Review: The marc b. Lottie Handbag - Vintage Chic for Modern Chicks

Last week, Christmas came early when a long-coveted marc b. bag came into my life. You may have come across/drooled over the brand's broad range of styles in Topshop, but, since I first came across them, I've been obsessed with their vintage-alike lovelies - I'm sure Grace Kelly would have ditched her Hermes at least occasionally in favour of a Lottie...

Lottie Camel Ostrich Tote c/o marc b.

Coat, Skirt and Shoes: Primark

The version I chose is a gorgeous camel/light tan shade, with stunning "ostrich"-effect trimmings in a delicate nude with a hint of dusky pink - perfect with other neutrals, pastels, brights, metallics or prints for a summery feel now, but won't feel inappropriate come autumn either. Its gold accents complement the overall ladylike-luxe feel, complete with little metallic heels (OK, "feet"), to keep it off the floor - genius!

Aside from its wondrous beauty, my initial reaction was one of awe at its sheer size (OK, I didn't read the measurements first... or the "oversized" bit in the product description - it was so pretty it could have been matchbox-sized for all I cared!), followed by marvelling at its structured, hardbacked sides - it may look delicate and demure, but don't be fooled, it's an armoured behemoth of a bag! No doubt a blessing, at least for me - I tend to ruin smaller bags by forcing my "essentials" in any which way possible - come on, you're playing Russian Roulette if you ever venture out without an umbrella in this country!

Once I'd clocked its impressive stature, I did have hopes that it might double up as a particularly stylish laptop carrier, but the opening wasn't quite wide enough for my widescreen version to make it in - I'm sure you could get away with a netbook though, and certainly an iPad (or, perhaps more importantly, pretty much any pair of shoes you may own).

A4 folders, files (aside from the super-thick ringbinder kind), portfolios etc slide in easily, and the hard sides help to keep loose papers from getting creased if you're not that organised. There are 2 medium-sized zip pockets, one on the back and one inside, along with a standard-sized phone pocket (which makes a great bolthole for a Kleenex Pocket Pack if you've already joined us in the 21st century), and a larger one which will easily accept an iPhone plus case.

On first impressions, it does feel quite heavy, what with all the scaffolding, but, testing it out on my standard weekly shopping spree, carrying my usual essentials (purse bursting with change for parking machines, phone, umbrella, keys, Evian) didn't aggravate my already-bowed-and-beaten bag-carrying shoulder, and it was just as comfortable (possibly more so in fact) as any of my less robust pieces of arm candy (well, for me - I may have unintentionally buffeted a few more unsuspecting shoppers than usual). I DID use the detachable adjustable shoulder strap though - godsend!

You can pick Lottie up on the marc b. website here, along with her brand new younger sisters, re-fashioned in black and tan quilting - super versatile, but faux ostrich will always hold the key to my heart.

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New Look AW13 Preview

Last week, I was lucky enough to be invited to preview New Look's AW13 collection, along with a guest (had to be my mum, who still rocks a New Look ensemble with the best of them - we refrained from exhibiting any of our matching purchases on the day though).

Equipped with scanners to log our lust-have items, we entered an Aladdin's Cave of grunge chic, light-up Christmas jumpers, winter crops of all descriptions, Hitchcock heroine accessories, more (faux) fur and animal print than London Zoo, and some of the most stunning statement jewellery ever seen outside the Tower. Here are a few of my top picks...

The Clothes

We were surprised to see several items traditionally synonymous with summer style (like light floral blouses and denim jackets) holding their own in this collection - but who doesn't love turning rules on their heads? I love the cosy twist to this sheepskin-collared piece. '90s grunge chic is sticking around too - I was excited to see these dark-washed denim dungarees, having had no success finding a similar pair so far this season!

Crop tops of varying descriptions also made a sterling showing - I fell in love with this glitzy cropped jumper and Victorian-influenced button-detail lace number, along with a beautiful shimmery batwing tee - ah, the possibilities!

Some concessions were made to British weather - faux fur has to be one of winter's top 3 redeeming features, right? I fell deeply in lust with the coats, but would love to see some longer Hollywood siren styles too...

The Shoes

I don't think I realised how empty my life truly was until I saw what I lacked. Dalmatian and carpet print on everything please. Oh yes.

More lovelies which won't give you blisters before you get to the end of the road... Oh, how my feet beg to be encased in high-shine monochrome brogues.

Vertiginous but luscious loafers, funky courts and... cut-out ankle boots - on the wishlist? Oh yes, snow or no snow!

Looks like gold-plated tootsie armour will be a must... Loving the chunky ankle cuffs and toe caps, but note that gorgeously chunky, pressure-easing heel bottom-right - pretty and practical - sigh...

Baroque's b-b-back!

The Bags

Ladylike vintage style ruled... Did you know you needed a mini satchel/briefcase hybrid? Well, now you do.

But for those times when you really need the kitchen sink/a sturdy umbrella, only a jumbo tote will do... Crossing my fingers and toes for some zip-up winged totes to appear next season - "clutching-single-poppered-bag-to-chest-whilst-feverishly-scanning-for-pickpockets" is a look I'm intent on avoiding!

