I got the fright of my life yesterday morning. Being half-term Eldest Child doesn't normally venture from her lair until at least lunchtime. Yesterday morning my bedroom door flew open at 7 am and she dashed in with her laptop under her arm in a state of high excitement. I jumped out of my skin, what on earth was happening, was she on drugs? No nothing so sinister although it did involve an addiction, namely her shopping addiction. She'd set her alarm so as not to miss the Mary Katrantzou capsule collection launching at Top Shop. She had the item in the shopping basket (a silk dry clean only blouse for £80 - don't even go there!) and needed a credit card number. After frantic pleading and insistence that she'd pay me back and to 'chill' about the dry cleaning bills I duly entered the numbers. Before the transaction was finished the item has gone out of stock. For the next 15 minutes she frantically kept trying but to no avail. The site sold out practically instantly. I am now encouraging all high street retailers to embark on designer collaborations as it enables me to see my daughter during daylight hours! If money is no object in your house here are some stunning Mary Katrantzou creations currently available at Stylebop.
This Mary Katrantzou Multicolor Floral Print Dress from Stylebop is so beautiful and easily distinguished as one of Katrantzou's creations. It's not surprising that she won the Emerging Talent Award at the British Fashion Awards.
This Mary Katrantzou Multicolor Print Silk Dress from Stylebop is phenomenal. Her stunning signature prints have made her the 'IT' designer of the moment.
I'm loving the colours and print of this Mary Katrantzou Multicolor Print Silk Dress from Stylebop. Do you think if I ate tuna pasta all month I could expand the monthly clothing budget?
This Mary Katrantzou Yellow, Red, Fuchsia Floral Print Shift Dress from Stylebop is smothered in flowers. Great for a summer event - I'm thinking the Chelsea Flower Show!.
The print on this Mary Katrantzou Multicolor Print Silk Shift Dress from Stylebop makes it a complete show stopper. Now could I wear it on the school run with a wee pair of patent pumps?.
This Mary Katrantzou Ruby and Ecru Printed Silk Dress from Stylebop is wonderfully dramatic looking. Team with ecru or black heels and clutch for a complete look.

I know you have all been in suspense since yesterday, waiting patiently to know what Father of the Children pulled out the bag for Valentine's Day. I'll get straight to the point. It wasn't good - a bunch of lilies - which if I'm not very much mistaken signify death! There were no red roses for passion and fiery love or even tulips representing undying love just deathly white lilies. Let's just say he won't be making that mistake ever again! It wasn't all doom and gloom though as Tegan Fashion, a stunning online only division of French Connection, joined the Must Get That stable yesterday. So without further ado here's a selection of my top picks from the exciting and innovative brand dedicated to affordable luxury.
This Compact Stretch Flannel Cape from Tegan Fashion exudes elegance! The fully lined cape has a tab and button front fastening with angled pockets and fabulous wide three quarter sleeves with stylish dipped cuffs. Currently reduced from £140.00 to £70.00.
This Drapey Crepe Placket Dress from Tegan Fashion has a great classic, vintage chic air to it. It features a tiny stand collar with gold and enamel button placket, pleats from the shoulder into fluid sleeves gathered into button cuffs. Currently reduced from £140.00 to £49.00.
This Silk Solid Neck Tie Top from Tegan Fashion is a classic but I feel like weeping. It's a phenomenal price but sold out in my size, if it's available in yours - grab it now! Currently reduced from £98.00 to £35.00.
This Silk Solid Bell Sleeve Top from Tegan Fashion is so perfect with it's gentle boat neckline, flamboyant gathers to the shoulder and cuff and bracelet length sleeves. Will you go for Black, Cream, Dynasty Green or Iris? Currently reduced from £130.00 to £35.00.
These Compact Stretch Boot Cut Trouser from Tegan Fashion are perfect for taking you from work to playtime in the blink of an eye. Currently reduced from £95.00 to £47.50.
This Smudge Sash Tie Dress from Tegan Fashion is a beautiful pure silk abstract print dress. Wear loose or cinched with the elegant silk sash or a contrast skinny belt for a different look. the dress features a pleated round neck with long sleeves, keyhole back with rouleau loop button detail and an opulent plain satin sash. Currently reduced from £160.00 to £49.00.

