Just a quick post to share some photos that were taken on my last trip to Germany – as we had planned to go for a walk in the forest, it was only natural that I’d be wearing the super cute Mod Dolly mushroom shirt on that day.
I just love the pattern and given the name of the blog, it’s totally on brand!
I was a chilly day but I stripped and did a few jumps, to make the photos a bit more fun. I had to rush and put my coat back on afterwards, though, haha. It was lucky that at least the beret was super warm and cuddly – 100% lambswool – and that really does make a difference.
For a variety of reasons, I’ve been ditching a lot of the cutesy dresses and accessories that I own. The reality is, I’m getting closer to 40 and sometimes dressing like a 5-year-old feels a little bit silly and it’s getting a little bit old for me. I’d like to think that I still have my own style, but it’s been evolving and less infantilised. However, sometimes there are dresses that come along that you can’t just say no to.
Mod Dolly’s Margot dress was one such garment, as soon as I saw it I knew I had to have it, although it’s short and has the obviously cute heart pockets. I’d like to think that I can still carry it well, despite being designed for much younger ladies than myself.
Last weekend I attended Pure London, the UK’s main fashion trade show, where brands and designers show their wares to potential buyers and stockists. It’s a professionals only event and I was invited to come and see what was going on by Mod Dolly, who was showing AW14/15 at the New Brits section, supported by the UK Trade & Investment. This event was held at the Olympia and saw thousands of people come and go.
Mod Dolly’s lookbook for AW14/15. I’ve seen the whole collection and trust me, there are some yummy pieces in it! Here’s a sneak peek. Ssshhh, don’t tell anyone.
Bicycle print and sequins – my eyes always get drawn to these things!
Bursts of colour everywhere.
Sweetness…
The most unusual shoes in the whole show by Julian Hakes. Shoes designed as a work of engineering/ architecture. I’d love to try them on.
There were a few Portuguese brands showing their wares at the event and my favourite was Ruga – lots of colour and the boots below: both of them are gorgeous, the glitter and the furry ones…. and I was told they had them in more colours. Oh dear… there goes my bank account…
Snarling lips by MissCo Girl – attitude! Taking the lips purse to the next level.
Thanh Cong Vu Studio – We’ll be hearing more about this up and coming designer. His gowns are absolutely gorgeous…
My absolute favourite bag of the day- The cat bags by Larissa K. I will have to own one. Not only they are cute but they’re also versatile, as you can exchange the flaps! What a great concept and very nice ladies – I even saw the photos of the cats the bags were inspired on. Swoooooon!!!!
As we are on the subject of cats: how amazing is this collar? The other side has little hearts too. I nearly died when I saw it and all the cat themed items from Sugarhill Boutique! I’m sure it’ll be selling like hotcakes – all my friends loved it too!
The Zatchels pastel satchel bags… I’d like one of each please, for each day of the working week. they look great and they’re made in the UK!
I think I should also mention Nooki Design. I ended up not taking a photo, which was really silly of me but I got so distracted by the cuteness of their bunny clutches that all rational thoughts were just gone. click on the link and you’ll see what I’m talking about…
I hope you liked this little tour as much as I enjoyed the event.
Last Saturday I headed down to London on more time, for the first ASOS Insiders event of the year, this time a clothes swapping event, with talks about ASOS Marketplace and some of its vendors.
The premise was simple: you had to bring up to 3 good quality barely worn or unworn items, to swap with your fellow bloggers. There was also a selection of ASOS samples available for grabs. We were asked to fill in a tag for each item with our info and details about the clothes and place them on the rails. After that we were given some time to wander around and see what we liked. I put my eye on a few pieces and when the time came we all went for it. It was all very civilized and all of the 3 pieces I picked were on my ‘watch list’. After that we were told to just grab anything we wanted as they didn’t want any clothes left on there. I ended up picking up a few more items and came back with more than I brought in. Result! This was my first clothes swap event and I really liked it. I hope I can attend more during the year, as according to my resolutions, I’ll have to, if I want new clothes.
The talks about Marketplace were very informative – I had never really considered selling stuff on there but now I think it’s a really good idea. It’s better than Ebay because you can list up to 100 items, for a fixed price and you don’t pay anything to do the listing, only a commission when you sell something.
The first talk was by ASOS Marketplace’s very own manager, followed by Amy from Mod Dolly (what a surprise!) and Steve from House of Jam. The talks by the vendors were extremely inspiring and we could see how their businesses have been steadily growing organically.
As the event started early we were treated to breakfast and later a light lunch that was very delicious! I loved the mozarella and tomato skewers. Nom!
Sarah from A Million Dresses looked really cute in her Mod Dolly tartan dress and her apple shaped wicker bag but what really caught my eye were her nails. How sweet are they?
Laura from That’s so Yesterday, Siobhan from boutique Shop Floor Whore and yours truly showing off our crazy phone covers. We were clearly the colour brigade of the day.
I was fascinated by Shop Floor Whore goodies – reminds me a lot of the 90’s rave and club culture, what’s there not to like? A totally fun explosion of colour and glitter – right up my alley. More on Shop Floor Whore soon!
Mod Dolly’s rail at the event, with some of the items from the current collection, one of them my lovely dress that I wore on Christmas Day in Marrakech.
Here I am, posing for an outfit photo with Lucy from Lucy Loves, who I had already the pleasure of meeting at a previous event. She is so nice, I hope to hang out with Lucy again really soon!
(What I wore, in case you are wondering: Beret – Betsey Johnson, Cardigan and long sleeve black top – Primark, Dress – Sonia Rykiel for H&M, Pencil Scarf and black socks – H&M, Shoes – Portuguese designer Filipe Sousa at Eureka Shoes)
After the event Amy took Laura and I back to Dragon Castle for some dim sum. Delicious!!!
The lovely Charlotte from Crave Green Velvet made a video of the event – with great music to go along with it too (M83! Love them!). Make sure you watch it.
Thanks ASOS for organizing another fun event. We Insiders are truly spoiled!
(I’m adding this post to Patti’s Visible Monday, as it is outfit sharing time!)
After all the troubles I had been through to get to Marrakech (see previous post), I was well excited and eager to go out and explore, with a camera in hand. It was now Christmas day and I was staying with my husband and his family in a Riad (a traditional Moroccan house or palace with an internal garden or courtyard) in Bab El Khemis, a very traditional neighbourhood.
Papyrus plant, at the house’s courtyard. It’s the plant the Ancient Egyptians used to make their “paper”.
Planning our outing for the day.
There’s hundreds of decorated doors everywhere.
Texture has always caught my eye and there was loads to look at in Marrakech, marking the passage of time and its effects on our objects.
Come on in. Or maybe not.
In Morocco non-Muslims cannot visit the mosques. Funnily enough, this is a rule that was implemented by the French, when the ruled the country.
What I wore on Christmas day: Coat – H&M (via Ebay), Shoes – Carvela, via TK Maxx, Dress– Mod Dolly (get it here, it’s handmade in London), Headband – H&M
A lot of people decorate their vehicles, which I found extremely interesting.
So these are only a few photos I have taken while out and about. I’ll be posting more as we go along…
