Dancing Her Way Into Style

My new celebrity style crush is on Nicola Roberts. Gone are the days of bad fake tan and bleached blonde hair - now is the period of a sophisticated, well dressed and preened young lady. This girl knows her fashion. Unlike some of her Girls Aloud band mates -ah hem Chezza - Roberts does not just adorn herself in the latest designer de jour, but really seems to follow the trends and make them work for her.

Last year her cute little bob with an edge transformed her from pop starlet, to fashion icon. After wowing her fellow fashionistas with her retro attire (yes, that's a compliment; I said retro not 80s) and quirky hair colour, she's now back with an excellent new sound as well. Beat Of My Drum is not only my new favourite summer tune, but the styling of the video is superb. Simple, underplayed and rather stylish, in my opinion. Lots of colour pop - and lots o' leg! This writer will be keeping a close eye on this little trend setter. I have but one criticism - get rid of the extensions girl! They be wack.

An Ode To The Up-Do

When the wind is blustering, whipping and slapping at my face, my love for the up-do is never stronger. Perhaps it is because washing my hair every day seems like an insurmountable task or that those extra 15 minutes in bed are impossible to say no to, but dry shampoo and an up-do has become my new go to hair style.

My hair is very long. So on these lazy days I pile my hair atop my head and secure. I feel it looks like a cross between a bride's locks and the almost effortless elegance of Audrey Hepburn. I then add some large, dark sunnies and saunter off down the road.

I have also taken a liking to fish tail pleats - something which are regularly sported by the likes of Blake Lively. But don't let that put you off. A little trickier to nail but patience and practice always reaps rewards.

How To Avoid Festival Faux Pas

Aah summer time. When sunshine, booze and good times are plentiful. One of the key fixtures in our British summer are festivals. Glastonbury, T in the Park, Isle of White, Rockness. Which ever festival takes your fancy, you will need to get your style in check. But which fashion route to tread? Let us survey our options...

Boho Chic? Yes, we must blame Sienna Miller for this trend. Some summers ago now, she flounced around in long flowing skirts, wicker hats and crocheted cloths entrancing the female population of this country to follow suit. None the less the trend has flourished from year to year, high street to high street. Festival wear has somehow adopted this style and women a plenty adorn themselves in this manner. Update the look by adding more colour pop, than whites and nudes, and ensure you stay away from headbands. They are very last season, as nice as they may look.

What of wellies? Do. Not. Go. To. A. Festival. Without. Them. Fact! Yes, sandals or a pair of little white Keds would be excellent for sauntering down the high street, but you won't appreciate them when you are ankle deep in other people's excrement. Aah I do paint a delightful picture, don't I? Never the less, Hunters are your best friend. Not only do they come in a variety of colours, but you can even channel Chanel by purchasing a pair of quilted ones! Tres bien!

Personally for festivals I feel the best style to adopt is simplicity. A pretty summer dress or shorts, wellies, a waterproof and possibly a quirky straw hat or colourful scarf. Sorted? Well yes. At the end of the day there is no bigger faux pas than tramping around a field trying to pretend you are on a catwalk. Especially when you have not showered for at least two days. Embrace the simplicity and you are sure to look fabulous.

All That Glitters

Recently I have found myself displaying similar traits to the magnificently greedy-eyed magpie. Prior to shopping trips, nights out on the razz and rummages in vintage stores, all that occupies my minds-eye are items which shimmer, glisten and sparkle with sequins and beads.

What, if anything, makes you feel as glamorous and sophisticated as an exquisitely and meticulously beaded piece of clothing? This writer would argue that nothing else comes close. When raiding my sister's increasingly expanding vintage collection, I always try to land my hands on the sequinned items. I borrowed such an item only last night. It was a little shift top covered in black sequins and beads, trimmed in gold. Nothing makes me feel smugger than to reply "oh it's vintage" when questioned about my outfit. Aah smugness. The food of fashionistas.

It's not just the clothing which attracts me. I have also taken to adorning my nails in glitter - usually just on the tips of my Rouge Noir, to create a glamour puss French manicure. Oh la la!

Although not quite in line with the usual spring /summer materials and fashions, I find that the heavier cloth of sequinned items is perfect for my Scottish summers, which often require warmth to be considered over style. So do follow in my glittery footsteps. I guarantee you will feel like a million dollars. Or at least effortlessly glam.

Props For Prada

Prada can often be established as the epitome of classic, sophisticated luxury. And the new spring / summer 2011 collection is no exception. Prada has gone big on colour pop, nods to nautical and bold - often cutesy - prints.

Often this writer cannot

suppress sighs of exhaustion and

boredom when it comes to spring / summer collections. Designers have been known to trot out the same nautical strips and Riviera themed creations, year after year, summer after summer - leaving us somewhat stuck in a style rut. This season, we must applaud Prada! Although still wandering down the plank-boarded walkways of nautical style, the fashion house has chosen to go with bold blues, ravishing reds and bright yellows to mix up the fabric and styling.

One of the most chit chatted about pieces this season has been the 'banana print' which Prada has draped over skirts, dresses and tops. Anna Wintour has even been spotted in the whimsical print, so we know it must be a fashion yes-yes. Entirely wearable, even after the season has ended AND ASOS.com have created a lovely little 'knock-off' which doesn't cost the equivalent of a mortgage payment.

Take a look at the video for Prada's collection, to get more ideas for your own summer style. Here's hoping these trends continue to trickle their way down into the more affordable realms of the high street, for us lesser mortals.