THE MODERN OXFORD

Me wearing: my Gap 'Modern Oxford' shirt, with Sass & Bide jeans and sandals by Mogul.

I've had that back to school feeling this week which makes me want to stock up on basics, and as it's still too mild for knitwear, I turned my attention to shirts!
With masculine tailoring about to take over for autumn/winter’12 (menswear cuts have influenced everything from suiting to outerwear), it's the season to discard femininely cut, dart riddled shirts, and instead opt for traditional men’s styles. 

Introducing Gap’s Modern Oxford, a very well made, take on the menswear classic. It’s relaxed in fit, slightly oversized, and far chicer than borrowing your boyfriends! I snapped up this blue one and a white version in the Gap sale for a bargainess £17.99, putting me in great stead for the season ahead. 

In detail: note the traditional three button cuff.

Up close: I love the mannish hem on this Gap shirt too.

To buy The Modern Oxford shirt by Gap, click here. 

CHINTI & PARKER'S STELLAR SWEATER

Me wearing: my new Chinti & Parker star sweater, with Paige Denim for Liberty jeans, and Ked's x Opening Ceremony trainers. 

I’m a big Chinti & Parker fan, and have been since cousins Anna Singh and Rachael Wood launched the London based, ethically responsible, label in October 2009.
Their chic line of wholesome yet elegant basics are style rather than trend led, yet always fit with the current season, and that couldn’t be more so of their cashmere motif sweaters- enter this particularly gorgeous navy and white star one.
It’s not the the first season Chinti & Parker have done this style (I’m sure you’ve seen Alexa Chung in her’s) but with lots of fun patterns in the fashion spotlight this autumn/winter it’s extra relevant now. And frankly in super soft cashmere and a perfect fit, I could resist no longer! 

Click to shop: Chinti & Parker's cashmere star motif sweater, £350. 

To see and shop Chinti & Parker’s full collection, click here.

LABEL L♥VE: THREE FLOOR

Three Floor: SUN 'DEL' REY dip hem shirt £49, SWISH sequin skirt £68. Topshop sandals, my own.

I was blown over when I first clapped eyes on Three Floor's collection, and then had to double take when I spotted their very reasonable prices! As I'm sure you'll agree it's not often you come across a label that's as gorgeous and dynamic as this one, and affordable too!

Not yet even a year old, London based Three Floor, was founded by Central St. Martins Graduate Han Chong, and his business partner Yvonne Hoang, who launched the online fashion brand in November 2011. 

Their aim is to create affordable design, in feminine silhouettes with luxe fabrics. And going by their current collection alone, I think they've cracked it! 

I love Three Floor's playful approach to proportion, use of layering and the variety of textures and fabrics they employ, not to mention their striking use of colour. The  clean, fluid lines of their current collection and softly tailored pieces- some with a fab sports luxe vibe, combine to achieve an effortless, high impact look- all for under £140! Watch this space. 

Three Floor: DELIGHT dress £138.

Three Floor: POESY skater dress £118. Sunglasses by Linda Farrow.

Three Floor: MODELS OWN jumpsuit £89. Sunglasses by Linda Farrow as before.

Three Floor: DIZZY SPELL print shorts £56, cami by The Kooples, my own.

Three Floor: HIDDEN GEM midi dress £138.

To see and shop Three Floor’s full collection, click here. 

CHARMED: ASTLEY CLARKE'S COLLECTABLES

Astley Clarke's detachable 18 carat gold vermeil, sterling silver and semi-precious stone charms can be attached to any chain necklace or link bracelet.

Sooo it’s my birthday this coming Monday and there’s a little something I’ve got my eye on, in fact it’s safe to say I’m little obsessed... 

I’ve been coveting Astley Clarke’s gorgeous detachable charms for a while now, I treated myself to the pave peace sign last summer, and a bit before that I snapped up the mini locket too, both of which I wear on chains as necklaces, either singularly as a pendent, or in a charm cluster with other bits and pieces I’ve collected.

But this year Astley Clarke launched the most gorgeous charm bracelets I’ve seen in ages, and I’ve wanted one ever since I clapped eyes on them! As even though these beauties look sleek and contemporary, they’re still as enchanting and romantic as one you might find at an antiques market, and you can’t say fairer than that! 

