3 OF THE BEST: LEOPARD PRINT DRESSES (FOR EVERY BUDGET)

Every wardrobe needs a leopard print dress, as they're so easy to wear and style. 

London based label Rixo have just launched their first knitwear collection, and the knitted animal print 70s style midi dress is a highlight. If your budget doesn't stretch to Rixo, at the opposite end of the scale, Warehouse have this great high neck animal print midi which looks way more premium than it's £42 price tag. I also love Free People's take on the leopard print midi, overlaid with a floral print, that offers a new spin on the style. The best thing about leopard print dresses? They complement just about every colour palette and personal style; I like to style a mine with flashes of pink for a nod to an 80s aesthetic but you could wear yours with tonal hues or bold pops of colour. In short - anything goes. 

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OUTFIT POST: RIXO LONDON MINI WRAP DRESS

A few weeks ago I fulfilled a long-standing London ambition and paid a visit to The Barbican Conservatory. If you've ever visited Barbican Estate you'll know it's an other worldly kind of place, a brutalist masterpiece that divides like marmite. Some find the ambience oppressive, but I personally love the architecture and would give my right arm to live in the postcode. The Conservatory is hard to access because it's open on select Sunday afternoons only, when I can frequently be found nursing a hangover. It's so worth the effort of a trip however, a tropical hot house of flora and fauna intertwined around imposing brutalist concrete work. The contrast between the botanical and the mad-made is extraordinarily beautiful AND there's real life terrapins in there too. 

The tropical 'Cuba Print' dress that I'm wearing is a long-term sartorial crush for me. It's from a brand called Rixo London that I first came across in Paris when I was working in the same showroom as the Rixo founders during fashion week. The trip to Paris was ill-fated (I ate some dodgy salmon tartare, contracted food poisoning and projectile vomited allover my hotel suite) so I promised myself that after such a crappy experience I'd treat myself to a Rixo dress one day. Two years down the line and I picked this one up for less than half price from Depop, it was still eye-watering expensive, but worth every penny. The cut is so beautiful and so flattering, I think every girl needs a little wrap dress in their wardrobe. This exact Rixo dress isn't available any more but there's lots similar on their site. 

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FESTIVAL FASHION INSPO

When it comes to festival fashion, in the words of J-Lo - I like to cut loose. There’s no better time to experiment - sequins, trinkets, colour, glitter, tie-dye, star-prints... If you’re a fellow sequin fiend, look up London designer Ashish Gupta. I’ve been to several Ashish shows and they’re a riot of colour, fun and inspiration. On the high street, my go-to sequin supplier is Jaded London. I wore this amazing rainbow sequin bodysuit on New Year’s Eve and received so many compliments about it. 

It goes without saying, trinkets complete a festival outfit. I might be biased, but I think RUIFIER's Friends bracelets are the perfect festival accessories; layer up the colourful cords for rainbow wrists. Astley Clarke’s latest collections have also caught my eye – the affordable gemstone pieces will add colour and I am completely obsessed with the little globe motifs.

Festival beauty also offers an opportunity to embrace a fun aesthetic – I’ve just discovered a great beauty brand that is perfect for the season founded by Doe Deere - LimeCrime. Doe’s temporary ‘Unicorn Hair’ dyes are vegan and cruelty free, if I had bleached enough hair I’d be allover these (I’m so desperate to have pink hair, you can't imagine). The big make up trend this summer is glitter 'freckles' as seen at Dior Haute Couture. This is weirdly practical too, there's no prettier way to hide festival day-2 under eye bags! 

1. Biodegradable glitter, In Your Dreams. 2. Friends Happy Bracelet, RUIFIER. 3. Earth Biography pendant, Astley Clarke. 4. Unicorn Hair, LimeCrime. 5. Boyfriend shorts, Topshop. 6. The Goldie Star Struck dress - Realisation Par. 7. High-tops, Converse. 8. Mini Earth pendant, Astley Clarke. 9. Mini dress, Jaded London. 10. Star ear cuffs, Tada and Toy. 11. Trainers, Sophia Webster. 

BEST BUYS - THE SPRING SUMMER 15 SALES

What to buy and what to avoid like a Spencer Matthews chat-up line in the spring/summer sales? I recently read an interesting article on ethical fashion in which sustainability campaigner Livia Firth offered up her advice on our shopping habits; each time you make a purchase ask yourself if you are going to wear the garment 30 times, and if the answers no, put it back. Sound advice to help us all shop with a conscience. So here’s my sales edit with sustainability in mind – timeless investments that you will wear forever. The Breton stripe is a great starting point and J.Crew have several interpretations in sale. Clarks sandals are my summer go-tos, they’re so comfortable you will wear and wear them and these sporty white sandals are on trend, too. Elsewhere investigate The Finery sale which is full of smart tran-seasonal buys like the Danbury lace shift dress that will look great layered over a polo neck once the temperature drops. A great white tee or a transformative piece of costume jewellery is a great buy, too. 

