Second Hand and Charity Shop Haul

In the week I was feeling very stressed out (thankfully the issue causing the stress has now been resolved) but I decided to have a little browse around the local second hand and charities shops to make myself feel better plus try and find something in lime green, a colour I have been craving lately. I know shopping to make yourself feel better is not a great thing to do but on the plus side it was all second hand stuff. The town where I live has very little in the way of new clothes shops but does have a great selection of charity and second hand shops. Lucky for me I just happened to pass by a very nice little second hand shop that  has just opened that day and get myself 2 lovely dresses. 

One of the charity shops in town has had an amazing t shirt with an embroidered cat face on it in the window for about a week. I finally went in to buy it only to find that someone had been in just minutes before and asked for it to be put to one side while they went to get some cash. I could have kicked myself, lesson learnt, if you see something you want in a charity shop, buy it straight away or at least ask them to put it to one side while you get the cash! Any how I didn't do too badly even though I didn't find anything that I wanted in lime green, here is what I got. 

This dress was just £4!

and this was £8 - the answer to all of my summer floral print prayers

More floral prints, this top was £3.50, worn with an old denim skirt that I cut down myself

I also got a mustard yellow top, yellow and blue striped scarf and turquoise checked scarf that I haven't had a chance to wear yet but hope to feature in outfits soon.

I hope that you are having a good week.

With warmest wishes

Ceri X

Vintage Clothing Alterations Plus Free Vintage Fashion Fair Tickets

How many pieces of vintage clothing do you own (or any clothing for that matter) that fits you perfectly without the need for a few alterations here and there?

Being quite short I often find that clothes need altering particularly the length but also the waist and shoulder straps can fit badly. I think it is really important for clothes to fit well in order for them to look really good. I used to be quite handy with my sewing machine but recently have struggled to find the time to alter any of my clothes. I am also sometimes a little weary about tackling alterations on vintage clothes as I am worried that I might ruin them. This means that when I buy clothes that don't fit quite right it can take ages before I get around to doing alterations. The answer is to find a good seamstress who can make these alterations at a reasonable cost, it is well worth it for me as the clothes look so much better.

At the next Vintage Fashion Fair London at Primrose Hill on 5th June, there will be the opportunity to get alterations done (while you wait for smaller jobs) by Nanna Sandom specialises in alterations and repairs specifically for vintage clothing. This is a great way to have your vintage clothing ready to wear as soon as you have bought, definitely a big plus.

If you would like to come along to the fair you can apply for a limited number of free tickets and find out further information at http://www.vintagefashionfairlondon.com/.

FBFF - Curly Hair and Hair Care

I have been thinking about writing a post on hair care so when I saw this weeks FBFF topic, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to talk hair. Whilst I usually stick to talking about fashion on this blog, I think that hair is just as important aspect of how you look as the clothes that you wear. My hair has been pretty much the same style for all of my life, apart from a few slight variations. I has always been long and naturally curly but about ten years ago I started getting it slightly layered to make it look less full. I have also had it highlighted from time to time but have now stopped as it is a bit time consuming and expensive.  

1. How often do you get your hair cut? not often enough. I usually go three months between cuts just because I am badly organised and lacking in time.

2. Do you go to the same stylist each time, try someone new, go to the cheap hair cutting chains or live it up in a salon? I have a lady comes to my house, it is just easier as I don't have to arrange a babysitter for the children. I have in the past had some bad experiences with hairdressers so prefer to stick to what I know.

3. Do you color your hair? How often? What’s your natural color? I have my hair coloured almost the same colour as it really is (dark brown) is to cover up the grey hairs which seem to look really obvious in dark hair.

4. The one thing you always do to keep your hair looking great is: don't brush it. When I get up in the morning I don't usually do anything with my hair. As my hair is thick and curly, the biggest problem with it can be the frizz. If I brush it, the curls fall out and it just sticks straight out in a big frizz ball. To stop it getting tangles I comb it through with a wide toothed comb when I put conditioner in after washing it. I also gently comb it through once when I have put the styling products on it when it is still wet to separate the curls. I use three different products at the moment, the Aussie Luscious long spray and Tigi Ego boost. Then In between washes if it needs smoothing down a bit I use Umberto Gianni smoothing balm.

