Stylista little sister: Bershka

You learn something new every day: when I recently visited a friend in London I had a lot of time by myself during the day to explore the city and take in the sights (and by sights I mean Brick Lane, Camden Market, Carnaby Street, Oxford Street and Regent Street - don't judge). Now although I don't brand myself as a budget fashion aficionado just yet, I thought I had most of my go-to retailers nailed! How wrong I was.

Enter Bershka: imagine if Zara had a little student sister who liked to spend her day giggling with friends in independently owned cafés but revealed a wild streak at night and you'll get an idea of the kind of pieces Bershka have to offer the fashion conscious and frugal.

Though not quite as keen on bright and eye-catching colours as some of her relatives in the Inditex Group (Zara, Massimo Dutti, Pull and Bear) there are certain items from Bershka's AW'12 collection that would most definitely invite the question: "Excuse me, I LOVE your ________, where can I get my hands on it?!" Whether you let them in on the style secret or not is up to you (if they have that instantly recognisable look of fashion lust in their eyes have some compassion and throw 'em a bone guys) but you should nevertheless show this lesser known budget brand a lot of love. Here are my favourites for the new season:

Fringe detail belt - £7.99

Left to right: Bershka Various Prints Skirt - £9.99; Etro AW'12

This symmetrical print skirt is a bargain and a brilliantly cheap way to capture one of the most eclectic trends of the season. Although it's a very busy pattern go the Etro way and try a casually clashing print to level up the impact of your outfit.

Skulls necklace - £7.99

Stud detail earrings - £5.99

Chain necklace - £9.99

BSK Combined Wedges - £39.99 

Left to right: Bershka Stud Detail Sleeveless Shirt - £19.99; 3.1 Philip Lim AW'12 

Washed out has never looked so good: the stud detail on Bershka's sleeveless denim shirt gives it a little edge but for even more tomboyish charm get a black skinny belt involved like 3.1 Philip Lim.

Skull print clutch - £14.99

Ballerinas with crossed studded straps - £25.99

Wedges with ankle straps - £59.99

Left to right: Bershka Zipper Back Top - £19.99; McQ by Alexander McQueen AW'12

Sophisticated, sultry and a little bit cheeky, both the colour and the style of this sheer Bershka zipper back top emulate the popular red wine shades that litter so many AW'12 collections including McQ by Alexander McQueen. Like McQ, jazz up this subtler trend with big hair and powerful accessories if you want centre stage.

latest bargain haul!

Another day, another trip to the charity shops! This time to the beauteous little bargain haunts of Ashley Cross and Upper Parkstone. These are both great areas for charity shopping: as with Boscombe, even though you may have to sift through a hell of a lot of poorer quality items, you will find the odd gem which you wouldn't normally find in the wealthier areas like Westbourne or Christchurch.

I think my favourite find had to be this woven tote (my wise owl of a mother believes it to be banana leaf?) with raffia handles and pocket detail. The perfect day bag, big enough to carry my enormous filofax amongst other essentials, but also great for the beach as it has a handy sand filter (the bottom is a loosely woven raffia) to avoid time consuming clear outs.

'M' for me!

I also found this great mottled brown box bag which has already proved extremely handy, due to its 'open plan' set-up which means nick nacks can't get lost in the lining. It also had an 'M' bag charm on it, which sealed the deal!

On the clothing front, I found two very different but absolutely lovely items: a leopard print maxi dress (on trend for Summer!) and a super super cute short-sleeved knitted jumper in a gorgeous light yellow! I love the fact that the maxi dress pattern is alternated in what almost looks like a zebra print style, more animal magic! And although the knitted jumper may not be suitable for this time of year, I cannot wait to wear it with a circle skirt, platform court shoes and a sweep of red lipstick in Winter!

As you can see ironing is not a favourite pastime of mine...

The final find was this rather eclectic little blast from the past, an ancient batwing top from Topshop in a sort of 80s-style tribal pattern. I might cut the modesty slip out of it and wear it as a shrug over the leopard print maxi dress, currently undecided!

That's it for now, I'm hoping I'm going to have the time/the skin to do my Summer make-up review this weekend so watch this space!

(P.S. I notice I have a couple more followers, thankyou and hello lovelies!)

a very British body.

Anyone who knows me will know all too well that I am a charity shop addict, and most of my favourite pieces of clothing and jewellery cost me very little at all, and in the current spirit of all things British I thought I'd share this cute little swimming costume I bought in a charity shop the other day.

Retro and Made in England - only £4!

Snazzy.

As this cotton-elastene costume is probably too old and delicate to brave sea water or chlorine, I'm planning on wearing it with either denim cut-offs and Vans or (should I be lucky enough to find one this Summer!) a big ole Carrie skirt. Happy charity shopping everyone!