Hove Fabulous Fashionista

Shop your wardrobe!

2012-01-11T09:29:00.000-08:00

That is my mantra for this season - well until my birthday in March. I am not going to buy any clothes except tights and underwear! Instead i am going to peer at my overstuffed wardrobe and try out things I don't wear that often and in different combos. I do not rule out clothes swaps though and I did fall a bit as I bought a Vivienne Westwood dress in the netaporter sale yesterday (above) but that is going to be a birthday present from another. Let me know if you got anything fab in the January sales so I can drool!

Been a bit absent.....

2011-12-13T01:42:00.000-08:00

Too busy getting down to a size 12! Also I have hosted a clothes swish and been to a more commercial one. Vintage clothes swish in Brighton, you take along anything vaguely vintage y that you have (or vintage in style) and these items get checked in and you are given points for them. When the sale opens then you can spend points! I bought the gold dress, a red bag, a mustard shift dress and a lace top - all for stuff I had at home and I have points left - such a great idea! The organisers make money as you have to buy a ticket for £5 but you also get a cup of tea and a cake.

I have also posted a picture of a shift dress I got from Primarche for £15 and I plan to wear it today to go to London to see 'Jerusalem' and also Boxing day on a visit to family.

Hope you all have a fabulous festive holiday time xxxxxx

Love this - want all of these jumpers!

2011-10-19T03:03:00.000-07:00

http://www.bellafreud.co.uk/shop/

Both Mary Portas and Melanie Rickey wearing these jumpers on TV last night - out of my league but so fab!

I heart Mary Portas so much

2011-10-05T02:26:00.000-07:00

I have gone onto mytights.com and bought a pair of her 'armery' in an effort to disguise bingo wings!

Billy blooming bargain

2011-10-05T02:13:00.000-07:00

Now that Elena and I have both bought these boots I can release their details! They are lighter than DM's and look great under Elena's Chanel style (slash Primark) work dress. I am hoping that I can wear them the same way and not look like mutton! They are from Boohoo.com and are under clearance - 15 of your English pounds - 15!!!!!

classy

2011-09-30T09:34:00.001-07:00

classy by debanne featuring vintage style handbags

McQ by Alexander McQueen zipper dress
€486 - my-wardrobe.com

Mulberry biker jacket
$969 - my-wardrobe.com

Oxford
$290 - my-wardrobe.com

Sara Berman vintage style handbag
$477 - my-wardrobe.com

Pencil skirt

2011-09-21T09:37:00.000-07:00

I have been after this skirt for ages but Topshop had sold out of my size - it still has kinda but I am trying a slightly smaller one.

I was looking for tips as to how to style this and the Topshop stylist suggested with a stripy T shirt! Radical I know. I think it is the way to go as it could look very 'Bet Lynch' with high shoes and anything too feminine so toughing it up I think is the best way to wear it! I will see when it comes anyway. I really don't want to look like 'Taxi for Ms Mutton' so may have to send it back and it can then be relegated to the pile - along with puff ball skirts, strapless tops and big dangly earrings as 'things I used to wear'......

The mac of dreams

2011-09-19T09:46:00.000-07:00

I got a recommendation from another blog to look at the Jonathan Saunders collection at Debenhams. I was looking for a new mac to replace the old and much to big now Zara one that i have had for a few years. I love a trench coat style mac, really handy when you live by the sea side and work in a very windy place. Anyway I saw the mac below and took a chance on ordering it as they have free delivery. It came today and I AM IN LOVE! It is incredible well made and with amazing attention to detail and cut, he is a fabulous designer and this is a great chance to get his expertise at a fraction of the cost of his usual line.

The box pleats make it look very different, so well made!

I am so pleased with this mac and I think that I will put off getting a winter coat to replace my old one until the new year sales!

Now I have my mac you can all go and buy one! It's not a secret anymore!

Love this video, great music and style!

