Category: Journal

Black Wedges Rock My World …

So I’ve been after a pair of black wedges for BLOODY AGES … and I’ve searched and searched and I could not find THE perfect shoes.

I found a couple that came close, Topshop had a mega chunky black wedge which I bought but quickly returned when my colleagues informed me that the shoes were most definitely not suitable for day wear. DARN it. KG had a couple of wedges available, as did Zara and New Look. But I could not find THE pair that matched my fine tuned mental criteria …. they had to be black suede and no faux materials, a good 4/5 inches, but with a wedged toe for comfort, shoe boots, and none of that rubber wedge heel… BLEUGH!

Finally I found the dream pair: Dune KOOL D Black Shoe Wedges. Hallelujah!

Not only did these shoes tick every box on my list … they were in the sale too. As if it was fate. £77 from Dune, super comfy, super hot, and look good with all my favourite new outfits. and they came just in time fora big week of parties :)

Dune, Kool D Lace Up Wedge, £77

I’ve mixed them with a couple of outfits so far, and I must say, I LOVE THEM.

Outfit A: Black Leather high waisted shorts from H&M (£14.99), Zara silk top with Gold sparkly cotton back (£39.99), Miss Selfridge chiffon cardigan and black tights … I took the belt off the shorts and added my own black and gold accessorize belt which transformed the shorts.

Outfit B: This outfit was what I wore to the media week awards this week, and even got to debut on stage when we won an award for my client :), frustratingly I don’t have a picture of me in it but am hoping Media Week will post pictures of us collecting our award on stage (i’ll post it when I find it). It was a French connection Gold / Black body con dress (£110) which I wore with my gorgeous mega heels and black tights (seeing as it’s clearly winter now), teamed with my Mulberry of course.

Outfit C: Saturday night I attended the Aussie-versary party in Century Club Soho with my friend and fellow blogger Kat. We had champagne and canapes to die for and they were all served by naked aussie men .. of course. We had our hair and make up done by the pro’s on arrival and gorgeous manicures by some top NY beauticians (I went for barbie pink), I’ve posted some pics below. Outfit wise, I wore an electric blue dress which I bought from a tiny store in Covent garden called FanPlace, which you can also buy at Neverfullydressed.com (although it’s more expensive online)!

A couple of pictures taken from the night (courtesy of jemimaandted) – excuse the pose & sticker on head, there was a lot of Champagne going round ;)

So all in all, the shoes have gone down a storm, and I have well and truly got my moneys worth. The biggest bonus is they are perfect for the day to night transition … and suits all the AW must haves!

October 30, 2011
Pashley Poppy

I feel images will explain my love for this new bike more than words …

I first discovered my love for the vintage dutch style bikes when i visited Amsterdam this summer. I realised the chilled out Dutch way of life and love of the bike as a mode of transport was so idealistic and relaxing, I wanted to give my London commuter life a little makeover.

I signed up to the London cyclescheme (http://www.cyclescheme.co.uk/) through my company and soon ordered my very own pink pashley poppy … along with basket, seriously big lock, lights and bike stand.

My bike and it’s accessories came to £612 … and I promise you it was worth it. Not only for the mega comfortable brooks saddle, nor for its dashing good looks and utter coolness .. but actually because cycling is pretty good fun.

I am about to venture on the commuter cycle (once I’ve mustered up the courage) from Kew to Leicester Square, but I’ve also been doing lots of weekend cycling. A pub crawl along the Bristol – Bath cycle route this October when we had a glorious sunny weekend, some trips into Chiswick, Richmond and Hyde Park for relaxed lunches and vanilla lattes with my boyfriend.

I’ve been using cyclestreets.com to plan my routes, and it’s the best site I’ve managed to find out there and they even have a mobile app which comes in a handy sat nav device when you get lost (which I did,lots … ahem). http://www.cyclestreets.net/

I’ve even just bought myself a pair of Hunter Wellies and Wax leather jacket to finish the look.

Fashion and Health …what more could we need :)

October 30, 2011
I Heart Mulberry

One thing you’ll come to discover is that I have a severe addiction to hand bags … namely Mulberry!

