Maarten Van Der Horst

After seeing the static preview of Maarten Van Der Horst's collection for Topshop over LFW, it was incredible to see it make the transition into stores.

A blend of graffiti print and bad gal attitude, worked out in monochrome, sportswear influenced shapes, the collection just about has every aspect I could ever want from an item of clothing. And, praise the lord Topshop, is actually within my price range.

If the leather running shorts could just make their way into my wardrobe now, that would be appreciated.

Scarlet Fever

Topshop Beauty SS'13

Its rare, that a cup of weak sugarless tea can inspire a blog post, or rather the lipstick stain upon it, but thats exactly whats happened.

After spending the past few weeks of glorious sunshine in London and some shameless sun bed sessions (forgive me alabaster skin, for I have sinned) I have found myself with what I can only describe as a surprise tan and a multitude of freckles.... And now the dismal english summer has returned I'm finding myself pulling every trick in the beauty book to hold onto my 'fresh back from holiday' glow.

Enter Chanel Rouge Allure. Shade no 97 to be precise. 

I picked this SOS shade up in Paris, back in February while running around Chanel like a child in sweet shop. It was matched perfectly to the colouring of my skin (orangey base tones) so works a treat on this little tan of mine. 

Im keeping my skin as light as possible, and sweeping a layer of dark bronzer under my cheeks, my eyes defined with mascara only and a strong brow. It means the lip colour can really pop and I look fresh and healthy, something thats always hard to do on the 7.28am from Leeds to Kings Cross.

Im heading back into London as we speak after visiting family up North (I'm a country girl don't ya know) and this week is shaping up to be pretty hectic already which I cant wait to share!

mad about the boy

As well as realising when I graduate I want to pursue luxury Menswear, a friend of mine also  pointed out just how much I love wearing boys clothing (!) I guess its something I picked up whilst working for Van Mildert. My go to labels are very androgynous and to some extent maybe my everyday style. I am a walking contradiction- make up and nails, but short hair and boys tshirts.

The core of my wardrobe being ripped skinny jeans, converse (or Celine type sandals) Zoe Karssen/ T By Alexander Wang tshirts and my ever faithful leather jacket. Other key buys for me are Topshop Boutique silk shirts and shift dresses and boyfriend jeans from Zara. I know I very rarely post pictures of myself on here but as part of my return to blogging perhaps I should?

Luckily my boy meets girl look seems to be right on trend for this season so here is my wish list for spring summer 2013....

Rag and Bone boyfriend jeans, Rodarte T-Shirt, Topshop Premium Sleeveless leather biker, Charlotte Olympia dice clutch, Celine fur sandals and Nike leather Blazers. 

Actually, i was fired twice, in two weeks.

Last Thursday as part of the Topshop Talks I attended an evening with Alexandra Shulman. For those of you who don't know, -you should, she is the editor of British Vogue.

Part interview regarding her 20 year career at the helm of Vogue, part promotion for her new book Can We Still Be Friends, it was well worth the 1 1/2 hour queue outside the teeny Edited space on Regent Street, already packed with the journos and sound recording equipment. On entrance we were seated on the 2nd row and given bottles of Vita Coco and boxes of Lola's Cupcakes as well as beautiful design notebooks featuring print samples from Topshop UNIQUE SS13. It felt much more like shows and press events I've attended than a public talk.

Talking to Justin Cooke (Topshop's marketing chief if you like to put a title on him) mixed questions were fielded, met with mixed responses. I can't say that Alexandra Shulman was the most personable woman in the initial stages of the interview but warmed quickly and was very frank and honest with her opinions on young women entering the industry and highlights (and lowlights) of her career.

As an aspiring Fashion Buyer I was relieved to hear that her journey to the top was marred with less successful endeavours in finance and the music industry (hence the title of this post), and afterwards I was privileged enough to spend a few minutes discussing the industry and my career hopes with Ms Vogue herself, ending in receiving a signed copy of her book.

For the full article visit the Topshop Blog, the book Can We Still Be Friends is available nationwide and is perfect for wiling away an afternoon or blocking out the early AM commute with tales of friendship, fashion and cracking 80's reminisces.