Winter pastels.

Firstly, I would just like to know where 2012 is going. Anyone? Because so far it is flying by even faster than 2011 did - I have literally no idea how it can be February tomorrow! One month down from 2012, eleven to go until 2013 (or the end of the world, depending on what you believe) and I predict they are going to go just as quickly.. especially February, March & April, because exams start in May. Oh dear.

One good thing I have to say about January going by at a blink-and-you'll-miss-it kind of speed is that spring should soon be upon us, and those gorgeous SS'12 looks will soon be practical. In order to welcome spring into my life, I have been getting in on some of the new season trends, especially pastels (which I am in love with right now) - however I saw something in Grazia that made me stop and think. Apparently the majority of people they asked said it was too soon for winter pastels.. so today's outfit is a little inappropriate then. I am forced to conclude that since I love getting ahead of the style game and brightening up winter, these readers who were asked must be a little bit miserable, and subscribers to the perennial chic-ness of year-long black-on-black. I will continue wearing my pastels with pride, thankyou very much..

Jumper - New Look; Dress - Topshop; Boots - Primark; Tights - F+F at Tesco; Socks - Dorothy Perkins; Key Necklace - Rock N Rose; Apple Core Necklace, Bracelet & Ring - Temporary Secretary.

Okay, so I definitely edged my pastels up with some wintery tights, socks and chunky boots, but the point still stands. Why wait until everything is bright to wear your light, springtime colours? It is so much more refreshing and unusual to wear them in winter, and they are a total mood-booster when compared to the dark colours we usually hibernate in.. Long story short - I love winter pastels. Another thing I love is my apple core necklace. It's a little bit of an unusual one, very quirky, and even more kitsch than I usually go with jewellery but I think it adds a cute detail to my outfit. Plus I got a load of compliments on it, which made my day! Love and kisses, Tara xox

It's a beautiful day..

Today has been the best day I have had for ages. And considering it is a Monday, the start of yet another monotonous, educational week, that is saying a lot! It started off incredibly, because I finally passed my driving test today! You are now looking at a girl who can legally drive herself around alone. I'm ecstatic about that, and to celebrate I took my first solo drive after college (just to Tesco, but it's a start!), which wasn't half as scary as I thought. I also loved the cute little snow flurries today, because even though they didn't settle they made it look like a winter wonderland. Taking my test in said flurries was less fun, but at least it was a legitimate reason to be extra slow and cautious... The final reason why today was awesome is much more fashion-fied - I got a bit of a lovely surprise when my MUJI haul came in! And as if that all wasn't enough, I loved what I was wearing too.

Cardigan - Dorothy Perkins; Top - H&M; Jeans - Primark; Shoes - New Look; Earrings & Ring - Topshop; Bracelet - Accessorize; Necklace - Rock N Rose.

In a shock turn of events, I appear to be wearing jeans again - but it's okay, these are a cute coloured pair that work really well with the monochrome cardigan. Plus they were comfy to drive in! I am not going to over-analyse this look because the best is yet to come with my MUJI goodies, but I will just say how much I love this perfectly peachy nail polish. It is Barry M nail varnish in Peach Melba and is a gorgeous pastel shade that is just bright enough to pop against the outfit, but somehow subtle at the same time.

 Now onto the best part of today's post - my new wardrobe additions! A week or so ago I saw this post on Style Bubble, and got a little bit overexcited. I loved the look of the colours and patterns being diffused through the latex, so when I saw that Susie herself had a very similar plastic raincoat from MUJI, I had to go and take a look. And then I decided that for such a cheap price this clear, free-cut-able, hooded raincoat was about to become one of the few practical things I have ever owned, style wise.

Okay, so I got a little snap-happy with this one. But there was just so much detail! This coat is like the pac-a-mac's cooler, fashion-fied older sister - yes, it folds away into a cute little pouch for practicality, but it does not contain any of the hideous pac-a-mac detail (such as drawstring cuffs, or the tendency to come in slightly gross shades of khaki). This is a cheaper, simpler version of those latex coats that Susie opened my eyes up to, and gives just the right amount of colour diffusion through the thick, clear plastic. I love the collar, and the fact that the hood is detachable, as well as the practical-yet-cute poppers that fasten this coat. However, my favourite aspect by far is that this coat can be cut - it comes ready with perforations on the sleeves and the hemline so that you can make it any length you so desire, which is perfect when you are only 5'0 like me. It's practically made to measure.