2011-09-19T09:40:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3j1RHcPl38&feature=youtu.be

my style

2011-09-15T05:18:00.001-07:00

my style by debanne featuring a heart dress

Moschino Cheap Chic heart dress
€486 - my-wardrobe.com

Sara Berman long tuxedo jacket
$653 - my-wardrobe.com

Belstaff boots
£223 - my-wardrobe.com

Anton Heunis yellow gold necklace
$394 - my-wardrobe.com

Roberto Cavalli ring
$425 - net-a-porter.com

NARS Eye Shadow Trio -Okinawa
$45 - barneys.com

NARS Cream Eyeshadow -Zardoz
$23 - barneys.com

CHANEL - CHANEL Cosmetics and Fragrance | Nordstrom
nordstrom.com

Barneys New York Python Frames at Barneys New York
$85 - barneys.com

Paris Skyline Vinyl Wall Art Mural - WallQuotes.com
$55 - wallquotes.com

Zara Home - WHAT'S NEW - Rings Cushion
€50 - zarahome.com

Harlow 5" x 7" Frame
$108 - addisoncollection.net

Vintage bargain

2011-09-13T07:40:00.000-07:00

This is a picture of me in a dress I got in a charity shop in Crystal Palace, Sarf London last saturday for a fiver! I am pretty sure it was handmade and it fits so well! I am a bit miffed that it is the end of the summer but determined to wear it with leggings and a cardi for a bit as I am so much in love with it!

Just averted bank collapse

2011-09-07T07:06:00.000-07:00

This is the Autumn of my discontent - or is supposed to be! Really trying not to buy stuff but the ASOS 20% student deal is calling tome - except my NUS card is out of date so have just ordered a new one as I will save the 12 squid it costs almost immediately. I am planning to buy a black pencil skirt and some blue bootleg trousers from their Petite range - good basics and discount - almost doesn't count as shopping does it?

Before the embargo I managed to get a cropped cashmere cardi from Boden in neon Orange (picture below but in black)

This is what I really want and very very luckily for my bank balance they are out of stock in my size - I deffo have a leopard crush going on at the moment (or totes as the young people say!)

restart this blog and keep it up

2011-08-05T03:15:00.000-07:00

Sorry haven't been updating - far too tedious to put all clothes on, lets just say that having lost 2 stone I have shopped for South London!

Soooo - now a size 12 and ready for the Autumn fashion

I present you with the jacket of my dreams from ASOS - I have seen this on another blog and lusted after it but it came online yesterday and is winging its way to me as we speak, hope it's not too small as slimfitting

Love it, am overcome with pash......

Edinburgh - a vintage lovers dream!

2011-04-13T12:07:00.000-07:00

I have just come back from a flying visit to Edinburgh where I met with an old friend and we shopped and shopped - vintage style of course. We went to the amazing Armstrongs in Grassmarket - http://www.armstrongsvintage.co.uk/ and in my pictures. It is such an emporium of loveliness and I got three amazing items, a bright pink jacket with a fluffy collar, an orange see through 70's shirt (I had to take this off a model in the shop) and a fab Hawaiaan dress in orange (h'm seem to be attracted to orange that day). They have an online shop - visit it!

We then went o'er hill and dale to a suburb called Stockbridge which was full of great charity shops (including one of Mary Portas save the children branches which looked fab! Even I felt a little shopped out at the end of that and had a divine coffee and cake in Madelaines coffee shop which transported me back to Paris, it is amazing.

A great time was had by all and in the charity shops I got a gold lame 60's jacket and a pleated gold skirt.

Bright for Spring!

2011-03-23T04:11:00.000-07:00

Here's some pictures of my latest finds. I have been selling on ebay recently so had a restock of clothes. I have got the Carrie skirt that Whistles is selling and that is v hard to find. This is the knee length version, there is a mid calf one but that is impossible to find and actually for my height I think this is better. It has a frayed look on the edge and I was told that this is a design feature but if it went too frayed they would send it to a taylor and post it back to me at no charge! Great customer service from Whistles!

I am a bit of a sucker when it comes to high street worn by celebs so I also got a jumper that is being worn by the Alexis Chung/ Sienna Miller gang at the mo. It is a lovely cotton striped piece and will be fab on chilly days in the summer over a dress. It also comes in red from Topshop. I got the last one in Westfield but it is on red available online in some sizes (£40)

A pretty dress with hearts on it from ASOS reduced in their sale

Lastly a striking orange dress from Cos, only £35 and perfect for a pop of colour. I am thinking to go allout and wear it with purple tights - what do you think?

Mwah mwah!

