Showing posts with label accessories. Show all posts
Showing posts with label accessories. Show all posts

Tuesday, 7 May 2013

& Other Stories


I’ve spotted a few things in magazines recently from a new brand called & Other Stories. Lovely little leather bags in bright colours. Tops in soft, draped fabrics. Dresses with interesting detailing. And then I walked past the new shop on Regent Street and knew I had to investigate!

I’ve not had time to go into the shop yet – I was power walking to the tube station on the nursery run – so had a look online instead.

& Other Stories is a new brand from H&M – it’s a bit more grown-up and design-led than H&M, but a bit more fashiony than the higher-end COS line (which I love!).

I read some of the background to the brand and I’m not sure I totally get it. I think the idea is that they’re telling fashion stories – selling total looks, so you can get the whole get-up in one place. I think most savvy high street stores do this already. I also don’t know many people who do buy complete looks in one place. Most of my friends like the individuality of not wearing an entire outfit from one shop. But then I guess perhaps the idea is just to offer inspiration and to show you how you can put looks together.

Anyway, regardless of the brand spiel, it does actually stock some lovely stuff. I’m not sure whether it’s like H&M and has only a fraction of its stock online...I'll have to go into the shop and report back. But these are some of the lovely bits and pieces that caught my eye online...


Silk top with raw edges - £39

Leather patch sweater - £55

Cape dress - £65

Gathered dress - £45

Leather & brass bangle - £25

D-frame sunglasses - £39

Mini leather bag - £65

Leather flats - £55

Leather sandals - £65

Monday, 25 March 2013

Star print jeans - to buy or not to buy?

I spotted these the other day and had one of those reactions when you think you love something but it's tinged with this unsettling feeling that they may actually be revolting...


Only star print skinny jeans

I made the mistake of consulting Mr W on them and he made a few disinterested comments, one of which sounded - alarmingly - like questioning whether patterned jeans would suit my thighs! The conversation was cut very short after this!

If you lived through the eighties, you are quite naturally wary of patterned jeans. We've seen the best and worst of times. I hope my sister won't mind me sharing her worst of times...a pair of jeans with the Flintstones printed on them. And I actually coveted them.

I know I wouldn't wear jeans with a pair of heeled court shoes, as these have been styled on the Asos website. But I did start to think how would I style them and this is what I think I'd wear...

Cos silk back cotton top - £59


Nike dunk sky high trainers in teal - £85


Made Enzara pendant - £35


Biba Gretal leather shoulder bag - £95.40 (down from £159)

So I think they're definitely now on the 'watch and have a think' list. What do you think? Have you braved patterned jeans yet?

Monday, 4 March 2013

A treat from Kat&Bee

It was my birthday yesterday...I've tipped into an age when I'm now nearer to 40 than 30. I seem to be coping with the transition, other than a permanent state of heartburn! This could just be a coincidence.

Birthdays also mean presents. I was very spoilt and got lots of lovely pressies...including being given birthday money to spend at London Fashion Weekend. And this is one of the birthday treats I bought from there...



A skull ring from the jewellery designer Kat&Bee. I blogged a few years ago about this designer and the gorgeous handmade pieces. No two items are the same - they're all individually made, so all slightly different. 

Skull jewellery can look a little passe these days - every high street store was filled with the stuff over the past few years. But I think if it's something you really love and it fits your style - I love the contrast of skull jewellery with something much prettier - then I don't think it matters that it was so in fashion and has fallen out a bit. It's all about knowing your style.

I've coveted one of these rings for some time, so seeing them on offer at London Fashion Weekend for £65 down from £165 was amazing. I spent an age trying them on before finally going for this one. I loved the mixture of gold, with the silver skull and cobalt blue flower. And although there were rings with a subtler use of skulls, I figured if I was going to make a purchase I should make sure I went for a full-on statement piece.



I've looked on the Kat&Bee site and think this is the ring I bought...so I did get a massive bargain. 

And, on top of all this, I chatted to the designer Kat Barry and she's absolutely lovely too!

Happy birthday me!

Tuesday, 26 February 2013

Fashion weekend fashion excitement

Last Friday my sister and I hit London Fashion Weekend amid much excitement...and fashion challenges posed by freezing weather conditions. It's been two and a half years since we last went. A lot has happened in that time - not least the creation of two new human beings (in the form of our little ones!). So I think we had even more of a skip in our step as we entered the Somerset House courtyard. Fashion, shopping, bubbly...and our other halves on toddler duty...whoo hoo.