I am well aware that this purchase ventures into the realms of the weird and wonderful, and that absolutely none of my friends will own one, as well as the fact that I will get stared at when I wear it out. But that's fashion for you. I love it, and I think I just might have the guts to wear it out... What do you guys think of it?

While on MUJI's super-cute website, I couldn't resist the temptation of filling my online basket with some more of their practical little goodies. I am always filling up my notepads, so I decided to pick up a few more, and I love the minimalist style of these. The square block pad is especially sweet. I adore coloured pens, and they make revision so much more fun, so here's to cheering up my college life with these two pens in rather fetching shades of orange and purple. The rubber was sheer impulse, because black is clearly far cooler than your traditional white eraser, and the toe separators are practically necessities. Did I get too carried away? I don't think so. I simply loved getting this in the post - the perfect end to a beautiful day.

Love and kisses, Tara xox

Star Style Obsession - Jameela Jamil

Nothing like a good bit of inspirational fashion to end the week, so here comes another of my personal style icons - Jameela Jamil, T4 presenter extraordinaire with a killer sense of style. Not only is she so gorgeous she could wear a bin bag and look good, she would probably style said bin bag so well that they would become the latest fashion craze. One of the things I love about Jameela is the confidence she oozes in every outfit. She never seems afraid to just wear what she wants, and she never looks uncomfortable in a look she has put together. It is like every outfit becomes an extension of her personality, how she is feeling and is therefore always right for both her and the occasion.

With most of my style obsessions I have been a little obsessed with their music, or their films or their actual day job and have been drawn into loving their style that way. However, with Jameela I honestly haven't got much of a clue about what she actually does as a presenter for T4, and am basing my entire love for her upon her wardrobe. Oh, and her column for Company magazine. Shallow? Maybe. But as a fashion-lover, it's what I do. You don't have to have a complete girl crush on someone to have a style crush.

I'm going to kick things off with her enviable red carpet style.. such as this gorgeous black dress. Whoever says black dresses are boring needs to check this out! The mini-and-sheer-maxi hemline is effortlessly cool and unique, while the little embellishments add interest. My absolute favourite thing about this look however is the tiny pops of colour from both her signature red pout and those neon-yellow nails.

Jameela does black very well, but she's not averse to a good old girly dress either. Of course, she was never going to play it safe with accessories, opting instead for some seriously fierce, mannish heeled brogues that completely juxtapose the floating femininity of the dress. I love the way her fashion risks always pay off, because she has an eye for just how far she can mash up her styling.

The mini hemline is a firm favourite of hers, and it's not hard to see why. Her legs are literally perfect, so why cover them up? This dress is perfect for Jameela thanks to the quirky print, unusual hemline and endless potential for cute, individual accessories like that heart-shaped briefcase-style bag and cute necklace.

I see she shares my love of long socks... And kudos for making them work for cocktail hour. The dark palette and richer textures of this outfit are what keep it cool and evening-appropriate, but the quirky accessorizing makes it 100% cool, especially that hat and keyboard ring. It would be easy to hate her for giving off such a cooler-than-thou vibe with her effortlessly playful styling, but I find this girl simply too fash-spirational.

Another cute hat here, this time loud and proud in cherry red, a shade that is echoed throughout her outfit with the bag and red lips. The bright colour lifts this black on black ensemble, without that red this look could easily have fallen flat. But Jameela recognises this and again uses her savvy styling to make this ensemble a sartorial hit.

Can this girl pull off anything? The answer is probably yes. I am pretty sure that if I even attempted to put neon-yellow shoes with a dark blue dress and cobalt clutch I would manage to look like a reject children's TV presenter, but when she does it Jameela looks nothing less than playful, cool and bang on-trend. How does she do it?