Ebay action

2011-03-09T01:42:00.000-08:00

I have some shoes for sale on ebay - not sure how to lead you to them but they are River Island dark grey wedges and also Vivienne Westwood plastic ballet flats (yes the ones bought for the cruise, that whole outfit has been ebayed!)

have a look!

Latest buys!

2011-03-01T13:39:00.000-08:00

here's my latest buys! One of the reasons i haven't been blogging is my added activity with Qukulele (see them on facebook) which is the uke group I am in. The first outfit is a Hawaiian skirt from Get Cutie but sold as an end of line on their ebay website as a SIZE 12 - yup - and I fitted into it!

1.5 stone lighter than when I started blogging, yes siree. The shirt is from ebay and was under a tenner. The red glasses are ASOS and the pink ones from urban outfitters. very retro n'est ce pas?

A recent outing to London netted the white tux jacket which is so out of my comfort zone but fitted well and I can imagine it in the summer over a pretty dress. The red shoes are for the summer and from Urban Outfitters (They were doing 15% off with a student card for a week so I stocked up!)

The spotty T shirt is from Topshop and was featured in their recent catwalk show which showed Autumn/Winter 2011 and was heavily influenced by dalmations. the little blue jacket I got today in a quick trawl through charity shops in Eastbourne with 20 mins before a train home.

Tell me if there's anything you like here! Frockabilly this Sunday in Brighton! Can't wait!!!

Holding off for a bit now in case I go down to a 12 proper

This is just one of two of my green lurex outfits!

2011-02-07T09:33:00.000-08:00

Sorry for not posting for a while - I have various vintage finds to share with you but no camera at the mo! Here though second picture below is me in a dress that I was given by my dear friend Sheena and I can't wait to wear it out! Tell me what you think of it.

When I can post photos I will put on my 40's dress find and a little fluffy white jacket and brown boots that are all vintage and nabbed at Frock me vintage fair when it came to Brighton and my non vintage but influenced by it find above is my Louis Vuitton Mad Men type rip off that I am keeping to wear for my birthday! It was from Pretaportobello which is a great site.

Tra la!

And that's me done with the sales!

2010-12-29T09:25:00.000-08:00

Famous last words perhaps but I have had two days of scouring the sales for billy bargains which I will share with you so get in there quick! I have been to Brighton and yesterday (gulp) to Oxford st - Topshop (The Mother Ship) and Selfridges mainly. Some sales are not great - I love Cos but there isn't much in the sale and Toast is still too expensive until they have a clearance.

My final roll call was

Two dresses from Zara, the spotty one wasn't in the sale (£30) and the other one was £25 and I am now not sure about the cardi (£14.99)I got - what do you think?

The amazing Muji in Selfridges, I got a blue cardigan (£19)and a dress which was vacuum packed in a little container - about 12 quid if I remember and great over leggings.

Jumper from Topshop - £18 and I love the little buttons - tres chic!

Shoes, I was determined for once to get sensible ones and these sure are - they are from Ugg and I got them at Selfridges not knowing what make they were until I got them. They were the one and only pair I tried on and I walked around a bit in them and then bought them instantly. There were two long suffering husbands sitting either side of me whose partners were fussing around and there were piles of discarded shoes lying in heaps. I think either of them would have married me on the spot! I have worn them today and they are comfy!!! Reduced from £95 to £65.

There is also a picture of the crocheted flowers lovely daughter has made me that I am wearing on a hair grip - commissions taken I think!

Good luck bargain hunting fashionistas!

Famous last words!

2010-12-20T02:04:00.000-08:00

I just came back from Paris (missed the snow - phew!) and while I was there I went to my favourite shop in The Marais - Loft - I bought a fairly ordinary red cotton top but it is soooo soft!

then at the last minute I rushed into a Frip shop, there's loads of them in The Marais and everything is 10E and second hand. In about 3 minutes I bought three things, two sparkly jumpers and a velvet and chiffon jacket. The jacket needs altering but the jumpers are great. No pics as camera decided to break.

