Must buy item: Get skating with Dorothy Perkins!

I'll hold my hands up and admit that I'm not much of a Dorothy Perkin's fan. I find their clothes are often lacking in inspiration, plus close up they always look a bit, well cheap.

However, occasionally they do pull out all the stops. First they had that gorgeous jumpsuit, which sold out in double time. Now, they've introduced this cute floral skater skirt.

It ticks all this summer's trend boxes - floral, full and short. In fact, it looks very much like some of the skirts Urban Outfitters is selling. The main plus point however is that it costs a bargainous £22. So even if this trend dies a death by autumn, you've not wasted your dosh!

Surprise, surprise - it's Cilla!

So I went to the Arcadia autumn/winter preview yesterday and it was fab. TopShop have once again come up with the most wonderful clothes, including a mad harlequin dress (very Miu Miu) and some fabulous shoes.

Trend wise, it seems headpieces such as headbands and fascinators will be big, as will brooches - all the ranges featured these.

There were some nice winter colour choices - Miss Selfridge had purple and coral, which look amazing together - and Dorothy Perkins had some lovely coats, including a pink checked fluffy number that wouldn't have looked out of place on a '50s movie star.

After the preview, I was lucky enough to be invited for VIP drinks with Sir Philip Green - head of Arcadia. He seemed pleasant enough but looks a bit like a wheeler dealer, which I suppose he is.

The highlight of the evening though was when Cilla Black appeared. A few years back I had a boogie with her and Duncan James to Kylie at a premiere party and let me tell you, she looks better now than then! She's really glam with very slim legs. Her companion was really dapper. Maybe Cilla's going to bring out her own range of clothes?!