Tag Archives: Accessories

Layering for Work with Modcloth

Posted on January 21, 2015 | 5 comments

Smart Casual ModCloth by alleyhopes

Guys, how much do you love ModCloth? If you’re not familiar with it, it’s a US site, which ships to the UK, selling awesome threads and accessories, cute and quirky homewares and it caters to all sizes. When I was contacted recently to put together a layered style board, I was only too happy to spend an evening pursuing the site (and making a good old Polyvore board)

Since I’ve started a new job recently, I’ve been navigating the dreaded ‘smart casual’ minefield (too smart? Too casual? Every office seems to differ). Plus, being January, it’s bloody freezing ’till about 1pm when the heating kicks on. Layers are needed!

My starting point was the rather cozy looking velvet leggings in a nice deep red – possible to dress up or down and adds a pop of colour. Next a longline shirt would be great for keeping things smart when the CEO’s about and cool when’s it’s needed. A neat scarf is handy to throw on if you’re getting a draft, or venturing to the photocopier room (why is it always freezing in there?! Just me?), while the monochrome cardigan will keep you snug on the tea run. Modcloth know the benefits of a good cardi so have all bases covered (I was tempted by this jawsome shark one but thought it wasn’t really in keeping with the theme!) check them all out here. Smart-casual achieved.

Check out the links below. And tell me, what’s your typical workday outfit?

Black white cardigan
£40 – modcloth.com

Shirts blouse
£23 – modcloth.com

Skinny pants
£20 – modcloth.com

Black shoes
£30 – modcloth.com

Wooden Ships chevron scarf
£36 – modcloth.com

Kikkerland office accessory
£8.57 – modcloth.com

5 Comments

Posted in Home, Wear

Tagged Accessories, Clothes, Fashion, Modcloth, polyvore, Shoes, Style, Wear, Wearing, Wishlist

Lucky Dip Club November & Lucky Dip Cat Club

Posted on December 18, 2014 | 1 comment

Lucky Dip Club November & Lucky Dip Cat Club

I just wanted to share a super quick post today to show you what I got in my Lucky Dip box for November and also to show you the Lucky Dip Cat Club for all you fellow crazy cat ladies out there.

Lucky Dip Club November & Lucky Dip Cat Club

First up, the theme of the November box was the Circus and Leona went down the harlequin and candyfloss inspired route rather than the terrifying Twisty the Clown option. This month the box was laden with stationery goods – cue a very happy me. It included a thank you card, wrapping paper, note paper, postcards, washi tape, DIY gift tags and a keyring. As a thank you to the first 300 subscribers, I also received a really pretty Chinese paper fan.

Lucky Dip Club November & Lucky Dip Cat Club

I particularly love the card and the personalised keyring and the washi tape that features some of the slogans from previous boxes.

Lucky Dip Club November & Lucky Dip Cat Club

Next, we have the Lucky Dip Cat Club box. This is something that will be available quarterly but follows the same idea as the main box – except it’s all cat themed. It was £15 and come packaged in the same way to neatly fit through your letterbox. I missed the first one, but when I found out that the second one was done in collaboration with Hello Harriet, I knew I had to sign up ASAP. As you can see, Harriet designed a super cute kitten to feature on the Lucky Dip boxes – a cheery kitty mid celebration with his party hat on. The items we received were a card (I’ve already earmarked this for someone’s birthday), a wooden badge and a tote bag.

Lucky Dip Club November & Lucky Dip Cat Club

I love Hello Harriet’s delicate style of illustration and I can’t wait to wear this little guy out. It’s extra special knowing it was a limited edition for Lucky Dip folks only.

Sadly, I’ve had to unsub from Lucky Dip Club for a while (a house move necessitating the need to be boringly careful with the pennies) so I’ll be taking to Instagram to jealously pour over the December boxes. I’ve said it before, but Lucky Dip Club is my favourite of all the subscription boxes and I’m sure I’ll be signing up for it again soon. If you want to sign up, head over to the website to find out how here.

1 Comment

Posted in Home, Love

Tagged Accessories, Cats, Lifestyle, Love, Lucky Dip Club, Stationery, Subscription, Subscription Box

Disaster Designs Book Club | StreetHub Competition

Posted on December 16, 2014 | 3 comments

Disaster Designs Lost in the Apothecary Book Clutch I have always been a bag addict. For some women it’s all about the shoes, for others, it’s jewellery, but for me, my accessory of choice has always been the bag. And top of my wishlist for a while now has been a book clutch. So when StreetHub offered to send me one by Disaster Designs, I was pretty chuffed.

