We'll Always Have Paris

Paris is undoubtedly one of my favourite cities to visit. The notion that with every turn you take you could walk out onto a cobbled path littered with vintage shops, or pass two friends playing chess on the balcony with tumblers of red wine or stumble upon a beaten-up cafe, hazy with smoke but serving saliva-inducing croque monsieurs; its insouciance is infectious and with every visit I fall more hopelessly in love.

All images - weheartit

Chanel and Strawberries

Beautiful.

Image - we heart it

Leopard Spots and Red Soles

I'm a staunch safari fan. Of course I've never set foot in a 4x4, nor have I sat it out for 8 hours waiting for a glimpse of a thick maned lion (ok that's a lie, except it was in India and I only saw a family of wild boars. Three times. I think they were on a circuit).

I have however poured over pages upon pages of the S/S10 trends featuring a muddle of khaki, dust, olive, tobacco and cream pigments that will dictate my wardrobe for the next 6 months. From Celine's leather lace-up cocoon dress to Chloe's wood and canvas wedges; or a starched multi-buttoned A-line skirt to a love-worn leather satchel. It's perennial to summer and it's one of my favourite reasons to get dressed.

And so as the next band of snow dumps on my doorstep, I thought I'd kickstart spring's journey into the jungle with my well worn leopard spotted ponyskin pumps.

What's your favourite look of the season?

Sunshine, Parklife and Leather

Today was the first time in weeks that the sun shone and the snow thawed so me and Morgs took off to Primrose Hill to take some snaps of my newly purchased leather leggings. A balmy 8 degrees also gave my winter-warming fox fur a rest and my Vanessa Bruno mohair coat (fashion yes, function no) an outing.

My jewellery box is overflowing with trinkets and treasures, fortunately my new-found love of yellow gold means I have an extended jewellery box courtesy of my mum. One of this year's resolutions is to collect thin bracelets, top of my wish list is a Van Cleef and Arpels Alhambra chain (a girl can dream, right?) and, perhaps more affordable, vintage charms.

Let me know if you have any address book secrets to help me with my quest.

What's your favourite look of the week?

Say What?

Sometimes I feel like Carrie from Sex and the City. I sit in front of my computer and ask myself, 'Does the daytime have to be boring and gray?' - Lanvin's charming Alber Elbaz.

Image - splendicity.com

Say What?

"A throne is only a bench covered in velvet." - Napoleon Bonaparte

The other day while waiting for a tube at Chancery Lane, I spotted the above quote on an underground poster. Wanting to create a 'more positive atmosphere during peak times', this and further quotes ranging from philosophical, political and historical are all part of a TFL Art on the Underground initiative to 'provoke thought on life in the city'.

What a lovely idea.

Image - Stock Vault

The Great Debate - Bumbags

"Fanny packs? Nice. I hope you're not going to say anything good about them." - The ever sardonic Morgs.

Fanny pack, belt pack, belly bag, Buffalo pouch, hip sack, hip pack, bum bag, moon bag; whatever you want to call it - the bum bag (for the sake of my UK base), is back.

Somewhere between 6 and 12 months ago (I can't quite remember but I do know it was prior to September S/S10 fashion month), I predicted, albeit to myself and Morgs, that bum bags would make a comeback. It may have been a power shoulder knocking me in the head, or the MC Hammer-inspired harem pants subconsciously telling me that a tote is entirely the wrong accessory; the epiphany came. And went. Damn, it would have been a good 'I told you so follow-up post', right?

Anyway, now we're post festivities and feverishly making way for the forthcoming trends (I am particularly partial to the sorbet colours which Burberry executed with all the sweetness of a Sunday sundae), it should come as no surprise that on page 29 of Vogue's February runway supplement, there appears to be 7, no less, bumbags all making a welcome return to the runway.

Marc Jacobs

Jonathan Saunders

Oscar de la Renta

Studs, monogram, super-skinny belts, tassel trims; they're all there. And I love them. Oscar de la Renta paired an embroidered evening gown with a wrap-around pouch while Ashish off-set his 'Same Old Chic' sequined t-shirt (my new-season must have), with a metal studded leather number. Fantastic! Ok, their first incarnation was a bit of an eyesore and wasn't exactly the most stylish, but nor were shoulder pads, drop crotch trousers or batwing sleeve tops and look what happened last year. It's the new millennia makeover that's the key. Just think what Christopher Kane or Marc Jacobs could do to a shell suit?

Ashish

D&G Dolce & Gabbana

With a simple clip, buckle or self-tie fastening, it's the hands free option which appeals to the urbanista. Never again will you have to juggle a champagne flute, canapé and iphone.

Embrace this irreverent trend head on I say. At least until the shell suit comes around.

Pictures - style.com, google images.