Ever since getting my bridesmaid’s dress from Laura Ashley, I’m kind of digging some of their designs. I still find most of their stuff a bit too stuffy and proper, but some dresses look really cute.

This first one is leaning towards the too ‘neat and proper’, but I think with the accessories it could look awesome.

And this second just looks elegant:

Both dresses are on sale right now, and are only available in limited sizes.

I blogged about DUO Boots a couple of months ago; these boots are just so gorgeous! And yet I still haven’t gotten a pair yet (mainly cause my current set of boots are still fine and I can’t really justify getting a new pair), but now they’re having a sale… so I’m tempted. So very tempted.

The great thing about DUO is that they offer calf-fitted boots. So besides just giving your foot size, you also get to specify your calf width for the perfect fit. Here are a couple of my favourites:

Sicily: Platform leather boot with stacked heel, flattering double stitched front panel and a softly sculpted almond toe. Colours: Black leather, Brown leather. Lining material: Fabric. Heel height: 9cm heel plus 1cm platform. Zip: Full-length. Cushioned insole. £120 £75 (black) and £95 (brown)

Madeira – Opulent over the knee boot with an asymmetric toe and a covered platform & heel and button detail. Vary your look with the optional turn down cuff. Colours: Black leather, Teal suede. Lining material: Leather. Heel height: 8.5cm £245 £170 (teal) and £185 (black)

Olbia – Classic, elegant knee high boots with pointed toe and leather covered heel. Colours: Black leather. Lining material: Fabric. Heel height: 9cm. Zip: Full-length. £145 £115

Rochelle – Captivatingly sleek stiletto heeled boots with front panel detail and neatly rounded toe. Colours: Black leather, Cocoa brown leather. Lining material: Fabric. Heel height: 9cm. Zip: Full-length £145 £85 (brown) and £100 (black)

Jesolo – Stunning crinkle patent leather boots with covered platform sole and heel. A beautiful sleek silhouette with minimal detailing and a flattering front seam. Colours: Jet black crinkle patent. Lining material: Leather. Heel height: 9cm. £205 £140.

Toscana – Stylish asymmetric toe knee high boots made from soft suede and glossy patent leather with suede covered buckled straps and button detail. Colours: Black suede & patent leather, Amethyst purple suede & patent leather. Lining material: Leather. Heel height: 9cm £215 £155 (purple) and £170 (black)

Besides offering these lovely boots they’ve also got normal shoes (which you can also order with a specific shoe width). My favourites:

Alina: Beautifully flattering leather high heels, with tonal patent trim and neat velvet bow. Colours: Black leather & patent leather, Toffee leather & patent leather, Violet leather & patent leather. Lining material: Leather. Heel height: 8cm. Cushioned insole. £75 £35 (black), £50 (toffee) and £60 (violet)

Mona: Elegant 1930’s style two tone Mary-Jane. Incorporating brogue detail and velvet lace tie with a rounded toe. Colours: Black & white leather, Chocolate & cream leather, Jet & ruby crinkle patent leather. Lining material: Leather. Heel height: 8cm. Cushioned insole. £80 £40 (chocolate & cream), £55 (jet & ruby and black & white)

Cecile: Mary-Jane shoe with an almond shaped toe and double strap. Colours: Emerald green patent leather & suede, Amethyst purple patent leather & suede, Ruby red patent leather & suede, Jet black patent leather & suede. Lining material: Leather. Heel height: 9cm. Cushioned insole. £80 £40 (red), £55 (purple, black, teal)

There are tons more on the DUO Boots site. I have no idea till when this sale is though, so if you want to get a pair, I wouldn’t wait too long!

Another two dresses I’ve fallen for:

Graphic Garland Nelly Sweater Dress in black/red/purple and black/cream – $375

Broome Street Rosie Dress in black/cream – $355

I love the black, red and purple colour combo in both dresses!

