My Passport To Style | Owly Times

Owl Ring Vivienne Westwood 

Owl print top -Lagom

owl brooch Avalaya

I have been musing lately on the trend for owls and our obsession with them, first it was cats, then pandas and now owls. I get that we are a nation of animal lovers, but I feel our love of woodland creatures like the fox, has for most of us urban dwellers anyway, been nurtured more by visiting previous beautiful glossy Mulberry campaigns rather than perhaps bumping into these creatures on woodland walks with a crisp bite to the air and a bright blue sky overhead. Can you tell, I'm longing to escape the clutches of our very British soggy summer and return to our crisp autumn days again?

 Seeing as I like most of us have been suffering from the rather embarrassing symptoms of Harry Potter withdrawal since the last film was shown and all things magical came to an abrupt end, could this be a clue to owl mania?The  images of Harry Potter and Hedwig and the owlery was enough to have me planning a trip to mystical Moncaster castle in the hopes that I might be able to befriend an owl that looked vaguely like Hedwig! 

Then there is also the fact that baby owls look well, pretty cute with there huge round eyes and fluffy heads, anything with big eyes pandas our own species even and we're sold. So we have the mystical, the cute but the third point has to be my favourite and really fits with this A/W 2012 leaning towards gothic and punk. Owls are actually pretty fierce looking birds an aspect that silk scarf extraordinaire and Grazia award winner Ali Mapletoft of Age Of Reason (whose signature is a punk edge to her work) has illustrated to perfection in my opinion, she has created a very real looking owl, not a smudge of cuteness in sight and applied of the moment detailing such as the studs on the owls shoulder to create a sense of regal military fierceness which I adore. In fact I'm jumping on the Owl bandwagon right now! I am off to create a diy owl head band! Have you fallen under the spell of Owls yet and are you in camp cute or camp fierce?    

The Tale Of DIY Christmas Fashion Makeovers Using The Humble Zipper !

 I got very excited when I stumbled across unique blog outsapop.com which was showcasing these fabulous zipper cuffs!! Heres why, I love the way the humble gold zipper stacked in this way creates such a high glamour feel, I could wear a stack of these with a flapper girl dress for this party season, to complete the opulent off the wall glamour of the roaring 20's.

However I thought to myself why not buy a whole set and use them as contempory napkin rings for your Christmas table, then I thought, hang on after using to add contempory zing to red, white or purple napkins (this adorable napkin set is from dawnmcvey.typepad.com) Why not wear them over the ankles of a black harem style trouser suit, to add a little quirk of style to your New Years Eve party look? Wear these versatile zipper cuffs,  with plain linen or silk stiletos to trick the eye into thinking your wearing designer style shoes with a sophisticated fastening!

 What do you think gals, are these ideas a little too eccentric for a Christmas Style fest?? Or do you have some better uses for them? I would love to know x 

                             

My Passport To Style | Styles Up Age Of Reason Pocket Scarves

Age Of Reason ( UK accessory label) celebrated their first birthday at the end of March 2012 and as sensible as their silk scarves first appear to sound, these are not sensible air hostess type scarves, not unless you count pink ink splattered pugs adorned with safety pins or russian dolls caught up in a web of neon coloured chains. Age of Reason British designer Ali Mapletoft from Brighton, sent me three silk pocket scarves to style up differently featuring three of her russian doll designs in a variety of bright orange and turquoise colours. On closer inspection I noticed that one of the dolls was wearing a fetching leopard head scarf, great fun! Each doll on the pocket scarves is designed slightly differently exciting news for any silk scarf collectors out there. Age of Reason have just unveiled their commemorative jubilee pug scarf, in both their full sized neck scarf and a pocket square. I would love to see a certain member of the Royal family sporting this design to celebrate this years diamond jubilee, classic head scarf style! I guess we shall have  to wait and see... I decided to enlist a model for this challenge and as luck would have it I knew the perfect gal, the beautiful Nicole Wilson who was up for the challenge. Scroll down to see how working with Age of Reason inspired me!

I tied two contrasting pockets together to create a tie to wear with Nicoles plain grey shirt, the flash of neon orange on one side of her collar adds a nice twist.

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 I liked the idea of doubling up these pocket scarves and styled one as a short neck scarf on Nicole and the other as a belt for her jeans, leaving a triangular flap at the front made for a playful look.

 I updated Nicole's classic top knot by wrapping a pocket scarf over it and securing with some thin elastic, this look can be recreated to look casual or sleek depending on how loose or sleek you decide to wear your top knot. I love the windmill effect created by the pockets silk corners.

Using a Russian doll pocket scarf with neon orange accents quickly transformed my old large rose gold watch face into a fun time piece as modelled by Nicole!

