For Work and Pokemon Hunting

So Pokemon Go really sucks your iPhone battery dry. Yep. We're playing Pokemon Go. Little M loves it and whilst we go on monster hunts together when we can, I also pick them up on my way to work. (Can't believe how well he remembers them, pointing out all the new ones to me every evening!) 

Anyway. Back to the fact that my phone needs constant re-charging whilst we're out and about. You might remember that I pondered over power purses from Knomo in September. 

Reduced to just £59.50, this Bond pouch is a bit of a bargain, considering it's real leather, fully lined and includes the power pack.

So I bought it a few weeks ago. Way before I never even thought of Pokemon. It just fits so nicely even in my smaller bags (here in my Mulberry Small Del Rey) that it's the perfect work companion.

And now I finally got around to do a quick video to show how I'm using it (apart from re-charging my phone during extensive Pokemon hunts).

The lovely people at Independent Fashion Bloggers chose my post for their Links à la Mode last week. Please check out some of the below!

• Al Balsam Life: The Ultimate Summer 2016 Bag Guide
• Cat Eyes & Skinny Jeans: {What’s in My} July 2016 Pool Party Glossybox!
• Elements of Ellis: Black Vest
• Epouser La Mode: Double Denim
• Everyday Starlet: Kylie Jenner Snapchat Makeup Routine | Using All Drugstore Dupes
• Five Feet Five: A Black Striped Maxi Dress
• Five Foot Nothing Shopping: The Petite Girl’s Festival Look
• Goldwill Digger: 3 Easy Ways to Spread Your Wings and Break Out of a Style Rut
• High Heeled Vogueaholic: Ditch the Dresses | 4 Ways to Style Rompers
• In a Nutshell: Don’t You Want to Go For a Swim?
• Life in the Fash Lane: Hat Attack
• Lil Miss JB Style: Repetition
• Purushu Arie: India Can Emerge as the Saviour of Couture on a Global Scale
• This Season’s Gold: Heat Wave | Strapless Sheath with a Touch of Gold
• Splash of Teal: Style Report | Most Comfortable Work Heels this Summer
• Spy Girl: Todd Oldham Jean Jacket
• Sweet Tea Salvage: DIY | Vintage Botanical Print Collage
• Tales of Two: Styling a White Leather Skirt
• The Wanderbliss: Monochrome
• Wish and Wear: For Work and Pokemon Hunting

Hot Summer Outfits

Part of last week was so warm - it actually felt like proper summer! My parents were over for a visit and I was off for a couple of days and worked from home on a couple of more, so I only managed two outfit pics. Partly because I wore scruffy jeans and t-shirts for the rest of the time, partly because I was too busy and simply forgot to take any outfit photos. 

Top: Topshop

Cardigan: Mango

Skirt: Next

Shoes: Zara

Necklace: Topshop

Top: Warehouse

Skirt: All Saints

Trainers: Converse

Necklace: Stella & Dot

Alexa Gone Loopy

As I previously wrote in a pondering over which finish Mulberry Bayswater, that conundrum of 'which bag' does not stop when you found a style: it continues right through the choice of leather or finish. Sometimes you'll be purely considering colour and sometimes the choice of leather or material will depend on other factors. You might prefer a finish that isn't too sensitive to stains or scrapes or you might care most about one that gives your bag a sturdier finish.

I recently managed to track down a Mulberry Regular Alexa in Plum Loopy Leopard Quilted Denim and as I have the same bag in Soft Buffalo, I thought I'd do a quick comparison.

Sizewise, they should be the same. If I measure them as normal (and double check on Naughtipidgin's Nest), they come up with the same measurements: 33cm wide, 23cm high and 17cm deep (all approx).

And in both pictures above you can see that this is about right. Granted, the black buffalo Alexa slouches as bit and therefore appears deeper but not as high - so once you lift her up it is the same.

The slouch gives the clue though: whilst the denim quilted Alexa is stood up all by herself, my black Alexa is held up by the Samorga she hides inside.

Remove the Samorga and...

 ...my black Alexa...

...falls into a puddle!

So much so, that you could just fold her up and stuff her inside the quilted Alexa. (Not that I would!)