The concept is simple: you buy a naked link bracelet (the one I have my eye on is half gold links and half pearls but they come in all gold or silver too) and then you adorn it with detachable charms, and the best thing is, the bracelets look beautiful on their own, and then just get better and better the more charms you add to them... Until it's full... Then if you’re anything like me you’ll probably want a second, ah well it’ll be Christmas before we know it!

Obsessed: Astley Clarke's pearl and 18 carat gold vermeil chain charm bracelet.

To see and shop Astley Clarke’s charm collection, click here. 

THE ART OF PACKING: A LESSON LEARNT

Me cycling in France wearing: a Zoe Jordan dress with Riviera shoes.

My boyfriend has been trying to make me pack light pretty much since we starting going on holiday together thirteen years ago, and this summer with the help of the b****** at Ryanair, he succeeded! At £50 a pop to check-in a 15k(!) bag,  I was finally forced to learn how to 'pack light.' 

But I must confess it wasn't without a bit of help from an expert at Louis Vuitton... I made an appointment to see their Master Packer, based in the Bond Street store,  (for research purposes for a Grazia packing feature) but considering I've been packing suitcases for fashion shoots for many years now, I wasn't holding my breath that I'd learn anything new, how wrong I was! 

First up I discovered that packing the perfect case is neither about folding or rolling all your holiday clobber but a combination of the two (it sounds obvious but it's not, and makes such a difference!). Another school boy error I'd been making is putting all my shoes and heavy item at the bottom of my case- instead of spreading them out. In short: you should think of your case as a jigsaw puzzle you're putting together in layers, filling in all the tiny gaps as you go. The Master Packer also taught me how to pack a  crease free shirt (yes it is possible!!!) as well as many other genius little gems, but don't take my word for it, head to the store and see for yourself!

Armed with the Louis Vuitton Master Packer's tips and tricks, and the wrath and penalties of the Ryanair baggage allowance breathing down my neck I decided to give 'packing light' a whirl for once in my life… perhaps I can survive without my usual 15 cardies and countless belts for a 10 day break after all! 

So I took a tip from my partner in crime, Sophie Ferguson Jones, and not only did I pack loosely planned outfits, I did so in colour coordinating items, which gave me loads more outfit options than I'd ever managed to fit in a frankly small holdall before! And despite the fact that my boyfriend had to have all my magazines and toiletries in his case, I think I did really, really well! …Even if I do say so myself! 

And here's the proof, a montage of my holiday outfits, I wore everything I packed for the first time EVER: 

Bergerac, France, August 2012.

A BEAUTY(FUL) WEDDING INDEED!

The blushing bride: Lauren Murdoch-Smith. 

My dear friend, and Grazia’s Beauty Editor, Lauren Murdoch-Smith is one of the most naturally stylish and meticulous people I know, so I never doubted for one second that her wedding to long-term boyfriend Ben Carstairs would be anything but gorgeously romantic and amazingly considered but that’s exactly what it was. 
From the incredible flowers adorning the entrance and pews of St. Michaels church, Buckinghamshire where the ceremony took place, to the live music, flowing champagne, delicious food, genius photobooth and gorgeous table decorations, bridey really had thought of everything! Ensuring a truly brilliant day was had by all. 

But what about the dress? I hear you cry! Well firstly, Lauren looked out of this world, so, so, so, amazing, and radiant, and gorgeous! Her dress is one of the most beautiful I have ever seen...ever! I mean, the bride looked positively regal when she walked down the aisle, so graceful in Monique Lhuillier.

But as well as stunning, Lauren’s dress is a multi-tasker too... I was blown away by how it cleverly evolved throughout the course of the day: for the ceremony she also wore a divine, coordinting raised collared cape, then as we sat down to eat Lauren reappeared without it, showing off, fully, her dress' impeccable fit and beautiful detailing- I spotted the pretty pearl buttons at thirty paces (one of my favourite features). Then just when I thought Lauren’s dress couldn’t get any better she made her third entrance of the day, but this time it had been reduced to an above the knee, ultra modern number, freeing bridey to dance the night away...and we all did just that.  

CONGRATULATIONS you gorgeous pair! 

A vision in lace: Lauren outside St. Michaels church after the ceremony, in her Monique Lhullier dress.

Zooming in: Lauren decorated the church entrance with a spectacular collection of beautiful flowers.

Lauren's lovely bridesmaid Jessica Hogan wearing a bespoke dress.

Just married: Mr. & Mrs. Carstairs! Ben wore a perfect navy bespoke suit from Saville Row with a  Marwood tie.

