strawberries and champagne

Convertible Clothes

2011-05-27T12:51:00.000-03:00

A really interesting video on convertible clothing. A good idea (if it looks good on the average woman - not just a model). This is something I would love to try out to see how it looks.

Target!

2011-05-26T15:55:00.000-03:00

Yay, Target is coming to Nova Scotia!

5 Things I Want for Summer!

2011-05-26T13:00:00.001-03:00

Crazy 70's Style Flares

Etro

A hardcore, rock biker chick trench

Burberry

A flirty feminine dress

Collette Dinnigan

(I love the one on the far left)

A gorgeous, white outfit embellished with hundreds of beads and sequins

Dolce & Gabanna

Anything in this gorgeous tangerine-peach colour!

Ellie Saab

{All Images Courtesy of Vogue}

Honestly...

2011-05-25T13:39:00.000-03:00

If I have to wear rubber boots and a rain jacket for much longer I'm going to be found sobbing on the streets of Halifax. I'm absolutely desperate to wear the clothes I bought for my Mexico trip, but they're still neatly folded away in my closet.

I may have to invest in some stylish rain wear to get me through the rainy Canadian spring. These rain booties by Marvin K at Aquatalia are just the ticket for this season!

Feeling Thrifty

2011-03-31T14:45:00.001-03:00

Today was a good day for thrift store purchases! I managed to snag three skirts and a pair of trousers for $8!

Photos to follow, just as soon as I get home...

I'm Loving Orange

2011-03-24T12:00:00.000-03:00

I'm really loving orange this season. Here are a few of my favourite picks:

Vero Moda Very Belted Sleeveless Top | ASOS

£55 (Approx $88 CAD)

Women's Linen-Blend Roll-Up Dress | Old Navy

$34.50

Full needle cardigan | Banana Republic

$59.99

LOIS Orange Suede Knot Detail Platform Sandals | Topshop

£65 (Approx $103 CAD)

Spring Orange | Joe Fresh

Striped T-Shirt - $24, Cargo Pants - $24, Check Shirt - $19

For Japan With Love - #Japan

2011-03-17T19:00:00.002-03:00

Tomorrow I will be participating in the Bloggers Day of Silence for the disaster relief effort in Japan.

Please donate whatever you can to help the relief effort.

My thoughts are with the people of Japan and their families around the world.

Prada Creepers

2011-03-17T11:50:00.000-03:00

So, the latest fashion fad to come of the runway is the Prada Creeper! The strange amalgamation of a brogue, an espadrille and a running shoe, this footwear is starting to cause a craze!

Prada stores received a few pairs of the shoes which sold out almost instantly. Now they are available on a pre-order basis. The shoes are totally customizable down to the colour and size of platform, and you can expect to receive your very own pair of Prada Creepers in only 6-8 weeks (perfect for the summer months, I hear you cry!)

Retailing at over $800, they are definitely a luxury purchase. I'm interested to see which high street stores venture down this path. I'm undecided on this trend. They look funky in a strange sort of way, and you can tell they would be really comfortable. Hey, the even look good with a dress. I'm just not sure I could get on the bus in the morning without some people looking at me like I had gone crazy with three pairs of shoes and a glue gun!

{Images Courtesy of Grazia Daily}

Lakme, Swedish Summer, and Pallavi Mohan

2011-03-16T16:48:00.004-03:00

I've been loosely following Lakme fashion week. I love to see the designs, but I find a lot of it isn't suited to our Western market.

I saw this design today though on the Pallavi Mohan show that would be perfect for the Swedish Summer trend. Look at that detailing and how it moved down the runway. Simply stunning.

Mohan has a great philosophy when it comes to her collections. She would rather more people wore her designs than just being considered as a prestige label. Therefore she has two collections. One high end Indian wear and a ready to wear, more affordable line. Making the brand accessible to everyone.

Love This... I Agree!

2011-03-16T12:37:00.000-03:00

{via workisnotajob}

Blue Skies and Club Monaco

2011-03-16T10:27:00.000-03:00

It's finally starting to feel like Spring. Two days of bright blue skies and sunshine. I even went out for a walk at lunchtime yesterday without fearing for my life (and my behind) on the icy paths.

I love this time of year. In February you feel like the winter is never going to end and then suddenly you see the first signs of Spring. The Winter boots and snow jacket are cast away for cuter, lighter styles and you actually start to feel stylish again!

Here are a few pieces from Club Monaco that will be fantastic for Spring!

I'm desperate to find a pair of cute trousers like this to wear with brogues and heels this season. I can't find a pair that fits well though.

I love the floaty maxi dress paired with the harder, more masculine heels. However, I would team this with a leather jacket instead of the safari style shirt.

Weekend Purchases!

2011-03-14T14:16:00.000-03:00

Happy Monday! Over the weekend we ended up on a mini road trip to Moncton, which inevitably involve a wander around the shops! I initially went to try on the trousers I blogged about earlier. I initially wanted to grab the pale tan pair that were on the newspaper ad I found but my gaze was caught by a pair of vivid orange trousers that looked a lot similar to the Zara pair in my earlier post.

However, as I always find to be the case in H&M. I couldn't find a size that fit well. One size was just a tiny bit snug and the next size up was so bit they fell down when I put them on! I did the tried and tested method or trying a few sizes on in case the measurements differed to no avail. In this case, $9.95 is definitely too cheap for a good pair of slacks!

So, how to console myself?

With jewellery obviously!

Here are my purchases:

I saw this on one of the mannequins in the store window and ran in straight away to grab it. I hate real life bugs but love anything like this in necklace (not real) form. It has really lovely pastel colours on it. My new Summer staple necklace!

I'm really low on gold earrings and accessories so I opted for this sparkly bow ring

and this value pack of gold and pearl earrings. Perfect!

Purchases: H&M, Moncton

Bug Necklace - $6.95

Gold Bow Ring - $6.95

9-Pair Pack of Gold/Pearl Earrings - $4.95 (bargain!)

Strawberries and Champagne

2011-03-11T14:12:00.000-04:00

Strawberries and Champagne: "Welcome to the world of Strawberries and Champagne! Here you will find the daily musings of an English gal living in Atlantic Canada, who is obsessed with trends & fashion."

Topshop Comes to Canada

2011-03-09T11:10:00.001-04:00

Why does this have to be announced when The Bay is closing in Halifax, Nova Scotia?

The Bay bringing UK fashion stores Topshop, Topman to Canada - thestar.com

Amazing Graphic Print Dress from @asos

2011-03-08T14:19:00.000-04:00

I love the pattern and colour on this dress from A.P.C Madras.

A.P.C Madras | A.P.C. Madras Graphic Print Silk Dress at ASOS

MICHI - Bold, Sexy Fashion/Fitness Wear

2011-03-05T17:26:00.001-04:00

I'm embarking on my annual, get in shape for the beach plan, and this weekend I joined a new gym. This means a whole new outfit is needed, of course!

Whilst on my search, I found this amazing new collection by MICHI over at FASHION Magazine.

The collection was designed by Michelle Watson, based in Toronto, and caters for the market of individuals who want to look stylish while they work out.

Taking a glance through the look book, there are some beautiful pieces. I love the juxtaposition of different styles of fabrics, and the simple black, slate grey and deep blue colour palette.

As much as I love this collection, and see Michelle's point of view when designing it, I don't feel it is something I could wear to my local gym without getting stares or causing people to fly backwards off of their treadmills. MICHI's aim is to fill the gap between "provocative, glamorous lingerie and comfortable, utilitarian athletic wear" - which they have definitely succeeded in doing.

Although, I could maybe wear this outfit without causing too much commotion...

... However, this one may cause some heart rate monitors to skip a few beats!

You can follow the latest MICHI updates over at their Twitter feed.

Cacharel A/W 2011 Review - #PFW

2011-03-05T11:06:00.000-04:00

Today we saw another customary Cacharel runway show. Once again we were delighted by simple, light, feminine designs. We saw a bland colour palette brought to life with excellent cuts, beautiful patterns and layering of multiple fabrics.

Cacharel isn't showy, it's a brand all about simple, elegant style. they provide a stark contrast to brands like Dolce and Gabbana and Dior, but the garments are every bit as stunning.

I loved the use of intricate patterning on these simple pieces. It was also great to see layered fabrics - sometimes sheer, sometimes multiple layers of the same fabric.

I loved the minimalism of this piece. The nude boots complemented it perfectly.

My favourite piece of the collection!

The sheer layering of fabrics is perfect on this feminine piece, which was toughened up slightly by pairing with the nude boots.

The curved wooden heels on the boots were great and sat perfectly with the colour palette

Nude Nails

2011-03-04T16:50:00.000-04:00

I love this nude nail varnish with a bright coral stripe seen at Prabal Gurung.

{Seen on Mama's a Rolling Stone}

Not Just Fashion - Favourite Finds - #FaveFinds

2011-03-04T15:45:00.001-04:00

Happy Friday everyone!

Here's my round up of the coolest things I found on the web this week.

Your Thrifting Checklist - Already Pretty

I'm really trying to embrace the whole thrifting culture. Sally shares some great tips in this post

Liberty of London - Greedy Girl

No trip to London is complete without a trip to Liberty (especially at Christmas - they have the most amazing decorations you can ever imagine!) A great selection of beautiful silk scarf designs are shown here

Thought of the Day: Just Stop - Design is Mine

As anyone I know, I'm a worry wort. I'm even the first to admit it. This was purely just some advice for myself, and made me smile!

QooQoo - Greedy Girl

These cool leggings also made me smile. By QooQoo Fashion on Etsy, you can get your very own anonymous bear leggings right here

Balmain - Knight Cat

Some great shots of the Balmain A/W 2011 catwalk collection are shown here. I LOVE this embellished mini-dress. How glorious is this seventies disco style piece

Spring 2011's Colour Block Party - RedPoppy

I loved this colourful blog post, showcasing the amazing colour clashing trend for Spring. I can't wait to shake off the winter jacket and start wearing some of these colours!

