Daily Wear: Occasion Wear for Everywhere!

Hi guys,
If you have a special occasion coming up this summer then you're in luck. The high street is filling with occasion wear, and you're spoilt for choice when it comes to finding something to wear. I have two weddings to attend this year, including one very special one: my sisters! But when it comes to weddings and other special occasions there are so many more than one outfit you have to buy: you also need something for the hen 'do, the day before the wedding, for heading to breakfast on the morning afterwards...the list goes on!

Another important thing to think about when you're choosing your occasion wear is whether you'll be able to wear it again: those fancy wedding frocks are far too expensive to only wear once! That's why I've taken one dress from the Marks and Spencer occasion wear collection (which I'm completely in love with) and styled it for another equally as important occasion: a casual day of bridesmaids fun with my sisters and mum (incorporating setting up the wedding and then enjoying afternoon tea) the day before the wedding!




You can buy this dress for yourself here for £89. I've teamed it with a hat that's also from M&S, contrasting pastel yellow polka dot pumps and an over body bag. Whereas I would go for heels and a clutch if I were wearing this for the wedding, the flats and easy bag make the dress much easier and more comfortable for running around in, but still fancy enough for a sophisticated afternoon tea.

The thing I love about this dress is that it is quite clearly an occasion dress (thick luxurious fabric, gorgeous lace overlay) but its on trend pastel colour means that you really could wear it anywhere. Meaning it's cost per wear will be significantly better than some of the other frocks I've bought for weddings and other special occasions over the past couple of months!

Are you going to any weddings this year? And have you started thinking about what you will be wearing for them yet?

Love Tor x

Marks and Spencer at London Fashion Week

Hi guys,
Following in the footsteps of Topshop, Marks and Spencer are the latest British high street store to show at London Fashion Week: there very first LFW catwalk show was today. Don't worry though, there were no sensible vests and well fitting granny bras making their way down the catwalk (two of my favourite things to buy from M&S!). Instead the brand gave their new Best of British collection a show of its own: and I thought it looked amazing!



There are plenty of things to love about the Best of British collection but one of the best is its commitment to home grown talent and to the British textile industry. The knitwear for the range comes from Scotland, the outerwear from Manchester and the footwear from Northamptonshire: all areas of traditional industry in these sectors, and areas where the textile trade has traditionally struggled in recent years. I've toured some of the footwear manufacturers of Northamptonshire and know that the loss of industry there hit the workforce (and their families) hard, leading to pockets where whole villages or streets were suffering from unemployment. That a stalwart British brand like Marks and Spencer are doing their bit to bring manufacturing home can only be a good thing!

The next thing to love about the collection are the clothes themselves. I love the retro 1960s feel of the range: one of my favourite eras for style. The maculine tailoring, the bold commitment to colour, the effortless style. I also love the return of the brogue (did it ever really go anywhere) as a sensible and comfortable alternative to the dreaded heel. These white ones have a clinical minimalist feel to them that gels with the collection perfectly. Oh, and that ice blue cocoon-style duffel coat? That is destined to be my winter coat for next year, even if I have to queue outside for hours to get my hands on it!

The Spring/Summer Best of British collection from Marks and Spencer lands instore and online tomorrow (18 February) and you can shop the range here. 

Love Tor x

Picture credit: Marks and Spencer

Lady-like for Spring from M&S

Hi guys,
Do you ever sometimes see an outfit that you like so much you immediately want to go out and buy every single piece? That's how I felt when I saw this grown up and lady like outfit from Marks and Spencer, which has got me all excited for the arrival of Spring.

It's much more grown up and chic than my usual everyday look (which consists mostly of jeans and blouses) but it would be just perfect for popping to meetings or even for when I take myself off for a days shopping. Let's face it, it isn't an outfit I would ever wear around the baby and his sticky fingers, which if anything only adds to its appeal!

Per Una Speziale Coat £149, Per Una Speziale Top £69, Per Una Speziale Skirt £69, Bag £129

I love the colour of that lightweight cocoon coat, and the oversized bag looks so buttery soft. I love oversized slouchy bags like this, which are perfect for just about any occasion as well as really practical. If I can only have just one piece though, I would make it that white pencil skirt with the sheer panels. Teamed with T shirts and chiffon vests in a wide variety of colours and a pair of boxy heeled sandals and I would wear this all summer long.

