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

Back to School Bags!

We're not sure how many of our readers are going back to school this fall, and even though back to school shopping is a fond memory for us, we still can't help posting about it. For starters, everyone knows that back to school means getting a new bag. Now call us old fashioned, but we're into book bags again. And we're not talking your old school 6th grade Jansport (although you will see some Jan Sport in the mix). We're talking some truly stylish pieces that will make you wish you were back to school, roaming the halls, skipping classes... ahhh the good old days!

1. Mod Cloth | 2. JanSport | 3. Urban Outfitters 4. | Top Shop | 5. Billabong | 6. Mossimo | 7.  Zara | 8. ASOS

Saved by the bell!

Jen & Saira

New season styles from Marc b bags!

Hi guys,
You may remember about six months ago I did a review of a gorgeous Marc b bag? I gave it a very positive review and I stand by it: that bag is still going strong! Anyway, the new Marc b collection shots have just come in, and I am already drowning in lust-caused saliva, because they are really gorgeous:


Above: The Emmy in teal crocodile, The Kiki in grey, The Bianca in duck egg blue, and The Olivia in black.

When I chose my Marc b bag, I opted for the classic gold-chained Knightsbridge in classic black: a very 80s Chanel imitation style bag. But now I am lusting after than boxy Bianca in the duck egg blue: more adventurous and on-trend than classic, but oh so delicious! I know I keep mentioning the Seventies trend, but it's hard not to, because it's everywhere I turn. And this bag would be perfect for anyone looking for the seventies trend. Or in my case, anyone with an obsession with boxy, vintage-looking bags!

The Marc b collection for this season is really strong. The range includes everything from re-worked classics with antique lace detailing, modern toughened-up styles, revamped satchels and luxurious clutches in classic functional shapes. The colour palette covers just about every colour you could fancy (there's no real overriding theme to the colour scheme) want pastels, black, teal, grape? You can have all of the above and more!

I love accessories in general, and handbags in particular, so the opportunity to find good quality bags at affordable prices, meaning I can have one to match almost every outfit, is like catnip to me!

Are you slightly lustful of the Marc b bags too? Then you're in luck! Watch this space, because next week I will be running an exciting competition to win one of these Marc b bags!

Love, Tor xx

Debenhams S/S11 Press day lust!

Hi guys,
Yesterday I went to the Debenhams press day, and it was amazing: I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of new season clothes and accessories available to go crazy cooing over. Although i'm still in love with my winter coat and I love wrapping up warm, i'm also starting to get excited about next summer and the excuse to shop for pretty summer dresses again.
Prepare for a picture heavy post: I took alot of snaps!

Bags, glorious bags!! The satchel shape still seemed popular, and I was delighted to see so much tan everywhere for next season; it's my absolute favourite colour for leather! The tribal/animal print trend was also everywhere for accessories: not to my taste but some beautiful looking pieces with really luxurious fabrics.

Shoes are a personal weakness: I have more than any girl could need in a lifetime. But that doesn't mean my heart doesn't race when I see a wall full of shoes: I am human. The Faith line seems to be thriving since Debenhanms bought it out and inhouse when they went bankrupt: the cork-look heels in the middle of the wall are a particular fave!

I love the Red Herring frill detail jacket on the left, and couldn't resist a shot of some Henry Holland: his collections seem to get better and better (I know i've said that before!)Back on the satchel chat, most of the H! bags were satchel shaped and I loved them: great details and colours.

Red Herring is my favourite of all the brands stocked in debenhams (despite it being the cheapest) It's so fashion-forward and easy to wear! I love the casual styling of this outfit, but the real attention grabbers are the brown boots: I wish they were instore now, as they're just what i'm looking for in all this snow!

I can't resist eveningwear, even though I hardly wear it. The dresses in the first picture are from the new Edit collection (these were the only ones on show)The other dresses are perfect for weddings/the races/garden parties: the formal floral, again, isn't to my taste but I love the pattern and the thick cotton fabric.