This is partially due to the quilted denim being sturdier and thicker but also the piping and other leather trim seems to be harder leather; I'd guess is harness leather.

One other difference worth mentioning is that whilst the black Alexa's top handle is just leather...

...the quilted denim Alexa's handle has been embellished with a piece of metal chain.

What else? I've always cleaned and protected my Alexa with Collonil Gel and Waterstop Spray. It's a pretty sturdy leather and I never had an issue with either stains or excessive wear. 

The quilted denim is obviously not leather but a cotton and potentially not as hard wearing but Mulberry does say you can protect it with Collinil Waterstop.

This was, of course, a very functional comparison - but you can see for yourself, that the loopy is all colourful and, well, loopy and the soft buffalo is black and glossy. Which one do you prefer?

Seeing Double

You might have guessed by now that I have my favourites and comfort zones and it was only a question of time until that skirt and that dress in the same print would pop up in the same week. I did try a new outfit though: that first one is a new combo!

Top: Zara

Skirt & Jacket: Warehouse

Necklace: Stella & Dot

Cashmere jumper & print skirt: Boden

Boots: Zara

Necklace: Sainsburys

Jumper: Zara

Skirt: Boden

Trainers: Converse

Dress: Boden

Trainers: Converse

Bag: Mulberry

Jumper: Boden

Skirt: Warehouse

Boots: Zara

If Mulberry Did Schoolbags

I love satchels. There is something effortless and a bit tongue in cheek about the, Kinda like "I could be in school - I'm obviously not - but if I was, this is what I would carry!". Quite often though, they are a bit big and butch for me - mainly because they are often created for men. 

The Mulberry Tillie Satchel has "stolen" classic satchel elements, shrunk the proportions a bit and added a few tweaks of its own. Instantly recognisable by the mock buckles it is one of those really versatile and practical styles that you can use for work and play alike.

Well, if you carry about as much as I do... Have a look!

If you like the Tillie range, have a look at my review for the Tillie Hobo!

More July Print Outfits

You know I like my prints, so I managed to have one in each outfit last week - even that last casual one, where I sneaked in some stripes...

Dress: Warehouse

Cardigan: Boden

Shoes: Zara

Top & Necklace: Topshop

Cardigan: Boden

Skirt: Next

Shoes: Zara

Top: Topshop

Cardigan: Boden

Skirt: Boden

Shoes: Dune

T-Shirt & long sleeve top underneath: Topshop

Skirt: Warehouse

Trainers: Next

Jumper: Boden

Top worn underneath: Topshop

Jeans: Next

Trainers: Converse

Covet Monday - Sweet Maple

Of all the currently introduced new styles that Mulberry has on offer, my favourite has to be the Maple:

An open tote, with short handles,  a long strap and a clever little pouch that can be attached to the outside or inside of the bag - or carried separately as a clutch.

I think Coca delivered on his promise to design beautiful but practical bags: The size is just right for nipping to the shops or popping in your office stuff (though I'd be careful carrying it on public transport, as there's no closure) and the strap makes it really versatile. 

 The leather feels lush but sturdy and like it would wear well.

Prices start at £795 for Black Flat Calf but (as per usual) my favourite is slightly more. I really like the colour combo in the Burgundy Printed Goat with its purple pouch and (£895) but - being my predictable self - my favourite is the Black Polished Embossed Croc (£995).

What do you think? Have you had a play or maybe even bought one?

Laptop Sleeve Mulberry Style

I have that vision of myself in a power dress, high heels with my laptop carried in an elegant sleeve. Burst that bubble because I no longer wear heels, think power dresses make me look ridiculous and I usually carry my laptop in a rather ungraceful fashion. 

So for now my MacBook has a lovely and posh bed...

And this is what fits in...

New Block Colour Dress

I know I'm repeating lots of outfits but a new dress and a new combo last week! And a new photographer on the last pic...

 

Sweathshirt: Boden

Skirt: Zara

Trainers: Converse

Necklace: Accessorize

Dress: Boden

Shoes: Kurt Geiger

Should you wonder why there are two pics, with one being a bit more than wonky: the left one was taken by little M. "No, Mama! I do picture!"

