Everybody's wearing... White Shirts

If someone told me at the start of this season that the one item I'd need was a white shirt, I would have hibernated in my polar bear PJ's with the new box set of Gossip Girl, and no-one would have heard from me till there was blossom on the trees.

In case you hadn't already guessed, I find a white shirt somewhat unremarkable. Yet, styled right, this item will be the most coveted item in this Winter's wardrobe.

Celebs are lining up left, right and centre for a piece of the shirt action. Gwyneth Paltrow tucked her silk shirt into black tailored shorts and teamed it with a metallic clutch, understated black courts and a long pendent necklace. This outfit is effortless sophistication at its best.

Leighton Meester gets double fashion points - pairing her shirt with the season's cargo trousers. Like Leighton, leave a few buttons undone and go for short or rolled up sleeves for day time wear. Add a big bag and statement heels in a muted tone to sex up the look.

A new trend doesn't really exist until Sienna's worn it. Miss Miller modernises the classic shirt and trouser office ensemble, with a military shirt. Gold buttons galore and sharp shoulders glam up the dark trousers. Not one to shy away from attention, Sienna spices things up with a 60s inspired, stack heeled platform. What a beaut!

Topshop have some gorgeous takes and cater for all price bands. Follow in Sienna's footsteps with the Gold Button Military Shirt, £38 or try the Side Tuck Short Sleeve Blouse, £38 to re-create casual chic a la Leighton.

If, like me, you're not quite sure about the white shirt, opt for a patterned or coloured blouse - but remember this look is about quiet sophistication, the cut and fabric is eye-catching enough, a loud print is not needed.

Warehouse have a beautiful navy Swallow Print Blouse, £55. Alternatively, Reiss has some exquisite lace blouses and military shirts ranging from a dove grey to a fuscia pink, starting at £79.

It's time to get hot under the collar!

Book Club - The Interpretation of Murder by Jed Rubenfeld

Credit must be given to Mr Rubenfeld, this novel suggests that he will not be a one-off sensation. Fuelled with research and attention to detail, it is a historical thriller with Shakespearean and Freudian focuses, as compelling and engaging as the Da Vinci Code from the off.

In 1909, Sigmund Freud arrived in New York, his first visit to America. The finer details of his Manhattan stay are clouded with mystery, but one can be sure they left a psychological scar. Freud expressed a great dislike of America thereafter, and blamed various neuroses on his sojourn in the great city.

Rubenfeld uses this mystery as the starting point for his first novel, intertwining fiction and reality. On the morning Freud arrives, the body of a young, beautiful debutante is discovered in her penthouse. Soon after, Nora Acton, another member of the social elite is found tied to a chandelier, with no memory of the assault, and unable to speak or identify her attacker.

With the assistance of Freud, Dr Younger, a student psycho-analysist, attempts to recover Nora's memory and discover her attacker.

The novel is packed with ravished damsels, power-hungry psycho-analysists, sinister aristocrats, complicated family relationships and corrupt police officers. There can be no doubt that Rubenfeld throws himself fully into his topic of choice, and has researched the setting (New York city in the early 1900s) with painstaking care. In fact, one of the novel's greatest feats is the detailed descriptions and information shared. The tour of the city is expansive and the detail about machinery, such as how a caisson works, and cultural systems in place at the time, is authoritative and a great asset. This detail could easily have made the book slow-moving and heavy, but combined with the never ending action, suspense and mystery there was no such problem.

I particularly enjoyed the combination of the detective genre, Freudian theories and literary references, as well as the spilt narration.

Although, Rubenfeld lacks some of the balance and skill of a more experienced writer, he makes up for it in his own confidence and conviction in his writing. A stylish novel full of twists and turns - but perhaps, too rushed and confusing an ending.

Style de la semaine

I am loving Victoria Beckham's recent switch to a more relaxed wardrobe. This forest green, sixties-style shift shows Victoria at her best - elegant, sophisticated and looking particularly youthful. The perfect outfit for a meeting in New York city.

It is always a surprise to see Victoria in anything other than sky-high heels, but these monochrome ballet pumps are a cute alternative and the bow ensures they are bang on trend.

As always, the addition of over sized sunnies, gives Victoria that star edge, but her tousled hair keeps the look modern, simple and effective. Wool Crepe Shift Dress, £395, Goat.

