MOST WANTED - Eiffel Tower Bag

Eiffel Tower Bag - Timmy Woods - $450

Carrie Bradshaw is seen with this bag in the new Sex and the City movie, so of course everyone now wants one. The bag is by Timmy Woods in Beverly Hills and can be yours for $450. The ultimate cute and quirky accessory, you would have to agree that this little taste of Paris would not look out of place on the arms of the A list. If you ever get fed up of it, it would make a pretty good ornament!

Swarovski Encrusted Eiffel Tower Bag - Timmy Woods - $3000

Or how about the Swarovski encrusted version, at a mighty $3000. With over 6000 crystals this is a showpiece that is sure to stop traffic or at the very least, make you the envy of every woman around you.

WEBSITE OF THE WEEK - Pistol Panties

www.pistolpanties.com

This website offers a range of ultra glamourous swimwear which the celebs have already discovered and gone mad for. 2008 sees the introduction of 4 new collections featuring a selection of bikinis and one pieces, so there is plenty to choose from for every figure. I must admit, I am glad to hear that one pieces are back in fashion this summer as with all these summer BBQs I could do with a cover up for my wobbly bits!

If you happen to be in London, why not check out the Pistol Panties shop in Notting Hill, or go to the website to find your nearest stockist. The likes of Elle, Grazia and Tatler have all featured Pistol Panties' products so get on the website and start browsing now!

See my favourites below...

Betty - £155
60's style high waisted bikini. Loving the bow at the back of the bottoms!

Raquel
Gold rope detailing on this bikini means it stands out from the rest.

Jane - £149
Classic polka dots in 50's style for a super sexy silhouette.

BOOK - The Goddess Guide

The Goddess Guide by Gisele Scanlon is an essential read. From handbag buying tips, to emergency stocking repairs to finding the right jeans to flatter you, this book covers so much ground you probably won't ever need another book like it. If the gorgeous cover weren't appealing enough, you will find the pages brimming with ideas and abundent with glamour. Living the life of a respected fashionista feels one step closer after reading this little gem.



Rumour has it that Gisele has a new book coming out this October and guess who will be first in the queue to order it. Yep, it will be me!

TRENDS - Natural Nouveau

Straw hats, basket bags - Natural materials are where it is at when it comes to accessories this season. I must admit I am not a huge fan of the traditional straw bag, but things have moved on since they were first popular. You can get straw clutches and the perfect straw sun hat not to mention a little bit of raffia here and there for good measure. Some of the best on the web...

Silver Straw Basket Bag - Dorothy Perkins - £15

Metallic Straw Trilby - TopShop - £20

Raffia Bangle - French Connection - £8
Silver Michelle Clutch by Felix Rey - My Wardrobe - £150

Burberry Prorsum Multi-Strap Gladiator Wedges - NET-A-PORTER - £295


Jute Elastic Tan Belt - Miss Selfridge - £18

MOST WANTED - Tiered Hem Dress

Zac Posen Iconic Tiered Hem Dress - NET A PORTER - £1360

This dress is body con at its coolest. The twist on the tiered look is really inventive with the cut out holes showing a little extra leg. This vibrant colour is perfect for summer, wear it with a cropped jacket and metallic accessories for smart and stylish wedding wear. Just avoid a big meal in this one as it really is skin tight!

TRENDS - Love Leopard

Leopard Print Open Back Top - ASOS - £30

I am trying to remember a time without leopard print being 'in' fashion wise and I must admit I can't. This is one trend that has been sticking around for a good few years now and as long as designers keep adding the look to their collections, we will keep it in our wardrobes.

Mix a little bit of leopard and other animal prints into your 'safari' and 'tribal' trend pieces and no one will ever know you are wearing clothes from 5 seasons ago. D&G and Dior love it, Christina Aguilera never let it go, so here are some inspired choices for you...

Leopard Print Trapeze Dress - Sara Berman at Mywardrobe - £270


Leopard Lurex Cardi - Miss Selfridge - £32

Animal Bead Rope Necklace - TopShop - £15


Saline - Moda In Pelle - £180


David Szeto Santiago Wrap Leopard Print Dress - Browns Fashion - £630

DESIGNER - Diane Von Furstenberg

No other designer has managed to design a collection of dresses this season which tick all the trend boxes. Diane Von Furstenberg's collection is vibrant, ethnic and exciting to say the least. Maui styles and floral and tribal prints make for the perfect frocks to be seen in as the weather warms up. Ideal if you have a swanky wedding to attend. See my favourites below.

Kaimo Halterneck Dress - DVF - £275


Cookie Dress - DVF - £415


Tupai Wrap Dress - DVF - £300

Tallulah Tunic Dress - DVF - £275

All the above dresses and the rest of the DVF collection can be seen at Matches Fashion.

THE GRAPEVINE - Mend and Make do

Photo Credit: Julie K in Taiwan on flickr.com

Sales of Sewing Machines are booming in comparison to previous years. Figures revealed by Argos and Woolworths showed that Singer and Brother models were up by 50% during 2006 and 2007 and some cheaper models have increased by as much as 500%.

So does this mean a 'mend and make do' culture is back for good, or is it that there are a lot of wannabe fashion designers about. Perhaps consumers are getting fed up with high street clone clothing and want to create a more individual look. TV shows like Project Runway could be having an positive effect on the attitudes towards making and altering clothes.