All of the pieces shown above aren't available on the M&S website yet: roll on Spring so that the new collections start landing online!

What do you think? Have you seen any outfits that have got you longing for Spring already? I ordered a pair of new Spring sandals yesterday - I must be getting desperate for a little sun on my toes!

Love Tor x

Christmas Gifts from (Secret) Santa and M&S!

Hi guys,
Last week, when I shared some great Christmas stocking filler ideas from M&S, I mentioned that I was taking part in a Blogger's Secret Santa event with them too. Well, my present has arrived (like a naughty elf, I opened it early) and I have to say I am delighted with what I received! My lady-Santa has helped me to kit out my new office with stationary and a super-handy family planner, and I love the subtle pastel colours of the stationary she chose. Here it is, being demonstrated by Wilbur: the chief present-opener in our house!


What do you think? Is stationary on your Christmas stocking filler wish list? I'm absolutely delighted with mine! Massive thanks to my secret Santa, and of course, massive thanks to Marks and Spencer too: don't forget that they're open right up until Christmas eve if you still need to grab any presents! And if you have left things to the last minute you're in luck: they currently have 50% off selected Christmas gifts!

Love Tor x

Stocking Filler Ideas From Marks and Spencer

Hi guys,
Another day, another post about Christmas! We're now exactly two weeks away from Christmas day, so if you haven't started your Christmas shopping yet then you really should get a wriggle on! I've been on the Marks and Spencer website for the past hour or so, checking out all the great stocking filler presents they offer: and all for less than £20. Here are my picks of the best of them:

1.Conran house print cushion, £19.50
2. Limited edition diamante earrings, £15
3. Chatsworth stag candle, £19.50
4. Limited collection 12 days of Christmas mini nail polishes, £15
5. Butterfly keyring, £7.50
6. Three pack of santa socks, £5
7. Winter robin mugs, £8

The reason I've been scouring the M&S website? I'm taking part in the Marks and Spencer Christmas Blogger's secret Santa challenge, and I chose the House print Conran cushion above as my present for my secret Santa.

Want to know which blogger I brought my Secret Santa present for? Well sadly I'm not allowed to tell you. But here are a few clues that might help you to reveal her identity:
1. She loves sewing and craft.
2. She has long red hair
3. She's an incredibly talented illustrator
4. I chose this particular gift for her because she's recently moved in with her boyfriend and I think it would look great in her living room!

Does anyone know who it is? If you think you can guess then pop your ideas in the comments box. And happy Christmas shopping!

Love Tor x

What's in your Handbag? Check out what's in mine!

Hi guys,
The last time I wrote about what was in my handbag was back in March 2012, and since then the contents have increased dramatically: no more tiny body bag filled with make up and basic essentials for me! But I'm not ready for a big ugly mum bag either: I want something on trend, made of buttery soft leather, but roomy enough for all of my supplies. And boy, do I have a lot of supplies! My handbag contents for today are: My Vivienne Westwood purse, house keys and car keys, mobile phone, Missoni sunglasses, Chanel lipstick and Filofax (just the same as last year). However the new additions are: rice cakes or carrot puffs (depending on what snacks the boy fancies for the day), a teddy bear and a rattle, and wet wipes to mop up any spills and snot. Oh the glamour!
With all of this stuff to carry around every single day, I require a pretty special bag. This bag from Marks and Spencer's new season leather bag range is the perfect size for just about any occasion; small enough to carry around everyday but roomy enough to stash a hearty supply of snacks and toys for Wilbur in. It feels so soft (I have a place in my heart for pony skin leather, and buy far too much of it!) and the leather literally melts under your hand as you carry it. I love the zip detailing and leopard print is another of my obsessions, so it really is the perfect bag for me.

This bag is one of the key leather items from Marks and Spencer's A/W '13 collection, and would be the perfect addition to a capsule winter wardrobe, because you could carry it all day (it's perfect for work or for Saturday afternoon shopping trips) or dress it up for the evening and it wouldn't look out of place to dinner: especially if you carry a big bag at all times, like me. Marks and Spencer are very focusing on quality with their leather offering for this season, and it definitely shows in the craftmanship and design of this bag.  Good old M&S: they always seem to know exactly what I need and they never let me down!

