With Christmas just three weeks away, the shopping season is well under way and there are bargains galore to be had! Many of the shops and online stores are having pre-Christmas sales. Unlike some years where only party wear is on sale, this year you can bag a bargain across the board in many stores with 20% and 30% off all stock and up to 60% off selected lines.

Here are some of the discounts available online

This is one collaboration that I may have to join the stampede at the doors of H&M on November 15th!

I love this collaboration and think it has really worked. Unlike some collaboration that can tend to just end up looking cheap when translated into a high-street collection, Maison Martin Margiela have very much kept to their aesthetic and produced a very stylish capsule collection for a fraction of their normal price!

The launch party was held last night in an historical nine floor building in the financial district in New York. The building complete with period features, peeling paint work and crumbling walls, just added to the de-constructed style of Maison Martin Margiela.

So without further adieu…

What do you think?

Eventually I am getting a minute to write a blog entry on the Harvey Nics AW12 fashion show!

I really liked the theme for the evening Hitchcock Heroines, styled by Sarah Rickard. There was a eerie feeling created with music from the films and props likes ‘The Birds’ on stage. Each scene was from one of Hitchcock classics, such great films, with The Birds as one that always spooked me!

Here are just some of my favourite looks from the show…

‘The Birds’ scene started off the show with smart 60′s style day wear teamed with flamboyant head pieces.

The tweed trend was strong with an equestrian look in the ‘Marnie’ scene.

The closing scene were evening looks inspired by ‘To catch a Thief’ with a series of elegant evening dresses. I loved the old worldly glamour of these looks.

It’s always been a classic stable but it looks like the White Shirt will again be a key piece for SS13 as seen at New York fashion week in the collections of Victoria Beckham, Parkchoonmoo, Assembly and Alexander Wang…

…On the street of Manhattan at NYFW, photographed by Tommy Ton.

I love it with the cream suit -just divine

It’s one of those pieces like the little black dress that’s ageless and timeless and worth the effort to get just right. Look around and pay even that little bit extra for good quality cotton, that is sharp, crisp and a clean white (you don’t want a blue tinge from the white!) I’m a big fan of the oversized long white shirt, as seen looking effortless on one of the original beauties- Audrey Hepburn.

It definitely felt like an autumn day with the rain pouring down for the BT2 AW12 fashion show last week. With a welcoming fire and freshly squeezed juice and croissants, I quickly forgot about my wet hair!

A great venue choice I must add at No.25 Fitzwilliam place; the interior and decor is beautiful.

With DJ Mo Kelly live on decks, MSGM started off the show, opening with some great flower and two- tone prints. Expect to see a lot of prints around this season with Selected Femme, Marc Jacobs, Diane Von Furstenberg, The Kooples and Acne setting the scene.

Maje’s two tone prints in royal blue and black theme were really strong with some great pieces like the black leather top which is a key item this season. Maje showed the all important cape in a dress style.

The Kooples showed some sharp tailoring while Sandro added a rougher edge to their tailoring with animal print legging a biker boots. Karl jazzed up the tuxedo with a fur trim on their crop sleeve tux jacket and black lace trim on the white shirt.

Metallic’s were seen in skinny jeans from Pinko, sixties patch pocket skirt from Marc Jacobs, chanel-style jacket from Sandro, drop waisted mini dress from Victoria Beckham and tailored dress from Karl.

The dress plays a key part for the AW12 collections of Ted Baker, Victoria, Victoria Beckham and Eyedoll and Karl.

The Skirt also continues to stay a strong piece for AW12 as seen by COS, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Raoul, Sandro and Pinko.

Make way for ankle boots this season with two- tone snakeskin and black cowboy boots, biker styles and western fringing.

This week Harvey Nichols launched their AW12 collection with the addition of some new labels, including Beulah London.

I really like the story behind this brand which helps provide a livelihood for people who have come out of sex trafficking. With Kate Middleton recently sporting one of their printed dresses, they are set to be noticed!

When it comes to pregnancy and clothes, the focus tends to be solely on the maternity element of the wardrobe during pregnancy and we kind of forget to think about what to wear after ‘bubba’ arrives. With a changing body, its hard to accurately predict what you’ll need to buy but its worth keeping a bit aside for some post pregnancy gear.

After nine months of pregnancy (really it’s can be 10 months or more!) I thought the day would never come for the arrival of my baby. The day came and went and I still waited! After being 10 days overdue my little girl India arrived into this world on the most memorable Valentine’s day I‘ve ever had. The joy of finally meeting this little person was shortly followed by the relief of not having to carry the big weight around anymore.

For the first few weeks, ‘dressing up’ is having a shower, getting into a tracksuit and brushing your hair (if even!) After that, you will need to venture out and for me it soon became obvious I had ‘nothing to wear’. I felt like the boy who cried wolf when I echoed this back to my husband. His response was “you always say that”, but I truly meant it this time! Although I had obviously slimmed down, I still couldn’t fit into any of my pre-pregnancy clothes and hadn’t taken into account that I’d need to replace the full range (bottoms, tops, underwear and nightwear). Understandably we can’t all go out and buy a new wardrobe so it’s about being clever when choosing items so you can mix and match.