5. What hair trend do you love and wish you could rock? I quite like the red hair colour that everyone seems to have at the moment. I have also always fancied trying a really short crop but have never had the nerve.

How about you, how do you care for your hair and what hair style do you always wish you could try?

You can find all of the Fashion and Beauty Friend Friday posts at Modly Chic
 
With warmest wishes
 
Ceri X

Festival Footwear

I can't wait until the summer, I have actually managed to get some tickets for a festival. I have never been to a festival before. We will be camping with Roberta (our campervan). I have been putting quite a lot of though into what to wear to my first ever festival, with footwear being one of my major concerns. Obviously, my footwear will need to be comfortable, practical and suitable for whatever the weather throws at us. But I also want my shoes to look good too.

I am keeping my fingers crossed for hot, sunny and dry weather. In this situation, I think that a beautiful pair of neutral sandals will be the best option. In the interests of packing light, they will go with just about any outfit that I could wear from denim shorts to floral dress. I love these gladiator sandals by Ugg, they are the perfect balance of delicate and practical.

If the weather happens to be a bit changeable then boots are going to a safer option. I love the idea  of contrasting a feminine and floral dress with some chunky black for a very typical festival look. I love these boots by Ash.

Usually I wouldn't be seen dead in wellies, but if the weather is really wet, there is not really any alternative. There are plenty of alternatives to the traditional green wellies if you don't like this look. I love these red cowboy style Be Only boots designed by  Jean-Charles de Castelbajac.

Are you going to any festivals this summer? what will you be wearing on your feet?

With warmest wishes

Ceri X

Variety Is The Spice Of Life

I am completely unable to define my own style. It just seems to vary depending on how I feel on a particular day and where I am going. I  am very easily bored so could never have a 'uniform' which I wore all the time, although I am sure this would make getting dressed in the morning so much quicker. Sometimes my outfits work and other days they don't. I guess I could always go for the same old safe options and have a trademark look but I much prefer variety. Here ae some of my outfits over the last week.

Leather Jacket - Gestuz

Black T shirt- Asos

Skirt - Preen at Debenhams

Necklace - a present

I don't often just wear black and grey but I haven't yet managed to find an outfit to wear my brithday present necklace with. As the necklace makes quite a statment, I though that it needed quite a plain outfit.  

These flowers which have self seeded from last year at the front of my house looked so beautiful that I had to take a picture.

Dress - Marks and Spencers

Shoes - Melissa (Alexandre Herchovitch colaboration)

This dress is so comfy and easy to wear. It is perfect for a hot day.

Dress - ASOS
Blouse - H! Henry Holland at Debenhams

Shoes - Dkode

I am not sure that this outfit really works. Perhaps the patterns clash too much. But all of those bright colours just make me feel happy. I never usually wear dresses this short without leggings. Actually I chickened out and put leggings on before going out. Lucky I did as it was a fairly windy day!

Do you have a signature style? If so how would you describe it?

Hope that you are having a lovely weekend.

With warmest wishes

Ceri X

If You Want Bold, Bright and Beautiful Prints, Shop Fairtrade

For a long time now, I have tried to be ethical with my shopping but , failed, to a degree for a number of reasons. The clothes were just too expensive for my budget and also many of them were just nothing special (specialness is a very important trait in clothes for me when shopping). The ethical clothing choices just didn't really give me what I wanted and needed for everyday wear at an affordable price.

I have tried my best to shop ethically but will have to admit it has been a bit of an uphill struggle. This summer something changed. I have been not only been discovering more and more ethical and eco fashion pieces that I really want to buy not just because they are ethical but because I love how they look. But I have also become more and more disillusioned by the clothing on the high street by its poor quality and uninspiring designs (not in every case but you have to admit, it is quite samey, polka dots anyone?).

Anyone who visits this blog regularly will realise that I have a love of bright and bold prints. I have searched for beautiful print dresses on the high street and have miserably failed this year. now suddenly I have realised where I was going wrong.

If you want great prints, shop Fairtrade. Whilst Fairtrade clothing doesn't always work for every trend or style, for bright, bold and amazing prints is a definitely a winner. This has to be the secret to ethical shopping, looking for unique and different pieces that captilise on local cultures and trades peoples skills.

