0 I'm okay, if your uke plays

Recently, my music taste has been leaning towards girl-centric bands; a brief foray into grrrl-rock with Bikini Kill and Babes In Toyland led me down the darker path of Hole and Jack Off Jill, straight back to the warm country house of my favourite, Amanda Palmer.

I love her. I love her music, I love her rebellious and open attitude and I love her husband (author Neil Gaiman). Her music is brilliantly open too; her song 'Oasis' has caused controversy nearly every time its hit the public eye, because it's a happy, upbeat, catchy song - about rape and abortion. Why not? As she says, people go through these things, and treating them as some miserable taboo does nothing to help. To me, she's a strong role model, and whenever I'm feeling down about myself I listen to her album.

My first proper female band obsession has to be Debbie Harry; I would listen to Ave Maria on repeat until one of my parents snapped and turned it off. Then I'd put on Heart Of Glass. She was unlike any of the women I was used to - she was edgy, still quite feminine, but not all the time. Most of my early teens was spent trying to be like her, and like all the other effortlessly cool girls who would hang around smoking and casual in town. It was difficult, though, because I wasn't comfortable, and it wasn't me.

This inner voice was reawakened by Florence + The Machine. Florence Welch is so incredibly stylish that when I accidentally bumped into her at a concert I just stared at her. I really hope she didn't think I was a stalker.

However, her figure is the direct opposite of mine - she's tall, thin, and a more masculine shape, whereas I am curvy, short, and busty. I was old enough to realise at this point, that I wouldn't be able to replicate her clothing choices. So I began thinking, I thought for several weeks, until the shoe finally dropped while listening to Amanda Palmer's post-label-dropping release, The Truth.

I spent so much time wanting to hang around cool people, wanting them to like me and let me share in their cool life, but I wasn't doing anything with my own life. Why can't I be cool too? There are so many brilliant people in the world, and the only thing stopping me becoming one is, well, me.

And that's why I like girl bands.

I've added some profiles from a few of my favourite, usually independent female recording artists; Amanda Palmer is, obviously, the same one as before. Jess Law is an old school friend of mine, and I cannot even begin to list her talents. Sophie Madeleine has a lovably delicate voice, accompanied by her uke.

0 Online shopping doesn't count.

At least, I hope it doesn't because I'm currently getting at least three packages a week. Today, my impulse purchases from ASOS arrived - they were offering me free next day delivery, how could I refuse? I've invested in these lovely hair combs, for when my hair is longer and less crazy scientisty.

The one on the left will make me look like I have little birds flying out of my hair (always a bonus), and the one on the right is so Art Deco I couldn't resist.

I also bought the Lomo Diana F camera, twice, at ridiculously cheap prices.

Diana F+ Quing Hua                                           Diana F+ Daybreak

Both cameras should have cost me at least £139, but thanks to eBay and the Urban Outfitters sale, I paid £68. The Quing Hua even had a roll of film in it, so that should be interesting.

I'm quite glad I bought these cameras now, as it is Birmingham's Clothes Show Live next week! I'm going on the 7th, the last day, platinum tickets, as I've done every year for, oooh, almost ten years, and its made me reminisce a bit about previous shows.

My favourite show is a difficult one to choose; the gumboot-dancing builders, the ethereal woman in a globe drifting across the stage, or the dress that was so long a platform in the catwalk had to raise the model high above us. I love the suspicious and random goody bags that have included everything from washing powder and elderflower juice to blue velvet thongs and 'personal topiary' kits.

I like that its a show, and it rarely disappoints, but alongside all the brilliance there have been some failures.

For some reason, Peaches Geldof was asked to host the catwalk sow - she stumbled through it, reading the names of the (admittedly dubious) celebrities off her hand, and then literally stumbled when the lights were turned out to start the show. I vividly remember Dave Berry just stepping over her and walking off. The theme last year was a bit shaky too, with the completely obvious choice of 'Christmas'.

When you hold a fashion show every year at the same time, just before Christmas, at no point should you consider Christmas to be a valid theme. It isn't even a style of dress, really.

The stalls themselves are usually wonderful, showcasing brands I never would have heard of, had I not seen them at the Clothes Show; Buddhist Punk, Lulu + Red, Religion, and a wide variety of vintage and student brands. There's bargains aplenty, especially on the last day when a lot of haggling goes on.

As the popularity of the Clothes Show, there have been stalls turning up who haven't really got the hang of it yet; they consider themselves to be brilliantly cool and popular for getting in and aren't we lucky they're letting us buy their clothes? The worst thing a seller has ever said to me?

"You know, I could take this back to my shop and sell it for twice the price!"

So I agreed, put down my purchases, and walked off. They weren't a brand, and I can't remember who they are, but I remember the product, the person, and the bad experience. One sentence I was enough to make me never want to shop with them again. Its a shame, because the whole point of this show is to introduce your brand to the public, to make deals and build relationships. This stall was overpriced, unwilling to haggle, and considered the Clothes Show to be a boutique rather than a marketing opportunity. Lame.

