Outfits Out Of Sync

I'm completely out of sync and should have posted these yesterday. Christmas kinda does that. "What day is it? How long have I been off? Are the shops open?" You could swear we've been cut off from civilisation for weeks. Anyway, below a couple of outfits from my last working week of 2016.

I love the overlay on the top of this dress but ended up wearing the jacket over it pretty much all day because I was just too cold... I did get a lot of "oooh, very Chanel!" on the jacket though. :)
Dress & necklace: ZARA
Jacket: Warehouse

Best pic out of a very bad bunch - so doesn't do this dress any justice! It's a total Vivienne Westwood rip off - and I love it (ssshhhh...) 
Dress: Primark 
Top worn underneath: Next 
Necklace: Topshop

Good Pics, Bad Pics

Remember me going on about what you should and shouldn't do when selling on Facebook Groups? (Or more specifically handbag groups, such as the one I co-admin.)

I promised a follow up on all 7 Rules and after my ranting about why to read the pinned post, here some tips about taking pics to sell your bag.

First, a little disclaimer: I am no photography expert, merely somebody who thinks that if I sell a bag for a sizeable sum, I want to a) represent it looking its best and b) make sure potential buyers get a good idea of what it looks like. As mentioned above, I also admin a page and see what can happen if adequate pictures aren't supplied: at best your post won't get approved. At worst you will find yourself at a dispute with a buyer.

1. Include all pictures as listed in the Pinned Post
   
   Yes, I know, you're sick of me constantly referring to the pinned post, but - honestly! - it's just there to help you!
   Essentially, these pictures are there to fulfil three functions:
   - proof that your bag is authentic
   - illustrate its condition and
   - simply for showing off your bag.
   For authenticity you will typically be required to supply clear pictures of the Mulberry imprint, fob (front and back) and made in label (front and back).
   For more info on showing its condition have a look at 2. below.
   For showing off how lovely it is just think about what is no nice about your bag. Does it have some fab internal pockets? Is the colour beautiful? Can it be worn multiple different ways? Showcase these features!
    
2. Show all details and flawsYou're asking for somebody who has never seen the bag to part with their money so you want to make sure they know what to expect. Make sure you not only mention any flaws in your description but you photograph them as well as possible. This applies for example to stains, scratches or marks on the leather (especially any damage to piping), scratches on the hardware, any damage to inking and any stains on the lining/interior. Believe me when I say you don't want to omit anything: firstly that's not fair and secondly it's not worth the hassle. Paypal (which should always be used for payment) will most likely side with the buyer if you weren't quite honest.
   
3. Use daylight where possibleThis is a tricky one for me, especially in the winter: leaving the house in darkness and returning after sunset, means I could really only ever take pictures at the weekend - and on dull days not even the daytime will afford great conditions. In that case I try and use multiple, non-harsh light sources to avoid glare and shade. This is really most important if you want to show off a not so well known colour. Always good to point out which in picture the colour is the closest to what it looks like in real life. If you're really struggling I'd advise to do all your pics and add a stock photo of the colour to refer to.
    
4. Stuff your bag
   
   Potential buyers want to see how your bag looks when being carried - and presumably that would be with some stuff inside it. So, especially if your bag is slouchy or not particularly structured, show them. Nothing quite as sad as a deflated Alexa... It's best if you store your bag stuffed anyway, so you might have tissue paper or maybe even a Pilo from LoveLolo, if you don't, just get creative with some scarves, socks or cuddly toys...
   
5. Remove distractions
   
   You want to show off your bag, not your busy carpet, kid's toys or kitchen paraphernalia. If you think you have a gorgeously patterned duvet or wallpaper you could, of course, use this to your advantage and add a bit of style in the background but I'd say keep it simple.
    
6. Provide clear pictures
   
   No-brainer really: blurry pics are rubbish, as are those that are so tiny you can't make out any detail.
   

So... don't do this...

 Deflated Alexa with bonus Lego.

 What am I even looking at..?

 Blurry details.

Unclear imprint.

But do this instead:

Stuffed Alexa without distractions

Hardware flaws

 Clear pics of imprint...

