HAPPY HAUTE HALLOWEEN WEEKEND

Well, hello loves! Long time, I know & I'm sorry. I have been feeling spectacularly rubbish of late (sorry not gonna elaborate) and I'm only just getting my head around everything else, especially with a big apartment move on the go!

This week I'm getting into the Halloween spirit, since it's a great excuse to work the dark princess look complete with dark berry lips, big jewelled bites of bling and badass heels.  

Will you be getting dressed up this Halloween?
I can't wait to see Heidi Klums outfit this year, I've heard she'll be a molten golden wonder as Cleopatra, complete with major head piece... how exciting! You can see more of her past Halloween looks here.

The dress above left (which I'm totally in love with by the way), is by Cretan designer, Stylianos, who just won the Best New Designer Award at Greece's 12th Athens Xclusive Designers Week!
It looks like I've subconsciously picked out lots of things from Topshop! Ha!
I did actually spot the most amazing fringed sequin flapper dress (Great Gatsby style!) via River Island here, plus lots of other amazing LBD's perfect for the festive soiree.

 If you're all out of ideas, how about some face-painting action? Stylist Magazine have 10 amazing Halloween youtube tutorial videos that will inspire you or freak you out! Still a bit clueless on what to dress up as? Hmmm, how about these Celebrity Halloween Costumes!

 via Pinterest. 

Wishing you all a totally bewitching and magical weekend!
Καλό Σαββατοκύριακο!

x.o.x.o

Kate Moss image by Mert & Marcus via trendhunter

Superhero Bling: Capes, Drapes, Chains & Collars

J crew jewels via pinterest

Well, hey hey hey, a big hello to you all on a Monday! I hope you've had a lovely weekend! 

The Amazing Spiderman opened on the weekend, and I've heard lots of great things about the new Marvels comic movie but is it any good? Have any of you seen it? Please share reviews as I haven't seen it yet!!!

I'm currently inspired by capes, drapes, chains and collars in the jewellery department & these were just a few that caught my eye with a tiny hint of Superhero edge! Enjoy!

Lanvin Swarovski crystal Eagle collar necklace - its a real beauty via N-A-P
Etro Fringe & spear brass necklace via outnet - reduced to £416 from  £1,040
Topshop Pearl shoulder drape
Topshop multi tube capelet £35
Newlook Gold diamente winged beetle necklace £5.99
Topshop Warrior Chain Collar £30

Wishing you all a super awesome week! 

♥Kali evdomada♥

Cuckoo for Cozy

So there was a darn good reason after all for moving to sunnier shores, and that is missing out on sub zero temperatures! Although I miss the snow and the thriving festive vibe that London oozes at this time of the year, I am super grateful that I for one am not seriously freezing (my a** off) like my pals are across the pond. Some are not even able to get to work due to being snowed in and a close friend of mine and her man had just moved into their new home and their boiler bust... I can only sympathize...

So how do the celebs brave the cold snap and stay stylish?

I love Elle's cool 'mum at school gate' chic, complete with over-sized leopard print bag, shades and a fur gilet, whilst Mossy looks fabulously glam in her maxi dress (is it knitted?) and fur number, red lips and glossy hair, Blake in GG gear, wrapped in this seasons Cape, Cameron D rocking casual cozy in quilted wedge boots, chunky knit scarf and woolly hat, way to go girl! Finally Sienna, I love her hotchpotch mixed up look, from fedora, hand-warmer to the clever layering. She looks cute.

Anyhoos, here are just a few things I'd like to keep me warm & cozy.

1. Mongolian Fur cape, Topshop, £60
2. High neck Vigore coat, Zara, £80
3. Alice Hannah knit Turban with brooch, Asos, £20
4. Loose knit snood, Asos, £16
5. Stud leather fingerless gloves, Asos, now £9
6. Chunky bobble scarf, Asos, £21
7. MOU Eskimo canvas boots, Outnet, £67.50
8. Mink Pink Cocoon knit shawl, Asos, £27.50
9. Rib knee socks, Topshop, £7
   

Come Rain or Shine

Hoorah for the weekend! I'm looking forward to spending time checking out my fave reads over Sunday coffee and also catching up with the unfinished 'to-do' list i've been rugby tackling all week.

Lara Stone styled by Grace Coddington for US Vogue, Sept 10
Don't you just love her Mad Men-esque style?
via here

With the weather turning slightly ugly in Greece, I hope to battle out the breezy, wet weather armed with my trusty mac, boots and brolly. You could mistake today's weather for the UK's!

