Bikini Bargains

Finding the right bikini can be a bit of a chore. No matter how pretty it looks on the hanger you can never really tell how good it will look on you until you try it on.

If you've got a holiday booked for this summer, I'd recommend getting your bikini shopping done now. I usually leave it to the last minute and am always disappointed with the lack of choice, so this year I'm planning ahead! I've already got a couple of gorgeous bikini's at bargainous prices; one from H&M (£17.98) and the other from TK Maxx (£12.99!!).

 

The colours on this are gorgeous, especially the contrasting blue beads which are gorgeous. The shimmery burgundy colour is a nice nod to the glamorous seventies trend, and I'll be wearing this with my wide brimmed floppy sun hat.

The bikini I got from TK Maxx is very similar to this pic (from ASOS). The hot pink colour is very flattering and enhances even the palest of skin tones! Some gold aviators and a white flower in the hair will set this off perfectly. Love it!

Have you bought your bikini's / swimsuits yet? Any other bargains out there?

Charlotte x

Burgundy bikini from H&M

Pink bikini (pitcured) from ASOS

Summer evening outfit

There's nothing quite like a cool, crisp glass of wine with great friends whilst wearing a fabulous outfit on hot summer's evening. And with all the beautiful sunny weather we've been spoilt with recently, it's now time to make the transition from warmer winter clothes to summer appropriate attire.

Here's a a smoking hot summer outfit to whet your appetite... 

Jumpsuit: Miss Selfridge
Wedges: Topshop
Necklace: Topshop
Cuff: Topshop
Bag: Aldo
  
So banish those leggings and tights, and let your legs see the light of day!

What do you think?

Charlotte x

Jelly Belly lipglosses! Yum...

Whilst casually perusing River Island's website I came across these delights...Jelly Belly lipglosses!

There is no description, but they must be flavoured like the jelly beans (otherwise what's the point?). The flavours I can see on the packaging are Bubblegum, Blueberry and another one I can't quite make out. Delish!

If I purchase some I shall post a review. They seem like the perfect way to covertly indulge a sweet tooth.

Buy them online here: http://www.riverisland.com/Online/women/gifts--cosmetics/jelly-belly-lip-gloss-and-mirror-599036

Holidays and wishful thinking

Yesterday I was researching luxury break ideas (for my job, not myslef unfortunately) and came across the most stunning resort in Bali via Mr & Mrs Smith. Incidently if you haven't heard of this boutique hotel specialist I sincerely recommend you check it out - they have some incredible hotels and some are quite affordable.

The resort that really blew me away was The Amala. It's basically a collection of private villas where you have your own plunge pool or jacuzzi, you can have wild herb infused steam showers and there are 'wellness gurus' on hand to give you yoga lessons. Oh, and you get a 15 minute massage on arrival.

Image: Mr & Mrs Smith

Image: Mr & Mrs Smith

So naturally the beauty of the resort got me thinking: what would I wear to lounge around the pool if I had limitless funds...

Shorts by Acne
Sandals by Burberry

I adore this swimsuit by Lanvin, and imagine it would be highly flattering on the bust. The great thing too, is that you can wear it as a body if you want. Imagine it under high cut, super wide leg silk palazzo pants and skyscraper gold heels. Fab!

Sandals by Christian Louboutin
Necklaces by Bex Rox

This look is a bit more fun, with the bright pop of colour and the chunky gold necklace. I've been a bit naughty by picking high wedges and heels as footwear for the pool - but I can't resist a bit of glamour! Flats just don't get me going in the same way...

What do you think?

Charlotte x

Hot summer shoes from New Look

Whilst walking past New Look the other day I was stopped in my tracks by a stunning pair of shoes in the window. Peep-toes, in nude suede (I'm guessing imitation), with an intricate cut-out pattern and tie at the front - all in all, perfect for glamming up a multitude of summer looks.

From cute summer tea dresses, to skinny jeans and playsuits, my mind is buzzing with all the satorial combinations that these hot shoes will work with.

But the best part of it all is the price: only £29.99. What a steal!

Heels by New Look

High fashion or just plain ridiculous?

I've been contemplating buying a transparent, white mac from Topshop. My thinking behind this is protection from the abominable Manchester weather (for non-Manchester residents this includes almost continuous rain - apparently it's the wettest city in the UK). Plus, it reminds me lots of the super-cool YSL mac from A/W 2010.

Granted the Topshop version doesn't quite have the same panache as the YSL original, but at a price tage of £35 vs £LOTS, I don't think I can complain too much.

My dilemma is: will I look a total fool or chic city dweller. Hmm, I'm not sure...

The YSL version...

The Topshop version...

What do you think?

Charlotte x

Casual Chic: Outfit of the Day

Ok, so firstly my apologies in not having written a post in a while. I'll save you my excuses and get on with the post!

For this look I've picked out one of my most coveted items for the coming season - a super-soft leather biker. This jacket will update almost any look - it's so versatile and I love it!

The dress and ring from Topshop are an almost perfect colour match in a divine, vivid red. This dress is fab as it can be dressed up or down, with tights or without, and it's a snip at £33.