 ...and fob.

Clear pic of made in label front...

...and back

...and I'll shut up now... ;)

Skirt Combos

After last week's bumper post with five outfits, only a couple of them for this week - but I do rather like these two: one that's a bit of a throw-the-rulebook-out-the-window and one that's new. :)

I still totally love the colour of this skirt. 

I still find the length challenging. (Well, it's not like I've suddenly grown a couple of inches.) 

But I also think "screw it, stop trying the pretty and just go for clash" - and I had lots of ppl comment on the trainers! 

Top & skirt: Warehouse

Trainers: Kurt Geiger 

Absolutely love this new top from Mango; it has such an effortless and even slightly ethereal quality to it. 

(At least until I dangle the sleeves in my food. *sigh*) 

Top: Mango 

Skirt: Warehouse 

Boots: Zara

Necklace: Accessorize

Slouchy Boot Week

Bit of a bumper week, with five (!) outfits posted. And I managed to hit my weekly objective of using an item that hasn't been worn for ages: the overknee boots. So five outfits and four pairs of boots - makes a change...

I've had these boots in my wardrobe for years and I rather like them. I think suede and slouchy is the way to go if you want to do thigh high boots in a classy way. Only problem is that one of them keeps slouching down - and the other one doesn't. Ah well, can't have everything... 
Top: Hallhuber 
Skirt: AllSaints
Jacket: Warehouse
Boots: somewhere in the back of my wardrobe... no idea where I bought them originally...

This dark green plain dress with pleather trim and pockets (I love pockets in a dress, don't you just love pockets?!) makes this necklace really stand out. There actually used to be a chain strand on the necklace, which i had to chop off as it got hopelessly tangled up. 
Dress: Mexx 
Necklace: ZARA

Love this slouchy Whistles dress. It's only thin t-shirt material so I always layer over opaques and black long sleeve top. The Vivienne Westwood inspired boots work really well with it, I think.
Dress: Whistles
Cardigan: H&M
Boots: Marks and Spencer
Necklace: ZARA

I'm so totally behind posting these! Normally not a fan of pleather (bit of a leather snob) but this one feels lovely - and it's animal cruelty free. Thought it might be a bit too much with the necklace but I must have had the most compliments that day I ever had on any outfit - and all from girls (which are the best kind of compliments if you like clothes). 
Dress: ZARA 
Top worn underneath: Next 
Boots: Zara 
Necklace: Stella & Dot

A few things about this dress:
1. It's at least 6 years old.
2. It's from Jesire, a high street label that went bust in around 2011. Kate Middleton was seen wearing a few of their pieces soon after and there were speculations that it could be saved but it then just disappeared.
3. The print totally makes it. They had a simple grey one as well and when I tried that on it looked so "bla".
4. One of its nicest features is hidden: two long "scarves"/ kind of tie shaped thingies hanging down the back. I tried to capture them a few times but just can't.
5. I think this was the first dress/skirt with pockets I ever bought - and I was hooked.
So there, 5 things before 9 you really didn't need to know...
Dress: Jesire
Necklace: ZARA

Unintentional Grace

If you have followed me for a while you might have seen me mention things around not editing photos, taking a few and picking the ones that I like most (or that are the "least bad"). 

After doing this for some time I still feel awkward posing. And then I sometimes proof myself right by thinking that the rushed and unplanned shots are the best. Like this first one, where my phone was about to die and I wanted to take a pic before changing out of my work outfit. Just two shots and that was it. Tried this again with another couple of outfits just days later and just couldn't get my whole body in. At all. How on earth did I do it?! 

Totally reminds me of Kleist's Marionettentheater - 

"Grace appears most purely in that human form which either has no consciousness or an infinite consciousness."

Not wanting to get too philosophical or deep over a flippin' outfit pic but just goes to show that not trying too hard can sometimes be the best approach.

