Launching This Week: Isabel Marant for H&M | Sneak Preview

As you'll have seen all over the fashion mags of late, the latest in a long line of designers to work with High Street fave H&M is Isabel Marant, who has for years brought us cool denim, fringed boots, wedge trainers, and general laid back luxe - styles that have seriously infiltrated the High Street of late.

And now the French fashion designer's oh-so-cool signature styles will be available for us peeps that can't always afford a high end label. The countdown is on. Isabel Marant for H&M goes on sale in two days, on Thursday 14th November, at 9am. (Not that we're counting or anything)

The British fashion press, including little ole me, were given a sneak preview the other week at the London head office of the brand. The pieces ooze that French Marant cool, yet still have the comforting H&M feel to them. I like. Easy-to-wear but not as 'out there' as some of H&M's other collaborations like Anna Dello Russo's, where, after a Season, you'll look like a bit of a twonk in those crazy sunnies, let's be honest.

Take the grey sweater below for example - a wardrobe staple. That's what I'd go for. But is it worth the queue on the 14th? Well, we all want a little designer in our wardrobes when we can, non?

Check out the full range here.

H&M's Holly rocks top to toe Isabel

You see I really WAS there!

WIBTW (What I Bought This Week): NYC

I've just come back from two weeks working in NYC (which you will hear a LOT about in upcoming blog posts to follow), so this week's pocket money was spent in the Big Apple. We didn't have a lot of free time but my speed-shopping skills are pretty well-honed and I managed to pick up a few gems whilst there.

I discovered J Crew big time whilst out there, as although I've heard the buzz for years I've never actually been in a store till now. So I went a little bananas. But if you are selective the prices are really good (some stuff like dresses goes up to a few hundred quid) and I got a wool jumper, cargo pants, a scarf, horse print socks (of course) and a really lovely silk print skirt for less than £200, which I think is very good.  The customer service here was amazing (Simone you rocked), as it was most places in NYC. Us Brits have a lot to learn, I hate to say.

Kate Spade was a bit exciting. I wanted a lot in here, but as my bank called me whilst I was in there to check my card hadn't been stolen, I limited myself. I needed a new wallet and I got a gorgeous patent coral red one.

The cool shops of Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg were VERY tempting, with amazing designer jewellery but a little out of my price range. However I found an amazing jewellery designers shop opposite one of our many hotels on 8th Avenue called Phoenix Roze where I bought the cutest gold necklace with 'C' charm. I wear it every day now - it replaces a similar one that I bought last time I was in NYC and recently broke. So that's allowed, right?!

Here are some snaps: