Ashish for Topshop: Olympic Fashion

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With the opening ceremony for the Olympics in London tomorrow, it seemed fitting to illustrate how the high street is embracing this momentous occasion. The designer Ashish has embraced the sporting fever by releasing a mini capsule collection for Topshop. Their relationship has lasted for eight collections so far, Ashish always producing tongue in cheek designs in bold graphics. Who could forget the doughnut sweatshirt in the last collection?


This time Ashish has used common sporting phrases and mixed these with common Althetic colours. The mixed flag jogging bottoms would look great with a plain tee and wedged trainers as you cheer on team GB. What do you think about the collection? Would you splurge on one of these items to look fashionable at the Olympics? 

Marks and Spencer in Fashion Crisis?

My complete Marks and Spencer outfit at £43 (shoes, bag, necklace not inc)

Recently I have been hearing with great sadness that Marks and Spencer's has been struggling in the current economic climate. It has been reported that they have had a 6.8% fall in sales of general merchandise, the worst they have had in three years. This illustrates that the British store, which has been around for 128 years could be in jeopardy. 

When I heard this news I was admittedly confused. The brand have, in my eyes, only been improving. With their ranges like Limited Collection and Autograph they now appeal to the younger adult, and their basics are still fantastic quality. But unfortunately my opinion appears to be the minority. Kate Bostock, who has been the head of clothing for Marks and Spencer's for the past eight years has reportedly had to step down due to these low figures.

 I can only say I am baffled. Marks and Spencer's never falters with quality, their prices are still completely competitive against the other high street stores and they do create stylish garments. But something must have changed. Maybe their attempts at re-branding, with fancy adverts and celebrity models, have not been quite as effective as they, and indeed I, first thought. 

Marks and Spencer's do not try to be Topshop, or Urban or even Zara. But this does not mean that if you like these shops you should rule out M&S. Recently I checked out their sale and found this gorgeous pink blazer for £20. These on-trend silky pyjama pants were also in the sale at £20 and there was this pale pink tank at £4. That is under £50 for an outfit I know I will wear again and again because of the high quality of the fabrics and great fit. 

Hopefully this outfit will inspire you to take a look inside M&S again and see what they have to offer. Please let me know on what you think of this topic. What can Marks and Spencer's do to compete with the other high street retailers? 

I love this pink blazer because it is so versatile, perfect for summer days&nights: £20

These trousers are a great fit, hiding my tummy and accentuating my waist: £20

I accessorised by adding this Topshop chain necklace (old) and Clarks stud sandals (old)

Get TOWIE style on the High Street: Billi Mucklow

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In celebration of hit TV show 'The Only Way is Essex' returning to our screens tomorrow at 10pm, here is how to steal one of our favourite Essex girl's style. Billi Mucklow was pictured wearing this very pink number at Now Magazine's 'Smart Girls Fake It' party. I have chosen to copy this look as it is refreshing to see one of the girls wearing something that is a bit of risk and not another body-con. Although it might not be to everyone's taste, I love the mix of textures and nude shoes. The only thing I would have changed is the bag. This stud one from River Island would have made the look more edgy. 

From left: Topshop £20, River Island £20 and Topshop (sale) £10

I managed to get this look for a mere £50! Once again the high street never fails if you are inspired by a celebrity look. What do you think of this outfit? Would you choose designer or my high street pick?

My bargain of the Week: Urban Outfitters £9 Tee

I found this t-shirt when I visited Cardiff last week. It was hanging on its own amongst a bunch of dresses in Urban Outfitters. I snapped it up immediately, as I knew the dip dye/ tie dye print is totally on trend and would look great with some jeans. They only had a large so I wear it baggy, but I like the slouchy look. I also have a suspicion that it is supposed to be a cropped tee, so the extra size makes it that bit longer- and easier to wear! At £9 it is a fashion steal!

Here I have added a Topshop necklace which I also got in the sale. Urban has some great items still in the sale so if you have one near, definitely pop in. Let me know if you get any last minute bargains!