Also an ASOS buy to wear NYE - pretty vintage style necklace that I found on a Vogue website - with discounts came under twenty quid. I am matching it with fab 60's earrings from ebay but the picture won't load, £22 - hope they both reach me by NYE

Happy Xmas one and all - here's a pic of me and Xmas trees at the Pompidou Centre, BTW that's the Zara dress I blogged about recently - because of just taking a handbag for luggage I wore it for three days with different T shirts underneath it - now there will have to be a bit of a pause before I put it on again!

Pretty pretty swishy swishy

2010-12-11T08:00:00.000-08:00

This will be my last Christmas buy - honest! Just couldn't resist it when I saw it posted in Bargainista fashionista in navy and saw that it came in gold. Plus I am a size smaller so pleats maybe look OK? I was smitten and it came today and is very nice indeed and not going back! the gold is very understated and it could be worn for the day with an oatmeal or camel jumper or purple would look nice as well, needs a heel or boots I think.

So that's the last thing

Honest

Just take my credit card!

When will this madness ever stop!

2010-12-08T12:37:00.000-08:00

Since I have lost a stone in weight recently and gone down a dress size I cannot stop shopping! I have just ordered a gold skirt from Topshop. Of course it may go back but it looks great on the site and I can just see it with a warm jumper in the day and a little top in the evening. I love the idea of mixing evening clothes with day but haven't tried it before. I got a sequin jacket last year and then lots of them flooded the shops and I haven't worn it much yet. Not feeling brave enough to wear it to work - what do you think? Can it be done or will I look like I am doing the 'walk of shame' in the morning?

The best dress in the world!

2010-12-04T08:46:00.000-08:00

I NEVER buy clothes from Zara! I find them too skimpy for me but now I am a bit more streamlines (one stone less) I had another go. This was on a day when I was shopping with my daughter and promised 'This is ALL about you'. I had already got some facial oil and a fluffy fun fur jacket in the Urban Outfitters reduced section (£34.99 from £75, massive Billy Bargain) then I tried on this dress, well not this dress but I can't find a picture of it online. It's like this but a bit longer (knee length) and with a sweet self patterned bow on the waist - very very Mad Men, love it love it love it and it's a medium size!

Also got smaller bras in Bravissimo - may I recommend the Panache plunge bra? It is amazing! I got it in two colours, the only plunge bra I have ever tried on that fitted.

I have also been to the new Cos in Brighton and added to my collection of their long sheer T shirts, I have one in a stripe and now in red, at £25 they are good value.

And, oh yes, I did buy a few things for other people...well it is Christmas xxxxx

Sorry for silence

2010-11-10T12:29:00.001-08:00

Hello! I haven't been blogging for a while as I am doing Nanowrimo (see my links!) Recently we went to Brimingham and I braved the Bullring and Selfridges which is an amazing building but I missed Harvey Nicks! Can you believe it! Anyway, I bought a black dress from Topshop which I have worn once and which I am going to wear Christmas day - I love it, would post but it is out of stock so will take a picture soon! Today I got some grey wedge shoe boots from River Island, also pictured and I have my heart set on some spangly ones that I probably can't walk in.Do you think I should get them? They are like the ones Madonna wore in 'Desperately seeking Susan' in the vintage store and I have been looking for them for years! Buy them or has that ship sailed? Tell me!!!! Otherwise I am waiting for the Lanvin and H and M launch - anyone else? It opens online at 7am!

Picture of trouser

2010-10-11T07:03:00.000-07:00

http://www.whistles.co.uk/fcp/product/whistles/bottoms/Nina-Drop-Crotch-Trouser/903000055097

The ultimate trouser!

2010-10-11T06:55:00.000-07:00

I have always found it difficult to find a trouser that looks ok on me - except for one brief 'come on Eileen' period in the 80's I have never worn jeans (shocking I know). Last week I had a potter round Whistles (the old and the new one) in Brighton with my Grazia 25% off voucher and found what may be the perfect trouser - the right length, flattering, great cut etc etc I could go on. The black pair I got are a bit big so I have ordered two pairs from the ASOS website a size smaller and in navy and beige. I am excited to see what they are like but ASOS sent me three pairs of maternity jeggings today for reasons known only to themselves (I have lost half a stone recently - honest!)

Night before France

2010-09-20T15:12:00.000-07:00

Sitting up much too late the night before we go to France. I am loading TV shows and movies (Funny Girl) onto my ipod for the train journey and surfing the net while it happened. I came across this cute necklace! can't think of anything at the moment but may drop some hints when I get back!

