Cool Copper

Copper rings by Angelique from Munique Fashions

One of my new years resolutions is to bit more adventurous with my clothes and accessories. Colour is definitely one of the areas where I could be more adventurous. Some days, I do really well with lots of bright pinks or even yellows. Other days are more like a bad hair day for me and I feel a mess. On these days I tend to revert to wearing black, purely for it's slimming effect. On these days I pledge to make more of an effort and where all else fails to cheer myself up with some bright and cheery accessories.

I found these different and cool copper rings which would be ideal for those days that I can't bear to wear anything but black, but need a bit of colour in my life. I used to wear my cocktail ring but I am getting a bit bored with that and these are much more funky.

Shrinking Clothes

I used to curse the washing machine and the tumble dryer and spend loads of time carefully hand washing and line drying my clothes in case of shrinkage. These days, it is a whole different story. Everything goes in the washing machine and a large proportion of clothes in the tumble dryer as well. This is not just because I am so busy and can't be bothered to faff about when I am washing clothes, but I have also discovered that the tumble dryer is a great way to deal with all of those clothes that are too big.

First it was the Sainsburys cashmere cardigan which ended up as a cropped cardigan with 3/4 sleeves, then it was the harem pants that were bought in error and looked ridiculous, but now they have shrunk are no where near as bad. As I am petite (5ft 2 just), almost everything that I buy is a bit too big or too long. Baggy clothes look rubbish on me so shrinking them a bit is the perfect answer. Now would be the time for me to add some pictures of my mini shrunken clothes but I am afraid that I am still working on the camera situation and hope to be adding my own pictures soon. Please beware if you choose to shrink your clothes though, there is no guarentee how much they will shrink!

A Year of Fashion - 2008

Streetstyle picture from http://www.facehunter.blogspot.com/

This year seems to have been packed with fashion, perhaps because I immerse myself in it constantly. As is customary to do, I am going to look back over 2008, the fashion moments, trends and news that meant something to me. Apologies for the length of the post but its been a long year.

Designer high street collaborations - There have been so many this year from Comme de Garcons at H & M to Giles Deacon at New Look. I am under no illusions that these collections are no where near as good as the real thing they bring more choice and inovation and choice to the high street and in my eyes that a good thing.

The opening of the much awaited Bristol Harvey Nichols - After all the hype and waiting, I have only managed to visit the Bristol Harvey Nichols once. I have many trips planned for 2009 already.

Eclectic Style - The new fashion is being different and finding your own style. Whilst we are still following trends, I think generally people are becoming more experimental and creative with their outfits by mixing designer, high street and vintage and seeking out quirky and different clothes and accessories. Street Style and the many fashion and style blogs must surely have inspired some of this.

Greater accessibility to designer wear - online designer fashion boutiques have been sprouting all over the place. There is no a huge amount of choice online for designer wear from old favourites like Net-a-porter, Matches, Yoox and Koodos, to newer sites like Start London and more designer lines on established sites like ASOS and Urban Outfitters.

Credit crunch style - Whilst has been great to have more designer choice online, in reality many of us have had to cut back on our clothes shopping.Some of the lower end fashion shops like Dorothy Perkins, TK Maxx and Uniqlo have become really fashionable. Perhaps Dorothy Perkins new found popularity also has something to do with Gok Wan.

Mixing patterns and getting braver - I am not yet quite brave enough to post pictures of my outfits but I am getting braver. This year I have had great fun mixing patterns and creating new looks that I would never hve considered before.

Crazy legs - 2008 has definitely been the year of the leg from thigh high boots to coloured pattered and lace tights, to leggings including leather and wetlook.

Second hand fashion - Along with the ethical and green fashion revolution, recycling and swapping of clothes has become huge. From swishing parties to clothes swapping sites and of course selling on ebay.

Please add any of your favourite fashion moments from 2008 in the comments.

Reiss Dresses - High Street Style

I would normally object in a big way to paying such high prices in a high street shop. But with Reiss I some how get drawn in. I am not sure why but think it may be something to do with the gorgeous and intricate details on the dresses or the gorgeously bright but grown up colours. The clothes manage to be fashionable and trendy but in a very classy way. With the prices of these Autumn winter dresses reduced by up to £40, I am finding myself more and more tempted to indulge.

Weekly Shopping and Goodies

I would like to share some of the weekly shopping and goodies uncovered by some other shopping addicted fashion and style bloggers. Enjoy

A Few Goody Gumdrops gets bright for the holidays with her Louis Vuitton Tote in Orange!

Be Seen In Hollywood scoops Kelly Nishimoto's launch party & hottest clothing line this season

Couture in the City reviews the new T-Mobile G1 phone a shoppers best friend!

