Totally addicted to Dior....

Mon Dieu, Mon Dior...

My latest impulse buy has turned into my new obsession... as in fabulous, cannot live with out, re-applying every ten minutes obsession *to say nothing of checking myself out in every reflective surface I come across ;)

So what is this miraculous find I hear you ask? Dior Addict, High Shine. A mix of lipstick and gloss that gives a non-sticky, high-gloss finish. This lipstick contains minute glitter particles which produce an amazing finish, and seeing as it comes in several colours, there's one for every mood!

My personal favourite is 'Champagne Blush'; a delicate pink which can be layered on for a stronger pink lip. Multi-function that comes in a fancy silver-and- iridescent case? Woohoo!

They call me Mellow Yellow

Once again Chanel have pipped the other brands to the post by producing this seasons most-sought after shade: Mimosa. (or bright yellow to the rest of us!!)

This feisty number can brighten up an LBD, dress up a pair of shorts/ plain tee combo or simply give you a sunshine boost on a wet Summers day!

If, like mine, your bank balance quivers in fright at the Chanel pricetag, Rimmel London do a very close shade: 055 Sunshine. Less than five pounds for the nail polish de jour? Oui oui!

To suit up? To bikini? or to care..... ?

VS.

And with the arrival of Summer, comes the seasonal debate .... to bikini? to tankini? to burkini?to mankini*? .... (the list continues) *although unless you're being paid a six-figure salary/ are purposefully making a show of yourself, please refrain from the last option!

The above swimwear conundrum comes hand-in-hand with the continual quest for unachievable body perfection, a problem that escalates every year.

In every local newsagent, the shelves heave with glossy magazines proclaiming 'thinner thighs in two weeks' , 'get bikini beautiful now', 'the Summer diet everyone's talking about', 'lose 2 stone in 2 weeks' .... you get the low-fat, exercise-laden picture. The big picture however should not involve crash dieting in order to look "good" (read, alarmingly thin, as dictated by many of the aforementioned glossies), being confident and healthy should be your main goal.

As an avid fan of the trashy weeklies (it's only to keep up to date with current events, I swear!), I am forever reading about the latest crash diet, how carbohydrates are evil, which fake tan can give you sculpted arms and which celebrity has (apparently) put on a few pounds. I never fail to be somewhat disgusted by the ideal shape that these publications allude to. Celebrities in particular are given quite a hard time. They are either pictured with red circles around their thighs, cellulite- how shocking!, or else around their arms, stick thin- definite eating disorder! Nothing is good enough. Strangely enough the BMI, exercise plan or daily diet of these women are never brought up, merely the clothes size they wear and their approximate weight. The focus is on numbers rather than health.

As a 5'6", size 10, who weighs just under ten stone, I am happy to say that I have a healthy BMI, I try to eat enough fruit and vegetables, regard carbohydrates as a vital source of energy and have never had a panic attack after over-indulging on biscuits. To the many women who focus on their bingo wings and orange-peel on the beach, I would like to remind them why they came: F-U-N.

So when it comes to beach time I will wear whatever I want: Swimsuit, wetsuit, bikini, tankini, I say bring it on.... once I can build sandcastles, attempt to catch a wave, end up paddling and get a 99 on the way home.

Summer Survival Kit!

Summer has finally arrived (although with all the threatening grey clouds and random showers you'd be forgiven for guessing Summer hadn't quite reached us!)

The most important thing about Summer is SUNSHINE! That vitamin-D giving, ray omitting, big ball of fire is what it's all about.

As you can see in the opposite picture, I've complied a collection of must-haves in order to avoid those last-minute pre-holiday sprees.....

The Lifeline List:

1) Suncream

2) Facial Suncream

3) Sunglasses

4) Sandals

5) Panama Hat

6) Brightly-coloured bracelets

So, first off, suncream. An absolute essential, which I cannot stress enough. As a fair-skinned redhead (who the sun just loves!) skin protection is my number one priority once a ray of sunshine snakes through those clouds. Factor 20+ is the only appropriate number, anything else and I may aswell be oiling myself up for a good roasting!

Second on the list is a good facial suncream. I find that applying regular cream to my face doesn't always end well! So a suncream that's specifically designed for your face, will be less harsh but provide all the cover you need.

