The Hippy Hippy Shake

Summer of Love by BradshawsCloset featuring GAP jeans

From tie die tunics to groovy headscarves Carrie certainly knew how to work the hippy look and it has come back in a rather shameless way for SS 09.


My favourite hippy-look item on the high street at the moment is this yellow floral skirt by Red Herring. The reason I like it so much is that it is very different from a lot of the other stuff being put out on the clothes rack this season. It's shapely but the mini element keeps it fun. It is currently reduced to just £15.40 at Debenhams.


A more subtle way to give your wardrobe the hippy make over is with scarves and I have totally fallen in love with this coral patterned number from Missoni. At $100 I suppose it is quite a lot to pay for a scarf but if we're talking value for money it's a good buy. It's an incredibly versatile item and could easily be used to jazz up an old jacket come Autumn. You can buy this item at Net A Porter.


The last thing on my summer of love wish list is this gorgeous floral necklace from Dorothy Perkins. It is £50.00 which again is a lot of money to pay for a piece of fashion jewellery but, well, just look at it! This would look fabulous over a tee or a vest and is so well designed in my opinion it's actually reached statement status.

The Fashion Feed: Vamp It Up With Vintage

Vintage Couture by BradshawsCloset featuring Carvela shoes

Carrie was always shopping for vintage but it can prove pretty pricey to get authentic vintage couture, especially if you shop in London boutiques! Thankfully with a bit of clever accessorizing you can blag the authentic vintage look and give Jackie O a run for her money.


Collar necklaces are probably the most affordable way of vamping up your wardrobe and this lace effect number from Debenhams is particularly convincing with it's beautiful drop bead detail. The best part is that it only costs £15.00.


Nothing screams Victorian charm like a bow in the hair and this black and white version from is both cheeky and chic. From a distance it looks like a prim and proper bow but on closer inspection you realise there is a skull sewn in at the knot. It costs just $10.00 making it a real budget buy!


Finally, I've always thought that lockets have a lovely retro charm. It kind of reminds me of war time sweethearts who keep each other's photographs so they don't forget each other. There are a wide range available at various prices but this sterling silver version costs just £35.00 and in shiny enough to really draw the eye. This too can be picked up at Debenhams who seem to be stocking up on vintage-look fashion this season.

Back to Black

Back to Black by BradshawsCloset featuring CHANEL Jewelry

There was a time in my life when black was the only colour you could find in my wardrobe. Since then I've branched out but I still believe that black is an undisputed sophisticated style staple, just like Carrie did.


The best start to any black outfit is a pair of black textured tights. It immediately sets the tone of the look and is a very affordable way of customising your wardrobe. This pair of rose patterned beauties cost just $14.99 from Modcloth.


For a super-elegant addition to any look I don't think you can go wrong with a pair of black gloves. This vintage beaded pair from ShopCurious are one of a kind and only cost £28.50. I just love the idea of wearing these out to a fancy dinner!


Finally, for a full on goth look why not go for some retro vamp black nail polish? Again in these credit crunch times it's a wallet-friendly way of finishing off an all-black outfit. You can buy black polish from any beauty shop or pharmacy but Forever 21 do a particularly affordable version at just $2.80.

The Fashion Feed: Heaven Scent Perfumes

My Obsessions by BradshawsCloset featuring mulberry tote bags

In addition to shoes, handbags, marshmallows, robots, puppies, Art Deco Design, Daphne Du Maurier cupcakes, and Hugh Jackman, perfumes have found their way on to my list of obsessions. My favourite place to buy them is The Perfume Shop because you can get more for your money than you usually do from pharmacies and beauty shops.


This wouldn't be a Sex and the City inspired blog without mentioning Lovely by Sarah Jessica Parker. SJP is a self-confessed fragrance addict and when you get a whiff of this you'll see just how seriously she takes her scents. The unique blend of oils in this fragrance makes it completely unique and it's potent enough to last all day.


My all time favourite perfume has to be Contradiction by Calvin Klein. It has a beautiful garden-like scent that is fresh and invigorating. It clings to clothes, necklines, wrists and cleavages all day and all night and makes me smile with every spray. If you're looking for something noticeable but inoffensive this is definitely the one for you. The only problem is it doesn't come in the most attractive bottle and let's face it, getting a pretty bottle is part of the incentive to buy a perfume! So...


I recommend investing in some gorgeous decorative bottles like this Pink Fairy affair. There are a wide range to choose from on ebay for very low prices and if you search for vintage bottles on Etsy you'll also find a wide range of shapes, sizes and colours to choose from.

The Fashion Feed: Somewhere Over The Rainbow...

Rainbow Brights by BradshawsCloset featuring Forever21 bracelets

A good twitter friend of mine, GoddessSammy sent me a link last week about rainbow hued accessories dominating the high street and since seeing my computer screen awash with vibrant colour I've been dying to write a blog post about them. With summer drawing ever closer it's only right that your wardrobe should brighten up as much as the weather so I've made a list of my top rainbow picks.


First on my list are these gorgeous gummy bear necklaces from Lunacy Boutique. Not only are they fun but they really pack a colour popping punch, especially if you wear more than one at a time! They cost just £5.00 a piece and are perfect for adding a kitsch element to any outfit.


For true celebrity glamour you can't go wrong with these gorgeous pleather peep-toe heels in the style of Beyonce Knowles. Not only do these shoes tick several on-trend boxes with their buckle fastening and canvas detail but they also come in a fabulous zingy orange shade! The shoes will set you back just $39.90 from Fly Jane making them an absolute star style steal!


Finally I'm going mad for electric blue at the moment and as far as this season's key colour goes I don't think fashion investments get any better than this beautiful clutch bag from Debenhams. This handbag will see you through a Saturday night in the club and act as a quirky accessory for a wedding or formal dinner. It costs just £28.00 and will quickly become one of the staple fashion items you reach for to give your outfit a contemporary edge.

Pale and Interesting: The Power of Pastels

Although most self-respecting fashionistas spend their time devising ways of standing out from the crowd, there's nothing wrong with toning down the high-fashion vibe once in a while and going pallid with pastels. Gorgeous greens, yellows and pinks were most frequently donned by Charlotte and Miranda on the show and pulling off their rather elegant twist on washed-out hues is surprisingly simple.


Green is a colour not many of us would pick out. It's not an obvious fashion trend unlike say blue or coral but it can look just as popping if you accessorize in just the right way. This gorgeous cross- over dress from Monsoon is the perfect example of just how sophisiticated a hue green can be with it's silk ribbon-tie detail. At just £68.00 this classic piece will have you set up for summer weddings and formal lunches for years to come.


If you fancy taking pastels to a super-feminine level, you can't go wrong with this sassy but shapely pencil skirt from Debenhams. It seems that pencil skirts are everywhere at the moment and it's no surprise as teamed with a pair of killer heels they are the ultimate in corporate-esque sex appeal. This timeless item will only set you back £25.00 and will match with everything from a tucked in Tee to a frilly chiffon blouse.


When it comes to shoes I am loving the sling backs available in the shops at the moment. This mid-yellow pair from Dorothy Perkins would set off a monochrome outfit perfectly or, if you're feeling a little bit braver, would clash beautifuly with that pastel pencil skirt from Debenhams. The ribbon-tie detail keeps them flirty whilst the chunky heel gives them a practical edge. They are currently on sale for £28.00 but sizes are already limited so I recommend buying now otherwise you will be regreting it later!