THE TAKE OVER: Aisling's Guide To Starting A Designer Wardrobe

I think it’s no secret that I’m partial to a designer piece. Whether it’s a fine leather bag, a gorgeous new shoe or a trendy clothing item; I won’t lie, I’m hooked. It all started innocently enough, with just one bag, and then some Louboutins, and then… And then… I have slowly managed to amass a little collection. Whether you own one piece or 10 or 100, I think every girl should have a little slice of designer pie in their wardrobe. So here are my top tips for getting that most coveted article into your mitts - along with some of my favourite must have bits, of course!

Coat - DVF (£778) / Bag - Michael Kors (£170) / Shoes - Saint Laurent (£425) / iPad Mini Case - Gucci (£160) / Trousers - See by Chloé  (£95) / Card Holder - Mulberry (£100) / Boots - Acne (£350) / Jacket - Isabel Marant (£410)

 Buy less, save more             

Yes, the most obvious, but I made a pact with myself quite some time ago to stop wasting my money buying 10 different items in Topshop/Zara/H&M and instead save those pennies to buy one higher priced item. Because, let’s be honest, I already have an overflowing wardrobe, so I don’t need a quantity of items so it’s good to up the quality. It was quite difficult to stop the impulse buying but I think if you sit back and really add up all those little shopping sprees you’ll see how much you’re spending and realise that you could have bought a Mulberry (or two) by now.

 Shop the sales                     

Sign up to all the websites, Selfridges and My-Wardrobe are particular favourites, as they often hold pre season sales. That means that you can pick up the latest pieces as they come in for a fraction of the price. For example, I got some lovely Michael Kors trousers for 50% off after getting an email for Selfridges’ summer pre sale. (Bargain). The Outnet is also a must as a lot of Net-A-Porter’s old stock can be found on here, yes it may be ‘old season’ but it’s still great quality and gorgeous stuff.  

 Aim.. small                         

Realistically, you won’t be buying a Hermes Birkin straight of the bat. Unless you win the lottery or something, you lucky thing you. So I suggest aiming small. Investing in a lovely card holder (like Sarah – link) is the perfect way to introducing a bit of designer goodness without splashing too much cash. The same goes for technology cases too.

 Diffuse the situation          

See by Chloe Duffle Bag (£420) / See by Chloe Boots (£395) / Michael Micheal Kors Bag (£240) / Michael Michael Kors Pouch (£85) 

Diffusion ranges such as Michael Michael Kors, or See by Chloé are the cheaper sister ranges of the big hitters. No you won’t get the big catwalk hitters here but there is still quality for a slightly more satisfactory price. Simple really.

 Keep it simple                     

Louboutins: Nude / Black 

When starting your collection, aim for simple, classic pieces. The kind of pieces that will always be in style – like a black bag or a great trench – are a worthwhile investment and you will use over and over again. After all, I like to think of a cost per wear system, and as great as the trendy bright/neon/flashy/etc piece might seem at the time, when it goes out of style very quickly, you’ll just be kicking yourself.

 Say no to credit                  

This one may be an odd one, but I think I’d like to state that I do not have a credit card – I could get myself in to some serious trouble, I think, if I did. It’s far more rewarding (and safer) to save up – whether it takes weeks, months or years – and buy your piece out right. Nobody wants to get in to issues with debt after all!

I think over all, have a bit of fun. Pick something that you will love and treasure forever, and opt for something that will always look great. I think if you are only looking to buy one high ticket item then a bag or shoe is a great option as this will age well with you. After all, you can change size easily when it comes to clothes so to get your longevity, it’s worth thinking about these things.

So the main question is, will you be saving up for a designer object? 

                            Read Fash-ling...

THE TAKE OVER: Sophie's Carrot Cake Bake

My name is Sophie and I blog over at The Story Of A Girl Who Lives Above Her Means about pretty clothes, good food and the delights of London. I'm hogging Sarah's blog for the day to offer an amazing carrot cake recipe. As Autumn has made an unwelcome appearance, the best thing to combat the blues in my opinion is to bake up a storm in the kitchen. There's nothing better than snuggling in your slanket in front of your favourite boxset and tucking into a slice of cake. Especially if it's this particular carrot cake. In fact I think I may need a slice now…!

