£40 – modcloth.com
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£8.57 – modcloth.com
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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.
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.
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.
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.
Recently I was lucky enough to be invited along to Duo‘s Castle Street store to explore their new lines for autumn and winter. While there, me and a group of fellow bloggers were asked to nail our colours to the mast and choose a Boot Tribe. Were you Team Ankle Boot like Alexa Chung, Team Knee High as championed by Kate Moss, or Team Over the Knee with the uber fashionable Olivia Palermo?
As I, and many of the other bloggers, had never been to Duo before, the Boot Tribe campaign was a fantastic introduction to the brand. It clearly demonstrated that Duo are able to cater to a wide audience. It keeps up with the latest catwalk trends while also offering wearable, high quality, and most importantly, beautiful boots. The best thing about Duo? 21 calf sizes! Yep, 21. Maybe it’s just me and my pear shaped ways but I find boots the worst thing to shop for next to jeans. Duo takes away the dreaded leg-muffin-topping ensuring that your boots will fit perfectly. If you’re in the market for ankle boots this might not worry you too much, but you might like to know that Duo also offer three width fittings. Now, I always find that a lot of shoes in my size are wide. It seems as though some shops think that if you’re a size 6 or over your feet are basically massive. Well, I have size 7 feet, but they’re skinny and long – you see my problem here? Well Duo agree and say my feet are regular, not wide. You hear that? Not wide, thanks.
Ahem, back to Boot Tribe. After much umming and ahhing (and digging into the fizz and canapes!) I joined Team Ankle Boot. I selected the Preston ankle boot – a glossy black leather shoe with buckle detail. The small heel makes them smart enough for work occasions or evenings out, while the tread sole and fleece lining keeps them practical for being out and about in autumn and winter.
So I bet you’re dying to know which tribe came out on top? Drumroll please… In third place:
The glorious Over the Knee Boot gained the support of 9% of the ladies, but what a fashionable 9% they were! These bad gals above are the Dita and are a real statement boot which lend some true class to the style. Sigh, one day I’ll have the pins for these boots *puts down Mars bar.
The classic Knee High Tribe gained a respectable 38% of the vote. I love a biker boot and was very tempted by the Halden style. That quilting! Oooh might have to go back for a pay day treat…
But the winner of the evening was, of course, Team Ankle Boot with 55%. You can’t deny the appeal of the versatility an ankle boot offers. For something a little less versatile, I love these black glitter Abel boots. If they’re not New Year party boots, I don’t know what is.
Massive thanks to Duo for a fantastic evening and for kick-starting my A/W wardrobe. The shop is absolutely beautiful and the team lovely, so if you have a Duo near you pop in, get fitted, and declare your Boot Tribe.
As today’s Blog Every Day in May post is about doing something out of your comfort zone, I thought I’d attempt an outfit of the day. I don’t really do these, mostly because I have no style, but also because I don’t have a tripod. So aerial view of clothes!
I am beyond in love with this Ramones tee from Primark (£8). Mint is my favourite colour at the moment and I genuinely love the Ramones so I had to have this. I also like that the sleeves nearly cover my upper arms and that the v-neck is not too deep. Rock ‘n’ Roll Granny!
I teamed this with dark grey skinny jeans from New Look, mint Converse and minimal make up.
Heading out a threw on a grey H&M blazer to break up all the mint and grabbed my Leather Satchel Co. bag.
It’s so glorious! I actually got this bag for half price through Itison so I am over the moon with it. The pretty pastel-ness is making my neon nail polish look cray. It is Model’s Own ‘Pink Punch’ by the way. Rings are from River Island and Forever 21.
Hope you liked this post. I will get better at taking and posing for outfit photos (maybe).
On Sunday I packed up a bag of unwanted clothes and headed along to the I Heart Swapping Edinburgh Winter Fashion Swap. The idea is simple, you take along up to ten items (clothes or accessories) and trade them in for peg, each peg being one credit that you can trade in for another’s item. The swap opens at a set time so everyone gets the same chance and the clothes are organised in size order. Any clothes that don’t get taken are donated to Shelter while 50% of ticket sales go to Alzheimer Scotland, two great causes.
The swap was hosted at 99 Hanover Street with a special cocktail menu for the occasion and tea and cakes provided by Eteaket. The sugar hit of the brownie was definitely appreciated before the main event! There were also treatments being offered by Sarah Murray Beauty and Nicci Weston Makeup.
It was all go when the swap started at 2pm! Luckily, all the fellow swappers were lovely and there was no catfights over the prize items. My friend picked up a pair of shoes and the girl who handed them in came over to say how pleased she was that someone would be getting use out of them.
I picked up a snuggly jumper, striped Motel skirt, a tweedy blazer (love!), patterned cardigan and an owl print shirt. I love the stud detail on the collar of this shirt.
We also found these amazing Irregular Choice shoes for my friend. They are in perfect condition and we loved that the swapper made the effort to bring the box along.
This was my first swapping event and I really enjoyed it and would definitely participate in another. Clothes, cakes, cocktails, charity, what more could you want from an event? I recommend liking their Facebook page here to stay up to date with future events.
Have you been to any swapping events? What gems did you pick up?
I am terrible at sale shopping. I get stressed by messy shops (must be the memories of Saturdays spent folding jeans), I get my head turned by stuff that is not on sale and inevitably come home with stuff I don’t actually want. So this year I’m being more considered.
The work ‘black-tie’ event appropriate dress First things first – avoiding last minute “whaddya mean it’s black tie?” panic. This Darling Skater Dress with Polka Sleeves from ASOS would do the trick nicely. And Hallelujah – it has sleeves! Down from £59 to £38.
Trainers. For ‘sports’ Urgh, yeah New Years resolutions and all that. I need some decent trainers and I like these Nike Air Max Triax 94s from Schuh. I like Nike as they tend to be quite narrow and I have narrow (but long) feet. Down from £87 to £56.99.
New, non-tatty Boyfriend Jumper I love a slouchy jumper to wear to work, but the ones I have are looking a bit worse for wear so need replacing. I love this BDG Waffle Boyfriend Jumper from Urban Outfitters, especially the colour. £20 down from £45.
A Treat for being a Good Shopper Because you can never have too many cat themed t-shirts. This CAPTURE by Hollywood Made t-shirt at ASOS is £18 down from £55. What an adorable bargain.
And that’s it. Er, not counting the Lush order that’s on its way. Total cost is £132.99. Not too bad considering I totally need this stuff! What do you have your eye on in the sales?
The theme of this wishlist is very clear – I’m cold and I wish I wasn’t!
Top row: How insanely snuggly does this River Island Faux Fur Parka look?; Loving the winter florals, especially this New Look Skater Dress; This Only Knit Cross Jumper from ASOS looks like a good inbetweeny jumper for before it starts snowing; These tights, also from ASOS, have dinosaurs all over them! Amazing!
Bottom row: This Penguin T-shirt from Next is a great step towards full on Christmas jumper time; I’m after a new bobble hat and I love the colour of this Cable Beanie from Topshop; I fell in love with this Zara Double Sided Scarf after Lily Pebbles blogged about it, looks so cosy; To round it all off, a new Tartan Backpack from ASOS. Do love a bit of tartan.
Total cost for this list? £249.98. Oh well. What do you have your eye on for winter?