Who wants to be that girl?

Chloe's Drew in tan

I haven't bought a new designer handbag since my 30th, and when my friend DB (you might remember her from our ICONS Update feature in her mesmerising wardrobe) showed me her birthday purchase (a black Chloe Elsie) it got me thinking that I would quite like a new everyday hand bag too. 

My birthday is (sort of) coming up so I thought I would cheer myself up by starting to research early (any excuse to trawl the Internet really!). In terms of iconic bags I'm doing pretty well and have all the ones I've always wanted: a black YSL Muse, a Chanel Jumbo 2.55 (they don't sell them online but Vestiaire Collective always has them on their website) and smaller evening number like the Anya Valorie.and the classic black Jil Sander oversize clutch. I was flicking through Vogue at the weekend I saw this bag... and I immediately wanted to be that girl!

Chloe's Drew at Selfridges

I'm funny with handbags - I was telling my mum as we were shopping in Selfridges (they have a fabulous and extensive selection of bags all under one roof) that a bag really needs to speak to me. There is no rhyme or reason as to why I fall in love with a bag, I just do. I love Smythson, Chanel, YSL and recently two bags did speak to me... one is from Louis Vuitton and it's called Pallais Chain, the other is the Chloé Drew. Either would be a big purchase so I'm sitting on it for the time being but I am really considering it... they both keep on calling me...

Other on my wish list...

Clockwise from the top:

Valentino studded Rockstud

Smythson Berkley

Saint Laurent Sac Universite

Louis Vuitton Pallas Chain Monogram

Cosy Monday

Ever since I bought my Topshop ripped trousers in October, I haven't stopped wanting to wear them mainly because they are so comfortable. There are days where I just can't bare feeling restricted and Mondays are often one of those days! I'm pairing them with a winter white knit, mine is from Banana Republic and it has sold out but they have a very similar style from Mango at £19.99! and my J. Crew kitten heels - again, I've worn them to death because they are so comfortable. Today I am spending the day at the office getting ready for tomorrow's working special of The ICONS Update - it will be a bumper issue as we go "offline" for a week to do some essential maintenance work to the website. We have a few surprises up our sleeves so watch this space... Oh! I'm wearing this shade of lipstick today - it's called Jenna!

WIT mama Friday: cause mamas can have fun too!

Whistles dress, Prada bag, L.K Bennett shoes

Enough with posts about what to wear when we are pushing our buggy at the park, let's dedicate one posts to some mama fun. I went out with my husband and friends last night and had a fabulous evening, partly due to the fact that I got to dress up a little. I find a black, long sleeve dress the best option - this way I can wear my infamous winter bare leg and still have the rest of me pretty covered up. My lace and feather dress is a really old Whistles buy although Tibi (click here) do a really similar one, but I found a few alternatives that have been tempting me to add to my collection. When wearing a flirty black mini dress, keep make up to a minimum, don't overdo with heel heights (flats are actually better) and throw in a fun clutch too - it's Friday night after all!

1- DVF £300
2 - Alicia + Olovia £380
3 - Dolce & Gabbana £2,400
4 -Carven £370
5 - Etoile Isabel Marant £112
6 - Coast £99

A million ways to wear your leather culottes

Gap denim shirt, Whistles culottes, J.Crew shoes, LK. Bennett tote

I have to confess that back in October when we moved into our rented property, I packed "lightly" thinking it would be fun to own a little less for a few months. Surely, I thought, I could make it work. In many ways it has been fun and when we move back (will we ever?!?) I will do another big wardrobe clear out, but three months in and fashion weeks steadily approaching, I am now really starting to miss my clothes. 

I've always liked to reinvent my wardrobe staples and this season I've worn my Whistles leather culottes in many different ways: with flats and heels, with boyfriend shirts, Tippi sweaters and blouses and today I'm styling them with a denim shirt and strappy heels for a day in the office. So here's a challenge for your outfit tomorrow: wear one of your favourite items in a completely different way and tweet/Instagram me a pic @WITblog - would love to see how you reinvent one of your wardrobe staples.

What lies beneath (the coat) ...

I just want to reassure those of you who think I step out coat-less in a 4 degrees London that I do wear my coat, gloves, sometimes two scarves and plenty of very unsexy Uniqlo HEATTECH under my daily outfits (that include long sleeved skin tight T-shirts and legging), I just choose to take my photo without so you get to see a little more than my coat wardrobe for six months per year.

My secret from the cold: Uniqlo HEATTECH

The one thing I am prepared to endure is freezing ankles (and at times feet) for the time it takes for me to commute, but most days I drive so I'm practically cheating. The thing is I just can't do tights (read last year's post where I share "How I face the cold"), and this hate has come to a point that I don't wear skirts in the winter anymore; I'll just have to save them for the summer. Something else to look forward to besides my summer box.... ;-)

PS. I had a Christmas voucher to spend in Harvey Nichols yesterday and I asked you which one I should go bewteen the two... Isabel Marant Etoile voile dress £340 versus Isabel Marant Etoile crochet dress £370  -as promised here are the links.

The navy blazer

Off to Harvey Nichols for a Wardrobe ICONS shoot this morning and lots of important meetings after that. Last night as I was rooting in my wardrobe for something to wear I found my super old yet always modern Balenciaga navy blazer (take a look at the ones Petro and I tried on and added to out Icons here). 

 I'm wearing a big coat over the whole thing, but once the coat is off I still look a little bit on the smart side. Also don't forget it's Tuesday today and The ICONS Update is out with a new issue featuring my top ten favourite peasant tops, inside the wardrobe of stylist Vanessa Gillingham and my WIT inspired page with all the things I've been buying this month. Enjoy! x www.wardrobeicons.com

Casual Monday in patchwork denim

J.Crew sweater, HM jeans, Dolce e Gabbana shoes, Chanel bag

Today I am swapping my Friday off for a Monday and taking my mum out for an afternoon shopping spree in London. It's a beautiful day and I'm wearing my HM patchwork jeans from last year, with a chunky knit and designer accessories. This is such an easy formula to achieve a polished look with minimal effort... Try it for yourself.

Chunky knit + distressed denim + pointed shoes + designer bag = easy and chic

From the left:
Current/Elliott £100

J.Crew £125

Karen Millen £55

WIT mama Friday: weekend bag

J.Crew sweater, Mango sunglasses, Topshop trousers, Karen Millen boots, Anya weekend bag

I've come to the conclusion that any holiday with child (and without help), is not really a holiday, as lovely as it is. Over Christmas I was Greta's chaperone/cook/driver/nanny leaving very little time for my husband and I to spend any quality time together - so well before Christmas I booked us in for a weekend away in the country to just... relax! I filled "my" Anya Hindmarch weekend bag with beauty treats, all my favourite magazines, cosy knitwear and a special outfit for a candle lit dinner, and off we go to the Cotswolds for some non mama time!

1. Boden jumper £49 I'm wearing a J.Crew one and so many of you asked me about it but sadly it's out of stock - so I found this one that is really similar (and affordable too)

2. Anya Hindmarch weekend bag £950

3. Mango sunglasses £12

4. Topshop trousers £36

5. Karen Millen boots £99