Monthly Archives: April 2011

Barbour Bargains

Maybe it’s the fact I live in the countryside, or perhaps the fact I dress like an old man, either way there is no changing the fact that I love Barbour. So imagine my excitement when I received an email today that Barbour By Mail (Barbour’s official online retailer) is having an Easter sale!

So 30% off selected items whilst it lasts; sadly the fleece gilet I wanted didn’t go into sale (always the way eh?). So I don’t know about you I think I’d rather receive a little something from Barbour this Easter than any chocolate.

You’re probably thinking why would I buy a coat, jacket, or like wise in April, especially with the recent weather (my room has become a sauna, I’m sat at my desk all hot, and bothered as I type this). Well why not?

It’s the best time of year to get something like that, because it will most likely be cheaper, and it’s always good to think, and buy in advance where your wardrobe is concerned. Also with England’s temperamental weather, who knows how long before it’s cold, and wet with showers again? It’s always best to be prepared than to last minute panic buy, and possibly regret it.

Favoured by the discerning folk of country, and city since 1894, J. Barbour & Sons doesn’t have three Royal appointments for nothing! Recently there has been a surge in Barbour quilted jackets, particularly the Liddesdale, and Chelsea Sportsquilt (I just so happen to have both! ), however the classic (dare I say old school?) Barbour wax jackets are soaring in popularity again, although a plethora of celebrity, and Royal followers helps I am sure.

My Barbours are the most practical items of clothing I own. There is something about when style meets practicality that I love; it doesn’t happen all too often. I am not known for my practicality (just look at my footwear choice…). They are comfortable, and durable long lasting items well worth the investment. Especially the waxed jackets, if looked after correctly they could potentially last decades.

Here’s just an example of some of what is available in the sale:

Barbour Crested Wool Blazer Jacket – was £249.95, now £174.97

Barbour Waxed Commander Long Jacket – was £199.95, now £139.97

Barbour Matt Tyneley Quilted Jacket – was £119.95, now £83.87

Barbour Duracotton Fleece Jacket – was £99.95, now £69.97

So don’t miss out; to pick up a Barbour bargain this Easter head on over to http://www.barbourbymail.co.uk/.

Mulberry Madness

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As well as my recently bout of Kate Middle madness which I like to call “Middleton Mania”, I have had a case of “Mulberry Madness”. I really just cannot help myself… I’ve become a massive Mulberry fan boy (can you blame me?!).

A day doesn’t go by that I don’t find myself dribbling over Mulberry bags, and accessories. It’s nearing the point where I think I am boring those dearest to me to death with my incessant ramblings about Mulberry (I really just cannot help myself).

If I had all the money in the world I would drown myself with delicious Mulberry purchases, sadly I don’t… however I absolutely love my Mulberry iPad sleeve, and my Mulberry large clipper in scotch grain – they are divine investment pieces (or at least that’s how I justify the prices to myself ).

In the past forty years Mulberry has made a name for itself, from it’s modest roots in Somerset to catwalks, and arms of men, and women all over the world; Mulberry is here to stay. It’s classic design with modern touches, it’s quality meets style, it’s countryside meets city, and it’s all very mouthwateringly delicious.

I am going to share with you some of my favourite Mulberry pieces, three women’s bags, and then three men’s bags:

Mulberry Alexa bag in Watermelon soft buffalo

Mulberry Alexa in watermelon – £766.00 (available at http://www.my-wardrobe.com/)

The Alexa satchel bag by Mulberry has become a classic in it’s own right. It was inspired by the none other than the gorgeous Alexa Chung, who has become such a British style icon. She was spotted with a Mulberry men’s vintage brief case (an old Elkington I think!), and thus it was only natural that Mulberry released a bag inspired by her. Part Elkington, part Bayswater with a spot of vintage inspiration, et voila you have the Alexa. It’s beautiful, it’s absolutely loveable! I love it in the watermelon colour, it’s bright, fresh, and it’s a stand out piece that takes any outfit from shab to chic.

Mulberry Bayswater in oak – £664.00 (available at http://www.my-wardrobe.com/)

Who doesn’t love a Bayswater? It’s become the hand bag of choice for any discerning woman across the world. You cannot walk down a street in London without encountering a Bayswater. It’s a timeless piece, and although available in plenty of colours, and finishes; I think the natural oak suits the classic bag the best. Perfect for the city, perfect for the countryside, the Bayswater is a refined beauty of a bag. It has a serious, yet playful look to it, and is suitable for most situations from work to play.

