Accessories: Helen Rochfort Handbags

Hi guys,
This bag from Helen Rochfort is very aptly called the 'Oz TV' bag. The central image is a vintage print of the ruby slippers from the original Wizard of Oz film: one of my faves! I love this grainy vintage print, which makes me want to wear red shoes and point my toes.

The bag isn't the usual thing I'd carry at all; I'm a soft tan leather satchel kind of gal. This bag by contrast is a hard case with a solid metal frame, shiny silver body, glitter detail and diamante fastener. That description doesn't make it sound very covetable, does it? But it is! I defy anyone to see this bag and not smile:
It's accessories like this that remind you that fashion is supposed to be fun, and we shouldn't take it all too seriously!

It isn't a big bag, so I couldn't carry it every day: you wouldn't fit more than your phone, purse and some make up in it. But I have a couple of weddings coming up this summer that I will be taking this to (and teaming it with red shoes, obviously!) and if I were ever to leave the house in the evening again - a girl can dream - then this would be the perfect bag for that too.

This particular bag comes in at £65, and if you love it too, you can bag your own here. Oz not your thing? There are also bags inspired by Willy Wonka, Unicorns, and even Fish and Chips!

What do you think of my new handbag? Is it the kind of thing you'd carry, or are you yet to be convinced?

Love Tor xx

* I received a handbag for the purpose of this review.

Accessories: Hit the Coordination Station!!

Hi guys,
I have one fashion quirk that I'm pretty sure all the 'cool kids' like to secretly laugh at, but I just don't care. I like my shoes and handbags to match. All the time! That's why I have so many pairs of tan shoes: because my favourite handbag is tan. And you can guarantee that if I find a pair of heels I love them I will be out on the high street hunting down a clutch bag to match it. When it comes to accessories, I am definitely a matchy-matchy girl.

So how excited was I when, whilst shopping on Sarenza for both a new handbag and a new pair of summer pumps, I shortlisted both of these items only to later realise that they matched almost perfectly: it must be fate!
The shoes are from Georgia Rose (£31) and the handbag is from Poisson Bleu (£97.90). I also have a great pair of beige suede sandals that are going to look great with this bag when the weather warms up a little bit! I thought the bag was a brave choice, because I usually opt for tan or black when it comes to leather accessories: but the warm chartreuse stripe on this one is going to be perfect for injecting a little bit of colour into my summer wardrobe. I love it!

Do you like to match your shoes to your handbag? Or do you prefer the unmatched look?

Love Tor x

*I am a Sarenza Brand Ambassador

SS13 In Primark this week: The Accessories Edit

Hi guys,
If you buy designer sunglasses only to sit on them, break the arms, or lose them as often as I do, then this is the Primark edit for you! Because right now Primark has a great range of sunglasses in store (with prices starting from just £1) that look considerably more expensive than they are, and some are so close to designer copies, that no one would suspect you weren't wearing the real thing!

They also have a great range of summer shoes and sandals: think wedges, heels, imitation converse in an array of candy colours, and stiletto heels so sharp you could have someone's eye out.

I'm prepared to admit that when it comes to accessories, I'm a bit of a snob: I love the smell and feel of real leather bags and shoes, and nowadays I won't wear anything that's imitation. But for summer bags and beach bags made of light weight canvas and cotton the standard is the same no matter where you buy it from: and for these accessories, I think Primark is perfect:
Orange and purple round sunglasses, £,1 Pearl encrusted beaded headband, £4.Polka dot mini bag, £3.
Aztec beach bag, £6 . Monochrome wedge heels, £16. Animal print cats eye sunglasses, £2

My picks from this bunch of bargains are the Aztec beach bag, which is perfect for a summer holiday and will go with whatever bikini colour I pick. And the orange and purple sunglasses: can you believe they're just £1?! I love the two-tone effect, and they'll look great as a focal point teamed with a simple cream sundress and an acid orange lipstick.
 
Are you a Primark shopper? And do you like these posts showing you what you might find in store, or do they take away the thrill of the chase for you? I'd love to know what you think!

Love Tor x

What A Stud

A recent shopping trip in Soho made it abundantly clear that studs are in this fall. Pretty much everywhere you looked you saw metallic embellishments on tops, bags, shoes, and dresses. Fall always brings out the punk rock in fashion (we think it's all the plaid) and this season will be no exception. It's a great way to liven up an otherwise tame wardrobe. We're huge fans of the studded loafers, but take your pick!

