Passion For Fashion

When perusing the lovely What Olivia Did blog (one of my favourites) I came across the Passion For Fashion Competition, for which Olivia is actually judging. The Money Supermarket competition requires you to create an outfit for the following categories, Casual, Party and Holiday, each costing less than £200. A true sucker for pinterest and beautiful things I can't afford, I considered the gauntlet well and truly thrown and lost the next couple of hours of my life to fantasy shopping and photoshop.

Jumper: £68.50 Top: £15 Jeans: £40 Mary Janes: £30 Necklace: £35 Lipstick: £8 = £196.50

Step In To My Office, Baby

Nothing says casual to me like a pair of skinny jeans, stripes and a good knit. Teamed with these oh so lovely Mary Janes, a coral lipstick and an elegant statement necklace and you've pretty much got my dream outfit! I do sadly seem to lean heavily towards being comfortable in my old age, but the shapes and textures (boxy tee, geometric shoes, knitted necklace) in this outfit just give it that edge that push it away from dull. Plus the YMC blush sweater is swoon worthy!

Dress: £95 Boots: £60 Necklace: £45 = £200

Beauty and The Buckle

I am simply smitten with this dress.

The lace detailing is lovely and in a way, is quite unusual in comparison to the majority of lace dresses prevalent on the high street. The low back is elegant and the length is just perfect. For a party look, the lace would be nicely contrasted with more masculine biker buckle boots and this delicate white porcelain bird necklace. Hello monochrome, my old friend.

Cardigan: £98.50 Shorts: £25 Vest: £6 Bikini: £32 Sandals: £24 Blush: £10 = £195.50

Cold Harbour Road

Holiday. Beach. Cornwall. 

That's where my mind went and that's why I've featured knitwear in my holiday look! If you've ever been to Cornwall you'll know you spend one or six days of your holiday sheltered in a quaint, sea front cafe eating scones and drinking hot chocolate hiding from the rain or recovering from a slightly unwise dip in the sea. And for that, I want this outfit. The perfect 1950's pinup bikini for when the sun does put in an appearance, a simple vest and cut offs for romping across the rock pools and a pretty, not to mention warm, cardigan and elegant leather sandals that allow for a practical day of fun to be maintained without wanting to run back to your bed and huddle from the cold! 

Unfortunately I think the only thing this activity has actually achieved is my desperate need for £600 (I'll take the lot!) and a much needed holiday to Cornwall. Who's with me?!

If you've also entered the Passion For Fashion competition, please leave me the link - I'd love to see other's takes on the categories.

Meteorite

These are the first few pieces from my new collection, Meteorite!

They feature rose quartz and aquamarine gemstones on sterling silver chains. Available in two lengths - 18 inches and 30 inches. I love wearing them with collars and knits, which I currently seem to live in due to the chilly weather. I've spent the majority of the wet weekend inside, though I did take a little excursion yesterday to Hampstead, daydreaming about owning one of the incredible house there - that place is even pretty in the rain! I can't believe it's Monday tomorrow and back to work - I don't know where the time goes.

These Folk

Why hello there! I wanted to introduce you to a new brand - These Folk. Recently started by my good friend and all round lovely lady, Alexa, These Folk features hand painted clothing inspired by folklore, Pocahontas and the cosmos. What more could you ask for?!

 

Full Moon Jumper and Lunar Triangle Tee

The collection of jumpers, tees and beanies are perfect for lazy weekends. I really love geometric shapes at the moment and this is a great subtle way of wearing the galaxy trend without being covered head to toe in an expanding cosmos print - some of us just don't have the figure for it. (I'm looking at you, galaxy leggings.)

I keep debating which to get, the Luna Triangle Tee or the Full Moon Jumper, however as luck would have it, Alexa is very open to creating custom orders. So I could in fact have the triangle print on a sweatshirt... problem solved! But then I would actually have to decide on the colour of sweatshirt...The burgundy is sorely tempting....

If you are, however, slightly more decisive than I am, do contact These Folk with your custom requests.

All items are hand painted, very affordable and the shop is offering a 10% discount this weekend in honour of payday! Just enter PAIDFOLK at the checkout. If you would like to see a little more of These Folk, jump over to the following pages: Facebook, Twitter, Etsy and their Blog.

As a little aside, I'm not sure which is more swoon-worthy, the Topshop t-bar sandals and Hudson boots or the model Ashleigh's hair!

But chilly, chilly is the evening time Waterloo sunsets fine

Stay cosy this Christmas!

 

New WINTER BEA sweaters now available. 

