Sunday, 13 July 2014

Germany is a team bred for success - Unlike England they never settle for second best...

What sets Germany apart is that they are in a constant state of self-evaluation, while never allowing the free pass of treating a World Cup as a dry run.
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Argentina fans in high spirits after taking over the Copacabana ahead of World Cup final showdown against Germany in Rio

It's World Cup final day in Brazil, and against all the hopes of the host nation, the fans most out in force are the Argentinians.
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Rihanna meets Pele on trip to Brazil ahead of 2014 World Cup final in Rio

World Cup fanatic Rihanna posted a picture of herself and football legend Pele soon after she landed in Brazil ahead of Sunday evening's final. The Barbados-born singer, who has been tweeting her thoughts on the World Cup throughout the duration of the tournament, met the 72-year-old in Rio de Janeiro.
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Don't blame David, it's not fair, says Mourinho - the man who sold Brazil's calamity defender to PSG for £50m

Jose Mourinho thinks it is unfair to single out David Luiz after the former Chelsea defender made a number of mistakes during Brazil's humiliating 7-1 defeat by Germany. In the absence of suspended captain Thiago Silva, Brazil's back four was ripped apart by Germany in the World Cup semi-final in Belo Horizonte. And Luiz, who started alongside Dante in the centre of defence and skippered his side, endured a torrid evening as Joachim Low's side tore through the hosts at will. Scroll down for videos... Heartbreak: David Luiz has been singled out for criticism after Brazil's World Cup defeat by Germany Heartbreak: David Luiz has been singled out for criticism after Brazil's World Cup defeat by Germany Trailing: The PSG defender watches former Chelsea team-mate Andre Schurrle score Germany's seventh Trailing: The PSG defender watches former Chelsea team-mate Andre Schurrle score Germany's seventh Mourinho is Yahoo's Global Football Ambassador Mourinho is Yahoo's Global Football Ambassador But Mourinho, speaking in his capacity as Yahoo’s Global Football Ambassador, thinks the whole Brazil team are to blame, not just Luiz. The Chelsea manager said: 'I don't think it's fair to separate a player from the team, because the team was really bad. 'David made mistakes? Yes he did. But, Dante made mistake, Marcelo made mistakes, Fernandinho made mistakes. The team as a team made mistakes. So I don't think it’s fair. 'I think everyone in my situation, everyone that is a player, everyone that is a coach, everyone that is not involved in the World Cup, but could be in that position.' Luiz was sold to Paris Saint-Germain for £50million this summer, but he was part of the most devastating defeat in Brazil's World Cup history in Belo Horizonte on Tuesday. VIDEO Disbelief in Belo Horizonte after devastating Germany win
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Don't blame David, it's not fair, says Mourinho - the man who sold Brazil's calamity defender to PSG for £50m

Jose Mourinho thinks it is unfair to single out David Luiz after the former Chelsea defender made a number of mistakes during Brazil's humiliating 7-1 defeat by Germany. In the absence of suspended captain Thiago Silva, Brazil's back four was ripped apart by Germany in the World Cup semi-final in Belo Horizonte. And Luiz, who started alongside Dante in the centre of defence and skippered his side, endured a torrid evening as Joachim Low's side tore through the hosts at will. Scroll down for videos... Heartbreak: David Luiz has been singled out for criticism after Brazil's World Cup defeat by Germany Heartbreak: David Luiz has been singled out for criticism after Brazil's World Cup defeat by Germany Trailing: The PSG defender watches former Chelsea team-mate Andre Schurrle score Germany's seventh Trailing: The PSG defender watches former Chelsea team-mate Andre Schurrle score Germany's seventh Mourinho is Yahoo's Global Football Ambassador Mourinho is Yahoo's Global Football Ambassador But Mourinho, speaking in his capacity as Yahoo’s Global Football Ambassador, thinks the whole Brazil team are to blame, not just Luiz. The Chelsea manager said: 'I don't think it's fair to separate a player from the team, because the team was really bad. 'David made mistakes? Yes he did. But, Dante made mistake, Marcelo made mistakes, Fernandinho made mistakes. The team as a team made mistakes. So I don't think it’s fair. 'I think everyone in my situation, everyone that is a player, everyone that is a coach, everyone that is not involved in the World Cup, but could be in that position.' Luiz was sold to Paris Saint-Germain for £50million this summer, but he was part of the most devastating defeat in Brazil's World Cup history in Belo Horizonte on Tuesday. VIDEO Disbelief in Belo Horizonte after devastating Germany win
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Don't blame David, it's not fair, says Mourinho - the man who sold Brazil's calamity defender to PSG for £50m

