REVIEW: Clarks children's shoes

Clarks recently invited Molly and I to have a look at their children's range. We've always been a fan of the brand and this is our go-to place when it comes to buying school shoes. You know you will always get good quality and peace of mind that your children's tootsies are in good hands when they're wearing a pair of Clarks'.

We did plan to get a pair of school shoes but Molly fell in love with these pink patent leather  pumps. I don't think we would of left the shop without them, either that or a full blown tantrum! This highlights the various different styles on offer at Clarks, all of which are designed to last. I know other parents that spend much less on school shoes and they generally don't last anywhere near as long, so I think spending that little bit extra actually saves you more in the long run.   

Clarks have taken care of growing feet for over 170 years. With children spending over 1000 hours in school shoes before they grow out of them, it makes sense they should be wearing the best! It's always been a bit of a tradition  in our family to go there but school shoes have changed a lot since I was a little girl. There's heaps more options on offer, from flashing lights when they walk to hidden compartments in the heel, inspiring the kids at playtime.

With expert sales assistants to hand, making sure you have the right fit is easy-peasy, totally stress free. Shoe sizes are checked using an 'ipad fitting experience' where the kids get to choose a character (Jack or Daisy) to interact with to help them with their fitting. Very different from when I was a kid! Molly's feet measured 12 1/2 F but still had plenty of room to grow if need be. That's another great thing about Clarks, they provide 1/2 and whole shoe sizes to make sure your child has the perfect fit!

Do you remember wearing Clarks' to school?

Big love,

WHAT MOLLY WORE:

DRESS >

CARDIGAN >

TIGHTS > MARKS & SPENCER

SHOES > CLARKS

BAG > SUN JELLIES

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DIY: Crochet basket

I just wanted to share a really easy crochet tutorial I recently discovered from Nimi Design. I've been looking for storage solutions and came across this tutorial on Pinterest. It's incredibly easy to make and within 2 hours or less you'll have a crochet basket to store jewellery or any other knick knacks. Plus, it hardly cost me anything to make as I simply used some thick charcoal wool I had in my stash. I'm definitely going to make more in different colours and sizes.

You can find the tutorial here. Happy crocheting!

Big love,

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WHAT I WORE: Black on black with Body Frock

WHAT I WORE

LEATHER SKIRT > BODY FROCK

FAUX GILLET > BEYOND RETRO

CROP TOP > AMERICAN APPAREL

SHEER DUSTER > CHARITY SHOP FIND

PORK PIE HAT > BEYOND RETRO

BODY FROCKS' creative director and designer, Melanie Davis, wanted to design dresses that made women feel great. Holly Wiloughby, Kim Lomax, Emma Bunton and Kimberly Walsh are all massive fans of the brand and it's all because Body Frocks have an 'inner secret'. A body-control inner slip helps to sculpt and smooth out lumps and bumps, allowing women to feel confident and comfortable in their own skin. The slips are detachable and individually contoured and designed to complement the shape and cut of the outer dress.

Body Frocks' Spring/Summer 2015 collection is full of beautiful dresses in sherbet colours and lace and filigree textures. I opted for versatility and chose a black jersey skirt with a real leather panel down the front. I adore it's high waist and the longer length give a flattering and classic shape. Remember, ladies; choosing high waisted garments is a great way to hide that muffin top! The quality of the garment was of a very high standard, made from good quality materials, making it  a reasonable spend with it's £170 price tag. I accessorised with a pair of artisan earrings I picked up in  Morocco, my trusty black pork-pie hat and added layering with a black crop top, sheer duster and faux-fur gillet. Perfect for a girls night out or a date with Mr. D!

So ditch those Bridget Jones pants girls as date night has just got a lot more sexier! Would you wear a body control dress?

Big love,

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IDOL FRIDAY: Alexander McQueen

It's been 20 years since the late Alexander McQueen first grabbed our attention. His contribution to the fashion world is one that will never be forgotten! Not only was he Chief Director for Givenchy for 5 years but McQueen also successfully founded his own label and had four British Designer  of the Year awards under his belt. It's been 4 years since his untimely death, so it seems only right we come out of mourning and celebrate the designers life. And to help us celebrate we have  two wonderful exhibitions launching this month completely dedicated to his beautiful work!

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Savage Beauty @ The V&A Museum

SOURCED FROM HERE

You may have already heard the buzz about this exhibition, but the V&A have put together the largest ever retrospective of the his work and it's starting this Saturday!  You will be able to view extensive work from his 1992 MA graduate collection to his unfinished 2010 collection. One of the exhibits will be called the Cabinet of Curiosities, focusing on atavistic and fetishistic paraphernalia produced by McQueen, showcasing show pieces and one-off creations made purely for the catwalk and not intended for mass production.

Be sure to buy tickets in advance, as this show is booking up quickly. Tickets are £17.50 per adult and you can buy them here

Nick Waplington/Alexander McQueen: Working Process @Tate Britain

This extremely special exhibition at Tate Britain shows a rare collaboration between Alexander McQueen and photographer, Nick Waplington. In 2009, Waplington recorded unique behind the scenes footage of Alexander McQueen's last A/W collection, Horn of Plenty, which concentrated on reusing fabrics and silhouettes from previous collections. Even the catwalk set was made from discarded segments from sets of his past shows. Waplington used old analogue cameras which allowed up-to 8 shots per roll. The usage of film adds a rawness to his images showing a side to the fashion world that people don't normally see.

This show is also ticketed at £16 per adult and you can buy them here

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So which exhibition will you be going to see? The V&A is definitely at the top of my list! Savage Beauty was extremely popular in New York when it was shown at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2011, so definitely one not to be missed! Just remember to buy your tickets in advance so you don't miss out!