• Natural waxed mac by NEXT - £60
• Umbrella by Auto Walker @ Topshop - £18
• Quilted Wellies @ Office - £30

Don't fancy schlepping it in waterproof gear?
You could splash around and look as smokin' hot as Carmen Kass here!

Shot by Phil Poytner for Muse, 2007
via here

Have a fantastic weekend, come rain or shine!

Braving New Heights

Whilst shorter than short shorts and hot pants rocked the catwalk for AW10/11, I couldn't resist but fall in love with this look. I was already hooked on this Stefanel Ad campaign a while back, with the gorgeous model strutting her stuff in denim shorts, scrumptious over-sized, knit cardi and a "I don't feel the cold one bit" attitude - I was sold. I just need to borrow someone else's legs.


I loved Dolce & Gabbana's catwalk show; sending models down the runway in minuscule knicker shorts and tuxedo jackets amongst other stunning pieces, including the sequin number above.

From top, left to right:

• Topshop Slouch Cardi - £45
  
• Topshop Overlay Lace corset - £35
  
• Topshop mesh knicker shorts - £20
  
• Kurt Geiger 'Scatter' boots - £150
  
• Alexander McQueen 'Hells knuckle' duster box clutch - 1335 euros via Net-a-porter
  
• Erikson Beamon Medieval Crescent Earrings - 314 euros via Net-a-porter
  

If you're really brave, you could throw this ASOS sequin leotard number under the cardi instead - bold or what?! By RARE - £105

Now then... if I were only brave enough to rock this look and not feel the cold...!

Dolce & Gabbana WA10/11 show
via Style.com

So, what do you think guys? Can you imagine working this look at your office Christmas Party?

Have a fab weekend everyone!!!

Falling for Fall

Images of Fall (A/W 10/11) has been filling my head of late... Here's what some of the key players in the industry are falling for this Autumn/Winter.

A big yay for leopard! This is one trend i've invested into well over the years and splurged on key pieces, which can be worn over again and again.

Wow, military look not over yet... it's always there, lurking about and played with on many levels. I love khaki anyway, and since my old parka of 10 yrs died on me I recently scored a parachute silk one for next to nothing in the sales.

Above images via Net-a-Porter


Camel - This is such a chic colour that sadly I cannot wear, like nudes or blush, this colour looks so wrong on me - i might as well look naked! Ha!

Aha, now this is more like it! Bright, bold mixes of berry like colours, yummy!

Loving the dark, midnight express colours for the winter, so seductive and tantalising!
Bring it on i say!

Hello hardware! Loving this new collection from Aldo, I'm not sure they have it here in Greece or do they? Hmmm, guess i'll be ordering my delivery from Asos after all!

Above images via ASOS

Topshop have launched their first AW collection in-store with the story "Into the Wild". I couldn't help but fall in love with the idea of mixing of knits, leather, dark denim with delicate chiffons and lace... yes please!

Other Topshop Stories for AW

mood board images via Topshop

I'm yet to determine my lust-list for next season, there's just so much drool-worthy goodness out there... What have you seen lately that's on your "I want it, must have it" list?

Poolside Glamour

I hope you're all having a fab weekend!!!

Mr Lastminute.com failed to mention we're supposed to be heading to a pool party today. What to wear??? Hmmm...I'm on the slightly pastier shade (although olive skinned)than everyone else for sure, as I haven't made it to the beach at all this year. So a bit of cover up is required... errrr, what about this?

• Printed tunic - lingerie/beachwear shop, L'Ultima in P. Faliro (same rd as AB Vasilopoulos).
• Gold Sovereign coin necklace- present from Mr. Perseus
• Large sunburst pendant necklace - House of Fraser
  
• Shades - Topshop??? Can't remember
• Cluster of bangles - really old, from old samples, to Primark to Accessorize.
• Purple ruffle front sandals - Topshop last year.

Sorry, I know this is a bit of a lame post, but I gotta run!!! Ciao fashion bunnies!
p.s will catch up on some essential reading tomorrow!

Cheap thrills! Delicious Rings under £20/€20/$20!

I've been digging through my ring collection of late only to find that some of the rings I have either lack lustre, are scratched, or have lost a gem...

It's clearly high-time I picked up some new fabulous pieces. for all you recessionista fashionista's, these precious babies are all under $20, £20, €20!!! Bargain!




From top, left to right:

• All rings by New Look, UK - delivery Worldwide is £5 only! Plus they have a sale on too!
• Giant Flower ring-£6 available in blush too
• Shell flower ring - £5 available in an assortment of bold colours
• Resin Rose ring - £1!!! available in other colours
• Chainmail Bow ring - £10

• Forever 21 (F21) Burst filigree ring - $3.80
• Asos Bonjour double finger ring - €10
• Topshop heart and wings ring - £5
• Topshop Heart & arrow ring -€7.50

• F21 - Boysen beaded ring - $6.80
• F21 - Gaia stone ring - $5.80
• F21 - Luxe Gem ring - $3.80
• F21 - Bold vintage ring - $5.80

So, which ones will you be buying?