If our economic climate really is getting as bad as the media would have us believe then it might not be a bad idea to get stitching and ditch the throwaway culture of recent years. That said, I am not a dab hand with a needle and thread and I can't see that changing soon, not as long as Primark is in business.

If you are interested in learning how to adapt your wardrobe then I recommend this book;

'Closet Control' by Barbara Horowitz, Sterling Publishing

HINTS, TIPS, TRICKS - Easily Eat Less

Photo Credit: La tartine gourmande on flickr.com

Small changes can make a big difference when it comes to your eating habits. Here are some of my tried and tested tips to avoid overeating.

• Watching TV while eating can lead you to eat more. Sit at the table without distractions and your body will realise when it is full up and tell you to stop.

• Variety is great, but when it comes to making a meal decision it can be a bad thing. We are likely to eat more if there is a wider choice available. Set out your meal plans and stick to them.

• Don't make the bad things easy to access. Keep your chocolate biscuits up on the top shelf and you won't notice them every time you open the cupboard and be tempted.

• Some would argue that you should never skip a meal, and force your self to eat small meals throughout the day. This is all fine and well, and will stop your metabolism from plummeting, but I stress that you shouldn't eat when you are not hungry. It is a bad habit to try and get out of.

• Read the labels. It is easy to underestimate the calorie and fat content of your food. Inform yourself of the true values and you can make better food choices as a result.

• Take a packed lunch. You can plan something healthy rather than grab something on the run that is calorie laden. I have a habit of buying a chocolate bar if I get lunch from the sandwich shop, but I don't have one if I bring my own grub. Instant calorie saving!

• Eat from a smaller plate/bowl. Liz Hurley swears by eating from a child's plate and you can see why. Portions look bigger and eventually your body will get used to the smaller portions. I always use a teaspoon to eat my dessert. Lots of small mouthfuls are much more satisfying than a couple of big ones.

Does anyone else have any really easy tips?

SALE - Dorothy Perkins

Photo Credit: Trevor D. on flickr.com

The Dorothy Perkins sale starts today with up to 50% off. Get on the website, www.dorothyperkins.com and have a nose for a bargain. The best buy has to be the floral teadress below. You may remember I featured this item on my blog a couple of months ago and now it is half price. Can't be bad!

Black Floral Teadress - Was: £40 Now: £20

TRENDS - Festival Fashionista

Photo Credit: lilyfrench on flickr.com

Hippy, global, festival... what you call it doesn't really matter. The important thing is that this will be a key trend this summer. Add ethnic touches to the hippy look for a modern take on what has been done before. My advice is to keep it groomed, it is easy for the festival look to get scruffy, by keeping hair and make-up flawless you will avoid looking dishevelled.

This is perfect for the gig and festival season as your clothes don't have to be immaculate, or if you prefer you can take just the accessories and team them with your everyday attire. Perfect if you are not brave enough for all the wild prints and bold patterns. This is one look where a little bit of a clash is just fine.

Pepe Print Dress - Oli.co.uk - £70

Etro Chinese Flower Print Dress - Browns Fashion - £495

Truly Madly Deeply Printed Babydoll - Urban Outfitters - $28


Nodono - Nine West - $89



Sweet Rosy Tunic - Darimeya - £58


Long Multi Beaded Necklace - ASOS - £8

MOST WANTED - Michael Kors Scarf

Tie Die Scarf - Michael Kors - £190

This is more than I could stomach to spend on a scarf. But if money were no object I would snap it up. It is very 'global traveller', a trend that is hot on the catwalk and red carpets. Tie dye hippy with a bit more class is what would call it, plus celebs have been wearing orange at every opportunity lately.



Available from Net-A-Porter.

THE GRAPEVINE - Asda bins Colleen

Photo Credit: waters.paul on flickr.com

It seems Colleen McLoughlin will no longer be the face of Asda after apparently becoming too involved in designer fashion. It is speculated that Asda have also been concerned about being linked to chav culture. They are looking to go upmarket, although I can't see that coming off very well, it would need a whole image change. So who will be the woman to replace her? According to various sources the new face of Asda could be one of these...

Carla Bruni
Hardly the girl next door. I can't see her fitting with the Asda philosophy at all. There is no doubting she is stylish, but I think it is clear she would not be seen perusing the isles in this budget supermarket.

Sienna Miller
She is a suitable style icon, but does she appeal to families in the way that Colleen did? I think not.

Helen Mirren
Many young Asda shoppers will probably never have heard of her. She would be great in a TV advert, but I can't see her modeling the George clothing.

Joanna Lumley
Hardly appealing to the 30 somethings that Asda is looking to target. All I can think of are those infuriating insurance adverts.

I say it would have been better to stick with Colleen. Asda are concerned about yob culture, but Colleen wears real clothes, is a realistic size and shape and has an ITV programme airing soon.

TREND NO NO - Killer Shoulder Pads

Photo Credit: vixendoll on flickr.com

I remember as a child being dressed in a floral, button up frock with the most ridiculous shoulder pads. It is no wonder that I have an aversion to them in any guise. I might just put up with them in a tailored suit jacket, but even that makes me feel a frump. So why on earth are massive shoulder pads being tipped for super trend status I ask myself.

Is it cool?... no, is it flattering?.... no, is it something your mum wore in the 80's?... YES! Some fashions do not have to come back around, and I am in no hurry to embrace the padded shoulder look, no matter how many times Agyness Deyn is spotted wearing them.