Apple iPad Smart Cover - Uncrate

I don't have an iPad (yet! As I keep telling the hubby!) but the new snap on covers are a great addition, they double as a stand and come in some fab colours to match your Spring outfit!

Jean-Michel Cazabat's New Shoes - Refinery 29

How amazing are these Jean-Michel Cazabat boots? They are the perfect mix of feminine and tough. I want a pair!

DIY Square Leather Clutch - A Pair and A Spare

Like 'A Pair and A Spare,' I've been eying up the oversized zip clutch on all the street style blogs. I'm so intrigued to see how the DIY went

Andreia Chaves: Invisible Naked Shoe - KNSTRCT

How amazing is this structural 'naked' shoe by Andreia Chaves?

Big Kiss Bernadette - Impressed Inc.

I'm such a huge fan of hand lettering. This invitation by Bernadette Pascua is exquisite

Colette x Chanel = Pop Up Fun - Style Bubble

This is a great review of the pop up boutique by Colette & Chanel. The illustrations are so quirky and bring a unique sense of fun to the boutique. I love it!

Have a great weekend!

Amazing Colour at Christian Dior - #PFW

2011-03-04T12:11:00.001-04:00

I'm loving the bright blue and deep, rich burgundy combo in the Christian Dior A/W 2011 Ready to Wear collection.

This Just Made My Entire Week!

2011-03-04T09:04:00.000-04:00

Ta da da! Bloglovin for iPhone!

I've been waiting for this app for ever! Blogloving is my absolute favourite blog feed reader. I can't wait to try it out on iPhone.

Will let you know how it goes!

My Next Purchase - The Rolled Up Pant

2011-03-03T16:00:00.000-04:00

This weekend, I really have to go out and buy some trousers like this.

This pair is from Zara, but I saw an amazing ad for a pair from H&M for only $9.95!

Yes, $9.95 - I can't believe it. I need to go and see what they look like in the flesh, but the price is unbelievable. It even says $14.95 on the H&M website which confuses me a little.

I had intended on making a pair myself. I found a pattern on Burdastyle that I liked, but at I couldn't even buy the material myself for less than $9.95!

I feel a trip to H&M is in my near future!

What a Statement Necklace! - Tatty Devine

2011-03-03T11:44:00.001-04:00

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I am OBSESSED with statement necklaces. I saw this one today and instantly fell in love with it.

How amazing are the colours on this Tatty Devine necklace, and just look at the size of that thing! It's amazing

I've gotta get myself one of these! But I can't find it on the Tatty Devine website. Knowing my luck it will be discontinued! If anyone finds it online, please leave me a comment.

I went through a phase a few years ago of buying all my jewellery from Tatty Devine. Back when everyone was rocking the plectrum bracelets (see below!) It is the place for statement and quirky jewellery pieces. Somehow, along the way (probably during my move to Canada) I forgot all about it. Needless to say I know have a Tatty Devine wishlist the length of my arm!

On another note, I found this necklace featured on the Adorn London blog showcasing jewellery styles found on the streets during London Fashion Week. It's great to see how people assert their own individuality through the accessories they wear. Check it out here.

UPDATE: As you can see on the comments on this post, I heard from Tatty Devine and the necklace is part of their Autumn/Winter 2011 collection. I'm so happy I didn't miss out on it. I can now plan my winter wardrobe around this necklace!

Beautiful Lace Cut Out Detail Dress from @asos

2011-03-02T11:25:00.000-04:00

I love the detailing on the back of this dress. So cute!

Paprika | Paprika Lace Cut Out Back Detail Dress at ASOS

Spring Break Look

2011-03-01T14:37:00.004-04:00

Spring Break Look by strawberries and champagne featuring blue jewelry

A perfect look for a Spring Break trip!

Riccardo Tisci for Dior?

2011-03-01T14:16:00.000-04:00

Interesting development... Take a read.

After John Galliano, who's next at Christian Dior? | Life and style | The Guardian

Cate Blanchett's Ocscar dress from Riccardo Tisci's recent Givenchy Haute Couture collection

Tough Feminine

2011-03-01T13:34:00.002-04:00

Tough Feminine by strawberries and champagne featuring scoop neck tank tops

I love the idea of pairing a really feminine skirt with something tough like a leather biker jacket. It's best to keep the silhouette simple by pairing the jacket with a form fitting skirt.

Inspired by this outfit from The Sartorialist

Love/Hate - Amazing 80% Off Sales that I still Can't Afford!

2011-03-01T12:29:00.001-04:00

LOVE

1 New Email

"Wow! A Balmain 80% off Sale!'

'Clickity, click, rapid click... Load quicker...'

HATE

Arrr....

"I still can't afford anything"

Sob :(

But it's all so gorgeous!

Discount Balmain Striped sequin sleeveless top | THE OUTNET

It's March, Which Calls for Spring Shoes! (or does it?)

2011-03-01T10:26:00.000-04:00

Happy March everyone! We had snow storm last night, but I'm really hoping that is the last one this year! I'm ready for spring shoes now, especially these cute casual brogues.

It's time to put the rain boots away now, surely!

DOBBYN - women's oxfords & loafers shoes for sale at ALDO Shoes.

Flutterby Diamonds - Colour Palette

2011-02-28T06:00:00.000-04:00

Do you remember the catwalks of Spring/Summer 2010? Mainly seen throughout the lingerie look, designers displayed some beautiful pastel shades. This theme touches on some of the elements seen here but adds almost a vintage, worn-in edge to it, bringing in some of the finer detail we have seen on the Spring/Summer2011 catwalks. We steer away from the pastel lilacs, pinks and peaches seen in 1980's and 1990's weddings (yuk!), instead giving the shades a little more edge and sophistication.

Mint Musk - Pantone 753c (25, 0, 16, 0)

Punch - Pantone 7403c (8, 16, 61, 0)

Blush - Pantone 692c (9, 25, 13, 0)

Barely Blue - Pantone 5513c (29, 9 ,15, 0)

Sparkle - Pantone 7535c (22, 20, 34, 0)

As you can see from the colour breakdown, there is no black in any of the colours I have chosen for the palette. I wanted these pastels to have an edge but without too much darkness in them. I would eliminate black all together in this look, even in text, opting instead for a very dark grey.

Fog - Pantone 432c (77, 63, 53, 41)

Next Installment: Personal Shopper

Dolce & Gabbana - Amazing Detailing! (via @bryanboy)

2011-02-27T12:10:00.000-04:00

This was the amazing detailing on the Dolce & Gabbana dress & coat that I mentioned in my earlier review.

STUNNING!

{Image Courtesy of @bryanboy's Twitter Feed}

Dolce & Gabbana - Fall 2011/12 Ready to Wear Review - #MFW

2011-02-27T10:19:00.000-04:00

After celebrating 20 years in designing menswear in 2010, Dolce and Gabbana no longer feel the need to be on top of the eclectic, crazy trends we see other design houses producing, instead they focus on beautiful tailoring and style. Something that guarantees them exposure on all of the red carpet events, with celebrities striving for the elegance that Dolce and Gabbana excel in producing.

So, the Dolce & Gabbana Fall 2011/12 RTW collection in three words?

Unisex. Monochrome. Fun.

Review

So, in a stark contrast to last week's news of men modelling as women, Dolce and Gabbana give us women modelling as men! The show had an overall androgynous feel. We had the women modelling as men, but as a womenswear collection, the clothing wasn't intended to be for men, although I suppose we could consider parts of the collection to be unisex. The models all looked fabulous. We had some of the 'women' models wearing form fitting dressed with sequined brogues that looked simply stunning, whereas other outfits were paired with simple stiletto heels with ankle socks.

The Dolce & Gabbana ' woman'

The Dolce and Gabbana 'man'

The Music

The music was amazing. I'm a huge 80's fan and we had David Bowie and Mick Jagger's Dancing in the Street followed by David Bowie's Modern Love (one of my personal favourite songs).

The Feel of the Show

The only problem I found was, with the fast paced song choice, the models moved down the runway too quickly. You hardly got a second to take in all the details before they'd whipped around at the end of the catwalk and were on their way again.

The overall feel was quite 80's with a sense of old time Hollywood glamour. Patterns took the form of stars and music notes, giving an almost silent movie glamour feel to more modern silhouettes.

Beauty

The 'women' models had beautiful Hollywood glamour hair, swept back loose bun. Large earrings and minimalist make up. The 'male' models wore tight chignons, trilby's and faux sideburns

The Details

Style

Monochrome patterning & styling

Beautiful sequins

I'm so sad I couldn't get a good shot of this (I will try and find a better photograph to replace it) Sequined boy shorts under a lace dress, I loved this look!

Occasionally there was a splash of colour brought into the monochrome colour palette

The mustard yellow we're seeing so much of!

Simple designs (note the flash of colour on the shoe)

Amazing sleeveless fur collar coat (note the brogues on the ' women' models)

Sleeveless Tuxedo jackets were a nice touch on the 'male' designs

Detailing

Beautiful layered necklace

Hip bags (these were featured in a number of sizes) and looked quite cool

I just caught a glimpse of this as the model was turning around, so it isn't a great shot, but this dress was made up of different sized beads and stones. It was simply gorgeous

Elements I Missed

A few elements I didn't manage to capture were:

- The mix of patterns on the same outfit, but all in the same black and white colour palette

- The splashes of pastel colour - baby blue and baby pink but with the same black patterning

- Amazing sequined brogues

In Closing

Regarding the live feed, initially, I didn't like that we could see backstage. I felt that it spoiled the surprise of the pieces as they came down the runway. In fact, this was a relief as the runway show moved so quickly I had time to note the pieces that I wanted to see in more detail. It was almost like seeing the look book before viewing the show.

This collection was very wearable. You will see this patterning all across the high street stores next Fall. The collection had a very Topshop/H&M style to it and would target this customer perfectly.

