Category Archives: clothes

Shoe Zone Canvas Pumps For Girls – A Review

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Shoe Zone Canvas Pumps For Girls - A Review

With 550 shops on the British high street, Shoe Zone are the leading footwear retailer in the UK and I am happy to announce that I am a Shoe Zone Mummy this year, reviewing shoes for Amy or myself every single month.

This month it was Amy’s turn and she received a beautiful pair of canvas pumps that officially follows the name “Walkright Girls Pink Polka Dot Velcro Canvas Pumps“. The name is a bit of a mouth full, but that doesn’t really matter when buying shoes, does it? What really counts is the quality of the shoe and I have to say that so far I am really impressed by the new addition to our shoe rack. The Walkright Polka Dot Canvas Pumps are great lightweight shoes for the summer and although they are still a little big for Amy, she likes wearing them around the house (for now). Amy is currently between two sizes and although she owns a pair of sandals from Shoe Zone that also come in a size 7 and fit perfectly, these ones are still a little loose around the back of her foot. I am sure they will fit her in a couple of weeks though.

Amy also really likes the fact that she can put the shoes on and take them off on her own. The velcro straps allow her the independence she craves so much at the moment and the thick and white rubber sole gives me as a mum the reassurance that her little feet are supported no matter, if Amy is running or jumping. I absolutely adore the design of the shoe too. It’s perfect for little girls and brings a splash of colour into the grey British summer. Even better, at £6.99 they are an absolute bargain.

Disclosure: We were provided with a free pair of shoes for the purpose of this review. As always, my opinion is 100% honest.

Relax in comfortable summer styles

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floral summer styles

Summer doesn’t have to be all about tight fitting t-shirts and tiny shorts. Often, the thing you need on a hot day is a blend of comfort and style, and that’s easy to find if you know where to look. From long, loose trousers to floaty tunics and beautiful skirts, you can stay cool and look great when the warmer weather arrives.

Feminine summer styles

Feeling feminine is what summer is all about. Floral prints, pretty colours, lovely layers and flattering forms can all help to put us in the relaxing, comfortable frame of mind we need – whether it’s for a summer barbeque or a getaway to the beach. Who needs restrictive waistbands, clinging fabrics and uncomfortable fastenings? Instead, you want clothing that looks good, feels great, is easy to look after and doesn’t cost the earth.

For looser, lovable clothing, look for styles where some real thought has gone into the fabric, cut and style. For example, linen is always a winner in the summer because it is lightweight, breathable and hangs beautifully on your body if it is well cut. Lined linen is cool to wear, and with added details like semi-elasticated waistbands or adjustable side fastenings, you can look fabulous and feel comfortable in linen shorts, trousers, skirts or dresses.

Casual summer styles

For tops, look for styles that suit your body shape and again use fabric and cut to help to keep you cool. Unstructured shirts, blouses and tunics are perfect for this time of year. The trend for layering means that you can easily have a top that hangs longer than your cardigan or ladies jackets from cotton traders, and this helps to maintain some airflow so that you don’t feel constricted when it’s warm. Click here for lightweight blouses that you can wear over spaghetti-strap tops, giving you skin coverage without the weight of a heavier top. Some tunics are perfect for summer, with their flattering lines, and are widely available in both online and high street summer collections.

However you feel about your clothing, there is certainly plenty to choose from this summer. You can easily avoid the main trends of very bold colour or complete monochrome, but use aspects of them to liven up your look – a bag, scarf or pair of sandals, for example. Or stick with what makes you the most comfortable and just refresh your wardrobe with some new colours, fabrics or styles. Pick the right things, and you’ll be able to relax all summer long.

This post was brought to you in collaboration with Cotton Traders.

To tracksuit or not to tracksuit?

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Vicky Pollard tracksuit, tracksuit bottom, shell suit, Kappa

Tracksuits are a little bit like marmite – you either love them, hate them or you are like me and have a love-hate relationship with them. Personally, I only ever wear them when exercising (that is never!) or when I want to get comfy at home. I would absolutely never rock velvety bottoms when I doing my weekly grocery shop, but my tracksuit bottoms are the first thing I slip into when I get home. If I go out however, I prefer to wear proper clothes, if you know what I mean – a nice pair of jeans, a flattering top and some accessories to brighten things up a bit.