(In Sailor Navy, Hunter Green, Cranberry and Ink)

x

I FEEL SMUG

I can't quite believe it, but tomorrow is my last day at SMUG. I've worked in the independent shop in Angel for the last year and a half and I'm so very sad to be leaving. It's been wonderful working with such a lovely, small team of people and I'm going to miss them greatly. I've had the great pleasure of being involved with the development and launch of the new website, the Pop Up Print Shop, going to trade fairs, birthday arrangements and more. 

As an small ode to Smug, to mark my impending departure, I felt it was time I shared some of my favourite products with you - my ultimate wish list, if you will.

1. Bora Da Willow Cushions

The square Bora Da Willow cushion is without a doubt my most coveted Smug product. The cushions are designed by Donna Wilson and produced by SCP. They always make me think of old train seat patterns, but in attractive colour combinations.

2. Crochet Animals

They're wonderful, need I say more? They're all made by hand and not only make me want to give them all new homes, but to learn how to crochet. I think I missed my calling as a toy maker. (Look at the fox's tail!!) After studying all the toys in great detail (I spent a lot of time with them...we had so many varieties, but they sold so quickly we now only have one lone bear), I concluded that the above two are my favourite. And I will be straight back to Smug as soon as more are available!

3. Made by Me Me Me - Little Birdie Necklace

Beautiful small porcelain bird on a gold filled chain. Perfect.

4. Alex Monroe - Juicy Pear Necklace

Swooon. Though my favourite Alex Monroe piece has to this foxy number, which I'm sure will soon be available at Smug. I'm going to have to save up!

5. Is That Plastic Butter Dish - Mint

Such a lovely colour - it would look so pretty in my kitchen. Though surely you would need both the mint and yellow dish... for salted and unsalted butter - no?

6. Thornback and Peel Guinea Pig Tea Towel - EXCLUSIVE

The infamous Smug Guinea Pig - this tea towel was designed for us by Thornback & Peel for Smug's second birthday - it was an adapted version of a drawing by Smug's own Danny. It has since had a navy partner in crime created and also adorns an apron and our exclusive hankie's for Smug's third birthday.

7. Alas - Mint Tee

Beautiful sleep/ lounge wear by Australian ALAS. I would wear this just as a top - no sleeping required.

8. Donna Wilson Log Cabin Cushion

Super soft lambswool cushion.

9. Wooden Desk

Vintage dark wooden desk with green metal frame and ink well. I'd love this as a sewing desk.

10. James Brown Viking Print

King of the screen print. Sits perfectly next to Beaufort.

11. Vintage Jumper Polar Bears

When asked at my interview which one item I would most like to own, a vintage jumper polar bear was my answer! They're just wonderful. I own one of the large rabbits (Dylan), but I still very much yearn for a polar bear.

And that's my Smug round up! We also have some beautiful vintage Eiderdowns and blankets, but you'll need to come in store to see them!

If you do happen to be near Angel tomorrow, you should definitely pop in, say hi and celebrate my last day with me! And as if you need any more encouragement, there's a little vintage market opposite Smug that runs all the way along Camden Passage - so you can make an afternoon of it. (Not to mention a whole host of amazing places for breakfast!)

And finally? A massive thank you to Lizzie, who makes Smug everything it is. It's been a blast working for you. x

Newness

New in store today and coming soon! x

Hiatus

(Collar Brooches - coming soon!)

Well, it's been a rather large hiatus hasn't it? I really didn't mean for it to seem like I've been hiding under a rock, but looking at my somewhat pitiful blog, it would definitely appear so!

To give you a quick synopsis of the last few months, back in January (the day after I returned from Paris in fact) I started a second part time job, which resulted in me working 21 days straight, my boyfriend went to South Africa for a family wedding, while I baby sat a cat who hates humans, the cat broke our full length mirror at stupid o'clock in the morning and I had my laptop stolen from work. I then worked 6 -7 day weeks until the beginning of May, my phone broke after a nasty 'phone-meets-toilet incident', I hit the job hunt hard, had a series of interviews, three job offers, I handed in my notice and now I'm flat hunting! During which time I managed to sneak in a quick jaunt to Plymouth, saw Emma Watson at work, practically had a heart attack from all the stress and ate an awful lot of chocolate. 

Someone take me on holiday??

However as of the 2nd July, I will have gained my weekends back! I don't think I've really had real, unadulterated weekends for the last two years, so it's all very exciting.

I know it's been all quiet on the western front for some time, but I really appreciate that you've stuck around.