Accessorise for the Jubilee

London shoe designer Aruna Seth released her Jubilee tribute yesterday in the form of a £3,000 pair of Swarovski-crystal studded wedges in the Union Jack colours – they’ll go on display at Harrods and a select few will be available to order. Seth was the perfect designer for this job; her shoes are regularly spotted on Princess Beatrice and Pippa Middleton, and she was a runner-up in the race to design sister Kate’s wedding heels, however I don’t think we’ll see Elizabeth sporting them this weekend.

I featured Mulberry's Jubilee Bayswater a few posts ago, but they have released the special Postman's Lock on other styles (including the Pouch below) so if you’re not totally sure about embracing the head-to-toe flag look then try accessorising with Mulberry, Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen.

Scarf - VW, Pumps - Next, Bags - Mulberry, Barbour & Alexander McQueen,
Glasses - ASOS, Charms - Links of London, Cath Kidson & Pandora

On the High Street.. Next have cute pumps, Barbour’s tote is on sale and charm-giants Links and Pandora have both released limited edition jewellery for the big event.

If you're looking for a little more than accessories - check out The Londoner for a 'how-to' guide on making the cutest mini-Victoria Sponges, and head to your local supermarket for some bunting and Pimms!

I'll leave you with a pic of this guy, because who can resist a bulldog in a bowler?! I'll finish my exams soon, so I can promise many a wonderful post for you all summer....

xxxxx!

This is taking place at my home today, hopefully I'll be getting some goodies :)

'Vicky' by Jones + Jones

I've had my eye on a Jones + Jones dress for a while; ever since featuring their 'Audrey' dress in an article I wrote in February (Stunning Spring Picks - York Vision) and, while that dress didn't work out for me, I've set my sights on this one instead.  I posted it to my Tumblr blog a few days ago and, after recieving hundreds of reblogs, likes & comments, I decided to add a little detail for my devoted readers!

The Vicky Dress, £65

It's cute, It's lacy, It's racy (the back is cut in a deep V style, plenty of conservative cleavage!), it's summery, and it comes with student discount. 

The back, in cream

The only problem I'm having with ordering this dress is that I'm a really funny size, and I hate the long process of ordering something and having to send it back, decide whether to try another size or not etc. etc.



If this particular dress isn't your style, they've got thousands of others - I also love the aforementioned Audrey, Nicky, Petra is outstandingly beautiful and the Sarah dress is v. Sookie Stackhouse (how excited are you for True Blood's return on June 10th?) - so you're bound to find something that suits.

They're quirky, cute, edgy and a little sexy - how can you resist?!

If you can't fight...

Get a big hat.

Ever heard that phrase? I have. As a young lady of part-ginger heritage, the preservation of my porcelain complexion is a time-consuming and integral part of my daily routine.  So, dear readers, I thought I'd write to you today about my long-standing hatred against that big yellow fellow in the sky.

I’m always the one stuck with the bags, hiding under an umbrella and a thick layer of SPF 50 while my friends frolic in the sunshine and develop deep golden tans; however I like to tell myself that it will save on the extensive costs of cosmetic surgery in later life.

The best ally I’ve found in my war against the sun is a hat. Personally, I like a large hat – generally, the bigger the better – as it provides good shoulder cover and I’m convinced it makes me look slimmer.I bought a panama hat in Venice last summer and it’s become my new hat of choice for effortless cool.

See, everybody looks cool in a hat.

 Designer brands often sell their versions with a signature scarf – for example the Paul Smith stripe trilby would be the elegant option, and the Jack Wills stripe trilby would be the awkward one – and it’s easy to recreate this with a charity-shop scarf and a hat you bought from the market for a fiver.
I really like this option, as it makes me feel like a thrifty rebel in the face of fashion capitalism, however if you’re really useless (or can’t bear charity shops) then get a pre-patterned style.

This one's my favourite, It's from quirky British designer Paul Smith.

Aside from being a quick-fix update to your shabby accessories, scarves are really handy for those times when you’ve dared to bear but find yourself turning rapidly pink. During summer months I like to keep a scarf tied around my handbag, round my waist or round my hat just in case I need to whip it off and protect myself. Heck, if you’re SUPER-crafty you could always copy D&G and Prada and make your own scarf bag.

All in all, with the equipment shown here plus a few more key essentials (factor 50, a watermelon martini, a good book and a great poolside spot under a parasol) you’re perfectly prepared to survive a trip to the sunnier parts of the world.

While I hope I’ve converted you all into queens of skin-preservation, I’ll leave you stubborn sun-worshippers with a bit of advice my mother often gives me:

"Why buy yourself a designer handbag Frances, when you can hit the sunbeds twice a week and make yourself into one?"

The best place for a scarf, IMO

taken from York Vision's Fashion Blog: The Wardrobe Update

Bison & BBQ

I'm writing this (small) blog from my friend's garden, because I wanted to share with you a little coffee shop I came across this morning on my walk home from the gym. Usually I walk the same way to the gym every day, but the traffic lights were being particularly slow this morning so I decided to venture out of the norm and it turned out to be well worth it:

It's on Heslington Road (opposite Efes) for you Yorkers, and it's essentially a little vintage furniture & art gallery where you can sit and drink coffee. I snuck in for a cheeky morning coffee (and contemplated a delicious buttery-looking pastry) and was so impressed that I forgot to ask for skimmed milk - super naughty.

There's a huge range of toasties, snacks, sweeties, coffees and soft drinks and there's free Wifi so it's the perfect place to have a quiet drink with friends. Fortunately for me, most of the sources/materials I need for my essays & assignments this year are available online, so this place may well become my new revision paradise.



In other news: my boyfriend finished his exams today, and we're all laying around in the sunshine with Pimms and J20's (for those who still have exams).

Toodles x

Check out my latest University blog post!

If you can't fight... - York Vision

I really need..

A Jubilee Bayswater.

To celebrate the Queen's Jubilee coming up later this year, Mulberry are releasing three unique designs to commemorate the event. Three iconic bags - the Bayswater (pictured), Pouch and Lily - will be adorned with a Union Jack Plaque in place of the traditional Postman's Lock.

The interior lining will be equally British themed, using the ‘Mulberry Loves Britain’ print consisting of the traditional Mulberry tree, a heart and a cute little Union Jack stamp.


I can't believe how beautiful this bag is going to be - I haven't seen the interior, but I can imagine it's pretty special. I'd love to get my hands on one; I already have a Lily, so maybe the Bayswater... I'm not sure which 'Pouch' they're referring to, maybe the little Bayswater style for make-up and coins.

I'm considering getting one as a clutch...