Shoe infatuation: Jessica Simpson collection

I never thought I would ever fall in love with an item from a celebrity brand such as Jessica Simpson! But the fact is that I have. 

I recently read an article about Jessica Simpson and her baby bump, and I thought of checking out her shoe collection just for fun. I don't know what I had expected to see, but what I saw sure was a nice surprise. Jessica's shoe collection includes some really pretty and sexy shoes - most with a killer heel, of course. 

I have particularly got me eyes on these beauties, called ANDY, which come in 3 different colours.

They're bold and chunky with pleated leather straps criss-crossed around the front and a cut-out at the back. The shoe sits on a 2.2 inch platfom (5.9 inch heel) with a chunky bit cut out the middle, and the way the shoes are described at the Jessica Simpson website is; conversation-starting.

I'm absolutely loving all 3 versions of these shoes, but the rock chick in me is drawn mostly towards the black ones. 

The shoes can be bought for $110, which is about £70. 

Which colour would you go for?

Cowgirl fashion by Wildfox

I must admit... I've got a weakness for cowboy fashion. It's nothing I would wear in my everyday life, but I sure dream of doing it. Perhaps I should suggest having an office cowboy friday instead of casual friday ;)

I've been looking at the Wildfox Couture spring collection which is inspired by the old American country and western, and I'm in love! Corsets and flowing skirts, boots and hats, saloons and whiskey, piston duels, wandering and sleeping under the stars. Could it be any better? Have a look for yourself and let me know what you think. Are you a cowgirl at heart?

3 different Spring looks

Last week I treated myself to some new spring clothes; a pair of super skinny light denim jeans from Only, and a white and brown top from Jane Norman. I have been thinking of how you can dress up these clothes in different Spring themes, and this is what I've come up with;

The first of my 3 Spring looks is very casual and "common". I've gone for the colours blue and tan, to match the jeans and the top. A bit of a Paris inspired look to it with the striped bag and the Eiffel tower pendant. The boots is what I like most about this look.

The second look is more spiced up, and the theme is yellow and leopard print - which I think is a great match. I normally wouldn't wear animal print on clothes, but when it's on small things like shoes and scarves I find it alright. I just wouldn't like it on something major like a top. 

The third look is inspired by my upcoming holiday destination - Mexico. I really love the Aztec tribal prints in this look. Aztec prints come in multiple colours, and I just love an explosion of colours when Spring is coming! The shoes and the bangles are absolutely gorgeous!

Stars that stole the attention at the Oscars

The Oscars occured just the other day, and the red carpet was swarming with celebrities - each of them trying to steal all the attention. Some did it better than others by wearing simply gorgeous dresses. All actresses were looking absolutely stunning, but the dresses I love the most are the ones below. I've decided to divide them up in different categories...

Light as a Spring day

Spring is on the way. It's actually right around the corner, and the stars can feel it as well. Some of them opted to dress in light and springy dresses to welcome the sun and the heat. Guiliana Rancic in a lace detailed dress, Jennifer Lopez with a daringly low cut, Cameron Diaz in a flowing creation and Gwyneth Paltrow in elegant and pure white with straight lines.

Dramatic black

Angelina always has to be the complete opposite, as the rebel she is. She arrived to the Oscars in a high slit dress in dramatic black, and showed off the most talked about leg of the night.

Passionate pastels

A bunch of stars showed up to the red carpet in very vibrant, Spring inspired pastel coloured dresses. Don't they all just look stunning! I love Penelope Cruz's romantic blue dress, and Natalie Portman's polka dots. Emma Stone chose to wear a dramatic red dress that matched the carpet, and Michelle Williams is totally gorgeous in her coral layered dress.

Stunning metallics

George Clooney's girlfriend Stacey Keibler stole a lot of attention in this very figure flattering metallic dress with a swirly rose detail on the hip. One of my definite favourites of this event! She's just glowing!

Patterned beauties

I've got a thing for romantic and old fashioned looking crochet details, and it seems that so have Jessica Chastain and Kelly Osbourne. I'm not sure abut Kelly's matching of turquoise patterns, pink lipstick and purpely-grey hair though... but Jessica is beautiful as a day, and has chosen a great dress for her ginger locks.

Which one is your favourite Oscar's 2012 gown?

Marni for H&M - a match made in heaven

It was announced in November last year, but now it's finally here! Well... almost!
Marni for H&M is the new fashion designer collaboration for the Swedish retailer, and the collection will be launched in exactly 2 weeks from now. How exciting! You can't yet see this spring collection on the H&M website, but I've got my hands on some sneak preview images. I think we can all easily see the theme of this collection - patterns! The Italian designer must really have a thing for crazy patterns. What do you think? Do you like it or not? I can already tell you that I'm a big fan of this über-cool designer collaboration!

