So I’ve noticed a lot of the recent posts featuring in this blog have been “new season this, new season that”… very fall-centric. But I personally haven’t invested in a lot of new pieces for the autumn season and instead I’ve been clinging onto my summer tops, dresses and shoes for as long as humanly possible, as well as raking in the last of the in hopes they’ll still be in style next year.
The temperature’s dropped but I seem to be handling it ok. Here are some quick tips I’ve been using and hope you’ll draw inspiration from on how you can wear your summer pieces while making a statement for the rest of the year:

Open toed shoes

Definitely keep the shoes alive throughout fall. With coloured tights, printed tights, stirrup leggings, regular leggings and of course the all important leg warmers, there’s still hope for sporting the peep-toe and hosiery style until it gets too icy to wear them. If peep toe boots are the new style, why can’t we pull this off for a few months longer?

Summer dresses

If you have a lot of thin material summer dresses, this one is a lot of fun in the experimentation stage: Pick ones of different lengths, putting on the longest first and the shortest last. The layered effect looks great on the bottom (especially when there’s a big mix of patterns for a nice boho-chic look). Top it off with a chunky cardigan and a waist belt for shape.

Invest in a long sleeve tee

I bought myself some basic long sleeved tops and they are proving to be the most practical buy I have made. They look great under cardigans, but they can also be paired with summer tanks, t-shirts and dresses. Plus it feels like wearing a completely new outfit when all you’ve done is added an extra layer – love it!
Layer
…Everything – 3-quarter length leggings with tights, shorts with leggings, short sleeved blouses with chunky cardigans. Layers make for a unique and personal style statement so experiment as much as possible – you’ll be surprised how many outfits you can create from a few summer pieces.

There are a number of things we religiously do every morning to get ready for work or play: Washing, drying, grooming and shaving. It often means that just a couple of minutes of over-snoozing will jeopardise the chance of ever getting to work on time. Simply follow these shortcuts to make sure you don’t fall victim to doing the unnecessary in your precious morning hours:

1 Play dress up for as loooong as you want… but only at night

Don’t be faced with the inevitable “I hate all my clothes and look awful everything” dilemma in the morning. Before changing into PJs at night, pick out an outfit or 2 you will definitely wear the next day. This way you can make sure you do your ironing and washing before a morning wardrobe malfunction occurs.

2 Splash up, don’t lather up

You should always clean your makeup off your face in the evenings to avoid ageing and dulling of sensitive facial skin. So why wash your face again in the morning? To wake up, simply splash your face with some warm water and lightly massage to hydrate and invigorate. You can also get a hydrating mist if that trip to the bathroom has to be cut short.

3 Condition and Shave simultaneously

Conditioner hydrates your hair and scalp, but why stop there? After thoroughly applying to your head, apply some to your legs to moisturise while you shave. The conditioner will work better the longer it sits in your hair but you’ll be saving the waiting time by shaving simultaneously. Plus, the conditioner will help to avoid having to lather up in body lotion after the shower.

4 Air-dry your hair until the last minutes

Apply body lotion, change and do your make up all before blow drying and styling your hair. The longer you can leave it to air dry, the less time you’ll have to spend on finishing it. Plus, your hair will be healthier with the least possible heat damage you can apply.

Feel free to add your beauty routine tips in the comments below…

Ever since YSL hit the catwalk with a sequined pair of Harem pants at the beginning of 2009, high street retailers have embraced the trend and they’re all over the fall collections.

Although they do pose an 80s fashion disaster, the style has been toned down and can be very flattering. The trousers skim the hips and accent the thinnest part of the leg. For pear shapes, the advantage here is that the fabric won’t cling to the largest sections of your hips and bum. On the contrary, those with more athletic figures will appreciate the fullness of the trouser to give a more feminine curve to the hips and bum.

During the day, pair them with shoe-boots, a fitted top and a feminine-cut blazer or cardigan. Shoe boots, with or without a heel, can be taken into night and are one of the season’s essentials. Fitted shirts, vest tops and t-shirts are a must, as draping fabric will only add bulk – showing off your femininity is important in mastering the harem trouser.

At night, stilettos, a fitted tube top or backless top are perfect. Tube tops can be worn in the same colour as the trousers. Add a skinny waist belt to mock the jumpsuit look, or simply tuck the top into your trousers and add a belt around the hips to accessorise.

Don’t be afraid of the harem trousers – once you buy your first pair, you’ll be hooked.

Crystal Renn, the size 16 model for Evans, gave Celebs on Sunday these 5 tips for curvy girls to look their best. Pick your best assets and flaunt them!

1. If you’ve got a tiny waist, then a cinch belt is a must. And if you’ve got great legs, then go a bit shorter with your skirts. There’s always something that’s worth playing up.

2. I think curvy women look great in statement pieces. You don’t want to go too little and dainty. Make the most of the fact you can pull off, say, a piece of statement jewellery in a way that a smaller girl probably couldn’t.

3. Tailored shapes can really change your appearance. Personally, I love big bell-shaped coats and dresses, but there will always be a shape that looks really good on you.

4. Make the most of your individual style. I don’t like anything that’s too girly or pretty, so I’ll toughen up a little dress with a leather jacket or some leggings (Evans do some great ones). Identify what works for you and go with it.

5. I love 50s-style underwear, the kind that comes up to your waist with a little bra. I think it’s flattering in all the right places and a great way to get a man’s attention. I hate thongs – a guy must have invented them because they’re so uncomfortable it’s unbelievable.

I’m pretty tall and believe a maxi dress may not be the best fit for me, mainly because I like to wear slim fitting clothes to accentuate my curves and make me look less, well, “manly”… I’m sure there are plenty of girls out there that feel the same. I have however been confronted numerous times for not wearing them, where my petite buddies have told me that they are the ones who can’t wear them for fear of being swamped in a baggy, busy dress.

So let’s dissect this one, shall we?

A maxi dress can work for any size and all ladies should take the plunge and own one. Follow these handy tips for shorter and taller frames for a flawless maxi dress look:

Short Frames Should:

-    Avoid busy patterns and keep the shape as fluid as possible
-    Steer clear of geometric prints
-    Try and wear a small heel
-    If you’re set on wearing flats,  show off a neckline and shoulders for added femininity
-    If you’re still feeling swamped, wear a waist belt!

Try the By Caprice one shoulder maxi dress at £115:

Tall Frames Should:

-    Any cut is fine on top, but length is key – anything above the ankle will accentuate your height so try and keep it long and flowy
-    Accessorise with big earrings and an up-do to show off a feminine neck and shoulders
-    Again, try and wear heels, but if you’re conscious of being too tall sandals will be fine

Try the Elements by Amanda Wakely printed maxi dress at £100: