Red hot at Asda

I'm extremely fussy when it comes to buying a new winter coat. So I was extremely grateful when a press release flew into my inbox from Asda about their new scarlet red coat, based on styles by Alberta Ferretti and Diane Von Furstenberg in their Autumn/Winter 11collections.

Available in stores today, the red hot coat is a fraction of the designer price tag at just £15, leaving me more than enough readies to buy a faux fur-supermarket chic.

Made in Chelsea

Allegra Chelsea platform boots £75 Topshop

Khaki ankle boots £95 River Island

The M&S Mad Hatter's Tea Party

When I think of M&S I think of my gran going to Marks and Sparks to buy a cardi, however the brand is slowly venturing into the 21st century, what with the new branding- M&S, new ad campaign starring Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, and a new collection of on-trend shoes, handbags and accessories available in stores this Autumn.

Best of all, according to M&S's shoe designers, they can guarantee their heels are comfy with new insolia technology, which recorrects the angle and position of your foot so weight is more evenly distributed over your foot, which means no more sore tootsies even after a day and night's wear, genius.

I got a sneak preview of their new range at the M&S Mad Hatter's Tea Party, the brand's first ever event for bloggers held at restaurant and champagne bar Kettner's in Covent Garden, as well as the chance to take part in the M&S little black dress challenge and trial their new Insolia shoes.

Of course a tea party isn't a tea party without fabulous cocktails, make mine a cosmopolitan, and bite-sized cakes.

The Collections

Boy meets Girl featuring flat and heeled brogues, loafers, leather gloves, lace up boots, felt hats and vintage style jewellery (below)

The Wilderness collection-prints meet knitted chunky scarves, faux fur and novelty accessories.

Global Traveller- adding a splash of colour to winter weather with bright scarves, hats and buckled shoes.

The Nordic Narnia collection. Perfect for cosy nights in, fireplace not essential

This collection is pure luxury, Fur bags, embellished purses and a bit of glitz and glamour.

 

Baby it's getting cold outside

As the Autumn nights draw closer, wrap up in these winter wonders, not tested on animals!

cream animal ears fluffy hat £18 River Island

beige marl faux fur collar sweat £30 River Island

Faux fur leopard hooded coat with ears £80 ASOS

All that glitters-Dorothy eat your heart out!

Amethyst multi glitter boots £70 Topshop

Black glitter peep toe wedges £70 River Island

Be your own stylist

I can't count how many times I have bought patterned tights to go with an outfit only to get home and discover that they either clash or don't go. And it seems I'm not the only one with this problem, as the clever people at Tights Please have come up with a new interactive application-Tights Temper, that enables you to match 'popular' styles of dresses, skirts and tops with the site's collection of tights. Think Cher's outfit styling computer programme in chick flick Clueless.

Behind the scenes at Westfield Stratford

As a self-confessed shopaholic and shopping centre geek, I was so excited to be invited on a behind the scenes tour of Westfield Stratford ahead of the launch on the 13 September.

Stepping outside Stratford station I was taken aback by how large the mall actually is. I'd read about it in magazines and seen adverts on TV, but nothing prepared me for the sheer scale of the 1.9 million square foot centre with three floors of shops and restaurants, retail heaven!

According to the bods at Westfield, the centre will have over 300 fashion, food and lifestyle brands, two supermarkets, two hotels, a 17 screen cinema, 14-lane bowling alley, complete with cocktail bar and restaurant (my three favourite things-bowling, drinking cocktails and bowling) and one of the largest casinos in the country, with two bars, a restaurant and space for performances.

Apparently the design of the mall is based on feedback from the locals, many of whom said they wanted a 'high street' feel to Westfield Stratford, hence the centre's outdoor marketplace, which will house boutique and specialist food stockists, where shoppers can pick up delicious olives and the obligatory cupcake. Restaurants will also line the outside of the centre, with favourites such as Bushbai Eathai, Jamie's Italian, Wahaca and independent eateries including a restaurant owned by an former TV exec, who decided to give it all up to open a Carribean joint.

Westfield Stratford's advertising campaign

Unlike Westfield London, which has a village dedicated to designer brands, the new centre is more mixed, with luxury and high street stores in the same area.

Shops include Primark( over three floors), Topshop, Pandora, River Island, Hollister, Superdry, H&M, Reiss, Zara, just to name a few, and department stores-Marks and Spencers and John Lewis.Some of the Highlights are a huge Forever 21, the second store to come to London, the first ever standalone Kiehl's store and the launch of Tommy Hilfiger Kids.

As if that wasn't enough, throughout the centre are works of art, created as part of the Studio East project led by Tracey Emin, and by top artists. The black tower (below) will be a water feature with a difference, with light effects to create the sense of water, probably a good idea with the British weather.

The tour was also an opportunity to catch a glimpse of the Olympic Stadium, which is literally within touching distance of the mall. For those of you, like me, who failed to get tickets to the Olympics next year, I recommend watching the action from the Marks and Spencers cafe or the glass walled restaurant in the casino.

I know where all my hard earned cash will go come the 13th.

To find out all the latest news, store openings and events at Westfield Stratford visit 

http://www.westfieldstratfordcity2011.com/