JUST LOVIN' IT

Two of my fave necklaces du jour, an old Accessorize chain with snake head and vintage looking glass sparkles via Zara.

Bonjour loves! As you may have gathered via Twitter I've crossed the pond and am currently enjoying a bit of time out with family and friends back in London.
I'm super excited about my friends wedding tomorrow and am seriously looking forward to going to the fun fair tonight too! I'll just make sure I don't eat too much before I go on the rides! ;)

I've had a busy couple of days since arriving and there's nothing like a warm welcome back than an awesome dinner party hosted by close friends. I had such a blast and I always love raiding my friends wardrobes when I get back and eyeing up the newness... I am just loving this leather peplum top with zip down the back, teamed with navy skinnies and wait for it... a pair of leopard print Louboutins!

There's only one gal whose shoe closet is more enviable than Kim Kardashian's and that's my gal J - former Shoe Buyer for Tophop from the "I Want This Job" series. I must do a part deux with her since she has moved on up big time, now in the role of Accessories, Jewellery and Footwear Buyer! She also gets to work with a fashion legend too, but I won't spill the beans just yet! 

 Mmmm, yummy, bruschetta...

So many beautiful photographs and framed images fill the home, but I found one wall and this particular frame that I fell in love with. I really do have a soft spot for butterflies... I just love the colours and their beauty.

During the day the Mr. & I went for a long walk with my folks to Richmond Park, the largest of 8 Royal Parks, this little snippet is from Pembroke Lodge. We also got to see plenty of deer running wild or just chilling by the roads, hence the super slow speed limit. I miss this place dearly as I remember dragging my sledge out during winter and sliding down the slopes like a crazy kid.

 Mr. Squirrel saying hello!

Sundown at the lock over the River Thames... gorgeous isn't it?

I hope you've all had a good working week, now enjoy the weekend darlings & London Fashion Week!

x.o.x.o

LINKS À LA MODE: THE IFB WEEKLY ROUND UP: JULY 19TH

Despite the new look and slight changes to our forums on the new IFB site, there was no shortage of selections for this week’s Links a la Mode round up! From easy summer style to bridal trends and even some chatter over the latest Olympic drama with Ralph Lauren as well as teens and photoshopping in magazines, we had a lot to cover! Check out this week’s links and if yours has been chosen, be sure to check back later today for the code so you can post the links on your blog. Happy clicking!

LINKS À LA MODE: THE IFB WEEKLY ROUND UP: JULY 19TH

• A Brit Greek: Leather – 50 Shades for Maximum Impact
• April & Black: We Love Love Love Manish Arora
• Banjo Eyes: The Long and Short of It
• Can You Come Home: What Should I Wear To Work With The Bougainvilla Flower Trend?
• Dress Code: High Fashion: Altelier Swarovski Diana Vreeland Legacy Collection
• Elle Yeah: Haute Couture Week Highlights
• Emma Louque: Richard Nicoll for Topshop Bridal Love
• Fashionopolis: Fashion Blogging 101
• Fashion is Evolution: DIY Ombre Rhinestone Necklace
• Fresh Squeezed: Ralph Lauren’s Olympic-size Controversy
• Girl Loves Color: Walking on Sunshine (Color Spotlight: Yellow)
• Les Finer Things: Crazy Yin Love
• Moments With Meera: Prints, Prints, Prints!
• Oranges & Apples: Some Thought on Clothing Challenges
• Soychild: In Defense of Outdated Trends
• Tickle Me Chic: Real Girls Making A Real Difference
• The New Lady Times: Bride, Borrow or Steal
• The Curvy Elle: Fashion Trends Adapted for Plus-Size
• The Penny Rose: Moonrise Kingdom
• Zsasa and Everything Else: The OMG Necklace

Thank you IFB for including my first ever submission link this week! Yay!

I've also met some wonderful bloggers via IFB, so get on the case if you haven't joined yet - great community of like-minded lovelies! Have a fantastic weekend!

Leather: 50 shades of Maximum Impact, Minimum Effort

From top left-right: Rag and Bone, Marios Scwab, Derek Lam, J Mendel & Dior. 

images via here & style.com

I realise it's a little early (and waaay to hot) to be drooling over Resort 13's biggest trends, but I can't help but be a little excited that leather is going to be mah-jor, again! Yup, my little secret fashion affair with this luxe, edgy fabric is popping up all over the place, from Marc by Marc Jacobs, Rag & Bone, Alexander Wang, Phillip Lim Marios Schwab, Proenza Schouler, Versace to Barbara Bui.

Now loves, leather pieces are what I call 'investment', statement making wardrobe enhancing numbers, it'll never really go out of fashion. Whilst i've never been able to wear leather pants (- they just don't look good on me - I need a pair of legs like Rosie H-W & frankly the whole Ross incident in Friends kinda put me off), there are plenty of options, my fave being a leather dress - a great dress is a real game changer, y'know?
Let's take a peek at how celebrities have been working leather frocks over the years. 50 shades of hotness indeed.

See what I mean about maximum impact, minimum effort?

Jennifer Aniston in Celine & Gucci sandals (via zimbio.com) at the Horrible Bosses premiere, Victoria Beckham spotted most recently leaving LAX teamed with a gorgeous pair of fringed Maison Martin Margiela booties via here & Jessica Alba at Tribeca Film Festival 2010 via here

My fave fashion bunnies - La Kate attending Miu Miu SS10 accessorized with studded belt via here & Miss Palermo rocking her COS long sleeve leather number complete with Kurt Geiger Fashionistas mustard heels and Mawi sunray tube & boxchain necklace (2010) via here.

Angelina Jolie is at her bad-ass best in leather strapless Michael Kors number at the Inglourious Basterds Premiere via here & Jessica Alba in a stunning studded strapless Versace dress at Paris Fashion Week via here.

Another girl crush of mine is Kate Bosworth, shines in Chloe backless leather and linen mix dress at the Sundace Film Festival 2011 via here & minimalist in Calvin Klein earlier this May via here.

As you may have noticed, I can't help but go towards to the dark side, it's easy being hynotized by all-black. A black leather dress is always going to raise the bar and a surefire way to make an entrance - see a la Moss. What a smokin' vixen, no?

1. Thakoon leather mini dress on sale via NAP

2. MCQ by Alexander McQueen ring embellised leather & sueded dress via NAP 

3. Virginia Dress Topshop £69

4. Zalando.co.uk Urbancode leather fit & flare dress £230

From top left: 

Alexander MQueen Peplum pencil skirt via NAP

Alice Temperley Libre lace trim leather shorts on sale

Whistles laser cut pencil skirt - Love how they've styled this for a more casual approach.

Asos a-line mini skirt by Vila now £55

I love the clean lines of leather, the unfussy styles that have been cut to perfection. The trick to finding the perfect fit in a shift or shell style is somewhere between cut close to the body without it clinging like a body-con dress. I absolutely adore Celine's tan bond leather dress from SS10.

Looks like peplum, fit and flare shapes continue to be huge for resort 13, would you ever wear a leather dress, skirt or shorts? How would you accessorize or style it? Dark smokey eyes and nude lips or Bold red lippy? Sexy, delicate strappy heels, pointy pumps or chunky booties? The possibilities are endless...

Happy weekend to you lovelies!