Last year in April I wrote about a cool Etsy shop I had come across that sells tattoo socks, see-through socks with tattoo-like designs printed on them. Since then they’ve added a couple more designs to the store and I knew I had to share them with you:

A Twitter “follow me” design! Not sure whether I’d ever wear this, but I know some people who would love these socks!

The Octopus one is super cute! Although this one is my favourite design:

There are 6 different colours, but it depends per design which colours are available: white, ultra pale, light mocha, deep mocha, cafe latte and grey. The socks come in knee-high and thigh-high length, in sizes S-XXL, and the prices range from $13-$23.

Check out the Etsy store to see more designs and to get a pair for yourself.

I really liked this year’s Project Runway finalists and from all of them I found Carol Hannah’s my favourite. Via A Cup of Jo I found out she has an Etsy store!

The dresses are all outside my current budget, but surprisingly not TOO far out of my current budget, all ranging from $180-$300. Here are my two favourites:

Afternoon Cupcakes Dress – $195

“You know those go-to pieces in your closet? The ones you reach for first when you’re running late or are having a lazy day? The ones you hope to goodness aren’t in the dirty laundry hamper? File this dress under that category!

Perfect for an afternoon stroll, shopping, or meeting friends for coffee and cupcakes.

Long sleeved jersey dress with clean scoop neck and skirt featuring six cascading draped points. Tie at waist….and pockets! (Oh, how I loovvvve pockets!) Invisible zipper at side.

Wear with:
-Flats or cowboy boots!
-Something pretty in your hair.
-A smile on your face. 

Available in teal (shown), amethyst, spice, or black in XS-XL.”

Vanderhorst Street Dress – $275

“This dress is an alternate version of the PR dress in black with cleaner lines. It reminds me of the ironwork on Vanderhorst Street, where I used to live!

Wear with:
-architectural jewelry
-chunky shoes
-a nude glossy lip

98% cotton, 2% lycra, brushed cotton stretch sateen with a beautiful finish. Invisible zipper at center back and kick pleat at back. Fully boned inner bustier to waist.”

Take a look at Carol Hannah’s Etsy store to see more designs.

Last Friday I came across this pretty red dress at Dorothy Perkins. I’ve never actually shopped much at Dorothy Perkins before, but I saw this dress in the window and knew I just had to try it on. Of course: they didn’t have my size. They had the same dress though in cream and grey, and I managed to try a cream one in my size on. Pwetty! But I wanted it in red.

On Saturday I was staying cozy inside with my pyjamas on, while Cristiano went out in the rain to do some shopping. An hour I get a phone call that he’s found my red dress in my size and whether or not he should get it for me? Yes, yes, yes (I have the sweetest boyfriend).

The dress fits great and I’m even thinking of getting the cream one too. The belt isn’t the prettiest, but that’s easily fixed (although I don’t own that many belts, so will have to do some shopping for that). Btw, I (and a lot of other people on Google) had no idea what a ‘Ponte Dress’ is. I finally figured it out: it’s a certain way fabric is knitted that makes it firm yet a little stretchy.

The Red Belted Ponte Dress is available at Dorothy Perkins for £32.

Just a quick post to let you know that Threadless is holding a holiday sale today! All tees are only $9!

Here are my current favourites (but they’ve got loads more on their website):

I Be Au Sm:

Fringe:

Alien Autopsy:

Check out more cool tees for only $9 on the Threadless website!

I’m really in a Halloween mood, even though I have to stay in today to catch up on some work. So no dressing up and trick or treating for me this year (to be fair, I’ve never really celebrated Halloween before, so it’s not as if I’m missing out this year, cause normally I wouldn’t do anything anyway). Despite that though, I couldn’t resist thinking of costumes and wondering what I could put together if I had to do something last minute. So here’s my short list of last minute outfits (most of these are somewhat based by clothes I own, and which I could pull off last minute if I wanted to).

