sweet as candy

James Franco is undeniably one of the brightest young things in Hollywood at the moment - here he is (almost unrecognisably so) in a slightly different guise... Dressed up in drag for transversal style magazine Candy and shot by Terry Richardson, good on him I say - he looks hot!

This second issue of Candy is now sold out online but can still be found in London in Claire De Rouen Books on Charing Cross Road (WC2H) and Donlon Books on Cambridge Heath Road (E2) - grab it while you can! Find out more at http://www.byluisvenegas.com/ - I am loving this amazing expression of individuality and am sure you will too.

model watch - abbey lee kershaw

Aussie Abbey Lee is one of the most inspirational models of the moment I think. Appearing in numerous editorials and gracing almost every catwalk you could think of, her easy beauty and complete anti-fashion stance make her an interesting alternative to your everyday model (she refused to walk in Alexander McQueens SS 2010 show because of the infamous Armadillo heels!)

spinning a yarn

Yarnbombing, or yarnstorming as it may also be known, first came to my attention about a year ago when - on my way to vote in Bristol - I almost walked past a beautifully enhanced lamppost that had been adorned with rainbow striped knitting halfway up its length. An otherwise uneventful walk now had me smiling and I found myself searching the seemingly ordinary for other examples of this day-brightening guerilla knitting. Of course, it has been going for a lot longer than this, with pioneer Magda Sayeg of Texas creating stunning artworks across the world; it has been questioned recently as a form of art but I think you'll agree, especially once you've seen these pictures, that anything that provokes such a worldwide following and resulting emotion cannot be questioned - after all, isn't art supposed to be subjective?!

A yarnstormed tree and an entire bus in Mexico go to show that both natural and man-made can be perfect for a little knitting treatment!

John Smedley got well and truly yarnstormed with knitted pieces helping to celebrate at National Wool Week... an installation that will be on for 2 weeks and one that I fully recommend a looksee!

Some of the little (and very cute) fiends got into the Natural History Museum but were quickly captured and even allowed the public to have a go at recreating their very own dasterdly sea creatures!

You can find many more past and planned stormings at www.knitthecity.com and www.whodunnknit.com - both of which are orchestrated and executed with an inspiring amount of passion and fun by the legendary Deadly Knitshade. Get involved and try some knitted graffiti for yourself!

back to my roots...

Travelling for any length of time, although great for all its various experiences and life-changing moments, is NOT great for the hair (especially as mine is a definite shade of bright-not-very-natural-blonde usually!) With this in mind, and no other option, naturally my thoughts have turned to what to do with this mess of mine when I return... New city, new look methinks. So imagine my joy when I discovered this gorgeous colour combination and realised that I could very easily get that sorted - as you can imagine my roots are almost at that stage now...

Which admittedly doesn't look nearly as great as hers but I'm sure when I get back home, with a little retouching and help from a professional and not myself with a pair of borrowed (thanks Mum!) hairdressing scissors, I can make this happen. So excited to be able to do something with my hair again...

vice or nice?

For serious style credentials not generally seen on your average girl on the street, something that will spark that ever coveted 'OH where did you get that?!' from all and sundry visit Bitching and Junkfood's stunning online world. A collective of upcoming and extremely talented designers, as well as BaJ's own in-house labels 'Remade' and 'Two Weeks', this site is full to the very brim with unique and outstanding pieces. My favourites include the Neurotica vine print maxi dress, prettypretty floral cut out cardigan and the Rachel Freire High-Vis Suspender Trio (which I would absolutely kill to own!) although not so sure about the human hair drop earrings...?! Whatever you fancy, there'll be something for you so check it out.

They also have new and vintage clothing in their East London studios and available as stylists (as if you couldn't tell by their gorgeous shots on the site)

miss selfridge campaign

Beautiful and ethereal images from the Miss Selfridge High Summer campaign... need me some of those sparkley, glittering face stickers pronto! Feathered crowns paired with maxi dresses are the perfect outfits for chilling out in a tipi strewn field - bliss!

festival fashion

H&M are doing a Festival Fashion Against AIDS collection, I for one will snapping up some of those statement trousers - all the rage now and definitely a lot cheaper than the coveted silk leopard-print Chloe ones! Pair with a sheer cropped blouse and you'll be festival-ready for sure.

Collection drops 20th May instore, on your marks...

carried away!

All I need now is a backpack to carry all my stuff around in... one of these would do nicely thank you!

(right-left: Chanel, unknown - but gorgeous - vintage, Alexander Wang Diego)

legs eleven

Winter is drawing near and it's time to think about keeping those legs warm (and free from the thawed-out chicken look that tends to plague us English roses)

Here are some of the looks I will be rocking.

Gold legs! Get yourself some gilded pins from www.mytights.com

Front-seamed tights from Falke

Wolford Minnie tights

These wild tights are perfect for grey days. See more at www.shiborilove.com

I'm such a fan of these striped sheer panelled tights. This is one of the best sites I've found for every kind of sock/tights/stockings for a great price - go here www.lovecolour-lovetights.com

softly softly

So velvet, that most troublesome of fabrics, is back and bound to divide people in their views on it appearing as an important A/W 09 trend. Seen by some to be the curse of the Nineties and a fabric that should only be seen in curtains, cushions and Laura Ashley skirts; velvet was seen all over the catwalks exuding a very up to date and sultry image. Combined with other major trends for Autumn such as structural shoulders, cut-outs and draping, velvet has been making an impact in the fashion world and somehow doesn’t seem so fusty.

Prada combines red velvet with an armoured skirt

Velvet was also a running theme at Proenza Schouler, manifested in skinny trousers and detailing

Fendi showed velvet skirts and dresses with hard accessories

Christopher Kane - velvet and sheer panelling

Combine with shredded tights, backcombed to the hilt hair and either unholy high heels or shiny man-brogues and wear with attitude.