If you want to buy one of your own you can pick it up from the M&S website: It's available right now, and will cost you £99.

Love Tor x

Autumn Inspiration: Mad about Monochrome

Hi guys,
As all of the autumn/winter collections start landing on the high street my lust-o-meter has gone into overdrive. I love shopping for a new season, and I really love it when that season is autumn/winter: it's my favourite time of year by far! Every so often when the seasons are changing over, I see individual press images that have such an impact that I can't stop thinking about them. I want to be the model. I want to run out and recreate the look immediately: this image from Marks and Spencer was one such image!
The Autograph coat comes in at £99. The shirt is £32.50, the hat is £19.50. The gorgeous handbag costs £59.

It's simple, it's clean, it's slightly sixties-inspired. I need to have that hat with the contrasting snake print peak in my life immediately, and I now have a hankering for a crisp white cocoon coat. I know you can't buy them from Marks and Spencer but, man, what I wouldn't do to have those thick statement eyebrows. This is the kind of look that would suit just about everyone: I can see Joan Collins wearing this, but also a sexy young thing like [insert name of one of The Saturdays here: I'm too old to know them by name!] too. The mum in the back of my mind has reservations about sticking fingers and white wool coats, but for a look this good I think I'd take the dry cleaning bill.

What do you think? Will you be rocking some statement monochrome this autumn/winter?

Love Tor x

Launching tomorrow: 'Perfectly' at Marks and Spencer

Hi guys,
As you guys know (because I bang on about it all the time) my current fashion focus is on building up my collection of good quality wardrobe classics. Staple pieces that will go with everything, and that I can wear again and again.

With that in mind, you can understand why I was so excited to read about the new 'Perfectly' collection by Marks and Spencer. The range consists of flattering understated key pieces, anchored around a neutral colour palette in quality fabrics, making the collection both easy to wear, stylish yet affordable. I've only seen pics of a few of the pieces, and there are already to things I'm chomping at the bit to get my hands on when the collection launches tomorrow: The thing that I love most about the range is the attention to the little details. The crisp white shirt for example, has covered buttons, helping it to reduce gape and give a smooth silhouette. The simple black dress comes with a skinny riveted belt to draw in the waist, and tiny shoulder studs.

Because these pieces are such classics, it also means they're ageless, and will look good on everyone. A hip young teen, my very stylish mum, and even a saggy tummied new mama like me will all look stylish and put together with just a couple of pieces from this collection in their capsule wardrobe. I will definitely be heading instore to check out the collection when it lands instore on 21st March. And that leather jacket with the fabric sleeves will be mine!

'Perfectly' by Marks and Spencer launches online tomorrow.

Love Tor x

Fabfrocks at Home: Stylized Christmas home envy!

Hi guys,
I'm a bit of an interiors obsessive: I love checking out other people's home decor, and am forever drooling over interiors blogs (I like to call it house porn!) And if there's one time it's especially nice to see what creative ideas people have for their homes it's Christmas. It's not just interior blogs jumping on this band wagons either: the big department stores are hopping all over it too!

I love checking out the photo shoots that the big department stores put out to promote their Christmas decorations and interior ranges. It used to be that preparing for Christmas meant putting up a Christmas tree. But now you can buy new Christmas throws and cushions, art work, kitchen utensils and even bedding. (Primark have some great Nordic reindeer-print bedding instore, and it's only £15) And I love it!

Here's some decorating inspiration gleamed from the stores you'll find on every highstreet:

Marks and Spencer

Next 

House of Fraser

How do you decorate your home for Christmas? Do you take interior inspiration from blogs and press images and go abit over the top (guilty as charged!) or do you think these things are going a bit too far?

I'll be showing you how we decorate our house for Christmas later in the month. But in the meantime, I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Love Tor xx

PS - Don't forget to enter my Christmas giveaway: there is a great selection of little prizes to be won!! 

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's new Lingerie collection for M&S

Hi guys,
Sometimes I get invited to things that I'm just gutted I can't make it along to. I still attend as many events as possible, but early mornings and late nights just aren't easy for me anymore: Such is reality when you waddle when you walk! This week the event I was most sad to miss was the breakfast to launch Rosie for Autograph: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's new lingerie collection for M&S.