It was nice to see Dolce & Gabbana doing something a little more adventurous, and they still kept some of their elegant tailoring in their suit wear and figure-hugging dresses - the Dolce & Gabbana style we all know and love, just a little more modern and fun!

My Favourite Piece
I was torn between two pieces from the collection as my ultimate show favourites, so I will show them both:

I loved how this long flowing dress looked on the model as she came down the runway

The sleeveless fur jacket with the sequin embellished dress underneath was just beautiful. So elegant

Emilio Pucci Fall 2011/12 Ready to Wear Review - #MFW #Pucci

2011-02-26T16:19:00.001-04:00

So, how would I describe the Fall 2011/12 RTW collection by Pucci in three words?

Sexy. Glamourous. Regal

The show was set in the most beautiful building, the Palazzo Serbelloni, which I didn't think would fit the Pucci style, but as soon as the models started walking down the runway, it immediately all meshed together perfectly.

Show Highlights

Here are my highlights of the collection:

Styling

Pointed shoulders and high necklines featured prominently

The high-waisted pieces were tailored beautifully and gave a lovely silhouette to the models

Again we see the influence of fur in the Fall 2011/12 season

A summer 2011 silhouette continuing into the Fall season

I loved the shape of this dress, with the delicate lace detailing making its way up onto the neckline

Detail

Stunning bead work

Beautiful lace work (and the mustard yellow colour we are still seeing so much of)

An amazing feather dress, the most beautiful shade of blue

This cape was a masterpiece, I loved it!

Just simply beautiful bead work. Amazing

Pucci Show Review

Peter Dundas delivered another stunning collection of outfits, allegedly inspired by the mountains, although I didn't really get this feeling. It felt altogether more regal and refined, almost a Victorian inspired collection. Dundas (of Christian Lacroix and Roberto Cavalli fame) appears to have really found his niche at Pucci over the last three years, creating a gorgeous collection full of beautiful detail and luxurious fabrics.

I was so excited about this Pucci show, especially given that so many design houses are paying homage to the 70's hippy chic girl for Fall RTW 2011/12, I knew that Pucci would knock this trend out of the park. However, this was a much more refined link than I expected, the bold patterns gave way to beautiful detailing and beading. There were a few traditional Pucci patterns interspersed in the collection, but the 70's style was explored more in the sexiness and cut of the clothing.

The Pucci Man

There has been much talk in the press of Pucci delivering a menswear range. It was great to finally see this, and although the pieces were simple, they were tailored beautifully and immediately gave us an impression of how Pucci see the 'Pucci Man' being.

The Pucci Print is Not Gone!
A few pieces of the Fall collection still gave us a glimpse of the Pucci we know and love from the Spring/Summer collection. These fit in perfectly with the rest of the pieces and added a certain sexiness to the range.

This fabulous low cut look featured a few times in the collection

It was also great to see snippets of the behind the scenes work of the people constructing the outfits before the show. There's nothing like seeing a messy sewing room floor, it makes you realize how much work is involved in each of these shows, and paid a lovely tribute to the amazing skills of these people.

The ultimate highlight of the show was seeing the Pucci patterns toned down and embellished with beautiful detailing, giving a luxe feel to the brand for Fall 2011/12.

My Favourite Pucci Piece
My favourite piece of the collection had to be this:

A stunning, floor length piece with sequin detailing down one side. This intricate detailing went right around to the back of the dress. The cut and colour were perfect for the model. Such a fantastic red carpet piece.

{Images Courtesy of the Pucci Live Stream}

Excited for Emilio Pucci - 2pm EST - #MFW

2011-02-26T10:04:00.001-04:00

I'm gearing up for the Pucci show at 2pm EST today! I can't wait to see the new collection

Heeled Brogues from Topshop

2011-02-26T07:40:00.000-04:00

JEEVES White Block Heeled Brogues @ Topshop

How cool are these heeled brogues from Topshop. I'm put off the idea of brogues as they feel too masculine to me when I'm wearing them. This is the perfect solution, and the perfect colour!

I Love This...

2011-02-25T18:00:00.000-04:00

by Hello Monkey @ Not On The High Street

Not Just Fashion - Favourite Finds - #FaveFinds

2011-02-25T16:00:00.004-04:00

Well, it's Friday again (yippee) so it's time for my weekly round up of all the nice things I've found on the web this week.

Enjoy and have a fantastic weekend!

Canadian Winter Wedding Photo Shoot by Distinct Occasions - Style Me Pretty

If there is only one thing you check out on the web this week, it has to be this absolutely stunning Canadian Winter Wedding photo shoot

Young Designers Must Embrace Technology - Telegraph Fashion

A bit of a read, but a great insight into the development of fashion in the online world and a debate over whether this is a good thing or not

Young British Designers

This is a great portal for young British fashion and accessory designers trying to break into the mainstream. There are some fantastic pieces for sale on this site.

Inspirations to make your own S'mores station - At Home with Kim Vallée

I couldn't resist this link. How cute are these personal S'mores making stations? Mmm... Delicious!

LFW Diary - Mary Katrantzou - FASHION

My favourite LFW show, Mary Katrantzou's collection. This is a great review of the show

Cheerful Travel Invites - 100 Layer Cake

Check out these beautiful travel-inspired invitations. The colour palette is fantastic

Join Cutlery - Inspire Me Now

Such a cute idea, interconnecting cutlery. This really makes a statement to your place setting

Pattern Design & Beyond - New eBook

This is a fantastic read for anyone interested in pattern design

Office Cleanup & Other Updates - A Little Stussy

I'm desperate to sort out our spare room to make a little office space for myself. I love this cupboard office, and it's great that you can shut the office at the end of the day and forget about work!

Vince Drape Front Leather Jacket - NotCouture

I love this leather jacket. This will definitely be a Spring purchase for me

Happy Friday! Gorgeous Shoes!

2011-02-25T09:38:00.003-04:00

Because Friday's are all about amazing shoes, right?

I Love This Bag

2011-02-25T06:18:00.002-04:00

Marc by Marc Jacobs | Hillier Hobo leather shoulder bag | NET-A-PORTER.COM

This bag is amazingly similar to a bright pink leather bag that I used on almost a daily basis for well over a year. I would still use it today if it wasn't for the fact that the long shoulder strap broke.

I really love the colour of this Marc Jacobs version and it wouldn't totally break the bank at $395.

Prada Fall 2011 Collection Review - #MFW

2011-02-24T20:11:00.002-04:00

As a follow on from my earlier brief post on todays Prada runway show, here are my favourite pieces of the show.

A few pieces followed a very tailored theme. The bright burnt orange that I'm so fond of for Fall 2011 made a showcase in this piece.

I love the 3/4 length sleeves with the short leather gloves. I also found the footwear interesting, with snake skin detail and heavy straps creating an almost sock and sandal illusion. The clutch bag with the wide strap is also a highlight and such a functional piece.

Jackets with drop waists also made an appearance. This was accentuated with wide belts and large collar lapels - all paying homage to the 70s but adding a 1930s twist. This was a nice look that gave a dress-like feel to the pieces, livening up an everyday piece into something more stylish.

This fur-collared version is simply stunning.

Most of the other pieces took on a very simple, tailored form. Almost Chanel-like in design. This gave the whole show a sense of refined elegance.

We saw glimpses of the colour blocking micro-trend...

... and some strange pieces...

... and some stunning use of sequins. These looked absolutely amazing shimmering under the catwalk lights. My favourite look was this piece.

We're seeing a lot of this muted yellow colour on the 2011 shows and I'm really warming to it. Combined with the fur cape, it creates a lovely silhouette that is more 30's glamour than 70s disco.

{All Images Courtesy of style.com}

I Gotta Have - Moleskine's New Style Journal

2011-02-24T15:56:00.002-04:00

I already love my Moleskine, I didn't even think I could love it even more... Until now!

Moleskine Introduces Style Journal — Mama's A Rolling Stone Magazine

The style journal!!!

My current Moleskine, a gorgeous orange page-a-day diary never leaves my hand, but it may be cast aside for this.

Features include a wardrobe organizer, shopping wish list section, and you can even download fashion templates from

Buy it now, buy it now... Be still my geeky, paper loving heart!

P.S. The new Baby Journal is really sweet too.

Prada - Fall 2011 Collection - #MFW

2011-02-24T14:16:00.000-04:00

There was some stunning sequin dressed shown in the new Prada collection. Absolutely amazing details.

More to follow...

New Wedding Trend - Flutterby Diamonds

2011-02-24T11:00:00.000-04:00

So, we're coming up to Spring again (Yay, I hear you cry! No more snow!) Spring is always the time when I like to take inspiration from the catwalks and put it towards wedding trends. Whether you are the bride, or if you are just a guest at a wedding in 2011, hey you might even be going to the Royal wedding, it's nice to follow the current catwalk trends, but in a more toned down manner.

The inspiration for this wedding trend came from a single photograph. Sometimes that is all it takes to come up with an idea.

Note: If you are on the hunt for the perfect theme or style for your wedding, please don't limit yourself to looking through bridal magazines. Although they are a great source of inspiration, you can often end up with a wedding styled exactly the same as a hundred other brides. For a totally unique day, you need to look a little further afield.

Whether it is your favourite film, a style of music or cooking that you and your partner share or simply an era that embodies your personalities perfectly. Inspiration is all around us.

So, this is the image that planted this seed of thought into my brain, and once it was there I couldn't get rid of it. Elegant and sophisicated, but not too feminine, this is a perfect wedding theme for anyone looking to add a touch of class to their special day.

Coming next: The perfect colour palette

70's Patterns Are In... And Here To Stay!

2011-02-24T08:52:00.002-04:00

I'm not usually a fan of 70's style prints (although it appears that the 70's trend is following us into the Autumn/Winter 2011/12 - so I may have to bite the bullet!) However, I really love the simple geometric pattern and colour scheme of this Fairground maxi dress from ASOS.

