Style

22|08|2014 Laura Counsell

Covetables: H Samuel, you’re really spoiling us!

First I heard about the gorgeous little love rings at H Samuel via The Frugality, then I was lucky enough to receive one for my birthday! And now even Grazia are reporting on H Samuel’s range.

H Samuel have love rings in two styles; an adjustable style, with crystals and available in rose-gold plate or sterling silver, and a full love, sized version in sterling silver with cubic zirconium. The sized version is the one I have and I absolutely love it. The CZs often catch the light in a really lovely way, and I think that the ring being a full band means that it should have a little longevity over the other option.

They’re reminiscent of more expensive brands but £29.99 is a bit of a bargain. I have worn my ring pretty much every day since I was given it (by Kathryn!) but it was only when I spotted the bracelets in Grazia that I realised that H Samuel is becoming A Thing.

Yes, you will have to wade through some pretty terrible jewellery to find some cute things. And yes, the H Samuel website isn’t great… But! I have long been a believer that I’d rather spend a couple of quid more on reasonably-priced ‘proper’ jewellery (semi-precious stones and metals, things that won’t turn your finger green) than buy jewellery from high street accessories shops. It’s why I have so many pieces from QVC, such as their Diamonique range: they last well and look brilliant.

I mean, how cute is H Samuel’s crystal pendant? £12.50 at the moment! I’d layer it with pieces of contrasting lengths.

So there you have it; for cute, everyday pieces, you could do a lot worse than H Samuel… Who knew?

UPDATE: that little pendant is from a brand called Martine Wester at H Samuel, and a fair few of the bits are really sweet and very CHEAP! These art deco studs are my pick, at £4.50.

Category: Style

Laura

I believe I am destined for great things, despite all evidence to the contrary!

20|08|2014 Kathryn Counsell-Hub

How do you solve a problem like Next?

Flick through the A/W 14 Next Directory and you’ll find awesome, editorial-esque images providing plenty of new season inspiration.

Who doesn’t want a hi-low trainer with smart coat ensemble?

A tousled pony tail with a wear-with-everything shirt?

To be able to look like Anja Rubik in a slouchy knit, pencil skirt and metallic flats? No one!

But flick a page or two and Next majorly loses the plot.

Had the stylist had an embolism at the point at which the outfit with the grey skirt had to be constructed?

And would you believe that culottes are actually bang on trend for next season after the frankly ridonc blouse and high heel combo?

This is the problem with a store like Next: it tries to appease so many women that it routinely lets down all of them. I have many stylish things from there, not least a pair of leopard print slip-on trainers and some slim-leg cuff trousers. I couldn’t live without either but when I go into their stores I’m left cold.

So much comes down to the edit of stock in individual stores, which is why I’m willing to forgive the various branches near me. But the directory? C’mon Next, you have some awesome stock and you ruin it constantly with weird, never-been-fashionable-and-never-will pairings. And you have Joan Smalls, Anja Rubik and Jessica Hart modelling for you. Jeez.

P.S. Have you seen the array of awesome flats they have ready for next season? Yummy. I think the oxblood patent brogue is calling out to me.

Sorry, took a photo of the page cos I was so excited!

All photos (excluding the last): www.next.co.uk

Category: Style

Kathryn

My passions are for fashion, style, books, music, and family.

18|08|2014 Kathryn Counsell-Hub

JPG, ooh la la!

Back in April Loz took me out for my, ahem, 22^nd birthday. We lunched at The Ivy (posh!) and then decided to hit an exhibition. We ended up at the marvellous Barbican taking in ‘The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From Catwalk to Sidewalk’. If you haven’t seen it then you must immediately, especially as it’s ending on 25 August.

Many of you of a certain age will have had their first exposure to JPG from watching Euro Trash late on a Friday night on Channel 4. Even though I had an inkling of his impression on the fashion world, I was truly blown away by the exhibition. No, you’re not going to buy a frock from him and wear it to a fancy meeting or on a Friday night out, but his real influence has been from the incredible versatility of his designs from the pure avant garde couture aesthetic to fabulous stage costuming.

JPG can’t compete in modern ready to wear but I’m fairly sure he doesn’t want to. The upshot of this is that if you are a Celine bod through and through then you may not love JPG’s style. But for a glimpse through the couture looking glass, this exhibition can’t be beaten.

A quick word on the staging too: it’s brilliant. Faces are projected onto the heads of the mannequins and while this may be slightly creepy, it totally brings the clothes to life. The set-up is effective as you get to stroll through different stages of his work, including a look through his seemingly endless line of muses.

It’s best to take a little bit of patience with you as you will encounter people hogging the best bits, or just moving DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF YOU to see something you’re already looking at. Deep breaths are definitely required. But it is also a lovely way to while away a couple of hours, even if you can’t tell your JPG from your SJP.

The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From Catwalk to Sidewalk, showing at the Barbican until 25 August 2014. Full info and tickets available at the Barbican website.

Category: Style

Kathryn

My passions are for fashion, style, books, music, and family.

16|08|2014 Laura Counsell

Covetables: Superga 2750 – Leopard

These are so good, I just got so excited when I tried them on! I’m a sucker for some animal print and these are loud and borderline garish, but styled with dark jeans and a blazer, they’d be show-stoppers. Naturally, I think they also go with light blue jeans as well, and today I’ve styled them with a navy jersey top from COS and my army jacket.

I think animal print can definitely act as a neutral, and can be clashed with other prints very effectively. I know Kathryn enjoys a check shirt with animal print footwear very much! But you should approach clashing with animal print slightly with caution so you avoid looking like a toddler who’s been allowed to dress themselves.

The print is cute, they come in tonnes of sizes and- VERY excitingly- they are currently in the sale! Originally £50, I picked mine up* for £15 at the Superga shop in Spitalfields, and they’re available via the Superga website for £25.

* Full disclosure: they were a gift from Kathryn on my birthday lunch out!

Category: Style

Laura

I believe I am destined for great things, despite all evidence to the contrary!

13|08|2014 Laura Counsell

Covetables: Dr Martens Church Boots

Dr Martens Church boot – £110

I tried these on as part of my birthday shopping trip and loved them. The shop alas did not have my size, but I am still coveting the Dr Martens Church boot very much.

The photos belie how almost delicate these look in the flesh; the oxblood version is beautiful but the contrast stitching on the black version is just divine. They have that great nipped-in feel that you get to a genuine, low-line ankle boot, and with my uniform of super-skinny jeans these will be perfect autumn and spring footwear. M called them a ‘transitional piece’, which I certainly can’t disagree with.

They’re marketed on the DMs website as men’s, which I found a bit odd since so many Doc Martens are unisex. But they’re very handsome and I will be saving up for a September purchase…

Category: Style

Laura

I believe I am destined for great things, despite all evidence to the contrary!

Pity Party | The Blog

Style

Covetables: H Samuel, you’re really spoiling us!

How do you solve a problem like Next?

JPG, ooh la la!

Covetables: Superga 2750 – Leopard

Covetables: Dr Martens Church Boots

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