A Pin Up Picnic... In A Bar!

Every year, The British Belles put on a little meet in London of pin ups and vintage style lovers. The original was named Pin Up Picnic In The Park - since it was pin ups... in a park. But sadly we're British and rain moved the event from Hyde Park to cocktails at Barrio Shoreditch. And so it was a Pin Up Picnic.. In A Bar!!

I always have big ideas about making special themed outfits for events like these, since they're a great excuse for real dressing up. The problem with that idea, though, is I'm too lazy and busy to do that, and I end up picking out whatever is clean on the morning of.

I ended up picking up my Check, Please! dress, because in my world, gingham is a neutral. I made this dress in 2013 and it's the only one from my early sewing that I still wear!

It's been so long since I went to any sort of event that I feel like I've forgotten how to socialise! I spent a lot of my time with my housemate Ellie outside sheltering from the rain.

But don't think that I didn't have fun! Barrio Shoreditch was a great, colourful venue that was the perfect backdrop for cocktails and meeting friends old and new. Plus, there was a lot of tips about hair being thrown around - and I love hair tips!

I've mentioned my anxiety before, but I was wondering if you guys deal with it and any tips and tricks? I need to push myself to go to more events, but that pesky anxiety really gets in the way!

I know I've posted about The George bag before, but it's still my absolute favourite designs we do. I'd suggest grabbing a George item now if you've wanted one. The line is being discontinued! We do have a new pub design on pre-order, if you do miss out.

Hair Flower&Necklace; Handmade
Cardigan; Collectif (old)
Dress; Handmade
Brooch; Luxulite
Bag; Vendula London
Shoes; Melissa

I Carried A Watermelon With Lindy Bop

I love a novelty print. Actually, I BLOODY LOVE a novelty print. And right now, there's one brand killing it on the novelty front; Lindy Bop! I've posted a few of my favourite novelty prints from them before, and I'm always in awe of the quality. So I jumped at the chance to review the Lindy Bop Bambi Dress - in Watermelon Pip Print!

Surprisingly for some, I don't often wear red dresses for fear of clashing against my hair, but I just fell in love with this print. Unlike other watermelon prints, it's just the flesh and pips, which I think makes it unique. It also reminds me of some abstract art, so it makes me feel just a liiiittle bit cultured!

I also generally steer clear of orange-based reds because of the hair and skin tone. However, I don't think this looks bad at all? Oooh, that means I've gone and learned something about myself.

The Bambi Dress is a cute little sundress with a sweetheart neckline, elasticated waist and back, and side seam pockets. I'll say off the bat - this runs LARGE. I usually wear a 22 in Lindy Bop, and I'm wearing an 18 in this dress, but could easily go down to a 16. I always end up talking about my boobs when reviewing, but being less-busty means the straps are a bit loose for me. 

The elasticated waist is a great design point, but can end up a bit too blousy in the bodice if you don't size down. My sizing suggestion is; go one size down from your usual Lindy Bop size if you're busty. Two sizes down if you're less busty. Three sizes down for a much more fitted look.

It's funny how recently I'm less inclined to dress up because of anxiety - I've always dressed 'weird' or 'outlandish' since a young age. I've got one hell of a hard shell because of this, and although it's been a long time since I've had any comments, it's been a bit difficult to be looked at so much.

Also funny because I decided to take all my photos in a busy London park by myself, which really opens you up to questions, looks and people taking photos. How on earth do anxious bloggers do this all the time?!

But hey, aside from anxiety - how cute is the Biscuit Shop Grab Bag from Vendula London?

Wearing black with this dress was my attempt to almost tone it down because it's a real in-your-face colour, but the white bag brings out those white accents and I kinda love it. I'd love to wear this with green, too, to up the Watermelon realness! 

Buuuuut godamnit this dress is comfy, and if we ever have the sun back I'm going to wear it all summer! 

Hair Flower; Handmade
Brooch; Luxulite
Bangles; Splendette
Dress; C/O Lindy Bop (Disclaimer)
Bag; Vendula London (Disclaimer)
Shoes; Yours Clothing 

Some Southern Hospitality

The UK had a heatwave.
As we're Brits, we loooove a chat about the weather, and bloody hell guys it was HOT.

So over the weekend I managed to grow balls and sweat them off -  just in time to spend a few days with my sister-in-law and end up in a Coheed and Cambria mosh pit on the hottest day of the year. Seeing both the sister-in-law and Coheed were amazing, but the heat was a little less ideal!

As soon as hot weather comes in, I have this mental image of me wearing white eyelet lace sundresses and frolicking in tall grass having picnics and prosecco with beautiful sun kissed friends. In reality, I'm hiding under a tree with a warm cider with food thrown down myself complaining about how much I sweat.

Mmm, what a gorgeous mental image.

But hell, I never learn anything and ended up buying this top from Primark because MY GOD isn't it cute? I'm such a sucker for a frilled bardot and the aforementioned white eyelet lace, so this was kinda a necessary purchase. (Is any Primark purchase really that necessary, though?) It fulfils my summer dreams - regardless of the fact I dropped food down it and dyed the inside pink...

My love for gingham is everlasting, though, and this top was just so perfect for my Blue Gingham Skirt, that was blogged about last year. It reminds me of a stereotypical sort of Southern-American sweetheart, bar the overplayed accent, pigtails and penchant for country music!

