Boden leopard print boots

Not every Fashion Ed will admit it but they love a Boden shoe. These boots are on the list. They have a lower heeled version (for those who fall over easily, umm me) and flats. I also like this boyfriend shirt. 

more reformation amazingness + the sale

Yes please...Callado Dress | Lima Dress | Femme Dress | Bonilla skirt

and the sale bits I spied...Tristan Short | Oracle Dress | Virginia Dress

Happy Friday x

edit 58 launches

Edit 58 launched a few weeks ago and we love it all. Personalised kids baskets in neon pink (which make the perfect gifts), grey blankets with pink pom poms, those coveted Eliza Gran baskets, oh and epic rugs. 

faithfull the brand

Faithfull The Brand makes me want to move to a small island and live in a hut. With a years supply of fake tan. Anyway, this is the Fall collection above and it is available for pre-order now. If you are still at the beach, I love these shirt dress | leopard kimono | off-the-shoulder top | riviera skirt 

white and lacy

Blame the Chloe campaign, its time to fake tan and get leggy. Zara have a great lacy selection, here, here, here and here (very cropped). This Madewell one is flying off the shelves. Slightly smarter dress by Finery London, a more geometric option at Whistles, a tunic by Mint Velvet in the UK and one for the beach at PilyQ. I will post on sandals next week, in the meantime these Loeffler Randall ones are pretty epic.

*images via zara | interest they all hate us, vogue, the londoner 

we are back

Sorry for the silence, we have been away, I took a trillion pics and will post on it very soon. In the meantime my browsing has thrown up a few things this week. these Point Sur jeans look so right | Shopbop spring sale is on | Luru Home vintage pillow heaven | cannot wait for Camomile London to open | new black top sorted thanks to H+M

la redoute giveaway

A couple of weeks ago I had lunch with La Redoute, Natalie and Dylana. We chatted online shopping, 70s looks, burgers, that sort of thing. Picture for a moment that you are H&M,  La Redoute is your chic French exchange. You spend a week together, kiss her older brother and steal her clothes. Well the actual La Redoute have been busy, collaborating with Sezane, launching in the US and designing the perfect jacket for spring (below). I have one size 6 US/ 10 UK to giveaway. To enter tweet me something nice @secretstylist and email thesecretstylist@gmail.com…I will announce the winner next week. Good luck!

20% off new label finery london

If you like Whistles and Cos you are going to love this new London label from Caren Downie (who hails from Topshop and Asos). Finery launches later this week but you can get early access to the site with Sunday Times Style Magazine code STSXFINERY. You can also use the code for 20% off the first order. Great prints, prices and yep, they ship to the US. Happy Monday x

cecilie copenhagen

I am so bored of winter. Lets move on to Spring. Cecilie Copenhagen is popping up everywhere. A pretty print, perhaps not worthy of the 110 USD price tag but I haven't seen the fabric up close. I do love this dress thought, a giant-off-the-shoulder-tick for this summer. Spy the designer on Pandora Sykes | Tash Sefton They All Hate Us | Belle & Bunty

wish list

If your slightly unorganised husband/boy/partner/parent/cat hasn't been shopping for you yet you might want to forward a few of these wish list items on…

fluffy sandals - & Other Stories 

heart clutch - asos

 cashmere leopard onesie...oh yes - Marks and Spencer

magic cream for hungover faces - Charlotte Tilbury

cute studs - Tiny Armour on Etsy 

cosy chalet socks - Woolrich

this tea cup - Yvonne Ellen Etsy

a diamond disc - Erica Tanov or honey bee stacking rings - Silver May

cheetah booties -  Loeffler Randall  

round sunglasses - Illesteva

bucket bag - Helmer or this one - J Crew

boob lamp - Jonathan Adler 

always love navy cashmere - Uniqlo

gorgeous pics of your little people - Coral Garlick

this raisin lip sheer - Beauty Counter or this Burning Love Lipgloss - Nars

embroidered jacket - Zara 

more grey skinnies - Frame

lola & syd and 5 styling tips for new mothers

Meet Sally and Hugh. Sal is a great friend from my HK days. Now back in Australia she's relaunched her much loved boutique Lola & Syd, added styling services and a gorgeous children's range. 

I miss drinking wine with her so much….anyway...she's kindly given us some styling tips for new mothers. Sal is someone who always manages to look very cool without trying too hard so I would listen in…oooooh and its FREE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE until Sunday with the code SSFreeShip. I NEED this clutch. Too many capitals I know. 

The early days of motherhood aren’t easy. You’re tired, have an in between body that’s not pregnant but not how is used to be, leaking boobs if you’re breastfeeding, no time or inclination to do your make up and even less to do your hair (Sal - I never did my hair before babes ;)) 

But after sitting round in your pyjamas and breastfeeding singlets for the first few weeks, there comes a time when you realize you’ll feel a lot better if a) get dressed, and b) make a little effort. Here are 5 top tips to get you started...

Clothing - Look for easy to care fabrics that can go in the machine and that will wear well. Ironing is the enemy when you have small children so avoid pieces that crease easily.  It’s worth investing in good maternity bras as they provide a better shape. Also, stretchy singlets are very handy and can work on their own or as layers in the winter months. Look for styles with thicker straps – maternity bra straps are not attractive so best not to have them on show. If you’re breast feeding separates are best (with the exception of the shirt dress – see below). Maternity jeans are your best bet in the early months so it’s worth investing in a pair you love in your pregnancy.  Leggings are fabulous for winter, and shorts and skirts with elastic waists (there are quite a few around at the moment) are good for summer months.

