November Round Up

Kimberley


Doing: everyone seems to be joining the Zomato party at the moment so when they contacted em and Helen we thought we'd hear them out. In a nutshell, it's an app to help you choose where to eat- a local foodie directory with recommendations and tons of detailed information about each place. Although we aren't food bloggers we eat out whenever we get together so we've made our way round a lot of the city. Anyone who knows me knows how terrible I am at choosing what to eat and drink. My catchphrase should be "What're you having? I'll have the same" so this app will be pretty handy for me. I love their focus on independent restaurants and it has a brilliant recommendation list of 'hidden gems' to get you out and about- and you can update your own food journey, which is perfect for those of us who love to photograph our plates! *cough*Helen*cough*

Watching: I stumbled across Lawless on telly while I was waiting for my hairdye to work its granny rinse magic. I only intended to watch ten minutes but I gt totally sucked in. Most probably because I suddenly noticed Tom Hardy- hello! The film was quite good too.

Buying: As soon as I saw the pre-release photos of these Vintage Style Me glitter party dresses on instagram I was hooked. Normally I would probably choose the blue but there was something about this pink number that reminds me of a beloved Christmas party frock from my childhood. I had to have it! And now I just need a party to wear it too...

Clicking: our Facebook page! we have finally got round to setting up our blog's own Facebook page- woooh! Initially we hadn't thought one was necessary but a lot of our readers (especially friends IRL) aren't bloggers themselves and so don't have a bloglovin' account etc. to follow us. It's working out to be a great way to reach them without constantly spamming everyone else we know on our personal accounts.




Helen


Doing: I've been getting a look at some beauty treatments at Yuu Beauty and Sobo Hair Boutique. I went along to their Festive event for some fizz, mince pies and a look at what they have to offer in this season of pampering and preening. I have to say the event got me right into the Christmas spirit with festive songs playing and lots of sparkle about. It was interesting to get a closer look at the treatments available and, while some may be a bit extreme for me, I definitely liked the look of the HD Brows and would have loved to get stuck into the nail bar.

Watching: With my recent trip to Edinburgh coinciding with Kimberley moving house, my usual B&B was not available. Luckily I know some pretty lovely people and the very kind Miss Vicky Viola put me up for the weekend. One of my favourite things about hanging out with Vicky is that she loves horror films as much as me, so we spent Friday night watching the original Psycho. The score is a classic and Norman Bates is one creepy dude.

Buying: Christmas presents! I finally made a start on my own #shopsmallxmas and picked up a few gifts while visiting Edinburgh last weekend. I managed to resist the urge to buy all the pretty things for myself and ticked a few things off Santas list. My little shopping trail took me around the Grassmarket, popping into Hannah Zakari, Black Box Boutique, The Red Door Gallery and Godiva. I also ventured to the Scotland RE:DESIGNED Limited Edition pop up at Ocean Terminal and took in The Brotique's last day in their Saint Stephen Street store (don't worry they opened their brand spanking new one on Queen St just yesterday).

Clicking: My fellow Gala graduate and all round talented fashion lady Natalie Riachi launched RIACHI STUDIO, which is all about creative expression and collaboration. The first collection  features amazing digital prints for Spring/ Summer 2015, showcased in a look book which is full of beautiful, clean and creative images. I especially love the clutch bag in the above image and can't wait to see what else is in store for Natalie and RIACHI STUDIO.

Styled by Kimberley: Brat & Suzie

Jumper | c/o Brat and Suzie
Leggings | Topshop
Hat | Topshop
Boots | DUO
Bag | Topshop
Pompom | River Island

Recently I've been in a bit of a funk. Moving house, working long hours and general laziness has led to me living an accessory-free life in plain monochrome. Bleugh. On attempting to break this bad cycle, I've found myself in accessory overload. Welcome to my pompom obsession.

