Wednesday's Winter WishList Item by Barbour at Liberty of London

Hi everyone! For those of you wanting to add a pop of colour to your wardrobe and invest in a good quality statement item that will last you for years to come at the same cost as a high street sweater, take a look at my chosen wishlist item which is this merino wool and cashmere scarf by Barbour:

Not only does it give a splash of colour to any chosen winter coat and jacket, the cashmere wool mix will keep you really stylish and snug and from a heritage brand such as Barbour, you know you're getting a really lovely statement item for Winter. 

It's also a fabulous way to indulge into the plaid and tartan trend for this season and is easily an item that will never go out of style or fashion, looking great for day or night time dressing. I love the three way colour scheme of red, black and white as it would go with so much:

Now on to the price- a really worthwhile £40 from Liberty of London!!

I'll definitely be adding this to my list of 'Winter Wants', for me it ticks all the boxes for price, quality and colour, what's not to love?

What is currently on your Winter wishlist?

Wardrobe Re-organisation and Edit

Hi everyone! I hope you all had a really nice weekend-for me I didn't make the trip to the vintage fair at the SouthBank on Saturday as I'm pretty sure I'm coming down with something and with the weather being so temperamental I decided to just spend the day catching up with house work and a spot of local thrifting. 

Yesterday was a really chilled relaxed day which was just as well as the weather was wet and windy and was just perfect for staying in and browsing the 'net, watching films on TV and eating!! I have been thrifting quite a fair bit lately, but I've been trying to get items that I know will fit in with the rest of my wardrobe and get worn regularly and items that slot into this category include sweaters and more trousers and jeans. Over the weekend I really edited and sorted what I had, what I wanted to keep and get all winter items close to hand. Here is a snapshot of my wardrobes in general and this first one is for jackets only-everyday winter and other seasonal ones:

Next are my chest of drawers which in drawer one (top) are scarves and cardigans; the middle drawer is for tees, shirts and blouses and light sweaters and the bottom drawer is knitwear:

My other wardrobe has my jeans on the top shelf and all my vintage and designer jackets, dresses, skirts, trousers and tops that need to be on hangers:

Here is a picture of my storage for other items- the wicker Fortnum & Mason hamper basket holds my jeans that are on rotation, the green case below it holds knitwear on rotation, the case below has a mix of different items that are trans-seasonal. The 'Tiffin Tin' box holds woollen scarves, the wooden crate holds more scarves and the blue case has my summer tees and blouses.

These are all on a vintage trunk that holds my summer skirts and dresses.

I did do quite a bit of a wardrobe edit a couple of weeks ago with the unwanted items sent to the charity shop. I've only got less than five items sorted from the weekend that I'm going to put on ebay at some point and I'm hoping to put the funds towards a pair of ankle boots that I've seen!

I feel that I'm pretty much up to date with basics for winter but I will be on the look out for a couple of scarves-preferably with a red or pink mix to liven up my winter coats and jackets which are housed in my downstairs cupboard. I've a good selection of parkas, faux fur, black coats and trench coats- they just need a splash of colour I think!!

I really want to make the most of my wardrobe and really start wearing what I have rather than keeping worrying about what I haven't got- a re-organisation really helps you realise what you already have and just need to get on and wear!!

Wishing you all a really good week ahead! Do you have your wardrobe sorted for the winter season? Will you be making do or do you have a few items that you need to get to pull your wardrobe together, I'd love to hear about that!!

Thrift Inspiration..........For Autumn Tote Bags

Hi everyone!! Whenever I am on thrifting trips I'm always looking out for jackets, bags and jeans as first things to look for. I love thrifting bags as you can generally find really great quality ones that are leather or a good quality fabric for so little. 

If money were no object then I would definitely be choosing this gorgeous patchwork Fallabella bag by Stella McCartney-so many trends all in one: metal chain hardware, the colour of the season-oxblood, faux snakeskin and mock croc, this really is a lovely bag for Autumn:

Stella McCartney Fallabella Tote bag, £760

Earlier this week I found this fabulous leather patchwork oxblood tote bag for £5.99 at a neighbouring town's Oxfam charity shop. It's a perfect size, not too small and not massive but certainly big enough for all essentials and a fold up umbrella too:

It's ideal for daytime wearing and I'm so drawn to the rich colour too. It reminds me of a brown leather slouch patchwork bag that I bought for myself on my first ever girls holiday when I was seventeen from Ibiza and I used it until it fell apart, it really was a special bag and I'm hoping this one will live up to expectations!!

This next find was from my local Sue Ryder charity shop a couple of months ago and I absolutely adore it. It's pure wool carpet and I'm sure it comes from Morocco, it has such a hippy boho chic vibe to it and was a bargainous £3.99:

In the early 90s I went to Morocco for the weekend for a 'Diamond Hunt', it was a tour operator's educational as I worked for a major travel agents at the time. It was an amazing adventure and I brought home a wool rug for my mum that had been hand loomed by local Berbers in the Atlas Mountains. The bag really reminds me of the wool rug that unfortunately is no longer around as my mum got rid of it when she moved house last year.

