London Fields in the Fall

This beautiful model may need no introductions for many of you... and for the rest of you she will remain anonymously mysterious.

London in Autumn is beautiful and the falling leaves in London Fields provided the perfect back-drop for this a/w 2010 photo shoot. 

Wearing a winter coat from Top Shop, cute dress with a drop waist from Monki (Swedish label) and Boh Runga's infamous range of native kiwi bird necklaces.

Ankle boots and a tan leather satchel (possibly maybe a faux Mulberry hand bag... it's so hard to tell these days)

Oversized Anoraks and Big Thick Scarves

Winter has truly hit us in full force and it's time to pull out the winter woollens. Don't be modest in the size of your scarves this winter because bigger really is better on so many levels - not only is it practical and super cosy but it's also a great look to run with. I love big chunky knits like this one... get yourself some big fat knitting needles and try knitting one yourself - stitch it together at the ends and you've got yourself one this season's fads - the 'snood' (apparently a cross between a scarf and a hood).

Who can resist yummy colours like caramel, toffee, burnt orange and tan. Is it just me or do these colours get heralded as making a 'big come back' every autumn when really they come back in as surely as summer turns to fall? Even though it's nothing new I seem to get caught by surprise every autumn. This oversized hooded anorak is fabulous and made me fall in love with the rich autumn colours all over again.  

For better or for worse, 90's fashion is having a big influence on today's street fashion. Dr Martin's epitomised shoe street fashion in the 90's. In fact you really only needed to own one pair of shoes because Docs were fit for any occasion and worn with everything and anything - you could dress em up with floral dresses or rock em with jeans. Here Lisa is wearing look alike Dr Martin's to bring the best of the 90's and mix it with the best of now. Please leave the rest of the 90's where it belongs!  

London's Liberty

Window shopping could be a full-time hobby in London. The calibre is such that window displays provide endless amounts of inspiration and entertainment. Not to mention the Christmas displays that we're going to start seeing everywhere (yes - early November and the decorations are on there way up!)

Liberty's Department Store always has stunning window displays and the beautiful tudor building provides a stellar frame for each master piece of art. I love this window display where English floral country cottage meets a cycling skeleton:

I caught one of Liberty's Sales Consultants, Stefan, during his smoko... very slick outfit. Mustard chino's and a navy blazer are tied together with camel coloured buttons and beautiful brogues to create a sharp looking outfit.

Get a completely fresh look just by doing the top button up on your shirt. Good-bye man cleavage... it's all about shirts done up all the way to the top this season. Same goes for ladies actually.

I heart Dolly Dare

On the outskirts of Carnaby lies a gorgeous boutique store that specialises in 1950's, 1960's and 1970's retro dresses. Now, this store is what I imagine was at the heart of Carnaby when Carnaby Street was in its prime - full of independent designer boutiques that stocked one of a kind garments. Sadly it seems to have sold out to (or more aptly been bought out by) boring chain stores. But if you depart from the beaten track you will be pleasantly surprised with what you find...

If you're looking for a fun shopping experience and a pretty dress that won't be seen on a trillion other girls, make your way to Dolly Dare.  

Oh and you even get great customer service in Dolly Dare - a rare treat in a metropolis like London. Isn't Ellie cute? With her short dark crop and cute grin she's the English incarnation of the beautiful Audrey Tautou (the endearing French actress from Jean-Pierre Jeunet's fabulous film, Amelie).