 1. London Rebel | 2. Patricia Field | 3. Lush | 4. Forever 21 | 5. Urban Outfitters | 6. Top Shop

XOXO,

Jen & Saira

Cat Woman

In honor of The Dark Knight Rises, and in solidarity with our fellow cat ladies across the globe, we are here to declare that we love cats and are not afraid to show it! Kitty printed clothing, accessories, decor -- we want it all. And sure, some cat themed items can appear to be juvenile or excessive, but we think a tasteful item or two can really liven up your look. So here are some items that we think are fun and stylish, yet still simple and discreet enough to be part of your grown-up lifestyle. Kitty Pryde!

1. Kat Studio | 2. Anthropologie | 3. Urban Outfitters | 4. Mod Cloth | 5. Asos | 6. Amazon

XOXO,

Jen & Saira

The Versatile Look Book: Pastel Pencil Skirt

Continuing with our "day to night style", here's a way to dress up a brightly hued pencil skirt from J. Crew (which is on sale, by the way). This skirt is perfect for your summer office style -- pair the colorful skirt with your basic button down or blouse for a conservative yet fashion forward look. Then let your hair down (literally) and recycle the skirt the following weekend for a casual (but ever so fashionable) outdoor BBQ. 

Business All The Time

1. Banana Republic | 2. Glamour | 3. J. Crew | 4. Target | 5. BC Shoes

Cocktails Anyone?

1. Charlotte Russe | 2. Handbag.com | 3. Forever 21  | 4. J. Crew | 5. Kimchi Blue

XOXO,

Jen & Saira

Fabfrocks picks: Bold neon accessories

Hi guys,
There are some trends that are hard to avoid: you see them everywhere! But in the case of neon, not only is it a trend that's hard to avoid, it's also a trend that's equally hard to wear. The thought of my thighs encased in neon trousers makes me shudder: and neon dresses are far too attention-grabbing for me. But if there's a hot trend I'm not one to ignore it. Which leads me to neon accessories: the neon trend for the mild of heart!

There is a huge range of neon accessories on the high street (there are actually more accessories than dresses!) so why not dip your toes in the neon-waters with an attention-grabbing accessory instead? Here are my favourite picks:

Jeffrey Campbell Tanya wedges, Sarenza, £102
Cream and orange neon bag, River Island, £40
Neon and leopard print plastic watch, ASOS, £20
Fluro skinny belt, ASOS, £6
Neon green satchel, Cambridge Satchel Co, £100
Bird keyring purse, H&M, £2.99
Neon fringe necklace, Sweet Scandal, £75
Gold chain clutch bag, H&M, £12.99
Koala leather heels, Office, £40

What do you think about neon? Is it a trend you want to try, or are you neon-averse? I must admit, it reminds me slightly of the neon tops I used to wear in the early 90s (Oh yes! I was all glamour!) but I've still got a hankering for a pair of neon shoes!

Love Tor xx

Label lust: Zakary le Stele

Hi guys,
My love of oversized chunky jewellery (as big and gold as possible, in fact!) continues unabated. I have stuck to my New Year's Resolution not to buy any more cheap jewellery: I haven't been inside the Topshop or H&M jewellery departments once! But that doesn't mean I'm not still as obsessed as ever with oversized bling: it's just my jewellery habit is becoming increasingly more expensive!

When I was sent over this lookbook from accessories designer Zakary le Stele I immediately fell in love. That could, of course, be because it features gorgeous French model Priscilla Miegemolle Dime and was shot on the streets of Paris (my favourite city in the world). But it's more likely to be because I immediately wanted to add the oversized cuffs to my jewellery box, then buy as many of the shoes, followed by the gorgeous digital print frocks as possible!



This is the designer's first complete womenswear collection, and it will be available this autumn/winter. Entitled 'L'ardeur' the print-heavy collection features pieces infused with sexual intensity and drama (according to the blurb!). Since I saw the first Matthew Williamson collection featuring them, I fell in love with digital prints so I have a soft spot for them, whatever the designer. And the soft structure of this collection really did capture my imagination!