Do you have handbags that have a sentimental value to you?

Wishing you all a really great weekend, it's pouring with rain and cold and windy where I am at the moment-(ugh) so it really is so right to turn on the heating and get the layers at the ready!!

Vintage Presents:The Classic Car Boot Sale

On Saturday 12 October over 100 classic cars and vintage vehicles will descend on to Southbank Centre’s riverfront for London’s first classic car boot sale, curated Vintage Festival. The Classic Car Boot Sale will take place on the riverfront at Southbank Centre between the Queen’s Walk, Hungerford Bridge and Jubilee Gardens. 
Traders will assemble the finest vintage fashion, homewares and pop culture memorabilia, operating from the boot of their vintage vehicles. Show stopping car displays will include vehicles of all shapes and sizes; from classic cars such as the Aston Martin DB4, to VW campervans and beautiful vintage bicycles.

The event will also boast some of the finest food traders, serving premium street food and craft beers from converted vans and campers. Traders include Engine, who serve artisan smoked sausages, B.O.B. Lobster’s famous lobster rolls and street food favourite, Bleeker Street Burgers. Drinks will be provided by Beetle Juice, a stylish mobile cocktail bar. British Music Experience’s “Traffic Jam”, a renovated Austin Morris J4 Dormobile, will have DJs playing a mix of music inspired and influenced by Lord Kitchener’s 1950s calypso classic London is the Place for Me. In between DJ sets, visitors will be invited to try out playing BME’s selection of instruments, such as a tea chest bass, ukulele and percussion steel pans.

Further musical entertainment comes from Vintage Festival DJs, who will be playing vinyl from the top of an open air London Routemaster. Also appearing at The Classic Car Boot Sale will be [re]design’s Chalkyvan, a rejuvenated campervan redesigned and upgraded to be used as a mobile chalkboard. 

Entry to The Classic Car Boot Sale is £3, and tickets can be purchased at Southbank Centre on the day of the event.

Key Trends for your Winter Wardrobe

Clocks go back

The clocks go back towards the end of this month and winter will be setting in. This means one thing - a change to your winter wardrobe. You don't have to reinvent your whole look for the season but if you want to give a nod to the season's trends then there are some key items that you might like to add to your wardrobe. 

Navy Blue

There is always a colour that is central to the season's wardrobe and this winter it is a very figure friendly navy blue. Softer than black, navy blue is a great neutral colour for any age. The likes of Céline and Chloé sent models down the runway head to toe in navy blue but for a less dramatic look just go for touches. It's a colour worth thinking about for those Christmas parties though instead of your Little Black Dress.

Colourful and Exotic Faux Fur

Last winter fur was everywhere but this year it takes on a whole new look. It is bold and colourful faux fur that takes centre stage. As well as Muppet inspired colours you'll also find exotic prints recreated as fur. On the catwalks Versace sent a model down the runway in a faux zebra print fur coat to a striking effect. There is no need to go the whole Fraggle though: the High Street will be full of pieces with great fur trims that will be enough to add a hint of the trend.

Fun Prints

Animal prints have been on trend for a while now and though this trend isn't going to abate any time soon there is a new style of print on the fabric block this winter. It is fun prints such as polka dots or hearts that are the ones to watch and they can easily bring light-hearted fun to the darker winter months. It is an easy trend to wear but if you don't want to wear big chunks of print then you'll find some gorgeous print scarves that will add an on trend touch to your look.

Mohair

Knits this winter are all about the warmth and cosiness that is mohair. Enjoy the feel of this fabulous fluffy wool against your skin in jumpers, cardigans or even jackets. Treat them well though as this delicate knit needs special care to keep it as its best.

Pastel Pinks

The super girly women out there will be pleased to know that there is another colour high on the seasonal agenda. Pastel powdery pink was a popular choice on the runways and in particular it was coats that were created in this feminine shade. Forget that black coat and do as the likes of Miu Miu and Carven did with a stunning pink coat.

Tweed

You don't have to be a country gent to get away with tweed this winter. Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana and more leading designers sent models clad in full tweed outfits down the runway but there are plenty of ways to introduce tweed to your look this winter. Think about wearing a great tweed blazer over jeans or just a tweed hat to see you through the very chilly months.

Camouflage

If girly pink is definitely not your thing then you might be more interested in the trend for camouflage print that is coming through. Whether it is a top, trousers or accessories this print is the choice for tom boy girls out there.

Masculine tailoring

A more manly approach to tailoring is set to be on trend for winter with trousers suits taking on a sharper edge than previous years. Choose trousers and waistcoat for a stylish boyish look that will set you in good stead for the office. Armani showed this look off to amazing effect on their runways.