Category Archives: shopping

Garment Quarter Wish List*

23rd October 2015
I love shopping in Bristol, alongside all of the usual high street suspects there are also some truly amazing independent shops and brands. I popped in to town the other day having not paid a visit for a while and couldn’t resist a peek in to a long time favourite of mine- Garment Quarter who I’ve called in to regularly since they opened in 2010 for a swoon over the luxury goods on offer.

The shop is absolute heaven for any fan of Vivienne Westwood, Paul Smith or Comme des Garcons to name but a few and I’ve popped together a little wish list of their current offerings that I would be snapping up if I were a rich girl. Sadly I’m not but a piece or two may wing it’s way on to my Christmas list and perhaps yours too (for those not living in Bristol you won’t miss out as you can also shop online, you can thank me later).

A good two thirds of this wish list is made up of Vivienne Westwood pieces, her jewellery especially as I can’t get enough of that ubiquitous orb. I think the rose gold necklace is such a pretty piece and the silver ring is exactly what my fingers need!

With winter in mind the checked scarf would go with all of my winter coats although at £125 probably costs as much as most of them so I might have to seek out a cheaper alternative.

Out of the entire collage though I think the piece I fancy the most is the stunning little black dress by self portrait. If I had £200 right now I’d be investing in this for sure as I just love the toughened up take on a party season classic, perfect for this year and for years to come!

Who are some of your favourite designers? Has anything on this list caught your eye? Make sure to enter this fabulous competition for your chance to win a £500 online spending spree!

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Posted in brands I love, bristol, gifts, shopping, wish list

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Daytime dressing with House of Fraser

09th October 2015
TGIF! My first week back at work post-holiday is almost over and lazing around on the beach is all but a distant (but happy) memory. For ages now I’ve neglected my work-wear wardrobe, tending to resign a few old faithful pieces for when I’m not in uniform and never focusing on anything new. I’ve started to pay more attention to what’s available on the high street in terms of office wear and it turns out House of Fraser was a pretty good place to start.

Dress c/o House of Fraser | Boots c/o Long Tall Sally

I absolutely love this dress by Dorothy Perkins, just one of the many brands stocked by House of Fraser. At £25 it’s hugely affordable and the perfect addition to my working wardrobe. It’d be really easy to take from office to post-work drinks too, with a leather jacket and some heeled boots it could go from smart to smart casual in seconds. I also really like this twist on monochrome as the black pattern is set against a baby pink hue which softens the look somewhat. I’ll be keeping a close eye on both House of Fraser and Dorothy Perkins over the next few months as I seek to update my working wardrobe, there are some amazing pieces at amazing prices and I’m a department store convert.

(and yes, yes I am absolutely living in these Long Tall Sally boots right now).

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Posted in outfits, review, shopping, wish list

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Pink Pop

07th October 2015
Well here I am back from Spain *sob*, obviously there will be an influx of posts all about my holiday coming up shortly but in the mean-time I have a bit of a bargain outfit to share today thanks to e-tail PR and Just For £5 (I’ll give you three guesses as to how much each piece cost…)

Dress & Jacket c/o Just For £5

I love sites like Just For £5. Like any discounter there are going to be some pieces which aren’t to your taste but with some careful delving there are some real treasures to be found. I couldn’t resist this floral print dress, I had earmarked it as a work dress but given the length of it I think it’ll be limited to casual attire only- no big deal though, some thick tights and chunky boots are all it needs to make it knicker flashing free! The jacket isn’t something I’d usually go for but I was suckered in by the cheerful colour and the fact I’m seriously lacking in in-between season layers. I have always worried that cheap outerwear would look kind of well, cheap, but this jacket doesn’t at all in real life and the quality is really good too.

This site has become a bit of an obsession to be honest, with new arrivals landing all the time it’s best to snap up pieces when you see them as they don’t hang around long! Has anything caught your eye?

Oh, and sorry about the dinky images, if you click on them they will appear full sized- I’m working on it!

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Posted in outfits, shopping

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Easily Suede with TTYA x Long Tall Sally

21st September 2015
It’s been almost a whole year now since Long Tall Sally launched their first collection in collaboration with TTYA (that’s Taller Than Your Average for those who didn’t know) and I’ve been lucky enough to work with the brands for each new drop. Excitingly their new Autumn/Winter arrivals hit the virtual shelves today and although I feel like I say this every time I blog about them, this really is their best collection to date.

Jumper & Skirt: c/o TTYA x Long Tall Sally new collection | Fringed Boots: Quiz

The new collection has a heavy Seventies influence which suits me down to the ground. I’ve had my eye on a suede mini skirt since long before the Summer and this one is an absolute beauty. At £85 it’s an investment piece for sure but one that I will never not love and the toned down rust colour is a year upon year staple. Likewise with the black polo neck jumper (£50) which is so soft I assumed it was cashmere. this is another one of those pieces that will never ever date and I’m delighted to finally own such a wardrobe basic in a length that suits my taller body perfectly.

Tall ladies, you really must check out the collection if you’re after some serious style this season that won’t leave you flashing your knickers to the world (it happens to me far too often, true story). There’s a stunning suede shift dress and some seriously snazzy chevron prints just landed…you can check it out here!

This outfit was also the perfect excuse to pop on my new ankle boots from Quiz which work wonderfully with this outfit. I recently won a styling competition with Quiz and the second I saw these fringed boots on the site I knew they were mine…did I need ANOTHER pair of ankle boots? Well, no, not really but they do work exceptionally well with this look.

Anyway, back to the brand of the moment…Long Tall Sally just get better and better in my eyes. Over the last few years they’ve become more fashion focused and my go-to place for investment pieces. If I’m going to splurge above Primark prices on clothes I want something that is designed to fit right as well as look good! Have you bought from the TTYA collaborations yet? I dare you to resist this one…

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Posted in brands I love, outfits, shoes, shopping

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Introducing Gray & Willow at House of Fraser

17th September 2015
I love it when a new brand bursts on to the scene, my bank account less so as it starts quaking in it’s metaphorical boots. I’ve recently been introduced to Gray & Willow who have launched exclusively at House of Fraser for AW15 with a collection full of relaxed, Scandinavian style for women and for home.
A bit more grown up than my usual taste in clothes perhaps but something about this brand has captured my heart. I often feel like now I’m approaching 30 I ought to tone down my wardrobe and stick to more neutral, streamlined items and when pieces like this exist it becomes a much more tempting idea.

I especially love the cocoon coat and the leather skirt both of which are perfect investment pieces and made for teaming up with the oh-so-soft looking knitwear available.

I’m really excited to see more from Gray & Willow, if this debut collection is anything to go by then we are in for treat upon treat in seasons to come.

Have you discovered any exciting new brands lately?

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Posted in brands I love, shopping, wish list

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