I love a good bit of androgyny, and Jameela is not the only celeb who feels the same. So many have reached for a tux in lieu of a dress come party time, and I am sure many more will. The thing I love most about Jameela's take on the tuxedo however is the mix of textures - she has managed to work in leather-look trousers, a sheer chiffon-y shirt and a sequinned blazer, which is not only party-perfect but totally stylish.

Another bit of casual boy-meets-girl styling here, but the colour palette of this outfit definitely leans more towards the girlish side. Barbie-pink is not for the faint-hearted, so I totally applaud Jameela's fashion balls - it takes guts and skill to wear bright pink and not look like a WAG, let alone match your shoes and lippie to that shade of pink, then top it off with print and a white blazer. The simple fact that she has pulled this off shows that she is no mere mortal when it comes to style.
 

And here we witness something most unusual - Jameela has broken away from her usual uniform of micro-mini hemlines and stepped out in a dreamy maxi dress. That print is simply divine, and don't get me started on how much I love the thigh split.. only Jameela could take a romantic dress like this and make it instantly super sexy. I think those heels have something to do with it, and that insouciant hot-pink pout.

Looks like Barbie just got a fash-over here. This look is retro, playful and seriously cute! I could talk in detail about how much I love every piece of this look.. I wish I owned those polka dot heels (hello, 50's superstar), that liquorice allsorts jewellery looks cute enough to eat, and her lipstick is amazing (I love lipstick). But the best part about this is that the skirt is actually from H&M - gotta love a celeb who champions the high street!
 

Military style never looked so quirky. And I don't think many people have taken it seriously enough to actually wear an army hat - but maybe they should! Jameela has the perfect off-duty festival outfit here, it's fun, it's unique, and those boots will certainly hold up in the obligatory festival mud.

Even while out shopping she looks cool. It's a classic shorts-blouse-wedges combination, but like I always say, it's all in the detail. The cute hat and sunglasses are effortlessly chic, while the mint green wedges really rev up her outfit (and I want them), plus the shorts again show off those never-ending pins of hers..

And this is why Jameela is definitely one of my style obsessions. On-duty or off-duty, rain or shine, she manages to come up with gorgeously quirky, wonderfully unique, perfectly accessorized ensembles, without ever looking too try-hard. On top of that, she always gets it right for the occasion, which makes her a real fashion pro in my book. Her outfits always inspire me to try something new, to brave a combination that I am not sure about, because her styling can be full of unexpected items that somehow make the outfit great.

Another thing to love about Jameela is that she has nailed her signature beauty look. Her long hair is perfectly straight and shiny, while the full 70s fringe is practically iconic (in my books anyway), and her luscious locks are nearly always teamed with a slick of bright lipstick. Girl after my own heart - I love lipstick so much that if I go into college without it, people think something is wrong.

Love and kisses, Tara xox

Confessions of a shopaholic.

For the first time in about two weeks, I have been shopping! It might not sound like very long, but for me it felt like a lifetime.. I think I was actually experiencing withdrawal symptoms - excessive online browsing, compiling wishlists over and over, falling in love with clothes in magazines and even dreaming about shopping. I kid you not. It's official - I am an addict. Call Shopaholics Anonymous and see if they do house calls.

Going shopping today was very successful (meaning my purse is considerably emptier and my wardrobe a little fuller), and of course it required another outfit..

Shawl - River Island; Top - H&M; Jeans & Shoes - New Look; Bag - Tous; Necklace & Ring - Republic; Earrings - Topshop; Bracelet - Accessorize.

I'm not really channelling any particular look today, but if I had to try and describe my style here I would say fashion gypsy. The faux fur trimmed shawl and slightly OTT jewellery feel slightly traveller-ish, while the wedges, slightly boxy bag and lipstick feel distinctly more stylish, making this ensemble a slightly quirky mash-up. And somehow it works. I'm not sure if it is the tonal quality of the pieces, the fact that fashion itself is favouring those 'anything-goes' looks, or just a hefty dose of confidence as I walk around, but whatever the reason, I'm liking it. (Not to sound totally up myself or anything though..)

I said this shopping trip was a success, so here comes the rundown of my latest buys.. take a deep breath - we are heading into fashion-and-beauty-land & won't be coming up for air any time soon.