Newlyweds: Charlie & Sophie Baillie/Ferguson Jones! 

Us next please! Me with my boyfriend Gary Journeaux.

Lauren's magnificent dress, complete with lace cape.

The boys (from left): Groomie Ben, Gary and Charlie both in suits by The Kooples. 

All in the details: my pretty name place and Dior goodie!!!

 AND US GUESTS WORE...

Me wearing: a dress by Three Floor, Kipepeo filigree earring and Topshop sandals.

Make-up artist Rachel Singer-Clark wearing: pastel dress by Fendi, Rupert Sanderson sandals, chandelier earrings by 
Kenneth Jay Lane and Christian Louboutin clutch.

Grazia's Beauty Director Liz Hambleton wearing: vintage dress, Topshop shawl, Zara jacket, handbag from H&M,  
turquoise jewellery by Michael Kors and Yves Saint Laurent and lace booties by Dior.

Fellow Grazia Fashion Editor Sophie Ferguson Jones wearing: Whistles dress, earrings by Marni, H&M neon sandals,
and Raoul clutch bag.

Harpers Bazaar Bookings Editor Holly Martin wearing: dress by Zara, fascinator from John Lewis, shoes by Carvela
 and Cos clutch bag.

Grazia's Strategic Director Fashion & Retail Becky Gee wearing: Raoul dress, Vanessa Bruno jacket, bag by Chanel,
chandelier earrings, and Russell & Bromley sandals.

Lauren and Ben dancing the night away. 

A FRENCH FAREWELL!

Me wearing my navy Rivieras shoes, with a denim shirt and shorts, both by Gap and sunnies from Littlewoods.

Today I'm biding you au revoir for now, as I head off to France for my summer hols… 10 days of  fromage, vin, and relaxation, but before I go, I wanted to share with you my new obsession: Rivieras! 

Lighter than Converse but not as flimsy as a flat espadrille, these canvas and cotton mesh slip-ons, maybe just be the perfect summer holiday shoe!

Originally worn on Spain's celebrated Costa Blanca in the years just after the war, Rivieras' redesign has stayed true to its roots, and their contemporary offering, which comes in an amazing rainbow of colours, is ideal for adding that highly desirable '50s twist to off-duty looks. 

Perfect for a stroll or bike ride in the French countryside, non?

To see and shop the complete Rivieras collection, click here. 

OBSESSION DU JOUR: EQUIPMENT'S SOPHIE BLOUSE

Me wearing: my 'Sophie' Equipment blouse with Fleur B shorts, accessorised with a Raoul bag and Topshop sandals.

Look at this gorgeous blouse! She has a name, it's Sophie and I'm totally obsessed! Truth be told I'm rather fanatical about Equipment's entire new collection! 
Incase you don't already know: Equipment are the blouse brand, well shirts really- in fact it was Equipment who originally introduced the male staple into women's wardrobes back in the '70s, when it was under the direction of Christian Restoin, who sited Katharine Hepburn and Lauren Bacall as his inspirations for the label.
Now the 21st century incarnation of Equipment is headed up Current/Elliott's Serge Azria, whose gorgeous way with colour and keen eye for detailing has made Equipment's refined tailoring a fashionista staple once again! 
But don't just take my word for it, check out more of the collection here.

Click to buy: Equipment's 'Sophie' blouse, £220 at Net-a-porter.com

BARE LEGS & RAINCOATS

Family outing: me, my sister Charlotte and our mother Marie-Ange, in our Gap, Warehouse and Reiss coats.

As everyone's painfully aware, we've had Britain's wettest summer on record, and bar last week's mini heat wave, and a few hot days here and there, it's been pretty chilly in Blighty too, so I made a sartorial decision… back in June, when I looked down and realised I was wearing an outfit very similar to one I might sport in December(!), that I was going to dress for summer…even if we weren't having one! 

In essence this has meant A) I didn't pack away my cashmere jumpers this years, and instead I've been layering them over summer dresses. B) That printed jeans with pretty sandals have become my no-sun-summer uniform. And C) that no matter how much I may want to show off a new summer ensemble, I don't leave home without a raincoat! (Despite what my weather may app tell me, or the early morning sunshine try to suggest!) It is essential. Case in point, me, my sister, and our mum, snapped here on a recent family day out, it makes me smile to see the three of us looking more similar (outfit wise) than we have in years, highlighting that for summer 2012: bare legs and raincoats really are the only way to go!