Who Says You Can't Have It All?!!

Hi Gals, apologise for a lack of post's recently, I have been knocked out by a nasty bug! I'm back now and i hope you enjoyed reading about Laden the home of new design talent in the UK. I'm sharing the spotlight with a few lovely Style bloggers, who have really captured the spring seasons two favourite prints to perfection. I really like the natural fresh feel of these two shots from Style bloggers http://www.fabulosityfactor.blogspot.com/  and http://www.shesgotapassionforfashion.blogspot.com/

Check out these floral and striped designs, to create the perfect pick n mix! I would love to feature you here, if you have successfully worked stripes and florals together now that would be alchemy!!! Just send your picture to enquiries@zipbuttonandtuck.co.uk

     

 stripes Marc Jacob

floral duffle Boden

brogues -urban outfitters

                                                                Brolly - Cath Kidson
                                

 I'm loving this oilskin cath kidson floral saddle bag, which would make feel the poetry of a romany painted gypsy caravan every day! Will you be wearing florals or stripes this spring?

                                                                           

                     

                                              Sharon x

Laden Your Rails With Clothing You Will Actually Wear This Spring!

                                                          Floral print - by Hox £60.00, sublime print!

Hi Gals hope your enjoying the first whisper of spring as it approaches, I love this time of year it is so full of hope and new possibiltties just waiting to be discovered. Laden is an established clothing company with a great approach to fashion, that has recently launched online, situation in Londons Brick lane it was founded by Laden Siblings Barry and Adele Laden. Sister Adele is a clothing designer herself and the two set the brand up to create affordable way for new designers to showcase their work and break into the retail market. With designer pieces at appealing prices being snapped up by the likes of retail giant Topshop and celebrities such as Sienna Miller and Gok Wan visiting the Bricklane store in London, the concept of affordable limited run pieces by fresh new design talent has gone stellar.   

                                 

two tone Polka dot dress by- Hox £75.00

As a personal stylist working with women on a daily basis, clothing that looks exciting on the hanger is nice, but clothing that is cut to flatter, elongate and slim is even better. Designers at Ladens Brick Lane know how to create exciting designs, but also that emphasis needs to be on cut, if their designs are to flatter a range of  women and work on the high street.

Take this sweet tea dress above, a wide central panel of pattern is framed by black and white wee poka dots and has an instant slimming effect, the central panel of pattern is evocative of a pinny and the whole effect is whymsical. 

                                                              Christie dress by- a.m.i £75.00

                                               

                                                                         

I fell in love with this bold but elegant Christie dress that puts a exciting quirky twist on the classic shift dress by meshing two influences together successfully. A feeling of the 20s is reflected in the dresses strong geometric v which run through the neutral organic pattern on the bodice. The v and the collar really work hard to draw the eye down the body and work the natural curves of a woman. 

dotty jersey dress by glow - £69.00

My finale pick is this lovely polka dot dress as polka dots are a huge trend at the moment, I love the playful stripey black and white collar, which is beautifully proportioned, for those of us who do not have a neck of swan like proportions and does away with the need for pearls perhaps? What do you think?

Visit  www.Laden.co.uk  to create a unique look and encourage new design talent in the UK

                                       

                                 Sharon x

Meet The Founder Of Izzy Lane Creating Designs For Life

company founder - Isobel Davies

 Hi there! Today I wanted to share an exciting ethical label founded by Isobel Davies in Yorkshire in the UK, with you all, SHE GIVES THE PHRASE "CUT YOUR CLOTH ACCORDINGLY" A WHOLE NEW MEANING! Isobel of Izzy Lane, rescues sheep that would otherwise be slaughted as they are not fit for Sale by paying farmers full price for them and using their wool to craft her beautiful creations, cashmere, tweed and wool all feature in Izzy Lanes collections.

 I am thrillled by her use of colour and style in her waistcoat and vest collection this spring, perfect for wearing with linen or wool flared trousers to put your own spin on this seasons 70s look or how about colour blocking made super easy? Simply throw over a bright wool or shirt dress in a contasting colour, bright blue looks great with magenta. Or try wearing her conker or orange waistcoat over a crisp white shirt, team with a A-line skirt, block heeled suede knee boots and a felt fedora hat in black, for classic spring style with texture and real impact.

How lovey to know your saving the life of a sheep and getting to wear beautiful natural fibres cut in great styles that won't date, because quality always has the last word. Please visit Izzy Lane here, to read more about their rise to success  - www.izzylane.com

                                        Sharon x x 

A Gals Best Friend?

