Starting them young...

Today I took my new god daughter out on our first outing together. Keen to be an excellent all round role model, I considered carefully the many cultural activities that we could enjoy together so that I can try and enrich her life in some small way. But, if I'm honest, it's best that she understands the real me more than any landmark, church or museum. So, I stuck to the culture that I know best and took her clothes shopping. There's no reason why she shouldn't be introduced to the merits of bargain hunting at an early age is there? It will only serve her well in future I thought.

So, we meandered through the cobbled streets of Windsor with a pair of shoes to buy and a voucher to spend (New Look, if you're wondering). To my despair, however, she slept through the entire experience. Off in the land of nod without a care in the world for retail and its infectious personna. She wasn't concerned at all about my New Look bargains (three in all) or my new Office sandals. She didn't even wake up to help me choose a mascara. Perhaps she's not going to be that into shopping...ummm, interesting. Or perhaps at under five months old, it really is too young. That's much more likley.


Style Twist - not even the most stylish person I know x

The death of yellow independence

It will be a sad day on Friday when my favourite accessory and I part ways. It's been a three year partnership that has endured some stormy weather and the odd/frequent bump and scrape. Yes, the yellow mini has, sadly, seen its finest day. It's been hard to accept, I can say so now openly. I've been thinking for some time that the time has come but it's taken a while to hit home. The failed MOT was the nail in the coffin and a shiny new black car is winging its way to me come Friday.

It's become part of my style identity so I'm sure a tear will be shed as the little daffodil finds itself a new home and I have to face the stark reality that is sharing a 'grown-up' car with a boy. I'm sure I'll manage though...after all black is the new yellow.


Style Twist - not even the most stylish person I know x

When house trumped clothes...and I had to grow up

For the past twelve years my boyfriend (now husband) hasn't had to be that inventive when it comes to presents. I'm a Topshop girl through and through you see. Give me a voucher (or plastic card now times are a changing) and I'm happy. Simple pleasures and all that. Each May I look forward to a summer wardrobe spree, safe in the knowledge that my voucher is a 'birthday-must have'. But, gasp, 2010 marks a catastrophic change in this perfect order of birthday present affairs.

The husband's a grown up you see. He wants me to buy him a BBQ for his birthday, he informed me last week. Aghast, I knew that unless I wanted to be tarnished as a selfish being for eternity, it was only right to 'donate' my 2010 birthday gift to the house. Lucky house. So, Topshop vouchers have been banished and a piece of home wear will take their place. Not a swap that immediately filled me with a warm fuzzy feeling...

But, not easily disheartened, I'm pleased to announce that a mirror I've had my eye on for some time is now winging its way to me, disguised as a birthday present.

I've grown up. I feel good. I do. Honestly.

But, if those Topshop vouchers lose their way again come Christmas, I may not be so supportive of this adulthood business.

Style Twist - not even the most stylish person I know x

When the colour of shoes doesn't matter...honestly

I'm vain. I am. I try not to be but I can't help it. I think about my clothes, I worry about my hair and I'm sad if I clash. Until this weekend I'd thought that there was no occasion when one's shoe colour was totally inconsequential. As I helped out at a friend's running shoes shop I began to realise that, when it comes to trainers that are fit for purpose, there's nothing more annoying than somebody who wants a pink pair!

Now, as previously mentioned, I'm all about the matching outfit but my past runner-persona took offense when a would-be sauntered in, feigning interest in the right type of shoe, only to be swayed speedily by a splash of colour that didn't suit the look! Now come on, running's not about fashion, it merely facilitates a better overall look.

Fear not, my commitment to colour co-ordination was merely on sabbatical - a frightening and unsettling two days I can assure you.


Style Twist - not even the most stylish person I know x

Viva Las Vegas

After a busy 48 hours in Las Vegas, you'd think that I'd be able to conjur up much commenatary about the outfits I saw ( or lack there of) and the beautiful people out and about in a city that, very literally, never sleeps. I have many of those tales but it's my plane outfits that spring to mind as most newsworthy (if you can label it that) and concerning. To cut to the chase - leggings.

Yes, leggings are so comfy, they've become too comfy. Since becoming a staple of the female wardrobe over the past few years, I've finally realised / had to admit that they're making us ladies a bit lazy when it comes to style. No longer do we need to squeeze into our skinny jeans with relentless determination or stop eating cakes incase we have to buy a new pair. We've got the fall back of the stretchy, one size fits all leggings and we need to be careful. It won't be long before tailored trousers, fitted jeans and hotpants lose their appeal entirely and we become a nation of legging-wearing slobs. I'd be top of the guilty list.

Style Twist - not even the most stylish person I know x

Getting My Shopping Fix

I get a bit twitchy when a weekend's activities don't include some form of shopping. It doesn't happen often but, sadly, it can. Until this weekend I'd considered window shopping to be the least satisfying form but was proven wrong when wandering the lovely streets of Bath with somebody who had cash to spend as I save for an excessive amount of holidaying in 2010.

When that person happens to be male, you're also faced with boys clothes shops and, top of the boring tree, Millets. Honestly, I nearly nodded off in there. I get that it's purpose-driven clothing but come on, a little retail creativity wouldn't go a miss.

Anyway, with said shopping sadness well a truly behind me I can now focus my addictive attentions on London Fashion Weekend. I'm off to Somerset House on Thursday for some proper retail therapy. I may well take a break from holiday saving to satisfy any unavoidable temptations. What can a girl do?


Style Twist - not even the most stylish person I know x

Packing light. Very light...

I've written once before about my new calling as a biker chick. Baby steps thus far have seen me travel five miles for a Costa coffee on one round trip and then 20 miles for a ludicrously expensive hot chocolate on the second. My third expedition is due next weekend but it's somewhat longer than its predecessors. I'm off to Bath for the weekend and top of the worry-agenda is how on earth can two people pack adequate, non-offensive outfits into one measly rucksack. Nightmare!!

Adjectives to describe my normal packing etiquette would not include 'light'. In fact they are more likley to include synonyms of OTT, 'just in case' and ridiculous. So, what can I do? View it as a style challenge to overcome with pride is my only option besides catching the train. I'm going to go for leggings and a dress that folds very, very small. It's not helpful that, as previously mentioned in my blog, I'm six foot tall. Surely this would be an easier task for somebody more vertically challenged. Less material and all that.

Anyway, I'll be sure to update on my styleless weekend away with nothing but a rucksack that usually would house my make-up!!

Style Twist - not even the most stylish person I know x