Spot the difference...

The idea of individuality is drummed into us in all aspects of our lives, especially that of our personal fashion style. So, turning up to work or an event and discovering one of your pals is sporting the same frock can often leave you feeling embarrassed, frustrated or even flattered. Whether it's friendly intuition, similar styles or pure coincidence that led you to pick the same ensemble, you're better off just rolling with it, rather than winding yourself up with the "I should have chosen that red blouse instead" thought process that you may naturally reach for upon first sight of your fashion double.

Me on the other hand, I'm not too bothered about who wore it best, but I feel safe in the knowledge that my friends like what I'm wearing - because they are wearing it too! I'm all for individuality, but there's something quite comforting about having a similar style to your closest girlfriends, as it confirms your own beliefs that you're on the right track in the fashion stakes.

Dress Your Mate To Get A Date (pt 3)...

This Wednesday afternoon I felt like a true lady of leisure! Working in the morning and then a spot of window shopping (well, actual shopping) at lunchtime, before heading off for a relaxing spa treatment. I treated myself to my first ever reflexology session - where I must say, you are never too old to have someone wash and massage your feet for you! And, after discovering that I had "tight ovaries" and "crunchy lungs" I decided that an evening of retail therapy was just the ticket!

So, Zozee and I hopped on a train to Stratford and headed towards the bright lights of Westfield shopping centre to splurge our hard earned pennies in high end establishments like Primarni! And, the power was in her hands as she had full reign over my next fashion purchase. A pair of £11 skinnys and a spotty shirt later and I was set for my next Friday night!

But, disappointingly, our most expensive extravagance was on dinner that evening! And, after trawling the food court and spending a good ten minutes debating whether to have Mexican, Thai or good old bangers and mash, we finally decided that spring rolls, noodles and crispy duck would tickle our taste buds that evening!

And, while I was content with my purchases from Primark, I had set my sights on a dress from Topshop. Not wanting to seem greedy, we decided to plan my next outfit around the little t-shirt dress. Ever the fashionista, Zozee suggested putting it with my new chelsea boots, her leather jacket and my latest accessory obsession - a pork pie hat! So, when my next pay packet rocks around, I'll be investing in this staple piece and putting it to the test!

Mother knows best...

This weekend was spent with some of my closest pals - enjoying a pub lunch in the countryside, exchanging light-hearted banter, hearing about my friend's new Victorian pad and gazing at the newest addition to our friendship group - baby Oscar!

But, it was when relaying my afternoon activities to mummy dearest, that it became apparent that I am ever increasingly becoming more and more like the most famous fictional singleton in modern history - but unlike Miss Jones, I keep a blog rather than a diary!

You know you're life has taken a turn for the sad and desperate when your mother is offering you fashion/dating advice on a Saturday night! "A nice pair of skinny jeans, with one of those tops with the Peter Pan collar and some ankle boots!"

And, just when I thought I'd side-stepped the cringe-factor - we popped up to Tesco for a few leafy greens and juicy fruits to kick start my new clean and lean diet - and not even two minutes through the doors and Mrs T has pointed out a potential suitor for her first born! And, after hovering over at the magazine stand and trying to persuade me to get in the queue so that I can "chat him up" - I looked more like a potential shop lifter than love interest! Red cheeks, flicking through various glossy titles and glancing over my shoulder at the tall, dark and handsome stranger - and to make matters worse, he was a policeman! So, I'm lucky I wasn't suspected of petty theft as well as sheer embarrassment!

Dress Your Mate To Get A Date (part two)...

After the first outfit was put to the test, it's time for the next brave soul to select an ensemble for me to take out on the town. So, I am very much looking forward to a Westfield date with my trend-setting P.I.C (partner in crime)!

And, so ahead of our mid-week road trip, here are a few of my favourite looks from the latest spring/summer collections...

Pretty prints and pastels from Primark

Quirky scarf prints and vintage glam from Miss Selfridge

All the dresses from Topshop!

Whatever seasonal updaters the Gossip Hound adds to my wardrobe, it's sure to be a fashion hit, rather than a miss!

Back To The Blitz...

You may have noticed that there has been a considerable increase in the amount of themed nights out in the Capital - which we just can't get enough of! Giving us workers the chance to escape from the weekly routine and get lost in another world.

Recently, we jumped at the chance to dust off our t-bars and fur stoles to experience "The Blitz" a night dedicated to the 1940's - you are guaranteed a swinging Saturday night! If you fancy donning a spotty tea dress and bagging yourself a handsome soldier, visit www.theblitzparty.com

The Only Way is Brentwood...

It's Tuesday, which can only mean one thing...the fashion bible has arrived on my doorstep! And, with an eager eye, each week I flick through Look Magazine to find out what new ensembles are hitting the highstreet stores, which celebs are hooking up with who, and which superstar looks I can emulate next! But, despite being all for a new frock on a Saturday night, I must confess to not feeling like a 'real girl'!

My idea of a beauty regime is dragging a cleansing wipe around my face, while my make-up bag essentials consists of a mascara and red lippy! Adding heels to a pair of jeans and sheer shirt is my take on weekend glam, and running my straighteners through my hair is about as adventurous as my barnet gets. (More like the only way is lazy!)

So, when my uber glam Essex friend asked if I fancied a night at the Sugar Hut, I both jumped at the chance, before recoiling and wondering what on Earth I would wear!

That afternoon I searched high and low down the whole of Colchester high street to try and seek out the perfect outfit. But, with two Topshop items in my hands, I couldn't decide which one was more fitting for the occasion. An emergency phone call to my mum later and I would soon be on my way to looking reem!

But, she wasn't in - and it was papa Treacy who answered! After offering his fashion advice and minutes of deliberation, I eventually purchased a monochrome playsuit to dance the night away in. (Probably the first and last time I will ever trust my dad's fashion sense!)

Now, I'm too scared of fake tan, so I stayed well clear - and while I attempted the false eyelashes, I ended up getting more glue on my fingers than on the spidery falsies and soon gave up! So, with lashings on mascara and the good old trusty - red lippy - the only way really was Essex.

And, it was everything I had hoped it would be! Fake boobs, fake tan and more sparkle than a Christmas Vajazzle! The guys (or boys) looked like they had barely hit puberty and needed to grow into their suits and the girl's hemlines were ever rising! But, the music was fantastic! The dj busted out some old school r&b and I soberly danced the night away to the likes of Jagged Edge, 112 and a little bit of Luther Vandross!

I might not be an Essex girl - but the Sugar Hut really was a reem experience!