picture from Disney Roller Girl

 I have been reading lots of great posts this week about lovely spring clothes. As the weather is warm, I am feeling really happy and ready to dig out my favourite bright clothes with lots of gorgeous prints.

Susie Bubble of Style Bubble heads out in some gorgeous pastel shades and just one shoe in her post Pastels made for black and blues.

Fashion Daydreams gives us some never seen before photographs of London Fashion Week and some great studded boots in her post What you didn’t see at fashion week

Times might be hard but it doesn’t mean that you can’t have fun. Retro Chick gives us some great ideas in her post Top 5 Tips to have fun with no money

Flying Saucer is happy makes her predictions on what she is likely to be wearing this summer in her post It’s Going to be a 70’s Spring

Cheapskate Chic finds a great little bargain in her post Shiny Happy People. It is great to have some sparkle to cheer up your day.

Disney Roller Girl checks out some way out and wacky knitwear in  her post Lovin’ it: Yang Du

To get a great looking pastel outfit, try layering this pink racer back dress with a long sleeved pastel t shirt.

 pictures from www.style.com

At the Elie Saab show at Paris Fashion Week, there was yet more very wearable day wear. Wearable day wear has definitely been a key theme for this fashion week with lots of classic shapes in luxury materials. These are key pieces that could be described as an investment. They are timeless and will take any wardrobe seamlessly from season to season.

At Elie Saab, there were numerous variations on a shape that has increased in popularity of late (you could call it the Victoria Beckham effect), the sheath dress. The sheath dress is a highly adaptable and lady like piece that can be worn for numerous occasions. It is lady like and suits almost all body shapes giving feminine curves to even the most athletic figure. The show definitely had a hint of forties nostalgia about it, as did many of the other shows this time.

There were some variations on the classic sheath dress. Cigarette trousers with high waists and feathered tops and jackets added a bit of opulence to the proceedings. There was also a full range of evening wear and whilst very nice, this didn’t attract me as much as the sheath dresses.

This light weight wool dress is the perfect example of the classic shift dress a definite investment buy.

pictures from www.style.com

Roland Mouret has become known for his elegant party dresses that have become popular with so many celebrities. But for autumn winter 09 his collection seemed to have changed focus. This is not really surprising with the recession really hitting and many of the designers opting for understated and modest collections that really show quality as opposed to the in your face opulence that has been in the past.

For his autumn winter 09 collection in Paris Mouret showed a collection of elegant daytime wear for the sophisticated girl about town. The collection was perfect for wearing to the office, out to lunch or a variety of other occasion making it versatile to really give its value for money. The clothes were fresh and trendy but still had much of the charm that Roland Mouret has become known for in his evening wear. Knee length dresses with slashed necks, asymmetrical cropped jackets and tunic style tops worn with textured leggings were both very wearable and also very feminine. The jackets and skirts were cleverly cut to give just the right amount of sex appeal without overdoing it.

Get a sophisticated daytime look like that at Roland Mouret by wearing this Ted Baker pencil skirt.

Pictures from www.style.com

The Hermes collection for autumn winter 09 was  true to the labels heritage and history as were many of the Paris Collections for the season. With a fair amount of leather and some mink fur linings including bomber jackets, head gear and gilets, the collection took full advantage of the houses reputation for animal skins.

The collect has a very distinct flying theme with  outfit looking like they were take straigh from a fighter plane. The collection fitted in well with the forties references that were seen at a number of other shows with some pencil skirts and belted leather coats. The clothes were all in brown but the interesting textures and use of layering managing to give quite a variation of tones of brown. Overall I thought this was a great collection, combining practicality and luxury for some very desirable pieces.

Whilst most may struggle to afford Hermes clothes, you can still treat yourself to a bit of Hermes luxury with these Hermes Scented Soaps.

Online shopping causes less carbon dioxide emissions than visiting shops or shopping at your local high street. According to a report from the Logistics Research Centre at Heriot-Watt University. The research found the driving to the shops for 24 or less small non food items was less environmentally friendly than getting a package delivered by a courier and taking a bus to the shops for 7 or less small non food items was less environmentally friendly than an online delivery.

This report has come at a time when consumers are becoming more and more aware of the environmental impact of their shopping choices and increasingly choosing the most environmentally friendly options. There is also a huge focus on cost savings and with parking and public transport options rising the online shopping option also often works out more cost effective for the consumer. There is also the issue of returning goods to consider. Where items need to be returned this will result in yet another journey to the shops and yet more carbon dioxide emissions.

As explained by Prof. McKinnon, Director of the Logistics Research Centre “Online retailers and home delivery companies can also apply various measures to enhance the CO2-efficiency of their logistical operations and gain a clearer environmental advantage”.

Lessen your carbon footprint by stocking up on cosmetics online.

Max Factor 2000 Calorie Mascara

Shu Umera Compact Powder

For more information on the Government funded Logistics research project go to www.greenlogistics.org.uk.

