Birthday wish list!

It's my Birthday in 2 weeks :-) 

My boyfriend's pretty darn good at choosing presents and always picks up on what I'm lusting after - probably something to do with my (not so) subtle hints??!  In the past I've been lucky enough to get a leather Pandora bracelet, a silver and turquoise Monica Vinader Fiji bracelet and an Alex Monroe flying swallow necklace.  Not to mention a collection of fragrances including Marc Jacobs Daisy and Vera Wang Princess.   

So this year I thought I'd channel my wish list via the art of blogging!

I'd honestly be happy (not to mention extremely lucky) with anything else by Alex Monroe and Monica Vinader but if I really had to choose, then these are at the top of my list...

Alex Monroe: Apple & Green Peridot Necklace - £120
Alex Monroe: Little Peacock Earrings - £138
Monica Vinader: Mini Marie Pendant - from £80

P.S. Instead of buying the orange luna pendant, I would make a fastening for a little drop pearl I have and team it with the Mini Marie - trendy and personalised.

I've always known I am on the 'cusp' of star signs Cancer and Leo, but recently I found out this applies to birthstones also.  I always thought my birthstone was Ruby - which I'm not that fussed on to be honest (but I do love it in class when I call the register and sing "Ruby Ruby Ruby Ruby...aah aaaah aah aah aaaahhh!!) but turns out as my date is at the end of the Month the next stone can also apply.  OK, this is not proven fact and I may have got this info from a totally unreliable source but hey, Peridot is next on the list... and I LOVE peridot.  So humour me will you!

I don't NEED new jewellery - when do we ever need jewellery?  That's why I think it is the best thing to buy for a present.  I know this post is very 'me me me' but what goes around comes around (good and bad) and I think I'm pretty nifty at choosing gifts for others too.  I love buying presents for other people and am useless at keeping it a secret - I always want to give them straight away!  When choosing something I try to a) buy something that they wouldn't normally buy themselves and b) if you like it enough that you want to keep it - then it has to be good!

I tell you what I do need though - a new wallet.  I noticed my friend had one of these Cath Kidston wallets the other day.  Although I'm not a huge fan (it's like in the music industry when a band verges on the side of 'too commercial') I really liked how compact it is.  So, I mentioned it - along with how there's a sale on at the moment - and I'm pretty sure said wallet is hidden away somewhere already ;-)

If money were no object then I would have been asking for this Rebecca Minkoff wallet.  I stumbled across this little beauty when I was looking at the little black book of style website, recently recommended to me by a lovely girl I got chatting to whilst shopping at Space NK in Bournemouth.  We got talking after discovering we had a mutual love and appreciation for Alex Monroe - she had the Dragonfly necklace.



Rebecca Minkoff: Large Zip Python Purse - £165 reduced to £99



 Of course, what I'm really hoping for is...a very special ring ;-)  xxx 

Silver & Gold



Chunky silver rings featuring:
Sapphire gemstone,
Opal in gold setting,
Trio of balls made from reclaimed rose gold



About a year ago I went on a jewellery course at Flux 'n' Flame - and when I say jewellery, I mean full on silversmithing.  It was AMAZING!  The weekend course was paid for courtesy of school as part of my CPD.  Teacher's don't get many perks (although I'm sure the word holiday's has sprung to your mind by now?!) but as I said in this post, going on courses is my favourite part of the job - I'm all for 'lifelong learning' me...

On the weekend course I made a chunky silver ring featuring an Opal in a gold setting.  I can't deny it was a challenge - especially setting the stone - but I enjoyed every minute of it.

So then I booked myself onto one of their evening courses (no longer funded by school unfortunately).  My boyfriend joined me and every Thursday night we would spend 3 hours totally engrossed in our work.  It was such a valuable experience on so many levels - obviously learning new skills, but also a great way to de-stress and forget about the woes of the day.