NEWSFLASH! I have a really exciting post to share with you all this Friday, so keep your eyes peeled...All i can say now is that if you love Vintage you will love this gal! She's simply beyond amazing!

As usual, tomorrow's post will reveal a talented individual in the fashion industry for "I want this Job" feature!

All images via Forever 21, Topshop, Asos.com, New Look

Skirt Alert: One summer skirt, 3 ways!

Totally random and unrelated; I've had no water since 5:30am this morning... The Water Company has done a major boo boo and done some serious damage to one of the pipes... Crikey! We were all promised water by 8:30am... which hasn't happened yet so I thought I'd get this post together...

I have a love hate relationship with skirts, so I don't wear or buy them that often. The last skirt I bought was this cute little tiered ruffle number from Topshop below... 2 maybe 3 years ago, which I team with a simple black vest and if it's a bit chilly, I'll throw on a boyfriend blazer and an old pair of biker style boots. BUT... I did pick up a cute skirt from Zara the other day. Shock horror!

I don't often post personal style snaps, I kinda loathe any sort of camera action - plus for some reason, I only manage to pull silly faces.
But since some of you wanted to know how i'll be working that flared skater skirt of mine (a bargain at 17.99€)... Here's a peek! Sadly for me and my self-timer, these shots are a bit wonky (& grainy) but at least you get the idea!

Take one Zara Skirt, Wear 3 ways

From Left-right:

• Denim Shirt: Mr. Perseus', it was huuuuge! Mock Croc patent belt: Sample, Studded heels: Zara
  
• Chunky Turquoise necklace: Primark, Sleeveless Blouson tunic shirt (the rest is hidden underneath the skirt): Zara, Studded belt: Kookai, Hideous scar on shin: Surfing, Fuchsia Bow peep toes: New Look
• Black Vest: Gift - oversized so it looks baggy, Bow belt: House of Fraser, Ruffle T-bar platforms: Topshop

Sometimes a look doesn't work as well for me, especially knowing that I could be teaming it with something else way better. When I moved to Greece, I left some bits and pieces back in London, which I often forget about... But just knowing..., slightly bugs me! Anyhow...

Have a fabulous, super sunny weekend!!!

I WANT THIS JOB: TOPSHOP FOOTWEAR BUYER

Girlies: I sooooo apologise in advance for my 2nd "I want this job" feature, this is going to be an almighty long but jam-packed post about everything you ever wanted to know about Buying! Enjoy!

We all know how fabulous Topshop is, it's the mecca where everyone, from fashionistas, celebs to teens & mums alike go to get their fashion fix without breaking the bank.
One of my oldest gal pals, Jo whom i've known since our days studying for our Fashion Degree has a job to die for! Shoes, lots of beautiful shoes get dumped on her desk, like everyday! Lucky her!
I've also added some additional bits in black - stuff like buying speak really.

Job Title: Shoe Buyer
Where do you work: Topshop Head Office, London

1. What do you actually do?

• Buy shoes for Topshop (TS), ensuring that we build a great range for our target/potential customers.

2. What's your general working pattern like?

• MONDAY - Go through the sales pack* and analyse last weeks sales. We generally look at each line and new reaction to see if we need to repeat (buy again)/move on (develop the style) or limit/review anything coming in that isn't working and monitor it's progress.
  
• * The sales pack is usually one big fat printed pack with all the styles in store or at the warehouse due for delivery into stores, including style/line numbers, colours bought, quantity (qty) bought, qty sold, how many weeks is left before product sells out according to average weekly sales and quantity bought.
• TUESDAY-FRIDAY varies depending on whats happening but we generally buy monthly and are constantly reviewing the range and adding in new key styles/colours that we need in quickly.
• Day to day I tend to be: visiting suppliers to see what they have, in meetings with design working on new developments, trawling the internet and magazines for inspiration, looking at the competition and shopping for new ideas, liaising with merchandisers re: quantity's/dates/price points and ranging, placing orders with suppliers, negotiating prices and dates, visiting TS branches across the country, in range reviews* with management, buyers' meetings looking at the trends and highlighting key items and fit sessions with shoe technologists.
• As a Buyer it is important to keep building relationships with potential/current suppliers as well as ensuring deliveries come in on time, being aware of all kinds of trends-reacting to them and what the competitors are doing in store - the team will always go Comparative Shopping (Comp. Shop) and produce a report to share with the team.
• * Range Reviews - working with the merchandising team, a review is compiled of the previous season/or months performance - so the products both best-sellers and worse sellers (Dogs) are analysed and reviewed to understand what the consumer liked and disliked.

