Hot on the Highstreet Week 80

It is December, all of a sudden, and time to stock up on stocking fillers, buy your Secret Santa present and try to desperately find something suitable to buy your grumpy great aunt and fussy father. It all seems so exciting, pay day comes and you just can't wait to get out there onto the highstreets, hot chocolate in hand to browse round the shops and wait for those perfect, affordable and appropriate gifts to just fall into your basket. Unfortunately it usually doesn't work out quite like that and a week before Christmas manic late night internet shopping becomes the only possibility. That’s the case for me anyway.

This year I have been scouting round for purse friendly presents, here are my top three under £20 gifts, all available on the highstreet or online now:

- The pear notepad, pretty and useful this desk accessory is a delightful present for under a fiver. Adding a fruity touch to your desk, featuring 150 pages which you can tear off as and when you need them. Buy here, £4.50.

- Markus Lupfer's letter brooches, these designer sequin pins will jazz up any Christmas outfit, and are suitably sparkly for festive parties. A thoughtful and fun present for just £15, buy someone special their own initial. Buy here.

- Reusuable Tea Cup – this stylish cup is the perfect present for tea lovers on the go. Imitating the pretty porcelain teacup it comes complete with a removable silicone lid and sleeve for easy use. It will keep you warm travelling to work on cold mornings. Costs £11.95, buy here.

Hot on the Highstreet Week 79

Elle Magazine includes "Elle Edits" pages in every monthly issue. I love these features - they are stylishly compiled collages of new products, clothes, jewellery, and accessories. They are selected around a certain theme, for example "velvet" or "jewels," usually the idea matches a current trend. On one of these colourful Elle pages, I noticed a few pieces from Jade Jagger's jewellery range - bold bright gems encased in gold with a gothic skull motif. I was instantly attracted to the collection but assumed it would be horrifically expensive.

Checking her website, I was pleasantly surprised to find the prices were lower than I expected, almost reasonable considering the special precious materials used. The accessories are split into four main collections: skulduggery, precious, gypsy, and kiss. Jade Jagger’s jewellery is boho chic: gorgeous chunky chains, pretty delicate bracelets and enticing bejewelled rings. Prices range from £55 upwards, and there are some lovely pieces that would be perfect for Christmas presents.

My favourites are the skulduggery items, Indian inspired pieces decorated with enamel beads, tassels and cute gold trinkets. Usually the celebrity designers have little to offer, but Jade Jagger has definitely proved herself with this unique jewellery brand.

Visit the Jade Jagger shop at 43 All Saints Road, London W11 1HE, or visit the website here.

Hot on the Highstreet Week 58

Having just returned home from Hop Farm Festival I thought it was only right that I do a festival Hot on the Highstreet. Festival fashion has become a genre of its own in recent years with certain items now firmly established as ‘must take’ essentials: denim cut off shorts, wacky sunglasses, bohemian silk head scarves, and of course wellies.

You never know when the English clouds are going to rip open, and drench the festival parade so always best to have some standby wellington boots even if the skies are sunny when you leave home. Hunter wellington boots have surely become the most renowned - that little red label was seen adorned on most of the muddy legs at Glastonbury this year, though some opted for more unique Superga or Jimmy Choo pairs.

I’ve always worn black Hunters, but this year decided to be a little more adventurous and went for the neon pink Hunter variety, and I can’t recommend them highly enough. They are so dazzlingly luminous they can be seen glowing through the crowds of thousands – a handy way to find your friends. They are also a fun way to add a little wow factor to an eclectic festival outfit. I think they look particularly good teamed up with a 60’s shift mini dress.

Sold in various retailers for around £80. Buy on the Office Shoes website here... I recommend going up a size, so you can add a pair of thick socks underneath.

Hot on the Highstreet Week 54

Have you heard about the secret pop up shop in Topshop? It seems it is not such a coveted secret anymore, everyone in the fashion world is blurting out the news! The secret store is housed inside the flagship store at Oxford Circus, as well as in New York and online.

