Polyvore Practice

Garden party - by Style Eyes on Polyvore.com

I have wasted much time when I should have been working creating pictures on Polyvore. So here is my first attempt. I thought I would look for some lovely bright colours to cheer myself up on such cold dark and miserable day. I was inspired by a lady I saw today in a beautiful floral shirt with a bright pink coat.

Fashion Choice

Silk Chiffon dress by Christopher Kane - farfetch from Maria Luisa , Paris

As I have mentioned in previous posts I have become so completely addicted to online shopping that I rarely shop on the high street any more. I do have go reasons as I live a way from a good shopping centre, have young children and no time. But my reasons for online shopping are becoming more compelling. Apart from saving money and making less impulse buys, I am constantly amazed by the huge amount of choice available to me from big name designers to more unique and individual brands, to all of the usual high street fayre.

My lastest discovery, which leaves me sat here mouth wide open in astonishment is farfetch.com. I am not sure really how to describe it, not really a retailer or even an online shopping mall. Farfetch includes 200 designers and 20 fashion boutiques from 10 cities all in one easy to use website - genuis!

It has three sections: Luxe including global designers recognised for their fashion foresight including Rick Owens, Martin Margiela and Charles Anastase, Lab including directional designers with Avant Garde creations like Henrique Vibskov and Bernhard Willheim and Cult for alternative labels, diffusion lines and hard to find labels like YMC and opening ceremony.

In truth, I probably can't afford most of these labels but for me online window shopping is as much of a joy as window shopping on the high street used to be pre children.

Shopping and Goodies 28th Jan

Whitney inspired headband picture from Fashion Fille

Here are the latest and very lovely goodies from my shopping and goodies friends.

The Fashionable Housewife Found THE Perfect Valentine’s Day Gift for your lady! (Gals, you’re going to love this!)

A Few Goody Gumdrops dishes on the fringe benefits of having this fabulous JJ Winters Bag!

Couture in the City What is hot in fashion trends? Lingerie from Armani and Miu Miu with celebs Victoria Beckham and Katie Holmes.

Fashion Fille makes a Whitney-inspired flower headband!

Ma Petite Chou is coveting Bebe’s shoes for Valentine’s Day.

Puppies and Worms thinks Bruce Lee’s yellow jumpsuit is back in a big 70’s retro kind of way.

Raging Rouge is hosting a giveaway of benefit’s fab new face powder, CORALista!

Shopping and Info loves Angelina Jolie’s black sunglasses in Japan.

Style Eyes goes wild about cats in a bit of a tiger

The Bare Skinny has the blues and we’re loving it!

The Fashionable Gal needs your help! Wedding Season is approaching and we want your oppinion on dresses!

What’s Haute - Blog thinks Lauren Merkin’s Quilted Edie Bag is the perfect recession alternative to Chanel!

Sustainable Style - Wooden Accessories

I am starting to become a lot more aware, through my work and other projects that I working on (more about that soon), of the environmental impact that clothing and fashion has. The more I write about eco fashion and environmental issues, the more that I buy into the fact that we need to reduce landfill and reduce the chemical emissions caused by the manufacture of clothes. The notion of changing trends and clothes each season is becoming more and more of a ridiculous concept. But for all of my earth warrior tendencies, I struggle to find that much that I really like about eco fashion. I am not saying that there is no good sustainable fashion but there is certainly no where near as much choice as there is for conventional fashion. I am however finding more and more goodies when it comes to eco fashion that stand on their own design merits even without the green/ eco/ ethical credentials.

I was quite excited to discover two designers of wooden accessories on Agent4change an organisation showcasing the work of eco designers. Anthony Roussel uses sustainable wood and laser-cutting technology to create the most amazingly intricate and astonishingly beautiful jewellery. There is no doubt that this is wearable art at its best. I think it would need to be worn with a very minimalist white outfit to really be enjoyed at its best and not to take any attention away from its beauty.

iWood Ecodesign use reclaimed exotic wood to produce these amazingly cool sunglasses. I can imagine wearing these with a cream linen outfit on a hot summers day.

A Bit of a Tiger

Leopard Zoe Dress by Motel

Zoe Dress by Motel

Renewal Wildlife T shirt

Truly Madly Deeply Tiger Flight Tee

Yellow Drape Cheetah T Shirt

I have long been a fan of animal prints including tiger leopard and zebra. But I love the latest trend for animal pictures ,particularly of the cat family, even more. This look seems to have been started recently by Lauren Moshi and her animal print t shirts that have been spotted on the likes of Paris and Sienna. This definitely reminds me of an eighties trend for bomber jackets with pictures of Tigers. Perhaps this is why I love this look so much, as it it has a bit of nostalgia for me. It also makes me smile just a little bit. It has a much fresher feel than all of the animal prints that I have seen in the past and definite eighties feel about it.