Puppies and Worms went to Hong Kong and Japan and ate amazing food

Raging Rouge is constantly in search of a beauty fix. On 12/22, one lucky Raging Rouge reader will walk away with a BeautyFix train case packed with over $400 in beauty products! Click HERE to head over to Raging Rouge for a chance to win!

Shopping and Info loves what Jennifer Aniston wore to the Marley & Me Premiere

Style Eyes Fashion Blog loves adidas by Stella McCartney Ski Wear

The Well-Heeled Society dreams of chocolate instead of sugarplums this season.

Ma Petite Chou takes a new liking to 80s' inspired princess-y dresses for holiday parties

The Bare Skinny finally found the shoes Beyonce wore to the Cadillac Records Premiere!

What's Haute - Blog spots High School Musical star Ashley Tisdale with her Louis Vuitton Stephen Embossed Cuir bag!

What's Haute Magazine's editors share what's haute on their holiday gift wish lists!

Classic Ugg Sheepskin Boots - 10 Stylish Alternatives

I have never been a fan of Ugg boots. They are a bit like Marmite on the style front, you either love them or hate them. But it cannot be denied in terms of comfort and warmth, a pair of sheepskin boots are hard to beat. I am afraid to say that on occassion, I have almost been tempted to get myself a pair of cosy Uggs, just for the sheer joy of having toasty warm feet when walking the children to school on a cold winters day. Of course, I could just take the car but that would be very lazy!

So in the interests of warmth comfort and style here are my 10 alternatives to the classic Ugg boot.

Bumper Tall Zebra Boots

Koolaburra Stud Black Sheepskin Boots



Jumbuck Cherokee Sheepskin Boots

Cupid Crystal Sheepskin Boots - Love from Australia

Snowpeak Leather and Sheepskin boot by Ugg Australia

Classic Cardi and Sheepskin Boot Ugg Australia

Lacoste Bundle Boots

Rocket Dog "Radar" short quilted boots

Emu Australia High Hip Boots

Joe Brown Extra Snug Boots

Ethical fashion labels

pictures from http://www.nedaniaraki.typepad.com/portfolio/

I have resisted the temptation to title this post green is the new black as this seems to be the latest phrase of the moment and I have read it in countless magazines and websites. It is definitely true though that green, ethical and sustainable fashion are hot news. Whilst the green and ethical concept has been quite trendy for some time, there has recently been an emergence of some great new talent in the form of ethical/ green labels not just good because they have a conscious but great in their own right.

The graduates of MA Design for Textile Futures at Central Saint Martins School of Art and Design in London produced some innovative and creative work. The philosophy of the course revolves around a textile revolution for the 21st cetury that is smart, invisible, sustainable, ethical and poetic.

Neda Niaraki graduated in 2007 and designed her final project around a remedy for the overconsumption of fashion. Her collection entitled Fast Food fashion consisted of paper dresses made of the material Tyvek which can be worn up to 12 times before they decay. They can then be recycled and used to make something else. I love the clothes and the paper like quality of the fabric but I can't get it out of my head, what would happen if they were to start decaying whilst on a night out?

adidas by Stella McCartney All in One Ski Suit

adidas by Stella McCartney Wintersport Ski Hat

adidas by Stella McCartney All In One Ski Suit

Adidas by Stella McCartney has to be the most stylish and (relatively) affordable ski wear around . I love the all in one ski suit in white which has a seventies feel to it. It is perfect for looking really together on the slopes and will look amazing with the orange adidas by Stella McCartney Ski hat to stop you getting lost in the snow. Even better the ski suit is now in the sale, so if you are lucky enough to be going skiing this Christmas or new year, grab it while you still can.

Where did you get that hat?

I am noticing lots of interest in statement hats recently. A hat is a great way to get noticed and change the look of an outfit completely. The latest hats are unusual and eyecatching, pefectly inkeeping with that quirky style that us Brits have become known for. Hats also can change the shape and look of your face or make you appear taller. I love unusual hats but they really need to be worn with a huge helping of confidence. Whilst looking at Fashion156, I spotted a hat by Louis Mariette and had to investigate further. I found a huge selection of really amazing hats on the website hat gallery, although they are not great for wearing in crowded places .

pictures from www.louismariette.co.uk/hatsgallery

Start London - Online Shopping

Fuschia biker jacket - Jean Pierre Braganza

Purple storm print silk mini tee dress - Josh Goot

Black Draped Dress - Lungta De Fancy

I have been loving shopping online this year and I am afraid to say that it has come to the point where I enjoy shopping online so much that I rarely go to this shops. I am not a complete saddo though I do like to have a browse in high street shops if I happen to be in the vicinity and I love to browse in vintage and second hand shops.

