Mum on the Run - Finding Style Inspiration on Dallas - and no, not in the form of shoulder pads!

Sometimes inspiration comes from the most unlikely sources. I have had these chandelier ear-rings for a while now and haven't been quite sure how to wear them - that was until last night when we were watching Dallas on catch up. And there she was! Sue Ellen was wearing a great pair of statement ear-rings with a really simple suit and white shirt so....

 

...here we go. I bought this Reiss jacket in the sale a while after Christmas. Reduced from about £225 to £60, I really liked the copper colour woven through it (see below). I wore it with navy Cos trousers and a white Gap shirt.  I had two meetings in town today with a decent walk between them so needed flat shoes and I didn't want to "pretty" the look up with heels, or colour or anything else really. The whole androgynous look was what it was about - well that and the Pat Butcher accessories.

In the same way that someone commented that they didn't think that they would see the words "Ann Summers" and "Sports Direct" mentioned together in a fashion blog (see post from a week or so ago), I'm not sure that anyone would expect to see the words "Sue Ellen" and "Style Inspiration" either but life is always full of suprises. I'm working on having my eyebrows like JR next. It shouldn't take too long.

Pretty dresses, pencil skirts, jackets and coats from the glamourous Langley Collection by Ted Baker

For anyone looking for a dress or an outfit for a special occasion, there's a new kid on the block in the form of Langley by Ted Baker.

 

I found it residing in Selfridges, separately to the mainline Ted Baker collection. In the words of the brochure which accompanies the collection "Mixing a touch of 1950s glamour with a show stopping twist, Ted's SS13 Langley collection stars sleek silhouettes alongside chic statement pieces that simply radiate drama and a supporting cast of pretty spring styles." 

 

 

Included within the collection are sleek trouser suits, pencil skirts, simple blouses, short suits as well as pretty floaty dresses, well cut jackets, coats and full length evening dresses. The collection shows baroque prints, pastels, lace, silks and embroidery.

For some reason, the Langley Collection doesn't have a section of its own on the Ted Baker website which I think is a bit of a shame as it's nice to view a new collection all in one place. Instead the dresses are to be found amongst the dresses in the mainline collection.

The price point of the Langley Collection is higher than the mainline collection, with some of the dresses coming in at between £300 and £400 but then equally some of the coats and jackets aren't as expensive as I would have expected, so it's not to be written off immediately.

There's one collection, the Swan Collection, which I don't think is stocked anywhere else in the country.  This is a bit of a coup for us, the second/third/fourth cousin to London, Leeds and Manchester when it comes to shopping!

I really like the neat style of this jacket. It has simple, clean lines with a slight peplum shape and the button detailing draws the eye into the waist.

I really like the two dresses below. They are so pretty!

And this is one of those jackets that would look equally great with a pretty dress as with scruffy jeans - so it could be worth the investment as it has masses of wearability.

The coat below also comes in black and is actually much more appealing in real life than on a hanger. It's a fantastic piece for anyone attending a wedding at this time of year as it will add the warmth without compromising on style.

Here you can see the detailing on the two black full length dresses in the collection, which are both just that little bit special.

So I will leave you to have a wander through the collection at your leisure. With wedding season approaching, it might just have what you are looking for. I love the idea of a whole row of adult bridesmaids in different dresses from the collection. Stunning!

Mum on the Run - Navy, sparkles and cobalt blue for a sunny spring day

After reading Trea's post on her Treasures n Pleasures blog on Friday, I was inspired to wear my Mango lace pencil skirt. I used to wear it a lot but haven't done so for a while, so it was time that it got an outing.

 

 

I stuck to an all navy scheme, the reason for which I can't really remember now but I suspect that it was something to do with it being easy. And warm. And comfortable. Sooooo predictable but then again I'm not a fan of being cold and uncomfortable - so I guess it works on some levels at least.