 Carrot Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting        

Ingredients:

The zest and juice of 1 orange

2 eggs

150ml of sunflower oil

50g of sultanas - I used raisins but it's personal preference! 

140g soft brown light sugar85g of self-raising flour

85g of wholemeal self-raising flour

2 tsp of cinnamon

2 tsp of mixed spice

1 tsp of bicarbonate soda

140g of grated carrot - works out about 1 and a half carrots

50g chopped walnuts plus a few to decorate

Greeseproof paper

Loaf tin

Butter for greasing

For the frosting:

200g of full fat soft cheese

50g of soften butter

85g of shifted icing sugar

A generous pinch of cinnamon

Recipe: 

 1.    Mix the zest, juice and raisins in a plastic bowl and blitz in the microwave fro around 2 minutes. Give it a good stir once it comes out.

 2.    Heat the oven to 180c/160c fan/Gas 4 and cut the grease proof paper to size for the tin. Make sure you grease it generous with butter. There's nothing worse than a stuck cake! 

 3.    Whisk together the oil and the eggs and put to one side.

 4.    Mix together the sugar, flours, mixed spice, cinnamon and bicarbonate soda into a large bowl. Add the mixture of raisins, zest and juice along with the grated carrot, walnuts and egg mixture. If you're using a Kitchenaid like me use the lowest speed.

 5.    Tip the mixture into a the baking tin and pop in the oven for up to an hour. Be warned it may cook quicker. I found mine to be ready after 50 minutes so i'd recommend to keep checking once it gets to 40 minutes just to be on the safe side. A wooden skewer is a great idea to test if the cake is good. If it comes out clean you're good to go! 

 6.    Keep it in the tin until it has cooled down. Now onto the frosting!

 7.    Pour all the frosting ingredients into a bowl and mix until it's lovely a smooth. It makes quite a large amount so be generous when you're spreading! Decorate with a few walnuts and tuck in!

Will you be recreating my delcious carrot cake? Do drop me tweet me @sophiesophuk and send me a picture if do. As always this recipe was taken from Good Food - the website is my bible.

Read The Story of a Girl Who Lives Above Her Means...

THE TAKE OVER: Sarah's Hever Castle Adventure

Situated in the heart of picturesque Kent countryside, Hever Castle is a really relaxing escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. The childhood home of Anne Boleyn, the castle, which dates back to the 13th century, is set in acres of beautifully maintained gardens, which marry elements of Tudor and Italian design. With a day off work at my disposal a few weeks ago, I indulged my inner history nerd and made the short trip to Hever - after negotiating a couple of rather meandering roads! - mind focused on all things medieval. 

On arrival, the first thing that greets you is the sight of the enormous lake, flanked on the entrance side by a stunning loggia- the ideal backdrop for a cheeky outfit snap or two! Suffice it to say that I morphed into a kid in a sweet shop when I saw the rowing boats for hire- but more on that later(!).

The gardens at Hever were designed by Joseph Cheal & Son at the beginning of the 20th century, transforming what was previously untamed marshland into the lush landscaped spaces which we see today. Although elements of the design have been heavily influenced by classical Italian architecture, there are aspects which still feel quintessentially English - with plants including the classic rose.

The next port of call- on what was one of the hottest days of the year- was the water maze. Although quite easy to negotiate, it's well worth a visit if only to see the plants and get a feel for the wider landscape of Hever as a whole. From there I meandered over the bridge and past the lawns to make an all important pit stop at The Guthrie Pavilion cafe. 

Whilst my wrap, slice of chocolate cake and ginger beer were a little on the pricey side you definitely get what you pay for as far as quality is concerned. However, there are plenty of places across the grounds to stop and have a bite to eat so I'd definitely recommend packing up a picnic to enjoy (weather permitting of course!) After refuelling, I had a look around the plants for sale- all grown on site- which are perfect if you want to take a little bit of Hever home with you. From there, I made my way to the castle...