If you haven't been before and you enjoy shopping, this is the event for you. There are lots of great discounts, lots of interesting designers and all in a lovely setting. We also saw the season's trends catwalk show for SS/13, which is great fun. It was styled by ex-fashion editor of the Telegraph and fashion icon Hilary Alexander (who we stood next to in the toilets afterwards, washing our hands together. I wanted to say how much I loved her but it didn't quite seem the setting for it!).

Anyway, I'll blog again about my purchases. I had birthday money to spend, so treated myself to a few bits and pieces...including jeans, hurrah.

But I wanted to blog two outfit shots of what we finally decided to wear. My sister had, at one stage, considered just wearing a chiffon top and coat...until the zero degree temperatures slapped some sense into her!



She worked the monochrome trend, with this top from M&S Limited Collection (and Uniqlo heattech underneath!). Her bracelet is a Katie bracelet from Marc by Marc Jacobs and necklace is from Lulu Guinness.

I eventually plumped for this outfit after a lot of trying on...including inadvertently coming full circle and trying on the same outfit I'd worn two and half years ago. Only checking this blog saved me from a new fashion low.



The dress is from the Mary Portas range at House of Fraser, the belt is from a charity shop, I'm also wearing a Lulu Guinness necklace and carrying my fabulous Vivienne Westwood Bambi bag. She deserved a day out!

We both accessorised with some bubbly!

Monday, 11 February 2013

More Mary Portas

When I blogged about my growing addiction to the Mary Portas range at House of Fraser a few weeks ago, I forgot something in the list of what I've got hanging in my wardrobe. It was this gorgeous leopard print blouse from the collection, which I got for Christmas.



It's not for the faint-hearted as the print and colours are quite a statement...but a good one I think! I wore it for work but toned it down with black trousers and a heritage-inspired grey blazer.


You can't see them very well but the shoes are another
Clarks sales purchase which are again as comfortable as slippers
(& hopefully a bit more stylish!)


Lola Rose ring and bracelet which is wonderful but I don't
know where it's from as it was a gift


Kenneth Jay Lane monkey necklace - a first mother's day
present to me from my little monkey!

Tuesday, 5 February 2013

Lulu Guinness for Red Nose Day

You know I'm a frustrated Lulu Guinness fan. Frustrated in the sense that I cannot afford to drop £400 for a handbag...or even £197.50 in the sale. Though I confess I did treat myself to a lipstick necklace to commiserate for the bag that got away.

So given this frustration, imagine my pleasure at seeing these beauties...

Lulu Guinness...for a fiver!

Special Red Nose day shoppers, which will go on sale in Sainburys on 13 February. They cost £5 and £1.50 of this goes to Comic Relief. Aren't they adorable?! And for charity. A shopping win! 

Wednesday, 30 January 2013

Workwear uniform courtesy of Mary Portas

Finally I've managed to rope Mr W into taking a few outfit photos. It seems to be a logistical feat to get us in the same building together, at a reasonable hour, with me in something other than my scuzzy 'indoor' clothes (i.e. anything worn out, ill-fitting and generally quite knackered which I seem to have taken to wearing in the house!). Either that or I'm in my pyjamas.

It only takes about ten minutes of being at home before I've had something spilled on me by my 18 month old, so I've resigned myself to letting style standards nosedive a little at home. Mr W is thrilled, as you can imagine!

Anyway, with that rambling preamble, here are the outfit shots...



Taken yesterday, I wore one of my Mary Portas for House of Fraser dresses, which I love. I cannot recommend her range enough. I've bought four dresses, two pairs of trousers, a skirt and a top...oh, and a pair of shoes too. All of it has been bought in sales seasons and has been massively reduced. In the January sales, I bought two dresses (which will feature on Edna one day) both of which were reduced from £115 to £34.50. Bargain. Mary Portas dresses are slowly starting to become a work uniform for me.

If you do get a chance, I'd really recommend visiting a Mary Portas department at a House of Fraser. The customer service is joyful - and anywhere where they give you a cup of coffee while you try clothes on is a win with me!

Primark hat, a present from my lovely sister and not off
my head all winter. Mini snood made by my very talented mum.
And Kenneth Cole handbag.

Nicola de Main jacket bought a few years back on a particularly
spontaneous Friday night shopping trip at pop-up Swanfield on
tour boutique
. I even had to leave the store, find a cash-point
and go back & pay for the jacket as they didn't take cards.
Clearly it was love at first sight!

Orange lipstick, nail polish, ring and hair may have been overkill?!

