Item of the Week 18/06/2013

Angel Jackson clutch

Angel Jackson, £273


Bloggers Taking Over the World

By now you’ve probably ready twenty blog posts on the Simply Be event last week but you’re about to read one more. It was just a week ago but we all know how quickly time flies in cyberspace. I’m only getting the chance to write this post now as I’ve been away for a few days on a women’s retreat with my church and have been completely computer free for probably the longest time since I discovered the internet.

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I am so pleased for Laura, Em and Lauren. How many bloggers wouldn’t chomp someone’s arm off at the elbow at the offer of working with a major retailer and getting their design put into production and onto the bodies of hundreds of women around the world? Definitely the ultimate customer participation project. The ladies have all done a cracking job, and what I love best is that all three of them have very different styles that they have been allowed to indulge, so you get three very  different dresses that embody each blogger’s own personal aesthetic that we know and  love.

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The event was great and started off with talks by the bloggers themselves discussing the whole experience, where their inspiration came from, and what is was like taking part in a photoshoot in the middle of London and being the centre of attention. Not all the passers by were complimentary, but of course, they were put in their place *smirk*.

The Simple Be team really made a point of making all in attendance feel really welcome, and we were given a lovely lunch, after which, they talked us through the entire design process from sketch to shop floor, and highlighted key trends for the autumn/winter 2013 season.

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OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAAfter the formal informal talks I spent the rest of the afternoon hanging with the ladies of the day…

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Don’t you just hate it when you turn up to an event in the same trousers as someone else?

…. meeting other bloggers…

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Rebecca from Sullen Hearts

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Rachel from A Dress is For Life

…and oohing and ahhing over the autumn winter collections.

Pattern, pattern e’rywhere. There were quite a few punk edged pieces with leatherette details, studs, tartan and the like, but I know what floats my big ole boat and if its not boasting at least two contrasting colours or at least some kind of surface decoration or texture I’m not interested. My favourites….

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LOVE the Edwardian virginal feel of this top.

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Instant floral jacket love

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I’m pretty sure this is from their current summer collection.

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Anything catch your eye?

The Blogger Takeover range will be available from July 2nd.

 

 


Bright Trouser Bravery

I talk a good game but deep down I’m trying to slay my inner naysaying voice. I’m always saying how much I love bright colours and crazy patterns but I’ve never had the guts to wear brightly patterned trousers. I don’t mean patterned trousers with a black or navy base, I mean bright- like below.

Chartreuse

Why are my eyes closed? Maybe I was so taken by the beautiful summer sky that I just had to close my eyes in awe. Or maybe I just love to mess up photos with my bad blink timing.

Colours don’t really come much brighter than chartreuse. I was immediately drawn to the print but had to think twice about wearing it in a pair of trousers.  Fat legs and bold prints command so much attention and make so much noise that I wasn’t sure my world ready for that much volume. I’ve seen other bloggers in patterned trousers and they look great but  I usually stick to solid bright colours for my own pins. Well when Simply Be gifted me with these trousers I decided to dive right in and crank up the volume a little louder by teaming them with the brightest top I could find. I wore this outfit to the Simply Be Blogger Takeover event (more about that in another post) and I have to admit, felt so self conscious that I took a cab to the train station rather than risk rush hour ridicule on the bus at 8.30am. Chicken? You betcha. The yellow belly didn’t last long and by late afternoon I ‘d forgotten about my amplified legs and was strutting around like I owned the planet. In fact, I’m planning to find some more brightly patterned trousers as I’m now a changed woman. Can you recommend any? My thighs have found their voice and its deafening.

Jacket: Evans

Top: Made by me

Trousers: Simply Be

Shoes: Office

Bag: H&M


The French Enigma

Considering how easy it is to access information these days, trying to find out about the people behind the exclusive Manon Baptiste line from Navabi is darn well difficult. No website, no You Tube clips, no interviews, no nuffink. Still, I suppose a little mystery is a refreshing change in an age where everyone knows everything about everybody. What I do know is that every season there’s something in the collection to make me want to hit “add to basket” repeatedly so I can wear the same outfit every day for the rest of the month without smelling like I’ve done just that. Manon, I love you.MAN


Pre Concert Purple

OOD taken on the way to see Alicia Keys. I’m not really a fan but I was using my brother’s ticket as he was unable to go. Who doesn’t like a free night out? I’m glad I went as it was a very good show, but I don’t think Alicia Keys’s personality shone through. It was technically super, but lacked a certain warmth. Anyone else seen her live?

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Jacket- New Look

Top- ASOS. I was a bit disappointed when this top arrived as the colour is not as intense as it appears on screen.

Belt: ASOS

Jeans: Evans

Shoes: Office. A decent fit on my EEE feet! Had to go a size bigger than usual.

Earrings: Gift


Fat girls like quality too

One of my pet peeves with Evans is the quality of their shoes. As someone with super wide feet there really aren’t many places on the high street where I can buy stylish shoes that fit so Evans is always my first stop. Just yesterday I breezed through my local store with the singular intention of checking out their shoes, and I really did blow through like a gust of wind as nothing grabbed my attention. My problem is their lack of real leather footwear. Evans always do great leather boots in winter but when it comes to sandals and shoes they fall flat. We all love a bargain but I’m sick and tired of cheap PU shoes that often just look- well- cheap. Where are the quality on trend leather shoes? My feet want to breathe, as well as look good- is that too much to ask?

Someone must have read my mind as this afternoon I saw these on the website…

Leather

Stylish shoes in real leather- I almost fell off my chair. I’m hoping this new focus on quality footwear isn’t just a temporary thing. We need more.


It’s here!

Clements Ribeiro Swan SS13


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