Fashion Blogs.

Illustrated.

From top: based on Freja Beha Erichsen, Abbey Lee Kershaw and Frida Gustavsson.

More soon if you'd like. Feedback is always welcome, leave a comment - but before anyone mentions the likeness (or failure of)NB that wasn't really the purpose of the art. Feel free to post these wherever you like so long as you link them back to this blog.  

xxx

Jewels and Gemstones

I was having a clearout/sort-out/spring clean/whatever today and thought I'd post some of my favourite jewellery pieces in the process. Most rings, I'm always wearing rings, and a couple of bracelets. The above beauty is a vintage diamante one from Portobello, in the evening when light hits it it's amazing. 

(L-R) Urban Outfitters, Urban Outfitters, Vintage, Vintage.

Urban Outfitters, Henry Holland @ Debenhams, Unknown, Urban Outfitters

Both Primark 

Jewellery shop, Argos (I think? Was a gift ages ago)

Vintage, Jeweller's, Primark, Debenhams

Vintage Cuff - another piece I absolutely love

Probably won't post again before tomorrow so Merry Christmas all, hope you have a great one!

Elizabeth Lau's Pop-Up Boutique

The lovely Elizabeth Lau invited myself and some fellow fashion folk down to her Pop-Up Boutique off Carnaby st. in London for afternoon tea. The boutique is honestly one of the most thought-out I've ever seen -  attention to detail seems like an understatement. Every element of the decor compliments the clothes. There were even goldfish in the walls (which I'm told will be going home with the designer herself when the shop closes, so don't worry). I wish I'd got some more photos - these really don't do it justice, but when some more from the event I'll post the links for you to see.

Tea, cupcakes and a nice long chat about blogs we love, hate and rate and some other general banter made for a wonderful afternoon.

Thanks to Elizabeth for having us, and to Kit for letting me know about this lovely little place.
xx

Music Monday

What I've been listening to today whilst at home, blogging and revising...




LOVE the Black Keys, this is such a cute video

Over the knee boots...DIY Project?

Ever since the AW'09 shows where these bad boys were everywhere, I've had a thing for over the knee boots. Having slim calves, it's always been difficult finding boots, let alone boots that need to fit about 3/4 of your entire leg. I did eventually find a pair, they were flat (5'11 + borderline hooker boots + 5 inch heels = not so good for everyday wear) suede, and from Dune. I wore them four times and the back of the heel had become so worn you could see the 'inside' (lining? padding? the bit between the inside and the suede) of the boot. So I had to return them, and that was the death of my thigh-high boot wearing.

They may have been a trendy item last year, but they have definitely re-emerged lately - not as a one-season-wonder but as just as much of a classic as the ankle or knee-high boot.

And this, is why I have decided I want to own a pair again. I even announced it on twitter. That's how you know it's official.

Geneva of the amazing DIY blog A Pair and a Spare suggested a mid-heel suede pair from an old Zara collection which she found on ebay, unfortunately I'm a lot less lucky when it comes to ebay shopping. Anyway, whilst searching for something similar, I came across these...

They were DIYed by Love Maegan out of an old leather skirt, she does a great, detailed tutorial - click on the link.

If I can find a cheap pair of leather trousers, leggings, or a skirt, or anything along those lines, and a nice inexpensive pair of basic ankle boots, I'm going to try and make some. I think I'd like them more fitted, and more like the Rodarte ones in the first picture in this post, so I'd put ties all the way up.

What I'm stuck on is whether to make them using leather like in Maegan's tutorial, or whether to try suede. At least which to try first, if they work out well I'll do both. I know primark have some leathery and some faux suede leggings in at the moment, perfect for cutting up and experimenting with. I'm going to raid a charity shop or two today as well just in case they have some better quality material.

Do you guys have any ideas/ suggestions / anything to say regarding this DIY? I hate starting things and not finishing so if you have any words of wisdom please share! 

Is that really you?

 

Like most people my age, I'm a serial high street shopper. When I'm looking in vintage stores and markets I prefer the pieces to find me rather than the other way round, and when it comes to splashing out a bit more than usual, nine times out of ten it'll be on something I've wanted for a while and have done my research on. So that's why the majority of what I own comes from the high street.

That said, there are certain stores I just won't touch with a barge pole. I've always liked New Look for their shoes and boots, and occasionally their other accessories. Other than that, New Look was simply a 't-shirt and jeans' shop in my eyes, nailing the trends about three months after everyone else, and just not having the same (cheap) chic quality that you'd find in Zara or Topshop.

But, dear followers, New Look has progressed. All the images in this post are from their Spring/Summer 2011 collection which I was able to preview @ their press day last month. I can safely say I was pleasantly surprised to find that New Look had 'upgraded' their fabric choices and will be stocking everything from intricately crocheted jackets to perfectly worn-in festival clothes come next year.

Oh, and everything's still super affordable.

WIN.