And so we come to sunglasses...... Shape, colour, designer, price are all factors. Although heart-shaped, aqua-blue stunners may seem like a good idea the reality is that they may match about two outfits. (both being plain Jane style!) Classic, plain styles are the way forward and even if they break the bank, they won't go out of style next season. *when the trend may indeed be circular, tinted, hot pink. My personal favourite are my black Ray-Ban Wayfarers. They go with anything and I feel like an absolute rockstar when I wear them. Win!

Sandals, like sunglasses, in my opinion are best kept plain and simple. A good quality nude/tan/ black pair with some embellishment are safe options but are dressier than a pair of flip-flops any day. That said, if there is a pair of spangled, glittered, tasseled sandals for a fiver from Primark, I say get one in each colour!

A hat, linking in with suncream, a hat is up there for both style and protection. No one wants to lie inside suffering fro heat stroke while their friends party like its '99....... Panama hats are in vogue at the minute and if you can't afford Melissa Odabash *swimwear designer to the stars*, there are plenty of pocket-friendly styles on the high street.

Brightly-coloured bracelets liven up any plain bikini/ kaftan combo. They can usually be bought for a song from beach-side huts while on holidays too.... a nice reminder, while back at home in the pouring rain. (The good news, is that any bracelet will liven up a plain black work suit too!! )

So, with your essentials sorted, happy holidays... don't forget to send a postcard!

Accessorising, the new interior design.

Let's face it, re-decorating, however (minimalist-chic, vanilla- and- cappuccino- monochrome- fabulous) the end result may be, is a bit of a nightmare. Deliberating over which particular shade of white will compliment the newly arrived four-figure furniture suite, eventually giving up and creating your own courtesy of Dulux and a frightening paint shaking contraption, covering every surface in copious amounts of plastic sheeting, eventually having to scrape fragments of exclusive paint off every surface that wasn't covered by aforementioned sheeting (which turns out to be the kitchen table, the square of carpet by the double doors and the light switch nearest the TV, painting like a crazed-lunatic thanks to the paint fumes and discovering that your bank balance has more than halved in a day..... well, that's just the tip of the interior iceberg.

So when I found myself getting tired of my room, I took the less invasive route (read, cheaper) and accessorised!

At this stage, you may think I have indeed lost my pink and sparkly mind but fear not, fellow fashionistas. I have invented a solution to both your decorating and display problems.... Using shoes, jewellery, scarves and anything else you fancy, you can jazz up your surroundings by simply draping and hanging. Shoes can act as bookends, drawer handles can be revived with necklaces, likewise scarves can be hung from the back of doors or act as bunting when draped from corners of the room. The only thing you need to use is your imagination...

No pattern books, over-paid decorators or shades of white for you..... simply raid the jewellery box, hang, adjust, adjust again and then relax.

That's just another reason to buy shoes....... (you're welcome!)

The Smoky Eye, chocolate flavour.

Step.1

- Using a cleansing lotion (preferrably eye make-up remover) gently remove all traces of mascara, eyeshadow etc. from your eyes.

Step. 2

- Using Benefit 'Big Beautiful Eyes' eye contour kit, take the soft eyeshadow brush and after loading it with the pale pink shadow gently sweep the brush along the eye socket, ensuring full coverage from lash to just under the eyebrow.

Step 3.

- Blowing the remaining base eye-shadow off the soft brush, sweep it through the mocha shadow next. This shadow should be applied to the outer third of the eye socket. Creating a shaded effect when the eyes are open, from light to dark. (as below)

Step 4.

- Using the liner brush at the end of the double-ended utensil, gently lace the brush with the chocolate powder eyeliner. Next, trace a very fine line along the eyelashes both above and below, extending to the outer corner of the eye. *cat-flicks are an added touch for an evening eye!

Step 4.

- Taking a good thickening mascara, coat the top lashes (fanning outwards from the centre) and carefully coat the bottom lashes, taking care not to smudge. *My personal favourite is Masterpiece mascara by Maxfactor, lengthens lashes and it won't dent your wallet and as an added bonus, it's the make-up of make-up artists apparently!

Step 5.

- Open your eyes and carefully dot a tiny amount of white eye shadow into the corner of your eye. This trick appears to open the eye more, and leaves you with massive peepers that would leave anyone jealous.... Bambi, eat your heart out!

The Birkin: A bag or a lifestyle?

What is it that makes the Birkin so desirable? Seen slung casually over the slender arms of everyone from Victoria Beckham to new fashionista-on-the-block Olivia Palermo, this handbag is fast becoming a status symbol.