Below is a pendant I made for my Mum. It is based on some sketches of the groins at Sandbanks beach and the designs were originally for a brooch, but when my work began to take shape I decided it would be better as a pendant.  This piece was a really big test for me as I was totally out of my comfort zone - I felt for it to truly reflect the inspiration it should have lots of textures and be slightly uneven - normally I am all about straight lines and symmetry so I found it quite a challenge to be more organic with this piece.  That said, I love it!  It features both gold and silver - I adore working with a mix of precious metals and I hope one day it will be a trademark of mine.

In one of my next posts you will find out about two of my favourite jewellery designers - Alex Monroe and Monica Vinader.  At the time of embarking on my new hobby I was totally lusting after the Ava cuff by MV, but at £360 I couldn't exactly justify the spend.  So, I decided to make my own (actually I can't take all the credit - it was a joint effort with the boyf!).  It has a textured finish and features sapphire gemstones in high settings.

I finished the course last Christmas and since then the shcool has purchased some basic equipment as I have started teaching students some of the easier techniques - using copper and pewter as cheaper alternatives! 

Yr 10 Jewellery project based on 'cultures'
Processes include enamelling, laser cutting and delf clay casting

Having the equipment at work also means I can continue to practise.  This is something I really love doing - I only hope it can come to something more in the future...

LDN

The last weekend of every Month signifies two things - pay day and time solely dedicated to 'us'.  So last weekend we decided to go to London... 

Originally we were going to drive up and back in a day but then an amazing friend of mine offered the use of her flat whilst she was away for the night.  Bonus!  Talk about location, location, location - she lives right on the river just down from the Design Museum in Shad Thames.  We travelled up by train (always a treat as it's a rare opportunity to do absolutely nothing!) and were there by midday on Saturday all set for a fun filled weekend.

On Saturday we went to South Kensington and Chelsea.  We had a (dirty) burger in the Bluebird Cafe, strolled along the King's Road (where I saw Emma Forbes and can now add that to spotting Nigel Havers in Bath) and bought some goodies in Kiehl's.  I did venture into a few shops - namely Whistles, Reiss and Massimo Dutti but didn't actually buy anything?! 

We were both saddened to see that London Lighting on Fulham Road has closed down.  Thoughts of this shop bring back so many fond memories - as Designers it was an amazing source of inspiration and as a teacher it was a given that we would take A Level students there to look at the amazing array of products.  I am due to start teaching 6th formers again in September...where will I take them now???

We needed to pack light so I wore my most favourite dress - a midi by Earl Jean.  This is one of very few second hand items (a bargain and very lucky find a couple of year's ago) that I own and it is a great fail-safe.  It can be dressed up for the evening or down by day and people always comment on this dress - including random strangers!

With heels on the Saturday night...................................................with a Summer knit and sandals on Sunday

Oh my goodness - I just looked to find the Earl Jean website and look what's on there?!!.......

On Sunday we were true tourists and headed for Buckingham Palace!  We caught the tail end of the changing of the guards ceremony and then proceeded to the Diamonds Exhibition via a tour of the state rooms.  My boyfriend and I had a joyful time pretending to be Wills & Kate whilst walking to the sound of the very regal music playing through our (free) audio guide headphones.  We finished up with a nice cup of Earl Grey in the Garden Cafe before exiting after a short stroll through the beautiful grounds.  I have to say (and I'm not a particularly patriotic person) this is well worth doing and it felt particularly poignant - what with the Jubilee celebrations and all.  We even got a little inspiration for the colour schemes on our own wedding day (one day!)...

Spring watch

We were invited to a black tie event and I have worn all of my cocktail dresses to the same do in the past so I wanted to (obviously) get something new but without breaking the bank.  I gave myself a strict budget and told myself if I couldn't work within it then I would have to wear something a second time - if it's good enough for K Middy!

Turquoise pleated sweetheart maxi dress

Anyway I found this beautiful blue maxi and it was an absolute bargain :-) £65 with 25% off on the day so a steal at £48 - I was well chuffed!  However I have found it very hard to come to terms with where said dress came from...  Jane Norman can you believe!!  I have never bought anything from there before and have not been able to admit it until now.  I was really quite surprised at the quality of the dress - especially for the price - and the aqua colour is exquisite.  It was just perfect for a Spring time ball. 

