Fall head over heels for Spring at Bicester Village

Hi guys,
You all know how much I love shopping at Bicester Village. I make sure to have a visit every season, and we've even booked a hotel close to Bicester Village for our wedding anniversary so we can go shopping the next day: yup, talk about obsessed! So I'm always interested to check out their latest offers and deals:

To celebrate the launch of spring at Bicester Village there will be exclusive promotions, accessory prize draws and events throughout March and April. Visitors also have the chance to win a VIP shopping experience with top stylist, Cheryl Konteh, plus £1,000 to spend on a new wardrobe. All you have to do is pick up and fill in an entry card in one of the stores at Bicester.

I'm already looking forward to my Spring visit! Have you been to Bicester Village lately? Have you had any bargains? I'd love to hear all about them!

Love Tor x

*This post and video is sponsored by Bicester Village

SS13 In Primark this week: Spring/Summer Essentials

Hi guys,
I went into Primark last week, and it was genuinely the best Primark visit I have had for a long time. There were tops, frocks, even shoes and sunglasses that jumped off the shelves at me and that I immediately wanted to buy. I didn't: I'm still trying to avoid Primark and focus on buying quality items. But I officially think that Primark have got their trends and key pieces for this Spring/Summer 100% right, when bearing in mind their low product price points.

All of this is in store now/going in store this week: Belted chiffon skater skirt, £6. Gem shoulder stripe T, £6. Scallop neck striped top, £10.
Leopard print vest, £3.50. Flock tassle blouse, £12. Striped knitted vest, £5. Tassle stud blouse, £10.
Navajo denim jacket, £23. Textured skater skirt, £10. Limited edition studded shell top, £20.

The key must-have products from this selection, for me, are the scalloped striped top and the Navajo detailed denim jacket. Both pieces are seriously on-trend and versatile. Picture the striped top with either a midi skirt and heels. Or a varsity jacket and jeans. And the Navajo denim jacket was made to give a casual touch to pretty summer dresses. I also have a soft spot for the tassled blouse.  it would be so flattering on a mum tum, and easy to throw on with jeans and pretty flat sandals or ballet pumps.

Have you had any Primark bargains lately? And have you been in store to check out their new Spring/Summer stock? If you have, I'd love to know what pieces you've picked up. Go on, make me jealous!!

Love Tor x

If you buy one thing this Spring, make it neon!

Hi guys,
One of the emergant trend from this month's spate of Fashion Weeks for A/W13 is neon. We saw it at Henry Holland,  and neon detailing (even for nails and make up) was everywhere.

So this season's neons aren't going anywhere: meaning if you buy seasonless pieces, they're the perfect investment that you can wear now, and still be wearing this time next year.  Think neon jewellery, ballet pumps and lightweight, layerable shirts and tees.
Pink jumper, Gap. Perspex and orange necklace, H&M. Pink lipstick, Dior.  Bracelets, both Topshop.

The best thing is, the current love affair with neon isn't even a new Spring/Summer one. It actually started last year, which means there were, and still are, plenty of fluro neon items to be had in the January and end of season sales. I picked up my neon pink jumper from the Gap sale at the end of January for just £15. And I just ordered a great pair of neon detail sandals from Sarenza to keep me on trend all summer too.

Make up-wise, I think neon is difficult. I certainly wouldn't feel brave enough to wear a neon eyeshadow or (gulp!) neon mascara. But neon lipstick can look great: this neon pink lipstick from Dior has a high gloss shine that makes the colour pop even more, and really draws attention to your lips.

Admittedly, it isn't a trend for the fainthearted. But the benefits of wearing neon are multiple! It instantly makes you look tanned (I don't know how, but it does!), appear on trend with very little effort, and a little bit goes a long way: even a neon cuff is enough.

What do you think of the neon trend? Would you wear neon, or is it just a little bold for you?

