Monthly Archives: November 2011

Nov30

Shop Spotlight – Newlook

Posted on November 30, 2011 by memoirmode

Red Jersey dress - £19.99, Faux fur trim coat - £25.99, Round Stone Stretch Bracelet - £8.99, Glitter Wedges - £29.99, 70 Denier Yellow Tights - £2.99

I am going to be posting a series of shop spotlight and my first brand is NewLook.

I spotted the above Glitter wedges and Red Jersey dress and decided to put a look together with these things. My favourite outfits are those that you can take from day to night. You never know where lunch with a friend or those ‘one drinks’ after work will take you for the rest of the evening. I remember one evening I went out for ‘a drink’ with a work friend and we were basically just wearing jeans and a jumper and decided we wanted to go to Mahiki in Mayfair. I felt so under dressed and boring that I never wanted to put myself in that situation again. What is brilliant at the moment, is that is is highly acceptable to wear glitter or sequins during the day, so a day to night outfit is easily done.

I am loving NewLook at the moment. It used to be a shop where I would only go if I couldn’t afford something from one of the more expensive brands. Now it is one of the first places I will visit, as I know I will be getting something at good quality for a lower price. the whole outfit above is under £100.

I have have have to have those glitter wedges and the red dress, they would complete me

Nov26

Chanel, Candles and animated Gifs

Posted on November 26, 2011 by memoirmode

Chanel, Candles and animated Gifs

I am completely bored today, Luke has gone to his friend party for the weekend and I decided to stay home. After singing sad Karaoke songs to myself for most the day (almost got Christina Aguilera – you lost me down) maybe I will do one of those embarrassing youtube cover videos.

How do you like my gif? I was looking through this New York photographers blog the other day and I just loved her use of animated gifs. She has turned a tacky use of imagery into an art form all of its own. So the above is my half hearted attempt, it is too jumpy, I know I will have to go in and carefully cut out just the bits I want to move on each layer to get the desired affect. Practise makes perfect.

Also I noticed my favourite perfume Chanel Chance has almost run out. Must go and get some more, also I want to pick up the Elle Saab perfume. I smelt the tester and it is delicious, quite a spicy fragrance and lingers throughout the day without having to re-spray.

Nov24

Next Children’s SS12 Blogger Preview Event

Posted on November 24, 2011 by memoirmode

Next Children’s SS12 Blogger Preview Event

photo c/o next

I am part of the Next blogger Network, which is a community of fashion, lifestyle, home and mummy bloggers and I spotted an email rsvp for the Next Mummy Blogger Event. Although I would be categorised as a ‘fashion blogger’, I am a mother after-all and thought it would be nice to cross over into the Mummy blogger category for a change. I can quite honesty say, it was the best blogger/press event I have attended yet.

The event was held at Next HQ which is based in Leicester. Next very kindly pre-booked train tickets and had a coach waiting for our arrival into Leicester station. We made our way into the swanky Next building and through to the ‘mock shop’. We was greeted with tea/coffee (which I needed after waking up at 5am and travelling 2 1/2 hours with a restless Eva) and delicious cupcakes. Eva headed straight towards to colouring area, while I walked around with the buyers to view the collections.

next kids ss12 blogger event

Next gifted us with a £30 gift voucher to dress up the children for their mini photo-shoot. Eva decided she didn’t want her photo taken first of all and thought it would be super fun to run straight through the backdrop (good job she was the last one), but after seeing everyone clapping and jumping up and down she got into it and had her photo’s taken. I absolutely love them, you have to be a patient person to take photo’s of children.

next kids ss12 blogger event

next kids ss12 blogger event photo c/o next

next kids ss12 blogger event

I was curious to whether kids clothing brands looked at the trends and fashion forecasts for the coming seasons and apparently Next do. The buyers told me they attend all of the fashion weeks and take inspiration from the catwalks and how they can interpret that into a children’s and babies collection. The most talked about trend forecast for SS12 is pastel colours and there was plenty to be seen for the girls range at Next.

There are different types of mummies, some mums like to dress their children in trendy clothes (mini me’s), some have a more traditional approach to dressing their children and others are interested in character garments. Next really does cater for all styles and I am quite a mix when it comes to dressing Eva. Normal day clothes, I like to put together outfits for her (like I would myself) and special occasions, I like to dress her more traditionally.

next kids ss12 blogger event photo c/o next

We was then taken onto a lovely country bistro for a 3 course lunch and wine *big smiley face* while the children were entertained by Jo Jingles (I really recommend this company if you want pre-schooler childrens party entertainment) and we ended the day with a goody bag for eva and a goody bag for mummy, which included some leather gloves, a snood and a voucher.