Children are a little different though. They get away with outfits that would be called a fashion sin, if we wore them. They make even the most hideous pattern and colour combo look absolutely adorable and yes, they even manage to squeeze a “Oh how cute” out of me despite wearing a tracksuit.

Tracksuit doesn’t equal tracksuit though. I still remember shell suits that were at the height of fashion when I went to primary school (what were people thinking back then?) and those with leopard prints that make me shudder just thinking about them.

There are tracksuits though that are the complete opposite of what the 80s and 90s had to offer and they are the ones that I’d happily let Amy wear not only inside the house, but also outside. Just check out these designer tracksuits for girls. Aren’t they adorable. Some of them are a little too out there for me, Roberto Cavalli’s for instance, but I absolutely adore the hand drawn pink jumper from True Religion. It’s vibrant, it’s cool and it’s totally Amy’s style. Unfortunately, she’s 6 years too young for the smallest size and £150 are a little out of my budget for a hoodie – until I win the Euro millions tonight that is!

Which team are you on? Are you a tracksuit lover or a tracksuit hater?

Disclosure: This post was brought to you by Alex and Alexa.

Customised style advice for every body shape

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body shapes apple shape pear shape hourglass or inverted triangle shape rectangle shape

If you want to look great in everything you wear, you need to know what cuts, colours, styles and outfits best flatter your body shape. Knowing how to dress your body shape will help to choose and put together pieces which show off your best bits and conceal everything else.

First of all, you need to find out your body shape. You need to be honest with yourself to do this, remembering that there is no such thing as a wrong or bad body shape. Everyone is different, but you can make the most of your figure by identifying at its strengths and weaknesses and knowing what to show off and what to play down.

Pear shape

If you have a larger bottom half compared to your top, you are considered to have a pear shape. This very feminine shape can be enhanced and flattered by:

  • Balancing your bust with your bottom half by choosing a push-up bra (a far less drastic solution than having a breast enlargement  procedure), a top with detail around the chest or an outfit which emphasises your shoulders
  • Wearing bright colours and eye-catching accessories on top to draw more attention to this area
  • Accentuating your waist with a belt
  • Wearing heels to make your bottom half look leaner and longer
  • Wearing boot cut rather than skinny jeans
  • Avoiding overly clingy fabrics on the bottom half, as these can make your hips appear larger than they are

Inverted triangle shape

An inverted triangle is a body shape characterised by a wide back and shoulders and slim hips. You may also have a large bust, either naturally or as a result of breast augmentation. This shape is best dressed by:

  • Wearing V-neck tops and shirts, to draw the eye towards the chest and away from the shoulders
  • Choosing wrap dresses made of soft fabrics for a feminine look
  • Wearing brighter colours or flared skirts on your bottom half to balance out your upper body
  • Avoiding pieces with a boxy shoulder line
  • Avoiding heavy fabrics and styles on top, as these can add bulk to your top half

Rectangular shape

Often called athletic or boyish, you have a rectangular body shape if you have a very straight figure and are roughly the same size all over. You can best flatter a rectangular body shape by:

  • Showing off your lean legs in shorts, skinny jeans and short skirts
  • Defining your waist with belts and waist-cinching belts
  • Creating a curvier figure up-top with a push-up bra
  • Avoiding shapeless, baggy clothing

Rounded shape

If you have a large bust, shapely legs and a generally rounded figure, you are considered to have a rounded or ‘apple’ shape. Dress this shape best by:

  • Choosing clothes which nip you in at the waist
  • Choosing thicker, waist-cinching belts over thin belts which can draw too much attention to your mid-section
  • Creating an hourglass shape with wrap dresses and tops
  • Choosing A-line skirts and Empire waist tops to flatter your shape.

Disclosure: This is a featured post.

 

Mummy’s New Look Fashion Wishlist

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Mummy's New Look Fashion Wishlist

For me becoming a mum meant saying good-bye to glamourous outfits and high heels – not really, I couldn’t walk in them in the first place, but running after a whirlwind like Amy asks for something practical and comfortable as opposed to floaty dresses or skirts. Every new mummy will soon find that out and adjust her wardrobe, trust me!

For play dates or days out, I like to wear something casual yet fashionable, so I always make sure that I pick a nice pair of jeans. I really got into skinny jeans recently, so they are definitely on top of my wishlist. You can’t ever have too many of them and this high-waisted pair might help hide my mummy tummy.

