Top 5 wishlist for August

Some achievable, some not-so achievable:

Topshop 'Psychic' black studded ankle boots £110

Chanel 'Boy' bag in white (and/or red) £1525

Tina Lilienthal silver skull and arrow necklace £66Barbour flyweight tartan beadnell jacket £179.95

Topshop honey glossy faux fur cossack hat £22

Furry Fashionistas.

Saw these pictures on Times Online and just adored them. Reminds me of Lula magazine who always have adventurous little ways of displaying accessories. 

DIY Chanel.

Via Topshop tweets I discovered this DIY Chanel bag - posted on  jakandjil.thepop.com  

Reminded me that I hadn't uploaded my creation from a few weeks ago. When yet another cheap pearl necklace broke, I decided to make my own alternative from old pearl, beads from earrings and necklaces and some old ribbons I had lying around. Et voila. 

A glorious day.

On Monday Kirsty and I wandered the city streets in the sunshine the next day popping into vintage shops and charity shops en route from the West end to the centre. 

What interests me is that charity shops these days have picked up on the idea of selling "vintage clothing" and often create a small boutique like area within their shop floor to display vintage product at its best. The thing is I always wondered why more charity shops don't do this to make them more "sexy" and appealing to a younger audience.

In Oxfam on Byres Road, antique furniture and floral patterned wallpaper (of course, no vintage look is complete without it) is utilised along with an old lampshade which acts as an earring stand. I particularly liked this 70s style top on the high-level bust. 

Around the corner, down Dowanside Lane, is an old Glasweigen vintage haunt 'Starry, Starry Nights' which in the wake of vintage fashion over the last 5 years or so, still hasn't lost its 'gypsy caravan' charm.

On Great Western Road, we popped into 'Watermelon'. I saw a saffron cardigan I was tempted to buy but decided it wasn't worth it. 

My only purchases of the day were this scarf from the Salvation Army at 99p and this matching necklace and earrings for just £3.95. Amazing bargains.

Rising Stars of Retail

Featuring 3 award winning up and coming retailers, the next panel discussion was intended to explain to other retailers, how they are "leading the way forward". The panel was made up of Ian Jones (Managing Director of Azendi), Ben Phillips (Managing Director of Steamer Trading Cookshop) and Oliver Tress (Managing Director of Oliver Bonas).

The values of these companies are similarly alligned towards great customer service.

Azendi is a contemporary yet timeless jewellers where the displays are kept simple and classy; the jewellery range offers something for everyones taste (and to an extent, price range) and the staff are extremely helpful. A reassuring aspect of the company, is there ethics towards diamond dealing. "At Azendi, we insist that all our suppliers guarantee that all diamonds are from legitimate sources not involved in finding conflict and in compliance with UN resolutions".

If you live in London, you will probably be familiar with the Oliver Bonas brand - the lifestyle store/website specialising in stylish gifts. Whilst Tress was at university, he used to bring handbags and watches back on request from Hong Kong where his parents lived. The entrepreneur in him spotted a retailing opportunity which has grown to include 15 stores across London since 1993.  

 

Oliver Bonas cater for men, women and kids at all price ranges and apart from the products they offer, the brand is very proud of their exceptional customer service.

The Steamer Trading Cookshop is a family-run kitchenware specialist "passionate about what we sell and the customer service we offer". Ben joined the business in 2001 that his parents had set up in 1985 and has transformed the company from 1 store to 18. Their stores all have a very different look and the company tend to seek out unusual buildings to set up shop: all of which they feel helps to add to the customer experience.

Merry Christmas one and all!

Well I was hoping for snow but apart from that today has been pretty lovely. I am officially spoilt rotten. 

Here are some of my favourite gifts:

My sister subscribed me to Vogue!!

I received this silver jumper which I have been wearing out as a dress. 

Got this lovely little black lace top.

I also got some gorgeous lingerie I had picked out myself a while back but forgot all about. It caught my eye because of the pleating and delicacy of it and I thought it made a change from black underwear. I love the little silk padded hangers that came with it. 

I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas. I'm looking forward to the New Year and wish everybody the best of joy.

Statement jewellery.

On a recent day trip to London, I had to (as a Topshop employee) pop into the Topshop flagship store at Oxford Circus where I discovered the most beautiful opulent gold and black 'gemstone' jewellery at £35. As I was already making other purchases I ended up not buying this chain. Big mistake. I have thought about it since a lot and of course have tried to get it everywhere else since. Particularly as I have just became a big fan of the series The Tudors where all the jewellery worn is of course very grand.

I have noticed from a lot of the recent design collections that statement jewellery, opulent or oversized. I have therefore been keeping an eye out in charity shops and vintage stores for any one-off and inexpensive pieces. But I really hope I get the chance to buy that Freedom one from Topshop.