StreetHub is a website that gathers together local designers, making it easy to shop small online as well as discover independent sellers. Currently, they are based in London and Brighton but have plans to extend into more cities.

Disaster Designs Lost in the Apothecary Book Clutch

On to the bag. I love the vintage style of book that’s been chosen. The antique gold with the filigree and floral lilac design printed on the red leather-look PVC are a perfect complement to the “Lost in the Apothecary” title. It can be worn in three ways – as a clutch, using the wrist strap or using the shoulder strap provided. I like the flexibility that this provides and as the straps are both thin, you can take them with you in case you want to switch it up.

Disaster Designs Lost in the Apothecary Book Clutch

This one is a good size with the large compartment separated into two by a zippered pouch. The book theme continues inside with the lining patterned with book pages and a book plate logo.

Disaster Designs Lost in the Apothecary Book Clutch

I’d wear it wristlet style with a plain black dress (Primark), my Duo Preston boots*, a studded belt (Missguided) and a skull print fur lined shawl (River Island). Perfect for a late night event at the museum or casual drinks with the ladies.

The Lost in the Apothecary Book Club Clutch* is available here for £37.50. StreetHub also have a pretty fab Pinterest page (where I’m submitting an image from this post to enter a competition) so check it out here for inspiration of all kinds, from personal style to interiors.

3 Comments

Posted in Home, Wear

Tagged Accessories, Bag, Fashion, OOTD, Outfit, Style, Wear, WIWT

Christmas Gift Guide | For Her

Posted on November 26, 2014 | 1 comment

Christmas Gift Guide for Her 2014

Top row, left to right: Matalan Alphabet Scarf (£10); Yankee Candle Candy Cane Lane Large Jar (£19.99); Not That Kind of Girl by Lena Dunham (£16.99); Ohh Deer Hope Cushion by Chris Wharton (£34.95).

A scarf is always a good bet for Christmas – it is cold after all – and this year it’s all about the preppy initial scarf from Matalan. 100% of the profits go to Alder Hay Children’s Hospital, so not only are you getting someone a celebrity favourite, but you’re helping out a good cause too. Warm fuzzy feeling commence. I am a bit obsessed with Yankee Candle at the moment, I honestly sit and watch their slots on QVC all the time. My current festive favourite is Candy Cane Lane – a sweet combo of peppermint and vanilla. I’m sure it’ll have universal appeal. Lena Dunham’s memoirs have provoked quite a bit of controversy so whether you’re a fan or not, Not That Kind of Girl is an interesting read. Call me sexist, but I’ve never met a woman that doesn’t love a good throw cushion. The Ohh Deer website has lots of great options from popular artists. They’re pricey for a cushion, but a real treat for an illustration fan. I obviously love the one with my name on it.

Bottom row, left to right: Paperchase Noted Black Leather Notebook (£25), Dark Romance Gold Hole Punch (£5) and Dark Romance Gold Stapler (£6); Frends Layla Headphones in Rose Gold (£129); River Island Black Studded Tote Bag (£50); Chelsea Peers Snow Rabbit Christmas Lounge Top and Pant Set (£35).

A good quality notebook or diary is always well received and Paperchase have a great selection. You can go for pretty, glittery, or classic like the one above and everything in between. For frivolities sake, why not chuck in gold desk accessories. Paperchase list them as “essentials” so there you go. Sticking with the theme of frivolity, the Frends Layla rose gold headphones are so beautiful and a real luxury item. Fashionable and functional, they’ll turn heads for sure. River Island do some great bags and I think that this black studded on will appeal to a lot of ladies. It’s a safe option if you’re not too sure of someone’s preference but still stylish. And lastly, if in doubt, go for jammies! If you’re on a budget, Primark do really great sets, but if you have slightly more to spend, these Chelsea Peers ones are gorgeous. Always go festive!

If the “her” you’re buying for loves beauty, check out my guide here, or for a foodie lady, click here.

Tomorrow we’ll be thinking about the guys in the snappily titled “for Him” gift guide. See you there!

