Uniqlo UU Collection - My Highlights From the New Uniqlo Undercover Collection

So the first wave of Uniqlo's Undercover Collection dropped today and it's pretty sweet. These are my standout pieces - the outerwear is a particular highlight, especially bearing in mind the rise of the puffa jacket and gilet for winter. I love Uniqlo - it's affordable, well cut and often looks more expensive than it is - what's not to love?! 

The quirky long line hoody is a great weekend basic and the chunky 'Heavy Gauge Knit' jumper dress (£49.90) looks so super cosy. This UU Utility Coat (£129.90) is a great take on the lightweight parka with its faux fur collar and thermal lining but the v-neck polar fleece 'Bulky Fleece Long Sleeved Jacket' (£39.90), colour blocked puffa 'UU Premium Down Jackets' (£69.90) and the gilet style premium down vest jackets that look like they come from APC or Supreme but for a fraction of the price (but which don't come out until the second drop) are my must haves. 

Check out the whole collection by clicking here. 

Louise Gray for Topshop Makeup

OK so, as promised, following my earlier blog post on the awesome Louise Gray for Topshop clothing collection which launches in stores and online tomorrow, here's a look at some of her limited edition beauty line for Topshop Makeup which hits at the same time.

Louise Gray for Topshop Makeup includes glitter nail polishes (fine glitter orange 'Dart' and electric blue chunkier glitter 'Junkyard' polishes pictured here), mascara with the prettiest gold spotted packaging, a great bright pink lipstick in Legend, bold cheek colours like this 'Up In The Air' cream blush and some beautiful make up brushes.

There's also a Glitter Duo pack of hearts and sequin style spots (pictured here in 'Peacock') to stick in your hair as well as on your skin (think beauty spots, eyebrow adornments a la Bjork, etc or check out how Louise herself models the beauty range here for some inspiration.

Louise Gray for Topshop clothing and make up collections launch tomorrow at Topshop stores and online at www.topshop.com

Louise Gray Does Glittering Rave Garms for Topshop

I love Louise Gray. Her light hearted, colourful aesthetic is so fun and who doesn't love clothes that make you smile?  Her bold new six-piece clothing collaboration with Topshop, pictured above, is a riot of smiley sequinned rave culture pieces which you really have to see on to tell just how well they work, particularly the sequinned spotted cardigan/jacket. 

This happy little collation is bound to be a quick fire sell out as soon as it drops in stores and online at www.topshop.com this Thursday (23rd August) but if you miss out on the clothing and still want to grab yourself a piece of that unique Louise Gray style, she's also bringing out a beauty range for Topshop Makeup - more on that later.

Gerald Darel Gives Great Animal Print

Gerald Darel is one of those brands I always walk past in department stores, dismissing it as something my mum would wear but there's one thing I do think they do really well and that's animal print.  

The new AW12 collection is a lot more youthful than anything I've seen from them before and has some great, tasteful animal prints like this snake print silk shirt (£155) and peplum leopard print top (£120).  There's the most wonderful cerulean leopard print dress in the window of their Sloane Square boutique too but nothing online yet.

Available in sizes 8-18 and from various department store concessions as well as their own stores, it's definitely worth a look.

Spongebob Squarepants Shoes! Creative Recreation x BAIT Spongebob Collection Out Now

SCREAM! How ace is this new Spongebob collection of limited edition trainers from Creative Recreation x BAIT?

LOVE these soles, especially seeing as the uppers are actually really understated so the cartoon designs are a brilliant eye-catching surprise to onlookers when you cross your legs, put your feet up, or if any of you are in the habit of going round high kicking.

These super cheery sneakers go on sale this week - check out High Snobiety for more info and images as well as stockist info.

Obey x Keith Haring Raglan Baseball Tee

I've never been a massive Keith Haring fan but I LOVE this new collaboration baseball top he's designed for Obey.  All that movement! So perfect right now what with all the Olympics fever. The curved hem and 3/4 sleeves are great details too, as is the small, Obey logo on the back (not shown here but you can see it on Size's site here). Very cute and I bet it'll look even better once it's a bit love-worn and the cotton's got that vintage feel to it. 