Check out the cute cutaway detailing on the dress too. Really nice.

A Long Time Ago Dress | FAIRGROUND | ASOS Marketplace

David Koma Inspired DIY Dresses

2011-02-24T05:00:00.003-04:00

I've just found a cool DIY for a dress I had my eye on a few weeks ago - a David Koma design for Topshop.

Looks simple enough. Find a simple LBD, accessorize with bullet casings and add elastic strips along the back!

:::: OutsaPop Trashion recycled style DIY fashion eco sustainable refashion blog ::::: Bullet with butterfly wings

I also love this David Koma design

A version of this would also be simple to recreate. This is a skirt and top set but I think it would make a lovely dress.

Buy a simple black dress, slightly longer than you want the final piece to be. Trim off an inch from the bottom and re-hem the dress (all will become clear later). Buy some sheer black material to create an overlay for your dress. You can easily create your pattern pieces for the overlay using the shop bought dress as a template. Shape the neckline of the sheer overlay slightly different to the neckline of your original dress so it stands out. I would hem the edges with a piece of ribbon wrapped over the seam as this will be easier to sew, and will avoid fraying. Cut the overlay piece two inches shorter than the dress so that the beading detail on the hem of the bottom dress layer can be seen (and so it doesn't snag on the sheer fabric).

Take the strip that you cut from the bottom of your dress and hem the top and bottom. Attach a press stud to the back so it fits nicely around your waist whilst you are wearing the dress.

Find some large metallic beads, sew around the hem of your dress and on the front of your belt piece, and voilà. A beautiful David Koma-style dress of your very own.

Or, you could buy the original here at Topshop

How Ballet Inspires Fashion - via @FashionCanada

2011-02-23T15:28:00.000-04:00

A beautiful video following Joe Fresh designer Danielle Suppa as she takes a ballet lesson and talks about her ballet inspired collection.

It's interesting to think about how ballet and it's elegant style can influence fashion not only in it's design but also the way the models walk the runway.

FASHION Magazine | The FASHION Experiment: Is this designer the next Prima Ballerina? (video)

Perfect Colour Blocking Shoes

2011-02-23T11:00:00.002-04:00

I appear to have a shoe fetish today!

These are perfect for the colour blocking micro-trend this spring!

KRONE - women's wedges shoes for sale at ALDO Shoes.

Kat Maconie Lucy Peep Toe Heeled Shoe

2011-02-23T09:07:00.001-04:00

I love these Kat Maconie peep toe shoes! How amazing would these look dressed down with a simple white tee and cropped jeans.

Kat Maconie | Kat Maconie Lucy Peep Toe Heeled Shoe at ASOS

Holly Fulton Fall 2011 Ready-to-Wear Collection

2011-02-23T08:37:00.002-04:00

I'm absolutely loving the Holly Fulton RTW collection. Simple designs with wonderful patterning and exquisite detailing. This maxi skirt is my favourite piece. The colours are stunning together, and the black halter with turquoise detailing is a perfect match.

Holly Fulton Fall 2011 Ready-to-Wear Collection on Style.com: Complete Collection

My Fashion Insider Review - IFB

2011-02-18T16:24:00.002-04:00

Yay! I'm so excited, my fashion review of the Fall 2011 Proenza Schouler collection has been published on Independent Fashion Bloggers!

Check it out here.

And here is my review:

A striking yellow and black colour palette peaking out from beneath a ripped white shirt was the showcase piece of the Proenza Schouler show. The weave detailing fashioned organic, yet geometric forms. The tassels swaying and creating movement down the runway. It’s both refreshing and astounding to see such detail and skill interspersed with more structured pieces in the Proenza Schouler Fall collection.

Also, congrats to Bonnie Doran from Girl Friday who was also featured.

{Image credits - heartifb.com}

Beautiful Rodarte RTW Collection

2011-02-17T13:09:00.003-04:00

There are some beautiful details in the Rodarte Ready-To-Wear A/W 2011 collection. Anyone who knows me know of my penchant for muted colour palettes, so this collection is idea for me.

I was hooked on the little details that make these simple garments something special.

The wide double-collar on this jacket that looks like you could coccon it around yourself, and the simple clasps at the top of the coat make it flow around your body perfectly....

...The combination of black shoes and petrol blue socks...

...The Native American inspired beading...

...To the exquisite detailing that went into the tailoring.

I loved it all!

{Image Credits - style.com}

Vintage Shopping in Halifax

2011-02-16T11:32:00.000-04:00

I’ve never been one for browsing around vintage shops. I find the smell to be the same in all of them and it really puts me off. Recently I’ve been looking in more and more vintage shops on my travels, especially since I’ve started making my own clothes, in the hopes of finding something that I can alter and make my own.

After living in Halifax for two whole years now, I made the discovery of the most cute little vintage store – Elsies.

Located on Queen Street, it has two floors of treasures. I only had time for a quick look around today but it is somewhere I will definitely keep returning to.

I’ve discovered the key to vintage shopping is to not get disheartened if you don’t find anything, just set a day every week (if you are close to a vintage store) and browse around. Eventually you will find the perfect item that was meant just for you. I'm going to dedicate my lunchtime on Tuesdays to browsing the vintage shops on Queen Street for treasures.

Oh, and wash anything you buy as soon as you get it home to get rid of the strange smell!

Shopping in Canada - The Swedish Summer Trend

2011-02-15T12:00:00.021-04:00

So, we're starting to see the promise of the coming summer months are we not?

Well, to be honest, no... It’s still snowing. The pavements are covered with ice and everyone is passing the flu around the office. What better time to plan a weekend trip away with the girls? I have planned a trip in May with a group of my girl friends. Not far from home, but far enough to have a relaxing time of it. So, here’s my take on the Swedish Summer trend as a capsule weekend wardrobe with key pieces that will take you right through to fall.

 
Stores:

Smart Set
Banana Republic
Gap
Old Navy
Aldo
Club Monaco
Danier
Spring Shoes

Daytime Look #1

This is a comfortable, yet stylish look perfect for daytime.  Whether you're taking a walk around the shops, watching a movie or simply having lunch with friends, it is perfect.  The flat boots will make sure you can walk around all day without throbbing feet!

Jacket - Smart Set - $65
Polka Dot Top - Club Monaco - $125 (approx)
A-Line Skirt - Gap - $54.50
Boots - Banana Republic - $225

Bag - $35

Evening Look #1

This is a casual evening look, perfect for lounging around with friends, catching up on gossip.  The flowing dress allows you to be comfortable with no restricting waistbands!  Perfect for late night snacking with friends!

Crochet Dress - Old Navy - $39.50

Boots - Banana Republic - $225

Jacket - Smart Set - $65

Bag - Smart Set - $35

Daytime Look #2

A more dressed-up daytime look in a neutral colour palette.  The faded wash jeans complement the florals of the scarf and the tan tones of the jacket and bag.

Jeans - Gap - $79.50
Crochet Top - Banana Republic - $69.50

Jacket - Smart Set - $65

Scarf - Smart Set - $16

Clogs - Spring Shoes - $27.99

Bag - Smart Set - $35

Evening Look #2

Again, a slightly more dressed-up night time outfit.  The tones all work well together to make a perfectly on trend piece with items that mix and match perfectly with other items in your wardrobe.

Floral Dress - Old Navy - $39.50

Crochet Sweater - Old Navy - $29.50

Clogs - Spring Shoes - $27.99

Bag - Smart Set - $35

Total Cost = $805.99

I understand this is not the cheapest collection, however there are a few key pieces that will take you through a few seasons.  The boots and jacket will span through into early fall and spring 2011.  To save a few pennies there are also cheaper versions of these items.  I love this boots from Aldo for only $90.99 (saving over $100 on the Banana Republic boots I chose for this collection).  Also Smart Set is advertising Buy One Get One 50% of at the minute.  Perfect for the purchase of the jacket and bag!

I hope everyone had a fantastic Valentine's Day

2011-02-15T09:30:00.000-04:00

If you didn't get what you wanted from your Valentine, why not treat yourself to this beautiful Avanessi yellow gold bracelet from Max and Chloe.

I'm a huge typography fan and this bracelet is the perfect match of beautiful typography and sparkly jewels!

Watch-Necklace Envy

2011-02-12T13:54:00.003-04:00

It's actually amazing how many necklaces I have. I love statement necklaces. They are great conversation starters and liven up any outfit. However, I find myself wearing the same few pieces over and over. My current staples are these pieces:

This is my latest piece from Stella & Dot - $44

One of my absolute favourite pieces for dressing up a simple top. A bargain from Primark - 50p (approx 80c)

My No.1 Conversation Starter! Sir Spook-a-Lot - Approx £20/$32

This is from Lady Luck Rules OK - Who stopped trading a year ago... Sob, sob :(

I couldn't get a good photograph of this for love nor money.

(That'll teach me to use my BlackBerry to take photos!)

However, I think I need to ditch some of these and go for some new staple pieces. My current necklace fetish is watch/necklaces.

Whilst I was back in the UK over Christmas, I saw a Topshop necklace that was a working watch, but could I find it for love nor money in Sheffield? Nope...

I've found a similar one on Topshop.com though which is pretty cute, and definitely a conversation piece.

I think a watch necklace will have to feature amongst my staple neck wear soon. Urban Outfitters has some fantastic options too.

Or even a compass necklace, you know, in case I get lost in the streets of Halifax! This could happen!

I also love charm bracelets. I love this Stella McCartney charm necklace, although at $555, it is a little out of my budget range!

I Love This Top

2011-02-11T22:47:00.002-04:00

This top/cape by Willow is so versatile. A version of this would be so easy to put together and could liven up the plainest outfit.

Not Just Fashion - Favourite Finds

2011-02-11T12:00:00.001-04:00

My favourite web-found niceties of this week!
Enjoy!

Happy Friday - Truly Smitten

I love these cute finger illustrations, they brought a smile to my face!