The colour palette for the collection was inspired by the rich colours of different types of roses. From the muted tones of dusky pink and green through to dramatic scarlet blooms, Rosie wanted the palette to evoke the beauty of a gorgeous British garden in Summer. (Must not say Roses for Rosie. Must not say....oh hell...)

Here's how it looks: 


The whole range has an opulent 1920s feel. Rosie says, “To find inspiration for the collection, I trawled my favourite vintage shops and flea markets in London, LA and Paris where I found a treasure trove of gorgeous clothes and ornate pieces of jewellery, as well as pictures and patterns found in old design books and fashion magazines....I was particularly drawn to the opulent elegance of the 20s era which really shows in my designs from the sumptuous silks I chose to the intricate deco inspired embroidery detailing on the garments.”

When I think of decadent and luxurious lingerie, with no real purpose other than looking and making you feel completely gorgeous, this is the kind of collection I think of. Which makes the price points and the fact the collection is accessible to just about everyone all the more surprising: Prices start at £12.50 for knickers, through to £22.50 for bras and £65 for the silk kimono. Bra sizes range from 30-40, with cup-sizes from A to E with selected styles available up to G. Knickers range from size 8 to 20.

I, for one, can't wait to get my hands on it. Good news, as the collection is instore now!

Love Tor xx

Thanks M&S! I'm already longing for winter...

Hi guys,
Apologies in advance for any mentions in this post of the dreaded 'C' word, but it really can't be helped! Today I went to the Marks and Spencer Christmas in July press show, and it's really got me thinking about winter: log fires, snow, and Christmas.

Despite the fact we haven't really had much of a summer yet, it's shows like this that make me think a long winter of wrapping up in knits and faux fur arriving so soon might not actually be too bad!




The jewel collared print dress in the first photograph, and the cream faux fur stole it's been teamed with, have both been immediately added to my wish list. I also really like the burnt orange fair isle jumper in the bottom picture, which will be perfect for wearing on our New Year's trip to Scotland.

To make matters worse, and despite the gloriously sunny weather outside, I also got a taste and a smell of Christmas. Perfectly roasted turkeys, smoked salmon, rich chocolates and even a stodgy fruit cake. Who can have a BBQ after sampling all of that?! No. I'm ready for a Christmas dinner!

Love Tor x

The history of your M&S undies

Hi guys,
I'm always been a big fan of M&S undies (they're comfy, they wash well, they're available in a bigger cup size: what's not to like!) so you can imagine how delighted I was to read that they have raided their archive to create a new vintage underwear range.

To celebrate the Queens Jubilee year, the lingerie design team have taken inspiration from original 1950’s designs to transform them into more wearable pieces for a new collection launching at M&S. Consisting of four looks, the beautifully constructed collection uses silk, lace, luxurious satin and mesh combinations to emulate the glamour of the 1950s, including designs based on the original conical bra, corsetry and the big knicker shape. The collection was inspired by some research M&S had done on their rich underwear history...

Want to find out more about the history of M&S lingerie? The team have created a surprisingly interesting interactive graphic showing the history of lingerie from the 1920s through to the 1980s. I geek out about stuff like this, so I love reading snippets of information I haven't read before. Did you know, for example, that the first M&S bra launched in 1926 and was designed for use under flapper style dresses to flatten the chest?

If you don't want to geek out about bra facts, get excited about pretty pants instead. The collection is available in store and online in May. Form an orderly queue behind me, ladies!

Love Tor xx

These aren't just any Valentines gifts....These are M&S Valentine's gifts!

Hi guys,
I always say that I'm not a big fan of Valentine's day. Who needs a special day to show someone you care about them, right? Having said that, if I didn't get a card I'd be gutted. Hypocrite, much!?

It's a fact that Valentine's day presents are usually pretty tacky (and as a general rule not great quality). Not true at M&S though, who's Valentine's offering I went to check out yesterday:




The heart bra set is traditional valentine's fare, but still devillishy pretty (and the fabric is a luxe-feeling satin). The stand out underwear set for me though was the gorgeous floral cotton longline bra and matching high rise briefs: this set has universal appeal that will last long after valentines day. And call me boring and practical, but because it's from M&S, at least you know if will wash well over and over again. And it's all available now.