Keith Haring x Obey Flag raglan t-shirt, £40 in S-XL from www.size.co.uk

Alexander McQueen High Shine Visors for AW12

Robot nation? Welder chic? I don't know what you'd call accessorising your look with a new high shine Alexander McQueen visor but I do know it's SUPER HOT. The official line for this key AW12 accessory is 'Beautiful Future' which I can run with but fashion aside, on a practical level it's great for blocking all those nasty, ageing UV rays from a lot more of your face than sunglasses. I'm not sure it's one for the round-of-face like me (sad face) but whatever, I still love it. £270 from various retailers or buy online from www.alexandermcqueen.com

Sutsu's Cheery Cloud Formation Sweatshirts

Too awesome. Make light of the weather with these super cute crew neck 'Formation' and 'Formation Sun' sweats in heather grey, black or navy organic cotton jersey with multi-coloured cloud motifs from cool skate-wear specialists, Sutsu. 

At the bargain price of £37.50 and in sizes S, M, L and XL, the top two multi-coloured cloud print sweatshirts first came out for SS11 but were so popular you can now pre-order them, whilst the new Formation Sun colour ways (bottom row, pictured above) are new additions to the range. The same print is also available on t-shirts at £25 each. All available to buy online from www.sutsu.com 

Supreme x Nike SB Dunk Low Collaboration - 10 Year Anniversary Shoe

Supreme have been putting out their own Nike SB Dunk Lows for a decade now so, to celebrate their 10 year milestone, they've just released this hot anniversary shoe.  The scarlet red uppers feature a full-grain grey and black nubuck leather trim with embossed elephant texture, made exclusively for Supreme. The skate sneakers carry a nod to their exclusivity in the keychain tag which carries the Nike SB (the SB stands for skateboarding btw) and Supreme logos.

I implore anyone lucky enough to catch these when they drop online at www.supremenewyork.com and in the NY, LA and London Supreme stores on 19th July (21st July in Japan) to PLEASE remove the tag from your shoes before wearing.

Leaving it on doesn't make you cool, it makes you look silly.  Ditto leaving the bar code anti-theft strips on the peaks of New Era caps -  I've just about come around to leaving the gold stickers on, but please people, you don't walk around with the extra button-in-a-bag attached to your coats so cut these things off! * * * rant ends * * *

New Nike X Liberty Collection Goes Monochrome on Monday - Sneak Preview!

So the new 'Lotus Jazz' Liberty print which will feature on the latest footwear collab with Nike has just been released and, not only will it cover some great new running shoes, it's also making an appearance on the strictly limited edition Destroyer varsity-style jackets that accompany the collection.

I've managed to get my hot little hands on one so am able to give you a sneaky preview (see pic below) - seriously, how cool???  Oh how I wished my name began with an L... I'm loving the angular, monochrome print which has been reworked from a 1965 design and has a really modern, minimalist aesthetic. Baseball jackets are such a hot trend for AW12 and next Spring too but this colour way make it a real classic, classy, hard working piece.

The Nike x Liberty collection drops exclusively at Liberty in store and online from www.liberty.co.uk from 10am on Monday 16th July (jackets are in-store only) but, for now, you can read all about it here.  Anyway, now to the important business of ogling my new jacket... :)

Cute Candy Store Cases Launch In UK

I saw the new Candy Store range of accessories all made from colourful, lightweight silicone yesterday and came away with this fab little mirror compact (£10). The US brand has just launched in the UK and includes make up bags (£20) and coin purses (£9) too which the wipe-clean fabric lends itself to perfectly and all close with this super cute bobble snap clasp. They're relatively cheap and very, very cheerful. Me likey!

www.candystorestyle.com

McQ Does Twilight Style For Pre-Fall 2012 Collection

McQ by Alexander McQueen has moved so far away from its denim diffusion line roots; it's still youthful and more affordable than Alexander McQueen mainline (although more expensive than it used to be, though I guess that's to be expected when you start using eg. silks instead of denims) but the designs are nothing like the street wear we've seen from this label in the past. The only theme which seems to remain from McQ's early days is the occasional nod to rockabilly styling and silhouettes.