I like to think I toned it down by missing out my rabbit tail mittens but I am in love with my oversized River Island pink pompom. Not so much an accessory as an inanimate pet, it serves absolutely no purpose (so stop asking) except to look fluffy. I like to stroke it while I'm sitting on the bus, or just walking around. Now I know that the French for pom pom is "pompon", Japanese is "ponpon", Spanish is "pompón" because everywhere Pompom and I go, people talk about it... Or perhaps about me... What is Italian for "What's with that weird girl groping her pompom?"
Ahem.



Although we had fun shooting (as only we can) it was bloody freezing and wet. To keep the chill at bay I paired Giant Pompom with a fluffy pompom hat and my new sweater from Brat and Suzie. The wolf totally gets me- he's even out-bobbling me in his hat. I got it in a larger size for a slouchy fit but it's quite generous- and it's SO warm. Already got my eye on the Aztec Stag (obviously I like this design- I bought Helen the tshirt version!) and not one but two different penguin designs. For once I was trying to be casual but Brat and Suzie also have some great ideas for glamming up their designs. Obviously I won't have a problem with this at all. I love a ladylike look!



I also wore a new boot and bag combo- both new. This wasn't my first outing in my new DUO boots but they are so comfy that I'm pretty much living in them at the moment. Hence the dirt already!
The bag was a little pick-me-up from said funk. You can always tell when I'm making a beeline for Toppers that I am in the mood to shop. Even though I'm trying to shop more independent labels I can always find something in Topshop to lift my mood. This cute little clutch version of a carpet bag was completely adorable, has a great texture and fits all the essentials. A perfect wee extra!


Now, I'll get back to my pompom love.

"IT'S SO FLUFFY!!!"



Thanks as always to our bestest photographer Ross Bull.

Styled by Helen: Brat & Suzie

Cardigan | Charity Shop
Tshirt | c/o Brat & Suzie
Skirt | Carnabys of Dundee
Shoes | Dorothy Perkins
Necklace | Tatty Devine
Ring | Bloody Mary Metal

I do enjoy a quirky tshirt and no one does them quite like Brat & Suzie. I've featured one of their tees here before. Actually, I've featured it a couple of times. It was a Christmas gift from Kimberley and it's super easy to wear. It's one of those items that brings joy to every outfit. This London based fashion brand is all about fun, which is just what I look for. They've not long released some new designs and they are all so cute! A guinea pig in a jumper! A penguin in a hat! A mouse in glasses! Love it all!

I decided to style up this rather dashing Rabbit Tee. I love the pop of colour in the scarf and decided to incorporate that in the rest of my outfit. The red, black and white combo is one I always come back to (what can I say, I always wanted to be the third member of The White Stripes). Tshirts may not be the first item you think of for winter styling but since much of my time is spent inside a winter themed tee is actually really handy. For outside I layered it up with this cosy, oversized cardigain. I've had it for quite some time and it's falling apart but it is just so comforting to wear and definitely helps to defend against the elements.



Since leather is always in for A/W I made us of the skirt I bought for our Halloween witch look. I wasn't sure how much wear I'd get out of it past October 31st but I think it actually slots into my winter wardrobe rather nicely. The red shoes weren't quite so winter appropriate but continued the colour pop down to my toes.




Which is your favourite Brat & Suzie animal design?

Photography by Ross Bull.

Mint and Chillies Strike Again

Dress | The Whitepepper
Coat | Warehouse
Shoes | Monki on ASOS
Name ring | c/o Bonnie Bling
Crossbones ring | Bloody Mary Metal
Pencil brooch | Rock Cakes
Hand pin | Datter Industries

You may remember the rather beautiful outcome of Kimberley's shoot with Mint and Chillies. Since seeing the results of that I'd been super eager to have a go myself. Luckily our schedules collided and a few weeks ago I meet up with Paulina and Stan in Edinburgh. After sheltering in a cosy coffee shop to avoid a brief spell of rain, it was out onto the Edinburgh streets to shoot away.

