Animal Magic.

This is a post I've been meaning to pen for a while but the timing seems perfect now that it leads on from a post about my new CatHat (not its official name but I've decided that it should be.)

As I wrote in my last post I believe there should always be an element of fun to fashion. Not in every single outfit perhaps, but certainly in every single wardrobe. I think when there are bigger, scarier things happening in the world that sometimes seem too large to comprehend a little perspective needs to be taken in terms of the fashion world.

I know some people eat, sleep, breathe fashion - and to a degree I do too. But you know those people I'm talking about; those folk who are offended to witness someone wear something a few seasons old at a black tie dinner - that, to me, is someone who takes the whole thing just far too seriously.

Which is why this latest trend cheers me so.

Unless you've been under a rock lately you can't help but have noticed the cropping up of warmer clothing depicting animals. First championed by Mulberry's AW 12 campaign the trend has trickled down through the various brands and right onto the high street. It was only when a friend showed me her new tiger face (wearing glasses - great!) jumper that she'd picked up in Sainsburys that I realised just how widespread this had become. And with requests to write a post about how to keep warm but stay current in the fashion world I got my research head on and here's what I've come up with:

1: French Bulldog Jumper | Ted Baker | Sold Out
2: Owl Jumper | Romwe | £36.92
3: Tiger Head Jumper | Kenzo (at Matches.com) | £170.00
4: Cat Bow Tie Jumper | Alice Takes A Trip (at New Look) | £37.99

5: Wolf Head Jumper | Religion (at sereneorder.com) | £35.00

6: Lady Owl Sequin Jumper | French Connection | £77.00

7: Rabbit Pear Print Jumper | Peter Jensen (at farfetch.com) | £112.76
8: Elephant Mixed Mirrors Print Jumper | Just Cavalli (at jades24.com) | £178.25

While I'm a personal lover of this trend I understand some of you might find it a bit bold to wear so obviously so why not dabble into the animal kingdom with an accessory or two?

9: Elephant Cushion | Thomaspaul (at 2modern.com) | £40.74

10: Unicorn Print Platforms | Jeffrey Campbell (at solestruck.com) | £82.73

11: Fox Brooch | Les Nereides (at forzieri.com) | £124.14

12: Rottweiler Clutch | Givenchy (at choies.com) | Sold out but tote version available here for £46.47

13: Bird Watercolour Illustration | etsy.com | £16.36

My personal favourite has to be the rottweiler clutch. I mean, where would I be without my outlandish accessories? Shame Christmas is over - that would have definitely been on my Santa's list.

I know that such strong trends aren't for everyone but if there's ever a style you're keen on but going the whole hog doesn't appeal keep accessories in mind. Sometimes they're the best, and most fun, way to dabble.

Shoes, Glorious Shoes

In the showroom I work in in Manchester we have a weekly subscription to Look magazine (y'know, as we're in the biz and want to appear professional whilst calling reading a weekly glossy 'work') So as Tuesday morning rolls round I anticipate the postman's delivery with excitement equal to knowing an Internet purchase is upon you.

This Tuesday was, as we all know, Valentines Day so as I was putting together my evening of self bought chocolates and Bucks Fizz the doorbell crashed through my thoughts to remind me Look was here.

Queue a cup of tea and a shoving desk paraphernalia to one side.

A few flicks later and I had stumbled upon my dream shoes.

They're Jeffrey Campbell for Office and not the cheapest I've ever seen but I haven't felt this way about a pair of foot smotherers in ages so I knew I had to somehow make them mine.

Jeffrey Campbell is known for his creations that look totally mad and uncomfortable but he's worked out perfectly where the weight is distributed on the foot so all his shoes are actually a dream to walk in.

I'd been thinking about them for a few days when, this morning, temptation got too much and I logged onto the Office website. What happening next I cannot be held responsible for; it can only be described as a clicking frenzy then black-out.

Anyway, when I came round I had a 'Thank you for buying with us' email from Office but, surprisingly, a guilt-free conscious.

And I found them on Feb 14th - I'd say that's my best Valentines Day in years!

(*update* They are now sold out online so I got the last pair - if that's not a sign that it was fate for me to purchase them I don't know what is!)