FRIDAY'S FFFFOUND: FABULOUS FIFTIES

need to a) find me one of these dresses then b) find a wonderfully elaborate 

event to which I can wear such a beautiful creation. I'm working on it...

ANTONIO LOPEZ

London's Fashion Illustration Gallery has a selection of Puerto Rican fashion illustrator Antonia Lopez's work for sale, from the 60s to the 80s.

For Fashions of The Times, 1966 (pen and collage on paper)

The artist was born in Puerto Rico in 1943 before moving with his family to NYC's Spanish Harlem in 1950, where he started drawing from a young age.  He worked his way up through all the big fashion magazines, starting at Womens Wear Daily and The New York Times before freelancing for British Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, French ELLE and Andy Warhol's Interview magazine. His work makes me wish I could draw.

GIRL RACER

British designer Zoe Jordan presented a racing-inspired collection for Autumn/ Winter 2014, shown at London Fashion Week a couple of weeks ago, complete with tyre prints, visors, sponsor lettering and cracked silver leather.

almost as cool as Heron Preston's Nascar top

The daughter of F1's Eddie Jordan used to design under Irwin & Jordan with Georgia Irwin - I bought a dress of theirs a while back - before going solo in 2011 and this season she's paid homage to her motoring upbringing with a collection focusing on clean lines, boyish tailoring, futuristic finishes and a simple androgynous palette, which fits in well with the grown up sports luxe focus of late.

JANUARY INSTAGRAM PHOTOS

January was my last full month in Paris and I certainly made the most of it.  I had dinner and drinks out just about every night, despite planning on the obligatory January detox...  Two of my best friends came to visit, my boyfriend came over a couple of times and my brother stayed for five days.  Januarys are normally pretty bleak, but I had a fabulous month in a fabulous city.

1. Lucy Choi metallic bow ballet flats 2. Thursday night drinks at Hôtel Costes 3. the blue hour at Basilique du Sacré-Cœur 4. drinks at dusk in Place du Tertre, Montmartre 5. black and white Sandro and Topshop 6. the big wheel at Place de la Concorde 7. afternoon delight at Ladurée with my BFF 8. the prettiest ballet shoes in Paris, at Repetto 9. back-to-work satchel (and a little of the back to work blues, after 16 days off) 

 1. Rue Montorgueil 2. Sale shopping at Galeries Lafayette Haussmann 3. blue silk Sandro shirt 4. grey days in Diane von Furstenberg 5. pink pick-me-ups 6. Edith Piaf's grave at Cimetière du Père-Lachaise 7. all silver errrthang 8. Joan of Arc on Rue de Rivoli 9. the best packaging award goes to... Kusmi Tea

FRIDAY'S FFFFOUND: CROCUS

pretty crocus in bloom, inspired by all the floral prints at LFW

TOP OF THE CROPS

British fashion retailer Boden has been focusing on statement trousers for a while, offering slim tailored pants in bold colours, brocade patterns and these best-selling, ankle-skimming polka dot Bistro Crop Trousers for Spring/ Summer 2014.  They're perfect for day-to-night dressing - just pair with a chic cashmere sweater or effortless chambray shirt and ballet flats, then add some patent heels and sparkling jewellery for the evening.

They come in a bunch of different colours and prints (and in petite, regular and long sizes) but I'm rather taken with these in bright sunny yellow...

WHITE AND CREAM INTERIORS

Cream and white in interiors is what black is to fashion: the perfect starting point and basic palette from which to build when decorating.  After returning from Paris a couple of weeks ago, I've found a new apartment and we're hopefully moving this week.  Cue a whole lotta pinning interior design on Pinterest...

I don't know if it's the constant rain and dark grey skies in London, but I'm dreaming of a fresh, bright white and cream living space with plenty of plants, tactile fabrics and my dozens of prints on the walls to add character to an otherwise clean, blank canvas.  Something like this.

RICHARD NICOLL AW14

I wonder what Richard Nicoll's favourite colour is this season?  The Autumn/ Winter 2014 collection was his best yet, in my opinion.  The London-based, British/ Australian designer loaded up on lots of blue - all the shades, from navy to pale pastel and electric - and added bronze, purple and milk white to a simple collection of mannish, 40s-inspired looks and wearable, feminine separates using tweed, metallic, knitted wool, silk, leather, fur trimmed, checked and pleated fabrics.

OVER THE RAINBOW

Sonia Rykiel is a designer I've always liked, but I only recently bought my first piece - this slouchy, casual Sonia by Sonia Rykiel rainbow knitted cotton jumper dress in the My-Wardrobe sale.  Here I'm wearing it amongst the poinsettas at the Marché des Fleurs in Paris with red suede ALDO heels and matching lipstick, because flower markets and brightly coloured stripes cheer up even the coldest winter days.

PETIT BATEAU POP UP

Last night I attended the launch event for French fashion brand Petit Bateau's new pop-up in Shoreditch.  It runs for a month and is the first standalone adult store in the UK, showcasing the women's and men's Spring/ Summer 2014 collections.  There was a Maison Kitsuné DJ spinning tunes, cocktails and canapés and a plant installation from Wayward Plants, the guys behind the Queen's Park Window Gardens allotments project along the Southbank last summer.  It's in a great location, I loved the jungle concept and the SS14 lines are great - go check it out before 13 March!

64 Charlotte Road, London EC2A 3PE

FRIDAY'S FFFFOUND: VALENTINE'S DAY

Happy Valentine's Day

OBJECTS OF DESIRE

Net-A-Porter has rounded up pieces to love this Valentine's Day, including Stella McCartney's famous Falabella bag, this time in clutch format and embellished with crystals in the shape of hearts, lips and matchsticks (to go with that fabulous matchstick print dress) and trimmed with the signature Falabella pewter chains.

Stella McCartney Falabella crystal-embellished faux leather clutch with Charlotte Olympia Monroe suede pumps, Erdem + Vickisarge gold-plated Swarovski pearl and crystal clip earrings and the obligatory red lipstick

RAYMOND DEPARDON

The Grand Palais in Paris is currently hosting the first exhibition of French photographer Raymond Depardon's work, which closes this week. The self-taught photojournalist and documentary film-maker started taking photos on his family farm aged 12, worked as a photographer's apprentice in the 50s before moving to Paris, going on to start photography agency Gamma and joining Magnum Photos. From the 60s to present day, Depardon travelled the world to cover conflict zones from Algeria, Vietnam and Chad, he received a Pulitzer Prize in the 70s, made several short documentaries and feature films for which he won at the César Award and was nominated at the Palme d'Or and he took the official portrait of French President François Hollande in 2012.  Quite the career.

 Oruro, Bolivia, 2008

FRIDAY'S FFFFOUND

I can't believe I'm already back in London...  My time in Paris has

been fantastique.  And flown by! Paree, I'll be back for weekends soon.

PETER PILOTTO FOR TARGET

London-based brand Peter Pilotto's limited edition collection with American retailer Target hits stores and Net-a-Porter on 9 February.  I'll be taking this high/ low collaboration as an opportunity to stock up on the award-winning design duo's colourful digital prints and summery, sports-inspired ready-to-wear, from dresses to swimwear, at high street prices.

Canadian model Jessica Stam wears the collection in The Edit feature

FIRST PLACE

First place goes to model blogger Alexandra Spencer, the lookbook Lovers + Friends and Revolve Clothing for this fantastic sports luxe shoot.  Shot on location at Westlake High School in California, the 15 piece capsule collection includes number print tees, football jerseys, shorts and track pants. Sporty has never looked so good.