But then I wore Zara sparkly pumps and the lovely cobalt blue Kausar bag that I was given - just to stop it from being too flat.

I also wore a Reiss pea coat and Cos roll neck jumper. Really I just want it to be warm though so that I can wear all the summer clothes that I have in my mind to buy. It's a long list - a very long list - and in total a very expensive list, so perhaps it's better if the weather stays just as it is for a while longer. Or indeed forever, or else I think that I might have to start selling things - either bits of myself, or things on ebay. Who knows, perhaps other, even more, drastic steps are required. Drat that new Atterley Road brochure.

Mum on the Run - A Primark Purchase which won't break the bank - it might even give some of your jeans a whole new lease of life

Lovely as it was playing castles and knights with my three year old nephew at 6am today, I can't pretend that such early starts are something that I am that used to any more. So this will be brief and probably full of mistakes. Sorry!

 

Yesterday the sun was out and so I decided that winter was over, that a coat was no longer needed and that it was time to wear my new £6 Primark top. I had only bought it on Friday so it didn't get a chance to hang around for too long before I wore it.

 

Our eldest and I were off to see Les Miserables which was the perfect chance to give it its first outing. The combination of sitting down, especially in the dark, meant that if I felt that it was a total disaster at least no one else would know. Although given that it was only a plain long sleeved top with a scoopy bottom covering piece at the back, it was hardly going to set the world on fire, however you looked at it.

 

The top comes in several marl finishes, all of which are pretty neutral. From memory, there's grey, cream, mint (which I am wearing) and a taupe colour. I am wearing a swing style cardigan from Cos over the top here, together with grey Cos jeans, Zara boots and my blue Orla Kiely bag.

I layered another thin long sleeved top in a contrasting colour underneath for warmth and just to add interest at the neckline and at the sleeves too. I am wearing a size 8, which gave me enough room to do that. In the summer I might lose a layer but the top is quite sheer so it will always need something for modesty's sake.

It's probably fair to say that it lends itself to skinny jeans and trousers more than anything but it's definitely good from a bottom covering perspective, so it's great if you have any jeans which don't fit quite as well as they might over your bottom, or if the pockets aren't that flattering. In fact this top could give them a whole new lease of life and for £6, that's not too bad.

Here I am minus the cardigan at which point I realised that although the sun was out, there was a very wimpy heat to it and being a wimp myself, it wasn't a match made in heaven. However, with time running out, I battled on bravely.

And here's a closer look at the top with a Topshop necklace, which also has a hint of green in it. I'm not pretending that it's anything amazing but I haven't worn this style top before so it's always nice to try a new style, or just to have something new sitting in your wardrobe to wear - however much it cost and from wherever it may be.

Mum on the Run - Lovely sandals to go with the new tops that I brought to you yesterday...

I fear that I am about to go off on a frolic of my own. I think that there might be a bit of tip-toeing through the tulips, dancing in the daisies and even some running through a sunny meadow - all on a warm summer's day, naturally.  It's all in my head of course and it goes without saying that clothes are involved.

Having brought you a selection of summer tops yesterday it would be wrong not to bring you a selection of shoes to go with them. Most of these are from Clarks but I'm happy with that if you are. Over the years the designers at Clarks have really got their act together and with their good price point, half sizes, width fittings and extra padding where needed - and let's face it most of us can do with a bit of extra padding from time to time - you can't really go wrong.

Obviously, with their pink and coral colouring, the Smart Deva (£44.99) style appealed to me. After years in the fashion wildernes, the block heel is suddenly looking very fresh - unlike the wedge which is looking a bit out of touch with the upcoming season's styles.

These white and silver ones are uber trendy, tapping into not only the whole white thing which is going on at the moment but with the addition of silver, also the futuristic one too.

I think that these would look really great with this skirt that I spotted in Topshop a few weeks ago. Let's work some sheer into the look too! OK so you may need to look like Alexa Chung to pull it off but as I say, it's all in my head anyway. A neat little blouse with a Peter Pan collar would finish the look off nicely.