Aside from the standard cakes and chocolates (always yummy!) the other gifts I loved were the household ones. Practical and pretty, who doesn't want a heart shaped cake mould or terrine? This Valentine's day I think I'll fill the house with pink and red kitsch and just finally embrace it. It's all too pretty not to!

Love Tor xx

M&S Lingerie: To keep you warm on long winter nights?

Hi guys,
Last week I was invited to breakfast at the Goring Hotel (where a certain Miss Middleton stayed the night before her wedding, if you care about these things!) to check out the Autumn/Winter collection from M&S lingerie: I'm having quite the love affair with M&S of late, aren't I?!

The collections were stunning: although lingerie often is when it's worn by beautiful models! It was mix of fun and colourful, with a nordic twist, and very vintage inspired:

I loved the very simple teal satin set, which is shown in the standard range style, but also comes in the M&S DD+ range. And the gown it was teamed with is gorgeous. I love the bold floral pattern and the rich aubergine colour. The DD+ range at M&S goes up to a G cup: not as large as the range at Debenhams or Bravissimo, but definitely big enough to fit the vast majority.

Cozy boots with lingerie isn't the sexiest look (and I can't see many people going for it!) but I love these cozy bootie slippers! They'd make great Christmas stocking fillers, and would be perfect teamed with snuggly loungewear for lazy weekends at home (or maybe it'd just me that doesn't like to get dressed on Sundays!)

I couldn't believe that the layered leopard print and pink tops were thermals! I am often spotted wearing plain black or white thermal tops under frocks in the winter, but would love to experiment with vibrant pattterned ones, so I'll definitely be picking this leopard print one up!

And can you believe the underwear in the final picture is shapewear? As a shapewear devotee, I can promise you I have nothing as pretty as that in my collection! The sheer panels make it look really surprisingly sexy and the super high waistline means you can be sure everything is held in place. Definitely one for the Christmas parties!

What do you think of the range? Has anything taken your fancy?
Love Tor xx

Marks and Spencer Accessories: Not what you'd expect!

Hi guys,

This evening I was invited to a Mad Hatters Tea Party to check out the new ranges of accessories from Marks and Spencer. And I have to say I completely fell in love: it wasn't what I was expecting at all. But in a good way! I think I have a slight prejudice against Marks and Spencer because it was one of only 5 clothing stores on our high street growing up, and was the place my Nan got her nighties, and my mum got my sensible school knickers.

But I take it back! I withdraw my old-fashioned prejudice: because judging by these accessories, M&S is a cool place to shop! The collections were divided into four distinct trend zones: Nordic Narnia, Wilderness, Global Traveller, and Boy Meets Girl:

The pieces in the Boy Meets Girl zone were my favourites: I especially loved the oversized black leather handbags (which felt as soft as butter) and the chunky black watch in the picture above.

I also loved all the glitter and sequins in the global traveler zone: can you believe the black and taupe sequinned and heeled Mary Janes were only £30? That's considerably cheaper than some of the more popular high street stores, and I completely loved them. They'd be perfect for Christmas parties, and I would team them with leggings for girls nights out.

I was also surprised at how many of the pretty shoes came in with built in insolia technology: I only have one pair of insolia shoes, but I swear by it! They're the only heels I can dance in all night long and not go home with my feet in shreds. Shoes that feel comfy but look all fashion: how can you lose!?

The overall verdict? For quality and affordable pieces that are fashion-forward, and are built to last, head to Marks and Spencer. I definitely will be!

Love Tor x

M&S underwear: Like an old faithful friend

The Marks and Spencer sale started today, and within minutes, all of the underwear on the website was out of stock. This was two things: 1) Irritating because it meant I would have to pop to the store to pick up some cheap knickers and 2) A testiment to Marks and Spencers reputation as an underwear retailer that women would go so crazy so quickly to pick up some discounted goodies. Not that it's expensive in the first place: a bra and knicker set for around £20-25 is a bargain as far as i'm concerned!

If I can help it, I always wear Marks and Spencer underwear. It fits well, it washes well, it's good quality and it looks great. You can't really ask for more than that! It has a reputation for being a bit old fashioned (a lot of people use the phrase "granny bras") but I don't think that's true at all: some of it is pretty/sexy - it's just functional too! I went through a phase of wearing La Senza bras, but found they don't cut so well for a larger bust, and within a wash or two the wire was poking through and ready to pierce my chest. Not a good look!

