Yes, it's Time! I'm going to mention the 'C' Word!

Hi guys,
When I was out shopping today I popped into Primark, where I was confronted with a stand full of Christmas jumpers. Then I went into Mamas and Papas, where the stand closest to the door is covered in tiny Santa costumes. And every card shop on the high street has festive wrapping paper in the window. It may only be September, but the X Factor is on the TV, there are Quality Street in the supermarket, and it's time to count down to Christmas.

So thanks to all of this and a timely email from Duo, unveiling their new Christmas collections, I've decided it's time to show you my dream Christmas party outfit. I already have a couple of Christmas parties booked in for this December, and hubby and little man's birthday's both fall in that month too. So having a couple of Christmas party outfits in my armoury is essential: and the sooner the better! 1. French Connection Daisy Maze Dress, £150
2. Phase Eight clutch bag, £44 
3. Angelica black suede shoes, Duo, £125
4. River Island brown vintage shrug/jacket,£30
5. Marni gold plated cocktail ring, £120
6. Hervé Van der Straeten gold earrings, £130

I love anything with a vintage feel, so this slouchy dusty pink dress caught my eye as soon as I saw it. It would be perfect for hiding my mummy tummy and showing off my legs (which will look much longer thanks to those killer heels) instead. I kept the jewellery simple (for me anyway) and rejected my trademark bangles and lockets because of all the sequins on the dress: a simple pair of earrings and a cocktail ring seemed like enough accessories. And because I'm far too old to queue outside a night club without a jacket on in the middle of winter, I've added a little vintage shrug into the mix to keep me toasty and warm.

Have you started thinking about your Christmas party looks yet? And what trends do you think you'll be channelling? Believe me, this is just the first of plenty of Christmas posts you've got coming your way over the next couple of months!

Love Tor x

Current Obsession: Vagabond Ankle Boots

Hi guys,
Every so often I stumble across a new brand that have a style I just can't get enough of: and when I was shopping for my new autumn/winter ankle boots this afternoon I discovered Vagabond. Here's the blurb: "The Vagabond shoe label was launched at the end of the 1960s, a time of total freedom where nothing seemed impossible. Based in Italy, the brand offered a collection of shoes for men. In 1994, Vagabond set itself up in Sweden, manufacturing designs from prototypes. This new approach allowed the brand to intervene at all stages of production, from design right through to sale — a real innovation in the shoe industry at the time. Today, Vagabond offers ranges for both men and women and sells over 2 million shoes per year in more than 30 countries. "

All I need to know about them though, is they make some seriously stylish and on-trend ankle boots. Making it hard to decide which pair to choose:

Vagabond Grace 3628-001, £79.99
Vagabond Palma Low, £89.99
Vagabond Grace 3628-450, £79.99

Yes, I know that these three boots look pretty similar. But they have subtle differences that means it took me almost an hour (and that is no exaggeration) to decide which ones to pick. They're all such classic and versatile boots that they'll go with everything in my wardrobe. In the end I went for the Grace model (the first pair shown above) and I can't wait for them to arrive! It's cold, wet and rainy here today: the perfect day to be thinking about your new autumn boots. What do you think - did I choose wisely? And which pair would you have chosen?

Love Tor x

*I am a Sarenza brand ambassador

Sponsored Video: Very.co.uk's new Definitions range launches

Hi guys,
Another day another new collection: Very.co.uk have a reputation for offering trend-led fashions at affordable prices, and for working with a range of stylish and accessible celebs too. But now they have launched a new womenswear brand called Very Definitions. Unlike some of the other Very collections (I'm thinking Diana Vickers), this one is aimed at a slightly older audience: sophisticated trend focused women looking for clothes they can wear to work and then out for cocktails afterwards. Otherwise known as me, twelve months ago, before my life was taken over by the baby and comfy jeans! But now that I am starting to wear dresses and throw myself into work again, there are definitely pieces in this collection that I'm very interested in. Check out the video to launch the collection, which you probably saw during XFactor on Saturday night (I know I did!):

I really like the loose fitting monochrome leopard print dress, and although it's a little smarter than I would normally wear for work, the short red chiffon dress is really gorgeous too. These are the kind of dresses you would wear to work if you knew you had a date afterwards and no time to change!

The collection has already launched and is available to shop right now. It's come at the perfect time too: this miserable weather is making me crave something to liven up my days! And what's not to like about a good fashion TV ad?! To find out more you'll find Very.co.uk on both Facebook and Twitter. 

What do you think of the new Definitions collection? Are their pieces you'd wear, and do you think the concept is a good one? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Love Tor x

*This post has been sponsored by very.co.uk but all thoughts are my own

Shoes: Kiss me, Baby!

