Shady lady

I've been ridiculously overexcited by waking up to bright sunshine for three mornings this week - THREE! Count em! Not only is this exciting because it means spring really is coming, and because dragging yourself up for work in the dark is never joyful, but it also means it's time to wear SUNNIES!!

After a sad, sad day last summer when I left my Diors in a pub in Soho (sob), I invested in a pair of Ray-Ban Wayfarers and have been in love with them ever since. They just seem to make every outfit look cool and retro, while remaining discreet and classic at the same time. I have the standard black version, but would love a lipstick-red pair. Here are my current fave Wayfarers, and a few celebs who also like to rock a Ray-Ban. Keep shining!

All shades available from Ray-Ban

Kylie in tortoiseshell

Mossy in classic black

Natalie Portman in large-lens black

Sienna Miller in cherry red

Pictures: Rex Features, Ray-Ban website

1 maxi, 6 ways

I'm slightly obsessed with my maxis this summer. They're so versatile - which is handy really, as you can never count on the weather. I discovered this at the weekend when I put together a couple of looks with just one jersey dress. So, in the aim of research - and with AW10/11 just around the corner, meaning we'll need to make our summer pieces more trans-seasonal - I've been working a handful of maxi looks for you, to show just how far you can take these little beauties. Dress them up with wedges, keep it slouchy with a hoody and lace-ups, and layer up or down depending on whether the sun is shining or not. Which is your favourite?

Khaki jersey maxi dress, New Look; Straw trilby, Primark; Sunglasses, Foster Grant; Pink scarf, gift; Grey woven belt, H&M; Bronze gladiators, New Look

Grey hoody, Uniqlo; Grey lace-up pumps, Primark

Long grey cardigan, New Look; Rope necklace, Accessorize; Tan belt, New Look; Snakeskin platform wedges, Matalan

Striped top, River Island; Wayfarers, Ray-Ban; Tan loafers, Primark

White thin cotton T-shirt, Banana Republic; Tan belt, New Look; Bangles, Primark; Espadrille wedges, from Spain

White and pale blue pinstriped shirt, Ralph Lauren; Tweed hat, New Look; Tan belt, New Look; Tan ankle boots, Peacocks

Running errands

I had some chores to take care of today, so I wanted to wear something comfortable and practical but fairly smart, as I was heading out into town for a few bits and bobs rather than being housebound and therefore getting away with wearing something a bit more loungey. So I took care of the 'fairly smart' side of it with a shirt - a shirt always adds a hint of smart/preppy cool, even in a casual fabric, and it still looks good even if it isn't ironed to within an inch of its life (although that also looks fabulous). But I went for an oversized man's shirt, for more moveability, and wore my collar up ever so slightly, channelling a little Katharine Hepburn in the process.

Following the rules of proportion (fitted top half = looser bottom half; loose top half = more fitted bottom half), I teamed my shirt with leggings, to avoid totally swamping myself from head to foot, and created shape around my waist with a slim, tan belt. I chose my leather-look leggings, just to add a bit of edge, and kept the masculine vibe of the oversized shirt with some brown loafers (also, I needed something a bit sturdier than my usual ballet pumps, as I was going to be pounding the concrete for a while).

So I'm thinking: white shirt, tan leather accessories = mannish-preppy, but with the leather-look leggings and my obligatory Ray-Ban Wayfarers, I gave it a bit of an edge. There's nothing like giving a damn what you look like when your day consists of three loads of washing, posting mail, taking care of admin  and a dentist appointment... Rock n roll...

 Taking inspiration from the stylish Katharine Hepburn. Shirt, husband's; leggings, King's Road; Ray-Ban Wayfarers; belt and loafers, Primark