Mulberry Tillie in chestnut – £812.00 (available at http://www.my-wardrobe.com/)

Another one of my favourite Mulberry women’s bags. The Tillie is a modern day classic. It’s a more masculine take on the Alexa. The bag is beautiful soft leather, which will in time wear brilliantly (nothing like lovingly worn leather!). I think this particular Mulberry bag is massively under rated, it’s excellently unconventional – but it’s so right. The masculine shape of the bag contrasted with the supple chestnut leather, and the beautiful trompe l’oeil buckles (which are actually magnetic). It’s a bag for any modern women who is serious, but devastatingly stylish.

…now onto the mens!

Mulberry black nylon clipper over night bag

Mulberry black nylon clipper – £189.00 (available at http://www.my-wardrobe.com/)

This nylon holdall I have lusted after for quite a while. It has a very reasonable price! One of the reasons I haven’t taken the dip, and purchased it, is simply I don’t have any immediate use for it… In an ideal world I’d go to the gym; in the real world I don’t. This would make the perfect gym bag. When not in use it can be folded into a small nylon zip bag, great for taking away abroad, and having another bag to return, or even a weekend away (not for me though! I have my beautiful Mulberry larger clipper ). If I ever stop being lazy, and start going to the gym, or justify it for another use I will snap this bag up without hesitation.

Mulberry Brynmore messenger in tan – £562.00 (available at http://www.my-wardrobe.com/)

I have caressed this stylish leather messenger many a time in Selfridges. It’s a classic looking messenger for the modern day man, it includes pen slots (perfect to slip your Mont Blanc “writing instruments” into), and even has a mobile phone pocket to drop your iPhone, or BlackBerry into. I love the triple locks, and the Mulberry fastening. The tan leather looks great new, and looks even better worn. The canvas straps with the Mulberry hard ware give this bag a modern twist – the juxtaposition of the leather, and the canvas is great. It is a MUST have messenger bag for any modern gent.

Mulberry Heathcliffe soft briefcase in black – £710.00 (available at http://www.my-wardrobe.com/)

What’s more traditional for a man than a briefcase? This briefcase from Mulberry certainly means business. This is quite a demure item, but has so much class. I love the gold hardware, the metal zips with the Mulberry tree emblem on them, and the leather tug tags – little detailing like that really makes this piece. The detachable canvas strap is also a useful feature. It has a padded pocket perfect for slipping your MacBook into. The soft leather as always looks great, but even better when it’s worn – I absolutely love soft leather. This bag is perfect for any business man, and for the rest of us that like to pretend (okay, maybe just me there but yes ha ).

For all your Mulberry needs head over to http://www.my-wardrobe.com/.

There will be sunshine

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We all have bad weeks where there doesn’t seem to be a light at the end of the tunnel, and day by day things seem to deteriorate, nothing seems to go, or fit right, and everything seems to only get worse (okay trad dramatic, but you get the point). Well at least that’s what it feels like… In retrospect it’s normally nothing, but at the time it just feels awful, and you just get sucked in, and consequently obsess.

My darling sugar glider Louis sadly passed away last week unexpectedly, and I found that really hard to deal with (hence the lacks of posts completely). Louis meant a lot to me, I was, well no, I am devastated, and I miss him deeply.

Rest in peace Louis x x x

So I did what any sane human being would do… I switched my retail therapy for sun therapy, grabbed my RayBan Wayfarers, and traded in my patent Kurt Geiger lace ups for my Poste Gladiators I picked up last summer at Harvey Nichs (bargain).

When I originally drafted this post I was lounging on my Diesel luxury beach towel (so soft!!! I got it on ASOS; another bargain) on some delightful Spanish beach soaking up the delicious Mediterranean sunshine. Of course I saw my fair share of ensemble challenged beach fashion victims (I won’t even start!) breaking every cardinal rule, but still it is worth it; rest, and relaxation – where have you been all my life?!

I used my Paul Smith mini series toiletry slash wash bag as a beach bag for my essentials, and valuables; if Kate Middleton can use a Mulberry locked cosmetics pouch as a clutch then I can use my Paul Smith one as a beach bag… well err that’s how I see it anyway.