Here are some tips on helping you look and feel good after the birth of your baby

1. Layering is a great way to cover up that midriff area. Team a long-line vest with a loose top and a pair of fitted jeans for an overall slender look.

2. Clothing with ruching detail and empire lines help to hide your jelly belly.

3. Longline blouses also help disguise the belly and bum area and can be worn loose or a bit more fitted depending on the shape of your body at the time.

4. Maxi dresses are comfortable, flow over the body and provide an all-in-one outfit.

5. Don’t pack away your flats and trainers just yet, as they are still most practical option.

6. Add some colour – A lot of maternity you wore was probably black, it’s time to inject some colour back into your wardrobe. You can keep the bottom half neutral and go for some vibrant colours for your top half.

7. Patterns – Patterned fabric is a great way of disguising lumps and bumps. It also hides possible breast leakages. Yes it can happen!

8. If you are planning on breastfeeding, wait until after the birth to buy your nursing bras as it’s difficult to tell beforehand what size you will need. I would recommend buying a minimum of four bras as you will wear them day and night. I found the range from Mothercare comfortable and a good fit.

9. You will also need to ensure your tops are ‘feeding friendly’. I purchased a couple of nursing tops from the range ‘Boob Design’ (available online or at Umamma-http://umamma.ie/) but they are a little expensive if buying more than one or two so look out for tops that button down and stretchy v-neck vest tops. Both of these will stretch to sit under your breasts during feeding. Choose cardigans instead of jumpers for easier access.

10. Keep accessories simple. Even young babies can grab long earrings!

P.S. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to get back in shape quickly. A good word of advice I received was that it took nine months to put on the weight and will take the same to get it off!

I recently came across the fabulous collection of MSGM and much to my delight Brown Thomas have introduced the label this season. Born in Italy in 2008 this fashion brand is the creation of Designer Massimo Giorgetti.

His inspiration is a mix of interests in indie music, contemporary art, Yves Saint Laurent, Coco Chanel and Walter Albini.

I love his mix of fabrics, decadent but not too over the top. I also love seeing such bright colours for spring its refreshing, although the citrus yellow is more suited to the Italian complexion! He has designed two SS12 collections with a very different feel to both.

The SS12 is very Cote D’azur while the cruise collection has a urban modern feel to it….

Spring Summer ’12 collection

Cruise Collection 2012

Which trousers suit my body shape?

Like jeans, trousers can be a really hard item to get right, as they don’t allow for too much error. With a dress or a skirt you can usually disguise the fact that it may not fit perfectly, but trousers are not as forgiving.

Here are the five main body types; if you are a combination of body types,then incorporate a tip from each body shape and be sure to try on the styles to get the best match for your shape.

Trousers for Apple Shapes

Trousers for Pear Shapes

If you have a pear shaped physique, your main gripe will be trying to slim down your thighs and hips. Your trousers need to be wide enough on the leg to skim over these areas. Avoid side pockets and go for flat fronted styles. Also wear trouser hemlines to the floor in order to create a longer length for your silhouette.

Trousers for Hourglass Shapes

‘The dress’ is the hourglass figures killer piece, but when it come to trousers it can be difficult for an hourglass to find a pair that suit. You should look for trousers in drapey or soft fabrics; this will ensure that they are not too clingy. With your small waist, a tie option can accentuate it. These tie waist from Mint Velvet will follow your curves and flow over your hips and thigh area.

Trousers for Petite Shapes

For the more petite lady you need to make sure the cuff of your trousers doesn’t skim the floor as this will just draw the eye down instead of up. Instead, trousers that cuff at or taper in at the ankle, work best.

If you are wearing full length trousers, just be sure they are sitting at least 1cm from the floor – this will make your legs seem longer. These black and white crop pair from MSGM are a fun option available from ASOS.

Trousers for Slim Athletic Shapes

With a slim athletic body, a lot of trouser styles suit you because trousers style hang well on your athletic shape. You have the advantage here to really go for the some great styles like these gathered waist with piping detail from ASOS. They will give you a curvier figure with the addition of the gathering and pockets. Where some may be hesitant to add the extra fabric, you should jump right in there!



So with trousers still playing a role for SS12, you can park the bottle of tan and bronzer for a while and keep those milky whites under cover with a pair of this season’s must-haves!

There are some great bargains to be had before Christmas with lots of shops gone to a 50% sale.

Here are some of my favourite picks…

Whistles Green Culottes now £65 online

Whistles Cream Pea Coat now £145 online

Whistles Animal Print Shorts now £60 online

French Connection beaded clutch now €42.50

French Connection Perspex Bag €60

Kurt Geiger Boots now £85 online

I do like a bit of glitz this time of year but there tends an overload of it in the stores for the party season. So if you don’t want to go all glitzy and sequins this Christmas season here are some alternatives looks.

Warehouse Pencil dress €65
This dress from warehouse will look great on a slim athletic of hourglass figure. Add some gold accessories, red clutch and crop fur to finish off the look.

Oasis maxi pleated dress €188

Coast red skater dress €98
I love this vibrant red dress from coast reduced to €98!

