Fashion Smashion

Encouraged by the fluctuation of the pound against the dollar (£1 = $1.48 today) I've been daydreaming about shopping at some of my favorite English stores.  You've got to love the internet - it allows for online window-shopping!  I've settled on three not-so-basic additions to my summer wardrobe, assuming I get to England eventually and assuming I suddenly come into lots of extra cash.

Toast is a great clothing/housewares store in Islington and Notting Hill - the locations tell you something about their ideal clientele.  Not sure where they shot their summer catalogue, but I want to go there!  Love this dress - the colors are fun but not too loud, and the swingy skirt is perfect for meandering down cobbled streets by day and dancing by night.  Essentially, I want this dress + a vacation somewhere hot and historic.

Okay, so this bag is pretty basic.  It's from NW3, the new "contemporary" line from Hobbs.  I usually go for massive purses that fit my entire life, but I like the compactness of this messenger bag.  I picture myself in something nautical and/or striped with this slung over my shoulder, headed out for a Saturday stroll with my man.

I remember my introduction to Whistles - I had just made a new friend from class, and we went on a girls' shopping spree soon after I arrived in London.  Whistles was the first place we checked out.  She picked up a couple tops (on sale!) but I couldn't choose between all the dresses.  Those were my weaknesses at Whistles - the dresses - but I find myself falling for this suede biker jacket.  It's slightly glamrock with the offset zipper and the big collar, but still soft and girlie.  Perfect for throwing over dresses and tees on cool summer evenings.

Does anyone have any other shop recommendations?  I'm going to need some new places to surf online while waiting for all this document/visa nonsense to sort itself out!