Love Tor x

Eggcellent Easter Style

You don't have to be Christian to enjoy some of the springtime traditions typically associated with Easter. Coloring eggs, for example, is a creative and fun activity that everyone can participate it, regardless of if you celebrate Easter or not.  When we were kids we admit many of our eggs came out an icky kind of brownish color that was the result of failed attempts to use that silly little wire holder that was really good for nothing. Now that we're adults our standards have been raised quite a bit.  Writing our names in wax crayon may have impressed us at one time, but we're in the big leagues now.  Here are some really pretty designs to try out when decorating your eggs this week and be sure to check out the Martha Stewart page for even more great Easter style ideas:

1. Curious and Company | 2. & 3. Martha Stewart | 4. DIY Home Decoration |

  5. Suite 707 | 6. At Home | 7. It's a Jaime Thing | 8. Free Extras |

XOXO

Jen & Saira

Color Day: Salmon, Chartreuse, and Baby Blue

Inspired by a photo found on Pinterest, we decided to pull these shades together for an inspiration board that is modern, youthful, and fun.  Chartreuse adds a unexpected burst of energy to the otherwise muted and romantic salmon and blue.  This is a combo that's prefect for an outdoorsy, whimsical spring or summer wedding or for some preppy meets shabby chic home decor.

Salmon, Chartreuse, and Baby Blue Inspiration Board

1. Barn Yard Chic | 2. Wedding Bee | 3. Flower & Flour | 4. Flowers from the Garden | 

5. Lemon Square Designs | 6. Mod Dot Textiles | 7. Ready Go | 8. Blue Dove Studio |

9.  Chartreuse Love | 10. Enchanted Dream Weddings | 11. Brideorama | 12. Invitation Crush |

XOXO

Jen  & Saira

Daily Wear: Missy Matchy!

Hi guys,
It wasn't until I glanced at my very orange finger nails that I realised quite how matchy-matchy this outfit is! My boots match my bag. My dress matches my scarf and nails (and to a certain extent my bronzer) Only my blazer doesn't have a matching partner!

The dress is seasons old from Topshop. The boots and jacket are also from Topshop (more matching alert!) The scarf is from H&M, and the bag - well, you've seen that in every picture from the past couple of weeks! It's Betty Jackson Black at Debenhams. My hair is still a mess, but there is light at the end of the tunnel: i'm having a cut and colour on Saturday!

It feels really miserable to have to wear a scarf and boots again. I'd just relegated my knitwear to the back of my wardrobe, and dug out all my sandals and sundresses. I know the warm weather came early, but I embraced it! Now we're in a seasonal no-mans land, and I have no idea what to wear! I seem to keep opting for layers (for warmth) and colour to show that it's spring! How are you coping with the changable weather? Any tips to share on how to stay warm without resorting to your winter coat?

Love, Tor xx

Daily Wear: Florals for spring (obviously!)

Hi guys,
I know it's a big fat cliche, but when the sun starts shining and the birds start singing, I have a compulsion to start wearing florals. Florals= the start of spring, as far as i'm concerned. I'm still wearing closed shoes (despite what all the girls wandering down Oxford street in sandals think, it's just not that warm yet!) but i've switched to the footless tights, and it feels amazing to feel the breeze around my feet:

I was stupidly excited on leaving the house to realise that I could put my sunglasses on before 9 oclock in the morning (they're Spitfire ones from River Island) I love wearing sunglasses, and have far too many of them, so it's great to be able to dust the collection off and bring them out.

It's only when I started writing this that I realised just how much Primark i'm wearing today! My dress, shoes, and belt are all from Primark (but not all this season). My jacket is Topshop, the bag is from Joy, the necklace is from Urban Outfitters, and the brooches are both vintage. Here's a close up of the brooches, because they're too ridiculously cute for words:

The little bird was a gift from my mum, and is the twin of the one that sits on the handle of my brooch bouquet. Mike got me the owl from the John Lewis vintage jewellery counter: I find it horribly expensive, but he was just too cute to miss out on! I've attached them so it looked like the owl was catching the tiny little bird: small things amuse small minds, apparently!

Love, Tor xx

Spring Fever

Dolls, rejoice! It's officially spring, so let's celebrate the season with some lovely floral looks available this year.  While floral prints usually exude all that is soft and feminine, it's easy to make these pieces more hip and edgy, or glamorous and stylish.  It's all about the attitude and accessories.  Here are some ideas:

A soft floral printed dress, like this belted dress from Forever 21, can be worn with a light colored cardigan, flats, and soft curls for a very sweet ensemble. But add some stockings, military boots, and eye liner, and all of a sudden you're Little Miss Grunge-Shine, à la Angela Chase.

Who said florals are for kids? Throw on this gorgeous sparkle necklace from  J. Crew, and you'll dazzle even Edward Cullen.  It would look great with a crisp white blouse and pencil skirt for some major style at work, or with your trusty LBD to make a major statement out on the town.

