Pictures from the Brittique and IGNES event

Make a statement in black and white

The Daily Mail featured monochrome fashions including this striking dress by Amanda Wakeley. During my SS07 buying appointment with the lovely ladies at Amanda Wakeley I went crazy for this print. We stock a lovely zip front shift dress, dramatic coat with bell sleeves and, my favorite, the wrap dress.

How amazing is this model too? She's so fresh faced and natural looking. Wish my hair would sit like that...

Kylie and Lindsay step out in Brittique

Kylie and Lindsay have long been fans of Brittique with both often papped wearing clothing by our designers. Look magazine featured both style queens in the infamous Gil Carvalho Ivy boots.

Since Kylie was spotted in these sexy toeless boots they have been so popular that there are now just 3 pairs left in the world! So if you're a UK size 4, 6 or 7 lucky you. I even sold the pair I was reserving for myself.

Kate Moss for Topshop bombs in the US

I have to admit to feeling a little bit smug when I read this article in WWB magazine. And New York Magazine had just one word to sum up the collection "Snore" which echos my personal view. I'm sure many of you will disagree with me but Topshop's disposable fashion just doesn't do it for me. Additionally, the idea of Kate Moss as a designer for Topshop is even more of a joke. But the beauty of fashion is that everyone is individual (or should be) and should wear their own style.

A bouquet from Roland Mouret

It was like my birthday all over again yesterday. First my doorbell rang and it was a courier holding a lovely bag tied with ribbon. Inside was a beautiful scarf from Jonathan Saunders and the bow tie from Todd Lynn. Not really being a jewellery person (except rings) I really love scarves and ties and generally wear one with every outfit. I jumped around my office in excitement for a while telling anyone who would listen how excited I was - postman, courier, neighbour, people viewing flat next door...

An hour later anther courier appears at my door this time with a huge bouquet. It was from Roland Mouret!

Not only did I get to meet the most lovely men in fashion (although Osman Yousefzada and Hamish Morrow are up there too) for lunch, I also got special gifts for doing so. Lucky lucky me!

Emma Cook maternity range for Topshop

So many of my friends are pregnant at the moment that it got to the stage that a phone call went like this: "Hi Nicole, I have some news, "oh hi Kate/ Kath/ Kim, you're pregnant aren't you?" "well, yes, how did you know? Am I looking fat?" Must be the age we have suddenly found ourselves at.

These women do seem to struggle to find comfortable, durable and stylish maternity clothing. One friend was so small during the whole pregnancy that she just wore regular clothing a couple sizes larger, but the rest were real and packed on the required pounds.

Emma Cook has also recently given birth to a bouncing bundle of joy which most certainly inspired her range for Top Shop. It's unlikely to cause queues in the street but at least it's for real women unlike the Kate Moss collection.

I love the bubble hem dress and applique pinafore so much that, if I was a Top Shop shopper (which I'm not) I'm wondering if I could get away with it and not be pregnant? The bubble dress possibly.

Diamonds a girl's best friend? Not mine!

I often silently muse over how many girls want to get married for the "happily ever after" with their man/ woman or for the big diamond and fairytale wedding. Having no desire for either, I often wonder what I would like instead.

I rarely leave the house without a big sparkly ring that comes all the way up to my knuckle, nothing expensive, but it's my signature. So if my man was crazy enough to pop the question, I would look really weird with a smaller (relative) diamond on my finger. And I think I would get sick of it. Not to mention the decision of white vs yellow gold and my outfit choices...

Now I have an answer to my dilemma - these Dior rings are stunning!! Why would any girl want a "plain" white diamond when you could wear a bright, colourful and happy ring like this! No problems matching outfits with this - it goes with everything!

Fab fashion - from Gap!

When I saw this stunning, floaty and feminine dress with the rose bud neckline and bow pockets I was in love. Then I saw it was from Gap! After a little digging around I realised that I'm a bit late and have probably missed the mandatory queuing required to snap up the latest designer/High Street collaborations.

This collection is called Design Editions, a collection of pieces inspired by the white shirt and designed by some of America’s most exciting young designers, such as Thakoon, Doo.Ri and Rodarte. I tried looking at Gap.com to see if there were any on the US website, but seems I'm too late there too. I might have to make a trip to the large Oxford Street store and see if they happen to have any left. Given recent "designer" clothing induced scrums, I doubt it...

Liz Tyler & Helena Christensen love Camilla Staerk

Elle Magazine gave one of those "day in the life of" interviews with Liv Tyler. Liv said how she just loves Helena Christensen's New York boutique Butik. Set up by Helena and her best friend Leif Sigersen, Butik is described by hipguide as "weird and wonderful, it’s a journey through their mind and experiences".

Liv says she particularly loves Danish designers such as Rützou and Camilla Staerk. I also love Danish designers and for such a small country they do seem to produce an disproportionate amount of design talent. Brittique stocks fab Danish born designers such as Camilla Staerk, Louise Amstrup and Peter Jensen.

Converting to Chanel

Just 5 years ago my boss confided in me that she wore "naff Chanel suits" earlier in her career before giving them up for more fashion forward designs. Recently though Chanel has had a fairly low profile revival (or maybe I'm out of touch?). I'm really loving the new feel.

I want I want I want this bolero and striped dress (hmm maybe I'd wear it as a top though!) as featured in the latest Grazia magazine. While the bolero at £890 is eye-wateringly out of reach, the top at £360 is worth doing some price per wear sums.

Wear 10 times a year over 10 years means that it only costs £3.60 a wear - less than a coffee and skinny blueberry at Starbucks!

More press for the "Kylie" boot

Ever since Kylie was spotted stepping out in the Gil Carvalho Ivy shoe boots the press has been all over them! They are now known as the Kylie boot.

We have completely sold out (except 1 size 7, 40) and are waiting on a new delivery. According to the Daily Mail you have a 60% chance of snapping up a pair. That's good enough odds for me so add your name to the list now so you don't miss out!

random ramblings from the mags

A long weekend gave me the chance to digest the pile of magazine teetering on my desk. I don't read magazines, I just flick through scanning for things of interest. And this is what grabbed my attention.

Maria Grachvogel looking pretty in pink at the Laurent-Perrier Pink Party.

As some of you know, I have ethical issues against the High Street and don't shop there at all prefering to pay for genuine, quality designer clothing with sound manufacturing processes. I also didn't buy into the M&S "celebrity" advertising not being one for celebrities. However, I like the new Next ads. They're clear, clean and sleek. Still doesn't tempt me though.

This dress and the white wedges by Marni do tempt me though! I love her dresses - the floating romantic feel that still doesn't come across as girly.

Ann-Louise Roswald is one half of the design duo Lou Lou and Law. I've always been a fan and I'm glad we finally stock something by her on Brittique. Nice to see she shares my love of surfing - although I'm not very good either.

Preen clothing is very unique and inspired. Lovely to read the inspiration between these partners in life and business Justin Thorton and Thea Bregazzi.

Having tried on the full collection, just be warned that the clothing comes up a good size too small so order up a size.

SheerLuxe.com & Brittique in London Lite

For those Londoners who read London Lite on your way home each evening you might have spotted the piece on SheerLuxe.com featuring Brittique.com.

SheerLuxe.com is a shopping directory for all things luxurious from clothing to home interiors. Catch up with more of my ramblings in my special style blog.