Hi Gals, how could anyone resist this Marylin trunk from the Conran shop in the UK, in walnut, true the price mark maybe a tad hefty at over £2,000 but the crafmanship is divine and surely this has got to be the perfect accessory for gals on the go? All you need now is to perfect your signature wiggle to accompany your new found boudoir chic!

                               

                                    Sharon x x 

Brights Versus Stripes, What Will You Be Wearing This Spring??

Which side of the fashionable fence are you? Either way you will be sitting pretty. 

                               Sharon x x

Happy International Womens Day! Celebrate In Style Here!

                                  

 I have always admired Annie Lenox and her haunting scottish voice, she has always pushed both the boundaries of style, age, being a women and politics. She is fearless but not afraid to share what make her vulnerable and has the abillity to empower people from all walks of life. She make for a pretty incredible ambassador for national womens day and makes me feel pretty proud of how far we have all come as women, but reminds me also that some of us in some countries still have a good deal further to go, my father lives in a Nepal and many girls there start work at the age of 7 or 8 years of age and only a chosen few will recive an education. 

 I just had to share one of my all time favourite poems about being a woman with you all. 

Phenomenal Woman

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.

I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size


But when I start to tell them,


They think I'm telling lies.


I say,


It's in the reach of my arms


The span of my hips,


The stride of my step,


The curl of my lips.


I'm a woman


Phenomenally.


Phenomenal woman,


That's me.






I walk into a room


Just as cool as you please,


And to a man,


The fellows stand or


Fall down on their knees.


Then they swarm around me,


A hive of honey bees.


I say,


It's the fire in my eyes,


And the flash of my teeth,


The swing in my waist,


And the joy in my feet.


I'm a woman


Phenomenally.


Phenomenal woman,


That's me.






Men themselves have wondered


What they see in me.


They try so much


But they can't touch


My inner mystery.


When I try to show them


They say they still can't see.


I say,


It's in the arch of my back,


The sun of my smile,


The ride of my breasts,


The grace of my style.


I'm a woman






Phenomenally.


Phenomenal woman,


That's me.






Now you understand


Just why my head's not bowed.


I don't shout or jump about


Or have to talk real loud.


When you see me passing


It ought to make you proud.


I say,


It's in the click of my heels,


The bend of my hair,


the palm of my hand,


The need of my care,


'Cause I'm a woman


Phenomenally.


Phenomenal woman,


That's me.






Maya Angelou






 

 Sharon x x x 

The Perfect New Man?

How fantastic is this? I found the perfect new man, he is elegant, witty, stylish and very floral. I found this handsome male manequin and lots of beautifully crafted female forms too, at http://www.corsetlacedmannequins.co.uk  perfect for buddying designers, fashionistas, or just as the perfect working clothes horse for your daily ensemble!

                                      Sharon x x 

Wishing A Very Happy And Stylish New Year To All Fabulous Followers!

Happy New Years Eve, Fabulous Followers and Fashionable Frolickers! I have had so much fun this year getting to know some of more of you lovely gals, your inventive blogs and sharing my passion for style and fashion with you. So in pictures, this about sums up, what I will be taking with me into my new style blogging adventures in the year 2011. 

A sense of humour as well as sense of style and fashion, very important to being a happy Style blogger and lightening the load for other hectic bloggers I meet on my travels!

Time to reflect on the good moments in life, they can steal up on you very quietly and if you don't catch them quickly, bottle them and savour them, like your favourite nail polish you can forget that they were ever there.

Time to be creative, I count cooking as being creative and its soo relaxing to bake, I could not resist sharing these sensational cupcakes with you, do have one. The blue stars are one of my favourite colours and are so pretty!

                                                                        

  Wishing you all a very happy New Year Eve however you spend it and I look forward to visiting you again! Till then I will be dressing up in my best frock and heels and enjoying great music and a gorgeous butter curry with family and friends! 

 Sharon x x

Satin Beaded Dresses Tied Up With Pearls These Are Few Of My..........

Brooche by vancleef.com

Hi Gals, hope you have had a lovely Christmas day. I have a very glamorous riddle for you to try to answer, what look was worn by a famous parisian dancer with the intials JB and often includes elements of fringing, bead work, asymmetric design, feathers, drop waists and heavily embelished head- dresses?

