Time for a change.

So this weekend I've decided to dedicate my time to my wardrobe. With a sliiiiight addiction to shopping, a full rotation is needed twice a year, involving under bed storage, discovering gems that were hidden away months ago and major chuck out! I'm planning to do a car boot in April (when the weather's a tad kinder) adding to the "Paris fund" and take a few bags to the local charity shops, so this will allow me to get on top of it. I do get very excited when I come across treasures I'd bought ages ago and had totally forgotten about and of course this is a great way to make room for some new SS11 delights. (Let's hope the sun gods are kind to us this year) They say the state of your wardrobe reflects your state of mind; worrying that its been quite so crammed and creased the last couple of months. But from this weekend onwards friends, expect to see a more organised, colourful and spacious Melanie...well that is the intention. Saturday Kitchen and the smell of fresh coffee has so far diverted my attention!

Totally Dope.

Loving Dope Chef's 2010 collection. I've been lucky enough to have a few pieces from the beginning of DC's lifeline, but with their new collection SO on point, I think I'll defs be putting my order in! Tinie Tempah's, G-Frsh, Rick Ross and Jim Jones are loving it to. I'll be taking my DC sweater to Amsterdam this weekend to spread the word to the Dutch cool kids.

CAN'T FEEL MY FACE

MONICA LEWINSKI

THAT'S RAW FOLKS

DOPE CHEF LOGO

Go to the website and check out the cool threads on sale... http://www.dopechef.co.uk/... NOW!

Hat trick.

Winter's arrived, and it's not taking any prisoners! Time to rotate the wardrobe, put the flip-flops to rest and invest in some good cold weather accessories. Obviously, practicality is the number one priority...right? But we can look good doing it...righter?! Here are my last 3 hat purchases to keep my barnett warm, disguise the mid-stages of growing fringe out and an attempt at keeping "on trend" on those nippy Winter nights. Ps - My lovely house mate Elle has a new camera so any excuse!

H and M - £6.99

Topshop - £25

Oxfam bargain - £4!

A little tip...

Walking around London I can't help but notice how outrageous people's manicures are becoming. Extreme nail art is no longer something we only see on a crazy weaved woman's fist, whilst whooping the air screaming "Jerry, Jerry, Jerry"! Trashy nails are in. The more impractical and ghetto fabulous the better. It's everywhere. Even the most straight faced business woman can't hide her talons when swiping her Oyster card on her morning commute. I paint my nails a LOT. Rather obsessively. It's like my back up to having a social life. If I don't fancy going out, I'll catch up on the latest scandal on Essex or X Factor and paint my nails...again. So maybe I'll try being a little more adventurous?? Wah Nails (Topshop, Oxford Street) can pretty much paint any design you fancy for £25+ and are amazing. Or MINX (selected salons nationwide) last forever using ready made designs secured to the nail using an ultra violet lamp, full set approx £30. One of my bestys, Arianne, arrived at my house the other day with the most immaculately painted leopard print nails. I was certain they were professional. No-no, she'd done them DIY stylee using a selection of varnishes and a thin paint brush! They looked incredible. I'll see if I can pursuade the lovely Arie to DIY my nails and get some pics up. In the meantime check out these creations (and my lazy Sunday attempt!)...

By Wah Nails. World Cup theme.

SO ridiculous, I love them!

The most profesh, obviously...



I reckon Ri-Ri did these with a thin paint brush too...



Kelly Cutrone in OUR city!

When I read on the Illamasqua blog that Kelly Cutrone, the coolest queen of PR, would be at their Soho flagship store last week, I could not contain my excitement. Watching her on The Hills and The City she seems untouchable, so to meet her, shake her hand and get a photo/autograph was a very surreal moment. I had to rush after work and there was quite a crowd by the time we arrived. Kelly was in the store supporting the brand, signing her book and giving all proceeds to the fantastic S.O.P.H.I.E charity. Her book "If you have to cry, go outside; and other things your mother never told you" sold out within a hot second. Posters of Kelly were given out to be signed for the unfortunate among us that didn't manage to get a book. She was so humble, cool, nice, chatty, funny and lovely. I wanted to say "please will you be my best friend" but thought that might be slightly cringey?! For someone with a dream of working in PR in New York, it was a great night and one I won't forget.