I'm slightly apprehensive today. I read late last night that Britons are expected to spend £880 million on Valentine Day. Contrary to popular belief it's men who spend the vast majority of that money, spending a whopping £600 million. The top 10 gifts for ladies are seemingly 1. Flowers (as long as they are not chrysanthemums or carnations), 2. Chocolates (any sort), 3. Romantic meal (and no, a drive-thru does not fall into this category), 4. Perfume (yes please), 5. Cuddly toy (no thanks), 6. Night in a hotel (remember it's my treat so the hotel should not be located near a football ground), 7. Lingerie (if unsure of size buy too small rather than too big, we want laughter not tears), 8. UK Mini break (Travelodge commissioned the survey!) 9. Jewellery (remember you can never go wrong with diamonds) and 10. Beauty treatments (are you saying I need help in that department?). With the average spend being £39.99 I'm guessing some items must feature more than others. There's currently a lot of rustling going on in the garage so I dread to think what is going to appear in the next few minutes……….
This Maria Embroidered Dress in Mid Blue from Reiss is a sensational Fifties style dress with a wide neck, cap sleeves and a hand-embroidered floral bodice with a nipped in waist and softly pleated full skirt. I'm sure you'll agree it's breathtakingly beautiful.
This Harrisi Almond Toed Shoe from Ted Baker is a versatile little natural coloured patent leather kitten heel. Wear it with this seasons pretty dresses for a wonderful feminine look.
This Sabina Stripe Jumper from Great Plains is a superb lightweight cotton knit for Spring/Summer. Team with chinos and pumps for a wonderful preppy look.
This Garden Party Crop Jacket from Great Plains is a magnificent collarless linen jacket with a cut-out at the front, two slit pockets, three-quarter length sleeves and a small slit at the back. You can never have enough jackets so the choice of White or Admiral is a tricky one.
These Girl Friday Crop Trousers from Great Plains are a wonderful pair of tailored linen cropped trousers. Great for work with heels, a silky top and jacket also fab at the weekend with pumps and a t-shirt.
This Bric A Block Tunic Dress from French Connection is a delightful silk dress available in Daisy White/Tuscan Summer/Chipmunk and Daisy White/Bobby Blue/Captain Blue. Great for throwing on and providing a splash of glamour to your Summer wardrobe. As featured in InStyle Magazine, March 2012 issue.

Bear with me for a moment while I undo the button on my waistband. I read this morning that scientists have reported that eating chocolate cake with a full breakfast can help you lose weight. It seemingly aids brain functioning, boosts the metabolism and discourages snacking in the day. I must admit I felt fully alert immediately after my gluttonous breakfast but since then I have had to have a lie down and 3 hours later still feel like I'll never eat again, ever! Father of the Children says my big mistake was I ate the WHOLE cake, he said if I'd read on it must just have been a slice as the entire breakfast should have amounted to 600 calories. Oops, the whole Sara Lee Double Chocolate Layer Cake has 2,080 calories alone! I think I'll just stick to the usual muesli tomorrow morning and a few sit-ups. It won't surprise you to hear I'm not featuring clothes today as nothing fits! Thank heavens for these gorgeous bags and purses from Lulu Guinness to brighten my day.
This Black Sunglasses Doll Face Small Wanda Bag from Lulu Guinness is guaranteed to bring a smile to your face. This dazzling bag is so gorgeous and definitely on our wish list.
This Sunglasses Doll Face Mini Frame Purse from Lulu Guinness is so cute and inspired by the popular cat eye sunglasses of the 1950's. We love it!
This Black Sunglasses Doll Face Clutch from Lulu Guinness is an adorable black suede clutch in patent leather with a black leather strap. Both sides are zip fastened with silver LG logo pulls and the bag can be worn as a clutch or across the body.
This Black Jewelled Glasses Doll Face Large Annabelle Bag from Lulu Guinness is full of glitz and glamour with wonderful diamante detailing.
I'd spend all my day getting my purse out of my bag if I owned this fabulous Jewelled Glasses Doll Face Top Zip Purse from Lulu Guinness!
This iconic Red Perspex Lips Clutch from Lulu Guinness is so easily recognisable as one of her famous creations. Your friends will turn green with envy when they find out you actually possess one!

I believe that some passengers on an easyJet plane travelling from Hamburg to Gatwick recently saw rather more on their flight than they'd bargained for. A male passenger seemingly stripped off in the loo before striding naked down the aeroplane and returning to his seat. No amount of coaxing by crew or passengers could persuade him to cover up so he remained in his birthday suit for the remainder of the flight. Fortunately he was allowed to keep his tray table down during landing! What drove him to this act I wonder? The only explanation I can possibly give is that he got dressed in the dark and on seeing his ensemble in the bright lights of the inflight loo immediately realised his outfit was horrific so he was driven to ditch it. I still wince at the time I found myself out and about with one black shoe and one blue shoe on. I immediately panicked that Father of the Children, often prone to a slight bit of exhibitionism, had been in Germany last week but he insists he was in Munich and not Hamburg. To spare the gentleman in question any further embarrassment here are some splendid items from mustgetthat to add to his somewhat depleted wardrobe.
This V-Neck Classic Jumper from Mango is stunning and incredibly stylish. The cotton/silk jumper comes in Royal Blue, Gunmetal Grey, Ochre, Coral and Green....oh decisions, decisions.
These Slim-Fit Steve Jeans from Mango are a perfect pair of ripped jeans for relaxing in at any time of the year.
These Jeffery West - Cricket Derby Boots in Tan from Selfridges are absolutely magnificent, although we'd expect nothing less from the famous Northampton based designers Mark Jeffery and Guy West!
This Original Mac from Boden is great for work, rest and play. We'd be so bold as to suggest it just has to be a must-have item!
This Fishermans Crew from Boden is great for this Spring/Summer worn with jeans or shorts. P.S. a boat is not essential but it would be rather nice ;)
This Mens Quilted Harleston Jacket from Joules is a timeless classic. Equally perfect for a hike in the country or a jaunt into town.