A wonderful Christmas time

Doesn't it feel like Christmas?

'8 Days of Christmas' Destiny's Child

Image courtesy of Amy Kristine Vintage on Etsy

I've spent too much, buying too much and now it's time to drink too much, eat too much and enjoy it all, they're my plans anyway.

KDx

Welcome to London

Changes in my life

You will see in time

'Changes in my life' Adrian Eftimie

The transitional post.

"Hello London"

A lot has happened since my last post, it would be hard for it to not have in all honesty, judging by the amount of time that has lapsed since then. So let's kick things off by getting the apologies out the way. I am sorry for neglecting my blog and I solemnly promise not to do it again. Now that things are a little more settled I am hoping that some sort of routine will resume shortly. (This kind of commitment so close to the festive period is going to be the ruining of me.) 

First thing's first, this post is coming to you from London, yeah, that's right, my new home! I have now been an official resident of London for a little over a week, and things have moved at a quickening pace. I've managed to secure a job in the city, which means I am going to need to up my work wear to compete with those chic tube-hoppers I have already seen at a passing glance. 

Fortunately for me, I have been able to ease myself into my new surroundings as I don't start work until January, which means I have had plenty of time to explore what the South East has to offer me. So far this has included Lewisham, New Cross and Blackheath, which I am sure upon re-visit will feature in their very own posts.

As for the flat, those of you that pay attention to detail will note that just after a week I have referred to it as home. This fact was definitely cemented by the 'Baking of The First Cake.' (Banana and Walnut made by doubling up this recipe to satisfy some hungry flatmates.)

Now that I feel I have bridged the gap between then and now I can start to blog about the fun stuff again. I like to think of this blog as a series of connected posts, for the most part, a bit like a story, so as text heavy as this post is, I think it was needed.

KDx

What to do this weekend in Birmingham

What's mine is yours and what's yours is mine.
With what we have lets put it together and we can shine

'My favourite things' Outkast

It's Wednesday, mid-week, hump day, whatever you want to call it, all that matters is that it's almost the weekend, which is exactly what is occupying my thoughts. 

This Saturday 17th November, Birmingham will be having it's first 'Vintage Fayre and Suitcase Rummage,' and yours truly will be taking part, manning a stall and selling my wares out of a couple of old suitcases. Hosted by Sue of Reclaim To Fame (who's work is that of my best friend's aunt) in Selly Oak's Methodist Church from 11am-2pm. 

Alongside vintage sellers such as Loyal Tea Vintage, Redditch based Love Vintage and Birmingham's Forgotten Vintage, there will also be ample opportunity to snap up some unique presents in time for Christmas. (Yes it's barely November and we're already talking Christmas!) Jewellery from the likes of Spangle & Dangle, and Vintage Junkie, artwork from Amber Drew, Stephen Hewson and Jurassic Panda, homewares, photography and hand crafted artwork will all be available. You will also be able to get your hands on some contemporary Christmas decorations from Sweetheart Designs.

When it all gets a bit too much and you are in need of a little pick me up, refreshments, cake pops and sweet treats will be on sale from Sarahs SweetFeet. 

For me, this couldn't have been timed better. I am moving to London, and have long avoided a trip to the bottom of Narnia, which to everyone else is known as my (vast) wardrobe(s), as sadly, I cannot take everything with me. Having now amassed a pile of goodies, my task will be to transform what resembles the aftermath of a mass trying on session into something that is more presentable like this...

(Inspirational images from the event page)

Admission to the event is just 50p, which might otherwise get you a Mars Bar if you shop around. As I don't like Mars Bars, for me it's a no-brainer decision. More information on the event can be found here and here. I'll be taking lots of pictures, and hopefully I'll go home with some of the money I make on the day. I will not be operating a sell-one-buy-one policy... she says...

Hopefully see some all of you on Saturday!