Named after British actress and style icon, Jane Birkin, this Hérmes handbag first appeared on the market in 1984 and has been immortalised in fashion history in just twenty-four years. The Birkin pricetag is not for the faint-hearted, depending on the material used it ventures into the six figure sum category. Each bag is handmade using only the finest, the most desirable being saltwater crocodile skin, and they are lined with the softest goat-skin. The small padlock attached to the front of the bag is its most noticeable embellishment. Both padlock and key are number-coded so authenticity is guaranteed. Attention to detail is the Hérmes creed. The elusiveness of this handbag is surely half of its allure.

While most women have admitted to feeling more attractive after having their hair done, one can only imagine the feeling after finally attaining a Birkin. As waiting lists can last up to two years, it is indeed a lengthy process. Maintenance of this bag is of the uptmost importance. Birkin bags, after a hard day of wandering through boutiques, can be sent to the 'spa', where they will be treated and returned to their owners in prime condition. All for a small fee of course!

The average womans handbag does indeed contain everything but the kitchen sink. Contents can include the normal lipstick, keys, wallet and assortment of homeless pens but can venture into the unknown with unwrapped sweets stuck to the lining, a needle and thread for emergencies and spare shoes for all occasions. Can the Birkin be used as a functional handbag? For me, the question is not can but should.

In my eyes, a Birkin is a treasure. It is a letter of acceptance to high society and Park Avenue. It is a timeless classic to be passed down to deserving daughters.

In short, the Birkin is so much more than a handbag.

A&F…. the model life.

Only a few short weeks ago for the very first time, I ventured through the hallowed halls (well, departments) of beloved prep-haven aka. Abercrombie & Fitch.

A&F is not just a shop, and although many retail businesses will claim this, it actually IS an experience. Every detail is thought through, layout, sizing and staff included.

Entering into the shop, you may be mistaken in thinking you haven’t removed your (presumably) designer sunglasses. Do not be alarmed fellow shoppers, this is normal. Dimmed lighting is an A&F speciality and while speculation as to why may be rife, it is my personal opinion that softer lighting is more flattering to everyone who enters *(bar the unfairly attractive staff but I shall come to that later). A clever marketing ploy it would seem, but after a quick nosy in every sectioned area it would seem that the entire store has been designed around enticing and alluring the customer.

A&F scents play a small part in their income and the fragrance is pumped through the air vents and even sprayed, YES SPRAYED, onto newly purchased clothes. Presuming that smell is indeed the most connective sense, once you inhale a lungful in the surroundings of your own home you’ll want to return to the land of A&F, where models roam free and everything is California cool.

The clothes speak for themselves. Preppy polos, brightly branded t-shirts, loud boardshorts and teeny floral sundresses, you’d be forgiven in thinking that if you stepped outside you would be greeted by the roar of the Malibu ocean and the grainy feel of sand underfoot. Reality check back to London please. The hoodies and jeans may be more climate appropriate for Blighty, but even these are a small luxury. I couldn’t resist purchasing a coral zippy top, lined with the softest fleece and bearing a small A&F emblem, I handed over my £56 without blinking. Perhaps this is where I should mention the staff…….

It is a truth widely acknowledged that … ahem, everyone that works for A&F is smokin’ hot. A half-naked model greets you at the door, abs on full display. If that isn’t good advertisement, colour me pink! Models (or staff, whichever you prefer) roam the ground floor, dance on the upper floors, help the now-mute customers and generally appease the eye of the discerning person. Fellas, fear not, there are female staff too, generally of the flaxen-haired and long-limbed variety.

While not making a radical statement with their product A&F use everything to their advantage. Fending off competition from the likes of Hollister and American Eagle, their attention to detail has paid off in spades and show they’re not going anywhere.

Oh, and the bags are pretty cute too!

The reign of Christopher Bailey and the expansion of Burberry Brit

Christopher Bailey is recognised as the saving grace of Burberry, once associated solely with check print and chavs. Upon Baileys appointment as creative director, he and Angela Ahrendts, the company CEO, set about turning the brand on its head, back to former glory.
Established in 1856 by Thomas Burberry, the signature trench coats are as sought after today as they were fifty years ago. Burberry London the ranges main line is comprised of tailored pieces, such as shirts, trousers, suits and of course trench coats- all lined with beat check. As Burberrys popularity rose the need for a younger fresher line became apparent and so, Burberry Brit was born. Seen primarily as the 'weekend casual uniform' of the Burberry London customer, the Brit ranged has a more relaxed feel. Polo shirts and classic check lined jackets are still the top sellers, while the new season skinny Shoreditch jean has shown how up to date the line remains.