Surrounded by a moat and yet more immaculately maintained flora, the castle itself appears deceptively small from the outside, but once you take a step over the threshold you realise that there is quite a lot of ground to cover- as well a few flights of stairs too! The original Tudor design has been largely maintained throughout, housing original 16th century tapestries, paintings and furniture, the castle also features some amazing examples or Tudor craftsmanship- keep your eyes especially peeled for the locks on the doors and the carvings which dominate the entrance hall.

After paying a visit to the Yew Maze, it was almost time to head home- but not before a quick jaunt on the boating lake. As a complete rowing novice, I think it’s fair to say that I was slightly over enthusiastic and completely underestimated my rowing ability (which I have now discovered is non-existent!), ending up severely blown off course and colliding with a tree on the far side of the lake. Speedboat rescue complete, I made my way home, muttering something along the lines of ‘Well, Steve Redgrave made it look easy!’ Oh dear!

                                                       Read My Sentimental Heart...

  

THE BIG U.S OF A!

The time has officially come! Tomorrow I will be jetting off on holiday to whizz through the US. We are staying in New York, New Jersey (we have friends there - the reason for our trip) and Orlando so my dad can sample the American Butter Beer - I shit you not. At the Harry Potter Studio Tour he necked back three glasses of the stuff - ick. Whilst I am away however, I have lined up an almighty cracking line-up of guest posters - so be to give them a read and check our the girl behind each post. 

Should you fancy coming along for the ride, I will be snapping away on Instagram if you fancy a nosey. Also, if you should happen to have any recommendations on restaurants, places to visit, or must-have buys - then I would love for you to let me know down below.

I leave you now in the other girlies blogging hands & prey that my Gran whose house sitting won't organise a house rave with her local WI whilst I'm away. They really are a rowdy bunch.

See you on the other side! x

THE REMINGTON BLOW DRY

Ok, okay - so whilst I haven't quite mastered the Kate Middy blow dry just yet, I've shunned my straighteners in favour of a new tool. Behold the Reminington Silk Hair dryer, so fast and powerful - it's like a freeking turbo. Long done are the days I dismissed hair dryers of being a worthy investment (then spent twenty minutes drying my hair with a cheapo from Boots that nearly sets on fire) - for the salon quality Remington Silk - a serious hair drying bad boy. Yes, I really did type that.

  Paddle Brush - ghd (£20.00) / Thickening Spray (Full Size) - Bumble & Bumble (£21.50) / Nectar Thermique -  Kerastace (£15.95) / Silk Hair Dryer - c/o Remington (£54.99)

Having never really understood why other girls moan so much about drying their hair, when my hair finally grew past a certain length I started to appreciate the hatred. Having rather fine hair myself, I dread to think what some of my friend's have to battle when blow drying their thicker manes. Setting a speedy challenge with the Remington Silk, it took just over three minutes to blow dry my entire head. Despite the fact I nearly jumped out of my skin because it's so turbofied, this hair dryer means buisness. With three settings for both speed and heat, you can tailor your preference completely. It also has a switch (not an annoying press down button) for ultra-turbo speed and another for a shot of cold air. Covering all bases, the Remington Silk blasts any other hair dryer I've used out of the water. 

Spritzing through with Bumble & Bumble Thickening Spray and a dollop of Kerestace's Nectar Thermique to protect, I literally blow dry my hair upside down with a little help from ghd paddle brush (which adittedly is the size of my head) and hey presto - not quite perfect, but straight with movement. I'm working on the technique, but I've got the tools for the job.

Tell me your hair dryer tales... and tips for blow dries - do I need a round brush?

NEW KICKS: CONVERSE

Converse All Stars - Surfdome (£42.99)

Straight after booking my trip to New York, the first thing on my agenda was to find a suitable pair of shoes to stomp around in. With a strict itinerary in place, they needed to be able to walk the walk in a stylish manner. When gifted a voucher from Surfdome, I made a beeline to put it towards the Converse All Stars in the white, easy to wear with absolutely anything and everything - from summer dresses to jeans & a tee - they are the summer staple I should have bought years back. Now I'm very tempted for navy or even to customise my own on the Converse website. Now excuse me, I need to find some matching socks (err..). 