Im-Press-Ive - Impressed Inc

We've started looking at houses so I'm currently obsessed with home decor. I love the optical illusion effect on this wallpaper... Perfect for one wall of a study

Heel Condoms - Outsapop

Although the name makes me cringe, this little heel slip-overs are a great way of dressing up a simple pair of shoes to match an outfit.

Work on what you love - Workisnotajob

I wish I could!

Edie - Fashiontoast

This 3.1 Phillip Lim bag is to die for!

Givenchy Spring 2011 Couture - Fashion Roadkill

The layering on this Givenchy gown is amazing. The subtle hints of color set it off perfectly.

Mission: Impossible - Garance Doré

I adore illustrations by Garance Doré. They are simply stunning.

Collections : Be Mine - Design is Mine

I'm not a huge fan of everything Valentine's. It all gets a little OTT for me, but this is a great collection.

Recent Cakes from Sweet and Saucy Shop - My Sweet and Saucy

This cake is amazing. If I was to have my wedding over again, this would definitely be my choice!

Boy Meets Girl - Wedding Style Guide

I love wedding invitations that tell a story about how the couple met. The colour palette of this piece is perfect too. Neither too masculine or too feminine.

My Aim for Spring

2011-02-10T18:56:00.001-04:00

I'm a huge fan of 'safe' colour palettes when it comes to the clothes I wear. I love black, grey, navy and tan. But I don't know why I stick to these colours. I love seeing other people wear bright colours. I just can't bring myself to do it.

So, my goal for Spring this year is to rock an outfit with clashing colours! It looks great here.

Dare I do it?

{Image credits - vogue.co.uk}

My Issues With Shapewear

2011-02-10T11:57:00.000-04:00

Shapewear is always something I’ve been afraid of. I always imagine it being something grannies wear, like underneath skirts...

I also saw it as a sign of defeat. surely I should really be more closely monitoring my diet and exercising more instead of resorting to an incredibly tight piece of elastic to hold everything in.

But the celebs you see on the red carpet must be wearing shapewear. Look at Kim Kardashian in this gorgeous Vera Wang dress. She has to be rocking some serious lycra based outfit under there? Or perhaps she didn’t eat for days...

I have previously owned a pair of pull-in pants, that I wear on the ‘fat’ days we all have, but is there anything else out there. I’m going on a mission to find the perfect shapewear. It has to be pretty too, I don’t want to look like I”m wrapped in surgical bandages.

I’m actually loving the look of this Body Wrap slip. I wonder if it’s any good.

The main problem I have with finding shapewear is I have a bigger bust so I have to go for a bigger overall size shapewear, which then doesn’t actually hold anything in around the important stomach/hip/thigh area.

Perhaps I need something more like this high waisted thong from La Senza (although it is sure to be crippling around the rear nethers!)

My Catalogue Obsession

2011-01-29T09:00:00.001-04:00

Thursday and Friday are huge flyer delivery days. Toward the end of the week our newspaper is plonked outside our door, sending Jurassic Park style ripples through my bedside glass of water. I almost needs a fork life truck to pick the newspaper up on these days! I love this time of the week, ever since I was a child I loved the day when a new catalogue hit the doorstep. Be it the Next catalogue, Freeman's’, or even the new edition of the Argos catalogue, I wasn’t fussy, I just knew I had to be the one to open the pages first. I would whisk these catalogues out of the sight of any family member who may have been prowling and run straight up to my bedroom with it in my clammy little hands. There’s nothing better than hearing the crackle of the static as the pages are opened for the first time, and when that first waft of the sickly paper scent hits your nostrils, you know it’s an exciting time of year.

I love the start of a new season, and catalogues have always been an indicator of this for me. Spring/Summer or Autumn/Winter, it’s an excuse to completely restyle yourself by dragging out old faithfuls from your wardrobe and pairing them with new trends. I will mentally tick off everything in the catalogue I want, no turning down of corners for me, I want to keep the catalogue pristine!

Today, however, 20 year on. One of the flyers was from Sears. Instead of the front cover being adorned with fitness great and half price treadmills as I've become accustomed to over the past few weeks, I was confronted with images of women in swimsuits and suitcases.

I stopped in shock.

Now, I know I've been wishing winter away since November, but am I actually ready to don a swimsuit yet? Erm, no! I whizzed through all the prep that needed to be done to prepare myself for summer, exfoliating, moisturising, hair cut, pedicure, manicure. Clearly my chewed down nails won’t cut a week in the sun. But in all reality I should be already in full summer prep

Actually I should exfoliate and moisturise all year, but I just want to wrap up in my bath robe in winter, and really I don’t think I’ve even seen my own toes without socks or tights for the last four months so the pedicure has definitely gone out of the window!

We were hoping to escape ‘down south’ (I still can’t get the hang of that phrase) for a week at the end of March, and from a rushed glance at my calender this morning, that’s only 7 weeks away!

Can I be beach ready in only 7-weeks?

I think I better start trying!

Not Just Fashion - Favourite Finds

2011-01-28T12:00:00.001-04:00

Here are my favourite blog links of the week:

Spring 2011 Haute Couture - Wedding Style Guide

I love, love, love Haute Couture. This is a lovely selection of the best

Wrap Up - OutsaPop

A lovely idea to dress up a simple skirt

Snow Day - Garance Doré

After the cold weather this week, it's good to know fashionista's rock the winter boot look too!

Monogram Mania - Wedding Style Guide

I love the simple elegance of monograms

Chanel Spring 2011 Couture - Fashion Roadkill

Chanel is always my favourite couture show, so much fine detailing

A Wearable Planter - Colleen Jordan

This just made me giggle, so cute!

TOP DRAWER - Wild & Wolf - Print & Pattern

I love these simple, symmetrical designs

Generale - OutsaPop

Stunning! What more can I say?

Weekend Project: Twist Neck Warmers - Truly Smitten

I REALLY need to learn to knit

Wardrobe Rehab - A Pair and a Spare

I love this blush colour palette

DIY Weekly - Sheer Black Maxi Skirt - A Pair and a Spare

I love this sheer example of the current maxi skirt trend, and so easy to make!

Not Just Fashion - Favourite Finds

2011-01-21T12:00:00.003-04:00

A few of my favourite links this week:

Black Accents at Home - MadeByGirl
I love the circular window and the glossy black staircase
Engagement Ring - A Cup of Jo
I love the handmade look and feel of this ring
Great Idea for Your Inspiration Board - Black*Eiffel
Cute little coat hangers for your noticeboard
f21 Wedge Loafer - Fashion Roadkill
Perfect for Spring
Modern Skeleton Key Invites from Wit + Delight - 100 Layer Cake
Simply stunning
Forest Green - Fashion Roadkill
Casual yet on trend
Vintage Ruffle Cupcake Tutorial - The TomKat Studio
Fulfilling my current baking obsession
DIY Love Heart Back Top - A Pair and a Spare
With the right bra (...or no bra!) this could be beautiful
Sass & Bide - Eat Drink Chic
I just love how the garments are displayed in these shots

The Perfect Crisp White Shirt

2011-01-12T12:38:00.001-04:00

Another wardrobe staple for Spring is the crisp white shirt. I hate to admit it, but I've had the same white shirt for more years than I care to remember!

Shirts are something I really struggle with. The perfect fit is crucial. I would love to wear shirts more often but I simply can't buy something off the high street without having to adjust it myself.

I want the perfect shirt that doesn't gape at the buttons on the chest but that also fits me at the waist. Bravissimo is the only place I can find this. You order the shirt based on your waist and chest measurements and then select the correct size according to these measurements. The one I ordered (many moons ago) fitted me absolutely perfectly. The only problem is, it looks old-fashioned now. So I'm on the hunt for a new white shirt.

Obviously, my search has taken me straight to Bravissimo, but they only have a couple of white shirts and they aren't the most stylish things I've ever seen. Maybe it's because we're between seasons at the minute, they may get some better options in with the Spring collection. I personally don't like long sleeved shirts, unless I have the option or rolling the sleeves up. I'd much rather wear short sleeve or 3/4 length sleeve styles.

Image from Bravissimo

You can see from the image above how the shirt fits really well around the waist though. They look great tucked into a smart pair of trousers for the office.

I may even try on some men's shirts and see how the baggy look works. It looks great on the Dries Van Noten catwalk.

Oh to be a flat chested model!

Image from Elle Canada

ASOS Loves!

2011-01-12T09:09:00.000-04:00

Although I've been burnt on Customs charges on previous ASOS orders. I still love their clothes... We just need a Canadian supplier!

Here are a couple of my current favourite items:

I LOVE This Bag

2011-01-11T17:58:00.000-04:00

This Brooks England holdall is absolutely gorgeous, and with my surname being Brooks it's absolutely perfect! Plus I'm from England! Doubly perfect. Shame I can't see how much it costs. I wonder if it's out of stock? Grab a closer look over at Brooks England.

Vintage Brooch Bouquets - How To Guide

2011-01-11T12:27:00.001-04:00

So, amazingly the most popular post on my blog is about the vintage brooch bouquet I made for my wedding.

I really must take some better shots of this. As I mentioned in my previous post I took the bulk of it apart for our wedding reception so it could be used to top our simple wedding cake.

I thought it may be handy for anyone who is planning to do something similar if I put together a how to guide to help you create your very own vintage brooch bouquet.

Materials

Needle nose pliers

Cutting pliers

Good quality scissors

Fishing wire

Jewellery wire

Ribbon

A good selection of brooches, buttons and beads.

The most time consuming part of making the bouquets is sourcing the materials. Scour flea markets, yard sales and Ebay for brooches that fit the colour palette and style you are looking for. Make sure you get a good selection of sizes and lots of beads and buttons to fill up the gaps.

When you have all your materials, lay out your brooches on a flat surface into a circle, this way you will find which positioning you like and you can move the brooches around. I find a large brooch in the centre works well as a focal point.

