Staunton Harold Photoshoot

Assisting on photoshoots is one of my all time favourite things. I love the different concepts, the styling and the atmosphere as the model strikes different poses whilst the photographer snaps away. There's something almost electric about all of it.
So whenever I get the chance to attend one, I jump at the chance.
This particular shoot was for my sisters final collection for her fashion design course. Inspired by origami, 1980's skin heads (the denim) and 1950's beauty pages (the watercolour colour scheme) the collection is aspirational and unique.
To compliment the colours yet contrast against the harsh denim, a glamorous location- 'Staunton Harold Hall' in Leicestershire, was chosen.
Alongside a lake, under a willow tree and against floor length windows were just a few of the backgrounds picked.
So heres a few of the pictures from the day, enjoy!

Tesco Bargains!

Whilst waiting for my student loan to come in, i'm on a tight budget. This means, no more Topshop, no more Miss Selfridge and no more shopping days out. How depressing but, i'm under STRICT orders!
So to get my fashion fix, I've turned into a savvy bargain shopper...e-bay, matalan and tesco's are now at the top of my search engine. But I have to admit, these brands have some fantastic new on-trend cheap buys that you just have to see!
I've put together a few of my favourite things from Tesco's right now. They've done us fashionista's proud this season...fairisle knitwear, cargo trousers and even a catwalk look-a-like- the dress is very similar to the one on the Prada runway. Ker-ching!
And all with price tags that will make your bank very happy, why not?

Your Wild Side

It looks like the high-street has gone leopard print crazy. From H&M to River Island, the wild animal trend is everywhere: Blouses, trousers right upto nail transfers at Toppers.
Heres some of my favourite picks from the high-street. Which one will you go for?

LEOPARD CAPRI TROUSERS, £35, Topshop
LEOPARD SATCHEL, £30, Miss Selfridge
LEOPARD PRINT PULLOVER, £25.99, Zara
SHEER LEOPARD PRINT SHELL TOP, £28, Topshop
LEOPARD PRINT SHOES, £24.99, H&M

Winter Warmers

Well it's not quite winter yet, surprisingly it's still relatively mild weather for England, but you never know do you? Next week it could be snowing knowing the typical British weather, so why not stock up now on some of the high-streets best winter warmers?
There are numerous knitwear trends for you to pick from this season. There's the chunky cable knitwear, fur shoulder jumpers, the christmas fairisle cardy, the heritage print cover ups and finally the cosy knitted cape (which you could wear as a jacket throughout autumn until its coat weather).
Whichever your favourite, get yours know for a cosy fashion forward look. I've never been so excited about the cold winter!

(Click on the brands to link through to the website where you can purchase each item)

1) KNITTED CABLE JUMPER, £48, Topshop
2) KNITTED FUR SHOULDER TOP, £40, Topshop
3) RED PRINT CLASP CARDIGAN, £39.99, River Island
4) KHAKI HORSEPRINT BOYFRIEND CARDIGAN, £34.99, River Island
5) KNITTED CAPE WITH APPLIQUÉS ON SHOULDERS, £39.99, Zara

My picks for A/W 2010

The autumn is now open us, although the chilly weather hasn't quite kicked in, start mixing in these autumn pieces into your wardrobe now to look bang on trend.

These are my favourite picks from the high street, which i'll be purchasing this month (bye bye money!).
I've already got my hands on the Topshop aviator jacket, although there was only 2 left in store so hurry and get yours quick!

(Click on the brand name to link through to the website to buy each item)

1) AVIATOR JACKET, £58, Topshop
2) LACE TRIM BACK OVERSIZED SHIRT, £38, Topshop
3) FLANNEL TAPERED TROUSERS, £42, Topshop
4) CAMEL BELTED FAUX LEATHER SHORTS, £28, Next
5) FAUX RACOON FUR TRAPPER HAT, £28, Warehouse

LOVE LOVE LOVE COSMO

Working at one of the worlds most renowned fashion magazines is every girls dream, right?
Lucky for me, I managed to bag myself a placement at Cosmopolitan magazine so thought i'd share with you some of the tasks I got set to do, so any other aspiring fashion journalists know what to expect.

Firstly, it was not like the devil wears prada! Everyone was friendly, helpful and very welcoming. The girls working there were of all different shapes and sizes and all had their own unique fashion sense.
I was working on cosmopolitan.co.uk, which I have to say, was AMAZING.
Sometimes, working in the fashion cupboard means you run a lot of errands, hand out mail, recycle... even though it is mixed in with getting to do some of the really fun and exciting tasks such as attending press days or helping out on photoshoots.
But spending time on the website, which consists of a relatively small team, means they are happy to let you get really stuck in.
Bonus!
During my time there they let me pick out my favourite new-in clothes from the high-street and write a little caption about each item, write 'Big issue' stories, put together style CV's for celebrities, take pictures of the deputy editors outfit and interview her about it and much much more.
But it also involves a lot of small tasks such as proof-reading, updating pre-written horoscopes and adding in links to pages.
Nevertheless, I have to say to anyone who's trying to get themselves a placement at a magazine, don't go heading for the fashion cupboard straight away, there are lots of other exciting departments and opportunities which you could find hugely beneficial. So give them ago!

I have to say a BIG BIG BIG thanks to Cosmopolitan. They were encouraging, inspiring and most of all a great team to work with. What's more, they gave me lots of goodies on my last day!

I am still a long way off achieving my career as a fashion journalist, but I hope this inspires some of you to go out and get what you want and most of all, try new areas of a magazine. You never know what might come of it...

Cosmopolitan Magazine

So this weekend, i'm packing my bags and moving to London for two weeks to work at Cosmopolitan Magazine. I need to decide what to take with me which is taking forever since i'm so indecisive and have way too many clothes to choose from!
As an aspiring fashion journalist i'm hoping to learn all about how a magazine is run and put together. Fingers crossed i'll have a fab time.

Miss Selfridge Jumpsuit

All summer I have been searching for the perfect print for a maxi dress. I wanted a tribal print with warmer colours that would suit my fair skin tone and bleach blonde hair. I searched high and low all over the high-street but just couldn't find the right one. Then, on a quick trip to Miss Selfridge I found this...a jumpsuit retailing at £45. I loved the print and the floaty material so I did a bit of D.I.Y, undid the stitching down the legs and voila! I had my perfect maxi dress.
So heres a quick tip to all you fashionistas...if you really like something then get it and transform it into something you'll wear and whats more...its unique! Hurrah!