Cover it up, AW style

When you think of a poncho, you think of something along the lines of a mariachi band, don't you?

Well not any more.

AW10 brings the southern American trend up to the high fashion stakes in an earthy wave of camel hues and thick knit wools that scream comfy days in front of the TV, hot choc in hand.

A recent investment into the AW trend came from the continent, H&M, Belgium to be precise. My new camel, thick knit poncho ticks all the boxes and is the perfect winter warmer.

The bargain H&M version is available in UK stores too, so get yours now.

And if you fancy something else, here's a round up of some other styles available on the high street, no sombreros in sight. Ariba.

£125, http://www.asos.com/

£36, http://www.topshop.com/

£30, http://www.next.co.uk/

£270, http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/

£80, http://www.asos.com/

Come on Julian, be nice

Julian Macdonald, acclaimed fashion designer and a regular judge on Project Runway and now Britain's Next Top Model, has always, in my mind, come across as rather rude and unnecassary.

His latest tactless jibes on BNTM have left me with very little respect for the Welsh designer (even if his AW10 collection is lust-worthy).

Calling BNTM contestant, Charlotte Holmes overweight is simply below the belt (no pun intended) and totally misguided.

He said that she had a rather rounded bottom and that this is not what catwalk models are made of. What happened to the fashion world being against the waif craze?

Tearful Charlotte hit back and said, "I don't want to be a size four, I am happy the way I am."

Well, J, I'm sure the lovely curvacious Tyra would have a few things to say to you.

Just be nice.

Yes please.

Topshop's most recent collection Dark Nouveau mixes grunge with glamour. One of the first waves of AW10 lines, this one does exactly what it says on the tagline. I want it all.

At £25 this cape style jersey top with bug pattern is easy to wear casual and would look great in my wardrobe.

Hello California Gurl

Katy Perry looks stunning in her latest photo shoot for US Rolling Stone magazine. Wearing only fishnet tights and cavorting on the beach (as you do), the singer showed a different and more natural side to her usual quirky self.

Carry on with festival fashion

For me, festival season may be over, but festival chic certainly isn't.

Denim shorts, sun dresses and gladiators might not be exactly suited to British summer but team with tights and the look lives on. Wear socks with your wedges, top any look with a denim shirt or jacket and rock out the rest of the summer like you were at Glasto or T in the Park.

For more inspiration see how the celebs did it. Emma Watson's two looks have my vote. Click here to see.

[All from http://www.topshop.com/]

Just because

I am stuck for something to write about.

Tonight is girls' night and this makes me happy. Other things to have made me smile today are the following. Try them out, you'll probably like them too.

Toy Story 3 (plus Orange Wednesdays). The final part of the Toy Story animation series is fun, filled with humour and a sure fire way to relive your childhood. Woody, Buzz and co take on their final adventure as Andy prepares to go to college. Will they survive the next chapter of Andy's life or will they get the boot?

The Temper Trap - Sweet Disposition. One of the highlights of Benicassim 2010 and just a great, memory-filled song.

And just for giggles. Girls' night usually goes down a treat :)

When in need, head to the Bureau de Change

After returning from my holidays with a heavy dose of holiday blues and a substantially lighter bank balance, my shopping ban was to continue. That was until I discovered a lovely 25 Euros in the bottom of my bag. Result.

What can you do with 25 Euros, I hear you ask. Well after a good month or so of not buying anything, exchange and shop is what you can do.

I admit that the £19-something that I got for my exchange isn't much, but it was enough to buy me a pair of shoes perfect for the coming season and for jazzing up my summer frocks that I feel may have had their dose of actual summer wear (Have you seen the sun recently? I haven't).

For £15 at ye-olde-faithful Primark, my new black suede multi buckle fronted wedges are a snip at the price and a substantial amount cheaper than the similar pair I spotted (and wanted) from Topshop.

What's more, I had £4 to spare, now imagine that.

The Primark version, available in nude and black.

Chloe Sevigny for Opening Ceremony

A version of the shoe from Stylebop

Meet girl’s new best friend

Men move over, Man's Best Friend has a new home: mine. By no means am I one of these fabled 'cat-women' who live with cats and wear bobbly sweaters and moth eaten socks (I don't even like cats!), but I do have a bit of a soft spot for my pooch.

Since my mother, father and sister have abandoned me and jetted of to fairer sands in Mexico, I am left home alone, bar one member of the family, Tilly, the Springer Spaniel, who is here to keep me company for the next couple of weeks and make sure I get some exercise. Dog walking is apparantly really good for you, you know.

So in true Bridgit Jones style minus the big knickers and plus the "all by myself" epiphany, Girl's New Best Friend is my remedy. If I start having conversations with the dog I will seek help, but for now, Tilly and I are all family has on offer.

The cuteness factor helps too.

Lately I'm loving...waistcoats

Gone are the days when wearing a waistcoat was resigned to waitresses and white collar professionals and here are the days where a waistcoat can transform a casual outfit from absolutely average (if yet still chic and stylish) to absolutely fabulous.

For AW10 I am covetting a sheepskin waistcoat which I have not yet come across, but I am on the look out.

Right now, I am loving a simple grey cotton waistcoat courtesy of Matalan (yes, Matalan), a black and gold embellished one that I bought from H&M months ago for something like £15 and a cream leatherette New Look number which I snapped up in the sale. I even took my hand to revamping an old lace vest and made it into a super stylish waistcoat (see: Make do and mend).

After much more online window shopping and much less online spending, I have lined up my five favourite styles circa now. Covet away.

[Top-bottom: Topshop, £45, Mango, £37.90, New Look, Sale price £25, Miss Selfridge, £30, Love Label at Very.co.uk £35]