The beautifully decorated colourful space is a treasure trove full of one-off goodies from designers known and obscure. Gems, lace, beads and trinkets litter the place so there is plenty to look at and try on. Topshop Boutique designs that never made it to production hang delicately on hangers, looking absolutely dreamy.

The concept was thought up by designers Meadham and Kirchoff, a wacky fashion pair who are familiar Topshop collaborators. I particularly love the wildly eccentric limited edition headdress made by Nasir Mahdar that you can see a picture of above. Other designers include Maria Francesca Pepe and Pamela Love.

This tiny shop inside a shop is hard to spot, disguised on the exterior by stunning flower decorations from fancy florists ‘Wild at Heart’. Look carefully enough and you will discover a door that leads to the magic emporium, just like C.S Lewis’ fairytale wardrobe.

Prices range from £50-350, the temporary Secret Store is only open til Thursday 9 June. Visit website here.

Hot on the Highstreet Week 40

Here is a post for the neglected boys who read my blog.

I have always been a fan of Net-a-porter the go-to site for last minute designer needs. The service is impeccable and the selection bettered by none. Special designer items are a real treat for me so when I do splash out I want to be sure the garment will arrive in pristine condition: Net-a-porter wrap up your goods in smart black tissue paper and black ribbon; it makes the opening of the parcel so much more exciting. However they only cater for girls, and trendy guys have been left to trawl the shops for their sophisticated outfits.

Net-a-porter realised the gap in the market and have introduced a male version, Mr Porter. This stylish site has a judicious selection of the world’s best menswear designers, like Gucci, Ralph Lauren and Lanvin. Or if you prefer to be suited and booted in something a little more unique then there are specialist brands to browse through as well. Everything you need to make you the man of the moment. But Mr Porter isn’t just a handsome online shop, this site will guide you through the season's trends with sharp editorial content, online magazine and useful shopping tools – to make spending even easier.

Girls – if you fancy a baggy Miu Miu cardy or an extra large woollen scarf you can now find these for yourself at Mr Porter. Or if you need to find that perfect gift for a man who has everything he needs (most do) pick up a gorgeous gift from the online shop, and it will arrive the next day beautifully wrapped, hassle-free.

A few days ago I received an email alerting me that Mr Porter was open and ready for business. Women love window shopping, but men, they seem to despise the long haul round the stores, here is the solution... men’s top notch attire at your fingertips. Start clicking boys.

www.mrporter.com

Hot on the Highstreet Week 37

The last ten years have seen the geeky Converse sneaker rise to international fame, featuring on some of the hottest feet around. But these are shoes not just for the stars - they are affordable, comfortable, and fashionable… and androgynous enough to be suitable for women or men. Adaptable to so many looks and ages, they are rivalled by no other footwear, not even the dreaded UGGs – you could say they are the shoe of our generation.

Most designers have had their turn at customising the classic design. Even desirable Louboutin have their own style of studded shoe that is undoubtedly derived from the Converse model. But though they try, no-one can beat the timeless original.

I always shied away from these trainers convinced they were unflattering and clunky on me. However a few months back, while browsing in the new Selfridges shoe heaven a pair of irressistably sparkly shoes caught my eye. Sequinned Converse, silver and glittering; I was captivated by them.

Needless to say I bought them, and have worn them everyday since. They don’t go unnoticed, random passers by notice my sparkly feet, and I’ve had many enquiries about them.

They aren’t easy to find but the occasional Office stocks them and they are available on their website here. Priced at £44.99, you get a lot of sequins for your money.

The classic Converse but with all the glitter, glamour and glitz a girl could need.

GIVEAWAY: Be my February Girl

It has always been a little ambition of mine to design clothes. When I was a teen I designed and made jewellery with my company ‘The Bead Hive’ (see here), and now I’m beginning to venture into the clothing idea. So I have decided to make a giveaway of my first, very simple, creation: a printed t-shirt.

