August Wishlist

1.) The Sardines Clutch | Lienka by Gaby
I'm not actually a fan of sardines but this super sparkly pop art piece looks good enough to eat!

2.) Come in Quietly Sheer Brief | Keep Off The Lawn Underwear
I saw these cute embroidered pants at the first Don't Look Lingerie Pop Up in Edinburgh this month. Some of the pants are... well.. GIGANTIC which make their cheeky slogans all the more risque.

3.) A Line Embroidered Panelled Skirt | Aimee Kent
Aimee Kent has been on our radar for a while and her mixture of prints is sublime. I especially love this panelled skirt.

4.)  Payday Embellished Pointed Heels | ASOS
Pink Barbie shoes for grown ups, anyone? I already have a pair of the flat plastic version of these from last year, which I've yet to wear on the blog but have appeared on my instagram. I probably also need heeled ones, right?

5.) Belle Dress | Mollie Brown
Bright colour + bold print + my favourite dress shape. My fave thing about Mollie Brown is how print focused the brand is, so if you're not keen on this one there are a pile of fun other ones to choose from in this dress.



1.) Shark Pyjamas | ASOS
I love sharks. I also love pj's. So, of course, I love these happy shark pyjamas! I mean, what a combination. The pretty pastel colour palette is super cute and they look SO comfy. I need these for lounging in style.

2.) Sienna Necklace | Tatty Devine x Laura Callaghan
Tatty Devine have collaborated with awesome illustrator Laura Callaghan and the results are wonderful. The four piece collection features some badass babes including this Sienna necklace. I was drawn to her ginger bob and the addition of some 3D hoop earrings. 

3.) Sprinkles Coin Purse | Popcorn Bags
My collection of pretty coin purses is pretty large but that doesn't mean I can't keep my eyes open for others. Popcorn Bags do a lovely collection of printed bags, including this purse. The pattern on it reminds me of clown hats with pom poms on top. I'm also a big fan of this house print bag for a larger option.

4.) Pink and Yellow Seat Earrings | Beth Spowart
Gorgeous hand dyed colours and a unique shape, I can't help but be attracted to these statement earrings. There's something almost sci-fi about them while the colours add some prettiness into the mix.

5.) Pink Mesh Donut Panties | Knickerocker
My underwear drawer is looking a little bit sad and neglected at the moment. I feel like these cute donuts pants could brighten it up. The colour combination is fresh and the additional sprinkles are super sweet. 

Blog Crushes 24

Helen is crushin' on.... SOINSPO

Dreamy photography, colourful outfits and some seriously beachy vibes. Sophie's blog SOINSPO is filled with summer dreams, even throughout the winter months. She has a fabulously quirky style and a very impressive collection of sunglasses. I love her styling and use of fun props (see her post on pool floats for the perfect example of this). Alongside gorgeous outfit posts, Sophie shares short stories, playlists and wishlists - making it a great read, as well as full of fashion inspiration.

Catch her on Instagram and Pinterest for more colourful fun.


Kimberley is crushin' on.... Keiko Lynn

I've been following this blog for a really long time and her photos always stop me scrolling on my Bloglovin feed. This is surprisingly uncommon for me where style bloggers are concerned- normally I get used to their styles and it stops feeling fresh (soz). But Keiko is just so adorable and always impeccably dressed. This is a cute, uplifting blog with plenty of colour and pattern. What more could you want?

You can catch Keiki on Twitter or Instagram.


We are also lovin'

• Fellow blogging duo She and Hem are sharing some super bright florals-twinning is winning!
• Hannah Westwater shares her body insecurities in a thoughtful post about women's hyper awareness of the need to be attractive
• Our girl Lynsay has updated her home, aka The Rainbow Palace (we've visited and confirm it lives up to its moniker).
• This truthful account of a surprise pregnancy from Ada Lovelace
• Micro fringe- yay or no? A guide by the fabulous Scottish Bitches

Styled by Helen: Cactus Trend

Turns out I haven't really gotten on board with the cactus trend. As much as I like a good cactus I  have nothing in the way of cactus clothing or accessories. I do own a cactus, if that counts? It's about the only plant I've managed to keep alive for any length of time. I love a plant that thrives on neglect! I've also just bought myself a succulent. So, now I own a grand total of two plants. And, with the help of Jewellery Club, I have jewellery to match! Some pretty cactus earring and a succulent brooch mean I can show off my plant collection when I'm out and about. And get on board with the cactus trend in a subtle and colourful way.Win, win!

