Princess Emily's spangletastic birthday

On Saturday night I did something I rarely do, and ventured in to central London. In general the West end on a Saturday night is not my scene; badly dressed tourists, and badly behaved locals don't make for a very happy Siam, but seeing as it was my very good friend Emily's 30th birthday party I thought I'd better suck it up. Obviously once I was out - safely nestled in the bosom of The Bureau club, a couple of drinks to the wind and flailing round the dancefloor to a disco classic, I wondered what I'd been making all the fuss about.

Emily aka. Princess spanglepants was the quintessential birthday girl in her floor-sweeping Kate Moss for Toppers sequin- festooned dress (and trademark red lippie).

And proving that she can never be upstaged, no matter how fierce the competition, here she is striking a pose-and-a-half with her bestie and partner in (many) crimes, the infamous Mr Sam Dowler (who much to his horror I nicknamed Buttons for the night).

Last but not least here's the ever-charming Jamie - my friend Anna's boyf - who I thought looked rather dashing in a grey tweed tie and matching cardie. Subtle yet chic....now that's something I don't say often.

Karen Millen - leave your preconceptions at the door

Now I can't lie - I haven't always been Karen Millen's biggest fan. I know it's a horribly fashion-snob-bitch thing to say, but it's always carried certain connotations for me (middle aged HR managers from Peterborough out on the raz to be precise), so I have to admit to never paying it much attention. Then a couple of months ago I popped in to their press office to do a pull for a job, and to my surprise I came out with more than one piece...and more shockingly my very own Karen Millen wish list. You see the showroom wasn't just a collection of knee length satin dresses as I'd (rather small-mindedly) expected. Yes they still had lots of easy-to-wear-pretty-but-not-life-changing party/ special event type dresses, but they also had some surprisingly pitch-perfect and of the moment glam rock-goth pieces. It just shows you - it never does to get too complacent when it comes to the British high street.

So that said, here are my 4 fave Karen Millen pieces right now - let me know if you love them too!

Who doesn't own a biker jacket nowadays? If you're that one person, then I'd seriously consider investing in this badboy. At £399 it's not cheap, but with it's hardcore shoulder studs and dainty buttons it really stands out from the crowd, and will earn you some serious fashion points.

You'd never guess, but I love a sequin skirt I do, and this one really is something special. The layers and silver bead embellishment give it a cheeky gladiator feel, which really distinguishes its high street rivals. Yes £135 is a bit of an investment, but it's ridiculously versatile - wear it with a rock tee in the day for that edgy-cool LA look, or a bit of lace at night for the full-on goth goddess look. Love, want, need.

Skinny double belts are the fashion crowds secret weapon (don't believe me - then pay a visit to the Satorialist - they're all at it). Tan and black leather with glistening black studs, this belt is incredibly chic, and at £49.95 I reckon it's a total bargain.

I don't usually like small bags (travelling light isn't one of my many talents), but for this hard case clutch embellished with matt black sequins and silver beads (£99), I'd be willing to make an exception.

Double sequins and a WAGS day out…

I got in the Christmas spirit on Thursday by indulging in a bit of double sequins. Yes, yes, I know I said sequins were dead to me a couple of weeks ago, but in the words of Bobby Brown and Britney (and who wouldn’t live by their oh-so-wise words) It’s My Prerogative! Anyway, if you read my sequin post carefully you’ll see that what I’m really saying is that what is needed is a new way to wear them (yeah yeah, back track, back track), and this I tell you is it! Ever since Sophie from Fashion rocked double sequins (FYI black harem pants and blazer) at the office Christmas party I’ve been slightly pre-occupied with how I’d jump on the bandwagon. It’s just pure brilliance, and totally subversive – I mean, it really shouldn’t work. As usual I took it a step further and also mixed colours and patterns; the reason it works though is down to accompaniments – the washed out denim shirt and trusty biker boots tone the whole look down, and add that bit of edge. Basically they say “I know I’m decked out like a friggin Christmas tree, but I don’t give a fuck”. Ace!