Put a spring in your step with a new frock!

You’re standing in the changing room trying on a new frock. Your head says you can’t have it-you’ve already got a wardrobe full of dresses back home that have only been worn a couple of times. But your heart says you really, really want this one, and no one wants to be spotted in the same dress twice, right?

We all know there’s no better retail therapy than hunting for the perfect frock, and nothing beats stepping out in that bang-on-trend, suits-you-to-a-t perfect dress. Dresses really are a girl’s best friend when it comes to a versatile look that can be dressed up or down with a few handy accessories.

I’ve had a look at Very’s women’s dresses which include a wide range of this season’s brand new dresses, and if it’s daytime chic you’re after, check out the Oasis range at Very. With pretty floral prints, uber feminine shapes and vintage designs an Oasis dress is a must own this spring. If you’re loving the new vintage trend of soft pastel colours, cutesy lace, delicate fabrics and nipped in at the waist designs, try out a vintage inspired day dress from Oasis.

 

Tailor it to the spring season by adding a chunky knit cardi, knee-high socks and a long trench coat and you’ll be looking fresh as a daisy. You can also pay homage to the nautical trend with Oasis’ navy anchor print skater dress, or their classic breton dress if stripes are more your style.

Give your winter wardrobe a spring clean by heading over to Very.co.uk Lipsy dresses shop, where you can find picture-perfect dusty pinks and dramatic coloured tribal prints modelled by TOWIE’s very own Lauren Pope. Pick up their twenties flapper-inspired swing dress or work the pleated look with their stunning bandeau black and white number. Make your pick from fairy tale peter pan collar frocks, lace mesh and fun frills for going out gear that is oh-so flattering.

Top 5 tips to looking slimmer with your clothes – no diet needed!

This is a guest post with some great clothing tips by Saisha Potts from Cafe La Moda.

Jennifer Hudson is an apple shape, and makes the most out of her
legs by wearing shorts and leggings with high heels.

Picture the scene: it’s 7am on a Saturday and you drag yourself from the warmth of your cosy bed into the freezing, dark cold for a jog around the park. When you get in you reach for a croissant...then you realise you’re on a diet. You put the croissant down and reach for a banana. Your idea of hell? Ours too. So forget the detox, the juice diet and the break-of-dawn runs

But with a few sneaky tips and tricks you can instantly look pounds lighter, so hunker down under that duvet and grab that second slice of cake as we let you in on the insider secrets to looking slimmer instantly. We won’t tell if you don’t…

1. The number 1, golden rule is to wear clothes that fit! It is a basic tenet of learning to dress yourself but it’s something many women seem to ignore. Embrace your size, ladies! No matter your size, if you wear clothes that are cut too small you will look way bigger than you are. If you’re a serial vanity sizer and dread the thought of going up a size, just cut out the label so no one sees!

 

2. Dress for your shape; highlighting your best asset will always make you look slimmer. If you’re an hourglass, cinch in that waist for a gorgeous silhouette. Apple-shaped? Make the most of your longer-than-long legs with skinny jeans and mini skirts. Pear-shaped ladies should opt for hip-skimming shapes and make the most of their teeny waist with belts and detail around the middle. Boyish? Make the most of your slim frame with short cut dresses and frills and embellishment.

3. Wear black - it’s a cliché because it’s true! Black visually slims you and disguises all those lumps and bumps you want to hide because it doesn’t reflect light like other colours. What’s more, wearing one colour head to toe will create a thinning effect by giving you a straight line without highlighting one particular area.

4.Play with proportions – clean lines will always make you look slimmer than bulky or uneven silhouettes. Think feminine tailoring (blazers, blouses, soft shirts) and slim-fitting trousers and longer length tops and cardigans that fall on or past the hips.

Beyoncé is flashing her spanx underwear
while performing.

5. Wear the right underwear. Start with the perfect basics and you’ve built yourself a solid foundation for a slimming outfit. An ill-fitting bra is a sartorial crime that 80% of us British ladies commit daily, so go and get yourself fitted; you’ll look and feel slimmer and more supported instantly. Go for supportive knickers, too and reach for the Spanx if you need to. Well, if they’re good enough for famous Spanx-wearers Beyonce Knowles and Sienna Miller then it’s good enough for us!

6. And finally, got that one snap-happy friend? Turn partially sideways to the offending camera with one foot in front of the other and your weight firmly on your back foot. Pull your head forward to minimize the dreaded double-chin syndrome and hold your arms away from your body to make upper arms look slimmer. Shoulders back, stomach held in and chest forward – picture perfect!

Saisha Potts writes on behalf of www.cafelamoda.co.uk, the social fashion site. Compare the latest trends for men and women at Cafe La Moda by following the link.