A WINTER'S NAIL: TOPSHOP AUTUMN/WINTER HOLIDAY POLISH

I was lucky enough to get a sneak peek at TopShop make up's Christmas nail colours and thought you might like to see...  I love the muted, on-trend 1970's colours from the Smoke & Mirrors collection (above) with their gorgeous art deco, Empire State Building style packaging. 

And how stunning are these hard wearing metallics?  Such a great range of shades too which all come in the quirky signature TopShop polka dot bottles which are so fun.  

There are also a few more fashion shades added to their long-lasting, affordable nail varnish range - these are so new they don't have names yet but rest assured, they are hot hot hot!  Not long to wait now...

PIMP YOUR KICKS: SHOETURE SNEAKER BLING

Ever since I used to wear Grolsch tops on my Dr. Marten school shoes, I've loved a shoe accessory. Coupled with a trainer obsession, Shoeture was bound to be a smash hit fashion fit for me.

Shoeture is an urban American brand founded in California which produces a great range of slick accessories to customize your kicks. Matte and metallic hooks (as above), tangs (which criss cross with your own laces - see the diagram) come in a variety of finishes and colours including green, red, gold, silver and black as well as a nice line in custom pins and buckles - like this awesome 80's style boombox.

Shoeture's UK operation is headed up in London by the Hip Hop Education Company's Damien Anyasi who first came across the brand when he was hosting the UK hiphop dance championships back in June.

"One of the guest groups  - Poreotics, winners of America's best dance crew - were wearing the bars on their shoes. I noticed one of the judges, street dance legend, Shabba Doo, was also wearing a silver pair, so over a hot Nando's I asked him what they were.  And he told me. The following day I checked out the Shoeture website and discovered they didn't deliver to Europe, so I sent an email asking where I could get them from in London and if they had no distribution, would they like it. An hour later I discovered the EU website and ordered a pair of gold 'Hooks'. 3 hours later, while I was teaching, I got a phone call from Austria saying they'd been contacted by the parent company in the States and wanted to talk business.  It all happened in a day."

There are videos and diagrams on the site so don't panic about not having a clue how to fix your bling to your shoes - it's pretty simple.

The hardwear prices are really reasonable starting at £3.90 for a pin and UK shipping is around £7 per set of hooks, tangs etc. International shipping and prices are all available too and Damien is a super helpful, friendly guy so if you have any order queries or special requests, just get in touch.

Shoeture is currently working on UK stockists but for now you can buy online direct from www.shoeture.co.uk 

NICOLA ROBERTS DOES IT AGAIN! - LUCKY DAY VIDEO

How Sex & The City, Carrie walking back to her apartment is this video??  LOVE the baby doll mini tunic paired with high tops.  Our Nicola does love flashing her pants, doesn't she?  And so would I with pins like that. CHOOOOOON!

Nicola Roberts' new single, Lucky Day, out September 18th.

ONEPIECE JUMPSUITS - THE SUPER COOL SLANKET YOU CAN WEAR TO THE SHOPS

I have a new MUST HAVE and it's basically a giant babygro.

These roomy OnePiece onesies are the latest incarnation of the jumpsuit trend, successfully fusing urban fashion with function and supreme comfort.

Perfect for lounging around in or a quick hangover shop run, I cannot get enough of these rad unisex rompers.

You may recognise the Traditional Norwegian print jumpsuits (pink and purple examples shown here)  from Channel 4's excellent Dirty Sexy Things as all the models seem to wear them.

Justin Bieber has also been spotted in the Stars and Stripes flag version - but don't let that put you off.  One of those and a pair of the Jeremy Scott x ObyO Adidas American Flag winged trainers and that's next year's sweeeet Independence Day outfit sorted - how's that for forward planning?!

Made from regular or lightweight cotton jersey, they come in a range of designs and cost around £130-£140 each. Buy online direct from OnePiece.

FLATSPOT'S ACE SELECTION OF TOTALLY BORROWABLE MEN'S SWEATSHIRTS

Only New York Beach raglan sweatshirt, £60

I love Flatspot. It may be a men's fashion site but they have the coolest stuff from new and cutting edge urban brands, with a particularly nice line in American imports like Huf, Only New York and DQM.

Wood Wood, Beach Boys Don't Cry sweatshirt, £80

These are a few of my favourite comfort dressing, wardrobe staple sweatshirts they're currently rocking - made for guys but great for girls too. How Alexander Wang is this scoop neck Kr3w sweatshirt below (£50)?

What do you mean I'll put boob holes in it?  Hey - borrowing is eco friendly - I'm just doing my bit for the environment. OK??

Obey au Portant, Breton style hoody, £69

CHEAP SUMMER SHOWER CHIC: M&S 80'S STYLE LEOPARD PRINT UMBRELLAS

Stupid weather. I am so sick of getting caught out in heavy rain showers and not being able to find an umbrella. 

This super cute, Eightie's style electric leopard print brolly from Marks & Spencer is the perfect size to fit in even a small handbag (mine pictured is an 11" Cambridge Satchel) - I'm never going out without it again.

It also comes in a variety of pop-py colourways - I am definitely hankering after a black & purple, and a pink & yellow - and is a pocket friendly £7.50.

Get yourself to M&S now (or order online if it's raining...) and make like a boy scout - it's good to be prepared.

UPLIFTING SHOE TREND NEWS: TRIPLE SOLE BROTHEL CREEPERS

Jeffery Campbell 'Stinger' Platform creepers (triple height sole), $185 from NastyGal

I bought these navy pony skin triple height sole brothel creepers (below) by creeper specialists, Underground Shoes in the mid 1990's and have loved them dearly ever since.

They have served me well over the years (especially when I had navy hair to match) and have even been street style photographed by leading online fashion industry trend forecasters, Trendstop.com, so I am delighted that this trend is making a comeback - for men and women.

Underground Shoes' round toed, triple sole black suede creepers with D ring lace fastenings, £95

An organic progression from flatforms and the stacked Prada espadrille brogues that were everywhere for Spring/Summer, unisex creepers in a range of colours, textures and sole heights were a prominent feature in Autumn/Winter 2011 collections.

Sandro Alma high heeled wedge creepers with buckle fastening

These new takes on the heritage rock n roll shoe style provide a super chic, fun and still comfy alternative for those of us who tend to usually live in trainers.  They are particularly great with the new cigarette pants and cropped trousers as well as midi skirts and skinny or boyfriend style rolled jeans.

Special order black leather pointy-toed brothel creepers, £125 from Underground Shoes

Although the triple soles are my favourites (what can I say? I'm short), oh how I wish I hadn't accidentally thrown out the other shoe, unpairing these wonderful vintage Bronx high heeled creepers from the early 90's :( similar to the beautiful creations over at Sandro.

Admittedly, they were a bit knackered (and they look better on, honest)...

There are also a few lower-to-the-ground creepers worthy of special mention...

Lazy Oaf x Underground Shoes' Minnie suede creepers, £85 from Lazy Oaf

Monochrome, white leather creepers with black sole and detailing, £77 from Underground Shoes

 

Underground Shoes' limited edition round toe, single height espadrille-style sole creepers, £77

Pierre Hardy leopard creepers - chunkier mens version. Check Hypebeast for more info.