My Clarks Yarra desert boots (now £39 in the sale)...
as comfortable as a pair of slippers

Thursday, 13 December 2012

Bumping into Viv & Christmas shopping

I hope you're all having a great festive season. I love this time of year. Love it. Mr W said this week he thinks I'm having my own personal mini-festive festival! I've been out trying to enjoy all the wonderful things in London at this time of year - including going to the theatre this week, where I happened to be having a pre-play drink and Vivienne Westwood strolled in and stood next to me. I could have fainted! This isn't just name dropping - regular Edna readers will know that for me this is being in the vicinity of my fashion god. You'll be reassured to know I played it cool and didn't (a) hug her (b) cry, or (c) have an excitable wee!

Anyway, other than bumping into Viv, December is also full of Christmas shopping. I've almost finished mine - still some final bits and pieces but I feel reasonably calm about it all.

If you're still struggling for ideas, here are some little treasures. Sorry, ideas are only for women and little ones...men - fend for yourselves!

Emma Cook deer print pyjamas - £38

Prestat sea salt caramel truffles - £10.75

Asos Story heels - £40


Tatty Devine fox brooch - £35


Yellow patent leather scallop satchel - £66.88
(a bargain considering it's handmade, to order!)



REN Moroccan rose experience gift set - £32
 

Zara ballerina studded shoes - £59.99

The Little Paris Kitchen cookbook - £14

Dahlia navy double collar blouse
with sequin detail
- £62



Agent Provocateur seam & heel
stretch hold-up
- £25


Lulu Frost for Whistles Sandra earrings - £70

Hobbs NW3 Mr Duck shirt - £69


Minnie Boden appliquĂ© pinnie - £24


Rosie’s Magic Horse - £9.09

Monday, 22 October 2012

Minnie Mouse jewellery

So far, I seem to be sticking to my 'no shopping until January' pledge with relative ease (admittedly Mr W has purchased me a dress over the past month, which has probably helped!). But there are times, such as today, when I spot something I've been lusting after for quite some time and it's now in the sale and my new austere ways chafe just a little!


Minnie ears necklace - £35 (down from £50)

This Minnie Mawi for Disney Couture necklace is part of a range of Minnie Mouse inspired jewellery from the glorious costume jewellery designer, Mawi.

I've lusted after this for a while and now it's in the sale, it's very difficult to keep my purse shut. I love pretty much everything in this range though - the small stud earrings are a close second to this necklace. Fingers crossed there'll still be a few pieces left come January!

Friday, 8 June 2012

Workwear Daydreams

I've been back in the world of office work for a month. Leaving Laney May in the nursery is slowly starting to get easier. The  midday anxiety attack and urge to sprint back to south London to get her are gradually starting to fade.

But just as I'm getting used to travelling into central London every day, there's already talk of trips overseas. It feels like a logistical feat just getting us all out of the house each day, so lord only knows how it would be possible to make it further than these shores!

In the same way that I focused on my return to work wardrobe to help deal with the anxiety of going back to work, I seem to be doing the same with the idea of business trips.

So rather than focus on the practicalities of possibly making it to China, I'm just thinking about what I'd like to wear!



Whistles Wren tailored trousers - £125 (not sure I’m quite ready for the full on fushia pink trouser suit though!)
A very Erdem influenced digital print shirt from Monsoon - £45 
Zara plaited shopper - £89.99 (which admittedly I see about 20 times a day in different colours!)
Preen Aldo Rise Paider heeled sandals - £62.50 (down from £125) – possibly shoes for sitting at my desk, rather than actually doing any walking!


Mary Portas cropped draped jacket - £80 (down from £160...it shows the reduction on the main page view but when you click into the jacket it still shows £160)

Wednesday, 6 July 2011

My Wardrobe at 70% Off!

I'm now over nine month's pregnant, getting impatient and grumpy, spending lots of time at home...and hence massively vulnerable to the lure of online sales shopping! So far I've managed to resist...but the temptations are huge, particularly as the reductions get bigger.

My Wardrobe have great sales and at this stage have knocked 70% off lots of items. It's definitely worth having a look at the site if you fancy a treat - sales items still aren't dirt cheap but they are massively reduced.

These have caught my eye this week...and have at least 60% knocked off the (sometimes utterly insane) full price.



Bloch patent lace-up jazz shoes - £42 (down from £143)

Rag & Bone shirt - £49 (down from £165)

House of Harlow 1960 jewelled sandals - £67 (down from £225)

Winter Kate flying fox crochet blouse - £82 (down from £206)

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