More pics

2010-09-16T08:56:00.000-07:00

Ridiculous shopping in London

2010-09-16T08:42:00.000-07:00

I had a long and tiring but successful day shopping in London yesterday. On my list were shoes for the yacht event (red flats or wedges), a cardigan, a tan belt, tights, an aviator jacket. Well I got all of them and more! The shoes were a big problem and finally I got the flat Vivienne Westwood/Melissa shoes that are below. I have some little booties and some brogues in this range and they are great and Plastic! Quite amazing.

I got a camel wool cardi in Uniquo for £29.99 - why did they close in Brighton? I love that shop! The tan belt and jacket are from the mother ship - Topshop Oxford Circus. The jacket was cheap and is not leather, I love it but it has tiny arms that i hope will stretch. I went to Selfridges new shoes extravaganza (pics to come off my mobile) and it is really worth a visit - amazing! I love Selfridges but I must say that we had a fab time in Liberty. A lovely young woman in the shoe dept (God I sound old) brought me shoes after I shared my predicament (It sounded so Liberty 'I am going on this yacht and we can't wear heels - lah di dah) and then we went for a pot of tea and soup in the genteel cafe downstairs, all very calm and soothing. The Manolo pop up shop was great as well.

Finally I went to House of Fraser to see the new Biba range. I was a huge Biba fan and have many fond memories of shopping there but this new attempt to breath life into the old girl leaves me cold. It all looked like a bunch of tat except for the handbags which were nice. The wide trousers I got from Toppers were far more Biba ish I think! I also got (not pictured) some leggings in brown lace, and (pictured) a red hair band and earrings to wear at the dinner.

I put a question about possible shoes on the Outnet Style surgery and the answer was good, but I had already got some - it was my back up plan!

Pictures to come on return of the do........

Dress for big do

2010-09-13T13:22:00.000-07:00

Realised that I haven't posted pics of 'The Dress' for the do on the yacht which is next week! There is a national strike in France the day we arrive in Nice on the train. We have also just been informed that there is to be no wearing of high heels on the yacht! I am worried that I will look like tree trunk legs in this dress in flats but wedges are allowed so off to London on Wed to look for red or coral wedges. I have high hopes of the new Selfridges shoe dept and will let you know.

The Outnet are having a Louboutin sale on Wed, not for me alas!

The dress is much more beige than the picture and looks better on than on the hanger!

Recent vintage buys

2010-08-27T00:57:00.000-07:00

This is an update of recent vintage buys (The problem is when I go shopping with someone else I get things!) The skirt and hat are from 'beyond retro' and I love the skirt! It has a great washed out quality and is very soft cotton - great for lindy hop!

My friend Sheena spotted the hat and it will keep the sun out (What sun?) while not giving me 'hat hair'.

Finally the green 40's dress was from Vintage at Goodwood and does not have much appeal on the hanger but looks great on!

Leopard scarves!

2010-08-25T01:18:00.000-07:00

Ever since I saw the Stephen Sprouse leopard scarf a while ago I have been on a quest to find a good copy and I think I have! It's in Zara and is £9.99 and comes in various colours but I thought the red one was the best. I know the fashion pack have moved on and there is a new rose scarf out but I have stayed true to the leopard! I have added pictures of my new scarf and my collection.

I also bought four vests at TopShop for £20 (2 for a tenner). These are 100% cotton and very useful to put under some lace blouses that I have, they do come up big so I had to get a 12 (the joy!)

xxxxx

Queens of Vintage

2010-08-16T03:34:00.000-07:00

Hurrah! My review was the first one in at this site and it is live online at the moment!

Vintage at Good wood

2010-08-15T03:43:00.000-07:00

Myself and my partner Maria went to V @ G on Friday and had an amazing day! We dressed up in an assortment of styles and had lots of pictures taken as we entered the site on the red carpet. The high st just took my breath away; it was incredible to see what had been put together and the attention to detail – a fabulous effort from all involved. During the day we spent a lot of time in the many many vintage fashion booths and I bought a 40’s green dress, a pair of gloves as I was freezing in the evening and a ‘let it rock’ T shirt as well as the official album and a tote bag. There was a seller with lovely vintage china and glassware packaged in boxes and reasonable priced and I got a set of 4 babycham glasses in a box as a present. Maria hunted down a white 30’s evening jacket which is beautiful. Later on we had a quick change at the car and wore everything we had to keep warm.