 We consider this dress to be our Dream Dress, as both of us separately fell in love with it on Mod Cloth and are still dreaming of excuses to purchase it.  The soft floral print, lovely pastel colors, and perfect vintage style fit is exactly what we dream of in a springtime dress.  The only downside is the price, but if you have an event in mind to wear this too, then there should be no stopping you.

The wonderful thing about Target is that they tend to have the cutest shoes and accessories, even if for only a limited time. These floral flats by Xhiliration are one of the cutest shoes we've seen at Target for a while, so make haste and grab yourself a pair before they're out of stock.  Saira's already invested in a pair, and for $19.99, so should you.

This floral skirt from Top Shop is so Kelly Kapowski, and we love it. While we don't suggest wearing this with a giant scrunchie, rolled down socks, and keds, we do think this would look great with nude colored peeptoes and a racer back tank, with maybe a long necklace to complete the ensemble.

Crossover bags are very in right now, and we can see why.  They're a nice change of pace from our oversized bags that can be used as a miniature weapon, resulting in an accessory that has both form and function.  If you plan on traveling this spring, or just don't want to feel weighed down, then go for this tapestry crossbody bag by Ecote.  It's just the right size to fit your cell phone, camera, lip gloss, and a pack of tissues (if you have nerdy allergies), and has a rustic tapestry print that is perfect for the spring.

A floral, flowing mini is pretty much our go to outfit for warm weather.  Just wear a plain tee or tank, and you're ready to go.  Delia's has a few nice choices, just remember to go for a size up because we're no longer 16!  Forever 21 is also a great place to look, as they have a number of different prints and colors available, the majority of them for less than $20 a pop!

Just because you're stuck indoors all day doesn't mean you don't appreciate seasons!  For your work wardrobe, incorporate florals with a simple patterned cardigan.  This would look lovely with a pencil or full 50's style skirt and is seasonal but subdued, perfect for a stodgy office. 





Spring is in bloom!



XOXO,



Jen & Saira

Primark picks of the week: Spring is here!

Hi guys,
I had a quick wander along Oxford street on Monday night, and just couldn't resist taking some snaps of the new Primark window displays: Primark has such fast turnaround of stuff that they never get anything in early. What they have in stock they expect to sell. That means that if they have got their spring stock in, it is officially spring!



Things I want from the pictures above:
-The brown and navy maxi dress in picture 1.
-The black and tan midi dress (which looks like separates) in picture 1.
-The tan tassled bag in picture 2.
-The floral dress, the yellow blouse, and the cream and tan brogues in picture 3.

Mostly, I have fallen back in love with Primark again. I'm still avoiding shopping there, because I still want to invest in better quality longer lasting pieces. But I am finding there is more and more I want to buy from Primark, which hasn't happened for a long time. For the past two seasons I think they really went off the boil: the trends weren't quite right, the fit was appalling, the quality looked as horrible as it was. But now: well now, I want to shop in Primark again, and I have to fight the urge. This season's ladylike and seventies trends are being catered for perfectly. And there are at least 13 tees I really want to pick up for my summer holidays too!

Love Tor xx

Happy Pi Day

Happy Pi Day, dolls! We've decided to get a little irrational this week and show some some geek chic items for you featuring the symbol or numbers of Pi.  We're no mathletes or even math enthusiasts, but, we do appreciate stylish things and there's no denying that there is a bit of charm and style in geeky fashion and decor.

 Celebrate Pi Day with a few drinks, just don't forget to protect your table with stylish, uber nerdy coasters like these!

Say "I Do" while showing your love for math with thesefun cufflinks!

Pretty sure we've shown you this one before, but we can't help but love it.  This copper cuff bracelet helps assure us that Math can be cool.

Simple and yet fascinating, this decorative glass bowl features the numbers of Pi to 1,498 decimal points. And, from now until the end of April a part of the proceeds will go towards relief efforts in Japan.

Your engineer, scientist, or number loving significant other will enjoy cracking open a cold one with this Pi bottle opener.  These babies sold out fast so they are now taking pre-orders.

Take Math class by storm with these colorful Pi pencils.  They are to 96 decimals or as long as your pencil is.