The McQ Pre-Fall 2012 collection has just gone on sale today and draws heavily on the British fashion house's signature gothic glamour, mixed with a hearty dose of Twilight style inspiration in some of the key pieces, like this wolf print Silk Satin Wolf Rockabilly Dress, £610, and the eerie, scratchy, smokey monochrome x-ray motif of the Black X-Ray Cap Sleeved Dress, £210 also pictured above.

Check the collection out online now at www.alexandermcqueen.co.uk/mcq/ - I'm all over the blood red safety pin knit dress (£275) and the black zip kilt (£300) is a modern classic.  Sarah Burton is totally smashing it with her McQ makeover right now - and just wait til you see the AW12 collection...

Swarovski's Hello Kitty Bow Drop Earrings Reduced!

TOO CUTE. CAN'T DEAL.

Swarovski have just reduced these purrrrfect glittering crystal Hello Kitty drop earrings for pierced ears, featuring the iconic bow in red - now reduced to £30.50 and available from Swarovski stores.

Jelly Shoes Are Back - No, Really

Remember these?? I do, mainly because my mum wouldn't let me have them because she said plastic shoes were bad for my feet. Thanks to the runaway success of rubber shoe brands like Melissa coupled with the trend for all things 90s, jelly shoes are making a fashion comeback thanks to Juju.

The original Babe (chunky heel) and Maxi (flats) styles are available in the retro glitter, pearl and regular finishes, and in a mixture of pastels, brights and monochrome colours all over the shop from Topshop and New Look to Office and Urban Outfitters.  They've even taken a high fashion turn with a clear collaboration shoe for Margaret Howell, pictured above.

I've spotted loads of cool kids who are most likely pretty new to the jelly shoe phenomenon wearing them out and about but now I'm allowed them, I'm not sure I'm so keen. They're definitely a nice bit of nostalgia though for those of us who remember them the first time round.

Check out the full range and stockists at www.jujushoes.co.uk

Have You Seen These Trainers? A UK Appeal for Information

Blogosphere, this is an appeal. We missed out on the UK release of the super fresh Nike Digi Camo Air Force 1s with the light reflective 3M pixel print detailing this weekend. 

Foot Patrol has sold out, eBay sellers are all in the US so postage is crazy and there has been severe sulking from our household's Nike contingent ever since.

If anyone knows where I can get a pair of these in a UK 10 or 10.5, please please please get in touch. If you can't help, get yourself over to Fashion Bomb for the best coverage of the New York launch party featuring some of the best street style snaps I've seen in a long while. Props. 

Comme des Garcons SHIRT x Supreme x Vans Release Collaboration Shoes

Bring a bit of city chic to your sneaks with these great new striped shoes from Comme des Garcons SHIRT x Vans for Supreme.  Available in two classic styles exclusive to American street wear specialists, Supreme, the low rise Vans Authentic and the hi top SK8-Hi both feature Comme's shirt fabric uppers.

Get them online from www.supremenewyork.com, at Supreme London and NYC, or from London's Dover Street Market from 5th July. then from 7th July they hit Japan at various Supreme locations and the Dover Street Market in Ginza.

Jeffrey Campbell Gets All 90s Spice Girls On Lazy Oaf's Ass

Jeffrey Campbell is on a mission. The super cool American shoe designer was, until fairly recently, only stocked in the US, but now he's popping up all over the UK with the latest outlet being our laidback, fun fashion friends over at Lazy Oaf.

Seven exclusive styles including these fab Spice Girl inspired stack sole trainers just like the 1990s Buffalo platforms Sporty, Baby and Geri used to wear, and some signature spike designs with an urban edge and a sky high wedge. Get em while you can, I don't think these will be hanging around for long. www.lazyoaf.co.uk

Jeremy Scott x Adidas Originals AW12 Animal Print & 90s

So, as promised, here's another look at some of the forthcoming Autumn/Winter 2012 Jeremy Scott x Adidas Originals collection. These are some of my absolute favourite pieces from Jezza and great to see that he's sticking with the exaggerated tongue Instinct Hi sneaker silhouettes and reworking them in awesome animal prints and pop colours as well as the classic, tougher all black version. 