Top: Zara

Cardigan: H&M

Skirt: All Saints

Trainers: Converse

Covet Monday: Clever and Gorgeous

It seems that at the moment I am constantly stumbling across new handbag designers. Well, maybe I am looking more than I used to. Anyway, after discovering Strathberry, Linjer and Rodtnes I have now come across VVA Bags and I am so tempted!

Whilst they produce just a few styles, they offer these in a large choice of leathers and - what I love most - the different elements can be swapped out and the bags can be customised to fit different uses.

The bags are made in Britain (apparently in "deepest darkest Lancashire") with the exception of the hardware but they are hoping to change this in the future.

My favourite model is the Dahlia, a good work-sized tote. Prices start at £350.

It features a removable zipped pouch/clutch, that can also be worn on its own. (Yes, I know. Mulberry does that with the Willow but I've never been a fan.) This pouch even has d-rings for attaching a chain or strap, both of which come with the bag. It also comes with a removable tassel, which you can replace with a different colour one. So what you're getting is:

- the tote,
- a zipped pouch/clutch (called Ivy),
- a leather strap,
- a keychain/chain strap,
- and a tassel.

The bag measures H29cm, W40cm D11cm, so you can fit in A4 and even a laptop. 
You can carry it by the short handle or on your shoulder by the leather strap. 
You can avoid scrambling for your keys in the bag by attaching it to the keychain. 
You can detach the Ivy pouch and use it as a clutch in the evening or attach the strap and carry it on your shoulder with your essentials.

Oh, and it comes in a printed leather.

So, a smart looking, practical, high quality bag. Perfect for work and it ticks pretty much all of my boxes. I need help.

Cheshire Oaks July Stockcheck

I promised a while ago I'd do another Cheshire Oaks stock check. So again, not a very funny, witty or stylish - just informative.

A flying visit with not much time to stop and stare but quite a lot of stock, partially due to the sales. Didn't get the chance to get all the prices but this is what I managed:

Tempted: by that small Cara in quilted oatmeal (again!)
Surprised: large bow purse for £99
Disappointed by: Blossom Pouch - I know it's a great pricepoint but it just seems a bit flimsy.

Prices at the bottom!
 

Mitzy 

Messenger in oak & black £295

Tote in oak & black £350

Somerset 

Satchel oak, black & chocolate £315

Tote chocolate £385

Shoulder black £?

Bayswater

Printed NVT in chocolate, black & oak £625

Putty & Camomile £625

Mandarin, Jungle green, Hibiscus, Sea Blue £695

Small Bayswater Satchel

Orange £625

Blossom

Tote black & oxblood £295

Red, blue, orange, green £229

Pochette £137

Pouch £62

Daria 

Hobo oxblood & black £555

Satchel oxblood & black £555

Effie

Tote black & oak pebbled £525

Satchel black & oak pebbled £455

Cara

Oversized black & oak NVT £840; green quilted £695

Regular oatmeal quilted £900 (sub)

Small oatmeal quilted £695

Alexa 

Regular oak & black polished buffalo £770 & shrunken calf poppy £795

Del Rey

Regular oak NVT £750 (microfibre lined), glossy goat red £695

Small red classic grain £495

Lily

Mini from 199, metallic £187

Regular lamb nappa indigo blue £350, beige (?) £525, mushroom classic grain £485, ostrich £1200, rose petal £485

Medium indigo blue £450, buttercream £610

Willow

Small classic calf oak £810, jungle hibiscus £699, black £750

Large oak £799 , black wit deep embossed clutch £945 

Roxette 

Small & Regular in black deep embossed £Sales prices 

Bayswater Double Zip Tote

Red & blue £1050

Bayswater Buckle

Mini woven blue £770, woven white £599

Regular mixed £799

Tessie 

Satchel Small red £249

Satchel Regular white & blue £415

Tote white & blue £415

Primrose 

Small red poppy £499

Large mixed £599

Suffolk

Smallshrunken calf red £699

Delphie 

Small woven £429

Bayswater Clutch Wallet

various £345

Belts

from £50

Purses

from £95 for NVT printed