The Shirt dress - This personally saved me in my early months of motherhood! They are perfect for breastfeeding, can be belted, are great with flats and some simple earrings, or can be glammed up with heels and a big necklace (for the time you actually get to go out at night!). They suit almost everybody. Choose lightweight cotton for hotter months. Denim works well in cooler months and you can layer over the top with sweaters and boots. 

Accessories - The best bet in early months is keep clothing simple and classic and use accessories to add an edge. Bangles can be difficult when constantly holding and feeding a baby in the early months so it’s best to look for earrings and statement necklaces to liven up your outfits. Bangles can be introduced when bub is a little older and starts pulling at your necklaces! My little one will play with my resin bangle collection for hours! 

Buy a REALLY good concealer and a VERY bright lipstick - It’s no secret you don’t get much sleep with a newborn so a great concealer to hide those dark circles is a must. I find Bobbie Brown the best but try to fit in a visit to a department store to find one that suits you. While you’re there, make a bee line for a bright lipstick. Gone are the days when you have half an hour to apply a full face of makeup. If you have a good base, mascara, and a bright lip then you look polished and it takes under 5 minutes! I love Mac lippies - favourites at the moment are Morange and Impassioned, but there a ton to choose from so try a few and see what suits!

Have a great bag that you love - Nappy bags serve their purpose and while there are many great style out there now I have always preferred to use a stylish handbag that can hold all the necessities and work as both a stylish accessory and holdall for baby paraphernalia. Look for something lightweight – neoprene, cotton and canvas are great options. Also, zip pouches work well for containerizing things like nappies, wipes, a change of clothes and bottles.

everyone is wearing this in new york + thanksgiving sales

Everyone is wearing a large blanket style tartan/plaid scarf at the moment. They look pretty good, and they're cosy. Try this Boden one or a Zara burgundy number, or opt for something different...furry at Helen Moore, spotty at Zara. Oh and its worth seeing the Racked crazy sales list, some have already started. Have a very Happy Thanksgiving and THANK YOU very much for reading secrerstylist x 

avoid phone chin...buy a polo neck

Great for hiding double chins (a serious hazard whilst reading phones and walking), very cosy, hair tucking at back is optional. The polo neck/turtle neck. So glad they are back in. I saw some great styles as Asos and Zara here, here, here and here, oh and here. Look out for the Uniqlo collaboration with Ines de La Fressange, the cashmere big turtle neck sweater is perfect and available in November. If you want to splurge, this one from Acne Studios is gorgeous (and 15% off at My-Wardrobe at the mo)...

*images via pinterest

cool coats

I've been asked to pick some coats and cover ups for fall/autumn/before we have to embrace the enormous puff coat...so here you go. Camel cardigan style at Zara, powder blue at Asos, a bit of leopard at Mango, something smart (and whoop...grey) at Maje, love this half coat thing at Emerson Fry too, or a sheepskin gilet/vest at Whistles. I've been living in my blanket cape and get lots of compliments...plus a few odd looks ;)

*image from pinterest

brvtvs - earrings by caroline ventura and sales sales sales

I spied a stylish mum in the playground the other day, she was wearing these little bar earrings. They are made by BRVTVS, a New York designer. Its pretty hard to wear whacking great jewels with little ones around, these would work perfectly, delicate but different. Have a great weekend, there are a gazillion sales around...

The Outnet - an extra 30% off 

Whistles - 25% off with issue 493 of Grazia 

J Crew - 25-30% off with PICKASALE code

Mango - 30% off online until Saturday with 5WEEKEND3 code

My Wardrobe - 10% off with PAYDAY10 code

Atterley Road - 20% off until Monday with NEWSEASON20 code

the coolest culottes

Never mind the shows, the thing we most noticed at NYFW and LFW were how cool the editors all looked in their culottes. These Whistles ones featured a lot. I'd give them a try before we all get packed away in tights / skinnys / boots and face polar vortex round two :) more inspiration on how to wear them here...

hatch jumpsuit

My girlfriend wore this jumpsuit last week to drinks (v. strong cocktails at Clover Club and dinner at Dover) and it looks amazing on. Really simple, great with heels or flats and easy to pile jewels on. Hatch design gorgeous items for pregnancy and beyond, I might have lost it but I am so tempted to get this just to float about in... imagine how much cake you could eat?

lacy lacy lacy

Bit of black lace in summer? Why not. Just add relaxed jeans and flats. I love these below, Love Sam at Shopbop (spied on my new blog crush Le Catch) and Lace Tee at Topshop. Have a great weekend x 

just beachy

At the beach this week so a bit behind with posting, sorry! Enjoying 5am wake ups ;) 7am beach walks and 9am coffee and carousel. Totally rock and roll. I spied this gorgeous Emerson Fry caftan...if you are looking for something shorter try Tallulah & Hope, secretstylist discount details here, or try a loose cotton and silk shift, again discount code here. 

the little black dress...for summer

Maybe I've been in New York too long but I love black in summer. Simple, chic, easy in crazy heats and perfect for running around after little ones. Poppy rocks the skater dress from Topshop. I've also seen this tank dress by James Perse, this silk maxi in the sale at J Crew and I love love love this crochet-cotton dress by Etoile Isabel Marant pictured below. Happy 4th of July, hope you have a great long weekend x

images: daily mail / net-a-porter