Even the skinny belt that came with it is quite cute and I decided to work on that colour basis for the accessories - silver gold best describes it.  Personally, I don't particularly like strappy sandals with a heel.  For a start they are never very comfortable (yes heels can be comfortable thank you L.K.Bennett and Russell and Bromley) and it's very hard to find a pair that don't look like something your Granny would wear.  Luckily I'm a reasonably tall girl at 5ft8 and so decided to go for these simple flat sandals from TOPSHOP that were the perfect colour match and I was extra happy as they only cost £16.  Besides, I prefer flats with a maxi.

HAVANA Metallic T-Bar Sandals



Now I come to think of it, most of my other recent purchases have been from Topshop:

Florida Simple Buckle sandals £38
Manor scalloped edge loafers £30
Love asymmetric midi dress £42
Lightweight tweed swing coat £70

...and a few things from elsewhere:

I bought a gorgeous mint green chunky knit from ZARA and although I can't find a picture of it anywhere I'd say it was a good purchase as it's also featured here on cocosteaparty blog and chictopia.

I also bought this dress from Kiki's Boutique which is by Emily and Fin.  It has quickly been added to my work staples collection - fun and individual but formal enough to still look professional - and looks great with the scallop loafers.

Elsa dress - blue swallows £59

P.S. Did anyone notice the Alex Monroe swallow on my banner?  I'm a big fan!

Top 5 sale dresses ❀

We went to a Birthday bash last weekend and I decided (despite having at least 2 unworn and various others) that I would like a new dress.  That's a girls prerogative surely?!  Luckily for me that coincided with the start of the Spring/Summer sales :-)

There were sooooo many to choose from but I'm quite a sensible shopper really.  Don't get me wrong, I don't mind spending money (!) but two things are really important when I make a purchase: 1) the overall quality of said garment and 2) consideration toward 'price per wear' (and that my friends is a whole other post just waiting to happen!).

So, where do I head during the sales?  First of all I check out NET A PORTER and MATCHES.  Only to be hit (hard) with the realisation that although I don't do badly, my disposable income really isn't going to stretch that far!  I adore this Flower print, silk chiffon dress by ISSA (sold out now I'm afraid) it has the most beautiful print and one can just imagine it fitting perfectly!  Oh - that's number 3 - it has to be a good fit.

During the sales I tend to check out Whistles, Karen Millen, Ted Baker & French Connection.  These are the kind of establishments that offer really good discounts during the sale period and if you're very lucky and hold out until the bitter end you can grab yourself a great bargain i.e. I once got a full length black evening dress for £30 from French Connection in the January sales.

This time around, these were my pick of the bunch...

Mirror Print Dress KAREN MILLEN - £140 reduced to £110
Dotty Tweed Dress WHISTLES - £195 reduced to £95
Chora Printed Dress TED BAKER @ House of Fraser - £139 reduced to £70
Rebecca Beads Dress FRENCH CONNECTION £140 reduced to £56

The first number is cut very well in terms of shape but for some reason I have to go up a size in Karen Millen (I'm normally a 10).  I love love love the Whistles dress!  The yellow is cheerful - not garish - and the leather look piping adds a quality feel but unfortunately they had sold out in my size (the usual 10 thank you!) I am gutted as I've had my eye on this number since I tried it on back in March. 

The other two dresses are a bit more girly.  Although they make my top 5, I wouldn't actually buy them because it would go against my most basic rule - it must suit/flatter/do something for you - so as much as I can appreciate them, I had to say thanks but no thanks.  I think these are the kind of pretty dresses that would best suit a more petite frame.

Gusadi Dress TED BAKER - £139 reduced to £70  

After much deliberation I finally decided upon this blue dress.  At first I thought it might be a little too conservative but then I considered this a positive attribute - I do love K Middy after all!