It was such a fun shoot! Lots of smiling, giggling and general joviality. These two are so friendly and welcoming, putting me at ease right away. I did my general goofing around and even tried a jump shot (just ignore the fact my feet are barely off the ground). It's safe to say I am thrilled with the results! Paulina manages to make even the most ordinary of Edinburgh streets look magical and I love how she's captured my gingerness and the details of my outfit.





For the shoot I chose to wear my amazing Whitepepper egg dress. It's a firm favourite in my wardrobe and looks great beside my yellow Bonnie Bling ring. It was a tad chilly so my leopard print coat was very much appreciated, though I did brave the cold for a few shots without it.

I had a great time shooting with Mint and Chillies and I really hope Kimberley and I can get together with them again for a proper Wardrobe Conversations shoot. Check out their Edinburgh Blogger project so far and watch out for my Q&A when it pops up. Hopefully my answers aren't too cringey!



Photography by Mint and Chillies.

Blog Crushes 05

With all the events we've been attending we have met a lot of other bloggers lately. We are always on the look out for other creatives to share with you all, though. Here's someone old and some new on our radar that we've been crushing on this month:

Kimberley is crushing on... Forever Amber

I have only recently started reading Amber's blog after following her on twitter but this girl is on point. She proves that you can live in a rural setting with a metropolitan wardrobe- and it makes for the perfect combination for dreamy outfit pictures! She has an enormous shoe collection (girl after my own heart) and an adorable Isla Fisher look that is always flawless. I'm looking forward to finding out more about her!



Helen is crushing on... Bee Waits for No One



This blue haired babe is having a bit of a moment. After just getting engaged (congrats!), the lovely Claire has also gone and won Blogger of the Year at the first Hearld Fashion Awards. This girl has certainly got it goin' on! I've been following her since I started reading blogs and I always love seeing what she's up to. Her style is unique and amazing, both in dress sense and writing. She also keeps me bang up to date with all the latest designers and fashion happenings in Scotland and beyond, which is why I try to never miss a post. You can also catch Claire on twitter and instagram.

Get Involved: Shop Small Secret Santa

Yesterday we shared our tips for shopping small this Christmas and today we're giving you an opportunity to test them out. We love a good secret Santa, whether it be with work mates, best friends or as a way to avoid family feuds. There's something nice about picking a name out of the hat and then trying to come up with the perfect gift. So how d'ya all feel about getting involved in our own Shop Small Secret Santa?

We'll pick you out a partner and your mission (should you chose to accept it) is to find them something super special to unwrap come Christmas morning. The only rule is that that something must come from a small shop or independent designer. You get extra brownie points if you buy it locally, but it's not essential- after all the internet is full of amazing present possibilities! Our tips post should give you a few pointers as to where to shop, or why not get your DIY on?



So are you up for it? If so, just provided us with the below details via email by Sunday 30th November at 5pm.

Hi, my name is:
I live at: (your address, duh!)
You can find me online: (do you blog/twitter/facebook/instagram? Share your online details so your Santa can find out a bit more about your likes and dislikes)

Send these details over to wardrobeconversations@gmail.com and stick 'Shop Small Secret Santa' in the subject line. We'll get your partners details out to you by Wednesday 3rd December and we  ask that you post your package no later than Wednesday 17th December.

Pesky (but important) terms and conditions:
- Sorry, but to avoid confusion with postal dates, our secret Santa is only open to those in the UK. 
- Present price limit is £10.
- Parcels must be posted by Wednesday 17th December.
- Don't be a scrooge. If for any reason you can no longer take part you must let us know by Monday 15th December. We don't want anyone going without a gift!

We are very excited to get gift shopping!



Photography by Ross Bull. 