Yes i'm going to say it: The dreaded H word. I love these maxi dresses and wide legged trousers for my honeymoon: the holiday wear and bikinis for next summer were lovely, and I am obsessed with the Tripp luggage in the second picture: such lovely vibrant colours, and so much more exciting than the boring black luggage everyone else carries!

Love, Tor xxx

Ready for Christmas: The perfect clutch bag

Hi guys,
Tonight i'm going to a black tie dinner, which meant last night was a panic of digging out a suitable black dress and throwing together some accessories. I'm wearing a beaded dress from New Look with the Kurt Geiger fashionista shoes I had for my MA graduation two years ago. So far so good! The thing I struggled to find in the wardrobe though was a bag to go with my sleek black outfit: all my clutches are brightly coloured! So I decided to embrace the colour and just glam it up.
Here's the clutch i'll be carrying:

I picked the bag up from a car boot sale for 50p, and then pinned on the brooch centrepiece: a vintage brooch that was a gift from my parents last Christmas. I know i've said it before, but I love brooches and the versitility you get with them: you only have to add one to just about anything to make it look much more glam.

My clutch struggle made me realise I should invest in a black one before my plethora of Christmas parties though. So I indulged in my favourite pass-time of fantasy online shopping to find the perfect, detailed, show-stopping black clutch:

Left to right: River Island, £29.99, Dorothy Perkins, £24.50 , Asos, £26, Topshop, £65.

I know it's a massive rip off of the Alexander McQueen, but I really love the River Island knuckle duster clutch: it's the only way i'm going to get my hands on such an iconic piece, even if it is just the highstreet version! The Topshop one is expensive for what it is, but the embellishment on it is amazing. The DP bag has been reduced from £35, and I love the brooch style detailing on it, and I just had to include the feathers, as they're everywhere this season!

I think it might be time to hit the shops and buy some accessories!
Love, Tor xx

Summer Style: Beach Bags

Summer is all about relaxing days at the beach (or park, if you're a city dweller). In order to make the most of your day in the sun, you need a whole lot of accessories. We're talking sunblock, towels, blankets, reading material, water bottles, snacks, etc. Clearly you'll need a pretty durable bag to tote around all of these "essentials." So, here are some of our favorite picks for summer fun that have both form and function:

This bag from Walmart is cool and neutral and is certainly large enough to hold a thin blanket, towel, and then some! 

Looking for something a little more wild?  Try this reversible Billabong tote! One side is more subdued and  features a graphic screen print of a cheetah  while the other is a definite statement, with a full and brightly colored cheetah print!

You can never go wrong with bright colors on the beach.  We love this spacious, golden yellow bag by  Urban Outfitters.  It just screams summer sunshine.

Oversized graphic prints are a fun way to add personality to your beach wear. Anchors and nautical prints are perfect for summer and this simple white bag from Anthropologie features a bold red anchor that we adore.

When it comes to beach bags, size matters.  And, the bigger the better! We really like this extra large black, white, & pink bag from Roxy for it's size and retro style.

And, what better way to admire the beauty of mother earth's beaches and parks than with an eco-friendly beach bag! This one, by ikabags, is made of 100% cotton canvas and is sturdy and durable enough to use as a beach bag, laptop bag, or general tote.

These cruelty free bags, by ShopJessBecause, that are made from fabric remnants and re-purposed burlap/jute coffee sacks. This material is very durable and the bag itself is modern, bold, and big enough for all your essentials. Don't forget to pack your sunblock, otherwise you might end up getting dark roasted yourself.

Make waves!