I really like these jewellery pieces. The colours are bright, the illustrations are neat and the material is fun and unusual. There was a great mix of pieces in the box so there was something to suit both Kimberley and I. Plus they were also nicely presented. Pretty much the definition of happy post.

Jacket | Charity Shop
Tshirt | Monki
Skirt | Borrowed from my sis
Shoes | Charity Shop
Glasses | Spex Pistols
Earrings | c/o Jewellery Club
Brooch | c/o Jewellery Club
Rings | Made by me
Bag | Borrowed from Kimberley




As well as cacti, there also seems to be a trend for subscription boxes at the moment. I for one am not complaining. Who doesn't want to receive some surprises through the post on a regular basis! It certainly beats the bills and takeaway menu's that I receive the rest of the month. As well as Jewellery Club, there are lots of other kinds of boxes to sign up for. There really is something to suit everyone. Looking for more reasons to get signed up? I have plenty:

• New designers, baby! - There are lots of boxes that send a mix of pieces from different indie designers. Receiving a fun item can be a great introduction to a new brand. You get to see a product up close and personal, so it's the perfect way to sample the wares of someone you may not be familiar with. Plus the boxes usually include details where you can find, follow and buy more from the ones you like. 
• Build a collection - Some boxes come straight from one brand and are full of exclusive or special designs by them. If you love the company in question, this is a great way to build up a mighty fine collection of their products.
• Gifts galore - As well as gifts for yourself, subscription boxes can provide you with a wealth of presents for those last minute special occasions. The deal with a box full of surprises is that you might not love every item. But this isn't a bad thing. There's bound to be one of your friends or acquaintances that would be into the pieces your less keen on. Send them a little surprise in the post or add extra to their birthday gift. Brownie points galore!
• The perfect gift - Subscription boxes themselves can make the perfect gift. One: they can keep on giving all year round. Two: they are usually beautifully packaged so you don't have to fight with wrapping paper. Three: the posting is done for you. Excellent for faraway friends.
• Smile and share -  Not only will a perfectly presented package put a smile on your face every month, they also allow you to get involved in an online community of like minded people. Most boxes have a hashtag so you can see how everyone else is enjoying their items and share what you love most. You can catch Jewellery Club fans on #howjewelleryclub. 

Looking for some fun boxes to get involved in? I also have recommendations on that front:

Jewellery Club - Obviously. Three pieces of jewellery plus extras, what's not to love!
Lucky Dip Club - A mix of colourful designs and items from some fabulous indie designers.
The Glitterati - Sparkly head wear from the fabulous Crown & Glory. Glitter galore!
Not Another Bill - Surprise gifts every month catered to your style and preferences. Nice!

Have I convinced you? Or are you already signed up to subscription box? Let me know who you recommend for happy post.



PS how awesome is this artwork by Kirsty Whiten? We love it. More colourful street art like this please Edinburgh!

Styled by Kimberley: Cactus Trend

This post has been a long time coming because I am in love with the cactus trend. It's not even that new a trend any more; we are surrounded by these prickly pals right now. In fact, I've had these patches for months, and since then I've been meaning to put them on a dress. No, a pair of jeans. Wait, I meant a denim jacket. A plain t shirt?

It's a difficult time in your life when you can't even commit to a sew on patch.

I often consider customising clothes (it's how Helen and I started out), but I'm not all that skilled at it and I have a thrifty fear or ruining a perfectly usable item. I put it off FOREVER, when I should really just take the plunge. So, finally, I decided to use the patches to revamp this Monki dress I bought last summer. Oversized and slouchy, it's such an easy item to wear and I adore it... but it is a little boring in its shapelessness. I was a little tired of it and I was verging on getting rid of it altogether. While having a patch-based crisis I decided to give it one last go. I added the patches with a simple tacking stitch, so they can easily and cleanly be removed (ideal for us clothing commitment phobes). And there it is!
I love how a good detail can totally make a whole garment come to life. I've only worn this twice and I've received so many compliments (and had my photo taken my a lovely older lady in the street). I guess I'm onto a winner!