How to: Shop Small this Christmas

With yesterdays post saying the final farewell to Halloween fun, it's time to focus on the next big thing. Yep the C word is everywhere and, with shops having festive displays up before October had even ended, we are positively behind the times by only mentioning Christmas now. While we won't be decking our halls anytime soon, that doesn't me we don't want to be prepared. We find the best place to start is with gift buying. We love picking out the perfect presents for our nearest and dearest. This year we're aiming to make it extra special by buying from small businesses and independent designers. While a Boots 3for2 deal is super handy, it ain't too personal and usually involves elbowing a crowd of shoppers out of the way. We want to enjoy the shopping experience as much as the gift giving, so that's why we're planning to shop small this festive season. Fancy joining us? Well, we've got some tips to help you along the way.



Get in there early.
Want something extra special and maybe even personalised? Nothing gives a gift a bit of pizzazz quite like your own special message, the recipients name or your gangs in joke. There are a huge amount of custom options out there when buying small, designers and makers love offering something a bit different. Our favourite of these gift ideas include Bonnie Bling's killer name ring, Nikki McWilliams brand new custom cream plushie and Pop Cult Pencils 'your text here' option. These extra special things can take a bit of extra time so it's best to order early to ensure your custom creation arrives in time for crimbo.

Dates for your diary.
The big stores have lots of special offers and days marketed to get people spending in the run up to Christmas. These usually mean crowds and sore feet, boo!!! Luckily lots of smaller designers and online retailers observe these dates too and often offer some rather handy discounts. Black Friday (Friday 28th November) and Cyber Monday (Monday 1st December) are good ones to watch out for. Make sure you're following your favourites on social media as this is usually where the special offers can be found first. Don't worry, if we spot any good deals we'll be sure to give you a heads up on Twitter and Facebook.

Also, make sure you watch out for Small Business Saturday. You may have seen a certain credit card company raving about it in their adverts but it is a great was for small shops to create a buzz and offer some great deals. There seem to be a few dates popping up for this (mainly 28th November and 6th December) so make sure and have a good ol' Google to find out what's happening in your area.

There's nothing quite like a pop up.
There are so many amazing pop up shops going on this year, giving lots of opportunities to see designers work in the flesh and even providing a chance to chat to some of them in person. Meeting the person behind the products adds an extra something special when making a purchase. And getting to touch and see things in real life means you get to see the quality up close and personal. With Etsy hosting a number around the UK, there's sure to be something coming your way. Here are a few that we can't wait to visit:

source

• Limited Edition | Ocean Terminal, Edinburgh | 1st November - 31st January
• Wear Eponymous presents: The Wardrobe | Glasgow | The Fort | 27th November - 24th December
• Christmas Meet the Maker | Time Lifestyle Boutique, Dundee | Evey Thursday evening and Saturday afternoon, 6th November - 18th December
•  Etsy Pop Up | Upstairs from Made from Scotland, Edinburgh | 4th - 7th December
• Last Minute Indie Christmas | BLOW - Finnieston, Glasgow | Sunday 21st December
• Rowan Joy x Rene Walrus x Bebaroque Xmas Pop Up | Hill Street Design Studio, Edinburgh | 28th - 28th November                   

All the fun of the fair.
As well as pop up shops, 'tis also the season of the craft fair. From vintage finds to handmade gifts, these day events offer another great way to get your hands on some super stuff and chin wag with the creators. There are plenty to choose from and we will definitely be hitting up these events:

• Tea Green Festive Makers Market | The Lighthouse, Glasgow | Sunday 14th December & Sunday 21st December
• Carnaby's Artisan and Collectors Fair | Bonar Hall Dundee | Sunday 7th December
• Christmas Craft & Design Market | DCA, Dundee | Saturday 6th December
• Judy's Affordable Vintage Fair - Christmas Special | Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh | Sunday 14th December
• Grey Wolf Studios Christmas Sale | Grey Wolf Studios, Glasgow | Friday 12th December

Try a DIY. 
If you want to go the extra mile and do something super special, why not try DIYing some gifts with your own fair hands. Don't worry, it doesn't have to be as scary as it sounds. All you need is a bit of time, patience and Pinterest. There are so many step by step guides available online. We've even been known to do a few on Wardrobe Conversations.