To find out more or to buy an Age Of Reason original silk scarf go to

www.age-of-reason-studios.com   You can also find them at Matches Fashion, Coco De Mer & Whistles

Thanks to Nicole Wilson for modeling this collection styled and photographed by myself.

Credits for additional Age of Reason images go to www.capturefactory.co.uk

Meet Jaggy Nettle | Not A Rock Star Much Better!

Dear Gals,

Hope you have been enjoying some Fashionable Frolicking and all in all having a lovely time whatever your doing right now. 


Recently something pretty splendid happened to me now I know this word might seem a little OTT on a style blog, but really there is no other way to describe it.


I don't know if you have ever had one of those defining moments in life where it suddenly seems like the world has paused for a brief moment and you have caught a rare glimpse of something or someone that you discovered that is completely in sync with what your about! Well this happened to me when I came across independent UK clothing label Jaggy Nettle. After what seems like a lifetime of teasing from friends regarding my passion for natural fibres and their production, in particular my obsession for Harris Tweed. I finally have been introduced to the beautiful trilogy of woven fabric's that make up Jaggy Nettles designer collection, cashmere sweaters, Harris tweed high tops and blazers and denim that is pure genius as its designs are unisex, what a wonderful idea, we have unisex perfume so why not jeans?


Here are a few images and a copy of the statement from the about area on their website jaggynettle.com that I first fell in love with. All hail Jaggy Nettle for supporting the production of Harris Tweed and for elevating natural fabric production again, fighting against the tide of mass production and nylon, through their collaboration with masters in fabric production and then coming up with designs that lovingly showcase the weave of their golden trio to perfection. Don't know about you gals, but tweed high tops, beautiful contempory cashmere and unisex jeans made by an artisan family in Japan are my idea of fashion nirvana.

                                         About Jaggy Nettle                                     

                                                                         

It’s about designing and refining a silhouette to perfection.

It’s not about seasonality or trends.


It’s about making the best jeans in the world.


It’s about Scottish Cashmere.


And Tweed.


And print.


It’s not about half V’s or tapered trousers.


Or beards.


Its about bespoke, hand made, heritage, 100%, tradition, ltd edition, Made in UK, Made in Japan, pure, hand stitched, hand signed, hand numbered.


Not about 40,000 of this and 70,000 of that at 80p a unit.


£28.99 retail on the High Street the following Wednesday.


Not about that. Super clones.


Not about morphing into a country gent over night.


It’s about perspective.


About keeping your head up.


Its not about what it’s about.


It’s about what it is.

                                                 

Rose and Grey The Perfect Antedote to Easter Egg Excess!

Hi Gals hope you had a happy easter! If easter egg excess is preventing you from feeling your usual fashion fabbulous self then I might just have the perfect antedote, charming accessories from lifestyle store Rose and Grey.

                            

  Wear a loose maxi dress and team with these pretty finds from Rose and Grey, I love these pieces of Jewellery that work well in recreating the boho look, what got me super excited is that the designs combine silver and gold tones. I'm always encouraging my clients to mix silver and gold together, it looks, really sophisticated but also relaxed. The butterfly earrings and swallows bracelet by Stef Warde have a lovely retro feel.

There is huge buzz at the moment about fruity prints, I love that prints are showcasing fruit as well as flowers this spring/summer as its a really fun twist. Rose and grey have the perfect little holdal that would double as a large tote, to wear with your maxi and cat eye shades. Wear this statement print bag and relax in the knowledge that all eyes will be on your bag! To visit go to

 www.roseandgrey.co.uk

                                          Sharon x x

                                  

Shhh don't tell anyone, I have a special secret dream, to share just with you....

Today I'm playing a wonderful new game I thought it up while I was in the bath (FAVOURITE PLACE FOR THINKING)! It's called the creative game and goes In a land where money does not shape me or the potential of my dreams and creativity, I would ......... So here's mine below, let me know what you think, did I dream big enough and bright enough? I would love it if you played along too, it would be so much fun and so inspiring to read about your ultimate dream if you have one! 

In a land where money does not shape me, or the potential of my dreams and creativity, I WOULD   ....  start up my own clothing line for women produced in Lancashire and open my first boutique in the North-West.

My clothing line, would not have any size labels on them, i.e size 12 or size 2 or size M since as a Style Consultant who works with women to create an image they love, I know that particularly in the UK, sizes vary such alot, that women are left confused or upset by what size the label says they are.

 Apart from the fact that trying on clothes CONSTANTLY that don't fit, is a very negative experience! Instead all relevant clothing measurement's, would be shown clearly on the swing ticket and labels' sewn into each gament's in a non scratch fabric in a easy to read place. Each women entering my clothing boutique would  receive a pretty tape measure and be shown how to use it.