KDx

Outward bound to London town

A king without a throne

A heart without a home

'Holdin' on' Monsta

So last weekend I was in London, this weekend my feet were firmly back in the Midlands... but not for much longer after putting down a deposit on a flat to rent in London. Those of you that follow me on Twitter will have seen my tweet of relief at securing my new postcode for the foreseeable future in South East London. I am soon to be a resident of SE13. To say that I am beyond relieved is an understatement! 

After my first viewing, in an estate that needed a map like a bad holiday park for you to navigate, complete with it's very own 'you are here' sign, I wasn't very hopeful that the big dreams of London, and my budget were compatible.

A few long days of viewings, tube hopping, east to west and back again, a little north and south, 2 new house mates found via the internet (think internet dating for flat mates) and it was all worth it. The Midlands will only have me as a resident for three more weeks, as I move on 1st December. 

It wasn't all strictly work and no play in London though, being in London for the weekend before Bonfire Night meant I got to see this beautiful sights on my way home Saturday evening.

Battersea Bridge

Even a simple taxi ride home (albeit it a massively extended one due to the traffic) throws up sights to behold in London.

I also managed to squeeze in a little shopping trip, as a reward for finding a home, I'd like to think. As I am still without employment I only allowed myself to buy items in the sale, any reason to make unnecessary purchases necessary. As expected, Topshop came up trumps! The purchases? A lace insert cross tunic I had my eyes on when it was full prices, truth be known I ordered it online when it went in the sale, but they only had it in a 10 (a size too big) and a tall-which I thought would be fine...how wrong was I!? It looked like a sack! So after finding it in a regular 6 I thought I would try it on expecting the opposite of the first one to be true, but it fitted perfectly. Being a fan of a designer collaboration, I snapped up a '2nd Place' Ashish vest for half price, here's how I wore them both.

Oasis leather jacket, Miss Selfridge necklaces and earrings, Topshop cross tunic, Asos Chelsea boots via ebay

H&M hat, Ashish x Topshop vest, Warehouse jeans and Zara ponyskin pumps via ebay

In a bid to become a better shopper, I am making a conservative effort to wear what I buy at the first opportunity I have, if I don't I will either a) forget I have brought them, or b) realise I genuinely didn't need the items in question in the first place. Mission accomplished. If this week had been an exercise in task ticking, I would have a seriously healthy looking to-do list.

So back on the story of my little adventure, the next hurdle to tackle is the small task of finding a job... a full-time job in itself it would seem.

KDx

Tea for two, and two for tea

Day will break and I'm gonna wake
and start to bake a sugar cake

'Tea for two' Doris Day

I have been keeping a little secret  that has caused my blogging self to go seriously awol. But there is a reasonable explanation for my disappearance from the blogosphere. Come to think of it, reasonable is probably the least appropriate word in this instance.

I quit my job. Well, as dramatic as that sounds, not entirely true, I handed in my notice, like any responsible adult, worked the 4 week notice period and am now officially 'without employment.' The reasons for this? Boredom and unfulfilment coupled with the overriding feeling of '...there must be more to this provincial life.' (I can seriously relate to how Belle felt in Beauty and the Beast felt right now). So the plan? To move to London and make something of myself. That's as far as the plan goes... there is no job in the pipeline, however, I am making progress on the home front. All baby steps. 

Dramatic announcement aside, the amazing people, that are also known as my friends decided to give me a send off to end all send offs. Last weekend being the last weekend I knew I would be at home indefinitely. 

So what do you get for the girl that (on her own submission) has everything (and then some.) A tea party with more cakes and treats that I could eat in one sitting, sadly.

They baked, they brought and they assembled. Everything was perfect from the vintage china, the setting, the copious amounts of tea and most of all the company made for a great afternoon. My hardened exterior was temporarily broken.

So not only do my girls know how to put on a wonderful spread *ahem* they surprised me with a hamper full of all the essentials and some of my favourite bits.

The hamper included 'London' tea, a vintage cup and saucer, a mini cupcake baking set, champagne flutes and wine glasses, flumps (way beyond an obsession) towels and then there was this...

