Put A Lid On It... A Few (More) of My Favourite Hats

I'm a big hat fan (you've probably already spotted my bowler, trilby, cossack or pillbox around) and have had this post on ice for a while, trying to save up a more "complete" selection of ensembles to show you, but a fashion blogger's work is never done - there will always be more hats, more outfits, more photos! So here are a few ways I've been wearing them over the last few months... (During the winter months, I challenge myself to amuse/bemuse my ever-appreciative uncle with a different hat every week on our regular familial coffee date). I'm always wary of over-accessorising, but the right hat is a great foil for under-accessorising (as well as keeping the snow/sun off and greasy roots covered) - such an easy way to transform a simple outfit combo from blah to brilliant!

'70s Boho

Hat: Primark (Past Season), Jumper: Primark, Skirt: Jane Norman

Words cannot express how happy I was when floppy felt made the retro boho-chic look workable all year round! These pictures were taken last autumn - a great in-between-seasons look, combining summery and wintery influences (and the first of my outfits to be repinned on Pinterest - yay!).

The Cloche

Hat, Dress, Belt and Collar: All Primark, Shoes: Dorothy Perkins (Past Season)

I've always loved a good cloche for its ability to add a touch of elegant '20s/'30s-style glamour to a simple ensemble - the perfect serving of Downton chic! This £8 beauty was one of last season's best high street finds for me. Along with the collar, it added an instant injection of fun to this classic shift, on a day when I wanted to look slightly understated (but never too much!).

Hat: H&M (Past Season), Dress, Shirt and Pumps: All Primark (Past Season)

Another cloche - this one I've had for a few years now. This was the outfit lurking under the fur coat on my Christmas steam train trip (I wanted to get into the vintage vibe... and ahead of the pack with an early transitional monochrome outfit, obvs).

The Baker Boy

Hat: Accessorize, Coat: Freemans (Past Season), Gloves: H&M (Past Season), Boots: Primark

Ah, the baker boy/paperboy/whichever-boy-you-fancy cap... probably the first "fashiony" style of hat I cottoned onto, back when Britney was rocking the look (pre-head shave) - I've sported a few over the years, this being my latest. A bad hair day staple!

How do you feel about hats? Any on this season's hitlist? I've been after the perfect fedora for an age, and think I might just be tempted by a blinged-up rapper-style baseball cap if one catches my eye at the right price... whilst the straw floppies, turbans and boaters will of course be coming out again ready for my SS13 takes on '70s boho/vintage Riviera chic!

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The Easy Way to Transition from GFC to bloglovin'

I don't know about anyone else, but my Blogger Dashboard has been very sporadic in displaying the latest posts from the blogs I follow over the last few days - 9 times out of 10, I settle down for a read and... nothing. Whether this is connected to Google's announcement that Google Reader will be discontinued from 1st July 2013 I'm not sure, but either way, most people agree that this news doesn't bode well for Google Friend Connect or Blogger Dashboard, and, in any case, I've decided that I, at least, need to start exploring new ways to catch up with my favourite blogs.

Although Blogger Dashboard has always been my library of choice, I've heard lots of good things about bloglovin' from other bloggers, and so far it looks like the alternative of choice. I already follow a few blogs on bloglovin', and am followed by several lovely readers on there myself, but the thought of somehow transferring my entire reading list, blog by blog, was horrifying! Until I found this incredibly helpful post on Miss Drifted Snow White - if you've never used bloglovin' before, it will take you through how to claim your blog listing step by step, but the revelation for me was that visiting this link and clicking a couple of times will transfer all the blogs you follow via GFC to your bloglovin' reading list! Phew!

I'm distraught about Google Reader's demise, but at least I know all my favourite reading material is still safely tucked away for me in a corner of the web. I just hope my own readers don't get lost in the transition... of course, you can always follow me on bloglovin', Facebook, Twitter, blah blah blah - don't be a stranger!

I should say that the future for GFC/Blogger Dashboard (which are connected but separate from Google Reader) is a little unclear at the moment - they might continue working for you for some time, but at this point I think it looks wise to have an exit strategy in place! Are you preparing for apocalypse?

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How to Wear the Tutu

Earlier this month, I was contacted by Nhuc, the lovely founder of China Doll Boutique, inviting me to enter the amazing blogger competition they are currently running to celebrate the launch of their new website. The challenge is to create an outfit around your favourite China Doll Boutique product(s), working to a £200 budget - in addition to China Doll Boutique wares, you can include products from anywhere else you fancy, as long as they are within budget and available on the web, and the winner will receive their entire selection!

Although China Doll Boutique is more of a boutique than an emporium like, say, ASOS, in terms of numbers of items, its tightly edited selection contains innumerable treasures, and I could easily have blown the budget several times over! I was instantly drawn to the tutu-like Tabitha midi skirt - I have become a little obsessed with tutus over the last few months, and this one reminds me of Coast's £115 Tressi skirt, which I have been coveting for some time! The midi length adds a touch of grown-up olde-worlde sophistication, and I can just imagine swishing around everywhere in it...