It ticks all the boxes for me - cap sleeves, nipped in at the waist, not too short and a beautiful colour.  It is also quite versatile with great 'price per wear' potential :-)

Tie-Waist Dress ISSA - £298 reduced to £178

I then realised it is quite similar to another ISSA dress I have been admiring available at MATCHES:

Inspiration

As I said in my last post - I love to read magazines...

I have two regulars that I buy and absorb from cover to cover; Grazia and Marie Claire. I have come to the conclusion that these are my favourites because they have the most extensive coverage of realistic fashion i.e. affordable, and also have suitably interesting articles that don't take up half the magazine (not mentioning any names - OK!).

Rachel Gilbert Ashliegh Dress
Image found at http://www.eveboutique.com.au

This interest came about when I realised that often, when I was lusting after something I'd seen in the shops, I would then flick through a magazine only to see my thoughts were 'bang on trend'.  For example, when I was in Australia I had to buy an outfit for a cocktail party (bearing in mind all I had taken with me was shorts and flip flops - this really was a necessity for once!) and my friend recommended I visit a little boutique in Manly.  I ended up purchasing a beautiful (if not extremely short) silk dress.  Despite there being a preferential exchange rate at the time, this was still an expensive purchase but I couldn't resist the luxurious LBD with its beautiful detailing. 

On my journey home I bought Heat magazine (not something I do often - I prefer fashion, not gossip) and low and behold - THERE WAS MY DRESS!!!!  It is by none other than Rachel Gilbert  who is best known for her embellished evening wear.  Her collections are now sold on the biggest online designer store NET-A-PORTER. 

That was back in 2007 - on special occasions I still choose to wear that dress and people always comment on it.  I truly believe it was an 'investment piece' and I continue to covet the designer's amazingly beautiful dresses.

Unfortunately I didn't keep the clipping from that magazine and I really wish I had - so now I keep a scrap book.  It serves many purposes; I often create mood boards to show my students how fashion can be influenced by previous design movements e.g. the Lulu & Co Jonathan Saunders dress inspired by Bauhaus.  I also use it as a source of inspiration for my own creations, whether it be a piece of jewellery I can take inspiration from when silver smithing (more on that another time!) or simply an outfit idea.

I think this scrapbook page illustrates my own preferred style.  Don't get me wrong, I do like to mix it up every now and then but I think it's really important that one recognises what suits them and try to make the most of it. 

What's next for the scrap book....

I've been hankering after a couple of dresses lately and then low and behold they are featured side by side next to each other!  I do however think if I were to actually try the French Connection dress on it probably wouldn't suit me - I tend to prefer a nice little cap sleeve!  It is beautiful though - I love embellishments as you may have guessed already!

 

GRAZIA (25 June 2012) 'Dresses that do it all' pg.32

So I thought I'd maybe give the Warehouse one a go - only to find it's not on the website?  Sold out perhaps :-(  Not to worry though, I always think if something's not available anymore then it isn't meant to be. 

Then I stumbled upon this pretty blue midi which is in the sale - and it has cap sleeves...definitely meant to be! x

What meanies...

One of my favourite ways to relax is reading magazines (I save the trashy romance novels for holidays).  So there I was, winding down on a Friday evening (feeling very proud of myself having figured out how to design and add a banner to this blog!) only to come across an article in Grazia that confirmed my worst fears.... creating a blog and 'putting yourself out there' is going to open the door to potential abuse.

I'm not just talking criticism either - I mean FULL ON nasty comments.....

I'd like to say I'm shocked - but I'm not really.  It saddens me that there are so many rude and nasty people in the world with nothing better to do than upset others.  However I have to say, through my own experiences as both student and teacher, there is nearly always some underlying reason for individuals behaving in this way. 

I am not naive to the awfulness that surrounds us but I have wised up to the fact that I should just ignore it and enjoy my own life.  So - what will I do if this happens to me?  First of all direct them to this post and then delete...delete...delete!