I should really have prefaced this post with the disclaimer that you shouldn't fall in love with this collection too quickly, like I did. Unless you all have a secret you're not telling me, sadly the collection is far too expensive for we ordinary girls to afford. As in, high end couture prices. It's probably too late. But it's nice to dream!!

Love Tor x

PS - Don't forget to enter the amazing COMPETITION where you could win a whole outfit from Fashionpony.co.uk

The matching/clashing accessory conundrum!

Hi guys,
It's a question I often ask myself: is it better to match your accessories or clash them?! Personally I'm a big fan of matching (I rarely leave the house if the colour of my shoes doesn't match the colour of my bag) but I also appreciate that a little clashing (especially in the summer) is probably much much cooler!

Matching

I love my new tan saddle bag (thank you very much, TKMaxx!) so I knew I had to get the perfect pair of summer shoes to match it. Enter these amazing peep toe T-bar sandals from Bertie (c/o Sarenza) They have a sturdy platform at the front which balances out the height of the heel, meaning you can wear them all day with no discomfort: tried and tested! I was delighted by how exact the colour-match was too. It's very rare when the colour on the screen is the same as what arrives on your doorstep!

Clashing

This is my third pair of Valensi pumps from Sarenza (I also have a gold pair and a black pair) and I plan on adding a couple of other, brighter and more summery shades, to my collection. They are the most comfortable pumps I have ever owned: they have a supportive back and sit slightly higher up the foot than normal pumps leaving you feeling snug and supported. It would be a little twee to then add a powder pink handbag though, so this is where I turn to the clash-side! So instead I went for a turquoise studded clutch. Just add jeans and a white tee and I'm ready to go!

Do you tend to match your accessories? Or do you mix and match colours? I'd love to hear your shoe and handbag co-ordination thoughts!

Love Tor xx

Tote bag lust: Maude & Tilda

Hi guys,
I was sent the press release for these fun and very tongue-in-cheek tote bags a little while ago, and it got buried in my email. But I'm so glad I just rediscovered it to share with you guys!

These eco friendly bags are made by Parisian brand Maude & Tilda. They're made of 100% unbleached and undyed heavy natural cotton canvas, printed by hand and using only environmentally friendly dyes. And they are a must-have for any fashion concious gal on a budget: At $45 (USA) they aren't cotton tote bag cheap. But for their cool factor alone, they're worth every penny! I've just ordered the Chanel one, and cannot wait for it to arrive. With this folded into my handbag I have guarenteed style status and I won't ever need to use a carrier bag again: it's a win-win situation!

Love Tor x

Accessories love: Suedey-lady!

Hi guys,

My leather obsession is well-documented. I only wear leather shoes and carry leather handbags. And although I'm still looking for the perfect leather jacket, I've picked up five contenders on the way! Now though I'm thinking I might have to switch my allegiances. To suede!

Suede is the perfect fabric for this time of year. It looks wintery, and it's matt finish doesn't reflect the light (avoiding that shinky/cheap finish). It's also better for spring/summer than winter, because there's less chance of it getting wet, and therefore ruined, in the rain and the snow. And it's generally more lightweight than leather too.

The bag is from Hotter. It's the perfect size for days out and weekends (when I don't want to carry my heavy satchel) and I love the fringing detail, which gives it a perfectly on-trend boho feel. I like to be hands free when I'm out and about (which probably explains my satchel obsession) and this bag more than fits the bill for that. It would also be perfect for nights out to the pub!

The ankle boots are Carvela c/o Sarenza. I chose them because I fell in love with their vibrant wine colour, which looks brilliant when teamed with black jeans and leggings. The gold zip detail is gorgeous too, and more importantly, they're comfortable! So far I've worn them for three very long days without so much as a single foot twinge: for me, that's almost unheard of!

What accessories can you not live without? Do you have a preferred handbag style, or a comfortable shoe your completely in love with?

Love Tor xx

Wild Thing

Fashion week may be over, but we're just getting started! Tired of all last week's Valentine's mushiness? Then we know what you need: a little leopard print to bring out your wild side. We're actually a little shocked that it's taken us this long to post about leopard print, especially because it's a favorite of ours. Leopard print has always been a little bit tacky, a little bit rock and roll, and a whole lot of sexy, which is why we love it. And you can thank the Kardashians for making leopard print more accessible as every day attire. It's fashion for all seasons, so show your attitude dolls and rock some spots!

