Wednesday, August 31, 2016

We All Have Angles

My outfits posts on Facebook or Instagram are usually just a quick picture with a random sentence and a reference to where I bought what - if I can remember and/or haven't cut out any labels. Sometimes I say what I specifically like or dislike about an outfit but it's not often that I go off on some sort of monologue. Well, last week was a bit different.

Whilst the first couple of outfits were... standard posts...

Promark Dress Boden Cardigan Zara Shoes
Dress: Primark
Cardigan: Boden
Shoes: Zara

Warehouse Top Zara Skirt
Top: Warehouse
Skirt: Zara
Trainers: Converse

And then I kind of went off on one with this one:

Warehouse skirt H&M top
"I don't edit my pictures, mainly because I don't have the time and can't be bothered.
But I do take a few (usually around 5-8) and then pick the one I like best. It's quite frustrating when you delete all the ones that are a definite "no" and you're left with - more nos. (That's what I usually mean by "best out of a bad bunch".)
What's my point?
I don't like this picture. I think my legs look craggy and skinny and pale, my skin blotchy and my midriff dumpy.
And then I thought "how bloody stupid!": If I look like this on a picture then I'm bound to look like this for some of the day. I walk around all day looking like this and I can't chose the angle that people see me at.
And if I didn't say anything here, people might not even notice those flaws. Or they might see others where I didn't even perceive any.
It doesn't matter. It's fine.
And if you read this far and you know what I mean, then just let me tell you this: you are fine! You look great! We all have our angles!
Xx"

By the way:
Top: H&M
Skirt: Warehouse
Shoes: Kurt Geiger
Necklace: Dorothy Perkins

And then followed it up with this one:

Topshop Top Next Jeans
"Ok, after yesterday's rant over bad angles and all that I took about 8 pics. Not the worst ever lot but most of them like the one on the left: I look like I need the loo, my haircut looks stupid, my resting face grumpy...
And then there's one where I happen to look out the window because I heard something and that accidental one is the best out of the bunch.
>>> be less self conscious, try less hard and it'll probably work out for the better! #weallhaveangles"

Top: Topshop
Jeans: Next
Trainers: Converse

Do you share outfit posts? If so, what do you do? Do you ever find chucking an entire post out because you don't like any pictures? Would love to hear from you! 

Thanks to Independent Fashion Bloggers to select my Post for their Links à la Mode on September 8th! 
Please do check out the other brilliant blog posts below.
SPONSOR: Amazon's Shopbop Calvin Klein Underwear, Rebecca Minkoff Bags, R13 Jeans, Dear Frances, OAD, Fashion Forms, Statement Earrings, Bomber Jackets, Loafers, Men's Lemaire

Thursday, August 25, 2016

Mulberry Roll

After my ramblings about 'good old Mulberry' and that Rampling Tote review, I am still in the land of vintage - though I was reliably informed that the one I'm showing you this week is merely 10 years old and therefore not truly vintage.

Well, this Mulberry one's look is quite far from the bags of past years and current styles alike and Scotchgrain is one of those things you either like or not. I kind of like to think of it as the Louis Vuitton Canvas version: bomb proof signature style. And this bag's shape is even  similar to the Speedy...

PS: Apparently it is called a 'Bauletto', which is Italian for 'vanity bag' or 'traveling case'. Or 'filled meat roll'. They all kind of fit - don't you think?



Wednesday, August 24, 2016

True Blue

Bit of a blue theme for the only two outfits that managed to get snapped last week. I'm just gonna say I did quality over quantity here. Shame though that the shoes from Finery had to go back because I love that metallic spat on them.


Zara Peplum Top and Lace skirt  Finery Shoes
I love that lace skirt, it goes with so much!
Top & Skirt: Zara
Shoes: Finery

Warehouse Top and Skirt Stella and Dot Necklace
Getting a bit of an "under the sea" vibe from this outfit. I love this Stella & Dot necklace, it's so versatile!
Top & Skirt: Warehouse
Shoes: Zara
Necklace: Stella & Dot

Thursday, August 18, 2016

Saturday Tote


Talking about recent changes and the "good old Mulberry", there are some styles that will remain loved whether they're considered to be "in fashion" or not.

This Rampling Tote in Olive Kenya is a timeless, practical and mercifully robust style - perfect for running weekend errands!



Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Three Prints For August

Three outfits from last week and I just realised that I did a print on a different item of clothing each day: on a t-shirt, skirt and sweatshirt. Maybe I should do a block colour dress challenge one week?

H&M Top, Boden Cardigan, Warehouse Skirt, Zara Shoes
Top: H&M
Cardigan: Boden
Skirt: Warehouse
Shoes: Zara


Top: Topshop
Cardigan: Boden
Skirt: Boden
Shoes: Dune

Top: Boden
Skirt: Warehouse
Trainers: Converse

Monday, August 15, 2016

Mulberry Musing

Mulberry Group Shot: Kelly, Bayswater Clutch, Hellier, Alexa, Cecily, Cara, Bayswater, Shimmy

Mulberry is changing. Quite drastically. Many of my friends who would have described themselves as Mulberry fans, are turning away from the brand, disappointed in its latest offerings. "The Bayswater isn't a real Bayswater anymore." "Coca is changing too much, too quickly." "The quality is going downhill." I'd agree with much of this but it is, of course, just how we might feel. Somebody coming to Mulberry without our "baggage" might feel quite differently.