I wish I could tell you to go buy these patches yourself, but the awesome brand I bought them from seems to have disappeared. I'm gutted, to say the least! A couple of months ago London-based indie brand The Whitepepper had a big sale on.. and then closed down their site. At first I just assumed they were just doing maintenance.. but they've since deleted their social media accounts. Word on the twitter grapevine is that they've gone out of business, but these are only social media whispers. Does anyone know what's happened to them? :(
I will remember them fondly. Apart from that time I got stuck in the sushi jumper.

Dress | Monki
Patches | The Whitepepper
Shoes | Office
Socks | New Look
Glasses | IOLLA
Earrings | c/o Jewellery Club
Necklace | c/o Jewellery Club
Bag | Katie Loxton

At least I have these cute new jewels from the Jewellery Club to cheer me up. These are from the uly Cactus Takeover and it came with two pairs of earrings- perfect for Helen and I to share (read: fight over). I heard the August box is about to be released so I've been snooping on social media for an early peek. It's an adventurer box and the illustrations on the teaser are a cute bear and teepee. Someone post an unboxing so I can be jealous and need everything, please.

Top Five: Edinburgh College of Art Masters Show 2016

As is now a summer custom for us, we got together to head along to the Edinburgh College of Art Masters Degree Show to see what amazing talent is on offer at our doorstep. We've already been along to the DJCAD Degree Show and the ECA Degree Show this year so it was good to make another. The shows are always open to the public, free, and you can show your support for the young artists (ans sometimes buy their work), so it's a great opportunity.

There was a lot on offer but we've narrowed it down to our top five picks (in no particular order):


1.) Xin Liu
Graphic design in simplistic story- telling style, these cut out collage pieces tell The Story of the Stone, which is on of China's Four Great Classical Novels. Since it is a classic work that is read by entire generations, Xin Liu used the reviews and personal perspective to re-tell the tale.


2.) Linda Macpherson
A beautiful series of theatrical portraits that looks at archetypes from mythology and folklore. The pieces are bold but understated and picking a favourite was difficult.


3.) Helen McCartney
Strange fantasy creatures were displayed together to create an eerie tableau for Helen McCartney's work 'Truth, Beauty and Excretions'. The shadows thrown by the hanging figures added to the story of the piece, while the small details of each creature invited a closer look.


4.) Patricia McCormack
A mix of collage, prints and a park bench come together to make the viewer feel small and accepting in the face of the vastness of time and space. The prints are beautiful, using the contrast of black and white to striking effect. The bench piece uses the space perfectly. The plaque informs of the approach of the Andromeda Galaxy, while the bench is positioned facing out of the window as if it's approach can be seen. 


5.) And a special shout out to Alexia Psaradeli, whose work was scattered around the show. Using both visuals and sound to give a nightmarish, half-asleep quality, these pieces were down right creepy and caused us both to jump (and Kimberley to require some hand holding).

Sadly, the Masters Show is over for this year, but you should still check out the artist offerings online.

Jewellery Club Subscription Box

Who can resist a subscription box? Not us anyway!
Jewellery Club is a newly relaunched subscription club by Berwick-upon-Tweed based designer Tessa Shearer of House of Wonderland, and we wanted first peek. Especially when we heard that this month's box was cactus- themed.

If you aren't familiar with subscription boxes.. um, where have you been? Like a lucky dip bag for grown ups, it's a box of surprise goodies delivered to your door. These days you can get them for anything, whether it's food and drink, geek boxes, pet products or what we love- jewellery.
The cute, colourful illustrations really fits our style, and if you aren't convinced by cactii (how dare you?), maybe you'll be won over by the troll dolls and ring pops of 90s nostalgia, or perhaps the Bourbon biscuit patches of earlier boxes. The jewellery was the stand out of the previous incarnation of the sub boxes, so we're glad to see that the focus is now primarily on this. Every single box will include and illustrated necklace and 2 pairs of illustrated earrings (so we hope you've got your lobes pierced!) along with bonus bits. We love that the main pieces are all limited edition and illustrated by Tess!