On the night of May 12th 2011, 40-41 Kings St in Covent Garden officially became home to Londons first sole Burberry Brit store. This event came only weeks after a similar store was opened on New Yorks Bleecker st, showing that even though there may be a Recession, Burberry is pulling through and looking forward.
The concept behind the new store was conceived by Bailey himself customers can expect lots of cool technological elements such as video walls showcasing the talents of newly signed artists to the Burberry acoustic brand and free wi-fi connection for iPad users. This is the seventh Brit store globally and it has extra significance as being the birthplace of the label.
Bailey: 'we always said that with the Brit label once we found the right space, we'd do it.... London is our home, and the UK is our hometown'. Bailey has collected countless celebrity fans and after the last Prorsum show, everyone who was anyone had a studded trench or lambskin ribbed biker jacket. Recent faces of the line have been Emma Watson, Cara Delevingne, Lily Donaldson and Douglas Booth, some of whom were at the launch.

Although a more laid-back line compared to London or Prorsum, Brit retains a sense of British elegance and effortless style. Menswear-wise: Polo shirts come in every colour under the sun, with trademark check hiding under collars, buttons and seams. Jeans are offered in several washes, cuts and styles and their shirts come with variety of bells and whistles, including pocket detail, check undercuffs and even studded collars (from the latest lines) for the brave!
For the ladies, Brit offers a range of casual chic including perfectly cut shirt dresses, fitted trenches, jeans to flatter every shape and of course polo shirts galore.
The store will also stock a selection frangrance, sunglasses and watches.

Well, that's enough for this Burberry devotee, I'm getting the Picadilly line to Covent Garden as we speak.............

Diamonds are a girls best friend...

Diamonds are indeed a girls best friend.... alas for this girl, her budget can't quite stretch that far. Instead I must suffice with imitation sparkle and shine!

While rummaging for a specific pair of earrings and getting distracted by others I hadn't seen in some time, I decided to organise my collection; by colour and occasion naturally!

The large beaded turquoise bracelet was recently acquired from a shop in Barcelona, and the ring within is from Topshop. This jewelled combination goes with a range of outfits, especially plainer ones based on whiter tones.

The watch on the far left is by D&G and to this day I am ashamed to say I can count on one hand the amount of times I have worn it. Domenico & Stefano, I can only apologise! The silver earrings beside my watch are by Ti Sento, a Milanese based brand. Their range comes in new colours every season and they have some stunning pieces. These earrings add a chic touch to every outfit and make everything a little more polished and put together.

The coral combination on the right is by Ti Sento again. The bracelet is quite young and funky and match the earrings perfectly. These bracelets are revamped every collection and I would highly advise getting one. Both pretty and durable they're the perfect gift, for yourself or someone else! The two remaining pairs of earrings are by (you guessed it!) Ti Sento (the heavy crystal ones) and Swarovski. The crystal pair are show-stopping with an updo and a LBD, or if you're feeling dangerous, an LRD (little red dress) as per my New Years Eve outfit of 2009. Oh what a night! The last two bracelets are a plain silver ID strand and a H&M Silver and coral plait. The ID bracelet was a gift from my best friend, and is engraved (always a nice touch). H&M produced some fantastic pieces for their jewellery line in the past few months, and I have purchased one too many! I also have a version of this in brown & gold, so between the two I have every gold/silver combination covered. Preparation, preparation, preparation ladies!

Jewellery doesn't necessarily have to be the focal point of an outfit to be important. A simple LBD can be beautifully accessorised with some emerald earrings and a cocktail ring (or a Topshop version!). A little sparkle goes a long way, and let's face it, we all need a little sparkle in our lives......

L.S.D.

Second only to the LBD, the LSD (or little Summer dress) comes in many shapes, colours and styles. My recent jaunt to Barcelona filled me with fashion-foward Summer food for thought! Stepping into Zara, in the motherland, is a dangerous choice, at least for your bank account. The large store on Porte de l'Angel manages to create a different mood on each floor, specifically suited to the classic Zara customers and the younger TRF generation. My dress comes from the TRF section and was a steal at €19.90. There are three different colour patterns available for this particular high-cut. Staples such as basic vest tops, short shorts and lace dresses were in abundance and customers may find themselves spoilt for choice.