I will definitely be giving this look a try but would like to do it a bit differently than the standard leggings and leather jacket rock chic kind of look. I would like to try mixing it up with some bright colours like this green tulip skirt and some very eye catching Celeste Stein animal print tights.

All the Mod Cons

I have recently joined Polyvore with the aim of trying to create lots of pretty pictures to include in my blog posts. I am still getting to grips with how it works and have not yet managed any pretty pictures. I will persevere with it and promise to have lots of pictures soon.

I did however find a very cool online retailer called Modcloth. This American store does not as the name suggests stock just mod clothing but has a range of sort of retro and indie style clothing, accessories and furniture. It has an amazing accessories section which I had to tear myself away from to get on and do some work. There is also a selection of clothes from indie designers and brands including Bettie Page, Tulle Clothing and Stop Staring and a one off vintage section.

The Modlife Blog was also fairly addictive which pointed me to even more great finds and websites to visit and bucket loads of style inspiration.

There was just so much stuff that I loved on this website, I don't know wear to start. It seems like a long way to get stuff shipped from the US but I am sure that the piles of stuff that I would want would make it well worth it. I am compiling my wish list as I type. The site also offers fast shipping to the UK !

Weekly Shopping and Goodies

Some great posts to read from my weekly shopping and goodies friends;

A Few Goody Gumdrops dishes on how to win to-die-for-lashes!

Couture in the City Exclusive interview with Lisa Rinna!

Fashion Fille chats up her recent buys and her addiction.

Ma Petite Chou is stocking up on some fantastic skincare and makeup products from Paula's Choice with 10% off everything.$$

Puppies and Worms found Obama Inauguration Cookies and Cakes you can order online.

Shopping and Info found beautiful leg elongating nude shoes for you.

The Bare Skinny shows you how to get the Alexander Mcqueen look for less $$$

The Fashionable Bambino is excited about the Liz Lange Re-Launch of the Maternity Collection

The Fashionable Gal dishes on Spring 2009 Hair Cuts & Hairstyles

The Fashionable Housewife is giving away gorgeous jewelry this week!

The Well-Heeled Society shows the positive effects of SADD

picture from shopping and info

Patterns and colours everywhere

picture from http://www.style.com/

There is one thing (well actually there are a lot of things) that I love about spring and summer. The bright colours and patterns of the clothes that fill the shops. They make me feel happy and energised and for this spring and summer there will be plenty to choose from. Bright primary colours, neon pinks and yellows and bold graphical prints were every where on the catwalk. I love them all and just can't get enough of them. This summer I plan to go really mad by layering bright colours with mad patterns just like at Diane Von Furstenberg. I would also love an amazing printed maxi dress.

Here are some of the most beautiful colourful and patterned clothes on the high street and online that I have spotted so far:

Sassy Jersey Dress

Cashmere cropped cardigan

Merino Tunic

Printed Tunic Dress

Feather print maxi dress

Full of Grace Tank

Orange footless tights

Heart Print Dress

Shiny red leggings

Patchwork Dresses

pictures from http://www.style.com/

Rei Kawakubo has really shown that she likes to do exactly the opposite of everyone else. In the eighties she insisted on dark clothes, masculine clothes whilst most other designers were using colour to its full advantage. More recently she has relented on her dark approach to design and incorporated colour. But as most designers fill the runways with bright primary colours, tropical prints or light pastels Rei has reverted to predominantly black and grey for spring summer 09.

The interesting thing about Comme De Garcons is in the form and clever construction . Rei started designing with no formal tailoring or fashion training. Perhaps is it is the lack of constraints thinking about how the clothes will be constructed that made her designs so creative.

I love the patchwork designs in the spring summer collection. The hexagonal shapes seemed to give the clothes an interesting sculptural effect. Very typical of the Comme De Garcons style.

Shop Comme Des Garcons at Yoox.com

More Good News - Designer Discounts

I know that I have previously promised not to harp on about the recession and credit crunch. As it is having such an impact on so many peoples lives and is constantly in the media, it is very difficult to ignore. So my new promise is only to mention credit crunch and recession in a positive and optimistic way. I realise that this may be even more irritating than the media preaching perpetual doom and gloom but I'm afraid that I am just a naturally happy sort of person and so can't help it.