• Hair Flowers; Lady Lucks Boutique
• Necklace; Handmade
• Top; Primark
• Brooch; Luxulite
• Bangles; Vintage and Splendette
• Bag; Vintage
• Shoes; Miss L Fire

SaveSave

Dinner and A Drive In With Lindy Bop!

Every now and then two items come together and you realise they were clearly made for each other.

Today, those two things are the Drive-In print Audrey Dress from Lindy Bop and The Diner Box Bag from Vendula London.

See? Made. For. Each. Other.

Over the last few months, I've become somewhat obsessed with the border prints from Lindy Bop, and I was lucky to be asked to choose one to review for you guys!

The Audrey is their signature silhouette, a Breakfast-At-Tiffany's-style bodice with a gathered skirt that flares from the natural waist. Based on the size guide on their website and previously-ordered Audrey sizes, I got the 22 in this style.
I will say off the bat, this dress is actually on the tight side especially across the bust for me, so I would suggest sizing up unless you have a really small bust - maybe even two for you busty gals out there!

Pro-tip; don't try on a dress when drunk, overlook the tight bust and take the tags off straight away. Silly idea!

The base colour is a lovely midnight blue, with bright red, yellow and blue balloons flying throughout the night sky that makes up the top of the skirt and the bodice - and of course, the border print of brightly-coloured Chevrolet's driving on through the theatre!

I know the one question I always get asked about Lindy Bop items is because of their price point (This dress was originally £35 full price!) people are sceptical of the quality of the items - I'm going to put it out there that you're going to be so pleasantly surprised. The fabric is a nice medium-weight cotton with a little stretch and a hint of a sheen, making it soft against the skin and fall nicely. As this is a spring/summer dress it's not fully lined, but the bodice is lined in a soft cotton.

It also features my favourite thing ever - POCKETS in the side seam!

Fitting issues aside, as that was mostly my fault for not ordering a larger size before I ripped the tags off (thank you wine), I actually love this dress. Not only is the quality great, but the colours are so wonderful and it really makes the print and wearing a red cardigan and accessories really made the whole thing pop! It does come with a belt, but it was more coral-red than true-red so I swapped it for my own.

And of course, I had to add the Diner Box Bag to the outfit - the colours were so on point with the dress, it would have been a shame not to! 

Hair Flowers; Lady Luck's Boutique

Necklace; Vintage

Bangles; Splendette and Vintage

Earrings; Bow and Crossbones

Brooch; Luxulite

Dress; C/O Lindy Bop (Disclaimer)

Bolero; Collectif

Bag; Vendula London (Disclaimer)

Shoes; Rocket Originals

Now since I mentioned the Diner Box Bag... It's time to announce the winner of the Vendula London Giveaway! 
Drum roll please...

Alieke Maaike! 

Congratulations Alieke! Please check your emails because I'll be sending you a cheeky little email soon!

And thank you all for participating, I wish you could of all won! 

Celebrating One Year at Vendula London - And a GIVEAWAY!

Okay, okay.

I know I go on about Vendula London all the time. I know you've seen so many of their products on my blog posts and Instagram. But hey, last week I celebrated one whole year with the company, so I wanted to take a little moment to talk about the brand, show you where I work - and oh yeah, there's a GIVEAWAY!

Now I'm sure you already know Vendula London is a handbag and accessory brand. Started in 2003, it's animal-friendly and only uses faux leathers - but are also some of the most interesting, and importantly, intricate items you'll probably ever see. Each bag and purse are printed, embossed and appliquéd to be completely original and incredibly detailed, so much so that even the backs are printed!

My main job (other than running around China and Japan ;) ) is actually running our only retail store - settled in an adorable little place off London's Southbank called Gabriel's Wharf. The little shopping square is just up from the iconic OXO tower and features sole traders and designer/makers, creating a unique boutique experience which is just wonderful to be a part of.

Our most popular designs are our Shop Front styles - handbags and purses in a range of sizes and prices with shop-front-themed detailing. You've seen a few of these styles on the blog before as they're my personal favourite styles we do, the ones featured in this photo are new for SS17 - The Biscuit Shop, The Diner (!) and the Sewing Shop (!!)

But we're not limited to just the Shop Fronts! We also have our pastel dream of a Charm range all nicely organised at the back of the shop, where you can customise your plain bag with box sets of Charms - Or as I do, mix and match as jewellery too!

We've got other unique styles in store, too - this season we've got the Caravan, Butterfly Explorer and Parrot Paradise (and some good sale stuff, juuuuust saying!) in stock, and really, I'd love for you all to come and experience Vendula London in this little shop!

Now - the exciting part! You can now have a chance to win your own Vendula London bag!

We're giving away either a Sewing Shop or Diner Box Bag to one lucky winner - Entry is simple, go on Vendula London's website and tell me what your favourite item is in a comment and follow me and Vendula London on Instagram!

And for a whopping 6 extra entries, follow me on Bloglovin' and both of us on Facebook!

a Rafflecopter giveaway



Good luck, guys!

And in the mean time, if you fancy popping down and saying hi, here's our address;

Vendula London Shop

Gabriel's Wharf

Unit 15, 56 Upper Ground

London

SE1 9PP