Last week posted on my new maxi skirt by Gringo and whilst searching for more pieces by this label I found these lovelies (by a variety of Fairtrade labels) at ethical retailer Fashion Conscience . I am stunned!

African Print Ruched Skirts by Fair + True

Kidogo Shorts by Lalesso

Lalesso Zip Front Dress

Gringo Fairtrade Peacock Print Short Dress

Nomad Fairtade Butterfly Sarong

Nomad Print Maxi Dress

Nomads Vintage Inspired Floral Dress

Komodo Tunic Dress

(just to let you know this post contans affiliate links)

What do you think of ethical clothing, do you manage to find pieces that you love?

With warmest wishes

Ceri X

Ready For A Long Hot Summer

Mr Style Eyes mentioned yesterday that he had heard on the radio we are going to have a long hot summer. Has anyone else heard that? Despite researching it on the internet I can't find any mention of it, but being the optimist that I am, I am taking his word for it.

So I this weekend I filled the void left by Blogger (when it went down and I lost the post that I had written) by planning more summer trips in the UK and preparing for the warm weather by wearing shorts for the first time this year, eek. Actually it didn't turn out to be as warm as I had expected but the long sleeved top plus kimono jacket kept me fairly warm. My legs are far too white and definitely need some sunlight before I venture out too much though.

Kimono style jacket - vintgae (ebay)

Shorts and top - Dorothy Perkins

Shoes - No Name

Have a good week

With warmest wishes

Ceri X

PS if you haven't seen my post on IFB, I have written about How to monetise your fashion blog with affiliate marketing. I have also been busy writing for the Fashion Buzz on Charlotte Ronson for Uniqlo and how to wear floral palazzo pants for summer 2011

Gringo Maxi Skirt

When I was at the VW Camper Van Festival at the weekend, I treated myself to a new skirt from one of the stalls with the last bit of my birthday money. I had been looking for something amazingly colourful with a great print but the various different floral dresses that I ordered all had to be sent back due to being poor quality and such thin fabric. Nothing that I could find online made me really want it. This skirt jumped out at me immediatley and I just had to have it. I loved the print so much and when I tried it on it even fitted without dragging on the floor (very usual for me with a maxi skirt as I am only 5ft 2). That just confirmed it for me.

The skirt is by Fairtrade label Gringo. This is just how ethical fashion should be - you love it and know you want it before you even know that it  is ethical. The label describes itself as  'alternative women and men's clothing and accessories, a mixture of ethnic, hippy, street and surf wear, a bit of something for everyone.' This sort of clothing doesn't usually appeal to me but I have noticed Gringo before for its beautiful prints and this skirt for me some how  elevates itself above the 'alternative' label into something that is just plain beautiful!

Top - Topshop

Skirt - Gringo (you can buy it here)

Shoes - Geox

Earrings - Dorothy Perkins

So what do you think? Alternative and hippy?

With warmest wishes

Ceri X

Camper Van Festival and Campsite Style

On the weekend, we took the children and Roberta (our camper van) to Van West, a show dedicated to all things VW. We camped at Brean sands and had an amazing time with live music and plenty of entertainment. In  terms of what I wore, I found it quite a challenge to look stylish in any way and my outfits were certainly nothing to write home about! The problem being that it rained quite a bit and was also quite windy turning my hair into a frizzy mess and making me resort to the safe option of hoody and jeans on day. I did however add a scarf to try and make myself look a little different from all of the other hoody wearers out there and for the rain, my leopard print hat.

I was greatly inspired by the outfits of a lady in the site opposite who managed to look amazing despite the conditions with a very nice dress worn with leggings and a cardigan and playsuit worn with a cardigan and bright pink Doc Martins. I will definitely be making more of an effort next time.

Hat - TK Maxx

Jacket - La Redoute

Jeans - Dorothy Perkins

Wellies - Spartoo

Getting very wet on the first night.

