March 25th, 2012
Bicester Village
As you may have been able to tell from my sporadic posts, the final year of university is taking it’s toll – the next month and half may be a little quieter than normal around here because I’m slaving away on a special project that I can’t wait to share with you very soon. Not to mention that pesky dissertation that I should really start..oops!
But I strongly believe that when things get stressful, you need to remember to take time off for fun (or perhaps retail therapy in this case!), which is exactly what I did last Wednesday when the British Designers Collective opened at Bicester Village, a designer shopping outlet an hour outside of London. Any excuse to visit somewhere I’d heard so many good things about…
British Designers Collective
I’m very much about buying British when possible, or if not, independent designers from across the pond, but unfortunately and understandably, this comes at a price. Which is why I think the British Designers Collective, a pop-up store selling British design talent for discounted prices, is a great initiative. I arrived at the launch greeted by the usual champagne and canapes (at 9.30am? No ta!), perused the rails of the likes of Markus Lupfur, Emma Cook and YMC (quite a few under £100 bargains spotted!) before I saw a leggy brunette enter the fabulously designed space. Host, Alexa Chung, one of the reasons I couldn’t say no to the invite – any chance to ogle that near-perfect being.
On the number of occasions I’ve bumped into her, I’m always taken-aback by how beautiful she is..I know, I sound like I’m in love or something, but this girl could wear a sack and still look amazing. unsurprisingly, is wasn’t a sack she chose to wore to open the store, but a charming ‘Gainsbourg is God’ jumper by designer Bella Freud, also stocked. Want!
I didn’t part with my cash for anything in the store this time, but thought I’d take a look around the rest of the village…
Oops..
…and guess what? I made a cheeky purchase! My overdraft is severely dented, but I managed to get my hands on something I’ve been longing after for a while at well over half the original price. Any guesses? I’ll give you a hint: a Charlotte Olympia shop has just opened at Bicester too ; ) No more shopping for me for a while..and I definitely can’t return to Bicester until I have a job..it’s shopping heaven.
I wore a Nadinoo dress to the event, with tights and a beret, which seems almost crazy after the sunny weekend we’re having. I’m hoping to shelve berets and tights ASAP! x
P.S – I’m heading to Antwerp on a “school” trip tomorrow, have any of you visited?! I’d love to hear your tips!
December 10th, 2011
Better late than never…
A few weeks ago I asked on Twitter if anybody had posted a Christmas Wishlist post, and to my delight I had a lot to snoop at! There is something I love about a bunch of pretty items grouped together, well, that and I’m nosey. I didn’t think I’d be posting one this year, I’ve been at such a loss for things to ask for, as I’m perfectly very happy with everything I have. But I gave in – I’ve been coming across so many cute things that I thought perhaps they could inspire your gift buying..or with only 2 weeks left until Christmas, maybe what you buy with your Christmas money ; )
Now it would be all too easy to pop on the Topshop website and link to practically everything, but I thought I’d share things that you might not have come across previously from independent designers. Enjoy!
1. My poor phone gets thrown around all over the place, but imagine how careful I’d be if I had this leather beauty covering it. By bRainbow, the handmade case comes all the way from Australia, so make sure to get in contact about shipping dates, as it may be too late, depending on where you live. They do other designs too!
2. Designer Licia Florio got in touch with me just a few days ago and I’ve had her designs and AW colour palette on my mind ever since. She not only products ultra wearable clothing in save-uppable-for(?!) prices, but a gorgeous selection of coloured unisex oxfords. My favourite combo is the brown and pink. I have a pair of minty coloured pop socks that would look perfect with them!
3. Why don’t I ever tie my scarf like that?! Such a beautiful colour as well. By Oh Leander.
4. If you haven’t already, I urge you to take a look at the ‘Office & Personal Organisers” section over at YesStyle.co.uk. Stationary heaven. This little diary is one of the many things I have my eye on. Just a note that shipping from YesStyle can take some time, as it may need to be ordered in from across the world (I’ve bought far too much from there so know the ins an outs!)
5. I first came across Alice Gabb‘s toys and stationary at Gabberdashery, the fun selection of market stalls you can find at Gabby Young‘s gigs. I was fawning over her work for a good ten minutes or more. She has a selection available online too, I’m particularly in love with Mr King George, the bear.
6. You all know Hannah Metz, right? Have you seen her lingerie designs? Want. So. Bad. They are a million miles away from the ‘days of the week’ knickers I’ve become accustomed to lately. I’d love to wear something special like that underneath my dresses.