1. Victoria's Secret | 2. Vans | 3. Urban Outfitters | 4. Forever 21 | 5. Asos | 6. Delia*s | 7. Mod Cloth

XOXO,

Jen & Saira

The Shape of Love

To continue with last year's tradition, here are our favorite heart-shaped items to commemorate Valentine's Day. From tops to accessories to home decor, we love heart-shaped anything (especially chocolates). And if this post doesn't fulfill your heart's desire (!), then check out assorted hearts, a pretty and sweet blog that shares random images of the universal symbol of love.

1. Top Shop | 2. Asos | 3. Delia*s | 4. Aqsa | 5. bhldn | 6. 8000 Nerves | 7. Yardsale Press | 8. Forever 21 | 9. Urban Outfitters

<3

Jen & Saira

Deeply Yours

Is it nearing the end of January already?! Valentine's Day is approaching which for some means adding an insane amount of red to your wardrobe. Our snarky side hates color coding holidays, but then we go ahead and do it anyway. If you want to be a little festive but not seem over-the-top-weird, then forego the candy red and instead try on a deep, rich red / maroon / burgundy for a more mature and professional look. The rich full color adds drama to any outfit, but is still understated enough to wear in the office. Plus, the deep red hue tends to look good with every skin tone.

1. Victoria's Secret | 2. Bettie Page | 3. Urban Outfitters | 4. American Eagle |

 5. Steve Madden | 6. Ralph Lauren | 7. Express |

XOXO,

Jen & Saira

Your Daily Dose of Glitter

So Christmas is over (as is our 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway), but New Year's Eve is right around the corner! We already shared with you our love for sparkly dresses, but you don't need a big New Year's Eve wedding to sparkle at midnight. There are many ways to add some shine without wearing sequins from head to toe. A sparkly clutch, a glittery blouse, or sequined skirt can go a long way to jazzing up an otherwise tame ensemble. Here are just a few suggestions to get you started.

1. Forever 21 | 2. Free People | 3. Gypsy Warrior | 4. Urban Outfitters | 5. Empress Eccentric | 6. Victoria's Secret | 7. Express | 8. J. Crew | 9. Poetic License 

That's all from us for the rest of the year. We hope you bring in the new year with style, and we can't wait to start share our ideas for 2012! Until then...

XOXO,

Jen & Saira

Are You A Gypsy Warrior?

We are so excited for our friend Michele Bezoa (co-founder of the Gypsy Warrior brand along with her pal Nicla DiCosmo) for the grand opening of their flagship store! We've featured Gypsy Warrior products on our site before (and included it as part of our 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway last year), but today we wanted to share some of our favorite finds that are available online. We love Gypsy Warrior for its ability to blend the old with the new, the edgy with the classy, and the boho with the rock and roll... in other words, the gypsy with the warrior! If you're in New Jersey, be sure to check out the boutique located on 43 Hudson Street in Ridgewood, NJ 07450, or shop online. Just be sure to act fast -- there are some hot items!

1. Brass Multi Chain Stud Necklace | 2. Luna Dress | 3. Drape Across Mocha Dress | 4. Ivory Crochet Poncho Shawl | 5. Suede Fringe Bag | 6. Tassel Dress | 7. Braided Feather Headband | 8. Sheer Angel Sleeve Dress

Happy Shopping!

XOXO,

Jen & Saira

Guest Blog: Chicago Renegade Craft Fair

Our friend attended the Renegade Craft in Chicago this year and was kind enough to write up a post for us on the great things she came across in her travels.  So, here's a little guest blog treat for you from our fabulous craftfair correspondent, Hillary.  Take it away, Hil:

The windy city was more hot than windy during this year’s Chicago Renegade Craft

Fair (RCF) in early September. More than 300 vendors filled Wicker Park – where

Renegade got its start in 2003 – for two days of crafts, workshops and good local

Chicago food. With so many vendors it was hard to pick a handful to highlight but

here is a short round up of some interesting finds!

Known as the strongest shape, triangles were all over the craft fair in a variety of

forms. Whether as tents (see bottom of this post), banners or jewelry – like the

above necklaces from NICE by Caitlin Holcomb – it was clear that the triangle is

trend in the craft world right now.

The triangle necklaces below were only one of the many cute items on display by

Chicago-based accessories designer Wanderlustings.