And, if you have pencils, you'll certainly need a stylish case to store them in. This hand embroidered pouch would be great for your pens, pencils, makeup and more!

Perfect your measurements while you shower with this modern, partially see through, shower curtain featuring the symbol of Pi.

We love jewelry and accessories and find the geeky but stylish pieces are hard to come by. But, when we saw these fun little disc earrings that are stamped with the Pi symbol we knew the search was over! 

These vegan homemade soaps are cute, colorful, and come in fresh and fruity scents. Just remember, this is Pi, not pie, and even though they smell good enough to eat we wouldn't recommend it.



XOXO

Jen & Saira

Wedding Themes: Green Thumb Love

It's feeling a lot like spring, so let's celebrate the warm(er) weather with inspiration from a favorite spring activity: gardening. Gardening wedding themes can be quirky and stylish, perfect for the eco-chic couple who loves the great outdoors. Plus, gardens come in all types and styles from veggie to rose to wildflower and beyond so you can really use any color scheme you want, and mix and match your plants and flowers to create a very romantic escape.

Show your love of all things green with simple floral invitations. You can create a theme, with your save the date, invite, and thank you cards all portraying a different type of flower, creating an informal but very pretty look.

As a favor / place setting, use tiny potted plants. We think potted bamboo would be a great choice, but you can opt for something more leafy, or floral. This is a lovely way to add some color to your table settings, and give something nice for your guests to walk away with.

Instead of flowers, how about planted grass as a table setting? You can adorn it with smaller flowers, or keep it green and simple.  This is an especially attractive choice if you and your guy aren't into florals, and it has a clean and modern edge to it.

 Have a fragrant walk down the aisle holding a herbal wedding bouquet. We're partial to lavender, but thyme and oregano make equally fragrant and flattering additions to your wedding bouquet. The more green, the better!

Wearing a boutonniere is not every guy's dream, so make it subtle, like this mint boutonniere. Not only does it look chic, but he can chew on this to freshen his breath before the big kiss!

Make your  cake look like something our of a fairy tale with little birdies hanging on delicate branches. We especially like the "tree stump" serving platter, which really brings the look together.

Look like a faerie princess walking down the aisle with delicate flowers adorning your hair in lieu of a veil. This look is especially great with with soft curls or a loose updo, and is perfect for a laidback, carefree bride with a fun sense of style.



XOXO,

Jen & Saira

What's in the window: Spring is coming!!

Hi guys,
I cannot tell you how much I am longing for Spring. I think that because the cold spell came so early this year it feels long overdue: I keep forgetting that it's only January and wanting to slip my sandals on! And apparently i'm not the only one. The boring 'Sale Now On' signs are coming down (although Topshop are hanging on in, with new 'More lines added' signs in their windows). In there place are exactly what i've been waiting for: flowers, colours, plenty of white, signs that Spring will soon be here!

And to prove it, here's what's in the shop windows this week:

Stella McCartney

I walked past this window three times, admiring the flower heads, before I noticed the beautiful dresses below. How did I miss them? The screen print patterns are breath taking. And matching bags too!

Miu Miu

I love lazer cut outs, so these dresses immediately got my attention. I also loved the contrast between the nude and the neon on the shoes: if I had the money they'd be the perfect addition to my growing shoe collection!

Kenzo

This window immediately makes me think of my mum on a resort holiday. On how I long to wear crisp white shirts and not have to worry about throwing on my coat. Come on Spring: hurry up!!

Love, Tor xxx

Tips for the Bride: Gifts for Bridesmaids

Every bride knows that a good bridesmaid goes a long way, and a great bridesmaid is irreplaceable. Traditionally, the bride and groom give their supporting cast a little gift as a thank you for all their love, support, and hard work. How small or big the gift is depends on your personal tastes, and of course, your budget. Here are some ideas to show your supporting ladies that you appreciate their hard work in helping you plan your wedding:

Girls are to bags like bees are to honey, so giving your bridesmaids a cute clutch will surely make you the "best bride ever". Etsy seller granspasragsnbags sells a number of handmade clutches in a variety of patterns and prints, so you can definitely find some clutches  that reflect your bridesmaids' style. Plus you can fill it with goodies (think lip gloss, nail polish, jewelry, whatever fits!) to give it an extra special touch.