Jose Mourinho thinks it is unfair to single out David Luiz after the former Chelsea defender made a number of mistakes during Brazil's humiliating 7-1 defeat by Germany. In the absence of suspended captain Thiago Silva, Brazil's back four was ripped apart by Germany in the World Cup semi-final in Belo Horizonte. And Luiz, who started alongside Dante in the centre of defence and skippered his side, endured a torrid evening as Joachim Low's side tore through the hosts at will. Scroll down for videos... Heartbreak: David Luiz has been singled out for criticism after Brazil's World Cup defeat by Germany Heartbreak: David Luiz has been singled out for criticism after Brazil's World Cup defeat by Germany Trailing: The PSG defender watches former Chelsea team-mate Andre Schurrle score Germany's seventh Trailing: The PSG defender watches former Chelsea team-mate Andre Schurrle score Germany's seventh Mourinho is Yahoo's Global Football Ambassador Mourinho is Yahoo's Global Football Ambassador But Mourinho, speaking in his capacity as Yahoo’s Global Football Ambassador, thinks the whole Brazil team are to blame, not just Luiz. The Chelsea manager said: 'I don't think it's fair to separate a player from the team, because the team was really bad. 'David made mistakes? Yes he did. But, Dante made mistake, Marcelo made mistakes, Fernandinho made mistakes. The team as a team made mistakes. So I don't think it’s fair. 'I think everyone in my situation, everyone that is a player, everyone that is a coach, everyone that is not involved in the World Cup, but could be in that position.' Luiz was sold to Paris Saint-Germain for £50million this summer, but he was part of the most devastating defeat in Brazil's World Cup history in Belo Horizonte on Tuesday. VIDEO Disbelief in Belo Horizonte after devastating Germany win
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Don't blame David, it's not fair, says Mourinho - the man who sold Brazil's calamity defender to PSG for £50m

Jose Mourinho thinks it is unfair to single out David Luiz after the former Chelsea defender made a number of mistakes during Brazil's humiliating 7-1 defeat by Germany. In the absence of suspended captain Thiago Silva, Brazil's back four was ripped apart by Germany in the World Cup semi-final in Belo Horizonte. And Luiz, who started alongside Dante in the centre of defence and skippered his side, endured a torrid evening as Joachim Low's side tore through the hosts at will. Scroll down for videos... Heartbreak: David Luiz has been singled out for criticism after Brazil's World Cup defeat by Germany Heartbreak: David Luiz has been singled out for criticism after Brazil's World Cup defeat by Germany Trailing: The PSG defender watches former Chelsea team-mate Andre Schurrle score Germany's seventh Trailing: The PSG defender watches former Chelsea team-mate Andre Schurrle score Germany's seventh Mourinho is Yahoo's Global Football Ambassador Mourinho is Yahoo's Global Football Ambassador But Mourinho, speaking in his capacity as Yahoo’s Global Football Ambassador, thinks the whole Brazil team are to blame, not just Luiz. The Chelsea manager said: 'I don't think it's fair to separate a player from the team, because the team was really bad. 'David made mistakes? Yes he did. But, Dante made mistake, Marcelo made mistakes, Fernandinho made mistakes. The team as a team made mistakes. So I don't think it’s fair. 'I think everyone in my situation, everyone that is a player, everyone that is a coach, everyone that is not involved in the World Cup, but could be in that position.' Luiz was sold to Paris Saint-Germain for £50million this summer, but he was part of the most devastating defeat in Brazil's World Cup history in Belo Horizonte on Tuesday. VIDEO Disbelief in Belo Horizonte after devastating Germany win
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Craig Kieswetter tweets picture of broken nose and fractured cheekbone after cricket ball hits him in face