The latest recession busting good news is that Net-A-Porter is launching a discount site. I have always loved the clothes on Net-A-Porter but unfortunately they are slightly, well actually quite a lot out of my league. The closest that I get to buying anything is browsing through the sales items. The new site called theoutnet.com will launch in April and will sell cancelled orders of designer goods at up to 80% discount- I can't wait.

I recently read a post by Disney Roller Girl on Diggin the new: retail concepts which described some of the new and clever ideas being used by retailers to encourage us to spend our money with them. I am all for this and when combined with the discounts being offered by many fashion retailers, it makes for an even better shopping experience. I can't wait that is if I have got any money to spend!

Today - the happiest day of the year (since yesterday)

Yesterday, I read that it was supposed to be the most miserable day of the year what with all the colds and flu, cold weather, lack of money, credit crunch and post Christmas blues. I have to say even before I read about the doom and gloom, I didn't feel great. I had a bit of a cold and both the children had severe colds meaning I don't get much sleep. I spent most of the day huddled in front of my laptop trying to work whilst my eldest daughter laid out in front of the TV calling for my urgent attention for her every requirement, including having lost the TV controls in her duvet.

But today is much better. The sun is shining and I am feeling very happy again. Some good news amidst the darkness and depression at last. USC who sell clothing, shoes and accessories from such brands as Diesel, G-Star, Firetrap, Miss Sixty, Replay, Tommy Hilfiger, Gio Gio, and Hooch, have been successfully acquired by West Coast Capital and now have significant financial backing from its owners. This means that there will be one less gaping hole in my list of online fashion retailers.

I am also very happy to have some lovely discounts to share with you today

Get an exclusive 10% off at Koodos. Enter voucher code KOODOS.

Save 10% when you spend £45 or more. Enter UNIQ10OFF45 at checkout to redeem. Expires 311209

The latest in women’s fashion, footwear and accessories from such brands as Diesel, G-Star, Firetrap, Miss Sixty, Replay, Tommy Hilfiger, Gio Gio, and Hooch.

Get 10% off at Boden with Free Delivery and Returns. Shop Now! >>

Yukka - Designer urban, hip hop and street clothing. 5% off Yukka Deluxe when you use voucher code my-deluxe at checkout.

Goddiva - 5% discount using code GODDIVA
Offer expiry 1st Feb 2009

Quiz - 10% Off Everything when using voucher code AW09

M & Co - 10% OFF your first order using voucher codeAW10, can only be redeemed once per customer and is valid on orders placed by new customers.

Tights Please - 5% off any orders over £25.00 ex P&P using voucher code TP5

Rene Derhy

I love Rene Derhy and have noticed they now stock very reasonably prices Rene Derhy ranges at both La Redoute and Littlewoods. They are very feminine, colourful and interesting clothes. A sort of grown up feel but still very fresh and stylish. Most of the clothes have lovely coloured prints and embellishments. These are just the sort of clothes that I find easy to wear and that make me feel good. They also have a flattering cut and just seem to suit my body shape which is very short and slightly pearish at the moment. My favourites are the printed tunics and gorgeous dresses.

Printed Dress

Long Dress

Tunic Dress

Printed Tunic

Cold Weather Style Solutions

I love ASOS and regularly shop there. Each month I have a little chuckle at the style update that they email me. This time it was about what to wear to keep warm and look stylish in the cold weather. I will have to admit this is something I struggle with, keeping warm, not slipping on the ice and still managing to look good.



Hmm- I already have lots of scarves but this is hardly something new, wearing a scarf when it is cold? Wearing a £145 scarf is something new to me though - don't they know there is a recession on.

Trousers and jeans are just about the only things that I manage to wear in the freezing cold weather. I am just trying to imagine the look on the mums at the schools faces when I turn up to pick up the children in wet look harem trousers (bottom left). I struggled with the wetlook leggings and harem pants separately, but the two looks combined is beyond me. Perhaps I am just getting old.

They suggest lots of thin layers to keep warm, which is a great idea but cinched in with a belt. Another look I am afraid I just won't be able to carry off with out getting the sack of potatoes effect. Perhaps because I am so short!

They suggest if you are brave to try wearing socks with high heel peep toe shoes. Apparently all the fashion editors were wearing them at the shows. I'm afraid I am not brave enough, not unless the socks were super thick, thermal ones. The fashion editors might have frost bite resistant toes. I have not.

I will continue to buy clothes at ASOS but I think I will decide what and how to wear them.