Hi guys,
When I got my last pair of Vivienne Westwood Melissa's it was love at first sight: they look great, they feel great, and believe it or not, they even smell great! Admittedly, the fact that they are a fairly vibrant green colour means that I don't wear them as often as I would like, but I would still rank them as amongst my favourite shoes. Now though, the high class take on the jelly shoes have had another revamp. And if possible, I like this design even better:
Slightly sheer and with a vibrant red lip motif on the front, frankly, what's not to like? These shoes are seriously sexy! The colours aren't too bright that they wouldn't go with just about everything though (unlike my other, fairly difficult to match pair!) I do love a good lip print, so even the lining of these shoes are appealing to me. They're glamorous, they're shiny, the heel is low enough that you can walk in it all day. And if you don't like the black sheer variety they also come in a high gloss baby pink too. Have I sold these to you yet?!

If you want a pair of your own you can pick them up for £183.99. You'll find them here. Wouldn't they be perfect for over the festive period? They'd certainly be a conversation piece at a Christmas party!

What do you think? Do you like these Melissa's with their smooch appeal? Or has another design already stolen your heart - and if so, which one? I'd love to know!

Love Tor x

*Post written as part of a partnership with Spartoo shoes 

Current Lust List: New Season from French Connection

Hi guys,
Despite the fact that it's 30 degrees outside today (and I'm wearing a floral sun dress) my mind is now firmly fixed on autumn/winter fashions, and all the sunny days the weather gods throw at us won't be distracting me! Autumn/Winter is my favourite fashion season by far, and I would start shopping for it in July if I could! I want to look at new season shoes, new season coats, pretty party dresses (yes, Christmas party season is nearly here!) and fabulous jumpers I can slouch about in as part of my skinny jeans/nice top new uniform! As usual, I will be checking out the best of all the new season collections from all of my favourite stores. Let's start with French Connection, where I've never seen a party dress I didn't like,. To mix things up a little, this year I will pick my favourite three pieces from any given store, which means I will have to edit all my favourites much more strictly and will give you an easy overview of what the new season collections have to offer:
1. London Texture Front Jumper, £59. I love, love, love this leather fronted jumper. In fact, it is my favourite piece on the whole site, and I plan on making a beeline to my local French Connection store to pick it up immediately. It will look fantastic worn casually with skinny jeans and studded boots. But could be dressed up paired with opaque tights and a vibrant coloured pencil skirt. You could even add a metallic sequinned mini skirt and have a too cool for school party look. I love this versatile jumper: get in my wardrobe!

2.Hedgerow bottom tunic dress, £120. Digitally printed for an intense ombre effect, this floral tunic dress is another versatile little number. Add heels and a glitzy clutch for the evening, or high gloss flat pumps and a fitted black blazer for a super-stylish office look. I've been a fan of digital prints since the very first Matthew Williamson digital rose print hit the runway, so I always have a soft spot in my heart for dresses like this. And I love this loose undone shape too: dresses like these were made for new mums like me!

3.Belle boucle wool coat, £220. Finally, how could I write about a winter season collection without mentioning my very favourite winter piece of all: the coat! I have over thirty coats in my wardrobe but I don't have an orange one, meaning I have the perfect excuse to add this to my collection. I enjoy the oversized and masculine proportions of this boucle coat, as well as it's glorious and bright tangerine shade. I would wear this open over a chiffon blouse and team it with leather leggings: this fabric would look fab contrasted with the mixed textures of the leather and the chiffon. Winter heaven!

What do you think of the latest collections from French Connection? And what do you think of my picks? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Love Tor x

*This post is sponsored by Spreaditfast

Primark AW13: Could this be the best season for years?

Hi guys,
Yesterday I popped into Primark to pick up some tights for a wedding I am going to this weekend. I ended up coming out with a coat, skirt, two blouses as well as my usual array of tights and socks. I was seriously impressed with all of the new autumn/winter wear in store this week (it wasn't there last week so it must be brand new) and actually my haul was quite restrained: there was so much more I could have bought. And having looked through the images of what's to come instore over the next few weeks, there's so much more I'm going to want too! Here are some of the pieces I picked up, and some of the other lovely bits I spotted yesterday:
Contrast collar shirt, £10, in store 14.08.13
Pleather skater skirt, £8, In store: 20.08.13
Metal tip tassel boots, £20, In store 13.08.13
Animal print sweatshirt, £10, In store 28.08.13
Pug medallion jumper, £14
Bug bracelet cuff, £3, 17.07.13

I picked up the pleather skirt and the animal print sweatshirt: I can't wait for the weather to cool down a little so I can wear them both!! They didn't have the pug sweatshirt or the bug cuff in the Norwich store, but both are definitely on my 'must have' list. Luckily, I'm in London on Saturday so I can pop and pick them up.

Autumn/winter is definitely in full swing on the highstreet: even the sale rails full of left over summer stock have disappeared! So if you're hitting the shops too this weekend then now is the perfect time to start searching for your perfect winter boots and your dream new season winter coat. The hunt is on!

Love Tor x