Anglomania

Continuing with the theme of 'Internet Shopping', my most recent conquest is my best online buy in a long time, and also my favourite.

Two weeks ago i was trawling the depths of the internet, searching for christmas present ideas, when suddenly i stumbled upon a website which had 500+ designer names and brands, but the best thing was that all of last seasons stock was on sale for 40% off or more.
Me being the opportunist that i am, ran downstairs, grabbed my card and began some festive foraging.
My patience paid off, i found a pair of Anglomania Yellow Tartan 3/4 Shorts in my size.

They arrived a week later (Pretty good on DHL France's behalf) and they were even better in real life.

Top: All Saints

Trousers: Anglomania Ochre Yellow, VW

Boots: Seditionary, VW







I'm planning on buying a plain black shirt when i get back to the UK.
A plain top with these pants is definitely enough. If trousers have a busy print, it's best to balance it out with a neutral top, otherwise you can run the risk of looking like a patchwork quilt.

However i have just ordered a matching bow tie, as i feel it will give the outfit a finishing touch.
I managed to find a fantastic scottish website which has databased every tartan by name and number. A few dedicated minutes later i had managed to find a pretty good match to this Ochre material.

http://www.house-of-tartan.scotland.net/



Once i have the shirt and tie, this look will be a very smart/tidy outfit, something i'm not normally used to wearing (especially shirts) but i'm wanting to branch out more with the clothes that i wear. Broadening my horizons and all that.

Accessories:
So not only did i take a picture of this outfit, but i had the idea whilst putting it all together that i could add a few badges into the mix, just to show that they can be used in many different places on clothes to give different looks.
The only ones i have with me here in France are my 'Prince Charming' set of 6, so i picked the two i felt worked best with the look and went from there.


The thing i love about badges and brooches is the fact that you can put them anywhere. They can be used as a main focal point (Like a belt buckle, or the centre of the chest, like a pendant) or you can simply use them to spread a bit of colour around your look. For instance, i used the yellow crown and the orb because the colours tied in with the tartan. If you're wearing a shirt, you can even put them in the centre of your collar, usually where a tie would go. This is a great alternative to a tie or bow tie.

Squiggle me timbers!

Any fan of Vivienne Westwood can tell you that when you hear the word 'squiggle' you know you're in for some serious Viv-ness.

The print is available in a variety of colours, on different things such as boots, socks, notebooks, tops, dresses, bags and even wallpaper, yes, wallpaper.

It's a print which has been around since The Pirate Collection (1981) and continues to be as successful today as it was back then.
What I like about the pattern is that it is eye catching, unique, instantly recognisable and always gives an outfit an extra 'oomph.'

I recently bought Ben the Red and White Squiggle Pirate Shirt for his Birthday. The shirts are so well made. One size fits all, as you can tuck, pin and fold it to your liking.

Shirt: Red & White Squiggle, VW

Belt: Black and Gold print, VW

Trousers: Anglomania + Lee, VW

Boots: Seditionary Boots, VW






















I tied my belt a little higher than normal, not through the loops of my jeans, but around the top itself. This enabled me to tuck and tie the shirt where i wanted, so i could achieve my desired look.
I wore skinny jeans as i knew the shirt would balance the outfit out, with it being over sized and baggy.
The chunky boots contrast with the skinny jeans to make more of a statement. Plus, in my opinion, the straps and squiggles go together really well and give a very 'Westwood look'.


The 'Skull Keyring' was attached to my skinny jeans when i bought them. I added this to my belt to add more texture and depth to the outfit. The gold and black tie together well with the belt, jeans and shoes.
I love how this outfit has lots of different textures, prints and things going on.

'Organized Chaos'

Winter Warmers

Winter is once again upon us and I for one never normally dress for the cold.
Maybe it's because i'm a Northener, but i've never been a huge fan of gloves and scarves. That was until i got an idea in my head . . .

I don't have a clue where it came from, but a few months ago i woke up one day and said to myself: 'I NEED a mega thick scarf for winter.' And since then, it's all i've been able to think about.

Now you may laugh, but this is actually a good idea; I found a wool throw in a homeware store here in France, it was pretty big, but it was exactly what i had in my mind. So i tried it on and wrapped it around me, it actually looked pretty good. However, that was where my good fortune took a nosedive.
Once i'd found out the price (€50) I decided i'd 'go away and think about it', because i figured if i waited i'd find exactly what i was looking for, plus i'm pretty big on impulse buying. After almost an hour of humming and harring i decided to go back and buy it. In the hour i had been away, someone had purchased my 'soon-to-be scarf' Not a good afternoon was had by neither myself or Ben (On my moody behalf)

So i gave up and started knitting. Yes, knitting.
I taught myself from video tutorials on Youtube, however realised how long it was actually going to take when six hours in i had knitted about 3 inches. I still enjoy doing it when i have spare time, but i don't think i'm quite ready to be knitting sweaters yet :/

FINALLY, after giving up all hope, by total fluke, i found this:

Pretty much exactly what i had in mind, except it is a snood.
€15, H&M.
Job's a good'un, bish-bash-bosh, Bob's your uncle.