We were completely spoilt and Eva had such a fantastic time, big thanks to the ladies at Next and Spreading Jam.

Nov23

My pointies are coming out the closet

Posted on November 23, 2011 by memoirmode

My pointies are coming out the closet

For the last few seasons it has been all about the pump style of shoe. Chunky heels and rounded toes have the preferred shapes. The last couple of weeks I have been stopping and looking at pointed toe courts when doing my virtual window shopping or research for looks. They are, after-all the ultimate classic and feminine shape. My Nan wore them (in fact the red ones coming out of the closet above were my nans) my Mum wore them and barbie wore them.

The footwear market is still very much in the ’rounded toe’ trend, but I found Dune have a fantastic selection of pointies. I need the black glitter pointed toe courts above this instant. Add some skinny jeans, black blazer, nice top and I would be sorted for a winter smart casual evening look.

Nov18

JARLO & Memoir Mode Competition

Posted on November 18, 2011 by memoirmode

JARLO & Memoir Mode Competition

106 HYPES // LIKE IT? HYPE IT!

I am so excited to be a guest blogger for Jarlo London and will be posting outfit posts for them every Friday. My first outfit is the stunning Patsy dress and Ainsley blazer.

To celebrate the Memoir Mode and Jarlo London collaboration we are launching a competition. One winner will win the Sandra Cape and two others a dress of their choice.

ENDED (all entries in comment field below) but look to see if I have another competition here

Good luck and of course you can follow Memoir Mode by email or facebook

Nov14

1920s Inspired Dresses

Posted on November 14, 2011 by memoirmode

1920s Inspired Dresses

1920s inspired look

The 1920s is by far my favourite era for fashion. Imagine my delight when I stumbled across Wallis’s 1923 collection of 1920s inspired dresses and coats. Wallis is not usually a brand I would even look at for my clothing needs, I always felt it was slightly too old and frumpy. I don’t think I have even walked inside the store to even check it out, just proves you should open your eyes once in a while and you might be pleasantly surprised.

What I find really charming is that the pieces in the collection are brought to life from original sketches. The coral flapper inspired dress above, was taken from Wallis’s dress pattern archive for a 1927 swing range. My fascination is obviously shared with plenty of others as the dress I really wanted to get (a gold beaded flapper dress) has sold out, never to return boo hoo. I wont put you though the same torture as me by posting the picture If you haven’t already seen it, It was simply divine.

The last picture is my interpretation on a 1920′s inspired modern look and how I would wear one of the dresses. I think it can be quite a hard look to pull off. The last thing you want is to look like you are the only one at the party that was told it is fancy dress (think Bridget Jones and the ‘tarts and vicars’ party) I think I would leave out the feathered head pieces and lashings of pearl jewellery.

When I was at Look Magazine for a photo-shoot, the hair stylist turned my hair into a long version of the popular 1920s finger waves (shown above). If I remember rightly, he curled my hair all over with a large barrelled curling iron, left to cool, took a comb and just literally combed down over and over again until it created the wave. I will attempt to do it myself and if successful, make a hair tutorial.

The cloche hat is from M&S, which was a very popular style in the 1920s. After a few seasons of chunky heels, pointys are starting to get a look in again. I love these black t-bar pointed toe shoes from ASOS, they would be perfect for creating a 20′s inspired look. I love my statement tights so lastly these polka dot tights are by Wolford and you can purchase at My Tights

Nov9

I’m with the band + competition

Posted on November 9, 2011 by memoirmode

I’m with the band + competition

101 HYPES // LIKE IT? HYPE IT!

A T-Shirt got in touch and asked if I would like to host a competition for them and to model some of their t-shirts for an outfit post. I love printed tees for the summer season, but wouldn’t usually wear them for A/W. I thought it would be fun to try out something different and do a little styling session on myself. So my inspiration was 70′s inspired groupie. The felt floppy hat I bought from ASOS in the sales, the shorts are c/o Reverse, shoes c/o Stylist Pick and tights are from Jonathan Aston.

There are 2 T-shirts to be won (guys & girls) and is open to international readers

ENDED but look to see if I have another competition here

Nov7

Diet Coke & ASOS Competition Winners

Posted on November 7, 2011 by memoirmode

Diet Coke & ASOS Competition Winners

I posted a week or so ago that I was to be a judge for the Diet Coke & ASOS Fashion Finder competition. Last Friday I made my way into ASOS HQ (they have lovely offices I must add) when myself, Company Editor Victoria White, Laura Sheard from Diet Coke & the Fashion Finder editorial team were faced with 150 short-listed sets out of 5632 entries. The rules were that entrants would create an outfit based around one of the four main trends this AW (Mod squad, Heritage, Pencil Skirts and Pussy Bows and Power Jumper).