In our Cactus Takeover box was
- Cactus Nail Transfers by Rockin Claws
- Potted Stud Cactus Earrings
- Statement Cactus Tassel Earrings
- Long Chain Terranium Necklace
- Terranium Illustrated Brooch

The individual pieces are worth £39 RRP but the complete box costs just £12, which we think is pretty darn reasonable. UK postage is £3.50 but they also ship worldwide.
One of our favourite things was the way the package arrived, with all the pieces in these cute branded boxes. As well as ensuring their safe arrival, it definitely added to the 'unboxing' experience that people enjoy about subscriptions, and each one felt like a gift. To us from us!

If you aren't fond of a surprise though, you can still buy the Cactus Takeover box here to get one to match ours. Or sign up to a monthly Direct Debit here and you can get your hand's on each month's- shipping on 21st. We're already excited to see the Adventurer box!

If there are any negatives about this sub box, it's that the nail decals were pretty tricky to put on. While they were super cute, they did not want to come off their backing (and we're pretty familiar with nail decals). We recommend using tweezers, rather than trying to just slide them off onto the nail. The transfers are also quite large so if you have short nails they may be too big (see Kim's nails, above).

Thanks so much to Jewellery Club for sharing their Cactus Takeover box with us. We'll be twinning in our cactii jewels very soon.

Styled by Helen: Pink

It's amazing what you can find in the depths of a bloggers laptop. From inspirational Pinterest quotes to a million photos of a makeup brush, my computer is clogged up with all kind of stuff. I was browsing through the archives when I came across these unused outfit photos from 2014! I should really have been clearing out old files like these but I decided to upload them instead. Kimberley and I haven't had much of a chance to get together lately. This has mostly been due to illness and general life stuff  but it's meant we've not had a chance to put together blog stuff. Luckily I'm heading through to Edinburgh later this week so we'll be able to get back on it. We have so much stuff to catch you up on but for now I thought I'd share these so they don't go to waste.

Like I said, these were taken way back in 2014. Not that I can tell that from what I'm wearing. Most of these items are still in my wardrobe. I'm not one to buy loads of new outfits each season and I hardly ever throw clothes away unless they really are falling to pieces. The jumper, tshirt, jeans and necklace are all still in my possession and I do wear them quite a lot. The only item that I no longer have are the Monki eye slipper shoes. They were worn too many times and holes started to let the rain in. As sad as it made me, they just had to go. It may not be the most exciting of outfits but it's not too often I can be found wearing jeans. I only own 2 pairs after all. Plus, it can be nice to just go for something casual now and again. I suppose it shows how much this blog has helped increase my confidence with what I wear. I would still wear this now but probably just for a lazy Sunday. I enjoy making a bit more of an effort these day. I do miss my more orange hair colour though. That might have to be something I bring back.

Jumper | Topshop
Tshirt | Zara
Jeans | Topshop
Shoes | Monki
Necklace | Karen Mabon



These photos were snapped on the streets of Edinburgh and I have to say that I'm very excited to head back to the capital this week. It feels like forever since I've been trough. Ok, so it was the start of June but that's a long time by my standard. As well as catching up with Kimberley I'm also looking forward to enjoying some of the delights of the Edinburgh Festival. There's always so much going on there during the month of August and I only have three and half days to cram in as much as possible. Some of the exhibitions and events I'm hoping to cross off my list include:

• Local Heroes | Edinburgh Airport | 1st - 31st August
• Don't Look Lingerie Pop Up | Whitespace 76 East Crosscauseway | 13th - 18th August
• Sally Hackett - The Fountain of Youth | Museum of Edinburgh at Huntly House | 28th July - 28th August
• Edinburgh College of Art Masters Degree Show | 74 Lauriston Place | 12th - 21st August
• Dazzle Jewellery Exhibition | Dovecot | 5th - 29th August

I could go on but I don't want to set myself up for disappointment. I would normally say if you have any recommendations to let me know but I think that might just make things more difficult. But if you're checking out anything in Edinburgh over this month I hope you have a fabulous time! I also hope you've enjoyed this post from the past brought to you via the present. It's all rather confusing but we'll be back on track soon. Pinky promise!