1. Lara Croft – Tomb Raider

An obvious place for me to start, especially after I got the remark last summer that I was in full-on Tomb Raider style. All you need is a simple black or brown pair of shorts, plus a black or brown tank top (although white and teal are also possible depending on which game/movie you take). Add a pair of sun glasses, boots and your outfit is complete. For extra effect, add a fake gun, gloves, and a little back pack.

2. Echo – Dollhouse

How simple can you make it? The dolls when in the Dollhouse walk around in what are basically pajamas. Loose fitting pants and a simple tank top… tada! You’re done. Now just walk around with a vacant look on your face.

3. Max – Dark Angel

I’m not even sure most people will get this, but I used to love Dark Angel (until it got cancelled… by Fox… of course). Max had a lot of different type of outfits on Dark Angel, but half of the time it was leather pants (or trousers or whatever you call it here in the UK) plus a neck high zipped jacket. Don’t forget to add the barcode to the back of your neck!

4. Steampunk

You might have seen my tweets yesterday when I realized I could use my bridesmaid dress as the basis for a steampunk costum. This is the dress I got, but anything brown and kind of long and flowy should work for this. There are a lot of ways you can go about putting this look together (there aren’t any real steampunk costume rules, I assume, it just has to be a bit victorian inspired). I’d try adding a leather vest or corset over the dress, or if you can find it a white high collared old fashioned shirt with ruffles. Add extra props like goggles or a parasol.

5. Chuck – Pushing Daisies

Again a tricky one, cause there are so many possibilities. Chuck on Pushing Daisies always had very colourfol combos on, and the main thing you have to bear in mind is to keep it as vibrant as possible. Most of the time she’d layer clothes in the same colour; for example, a bright red dress plus a bright red coat (although any colour would do). Most of the dresses were 50s inspired (although it depended per week). Add sun glasses and a head shawl to complete the outfit.

Bonus: Elle Wood – Legally Blonde

It’s not really a ‘geeky’ outfit, but I thought I add it anyway. To create the Elle Wood look, just take anything pink! Oh, and you have to be blonde (or get a wig). Extra points if you can arrange a chihuahua.

I’ve got a major weakness for boots; if I hadn’t such weird difficulties with finding comfortable shoes, I could guarantee my entire house would be overflowing with boots (no, that’s not true. Given the choice between, let’s say, a Nintendo DS and a pair of boots, or even 12 new shiny books and a pair of boots, the boots won’t win.)

I blogged about the online store DUO Boots more than a year ago, but when I saw their latest collection I couldn’t resist writing about them again. Some of these boots are just sooo gorgeous! The great thing about DUO though is that they offer calf-fitted boots. So besides just giving your foot size, you also get to specify your calf width for the perfect fit.

Here are a couple of my favourites:

Olbia – Classic, elegant knee high boots with pointed toe and leather covered heel. Colours: Black leather. Lining material: Fabric. Heel height: 9cm. Zip: Full-length. £145

Madeira – Opulent over the knee boot with an asymmetric toe and a covered platform & heel and button detail. Vary your look with the optional turn down cuff. Colours: Black leather, Teal suede. Lining material: Leather. Heel height: 8.5cm £245

Rochelle – Captivatingly sleek stiletto heeled boots with front panel detail and neatly rounded toe. Colours: Black leather, Cocoa brown leather. Lining material: Fabric. Heel height: 9cm. Zip: Full-length £145

Jesolo – Stunning crinkle patent leather boots with covered platform sole and heel. A beautiful sleek silhouette with minimal detailing and a flattering front seam. Colours: Jet black crinkle patent. Lining material: Leather. Heel height: 9cm. £205

Toscana – Stylish asymmetric toe knee high boots made from soft suede and glossy patent leather with suede covered buckled straps and button detail. Colours: Black suede & patent leather, Amethyst purple suede & patent leather. Lining material: Leather. Heel height: 9cm £215

Mallorca – Kitten heel leather boot with flower corsage detail. Colours: Black leather, Conker leather. Lining material: Fabric. Heel height: 6cm. £145

They’ve got loads more different styles (and flat shoes too) on the DUOboots website. I still can’t decide which pair I should get for myself; I’d love one of the more ‘funkier’ ones, like the turquoise Madeira or the red Mallorca, but I don’t think I have enough clothes that will fit with these. The more practical me is saying to go for the Jesolo: a simple black silhouette plus not a too thin heel. Which pair are your favourites?