Anne Hathaway has upped her game in the fashion stakes, sporting two Winter trends at a recent charity event. Teaming a pleated, 3/4 length leather skirt with a silky white blouse, Anne abandoned her fashion comfort zone.

A flash of nude heels with ankle straps sexed up the look, as did the daring red lippy. Jewellery was kept simple, with a delicate gold pendent necklace and small black watch. Impressive work!

In my eyes, Blake Lively never gets it wrong, and this week's attendance at the Lorraine Schwartz 2BHappy collection launch surely cements her place in 2010's best dressed lists.


Nude has been 'the colour' for so long, that I'm surprised any celebrity would opt to wear it, let alone be able to make it look fresh and new. Yet, Blake did just that in this blush Versace corset dress. The separate silk and shimmering panels emphasised Blake's curves, ensuring all eyes were on her.

Paired with towering chocolate brown strappy Christian Louboutin heels and Lorraine Schwartz droplet earrings, Blake was the essence of glamour. A sleek up-do and bronze toned make-up finished off this sassy but opulent look.

Two are better than one

Started on the Chanel A/W 2010 catwalks, a penchant for doubling up on jewellery has spread like quick-fire. No matter what trend you're sporting, accessories speak volumes, and in the season of all things glittering and sparkling now is the time to add a pinch of maximalism to your look. Double up the dose of bracelets - one on each wrist (but always matching). The one rule: bracelets have to be big. Opt for sophisticated and gem like, a la Emily Blunt, to create the perfect glamorous look for a Christmas party. Alternatively, make like the Missoni catwalk and mix chrome cuffs with blanket knits, ribbed leggings and capes to create the perfect daytime layered look.

Everybody's wearing... Knee high socks

Over dinner last week a friend gushed about her latest purchase - I was expecting something extravagant, a fierce pair of peep toe boots or a luscious cable-knit jumper, instead I was presented with a pair of knee high socks.

Usually a humble and hidden accessory, socks are coming into their own this season. Dare to bare your legs, teaming yours with a jumper dress, leather bomber and shoeboots; for those a little less brave, wear socks over tights or leggings and a loose fitting floaty mini.

The search for the perfect coat: a lesson learnt

As shoppers, we demand so many qualities in a coat, it is almost comical. The perfect coat must be warm but not heavy, easy to wear (suitable for both day and evening); it should be good quality and manufactured to last, but it cannot be too pricey nor uncomfortable; it will need to go with both trousers, skirts and dresses, and must be both casual and smart; most importantly, it has to represent our individual style while being on-trend. This much is certain, coat shopping is no easy task.

And I, like many women, celebrate the turning of the seasons with a visit to the high street to stock up on the essential items. As the leaves fall from the trees in Autumn I invest in boots, jumpers and scarves, despite having many tumbling out of my wardrobe from the year before. And the arrival of Winter means the purchase of a new coat.

This is usually planned to precision. There is research online - to identify key trends, and search out possible purchases. Next is a visit to the shops, which includes meticulous studying of each item - checking the fabric, the care instructions, the fit. This is all vital. The whole experience is particularly satisfying, as the final purchase is well thought out and justified.

This Winter the choices are endless: trench, pea coat, parka, cape; camel, shearling, military, biker. So it would be logical to presume that my tradition of being 'a fussy shopper' would sit perfectly. After all, no one wants to spend money on an item only to realise a week later they do not love it. Yet, this year I had not given the annual coat purchase much thought or time. Today, as the cold climate really began to bite, I brought a cape with no more than 10 minutes consideration. It was liberating.
A dark blue wool, with chocolate brown leather lapels and a folded down collar flashing a lining of shearling. This Winter item will sit perfectly with both jeans and a dress, and while being on-trend it looks stylish and sophisticated.

This experience could be considered enlightening. Although, it is wise to be a sensible shopper, to think through purchases (especially if they come with a high price tag), too much planning can take the umph out of fashion. It is the connection with an item on a hanger that makes it most fun, it is holding a piece up in front of a shop mirror and realising it suits you that makes it thrilling. To plan too concisely takes away from the whole experience. My advice: have fun with it.

