Instagram Week #15

Jewellery // Dream shoes //Anthropologie goodies // Charity shop find of the week // Pleats and pretty shoes at Reiss // Trendy backpacks ladies // Comptoir des Contonniers // Vintage shop // Studded slippers

Yesterday I attended a Bath in Fashion blogging event which was super fun. Apologies for spamming up Instagram with loads of random pics; as part of the event teams took part in a fashion scavenger hunt, which involved finding trends on a list we were given and then snapping those trends. Bonus points involved if the trend was being worn! As it happened, the team I was on - Team Fashion Vultures - won, which was really cool! I am going to write a post on the day and explain what went on in more detail but it really was a lovely event and the weather was perfect for lots of trotting around the shops of Bath!

Also this week I went over to Weston and found an amazing pair of shoes in a charity shop where everything costs £1. Usually there's not much there but I always have a look in case I find a gem, and this time I did! They are vintage by Saxone and so cute! I also decided to get the black Swedish Hasbeen ornament sandals after deliberating over Instagram which colour to get. I love them; they are so comfortable and I think the black is a little more interesting than the tan ones; if probably more seasonally inappropriate now!

XO Amie

Saturday Swoon c/o Topshop

Age Chelsea Boots from Topshop

This week's Saturday dream shoe is actually a boot from Topshop. I had some Toppers vouchers to spend and after weeks of trying to find the perfect chelsea boots, I think I've managed it with this style. They are currently on offer for £50 and they are amazing. I love the pull tabs at the back and front, which makes getting them on really easy, and they aren't too wide on the foot either, which is something I've found quite a common fault in Topshop boots.

I've only worn them once so far and they were very comfortable, I thought I'd post about them because if you're on the hunt for an amazing pair of chelsea boots that won't break the bank, you'd do worse than to get these!

XO Amie

Favourite things

I suppose it's an inherent part of western culture to want to be surrounded by things. I have a lot of stuff, that's for sure; and I am really grateful for it. I love interior decor, I have quite eclectic taste and obviously love anything vintage, especially involving 1960's shapes and muted colours; pretty much an extension of my taste in clothes really.

I also love anything a bit bonkers and also utterly vile; my 'Devon' plate is a case in point, I think it was intended as a wall hanging but I ended up using it as a jewellery plate. Old suitcases sit underneath the bed, filled with my shoes (I used to keep my shoes in their boxes but this is a better storage solution!) I'm going to have to stop buying them really; I have 4 suitcases under there already and a couple of shoeboxes!

The furniture is a mixture of old and new, there are pieces from Argos and Laura Ashley alongside vintage dressers and side tables and a clothing rail from Habitat (which was one of my best ever purchases, it's fantastic). I think a mixture of modern and older looks really interesting and gives a room some character.

Adrian and I both love books, so there are lots of those on every available surface, as well as all my Vogue and Elle magazines which always make for interesting reading. The art on the walls is again a mix of charity shop finds, eBay buys and Adrian's own illustrations and papercuts.

The soft furnishings have come from all over the place, Ikea, Next, even the charity shop, and most of the throw rugs come from Urban Outfitters; I always rinse their sale for printed, mismatched rugs to add interest and colour.

I think it is really interesting how personal style can influence, and translate into, the way you decorate your home. I could spend all day on Pinterest making the perfect interior moodboards! One thing I love about interiors is their transience, you don't have to feel stuck on one style for too long if you have great base pieces to work around. If you are bored of your cushion or throw, or even your bedding or bedframe, you can simply get a new one!

XO Amie

Trouser Obsession

Wearing: Primark jacket c/o TB Dress blouse ASOS watch Vintage jewellery Whistles trousers Whistles boots ASOS hat

I seem to have a new obsession in the form of these trousers. I always do this; buy something I really, really like and then wear it and wear it until I can't subject anyone to seeing it anymore. I did this regularly last summer with these Whistles silk trousers, I don't know, maybe it's just the fit of Whistles trousers that I like so much.  Whatever, much as I feel I should be shrugging off thick wool trousers it's not quite warm enough for bare legs yet, and as a nice alternative to jeans, I have found myself reaching for them often.

This look is quintessentially 'me'; a bit glam, a bit edgy (I think) no colour to speak of and definitely verging on the granny chic-the trouser cut combined with a natty ankle boot is just too good. I never thought these boots would work with these trousers, but they do, and how! This is definitely my new favourite look.

Ah, the boots. Another pair to make themselves at home in the shoe collection, I have a dark brown ankle boot but no light brown ones, so that was my enabler. Plus they were a bargain price in the sale. And so soft! I want to wear them with bare legs and denim booty shorts, Coachella style, but for now I'll stick to a peg trouser. Cripes, maybe they'll even work with my silk ones?! There's a thought!