Then there's the Sharna balcony  (£39.99) (which also come in a snake print finish). Slightly lower than the ones above, they too have the metallic finish and the ankle strap is a great alternative to a T-bar style. I quite like these. I'm not sure that my ankles will though and I will perhaps have to have a little chat with them to see whether they will behave in them - or whether they will pudge out slightly over the top. If it's the latter, these shoes can stay confined to my head.

 

I think these are a very cool 1970's style wedge and remind me of something quite Scholl like. The Serin Wedge (£79.00) also come in white. These definitely feature with a pair of flared washed out jeans, the second top from yesterday (the slightly hippy one) and a floppy sun hat. I can see these shoes running through a meadow, all Timotei/Flake advert like. Of course if it happened in reality, I would put my foot down a rabbit hole and go flying, ending up splat in something that a cow had deposited but as I say, it's all in my head, so I don't. Oh and I'm missing an essential part of the outfit - the long blonde hair - but there's nothing I can do about that.

Now these Sarina Bowes (£49.99) are definitely more city like, more edgy and more utilitarian. They also come in a black and tan version. These are to be worn on the days when you mean business in a black blazer, black or grey silk track pants, with a touch of neon kind of way. That's how I see them anyway.

They would also look great with slightly wider jeans rolled up to the ankle, a linen T and some loose tailoring. A little bit unstructured and maybe a big scarf for a "I've chucked it all on together and it just works" look, when actually it is a little bit planned after all.

The Sarina Betty (£54.99) are very similar in design to the ones above and are virtually the same as a pair from Hobbs NW3 last summer.

Although I mentioned wedges looking a little dated when compared to the new heels on the block , which just happen to be blocked ones, the Scent Flower (£49.99) have a 1950's feel about them which I really like. I can imagine Kelly Brook in these with a Betty Boop style bikini of shorts and a halter neck top. If you actually had it in mind to wear some clothes with these shoes, skinny white jeans or an A-line denim skirt and a broderie anglaise/lace top would look nice.

Having not featured a completely flat style, the Studio Beat (£44.99) in natural snake (which also come in metallic leather) fill that wardrobe gap of a style which is both comfortable and due to its neutral colour, versatile too. Snake print is popular this season but that aside, it's a nice way of adding some interest and texture but in a subtle way.

And how could I not include the Hobbs Millie Derby (£139)? Clarks has a pair of brogues which are lovely and a great price but it's time to give someone else a look in and these have muscled their way into my consciousness. For anyone in the market for a pair of brogues, these have to be worth a look. In fact, I would love someone to buy them and then I won't feel that it is my duty to do so. So, would anyone be prepared to help me out and report back on them (when they are finally available)? Please?

Pavilions Pop Up For Cancer Shop - Raising funds for a great cause

 

This is a little late in coming but I am delighted be able to get behind this event and to use Style Guile to bring it to a wider audience. The girls from the Fashion Retail Management Course at Birmingham University have done a fantastic job at putting the event together and I can only imagine how proud their Mums must be of them. I wish them every success x

 

 

Charity Fashion Fix at Pavilions Birmingham!

Saturday 2^nd March 2013 9.30am – 6.00pm

 

Pavilions Birmingham is working with seven local students and a selection of the country’s fashion elite; including Fearne Cotton, Glamour Magazine’s Jo Elvin and former Britain’s Next Top Model and X-Factor stylist Grace Woodward, to present an exclusive pop-up shop on Saturday 2^nd March in aid of Cancer Research.

 

In addition to being able to shop at retailers within Pavilions such as M&S, Hobbs, H&M and L’Occitane, the pop-up shop will give shoppers the opportunity to buy fashion, food and accessories which are all donated from celebrities and high street fashion brands.