To finish I've chosen these on trend wedge-boots (is there a better word to describe them?!) teamed with some cosy socks for the comfort factor.

Imagine rouged cheeks, slicks of black eyeliner and shiny, bouncy hair to complete the look.

Boots by River Island
Rings by Topshop

What do you think?

Charlotte x

White Lace and Broderie Anglaise

I've been in love with white lace and broderie anglaise since I saw all those beautiful dresses from Dolce & Gabana for SS/11. So summery, feminine and utterly wearable (especially with the 50's style bra showing through - what a gorgeous detail!).

 

Sadly, the purse strings don't quite extend to a bit of dolce but I was excited to see ASOS's homepage featuring a model wearing a cropped white top with broderie anglaise detailing:

There's nothing quite like that classic combination of crisp white and denim. Add a strong lip shade (try coral for the coming season) and you've got a simple but gorgeous look that works every time.

I can't wait to see what else the high street comes up with - much, much more of the same please! Now to work on this jelly belly in prepartion for the invasion of the crop tops...

Are you loving the D&G creations too?

Charlotte x


Links:
Mode Hunter: http://modehunter.blogspot.com/2010/09/dolce-gabbana-ss11-mfw.html
ASOS: http://www.asos.com/

Sales! Whoopsie...

Money Saving Expert have a great section on sales that are going on at the moment. I've vowed never to shop at French Connection unless its in the sale (they reduced a dress I bought from £135 to £45 - I nearly cried), and they've got some great savings - check out this jacket for £30 from £110...

But, shock horror, I couldn't wait till payday for a fashion fix. I've just purchased these bad boys from Aldo as thy were such a bargain (£27.99 from £80). I've never bought shoes online before so it's a bit of a risk, but I can always take them back if they're hideous!

Do you like? Are there any other sales not to be missed?

Charlotte x

Pay day fashion fix

So far this month I've been really good on the clothes buying front. But as payday approaches there are a few pieces I'm keen to get my hands on. It'd be rude not to!

I absolutely adore this chiffon dress from River Island (£44.99). I'm planning to wear it with brogues and possibly this chunky knit cardi from Miss Selfridge (£45) which looks really cosy:

Do you like my picks? Do you have any pay day fixes of your own lined up?

Charlotte x

Spring colour palette: orange, taupe and gold /copper

Orange seemed to be everywhere on the SS/11 catwalks and I love, love, love it! These colours work wonderfull when you play with the textures of the fabrics: mix gloss with matte, sheer with leather or suede or keep the whole ensemble cotton and linen.

A glint of gold or copper lifts the palette to super-glamorous proportions.



Dress: Zara, jacket: Asos, metal collar: Topshop,
heels: Christian Laboutin





Body: American Apparel,
suede shorts and bracelet: Topshop, tote: Marni,
metallic espadrills: YSL


What do you think?

Charlotte x

Spring colour palette: peach, blue, cream and white

Warm, yet fresh and crisp. Like opening your window on a bright, sunny spring morning and feeling the sea breeze rush through you. That's what the colours in this palette remind me of.

Stiff cotton shirts, floaty feminine dresses and cropped trousers cut to perfection are the items making my shopping list this spring; in the perfect colours to take us out of this bloody miserable winter.

Here are a couple of outfits I'd love to own.



Vest and shoes: Topshop, white bootcut jeans: Citizens of Humaity,
printed scarf: Balmain, arm warmers: DKNY





Sheer shirt: Kookai, belt and capri pants: Zara,
watch: Nixon, pumps: French Sole

 
What do you think?

 

Charlotte x

Moving boldly into Spring

I started today in perfect fashion: bacon sandwich, mug of tea and Vogue. Whilst flicking through said magazine it was impossible not to be struck by the sheer amount of bright colours on offer for the coming season. Clearly a huge trend for SS/11, I personally find the rainbow brights a little cartoony – I don’t particularly want to look like a watermelon.

On the one hand the bursts of bold and clashing colours seem to herald in the warmer weather (fingers crossed), but on the other I absolutely loved the minimal, utility dressing in pared down shades this winter. The clean, sharp lines and elegant fabrics are elements I’m definitely going to be clinging onto for a while longer.



It’s not all bad though. A few pieces really stand out, and in one shade in particular: purple. Here’s some of my favourite pieces for the new season.





Clockwise: Gucci, jumpsuit by Dian von Furstenburg, shoes by Charlotte Olympia, bandeau dress by Maz Azria

 

The luxury of the fabrics and cleverness of the draping / knotting really does it for me. Add in a flash of gold jewellery and a glowing tan and you’re good to go.

What do you think?

Charlotte x

New Year, New Blog!

It's a New Year and what better way to start it than...with a new blog!

I've wanted to start writing a style blog for months and the beginning of 2011 seemed like the perfect opportunity. And that's just why I love the turn of a new year - when everything can start afresh. There's all the goodwill of turning over a new leaf, out with the old and in with the new (and a million other cliches)...essentially an optimism about what lies ahead rather than all the pessimism of what we could have done better last year.

So, with all the goodwill in the world, I hereby launch this fledgling blog 'Walker on the Web' into the big, wide world. Here's to the exciting unknown that 2011 has in store for us all.

Charlotte x