The Mulberry I am most familiar with is the "generation" of the Bayswater, the Alexa, the Del Rey. The Cara feels more recent. The likes of the Kelly, Roxanne or Jody feel slightly 'before my time' - and that even though the Roxanne was launched in 2004, so not too long ago, really.

I wonder whether people felt as strongly when Emma Hill was appointed in 2008 and introduced the Alexa. It must have felt like quite a departure from the good old Mulberry that they knew at that time. Which undoubtedly will have been different to the good old Mulberry that had existed even before then.

Anyway, where am I going with this? Let's hope for the best. Maybe Coca will find a balance and redeem himself with another Alexa, or Roxanne. And in the meantime we can continue to enjoy our recent and the not so recent vintage Mulberry.

Were you around at the last big changeover? Did it feel the same as it does now? 

Thursday, August 11, 2016

Mulberry Bayswater Guide

Nevermind all those Alexas, Roxannes or Darias, the Bayswater has got to be Mulberry's most iconic and recognisable bag. And there are quite a few variations about...

The classic one

Handle drop: between 15.5 and 19cm
W36cm, H26cm, D16cm
Weight: between 760 and 1510g
Pros: Timeless, elegant, beautiful, lots of choices for colour and leather.
Cons: Can be heavy, not easy to wear on shoulder (especially with a heavy winter coat), piping is prone to wear.

The Baby Bayswater

Handle drop 10cm
W27cm, H20cm, D16cm
Weight 600g approx.
Pros: Same iconic design as Bayswater but lighter, available with or without lining, with or without belt, great value, attach a strap with a bit of DIY
Cons: Not big enough for A4, piping is prone to wear.


The functional one

Handle drop: 19cm
W36cm, H26cm, D13cm
Weight: 1000g approx. 
Pros: Bayswater style on the outside, organised on the inside, slightly longer handles, takes A4.
Cons: only available in Oak NVT and Black Drummed Patent Leather, hard to find.


The one with a twist 

Handle drop 13cm
Strap drop 53cm - 60cm
W38cm, H29cm, D17.5cm
Weight 1350g approx.
Pros: "a bit special", slouchy look, lovely leather, long strap.
Cons: Can be hard to find as fairly rare, limited choices of leather, fiddly strap closure, strain on hardware of strap if bag is fully loaded.


This one also came as a scaled down version

Small Heritage Bayswater
Handle Drop 7.5cm
Strap Drop: 57cm - 65cm
W26cm, H22cm, D14cm
Weight 620g 758
Pros: More unusual/interesting than the SBS, same good looks as the Heritage in a smaller package.
Cons: Even harder to find than the regular sized Heritage, fiddly strap closure.


The popular one 

Handle Drop: 7cm
Strap Drop: 59cm - 66cm 
W26cm, H20cm, D16cm.
Weight: 800g approx
Pros: Versatile thanks to handles and long strap, good size for everyday, good choice of leathers
Cons: Piping prone to wear, too small for A4, expensive compared to Ledbury.


The long one

Handle drop: 17 19
W33cm, H17cm, D15cm.
Weight 710 876
Pros: Similar size to Ledbury but longer handles, good choice of leather, good value.
Cons: Piping prone to wear, proportions not quite as attractive as in Ledbury/SBS/Bayswater.


The practical one

Bayswater Double Zip Tote
Handle drop: 17cm (variable)
Strap drop: 50-60cm
W42cm, H24cm, D16cm
Weight: 1450g
Pros: Lots of compartments, practical, versatile thanks to long strap and handles (which are also adjustable).
Cons: Bulky items prone to "poke through" if carried in outside pockets, open compartment can't be closed.


Again, available as a small version

Handle drop: 10-15cm
Strap drop: 43-48cm
W30cm, H20cm, D12cm
Pros: Same practical compartments but lighter and smaller "everyday" style, available in Glossy Goat, which is hardwearing.
Cons: Long strap too short to wear cross body, strap attaches not with carabiner but by looping it through and securing with metal pin.


The casual one

Handle drop: 18cm
W42cm, H31cm, D17cm
Weight: 1100g
Pros: Huge!, classic Bayswater in a relaxed style.
Cons: Huge!, piping prone to wear, limited leather choice.


The relaxed one

 Bayswater Buckle
Handle drop: 19cm
W36-49cm, H24cm, 18cm
Weight: 1350g
Pros: Quite big!, between formal and relaxed.
Cons: Quite big!, bulky as very wide, partially open at the top (pickpockets & rain!).


Available in 'small'...