A fashion sing-off: Rihanna for River Island and Lana del Rey for H&M

This week has been one of big high street announcements as two of the biggest brands in the UK have released news of collaborations that will surely hit the high notes amongst the British public.

In the spring of 2012 we will be able to wear a clothes designed by the good girl gone bad, Rihanna. She commented on 'wanting to design a collection for some time. River Island is the perfect partner for me to collaborate with and working with a British, family run business also really appealed to me. I find London really inspiring and River Island loves to have fun with clothes. I'm looking forward to working with them and creating something really special.' 


That something special is for the public to only imagine. If it were this summer I could definitely see some cute crop tops and tiny denim shorts- but maybe that is too obvious a choice for the pop queen? 


River Island are clearly delighted with acquiring this star, as they try to catch up with the likes of Topshop who have had incredible success with various collaborations. They explained how coupled with Rihanna's style icon status and her fashion experience she will create a range that will be popular with her fans.

Rihanna models River

Never a shop to be outdone, H&M quickly released pictures of their very own pop starlet modelling their clothes. Lana Del Rey, my personal favourite newcomer this year (who cannot love that album), will be the model for the Autumn/Winter 2012/13 campaign and star in a commercial for the high street store. 

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H&M wanted the look to be all about a soft feminine silhouette, with lots of curves and lush fabrics. This sounds like the perfect fashion combination for the modern woman! I am already in love with this jumper, which Lana models beautifully. H&M were right, she was 'the perfect choice'. 

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The Graduate Girl

Possibly the most uncomfortable outfit I have ever worn, the cap and gown will never make the catwalk. Here I am with my gorgeous boyfriend who wears Ted Baker. 

How did 12 days go so fast? I cannot believe my last post was such a long time ago. But please forgive me, as I have been uber busy trying out too many different jobs, then finally donning my cap and gown for my graduation (!). I have seen that lots of bloggers have done Instragram posts of their week so as I have been trying to take more pictures to illustrate my current chaos! 


Graduation was probably my hardest fashion challenge as there were so many factors to consider. I needed something that was quite long to contain my dignity as I did not fancy showing the audience my underwear. Then it needed to be a colour that actually went with the gown-I went navy as it is my favourite colour and complemented my University colours of claret and silver. I opted for a nude blazer too, but slightly regretted this as it would have probably looked better in silver. However it looked nice with my ankle cuff shoes from River Island so it did not bother me too much. I kept the look pretty simple with only some pearls to add a small touch as the gown is so fussy and heavy anyway! 


I saw some really beautiful outfits by some of the other graduates. My favourite being a yellow prom puff dress a la Carrie Brandshaw which one graduate chose, she told me later it was especially made for the occasion! The peplum was also a popular choice and I think Zara wins the high street graduate prize as many outfits had undoubtedly been brought in their store! It was a memorable day and for any other fellow graduates out there, congratulations! 

Mum & Me: She wears Coast dress and Minuet shrug, I wear Urban Outfitters lace dress, Warehouse jacket and belt

My gorgeous disco pants by Glamorous, but they had a rip in them so I had to send them back :(. Top by River Island, kimono by Zara and heart necklace by Miss Selfridge

This was the outfit I wore to travel in; skirt by Warehouse, top by Topshop, fringed waistcoat by H&M 

Basically bored in the car to Swansea so I admired my nude nails and St Tropez spray tan by Champneys after reading this months Company magazine.

After 3 amazing years, I will never forget this place. 

So, that is a small snapshot of my past week. Now its back to the wonderful world of the high street and everything it has to offer. 