Big love,

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DIY: Embroidered love token

Earlier on this year I decided I wanted to improve my hand sewing skills by dabbling in a bit of embroidery. Being inspired by all the embroidery hoop art I've seen on Pinterest, I decided to make a love token for Mr D. Using some of my favourite Blur lyrics and a series of chain stitches and French knots.... I made this! Whaddya think? 

Mr D loves it! Whoop Whoop! And it's now hanging up proudly on our family photo wall. Such a lovely and simple thing to make somebody. I definitely want to make more in different sizes! 

Have you tried making some embroidery hoop art?

Big love,

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REVIEW: Woodbuds

When Wife told me we had been asked to review a pair of wooden headphones, I was a tad skeptical. Seriously, bonkers I thought. But yes, Woodbuds are indeed really rather spiffing in-ear headphones made out of responsibly sourced walnut, which is, believe it or not, wood. Not only have the manufacturers pledged to plant a new tree with the Woodland Trust for every 100 pairs of headphones they sell, they've also joined the 1% For The Planet alliance, which encourages businesses around the world to commit at least 1% of their profits to approved environmental organisations. Not even the Green Party's Green credentials stretch that far.

Available in a simple range of 6 colours, these little beauts pack a delightful sonic punch. They come with a selection of very comfortable ear-tips so you can find the right fit for your sound holes. These help to isolate noise so that you can have your music nice and loud without scowls from the elderly gentleman sat across from you on the bus.
The very high quality flat cable means that you don't get the usual tangled mess when you pull your headphones out of your pocket which, let's face it, is always a plus. The only thing missing is a volume control and hands free microphone, although you can still take calls using your phones own mic.

These are basically a banging little set of headphones. I have a fairly eclectic music collection and these things really do not miss a single frequency. I honestly didn't think that the sound quality would be this good, especially at a very affordable £25 a pop, but they're just as good as Senheisers and easily better than the standard Whites  that came with my iPhone. I think these will especially appeal to the Conscientious Consumer who, like me, secretly feels  guilty every time they recharge their phone.

So there you have it. Wooden earphones. Not nearly as bonkers as i originally thought. Get yours at www.woodbuds.com

Do it now!

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IDOL FRIDAY: Björk

On Sunday, a new exhibition will be launching at The Museum of Modern Art in New York. The exhibition will be presenting 20 years worth of work from Icelandic musician, Björk Guðmundsdóttir. Fans and visitors will be greeted by sound and video installations of new and old work, custom-made instruments used on Biophilia and music videos from albums 'Debut' to 'Biophilia' will be  screened in a specially designed cinema room, so this is definitely not something to miss!

The museum has had to make some big adjustments in preparation for the exhibition. A whole new floor has been built to make sure that the building can take the dirty, bassy notes in the commissioned video for 'Black Lake'. It will also be the first time the museum has showcased an app. Björk released an app back in 2011 to co-inside with her album, Biophilia. It took users onto a journey of her songs by being able to rework the material.  A visual album with interactive graphics. We currently have it on our iPad and it's very cleverly done. It even has David Attenbourgh narrating. We introduced Molly to Björk using this app and not only did she really enjoy playing with sound but she's now an ardent Björk fan too. 

Björk has worn some pretty amazing outfits over the past years for Award ceremonies, tours and music videos. Each incorporating the avant garde art that she was creating. Some of these, including the famous swan dress designed by Marjon Perjoski, will also be showcased at the MOMA exhibition and it would be just amazing to look at the skill and work that has been put into these garments in such close detail.

I remember the first time I heard Björk. I was listening to 'Venus as a Boy' on the radio and fell in love with her ever-changing, quirky and surprising voice. She sounded bonkers but had a wild, childlike demeanor that you'd instantly warm to. Her music was nothing that you'd heard before but was a great mixture of electronic, trip hop and classical influences which was perfect for what was happening in the music scene at the time in London. I love how Björk's home country has always been a huge influence on her and affects the way she sings. She seems to be ever evolving, changing just like the natural world around us.  I simply can't wait to see what else she has up her sleeve. I only wish that I could hop across the ocean to see and experience this very special exhibition. 


If like me your not able to make it to The Big Apple, here are my top 5 Bjork songs for you to enjoy!

1. I Miss You (1995)

2. Triumph of a Heart (2004)

3. Joga (1997)

4. All Is Full Of Love (1997)

5. Crystalline (2011)

 

The exhibition will be running from the 8th March - 7th June at MOMA, New York

Hope you've enjoyed this weeks Idol Friday? Please come back next week for a look at Alexander McQueen and his new exhibition at the V&A. EXCITMENT! 

Big Love,

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WHAT I WORE: American Apparel basics

WHAT I WORE:

DUNGAREES > BEYOND RETRO

CROP TOP > AMERICAN APPAREL

SHOES > NEW LOOK

SUNGLASSES > URBAN OUTFITTERS

HAT > BEYOND RETRO

It's always good to have a few staple, basic tees to complement your wardrobe and one of my favourite places to go for these is American Apparel. Their basic range of jerseys and tees are great. They have very flattering cuts but I do find their prices can be a bit steep. 

So, here's a little secret I'm going to share with you all. But shhhhhh .  .  . you mustn't tell a soul!

Recently, I discovered an online shop that have started to stock American Apparel basics. Not only that but their prices are phenomenal. They're called buytshirtsonline.co.uk and also provide a printing service. So not only can you get cheap and good quality basics but also have a dabble in t-shirt printing too. Their delivery service was extremely quick and, once I had ordered, the top arrived promptly the very next day.

This crop top is £26 in the American Apparel stores but on buytshirtsonline.co.uk they're only £14.71 (incl p&p). That's saving you a whopping £11.29! That gets a big thumbs up from me! Plus, look at how many wonderful outfits I will get from just one top!

Happy shopping!

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