Book Club - Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

I first tried to read this novel over a year ago, I picked it up, read the first page and felt underwhelmed and disappointed. I put it down and added it to my 'will read one day' list. With a Hollywood film of the novel being released this winter (and with no less than a talented star studded cast), now seemed the ideal moment to give it another go. I am so glad I did.

This time around there was no hesitant, slow beginning that I remembered (or possibly imagined) from before. Instead, there was a strong and distinct voice that gripped me from the first page. It begins somewhat hauntingly: 'My name is Kathy H. I'm thirty-one years old, and I've been a carer now for over eleven years.'

The novel follows Kathy, a 31 year old carer living in England in the late 1990s, as she looks back over her schools. What at first seems like a near-perfect childhood, full of caring guardians, fun classes and friendships, soon alters into something chilling and sinister. Words such as 'donations', 'students' and 'complete' suddenly take on new, significant but unexplained meaning.

Although a science-fiction novel in topic, there is no sign of this in the text. At the centre of the story is the enduring friendship between Kathy, Tommy and Ruth. Ishiguro refuses to discuss the finer details of cloning, making the occasional references to the process all the more terrifying.

In fact, understatement is used to great effect in the novel. The students' quiet acknowledgement of what they face in the future (they consider it to be their duty, the reader considers to be an inhumane injustice), only emphasises the reader's feelings of frustration on their behalf. The novel raises piercing questions about exploitation and humanness, more through the subtle and precise voice than through the topic itself. This stirs a range of emotions in the reader from compassion to guilt to shock.

What Kathy is unsure of, the reader is left in the dark about, and it is this excruciating curiosity that pushes the story along. Of course, the mystery and illusion keeps the reader hooked till the final word. This is one of the many strengths of the novel. Ishiguro has struck gold. There is a strong plot, careful and intelligent characterisation, and a beautifully quiet but occasionally melancholy narrative. A heart wrenching, intriguing and worthwhile read.

Book Club - Wideacre, The Favoured Child and Meridon by Philippa Gregory

It is rare that I read a trilogy or series of books, especially one directly after another. When I first read Wideacre, I was unaware it was one of three titles based on the Lacey family and their grand estate in Sussex; the novel was strong and complete in its own right. But a trilogy is was, and boy am I pleased about that.

Wideacre tells of a rich squire's daughter, Beatrice. She is passionate, intelligent and devious, and will do anything to own the Wideacre estate, which by eighteenth century law must go to her brother. This book is full of delicious scandal!

Despite, Beatrice's corruption and deceit, I somehow continued to sympathise with her - quite an achievement on Gregory's part. I loved the moments where Beatrice was shown to be tender, but her fierce and ambitious side made a thrilling read.

The Favoured Child, follows Julia Lacey and her cousin Richard as they grow up on Wideacre. My favourite of the three novels, it was fast paced, unpredictable and gripping. One of its many strengths was the sense of familiarity Gregory created by using some characters from the first novel. Another factor was the vivid writing. Narrated by Julia, the prose was warm and heart-felt. It created rich pictures of Julia as she grows from a child to a young woman. I could not help but hate Richard with a passion; there is no doubt he was spoilt, cruel and selfish, a true villain. I willed Julia on, hoping she would develop the Lacey trait of courage.

Meridon begins away from Wideacre. This concerned me at first, I was unsure Gregory would be able to continue my interest in the Laceys away from their estate. But Meridon's childhood as a gypsy with a circus added new life and excitement to the series, making it impossible for me to resist being absorbed. As beautifully descriptive, and equally frustrating as the previous two novels (at times I wanted to shout at the characters), Meridon keeps the reader in suspense until the final pages with a satisfying, but not predictable ending.

The novels are more than just light-hearted fiction, each considers serious topical issues of the time. The inequalities between men and women, the injustice of the justice system, the rules that kept the poor down and the rich wealthy and the difficulties girls face as they grow into young women.

One of my previous dislikes of Gregory's writing was her tendency to begin her novels with a slow, descriptive passage. These three novels were an exception - the opening pages were cleverly placed, symbolic to the rest of the story or straight into the action. Characterisation was strong, with no unnecessary characters or dialogue. The three Lacey women as narrators were particularly intriguing, maintaining a balance between being familiar and individual. My only fault was that Gregory occasionally repeats herself in order to emphasise the important points she wants the reader to pick up on. A little more faith in her readers' common sense would not go amiss. But this is a small complaint in light of an otherwise fantastic read. I cannot praise Gregory enough.

