First post of 2013

I realise it's been a while since my last post, time ran away with me again and at the expense of sounding like everyone else (and slightly older then my years) it's shocking that we're now in 2013.  

Lately I've been trying to catch up with the digital world, I registered with Pinterest and Tubberfly Vintage now has an online shop on Etsy.com (www.etsy.com/shop/TubberflyVintage)  which is quickly becoming my favourite website.  In light of some major British stores going into administration recently I thought I should keep up with my web presence.  

Since browsing the net for inspiration whether it be for 'pin it' on Pinterest or just casual time wasting I came across some amazing 'things', for want of a better word, I could not categorise my finds so 'things' it shall be.  

The problem with browsing on Etsy is that you could end up buying a different phone cover for each day of the week but I absolutely love this one - pretty, colourful and vintage

This is the tiniest oxidised silver heart necklace - I really love how delicate and mechanical it looks.

Alice in Wonderland themed print - this a popular printing process where a digital graphic in printed on an old book page - juxtaposition at it's best. 

I came across this photo and loved the dewy treatment that makes it look like you're in a dream, I also like the way you can't tell what season it is.  

I just love this cause I love cake - simples!

I'd love to see your Pinterest boards or just your lookbooks of 'things'. 

I won't leave it so long for the next post 
xoxo













  

Highlights of the summer!

It's been an unpredictable summer this year mainly because of the cyclical weather which has had us Brits wondering what to wear most days (tough life isn't it).  With most of the nation swept up by the London 2012 Olympics thankfully people have had better things to talk about than how rubbish the weather has been.  

It's been a busy couple of months for me and so I thought I'd show you the highlights of my summer so far, please bare in mind that my highlights are full of random things I've done, seen and appreciated which for me have been pretty exciting (even if it is the odd homage to celebrity style).  

It's not often I've watched a film which has made me laugh out loud (since watching Bridesmaids actually) but Ted was hilarious.  A must watch for anyone with a stupid and shallow sense of humour.  

I am currently training for a half marathon and could not recommend Mizuno trainers more.  I bought the Wave Rider 15 (shown below) as I was experiencing runners knee and could not recommend them more.  I am running regularly now and the trainers not only look funky they have great cushioning and are ridiculously comfortable.

I've visited the big smoke several times this summer and most recently had a reunion with some friends a month ago.  London is in my top 5 favourite cities in the world (I have many more to explore of course) but I love the buzz, the choice and style of city.  This is a lovely photo taken and stylised by my BFF!!

Okay so fashion had to feature somewhere here and where better to start then with my favourite Dawson's Creek co-star - Joshua Jackson, he looks amazing here with Diane Kruger.  I am not a fan of his and her outfits but here their attire is simple and stylish. 

I have lived close to Birmingham for most of my life and only recently discovered the IKON gallery in the city centre (yes I want to kick myself).  The gallery is set in a beautiful neo- gothic building and showcases different media including photographs, paintings and film, not to mention its awesome bookshop and amazing cafe - will definitely be visiting again.  

I also visited Edinburgh's Fringe Festival last weekend for the first time and was absolutely amazed by how a beautiful, picturesque city can be even more buzzing during this festival.  The city was alive with creativity and thousands of performances to choose from - it's definitely in the calendar as an annual event now.  

xoxo

Best of British

I know most of the UK readers will be enjoying their short working week after the long Jubilee weekend despite the gloomy weather.  I am grateful to chill out a little this evening after a busy weekend in London where I am proud to say I saw a glimpse of the Queen and the Duchess of Cambridge aboard the Diamond Jubilee barge.  


In keeping with patriotism I thought it would be fitting to celebrate all things British by giving you my 'Best of British' list especially when over the past decade or so we've seen some great British brands disappear (I still miss Woolworths).  


I know I've mentioned before that one of my favourite stores is All Saints and although I agree with many people that the store is overpriced and their clothes do tend to be on the dark side (in a literal sense) I cannot fault the quality, they wash well and keep their shape and always look timeless.  

People who know me will tell you how obsessed I am with painted nails, I cannot bare to have bare nails so I tend to paint my nails twice a week which also includes a colour change.  I have probably tried and tested over 30 different brands of nail polish from Chanel to Sally Hansen and can honestly say that my favourite brand has to be Barry M.  It's very affordable retailing at just £2.99 and it's a dream to apply, I would highly recommend their 2 in 1 base and top coat as it gives an ultra shiny professional finish.  

