new year's resolution...wear more hats

One very nice thing about living in New York is that no one really cares what you wear, they won't blink if you rock a tutu on a Monday afternoon and they certainly won't think you are a poser if you wear a hat (unlike my adorable p*ss-taking UK friends). I adore hats. They are perfect for hiding under when you are hungover, and they make a simple outfit suddenly more interesting. There are some great bargains to be had in the sale so why not try one out...

From left to right...

Blue hat from Matches, in the sale for GBP 94, free delivery worldwide until 16 Jan

Navy hat from Zara, also in the sale 119HKD (roughly GBP 9), a billy bargain

Browny/grey 70s style from Rag & Bone, 75 USD in the sale

Claret (very winter 2012) trilby from Topshop, now GBP 12 in the sale

Camel outback hat from the loveliest East Village store, Pork Pie Hatters, 60 USD

Classic black fedora from Rag & Bone again, 150 USD

friday means...metallic knitwear

Loving a bit of sparkly metallic knitwear...seeing it on a lot of stylish girls at the moment. From top left Zara (of course), Zara again, Markus Lupfer at Lane Crawford, NW3 Hobbs, Madewell (with sparkly elbow patch too...cute), and my favourite...Vince at Barneys.

style inspiration...dresses

Or perhaps Christmas party inspiration? Here are some dresses I recently spotted on the red carpet, and loved...

* images via The Telegraph

colourful coats

Well what I mean is non-black coats. Boring. I have been working with my first styling client in New York, she's stylish, smart and has some cash to splash so it wasn't exactly tough. We whittled it down to these three....which one do you love? I adore the cape.

A smokey grey mohair minx by Tibi, love the edge detail

Stylish navy cape with black leather belt by Vince at Saks

Beautiful blue Maje found at Bloomingdales 

diy or buy?

I am completely in love with these boots from Barneys Co-op which I spied here, she might make them, you might make them (would you?), but I think I'd just buy them...

the lesser spotted shirt

In case you hadn't noticed spots are huge this Autumn/Winter. An easy trend to pick up but I do love this version by Zara TRF, part animal print, part spot. It is perfect buttoned up (a la Alexa) with black skinnys, or slightly undone with lots of gold bangles and grey skinny jeans (a la secretstylist), find it here...

aaaahhh aritzia

I discovered Canadian store Aritzia and the fabulous Wilfred brand when I was in Vancouver, I bought two gorgeous silk shirts and a dress which I've worn non-stop since. So I was pretty happy to find a huge Aritzia store on Broadway in New York. I spotted this gorgeous silk shirt dress for USD165 (approx GBP 103) , I've seen heaps more in there which I love for this season, a snakeskin silk shirt or silk vest, chunky wool cardigans, capes...the list goes on. Check them out, they don't do online shopping so if you're really lucky I'll send it to you :)

Fab silk shirt, it would look amazing with a skinny belt from Zara and leopard print shoes by Tory Burch at Net-A-Porter...

little black boots

Sorry to bang on about shoes again but I had a sudden urge to buy some new short boots. I love wearing them at this time of year, they add a little autumn to your look, and yet you can wear them with bare legs, shorts, skirts (perfect with this season's pencil skirt) and dresses. I have a great camel pair and some grey Zara ones which I wear constantly, so its about time to search for a pair of little black boots...

1 - foxy cut-outs by Joseph at Net-A-Porter (GBP 495)

2 - chelsea boots by Topshop (GBP 55)

3 - studded wonders by Sam Edelman at My-Wardrobe (GBP 215)

4 - sleek and snakey by Christian Louboutin at Net-A-Porter (GBP 1095 ... OUCH) 

5 - look way more expensive than they are by Zara (GBP 69.99) 

6 - suede and simple by Aldo (GBP 70)

la la lanvin...

Love this new Lanvin ad

j.crew autumn picks

My New York shopping time has been temporarily curtailed due to the fact that I have been flat hunting like a maniac, it is soooo much more expensive than Hong Kong and if anything is good you have to snap it up that minute and go for interviews! Mental. Anyway, I did spy that J.Crew is now shipping to the UK (unfortunately not Hong Kong yet (although they are on Net-A-Porter) but if you have nice UK based buddies you can always offer to get them shoes made in exchange for becoming your shipping agent) so I thought I'd take a look, here are my colourful Autumn picks...

Mustard is being spotted on all the stylish girls right now, this jacket is the perfect way to wear it

Black is so boring in Autumn, I am a big fan of colourful trousers like these skinny cords

Pencil skirts are huge for AW11 and this pink tweed is adorable

This classic cape hasn't landed in stores yet but you can buy it online, I love it

Lulu Frost has designed a collection for J Crew, it all rocks, especially this art deco bracelet

zara lookbook fw11

Mixing textures...leather and volume...and a brokeback mountain shirt....we like...

guest post for lifestyleasia on autumn/winter trends...

Hi there, did you think I'd forgotten you? Nope, I have been busy guest posting for the lovely people at LifestyleAsia...find out what you should be wearing this Autumn/Winter here...

tory town

Tory Burch hosted an awesome party on Friday night to celebrate her launch in China (she has stores in Beijing, IFC HK and Harbour City now) and show her Fall 2011 collection. DJ Cassidy kept everyone happy whilst guests ooogled other guests, and girls scrambled to get a pic with the little lady. The Four Seasons ballroom had a pink and orange glow, the champagne flowed and the 70s influence was as strong as ever in the 39 looks...wide palazzo pants in geometric prints, oranges, camels, velvet suits, tweeds, fur collars, silky blouses, more burnt oranges and browns. Yep this is how we will be dressing in five months time. Please excuse the fuzzy pics, I was enjoying myself too much at the bar. Must be a better blogger next time x

LOVE the shades

Tory (who is the sweetest person ever and has gorgeous feather earrings) with the Husband, he fancied her so didn't mind being dragged to a fashion event...except when he nearly got attacked by cougars...

I'll post some more pics of my faves from the collections very soon

h&m autumn winter 2011 preview

Hello readers. I'm majorly struggling today after a boozy Tory Burch party last night, so please forgive my ramblings. I popped along to the H&M Autumn/Winter preview on Thursday. Loved what they had in store for next season. Lots of 60s and 70s vibes, orange, volume, low backs, tweeds, browns, more orange, camels, greens and print...so much gorgeous print. I have a million pics but have tried to edit it down to show you some of the collections below...in stores from July-October. Now off to drown in another cup of tea, then I might brave a lager and lime oooooooooooo.