Well, as you can see, I might have bent the rules just a little bit - I found so many gorgeous tops on the China Doll Boutique website which would work with the skirt to make it swishable for all occasions, I just couldn't stick to one outfit... And I'm always up for the challenge of making my money go as far as possible... I did briefly consider stretching to four outfits, as I loved the idea of layering this delicate lace top over the skirt for an elegant ballerina-inspired evening look, but I just couldn't say goodbye to any of the gorgeous shoes I'd already found to complete my other ensembles!

The Skirt

Tabitha Black Pleated Netted Skirt (also available in white): £30, China Doll Boutique

Casual

Roxy Spiked Jumper: £28, China Doll Boutique

Brodie Studwork Wooden Heeled Western Boots: £18, Boohoo.com

Off-duty ballerina with attitude: the perfect weekend look - who says you can't wear a tutu out shopping/to the pub?!

Classic

Trisha Blouse: £36, China Doll Boutique

White Stud Ankle Strap Pointed Heels: £24.99, New Look

A timelessly chic and so this season day-to-night monochrome ensemble - the collar detail luxes up the classic white shirt, and the studs funk up the newly reborn white stiletto (who else is excited about reclaiming them from the obscenely unstylish wilderness in which they've been languishing?!).

Fierce

Alba Bronze Studded Bralet: £28, China Doll Boutique

Black Stud Strap Block Platform Heels: £34.99, New Look

The supercharged, rocked-up version... I love the contrast between the delicate femininity and demure elegance of the skirt and the toughness and sex appeal of the top and heels.


So... how would you wear yours? Which is your favourite look?

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Introducing My Boyfriend(s) to My Cat

You've probably noticed my current obsession with all things cat-related - this £6 Primark tee (which I featured in my SS13 wishlist post here) is the latest addition... I decided to try teaming it with "boyfriend" jeans since they seem to be setting up to overthrow skinnies this spring - really want to invest in some tapered ones, but had to make do with these more flared "vintage" versions foraged from the depths of my wardrobe for now - still like the turn-up + heels effect though.

T-Shirt: Primark (Current), Jeans: Primark (Past Season), Shoes: Pied A Terre (Past Season)

Are kitty cats and/or the perfect new boyf on your SS13 wishlist?

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Atelier-To-Go SS13 Launch Event + Competition

This week, I was lucky enough to be invited to Atelier-To-Go's "Yummy Mummy Coffee Morning" to introduce bloggers to their SS13 collection (I'm not a mummy, and I'll leave the yummy assessment up to you, but it was nice to be asked anyway!).

As well as guzzling some delicious mini pastries and glittery purple cupcakes, I got to indulge in an amazing organic facial with Abi from Essential Care - I picked up a ton of useful tips, and would never have believed I'd happily spend the rest of the day barefaced, resisting the urge to crack out the concealer - more than reason enough to encourage me to invest in some yummy coconut and rose petal based goodies of my own!

But of course, the highlight of the day had to be getting up close and personal with some brand new designer lovelies. Atelier-To-Go collate the cream of the mid-high end crop, from brands such as Alice+Olivia, Paper London, J Brand and Mark Fast. They specialise in ultra-luxe must-touch-to-believe investment basics, with the perfect jeans, slinky trousers, jackets, sweaters and shirts available in virtually every style and colourway under the sun.

That's not to say that they don't also boast a ridiculously delicious selection of party dresses... This beaded Alice+Olivia number was a favourite at the event (click here to view onsite). The embellishment gives it a '20s feel, brought up to date with a bodycon silhouette and stunning sheer back with exposed zip detail.

These statement monochrome and hot pink Paper London dusters deservedly grabbed their fair share of attention...

The ultimate sports luxe cover-up by Elizabeth and James - one of my favourite SS13 jackets...

Along with this one, the perfect wear-anywhere spring tweed by IRO (click here to view onsite)...

One of Markus Lupfer's iconic graphic sweaters...

Bold, bright and beautiful was a recurrent theme - this Richard Nicoll shift is strictly limited edition, with all proceeds going to charity!

Gorgeous Grecian-style statement-but-uber-wearable jewellery by Lara Bohinc, lust-have clutches, and essential summer basics...

More than welcome at 9am...

And just as welcome at 10.15!

Inside my goodie box - a scrummy Rituals reed diffuser, Beauty Kitchen shower gel and Essential Care eye/lip liner (the logistics of this confused me at first - it's brown, cunning), plus a couple of handy discount vouchers.

We also got to style our very own yummy mummy to kick off the #AtelierGirlDressUp blogger competition! (I put her in the IRO cream jacket along with some knockout cropped floral trousers).  To be in with a chance of winning a Rebecca Minkoff bag of your choice, plus an invite to Atelier-To-Go's launch party on 21st March, simply create an "Atelier Girl" mood board, featuring an outfit put together from your top Atelier-To-Go picks. Tweet your entry to @Atelier_To_Go and follow them on Pinterest to enter (see the board for inspiration) - the winner will be chosen on Monday 18th March. Good luck!

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