As well as coveting every single thing she designs, hearing the name Kate Spade always makes me smile. Many years ago, during a summer that my friends and I worked at a country club in Connecticut, we were in NYC one weekend looking for *cough* fake designer bags to take to a wedding. There was a beautiful stripy no-named clutch, which my friend picked up and sighed, “I wish this was Kate Spade”. Quick as a flash the street vendor swooped in with, “You want it Kate Spade? I make it Kate Spade”, and slapped on a material label which declared it was the Real Thing (Kate – “earmuffs”). I can’t say that the label stayed on for very long, but I don’t think we were fooling anyone anyway.

{Kate Spade’s flagship store on 5th Avenue}
Kate Spade may be synonymous with incredible bags (especially for us Brits), however a visit to her gorgeous website throws open a can of very stylish worms. As I mentioned here, I recently purchased a KS iphone cover to brighten up these dark months, and it’s so tempting to order many many more items:

See what I mean?!
{1. 2011 wall calendar / 2. crystal trellis bracelet / 3. belle boulevard cylinder vase / 4. ticker tape tidbit plate / 5. twirl larabee dot fete mini saucers / 6. go to town idiom bangle / 7. blackberry pouch / 8. twirl eau de parfum / 9. hopper dot rose bowl / 10. putting on the ritz ring / 11. cherry blossom thank you notes / 12. tarrytown laptop janine / 13. daycation large flat pouch}

Vampire-mania is not going anywhere any time soon, as the 37th People’s Choice Awards proved. The Twilight Saga: Eclipse won favourite movie of 2010 beating out Inception and Toy Story 3 in the process, with Kristen Stewart also taking home the favourite movie actress award ahead of veterans (well, compared to K-Stew) Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Aniston and Julia Roberts. For a full round-up of all the winners, click here. As for the stand-out stars in the fashion stakes, here is my pick of the crop:

{images via prphotos}

Unless you’ve been comatose for the past few months, it can’t have escaped your notice that the world and his wife is now obsessed with Kate “Catherine” Middleton. And why wouldn’t you be? Her hair’s so lovely and glossy! (Apparently her secret is the Richard Ward salon + Kerastase Nutritive products). I’m kidding, there’s more to her than “Because I’m worth it” hair, but on the Andy Warhol-inspired cover of February’s Tatler magazine, that’s the feature they choose to focus on. Is it just me, or are you getting a sense of Katy Perry and Cheryl Cole on the top row? I love this representation – in fact, I imagine this design will fly off the shelves as wall art. As much as I don’t like the constant comparisons to Princess Diana (including the fact that Diana was frequently featured on the cover of Tatler) as it must be such a heavy burden for her, there’s something about Kate that is so intriguing. Just like our People’s Princess.

As fast as you can say “bandwagon”, Lipsy has brought out a blue Issa ‘engagement dress’ replica of their own, which I have to say is a big improvement on the previous Peacocks and Tesco efforts. You should probably be quick if you want a look-in. An imitation ring would be a nice touch if you’re going to a costume party as Kate… although the dress and the ring on a normal day might be overkill…

{Lipsy panelled slinky dress / sapphire & diamond ring}

Trends tend to be ‘Marmite’ by nature – some we love (any that flatter our good bits and conceal the bad) and others we hate (harem pants). But there are certain pieces in our wardrobe that we can churn out season after season without anyone scoffing, “urgh, fringing? That was, like, so two years ago.” (in my head, fashion snobs talk like they’re in an American teen movie… apparently). They’re classic, timeless and work effortlessly alongside trends that are outdated in a flash. This is by no means a definite list (refer to Nina Garcia’s ‘The One Hundred: A Guide to the Pieces Every Stylish Woman Must Own’), but a few of the following items will see you stylishly through till spring, regardless of what S/S2011’s key looks have to offer:

1. Topshop ruched sleeve blazer – £60
2. French Sole Sturdy ballet flats – £89.87
3. French Connection bangle set – £18
4. Michael Kors rose gold bangle watch – £179
5. Accessorize silk scarf – £12
6. River Island pink pleated skirt – £24.99
7. Office camel suede boots – £45
8. Topshop Boutique leather biker jacket – £225
9. Jones Bootmaker Taken brown croc bag – £110
10. Uniqlo cashmere v-neck sweater – £49.99
11. Oasis tailored flare black dress – £60
12. Principles by Ben de Lisi belted mac – £42.50
13. Prada sunglasses – £190
14. Daisy by Marc Jacobs eau de toilette – £52.50
15. Essie nail polish in Chinchilly – £9.95
16. MAC lipstick in Russian Red – £13.50

Hemlines have turned decidedly prudish this season, so if you’re a fan of flashing your pins, this trend may not be for you. To avoid looking like a cross between Miss Marple and your old R.E. teacher, pair your midi skirt with a simple vest top or a low-cut cardigan cinched with a skinny belt, or unleash your inner Angelina and opt for leather. And if you’ve still got frump-fear, a pencil skirt is the perfect way to stay the right side of prim… add a pussy bow blouse and some ladylike pumps, and you’re good to go.

1. Topshop black pleated midi skirt – £38
2. River Island brown herringbone skirt – £24.99
3. Next khaki mid-length skirt – £30
4. Oasis bow tucked pencil skirt – £45
5. Jigsaw silk chiffon floral print skirt – £99
6. Jasper Conran mauve rainwear skirt – £42