If you’re interested in getting some, you can get free shipping when you enter AW09 at the checkout. Offers expires: 30.09.09

I should have blogged about this sooner, but I’ve been so busy lately. I got some great entries on my Find The Hidden Treasure contest last week, that I had to share a couple of them with you.

Zain:

Hidden Gem: Ambala Sweet store. Something about syrupy sweets and a sunshine ky make a miserable me a little happy. Unfortunately, I’m nowhere near the sweet store and the weather is overcast.

Judith Lewis:

my hidden gem: The Chocolate Society Shop on Elizabeth St. If you don’t know about it, you’ll never find it but they have the BEST chocolate cookies I’ve had in a long time and my favourite chocolate brownies. Their chocolates are fab too!

Genevieve Hassan:

My hidden gem in London: If you’re a die-hard meat eater, you’ll never have considered Food For Thought – a small basement vegetarian restaurant in Covent Garden. They serve the best dessert in the world – the “Strawberry Scrunch” – a crunchy biscuit base with fresh cream, bananas and strawberries, plus they give you a HUGE portion! I challenge anyone to find a better dessert.

Emma Persky:

My Hidden Gem:

If I told you then it would no longer be hidden! Oh well, there are lot’s so I’m sure I can reveal one of my favourite to you But which one…

Hush. Yes, that’s the name of the restaurant. Why (the name that is)? Because it’s hidden away in a small courtyard at the end of South Molton Street so innocuously that you would never, ever find it, unless you knew it was there. No signposts or glaring neon signs point the way, and that’s jut the way they like it. You know a restaurant (and upstairs bar) must be good when its bursting at the seams even though it receives no footfall traffic.

The cuisine is modern british with a hint of french influence. My favourite dish being the “Gratin of Macaroni Cheese with (or without) Bacon” as a started. Enough to share, but so good you’ll regret that decision.

Oh, and did I mention that they have a wine list to die for!

sheilaellen:

My Hidden Gem in London has to be The Orc’s Nest (6 Earlham Street, WC2H 9RY).  It’s a treasure trove for anyone who’s into games – board, role-playing, cards or otherwise.  Packed full of the essentials to get you started, plus extension packs and ephemera.  And despite the bold yellow and black metal frontage and stunning Orc’s head logo, it’s surprising how many people walk past without ever noticing it’s there.

The winner of the contest was Judith Lewis with her chocolate store gem (I’ve got to visit that shop sometime!), but she couldn’t make it to the event. So the runner-up Emma Persky joined me last Thursday to the Joy Store to do some treasure hunting.

The event was pretty interesting. There were cupcakes and champagne for all the blog writers plus winners, and we got to see a shiny new Ford Ka (I loved the colour! It was almost Miss Geeky red, but slightly nudging a bit more to the pink side). We all had to find 1 Ford Ka miniature in the store, which we could exchange for £60 worth of Joy Store vouchers. Sweet!

Finding the miniatures wasn’t hard at all, so we got to spend 2 hours trying on clothes and picking out what we wanted for free. I ended up with a black zipper dress (still not completely sure about that dress though, the shoulders are a little bit too eighties) and a silver grey dress with gathered sections. I really liked the style of the Joy Store, but almost all the clothes I tried on didn’t fit me. Guess I have a slightly different body type (wide hips, small shoulders and waist) than what they design for.

Still, I had a great time (who wouldn’t with free champagne, free cupcakes and free dresses!). For the rest of September, every Friday every Joy Store in the UK will have miniature Ford Ka’s hidden in their store. If you find one, you can get a £10 voucher, and some of them will even be for a £100 voucher!