Puffa jackets are massive for this winter but no-one's doing them quite like our Jeremy! Zebra, leopard, cheetah, pink, purple, mint, gold - he's thrown the lot in and this is what's stuck. I LOVE it and the fact you can match it with your trainers is double bubble.

Putting a fun spin on a proper old school 90s print trend, are these leopard print pieces below, pulling out a vintage Versace vibe but with added attitude and plenty of Mr. Scott's signature street cool. Nice Michael Jackson-esque trainers going on too with the buckle details and silver toe rims and that ladies black quilted leather jacket with the gold safety pins is just soooo Lil' Kim.


The full Jeremy Scott AW12 range for Adidas Originals (minus those controversial My Pet Monster shackle shoes which have now been pulled) will be available in stores and at www.adidas.com from July with these pieces dropping in October 2012.

Kate Spade New York Launches Bold New Bedding Range

Kate Spade New York is on a mission to bring their company philosophy - 'Live Colourfully' - into every aspect of our lives. Clothing - check, Accessories and footwear - check, check, Stationery - check, china, glasses, crockery and general home wares - check, check, check. Now there's also the newly launched Kate Spade New York bed linens to add to their lifestyle range too. 

Bold prints and colours (like the Florence Broadhurst Japanese Floral monochrome motifs featured above) mingle with pretty embroidery in oh-so-NY fonts on pillows, quilts, shams - everything you could need to bring a bit of character and charm to your bedroom. As regular readers will know, I'm a big Kate fan so am hoping this crosses the pond soon. 

Check it out on www.katespade.com 

Kipling's 'I AM' Bag Analysis Project featuring me!

It doesn't take an expert to work out that the contents of my handbag mean I carry too much stuff but when I was asked to take part in European bag and luggage brand Kipling's new 'I AM' campaign, where they would analyse the contents of my handbag from a photo, I thought it might be fun to see what all this stuff says about me and what's going on in my life right now (other than I need to edit).

So I tipped out my bag and, pictured above, boys and girls, is what I carry around with me - on a good day, at least. I'm still looking at this pic going "what? no tissues?? where are the pens?" etc. (I'm very much a 'just in case' kinda gal). I had to choose a word to describe what I was doing while I carried/lugged all this stuff about and finish the sentence 'I am...'.  After a lot more deliberation, discussion and thought than was probably necessary, I settled on 'I am pootling'. Cos that's what I do. I pootle. Simple as that.

When I have the professional's findings based on this photograph of one of my favourite handbags and the random toteable possessions contained within, I'll post them but for now, come get involved too! See the gallery of other bags pictured for the I AM project on Kipling's My Bag = I Am..? Pinterest board (mine's there to Like or Repin if you fancy), or submit your own via their Facebook page by clicking here.

PS. For anyone who's interested, the contents of my favourite (huge) old Marc by Marc Jacobs Aidan shoulder bag, are:- 

2 x notebooks from Artbox, Marc by Marc Jacobs turnlock coin purse, Gloomy Bear drawstring used as a mini make up bag and filled with a MAC eyeshadow quad compact, Benefit Bad Gal eyeliner, lippies from Chanel and Topshop Make Up, Nanoblur, Pixi Beauty concealer compact, Philosophy mineral powder foundation and MAC Wonder Woman lipstick (both now sadly discontinued), Marc Jacobs Lola solid perfume ring and it's little leather bag, Laura Mercier Coconut and Almond hand cream,  Coca-Cola flavoured Lip Smackers lip balm, Duane Reade aloe vera hand sanitiser, Philosophy Pure Grace roll on perfume, mock croc Marc Jacobs Oyster card holder, Fuji FinePix F600 EXR digital camera in a case from Artbox, giant Lip Smacker lip balm in Candyfloss, Extra chewing gum in Apple Pie flavour (nommmm), travel size leopard print compact Tangle Teezer hairbrush, Nintendo DS (I love a bit of Professor Layton), Power Monkey travel iPhone charger, Ugly Doll key chain, glasses and case from Warby Parker, Carmex Healing Lotion moisturiser, scraggy half used packet of Panadol, Scope breath spray, Caitlin Moran's 'How To Be A Woman' and my old iPad in its little Marc by Marc Jacobs Dreamy sleeping bag case.   Ow, my neck.