But if your bridesmaids prefer function over form, then try out these eco friendly tote bags by Etsy selller shopjessbecause. They come in a number of different styles and are all handmade with recycled materials. You can also fill these bags up with some large scale extras as well, such as photo albums, flip flops, picnic blankets, etc. 

A really cute gift is a set of blank notebooks, like these pocket sized journals from Elum Designs. You can select a pattern that reflects your wedding theme and colors, and write a page containing a personalized note to each bridesmaid, thanking them for their contribution.

 

If your girlfriends have a thing for baking, then a cute printed apron and heart shaped baking pan would make for the sweetest gift. Anthropologie has an eclectic variety of colorful, printed aprons that is sure to channel the inner Julia Child of any bridesmaid. 

Show your bridesmaids that they are close to your heart with this detailed heart pendant from Etsy seller wiyomu. The necklace is adorned with several charms and comes in a ribboned gift box, ready for giving. The best part is that it can be specially ordered for bridal parties, so you can get a few necklaces and receive a little bit of discount! 

For the wine lovers in the group, we love these personalized wine charms by AddieRoseJewelry.  These wine charms are made of sterling silver and are hand stamped to give them a unique and one of a kind look.  Stamp them with their names, or get creative and have them stamped with something your girl loves, like authors, artists, TV Shows, famous couples, Star Wars characters... whatever floats your boat!

Every bridesmaid deserves a little pampering after all the work they've put into making your wedding day special!  Invite them to indulge a little and take some much needed time to relax. If you are not concerned about sticking to a budget, we can bet your girls will be forever grateful for a gift certificate to a spa or salon!  But, if money is an issue, we suggest treating them to some good-enough-to-eat bath/body essentials like these, available at Sephora. 

And, finally, one of our favorite options for a unique bridesmaids gift is this modern hammered silver cuff bracelet by fellow NJ resident tfakler! On the outside, this bracelet looks edgy and modern, but on the inside you can feel free to get all lovey dovey and express your gratitude with a personalized message.  Your maids will get a lot of use out of this stylish piece and always be reminded of how much you appreciate them!

Love thy bridesmaid.

XOXO,

Jen & Saira

April Showers bring MAY FLOWERS!

We haven't said it yet, so Happy May! We've already started posting some great flowers for spring, so here are some more of our favorites!  Another flower that is particularly seasonal to the spring is the peony.  This flower is large, full, and romantic and has layers of soft petals that make it look particularly lush and voluminous.  Peonies are gorgeous but expensive flowers, so if you live in our area we recommend them only for spring and very early summer... unless you want to pay an arm and a leg for them by having them shipped from who knows where.

This peony bouquet is absolutely charming! Romantic pink and peach peonies are paired together for a super feminine, vintage kind of look. We love how loose it looks, but at the same time how full and dreamy!  And it all comes together with a soft, feminine white ribbon!

 This simple, pink peony centerpiece would be perfect for any springtime event. And, we love how easy this look is to pull off! Just find a vintage vase at a local flea market and stick in a few blooms and you're ready to go -- these flowers are so full that it just takes a couple to really make an impact.

For reasons we cannot fathom, not everyone chooses to incorporate shades of pink in their lives. For these people, there is the romantic white peony bouquet. The clean, bright whites, fabulous texture, and soft contrast of the yellow center makes these the perfect choice for a little bit of a more subdued romance.

Again going for the vintage kind of look we love this antique-y vase and the very pale pink blossoms. They are subtle enough to satisfy any pink loving girl, but classy and muted enough to serve as a gorgeous decoration for any vintage inspired event without being overwhelming.

Is is possible for a bouquet to be too full? NEVER! We absolutely love how lucious this yellow bouquet of peonies is and wish we could just reach out and touch it. There is nothing more picturesque than a full, soft, texurized bouquet and this one certainly has it all. Plus the pale yellow makes it look good enough to eat!

And, for a more modern look, we love these pink and white peonies with the contrast of the chartreuse ribbon!  The ribbon plays up the yellow tones in the white peonies while adding a beautiful contrast to the pink ones. The simplicity of having just one type of flower, plus the casually tied bow, makes this bouquet both casual and elegant.

And, of course, the modern centerpiece. There's nothing sweeter than combining fresh fruits with gorgeous blooms and we think this is a great example of how the two can be paired harmoniously. The use of the white linens and the limes sharply contrasting with the fucshia and pink create a look that it crisp and fresh.

XOXO

Jen & Saira