Leopardprint Tote bags: Designer v High Street

Hi everyone!! Just as I got back in to blogging, life and health issues came to the fore and I had to put blogging on the back burner yet again! So as I am currently having to rest as much as possible due to health reasons I thought I would try and get my blogging mojo back on track.

I've always loved leopardprint and in a wardrobe cull last month a couple of leopardprint items were pensioned off which meant there was an opening for a potential new purchase. I didn't really want any clothing, such as a coat or blouse, so I when I browsed my favourite style of bag-the tote- recently, I was suitably inspired to get something that featured leopardprint.

Here are my favourite style inspired bags, all currently available: 

Alexander Wang Prisma tote bag, £960

Mulberry scotchgrain leatherprint tote bag, £495

Marks & Spencer Autograph leopardprint tote, £99

Zara leopardprint shopper, £59.99

Having been using a Louis Vuitton Neverfull tote bag solidly for nearly a year for work, I was already convinced that this was the style I wanted in my next purchase and if  I could have leopardprint as part of it then it would prove to be a smart buy. My lovely DH treated me to the Autograph leopardprint tote a few weeks ago and although it seems a pricey purchase at first, on a cost per wear basis and how many different occasions it can be used for, it really was a worhwhile style investment.

Leopardprint never dates and the Autograph tote has three compartments-1 middle zipped one and two either side, an inner zipper smaller back compartment and a phone and little inner front compartment. The zippers on the outside could even be used as mini compartments! It really is a fabulous bag and I'm sure is one I'll be using for a long time to come.

Is leopardprint back on your style radar this season, how will you be wearing it?

Thrift Inspiration....Loving Liberty London this winter

Hi everyone!! This time of year is when I really enjoy going through my scarf collection to see what ones I will still keep and wear and also determine what will be this seasons new purchase for myself.

I have adored Liberty scarfs forever-not only are they super stylish and timeless, but they are certainly an investment buy which will last for decades too.

For inspiration, I browsed Liberty London's scarves section and immediately fell in love with this black winter fruits wool silk scarf which is massive enough to wear draped as a shawl or spun round to form a more everyday scarf. In fact Liberty have made 2 great video series on  'how to tie a scarf'. Do check it out, my favourite is of course the oversized scarf video which is exactly how I intend to wear my newest purchase.

 

Liberty London black winter fruits print wool mix scarf, £195

Unfortunately the scarf  above is way out of my budget, so I put my thrifting skills to good use and I found this wonderfully large Liberty Veruna wool scarf  a liitle while ago from a vintage seller on ebay for around a fifth of the cost of the ones currently in Libertys:

 

The print looks like it could be from the 80s and the scarf is in excellent condition-I have already worn it and its proved to be a cosy and stylish addition to my scarf collection. As a lover of all things floral, this is a perfect winter accessory that will stay in my wardrobe for years to come.

What winter accessory will you be adding to your collection this season?

Book review: Thrifty Style by Janine Chisolm

Janine Chisholm is an Eco designer and stylist who works from her Bristol harbourside studio and through her passion of vintage clothing, sewing, arts and crafts has just published her new book, 'Thrifty Style'.

It is packed full of ideas of how to upscale and accessorise existing items in your wardrobe or pieces that you've found in the charity shop or boot sale and wish to alter to recreate unique and wearable loved items.

Step by step guides for beginners and sewers alike will find this very inspirational- my favourites in the book were the boyfriend shirt tunic, a white dress with a back crotchet insert and tops made from vintage scarves.

There are also 3 pull out patterns in the back of the book to recreate totally new pieces from existing items that are no longer required in your existing wardrobe too!

There is also some very handy sections regarding sewing techniques, equipment and UK suppliers too.

This book is really ideal for anyone who has toyed with the idea of recreating existing things in their wardrobe and are not quite sure how to go about it-this book is definitely inspiring and will turn any outdated vintage piece into something modern and stylish for any chosen occasion.

Janine has her own website called 'Custard House Clothing' where you can find out more details of the workshops she runs, buy her book and catch up with her blog.

Whing you all a lovely week ahead,, whatever you are up to!!

Thrift Inspiration.........Net-A-Porter v Marks and Spencer

Hi everyone!! Taking stock of my winter accessories this last two weeks, I noticed I only have one pair of winter gloves which are grey woollen ones, so I felt justified to have a look and purchase a nice statement pair.

Looking at Net-A-Porters offerings for inspiration, their red leather gloves come in different styles and lengths-these were my favourites of what they have to currently offer:

Valentino Rockstud gloves,£390



Lanvin long leather gloves, £675

Causse Gantier Jackie gloves, £180

Red leather gloves I feel are a real statement for winter-they add a great pop of colour to a black or navy coat or jacket and can be worn virtually daily for warmth and style, so certainly a good investment for the coming season. That said, when I saw these at Marks and Spencer I knew they were too good to miss and was very pleased that DH was feeling generous yet again and treated me to them:

Marks and Spencer animal print red leather gloves, £29.50

With the leopardprint insert, they really are a cute pair of statement gloves and will certainly last for a good few winter seasons to come.

I now just need a black pair of gloves before winter really sets in, but I think I will get woollen ones.

What winter accessory is currently on your winter wishlist?



By Lyn Harris for Marks and Spencer

Readers of my blog may well know that I do love a designer and high street collaboration, so when I found out that Lyn Harris of Miller Harris Perfumer was creating a collection for Marks and Spencer, I knew I just had to go and check them out and hopefully bag a purchase.

Lyn Harris has been in the fragrance industry for more than twenty years and her own label Miller Harris has been producing some very unique and gorgeously smelling fragrances since 2000. Her perfumes are not only iconic and distinctive, but they  also offer a fragrance for anytime-day or night, transcending seasons and making them so timeless and coveted.

The range is currently available online at Marks and Spencer and at the moment is only available at Westfield Stratford, Marble Arch and Kensington- so it made perfect sense for me to head over to Westfield this afternoon for a spot of luxurious perfume testing.

I already knew I would want 'Le Cologne', which is classed as a mens scent, but having all my favourite ingredients of 'Bergamot Sicily, lemon and orange Seville with rosemary France and thyme on a base of vetiver and amber'- I knew I would have to have it.

Once I tested 'Le Fleur'-'A white floral classic. White gardenia and Indian tuberose flowers set the tone with gentle woods, vanilla Bourbon and musk', I had to snap it up too-thanks to DH who thought I deserved both!!

At a fabulously bargain price of £25 for Eau de Parfum- 50ml size too, I think these will be flying off the shelves. There is certainly a fragrance for all tastes and occasions and with six to choose from, this will make such a nice gift for yourself or a loved one!

Wishing you a lovely weekend, whatever you are up to, I am hoping for a nice relaxing one and hope to catch up on some blog reading!