Poor ‘Five Pound Argos’ has been relegated to the jewellery box, cos there’s a new kid in town. Sorry it’s blurred (I’m still in the dark ages with a 3G), but you get the idea. And here are a few pictures from a recent trip to Rye on the south coast, which is one of the most ridiculously pretty towns I’ve ever seen. And some glitter apples. Because why wouldn’t you want glitter apples in your life…

{image via ink361}

Awards season! Love it. Yes, the films are all well and good (I need to see The Artist and Warhorse at some point – although the latter would probably be better watched in my own home… sobs aren’t a good look in public), but it’s really the fashion choices I’m more interested in, if truth be told. The Golden Globes are usually seen as an opportunity to be a bit more daring in the sartorial stakes, however apart from a couple of clangers (e.g. Sarah Michelle Geller who apparently let her daughter choose her dress. Big mistake. You should never let a child choose anything until they’re old enough to realise that Crocs are ugly), everyone played it incredibly safe. Nude dresses were out in force (pretty if a little predictable), as were the black gowns and mermaids. Salma KILLED it in Gucci, Jenna Dewan has as good a taste in dress colours as she does in men, and Charlize was breath-taking. Here is my pick of the crop… but all-in-all ladies, you’re going to have to take it to the next level for the Oscars. Mila, I’m talking to you:

As for Angelina, it was a sorry state of affairs. Even though her look was largely praised by fashion critics, I’m gonna go out on a limb and say that she looked like she’d picked one of those hideous wedding dresses that incorporates a colour. And matching lips, collar and bag? Were Shiloh and Zahara sitting at home with Sarah Michelle Junior cackling mischieviously at what they’d made their mummies wear?

What a difference a year makes… (see here).

Apple shapes of the world rejoice, as drop waists have finally hit the high street! The Roaring Twenties is a HUGE trend this spring/summer, and with it comes flapper cocktail dresses, Art Deco embellishment and a hint of luxe. Many many designers showed these types of designs on last year’s runways, indicating that Baz Luhrmann’s remake of The Great Gatsby is not going to be just affecting what we go and watch at the cinema. I cannot wait for that movie. Anyway here’s a glimpse of what Chloé, Etro, Jill Stuart, Gucci, Charlotte Ronson, Victoria Beckham, Tory Burch, Alberta Ferretti and Marni showcased for the upcoming season:

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Budget can’t stretch to ready-to-wear VB? How about this more reasonably-priced selection from the high street. I’ll take a no.4 please:

{1. Dorothy Perkins grey beaded drop waist dress – £45 // 2. Oasis drop waist ponte dress – £45 // 3. Opening Ceremony drop waist mini dress – £165 // 4. French Connection Shanghai knits scoop dress – £72 // 5. Warehouse drop waist crepe dress – £55 // 6. Weekend by Maxmara limone dress – £180 // 7. Theory crinkled-satin dress – £305 // 8. East by Eastwest drop waist dress – £151.20 // 9. Coast Franko sleeved dress – £81}

We get up in the dark, we get home in the dark. So what do we need? A pop of neon, that’s what. Marc Jacobs has designed these uh-may-zing bracelets (yep, big fan of the bracelets – see here, here and here) and I’m drooling over my keyboard. Colour clash with other brights or make them a statement with them against black. Bellissimo:

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As you may have noticed, I’ve been MIA for a few days (ok, 11 to be exact), but after I got back from my Christmas trip to Berlin, it’s been non-stop eating, sleeping, travelling, sleeping, drinking, sleeping… well, you get the picture. I’ve been crazed. I got a little over-excited that I had a whole 17 days off work and acted accordingly. But I’m back just in time to get one or two final posts in before we get acquainted with 2012 (she’s gonna be a goodie, I can tell. She feels nice and, well, even).
I wanted to round up the fashion choices that our celebrity friends have donned this year, highlighting those who were sartorially superior, those who have clearly realised that help from stylists is necessary, and those who we have not seen the best of yet. Without further ado, onto the first category.
Camilla Belle is hands-down the winner of the best overall red carpet style. Always flawless, always classy and always polished. Damn her and her shiny hair. I mean, congrats.

Saldana is always someone I look forward to seeing on the red carpet, and she never lets me down. Sometimes her choices are a little out there, but she never fails to carry them off. Shorts on the red carpet? Bring it. Forget Aniston’s love-in with black, Saldana will try every colour in the rainbow, every length, every fabric. This lady is never predictable, but consistently spot on.

Dunst hired a stylist! And bought a hairbrush! And a mirror! This year has been a style resurrection for The Artist Formally Known As Drunkst. Obviously a bit of Chanel will help anyone, but she’s adopted a new softness that makes it work. When she stepped out at Cannes, there must have been a collective, “who, now?”. Long may it last.

Kerr doesn’t just nip round to the corner shop in a hoodie, jogging bottoms (oh, the irony), and 5-year-old Uggs. Oh no, the pavement is her catwalk. Neutral colours, a well-placed scarf and some arm candy, this look is 100% ‘off-duty model’. Which usually works best for models. Cruelly.

Not only did she get to star with Chuck Bass (yes, I know that’s not his real name) in Chalet Girl, but now she has all the best designer clambering to dress her. She’s not afraid to try different looks and I get the feeling she’ll top many a ‘best dressed’ list next year. She’s come a long way from The Worst Witch…

This year Rosie H-W has found out just how many dresses are involved in a promotional tour, and J-Lo has discovered the fountain of eternal youth. Both know exactly how to dress to accentuate, erm, assets, and both are the reason why I shall be eating nothing but broccoli in January. Cheers, ladies.

Now for the biggie. The best dress of 2011. I couldn’t choose just one, so they’re going to have to split the award (I’m sure Kate will understand, she’s very charitable). Firstly Mila had an amazing year professionally and on the red carpet. Far from letting Portman romp home with her effortless style, she came out all guns blazing and particularly impressed with this red Alexander McQueen at the SAG Awards. Her whole look was perfection. Then there was the small matter of the Royal Wedding (pah! Small?! I loved every minute – see here) and The Wedding Dress… as predicted, Kate went for Sarah Burton for McQueen and looked beyond stunning. It was an absolute triumph, and for those who say that her thunder was stolen by Pippa, I say you’re wrong. Lastly, Lively has had another fabulous year (being besties with Lagerfeld, Louboutin et al probably doesn’t hurt), but for me her stand-out look was this Grecian-inspired Marchesa gown. My fiancé commented that it looks like she’s wearing a bed sheet, but that’s the fanciest bed sheet I’ve ever seen. Oh lord, can you imagine if Marchesa made bed sheets…?! I totally would.

So there you have it, my celeb fashion round-up of 2011. And hey, I didn’t even mention Palermo or Kruger once! Oh.
What were your fashion highlights from this year? Any predictions for next year?