There has been much talk and debate about the jumpsuit as a trend for Spring Summer 09. Many comment on its practicality and others say it is not an easy piece of clothing to look good in. I love the spring summer jumpsuit for exactly these two reasons. It is really practical- no showing off the top of your bottom in jeans and tops coming untucked or riding up. Also no difficult decisions on what to tops and bottoms to wear and trying to co ordinate an outfit. A jumpsuit is effectively a ready made outfit. The jumpsuit also looks great on a vareity of different shapes, you just need to pick the right style. A close fitting style will be best for petites and for those that choose a looser style, a waist can be added by cinching in with a belt.

This season there were many different types of jumpsuit on the catwalk from seventies glam to sporty utility style and elegant floaty chiffon styles. The most versatile for day to day wear is probably the denim jumpsuit.

Diesel White Denim Jumpsuit - this jumpsuit looks really glamorous when worn with  jeans. I love the halter neck style.

Diesel Strapless Denim Jumpsuit - this jumpsuit can work for either evening or daytime, just wear with heels or flats.

Diesel Denim Jumpsuit - this utility style denim jumpsuit is really practical for everyday wear, try leaving top buttons open with a brightly coloured t shirt underneath.

Diesel Denim Jumpsuit - this really cute denim jumpsuit is the perfect alternative to a dress. Feminine and stylish but also practical.

For the ultimate in laid back beach style, I love these sugary sweet ice cream shades. Cool pastels and washed out hues are perfect for summer. They make me want to rush off and find an icecream kiosk for a delicious icecream. They look great with chalky blues and washed out denim for a really relaxed but feminine look with a definite feeling of holiday fun. Just as icecream is these colours are great for keeping cool on a really hot day. They also look great with creams and whites for a really fresh feel.

Full Circle Honeycomb Dress - a great dress for wearing to summer parties and barbeques. This dress will look amazing with a faded denim jacket.

 Mint Crew Neck T Shirt - for every day wear this classic style T shirt goes perfectly with a pair of faded skinny jeans and some pink accessories.

La Redoute Creation Strappy Dress - this dress is great for layering. Try wearing over a pastel colour vest top or T shirt for a great outfit for the beach.

 Oriana Small Flapover Bag - this bag will add some ice cream cool to almost any outfit. It looks amazing with a cream linen jacket for a smart but trendy look.

Do you ever get fed up with the sight of your tummy bulging out from under  a tight fitting top. You  are certainly not alone, there are so many women that are not happy with parts of their body and a bulging tummy is one of the most common complaints. Ideally hours of sit ups may help but in reality most of us don’t have the time or just never get around to it.

The twin set or non surgical tummy tuck is one of the best ways to make the most of your figure and disguise your tummy. I love the old fashioned elegance of a twin set worn with a pencil skirt but there are also some great new style twin sets which will do the job equally well. The magic of the twin set is both in its double layers which skim rather than cling creating a streamlined silhouette and the vertical line created by the opening of the cardigan that cuts the width of your body into pieces making it apear narrower. The jumper and cardigan of a twin set should be the same colour for maximum flattering effect. Here are some of my favourites:

For a really up to date version of the twinset, I love this set from Dolce & Gabbana.

This black twinset from Jucca knitwear is a really flattering colour and has a lovely scarf tie collar.

This round necked cardigan forms part of a classic   2 piece twinset. Grea for keeping warm without adding any bulk.

I have always loved Chanel for its elegant but classic designs. I love the way that the clothes keep a sense of tradition but are always presented in a new and fresh way. Chanel for me is the ultimate in beautiful ladylike style. The autumn winter collection was defined by its high ruffled necklines, something that Karl Lagerfeld also used in his recent couture collection. the collection ws made up almost entirely of black, coats, jackets and skirts with white collars and cuffs. Again some great historical references that also felt very now.

There were some sightings of the Chanel tweed which this time was a sort of mint green, again teamed with  the high ruffled collars. These clothes are perfect for just about ever woman young or old and all sorts of body shapes. Beautiful cuts that flatter and compliment the wearers natural shape.

Unfortunately, I can’t afford to buy Chanel clothes (as much as I would love to) but I do allow myself a little luxury in life. This Chanel foundation is amazing at making skin radiant and refreshes a complexion no matter how little sleep you have had. Perfect for getting a bit of that timeless and very elegant Chanel style.

pictures from www.style.com

Stella McCartney has gomne back to her roots with her autumn winter 09 collection, as have so many designers of late, many have put it down to the recession. Never mind the reasons why, Stella latest collection was filled with all those things that we love about her. The tailoring, the slip dresses, the cool laid back elegant look that she has made her own.

There was yet another appearance of the legging boots, which I love, this time vegan as Stella does not use leather. The colour schemes were fairly simple, black and white, some grey and redbut with such lovely taiored jackets and delicate floaty dresses lots of colour and pattern was just not needed. The slip dresses had sheer panels and see through bits, a very feminine style. Overall the collection was all about gorgeous and wearable clothes. Just the sort of thing that most people would  love to be able to wear every day.

I love this delicate and very feminine top by Stella McCartney, perfect for almost any occasion.