My spending kicked off with a bit of a beauty haul, beginning with Rimmel's Scandaleyes mascara. I have been seeing adverts for this forever (starring the gorgeous Georgia May Jagger), and have been sorely tempted to try it out, but I was held back by my long-standing devotion to Maybelline mascaras. Then I walked in to Superdrug and saw this little baby on sale - I was already contemplating getting a new mascara, and my mind was instantly made up. Stay tuned to hear just how good Scandaleyes really is..

And here is where I started to spend more than I anticipated... I had been on the lookout for a new lipstick recently, and had heard the Kate collection for Rimmel was good, so of course I went to check it out. The lipstick I had in mind was a bright, almost floral pink, and shade 02 fit the bill perfectly. Then I got carried away trying out the other shades on my hand and literally fell in love with shade 12 - the gorgeous almost orange-y coral colour is so striking that I had to have it! Now my lipstick collection is edging closer to being complete, and I cannot wait to work these colours with a fierce fashion pout.

Unintentional purchase number two strikes.. I was just browsing through New Look when I saw these stunning coral slipper-style flats. My eye was instantly drawn by the gorgeous colour, and I love the cute shape which feels almost vintage style. They also lean towards the pyjama party vibe that the catwalks were giving out recently, so I think these are going to be my NSBFs (New Shoe Best Friends).

I am a huge fan of the 50s references going on on the catwalk - everything about the era epitomises elegant, ladylike style with a heavy dose of fun print thrown in. The D&G SS'12 collection is currently the subject of a lot of my daydreams... Which is why I was most definitely searching for a new piece that channels the mid-century modern style, and this Topshop sun top certainly does that. The playful, graphically floral print is pure fun, while the slightly corseted style and straps put me in mind of 1950s holiday dressing - perfection.

The final stop on my shopping trip was Primark, where I will openly admit that I got a little carried away. I went in for new work shoes and came out with so much more.. Starting with this belt. I love skinny belts because they add an extra detail to outfits, but was unsure if I could pull off snakeskin. And this is the bonus of Primark - yes, it is cheap and can be poor quality, but if you aren't sure about something and just want to test out a trend then this is the place to go. You can just give something a go, and even if it isn't right for you the wallet-friendly prices mean you won't have wasted too much money. Result.

Another piece I want to test out is a silk scarf, so again I went to Primark for an affordable one that I can play around with. Silk scarves are a bit of a must-have accessory this season, being used for everything from headwear (again harking back to the 50s) and belts to shoes and actual dresses, so of course I had to get my hands on one. I love the classic blue tones and bold pattern of this one, and will be trying to work it in as many ways as possible - just to see how versatile it really is.

My final buy was upon total impulse. This impulse again struck in Primark, where I saw this Gaga top out of the corner of my eye and literally could not bring myself to walk away from it. It was such a bargain, and I love Lady Gaga so much (especially the Born This Way single and cover) that I simply had to have it. I even bought it a size or two too big because there were none in my size, but I wanted it that badly! Besides, tops like this often look better oversized.. that way they can be paired simply with jeans or leggings, or tucked into a high waist skirt or shorts casually. This is one buy that was not trend driven, it was simply down to my small obsession with Stefani Germanotta.

That's the end of my little shopping spree, and looking back it was definitely a good one! Like I said, I may now be lacking in money but my wardrobe just got that little bit chic-er. Which equals a successful day in my opinion. Now, it's getting late so I'd better cut this off.. but what do you think about my buys? Love and kisses, Tara xox

Sweet like sugar.

Just for the inconsequential detail, we finally seem to be getting out of winter! It was almost daylight as I was leaving the house today, meaning I jumped at the chance to take pictures outside, and didn't feel quite so mutinous about getting the bus to college at such an inhuman hour because at least it was light.. It wasn't all happy brightness today though - while waiting for the bus home I first got hailed on (pretty hard, it actually hurt) and then got drenched. So apparently the universe doesn't love me that much. Or perhaps it was just a little warning not to get too carried away with the spring fashions just yet..