Have you been bitten by the Converse bug? 

THE DUO CHELSEA BOOT

Brando Boots - c/o Duo (£110)

A few weeks back Sarah and I were invited along to the Duo store in Covent Garden, never having previously been aware of the brand I was eager to see what all the fuss was about. Having spied the shop quite a few times, Duo is a high quality shoe retailer with pretty amazing service that tailors completely to the size and shape of your feet. Yes, really. Should you have narrow or slightly wider size feet, or perhaps you you struggle to find boots that fit your calves because they gape or they don't quite fit.. Duo offers a tailored measuring service to find you the perfect pair. 

Take my mother for example, she has the perfect 'boyish' figure - but can you imagine how hard it is to find a pair of boots that fit her without being 'baggy'. We raid the highstreet searching for the right size, but they are either disgustingly expensive or just plain ugly. It begs the question, why other retailers have ignored, this palava? 

With an appointment booked in with Lucy, as soon as I entered the shop, the dark brown Brando Chelsea Boots caught my instantly. With leather lining, they are soft as butter and seriously comfortable. Good quality leather and a reasonable price tag to match - I was sold. Lucy measured the width of my feet and bought me an array of sizes to try. Settling for a size 6 in a normal width shoe, I was smitten. Each pair is ordered in especially, so after you choose your perfect boot - you then have them delivered to store or home. A cracking service if you ask me. I snapped a few pictures of the other styles they offer...

I absolutely adore these patent brouges, it was a tough call!

Have you ever visited a Duo store? It's not very often I cover tailored services on my blog, because they seem to be a) really dull b) really effing expensive. But Duo really impressed. Bang up to date on trendy styles (hello to the Costello boots), amazing quality and a good price point - investment wise. With all boots available in up to 21 calf sizes and all shoes available in three widths - it's a tailor made service to shout about. 

Sounds pretty cool eh?

LONDON FASHION WEEK HAPPENINGS: No Invite Needed

With London Fashion Week in full swing, the invites have been sent, the glam outfits have been picked and iPhone/Pad chargers have been fired up in prep - it's all turning rather fashionable. In true style, twitter is awash with press and bloggers having pre-LFW meltdowns about cramming in this show and 'will my print on print outfit clash enough?!', the rest of the us are clearly well aware that our invites didn't get lost in the post... They never existed. Sob sob. 

Unless of course you plan on attending all the lesser known designer shows- and let's be frank - that's not really that exciting. Or perhaps you plan on spending eight hours traipsing around the famous cobbles of Sometset House in an outlandish outfit screaming 'STREET STYLE!' - again, not very err thrilling. Most of us do actually have full time jobs and not all of us attend the opening of an envelope. Oh how bitter Sarah? No, Mulberry are well aware of my address. Touché. 

But that's not to say LFW shouldn't be a fun occasion for us normal folk, a true celebration of British fashion there are an array of stylish happenings open to us all...

 Oxford Street Fashion Week Showcase          

The most iconic high-street in the world of fashion, Oxford Street is literally waving the flag for British designers. With a staggering 72 flags propped up along the 1.2milr stretch, each depicts a different British designer look from the A/W13 shows, with the likes of Henry Holland, Alice Temperley and Giles Deacon. 

And it doesn't end there, various retailers along Oxford Street are getting in on the action and joining in the fashion festivities.. Read more here. 

 David Townton at Claridges                             

Claridges, the hotel of timeless elegance, plays host to new exhibition called 'Midnight of the Moon'. If you managed to catch the amazing documentary of Claridges last year (link) we were introduced to David Towton, Claridges residence artist. Illustrating some of Claridges most charming guests, from the likes of Joan Collins, Diane Von Furstenburg and Christian Louboutin. Claridges are now opening it's doors for the public to see these charming portraits. 

From the 14th - 18th, see here for more details.