Eat, Prey, Love: Film Review

This film is not a typical romantic-comedy. It certainly has all the ingredients - a broken heart, some soul searching, new friendships, new romantic interests. But it is a step beyond the usual chick-flick. It is more mature and intelligent; the central theme is focused on self examination, discovery and finding a love for life. It is more a case of 'does she find happiness?' and 'does she find herself?', than 'does she get the man?'

These may sound like corny and superficial questions, and therefore you'd be forgiven for assuming the film is shallow and cheesy, but it is not. It is a sophisticated attempt to tackle issues that have plagued women for some time. And I was completely taken in.

Julia Roberts shone brightly, as always. Her portrayal of Elizabeth, a 30-something newly divorcee travelling the world, successfully combines Elizabeth's confidence in her career and writing, and her fragility and uncertainty in her sense of self.

Javier Bardem, plays Felipe, Elizabeth's new love-interest, and is surprisingly good. I, unlike most, am not a fan of Bardem. Before watching the film, I presumed he would be a poor and disappointing casting choice. Instead, he was lively, refreshing and portrayed Felipe's vulnerability and tenderness perfectly. The chemistry between himself and Roberts was realistic and heart-warming.

The film was packed with wry humour, exquisitely polished shots, strong script writing and good quality acting. The film itself was a luxury to watch. Every scene was full of colour and beauty, there was breathtaking scenery and mouthwatering food. It will not provoke an array of emotions, nor provide answers to all your own problems. But for me, it was inspirational - I am now desperate to visit Italy, and learn the language. I am also keen to become a master of Italian cooking. There is an original story here. My suggestion... wait till this comes out on dvd, then sit back with a glass of a good wine, and enjoy.

Leopard print... hits the spot

One of my most treasured possessions is a faux-fur leopard print coat from Miss Selfridge. Only purchased last year, this coat is the bearer of numerous compliments, and I cannot wait for the colder climates to breeze in, so I can adorn myself in it once more.

You see, I am a leopard-lover. Currently, my jungle wardrobe includes one silk dress from Warehouse, a floaty Topshop skirt with large pockets and zip detail, a sultry La Senza lingerie set, a somewhat faded T-shirt and a pair of ballet pumps (so old I have no idea of their origin), all in leopard print.

I would go as far as saying that I love leopard more than any other print. Floral is cute and feminine, but it lacks sex appeal. Zebra is quirky and original, but hard to find. Tribal - now this is one that truly rivals leopard, but as striking as it may be it does not carry the charm and daring attitude suggested by a leopard print.

Yet, this print seems to divide the style set quicker than a Team-Monalo vs Team-Choo debate. It is clearly because leopard print can so easily go wrong - there is a very, very fine line between tarty and tasteful. Some fear the print is just too brazen.

That is not something that concerns the felines of the celebrity jungle. Everyone from Sophie Dahl to Lily Allen to Katie Holmes are sporting the trend this winter. And love it or loathe it you will find it difficult to avoid the big cat spots this season. The catwalks for Autumn/Winter 2010 were lavished in the print, and this time is wasn't just the usual suspects taking part. Giorgio Armani made his luxurious and classic tailoring pop with a glimpse of a leopard belt or shoe. Even Dries Van Noten seemed to have a soft spot for leopard ladies, pairing his metallic, slouchy trousers with a leopard printed swing jacket. And my-wardrobe.com has a range of leopard treats including the luscious Kenley Snow Leopard scarf and Kurt Geiger's sexy platform peep toe.


The high street, of course, has also gone leopard mad. ASOS ups the game with 252 items in the exotic print, ranging from Converse Hi-tops to leggings and jumpsuits.

For the faint-hearted among us, my advice is to start small. A simple scarf, a la Sarah Jessica Parker or a cute cross the shoulder bag like Florence. If, like me you don't need to start small, and in fact can't get enough of the print, this winter is the perfect season for you. Make a statement at your Christmas party with a floor length design in the style of Rachel Bilson and Kelly Clarkson. For those who are even more daring, try an original take on the print like Olivia Palermero, who opted for a pink leopard print mini dress and a leopard waist belt.