This Week...

1/2.What I wore: Dress [dorothy perkins], Scarf & Jacket [New Look], Boots [M&S]. This has become a pretty standard look for me this month, alternating between this fake leather jacket/hoodie combo and my gilet. 
3.Pretty little packaging from YourFashionJewellery...
4.Because I won a £10 giveaway prize from GemBear to spend on the site :) I bought this lovely little pendant necklace which I've already worn twice!
5.Elle arrived Saturday morning, sporting Michelle Williams on the cover. I had little time to read it properly but I have skimmed through the fashion stories and a few articles. 
6/7.Loved this whole spread, got me so excited for Christmas!
8.I'd also love all of this page in my stocking at Christmas *hint hint* but seriously how cute is the TopShop heart jumper they've featured?! 
You may note the lack of Halloweeny-ness on my This Week post. Well, I have no plans =( booooo! I've been so busy preparing stuff for interviews and Uni work that Halloween has simply be put aside for this year. Which genuinely makes me sad, because I love dressing up! 
But I do have the start of NaNoWriMo to look forward to plus Bonfire Night!

Wishlist Item[s]...Halloween edition

As Halloween just around the corner  I'm sure many of you guys will be rooting through cupboards, raiding charity shops and hitting the highstreet for cheap costume pieces. But what if you could splash the cash and go all out chic for the holidays?

Below are some go-to traditional Halloween outfit ideas, the difference is in the price tag...

Temperley London Dress, Jeffrey Campbell boots, McGonagall's hat replcia, Spider brooch,  Skull ring

This witchy costume is a mix between Mortia Adams and a punk rocker. The embroidery on the arms of the dress are so pretty I chose minimal jewellery that fits with the spooky theme. 

Alice +Olivia dress, 'Identity' heels, Veda 'Thriller' jacket, Spike knuckle ring, Devil contacts, TopShop lipstick

Dressing like a Devil doesn't mean dressing in latex, for this Devil costume I went for contrasting textures and, quite literally, eye popping accessories that will look hot in hell.  

Matthew Williamson dress, Jean Michel Cazabat sandals, Jeremy Scott sunglasses, Lanvin bracelet, Nordstorm fascinator

On the opposite side of the spectrum I've chosen to channel my inner white swan for this angelic Halloween costume. With an already flamboyant dress the accessorises either needed to blend or stand out. As it's Halloween they're standing out and are completely over the top!

Carefree 70's

Free People's 'Through the Decades' Holiday 2011 Lookbook preview

Free People are a wonderful clothing company and I'm sure many of you are fans of their retro inspired collections. And no one can deny they produce some of the best Lookbooks around.

These photos are part of the 70's shoot from the book, featuring flowing ethereal dresses, mixed prints and textures and chunky platforms.

The full lookbook will be released in November but there are already previews from the 20's and 50's online already. I can't wait to see the whole book in full!

All images via  Fashion Gone Rogue/Free People

This Week...

1.What I wore: Leggings [New Look], T-shirt [Primark], Cardigan [thrifted TopShop], Necklace [Dorothy Perkins] all underneath a warm coat now. 
2.It's definitely Autumn now so it's time for boot wearing season! Been living in my black ankle boots [New Look] with knitted socks 
3.Knee high riding boots [M&S]
4.And my tan ankle brogue boots [New Look]
5.Monday morning was pretty stressful for me with a cancelled lecture and 4 hours to wait for my next seminar, I decided to leave Uni work for about 2 hours and go shopping in the TopShop mid-season sale. I saw this jumper on the website and ended up wearing it on Thursday, it's so comfy and very Parisian chic.
6.I also bought this adorable little necklace for £2.50.
7.Yummy egg, tomato and soft cheese bagel...om nom nom ^_^

Tonight...

Image via LIFE Magazine

If any of you are musical theatre nerd like me you should recognise the photo above and you'll also know that this week marks the 50th Anniversary of the release of West Side Story in theatres.

Images via LIFE Magazine

LIFE magazine released previously unseen photos from the filming of the movie featuring legendary actors and actresses such as Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer, Rita Moreno, George Chakiris and Russ Tamblyn, and more can be seen by clicking this link. 

Everything about the film is completely timeless. From the re-shaping of the Romeo and Juliet love story to  the recognisable New York setting, wonderful musical scoring and ever classic costuming.

In fact it really spoke volumes to me when my old theatre group were able to easily source many of the costumes of their recent production from the baseball jackets, pretty 40's/50's style dresses, to the boy's chinos (if you know the musical I swear no pun intended :P) and turn up jeans were all found on the high street.

A shift towards a better classier style of dressing? Or just another happy accident that the designers for current clothes stores are all feeling a little pretty, whitty and gay?

Either way I'm just happy to celebrate a really legendary musical (and definitely one of my favourites) and all the amazing fashion inspiration it brings. 

Happy Birthday West Side Story!

Wishlist Item...(inspired by Emma Watson)

L'Agence

Cotton-twill and faux fur hooded coat

£525 from Net-A-Porter

I'm sure by this point you've all seen the photo of Emma Watson bright eyed and enthusiastic for her first day at Oxford University [the photo's below if you haven't]. And like many of us in the UK she wrapped up against the chilly Autumnal winds in a comfy coat. 

I don't think this is the exact coat but it's looks just as great. It's a great neutral colour that'll stay on trend for years to come and fur lining will definitely protect you against the cold. 

A great addition to my wishlist I think!

Image via Elle UK

And here's the photo if you haven't seen it - I give it two weeks till she's running around with a stress frown instead of a smile ;D ah the joys being a student!

This Week...

1&2.What I wore: TopShop dress [Charity shop], Grey Cardigan [H&M], Belt & Necklace [New Look], Ring [TopShop].
3&4.Now that the weather's turned Autumnal here in the UK it's definitely time to get out the boots. To say I've been addicted to wearing my New Look brogue-ankle boots is an understatement.
5.After another hectic week I spent a nice Friday commute home munching on Doritos and reading Looking for Alaska by John Green. 
6.My nails for the week [Base coat: 'Elle Grey' Mavala - free from Elle magazine a few months ago, Top coat: Barry M 'crackle' Instant Nail Effects in white]

Inspiration from the front rows: Olivia Palermo

If anyone paid close attention during fashion weeks last month, it's most likely you'll have spotted this girl among the magazine editors and models...

Image via Zimbio

Olivia Palermo originally made a name for herself as a cast member on 'The City', starting out working the PR department at Diane Von Furstenburg. Since then the socialite has since turned heads with her New York chic street style and her influence on the fashion world with her work with Elle magazine. 

images via Zimbio 1.2.3

I personally love how accessible yet Gossip Girl-esque her style is. Though her clothes clearly have designer labels, it would be very easy to walk onto a British high street and reproduce some of her looks for much less. The formula to her style is never the same but the general elements are taking clothes that are timelessly chic and adding the pieces that are on trend for that season, whether it be clothing or accessories. 

images via Zimbio 1.2.3.4.5.6

The socialite recently ventured into the blogging world with her site Oliviapalermo.com offering not only styling suggestions but lifestyle tips and recommendations. At the moment she seems to only be involved in an editorial and creative capacity but it'll be interesting to see whether she starts to write more personal posts, maybe even giving us an insight during fashion weeks and her rumoured fashion line.
For me the only way is up for Miss Palermo.