Earring: Heart Orb, Vivienne Westwood

Watch: Market Stall, Leeds





This look is perfect for indoors or out, the chunky scarf gives such a warm look and feel to the outfit, it changes the shape of my silhouette pretty radically. It was the perfect statement piece i was looking for.


Coat: Witches Hoodie, Anglomania
Vest: Topman
Snood: H&M
Trousers: Topman
Shoes: Converse

The Cream Team

Beige, Creams, Pastels and Pale Browns are colours i really like to wear, for two reasons:

1. They make my eyes look brighter blue (Bit of a gay reason, i know, but you've got to make the most of what you've got, ha!)
2. They make me look waayyy browner than i actually am.
   I especially love this now that it's winter, because the only sun my skin is going to see over the next few months is a healthy dose of St Tropez's bottled finest.
   
   
   So, for this look i wanted to show a more toned down style. This is an outfit i'd probably wear for the High School. It's not as 'eccentric' or 'unusual' as some of my other looks, however i still feel it has a personal touch to it.

T-Shirt: Climate Change, Vivienne Westwood

Trousers: H&M

Belt: Skull, River Island

Watch: Random bargain I managed to pick up from Leeds Market for £3

Boots: Unbranded






















This entire outfit apart from the watch and belt was bought by Ben, however we share and share alike in the clothing department :D
Plus i've mentioned before about my 22kg luggage allowance, so a lot of my clothes will be making a cheeky reappearance for the next few weeks, until i get the chance to change them when i go home for Christmas.

Outfit 2
Again with the cream!
This outfit i actually bought whilst out here in France.
Now believe it or not, it's not true what people say about the French. They're not that stylish when it comes to designer brands, especially in the south.
However, i've managed to find the odd little 'diamond in the rough', or just bought it online . . .

I found a great website a few weeks ago: http://www.thenewyooxer.yoox.com/eng/index.php/post/9952/vivienne-westwood-for-greenup/
Basically, good old Viv in her quest to slow Climate Change has created the original ‘Tree-Shirt’ for yoox.com, supporting GreenUp’s European reforestation program.
Their motto is:  “buy a Tree-shirt, plant a tree!”
So that's exactly what i did.


T-shirt: Tree shirt, Green-Up
Jeans: Anglomania+Lee, Vivienne Westwood
Boots: Seditionary Boots, Vivienne Westwood

Skinny jeans normally aren't something i'd go for. They can be very 'hit and miss', it totally depends what you wear them with. Luckily for me i don't have 'sparrow legs', so when i saw them in a random boutique in Aix-en-Provence, i took it as a sign. (That, plus the fact that they were on sale)
So i tried them on, much to the disapproval of the sales assistant, who tried to usher me back into the men's section a number of times (you've got to root around if you want to find the good stuff)

 Surprise surprise, they fit! So that was me in a great mood for the rest of the day, plus i got a free 'key ring, bag charm, whatever-the-hell-I-want-to-use-it-for' skull thing, which i've already used for many a different thing.
I wear a baggier/larger top with skinny jeans to balance out my silhouette, so i don't look like a bean pole. Skinnier on bottom should be balanced with bigger on top and vice versa.

Finally, my boots:

I absolutely love these! Vivienne Westwood Seditionary Boots.
I bought them a while ago in Leeds and have definitely worn them in. The bottoms are made out of rubber, unlike the originals which are made from leather, but they're easily the comfiest shoes i own.

Fabric Paints

For this entry i have a lot of photos to upload. I'm going to talk about fabric painting:

Fabric painting is a fantastic way to spruce up your clothes. Whether they're new or old. Trousers you never wear anymore, a t-shirt you're bored of, or even an old pair of shoes.
You can give your clothes a total new lease of life with something as simple as a single pot of paint.
They come in a variety of colours and you can change their shade simply by adding water.

It's fair to say that maybe a bit of artistic skill needs to be involved, but there's nothing stopping the less confident from practicing on a sheet of paper first, or even just doing 'ink splatters' or writing. (I usually draw it all out in pencil first, then follow my lines with the paint.)

My boyfriend Ben is a fantastic artist. He came up with the idea of painting on fabrics while we're here in France. This has slowly progressed from t-shirt portraits to trousers, shoes and he now even takes orders for specific designs and portraits. (I'll post a link to his Facebook at the end of this blog, if you fancy checking out more of his work, or even placing an order.)
Here are some of his paintings:

The majority of his portraits are female celebrities, however he does do requests.

I absolutely love each of his paintings. The detail and artistic skill which goes into each project is always his all and i'm really proud of him.

Shoes:

Toile de jouy, winged pump.



The creation of Adam, old pumps

Ben Cooper:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/bbennjjii

All paintings are available in Colour, Black and White or Line Drawing.
If it's a flat surface, he can paint on it :)