Take each brooch and start fixing them together with the jewellery wire. Make 'flower stems' with the brooches with wire so you can bunch them together. You need to think like a florist, the brooches are simply replacements for flowers! Try and hide the wire as much as possible and if pieces will be seen use the fishing wire to secure the brooches in place. Fill in any small gaps by making little 'flower' stems out of buttons and beads that you can pop into the gaps. When you have the bouquet to the size you like (I often start out with intentions of making a large piece but stop when it is smaller as it just looks 'right' - you will get a feel for this as you are making it), wrap some more wire around the stem pieces to secure everything together. Tuck small pieces of fabric, ribbon or lace in any gaps or to bulk out any flimsy sections. Then wrap a long piece of ribbon around the stem of the bouquet to hide all the wire and make it nice to hold. You could also find a small plastic florists bouquet holder and attach the wire to this to give a more sturdy base. A few of these come with florists foam in them so you could tuck all the pieces of wire into this to secure.

I hope this all helps. I sort of plan as I am going along as every bouquet is different. Just do what feels right as you are constructing the bouquet. Remember if you add too much you can always take pieces out. I personally like the bouquets to be as full as possible. But I am a huge fan of anything shiny!

If you need any more advice at all, please feel free to email me!

My 100th Post... and my first of 2011!

2011-01-10T17:37:00.000-04:00

Happy New Year!

It's hard to believe that it is 2011 already, and that we're already mid-way though January!

Walking to work this morning I took the most amazing slip on the icy pavements. Not just a slip and fall, but a slip, fall and slide down into the road. As I tried to stand back up with Bambi legs slipping on the ice the only thing I could think of was Spring!

Now, I can't really complain because, up to present, we've had a pretty mild winter. We had a dumping of snow over the weekend though and, even though I watched two hours of Dancing on Ice last night, I still can't manage the shortest of walks on ice without ending up on my behind. Even a holding a silver certificate in ice skating doesn't make up for my lack of coordination on winter footpaths.

There was only one thing for it... To spend my lunch hour looking at Spring/Summer clothes and planning my wardrobe for a season where I can totter from the bus stop to work in cute heels.

The only problem is, I'm not really feeling the styles and trends that are around for S/S 2011.

Being back home in the UK over Christmas was great for my wardrobe. I so miss shopping back home.

I welcome any shopping tips anyone can give me for Halifax, NS. I want to find cheap, on trend clothes which I really struggle to do. I begrudge paying a fortune for clothes I will only wear a few times.

Whilst back in the UK I found myself browsing the new collection at Topshop. It was just before New Year and the sales section had been picked over so much that there was only teeny sizes and the weird sale pieces left. You know those pieces that you swear you've never once seen in Topshop even though you go in there once a week!

Here's my rundown on Topshop's main S/S 2011 collections:

Swedish Summer
This is the look I have the most issues with. It's a country style 70's collection. Think lacy, flowers in your hair. It's a style I just wouldn't feel comfortable wearing.

I have a huge problem with the mid-length skirt. I find this length really unflattering on most people, and if you don't pull it off just right you could end up looking like a Grandma... or even me in my Index catalogue shop uniform circa 2000. Which fortunately I have no photographic evidence of (I hope no-one else does either). However, this look does have some gorgeous detailing, like the cutout pattern detail on this jacket.

The collection also features the uber comfortable brogues and knee high socks (which I WILL wear one day!)

It also features dungarees. Which I will NEVER, EVER wear...

Ever!

Graduation Collection
Now, this collection is way more up my street. Tailored and sophisticated. Think preppy US 50's university style. Sandals with cute ankle socks, shorts, knee length skirts. I really love this look.

Except for the wide trousers...

Not feeling those as much!

Snake Valley Collection
This collection I like certain elements off. I love the sheer fabrics and the floor length knits. Think a Red Rock Canyon Desert Hummer trip whilst on a weekend in Las Vegas.

The patterning used in this collection also has a 70's vibe.

New Age Constellation Collection
The last collection Topshop has released for S/S 2011 is a really simple, minimalist style. It reminds me of Japanese style basics clothing.

Hard to review as a whole collection, I would wear these pieces with other styles to liven them up a little. Although I adore this piece with its shots of vibrant colours.

I always visit Topshop's new collections first to give me an idea of what styles I should be looking at for the upcoming season. I find them one of the closest retailers to achieving that catwalk look that I then tone down for everyday wear.

Just thinking about Spring and Summer has cheered me up!

All images from Instyle UK.

Not Just Fashion - Favourite Finds

2011-01-10T12:04:00.001-04:00

Here are some blog posts I've favourited recently. A mash up of all things I've found interesting or beautiful this week.

Kraft Paper Fill-In Moving Announcements - Oh So Beautiful Paper
DIY Alexander Wang Tailcoat Skirt - A Pair & A Spare
DIY Embellished Collar - A Pair & A Spare
Amy & Matt's Geometric Pattern Wedding Invitations - Oh So Beautiful Paper
Romantic Lace Ballet Skirt with Raw Edges - Love Maegan
Brooks England New Bags - NotCouture
11 Hand Stamped Business Cards - Oh, Hello Friend
Dana Tanamachi - 100 Layer Cake
Collections: Cotton Candy and Bubble Gum - Design is Mine
New Letterpress & Flat Printed Valentines Cards - Wiley Valentine
DIY Weekly - Crystal Ring - A Pair and A Spare
Alexandra Cassaniti - Canvas Stripe Tote - Tres Chic Now
Elin Kling for H&M - Fashion Roadkill
Getaway Girl: Salt Lake City - Greedy Girl

These are not just fashion posts. I'll always have a special love for paper and invitations - even if I decide not to walk that path anymore. I still get butterflies when I walk into a card shop. You can't take the Hallmarker out of me!

Enjoy!

My 2nd Project

2010-09-25T22:50:00.000-03:00

So finally I managed to tackle my second sewing project, the flutter sleeved cardigan I mentioned earlier.

I managed to make this in one evening which was great. I'm still a little slow with things, double and even triple checking everything before I make each cut or stitch, but I'm really loving it.

I wore this the very next day and I can see it becoming a wardrobe staple. My hubby even thought I'd bought it which is a great complement!

Starting on a skirt now, and my first ever zip! Stay tuned...

My Next Project

2010-08-09T16:17:00.000-03:00

This is the next project I am going to tackle...

Along with this...

Wish me luck!

Autumn/Winter Key Picks

2010-08-08T20:31:00.000-03:00

It pains me to think of the winter months that are looming, but now is the time to pick up those key winter wardrobe staples just as they come into stores towards the end of August. Pause to consider a purchase at this time and it may be gone forever...

These are the key pieces I will be looking to add to my wardrobe over the next few months:

1. Winter Wonderland Sweater

I'm hoping I can find a piece like the one above from D&G. I did buy something similar on sale in Abercrombie that I didn't get the chance to wear too much last winter, so maybe that will be my Norwegian sweater of the season.

2. Maxi Skirt

I'm still undecided on the whole maxi skirt trend. I had a bit of an incident a few years back involving a escalator and a gypsy skirt that I haven't quite got over! But I know by the end of the season I will have worn one of these a few times. This version by Athleta is perfect for the autumn months.

3. Camel-Coloured Coat

I have been alternating between a plum winter coat and a camel coloured coat for the past few years and I must admit I love my camel coat. It goes with absolutely anything and can be dressed up or dressed down. Perfect. Two styles I have been admiring are both by designer Suwha Hong.

4. Knee High Socks

This is another trend I've been excited to try but I can't quite muster up the confidence to actually wear it. I just have this dread that I will look like some strange late-twenties school girl. This season I'm determined to try them out. This plain pair from American Apparel would be perfect to test out this trend (and they can be work under trousers if I decide it's not for me!)

5. Bright Evening Dress

I feel this is the season to put the LBD away and go for something a little brighter to liven up the winter months. I love the style and fit of this piece by BCBG.

6. Nude Heels

These heels are by Cole Haan, with Nike Air technology. They don't come cheap (this pair is priced at $328 - although you can find great bargains at outlet stores like Freeport, Maine) but honestly, these are the only heels I can wear all night without causing me any pain at all.

7. Lace/Embellished Detailing

This dress and jacket by French Connection are perfect for Autumn/Winter. The embellished detail is beautiful and each piece can also be worn separately.

8. 50s Inspired Bag

I love a beautiful bag, especially when they are large enough to cram in all the junk that I carry around! This one from Club Monaco would be ideal, and the colour will complement my camel coloured coat perfectly!

My First Creation!

2010-08-03T16:40:00.001-03:00

We've all got to start somewhere, right!

This is my first ever sewing creation, a pair of lounge pants. I was so nervous starting this out that I put it off for weeks and weeks. I didn't want my first sewing masterpiece to be a complete disaster that would put me off for life! But amazingly, they turned out perfect.

I used fabric sourced from the remnants bin at my local fabric store and it only cost me a $1 (there was no way I was using expensive fabric on my first sewing attempt!) I took the pattern slowly and read (and re-read) each step carefully.

They only took me two evenings to make and they will be in-house comfy staple wear for a while! I've already had requests for orders from friends (Christmas presents anyone!)

A Fresh Start

2010-08-02T10:11:00.000-03:00

So, a computer mishap which resulted in all my design files disappearing into virtual nothingness has made me rethink myself and my blog. Was I doing what I really wanted to do? Was I heading down the right path?

I needed to disappear off the radar for a few weeks to really think about this. Yes, I could easily recreate the files that I lost, but did I want to?

I took some time to think about what I really wanted to do, what skills I wanted to learn to push myself and I realised what I had known all along. My true passion lies in fashion and clothes. From the colours and patterns of the fabric to the shapes that are cut out of the sheets of fabric to piece together to make garments, I love all of this.

I have never made my own clothes before, but please join me on my journey over the next few months as I attempt to make my own capsule wardrobe for spring/summer 2011.