Gorgeous selection of shades

I had to include food in my 'best of british' list for obvious reasons really; I love food and I especially love sweet food which is why it would be rude not to include Jaffa Cakes on this list.  I appreciate that there are some amazing British foods out there but for me Jaffa Cakes are pretty special as there's nothing quite like them - is it a cake or is it a biscuit??? (the debate continues).  

Would love to know about your country's best brands and whether there are British brands that you can't live without.  


xoxo

New Beauty Buys

I realise that it's been a while since my last post and time has flown by so quickly once again.  I'm currently on vacation across the pond and aside from reality TV overload, great weather and the odd biblical thunderstorm I am thoroughly enjoying taking time out.  


I have made some great beauty discoveries recently, some of which I am yet to try and others which are tried and tested recommendations, take a look below:

Too Faced Peach Leopard Bronzer £22
I bought this about a year ago and until recently I hadn't used it, it's one of my highly recommended products whilst on holiday, it's natural, light and the perfect substitute for blusher in warmer climes.  

Sally Hanson Nail Wraps $10 from Walgreens Unfortunately these aren't availably in the UK yet and I haven't tried them but most blogs say they're long lasting, easy to apply and come off easily with nail polish remover. 

This is the pattern I went for - I love how each nail is different, shall keep you posted on how these worked out. 

17 Magnetic Nail Polish £5.99 from Boots
Keeping with the nail theme I had to include magnetic nail polish because even after you get over the initial novelty factor of the magnetic effect you can't help staring at your nails for days afterwards.  The colours are all metallic for obvious reasons but I particularly liked the blue in this collection.

Kiehl's Superbly Restorative Argan Dry Oil, £26.50 125ml.
 I have been a fan of Kiehl's for years now, it seems to be the only thing that's delicate enough to suit my skin whilst doing exactly what it says on the bottle.  This product is multipurpose and can be used on skin and hair - the oil isn't too heavy and 1 bottle should last about 6 months.

I'd love to hear about your beauty essentials and won't leave it so long til my next post.  


xoxo

It's March already!!

I know it's been a while since my last post but time seems to be flying by too quickly and i'm in disbelief that it's the 1st of March already.  I've past a couple of milestones recently, one of them being that I have now been self employed for over a year, this also means that my blog is also a year old too (woohoo).  Having successfully accomplished a year being my own boss I think one of the biggest lessons I've learnt is to always thrive to do better and to set goals which you feel maybe unrealistic, it's the best way to fuel ambition and has surprising results.  


I'm currently reading (and I use the term 'reading' loosely as it's more like a journal of captions) 'Whatever you think, think the opposite' by Paul Arden.  Arden used to be the Creative Director at Saatchi and Saatchi and writes about advertising and motivation, yes it's totally down my street, and one of the reasons I love reading his books is because you always learn something new and end up challenging yourself in one way or another.  Most of the content is based on factual findings and is by no means patronising or cheesy as most 'self help' books tend to be.

Highly recommended read for anyone looking for inspiration

Keeping on the theme of challenging oneself, I have recently signed up for an 8 mile fun run in June.  Admittedly I didn't commit myself to a half marathon as initially planned but 8 miles seems challenging enough at the moment.  It's something I've been thinking about doing for a while and although I would describe myself as relatively fit I am really enjoying focussing my training for this goal, no doubt I shall keep you all updated with how my training is coming along.  If you've undertaken any challenged recently I'd love to hear about them.


On a more lighter note I wanted to mention how disappointed I have been on recent shopping trips, although I am yet again appreciating the pastel and block colours for spring/summer, I haven't found much inspiration.  I do, however, have a few key pieces for this spring  which I have been eyeing up though, take a look:

All Saints Hardy Leather Jacket £350 - Having just recently got into wearing leather jackets I found this gem of a jacket and loved how rugged and fitted it was, the colour is spot on for Spring too although it is a little pricey.  

 

Topshop Ditsy Print crop Vest £26 - I love the colour blocking and floral mix on this vest, it's feminine and perfect to welcome sunnier weather. 

Jack Wills Hollingworth Chino's £69 - Although these are quite pricey it's hard to find chino's with a vibrant yet versatile colour which can be paired with most things whether it be a shirt, vest or printed tee.  I'm also loving the preppy-ness of this look.

Kurt Geiger Laura £150 - For someone who only wears converse for travelling and is little sceptical of pulling off plimsoles,  I love how smart and casual these shoes are, they're comfortable yet stylish and the perfect colour to go with most things. 

xoxo

My 2011 Sale Bargains!!