Craig Kieswetter has taken to Twitter to show off his battle scars after being struck in the face by a cricket ball.
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Dejan Lovren joins Southampton squad in Belgium after Ronald Koeman orders defender back to training

Ronald Koeman has succeeded in persuading wantaway defender Dejan Lovren to return to Southampton amid fears he would refuse.
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Siem de Jong appointed vice-captain of Newcastle United along with Cheick Tiote

Newcastle United summer signing Siem de Jong has been installed as the club’s vice-captain. The former Ajax skipper joined the Magpies in a £6million deal from the Dutch champions earlier this month.
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Don't blame David, it's not fair, says Mourinho - the man who sold Brazil's calamity defender to PSG for £50m

Jose Mourinho thinks it is unfair to single out David Luiz after the former Chelsea defender made a number of mistakes during Brazil's humiliating 7-1 defeat by Germany. In the absence of suspended captain Thiago Silva, Brazil's back four was ripped apart by Germany in the World Cup semi-final in Belo Horizonte. And Luiz, who started alongside Dante in the centre of defence and skippered his side, endured a torrid evening as Joachim Low's side tore through the hosts at will. Scroll down for videos... Heartbreak: David Luiz has been singled out for criticism after Brazil's World Cup defeat by Germany Heartbreak: David Luiz has been singled out for criticism after Brazil's World Cup defeat by Germany Trailing: The PSG defender watches former Chelsea team-mate Andre Schurrle score Germany's seventh Trailing: The PSG defender watches former Chelsea team-mate Andre Schurrle score Germany's seventh Mourinho is Yahoo's Global Football Ambassador Mourinho is Yahoo's Global Football Ambassador But Mourinho, speaking in his capacity as Yahoo’s Global Football Ambassador, thinks the whole Brazil team are to blame, not just Luiz. The Chelsea manager said: 'I don't think it's fair to separate a player from the team, because the team was really bad. 'David made mistakes? Yes he did. But, Dante made mistake, Marcelo made mistakes, Fernandinho made mistakes. The team as a team made mistakes. So I don't think it’s fair. 'I think everyone in my situation, everyone that is a player, everyone that is a coach, everyone that is not involved in the World Cup, but could be in that position.' Luiz was sold to Paris Saint-Germain for £50million this summer, but he was part of the most devastating defeat in Brazil's World Cup history in Belo Horizonte on Tuesday. VIDEO Disbelief in Belo Horizonte after devastating Germany win
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Don't blame David, it's not fair, says Mourinho - the man who sold Brazil's calamity defender to PSG for £50m

Jose Mourinho thinks it is unfair to single out David Luiz after the former Chelsea defender made a number of mistakes during Brazil's humiliating 7-1 defeat by Germany. In the absence of suspended captain Thiago Silva, Brazil's back four was ripped apart by Germany in the World Cup semi-final in Belo Horizonte. And Luiz, who started alongside Dante in the centre of defence and skippered his side, endured a torrid evening as Joachim Low's side tore through the hosts at will. Scroll down for videos... Heartbreak: David Luiz has been singled out for criticism after Brazil's World Cup defeat by Germany Heartbreak: David Luiz has been singled out for criticism after Brazil's World Cup defeat by Germany Trailing: The PSG defender watches former Chelsea team-mate Andre Schurrle score Germany's seventh Trailing: The PSG defender watches former Chelsea team-mate Andre Schurrle score Germany's seventh Mourinho is Yahoo's Global Football Ambassador Mourinho is Yahoo's Global Football Ambassador But Mourinho, speaking in his capacity as Yahoo’s Global Football Ambassador, thinks the whole Brazil team are to blame, not just Luiz. The Chelsea manager said: 'I don't think it's fair to separate a player from the team, because the team was really bad. 'David made mistakes? Yes he did. But, Dante made mistake, Marcelo made mistakes, Fernandinho made mistakes. The team as a team made mistakes. So I don't think it’s fair. 'I think everyone in my situation, everyone that is a player, everyone that is a coach, everyone that is not involved in the World Cup, but could be in that position.' Luiz was sold to Paris Saint-Germain for £50million this summer, but he was part of the most devastating defeat in Brazil's World Cup history in Belo Horizonte on Tuesday. VIDEO Disbelief in Belo Horizonte after devastating Germany win
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Transfer window: Club-by-club - the summer Premier League deals