We did everything and the rain was annoying but didn’t deter us – we had cream tea in the tea tent, a cocktail in the Tanquery bar, tea at Fortnum and Masons, danced in the rain at the main stage and the soul stage and lindy hopped in our wellies in the Torch tent. It was an incredible day and my only regret was not seeing one of the fashion shows. The rain made entrance to any covered area very difficult and there was lots of standing in line but the organisers would have found it hard to have planned for that. The toilets were fine and facilities for the day visitors were great although I did hear rumblings that the ‘glamping’ wasn’t that glam. I am undecided if I would go for the whole 3 days next year – mainly because of the cost and knowing that I would spend a lot of money there. On the other hand it would give more time to go to the many talks and exhibitions that I just couldn’t cram in this time. There was so much to see and do in one day – we came at 11am and left as it closed.

I have so many highlights but an edited selection are singing along to a Wham song with Peter Blake on his way to the VIP tent, hearing Ronnie Wood tear the place apart with his opening chords with The Faces, seeing Amanda Burton in Fortnum and Masons, Sophie Ellis Bextor singing ‘Common People’, lindy hopping in my wellies and the first magical moment as we came out of the woods and the fairy lights and saw the high st.

Warsaw adventures and shopping

2010-07-26T11:24:00.000-07:00

Back from our holiday in Warsaw and with holidays comes shopping (believe me I can find shopping in a camping field if necessary!) My purchases in Warsaw were: a sleeveless linen top from EgoandEco, a studded T shirt from the Hard Rock cafe (the rudest assistant I have met for a long time!)amber earrings and this cute brooch from EcoandEco that can look like a bow tie, a badge - they had so many colours it was hard to choose but I think I will be wearing it a lot!

Beyond Retro

2010-07-07T03:15:00.000-07:00

I can't believe I have only recently discovered this shop! Saying that I have been there about 3 times in 2 weeks. Last trip was yesterday with Charlotte and Elena and it was fab. I got a great trashy dressing gown thing in neon pink nylon to play my character in a murder mystery evening (guesses on my character below!) and a sweet little 50's chiffon shrug thing to put over a strappy top or dress to hide the tops of my arms (they are so beefy I look like I am in an arm wrestling contest!) The shop is on Vine st Brighton just on the left in the road that cuts into North rd before Bills.

Special dress

2010-07-01T23:51:00.000-07:00

I have finally got my special dress for Charlottes do in September that is themed 60's. The dress is strictly 50's but late 50's and anyway that 60's shift style does not suit curvy me. I got it in a vintage shop in Brighton called Hope and Harlequin (31 Sydney st www.hopeandharlequin.com) and had lots of help from the owner (thanks!). I am going to team it with a Butler and Wilson glass flower necklace and some pearl studs I think. I still need shoes - maybe Gold? They have to be comfortable to dance in. Pictures coming soon.......

summer bag

2010-06-28T04:09:00.000-07:00

I have bought a summer bag to take to Poland in two weeks and South of France in September - I love it! The sale started at 12 on Cocosa.com (fab site) and by the time I had finished buying it the limited stock signs had started going up. I am so pleased I was able to remember it! It is a Lulu Guiness bag. They had it as a large clutch for a bit cheaper but I can't get the hang of clutches and sure I would lose it! The glittery lobster is beyond sweet!

Bargainista fashionista

2010-06-26T23:34:00.000-07:00

I love this blog even though they won't link with me - boo. They have just pointed out an amazing leopard bag from Reiss free in this months Elle - just got it as the August one comes out soon. The bag is really good, roomy and strong and a very good freebie.

Here are the boots!

2010-06-23T11:45:00.000-07:00

Rash purchase?

2010-06-23T11:38:00.000-07:00

I have loved these boots ever since I saw them on the ASOS website but couldn't justify the price. I thought I would wait until the sale but realised that they probably wouldn't be in the sale and also that my black boots had finally conked out and I could have these as winter boots as well!!! Hurrah! I got them much cheaper at a site called Cloggs and am now waiting their arrival with bated breath - Hunter wellies are my one weakness.........