Hoody - JD Sports

Jeans - Marks and Spencers

Scarf - Present

Shoes - Dkode

Dress - Asos
Leggings - Next
Shoes -  Pikolinos
Cardigan - a present

Some style ideas and inspiration that I gained from this trip:

• Footwear needs to be practical but doesn't have to be wellies unless it is really wet 
• Wear dresses/ skirts with leggings, especially in windy weather
• Try out new braids/ hairstyles and hats to keep hair under control
• Bright colours and patterns are definitely the way to go, minimalism can look drab on a campsite especially when damp and creased. 
• At festivals you can get away with being a bit more unusual stuff than you might normally wear, no one will bat an eyelid,so now is the time to try something a little different. Flowers in your hair, unusual hats, anything goes really. My favourite look was a medieval fairy complete with wings, she even walked on tippy toes!

I don't usually post too much on this blog other than fashion but I wanted to share some of my pictures of the weekend, as without being too much of an anorak, there were some amazing campervans to look at. I don't confess to have any knowledge or interest in aircooled engines but what I love is the way that the different cars, vans and campervans have been customised, almost like an extension of their owners style with so much attention to detail. I spotted one lady in a beautiful fifties campervan that had been restored in black and white she was even wearing a matching black and white scarf. I also love the culture that surrounds the whole VW scene which includes both the vintage and newer models.

Yummy icecream from these vintage icecream vans!

On the Sunday, there was a parade of VW's from  the campsite to Brean Sands. It was an amazing sight to see hundreds and hundreds of different VW's stretching across the sands further than the eye could see.

The zebra print splittie was definitely one of my favourites.

What did you get up to at the weekend?

With warmest wishes

Ceri X

Eco and Ethical Fashion Update

I have been known in the past (on numerous  occasions) to moan about the lack of affordable eco and ethical fashion available particularly on the high street. I still hold this view bit was really pleased to discover a few months back from Laura at For those about to shop that Marks and Spencers were launching a new eco and ethical fashion range.

The collection named Indigo Green is kind of a bolt on to their main Indigo collection which features stylish casual clothing based around denim and jeans for this summer the collection has a real seventies vibe. I have always loved M&S and whilst there clothes aren't always really 'trendy', I think they are usually very good quality for the price and they also do a great range of petite clothes. I tend to buy a lot of my basics from the Limited Collection and Autograph range but I have always wondered why (and been slightly annoyed) that they don't offer more eco fashion. The new collection is definitely a step in the right direction, whilst it is only small, it contains some great wardrobe essentials for summer 2011 including flared jeans and a maxi dress.

As I decided that I needed a pair of flared jeans for the summer and haven't been able to find any other affordable ethical or eco options, I decided to give Indigo Green a try and I am really pleased with the result. They offer two different choices slim boot jeans made from Tencel and Fairtrade cotton kickflare jeans both in three different lengths and costing just £25! I couldn't believe the price, this range is definitely affordable and best of all they fitted perfectly, you can see the kickflare jeans in my outfit in the last post. Here is the maxi dress which I loved from the collection.

Indigo Green Maxi Dress

Also, just a quick reminder that the next Vintage Fashion Fair is at Primrose Hill on Sunday. Vintage clothing is a great way to get a unique new outfit or accessories but is also really eco friendly. You can find more details on the website - Vintage London. There may be a few free tickets left which you can get from the website but hurry as they are going fast.

Have you spotted any other exciting eco or ethical collections. If so please share!

With warmest wishes

Ceri X

Bank Holiday Outfits and New Clothes

Some of the clothes that I bought with my birthday money have arrived although there are still a few more to come. My outfits this weekend have been mainly based around new clothes. Following the royal wedding, white and lace have definitely been on my mind. This lace waistcoat, flared jeans and shoes by Brazilian designer, Alexandre Herchcovitch for Melissa were some of my new goodies. I don't often wear jeans anymore, perhaps because I have got so fed up with skinny jeans and they don't really work with any of my shoes for summer. Flared jeans seem to work much better for me though and I love the seventies trend which looks set to be around for a while so I decided to invest in pair.

Lace waistcoat - Marks and Spencers Indigo

Top - Next

Jeans - Marks and Spencers Indigo green

Shoes - Melissa (Spartoo)

bag - Accessorize

On Sunday, I decided to have a go at layering some sheer pieces. The cardigan was a brithday presssy from my mum. We went for dinner at our friends house.

Cardigan - a present

Top - New Look

Leggings - Topshop

Mesh Skirt - Topshop

Necklace - French Connection

Shoes- Dkode

I hope that you are having a lovely bank holiday weekend.

With warmest wishes

Ceri X