The pheasant effect and the power of Bargain

I do love a Bargain. I even like to be called La Reine de la Bargain (excuse the French pun).  But firstly, please let me clarify my definition of the word Bargain (it's got more impact with a capital B, don't you think?). By Bargain I don't mean saving a mere £20 off a 200-quid winter coat from Reiss using that women's magazine voucher (no finger pointing Elle magazine, not at all).

No, I am talking real Bargains here. Cheap high street items that catapult you into the fashion designer sphere in an instant.

Those purchases you would perfectly comfortable parading around the Vogue house or meeting a fashion editor. The cheap-as-chips items that turn heads, generate blissful smiles and enquiries from total strangers on the street and save any monochrome outfit no matter how boring.

And this year has so far been a Bargain bonanza. At number one spot is the Accessorize bib necklace (around £12.95 bought from Heathrow airport tax free!) that gets me an average of two to six compliments everytime I wear it (Yes I do count, ok, sue me). I could so totally lie and say it's Marni, it could so easily be Miu Miu. Although yours truly never lies and loves a good Bargain too much to keep it for herself.

There was the £25 cocktail ring bought randomly at Debenhams on the way out from a bathroom shopping session – this item won its true Bargain status when a fashion editor actually asked if it was Stephen Webster… 

Oh and the £39.99 gorgeous dress from H&M that looks more likely from the latest Isabelle Marant collection than the cheap rails of the Swedish high street giant.

But this weekend, the crown of the top best high street Bargainissimo goes to the pheasant effect faux fur coat I just bought from… wait for this… Warehouse - retail price £80, minus 20% discount = £64! It's already done a successful round around the office on 'casual' Friday (I could actually see the stares when I got in) and the peak was its second outing for our friends' wedding on Saturday, where even men liked it. 

But the season is not over yet. I still have a ribbon-based embellished River Island belt covered in stones and spider brooches waiting in my wardrobe (at the bargain price of £19.99 if I remember correctly). I have great expectations for this one too but it will have to wait. This week is the pheasant effect and next one will be goth-themed… God I love the high street in this country.

Can a fashion-conscious girl be taken seriously?

That's the question The Telegraph is asking today following a comment made by the president of the Girls' Schools Association about girls who love shoes, fashion and make-up. Here argument is that these girls shouldn't feel like bimbos just because of it.

She says that that fashion-conscious girls should not be dubbed as 'shallow' just because they are interested. She's quoted adding that 'cring about physical appearance and fashion and wanting to feel good about how you look doesn’t have to be a betrayal of some feminist ideal'. But her best quote has to be this one: 'I love new shoes but it doesn’t make me shallow. Girls can have fun and also be taken seriously.'

Oh my, if only the headmistress of my school had been so fashion-forward and open-minded back in the 80s maybe I wouldn't have ended up studying biology and made a carreer in medical journalism and would have ended up just where I belong... Vogue. Or Elle. Or Marie-Claire. Or anywhere that might give an opportunity to  shortsighted people to pigeonhole me as dumb, shallow and fashion-obessed. With a bloody good reason. Oh well.

Bonnie Tyler's 'Total Eclipse of the Heart' Flow Chart

I HEART spreadsheets (almost bought the mug at UrbanOutfitters), I couldn't live without my iPhone apps, or email or anything that helps organise, sort, and generally puts the information I need in a nice, clean, clear way. But this, this... totally speechless. I JUST LOVE IT. A flow chart to understand Bonnie Tyler's most famous song's lyrics... Genius.

Supersonic Supper club was just super!

Had probably one of the coolest dining experiences ever last night. Managed to secure a table for me and my gorgeous friend at Bistroteque's new pop-up Supersonic Masonic Supper club hosted by the Andaz hotel.

For three nights only the Bistroteque chaps (also behind Flash and the Reindeer...) have taken over Andaz's Grade I-listed Masonic Temple and we were lucky enough to be there for the launch night. Apparently Jack the Ripper was a member of this lodge. 

On the menu were (amongst many many other dishes!) white truffle popcorn, Kentucky-fried quail, and champagne candy floss. It was my friend's birthday and Jonny Woo - the queen of London's drag scene (!) and official host of the night - made the whole restaurant stand up and sing Happy Birthday! Absolute classic.

The room was amazing and the ambience fabulous. Of course I was the only person there who forgot to bring a camera so i only managed to get this basic-no-flash-can't-really-see-anything shot before getting stuck in my popcorn and champs. but you get the vibe...

Already looking forward to next year's event!

Stella lashes out at "heartless fashion people"

Really enjoyed the Stella McCartney interview in the Guardian today written by the paper's fashion editor Jess Cartner-Morley. Honest, and without the usual question-dodging common to all fashion celebrities' interviews, this is Stella in all her glory.

I HEART Bottega Veneta

I have become obsessed with this gorgeous grecian dress from Bottega Veneta worn by Gossip Girl Leighton Meester last month at the Emmys. When I say obsessed I mean it. I have looked everywhere on the web to try to find it until I read it retails for about £7,000. Is it sad/pathetic to have chosen my wedding dress even if I am not engaged? Actually I don't need an answer to this question, this is my dream dress and who cares what people think...

YSL cage boots still make my heart leap

I have heard so many sceptics saying the fabulous YSL cage boots (Spring 09) wouldn't make it to the next season... Well I went out for dinner with one of my friends who is lucky enough to own a pair in black and I can tell you that each time I see her walking in these little gorgeous structural miracles I can't focus on anything else...

I was only wearing my less extravagant studded sandals (how much I love the high street in this country) but decided to capture the moment anyway...

The devil wears Prada but...

I have never worn plimsolls in my life but thought that shop sign on Bricklane was comedy (loving the misspelling too)

East is the new West

Who would dare disagree?!