If the World Cup wasn't enough to whet your footballing appetite this summer, we've got another transfer window jam-packed with Premier League sides looking to revamp their squads. Here's your club-by-club guide to all the moves.
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Diego Maradona says Germany are 'full of themselves' and that will give Argentina a chance in World Cup final

Diego Maradona claims Germany are ‘full of themselves’ and that could prove their undoing in the World Cup final.
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Suarez's bite on Chiellini has cost Liverpool £25m... and Manchester City were prepared to pay £200m to sign Messi

Liverpool lost in the region of £25m in the deal which saw Luis Suarez join Barcelona.
The sale of Suarez was always going to happen this summer as reported in this column FIRST.
But the predicted £100m fee that Liverpool wanted did not materialise.

Unmistakeable: Luis Suarez joined Barcelona with a trademark grin

Costly: Suarez's bite on Giorgio Chiellini hit Liverpool hard in the pocket
Costly: Suarez's bite on Giorgio Chiellini hit Liverpool hard in the pocket
I am hearing

Everton and Tottenham still want Romelu Lukaku despite his poor World Cup showing.
But the Belgium striker is being pursued by Bundesliga outfit Wolfsburg.
That was because an auction between Barca and Real Madrid did not happen.
Madrid withdrew any interest after Suarez’s bite saga at the World Cup.
But Liverpool feel they have done well at £75 million, even though the Uruguayan’s confirmed buy-out clause was £100m. 

Wilfried Zaha is poised to leave Manchester United for Newcastle.
Manchester City wanted to sign Lionel Messi this summer.
City would have gone as far as paying Messi’s buy out clause from Barcelona of £200million.
With the addition of crowd funding with sponsors the deal had been a matter of negotiation for months with City’s hierarchy and several agents.
But Messi recently signed a new contract with Barca worth £16.3million a year.
Leader: Lionel Messi has dragged Argentina to the World Cup final with a string of fine displays
Leader: Lionel Messi has dragged Argentina to the World Cup final with a string of fine displays

Happy to stay: Messi's new deal at Barcelona is worth over £16m a year
Happy to stay: Messi's new deal at Barcelona is worth over £16m a year

I bet
City could afford the money given their oil rich Arab owners and other partners.
But the Argentine, who is the central figure of the World Cup final, is satisfied with how he has been looked after by Barca.
Even given the massive amount Messi has been paid he showed a sense of loyalty.
City were willing to outbid Barca, but the impact of FIFA's Financial Fair Play regulations de-railed their bid.
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Saturday, 12 July 2014

Video: Barcelona's Luiz Suarez strips himself as he dances #Skelewu on pitch

ha ha ha..lol. Please drop your comments after watching video. Thanks

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Saturday, 5 July 2014

Liverpool and Barcelona agree £63m fee to clear path for Suarez switch

Liverpool and Barcelona were inching towards an agreement for Luis Suarez on Friday night.
Catalan TV stations reported that a fee of £63million was agreed with Suarez handed a five year deal that would make him their fourth highest paid player behind Lionel Messi, Neymar and Andres Iniesta.
Liverpool are continuing to negotiate though and want to establish whether there is a chance of signing Alexis Sanchez.
Done deal: Luis Suarez has played his last match for Liverpool, say reports, with his move to Spain settled
Done deal: Luis Suarez has played his last match for Liverpool, say reports, with his move to Spain settled

On the move: Liverpool and Barcelona have agreed a £62.5million deal to secure Suarez's departure to La Liga
On the move: Liverpool and Barcelona have agreed a £62.5million deal to secure Suarez's departure to La Liga

Controversy: Suarez's World Cup ended in disgrace when he was banned for four months after biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini
Controversy: Suarez's World Cup ended in disgrace when he was banned for four months after biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini
Arsenal remain favourites for Sanchez but Manchester City and United have expressed interest, as have Juventus. 