The point of this post really was to showcase this blouse which is just the best thing ever. That collar! It's so lovely and even though it was quite inexpensive it feels really luxe and hangs well. I wasn't sure if it would melt under the heat of an iron so I blasted out the creases with my hairdryer and I am so pleased with it. I am all about neckwear; be it a necklace or a fancy collar, this is such a statement. I don't really wear much jewellery aside of the everyday items I never take off so this adds a nice extra element. I was sent this by TB Dress which is the same website I got the amazing 'Paris' jumper from (seen here). You can buy it here, it's on offer at the moment and is super cheap.

I really don't know how trendy people manage this 'shoulder robing' malarkey with their coats, I reckon they strategically pin it into place to stop it slipping about all over, I mean, it's a nice look to pose about in but you can't actually walk anyplace with your coat like this, the slightest gust of wind and it's on the floor, and how on earth are you meant to carry your bag? No. Definitely a 'picture only' trend in my opinion. I bet they all do use pins. Or tit tape.

XO Amie

April DIY: Crop Box Top

This month's DIY is a little more complex than the last effort I made, which was more of a customisation challenge than a DIY! Conversely, this one is probably one of the most difficult I've done so far; and it's not difficult at all, but it did involve a skill I've never been able to master before, that of putting a sleeve in. 

I got the pattern and idea from one of my favourite blogs, Boat People Vintage. It's actually a blog/YouTube channel combined and Ari, who edits the site, makes such lovely pieces but it's set up in a way that makes it very easy to follow. I used the pattern and size charts downloadable from the blog, and if you want to have a go at this make you can click here to check it out!

The base of the box top is a fabric square to which you attach two tapered rectangle sleeves. It really is that simple-you end up with a boxy, slightly cropped top when you turn it through. On Ari's version she left her seams exposed but I stitched the fabric right side together so that i could turn it through to have hidden seams.

I added a lace trim around the neck which gives it a really feminine edge. I bought the lace to customise some jeanshorts with but it didn't look right so I used it on this instead.

I'm really pleased with how this turned out, especially given that I've not really attempted anything with sleeves before! It took around an hour to make and was really fairly straightforward, I bought the fabric from eBay which cost about £5.

XO Amie

Instagram Week #14

DIY // April Vogue // Outfit // New hat // Collar // New boots // Paris // Chanel // Toppers sale buy //

This week I actually got around to making a decent DIY for a blog post as opposed to the last one I did, the collar top which I felt was a bit of a cop out. I think I have made up for it with the latest DIY though, which is a box top with sleeves and a collar. It was fairly straightforward to make but I ended up making it quite short in the body so I kind of wish it had been longer; however, I'll save those thoughts for the actual blog post which I'll try and publish this week!

Topshop has enabled me to buy two pairs of shoes this week, one of which are going back (the strappy gladiators; they're really uncomfortable) and the chelsea boots (lovely and essentially free as bought with vouchers). Not really sure why I am buying boots when there's allegedly a heatwave en route, but I'll believe that when I see it!

I also wore this super cute blouse this week but I haven't posted the look yet, it's coming up but I wanted to share the link because so many people have asked where it's from. I got it from a website called TB Dress and it's very reasonably priced, check it out here.

XO Amie

Saturday Swoon c/o M&S

Leopard print shoes: Marks & Spencers

M&S have really started to rethink their brand demographic of late, or so it would seem, because all of a sudden, there are pieces grabbing my attention from every collection they launch. I've talked about M&S in posts before, but I've always felt that there would maybe be only a handful of standout pieces per season, perhaps key investments that they've done really well, such as coats or leathers. But all of a sudden, instead of the odd item, I'm finding I'm after the entire range!

Of course, they are still capable of launching a 'must have' piece and for me, if I could only buy one item from the new collection, it would be these sandals. I have a thing for leopard print anyway, so to see it reworked in multiple colours and with several layers of shades, makes it interesting, offbeat and updated. 

It's not only the print I love on these; I think the shape is absolutely perfect for spring and summer. I tend not to go for sandals with ankle straps, but I would wear these with the trouser shape of the season-the boyfriend jean-and then an ankle strap accentuates rather than cuts off. The heel, whilst really high, is the block shape which makes them wearable for everyday and the slim platform front refreshes the shape and adds interest.

The price point on these is insane, too; just £35 making them a perfect seasonal purchase.

Well played, M&S! I'll enjoy looking at the other footwear offerings that they release this season!

XO Amie