Snow ho ho boots

“Oh the weather outside is frightful,
But the fire is so delightful,
And since we’ve no place to go,
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!”

But what to wear in this freezing weather? Pumps are not for the faint hearted and a dress is simply stupid.

My staple so far this winter has been leggings underneath my jeans and a gorgeous wool cardigan, knitted by my magical Granny.

However the footwear dilemma remains. As much as I love my (fake) Uggs, my feet are dangerously close to trenchfoot in these inappropriate sponges. And any form of heel, has me aquaplaning across the pavement.

The culprits

Then the good people at In Style compiled this list of snow boots and I was longing for another blizzard. Apart from the heeled Marc Jacobs wellies. Heels on wellies? I think Marc fell asleep in the crazy dust again. That’s the most ridiculous use of heels I’ve seen since poor Suri Cruise was forced by psycho parents.

The wool ankle boots by Ugg look the cosiest things since all-in-one pyjamas. And the Kors biker welly boots are simply divine. A great alternative to the classic green Hunters. And one that you can keep on all day at the office. Rather than switching over in the lift – a la me.

Is it wrong to love a jumper?

Love is a lace jumper

Yes, of course, but this one is too cute for words. Lace, warm and light pink. Everything you need in your life right now.

And £14. New Look you have outdone yourselves.

I’m rushing out at lunch to purchase. Good job New Look’s flagship store is a stones throw away from me.

Jimmy Choo gets in on the act

Choo shoe within your reach

God I’m good to you.

First it was news of a Christian Louboutin shoe sale. And now it is the turn of Jimmy Choo. One of Carrie Bradshaw’s favourites. Although she is a fictional character and therefore can’t exactly be counted. But the Malaysian fashion designer has found a way onto all of our wish-lists with his delicate designs. Bradshaw or not.

And this time, they are actually within the average person’s grasp. Sort of. When you can pay £95 for a pair of fall apart shoes from Topshop, why not extend that ever so slightly to a £100-odd pair of the best money can buy?

Ranging from £112 to *ahem* into the £400’s, these twinkle toe shoes are up to 70% off.

But choose carefully. When spending this much, think which designs have longevity. We don’t all have money to burn and Choo’s should be an investment. The gorgeous Riv tribal pair (above) will take you into spring/summer 2010. And the beige textured Seattle sandals will never date.

Now you have the biggest decision to make. Which Choos?

P.S. Far better than the knock-off Nigel H&M versions!

Half-price Louboutins

You could own these little pieces of heaven

No I’m not joking. This is the real deal. Christian Louboutin is enjoying a sale. A real sale. Real cheap red-soled beauties. And if by cheap, you mean circa £400, of course.

Most of these deals are close to 50% off the (extortionate *cough*)  normal prices. So what better time to buy?

And I bet in all that hectic Christmas shopping, you forgot to get that all important present for yourself.

I’ve got my eye on the plain black. I do need these bad boys to go with everything. Or the leopard print. For, you know, best.

That’s gggrrrrrreat

Heroin chic goes glamour

So Tony the Tiger aside, everyone is loving faux animal print coats at the moment. Olivia Palermo, Rosie Huntington-Whitely and Anna Friel have all been spotted in the best winter warmer recently. And the master of animal print, Kate Moss, has barely taken hers off for the past eight winters. And who can blame them?

The leopard print in particular, couldn’t get any cooler. If worn right it screams 1930s old-school style, rather than Bet Lynch cheapness.

Managing to make red lips-and- leopard coat classy

Wear over an evening dress for instant glamour a la Alexa Chung or rock a modern twist by teaming with leather Balmain-inspired trousers or distressed jeans. And remember if taking the dress option, only wear with black tights. Only Alexa can work the bare legs look without looking like a Hampstead Heath reject.

My biggest concern with the leopard print coat is the amount of people I have seen wearing one, though. I don’t want to look like half of Oxford Street. Who wants to look like half a street anyways? All trampled and cold. There are some cracking versions on the high street, but manufactured in China in the last month hardly ooozes vintage chic.

So that is why I dragged my better half round the knocking on heaven’s door charity shops of Welwyn Garden City last weekend. I want one straight of a Granny’s back. That’s vintage.

Unfortunately Welwyn’s old weren’t the most stylish of bunches and I came away with nothing. The search continues…

Battle of the X Factor stars

Let battle commence

Cheryl vs Danni. Danni vs Cheryl. Where ever you go the battle is raging. And as we enter the semi-final stage, what are Simon Cowell’s girls (the Cowellettes as I have now crowned them) going to wear?

Poor women. At the start, my sympathy was with Danni. She was up against the nation’s newest sweetheart. She didn’t stand a chance. But…

Danni has come out fighting. Odd slightly-homosexual remark to Danyl aside, the aussie has won over the British public.

The older Minogue has been sassy, stylish and seductive, even taking over the hotty mantle for many.