A night of seasonal heavy drinking was followed by a leisurely day of WAGging (i.e. self-indulgent vanity based activities – in my case a cut and colour followed by a spray tan). As usual I tried to dress for the occasion – and you can see me above braving the cold to pose in the snow post-pampering. I tried to keep it trad-WAG in American Apparel harem pants, customised rock-T, and Uggs – Wagalicious indeed! Hair wise I’ve somehow ended up going a bit ginge – how very 2009 of me! I have to say I never saw it coming and am still a bit shocked and confused by my new minority status. I was very lucky to be worked on by the lovely and very talented Indira Schauwecker (who did the chopping), and Lynsey Ashton (who did the ginge-ing) – both members of Toni&Guy’s innovative and totally fantastic Artistic team. With my newly coloured and tousled mane I then trotted off to see The Cap-Tan (as I like to call him) James Reed for a spot of winter tanning. La Reed bronzes the buttocks of everyone from Paris to Gaga to Hollywood A-listers, so I’m always flattered and honoured when he finds time to give me the quick once over. Sadly he’s far too tight-lipped and professional to spill the beans on his more illustrious clients, but boy, what sights those eyes must have seen! Annoyingly he’s also one of those people who gets more fabulous and successful every time I see him. Not only has he recently taken up residence at the rather swanky Sanderson (embarrassingly I had some sort of mental block and waltzed into the St. Martin’s lane hotel demanding to see him – the shame!), but he’s also just launched his genius website – thetantalist.com – where The Satorialist meets St. Tropez – what fun!

After all this primping and preening I woke up this morning I felt like a new girl. I find there’s nothing like an image over-haul to bring out my social side – let the party season begin!

Sequins – A cautionary tale

I just popped into Primark (yes I shop there, no I’m not ashamed), and I have to say I’m rather upset. The problem was there were sequins everywhere – on t-shirts and skirts, blazers and berets– even harem pants. Now it’s not really Primarks fault at all – I’ve brought a number of sequined treats from there myself. It’s the popularisation and democratisation of sequins in general that’s got me in such a state – Primark just confirmed my worst suspicion – they’ve become pedestrian!

You see anyone who knows me knows that I love a sequin – I’m a renowned Magpie, and always have been. I’m also known for my daring (and admittedly sometimes questionable) fashion choices. I hunt out the interesting and unusual – the gaudy knitted jumper; the painfully 80’s jacket; and until recently the drowning-in-sequins pieces. Now however any Tamara, Deidre or Hannah thinks she can rock a sequin, and thus, they’ve lost their power. Gone are the days when sequins marked you out as a fashion maverick – now you just look like a fashion victim (to coin a much over-used phrase) – and I’m pissed! More than pissed – I’m furious.

Prime example: This weekend I have a good friend’s birthday party, and we’ve been told we all have to wear sequins. Well I for one resent it. This time last year everyone would have been happy in a nice cotton-mix dress. I would have shown up in my glitter, everyone would have oohed, aahed, and marvelled at my sartorial bravery, and the world would have continued turning. Now however all the plain Janes and boring Brendas will be sequined-up, and the only way for me to stand out is to drop 2 dress sizes in 2 days and turn up in nipple tassels and a sequined thong (and yes, I’m seriously considering this option). When I brought my Ashish for Topshop sequined hoodie last year it was the talk of the town. No one (not least the lovely fashion assistant who leant me her Tosho discount to make it halfway affordable) could believe I’d made such an outrageous and outlandish purchase, I got a million you’ll never wear it’s, and it’s so you’s. For me it wasn’t even a question though – it was total love at first sight. It’s all in the details you see – the generously sized sequins; the way they’re only sewn at one corner so there’s movement, and most importantly the sequined hood – utter bliss! Now though Primark do their own version, so your local pram-faced teen tearaway will be wearing one to sit on the wall outside the offie on a Saturday night – fab!

The worst thing is that I know there’s no turning back. The sequin has sold out. They’ve traded their cool cult status for the money, the hunnies, and a Christmas number 1. Well, I just hope they’re happy with their choice. I for one am off in search of a new lover to fulfil my magpie needs –because for me at least sequins have lost their sparkle.