Sanchez is flying from Santiago, Chile to Barcelona to discuss the offers on the table.
An announcement on Suarez is expected with Barcelona hoping to break the news officially on Sunday.
Suarez could make a swift return to England with Barcelona due for pre-season training at the FA's St George's Park on July 28, although Suarez will not be able to train under the restrictions of his four month ban.
Liverpool, meanwhile, may move on from defensive target Dejan Lovren with Southampton insisting he is not for sale after rejecting their second bid of £15million plus add-ons. The 24-year-old will be fined if he fails to report to pre-season in two weeks' time but Southampton don't wish to sell. Southampton have also rejected Cardiff’s £3m bid £3m for defender Jose Fonte
Arsenal have pipped Liverpool to the signing of HJK Helsinki goalkeeper Hugo Keto, 18, a Finland U19 international, and remain favourites for Barcelona’s Alexis Sanchez. Manchester City and United have expressed interest as have Juventus.
Meanwhile, Malaga want to take Manchester City’s signing Bruno Zuculini on loan as part of the deal for keeper Willy Caballero. Villarreal and Deportivo have also asked to take him on loan.
In action: Suarez is appealing his four-month footballl-wide ban
In action: Suarez is appealing his four-month footballl-wide ban
Support: Suarez shows his appreciation to the hundreds of fans who camped outside his mother's house
Support: Suarez shows his appreciation to the hundreds of fans who camped outside his mother's house
Wanted man: Liverpool want Alexis Sanchez from Barca but face competition from Manchester City and United
Wanted man: Liverpool want Alexis Sanchez from Barca but face competition from Manchester City and United


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Yorkshire goes bike crazy with more than 1million people lining the streets for the opening stage of the historic race (even William, Kate and Harry couldn't keep away)

ore than one million cycling fans are lining the streets of Yorkshire for the historic opening stage of the Tour de France, which has been officially started by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry.
For just the second time in history, the race started in Britain with the 198 riders lining up in the centre of Leeds for the Grand Depart.
The city was packed with spectators for the opening stage, which sees the cyclists embark on a 120 mile route through the Yorkshire Dales to the spa town of Harrogate.
Prince William, Kate and Harry were at the starting line at Harewood House in Leeds to officially start this year's Tour de France
Prince William, Kate and Harry were at the starting line at Harewood House in Leeds to officially start this year's Tour de France
The Duchess of Cambridge was given the honour of cutting the ribbon, which symbolises that the Tour de France is officially underway
The Duchess of Cambridge was given the honour of cutting the ribbon, which symbolises that the Tour de France is officially underway
Kate looks delighted as she officially declares that the 101st Tour de France is underway as she cuts the ceremonial ribbon, helped by Prince William and Prince Harry
Kate looks delighted as she officially declares that the 101st Tour de France is underway as she cuts the ceremonial ribbon, helped by Prince William and Prince Harry
The royals will also be in Harrogate later today at the end of the first stage to meet the competitors, and the Duchess is expected to present the winner with the yellow jersey
The royals will also be in Harrogate later today at the end of the first stage to meet the competitors, and the Duchess is expected to present the winner with the yellow jersey
Kate and Williams shook hands with the lead Tour de France competitors ahead of the race beginning at Harewood House in Leeds
Kate and Williams shook hands with the lead Tour de France competitors ahead of the race beginning at Harewood House in Leeds 
Competitors were given the royal send off at Harewood House, near Leeds where both Kate, William and Harry gathered with the Duchess of Cambridge, dressed in a bottle green coat with grey clutch bag, being given the honour of cutting the ribbon.
She is also expected to present the stage winner with the yellow jersey later this afternoon when the first stage ends at around 4.30pm.
Before the race began, the cyclists took off their helmets and were greeted with a rendition of both the French and British national anthems, performed by the Band of the Corps of the Royal Engineers.
Along with the Duke and Prince Harry, she chatted with the lead riders, including reigning Tour champion Chris Froome.
Loud cheers also erupted from the crowd as the RAF's Red Arrows performed a flyover that left a trail of red, white and blue vapour - the national colours of France and the UK.