3. Which other departments of the company do you work closely with?

• Designers, Press/marketing, Merchandisers & Store managers

4. What do you love about this job?

• The buzz when something comes in a flies out and the constant excitement/urgency of finding the next big thing. Also working with people that are so creative, passionate and proud about the product and the brand we work for.

5. Is it as glamorous as it sounds - Buying shoes?

• No! Its hard work...You have to roll your sleeves up and get involved whether its rifling through 100's of old dusty vintage shoes, shifting boxes and rails of shoes around the office to different meetings, spending all day in a factory or trawling round exhibition halls with thousands of shoe stands - it can be painful if you've woken up at 5am to get a flight then gone straight to a trade show!

6. Where have you travelled with this job?

• India, LA, Paris, Milan, Brazil, Spain, Portugal, New york....

7. What's not so great about this job?

• There's a lot of pressure (to constantly have and create newness) and you can't miss a thing so it can be tiring at times if you don't give yourself a break occasionally! There's also a lot of personal preferences and expectations you have to manage so you have to stand by what you think is right for the brand.
• In addition to this, the hours can be long, especially if you are preparing a presentation/range review (which needs to be agreed and signed off with management), or dealing with everything - last minute emails, deliveries etc before you have to go away on a business trip, the work load can pile up substantially, dealing with a late delivery (and the suppliers).

8. What core responsibilities do you have as a Buyer?

• To ensure the range is always new and sales are potentialised on key items.
• To push and seek the next big trend
• Plan the range with merchandising to ensure we meet our sales plan, target margins and that we offer a balanced range at all times with out going over the budget. Work out initial order quantities/colours to be bought in range planning.
• Critical Path - plan the key dates for product development, production and delivery.
• Manage Supply Base (A no. of qualified suppliers my team work with) ensuring we meet our targets in terms of quality control (QC), cost prices
• Manage Buyers Admin Assistant (BAA) and Assistant Buyer (AB) to ensure orders go on the system, deliveries are managed and on time and the general running of the department
• Ultimately to make sure our profits are up on the year and our markdown is kept to a minimum!

9. What trade shows do you visit/go to regularly?

• Micam, Lineappelle, Riva, Premiere Classe, Bread & Butter, WSA...

10. What skills do you need to be a great buyer?

• Have the ability to juggle 100 things at once and have your finger on the pulse at all times!
• It helps if you're quick, efficient, adaptable, enthusiastic, energetic, creative, passionate about the product you're buying, confident in your decisions, a good communicator, fairly good with numbers (analytical & strategical) and good at using your initiative

11. What advice would you give to anyone who wants to become a Fashion Buyer?

• Apply for a BAA role in a brand/company that you feel suits you and your style/personality. Get work experience or work in retail to get a feel for things.
• Be passionate about fashion, know your trends, push your ideas forward, aspire to buy those Mui Mui platforms (even if you can't afford them!), experiment with your own style and always think ahead.

Jo & team's Hot Picks
In-store/online now from top left-right:

• Spiral - Strappy peep toe heel £65
• Prima- Sling back clogs £80
• Saffron - Mint strappy heels £70
• Frances - Stud sandal £35

12. What's the salary range like from a BAA to a Buyer on senior level ?

• Hard to say, but for the lower end - starting around 16-18k for a BAA to 60k for someone at a more senior level

13. What's the career path like?

• It takes on average around 5yrs from BAA to become a Buyer if you work hard & are passionate about what you do.

14. How did you find your dream job as a Buyer?

• By looking in Drapers Record (Fashion Business magazine in UK) and sending my CV. Most brands have a recruitment page on their website so you can go through that.
• Just because a job isn't advertised (the fashion ones usually aren't by the way), contact an agency (who specialises in fashion) and sign up with them or contact the brand you see yourself working for directly and make sure you have a CV that is up-to date, ready to email/send the future employer. Having gone through loads of CV's myself (believe me, everyone wants your job or a BAA, BA, AB role) everyone usually starts with an introduction about themselves/personal statement. Whilst this is great, I also suggest mentioning what you have done for the love of fashion (be it organising a fashion show to raise money for a charity-you get the idea) in that first opening paragraph about yourself. That is something that usually catches my eye as everyone can be 'passionate', 'enthusiastic' about fashion and read magazines etc but are they really? What have they done to prove it?

