Goldie Looking Chain

Sometimes you come across something in a charity shop or box of a relative’s old things that is incredibly charming, but there is something wrong with it. A cigarette burn, a zipper that needs replacing, or a stain on delicate material makes the item seem a bit of a lost cause, but you are still drawn to it.

A bag was given to me amongst a number of vintage items my mom and aunt had gathered and unfortunately the clasp was completely broken. I’ve taken a number of things to it to try and open it, but to no avail.

I have salvaged a piece of it without very much effort. The strap was a lovely bright gold chain, which I now use as a belt or I double it up and wear it as a necklace.

I have stored the bag portion somewhere 'safe' and hope that I can some day return it to its former glory as a handbag as a belted pouch bag - almost like robin hood would have worn if he were a bit more camp and flashy.

Give me Liberty!

Once upon a time, I resided on Great Portland Street, London, W1. I lived and worked in a pub and during my hours and days off would wander a number of high street shops, Selfridges and Liberty of London.

Liberty is the only shop I have ever been intimidated walking into. The Tudor revival architecture made me feel like I was entering another realm. The colours, lighting and displays were all so meticulous and beautiful, I was afraid I might bump into something. The salespeople were friendly, but I felt as if I’d fallen through the wardrobe and landed in fashion Narnia.

I never managed to buy anything at Liberty, but I found a lovely vintage, silk scarf in A Store is Born in Dublin a few years ago and had my then boyfriend purchase it for me as a gift. It is not a typical Liberty floral, but that is part of what I love about it.

I love that it is a fairly simple grid-like pattern, which then becomes a bit more adventurous with the tassels. The tassels remind me a bit of mome raths from the Disney version of Alice in Wonderland. The colours are a bit hard to describe – they’re vibrant, but subdued. I’ve been known to wear it as a necklace, belt and scarf, of course. 

I'm Curious Yellow

I'm Curious Yellow by marielmcp featuring chain earrings

Yves Saint Laurent patent leather shoes
$520 - shopzoeonline.com

Salvatore Ferragamo flat shoes
$390 - couture.zappos.com

Diane von Furstenberg platform heels
$280 - couture.zappos.com

Gucci leather messenger bag
$4,250 - net-a-porter.com

Bottega veneta handbag
2,130 GBP - matchesfashion.com

Marc by marc jacobs watch
$250 - net-a-porter.com

Merle O Grady chain earring
135 GBP - my-wardrobe.com

Yves Saint Laurent glass ring
115 GBP - net-a-porter.com

What's New | NET-A-PORTER.COM
312 GBP - net-a-porter.com

There are few things more dangerous to my personal finances than the 'What's New for You' updates that arrive from Net-A-Porter to my inbox several times a week. This Monday what was new for me was this absolutely stunning Sonia by Sonia Rykiel dress. I've had a long standing love affair with Sonia and have purchased a few items in the sales and through Ebay.

I cannot put into words how much I want this dress. If I had an unlimited budget this is how I would style it. And I already have the glasses, so I think it's a good start...

Men's Wares

A lot of attention is being paid to men’s fashion these days and a few fashionamales in my life would probably love if I devoted a bit of time to their wares.

In my eyes a good male accessory, isn’t strictly male. It should be something the women in your life want to steal for themselves.

A long gone ex had a Rolex, which he carelessly left at my apartment, for the few days it was there I kept wearing it around the house, in spite of the fact it was way too big for my teensy wrists. Since then I’ve decided that when I get a Rolex, it will be a man’s – it won’t be as elegant as woman’s, but that will make it stand out all the more. 

In my teens I rocked vintage men’s golf cardigans like nobody else and, as it was the era of grunge, stole all of my father’s checked shirts to wear with my ‘unisex’ Doc Martens. This trait of stealing checked shirts has not died and one that belonged to my most recent paramour is hanging in my closet – if you must know, it looks great with sandals and jeans in summer.

Oh and don’t leave your wallet or sunglasses in my handbag for safe-keeping…

Red Soles

Almost every woman I know could tell you how much she would love a pair of red-soled shoes. I know several whom have bought fakes, many that have come terribly close to handing over their credit cards in a moment of madness and a lucky few that have a pair of red-soled shoes. I have now officially joined their ranks in a most unexpected way.

I’d been looking for a pair of shoes that I could wear on the weekend, something that would take me from brunch to the pub and that would take me through to an evening of drinking and dancing should I be kidnapped by the good time fairies and find myself on a dance floor. I found these on Saturday and the red sole was a bonus. I’ve worn them with jeans and a dress/leggings combo and am super pleased with them. Cannot wait to put them on post-work tomorrow.

Obsession - Missoni

In 2004 I became obsessed with Missoni. I am unsure what triggered it, but it happened and it became essential at that time to own a piece of it. For a time, I dreamt of getting married in Missoni. It seems the rest of the world has caught up with this obsession...last year there were Missoni Converse and this year colourful collaborations with Havaianas and Target.

During the post-Xmas sales that year, I headed to BT and searched the pile of scarves in the sale and picked up this little number. It’s the perfect mix of pastels and dark colours with brown and black thrown in, so that I can wear it with most things in any season. I love tying it in a bow around my neck. My obsession continues and I would love to add a Missoni cardigan to my collection...I may just have to be on Target.com the minute the collection is launched...