Cardigan - Dorothy Perkins; Top & Earrings - Miss Selfridge; Skirt - Primark; Tights - F+F at Tesco; Shoes - Topshop; Bracelet - Temporary Secretary; Ring & Necklace - Accessorize.

Today I was channelling the uber-girlie vibe that was floating around on the SS'12 catwalks, opting for sweet nude hues with lashings of lace, embellishment and a scalloped hem. I then could not resist the chance to work my super-chic cardigan in all its monochrome glory - it continues the feminine feel of the outfit, while framing the nude hues so they don't look washed out. I wore my favourite dolly shoes again today, and I love the girlie sparkle they add, but they most definitely didn't keep my feet dry... Another thing I tried out today was going for a very natural makeup look - it's quite unusual for me to have nude lips, but I have seen the soft, natural beauty looks on the catwalk and decided to give it a go myself, going for a little bit of golden eyeshadow instead. Love and kisses, Tara xox

Did someone say print clash?

It's another college day, therefore another outfit has been created. I was feeling a little bit playful, a little bit bright, and a little bit like I wanted to burst into spring. It's no secret that I am literally dying to be wearing the SS'12 trends, regardless of trivial things like the weather, and one of the biggest trends is print. And we're not talking demure here - one print outfits just don't cut the mustard anymore..

Top & Shoes - New Look; Cardigan, Skirt & Tights - Primark; Bracelet - Temporary Secretary; Ring - Topshop.
As you can probably see, I'm a bit of a fan of the print clash, and I picked some quirky ones today - a red and white poppy print that screams SS'12, and a boat print skirt which I have had forever. I have read in so many magazines that if the print clash feels almost wrong it is probably right this season, and I feel like this is the case here. I'm also wearing a very affordable outfit. I don't discriminate between labels, because for me it is all about the piece, whether it comes from Primark, Topshop or Atelier Versace. Honestly, if it doesn't suit me or fit me, it can cost hundreds of pounds and still look terrible, but something can look incredible for a fiver. And that is why I feel no shame about openly shopping in stores with a lower price range.. I find things that work for me & still look very du jour, and often you wouldn't even be able to tell. That said, my aspirations to own Chanel, Louboutins & Katrantzou hold firm - but for the actual pieces, rather than just the big-name label. Love and kisses, Tara xox

Windswept and interesting..

I hate the fact that I have to take most of my pictures indoors, because I leave the house so early and get home so late that it is too dark. Therefore on my half day at college (Wednesday - today!) or if I go out at the weekend, I will take my picture outdoors, except if it is raining.. Today I certainly wasn't going to let a little bit of wind put me off. So here I am, windswept and interesting..

Top - Lefties; Shorts, Shoes & Earrings - Topshop; Tights - Primark; Necklace - Christmas present; Bracelet & Ring - Accessorize.
I'm not even going to comment on my hair. Honestly, I am just surprised you can see my face, given how it was blowing around everywhere as we tried to take pictures! Hence why my pose is less than comfortable.. But anyway, after many, many outfit changes this morning (stylist's block still reigns supreme) I settled on this berry-toned ensemble. There's something about berry shades that makes them work in pretty much any season, and they all go together so well.. today I had a strawberry blouse and raspberry shorts. Is it wrong that that actually sounds pretty tasty? I added in a touch of glitter too with the Topshop dolly shoes - possibly my favourite flats at the moment - and then maintained the berry theme with some seriously rich lipstick. Love and kisses, Tara xox

Dress-down Tuesday.

I'm not quite sure what it was about today, but something made me not overly keen on it.. I simply cannot put my finger on it. Maybe the rain, or having to go to college, or maybe I just got out of the wrong side of the bed this morning (metaphorically of course, my bed is next to a wall). Whatever it was, something in me was definitely not up for anything other than a good nap - which was the one thing I simply couldn't get! And for some reason, my stylist's block was worse than ever.. so I'm afraid I wasn't on top fashion form today.