Still not sure? Well the answer is- if your looking for a iconic look that clearly says high glamour and makes you feel every inch the starlet at this years, New Years Eve party bash, then era of the flapper girl is perfect!  The name of the famous Parisian dancer that was a fashion icon in the 20s and mother of 12 adopted children? Josephine Baker

 

http://www.thisnext.com/



    

 Two of the key trend's from the period both the drop waist and the classic column dress work well to flatter most key bodyshapes that I work with. If your an hour glass shape (think Kate Winslet in the Titanic) or a slender twiggy type, opt for a sumptious slippery satin column dress or sheath, with a draped back and accessorize with a velvet or fur stole. You can wear hair long in waves, slicked back or short for a more contempory feel. If your an apple, pear or twiggy shape, the fuller skirt of the flapper girl style dress, fringing and deep waistband of this drop waist style, balances heavy hips, disguise tummy wobble and shows of the best part of your legs.

 Hair should be worn bobbed or in a loose bun and accessorised with a dazzling hair band.

For your personal delight this is my round up of my favourite  20s high glamour pieces if you want to shine at this years New Years party!

http://www.purpledoorknob.com/

Topshop.com

Not keen on wearing a dress? This tunic, worn with silver leggings and cuffs stills gives you a slice of the Great Gatsby. 

Adore this high theatre take, with black and white geometric pattern!

blogTo.com

For a modern twist wear bright's rather than sparkle

 Have fun customizing a deep satin head band with a diamante brooche, for the ultimate head dress statement, make it a panther tiger, serpant or a organic shape from the natural world for a truly authentic feel.

 Topshop.com

mod over your flapper girl look with these electric blue lace ups! Topshop.com

stunning shoe with column and sheath dresses

 wear these elegant flapper-esque berry beauties, with drop waist and silver beaded styles

Gold and ivory classic colours from this upbeat Era

Add stealth and an air of mystery to your sheath dress with this python clutch, beautiful but deadly!

                                                                        

          

  Shell flap bag, ADORE the use seaside themes used in the sophistcated accessorise of the time.

Can you let me know if your a fan of Art Deco? As I am planning a surprise for all Fabulous Followers readers and subscribers!Enjoy your party!

                                       

 Sharon x x 

Wishing All My Passport to Style Readers And Followers A Very Magical Christmas

How is a girl to decide which outfit works best for each of her delicous gingerbread men?!! They need to look their best for Christmas Day!

Fingers crossed that you get a little shoe love underneath your tree!

                                        Sharon x x 

Attention Grabbing Christmas Tree Or Shy Demure And Sophisticated ? ?

Hi Gals, hope your all well happy and snug. My black Christmas tree here in the North-West UK, has definately not been given the less is more approache! It is smothered in rich opulent colours and textures, large red velvet victorian letters, with clusters of cherry red lights and tiny silk lanterns in rich berry colours, that evoke an image that against the black of my Christmas tree is rather oriental in style, I at least am enjoying the effect!! 

I love that this time of year as it gives me the excuse to adapt, create and reinvent Christmas in my home, having the time to be creative with textures and colours is so satifying and some times its fun to not be too formulaic and break all my own style rule, I can't believe I actually just said that!If you can't break rules at Christmas when can you?! If you think of kids at Christmas they don't think is that decoration level? They just pile them on and enjoy the array of colour and the pleasure of being involved!     

Here are just a few of my favourite expressions of Christmas, hope you enjoy them as much as I have. If I have not had chance to visit you and wish you a Happy Christmas, I hope your Christmas is full of laughter, mini cabbages if you like them! Lots of shiney baubles, the smell vanilla and gingerbread wafting, through your home, candle light, great music, finger drawings on your windows and that you can capture in your own way what made Christmas a special time for you as a girl, it really was not that long ago. 

Cherry and Chocolate Roulade, I'm making one with stem ginger!

Cotton clouds Christmas Tree, with simple lime green decorations, including my favourite, pom pom baubles great for bedrooms when you need help to imagine fluffy clouds to send you to sleep.

Regal acorns, fit for the snow queen

Why not make your Christmas tree a giant pin cushion? Cover it in your favourite shiney brooches/pins and cool badges?

I'm in love with the old world charm of this pom pom wreath, soft and yielding is just a nice as shiney and prickly, me thinks!

 This proud stag and its companion bird from anthroplogy is my absoloute favouritre, string, colour, gold antlers and way his movement is captured is just so regal.

                               

What was your favourite Christmas project this year?

                                        Sharon x x