of your bag spill out over platform 1 at Kings Cross, you know it's time to invest. So I caved to a blogger cliché and bought a Cambridge Satchel.

I chose a classic 14" satchel in yellow which cost £81, with £5.99 for postage. Every bag is handmade so delivery is estimated at around four weeks, although mine took six. The craftsmanship is simply stunning - this bag was a joy to unwrap!

Vintage dress, Primark cardigan and belt, brogues c/o Bertie, Topshop ring

I went for the sunshine yellow shade because it's just such a happy colour - perfect for dreary autumn days. I love how vibrant it looks against my navy outfit.

The 14" is the second largest size available (ranging from 11" to 15") and it's just about big enough for everything I haul around with me. My iPad, purse and sunglasses fit snugly in the main compartment and my phone, diary, pen, mints and lip balm are slipped into the front. My MacBook fits in but there's no room for anything else including the power cable, so if you need to carry a laptop around I'd suggest the largest size. I'm hoping the leather will give out as I use it so it's not so much of a squeeze.

Although it was quite an expensive purchase, my general rule is to invest in bags and coats and save on the rest, and as a vintage alternative was proving impossible to find I think this satchel was well worth the price. The style is perfect for anyone who enjoys the librarian aesthetic (and let's face it, who doesn't), and the pop of yellow makes my heart sing. I'd love to build up a collection of Cambridge Satchels - the black version and the brown version would completely fill the satchel-shaped hole in my wardrobe. Maybe after payday...

Nice Ways to Store an Abundance of Clothes and Shoes

2011-09-04T17:27:00.000+01:00

Warning: shoe gals may find some of the imagery in this post distressing.

When we first moved into our house in March this year, I was very excited about the light, airy and (most importantly) spacious master bedroom. We came from a flat with a bedroom just about big enough for a double bed, if you didn't mind banging your knees on the walls as you climbed out in the morning (I did mind that, quite a lot actually), so I was practically giddy at the prospect of space to hang my clothes and arrange my shoes. I couldn't wait to spread out. Unfortunately, five months of 'spreading out' (and, admittedly, shopping) resulted in this...

Oh, the horror!

Thanks to the lovely people at Sarenza my shoe collection has suddenly exploded, and the discarded corpses of brogues, heels and flats littered the floor around my wardrobe. Inside, more shoes lurked, unseen and unworn, as dresses jostled for space with chunky knits and crumpled blouses. Scarfs hung limply from hooks on one door, and belts slithered to the floor from the other. It was a diaster zone and something had to be done.

I didn't want a minimalist look - I love a tidy house but I think a bit of organised clutter adds personality. And I didn't want to hide my pretty shoes away in perspex boxes or cupboards. A flick through the Ikea catalogue gave me inspiration and after a quick visit I had my supplies. Then I started the sorting, clearing and arranging!

For my shoes, I bought this pine bookcase for £14.99. I didn't want row upon row of shoes, so I mixed in a vintage handbag, straw hat, perfume atomiser and a few other pieces to create a display.

Belts and scarfs now hang from this circle storage hanger, £9.95 from Ikea.

I rearranged my wardrobe, hanging my most-worn pieces and storing everything else in drawers. The hangers are a super-thin style to make the most of the short rail - I bought them in packs of 10 for £5 from TK Maxx. More functional (and less beautiful) shoes are stored here too.

I used the doors of the wardrobe to show off my favourites. A vintage bag, a sequin jacket and the dress I wore to my mum's wedding are proudly on display.

And finally, my current love-it-and-wear-it-every-day item - the Michael Kors leather jacket I bought at TK Maxx - hangs from a decorative hook on the wall.

My bedroom storage makeover cost about £30, took a few hours and very little effort. And the best thing? I rediscovered the shoes that were hiding under piles of other shoes and the dresses that were covered by cardigans. It's like going shopping in your own wardrobe!

How do you keep your clothes and shoes neat and tidy? Tell me your storage solutions in the comments...