Milk & Manolos

I feel like a little kid in a sweet shop, about to throw a tantrum. Except I know I don’t have a hope in hell of getting what I want. Frustration to the point of tears.

The thing that I’m desperate for, which will complete me as a wife, mother, daughter, employee and part-time fashionista is the latest offering from Prada, the Prada Fairy bag. Just writing that mad me want to hurl myself towards the ground with great velocity and in full view of the Husband. Surely he can see my pain ?

This bag is just beautiful, but retailing at well over £ 1,000 is way out of my reach. Heavily marketed over the last few weeks this is most certainly the bag to have, and will be until AW 08. Sold out in seconds, if you’re lucky enough to have a hefty wad of spare spondoolies in that bottom draw of yours, get your name on the waiting list toot suite (client.service@prada.com).

In the meantime, I’ll just admire from afar, and consider a short spell of petty crime in order to fund my addiction.

Being the girl that loves a bargain I shall be hot footing in April to H & M when 60’s print designers Marimekko will be launching their range for the under 2’s. Sadly the Munchkin misses the age bracket, however as Tyra says, sometimes we have to suffer for fashion. With much deliberation I decided it thoroughly wrong to squeeze a growing child into clothes far too small for them, so have resolved myself to purchasing for the under 2’s only. With a round of second babies making their way into the world the timing is perfect.

With style icon Jackie Kennedy having given Marimekko the seal of approval way back in the day, what better way to start your sartorial journey.

As a child of the eighties, my heart belongs to the ra-ra skirt. Now renamed for the Noughties as a ‘Ruffle Skirt’ I want this Honey, and I want it now. Teamed with wedge or flat sandals this is the perfect throw on summer skirt.

The only question that remains - can I bear to let the Munchkin’s sticky chocolate fingers near my Moschino (not so) Cheap and Chic friend ? With the Dry Cleaner’s just round the corner, hell, why not ?

My love of all things precious, and in particular sparkly, has had me trawling the internet for suitable baubles for my Spring / Summer Look Book.

Not usually being one for dangly earrings I couldn’t resist bringing you these beauties from Alexis Bittar. Beautifully simple and fresh these are sure to be a staple once the weather improves and we can finally scoop that hair up, rather than using it as a human scarf as I’ve done for the past three months.

The Daffs are here so not long to go …

As I scout the shops for possible Spring / Summer purchases, I couldn’t resist bringing you these cute, and not to mention, cheap and cheerful, sandals from Shellys.

I fully admit that I’m not usually a Shellys girl, finding their designs, particularly of late, somewhat from the left field, and I have the strong suspicion that the brand is flailing following the closure of their flagship store in Oxford Circus.

With all of that said, I thought these cute leather sandals could be a very suitable candidate for my “lived in” sandal of the season. At at £ 25, you can’t really go wrong.

There’s something about Tatty Devine jewellery which is simply irresistible.  The mouth watering colours of the high gloss perspex akin to the effect of all that glitters to a magpie, particularly for a child of the eighties.  I want it, I want it I want it !

For years I have steered well clear of plastic appendages for fear of strolling too far down the Sue Pollard avenue, and let’s face it, it’s an easy mistake-a-to-make-a.  Tatty Devine’s jewellery is fun and ironic - sometimes the bling’s just got to make way for that. 

There’s something about shopping cheap and cheerfully which just floats my boat.  To find a killer dress, a key piece for the season, for under £ 30 is somewhat of a coup.  As my dear old Ma has told me over and over again, the key is in the accessories. 

I’m so excited about this dress from Hennes, I can barely contain myself.  With some simple flat sandals and with the dusting down of my faithful Coffer bag, I shall be ready for whatever the day, or the Munchkin, throws at me. 

I’m so glad January is almost over. Bored with it’s greyness of January, I’ve decided to start planning Spring / Summer 2008.  It’s a safety mechanism - the longer I dwell on the frugality of January, the more likely I am to slip into a post-festive depression.  So fixing my sights firmly on sunny days, I’m collating my online mood card so when the time comes I’m ready, willing and able.

First on my list are Miu Miu’s metallic ballet pumps.  A snippet at just £ 265, but as ever my theory is to aim for the stars and settle with the odd firework or two.  Give it time and they’ll be High Street versions a go-go.  See, it pays to plan … 

Having yet again worn my Ugg Boots throughout the winter (may I say at this juncture, the 4th in a row) many would say I’m horribly unfashionable, needing closure on my fluffy friends and ought to find something a little more AW 07/08. They wouldn’t be wrong, but judging by the many Uggtastical disciples I see simply popping out to get some milk, I know I’m not alone, and that, well, there’s safety in numbers.

I’m now debating weither the Munchkin should be Ugged up also.  They comfy, and would work everso well with the drain pipe jeans she’s currently refusing to wear, but are they suitable for her 27 months ?  I worry about the ankle support aspect. Aren’t they essentially slippers ?  While I debate this small detail I did consider however that it would be down right rude not to forward this special offer I’ve just found to y’all … 

Returning oddly sized Christmas lingerie this weekend, I spent the few minutes waiting to hear if my wish was to be granted by the rather scary Sales Assistant amusing myself with the packaging of Trinny & Susannah’s support garments.  Never have I seen anything so brash and money grabbing.

I mused for a moment over my failure to include the trusty Spanx pant in my blog.  This is information worth sharing.  Quickly adding it to my long list of resolutions, I’m hence removing it with a proud tick following this post.

There’s no doubting we all have days when we feel a little ‘bloated’.  These are one of the sneaky little tricks that fashionistas squirrel away for such days.  A variety of shapes, sizes and colours caters for whatever your concern, quickly smoothing you out and pushing you in and comfortably too. Also, you can resist the aptly named Power Brief ?  Surely this is something every woman should own ?  Following the shrinkage of my so called ‘lucky pants’ there’s been a space in my closet for a favourite brief for far too long.  One that’s just been filled.