The battery on my phone was about to die and I had no time for my usual 3 shots of outfit and details, so there.
Top: Boden
Skirt: Zara
Necklace: Stella & Dot

There's something about ribbed grey marl tights that makes an outfit feel cosy in an instant. Add a bit of pastel and it feels like the perfectly thrown together winter outfit with a nod to romance.
Dress & Cardigan: Boden
Boots: Hallhuber
Necklace (actually, the same as above!): Stella & Dot 

Why You Must Read The Pinned Post

I get it. Reading the Pinned Post is a pain.  Wading through the rules and understanding what makes a Facebook group tick can feel like a bit of work.  But I promise you: get this bit right and you will make your life much easier.  And more importantly: you will make the residing admins love you and add you to their Christmas card list.                    (*slight exaggeration, no guarantees.)

So what happens if you don't? 

Well, for one thing your post might either get deleted or not get approved in the first place. Why? Take a look...

So my top tips:

• Don't forget pics of the features inside the bag: Mulberry imprint, front and back of fob, front and back of made in label. Have a look here for some good examples.
• Very few Mulberry bags have no "made in" label. Can't find one? Search for it. Still nothing? Search again. They like to hide in inside pockets, nooks and crannies. If there's just a leather tab instead of a label, include a pic of that instead.
• Don't forget to mention whether the bag comes from a smoke or pet free home. It's fine if it doesn't but you must disclose this. Either way, mention it. 
• Want pricing advice? PM admin.
• No "any interest in my bag?" posts. Thinking of selling? Do a sales post.
• Read my post on selling on Mulberry Facebook Groups for more tips!

The Inspired and the Mundane

Sometimes you have those days when you feel really inspired and fancy wearing something you haven't thrown together before. Like that jacket with the dress below - oh, and the necklace was new. And sometimes you need to have a fail safe have-worn-it-a-million-times-before combo. Like that black mini with the woolly jumper. The latter days happen more often but they make those other days even more enjoyable. 

(And can I just add that even on new-outfit-days getting dressed has to happen in 5 minutes top.)

Bit of a weird pose: makes me look like I have no waist... Anyway, I love the print on this dress and I'm debuting my new Stella & Dot necklace!

Dress: Topshop

Jacket: Warehouse

Boots: Zara

Necklace: Stella & Dot

Best pic out of a bad bunch. On the others it looked like I only had one arm. 

(I do like that jumper though, kept me snuggly warm in the drafty office yesterday.) 

Jumper: LaRedoute

Skirt: All Saints

Another mini skirt/warm jumper combo!

Jumper: Boden

Skirt: Topshop

Necklace: Oliver Bonas

7 Rules for Selling on Mulberry Facebook Groups

Hi guys,

Right, I'm way too tired and so behind on this, so I'm gonna make it short and snappy:

If you know my blog, you are probably a member of at least one of the Mulberry selling groups on Facebook - or maybe, like me, of all of them? I love them all, they all have their own personality and style and provide different points of views.

After having been a member of Mulberry Buy and Sell for around a year, Esme (who founded the page) and Victoria asked me to join their admin team. I've now been part of that team for few weeks, the group has grown to over 10,000 members and I thought I'd talk to not just our members but any members of a buying/selling page.

My plan is in the next few weeks to give more guidance around these rules but for now (because of the late- and tiredness) I will leave you with these:

1. Read the Pinned Post.
Make sure you're familiar with the rules around buying, selling and generally using the page. You ask why?! Find out here!

2. Take good pictures.
Whilst you need to make sure you show and declare all your bag's flaws, you want to sell it - so make it look good! Some top tips here!

3. Research price.
Price it too high and it simply won't sell; too low and you will lose out. Some pointers here.

4. Include all charges.
Check in the pinned post you you should show the price. Usually it's an 'all in' price, so make sure you include Paypal fees and postal charges. A quick guide on how to calculate here.

5. Have your Paypal ready.
Paypal is usually the only acceptable payment method on these pages - so if you want to buy or sell: have your account ready.

6. Be around after you post.
Try to be around when your post gets approved as people might comment - and be happy to answer questions.

7. Be nice to admin.
Pretty easy. They want a simple life. Follow the rules, be friendly and patient (yes, that includes, no constant "why hasn't my post been approved yet" messages) and you will find they will help you where ever they can. Annoy them at your own peril.