So this morning I sprinted to the Oxford Street M&S, hoping that there would still me the pieces I had spotted on the website available in my size. There was still a mixed bag of sizes available but I couldn't get all five of the sets I wanted: I contented myself with these two from the sale, and a further two at full price. I had mentioned earlier in the week that I needed to buy new underwear anyway, so really this was a case of right place, right time:

There were about 8 stands of the size above containing "pretty" everyday, and slightly fancy underwear, and all but two of the bras had a large selection of sizes in the matching briefs or thongs. The bras started at £4, the briefs at £3. There was also a large stand at the other side of the lingerie section containing more practical underwear such as functional strapless bras and a massive selection of sports bras in all sizes starting at around £7.

Of course the Marks and Spencer sale has lots of other things going on: fashion, mens and childrenswear, and home wear too. But for me, it's all about the pants!

Love, Tor x

PS - If you're still waiting to get your sale fix then you'll be pleased to know that the Selfridges sale starts at 8am on Monday morning, both instore and online. Elbows sharpened ladies, and i'll race you to the shoes!

Where did they British textile industry go?

In an article about an M&S dress worn by Sarah Cameron (the wife of Conservative party leader David Cameron, for the non Brits) in the Daily Mail yesterday, I read the following piece of text with great interest:

Marks & Spencer now manufactures only 5 per cent of its clothing in the UK.
Another great British brand, Jaeger, which as recently as 1983 manufactured 95 per cent of its garments in the UK, has since allowed the number of its British manufacturers to dwindle to precisely zero.
Burberry, too, which is fond of trumpeting its British heritage, oft repeating the fact that its trench coats were designed to keep our soldiers dry in the trenches of World War I, and which was welcomed back into the fold of London Fashion Week last month, closed yet another UK factory in January this year - in Rotherham, South Yorkshire - with a loss of 170 jobs.

It made me think about where my own wardrobe was produced, and whether that was something I felt comfortable about. Not just because of the often young workers in these far off countries being paid an unliveable wage (something we are all aware of and have all read about) but because of the decline of skills and jobs for British fashion workers. Because the heritage and reputation we have for our skilled tailors, precise seamstresses and accurate machine workers will die when these people have to retrain, because there isn't a job for them in fashion anymore.

Before he joined the army my dad had an apprenticeship to a tailor. Amongst his many stories (my dad is fab and full of stories!) is one about the ageing tailor who taught him who would skimp a quarter of a centimetre off the seam of every suit he produced until he had enough spare fabric to make my dad his first bespoke suit. The admiration in dad's voice when he tells this story speaks volumes. During the 80s my mum had a different dress for every ball she attended. They were hand made by the seamstress she used for my dads entire career (the only one she trusted with her dresses!) I distinctly remember sitting at the bottom of the stairs, aged 6, and watching her descend in acres of polka dot tulle. I gasped and declared her a princess. For years that dress stayed in her wardrobe, always referred to as "the princess dress". It stikes me that in this day in 2009 my mums seamstresss and my dad's tailor would probably be out of a job.

Today I am wearing head to toe Topshop (my new day of the dead skirt, a black silk top, oversized necklace and leggings) A faux pas I know but it looks pretty great! As you know, a lot of my clothes come from topshop. But looking inside the tags of these I see "made in Romania" "made in India" and "made in China"."Made in England" is a label I see now only in vintage and charity shops.

And this makes me wonder whether looking great is a big enough reason to keep buying these things. I'm certainly no activist, but maybe if we all pulled together and only brought clothes with that elusive "made in England" label on it then the stores would have to sit up and take note. In New York the fashion industry pulled together with a campaign to use and preserve their garment industry. Isn't it time for London designers to do the same thing?

Sorry for the rant!
Love, Tor xx

Vogue's fashion night out: Marks and Spencer style!

If you would like to read about what went on in the fancy pants stores of London Town on Vogue's fashion night out, then I would suggest you checked here, here, or here.

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I'm more of a highstreet kind of girl myself, and because the details of the topshop event didn't hold much interest, I spent most of my evening with the store that could arguably be described as the queen of the British high street: Marks and Spencer.