 Women come in different shapes and sizes, so to remind women of this, I would want pictures of all shapes and sizes of women adorning my boutique walls wearing my design's!

All my garment's would be made of natural fibres, such as silk, cashmere, wool, cotton and calico! Print's and vibrant colour's would feature big, separates such as a skirt's could be bought in a favourite colour and pattern but in a style and shape to suit the 3 most common female body shapes, as well as petite and tall ranges. Styling would embody classical shapes with a theatrical twist. My clothing line might be called -Somethings Got To Give, love the play on meaning i.e the clothing industry.

My boutique would have a playful side, with a feeling of theatre and indulgence, each changing room would have a chaise lounge and a fridge full of goodies such as healthy cup cake's and chilled drink's just in case you got too hot.When you pay for the fridge goodies you consumed along with your clothing purchase, all the profits go to a listed ethical charity of your choice. Each changing room would be spacious with a fabulous mirror, a massage chair, a satin covered chaise lounge for your friend or partner to come in with you and would have it's own theme, if you had a favourite changing room, you could reserve it ahead of time! At the heart of it all, my ethos would be great clothing should allow women to feel and look beautiful and unique, whatever their shape or size.

 Sharon xx    

                                          

Book Loving Gals You Must See This!

 You may wonder, why you see books and bags on the same page, well the traditional book bag, we took to school with us as children, has had a stylish makeover courtesey of A Spoonful Of Chocolate Hope, over @ Etsy, who designed and made these lovingly by hand! Enjoy!

 Look how it turned out below, who ever thought the classic book bag could be quite so stylish! Sxx

Christmas Mantleplace Chic and Magical Treasures!

Even though I love STYLING MYSELF and my GIRL friends, I have to admit sTYLING my Mantleplace at Christmas comes A close second! I hope it gives you a little Christmas inspiration for Dressing Your mantlepiece, iF YOU like me are a Late Starter!!I'm soo excited Today because My talented neighbour And fRIEND Wendy has agreed to Share some of her Work Here!!I thought It would Make a Lovely Christmas post inviting her to join Us and IF yOUR sTILL ON thE LOOK OUT for that PERFECT CHRISTMAS DECORATION to finish of your Christmas Tree or Mantle you May get a bit excited NOW! Fabulous Followers and Readers please, Leave a comment for Wendy as to Which, OF HER bEAUTIFUL pIECES Featured, you like best and why. sHE SELLS privately At the moment ,but is considering GOING oNLINE AND STARTING uP A BLOG! sO LETS give her good reason TO And give HER lots of feedback!!!If you wish to order anything You have seen today Or see more Of her gorgeous Designs Please email me @ sharonstyle@fsmail.net 

Flower Bowl Fairy

About Wendy & Her Work

Hi I'm Sharons friend, Wendy, sorry there is no picture of me, but I thought You might prefer to look at my Work!I'm a freelance artist and designer specialising in crafts and mural work.I had this idea some time ago, to combine all sorts of materials I had lying around my house to try and make something quite unusual,something very glitzy and something I hadn't tried making before.Before I knew it I had a house full of fairies, mermaids and angels, which were soon joined by reycycled glassware to which I added tons of glitter and gems.People started taking an interest and I started flying off around the world. 

Felt and flymo Jewellrey

Another area as you can see that I started delving into was jewelrey making, often making bespoke pieces.The more I dug into old boxes and bags around the house the more material I found to work with!Now any item of ceramic, glass,wood or anything else is fair game for glitzing up! 

Panel shot from mosaic mirror

My newest love is making treasure frames.These are miror or picture frames containing literally hundreds of tiny treasures, manmade and natural, shells, buttons, tiny toys, broken jewellrey, coins .... brought together to produce a spectacular feast!

I also run workshops, recently working with over with 500 people in one week-phew!I work with groups and offer private tution if needed.My mural work is seen in private homes, schools museums and nurseries in the UK and abroad.With all this going on I've no idea how I find time to chase around after my 3 teens, two cats, tortoise and my gorgeous husband!

Thanks for taking the time to read and looks at this, I would love to get your feedback on my work as I am considering selling online.If you would like to order one of my fairies, mermaids or angels and would like me to email you some of my designs, just email sharon @ sharonstyle@fsmail.net  with your email and I will be in touch. I can ship to you.Or if you are local to Lancashire you can collect your purchase or commisions  or pop along to one of my private viewings to get up close and personal with my work and enjoy a mince pie.May I wish you all a wonderful Christmas and a great 2010.Wendy xx