1st column top - bottom: Jennifer leather tote, Jaeger,  £99 £75. Topshop Unique cropped knitted sweater, £60 £30. Metallic sandals, Cos, £135 £94. Raey cotton jersey t-shirt, Matchesfashion.com, £65 £45. 

2nd column top - bottom: Lace-up sailor tee, J.Crew, £68 £47. Netrix Rose white leather sandals, Clarks, £50 £25. Stacking rings, Astley Clarke, from £30. Danbury lace shift dress, Finery, £75 £49. 

3rd column top - bottom: Sheer lips in Play with Fire, Topshop, £8 £3. Bamboo print silk trousers, Whistles, £170 £85. J.Crew tassel earrings, Net-a-porter.com, £60 £30. 

AW14 SALE BUYS TO SEE YOU THROUGH 'TIL SPRING

I'm a big fan of sales shopping online because it allows me to approach carnage with clarity; seductive store environs invariably lead to me impulse buying a heap of cr*p that never see the light of sartorial day. The LFF sale edit has been chosen with wearability and longevity in mind; the below pieces might not be heavily discounted, but you will wear them through Spring and beyond, trust me! But which sites should you be logging on to, credit card in hand? Check out the Net-a-porter sale for luxury goodies - Sophie Hulme, my all-time favourite accessories designer has a selection of pieces in sale - her box clutch is a modern classic. Cashmere lovers should head over to Jigsaw - there's a dedicated sale section to the seductive soft stuff (you can't go wrong with a classic grey crew neck, below). Finally, I hate to agree with Kanye - but leather trousers, in all guises, really are a savvy style buy. They look set to be the piece of SS15 and Mango have a straight cut pair for a criminally cheap £79.99 (below). Snap them up now or you are 'Bound 2' regret it (ouch - sorry!) 

Top row L-R: Hoshi blanket coat, Whistles, was £450 now £250. Sequin side stripe shirt, J.Crew, was £89.50 now £45 - £62. Freda slub jersey white tee, Matchesfashion, was £65 now £45. 

Middle row L-R: Sophie Hulme brass box clutch, Net-a-porter, was £320 now £224. Miss KG Eleanor snakeskin heels, Kurt Geiger, was £85 now £39. 

Bottom row L-R: Midnight star shower pendant, Astley Clarke, was £120 now £95. Grey cashmere jumper, Jigsaw, was £139 now £83. Straight fit leather trousers, Mango, was £109.99 now £79.99. 

WEAR-FOREVER SALE BUYS

Is it really possible to find investment buys in the sales? I have to be honest - not often - I had to scour the internet to create this blogpost. But occasionally, you uncover an amazing gem, a great example being the polka-dot Sophie Hulme trench coat below, reduced by an amazing 70% from £545 to £163 at Avenue 32. Polka dots are one of the few, enduring prints that never-date. I know, I know, a polka dot trench might seem like quite a wacky buy - but in reality it's as wearable as they come. Use it to add interest to jeans + t-shirt ensembles or clash it with florals and stripes J.Crew style - in fact, I can't think of many outfits a hint of polka dot doesn't enhance. Likewise striped styles are great sale buy - I love Chinti and Parker's subtle twist on a breton tee with the addition of a cute heart motif. A classic leather bag is an investment you will never regret, and the Jaeger sale is full of them. Don't be scared to inject a bit of colour, a pop of pink livens up most colour palettes and will take you through autumn/winter. Have you invested in any bargains in the summer sales? 

Top row from L - R: Sophie Hulme polka dot cotton trench, Avenue32, was £545 now £163. Polka dot espadrilles, Penelope Chilver, was £85 now £45. Stripe miniskirt, Reiss, was £95 now £65. 

Middle: Acetate sunglasses, Kenzo, was £185 now £92.50. 

Bottom row L - R: Organic cotton stripe tee, Chinti and Parker, was 385 now £51. Rose gold and diamond star pendant. Astley Clarke, was £850 now £500. Large Lawrence bag, Jaeger, was £199 now £150 - £99.