 Prêt-à-Portea at The Berkley Hotel               

A famous twist on the classic afternoon tea, The Berkley serves up delightful treat of fashion inspired cakes. Inspirations taken from Manolo Blahniks sling back heels have been translated into a very elegant chocolate biscuit representation with baby blue icing with white iced pearls. A true indulgence but definitely a treat, I sampled the Prêt-à-Portea a few years back for Sarah's birthday and it was really very special (and scrumptious). 

 May Fair Hotel                                               

For after work drinks make a beeline to the official hotel of LFW, the May Fair Hotel. With a special cocktail on offer, the Red Stiletto Cocktail will surely hit the spot. Or should you fancy, why not make a reservation for the SuperModel Menu served at the Quince Restaurant. Surprisingly tasty (actual food, not dust) with a healthy slant, not bad for £25 for two courses. Why not go the whole hog and book yourself in for the Murad Runway ReadyFacial? God knows it's hard being so stylish, we all deserve a pamper sometimes (especially for model like skin!). 

 Club to Catwalk at the V&A                           

 

Take a trip down fashion memory lane and explore the statement styles of the 80s! The latest V&A exhibition plays host to a number of amazing 80s outfits designed by the likes of Vivian Westwood and John Galliano. Understand the influence of 80s club fashion and how it transformed the runway, flicking through copies of The Face and ID to see how prominent these bold styles were on the runway and on the street.

So there you have it - a round up of very fashionable events. Anything catch your eye?

THE BEJEWELLED JACKET

Jacket - Miss Selfridge (£35.00)

The bejewelled jacket, oh how I longed for one. Perfectly intricate with beaded detailing, imagining myself swanning around like Olivia Palermo, blond hair and deep LA tan naturally. Having spied many over the years, I couldn't quite part with such a large sum for a piece that would only call for certain occasions. However, when I spotted this beauty in the Miss Selfridge sale, reduced from £75 to £35, fate intervened and it made it's way home with me.

Paired over a simple cream cami and dark denim skinnies for day or a simple petal pin shift dress for evening, this bejewelled jacket is certainly something to be treasured. 

How would you style this piece from day to night? I would love to know!

A TREAT OR TWO #1

For some strange luck of the drawer this year I have won quite a fair share of Selfridges vouchers, honestly don't ask me how. After purchasing some new spectacles from the opticians on the top level and this Miu Miu delight (link), I treated myself to these extra bits and bobs...

New Rose Bouquet - Cath Kidston (£12.00)

I hereby annouce that I have an obcession with make-up bags, I'm not sure why, I just do. With the excuse of a holiday coming up and the need to pack light, and my others not really being that compact or roomy enough (..err) I couldn't resist this rosy little fellow from Cath Kidston's Coming Up Roses collection. I plan on taking minimal make-up away with me / cramming as much as I can take in this bag, so far, so good!

Silk Creme Foundation - Laura Mercier (£33.00)

Being a firm fan of the Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser, I decided to give the LM Silk Creme foundation a whirl. After hearing rave reviews of this product, I was delighted to see the amazing results for myself. Having used this for the past week or two, the better coverage and matte formular of this foundation is a true winner for days when you need a little extra cover. Literally using the tiniest amount (a pea size is pushing it!) it covers my entire face and leaves my skin looking pretty darn perfected if I do say so myself.

To Do List - Riffle Paper Co (£9.00)

I'm a sucker for cute stationary and when Riffle Paper Co was bought to my attention, I became smitten. An American brand born in Orlando, it's rather tricky to come across in Blighty. Having spied in Selfridges, I paid above and beyond for this adorable 'To Do' pad that I plan to use for my blog and life admin (tweezing my brows is currently top of the list, for real). But seriously, how adorable is the print? After some mean google-mapping I plan to visit their flagship store whilst away on holiday to track down this print - a must-have! You can also find a small selection in Liberties, here are the stockists. 

What treats have you been buying recently? I've still got some vouchers left, but I'm really undecided what to purchase. Anything unusual that catches your eye in Selfridges lately?