Recycled Fashion

2010-03-03T12:57:00.000-04:00

Tesco is the next retail giant to tentatively leap into ethical fashions.

Eco-friendly fashions are becoming more and more popular since a.) the styles are becoming more fashionable and b.) they are becoming more affordable.

Tesco's main fashion label F&F has teamed up with From Somewhere to produce this new eco-friendly line. Not only are the pieces produced from recycled materials (made from Tesco pieces that would otherwise be thrown away), they are also produced in an eco-friendly factory based in Sri Lanka.

I'm not too sure about the pieces that are shown on the visual, I can't see them being snapped up by too many people due to their styling. I would prefer to see skirts made of multiple fabrics, giving the whole line more of a 'handmade' feel - as seen on skirts by UK designers Polka Dot Pink

This comes at a great time as it follows the wake of the scrutiny clothing giants are under about what happens to their clothing once it is withdrawn from stores - hopefully the steps that Tesco are taking will be shared by others!

Let's hope everyone starts to care a little more about the 'green image' their company portrays to it's consumers!

Our travel themed wedding invitations

2010-02-12T10:00:00.001-04:00

I promised some pictures of my wedding invitations back on this post, back in October.

So, here they are. I got some great comments on these invitations from our wedding guests and I will be adding these to my Etsy store over the next few days so you can get this invitation style for your own big day.

They are perfect for any destination wedding, just tie the colours in to your theme and away you go!

Enjoy!

20% Off Your First Custom Design!

2010-02-11T10:00:00.001-04:00

For 10% off your first order, or 20% off your first CUSTOM order, please email me with the code, STRAWSAVE before 1 March 2010.

Thanks so much!

FREE NEW DESIGN: Handbag Notelets

2010-02-10T16:00:00.000-04:00

Show off your fashion sense with these handbag notelets... Get this one free!
Printable PDF link here.

NEW DESIGN: Stylish Business Card

2010-02-10T10:00:00.000-04:00

Looking for something different to showcase your business? Don't shy away from colour, embrace it!

NEW DESIGN: Bright Wedding

2010-02-09T16:00:00.000-04:00

Want to show off your great sense of style? Fed up of boring, traditional wedding invitaitons?
... Then take a look at this bright wedding stationary set!

Calling card inspiration

2010-02-09T11:21:00.000-04:00

Looking at some inspiration for a range of calling cards I am designing... Simply beautiful. I'm really loving the square format.

Colour-in your own outfit!

2010-02-09T10:33:00.000-04:00

I love the concept of this colour-in dress by Michiel Shuurman and Berber Soepboer. This would be a great concept for design your own leggings.

Visit michielschuurman.nl for more details

NEW DESIGN: Just4U Card

2010-02-09T10:00:00.000-04:00

A simple design for a greetings card that pays homage to all us designers who are used to creating print ready files and looking at all those print registration marks!

NEW DESIGN: Mid-Day Crisis

2010-02-08T16:00:00.000-04:00

I know i tend to have a mid-day crisis around 3pm every day! This is often cured by a large cup of coffee and a donut, but now you can celebrate these time by proudly displaying this poster!

NEW DESIGN: Big Occasion Invitation

2010-02-08T10:00:00.000-04:00

An elegant, invitation for a big occasion.

Save up to Buy!

2010-02-06T22:58:00.001-04:00

When browsing on Net a Porter I came across this beautiful bracelet by Maison Martin Margiela.

It is a series of rings joined together to create a bracelet. I love the idea that a bracelet can be formed out of another piece of jewellery. I also love the eclectic mix of styles in the different rings used to form the bracelet.

Now we just need to see statement earrings made of different styles of bracelets, or maybe a bracelet made out of earrings!

NEW DESIGN: I Love London

2010-02-05T16:00:00.000-04:00

A special way to show your love for your favourite city, is this cute I love London design... London not your favourite city? Then send me suggestions and I will create a new design showcasing your No.1 city.

NEW DESIGN: Bridesmaid Card

2010-02-05T10:00:00.000-04:00

The first of my new designs, this is a card that you would give to your bridesmaids as a keepsake. It have 2 small holes in the card that you can put a pair of earrings onto. This would be your first gift to your bridesmaid and you can theme the card & the earrings to the style of your wedding.

formspring.me

2010-02-04T12:40:00.001-04:00

Ask me anything http://formspring.me/strawberrychamp

Guest Blog Post - Kind over Matter

2010-02-02T13:51:00.002-04:00

I'm guest blogging today for the wonderful Amanda and Jenn of Kind over Matter.

You can check out my post and printables for a amazing Valentine's on a budget here.

Thanks Amanda and Jenn for making me feel so at home!

Lingerie as Outerwear: the trend in 102 words

2010-01-28T13:59:00.000-04:00

(Image from vogue.com)

First seen on the catwalks of S/S10, lingerie as outerwear is set to be the it trend of 2010. Echoing similar trends from the 1980's it will be interesting to see how this trend actually spans out... Will anyone wear it?

We've already seen Sienna Miller wearing tights as outwear which, to be honest, only Sienna miller could get away with. In addition to this stockings will show beneath skirts, corsets will be work as tops and briefs will be worn as shorts (weather permitting).

(Image from fashionising.com)

Done tastefully, this could be a very beautiful trend... Think pastel shades not red and black lace!

(Image from amazon.com)

The iPad in 106 words

2010-01-27T16:23:00.000-04:00

Apple's new product, launched today, marks a new era in technology. The iPad, whether you think the name is the worst ever, or if you think it is no use when you already have an iPod and a iPhone, will successfully cross the bridge of the void between your cumbersome laptop and your 'just too small to type comfortably' iPhone.

I'm excited to see this in the flesh and check out the public response to its launch. With an average of 800 tweets every 30 seconds on the trending topic #iPad on Twitter you can see Apple have once again taking over the social media world.

Bare Chests! The Golden Globe Trends 2010

2010-01-18T09:15:00.002-04:00

This years Golden Globes fashion saw some startling consistencies in the fashion world. Floor length dresses were definitely the most popular, this gave the whole even a really glamourous feel and made me excited for the Ocsars. There were some beautiful themes running through the night.

This is a quick run down of a few:

1. Bare necklines.
Necklaces were few and far between on the red carpet. In fact the only bold neckline statement was Julia Roberts' huge gold embellished piece.

2. Earrings.
Making up for the nude necklines, the stars were out in force with beautiful, long statement earrings. Wearing both earrings and a dramatic necklace would have been too much and I think the understated elegance works perfectly here.

3. Loose waves and buns.
A common theme also ran through the celebs' hair. Loose waves were swept to one side and loosely pinned to create a casual, yet sophisticated style. This style shows off the beautiful earrings and is so easy to pull off. This is my fail safe, night out hairstyle if I have a hair disaster going on! This style was also perfect for the wet weather they had at the Golden Globes last night.

4. The star dress.
The dress that I found the most outstanding was this Caroline Herrera design worn by Sofia Vergara. I found this to be something a little different. THe colours complemented Sofia's complexion and colouring perfectly. You can't see the whole detail here as the train on the back of the dress was exquisite, the blue and the pink of the dress combined into a gorgeous effect. Even though this dress is plain in comparison to some of the other sparkly numbers I thought it was perfect for the event

All pictures from E! Online

Occupation Specific Social Media Platforms - Afingo

2010-01-07T13:43:00.001-04:00

Now, you've reconnected with all your school friends, work colleagues and everyone you've ever met via the wonders of Facebook. You get regular updates from your favourite celebrity and have instant access to comments on whatever takes your fancy on Twitter. But is any of this actually relevant to you, and to what you do for a living.

Yesterday a new social media platform was launched made specifically for the fashion world. Afingo (pronounced u-phing-oh)

a name that no-one can pronounce is a bold move but once you tell everyone how to pronounce it and that it means 'fashion' in Latin, you will look like a superstar!

Afingo aims to build up a network of Fashionistas, be it trend forecasters, designers, retailers or merchandisers to share and build information.

Maybe this is the ideal time to launch something like this. Before Christmas there was a slew of magazine houses having to close their doors, the recession and the rise of the internet causing their readership and following to diminish. Magazines like Elle now even offer 'digital subscriptions' where you can read their magazine online and not even get a hard copy sent through the post.

I personally love the look, feel and smell of a new magazine, the fragrance samples and advertising all add to the experience of a fashion magazine, taking this away just seems wrong.

But, we are discussing a fashion social network... Fashion companies already do well on sites like Facebook and Twitter. ASOS has over 180,000 fans on Facebook and 23,000 followers on Twitter - so fashionistas do find social media channels relevant to them.

So what does Afingo have to offer?
Afingo allows members to get insider information from their favourite brands and rate their products, it is also an e-commerce site that enables the user to purchase products directly through the site. Similar to the way ASOS utilizes Facebook and Twitter, contests will be posted onto the site.

The best feature of Afingo is the ability for emerging designers to showcase their work. Designers can post look-books and colour swatches and get feedback on their designs from the Afingo community.

Throughout January, Afingo is totally free to use. From February 2010, there will be a charge to use certain services on the site (you can choose whether you want to be a VIP for $49/per year or register as a designer or supplier for $299/per year).

I find the who e-commerce aspect of this very exciting. If Afingo can build up enough members and enough of a fashion following it will become an Etsy version of the fashion world, an amazing tool for budding designers.

I will register on the site today and check out the features to give you an update and a full review of the site.

Visit the site at www.afingo.com, register and let me know what your thoughts are.

The Return to Work Trend

2010-01-06T15:48:00.000-04:00

It's a strange thing, being back at work after a couple of weeks off. The only redeeming factor in the whole back to work situation is that everyone is the same boat after being out of the office over the holidays. It's different when you return from a vacation, then you're on your own. You're the only one that feels the holiday blues, you look around the office seeing smug grins on everyones faces and you can tell that they are pleased that you are back from your vacation. They don't have to hear your 'I'm off on holiday soon' conversations any more, as you slump behind your computer, your sun tan fading in the glow of the screen, you bring up the internet browser and head straight for Expedia.