90's Revival...

As I wait for my black bowler hat to arrive in the post, courtesy of H&M, I remember Friday nights watching "Blossom" and Saturday morning Sister/Sister sessions, thinking these girls were the coolest of the cool. 90's fashion is back with a vengance and for once, I can say I took part 1st time round (yay!). With acid wash denims, velvet minis, crochet cardis, LGDs( Little Grunge Dress), floral cullotes and clunky chunky DM's, the high street's gone grungey as ever and I for one am LOVING IT! We saw the birth of the Supermodel, The Spice Girls and the Tamagotchi... what's not to like?!

It's perfect for someone with long hair who can't cope with the poker straight, perfect look everyday, or the girl who likes to apply the vibrant red lippy on the tube en route to work. It's all about the messy, stained, undoneness mixed with the girly, classy, lady likeness. Shorter, more flirtacious takes on the 80's power dressing, throwing in a pair of thigh high socks, braces and Chelsea boots. Think Cher from Clueless, Rachel from friends, Kate Moss for Calvin Klein, Madonna in "Vogue" and Brandy in Moesha, add eye liner and a blotted maroon lip, minus bronzer and GHDs and bingo! Being only 18 months apart, my sister and I were quite often dressed the same during our 90's childhood. Our favourite ensembles being polka dot leggins from Wembley market, Osh Kosh B'Gosh dungarees and our awesone matching shell suits (hers was purple, mine pink)...you could hear us coming from a mile off! Being an original North London punk, Mum would often get our clothes from little treasure troves in Camden which is always fun to recall when the family photo albums come out on special occasions. We used to call our Converse, "baseball boots"! 

The yummy textures of crochet, velvet, leather and lace are making me wanna reach out and stroke the rails of Tophop right now. So crop your Tees, rip those jeans and get a nose ring. The 90's are back and it's all the RAVE....get it...?

The Originals.

Grungetastic!

Olseneffortlesslycoolness.

A very young Miss Moss in 1995

Giving Agy a run for her money....!

Easy like a Sunday morning...

When I lived at home, mum and I would quite often walk to Hyde Park in Leeds and have brunch at our fave hangout, Clock Cafe before having a mooch through the vintage treasures at Retro Boutique. As the sun was shining on what was a crisp, fresh sunday morning, it felt rude not to follow tradition.

With it's red leather booths and vinyl album cover menus, Clock Cafe is a delightful little getaway serving the yummiest of treats. Mum, being good, went for the muesli, Greek yoghurt and fruit option, while I went for the veggie breakfast consisting of grilled tomatoes, baked beans, mushys and literally a mound of scrambled eggs! Our other faves at Clock are the chicken caesar salad and the Dutch fries (curly fries and melted mozzarella, mmmmm!).

Once we'd eaten, discussed who we thought would be booted of X Factor that night and planned our Christmas trip to NYC (eeeeeeeeeeeks!!) we settled up and headed next door to Retro Boutique.

It never fails to make you want to touch everything, try everything on and wonder how that 3 seater wicker sofa with satin cushions could work at home? There's so much to see on 2 floors and the extra back room made into a kitsch boudoir, you find yourself constantly looking high and low and saying "OMG, remember those" or "Nanny had one just like that"! After trying on a few hats, masks and fur coats, I decided on a cute pink and gold floral Royal Grafton bone china tea cup and saucer that looks just divine in my own boudoir. The great thing about Retro Boutique being in Leeds is that it doesn't bump up the prices like the slightly more pretentious boutiques of Brick Lane... and I did notice a sign on my way out saying they now deliver to London weekly... maybe I will enquire about that sofa??!