Back to Basics: Mary-Kate Olsen

It's been coming for some time, but Ashley Olsen move over - Mary-Kate has officially taken over in the style stakes. I didn't want to admit it, but she is definitely the more fashionable twin these days and their recent trip to Paris proves just that...

Sticking to what she knows best in black layers, MK came out on top. I know I've been talking of experimenting with colour recently but until there is a need to do so (summer isn't until next year, after all) I'm going to make like Mary-Kate and go head-to-toe black. Predictable? Yes. But you can't say she doesn't look smokin'.

There's a million and one black pieces out there just waiting to be bought - my winter coat included - but here are just a few pieces you could start with, I'm especially taken with the YSL heels...

Coat, Alexander McQueen. Heels, YSL. Bag, Marc by Marc Jacobs - all at Net-a-Porter.com. Felt Hat, Topshop. Silk Blazer, Issa at TheOutnet.com.

Do you have a favourite item in Mary-Kate colour of choice? I'm looking for the perfect black winter coat, so if you know of anything particularly special, let me know!

Photos from the fashionspot.com

Cream of the Crop

A few of my favourite shoes were made somewhat redundant over the winter due to the ridiculous weather, it was either a case of wear Dr Martens or get wet feet and clearly, wet feet wasn't an option. Because of this I got stuck in a rut and solely wore skirts or leggings - trousers were altogether out of the question.

Now that the weather's being a bit more reasonable, I can venture back into trouser territory or more dauntingly, the land of jeans. I've always been a bit scared of jeans because they're so hit and miss and the perfect denim usually is something of a myth to me. BUT with the help of my trusty brogues (think Ashish AW10/11) I'm on the hunt once more...

I recently had a look at MiH's AW collection and I couldn't believe how soft their jeans were - I'm literally in love with the panelled Vienna and The Paris is such a beautiful cut. One Teaspoon is another brand I came across on my hunt and OH MY GOD I wish I'd discovered them earlier - their jeans/clothes are to-die-for. I want everything from their online store, check it out - you'll understand why!

My brogues have already had an outing with my Levis 501's but this bunch tells me that they're going to see a whole lot more of London in the near future. What are you looking forward to wearing and what do you think of the whole panelled/coloured jean trend?

Photos from www.mih-jeans.com, www.net-a-porter.com, www.oneteaspoon.com.au, http://asos.com, http://www.topshop.com, http://www.uniqlo.co.uk/

Accidents Happen

Everyone gets the whole 'fashion' thing wrong sometimes; however, doing it more than once tends to raise eyebrows. Collectively, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen have my dream wardrobe - there was Mary-Kate's Balmain phase in 2007 which I would kill for, and Ashley's amazing red carpet ensembles.

Saying this, they don't always get it right. In fact, Ashley (usually the more preened of the two) got it horribly wrong at the Art of Elysium/VERSUS event on Friday night.

The shoes, the lace/jersey combo, the leather jacket tied around the waist? It's all wrong. Mary-Kate on the other hand looks amazing - I'm loving the cobalt blue dress teamed with the leopard print jacket. (an MK and A staple).

At first sight Ashley doesn't look that bad, but when you examine the outfit as a whole it just really doesn't work. At all. I said a month or so ago that I wished Ashley would step up her game, because at the moment, Mary-Kate is steaming ahead in the style stakes - and this doesn't exactly help her cause.

I'm optimistic because this is clearly just a phase, she will start dressing better soon; and when she does, I'm willing to forgive and forget. In the spirit of positivity, I've put together an outfit with my new essential, the khaki short, and Ashley's downfall - lace. Will you be wearing the khaki short this summer?

Shorts, Wedges, Crop - Topshop. Glasses - Rokit. Shorts - Urban Outfitters. Bag - Net-A-Porter.com.

I was a bit scared of trying the lace-cycling-short-under-khaki-short trend because I've got short legs but all this sun has given me the confidence. What do you think, has Ashley lost her style or is this just a bad fashion moment? 

Photos from net-a-porter.com, Topshop, Rokit, Urban Outfitters and thefashionspot.com

Airport Chic

I never used to like Victoria Beckham's style (although I don't know anyone who actually did) but I've been converted to the Posh side.

I absolutely loved her AW10 collection at Fashion Week and think she's really emerged as something of a style icon over the past year or so. It's very much a love/hate thing with Victoria and you either get it or you don't. Even though that whole WAG phase (circa extensions, tan, boobs) was horrendous, you can't deny that it created a following - mainly of gypseys but a following nonetheless.

At least her latest phase is generating a stylish following, myself included (I'm not really a Victoria girl, but that doesn't mean I don't think she's cool - which she is, by the way).