I jetted off Friday, and I got home Monday afternoon – I just needed a mini break to recuperate, relax, rest, restore, and recover. Oh, and some sun always cheers me up. I arrived in England refreshed with a slight tan, but most importantly prepared for whatever life has to throw at me next.

There is nothing quite comparable to an adventure; everyone gets a bit of wanderlust sporadically. It is great to just screw it all so to speak, and drop everything, and jet off to the sun spontaneously. Then of course there’s treating yourself at duty free; stock up on your Chanel fragrance, and perhaps splurge on some orgasmic Tom Ford sunglasses (justify it as an investment piece)?

Naturally of course you must indulge with champagne on the plane (you have to fly in style), is there any other way to fly!? Washed down with a magnitude of large gin, and tonics (it’s not a holiday till you’ve had a tipple, or ten). If anyone asks they are just to errr… settle your flying nerves (we all know that’s a lie!).

A Floral Affair

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I am really feeling Spring right now, and I tend to dress to what I’m feeling. As the daffodils have popped out, and the trees have began to blossom; floral has crept back into my wardrobe. I am an absolute fiend for floral shirts. Okay yes they are quite an acquired taste, and don’t work for everyone – but when they work, they REALLY work, well err in my opinion. So as a Friday treat I am going to share with you some beautiful floral shirts!

Inspired by nature, and quintessentially English, who cannot appreciate a fine floral shirt? Floral shirts are pieces of art, and a perfect for these spring, and even summer moments. The more heavily patterned, the better! I have selected fifteen floral shirts which I am absolutely loving right now. However, first I am going to share with you some of my floral shirts:

One of my favourite shirts, it’s by Paul Smith, it’s so patterned it almost doesn’t look floral – however up close up you notice the detailing. The dark background, with the white pattern makes it suitable for both night time, and day time – it’s a very versatile shirt.

Blazer floral shirts

These two shirts I picked up the other weekend, they were absolute bargains! They are Blazer by Moss Brothers. Inexpensive, stylish, durable, and I really love the colours. They look fresh, and remind me so much of spring!

Paul Smith floral shirts

Two more of my favourite shirts, both by Paul Smith (surprise, surprise). The second one was an exclusive to Harvey Nichols, and I really love the liberty rose pattern – I have a lot of memories in this shirt from last summer (most involving ridiculous amounts of champagne ha!).

Not the best photos, I have misplaced my DSLR remote for the millionth time, so I had to use some iPhone app (hence the phone), and have my Canon plugged into my iMac (of course I could only find a ridiculously short USB lead, and had to balance camera…).

The crème de la crème of floral shirts as far as I am concerned will ALWAYS be Paul Smith – however I am rather biased, as I am a bit of a Paul Smith fan boy…

1. Paul Smith – £129
2. Paul Smith – £135 at Harvey Nichols
3. Paul Smith – £145
4. Paul Smith – £145
5. Paul Smith £129

I really, really like the 5th one, it’s something a bit different, but would look great on an evening in town sipping martinis. I love the 4th one too, I don’t have a pink floral shirt – oh, I am tempted!

Now time for some other contenders…

6. Ted Baker – £90
7. Ted Baker – £95 at John Lewis
8. Thomas Pink – £89
9. Van Laack – £149 at Harrods
10. Vivienne Westwood – £250 at Selfridges

Some of these are really risk takers, especially the Vivienne Westwood number – however they are risks that when they pay off look incredible. The second Ted Baker one is quite adventurous, and more something I would wear in the evening as opposed to day.

Floral for less; get the look without the expensive price tag. I have found a few cheaper alternatives to suit all budgets.

11. Topman – £28
12. Charles Tyrwhitt – £69
13. M&S – £29.50 at Marks & Spencers
14. White Stuff – £45 at John Lewis
15. Boden – £55

Loving the Charles Tyrwhitt one, gentlemen… I dare you to wear pink!

Not a fan of floral shirts? Try one on; give it a go. You never know. Until I actually tried one on I wasn’t a fan of floral shirts; now I am an absolute fiend. It’s also worth noting floral shirts look better on than on the hanger, so go on, try it on! …and, why not roll up the sleeves for a more casual look?