Here comes George......

I feel like i'm turning into a one lady George of Asda cheerleader lately. As you can't have failed to have noticed, I LOVE George, and i'm not afraid to say it! It's as cheap as Primark (my other great love), but the attention to detail is better and, more importantly if you can't afford to replace your basics as often as you like, it lasts longer.

With this in mind, I decided it was time to view George's new season collection from the comfort of my bed and relax whilst enjoying a guilt-free fashion binge (Because even if you like something from George, you can't buy it on line, so you can't be tempted to cyber-indulge!)

First of all I feel I should point out that the George online range is significantly smaller than their in store collections, so it's difficult to get an overall feel for what's available, but even from this reduced range there were some key pieces that would slot into my wardrobe perfectly.OK, so it's not a wardrobe staple, or a key piece for everyone's wardrobe. But I love Hello Kitty and i'm not even sorry. The George Tshirts are usually really soft and a great fit. And I really like the cutesy graphic pattern on this T: £8 well potentially spent.

I LOVE this pink and grey hounds tooth scarf (£5) It'll look perfect once the weather gets a bit better (here's hoping) teamed with my yellow high necked linen jacket. I enjoy the early 80s pairing of yellow pink and grey. And I have a sneaky suspicion it will be a great investment piece, as Marc Jacobs ready to wear show at NY fashion week yesterday was full of vibrant coloured hounds toth pieces: so the scarf will still look great next Autumn/Winter too.

Nothing like being inspired by Marc Jacobs for a fiver!

I've become obsessed with finding the perfect checked shirt lately. And although I won't know for sure until I try it on (and try it on I will) this shirt seems like pretty close to perfect. Of course the matchy fabric belt will have to go- they're my pet hate, but with a high waisted brown leather belt, this shirt would look perfect with skinny jeans and red heels.

So there you have it. George at Asda does it again: 3 items, 3 perfect new season looks for less than the cost of a night in the pub. And you can't argue with that.

Lots of Love
Tor

Check me out! (A moment of self-indulgence)

Firstly, apologies for the lack of posts to the later end of last week: the lovely Becky has been feeling under the weather, and I had gone to London to see the queen. (OK, I was mostly in London to hang out with my sister-Happy Birthday Amie!- and catch up with some friends, but see the the Queen sounded better!) We have smacked each other firmly on the wrist, and promise to try much harder to keep up with our daily post promise from now on.

I was going to write about the new things that have excited me from New York fashion week so far, but as i'm still so happy about my wonderful weekend i've decided i'm going to show you the lovely new things I brought instead: namely a checked top, a printed dress, pink shoes, and a scarf with a panda on it.

The Shoes

I've stolen the photo from the Shellys website rather than show you how they look on my foot because it is impossible to take a decent photo of your own feet (believe me I tried, just for you!) These courts are leather and suede and believe it or not were reduced in the sale at Shellys from £45 to just £8. I loved them because the heel was low enough to walk in all day, the colour was vibrant (and to be honest a bit garish; which I like) And they looked a little vintage and 80s without being second hand (because I will put any old crap on my body, but for some reason the idea of wearing second hand shoes makes me feel squeamish!)

The Dress

When I saw this dress on Catwalk Queens preview of the new Primark Spring/Summer collection, I knew I had to have it. So I dragged my poor sister all the way down to marble arch, harrassed 2 shop assistants, and persuaded the manager to take the last dress out of the window (I didn;t even care what size it was, I had to have it) The dress was mine.

The top

Unfortunately my camera is as rubbish as the light in my room, so you'll have to squint a bit to make out the top; but it's really lovely! Honest!

I've been looking for weeks for a black and white checked shirt that was flattering (which meant not too many buttons around the bust) and feminine. Unfortunately, love it though I do, with my figure masculine tailoring just makes me look like, well, a man. This shirt form Joy, £20 ticked all the right boxes.

The Scarf

As i've posted more than once about Disney clothing and Hello Kitty, it should come as no surprise that when buying this scarf with panda detail my main concern wasnt whether I would look like a 5 year old child but whether, as they were in the sale, I should get the scarf with the owl on as well. Reduced from £24 to £4.99: bargain! It's cute, the colour is gorgeous, and it keeps me warm in this attrocious weather. What more could you want from a scarf?

So there you have it. I'm sorry the post included no New York, no supermodels, no ready to wear goodness, and no new season ideas. Just one big shopping trip and lots of yummy things i'm really looking forward to wearing. Actually, i'm not sorry at all! I'm going to go and put on all my new things all at once and pretend its a new super-cool way of layering!

Love

Tor xxx

OK OK, New York, New York......

New York fashion week is nearly over, and i've been having so much fun tearing up the highstreet this week that I haven't written a single word

So in typical '3 of the best' format,

Lest he forgets.....