February is my birthday month and if it’s anything like January, will be wet and dreary. So I want to make it a tiny bit brighter for one of you with a simple white t-shirt, easy to wear with anything, with the cute pink ‘February girl’ logo on the front; inside will be sewn one of my unique ‘thoroughlymodernmilly’ name tags. The t-shirt is a small, but is on the big side, and for those who are more petite: you can cut the seams and customise it as a baggy cropped tee - that’s what I’m doing with mine! Along with the t-shirt I will be throwing in some Mac make-up, yet to be decided on.

All you have to do to be in with a chance of being crowned the ‘February girl’ is:

1) Be a follower on my page, and tell me your name

2) Tell me in no more than 50 words, what is special about February for you and write it as a comment below.

Competition open to all readers worldwide, winner will be announced on Valentine’s Day, 14th February.

Hot on the Highstreet Week 25

Every now and again the fashion world has a crazy moment, an occasion something unimaginably silly becomes suddenly very desirable. This month that special piece is the ‘onesie’, which is essentially an adult babygro! Now I must admit this is not my first experience of such a garment... I actually had a fleece one from Land’s End when I was about 15. I adored it, and as a true summer girl felt it was the only thing able to keep me warm in the cold winter months.

The fashion world first noticed the onesie when it began to be showcased by a few brave women at Paris Fashion Week this year; those sporting the look included Carine Roitfeld and Mark Ronson’s girlfriend, Josephine de la Baume. We have Norway-based company OnePiece to thank for these snuggly outfits. They started up their UK website a few weeks ago and are already struggling with the phenomenal demand. Onepiece say their inspiration came from a hungover need for a more comfy garment.

I am adding my name to the long waiting list, but can't decide on a colour. They come in plain shades, mostly bright and fun, or with more elaborate designs – stripy or even one replicating the American flag. Varying in price from £80-110, they are not cheap, but when you consider how much you would spend on skirt, top, tights and jumper, it works out to be a bargain. And there's a long term saving too – they are the perfect way to save on electricity bills.

Hot on the Highstreet Week 16

Why wait for a man to buy you a ring, when you can buy yourself one (or ten) from new jewellery phenomenon DAISY JEWELLERY? Only the coolest kids in town know about these pretty accessories, and their fan base is filled with big celeb names like Sienna Miller.

Daisy’s stackable rings come in every variety: gold, silver, hammered, studded, twisted, plaited, brushed; the list goes on. You can create your own stack of rings on the website. They start from just £22. The clever website even lets you ‘try’ your rings on a virtual hand, complete with OPI nail varnish manicure! Once you’ve made your selection they are yours to mix and match and wear however you choose. The best combinations, I think, use a few different styles, with spacer rings in between, the more eclectic the better.

James Boyd is the brains behind the idea, which is said to take its influence from the work of eminent English designer Wendy Ramshaw and her interpretation of stack rings in the Seventies.

Start stacking now, here.

London's favourite Department store: LIBERTY

Which is your favourite London department store? After careful consideration I would have to award LIBERTY my first prize. The one-off store has a unique character unlike any other, and with such beautiful things inside, for me it is more like a museum.

Liberty can be found on Regent Street in central London. The business was started by Arthur Lasenby Liberty in 1874, after he worked at Messrs Farmer and Rogers also on Regents Street. He believed he could change the look of homewares and fashion. The shop opened in 1875 with only three members of staff, made possible because of a £2,000 loan from Arthur’s father in law. Initially he acquired only 218a Regents Street, but soon as the store became more successful he bought the other half of 218 and also the surrounding properties. Arthur was important to the Art Nouveau movement, and it is this style that makes the shop so appealing to me.

Liberty is most famous for its decorative floral prints. Delicately patterned and often brightly coloured these designs have been adopted by many designers. The Liberty design team re-work the classic prints every season, they say they are inspired by ‘nature, architecture, our heritage and the store itself.’

What I find most satisfying about this shop is the selection it offers. They seem to sift through all the designer’s collections to pick only the most desirable items. Even if you can’t afford to buy anything, Liberty is still worth a visit - a beautiful building with a treasure chest of goodies inside.

Shop here.