August 2015 – The Style Intervention

As a self-confessed shopaholic, all-round beauty junkie and lover of all things cute, expensive and entirely unnecessary, it’s no surprise that I’m carrying around a mental wishlist of all the things I’m lusting after at the moment. Much to my finances’ detriment, if I were to purchase everything I desire on this list, I would probably be paying off a credit card for the next year, so it’s unlikely that I’ll be working my way through this anytime soon.

Luckily, as anybody with the need to go to an AA meeting for serial splurgers will know, a girl’s wishlist often changes weekly anyway, so whilst this is what I need today, it’s only going to change again tomorrow…

Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder Foundation, £32

Olivia Burton Big Dial Black and Gold Watch, £80

Handcut Soap Stones by Pelle

Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir Home Candle, £42

Pandora Lucky in Love Bracelet, £45

Urban Outfitters Black Suede Backpack, £49

Sony Alpha a5000 Compact System Camera, c£300

The Great Frog Rose Ear Studs, £50

Kate Spade Cedar Street Passport Holder, £70

I’ve been lusting after Charlotte Tilbury’s make-up collection for years now, and her Light Wonder Foundation is at the top of my wishlist. At £32 for 40ml, it’s actually quite reasonably-priced for a high-end foundation.
If you know me, you’ll know that I’ve been coveting the Olivia Burton watches for a while now, and it’s this gorgeous Big Dial Black and Gold Watch that has really caught my eye – £80 is relatively inexpensive in comparison the retail prices of other luxury watch designers’ products.
Completely unnecessary but beyond lustworthy, these gorgeous little soap stones by Pelle make the perfect gift for any girl. Retailing between £7 and £27, depending on their size, these luxurious soaps are available at the Goodhood store.
Potentially Jo Malone’s most iconic fragrance, the Pomegranate Noir Home Candle is loved by bloggers all over the world, and it’s definitely caught my attention. £42 isn’t cheap but it makes a lovely gift or treat.
I haven’t met many girls who wouldn’t love a piece or two from Pandora’s jewellery collection, and it’s their pretty chain bracelets that I’m lusting after at the moment. Delicate and non-fussy, this Lucky in Love Chain Bracelet for £45 is exactly what I’m looking for.
I’ve been looking for a backpack for a while now and I just haven’t been able to find a style that I like – until I found this Black Suede Backpack, £49 from Urban Outfitters. I need this to complete my ‘back to school’ outfit vibe.
I’m in desperate need of a compact camera, and the Sony a5000 Compact System Camera is a great choice for me – it’s inexpensive (currently £239 at Currys) whilst offering an enviable repertoire of technical features.
After @thebeautycrush featured these in her latest vlog, I’ve been dying for a pair of the Rose Ear Studs from alternative jewellery store The Great Frog. At £50, these are on the less expensive side of the brand’s catalogue.
I know, I know. £70 for a passport holder is just not OK – but can we just take a moment to look at how beautifully-crafted this Kate Spade Cedar Street Passport Holder is? I’m off to Brussels next month, and New York in November, so I apologise in advance if this makes its way into my shopping basket!

What’s your favourite item on my August Lust List? Do you think I should purchase anything from my wishlist? Are you lusting after anything specific at the moment? I’d love to know, so let me know in the comments below!

An eternal style staple, the leather biker jacket is the high-octane kick your capsule wardrobe needs. If the fashion Gods had created the 10 commandments for our closets, they’d likely include – ‘buy a classic white cotton tee’, ‘invest in the perfect pair of skinny jeans’ and, most importantly, ‘hunt down the best-looking biker jacket you can find’. A biker jacket adds the edge to your most feminine outfit, the effortless vibe to your most sophisticated ensemble and the tailoring to pull together even your most relaxed look.

As a true champion of the black biker jacket, I’ve put together my edit of the top five leather jackets on the high street right now. Perfect for Autumn, invest now before the cooler weather sets in, and grab the coolest style on the block.

1. THE LUXE REAL LEATHER BIKER

River Island have nailed the quintessentially British biker jacket with this luxe real leather variety. Priced at £120, this isn’t the cheapest option on the high street but it is one of the best quality bikers. Quilted leather side panels, sleek silver hardware and a fitted silhouette add to this jacket’s repertoire of designer lookalike features.

2. THE SLIM COLLARLESS BIKER

Topshop have brought out two staple styles for their AW15 collection, including their iconic fur-collar biker and this updated collarless style. At £48, this jacket is actually a style steal, and with Topshop offering all VIPs free next day delivery at the moment, this is one of the fashion bargains of the season. I bought this jacket recently and can’t explain how much better it looks in person – high quality faux leather in a black rinse wash with a slim, streamlined fit and open collar have this jacket exuding style.

3. THE RETRO BELTED BIKER

Zara always nail the eternally-chic, high fashion pieces we all want in our capsule collections each season, and they haven’t disappointed with this retro-inspired urban biker. As it’s a real leather jacket, £89.99 isn’t a splurge if you consider All Saints’ similar alternatives. As with the rest of Zara’s new season collection, this biker takes inspiration from the past and focuses on that ultra-cool, retro androgynous style. An oversized fit with padded leather panels and a belted waist add depth to this edgy style.

4. THE WINTER FUR BIKER

Warehouse couldn’t have brought out a better biker jacket to complement their chic, sophisticated style. If you’re after that feminine, luxe feel, this soft and delicate biker jacket is definitely the one for you. At £65, you’re getting more than your money’s worth – a flattering cropped cut, super-soft and detachable faux fur collar and a demi-matte finish make this jacket the designer lookalike for all self-confessed fashionistas.

5. THE SUEDE FRINGED BIKER

Miss Selfridge are bang on trend with this fringed suede biker jacket, which adds a little 70s luxe to your contemporary wardrobe. A £120 price tag isn’t going to be your cheapest purchase of the season but it does give you a premium quality suede jacket that oozes sex appeal and style. The classic asymmetrical zip detail, alongside the sophisticated silver hardware, add a modern twist to this old-school classic. Teamed with flirty dresses or distressed jeans and ‘barely there’ sandals, this jacket can take you from day to night in an instant.

Although I’ve already indulged in the action and bought myself the slim, collarless biker jacket from Topshop, I’m lusting after the other four on this high street edit of leather jackets. My favourite for the AW15 season is definitely the Warehouse faux fur collar variety, and at £65, it’s a purchase I wouldn’t bet against me buying next month!

Which of the above is your favourite? Have you spotted another jacket that’s worthy of contending for a place on this list? Or are you going to go for a completely different style altogether? Let me know in the comments below!