P.S - Christmas came early when Gem posted about PuglyPixel, a website with lots of cute downloadable graphics for bloggers, I’ve used some of the scalloped labels in this post. Have fun playing with them! x
November 13th, 2011
Printemps & Chanel
Just the other day I took a fleeting trip to beautiful Paris, as I had been invited to see the reveal of the Chanel windows at the department store, Printemps. I had no idea what a big deal the reveal of the Christmas windows were in Paris, but there were people crowded into the road to see what Mr. Karl Lagerfeld had come up with, and not to mention, the man himself! Of course, he showed up fashionably late, with muse Vanesa Paradis on his arm, and looked exactly as I’d expect him to- sunglasses ‘n all!
As you’ll see from my pictures, I didn’t manage get the best view, so my travel buddy Shini and I took off into the beautiful store to do a wee bit of shopping (what better thing to buy in Paris than a new bottle of Coco Mademoiselle?) before making our way to one of the many Laduree stores inside Printemps. Bloggers plus the crème de la crème of macaroons! We were in heaven!
The Windows
Firstly, I’ll explain the one-shoe situation, which I’ll admit, looks a little odd out of context. With the amount of walking around, or standing (thanks Karl..!) we were doing, heels all day just wasn’t a viable option, so like the classy gal I am, I was switching between my heels and flats in the strangest of places, much to Shini’s amusement.
Anyway, the windows! Walking along the eleven windows was akin to taking a mini trip around the world, each of them themed to a different country. I was particularly fond of the russian ballerinas, pirouetting and stretching, and of course, the miniature Karls, snapping away with their mini cameras, hanging from the Eiffel Tower. I know the Christmas windows in Selfridges are usually a sight to behold, but these were equally as impressive and well worth a look if you happen to be popping to Paris anytime soon.
Yellow Tights
What does one wear in the presence of Karl Lagerfeld? My new Nadinoo dress, of course. I’m not sure I saw anyone else in Paris wearing yellow tights (they are much more of a mustard than in the picture!) so I was feeling rather unique. I paired Fleur’s Wild Storm dress with a pair of suede mary janes from Clarks. We snapped these on the rooftop of Printemps, the sparkling Eiffel Tower in the background, in the company of some of my favourite French bloggers, Alix, Elodie & Louise.
I realise this is bit of a mix’n'match post, but I edited my photos down to about 50 and really struggled from there! We had such a long, varied day, and I just wanted to share as much of it as possible with you! It didn’t end there either as Shini and I decided to go on a bit of a midnight wander around Paris, cameras in hand. So, stay tuned for part deux! x
September 14th, 2011
Back By Popular Demand
Okay, that’s a slight exaggeration. Perhaps 2 people max asked if I was going to compile a ‘back to school’ post again this year, but I didn’t take much encouraging, seeing as this will be the last year that I actually go “back to school”!! I’ve been happily nestling under the warm, safe wing of education for the past 17 years *gulp* and next year I won’t have the same silly excuse to buy a new pencil case or lunch box. Bit scary, eh?
I think all of my above picks are worth buying if you’re not heading back to school too. You don’t really need a new hat..it doesn’t hold any educational value or anything, but it’s pretty, and that’s what we like ; )
1. A French & English Confectioners leather backpack has been on my wishlist fooooreverrrr. How amazing would this be to carry your books in? Going back to school has always been an excuse for a new, roomy, hard-wearing bag. Whilst I haven’t got my mitts on this one, I had another bag for my birthday that is going to be perfect to lug my laptop around uni.
2. This Topshop Purse features the sweetest map of London, just the right thing to carry your dinner money in (the first of many tedious links to going to school!)
3. If you’re anything like me, writing lists is almost like a pastime. Even when I’ve only got the housework to do, I’ll go to the trouble of writing down “Breakfast. Shower.” As if I needed to be reminded! So imagine how hectic it gets when I’ve got uni work to contend with! These sticky notes from Modcloth would be the perfect solution to my note-making needs.
4. If you’re at uni (good luck to those of you just starting!), halls can be pretty glum-looking, so spruce them up with a print. I recommend Krisatomic – I love her 50′s Girl print!
5. Miscellaneous notebooks to write miscellaneous notes in! These, naturally, are by O-Check!
6. My dream diary is back again for another year! I maaaay have preordered the Frankie 2012 Diary as soon as I heard about it, too. I don’t need to explain why this is on the list, do I?!
7. Not strictly necessary, but I’m a hat girl, so it’s on the list any way! This one is from New Look.
8. I told myself that this autumn I’m going to wear more jumpers to avoid wandering around uni in my impractical coat all the time. I don’t really have any! And whilst this one is probably a wee bit too expensive, the colour is perfect!
9. I’m not one of those girls that goes to university in heels just because I do a fashion degree, no siree. A comfy pair of flats need no explanation!
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