The race will see the peloton make its way through scores of towns and villages along the route with crowds cheering them on.
Although the Tour started in the middle of Leeds, the teams do not compete for the first eight miles and the race properly began in the grounds of Harewood House, with the Red Arrows also flying overhead.
The British contingent among the huge crowds expected on the route will be hoping that Mark Cavendish is first across the finish line in Harrogate more than four-and-a-half hours later.
Mr Cavendish's mother lives in the spa town and the ideal end to the day for many of those watching will be him sprinting to victory and securing the yellow jersey.
British hopes are also lying with last year's Tour de France champion Chris Froome, who is defending his title, although 2012 winner Sir Bradley Wiggins will not be competing.
The spa town of Harrogate is already filling up with spectators, where the first stage will end later this afternoon. The winner will receive the first yellow jersey of the competition
The spa town of Harrogate is already filling up with spectators, where the first stage will end later this afternoon. The winner will receive the first yellow jersey of the competition
The usually quiet North Yorkshire dales are filling up with spectators for the Tour de France. Fans have been gathering in Buttertubs, pictured, which marks the steepest and most dangerous section of today's race
The usually quiet North Yorkshire dales are filling up with spectators for the Tour de France. Fans have been gathering in Buttertubs, pictured, which marks the steepest and most dangerous section of today's race
Residents in the town of Skipton have decorated their house in anticipation of welcoming the opening stage of the Tour de France
Residents in the town of Skipton have decorated their house in anticipation of welcoming the opening stage of the Tour de France
The royal visitors will be at the finish line to welcome the leaders and the peloton.
Residents in villages along the route have hung bunting in the race's signature canary yellow in their towns and villages, and have painted phone boxes to match.
A large banner in the shape of the yellow jersey has been draped over the roof of the historic York Minster cathedral, and the famous race leader's jersey also adorned the statue of the Black Prince in Leeds.
Even animals are not immune from cycling fever. Farmers have spray-painted their sheep and alpacas in yellow, green and red polka dots to match the various winners' jerseys.
Enthusiastic fans sporting black and white striped tops, berets, strings of garlic around their necks and bushy moustaches have taken to their bikes in homage to the French - who invented the race 101 years ago.
The red, white and blue flags of France and Great Britain have been draped across the front of shops and pubs as businesses race to embrace the visitors travelling from across the Channel for the start of the Tour.
Weather forecasters say the riders should be blessed with a mostly sunny day with the prospect of an odd shower.
Up to three million people are expected to watch the Tour's two-day visit to Yorkshire.
Tomorrow the riders arrive in York for a stage taking in some of the most challenging climbs in Britain, ending in Sheffield.
And, on Monday, the Tour moves south to Cambridge and a stage ending on The Mall, in central London.
The Tour de France is now in its 101st first year and the 2,277-mile, 21-stage race ends in Paris on 27 July.


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Be an Up-town girl in Kate's Rag & Bone shoulder bag


She’s known for her barely-clothed body with her trademark hourglass curves, but model Kate Upton knows how to bag a fashion-forward daytime look.
The stunning 22-year-old was spotted wearing Rag & Bone’s ever stylish white croc shoulder bag which is both pragmatic and pretty with its foldover strap and slit pockets for optimal organisation. We’re using the small pocket to keep our list of Upton-esque bikinis to buy before our hols.
Available from the Rag & Bone site at £522, you can buy Kate’s white crocodile skin accessory now, unless you’re murmuring ‘see ya later alligator’ to the price tag. In that case, we have some awesome lookalikes on the high street selected just for you.
Asos’ multi compartment quilted shoulder bag looks much more opulent than its £25 label, and Marc by Marc Jacobs shoulder bag feature gold hardware is still an affordable £189.10. We’d style ours with our favourite floral summer dress and espadrille wedges for an evening stroll along the beach.


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You can't fail to have a good time in a brightly coloured skater dress like Myleene Klass

Myleene Klass has always seemed rather pristine to us in a butter wouldn't melt kind of a way so it's seriously refreshing to see her letting her hair down and partying to the max (she seems to be guzzling mineral water as opposed to champagne but still!)

So what's brought this on we hear you cry? Maybe it's her dress's fault. You see you can't just blend in with the furniture in a fluro print dress - especially if it's made in a skater shape. This dress wants to spin around and party and its wearer absolutely has to follow suit.

This sort of dress will take you from summer's day to balmy evening with ease - simply add heels. Fashion Finder's favourite is the French Connection Belle Garden Dress - monochrome picked out with slashes of turquoise.


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