Green flowers

Vintage St. Michael's blouse with green and white floral pattern. I love this blouse. It's lightweight and great for now. Looks cool with jeans and heels.

Gotta have my Franco Sartos

Franco Sarto is one of my favourite brands of shoes. Normally I don't have a fav when it comes to accessories I just pretty much go with what looks good but never choose a specific designer to buy. Franco Sarto's are comfortable be it flats or heels. I love this black pair that I got at Bloomingdale's last year. I have a few more pairs some where. I also like shoes by Nine West and Bandolino.

Another hot pink feathered band

Headpieces you gotta love'em.
I didn't intend to buy another hot pink headpiece but this one is too cute and was at a steal considering some that you see online are quite pricey and especially the ones around London shops. This one came from TK Maxx so it wasn't too bad. They are quite simple little pieces. I love the sprouting feathers; very unusual.

Swarovski Crystal Sun Satin Earrings

These earrings are so gorgeous. I bought them at a Swarovski Crystal store in Houston last year. They're like lovely little pieces of ice for the ear. Swarovski does great crystal work. I love the walls of their stores in Vienna--loads of crystals adorning the entrance.

Corsages and roses

I think another thing I have become keen to since moving to England are roses. Well I have always liked them but they were never a big thing. Pink roses are great but the ones outside my window are large red ones that have been growing there for a few decades.
Hmmm now that I am on it I wonder if there is a large English rose centre anywhere in England.

Corsages are now a favourite accessory of mine. I guess since the craze was so big on Sex and the City when Carrie Bradshaw wore huge ones the trend has really taken off and the bigger the better. I found this one a few months ago at Debenhams. At first I wasn't sure of what I would wear it with but they can go with so much. I decided to add this one to a simple button down white cotton shirt and an ombre teal swing skirt. I have another one similar in hot pink with small feathers.

I really like this large floppy hat from New Look. Tried on a gold one from H&M but it was a bit too big and floppy. I needed something a bit simpler for the sun and that’s if we ever get any before I leave. For the past two years I have been trying to replace the gorgeous very expensive vanilla straw hat from Brooks Brothers that was stolen from me. This one was only a tenner but that’s good.
The strapless maxi dress I got in Dallas last summer. I love it but have only worn it twice; I'm not one to go for the corsets that often.

The Flowy poets top

This is a wondeful and flowy poets top. It's a wee bit large but I can pair with a belt to bring it in more, then wear with jeans and heels and it will look haute! If I were bold enough this could go well alone and just with a nice strappy heel ; ))

Searching for black totes

Lately I have been searching for the perfect black totebag but can't seem to find one I actually like enough or can afford. In the morning I am going to Oxford St. to see what I can find there. I love this featured black Botkier Jackie bag but for $600 I don't think I'll be getting it anytime soon. Yes another bag--but at least it's a healthy addiction.

Daphne's and the International

I really loving all the great deals we are getting with restaurants offering freebies and 2 for 1s. At least you finally get to go some place you really wanted and getting it at a fraction of the cost. I think I'm going to book something at Daphne's. I know the Ivy is the big thing in London but I don't like there menu selection much. Then I prefer something that's not so OTT. http://www.daphnes-restaurant.co.uk/

One of my favourite restaurants in Central London is the International Lounge, Bar and Restaurant in St. Martin's Ln. It's across from the English National Opera so it's great for when you're in town to see a show. The International has great Pan Asian food. We always get the red or green curries. You get this and a glass of wine for around £6 at lunch. The ambiance of the restaurant is great too. There's a bar on the ground floor and South Asian themed dining area is nice. I have never been big on Asian foods except for Indian and Nepalese but this is a good one after all.

Magazines and freebies

Magazines are very dear but in Europe one of the best things is that you get a free gift with purchase. In the latest issue of Marie Claire featuring Kate Winslet there's a free bottle of Body Shop Shea Butter. It's a nice creme. It's funny all the free stuff I've gotten over the years with buying a magazine. In Paris I got a real Sonia Rykiel tshirt. Of course I never wore it because it's tres petite so I put it on the shop.
I like the stuff they have in The Body Shop--it's a bit pricey on some things but it does have a terrific smell and touch. Of course I love Bath and Body Works too. I love the scents they have and they are so hard to choose. I want them all!

Save the Queen exotique dress

Save the Queen and Legatte are some of my favourite designers. I love the eclectic look and style of their designs. The looks are wild and colourful. I'm really feelin' this dress. Very exotique. It would be lovely to come across one of these.

This is a cute colourful flouncy top and great with jeans. The Kathy Van Zeeland croc bag in indigo goes well with it too. The top came from a Forever 21 in Houston and I originally ordered the bag for Amartab but now I think I will take it ; ).

Colourful wraps

Wraps are great. Over hear the weather tends to stay cooler a lot longer than in Dallas so it's easier to wear wraps and big scarves. Some can easily go autumn to spring.
I vowed not to spend so much on another wrap since I got only a few wears out of the brightly coloured one. I got this one at Nordstrom in LA a couple years back; maybe I will try to revamp it some way.

My Style File

My Style File

Who is your style inspiration?
I enjoy anything with a classic feel to it. I love vintage but I don’t do funky; don’t even like the word. I’m a bit eclectic and even so it’s still quite limited. As long as it is clean and tailored I love it. I’m into all of it. What ever looks good on me and as long as I like it that’s all that matters.


Are you into vintage, designer wear or high-street style?
Vintage is fun because it’s different and one of a kind, designer is nice but can be tricky because sometimes you don’t always get what you pay for. I don’t like spending a small fortune on something that’s in today and out tomorrow.

What is your most treasured fashion item?
I used to love my black trouser suits but now I love my black wrap dresses.


Who are your style icons?
I love the looks of Audrey Hepburn, Halle Berry, Tracey Ellis-Ross. Kerry Washington has a nice clean approach to fashion too. I appreciate the style of any curvy and classy woman especially Oprah.


What’s your most extravagant purchase?
Hmmm there was that time I bought that expensive Dooney & Bourke bag that I only carried a few times. Still looks new—too bad it’s very out of style. I don’t have anything in my closet that I paid a lot for but I do have things that are quite expensive, designer or high quality that I didn’t pay that much for. You can always snag a bargain at places like TK Maxx, Marshall’s, Dillard’s, Macy’s, John Lewis even Saks and Neiman’s believe it or not. Thrift shops in more upmarket areas are the best. It’s always great to find a designer good for a few quid. When I moved to the UK I found a new Basler coat for a fiver at a charity shop---how great was that and even greater to know it was originally around £250.
If it’s something I don’t wear a lot like jeans or very high heels I’m not paying a fortune for it. I love my $20 JC Penney jeans.


Describe the style of your home?
It’s a very old red brick English country cottage. I like it because it overlooks the canal and a large field across the way.


What’s the one fashion item that every girl should have?
Hmmm I would say a nice black basic handbag such as a Kelly bag or something simple and classic. Clothes wise I love a great pencil skirt in black. It’s so sexy with heels.


On your days off, are you a jeans and t-shirt girl or immaculate and camera ready?
T-shirt and track bottoms—yes I am still very American. I believe in comfort and especially at home.

Great blouses

I love these tops from Victoria's Secret. They are great for work or any place you need to be dressy. The colours are brilliant and go well with jeans, skirts or smart trousers.