Are you a member of any of the groups? 

Pattern Party

Another week with patterns... A newish favourite, an older one - and a first timer!

Oh, and little M, who is trying to distract me...

"Mama... Come on and play!" I usually take my pics at the end of the day when I get in, just before I get changed. 

I usually only have a minute or so to do them...

Dress: Boden

Jacket: Warehouse

Boots: Zara

This skirt must be the best "cost per wear" item in my wardrobe! And the shirt isn't doing too bad either... Yep, and the necklace.

Denim Shirt: LaRedoute

Skirt: Boden

Necklace: Marni for H&M

 

Just a few random posts last week but no ootd - yes, I was on holiday. Getting back into the groove now with this new dress. Think it works well with the jacket worn over but I wanted to show that it's sleeveless.

Dress: Oliver Bonas

Top worn underneath: H&M

Jacket: Warehouse

Necklace: Stella & Dot

Mulberry Bicester Stock Check November

A visit to the in-law's house in Oxford usually means a quick hop over to Bicester. And I literally mean hop. The good people of the Mulberry Outlet at Bicester village were watching me with a mix of bewilderment, smiles and raised eyebrows as I whizzed through the store taking pics and notes. 

Tempted: Metallic Mushroom Flats - oh, and the Mini Cara in Oak...
Surprised: Oversized Roxette - Huge!
Bargain: Small Metallic Mirror Pouch £50

The fact that my car broke down as we were leaving is really just another story but from me to you: Make sure you have breakdown cover. Green Flag were fab: Turned up within 72 minutes of calling, fully fixed and on my way home within another hour. Oh, and had they not been able to fix it, I could have had a courtesy car with mine delivered to me within a few days. Thanks to Adam from Greenflag!

Back to the bags and stuff... prices at the bottom of the blog post. 
(Apologies for the total random order - otherwise this is gonna be days before it gets to you!)

 

Jamie
Small Regal Blue, Black, Oxblood, Oak £525
Small Ostrich £825
Regular Regal Blue, Oxblood, Oak £695

Pembridge
Black & Mushroom £695

Cara
Mini Blue Camo £695
Mini Oak (sub) Oxblood (sub) £695
Mini Black £675
Mini Quilted Black, Quilted Steel Blue £695
Mini Rivet Oxblood £1050
Regular Oak, Black, Oxblood £795
Large Black (sub) £840

Alice
Small (all subs) Oxblood, Mushroom, Black £635
Regular £?

Del Rey
Regular Alligator Deer Briwn £7500

Bayswater Double Zip Tote
Small Black (sub) £960

Alexa
Mini Black (sub), Red (sub) £595
Regular Polished Buffalo Black £795

Willow
Small Mixed (eg printed & calf) from £810

Bayswater
Black (sub) £695
Black NVT (MF lined/special purchase) £665

Picadilly 
Oxblood £875
Navy Shrunken Calf £1015

Blossom
Tote from £229

Kensington 
Small £695 
Large £840

Tessie
Tote £415
Hobo £485
Satchel £415

Mitzy 
Tote Oak, Black £350
Messenger Oak, Black £295

Roxette
Small Deep Embossed £765
Small Grey Printed Nubuk £770
Oversized Calfskin & Suede Black £750

Lily
Regular Indigo Smooth Calf (?) (Special Purchase) £350
Regular Small Grain Steel Blue (?) (Special Purchase) £525
Medium Small Grain Steel Blue (?) £695

Daria
Hobo Black, Oak, Mushroom, Oxblood
Satchel Black, Mushroom, Oxblood, Oak

Somerset
Tote Chocolate £385

Jagger
£199

Bayswater Clutch
Various colours £395


Small Leather Goods
Credit card slips from £50
French Purses from £190
Continental Purses from £235
Small PVT Purses from £95
Small Make Up Bags Oak £135, Large £175
Large Flat Pouch Oak £155
Small Mirror Metallic Pouch £50
Small Blossom Zip Purse £112
Cara Rivet Pochette £260 

Scarves
Signature £95
Tamara £115
Aligator Print £125

Found anything you like?