15. Any other advice you'd like to share?

• Try not to lose your cool under pressure and always stand by your decisions. (Believing that a product will be a best-seller even if someone else can't see or share the same vision).

images via Topshop, Gossipless Fashion

Additional info:
Books/reading material:
Mastering Fashion Buying & Merchandising Management by Tim Jackson via Amazon

Agencies in UK:

• Drapers Record
• Talisman Retail
• Freedom Recruitment
• Success Appointments

Missed out on last weeks "I want this Job" feature? Click here for the low-down on Ladieswear Designer, Christine Macaulay.

Kate Moss launches Topshop SS10 collection

The legendary supermodel revealed her new collection for Topshop last night with these stunning summery, soft images taken by Nick Knight (ps. I've loved his work since I bought my first copy of Elle). It looks like she's radiating from a big dollop of sunlight...(To recreate this look you'll need a mega massive Softbox - very bright back lighting and stand v. close against it - the closer you are, the softer the lighting plus glow effect, oh and of course the genius that is Photoshop).

I particularly like this leaf print dress, no doubt it'll be a bestseller, like most of Moss' dresses. The collection really epitomizes Kate's style, with silk boyfriend blazers, cute playsuits (some with a sexy edge), playful floral tea dresses, silk embroidered capes, a feather cape, delicate beading,lots of focus on floaty maxi dresses (Phillip Greene knows this is where the money's at, esp. with prices starting from £120), cute blouses, lace, velvet, suede and of course, denim.



From top left:
Silk Embroidered Cape £120
Tiered Ruffle Maxi Dress £150
Grey silk open back playsuit £80

images via: Topshop - to see the whole collection click here
Daily Mail

Skirt-tastic summer

Sorry peeps, I'm afraid i wasn't much of a happy bunny this morning, I was just having one of those hectic days (with lots of errands to run but short on time) and needed to vent it all out.

Anyhow, all that sunshine and running about, (well lots of walking without car), means that a girl deserves a bit of treat. So what do i do? Devour and finish off half a tub ice-cream... These 'Daily Pleasure, SCANDAL!' pots are huge by normal standards and really delicious too. It's the first time i've tried the range, but the Vanilla Secrets flavour simply rocks - i'm digging the scattering of caramelized pecans and slithers of caramel. De-lish!
What's flavours tickle your tastebuds?

So on that yummy note I leave you with some summery
skirt-tastic action, enjoy!

Skirts from top to bottom, left-right.
Topshop Palm tree print skirt
River Island Pocket detail lantern skirt
New Look Sailor button tulip skirt
New look piped cocoon skirt

From Left-right:
New Look bow belted tulip skirt
New Look tiered bow skirt
Miss Selfridge frill mini bow skirt

Take a style note from Carrie Bradshaws' SATC wardrobe.

Skirts from top to bottom, left-right.
Miss Selfridge lace overlay skirt
Topshop zip front slip dress
Miss Selfridge Ruffle tiered skirt
River Island tiered skirt
New Look Spot ruffle skirt
Topshop Ruffle mini skirt
New Look Tutu skirt

Which of these summery styles will you be flaunting?

images via Topshop, New Look, Miss Selfridge, River Island

Selfridges to open the WORLD'S LARGEST SHOE DEPARTMENT EVER!

YES, you did read this information correctly. I read about this in Grazia and thank you to Selfridges (London) for launching the World's largest shoe department this September. As i haven't to Selfridges since my last UK visit i have no idea where that's going to take place but i so cannot wait. This is going to be like every girls dream!!!! I die!!!! Lots of amazing brands have been promised - from Rodarte to Stella McCartney and Givenchy. Yippee!

images via Net-a-porter, Kurt Geiger & Topshop

Wardrobe wish list

I seriously need some newness in my wardrobe - I could so easily take to my sewing machine, but other things are keeping me busy... maybe i'll experiment with some DIY fashion another time... For now, these are looking a bit lush for those super sunny days, especially this one shoulder dress from Oasis (£100) below...


The other thing I was thinking was how certain fashion trends have once again come around - military chic just never gets boring does it? There's an insane amount of khaki on the high street, best dig out those khaki peg leg turn ups from Gap circa 2002 then...
Must say that i do love how Zara has managed to make this trend look good though and Topshop's khaki jacket... yum.

Zara goes all Khaki

Topshops Cropped denim jacket - perfect for chilly-ish evenings

Topshops abstract floral smock dress a bargain at £35 and looks uber hot
with crop denim jacket above - £40

Topshops nude broderie cup dress - £35

Topshops super cool styling as usual