Depending on the weather, I would either wear a nice knitted jumper with the jeans or a sleeveless blouse and a light cardigan. They are great to hide some lumps and bumps and super practical when you are quickly nipping out or have to manoeuvre your toddler from car to soft play.

When Amy was little, I always made sure to have my changing bag on me whenever we went out. Leaving the house with a baby needs packing that is comparable to the luggage that people take on a 3 week holiday, believe me! So now that Amy is older and we need to take less things with us, I really enjoy being able to grab a more fashionable option. A tote bag is fabulous for young mums, because it’s stylish and offers enough space for both baby’s and mummy’s stuff.

I’d finish the look off with a pair of cut out peep toe wedges and some sunglasses. Et voila, ready for a picnic in the park or a play date with friends. What do you think?

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post.

Amy models Next Girls Clothing Spring/Summer 2013

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Next Girls Clothing Spring/Summer 2013

A couple of weeks ago, the lovely people from Next got in touch asking, if Amy would like to choose some clothes from the new Spring/Summer collection. What a question! Of course, we jumped at the chance to pick some lovely items for the coming season.

I love shopping at Next, especially for Amy, so when we chose the items for our review, we actually picked things that I had already set my eyes on when the new spring and summer collection was launched a couple of days earlier.

There a some gorgeous summer dresses and outfits for warmer days in the collection, which I will definitely have a closer look at once some serious rays of sunshine come out, but knowing the English weather and my little whirlwind, I decided to go for some more casual outfits this time. They will carry her through the last days of winter and will also be suitable for the first days of spring time.

You can see our picks in the collage above and at the bottom of this post, you can see a picture of Amy rocking one of her outfits. Super cute, if you ask me, but then again I am probably biased. For less than £50 we got a pair of dark blue jeggings, a pink embroidered hooded jumper, two long-sleeved rainbow and graffiti tops and an absolutely adorable ecru bee jumper. Not bad, is it?

All items have the high quality that I am used to from Next. They stay in shape after a wash, they don’t loose their colour and most of all, they are made from comfortable and high-quality materials that make them not only my favourites, but also Amy’s. She might only be 21 months old, but she knows exactly what she wants to wear and what she doesn’t like. Why shouldn’t a toddler know what looks nice and is comfy after all?

My favourite is the ecru bee jumper, but Amy has been receiving lots of compliments for the embroidered jumper that she’s wearing in the picture below. She really likes it and its lining is so soft that I can totally see why. The embroidered detail on it is just adorable and so many people have said the jumper looks like it’s been made just for her, because she’s such a little ray of sunshine. Little do they know that Little Miss Sunshine can quickly become a little thundercloud when things don’t go her way, but hey let’s leave people their illusions.

All in all, I have to say that I am super pleased with our selection. Everything we picked suits Amy really well and fits her comfortably. This seems like an odd thing to mention, but I find that a lot of companies have funny sizing. Amy currently wears size 18-24 months, which makes perfect sense for a 21 month old toddler, but I have previously bought her a skirt in the same size from Tesco that just falls off her because it is way too big. She also has vests that are for 9-12 month old babies/toddlers that fit her perfectly fine, so it’s all a bit hit and miss. With Next however, I have found that you get what it says on the tag, which makes shopping just that little bit less stressful.

Amy models Next girls clothing spring summer 2013

How do you like our picks? Have you had a look at the new spring/summer collection? Which are your favourite items?

Disclosure: The items mentioned were provided free of charge for the purpose of this review, which is as always 100% honest. I think Amy’s big smiles proves that she’s a big fan of her new clothes.

How to Screen Print Clothes at Home

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How to Screen Print Clothes at Home

Screen printing is a fun activity that is cheap, easy and can generate some impressive results; and best of all you get some funky new clothes at the end of it. This article will concentrate on t-shirts but this technique can be used just as easily to personalise hoodies, bags, shawls or any other garment.

What You Will Need

• Fabric Ink
• A screen/frame
• A squeegee/spatula
• Plain Paper
• Craft Knife
• Masking Tape
• Plain T-shirt

Most of the above materials are fairly self-explanatory and available from most craft shops but it is worth going into further detail with regards to the screen/frame because it is possible to make your own rather than purchasing one.
To make your own screen you will need a picture frame large enough to contain your design and some mesh (43T mesh is the best – if you are unsure, ask in your local craft shop). You need to stretch the mesh around one side of the frame and staple it to the other side making sure it is taut, tight and secure.