 

As part of the BA Honours Fashion Retail Management course at Birmingham City University, students have been asked to create an event to raise funds for a chosen charity and the university’s Graduate Fashion Week. The project will challenge the students to work with no budget to fund the event, meaning they must utilise sponsorship and fundraising alone to support the marketing, promotion and staging surrounding the pop-up shop.

 

Students Samantha Burack, Lucy Stevens, Abi Jones, Harriet Carter Harper, Hannah Wade, Ciara Lawson and Beth Rimmer are all gearing up to host the event. Samantha explains why their chosen charity is close to their hearts. “My Mum was diagnosed with cancer four years ago and has been living with the illness ever since. We do a lot of fund raising together and it is great to be able to do a university project to drive a cause I feel so passionate about, it means Mum can get involved too!”

 

Alongside Pavilions, other companies will also be sponsoring the pop-up shop. Digital Imaging, a West Midlands based large format printer, will be producing the shop branding, while online fashion retailers including Stylist Pick and Ever Ours are contributing large amounts of stock.

 

The same weekend also sees regulars Bert & Gert’s Vintage and Craft Market taking their usual pitch at Pavilions on the mall area, selling unique and quirky gifts and goodies from local independent traders.

 

 

Claire Johnson, Marketing Manager of Pavilions adds “We are delighted to be able to support such a worthwhile charity and urge anybody who can contribute to get involved. The weekend will see lots of activity in Pavilions with various retailers and Bert & Gert’s Vintage and Craft Market all supporting and getting involved in the pop up event.”

 

Follow @popupforcancer

 

From left to right: Samantha Burack, Hannah Wade, Abi Jones, Beth Rimmer, Harriet Carter Harper

Mum on the Run - Top of the tops

There's no doubt it, tops can be tricky. When I say "tops" I don't meant t-shirts, long sleeved plain tops, sweatshirts or breton tops, although they are of course tops - just not the kind that I am talking about. They are too plain for what I have in mind.

 

Nor do I mean going out skimpy, revealing, sparkly, expensive tops. What I am talking about are every day tops that you can wear with your jeans, that are a little bit pretty but that aren't too fancy, or too expensive, for every day wear. The kind of top that you might put on and which makes you feel nicely put together, as though you have made a bit of an effort, without going overboard. The kind of top that when you put it with the right bag and the right shoes, you can look at in the mirror and think "I don't look half bad." The kind of top that someone might say "Oh, I like your top" about. You get my drift.

 

So, when I was in Zara today and I spotted three tops, all of which I could quite happily own, I went back to take photographs of them. One nice top is worth remembering, two nice tops are worth telling someone about and three nice tops are worth photographing and sharing on the blog. One thing I would urge you to do though, if only for a laugh, is to follow the links to the tops. Oh golly the models look miserable, as if they hate the clothes and can't wait to get home.

 

First off there's the oriental print combination top (£22.99) which reminded me very much of a Ted Baker style print. The print has also been used on skinny jeans and a dress - so it might result in Zara print overload later on in the season but so far, so good. There are so many pretty colours in this top that it would be easy to pick one of them up somewhere else in your outfit - or not if that's not your style. 

 

Number 2 is this printed embroidered top £29.99  How fab would it look with a pair of beaten up jeans and sandals or flip flops on a hot day? I'm not one for revealing all during the summer but this would still keep me cool whilst covering up. It's a little bit floaty but the neat pleats around the neckline and shoulders will keep the silhouette neat, so it should avoid that smocked/pregnancy top style look. I'm thinking more Reese Witherspoon and less [insert name of your choosing]!

Number 3 is this Japanese top with embroidered sleeve £25.99. V-neck tops aren't easy to come by which is a real pain in the whatsit because they are so much more flattering on ladies with larger busts and there are lots of ladies with larger busts. The way that the waistband sits also means that the top is really flattering for any lady with a less than flat stomach - which would be most of us.  I think that the embroidered sleeve is really pretty and the eye will automatically be drawn to it, rather than towards the centre of the body and to those bits that we tend to like least...