My super talented friend Hannah is an illustrator, she often whips out things like this on a whim, in between her other daily tasks such as being a mother and generally an all round delight. More of her work can be seen here. 

So what next? I am currently in London looking for somewhere to live, and then I guess I'll get a job...Simple right?

KDx

Dressing like a big kid

No one should take themselves so seriously
With many years ahead to fall in line

'What's my age again?' Blink 182

Happy Halloween!

Sometimes you just have to embrace the spirit of the season and embrace the kid within:

H&M childrens jumper (Boys 12-14 years) Topshop shorts and Converse via ebay, Gok Wan for Specsaver glasses

Not sure what the real adults of the world made of my childish dressing, literally. My worry when wearing this jumper (sadly it doesn't come out more than a few times a year) is that I will actually bump into a child rocking this jumper as it should be worn, with about 10 years shaved off it's age.

My erratic blogging will all become very clear soon. In the meantime, what's Halloween without a bit of Thriller in all it's full-length glory... enjoy!

KD x

A weekend's worth of outfits... and then some

Now it's not quite clear
But I wonder what shenanigans brought me here

'Cash and Carry Me Home' Ghost Poet 

What have I been wearing? Clothes. Yes. But what exactly have I been wearing? I try and take a snap of my outfit whenever I can once the weekend comes around even if I don't post it on here, so here's a selection of what I've been saving or has been backing up my phone more importantly...

Dressed down for daytime:

Topshop dip back vest, Miss Selfridge body chain, Oasis leather jacket, Converse via ebay

Topman MTV jumper, Topshop flag shorts and Converse via ebay, H&M necklace

 

Oasis jeans and Zara shoes via ebay, Topshop tank, Oasis leather jacket, New Look headscarf

Friday night dinner with the girls:

Necklace, trousers and silk front chiffon back tee H&M, Dorothy Perkins yellow belt and Zara flats via ebay

(Too many) Drinks and dancing:

Playboy tee, Topshop shorts and shoe boots (just seen) via ebay, River Island belt, New Look earrings, H&M necklace, charity shop watch and various jewellery H&M, New Look, Topshop and Matalan

Topshop star body, charity shop belt, New Look patent heels, American Apparel disco pants via ebay, various rings, earrings, bracelets and anklets charity shop, H&M, New Look, Topshop, Matalan, Dorothy Perkins and Miss Selfridge

So I gave in to the lure of the disco pants. After being a trouser-phobe for so long things seemed to have gone full circle and I have now embraced even the trickiest of trouser trends. Bright coloured denim? Cropped, tailored and floral? Gold, shiny and skin-tight?  Yep, I'm ticking all those boxes. I guess I am now a fully fledged trouser wearer. So what's next? One thing I know is, I draw a definite line at leggings... that's a whole entire phobia in itself. People, please. They are not a substitute for real trousers. 

I'll stop before I go on a fashion rant!

KDx

Nan Knits and Charity Shop Tips

There's a coldness in the air...... but I don't care. 

'As the Rush Comes' Motorcycle (Armin Van Buuren Mix)

It's happened. Winter. Well I suppose if seasons behaved as they should then technically we are in Autumn, but in all honesty does it matter? When it's cold and wet, and only get's colder and wetter I don't think anyone really cares what we call it. All we can be sure of is we are going to wake up in the dark, and come home in the dark in a viscous cycle of absolute darkness.

Despite the weather, Winter does bring around a whole host of fashion opportunities, to name but two on the top of my list, tights and layering. Tights mean everything can get shorter without the risk of being arrested for indecent exposure, and layering means you can wear all of your favourite items at once. I'm pretty sure in fash-land this isn't what is meant by layering, but it does mean the indecisive dresser has it easy in the morning as if in doubt, wear it all...you'll need it! 

