Topshop Boutique Smock Dress

I love Topshop Boutique. They are a fantastic way to build some quality more timeless pieces into your wardrobe to mix-up with your high-street trend pieces. I don't mind spending a bit of extra money on Topshop Boutique because I know that the pieces will outlast the trends a little longer and the quality is good. I think they are great for basic vests and tee's and do the most amazing simple dresses, which you can just accessorise loads.

The next piece on my wish-list is the smock dress which at first glance on the hanger looks like it could be a pretty unflattering piece due to it's kind of sack like appearance, but it's so interesting and when it's on and looks really great.

I'm quite gutted I missed out on my colour of choice which was a baby blue and cream ticking stripe. They only made a couple of hundred as well.

I tried the grey 'Prince Of Wales' print on at Oxford Street. Here it is. You can probably see what I mean by my sack description with the masses of fabric, but doesn't it just look so cool? I love the shoulder detail and the way it sort of bunches up around your sides. I loooooove it.

Music LOVE: Friends

Brooklyn babes 'Friends' are one of the hottest bands around at the moment. My favourite song from The Bushwick based girl fronted group is 'Friend Crush'.


Listen

The Girl From Ipanema

Some travelling pics from my trip to Rio De Janeiro. A modern city in a natural setting, a city of old and new, rich and poor. The old colonial architecture, and infamous 'favelas', contrasted by sleek sky scrapers and the huge Central Business District, grand churches and religious statues sit with skate parks and graffiti art. I loved this city so much. My favourite area was Ipanema beach, it attracts more of a young crowd than the famous Copacabana which sits just next door.

River Island Miami Trend

I love this current trend at River Island 'Miami'. Inspired by the Latin American influence that you find in all corners of the city. It's got so many of the key looks for Spring/Summer 2012; the vintage chain prints, floral prints, animal print, pastel and punchy shades, bold colourful shoes, big gold jewellery and crop-tops of course!

Watch this video, it's got some great style and trend inspiration and will get you soooo excited about Summer!

Miami Trend Video

If you love what you see, they are running a competition at the moment where you can win everything in this video! You can find the competition by heading to the River Island website here.

Celebrity influences include Amy Winehouse, Eliza Doolittle, Sky Ferreria and Rhianna.  

Miami Lookbook

Here are some of my favourite statement pieces. You can shop them now online. 

Scarf print shorts: £20 Tropical Floral Crop: £14 Unicorn Print Leggings: £20 Bird Print Purple Shirt: £25 Pink Scarf Print Bomber: £35 Orange Leopard Court Shoe: £65

Topshop Unique Flatform Sandals

The most interesting pairs that I have come across online are from the current Unique collection by Topshop. I tried the black pair on in Oxford Circus and they are a bit fiddly and not super easy to walk in but totally worth it, the style is so good and they have gold and tortoise shell inserts on the heel. I didn't buy them because I'm holding out for the ones pictured above, they were seen at the SS12 catwalk show but I haven't seen them online or in-store yet! I hope they are going to sell them, I want them soooo badly!

All these styles below come in at £110 and are available to shop now at Topshop.

Jeans Label CURRENT/ELLIOT

This label is not technically new but it's sort of made it's way onto everyones radar this year with an amazing collection of fashion-forward denim. The American rooted label is heavily inspired by vintage denim combined with modern fits. The prints, colours and ankle-grazer lengths are just perfect for this season. They can be shopped at Selfridges, ASOS and Net-a-Porter.com. They don't come cheap, but I'm such an advocate for splashing out on a good pair of jeans once in a while to mix with your high-street wardrobe. They look amazing, they keep they're shape well and you're sure to find one brand that just fits you perfectly. My favourite style is the 'STILETO MID-RISE CROPPED SKINNY' and these are some of the best ones.

PROJECT#2 at Miss Selfridge

Iv'e decided to do a post about how good Miss Selfridge is. They seem to be getting better and better. They recently launched a capsule collection called PROJECT. The idea is that the pieces are a lot more fashion forward, heavily inspired by Bristish Street Style and music culture and the collection will take a new theme with each PROJECT. I really really like it. This one right here PROJECT#2 is influenced by the 90s. Think old school Kylie and Madonna meets a modern day Gaga and Rhianna. I love it so much, well done Miss Selfridge.

Here are some of my favourite pieces from PROJECT#2 all of which you can shop now at Miss Selfridge

The collection can be shopped by clicking here

Prices are good too, the most expensive items are £59 for the Jacket and the bag.

Editorial LOVE: Vogue Italia 'Haute Mess' Shoot

A shoot from the current edition of Vogue Italia 'Haute Mess'. The editorial shot by Steven Meisel featured top models like Joan Smalls, Coco Rocha and Jessica Stam styled by Lori Goldstein wearing totally ridiculous and trashy, colourful ensembles. They also sported crazy colourful weaves, heavily painted on make-up by make-up artist Pat McGrath and ridiculously long talon-nails whilst they posed in the isles of grocery stores and fast food chains. Props included babies and McDonalds...

Label LOVE: ELKIN Fall 2012 LookBook 'inspired the the science-fiction literary genre'

The new fall collection by LA based label Elkin. Pieces inspired by the Sci-Fi literary genre. I love the desert backdrop for the shoot.

Label LOVE: StyleStalker 'Come As You Are' LookBook

It's not my first post about these guys, and it won't be my last. StyleStalker are doing fantastic things for Australian fashion having been snapped up by some of the most influential UK retailers such as ASOS and Selfridges in the last couple of years. The label which launched in 2008 are among a few fantastic Aussie labels creating waves overseas. They always keep the collections fairly concise, enough pieces to get your head spinning with a mental wish-list but small enough to keep each piece interesting and completely unique from the last and leave you dying for more. Here are the images from the latest collection 'Come As You Are'.

Grunge but girly and a bit rock n' roll seems to be a recurring theme with this label, and that's exactly why I love them. I love florals, I love leather, I love mesh and lace, I love zips and studs, I love slouchy oversized dresses, tight pants and anything that hangs off my shoulder. And this is what StyleStalker does so well and why they are one of my favourite labels.

This collection was filled with leather, sequins, metallics and studds, mixed with chiffon dresses, oversized jersey tank tops and slouchy knitwear. And without doubt a LookBook that makes you want to be THAT GIRL. See more images here.

Model: Alexandra Spencer

Photographer: Kimberly Gordon

Styling: Rachel Zeilic and Sue-Ann San

Hair and Make-Up: Sina Velke