I currently have 5 in my collection, the Bayswater in Charcoal, Emmy in Black, a mini patent pink handbag (courtesy of my lovely boyfriend), the new Holly Small Zip around purse in pink, and a 2009 tan satchel (the first of my collection thanks to my Daddy) …. oh and a passport holder (does that count?).

I follow their line closely, and absolutely adore some of the new designs. The Bayswater Satchel, Oversize Taylor and the Holly are 3 of my favorites from the new AW11 collection.

I must say however, I am not such a fan of the Alexa. Mulberry has always been noted for their British Heritage, classic designs and use of fabulous leather. So I was slightly disappointed this summer when they released the Alexa, to me this was a blip in their otherwise perfect handbag ranges.

The Alexa was released at a time when Mulberry was becoming more mainstream, many celebs and IT girls were seen sporting the latest designs and helped notch Mulberry to that next level in Fashion hierarchy … which without doubt was well deserved and great for Mulberry. HOWEVER, their reaction to release a new model, named after a current fashionista, was only the start of why I do not and will not EVER rate this bag. My main dislike was the leather. The leather used on the Alexa bag was noticeably thin, a significant step away from their classic Darwin leather totes and seemed to me a cheap cop out to jump on the celebrity it list band wagon. The bag has since been released in a wide range of hideous and tacky colours and patterns and frustratingly is now one of Mulberry’s most well known and lusted after bags. WHY?

Having said that, and despite the Alexa blip, I still love Mulbery, and along with Chanel they are still my absolute favorite Brand! So onwards and upwards, below are the bags I am going to be saving for this Christmas…

The Mulberry Taylor – without doubt going to be Mulberry’s next big hit in the fashion world

The Mulberry Holly – I’m gunning for the tan version. Gorgeous teamed with your vintage riding leather boots and skinny jeans, not forgetting the chic Blazer and silk top underneath.

What do you think? Usually around November Mulberry will host the most unmissable sample sale on Bond street where you can have the chance to buy the latest collection at a more than reasonable 50% discount. YES PLEASE.

October 30, 2011
HELLO

Hi everyone … so this is my new blog – MARMALADE.

I was inspired to start blogging by of a dear friend of mine who not only shares my interest in all things fashion but is also an official blogger these days (Jemima.and.ted). She made me realise how fun blogging can be, and also that due to my extreme love and investment in clothes, fashion, travel, champagne and enjoying life I should share my latest fascinations and experiences.

So a little about me, my name isn’t Marmalade, this was a nickname my Grandpa gave me when I was tiny. I work in the advertising industry, this in itself means I get to go to lots of amazing events, meet some amazing people, get given lots of goodies, and eat in some top places. Which I think is a little Jammy, so the name seemed appropriate.

I am a serial shopper, retail addict, and fashion enthusiast. I love clothes, bags, shoes and travel… and am always spending far beyond my means in order to keep up with my latest lusts.

This is going to be my new outlet to share my latest findings, purchases and life experiences. I have a couple of ideas already, so below is a teaser of what you can expect to read about…

IOW Festival 2011 – A media jolly, the VIP experience, and couples fashion

NYC – A romantic city break, a review of top places to go, and of course a little look at fashion in the city

Pashley Poppy – My new beautiful bike and pictures of my country cycle beer tours and London city bike rides

Leather Pants – A new purchase and pictures of how I chose to wear the outfit

Mulberry – The ultimate fashion must have … my thoughts on the new AW11 range and what I’ll be saving for this Christmas

Media – The latest campaigns that have taken my interest & of course all the insider gossip from the 2011 media awards

… and of course a lot about me, my life, my family, friends, and boyfriend :)

I hope you enjoy, please feel free to let me know what you think

My Pashley Poppy – Bath

Prima Awards 2011

Royal Ascot 2011

NYC 2011

IOW 2011 – Me and my boyfriend

Richmond Tea Box

My Birthday – April 2011

Summer Maxi & Mulberry

Amsterdam 2011

Graduating from Bournemouth University in 2009

Big Loves = Christmas & My sisters

SW4 2010

October 30, 2011