I found my shoes in a cool boutique called Haike. This brand seems to specialise in well-cut clothes made from sumptuous fabrics (my sister tried on a fabulous jade-green silk dress). While slightly pricier than the usual Mango/ Zara deals, Haike proves its worth with beautiful shapes and a vast array of accessories, including some leather shoppers which I had to be dragged away from! My shoes are a brogue style and cut from the softest suede. It was the colour which drew me to them and indeed I was delighted to find that they also come in a hot pink shade and coral too, I'm sure I'll remember this nugget of information for my return trip!

Todays outfit is finished off with a tan leather belt, a very simple accessory but when knotted, as above, it can draw extra attention to the waist and give any outfit a more unique look. My ring is from Topshop, and the jewel tones match perfectly to my jade shoes.

So, with my LSD purchased, and indeed some Little Summer Shoes to boot (!), bring on the sunshine!

The bare essentials:

Dress: Zara

Brogues: Haike

The finishing touches:

Ring: Topshop

Belt: Primark

Pink Swan

The cinematic smash hit of the year was undoubtedly Black Swan, starring Natalie Portman as the supremely talented yet troubled prima ballerina. Thanks to the Rodarte sisters the film also received acclaim for its beautiful ethereal costumes. Floaty chiffon played a starring role as the white swan, versus the hard-edged tulle tutus of the black swan.

I like to give current trends a personal twist so for todays outfit I toughened up my sugar-pink raw silk number with some burnished gold accessories including my favourite sandals and

a bargain ring from H&M (still on sale for £1!). As all make-up afficianados know, it's advisable to either let your eyes or lips be the focal feature, so with todays etheral look I opted for a smoky eye in brown, with complemented the burnished gold accessories but wasn't as harsh as many black tones would be. Finishing off my beauty combination was a pastel green nail-varnish which stood-out from the combination of nudes, golds and beiges.

The bare essentials:

Dress: Savida

Cardigan: Zara

Sandals: Burberry

The finishing touches:

Ring: H&M

Watch: Guess

Nail-varnish: Barry M in 'Mint green'

WOW shoes!

Breton stripes are always a simple way to make any look timeless. While this French staple paired with plain chinos or cigarette pants will produce a chic outfit, I prefer to team it with some leopard print and let the clashing prints speak for themselves!

Every woman should have at least one pair of WOW shoes. As with my shoes, it's the details that give each pair that extra oomph! Whether it's touches of animal print on the heels, a beautiful cut on the toes, a stacked wedge or even just a fabulous colour, WOW shoes should command attention once they enter a room....

The bare essentials:

Top: H&M

Skirt: H&M

Shoes: Rockin' Reptile

The finishing touches:

Scarf: Market stall in Spain

Satchel: Burberry

Bracelet: Ti Sento

Charlies Angel

After cutting my hair I feel that my style has adapted to fit the new crop. Being altogether more 60s and 70s inspired, I am now quite partial to a flared leg, a fitted jumper and a high waist.

Flares are universally recognised as being the most flattering cut of jean and a dark denim wash will elongate the leg. Subtle details like side pockets will balance out proportions and slim the hips. Flares have also made a catwalk comeback and are set to be the Summer jean, spotted on many fashion-forward (personally styled!) celebrities already.

A fitted top will add to that long, lean silhouette created by the dark flares. My nude jumper has an added detail of ruffled sleeves, making it that bit more feminine and very Valentino! A brown belt and matching loafers polish the look and pull it together.

To add some interest to the whole ensemble I added a brown leather studded bracelet and a snakeskin-print clutch in gold, black and chocolate brown.

The bare essentials:

Jumper: St. Tropez

Jeans: A Wear

Belt: Primark

Loafers: Topshop

The finishing touches:

Clutch: Dunnes Stores

Bracelet: Burberry

From street party to state function....

Todays post is about highlighting how easily an outfit can be taken from day to night with the addition (or indeed subtraction) of a few key items.... Read on to learn more.

Street party style should be relaxed and effortless, so a basic shorts and tee combo (with a twist) is always a safe bet! My shorts were light gray high-waisted culottes with colourful spoldges. To these I added a loose black vest top, with small detailing on the pocket. My shoes were plain black ballerinas, allowing the focus to remain on the shorts and were also complemented by a sparkly silver watch and classic Wayfarers.

Bringing the outfit to nightwear was done by replacing my casual vest with a loose black silk pussy-bow blouse. I added black tights to lengthen my legs and popped on some extremely high burgundy heels. Simplicity is key so the base of the outfit was black, letting the statement shorts take the limelight. The burgundy shoes were an addition of some more colour but remained in keeping with the darker tones.