Hey, if there's a flight seat sale on, it would be rude not to book another trip... Right?

This year has been doubly hard for me getting back into the swing of normality. I did the now regretful thing of combining a vacation with Christmas and boy has the return to work hit me hard. I have both post-Christmas blues and post-vaction blues too.

The first day back to work is always OK, you're still quite rested from a fortnight of lie-ins and binge eating and it's good to see everyone again, show off your new clothes you got for Christmas, and catch up with their holiday stories. You (almost) feel motivated for the year ahead.

Then, 2 p.m. hits. You've missed your afternoon nap and things are getting tough. You reach for a double shot of coffee hoping that this can get you through the final three hours of work. By 5 p.m., the office is deserted. We can't hack these 9 hour days any longer, how will we make it through the rest of the year?

Tuesday flies by pretty quickly. You are in a sort of trance, typing away but not really concentrating on the task at hand. You sort of resign yourself to the fact that you have to be at work. You're grateful for having a job in these tough economic times, yes, but you are secretly wishing the snow would start to fall so you can make a swift exit a few hours early.

So, on Wednesday the first thing you find yourself doing when you get into work is hitting the search engines for any last minute breaks, when you come to your senses you go and stand next to the person in the office with the dreadful cold, anything for a few days off work snuggled up under a blanket watching daytime TV.

Now, as I've discovered after living in Canada for nearly a year, Wednesday is classed as 'hump day' (this means something entirely different from what I originally thought!) Hump day is so called because it means you have reached the mid-point of the week, and surely things will get better from here on!

Just a minute I have an email from TravelZoo... Ooh, flights to Vegas from $80... Let me look...

No, STOP! I need to save money, I have no holiday days left at work. I'm stuck with it, so concentrate on that spreadsheet.

By Thursday you're busy planning the weekend.

I'm going to sleep for 48 hours solid...

...Knowing full well that you won't! The main problem with returning to work after the Christmas break is that everyone wants the first week to be relatively easy on them. Clients don't start sending work through until the following week as they too just want to hide away. You begin the countdown to the weekend, and then...

Friday is the day! Everyone will trounce into the office with a little bounce in their step. It's I DON'T CARE FRIDAY! The most precious day of the week, and come 5 p.m... you have a mini vacation of two whole glorious days!

And them on Monday, everything magically is back to normal. Getting up in the morning is slightly easier, the working day doesn't seem as painful...

...You want to know why?

Because it's only 126 days until your next vacation! You can start a new countdown!

For all those in the UK who are enjoying 'snow days' for their first week back, next week will be like this for you... and we'll have all recovered and be back to normal!

Is January's Gold Trend a Promise of a Brighter Year?

2010-01-01T15:24:00.000-04:00

Well, it's the first day of January, the first day of a new decade. I can't believe we are in 2010 - the last ten years seem to have flown by. From browsing on Facebook and Twitter this morning it seems that a lot of people have high hopes for 2010, hopes that this year will be something different, something good. I really hope this comes true for everyone and you all get a little piece of happiness.

In terms of trends for January, it appears that the promise of a better, brighter 2010 has made everyone look to gold. I'm seeing a lot of tips for perfect gold lips in beauty columns, a look I find hard to pull off. You need the perfect lipstick to start with, a lot of the beauty experts are looking towards a nude lip with a shimmery gold eyeshadow over the top to get the optimum colour and coverage. You also need to have perfectly smooth lips. I know mine are not up to gold lipstick standards with the central heating and cold weather, I can lather as much Chapstick on them as I want and they still flake. Looking outside as the snow is starting to fall, I can't see them getting any better for the next few months!

Photo from ellecanada.com

Elle USA, January 2010, The Transformer

Away from the beauty scene the gold trend can be seen all over the fashion world. Gold jewellery has become more popular over the last few years and is getting bolder for early 2010. Large bangles and oversize earrings are now becoming the norm, even becoming acceptable for daytime wear. Just a quick browse of the internet this morning to see what people were wearing for NYE showed gold dresses, gold jewellery and gold makeup on virtually every picture.

DVF by H.Stern Sutra Bracelet

Here's hoping that by covering ourselves head to toe in gold, 2010 will be the year that we all start to shine.

Photo from TMZ.com

Easily collect all your guests wedding photographs

2009-12-23T10:00:00.000-04:00

Gone are the days of disposable cameras on tables, now a website has been created to gather all your guests images in one place.

Now, you may be thinking that you can do all this within Facebook. Which you can but Facebook would rely on your guests posting photographs onto their profile and tagging you in the image to make sure you see everything that is added.

I know in the past I have seen people post wedding photographs within another album, say for instance 'July 2009' so if you aren't tagged as being part of the photograph you may never see it.

Olapic works in a different way.

They provide the cards and email templates that inform your guests of the details of where to upload their images. You can also track who has uploaded image and who hasn't.

Images can be downloaded in bulk and at a high res quality, perfect to pop into an album. You can also order prints through the website.

Your images remain private until you choose to publish them.

The demo video is really cute too, you can see it here. As well as a simple overview.

Because we know it's always friends who get the most entertaining wedding pictures. They get the true essence and fun of the wedding.

Wedding Gift Registry - The NEW Trend

2009-12-22T12:27:00.000-04:00

Setting up a wedding gift list can be a daunting task. First of all you need to find a store that both of you, as a couple, like. You also have to consider what your needs are when you first start out your married life.

Many couples already live together before they get married and so have all the generic household gadgetry that you would originally think of when choosing a wedding gift. We are also seeing the growing trend of couple's each having a house of their own that they sell to buy a 'martial' house once they are married... this results in having two sets of everything, so sometimes material objects are not the way forward for an ideal wedding gift.

I know many couples who think the only solution for them in this situation would be to ask for money. We ended up doing this for our wedding as we were emigrating to Canada soon after the wedding, packing up as much of our belongings as we could afford to take and leaving the rest behind. Taking heavy gifts with us wouldn't have been an option, but we also felt really bad about asking people for money. It seems really cheeky and we were scared of giving out the wrong impression.

UponOurStar is a website that could solve this problem. Instead of asking for money, the bride and groom can ask for donations towards 'wishes' that they have. Be it a new home or a dream vacation, all your wishes can become reality.

Upon registering, the couple is given a custom web page, like with most other online gift registry sites. Guests are invited to 'donate' to their wishes via an e-invite and after the wedding the money is transferred into the couple's bank account so they can live our their dreams.

This is a nicer solution than asking for money as people really feel they are contributing to a cause, giving you life experiences that otherwise you simply couldn't afford.

The only downfall is the 6% transaction fee that guests are charged. This may mean that you get a smaller gift than was originally intended as people counter balance this fee.

One idea could be to ask people for money, but give them a little notelet to fill in to tell you what they would like you to spend you money on...

We did this for our wedding, which people thought was a nice touch. They still felt in control of the gift they were giving us without the hassle of going out to buy anything!

The Website is LIVE!

2009-12-21T16:05:00.000-04:00

... Finally!

After months of procrastinating I've finally managed to complete my website.

It's not perfect yet, but more work will be done to it in early 2010.

Visit strawberriesandchampagne.com or click on the link!

I'm so excited to finally have this up and running, here's to a more productive 2010!

Wedding Trend Review 2009

2009-12-21T12:39:00.000-04:00

At the beginning of a new year I find it is always beneficial to take a run through of the previous years trends.

So, here is a brief run-through of the most exciting wedding trends of 2009 - and here's looking forward to 2010.

1. Male Engagement Rings.

I find this to be an unusual trend, but why should men feel excluded at this happy time. Why should women have all the fun (and sparkle!)

2. Themed Weddings.This is a continued growing trend. We are not only talking about Las Vegas style weddings, but more subtle themes exploring something couple's have in common, be it a love of gaming or a certain food type... No matter how subtle your theme it is a great starting place for planning any wedding.

3. Unusual Bouquets.An interesting trend that I decided to use for my wedding back in 2008 was a bouquet made from brooches. I was getting married abroad and wanted a bouquet I could transport to my wedding and use back at the reception at home. Other unusual bouquets may be created from felt or feathers, providing the perfect accompaniment to your wedding dress or theme. Also, this is a great keepsake and something that you can pass down as a heirloom.

4. Romantic Wedding Getaways.These have been growing in popularity over the past few years. Gone are the days where you can only get married in a hotel resort abroad. Specialized companies are now set up to give you any wedding you choose. Be it a secluded island or an ice hotel, the choice is yours.

5. Descriptive Wedding Invitations.Your wedding invitation is no longer just a piece that tells people where and when your wedding is, it should tell a complete story on how you met. Giving your guests a snippet into your lives together is such a beautiful personal touch.

6. Eco Weddings.Give something back to the environment after your wedding, ask people to offset the carbon footprint of your honeymoon, or give guests environmentally friendly favors like tree seedlings.

7. Maternity Wedding Dresses.The most beautiful wedding gowns are now available in maternity sizes. Following on from the trend of high street stores holding maternity ranges this gives women the chance to feel both beautiful and fashionable on this special occasion.

8. Multi-function Wedding Dresses.This is a relatively new trend that I'm hoping we will see more of over the coming years. My wedding dress is still wrapped up in the suitcase that I brought it home from our wedding reception in. I absolutely love this dress, but would never be able to wear it again. I would love it if it was multifunctional so that I could shorten it or take pieces from it to add to other outfits - but I don't dare cut it up.

9. Whimsical Weddings.I love that people feel comfortable enough now to really be themselves on their wedding day. I love that people don't feel that need to have a white gown, that it doesn't have to be floor length and that they can be proud of the skin they are in tattoos and all. Here's celebrating beautiful people on their special day.

Creating this list has made me so excited for what is to come in 2010. I hope you will join me on my journey.