1 Comment

Posted in Home, Live, Love

Tagged Accessories, Christmas, Christmas Gift Guide, Fashion, For Her, Gift Guide, Gifts, Homewares, Stationery

Christmas Gift Guide | Beauty Lover

Posted on November 24, 2014 | 3 comments

Welcome to the first instalment of my Christmas Gift Guides for 2014. The the next week I’ll be posting guide daily themed around the following categories: Beauty Lover; Foodies; For Her; For Him; For the Kids; Secret Santa/Stocking Fillers; and finally Etsy Favourites. I hope it’ll give you a few idea for your loved ones, or if you’re super organised already, maybe a wee treat for yourself.

To kick things off, here are my beauty picks:

Beauty Gift Guide 1

Top row, left to right: Lush Father Christmas (£3.50), Snow Fairy (from £3.75), Candy Mountain (£2.75); Benefit Sweet Tintations (£19.50); Sali Hughes, Pretty Honest:The Straight Talking Beauty Companion (£22).

I’m sure that Lush have something for every beauty lover. The pre-boxed sets are awesome, but if you’re on a bit of a budget I think it’s a really nice idea to go in and pick up a few bits you think will appeal to your giftee. The three I have picked are ace for someone who loves sweet scents and enjoys both baths and showers. Or you might want to go for just shower stuff, or a spicier scent – just ask, the staff will keep you right! I love the Benefit sets this year and I think the Sweet Tintations is my absolute fave. I love the balms, they feel great, look great and I think will have mass appeal, while the tints are absolute classics. If you’re not sure about what product someone might like I absolutely recommend a beauty book. Pretty Honest has a lot of content, unlike many beauty books which are mainly pictures, so a great choice for a beauty obsessive.

Bottom row, left to right: Hourglass Ambient Blush Palette (£56); The Body Shop Glazed Apple Tin of Treasures (£17); Real Techniques Nic’s Picks (£30).

The Hourglass palette is just beautiful and a truly luxurious treat for someone special. It’s pricey but does offer good value in terms of Hourglass products. The Body Shop have some great gifts this year and as I’ve mentioned before, for every set they sell, they’ll donate a lesson to a child in need with War Child, so definitely worth checking out. The Glazed Apple is my favourite of their limited edition Christmas scents, it’s sweet and sour, like a Granny Smith! If nothing else, you can’t beat the presentation of the apple shaped tin. Real Techniques produce fabulous brushes at a reasonable price and I am a fan of this new set. It feature three new shapes and a combination of eye and face brushes, as well as one being a duo fibre brush. It’s currently on offer with £10 off at Superdrug, so snap it up!

Christmas Gift Guide Beauty 2 Top row, left to right: Alphabet Bags ‘Ta-Da!’ Canvas Pouch (£18); Bliss Triple Oxygen Treatment Kit (£30); DKNY Gold Delicious Sparkling Apple (£36.50).

Another good option if you want to steer away from a product is a makeup bag. Alphabet Bags do a amazing range of bags with fun slogans, the hardest part will be choosing which one to go for! The Bliss Triple Oxygen range is at the top of my own wishlist, it really is so effective. So, the apple theme is entirely coincidental, but I do love an apple fragrance. I think the DKNY Sparkling Apple perfumes are a great choice for Christmas, ’tis the season to add some glitter!

Bottom row, left to right: Emma Kisstina 7 Red Nail Polishes Fashion Illustration Art Poster (£21.93); OPI Nail Lacquer Coca Cola Collection: Trio Pack (£29.95) and The Bearest of Them All with Polar Bear Gift Set (£11.95); Paul & Joe Sister Dress in Lipstick Print (£195).

I love collecting art prints and I am really keen on the nail polish and lipstick collection prints by Emma Kisstina. This would make a really unique gift. To me, Coca Cola and Christmas go hand in hand, so I love this collaboration with OPI. That polar bear is so cute! Lastly, a lipstick print dress, the ultimate fashion statement for a beauty lover.

See you tomorrow for some delicious treats for foodies!

3 Comments

Posted in Beautify, Home, Live

Tagged Accessories, Art, Beautify, Beauty, Beauty Lovers, Christmas, Christmas Gift Guide, Fashion, Gift Guide, Gifts, Lush, Make Up, Makeup, Skincare

Lucky Dip Club | Ice Cream Parlour

Posted on August 30, 2014 | 3 comments

Lucky Dip Club August Ice Cream Palour

I honestly can’t declare my love for the Lucky Dip Club subscription service enough. This letterbox-friendly parcel of surprise goodies brightens up my month every time. This months theme was “Ice Cream Parlour” and we were promised sweet treats and the ultimate summer name necklace. As usual, the packaging give you a clue to the contents, this time a positive “Think Happy” mantra and sprinkles.