XOXO,

Jen & Saira

Sex and the City Character Inspiration: Miranda Hobbes

It's almost here!  The second Sex and the City movie comes out this Thursday, so here is our second to last character inspiration -- Miranda Hobbes!  Miranda's style has definitely progressed from her boxy suits and button downs worn in the early seasons. Now, she is a fashionista in her own right, brightening up her work attire with bright colors, varied prints, sexy separates, and of course, her gorgeous red hair. While always the professional at work, her play clothes tend to be more fun, comfortable, and vibrant. Here are some looks that we're sure Miranda would have no objection to:

Miranda always knows how to dress her shape, and this flirty V-neck dress available at Mod Cloth would flatter her curves and help show off her romantic side. We love when Miranda wears jewel tones, because it really sets off her peaches and cream complexion and her bright blue eyes. Plus the soft linen dress is both sexy and casual, just like the fiery red head.

Miranda often sports long, casual dresses to stay cool in the summer heat, which is why we love this maxi dress from Victoria's Secret. It's both comfortable and fashionable, plus green is definitely Miranda's color!

Like her gal pals, Miranda loves accessories, although they tend to be more understated than some of the other ladies' choices. We think this beaded stretch bracelet from Target reflects Miranda's bright color palette, but is simple enough to wear at the office.

Always the working girl, this simple cotton sheath dress is perfect for Miranda, as it  can easily be worn both in and out of the office. She would likely accessorize it with a blazer and the jeweled bracelet, shown above.

The verdict is in -- Miranda looks stunning in jewel tones!  We love this beaded scoop neck top for it's brilliant color that will perfectly contrast her bright red hair, but also for the shape and detailing that make this top professional enough to wear with a suit or high waisted pencil skirt for work and fun enough to transition right on into the evening.

Or, what about a casual top that would be a great addition to Miranda's weekend wardrobe?  Every Manhattan mommy needs a great day at the park outfit, and for Miranda we like this breezy, embellished top available at New York and Company. This great blue and green top has some fun embellishments on the neckline and would look great with some chunky earrings and gold sandals!

And, of course, children have a lot of needs, so you can bet she's stashing a little more than lipgloss and a credit card in her purses. Here we have a large structured bag perfect the professional mom on the go.  It's  chic enough for work, yet large enough to tote around some snacks, baby wipes, and a toy or two.  Plus, the material makes it extra fashionable and appropriate for the season.

Stay tuned for our final Sex and the City post!

XOXO,

Jen & Saira

Laptop Bag Shop

One of the biggest difficulties being a student or woman in the workplace is finding a cute but functional laptop bag. Rather than stick to the boring selection offered at electronic stores, we try to shop for bags that are sturdy and wide enough to contain our precious electronics, but still have an element of style to them. Here are a few selections to show that if the laptop fits, any bag can be a laptop bag!

This leather satchel by Deena & Ozzy, available at Urban Outfitters, is 14 inches across the top, which is a perfect fit for your MacBook Pro. With a foldover flap and internal pockets, you can use the bag to carry your makeup and shoes or your laptop and files. You're sure to be at the top of your class with this tote at your side! 

 

If you have a big laptop, then you need a Diesel bag. This 18 inch wide faux leather bag is sure to fit your laptop, charger, and even a textbook or two. It also has internal and external pockets for additional storage, plus it comes in a few colors!

Or, for something even more sustainable, try this bag from Urban Junket's t.o.t.e. collection.  Why do we love it?  Because, aside from the vibrant colors that we adore and bajillion pockets for our other accessories, Urban Junket's t.o.t.e. bags are ecofriendly!  You can carry your laptop in style and rest easy knowing that 70% of the materials used in these bags are recyclable and $1 from every sale is donated to carbonfree.org!

 

Steve Madden has a sturdy carryall bag available in brown and black. We love the accent zippers, and the bag is just the perfect amount of preppiness, without being too Gossip Girl-esque.

 And, finally, if you're looking for a more traditional laptop bag, Kerri Mack designs a line of unique and fashionable laptop bags for the professional woman. The durable design plus the added flair make this a perfect choice for every working girl.



Thanks for reading!



XOXO,

Jen & Saira

Shoes, shoes, shoes...and matching bags?