The Process

1. First thing is first: You need a design. If you are a screen printing novice I would suggest maybe picking a simple shape, pattern or logo that only needs one colour; this could be anything from a skull and crossbones to a pattern of triangles to the Batman symbol. Draw or trace your design onto the paper and then cut it out using the craft knife (there will obviously need to be adult supervision if children are joining in the fun).

2. Use the masking tape to cover up any areas of the mesh that will be exposed when the mesh meets your design. This will stop any ink seeping around the edges of your design and onto your shirt. Do not tape the design to the mesh though.

3. Place your t-shirt on a flat surface and make sure it has no large creases. Then place the paper onto the t-shirt in the position where you would like the design to be. Now place the screen on top of both the design and the t-shirt.

4. Place about a tablespoon of ink at the top edge of your screen. Hold the screen down firmly with one hand and use the other to pull the ink over the entirety of the mesh with the squeegee/spatula.

5. Carefully lift the screen and peel away the paper and you should see your design is now loud and proud on your t-shirt. You should now leave the t-shirt aside and wait for the ink to dry.

6. The final step is to wash your screen. Use cold water and a non-abrasive cloth or sponge. When the screen is dry it will be ready for more printing.

Screen Printing will provide hours of rainy-day fun and produce some unique and exciting clothes that are all the better for having been designed by you. When you are a little more experienced try using more complex designs and layering different colours to achieve some really professional looking designs. Check out the cute baby clothes I found on the internet. So adorable!

cute baby vests onesies screen print

Disclosure: These ideas were brought to you by Banana Moon Clothing, providers of screen printed and embroidered hoodies, t-shirts and other garments. For more info, please see my disclosure policy.

Next’s Dress For Christmas Competition – Our Winter Wonderland Entry

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The lovely Jane from Northern Mum is currently hosting THE competition for all Next addicts giving bloggers the chance to win an amazing £500 Next gift card. All you have to do is create your ultimate Christmas outfit featuring products from the Next website. As we are massive Next fans and regularly check what’s new in store, this was the perfect competition for our family to enter.

We are spending Christmas with my family in Germany this year and as German Christmas traditions are slightly different from British traditions, our outfits will differ a little. In Germany, we open our Christmas presents on Christmas Eve, so there is no need for pretty PJs or snugly dressing gowns on Christmas Day, but we do love to wear comfortable yet fashionable clothes that work for both, quality time with the family and a walk in the German winter wonderland.  So here we go, these are our Christmas outfits:

Ben has picked a blue mock shirt with crew neck which he combines with a pair of dark washed jeans for a casual yet smart look. Jeans are one of the stable items in his wardrobe and perfect for a number of occasions. They are versatile and can be dressed up and down depending on what look you want to go for. Brown Lace Up Toe Cap Boots are ideal for walks in the snow and the Craghoppers Grey 3 In 1 Military Parka will keep Ben warm even if we get wind from Russia. To finish his look off, Ben picked a subtle Replay® Brown Leather Branded Buckle Belt and a Fossil™ Ansel Chronograph Watch, which make stylish and practical accessories for every man.

For my Winter Wonderland and Christmas outfit, I have chosen this super soft Angora Mix Sequin Sweater in blush and a pair of Mid Wash Vintage Relaxed Skinny Jeans. The jumper is really flattering and the sequins give it a nice seasonal touch without being too kitschy or over the top. For our afternoon walk, I would pair the outfit with a khaki Military Style Jacket with festive gold buttons and a comfortable pair of Stitch Down Long Boots. I definitely won’t have to worry about getting wet feet in these. To add a bit of geekiness to the outfit, I have picked a knitted Fox Bag that you wear across the body and a Grey and Pink Stripe Scarf, which will keep me warm in the cold.