The short-list was breathtaking and I wasn’t sure how we was all going to unanimously pick 2 out of these amazing 150 entries. We individually gave each entry a score between 1 and 5, with 1 being the lowest score and 5 being the highest. The scores were then added up and we came together to look at the top 18.

We picked the Tartan Dress set for first place, the mood board was the users personal twist on the heritage trend. A great outfit and fantastic design overall. We all agreed it was extremely striking when put next to all the entries, also the user ‘Ferah’ had 3 of her entries in the final 18.

Second place was hard work we had it narrowed down to 3 entries and third place was ‘people’s choice’ so not down to us to decide, but also a fantastic entry. Well done to the winners, you can click on the image above to see the entries in more detail.

I thought it would be nice to show the highly commended below:

diet coke and asos competition winners

Top Row left to right – Outfit 1, Outfit 2, Outfit 3. Second Row Left to Right – Outfit 4, Outfit 5, Outfit 6. Third row left to right - Outfit 7, Outfit 8, Outfit 9. Forth row left to right – Outfit 10, Outfit 11, Outfit 12. Fifth Row left to right – Outfit 13, Outfit 14, Outfit 15.

So do you like the winners? were any of the highly commended your favourites?

Nov6

Guy Fawkes Night

Posted on November 6, 2011 by memoirmode

Guy Fawkes Night

Last night we made a last minute decision to go to one of our local fireworks displays for bonfire night. It was the first time Eva had watched fireworks and we have been hearing all about it today. Even though it still isn’t that cold for this time of year, I finally got to wear the lovely cape c/o Jarlo, underneath I am also wearing a Jarlo dress. Soon each week I will be posting for them as the guest blogger, so keep your eyes peeled for that. I am also wearing one of my five pairs of Wedge Wellies.

I also became quite bewitched with taking photo’s of the fireworks. I switched the camera to Manual and slowed down the shutter speed, when the firework exploded in the sky I took the photo and moved my camera in different directions. I found it quite exciting to see what pattens it had made. I have only posted a few out of the hundreds I took, I wouldn’t want to bore you too much with my eccentricities.

Luke took loads of photo’s of me, but I wasn’t that keen on many of them. I am really noticing my expanding thighs at the moment. I am really skinny on top and my calf’s are also quite thin, but my butt and thighs seem to want different things. I need to remember I am not 20 any more, I have had a child so my metabolism has slowed down and I can’t get away with eating pizza and not exercising. If anyone has any good tips on slimming down thighs I would love to hear? Now that I have stopped smoking I might be able to run down the road again. I think I will be wearing shape slimming black tights until then haha.

Nov3

Eveden Luxury Lingerie SS12 Press Event

Posted on November 3, 2011 by memoirmode

Eveden Luxury Lingerie SS12 Press Event

Yesterday I was invited along to the Eveden SS12 lingerie and swimwear press event. Brands under the Eveden group include - Freya, Fantasie, Fauve, Elomi and Huit.

The ‘flapper girl’ redefined womanhood. They started to wear short skirts, smoke, drive cars, wear a face full of make-up, open about their sexuality all the sorts of behaviour that was seen as outlandish and rebellious in the 1920′s. This was when Eveden was created and 91 years on, they are still creating luxurious lingerie.

The theme of the event was the 1920′s. As I walked up the stairs of the stunning 28 Portland street building, I heard the Jazz music playing and when they stated on the invite their would be flapper girls parading. I should of expected flapper girls walking around in their underwear. My initial response was to laugh, 26 years old and I still find boobies funny. The most amusing part was when the lovely Holly from Eveden was showing one of the plunge bra’s on the bustier models and staring directly into her cleavage.

Anyway putting all childishness aside the collection really was stunning, my favourites being Fauve and Freya. The Fauve collection was extremely luxurious, something you would wear for a special occasion, such as valentines or a romantic weekend away. Any gents who read this blog (hint hint to my husband) a Fauve lingerie set would make a lovely gift. I also really liked the Freya collection (available to K cup), it was more to wear everyday and quite cutesy, I LOVED the mint green and polka dot set pictured above. Its a shame it would have to be worn under my clothes.

Eveden very kindly offered attendees a complimentary fitting and pick of a lingerie set. I picked a gorgeous bird print set from Freya, when it arrives I will take a couple of photo’s and show you. Probably not with me wearing it, I wouldn’t want to scare you off. They also gave me this lovely chemise, also from Freya. From the fitting, I also found out I am wearing the completely wrong size bra. I thought I was a 34C, but in fact I am a 30D.