So there it is folks, day to night, plus and minus a few key items.....

The bare essentials:

Day: Shorts: Exhibit

Vest: Dunnes

Shoes: Primark

Night: Blouse: Primark

Tights: Dunnes

The finishing touches:

Day: Watch: D&G

Sunglasses: Ray-Ban

Night: Watch: Guess

Shoes: Burberry

Monet gone wild?

Have you ever identified with Carrie Bradshaw as she fawns over a pair of Manolos? I will raise my hands up and say 'hell yes' (even though in truth I'm more of a Louboutin gal at heart!). Shoes can make or break an outfit, and so when I finally found my leopard-print Converse I knew my wardrobe was going to be very happy! Although they may appear to be just a pair of sneakers, to me they are fierce, they have attitude, and more importantly they have never given me a blister!!

With todays outfit, I started from the bottom up, or more specifically from the leopard-print Cons up :) I paired them with a Monet-inspired black and white print skirt, very monochrome Erdem, and a plain black V-neck tee to balance the look out. I added a multi-layer necklace consisting of gold, silver, bronze and black strands to give the outfit a more luxe grunge feel.

The bare essentials:

Shoes: Converse

Skirt: Dunnes

T-shirt: Zara

The finishing touches:

Necklace: Aldo

Anyone for Polo?

Todays outfit was about indulging my inner preppy Gossip Girl.....

Loose-fit chinos are what it's about this Summer and I am only too happy to comply with this seasons fashion dos and donts- wear with a fitted top to emphasise your shape, and don't forget the turn-ups!

T-shirts don't come any preppier than a crisp white polo shirt, and I especially love the large emblem horse on mine (even if it is technically kidswear!)

Loafers hit the high street last year and remain the most stylish form of practical footwear our poor ballerina-shod feet have ever known!! Adding a touch of educated finish to every outfit, a pair in black or brown, leather or patent, tasselled or not, the choice is yours....

The bare essentials:

Polo Shirt: Burberry

Chinos: Mango

Loafers: Topshop

Belt: Primark

The finishing touches:

Bracelets: H&M

Lazy Day Style

April 25th....

Seeing as the sun was shining I took it upon myself to bare my pasty white legs to the first of the Summer rays! My favourite denim shorts were today teamed with a slouchy grey and black-lined tee from the wonderful Zara Basics line. I threw on a mint green and grey check shirt and added grey jelly sandals and my latest accessory crush, my new Burberry panama hat (which also protects my hair from the sun!)
Funky + Practical= Win!

The bare essentials:

Denim Shorts: AWear
T-Shirt: Zara
Shirt: Primark
Sandals: Burberry

The finishing touches:

Hat: Burberry
Nail-varnish: 17 Fast Finish in ‘Ruby Gem’

The Mighty Gladiator.

Summer has finally arrived and after a long Winter of tights, riding boots and woollens galore, this fashionista is ready to bare some skin and strut her stuff in sandals!

Gladiator sandals came into their own roughly three S/S ago and they have shown that they are THE staple shoe of the Summer. Flip-flops may indeed be comfortable, but they often lack that extra factor that can take an outfit to the next level. Gladiators of every shape, size and colour are ready and waiting in shops nationwide, so fellow fashionistas there is no excuse!

While multi-coloured, bejewelled and bedazzled numbers may be eye-catching (read, blinding) they are impractical. The best tones to opt for are neutral base colours such as beige, black, brown and grey, which will complement almost any outfit. Add tailored cigarette pants,a thin belt, loose tee and a pair of sunglasses and prepare for admiring glances.....

My most recent splurge has been a pair of Burberry mega-stud sandals. I will confess it was love at first sight and not even the three figure price tag** deterred me......

My new favourite shoes will go with everything in my (now overflowing) wardrobe including salmon-pink pegged Mango trousers, a nautical black-and-white striped dress from Paris and my beloved (if ancient!) denim shorts, making them an investment in my wardrobes future! So while my bank account became slimline overnight, I slept soundly knowing that my designer splurge will ensure each of my Summer outfits has that extra 'je ne sais quoi'.

Multi-studded beauties like these don't come around every season and I think even Tyra Banks would agree that they are 'fierce' personified! ** And to justify the price I will indeed be wearing them all year round!

So, get your mani/pedi on and slip on a pair of Summers best.