The Jewellery

Want. every. single. bit. of this Gothic/Renaissance-styled collection of treasures - inspired.

Our first peek at the collection - nearly swooned.

Statement ear cuffs will have their time to shine.

Aztec princess or cyber warrior? Take your pick...

You could say statement necklaces were big...

The Goodies

Although we sadly had to leave the bejewelled beauties behind, we didn't go away empty-handed - New Look were lovely enough to send us away with gossip mags, handbag mirrors, clutch bags, studded bracelets, beanies (I am so channelling my inner Shoreditch sista, but despite much coaxing, hilarity and forcible styling, mum wasn't so keen, so I just had to keep both - shame), and a £10 gift card each. Mine lasted about 30 minutes before being soundly ravaged - just enough time to make it to the nearest New Look and discover an amazing mono bandeau peplum top in the sale for £8. And the perfect not-too-plain-but-not-too-fussy neon earrings - it would have been rude not to.

Are you a New Look fan? What do you think of their upcoming collection? Anything you'll be waiting for with baited breath?

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Florals on Stripes on Metal - My F&F 7 Days of Summer Haul

As I mentioned in my last post, I was lucky enough to win the F&F at Tesco #7DaysStripes Twitter prize with my striped crop top and blazer/pink pinafore combo, on the first of their 7 Days of Summer. My £75 prize voucher didn't remain in my possession for long - a few feverish hours after discovering the good news, my haul was being picked, packed and prepared for its breakneck journey to my local store...

I do blabber on a fair bit about how much supermarkets have upped their game in the fashion stakes lately (- note that my mum discovered this Great Gatsby-esque wonder weeks before all the mags cottoned onto it!), but, although I'd spied several F&F gems in mags, lookbooks etc. over recent seasons, since my local store doesn't stock a huge range of clothing, I'd never actually picked anything up before.

Logging on, I was quite frankly shocked by the selection of pieces on offer, and actually receiving them had me even more gobsmacked! I picked some monochrome striped shorts (befitting a #7DaysStripes winner!), along with a tuxedo-style white blazer, printed kimono and metallic gold court shoes*. Everything turned out to be incredibly well cut, a perfect fit, and super comfortable (even the heels - beating all the high street metallic courts I'd already tried hands down).

*After a relatively brief internal debate, I quickly put a second order in for their '60s-Barbie-style bow-trimmed tweed shift, with my very own hard-earned cash - COULD. NOT. RESIST. You may have seen a sneak preview on Twitter, but I'll be featuring it in all its glory very soon.

Talk about serendipity - who knew my new shorts would combine with my trusty Primark blazer to yield a perfectly matched suit?! If you don't happen to have one hanging around (I think the Primark version is pretty much sold out now), F&F do stock a made-to-match version anyway, so never fear! Aside from that, I love the cut - the high, slightly V-cut waist, subtle A-line and cheek-covering length make them so flattering and versatile - the tailoring is immaculate.

Everyone needs a classic white blazer for that Riviera siren look, right? I was dying for a single-button tuxedo style to mix and match with monochrome separates... I'm sure you'll be seeing this again soon, when there may be a 0.1% chance that I'll have outgrown my blazer-as-cape phase, but, donned as intended, it strikes the perfect balance between effortless stolen-from-the-boy style and feminine loveliness, with its slightly nipped-in waist. The material feels thick and great quality, with a slightly structured feeling to the shoulders for added "pow".

I've had a thing about kimonos for quite a while now, and was after a longer, floatier chiffon version for this season - several F&F contenders actually fit the bill, but this half-price beauty took the crown, thanks to its beautiful sleeve detailing, explosion of colour and authentic-looking oriental print. Although it looks gorgeous left loose as a cover-up, I love it just as much loosely tucked into high-waisted bottoms and worn as a top - perfect for dipping a toe into the floral/stripe mixing trend! Do I hear an updated "How to Wear the Kimono" post beckon?

And so we come to the shoes... Since I decided I needed a pair of metallic courts in my life, um, two weeks ago, no high street pair had met my most lenient criteria in terms of comfort (i.e. don't make you want to kill yourself within 5 seconds of putting them on), no matter how amazing the price... We all know buying without trying is a risky business, but, hey ho, since delivery and returns (and even they themselves, luckily enough for me), were free, I figured it was worth a punt... Lo and behold, Cinderella's fairy godmother couldn't have conjured up a more beautiful, or beautifully fitting pair. They are slightly matte, for a grown-up, subtle take, making them a little more versatile than super-high-shine versions, and akin to nude shoes in their leg-complementing properties. OK, I never expected to be able to wear them out shopping - they are high after all, and no stiletto is ever gonna feel like a Hush Puppy - but for skyscrapers, they are about as comfortable as it gets, and would be ideal for nights out.

Shorts, Kimono, Shoes and White Blazer: All c/o F&F at Tesco; Striped Blazer: Primark

I'll definitely be keeping my eye on F&F from now on, especially now I've seen their AW13 preview too - methinks a sheer tartan pussybow blouse may be winging its way to me next season!

How about you? Have you ever ventured beyond the fridges and freezers at Tesco?

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