So what will I be buying? Knitwear. I love a good nan knit, and I am already scouring the charity shops to find the chicest of them all. Frequenting charity shops means I have noticed a change in the once haphazardness that was, in it's place I think I detect a subtle hint of fashion awareness? The knits are held back until the weather changes and the bikinis and second hand swimsuits (seriously?!) are placed in an unlit corner towards the back until we can face the fact, (post-Christmas indulgence) that the beach body of yesteryear will be required to make an appearance once more. *sigh* Anyone that has avoided charity shops until now, I urge to you to give them a try at this time of year. It's easy and cheap! Charity shop knitwear can often mean a higher quality garment at a fraction of the price you would pay for it from a store. All you need to do are follow a couple of simple tips:

• Don't be afraid to search in the menswear of childrens wear sections. Menswear jumpers are great for the oversized slouchy look, and can often be found in chunkier knits than the womens. Childrens jumpers often feature retro and kitsch prints that will look great worn with a shirt poking out of the bottom and sleeves rolled up.
• Think outside the box. If there's something about the jumper that attracted you in the first place, buy it. I can almost guarantee change from a fiver, which means you can afford to experiment. If it's too oversized, belt it, wear it off the shoulder or layer it over leather leggings as a dress. Crazy print? Clash it with a modern print like a punchy floral.
• Read the label. It sounds silly but this can be a great way to find a hidden gem, look for 100% wool, or Cashmere jumpers for the real bargains.
• Get a heads up, have a look at what's in stores at the moment for an inspiration on key colours, knits and shapes if you're a bit scared of free-styling it. Charity shops can be a great way to pick up trend basics like this genuine, surplus Military jumper I picked up in the mens section of my local YMCA.
• Lastly relax. We're not dealing with big bucks and a complete fashion investment, so if you get it home and it isn't for you, give it straight back to charity and the cycle can continue.

I'll be sharing some of my nan knit purchases in the next post or two, I'm hoping to amass quite the collection.

In the meantime...Happy shopping!

KDx

Attention! Tackling the Trends: Military

'It's now, or never'

Calyx & TeeBee "Elevate This Sound"

This time of year is a hard one to get your head around, the weather is changing and you contemplate swapping your wardrobe round and examining what knitwear you can salvage from last year. Whilst across the pond New York is currently in the midst of Fashion Week, showcasing the trends we will all be wearing come Spring/Summer next year. So bare with me while you fathom out this post. I am concentrating on the sudden drop in temperature and what we will all be wearing this season. (Next year can wait until another post!) 

Cast your mind back to February, when Fashion Week was highlighting the trends for this Autumn/Winter (Do keep up!) Military featured heavily in varying incarnations on the runway at both New York Fashion Week as 'Urban Utility' in more modern cuts and paired back colours at Alexander Wang and Victoria Beckham, and on home turf, khaki was spotted at Topshop Unique and Margaret Howell in London.

Image: Telegraph.co.uk

With all this going on my head, placing myself on a self imposed shopping ban for the month of September, not for any particular reason other than to test my moral fibre, was never going to be an easy task. Please don't be mistaken in thinking this is going to be an opportunity for me to gloat, because I failed. So early on too. I'd like to think it was for a good cause-literally.

This military jumper came in courtesy of the YMCA charity shop on the high street close to work at a bargainous £4.49. It was also retrieved from the mens section, though I don't think something such as this is gender specific. This jumper ticks the trend boxes as a genuine military item, it's better than any replica that can be found on the high street.

 

This is how I plan to wear the jumper, styled up with cut-off denim Levi shorts, a vintage belt, heeled M&S ankle boots and a serious spike necklace from H&M. Judging by the weather situation, the addition of tights will be greatly appreciated. I also think this would look great with a white shirt collar poking out over the top.

Which trends are you going to be wearing this Autumn/Winter?

KDx

Don't it feel so familiar

Sincere "Deja Vu" 

Last week I was lucky enough to receive a package through the post from Lashes of London after they ever so kindly selected me to be one of the lucky winners in their competition on Twitter. I simply followed them and waited patiently to see if I would be one of the hourly winners, and I was the 7th, which also happens to be my favourite number!