Finally I just thought that I would show you these bow trim high heel court shoes (£85) from Dune. It's quite rare to see such bright blue shoes but for anyone looking for a pair of shoes to jazz up a simple dress, or to add some interest to a plain wedding outfit, or because they fancy introducing some coloured shoes into their wardrobe, these could just be them.

Oh and look what I received today by way of a free gift with my trainers, which I have now located. How cool is this? My very own Sports Direct mug. It's more than I get with most purchases!

Mum on the Run - Shoes glorious shoes, there's nothing quite like them....

Oh golly, my head is all over the place tonight. Do you ever have days like that? I think that I might have a fever. Bieber fever to be precise because Justin is playing Birmingham these evening. We also have Girls Aloud in town - can Birmingham really stand the pace? Can we take the strain? Not only that but it's all happening less than 3 miles from where we live. Quite a few of my friends have gone to see Justin Bieber on the basis that they are "accompanying" their daughters. Yeah right!

I have also just been called by Radio WM to see whether I would like to speak on air tonight about Kerry Katona's wardrobe malfunction. For those of you who haven't seen the pictures (I hadn't until I googled it) I have to say I've been there and got the t-shirt, as eluded to in a post last week. It's not a pretty sight. I was asked whether I had had any wardrobe malfunctions and would I like to share them on air. Yes I have and no thanks, I wouldn't. Absolutley not. But I would like to pre-record the interview please because I am planning on either a) being asleep or b) watching Dallas on catch up when it's due to be broadcast.

Not only that but I have had an email to tell me that my lovely new Nike trainers have been delivered - although not to our address. Apparently I was out at the time they were delivered (I wasn't) and the card through the door will tell me where they are currently residing. Except there is no card so I'm at a bit of a loss.

I am also slightly traumatised about not having made it into Whistles today to give the Grazia voucher a run for its money but at least I managed to get around to paying a parking ticket that I got last week (don't tell the hubby).  Although thinking about it, that means that any potential budget for a Whistles purchase has been reduced to below a level at which you can buy anything from Whistles. On the other hand I promised someone that I would go and investigate the Zatchels in Selfridges tomorrow so I need to go there anyway....

So, what with Justin, the radio, the trainers, Whistles and several meetings today, I haven't had time to get my head around writing a blog post. Let alone a vaguely stylish/fashion related/witty one. What I think I will do instead is take a deep breath and leave you with a picture of some lovely shoes that would work really well in my summer wardrobe. They are the Kat Maconie Sandra in grey/nude and I love them. Sigh.

Mum on the Run - Loving this fab new brand, Keungzai - for ladies with, or without, baby bumps

Last week I attended a pre-magazine launch/networking event in Birmingham where I was asked by Nicky Clarke, the founder of Juno Mum, to do a style presentation. It was a lovely event and a fantastic opportunity to meet some new people.

 

There I met Michelle Lee who runs Keungzai, which is  - "an affordable contemporary luxury label to be worn pre, during and post pregnancy."

 

I spotted Michelle across the room and thought to myself "hmmm, nice dress" in the way that you do when you see someone wearing a nice dress. When Michelle came up to talk to me afterwards, I told her how much I loved her dress and asked her where she had bought it, to which she replied something along the lines of "It's my own label." What a cool response eh? How good would it to be to give that as an answer to that particular question?

 

So I asked Michelle whether she would be happy for me to feature Keungzai on here and she agreed. Not only that but for anyone who would like to buy from Keungzai, just enter "STYLEGUILE" at the checkout until 30th April to receive 10% off all items and free P&P too.

 

The majority of the items shown below will be available from 1st March although some may come in a little later. Michelle is happy to deal with customer requests, so please do contact her with your queries.