Zara blouse €39.95 Zara Palazzo pants €49.95

Tuxedo Jacket €69.95 Palazzo trousers €39.95
For the petite figure team the tuxedo jacket with a pair of shorts and opaque tights, the palazzo pants will look great on the apple shape and slim athletic figure.

This is one collaboration that I will definitely be running to pick up – Marni with H&M. From this preview its going to be worth the wait.

Launching in stores on the 8th of March 2012.

I will be out of my maternity clothes by then, this can be my ‘return to fashion’ treat!

Although our winter coats and jackets tend to be an investment piece for the season, again this season there are lots of styles out there that won’t break the bank. With retailers slashing the prices, the sky’s the limit with what’s on offer.

Be sure to also keep in mind what suits you. While styles, tastes and body shapes differ, ensure you get the fit just right. Sleeve lengths too long or short, or shoulders that are too big for your size (excluding the 80’s look) can look sloppy and take from your coat. So if it doesn’t fit, leave it sit!

Even if you’re considering spending more than our budget, the below style tips apply to any coat purchase, big or small.

After a scout around and some sneak previews, here are some of my favourites for under €200.

Doubled breasted coat from Jane Norman reduced to €70

This style works well for the smaller chested girl with the double breasted buttons .The contrast pockets give some curves to the straighter figured girl. The cream contrast works really well with the navy.

Draped wrap coat from Oasis €119

This is a great style for the more curvaceous woman with belt closing. If you are large chested, the v opening is also flattering for your figure. The asymmetrical hem works well for an hourglass figure too. Shown in main picture above.

Fur jacket jacket from New look around €60

This cute faux fur sits neatly on the hips. If you are petit this short style is good for you. The pink colour is ultra feminine and will look great with black, navy and brown.

Faux Fur jacket from Oasis €188

Love this yeti style jacket from Oasis. Great for jazzing up an outfit on a night out. This will work well on the taller of you ladies as it is mid thigh length, the more petite of you may end up lost in it! Shown in main picture above.

Khaki parka with fur trim hood from Awear €70

For the taller lady who would like a more casual look check out this parka style from Awear. The fur trim hood adds a cosy feel to the jacket.

Shearling Coat from Zara €99.95

Indulge yourself in some glamour and warmth with this shearling coat from Zara. Team with a pair of palazzo pants for that Rivera feel!

Caring for your winter coat

Remember when you bring home your new purchase to take good care of it:

- Soft leathers hung on coats stands can tend to get an imprint from the hook if left there too long.
- When on a night out, wrap your coat inside out if you’re leaving it on a chair or couch, especially if it’s cream!
- Get yourself a lint roller; it keeps your darker coat looking sharp.

So kick into action and wrap up in style this winter.

After purchasing a pair of their platform court shoes over the summer I am a bit of a fan of this aussie label. These wedges are the latest objects of my affection…may be a little impractical for me at the moment at six months pregnant!

It’s that time of year again to start thinking about updating your winter wardrobe and picking up some of those great autumn colours. Although with the current weather spell of hot then cold its hard to know what to wear! There are some great looks to be had this season, so I’ll take you through some of the top trends and the stores listed where you can pick up some key pieces.

Forties Glamour

Forties glamour is a strong trend this season with fedoras, rich jewelled colours, pussy bow blouses, palazzo pants, pencil skirts sharp tailoring in force. If you are a skirt kinda gal get yourself a pencil skirt for that sophisticated glamour. Here’s one from Zara with front slit detailing for €39.95, team it with this satin pussy bow blouse from Red Herringat Debenhams reduced to €24.00

Pattern Mix

This season’s patterns are mix of clashing, bold, decorative and lavish prints. Mix a granny chic patterned top with a pair of graphics striped trousers. Oasis has this great jumpsuit for a pattern overload for €94.00

Swinging Sixties

London’s swinging sixties was seen as a strong theme on the catwalks for this autumn season. Polonecks, miniskirts, knee high boots and beehives were seen across several collections. If you are lucky enough to have inherited some original sixties pieces pull ‘em out this season. This shift dress from River Island for around €30.00 is a great 60’s piece that can be worn to work or the weekend.

Fur

Fur this season is luxurious and colourful. There’s a strong 70’s glamour feel from shaggy to sleek styles. Rainbow colours from pastels to bold pinks are in force. Make a statement with this white leopard print fur from River Island for around €105

Polka dots

If you like polka dots this is your season. Dots in all sizes from tonal to contrast colours were seen in many collections on the catwalks. A-wear’s navy polka dress for €45 is versatile and will look great with ankle socks or navy tights.

Coat and cloak

Floor length, tailored styles, Dressing gown cuts, Blanket styles, Parkas, Aviators, Preppy duffles and capes – there’s a coat to suit all shape sizes and styles this season. Whether you want to wrap up or look smart and tailored from the winter season ahead you’ll be covered. Here’s a great cape from Monsoon for around €100 with the added detail of a leopard print hood to add an extra touch of fun.

This season you need to think glamour, colour, print, decadence, tailoring for your AW11 wardrobe.