Here's my interpretation of Victoria's airport look - notice how airports bring the best out in her?

Leggings, Shoes: Topshop. Balmain Jacket, YSL Cuff: Net A Porter, T-Shirt: French Connection

Admittedly the t-shirt isn't great (I'd wear a plain American Apparel V-Neck with this outfit) but the rest is something I'd definately wear. Well, who wouldn't wear Balmain? I've developed an irrational fear for wearing trousers but Victoria (and Rachel Bilson) have made me re-think my phobia, sort of.

What do you think, Victoria Beckham: stylish or not?

photos from justjared.buzznet.com, topshop.com, frenchconnection.com, net-a-porter.com

Look-a-like

I know, I know, I know - I need to post about someone other than RiRi, Lady Gaga, Freja or Abbey. I just can't help but love their personal styles. Freja always looks the part in band-tee's, skinny jeans and combat boots (black of course), Gaga in something amazingly crazy, Abbey in maxi-dresses and biker jackets and Rihanna in whatever's hot.

Since the SS10 shows last September, Rihanna has really emerged as someting of a fashion-powerhouse. It seems that most of what she wears, with a few exceptions, looks really incredible; and she has been known to look a lot better in outfits than the catwalk Size 0's - an achievement considering she's not waifer-thin.

I've rummaged around and found a couple of recent 'street style' shots which I think look great on her and that can be replicated at a reasonably decent price. Admittedly, I would never wear Look 3, but it just reminds me of her Pon De Replay days - though I doubt that was the look she was aiming for.

Blazer, jumper, bag - Topshop. Glasses - ASOS. Boots - All Saints

Leather sleeveless jacket, long sleeved top - Topshop. Gloves, necklace - ASOS.

Top - Elizabeth & James @ Net-A-Porter. Jeggings - Topshop. Necklace, ring - Asos.

I will start posting about different people, it's not fashion ignorance - I promise! Who are your modern style icons?

photos from justjared.buzznet.com and thefashionspot.com

Best Dressed...

I've really become more of a dress girl this past year. I used to live in jeans and only ever wore dresses for occasions because I thought they were too girly. However, recently there have been so many dresses that I LOVE, its hard to avoid them any more.

I'm never going to be a prom dress kinda girl because I'm too scruffy and just can't handle the idea of having to keep something clean. I've just ordered myself a basic black jersey maxi-dress from ASOS which I'm sure I'll have fun accessorizing (I'm thinking boots, leather jacket and rings). Here are just a couple of outfit ideas I thought were cute - I'm pining for a nice mac and this one is lovely although I doubt it's an outfit I'd realistically wear.

The second outfit is definately something I'd wear and I love that burgandy colour with grey and black.

all clothes from TOPSHOP

Alexander Wang dress, Marc Jacobs leather jacket, Fendi ankle boots,

RayBan glasses, Miu Miu leather bag, all from Net-A-Porter.com

What outfits are you loving at the moment and how would you change my choices?

Peapod Dreams

At the beginning of December I wrote about a mystery 'runner bean' necklace that I'd fallen in love with. However, because I only saw it briefly, floating around the neck of a mystery celeb, I had no idea where to start my search. All of that changed today when I stumbled across said necklace on the Alex Monroe website, hallelujah! Christmas came early, it seems (and it wasn't a runner bean but a pea-pod - how cute!)

I came across a selection of adorable pendants in my arduous search, which I felt only fair to share with you. Enjoy!

L-R: Pearl Peapod Necklaces from etsy.com & Michael Michaud

L-R: Coral necklace and Strawberry pendant from Kenneth Jay Lane at net-a-porter.com

L-R: Aubergine and Peapod pendants both from alexmonroe.com

I literally can't wait to get my Alex Monroe pea pod, what are you looking forward to buying/recieving this Christmas?

Runner Bean Plea

A couple of days ago I fell in love. The item in question is not a boy or even a pair of shoes, but a necklace. I don't usually wear necklaces so I somewhat surprised myself at my own choice of adoration. This is all good and well however I was stupid enough to forget where I saw said necklace and who designed it.

It is a silver pendant, in the shape of a green bean and I'm pretty sure it was worn by someone blonde in some sort of newspaper/magazine (if that helps?). In my search for the necklace of my dreams, I happened to come across a couple more cute pendants which I thought I'd share in exchange for knowlege of the the whereabouts of the runner bean.

DAY BIRGER ET MIKKELSON, STELLA MCCARTNEY, ALEX MONROE @ NET-A-PORTER.COM

ASOS, RUTHI ORLIN, ALEX MONROE @ ASOS.COM

Have you ever seen something and regretted not making a note of it? If you know where I can get the necklace, I'd be forever grateful!