I'm looking forward to it this year, and am hoping its a return to the old days of the fashion show. If the theme is Christmas, I'll be so disappointed.

0 Thank you, please try again later

Well, I didn't manage to get a single piece of the Versace for H&M collection since their website crashed magnificently. By the time I got through (4 hours after launch), there were only wrong sizes or things I didn't want left.

I had the rest of day off, so I spent it browsing various fashion websites trying to scratch my clothing budget itch. Eventually I made my way to ASOS - where they're currently in the middle of a 29% off boutique sale - and bought a couple of pairs of unusual tights, and this lovely little number:

You have no idea how long I've been looking for a bell sleeve top, and this one's perfect. I can see myself wearing it with a sleeveless vest, preferably cardigan style, or some massive jewelry.

Speaking of outfits, I should be photographing mine regularly soon, since my room is almost finished! The paint is dry, the floor is varnished, and the wallpaper is hung; all that's really left is to fit the shelves, desk, and electrical fittings. Oh, and curtains, which I'm hoping to make from fabric with thick red and white stripes. I don't want solid colour, but I also don't want to draw away from the heavy pattern on the feature wall.

Hmm.

Oh well, I'll just whip the sewing machine out and see what happens!

0 Curl up and dye

My hair and I are constantly in battle. One minute it's wavy and soft, then in the blink of an eye it's scraggly and greasy. Sometimes my fringe will be obedient, but usually it curls off in mad directions. I shan't even speak of the colour.

(Actually, I will.)

My hair has been several colours now, from fairly tame beige-blonde and dark brown to deepest black and firetruck red. For some months I had bubblegum pink flashes hidden in the sides of my bob cut (which I enjoyed) and once had long, side parted, purplish hair with blond highlights (which I really did not).

Now, I want something so different from what I usually have. For starters, no fringe. My fringe has been a stalwart part of my hairstyle for nearly ten years now - side, full, shaped, it has always been there to hide behind. However I was gifted several great vintage hairstyle books for my birthday, and something became quickly apparent - long hair that can fake a fringe is more versatile than an actual fringe.

I'm on a quest to completely change my look, to refine it and make sure that even if I'm dressed for comfort I keep my style, and I think the best way to do this is set a goal. Mine is a future date with BLEACH London. They are home to some of the most in-demand stylists in the fashion world, and Pixie Geldof appears to live there.

My particular favourites are the grungy yet soft dye jobs, involving pastels and pink.

I like that the look could change depending on what you wear - prim and proper with work clothes, or ruffled and undone for a night out.

Even though I'm avoiding a fringe, I absolutely love this style. I reckon a similar effect could be achieved with coloured slices side and front, rolled into a quiff type fringe. (I think I hate the word quiff.)

Subtler style, yet still very effective and a bit haunting.

These highlights are brilliant, and would look lovely mixed into fishtail braids or plaits.

I've had my eye on this one for a while. Most of my decorating and design is dedicated to red; my bedroom has victorian library red walls, my favourite lipstick is a dark, fiery colour, and most of my clothes revolve around varieties of rouge. So naturally I want blue hair. Still warm, not too dark and not too bright, dark roots melting into blonde, then gradiating from light to dark at the tips.

Is that too much to ask?

Before I book, I need to save money, and before the money I need a price. For just the virgin bleach and toner it works out at £170, however I want to check about what condition my hair should be in, and if the gradiating colour is extra. The overall cost isn't really an issue considering how much I must have spent on hair colours that weren't really perfect, but I need to know how much to write on my money tin.

0 Divine timing: I get paid, Versace release their H&M capsule preview

As a long time fan of the H&M designer capsule collections, I've been anticipating this one for a while. Versace have partnered with the high street store to create an excitingly expansive collection that extends from clothes to accessories and homewear.

This dress caught my eye the second I saw it hugging Donatella Versace's figure at the announcement for this collection - its bang on trend for the tough look, the androgyny look, even the geometric print look. However, I'll have to go and try this on in store as leather clothing is usually unforgiving to the large-busted.

Neat corners are a thing of great pleasure to me, and to have each pleat in a skirt so precisely marked is beyond a dream. This is firmly on my wishlist.

I was surprised to like this skirt; I go for bold prints sparingly, but I can see this worn with a chunky plain jumper, opaque mushroomy tights and some bold statement jewellery... Speaking of which:

Oh, my. Look at that for a moment. No, no, don't drool on your keyboard, its out next week. Have some self control.

Basically, I have a struggle on my hands to not spend all my money on the lovely, lovely jewellery; leather necklaces and chokers go with almost anything, and there's three in this collection.

The full collection launches on November 17th in selected stores and online; you can shop (and obsess over) it here: Versace for H&M