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M&S went all out, and put on quite a show: you could enter the store through a special red carpeted catwalk entrance (see below) and the evening saw catwalk shows (with goody bags for the VIPs that won tickets with their shopping) trend workshops, champagne and nibbles and little boots behind the DJ booth; quite a lot of entertainment from one store, i'm sure you'll agree!!

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I exhausted my camera by taking photographs in Primark (see yesterdays posts) so I didn't get any images of the best of the action, but here is the entrance, the catwalk primed for action and the free champagne bar:

I also fell in love with this barbie pink leather dress from the new M&S limited collection. The colour is awesome, it had a leopard print lining and it was as soft as butter. I think I could rock it! If only £149 could magically land in my lap....

The rest of the night was equally fun; the whole of Oxford Street had an unusual air of excitement about it. As I walked past La Senza I realised the mannequin in the window had been replaced by a model: I only realised this when she frightened the life out of me by winking at me! Outside Selfridges was a freezing cold looking (but very beautiful!) Agent Provocateur model drawing quite a crowd and I had one of those surreal "zoolander" moments, because just yards away from her was a crowd of protestors. It's not for me to say whether they were wrong or right, but I did snigger to myself as the line "it's not right at these events; ugly protesters bothing beautiful people" popped into my head. It really is one of my favourite films! I then popped down to topshop for a handful of yummy cadburys chocolates (and to return a torn dress- boo!) before heading home.

Anyway there it is; my fashion night out in all of its glory. It might not have been full of glamour, but it was full of fun!!

Love, Tor xxxx

SATC (Shopping and the City)

If the early bird catchers the worm dear reader, then this blog won’t be winning any prizes!

Yesterday morning Patricia Field graced the Marks and Spencer Marble Arch store with her presence to launch her new collection which went on sale on the website at midnight. Hundreds of people queued for hours for a glimpse of Pat and to be amongst the first to have their pick of the full range which included dresses, jackets, bags, scarves, belts and shoes.

Was I up at 7am to join the fun? No I was not! Sadly by the time I arrived at around lunchtime the lady herself had gone and all the hoo-hah had died down. Some rather glamorous staff members (all of the staff were wearing their pick of the range) told me that after a frantic morning, all of the accessories in the collection had sold out.


If quality is measured by customer interest then, the collection is a huge success. But is this a measure of Pat F’s talent as a stylist or the power of the SATC franchise (I even saw SATC Christmas tree decorations in Harrods today)?


Despite missing out on all the accessories, the dresses of the collection were still all available and ready for some up close inspection. My first thought was that perhaps the range could be renamed “How to Look like Carrie Bradshaw” because if I had to sum the collection up in one sentence I would say that it was a series of very good rip offs SJP wore in the SATC movie. See below if you don’t believe me!



Do you see now? Do you see?? But as a devout fan of the SJP look, I don’t see that as a bad thing. I’m not sure how the designers she’s ripping off will feel about the whole thing however! Overall though I think the collection is good. The fabrics were hit and miss ranging from cheap feeling polyester to gorgeous chiffon and thick rich cottons. I am a massive fan of the brocade florals (which I couldn’t get close enough to take pictures of) which are used on a couple of beautiful scoop neck dresses. I also like the simple cut of the coats and the shoes and belts seemed to be particularly well constructed and made of real leather (you don’t get that from Lily Allen at new look!)
A coven of dressed up mannequins (if you look closely you can see the dress I love on the poster in the back ground!)


As with all collections there were a couple of dresses I couldn’t abide. In this case they were those of a non descript polyester “I could have got this from primark for a third of the price” persuasion. A purple tiered rara skirted dress with spaghetti straps? Teamed with a contrasting belt? How original! You get the idea…..

But hey, when was the last time you saw the perfect diffusion range? For right or wrong, the middle market has to be covered. Although neither original or fashion forward, I was a big fan of the sequinned blazer which fit tightly and fastened like a corset. And, as you can see, so was my mama:

Doesn’t she look cute as a button? And it goes to show the range can be adapted for anyone. Although M&S are blatantly targeting a younger demographic by bringing PF onboard, they aren’t isolating their devoted shoppers who can incorporate a smaller piece or two in with their Per Una staples.

Go Marks and Spencer I say. A brave decision, and a good one. Not unlike the St Michaels coat I have in my wardrobe which is over 20 years old, I think an investment in a piece from the PF collection is an investment in the future!

Much Love,

Tor