Letterpress items are usually my weakness when it comes to booth hopping during

a craft fair and this fair was no different. While a lot of vendors had their best

letterpress cards on display, I particularly loved these super cute 2012 letterpress

calendars, complete with little wooden stump bases, from OneCanoeTwo. Though

we’re a few months away from 2012 and the holidays, this calendar is a great little

gift and is perfect for a cute desk accessory.

While it was difficult to think of the cold weather ahead during this warm

September weekend, there were a number of knit items on display at this year’s fair.

In particular, these colorful crocheted flowers from Mojo Spa got me thinking about

what jackets I could add a fun flair to.

Beyond the typical prints, baby clothes, stationary and jewelry you’d expect at a

craft fair, this year’s Chicago RCF also showcased these interesting wood ties from

Wood Thumb. Certainly a unique spin on a typical go-to gift for men, the Wood

Thumb website claims this fancy tie “gets you into all the clubs.”

Know a crafty kid? Another popular and eye-catching craft at this year’s Chicago

RCF were Hip Huts. Designed with brightly colored, fun fabric, these small tents

could be crafty additions to the typical child’s playroom.

While these items were only a snapshot of this year’s Chicago RCF, there were many,

many other talented vendors that had unique crafts on display. I would also be

remiss to not mention my boyfriend Bryan – Yardsale Press – who was busy selling

prints and coasters at the Chicago fair. Thanks Jen and Saira for allowing me to guest

post! Much love to PDR!

Marks and Spencer Accessories: Not what you'd expect!

Hi guys,

This evening I was invited to a Mad Hatters Tea Party to check out the new ranges of accessories from Marks and Spencer. And I have to say I completely fell in love: it wasn't what I was expecting at all. But in a good way! I think I have a slight prejudice against Marks and Spencer because it was one of only 5 clothing stores on our high street growing up, and was the place my Nan got her nighties, and my mum got my sensible school knickers.

But I take it back! I withdraw my old-fashioned prejudice: because judging by these accessories, M&S is a cool place to shop! The collections were divided into four distinct trend zones: Nordic Narnia, Wilderness, Global Traveller, and Boy Meets Girl:

The pieces in the Boy Meets Girl zone were my favourites: I especially loved the oversized black leather handbags (which felt as soft as butter) and the chunky black watch in the picture above.

I also loved all the glitter and sequins in the global traveler zone: can you believe the black and taupe sequinned and heeled Mary Janes were only £30? That's considerably cheaper than some of the more popular high street stores, and I completely loved them. They'd be perfect for Christmas parties, and I would team them with leggings for girls nights out.

I was also surprised at how many of the pretty shoes came in with built in insolia technology: I only have one pair of insolia shoes, but I swear by it! They're the only heels I can dance in all night long and not go home with my feet in shreds. Shoes that feel comfy but look all fashion: how can you lose!?

The overall verdict? For quality and affordable pieces that are fashion-forward, and are built to last, head to Marks and Spencer. I definitely will be!

Love Tor x

The Jewelry Box

If you're anything like us, then you probably have a TON of jewelry you've collected over the years. We tend to keep everything, but the problem is we end up losing half of it because it's all over the place!  Or, if we don't lose it, it ends up tangled in a knot at the bottom of our purse. Get organized and keep all your precious "jewels" intact with some stylish jewelry boxes.

 

1. Urban Outfitters | 2. kisseverycomma | 3. ebay 4. tammnoony | 5. Anthropologie | 6. Bed, Bath and Beyond | 7. Mod Cloth

XOXO,

Jen & Saira

Boho Magic

Boho chic is The Look for this summer. Think: floppy hats, loose skirts, fringe, and lots and lots of jewelry. It's a fun, playful look for the summer that will keep you feeling loose, cool and with the flow. For inspiration, check out the photos of celebrities at Coachella, or the Olsen twins daily street gear.

1. BCBG | 2. Asos | 3. Anthroplogie | 5. Vero Moda | 6. Free People  7. Banana Republic 

Mind you, accessorizing is such an integral part of this look that it warranted its own section!

 8. American Eagle | 9. thunder rose | 10. Top Shop | 11. Urban Outfitters | 12. Gypsy Warrior | 13. Forever 21

XOXO

Jen & Saira