Jumper - ASOS; Jeans - H&M; Shoes - New Look; Earrings - Topshop; Bracelet & Ring - Temporary Secretary.
See what I mean about an off day? Jeans and a jumper. Admittedly, as jeans & jumpers go these babies are pretty kitsch - I mean come on, the jeans are metallic gold and the jumper is masquerading as a cardigan.. but honestly, this isn't my most inspired look. I think I managed to pull it off though, simply by playing up the quirk factor with my trusty moustache ring and some slightly retro makeup (eyeliner flicks and deep pink lip stain - not that you can see it properly!). Let's hope my fashion inspiration reappears tomorrow - it's not like I don't have enough clothes to make some killer outfits. Love and kisses, Tara xox

Summer, please?

After spending so much time and effort yesterday style-stalking Mary Katrantzou & her designs, I have to admit that print was on my mind today. It's one of the biggest SS'12 trends, and is one of the only known cures for the winter blues - especially a good vibrant floral pattern. It may be the middle of winter, everything may be dull and grey, but that won't stop me breaking out a summer dress..

Dress & Shoes - New Look; Blazer - ASOS; Tights & Belt - Primark; Earrings - Topshop; Bracelet - Accessorize; Necklace & Ring - Temporary Secretary.
I've broken a bit of a trend here & used a candid, very un-posed photo - but honestly, it just made me laugh. My silly cat was determined to get in the picture, and broke my pose as I tried to shoo him away. He apparently won, since his body and tail are pretty much taking over the photo!

Anyway, as I was saying.. summer dress. Yes, today I had a craving for summery print and decided to break out one of my favourite throw-it-on summer dresses. Usually I would wear this one with just a belt, some sandals and sunnies, but even I know that is vastly inappropriate now - so I opted for my beloved blazer, some slightly clashing tights and quirky accessories. This type of outfit is more typical of the Tara of 2010/11 - my winter wardrobe literally used to be my summer wardrobe with a blazer and tights, but this year the knitwear obsession kicked in, and I fell in love with snuggly-warm clothes.. It feels kind of good to return to my old classic style. It's a similar feeling to reading a story you wrote in primary school - familiar & comforting. This has also reminded me that classic combos will work forever.. Love and kisses, Tara xox

Catwalk Obsession - Mary Katrantzou

This is a half and half attempt at a style obsession - while I admire the way Mary Katrantzou wears mostly sleek, chic, stylish black, it is her catwalk designs that I am really drooling over. Anyone who claims to know anything about fashion right now will already know this genius designer's name, and will have already seen (and been blown away by) her catwalk creations. The Greek designer's popularity is rapidly increasing without showing signs of stopping, especially since her SS'12 runway show was so mind-blowing. Yes, the show was weeks ago, but I plan to obsess about her creations now.. (timing was never my strong point).

Katrantzou is renowned for the striking shapes of her designs, along with the bold patterns she chooses to use. These patterns combined with the shapes make her clothes loud, proud and in my opinion, complete masterpieces. They are definitely not for wallflowers, but anyone who likes to stand out from the crowd would find their perfect dress in Mary's collection. I personally am just wishing I had a few hundred (or thousand) spare pounds to splash out a piece - a Mary Katrantzou dress is up there on my wishlist with Louboutins, Chanel & Prada. Recently I have found myself eyeballing all of her old catwalk collections, as well as the new season drop and any online stockists, for inspiration on how to make bold, bright prints work.
 

As you know, print is one of my favourite trends for SS'12, and I can't help but feel that Mary's designs provoked this trend, or at least helped to fuel it. Of course, other designers have some seriously gorgeous prints out there - including the current love for paisley - but Mary Katrantzou's totally original, show-stopping designs are the best by far. Anyway, I will stop gushing on about how much I wish I had her design talent (or just some of her stuff) and show you exactly why she is brilliant..

These designs are all from the AW'11 catwalk shows, which was when I really began to sit up and take notice of Mary Katrantzou - and you can see why! Every ensemble has a slightly different feel and has its own unique colour scheme and cut. Each piece makes a statement - they are all dramatic, eye-catching and incredibly individual. However, the simple fact that they all sport beautiful, crazy, unusual patterns makes the whole collection cohesive, and means that you know a Katrantzou design when you see one. Fashion editors, bloggers, celebrities and fashion lovers worldwide went wild for Mary, and the only challenge for SS'12 appeared to be topping this one.. which of course she did.