Without sounding like a spokesperson for Hallmark, I thought i'd better mention that Valentines day is fast approaching. Now i'm not normally one for commercial holidays. And I know that Valentines day is the most meaningless and commercial holiday of them all. And I am aware that Valentine's day is mostly disapointing for us mere mortals, pocket filling for the companies that sell us our trinkets, and pretty miserable for anyone without a significant other. But I also think that any holiday that means my boyfriend will make me a homemade card (it's a longrunning tradition) and buy me a thoughtful gift, usually fashion related, is not a bad thing.

This year I am making Mr Man his valentines gift, and as it is a fine example of crafty fashion (fingers crossed) I will upload some photo's of it when it's finished. In the meantime, I've been thinking about what I would like to recieve this year from that ideal world where money grows on trees and everyone can have what they want. My top 5 vaguely romantic and meaningful lust-have items are:

Anatomica heart necklace from Paraphernalia, $20 (approx £10).

By far the most affordable item on my fanatasy list, I love this necklace. Becky introduced me to the amazing jewellery at Paraphernalia last week, and i've become slightly addicted to looking at it. The obvious heart association covers the valentine's angle of the gift, without being overly cutesy and obvious (ala the angled heart shaped necklaces everyone from the Bridget Jones generation coveted) Its a statement piece I would wear again and again (and again, actually!) Miu Miu floral carved sandals, £275

OK, so I know it's a bit of a push on the 'traditional Valentine's gift' front, but as people often gift flowers as tokens of love, and then main feature of these shoes is the floral detail, I figured it would be OK. Besides, its my list of imaginary gifts, and I will imaginarily wear them if I want to!

I have a minor (ok, major) addiction to tan leather: bags, belts, shoes, jackets- if you can name it I can own it in tan. I love these shoes because on the surface they seem so simple but the detail on them is so bold and intricate. These would make a perfect addition to my summer 'staple' wardrobe.

I don't normally wear delicate or fine jewellery, preferring to opt for its chunkier (and cheaper) relation. However, for Tiffanys, i'm prepared to make an exception:

There are many beautiful things on the Tiffany site. However, this is not one of them. I don't know what pleases me more: how delightfully tacky it looks, or how they've managed to make something so expensive look so cheap. This diamond and pink sapphire charm set in platinum would set you back £1,450. I am always attracted to the tackiest possible thing in every store I go into, but I didn't realise that the rule of tack also applied to jewellery that costs the equivilent of 3 months rent!

The next gift idea is perhaps my favourite. Teddybears are cute, and if you're a 15 year old girl, a romantic valentines day gift. My nickname to my family and friends is (I really don't know why) Bear. And Vivienne Westwood is, as i'm sure you've gathered by now as I mention her in almost every post, my favourite designer. What's not to love about Vivienne Westwood teddybear keyrings? And even better, they're on sale for £35 at her magic online store.

Anna Sui top, £156

This is by far the biggest leap from Valentine's romance to fashion, but for this top it's a leap worth making. This Anna Sui top is called a 'Kissing leaves bow top'. Including the word kissing makes it romantic enough for me. And besides, whats more romantic than being taken out for the day wearing this beautiful shirt teams with a pleated mini and brown opaque tights? Exactly.

My boyfriend claims to show a passing interest in mine and Becky's labours and read our little blog from time to time. (Despite his all-consuming lack of interest in anything remotely fashion, God bless him) Of course, our stats show that he hasn't visited the site since November: oh yes, we have eyes and ears everywhere! Despite myself, and knowing that this means I won't get any of the things on my finely constructed list, i'm really looking forward to Valentines this year. Because (and I can;t quite believe i'm saying this) Love is about more than awesome jewellery and gorgeous couture. Only 11 more days to go......

Lots of Valentines love and wishes of finest fashion gifts for you all (you deserve them),

Tor

Be on the cover of Vogue

OK, so it's only a bit of fun, but it strokes my ego and suits my vanity to show you my latest "kill some time" website. The internet really is an amazing invention: you can design your own frock, dress up a virtual character that looks just like you, and now appear on the cover of Vogue.



Magmypic.com does exactly what it says on the tin! You upload any picture you like and it is transformed, as if by magic, into the cover of your favourite magazine. And the best bit is, you can be the star!


You can choose from fashion bibles Vogue, Cosmo and (to a lesser extent) Seventeen, be a rock and roll star on the cover of Rollingstone, or appear on the front of loads of other magazines that i don't read: Time, Sports Illustrated, People, Fortune, the list goes on.

I always knew I had the potential to be a cover girl; if only someone had realised and picked me off the street ala Sophie Dahl. (sigh!)

I admit it might not be high-fashion or a completely grown-up pursuit, but it is a fun way to kill 10 minutes on a Sunday morning: I promise.

Love Tor