High Street Looks #1

This week, for the first time, I decided to take a picture every day of my outfit choice. The pictures are not the best quality, so bear with me, but hopefully you will get an idea of how I mix the high street into my style. This blog will primarily still have fashion news but, to add a more personal touch, I have opted to see what the reaction is to this sort of post! Please add your comments and tell me if you hate or love my outfit!

merging print

Shirt: Topshop, Sweatshirt: Topshop, Jeans: Marks and Spencer, Bag: Urban Outfitters, Shoes: Topshop

studs and things

Jacket: Miss Selfridge (studs added for customisation), Dress: Asos, Shoes: Clarks

 strawberry picking

Fringed waistcoat: H&M, Vest: Topshop, Trousers: Cheap Monday @Urban Outfitters, Shoes: Schuh, Bag: Urban Outfitters, Headband: Miss Selfridge, Sunglasses: Primark

fifty shades of grey

T-shirt: Urban Outfitters, Jumper: Topshop, Jeans: Vero Moda, Shoes & Bag: Topshop

a rainy day

Raincoat: Limited Collection @Marksandspencers, T-shirt, bag and shoes: Topshop, Jeans: Marks and Spencers

Jacket: River Island, Blouse: Miss Selfridge, Skirt: H&M, Necklace: Primark, Shoes: Marks and Spencers

hired or fired?

River Island Sale: Extra 50 per cent Off with Wristbands

So, I haven't blogged for a week as I have been super busy getting lots of nice content for you and trying to squeeze in job interviews here and there. It has been such an amazing week, with some lows and highs, but by the end, I have finally managed to get a summer job! I am so delighted as it means I can keep trying out all the latest trends for you lot, and finally purchase some disco pants! Before I write about about Wireless Festival and what I've been wearing this week I want to share with you my first ever 8am sale at River Island.

So much fun at the #riverislandsale, so worth the early morning as I bagged one of these!! http://pic.twitter.com/39K131T0

I discovered that River Island where holding an early bird advantage sale on Monday- a mere day before the event. It was hardly advertised, but thanks to Twitter, some information on a special wristband caught me eye. If you were one of the first people to enter a River Island shop when they opened for their sale you would be lucky enough to gain a wristband that entitled you to four items with an extra 50 per cent off. This was too big a bargain to resist! As my local store only had 32 wristbands available I got to the shop the next morning at 6.45am. When I explained this to my nearest and dearest they thought the whole idea was madness. But when I arrived I was the first one in the queue, all too late realising that I should have had an extra hour in bed.

6.45, a bizarrely quiet high street. 

As it started to rain I huddled by the shop, marking my place in the ghostly queue. Soon more people joined me and the excitement grew as students waited before they would have to rush to school. One shopper explained how last year the crowd had been frenzied, with many turning up five minutes before the doors opened and pushing to the front. Last year you could also buy up to ten items with the extra discount.

More students joined the queue, all excitedly discussing what they would buy and joining me as we peered through the windows to plan out what we would buy. One mother tried to calm her daughter, explaining that she did not necessarily need anything and to just have fun. She rolled her eyes in exasperation.

Soon, the doors opened and the wristbands were handed out in a very relaxed way-no pushing or shoving. Thus, so began my first early morning sale shopping experience. I would high recommend it. You are able to rifle through the rails at a calm pace, and you get first pick of all the goodies in an excited atmosphere.

my bargain £6 skirt, the belt alone would cost more than that!

I managed to bag a high low grey jersey skirt for £6, a white camisole for £5, a navy striped blazer for £10 and some plain black trousers for work at £7.50. At under £30, I have never had better bargains!

this blazer sold out in under 2 days at my local store!

Get Jessie J's style on the High Street

Jessie J has fast become a style icon, and it is not just because of the blunt fringe and disco pants. She takes risks, but not in the same extreme style of Gaga, she does it in ways which we can copy too. One of my best friends commented on how much she loved Jessie's look at Hackney Weekend, so I decided to do the hard work for her. I absolutely love re-creating celeb looks using high street fashion, so if you want to know how to steal their style drop me a message on purple_peaches@hotmail.com and I will do a special post just for you! 

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Zara stud white leather jacket in the sale NOW £ 119

1. Topshop 2. American Apparel 3. Topshop 4. Miss Selfridge 5. River Island 6. River Island 7. Office