LFF EDITS: HEART PRINTS

Valentines day: whether you're a lover or a hater, I think it's a fun excuse to dress up in something feminine and romantic. A pop of pink, a flash of red or a cute heart print should set the mood. Saying that, I am not a fan of temporary trends, so the below edit has been selected with post St Valentine's day in mind - all are classic buys that will work all year round. Whatever you're doing, don't forget to treat yourself too!

1. Markus Lupfer tee, Farfetch.com, £94.60. 2. Nails in Lacquered, Topshop, £5. 3. Chinti and Parker heart print cashmere sweater, Net-a-porter.com, £350. 4. Dene red mini skirt, Reiss, £110. 5. Ariel pumps, John Lewis, £65. 6. Diamond and gold heart pendant, Astley Clarke, £650. 7. Iris and Ink stripe tee, The Outnet, £45. 

LFF EDITS: WARDROBE UPDATES FOR 2014

I've not kicked off 2014 in the best fashion - I'm currently recovering from a kidney infection which has sapped my energy completely. So, to re-invigorate myself for the season ahead I've compiled this edit of buys to introduce some of the new trends into our wardrobes. Sports luxe is still big news, although for 2014 it's seriously chic so look for luxurious fabrics and pair with a heel. A fun trend that I am loving is the demand for monster themed accessories - Fendi have some amazing monster bags and Sophie Hulme's fluffy keyrings (no.2) are  just too cute! Primary colours are also big news, so don't be afraid to buy in brights and pair them together. Have you started shopping for the new season yet?

1. Iris & Ink felt & vinyl bomber jacket, The Outnet, £195. 
2. Sophie Hulme Pom Pom man keyring, Austique, £95.
3. Étre Cécile fresh air tee, Matchesfashion, £75. 
4. New Balance 410 grey/blue trainers, ASOS, £55. 
5. Lips in Ditsy and Nails in Collegiate, Topshop. 
6. Hillier rose gold bunny pendant, Astley Clarke, £995. 
7. Metallic 'Hama' skirt, Monki, £25. 
8. Iris & Ink two tone leather pouch, The Outnet, £45. 

LFF TRENDS: CUTE CHIC

The trend for all-things cute looks set to continue to be big news for SS13, with high street brands and designer labels alike getting in on the act. In the designer world, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Lanvin and Markus Lupfer are undoubtedly the labels to go to for your cute fix, with Marc by Marc Jacobs' bunny iPhone covers proving a massive street-style hit.  The trend has filtered through into the fine jewellery market too; over at jewellery e-commerce site Astley Clarke, Katie Hillier's playful gold rabbit rings are best-sellers.

On the high-street, my favourite buy has to be ASOS' adorable bunny slippers, that have all the charm of Charlotte Olympia's kitty flats with out the £££ pricetag. That's not to forget Whistles super-cute collaboration with Markus Lupfer, with all lines now in sale- bonus!

1. Chinti & Parker big heart sweater, Matches, £350. 

2. Premium embellished cat eye sunglasses, ASOS, £20. 

3. Hello torque bracelet, ASOS, £6. 

4. Selena heart-print tee, Jaeger Boutique, £15. 

5. Markus Lupfer Fleur tote, Whistles, £50. 

6. Marc by Marc Jacobs Katie bunny iPhone cover, Net-a-porter.com, £40. 

7. Hillier small Bunny Love ring, Astley Clarke, £395. 

8. Little Miss ballet flats, ASOS, £25. 

SIX OF THE BEST FRIENDSHIP BRACELETS FOR SS12 & BEYOND

A HUGE trend in fashion and jewellery at the moment is layering up friendship bracelets. Personally, I am a massive fan of this trend because it is an easy and fun way to add some interest, colour and individuality into your everyday wardrobe. The key to getting the layered look right is to mix luxe with low-cost; a handmade friendship bracelet contrasted against an expensive designer timepiece looks both modern and interesting. Here's a perfect example of the trend in action from one of my all-time favourite bloggers, Taylor Sterling of Sterling Style.

With some gorgeous designer and high street friendship bracelets out there at the moment, shopping this trend is a whole lot of fun. Here's some of my favourite styles:

1. Aurélie Bidermann peace charm bracelet, net-a-porter, £65.
2. Purple skull bracelet, Kabiri, £45.00.
3. Evil eye friendship bracelet, Astley Clarke, £135.00.
4. Lapis Lazuli Bea bee bracelet, Cinderela B, £35.
5. Daisy Jewellery 24CT Gold Chakra bracelet, my-wardrobe.com, £86.00. (30% of all sales goes to Breakthrough Breast Cancer.)
6. Luxe neon sea bamboo bracelet, Cinderela B, £22.