 

These are simple, fantastic, versatile pieces made from really good quality fabric. They can be accessorised in all sorts of ways and dressed up for a wedding, or down with sandals during the summer, layered with a long sleeve top and tights in the winter or left loose on a hot day. Importantly, they have a great hem length to them. They are just that little bit different and will accommodate baby bumps, womanly curves and slim figures alike. So, with just a quick run through, here goes...

 

 

This is the Dolman sleeve printed shirt

Here's the layered silk shirt

This is the luxe draped back dress - love that back detailing. I think that it would look great worn to a wedding

 

Here is the ruched asymmetric dress

...as worn by Michelle herself. I love the addition of the belt to nip it in at the waist.

Here is the super soft layered dress in this season's "colour"

And finally the two in one layered dress which has a whole Sandro/Maje/Cos feel about it, as do many of the pieces.

I think that it's also nice to read what others say about a brand too, which you can do here:
 
"...fashion-forward, minimalistic pieces that are cutting edge without compromising on functionality." - Kensington & Chelsea Today

"...a brand known for its modern take on pregnancy." - Pret a Pregnant

"Keungzai blurs the line between womenswear and maternitywear." - Elizabeth St

"Keungzai is a label to watch." - Stylenest

"Keungzai designer maternity clothes give pregnant women one more reason to glow." - Coolmompicks

"Love, love, love! Wish you'd been around when I was pregnant. A maternity must visit site!" - Sarah Curran, CEO, my-wardrobe.com

 

Mum on the Run - I've found them, oh yes I've found them! The perfect (Nike) trainers!

On 13th January I wrote about my latest style inspiration, that being our 5 year old daughter's Clarks trainers.  Sad, I know but I just love them - and not particularly for any sentimental reasons (how bad it that?) but just because I like the style.

 

 

Being in possession of several pairs of converse, and with any new pair being eyed eagerly by our 14 year old to the extent that they have to be closely guarded, I decided that it was time to branch out into some non-running trainers. I try and walk to school as often as possible and given that it often involves running alongside a scooter, or running along side a five year old (I wonder if I have gone overboard on emphasising how good exercise is for her!) it's good to have shoes that I am not going to be tottering in, especially as we are often passing stationary traffic, where the potential for ridicule is great.  

 

So, since that post I have been on the hunt for the perfect pair of trainers and these were the criteria:

They could not be white - that would make them too much like running trainers, of which I already have a pair;

I didn't want them to be flat (which ruled out Adidas Gazelles and Puma classics) but instead I wanted a slight "incline";

They needed to be a bit nerdy/1980's retro. Why, I do not know, but there we go;

They had to cost as little as possible.

 

So far I have trawled Office, Schuh, JJB, the new Sketchers store, Asics, Adidas online, Topshop, Asos, Gola, New Look, River Island, Nike for Liberty - and they are the ones I can remember - but to no avail.

 

And then this morning it hit me! Sports Direct! Now we are lucky (or unlucky) enough, depending on how you look at it, to have one close to hand. I both hate, and love, that store with a passion. It's great for the children - reasonably priced swimming goggles, shin pads, football boots and so on but the experience is pretty dire and you have to be in the right frame of mind to enter the building - which often I am not, not least because it is located right next to the Ann Summers store and I am frequently fielding difficult questions as we go over the threshold.

 

However, online it is a completely different experience and that's where I found these gems. They are exactly what I am after and being priced from £28 to £38, depending on whether they are the leather version or not, they are heavily discounted too.  They are the Nike Oceana in a myriad of colours from black through to grey, purple, pink, blue and the palest mint green.

 

 

They have the incline that I was after, are just on the right side of retro and come in enough colours to satisfy even the most discerning of customers. I quite like the ones in the top left - fuschia and lime. Great with jeans, ankle length trousers, shorts and even the odd sun-dress. I just need to order myself a pair now. Well, either that or brave the store, minus the children so as to avoid more embarrassing Ann Summers type questions.