If you do one thing this weekend...

... get out in the sun - it may be the only sun we have ALL year. To make the most of it, throw on this cute sundress. Plus, make sure you lather on the suntan lotion and for extra protection channel the Great Gatsby in this gorgeous Patrizia Pepe hat.

... pay a visit to the seaside. My faves are Whistable for some real old fashion seaside glamour, Torquay and Hove (it's quieter than Brighton but just as cool!

... go ape! If you're feeling more energetic, why not try swinging through the trees for a day. I've done it and it's great fun. It is exhausting but just think of all those calories you're burning!

Have fun!

Must-buy item: Lily print Oasis dress

As I sit and type this, the sun is blazing and it's really hot. OK, it may not last long but I'm loving every moment and intend to spend the next few days wafting around in cool cottons and flower prints.

This beautiful strapless dress from Oasis ticks every fashion box. Retro prom? Tick! Flower print? Tick! Wouldn't look out of place on Lily Allen/Peaches/Fearne Cotton? Tick!

Snap it up now and don't save it for a special occasion. Pop on some flat gladiator sandals for a dressed down look ala Kimberley Stewart at a festival. This would also look great with a faded '80s style denim jacket - so Aggy!

Must-buy item: The best summer dress ever?

OK, this denim dress from Warehouse may not look much but I think it's a real winner for spring/summer.

It's flattery for most figure types, is dead on trend with it's cute 50s style and most importantly, extremely versatile. Dress it up with bright wedges; sling on your flip flops or white pumps for some holiday sightseeing; put a long sleeved stripey t-shirt underneath for colder days.

It's pure fashion genius.

Oh and by the way, my shopping ban officially ends tomorrow - watch out the West End, I'll be hitting those shops with a vengeance on Saturday!

Kate Hudson does pockets

Continuing my theme of stylish Kates, my celeb style favourite this week is the gorgeous Kate Hudson.

I once spotted her and her then husband walking through Soho and I have to say she’s darn pretty in the flesh (and not as skinny as I thought she’d be).

She's chic and modern but without looking like a fashionista. I love this dress, partly because of the pockets. I have a few dresses with pockets and there’s something greatly comforting about being able to walk around with your hands in your pockets. Kate also always chooses great colours to wear, which as a fellow blonde, I always make note of.

However, I am slightly distracted by the gentleman in the background of this pic – is that Matthew McConaughey?

Must-buy item: Ahoy there, sailor!

Rather than just ramble, I've decided to give this blog some more structure and it starts today with my must-have item.

This week, I've gone all nautical with this lovely spotty dress from TopShop. The sailor theme will be BIG this summer so get all ship-shape and snap up this perfect dress now. It's two trends for the price as one as this season, spots will be everywhere (and I mean the pretty dotty type and not an outbreak of acne). Team with white pumps for the day or add killer red heels at night for retro pin-up appeal. Guaranteed to pull any new man in port!

Fooling the fashionistas

Ha, ha! Today I am rubbing my hands with glee as I type (I’m not literally doing that as obviously my typing would be all over the place). Today, I am wearing one of my sale purchases and one of the last items I will buy for four long months. Now, I knew it was a nice dress, but I wasn’t prepared for the coos I would get from the fashion folk. Nor was I prepared for the calls of ‘Is it Manoush? Or is it Paul and Joe?’ as I walked through the office. Of course, I’ve given the ladies my best Princess Diana smile (you know the one – gracious but you know how good you actually look smile) but have kept schtum about origins of my dress. Unfortunately, it’s not designer, but was a mere 15 squid and comes from Miss Selfridge. You see, fashion isn’t about what you wear but how you wear it baby!

The joy of Christmas – NOT!

For some reason this year, I’m just not in the festive spirit at all. Perhaps it’s because I’m the only person in the office who has to work between Xmas and New Year. Perhaps it’s because I’m beyond skint even though I’m earning MORE money than ever before. Perhaps it’s because it just doesn’t feel like Christmas yet.

This year, I’m being very grown up and my parents are coming to stay. In some respects, it’s great. I don’t have to suffer the long journey on busy motorways or the intense jungle temperature my parents’ flat always seems to be. However, I think that trip back home is what puts me into the Xmas mood with festive songs, dad’s home-made mince pies and the traditional going out and getting very merry on Christmas Eve with my oldest mate, H.

I tried to get into the festive mood last night with a flick through my December mags. The talk of turkey and tinsel was great but I did have to laugh at one feature about what to wear on Christmas Day. I realised then that fashionistas have very different priorities to us ordinary folk. One girl was going to wear an expensive designer ballgown.

For me, I have to think about the practicalities of cooking, lighting a fire, cleaning up – I just don’t think a ball-gown would cut muster in those situations. I’ve finally decided to go against all the advice and wear a very festive shade of red (even if it will make me look like a Christmas decoration) with my favourite – and quite old – 60s style shift dress. It looks stylish but is loose enough to hide the turkey tum in the afternoon. Plus, if I do get goose fat or ash on it, I really won’t care as it cost me the total of £9.99 in H&M. Practical may not be sexy or very fashionable in the office, but in my world it rules

Anyway, to anyone reading this little blog – have a lovely Christmas! I’ll be back on 27th December with tales of my seriously unfashionable day.