I had the pick of the items on their website, and was immediately drawn towards the Palms Belted Playsuit, the cut-out detailing and overall retro styling really grabbed me, and I wasn't disappointed when it arrived.

The playsuit is a really good quality, it's really soft to the touch despite it's 100% polyester label. I couldn't resist trying it on so I could get an idea of how I could style it.

I quickly slipped it on with some nude patent peep-toe heels from Dorothy Perkins. I think this could easily be dressed up or down, perfect as is if there was some nice weather to go with and a slick of bright lipstick, but would work well layered over a vest with a leather jacket and tights come winter. My only gripe is that at 5ft 10 the playsuit fits... just! I tend to forget how long I am in the body/leg department, but I definitely recommend everyone going over to their website to check out some of their pieces, there's 30% off some of it too! It would be rude not to!

KDx

Answers we guess

Rustie "After Light" Ft. Aluna George

Fashion should never take itself too seriously, I mean it's just clothes after all. And even then, the sole reason for wearing them is to cover one's modesty. 

But lately it seems that fashion is having a bit of fun with itself, and for once I don't think that the jokes on us. (Over exaggerated shoulders anywhere outside of the 1980s should not be 're-invented' in my opinion.)

Cartoon motifs are cropping up everywhere:

3.1 Philip Lim 'Ka-Pow' Print T-shirt at Matches

Truly Madly Deeply 'Bat-Ass' Tee at Urban Outfitters 

Lazy Oaf x Batman Exclusive Bodycon Dress in Logo Print at Asos

If we delve into the archives, it would seem as though Batman has always been a bit of a fave with the fash pack, just take a look at Alexa for Madewell in 2010 and before that, gone but not forgotten Luella Bartley and her Spring 2008 Ready-to-wear collection:

Alexa Chung x Madewell Sketch Book Tee via Cool Spotters

Luella Bartley 2008 Ready-to-wear via Style.com

Inspired and short of a spare £160 to get my hands on some genuine Philip Lim, I have invested in some t-shirt pens and will be scribbling my own designs-something I have put off doing for a while. In the mean time I created a little homage to superhero fashion on my toes, those that follow me on twitter will have seen this picture pop up earlier

Nails Inc Silver 'Montpelier Square,' Barry M 'Cyan Blue' 294 and 'Bright Red' 262, Rimmel Nail Tip Whitener and Sharpie Black Permanent Marker

The design was really easy to create, as the nail tip whitener has a thinner brush I could get the general 'pow' shape, I used a nail brush to sharpen the points and fill in the fiddly bits close to the white with the red or the blue. Once this was completely dry I used the Sharpie to outline the white and write my chosen Pow! and Zap! before letting that dry to add a layer of topcoat.

What do you think of cartoon clothing? (And that has nothing to do with Nicki Minaj's wardrobe) Cool? Or better left at school?

KDx

P.s I hope everyone is enjoying their Bank Holiday weekends, especially those (like myself) who are fortunate to have a 3-day weekend as standard. This time last year I was in a field at Creamfields, to date my only experience to which I base all camping trips on: muddy, boggy, damp, dank, cold, and grotty. But the music was amazing! Anyone fortunate enough to go I hope you've got a mega stash of babywipes!

KDx

Triangles are my favourite shape

Alt+J "Tessellate"

Happy Hump Day!

Mid-week treat this week consists of peanut butter, dark chocolate and banana cookies...Yum!

I used this recipe from All Recipes website as a guide, but strayed a little (baker suicide!) by adding more banana and chocolate, but I do have my reasons and the recipe still worked out. 125g of banana is about one and a half, which if you are trying to use up over-ripe bananas, kinda defeats the object of throwing half away, so I used two, which weighed about 165g in total. The recipe asks for 40g of dark chocolate chips, but as I didn't have any, I crushed a 100g bar of dark chocolate with a hammer to get chunks(ish). As a new lover to peanut butter, (no idea how it stayed off my radar for so long!) I used a combination of smooth and chunky so you could tell what was in it.