Styled by Kimberley: Pink

"The outfits aren't hugely exciting but you have excellent hair" is how Helen sold these old photos to me. In truth, I can't even remember taking these and I've no idea where the background's from. But my hair is quite nice, if slightly windswept.

As Helen explained on Monday, we're a bit behind with blog posts, due to me being a bit unwell and Helen having other stuff going on. I don't mean that in a "Sorry for our absence, dear readers, because I know you've been just sitting waiting for our next post lol!" way. We just like consistency. And we have some great stuff in the pipeline, so it's really frustrating to not have it ready to go out!

The blog has always been a hobby for us; a creative outlet, and any opportunities that have risen from it are a brilliant bonus. However, lately it has been feeling a lot like a job. Being invited to events is great, but doing it on top of a 9-5 and other responsibilities can take its toll, and recently I've been feeling a bit of burn out. A lot of burn out, actually. I spent about three sleepless weeks where I struggled to even eat but still tried to attend every event, apologising for my constant tiredness. Sometimes you just have to say no and I'm the worst at it. This was inevitably followed by two weeks of bailing on everything and sleeping, feeling like I'd been knocked out, and coming down with every lurgy going. It had to stop.

I've taken some time off work (and blog posts, soz) and ditched the mindfulness and yoga for some good ol' fashioned couch potato action. As instagram-able as those Lush bath bombs and pilates mats are, it wasn't what I needed. I've honestly never been so excited to watch telly in my pyjamas. I don't normally watch tv, except at my mum's; I generally alternate between rushing around doing things and requiring nine hours solid sleep a night, so relaxation of any kind is a luxury for me. I'm constantly clock watching. I get up early at weekends. Sleep in until 10am, you say? That's half the day wasted! Not this week though. Eating junk food and curling up for a few days means I'm even up to date with the current Netflix fave- I've just binge watched Stranger Things along with the rest of the world. That's right, I've not waited two years to get round to watching an entire series! Go me.

So, now that I'm relaxed and re-energised, I'm able to hit the Edinburgh Festival with some level of enthusiasm. I don't know about you but I find picking shows quite stressful. There's too much in the book and navigating the website is a nightmare. Everyone knows that most things are word-of-mouth. Thanks to my Festival-obsessed boyfriend, the difficult decisions have been made for me this year.
To help you along, here are a few things I've been to/ I'm going to this week:

•  Desiree Burch: This is Evolution - Desiree is an American comedian who really spins a story. She used no cue cards, and rarely paused, but had everyone laughing constantly about her childhood memories, sex and life experiences. Also, this stand-up show is on a double decker bus, because the Fringe= random venues galore.
• The Moira Monologues by Alan Bissett - I saw a short version of this one-man show a number of weeks ago, so it was first on my Fringe to-see list. The comedian really paints a picture of the 'hardest woman in Falkirk' and her neighbours. It is weirdly nostalgic for any working class Scot. I'm taking Helen along to this one.
• Ashley Storrie and Other Erotica - stand-up from Glasgwegian Ashley Storrie, peppered with excerpts from her own erotica (spoiler: it's awful). She's very natural and creates a charming rapport with the audience. I have a soft spot for her because she reminds me of my old pal Kirsty, blogger at Indigo Buttons, when she's telling a story. She just draws you in.
• Starman - Sven Ratzke leads a David Bowie-inspired cabaret. It's a little self-indulgent, and the storytelling is messy, but the costume is pretty fab and it contains some Bowie hits, albeit not in the singalong way the audience would perhaps like. I had mixed feelings about this one.
• Every Brilliant Thing - billed as a funny, poignant play about depression, I'm not quite sure what to expect but I'm going on the strong recommendation that I'll both laugh and cry. People clearly don't understand that my heart is stone. I'll bring tissue just in case, I guess.
• Nick Hall: Szgrabble - another one- man show (Sort of- there's also a musical accompaniment). This one is a Soviet spy caper centering a Scrabble championship. It is quite absurd and has some serious plot holes (which Nick himself points out) but he has so much energy and the jokes are fast-paced. This is part of the Free Fringe and I really, really enjoyed it.