Where as Cheryl’s choices have been bold and brave (David Koma particularly), Danni has stuck to a gorgeous array of classic dresses (many by Australian designers, such as Ralph and Russo). She hasn’t strayed too far from the box – apart from with her ever-changing hair that is.

She even looks more like a woman, next to Cheryl’s teeny frame.

But are they both going to be there next year?

Sonia Rykiel… the collection

Full collection revealed

After excitedly seeing a few pieces from the Sonia Rykiel pour H&M lingerie collection, I can now reveal (via those kind people at Marie Claire) the full range here.

I am all over the black lace corset. Not to mention the high-waisted dusty pink knickers. Pure Hollywood glamour. ‘Happy birthday Mr President!’

Get hinting girls. Christmas is just around the corner.

Another day, another H&M collaboration

"Work your body, work, work your body"

This time the collaboration is the turn of Sonia Rykiel and a sizzling lingerie range.

The French designer is turning her talented hand to racy drawers for the Swedish clothing behemoth. They are both busily preparing themselves for a  grandiose launch party in Paris this very evening.

Rykiel started designing maternity knitwear when she couldn’t find anything she liked during her first pregnancy. She named her first sweater Poor boy Sweater and sold it from her husband’s label ‘Laura.’  The French fella-in-tow just so happened to own a boutique. That’s lucky. And obviously had great taste in names.

Poor boy Sweater made the cover of French ELLE (this is just getting spooky now) and was the launch pad to a very successful career. Who knew knit-wear could be so sexy? Actually, just ask Mark Fast. Just don’t mention plus-size models.

The ‘Queen of the Knits’ has now swapped the wool for beautiful silk-mix vintage inspired lingerie. High-cut knickers scream old-school Hollywood glamour and with chic dusky pink roses secured on to the bras, you are guaranteed to make a lasting impression on your loved one.

Or just wear under your work outfit and leave your workmates wondering why you have an extra air of confidence today. And a sexy grin.

The range is guaranteed to be a hit. It is on sale just before Christmas (super easy and perfect gift for otherwise clueless men to give their partners), is modelled by Lara Stone and in case you hadn’t noticed there is a recession on (racy, not to mention cheap, night in – “let’s talk about sex baby, let’s talk about you, me and Sonia Rykiel lingerie…”)

The collection hits 1,500 H&M shops, as well as Sonia Rykiel boutiques, on Saturday. You have been warned boys. Christmas is only three weeks away.

Beauty and the benefit

"Dear god, please make me beautiful"

So, you want to buy lots and lots of beauty products for yourself, but have a conscience at the same time. Well this is the perfect solution.

Shop to Benefit is a brand new website where you can buy beauty products and perfumes for many top brands. ‘What’s so great about that?’ I imagine you’re hollering. Well, let me explain.

For every item you buy online, 5% of the total will go to a charity of your choosing from either cancer care, environment, children’s health and community support sectors. This 5% is included in the total, so you pay no extra. But you will get that little warm glowy feeling inside. And look good at the same time. Honestly, everyone’s a winner.

Shoptobenefit also has a number of charity specific products, which give even more money to good causes. So if you want the Pretty in Pink limited edition GHDs, then this is the place. Or Paul Mitchell Tea Tree products, which fund American Forests’ Global ReLeaf and Wildfire ReLeaf programmes to preserve natural resources throughout the world, then look no further.

The woman who you have to thank for this lovely, lovely website is Leanne Abraham. She decided that enough was enough. Women spend a ridiculous amount of money on themselves. £385 on beauty products each year to be precise. And if those products were purchased at Shoptobenefit, this average woman would have given £19.25 to charity.

So what are you waiting for? With brands like Elizabeth Arden, Burberry and Dermalogica on offer, you don’t ever have to feel bad about spending money on beauty products for yourself again.

Fairytale of New York

Glam Alexa

What has the States done to our very own TV presenter/rock wag Alexa Chung? She’s gone all glamour.

The Chung was in that pack of annoyingly stylish ladies before she went. Jameela Jamil, Daisy Lowe and Henry Holland.

She rocked the preppy shirts, denim shorts and brogues. Putting her former model figure and glowing skin to good use. But it screamed more sixth-former, than style icon.

But now she’s all Brit meets Hollywood glamour-puss. She wears dresses. Real cocktail dresses. By the best of the best.

The States are clambering over each other to invite her to high-profile events, then seeing what designer collection she graces. From Dolce & Gabbana to personal favourite Chanel.

The preppy Alexa of old

Although she’s not that American luxe. Alexa still manages to throw a cute vintage lace dress into the mix. Good lass.

And the mash-up doesn’t end there. Not one to conform, Alexa is more than happy to team a gorgeous red Jason Wu tulip dress with ill-fitting black patent pumps. And for that, us Brits salute her. Who wants to look too American? Too happy? Too pre-packaged? Too fake?

Keep it real Alexa.