My addiction to online shopping is partly due to practicality as I have two young children and shopping trips can turn into a nightmare scenario, where I end up buying stuff that doesn't suit me and never gets worn. The other reason for my new love of online shopping is the new and interesting online shops that just keep on popping up giving me greater access to up and coming designers, under the radar labels and different stuff than I would ever encounter on a trip to my local high street. The growth of the online fashion sector has given people like myself (who live out in the sticks)accessibility to such a wide range of fashion only enjoyed by Londoners and those who live in big cities previously.

One of my current favourites is Start London whose stores attract celebrities from Beth Ditto to Alexa Chung. The newly revamped online store gives me access to a select range of ultra hip designer clothes including Charles Anastase, House of Holland and Rick Owens.

We have moved to www.style-eyes-fashion-blog.com

I have been very happy living at Blogspot for the last year but has decided that it is time to flee the nest and move into a place of my own. I hope to develop my own unique identity and so have moved to the domain www.style-eyes-fashion-blog.com. Anyone visiting the old blogspot address will be automatically forwarded to the new Style Eyes fashion blog domain.

Greek Goddess Style Party Dresses

There is something amazing about diagonal lines, they work so well in all sorts of women's fashion. They seem to be able to trick the eye into thinking something is longer than it is. That is why this seasons Greek goddess style party dresses with asymmetrical shoulders and diagonal drapes of material are so flattering and lengthen the body. I think this a great look for a party or cocktail dress.

Black Grecian Maxi Dress - Goddiva

Grecian Goddess Dress -Goddiva

One Shoulder Satin Dress - Freemans

Oasis - Save 25%

Save 25% off your order at OASIS - enter 25OFFOASISCOLLECTIONS2008 at checkout. Offer ends 15th December 2008

Sorry to keep harping on about special offers but I just thought this one was too good to miss. In future if you want to keep up with all the latest fashion offers/ promotions you can sign up to Style Monthly Ezine on the right handside of this blog or go to Discount Fashion Voucher Codes.

Lavers Law - Harem trousers and wetlook leggings

Whilst wandering about on the internet the other day I came across Lavers Law on Fashion Era. The law was devised by James Laver a famous fashion historian who was considered an authority on dress and its relationship to society. I am not sure that I agreed with it completely but it definitely gave me some food for thought.

Laver's Law says that fashions have a timeline and are considered to be:-

Indecent 10 years before its time
Shameless 5 years before its time
Daring 1 year before its time
Smart ----------
Dowdy 1 year after its time
Hideous 10 years after its time
Ridiculous 20 years after its time
Amusing 30 years after its time
Quaint 50 years after its time
Charming 70 years after its time
Romantic 100 years after its time
Beautiful 150 years after its time

Bearing in mind how quickly clothes from previous decades are revived, Sixties, seventies and eighties have all been around for the last few years, I think clothes may leap frog onto the quaint, charming , romantic and beautuful bit a bit earlier than this scale predicts. Also I think there may well be some serious regional variations. Why is it that city dwellers can wear their harem trousers and no one bats an eyelid? Ever since mine turned up in the post yesterday, my husband has not stopped singing MC Hammer "You can't touch this" and telling me how big my bum looks (although I probably agree with him on this point)

So which designers are 10 years before their time? and where on the scale do wetlook leggings fall?

Oasis 20% Discount

In my last post, I mentioned that I have got two lovely new dresses from Oasis. This was as a result of last weeks 20% off sale. I'm afraid in my excitement to get myself a few bargains, I forgot to post about it. The good news is that the discount is back

Save 20% off your order at OASIS - enter OasisFriends2008 at checkout. Offer ends 7th December 2008

My lovely shoe boots

I have been on the look out for some time now for a lovely pair of shoe boots. I had a picture in my head of what I would like but couldn't seem to find them any where. I needed a pair of boots to wear with a few new dresses that I recently bought from Oasis and a some coloured tights. The problem was that almost every pair I found had a very thin and spindly heel. This is just no good for my busy lifestyle with two young children. But eventually, I managed to find the perfect pair by Poetic Justice at ASOS. I have waited in anticipation for my new shoe boots and today they arrived. They were everything that I had hoped for and more and even better that they look in the picture. They look amazing with purple or green tights and probably lots of other colours that I have not tried yet.

My only worry is that they will wear out too quickly. But I will resist the urge to wrap them back up in their tissue paper and lovely shoe box and pack them away safely in my wardrobe.