Mulberry Small Bayswater Buckle in Oak NVT
Small Bayswater Buckle  
Handle drop: 10cm
W30-43cm, H27cm, D15cm
Weight: 1060g
Pros: Good alternative to classic Bayswater (capacity wise) but lighter, surprisingly spacious.
Cons: Not that easy to get hold of, partially open at the top.


...and dinky!

Mini Bayswater Buckle 
Handle drop: 6cm
Strap drop: up to 53cm
W22-33cm, H18cm, D13cm
Pros: Surprisingly spacious, long strap (goes cross body!), cute!
Cons: Partially open at the top, very short handles.


The 'new' one

 New Bayswater
Handle drop: 16cm
W45cm, H28cm, D17cm
Weight: unknown - apparently lighter than the classic style
Pros: Carry with flaps out or in, lighter than classic Bayswater, no piping that would wear, structured.
Cons: Hardware flimsy and brassy looking, not known yet how this leather and model will wear and age.


 The 'new' SBS

Handle drop: 9cm
W33cm, H21cm, D13cm
Strap drop: 47cm
Weight: unknown
Pros: Structured, modern, unfussy, roomy, practical, inside pocket on the front makes it more accessible, better position of d-rings.
Cons: Not as cute looking, new hardware looks cheap and feels flimsy, long strap too short for cross body.

Phew. That's pretty much it. And I haven't even talked about the Bayswater Shoulder. Or the Cookies. Or the Tooled. Which one is your favourite?

Wednesday, August 10, 2016

Slight Boden Overdose

You could be forgiven for thinking that I'm being sponsored by Boden. I keep going back to their dresses, cardigans, and (oh my God) print skirts. Trying to sidestep that whole 'yummy mummy' stereotype (hate that) isn't really easy when 80% of my work outfits contain at least one item of Boden clothing. But just to clarify: I'm not sponsored. Clearly brainwashed...
Boden cardigan and skirt, Zara shoes
Top: Topshop
Cardigan & Skirt: Boden
Shoes: Zara
Necklace: Annoushka

Boden t-shirt, cardigan and skirt, Clarks Shoes, Topshop Necklace
Top, Cardigan and Skirt: Boden
Shoes: Clarks
Necklace: Topshop

Boden dress, Warehouse jacket, Stella & Dot necklace
Dress: Boden
Jacket: Warehouse
Trainers: Converse
Necklace: Stella & Dot

Sunday, August 07, 2016

Mulberry Bicester August Stock Check

Not Cheshire Oaks but Bicester today for a quick stockcheck on my way back up north from a couple of days in Oxford. 
(Can I just say at this point how fab Country File Live was on Saturday! Well worth a visit if you like country/agricultural shows etc. Little M had so much fun seeing all the big tractors and little animals!)

All prices that I managed to jot down are at the bottom.

Tempted: Tessie Tote (really?! took me totally by surprise but I thought how practical it would be!) - Oh, and by the Mini Lily in Mirror Metallic Green. Cute and such a bargain at £187!
Surprised: Regular Del Rey in Aligator ('bargain' at just £7500)
Bargain: Regular Lily in Indigo Blue Nappa for £350

Enjoy the (window) shopping!













































Roxette
Regular: Sandstone Pink Croc Print £840, Neon Blue, Black & Oak £765
Small: Neon Blue £695
Hair calf suede 950 (large) 

Cara 
Regular: Quilted Light Grey (sub) £900
Large: Black NVT £840

Effie
Tote: Black & Oak Pebbled £525
Satchel: Oak & Black Pebbled £455

Tessie 
Hobo: Blue £485
Small Satchel: Black £295
Large Satchel: Blue & White £415
Tote: Blue & White £415
Studded Tote: Blue £555
Stud Satchel: £555

Bayswater
PVT Choc, Oak & Black £625 
Special Purchase:
Putty, Camomille, Poppy £625 
Mandarin, Hibiscus & Sea Blue £695 
Cream £770
Picadilly
Oak NVT £945 

Mitzy
Messenger £295
East West £350 
Tote £350 

Lily
Mini: from £187 (metallic mirror), Croc £295, Ostrich £450
Regular: Mushroom Grey £485, Wheat £525, Steel Blue £485, Poppy £455, Indigo Lamb Nappa £350, Oxblood Ostrich £975
Medium: Poppy £595, Indigo Lamb Nappa £450

Delphie
Clutch Silky Snake Blue £329, Metallic Goat £475
Small Delphie Metallic Goat £475
Large Silky Snake Blue £629

Somerset
Tote £385 
Shoulder £345
Satchel £315

Blossom
Tote from £229
Pouches from £62
Daria (subs)
Hobo £555
Satchel £555

SBS
Poppy & Flame £555
Bayswater Buckle 
Mini: Woven Blue £770, White £599
Regular: Woven White £699 

Alexa 
Regular: Green Nappa £599, Red Shrunken Calf £795, Black with Nickel £770, Black Ostrich £2250

Del Rey
Regular: Aligator £7500

Double Zip Bayswater
Regular: Sea Blue £1050
Small: Poppy £840
Other
Biker pouch 199
Small make up bag £135
Large make up bag £175
Continental purses £205
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