Failing that why not sign up to a class and get some expert help to whip up your unique pressies. Check out the DCA's Christmas Crafternoon with Bunty and Bella or MAKLab's Have a Go at 3D Printing - Xmas Edition. 

Photo by by Mairi Helena Photography

That's a wrap.
Once you've bought (or made) your pile of lovely gifts you'll need something lovely to wrap them in. Christmas presents often nestle under the tree for quite some time in the run up to the big day, so much so that they almost become decorations. So why not make them extra pretty by picking up some designer wrapping paper. Our wonderful friend Chloe from Clo's Line has another great range of critter wrapping out this year, featuring some rather festive polar bears. She's also very kindly offered Wardrobe Conversation readers a wee discount in her online shop. Use the code WARDROCONVO15 to get 15% off until 1st December. You can also p-p-p-pick up last years penguin design, now even more fitting thanks to a certain festive ad.




Have we convinced you to shop small for Christmas 2014? If so, we'd love to see how you get on and will be checking out #shopsmallxmas for all the latest. Watch out tomorrow as we'll be offering you a chance to put these tips to the test.

Backseat Bingo Halloween Film Night

After the build up of our Halloween shoots and fashion film, it only seemed right to reunite the style power house that is our #HalloweenGirlGang for the All Hallows Eve. After hunting around for the perfect spooktacular event we opted for a frightening film night in the form of Backseat Bingo's Horror Double Bill. We headed through to Glasgow nice and early to make the most of the weekend, meaning we managed to stick our heads into the Abandon Ship Apparel Halloween party. This get together, to celebrate the Glasgow stores 1st birthday, saw them launching a special tee to celebrate. Featuring neon green slime, Helen couldn't help but nab one.

We also found time to head along to the Princes Square Pop Up Shop. It featured some of our faves Naromode, bebaroque, Georgia Wiseman, We are Faux, Rene Walrus, Rebecca Torres,and Prints of Paradise.  We really should have been shopping for gifts but instead ended up treating ourselves to some sparkly trinkets. You can't really blame us when there was so much talent under one roof!



On to the main event, the Backstreet Bingo film night at The Old Hairdressers in Renfield Lane. It was hosted by our favourite glamourpuss Casci Ritchie and the girl sure knows how to put on a spread! She had decked the hall with so many little touches, from glowing pumpkins to horror themed photobooth props, and our favourite- the spooky sweetie bar! It was great to enjoy so many Halloween treats without having to go out in the cold to perform at strangers' doors. Casci even introduced us to the sugary American dream that is candy corn. We ate it by the handful!

We settled down with our Halloween sweetie mixtures to watch a double bill of William Castle low- budget classics, House on Haunted Hill and Strait-Jacket. To the modern eye the films were not so much terrifying as.. hilarious. We were in stitches at some of the special effects- skeleton on strings anyone? They were kitsch and fun though, and some of the dresses *swoon*! The stories of both films are good, and Joan Crawford's acting alone is worth a watch.



Our favourite part (apart from the sugar high) was hanging out with our babes Miss Vicky Viola and Miss West End Girl. We all went in stylish fashion nods to costume- Kimberley brought out the old Spiritual Medium look, Helen was zombiefied, Miss Vicky Viola was adorable as I Love Lucy and Miss West End Girl had dem bones on show. As always we had a silly stylish time.


Top | Oasis
Skirt | River Island
Boots | c/o DUO Boots
Cardigan | H&M
Hairband | New Look
Necklace | Katze Shop
Wing Tip Glasses | borrowed from Vicky Viola
Magic 8 Ball | borrowed from Vicky Viola


Teeth necklace | Tori Pickford
Tshirt | Stay Home Club via Hannah Zakari
Jeans | New Look
Boots | Charity Shop

The magic 8 ball crystal ball foresees many more fashion get togethers with the best Girl Gang around...