Okay, I've just realised I've done quite a lot. This isn't even the entire list. Maybe I'll need another Netflix hibernation by the end of the week- any recommendations? As long as its within the last 2 years I probably haven't seen it already...

Edinburgh International Fashion Festival

Edinburgh seems to have a festival for everything these days, but when it includes one for fashion I won't complain. Edinburgh International Fashion Festival is in its fifth year but I seem to sort of.. forget about it. And that is a total shame, because the tickets are all free and this year I went along to some great things! Here's a quick round up:

1. The Way We Live and Shop: The Rise and Rise of the Lifestyle Brand
This discussion was a great introduction to the notion of lifestyle brands rather than products, and featured speakers such as Holli Rogers from Browns and creative consultant Charlotte Rey. Brand strategist Fiona Mackay led the panel really well to discuss how they shape a lifestyle brand and how consumers interact with them. Apart from anything else, this symposium introduced me to Semaine, which is an online web mag featuring shopping experience. Each week is led by one taste maker, so it has a cohesive but ever-changing feel. It's my new favourite site.

2. Blurred Lines: His or Hers Fashion and the Future of Menswear
In some ways, this was my favourite symposium, as it introduced something quite new to me: menswear. I'm not very knowledgeable in mens fashion (unless it's how I can wear it), so I was intrigued by the discussion surrounding genderless fashion from a male perspective. It was suggested by designer Martyn Bal that men's fashion rules are so prescriptive that any deviation from the norm is considered 'feminine' rather than simply daring. Surprisingly, even the use of a differing sleeve length, a more fluid fabric, or volume is considered 'not male' and can alienate the everyday customer. In many ways I perceive genderless clothes as functional and utilitarian, and this seems to also be a route taken by designers such as Erica Toogood, but again this seems to mean that closing the gender gap in clothing means bringing women into line with men. A really interesting discussion.

3. Masterclass in Sustainable Business Models
This might seem like a bit of a bore for non-business owners, but even as a consumer I think it's really important to learn about sustainability so that you can make informed choices. Held in the very appropriate Edinburgh Center for Carbon Innovation, the discussion was led by Claire Bergkamp of Stella McCartney, and featured stylists, designers and researchers. The talk was very informative and looked at different models for sustainability, including models for reusing, recycling and responsibly disposing of materials.

4. Foreign Exchange Fashion Market
During the Festival, the National Museum held a Foreign Exchange Market (it was really an exhibition- nothing was for sale) to highlight designers from near and far. Scottish designs by the likes of Siobhan Mackenzie and Elizabeth Martin had pieces on display alongside some contemporary South African designs such as AKJP  and Black Betty. Alongside this was the Elements Jewellery Showcase. These exhibits sat in nicely with the newly revamped Fashion and Design Galleries at the Museum- worth a visit at any time.

5. Object of Desire: Sex, Fashion and the Female Gaze
This panel was slightly different than I expected, as I thought it would perhaps look into the growth in unsexy 'man repeller' trends, but it was actually an interesting discussion on sexuality, desire and eroticisim in fashion, and possible dangers of these becoming trendy. It seems that sex, as ever, continues to sell. I also popped along to panelist and jewellery designer Betony Vernon's book discussion to hear more about sex positivity. She's truly fascinating.

6. Karen Mabon Sleepwear Salon Show
Local Edinburgh designer Karen Mabon closed the festival with a salon-style showcase of her latest endeavour- a sleepwear collection. Using familiar illustrations with names such as The Lipstick Kimono and Regency Cafe Pyjamas, there were so many designs on display, with leafy forest scenes sat against cosplaying cats. It was great to get a preview and the styling was PERFECT. What an end to the weekend.

If you are interested in fashion in any capacity, it is definitely worth keeping up-to-date with the current issues beyond the latest shoe trend and the Edinburgh International Fashion Festival is worth a visit. See you there next year!