Hi All,

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I know it's very old fashioned, but I like nothing more than a matching shoe and bag combo, I think it adds a certain glamour to the plainest outfits. Now I know that I should really be wearing bright pink shoes with an orange dress and a blue bag, but I just can't bring myself to do it. Sadly for fashion I am my mother's daughter and I even match my make up to my outfits. I've tried to be cool and do the whole "thrown together" look but I just can't!

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Before you all dismiss me as a fashion heathen have a look at the images and tell me that matching shoes and bags don't look lovely!?

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I am trying, and you never know, but a little perseverence you might see me with a neon green clutch bag and purple shoes a la colour blocking trend.

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Until then...I think I will stick to matching, it is what my mummy would want to see!

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Amie x

Three's a trend!

Hello again,

My posts are like buses this week: you wait around all week for one and then two come along at once! I'm writing again because a wander around the shops at lunchtime made me have a funny thought that led to the photography of some rather lovely bags. And who am I to deprive you of lovely bags!?

I often raise a smile and wonder which high street shops have the same suppliers, as they all seem to have their stock arrive at the same time. I wonder if they all come off the same ship from China and actually land on the shelves on exactly the same day? This was all I could think about as I saw more and more of the exact same things in nearly every shop! In a future life I will shop every single day to test this theory!

Anyway. This week there has been an influx in all the stores (straight off the boat!) of fringed and studded bags, all affordable and all rather lovely actually.

River Island:

New Look: TopShop:

Despite my self-confessed topshop addiction, I actually think they've photographed worst. The new look ones look great but the faux suede fabric feels a little flimsy so I don't think they'd last long (which might not matter given that this is such a "trend"!) The best for me were the river island ones. It's just a shame they were so tiny I wouldn't even fit a third of my current handbags contents in them!!
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If you see a big leather studded and fringed bag (like the river island ones!) when you're on the highstreet then let me know because i'm definitely on the look out!
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Lots of love,

Tor

Erotic jumpers - when your day is not fashion

Hello, tiny but slowly increasing readership,

Today was just not fashion. I tried, as I always do, to make sure the events that greeted me upon waking were fabulousity at at least 40% capacity. Nope. Friday 14th December 2007 said "nope" and all was, in my boyfriend's delightful slang, gash and gash to the extreme.

Un-fashion events
#1 Stomach bug
#2 Medicating iron deficiency
#3 Fluffy face
#4 Smirked at by blonde highlighted homosexual Topshop worker probably because of the following:

It's okay. I would smirk at my outfit and face too. Working in a fashion emporium elevates you morally and aesthetically, way beyond the reach of most workaday people. I was once full bodied shoved out away from the Lanvin in Dover Street Market. And I was glad, I tell you, glad to be touched by the hands blessed by Rei Kawakubo.

Anyway, I need cheering up and for that I turn to Marks & Spencer and piracy. I was going to feature this item in a post on ethical tote bags, but frankly I don't have the emotional strength to write and then read another sentence on the subject. All I care for is Erin O' Connor's face.

Behold my massive new shopping bag - 100% Organic cotton, supermodel endorsed and as scratchy as couture in Soviet Russia. All for £2.50. You could also grab a bag featuring Twiggy at her 1960s peak. Though since she betrayed this fine nation so extravagantly by appearing on America's Next Top Model, I don't see why you would do that. The camera laahves, yew, Twiggy but to me, you are less then dead. There. I said it.

Another cheering and welcoming fashion moment comes in the guise of this video of the Sonia Rykiel S/S 08 catwalk show. It's all so floaty and the models are smiling and swooping and gaying it up at the end in a most delightful way. It's so nice when you see models being silly and girlish rather than fierce. It may be heresy but I believe fierce is overrated as a lifestyle choice.





This clip also features some genuine comedy gold: Sonia wrote an erotic romance novel about a man, a woman and a sweater. Thank you, Elle.com! I'm praying to all the Gods I know that it's a sincere literary work. In fact --a dildo wrapped in high street cashmere for anyone who finds me that book!

Why, I'd be as happy as a chiffon-coated Rocha!

Your pal,
B.