The SS'12 Mary Katrantzou show was better than I could have imagined. Once again, her collection featured an array of bold, artistic, unique prints, but this time they were inspired by nature, specifically flowers - something which was reflected in the flower beds on the runway. I cannot stop looking at these creations.. they are so individual and so fearless, ready to make any girl stand out from the crowd. In this show I also love the way they have been styled, with softly messy, tied back hair juxtaposing the strong clean shapes of the clothes, and a bold lip in a rainbow of colours being applied, giving a real touch of playfulness. Personally, I am lusting after all of these gorgeous dresses, will probably be attempting the mussed-up hair instead, but will most likely not be brave/foolish enough to go for blue lipstick.

I said celebrities went crazy for Mary, and my proof begins here. When the queen of tomboyish quirk, Alexa Chung, wears one of your pieces, you know you've made it. And honestly, I don't think anyone could rock this dress quite like Alexa. Her minimally accessorized take on it, combined with her own gorgeously messy bob lets the pattern do all the talking as well as making her look comfortable in such a bold dress. Effortlessly cool.

Keira Knightley took on Mary Katrantzou in quite a different way.. Somehow, combined with nude heels, no jewellery and Keira's own sweet, English rose looks and soft, straight bob, this midi dress manages to look soft, understated and even a little bit sweet.

Anna Dello Russo is one undeniably stylish lady, so this bold dress was an obvious choice for her. I like that she is choosing to make it work for daytime, and also that she hasn't just gone for the obvious accessories - those blue-green booties are an inspired choice.

This is not the only one of Mary's designs that Rosamund Pike has been seen wearing, but it is certainly my favourite. I cannot get over how gorgeous this blue mini-dress looks, with its abstract, swirling design and gorgeously fitted shape.

Hailee Steinfeld is another one who lets the dress do all the talking. This playful, busy print is perfect for such a young actress - often big designer dresses can look too old for teen stars, but this one is gorgeous. The slightly messy ponytail and big smile are the ideal accessories.

There is not much more I can say about this, other than Claudia Schiffer looks gorgeous. The cut is perfect on her, and I love the simplicity of the design. This may be one of Katrantzou's less busy patterns, but it is still bold, eye-catching and effortlessly glamorous - especially on Claudia!

Dianna Agron is an actress who is often slated for dressing too old for her age, which is why I was glad to see her working such a playful, youthful dress. Like Keira, Dianna has managed to make this bold print look sweet, thanks to her peaches-and-cream complexion and that adorable daisy band in her hair. There really is a Mary Katrantzou dress for everyone!

Now, forgive the terrible quality of this next picture but...

...this is the picture from the Topshop blog, of their model working a dress from the Katrantzou collection! It is supposed to drop in spring this year, but I am unsure exactly when. I am hoping it becomes obvious soon, because I have some saving up to do, since it is bound to be gorgeous.

And that, my lovely readers, is why I cannot get enough of Mary Katrantzou, and am currently depressing myself by searching stockists, only to realise I don't have that much money going spare. Here's to hoping the Topshop collection is reasonably-priced - as in I might pick up a dress for under £150. Because I would give my left arm to own one of Katrantzou's designs (oh, here's the materialistic me again), and I am sure you can understand why..

They are unspeakably bold, like nothing fashion has ever seen before and the patterns are simply divine. Each dress would be perfect both as the sole subject of an outfit, paired with the bare minimum of accessories, or completely clashed up with patterned leggings (as seen on the catwalk) or a bold blazer. As well as making a statement, the strong shapes and cuts are surprisingly flattering, creating silhouettes that are unusual yet beautiful. Every creation is unique, and there would be no blending in with one of these babies - which is perfect if, like me, you love getting noticed for your look. Complete kudos to Mary Katrantzou for basically being a complete creative genius, and driving fashion in a bold, playful, stunning direction. I cannot wait to see what she thinks up next!

Love and kisses, Tara xox
(p.s. bit of a long one here. I admire you incredibly if you actually read it all!)