Amy’s outfit was by far the hardest to pick. There are just so many cute outfits for little girls to choose from, but I think we have found something that really suits Amy’s character. Her outfit is cute, but not pink and frilly. It’s comfy without looking slouchy and it’s trendy and cheeky at the same time. We have picked a festive reindeer jumper and some cute little denim shorts that we’ll pair with some warm cable knit tights. We would use the cream tights for this outfit, because they form a nice contrast to the rest of the outfit, but the tights come in a three pack which will give you a little more choice.  I absolutely adore this outfit. It’s girly without screaming glitter princess and is just perfect for our little tom boy. To keep Amy warm during our traditional Christmas walk, we have picked a navy blue polar bear jacket with a gorgeous polar bear detail at the back and comfy soft lining. A pair of funky Quilted Tall Lace-Up Boots will allow Amy to run through the snow and the cheeky red knit penguin hat will make sure that her ears are nice and toasty.

So yes, these are our Christmas outfits. Which one do you like best? Have you picked your Christmas outfits yet? If so, what are you going to wear? Oh and before you go, wish us luck!

Disclosure: This is our entry for Northern Mum’s Next Dress Christmas competition.

Dress your bump like the stars with Tiffany Rose

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For many pregnant women the first weeks of pregnancy are everything but glamorous. They suffer from fatigue and morning sickness and as their bump isn’t showing properly yet, many of them feel bloated, frumpy and shapeless.

Once the wobbly tummy turns into a beautiful pregnant belly and the dreaded 12 week scan is out of the way, things change. Our pregnancy becomes exciting and something that we want to share with the entire world. One way of doing this is by proudly showing off our bump and what better way is there to do so than in style?

Tiffany Rose provides stylish and glamorous maternity wear to pregnant mums and does not only have every day clothes, but also maternity wear for special occasions in mind. With an ever-expanding collection since 2003, Tiffany Rose has become a household name for maternity clothes that not only thousands of pregnant woman, but also celebrities like Holly Willoughby, Stacey Salomon or Una Healy reach for when dressing their baby bumps.

Unique designs, exquisite fabrics and flattering cuts show that the creative heads behind Tiffany Rose really have a pregnant woman’s needs in mind when creating their new designs. With a sense of style and occasion clearly visible in every garment, their collection ranges from beautifully tailored jersey and lace dresses to luxurious silk maternity evening gowns and of course Tiffany Rose’s sought-after maternity bridal wear, which was worn by Danielle Lloyd, Emma Bunton and Myleene Klaas.

So if you are looking for maternity wear that will turn heads during the party season and beyond, then check out Tiffany Rose. Oh and if you are just as indecisive as me, make use of their personalised customer service, who will be there to help you, if you have an occasion in mind, but no idea what to wear. Pretty handy, don’t you think?

Which Tiffany Rose outfit do you like best? Did you struggle to find maternity clothes that were stylish and comfortable when you were pregnant? What do you want from maternity wear?

Disclosure: This is a featured post. For more information, please see my disclosure policy.

New top? – Oh, I’ve had that for years *cough cough*

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I’m a big fan of online shopping, but every now and then I love to venture to the shops to sneak in a cheeky item of clothing while grocery shopping – don’t tell Ben though. He still hasn’t managed to see through my “Oh, I’ve had that top for years” game and I’m rather proud that he thinks I’m the most reasonable women ever because I’m only ever coming home with clothes for him and Amy.

Okay, I do feel a little guilty from time to time, but to be honest, I don’t really have to, because the summer clothes from Tesco that I got over the last couple of weeks really didn’t break the bank. I picked up a couple of lovely outfits for Amy and some cargo pants and flip flops for Ben for the price that I’d usually pay for one or two items in a department store. You might say, “I bet you have to compromise on quality when you buy clothes in a supermarket”, but you will be surprised when I tell you that most of the items, that I got when I first moved to the UK about four years ago, are still going strong. I still remember how I went to my local Tesco for the first time back then. German supermarkets are usually all about groceries and the odd DIY item, so when I was finished with my grocery shop at Tesco’s and came to an area that displayed a whole range of clothes I thought “Hallelujah, I like shopping in England”.

I still do four years on and Tesco is still one of my firm favourites for sneaky little additions to my wardrobe. I can always find a number of different styles for all the family and the best thing is that everything is reasonably priced, even more so when you collect Clubcard points like I do and double them during the big Clubcard Exchange. The Summer Clubcard Exchange is on for another 21 days (ends 29/08/2012), so double your points and get shopping – the weather gods will have to change their mind at some point and if they don’t, there’s always a lovely Autumn and Winter range to look at.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post, but I’m still a Clubcard and Tesco addict. For more information, please see my disclosure policy.

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