My only gripe with the recipe is that it suggests it makes 30....30? I managed 14, and even then the first batch that went in the oven were a little on the small side. If they had sights on them being the size of a Maryland cookies then objective achieved, but I was hoping for more of an American sized cookie, which I still didn't manage. If When I make this recipe again I will double the quantities and make the balls of dough twice the size before they go into the oven, and I also recommend patting them down slightly before baking as the dough has been in the fridge for at least an hour (mine was over night) they don't spread too much, but this does mean they stay nice and plump!

Fashion posting will resume, but at present my sweet tooth reigns supreme!

KDx 

P.s Don't forget you can still get 20% off at Motel Rocks... there's now a handy little link on the sidebar!

I heard he was hiding somewhere I can't see

Nas "Cherry Wine" Ft. Amy Winehouse

So today I was accepted as one of the 'Street Team' for Motel Rocks.

Those of you who aren't familiar with Motel may have spotted their wares on many  a papped celeb, girl about town, or even on a friend and not realised it. The body-con style has become synonymous with the Motel brand, combined with their edgy prints inspired originally from the vintage finds in thrift stores on an American road trip back in '99.

But this post isn't a simple gloat (although this is in part-way a little pat on the back to me) there is also something in it for you lovely readers. As part of the Street Team I can offer you an exclusive 20% off discount code to use on the Motel Rocks site, simply enter karmendeanne into the promotional code box when you have picked your items, and you'll receive a nice little discount. Not bad aye?!

Here are my top 5 picks from Motel

The multi-tasker:

Zoe Bodycon Dress £28

This dress has that 90s vibe that is happening everywhere right now, so will work equally as well dressed up with a smudge of red lipstick and some chunky heels as it will dressed down with a denim or camo jacket, ripped tights and some Doc Martens for a take on grunge.

The one to see you through to next season:

Jet Plunge Neck Playsuit £48

This colour will be bang on trend come Autumn/Winter with designers such as Alberta Ferretti and Lanvin using rich jewel toned colours against black, meaning this playsuit will work with the last of the summer tan (albeit a fake one!) as it will layered over opaque tights.

The Jean update:

Jodie Cropped Skinny Jean £48

Cute, pattered and cropped. Sold. These have an air of the Americana trend I blogged about here, so team with a tie waisted shirt and a bomber jacket, make like the girls in Grease and get down to the fair and get covered in some candyfloss!

The one to take on holiday:

Salene Sleeveless Dip Hem Shirt £38

This is a great additional to your holiday suitcase, worn undone it can be a beach cover-up, or thrown over a bodycon dress such as the Zoe dress above for day or night, worn buttoned up  with a statement necklace, or with denim shorts for a kind-of take on double denim.

Lastly, the classic with a twist:

Coco Bodycon Backless Dress £28

Every girl needs at least one LBD. This one looks unassuming from the front but has killer cut-out back detail. Just enough flesh flashed to ensure that all eyes are on you even when you are walking away.

What are your favourite pieces from Motel? Have you managed to bag any pieces using the discount code? Be sure to let me know!

Happy shopping :)

KDx

I try to run but see I'm not that fast

Kid Cudi "Day 'n' Night'

A couple of outfit posts that contrast like night and day.
Last night drinks and dancing:

Topshop dress via ebay, Miss Selfridge earrings, various jewellery from H&M, Matalan, Disney and Topshop and New Look shoes

Today I went to a christening, my first, which is another sign that I am actually growing up. It feels a bit like a domino effect is taking place... 

Topshop dress and wedges via ebay, vintage leather satchel, various jewellery from H&M, New Look, Topshop and Matalan

My nails for the weekend:

Nails Inc 'Caramel', Nails Inc 'Lanesborough Place' (gold ring finger), Barry M 'Bright Red' tips, Rimmel London 'Beige Babe' leopard spots, and Sharpie marker to finish the leopard off

Hope you all had a lovely weekend. First weekend post Ibiza and I think I have finally come to accept that This Is England.

KDx