Shopping in Gunwharf Quays

2010-06-23T11:31:00.000-07:00

Just had a fab day out in Portsmouth - avoided footie frenzy but cracked on the train home and txt daughter for result. Boozy lunch in Loch Fyne and spent a silly amount of time wheeling a four wheeled suitcase around in the Antler shop - decided against it (Pinot Grigio talking!).

Purchases were

Ipod cover for Maria - £1:15 in Paperchase

2 Krispy Kreme donuts for daughter and student

Small handbag in Kipling - £17

Red stripey top in Ralph Lauren Polo (14.99)

That last one was my bargain of the day as i saw it in XL in blue and was going to get it despite it being too big and 24.99, then I saw it in red in L and when I went to the till it was only 14.99! Satisfying moment, and I do so love a stripe (see M and S last purchase)

Clothes sale yesterday

2010-06-21T01:42:00.000-07:00

My charity clothes sale/swish went really well and we raised £100 for a school in Nepal and I got a nice linen suit, pink Jigsaw jumper and red metallic top from Gap all for £4! Also chose some good swag to send to Sheena in Scotland - a lovely day with friends in the garden but I ate too much of the Sophie Dahl peanut butter fudge that I made! Tired today and just have to take 6 bags to a very lucky charity shop

M and S

2010-06-18T11:33:00.000-07:00

I went to M and S today in Holmbush (big out of town shopping). I was in search of some shoes I saw on Bargainista fashionista, my fave blog. I did find them or a version of them and it reminded me of two things

I like M and S shoes as they do half sizes and they do wide fittings

The clothes are pretty much dire! I had a quick look at the limited edition which had a beautiful cream lace dress - perfect for a wedding or CP but the rest of it was not good people. A sea of boringness. Don't get me started on Per Una - I just don't get it! So many flounces and furbelows - not for me at all.

However.....dot dot dot - On the way out I did see a nice stripy T shirt (my eye is always attracted by a stripe or a dot) for £12. Picture above - it goes down at the sides, very flattering- they did have it in a white/blue combo which I tried on but the material is thin and bra revealing.

Then I had to go to Tesco - the usual hell was compounded by the red and white footie frenzy - bad to go. I was buying ingredients for my cake making for Sundays charity clothes sale of which more anon.

The shoes are in for a whole day walking round Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth on Wed so i will let you know how they hold up.

2010-06-17T09:33:00.000-07:00

Clothes organisation - the scarves have gone a bit out of control!

2010-06-17T09:27:00.000-07:00

Here are some printed skirts that I have, I feel that 3 is too many - which one(s) should I get rid of?

One last thing about the mission....

2010-06-17T05:06:00.001-07:00

It has to link in with a theme which is 60's - kind of Jacky O/Madmen 60's, not Woodstock 60's - that's all......

Your mission should you choose to accept it......

2010-06-17T04:56:00.000-07:00

Is to find me a dress suitable for black tie dinner in September. Iin the South of France. On a yacht. Yes I am very lucky I know. There is an added complication - I am a size 14/16 (more 16 at the moment but hopefully that will change) and I don't want to show the tops of my arms. I am thinking Vivienne Westwood at the moment...........yes I know it is difficult but who said that fashion was easy - here is where you start paying (taps stick on floor - is it just me that saw FAME then?)

Nightie search

2010-06-17T04:28:00.001-07:00

Am I the only person who would like a nightie that is like a long length (knee length) short sleeved T shirt? Can i find one? Only place I have seen one is Toast and they are too expensive. It's so annoying, they all have either no sleeves, too short or have annoying slogans and puppies on them - Grrr grrr

2010-06-16T14:23:00.000-07:00

My first posting

2010-06-16T14:17:00.000-07:00

I am an avid reader of blogs and thought I would start my own one on what interests me and one of the things that I love is...Fashion I intend to have a Brighton and Hove flavour to this blog and talk about some of the local shops as well as internet sites and the occasional (gasp) trip up to big girls London (yes the mother ship is Topshop Oxford Circus) so do comment and stay with me...is there anyone else out there who adores fashion?

We are coming up to the sales time and this can be a time of great happiness or overwhelming sadness as you sort through piles of tat.