EDITEURS AT LARGE

What seems like a long time ago now, but was probably only about April, a plan was masterminded. Initially by fellow Manchester blogger Clare and boutique owner Adam, but many - including myself - got roped in to help out along the way. A party, just for fashion bloggers, with the opportunity to get a pro picture in The éditeur's designer duds. Throw in cupcakes, champagne, and a cracking goodie bag into the mix and you surely have the key to every fashion bloggers' heart.

Last Thursday was the big night, and we crammed in The éditeur's shop to consume said cupcakes and champagne. We worried that nobody would turn up, that too many would turn up, and that nobody would get along - but it seems our worries were unfounded, as everyone was super friendly, and were eager to cast off their clothes and slip into something a little more luxe. Even I was impressed with the goodie bag, despite the hints along the way - Wolford tights, a ChloBo bracelet, and a hairpiece made especially by hat designer Laura Apsit Livens.

My chosen outfits were a Patrizia Pepe ski jacket & slip dress (a kind of riot grrl/early J. Lo mash-up) and a Michael Kors cape & slinky dress (so new they're not even on the website yet). I was a little bit in love with both looks - I was especially surprised at the dreamy fit of the Michael Kors pieces, having always assumed he was more of a TV personality than a real designer - and I'm so impressed with the photos, I almost look like a REAL MODEL. Just not quite as tall, or thin.. or, well, model-like.  I had to be prized out of my outfit at the end of the evening, as most of us did. I've featured the lovely ladies dressed in all their finest below; click on the photo to be taken to their blog.

Big, big thanks must go to the lovely team at The editeur, Clare for getting me involved in helping to organise the event, and all the bloggers who attended. I had a fabulous time! Cheers, and here's to the next one.

ARM HANGOUT

Left arm: Ibiza market, gifts from mum, H! by Henry Holland watch & Dixi ring Right arm: ChloBo peace bracelet, vintage bangle, gifts from mum, Ibiza market, Kenneth Jay Lane bracelet, Forever 21 spiked, Oasis cats' eye ring & BCBG Max Azria knuckleduster
Day in, day out, you'll usually find the same jangle adorning my arms: the Kenneth Jay Lane enamel bracelet Chris got for my first birthday we were together, a hand-me-down silver bangle I have no recollection of acquiring, and some rather faded and frayed threads from Ibiza. Recently however I've had some very kind donations, namely from my mum and ChloBo, which warrant an update on my wrist situation. It's less of an arm party, more of a hangout.

I fear (for my bank account) that this Ice Pop bracelet may be the first of my ChloBo stack. I had the pleasure of meeting Chloe last week and hearing the story of the brand (pack in the 9 to 5, go for two week Bali holiday, come back months later with a head full of inspiration and the drive to start a jewellery business) which many of us can but dream of. Next I've got my eye on something from the Dreamlands collection - with each piece handmade in Chloe's Chester studio all I am basically doing is pumping money back onto the British economy. It's an utterly selfless act.

PS. Not at all jewellery related but Henning had been on an extended holiday at my parents' due to us moving flat, and finally he is HOME! So happy to see his little teddy bear face again.

NUMBER THIRTY-SIX

After three weeks of living here I feel that my new flat is now in a state where I can show it off. We've had a couple of issues - like, who leaves towels and a broken microwave behind? - and despite some parts not being finished (ahem, the kitchen) we are pretty much there. Although these pictures are not quite Coveteur-ed, the flat is at its very tidiest; I can assure you, you wouldn't want to see it in its messy state!
I'm so happy to finally have a dressing room-cum-office space. Ask Chris and he'll say it's the guest bedroom, but we have guests over maybe once a month and I get dressed every day (sometimes twice, or more) so to me it's a no-brainer.

During those dark, dark weeks without the internet we had to find something to occupy ourselves, so one evening a duvet set got the tie dye treatment. The rest of the soft furnishings are quivering with nerves as we speak. I know not to blame late-night cheese for trippy dreams from now on..

The main thing that drew us to this flat was the amount of light. There's a huge window in the living area and the daylight fills the entire room - coming from a flat where you have to put the kitchen light on in the day, it's a real novelty. Chris has claimed the chair, but I love sitting on the couch in the morning with coffee and granola.

What do you think? I'm still looking for some extra bits - a window box for herbs, sari offcuts for curtain trim, a big wooden Buddha, and a huge print of George Harrison circa Hari Krishna - so if you have any decorating ideas or secret interiors boutiques I'd love to hear about them.

PENRITH

This weekend was spent with my boyfriend lazing around in the sleepy Lake District town of Penrith.

I say sleepy - but despite all the shops shutting at 4pm on a Saturday it was one of those mythical Mary Portas-approved high streets, with unique independent stores next to buzzing bars and sweet eateries. My favourite shops were Victoria's, with fair trade clothing and accessories (where our Buddha head is from) and J. J. Graham, a deli stocking all sorts of tasty treats, from freshly ground local coffee to international beers. Interestingly although this place seemed old fashioned they also have a transactional website, mixing old and new retail styles seamlessly.

Of course, as in any small town, there was more than a few charity shops. I insisted on visiting each and every one, maintaining that "you never know what you might miss"!


The reason we were in Penrith was to attend the wedding reception of one of Chris's university friends. A fantastic excuse to dress-up, of course, with the reception held in Roundthorn Country House - which had a beautiful view right the way across the Lake District.

I don't believe in buying a new outfit for an occasion, so I wore a French Connection dress Chris got for me this past Christmas, with Aldo heels and a DIY headchain. Chris does enjoy a new outfit and was rather pleased with his pink and burgundy T. M. Lewin get-up!

I'm wearing:  Oasis leopard dress  DIY'd vintage waistcoat  Minkpink Scorpio Rising dress  Forever 21 jacket  French Connection wrap dress  Zara bag  Aldo Rise x J.W.Anderson shoes  Office boots

AGGY DOES DOCKERS

You guys, there is some kind of witchcraft going on here. That, or Agyness Deyn is a mindreader. There is no other explanation for this Aggy x Dr Martens being so close to my current aesthetic, other than maybe - just maybe - we grew up in the same era and are both pining for a time of watching My So-Called Life on a tiny yellow TV, discovering Nirvana just four years too late, and getting your first pair of (hand-me-down, forest green) Docs.

There's really something in this twenty years 'til a decade's cool again theory, huh?

Daisy prints, checked flannel, and lambswool knitwear work together in the clothing collection, with each piece designed to be layered with another or worn alone. The standout pieces are - naturally - the shoes. Laying somewhere in between the back pages of Kerrang! and the Victorian period, the double height soles and triple buckles are just right for stomping around Manchester's rainy streets and sticky clubs, with burgundy velvet adding a touch of luxury.

I checked out the Aggy preview with Manchester's hardest working fashionettes, Sara and Jordan, who simply had to try on the reversible daisy bomber and Crombie coat respectively. Kate couldn't hold back, and bought a pair of black velvet creepers. Everyone at the preview was rocking their Dr Martens - it'd be rude not to, right?

With prices ranging from £30-275, this is definitely one for the birthday bunny to consider, but don't dilly-dally - the collection is strictly limited edition - and you're safe in the knowledge your footwear will last pretty much forever. #Firstandforever.