The post Christmas sales are still going strong and although I didn't purchase much, it would have been rude not to dabble in some sale action.  A common problem with sale shopping is that your judgement, more often then not, gets clouded by the price and you end up buying things you wouldn't ordinarily purchase even if price wasn't a factor.  This year I was strict and only bought things I really wanted (aside from the obligatory half price christmas cards from Paperchase, John Lewis and M&S).  


Take a look at my favourite sale bargains below (I was going to take my own pictures but I'm feeling rather lazy and that will form part of my new years resolution).  


Marc Jacobs Bianca Hayley 


This is my second Marc Jacobs bag and one of the reasons I love these bags are because they are extremely hard wearing, have the softest leather and come in a variety of colours which seem to go with everything (I steer away from black at all times).  I was looking for a practical, good sized leather day bag which I could wear on my shoulders, would look good and have plenty of room for the essentials and more - I absolutely love the berry shade too.


Take a closer look:

Zara Brogue Stretch Boots


If like me you're particular about boots and have a nightmare finding ones which fit, look good and are comfortable it's like hitting the jackpot when you find a perfect pair.  I have never bought shoes from Zara but it is a store which I visit regularly and can always count on for clean European tailoring, tasteful prints, comfy knitwear and great fitting dresses.  Fortunately during the sales my local store had all the shoes in one area (normally they are scattered around the store under shelves and racks of clothing).  I was looking for  flat tan coloured, smart riding boots which would fit well and could be worn with either jeans or dresses.  


These boots were perfect and the brogue design gives them a feminine vintage feel, they have elasticated sides rather then a zip fastening so they fit well without creases, the leather is not as soft as boots I have purchased from Bertie or Carvela but they feel sturdy and hard wearing and are a fraction of the cost too. 

Warehouse Oriental Jade Necklace


Right so this would be my impulse buy just cause I love Warehouse jewellery and I do also think it is far too overpriced.  This necklace contains jade beading and having visited the jade market in Hong Kong I realise how valuable and spiritual the stone is but it's not a colour I would wear often which is why this necklace is perfect.  The jade beading is used with black faux crystals and delicate gold clasps, the necklace is also long enough to wear over dresses, shirts and tops.  Although the pictures don't show this, the necklace is sparkly when it catches the light so is perfect for the evening as well as the day.

Look forward to hearing about your sale bargains.  


As it is New Years Eve today I would like to thank all of you for reading my blog, although I haven't been able to post as regularly as I would like I do love writing my posts and look forward to a fun filled 2012 - it's going to be a great year.


xoxo

Don't you just love festive shopping!!!

I cannot believe that there's only 3 Saturdays left til Christmas - seems like only yesterday I was celebrating the new year.  My Christmas spirit has also peaked early this year, this weekend was a festive one, I saw Birmingham's Royal Ballet performance of The Nutcracker, put up the Christmas tree, made mince pies and made my second visit to Birmingham's huge German market (just to make sure the Belgian waffles really did taste as good as the week before).  


I'm not a big fan of shopping at this time of the year, apart from the excessive traffic surrounding city centres and manic shoppers it breaks my heart to think that anything purchased now will be on sale with up to 50% off on the 26th December, I know it's a depressing thought but it's true.  I have to say most of my Christmas shopping has been done online this year, it's convenient, hassle-free and often much cheaper now that retailers are providing free delivery and numerous discount codes.  


Online shopping is becoming more and more popular especially during the festive season and while I'm a fan of discounts and convenience I don't think retail therapy can be achieved online as often people shop for inspiration and the tangible things which contribute to the shopper experience.  I've found some great examples of these below.

Chanel's Karl Lagerfield window dressing 

Fortnum & Mason's Alice in Wonderland window theme which continues in-store

Oasis, Regent Street (London) elegant monochrome theatrical window dressing debuting a new collection

Toys R Us, New York a giant piano made famous by the film 'Big' - I have always wanted to have a go on this.

Hamley's, the world's most famous toy store - stairs/escalators framed by a giant red bus

Having just come back from late night shopping, I've concluded that whilst festive shopping can be stressful sometimes it's nice to chill out, relax and enjoy the bright lights and sparkles, it definitely helps when retailers like John Lewis provide mince pies and wine while you shop too.  


Let the festive month begin ... 


xoxo

Top picks for Autumn/Winter

As the nights are drawing in and the weather here in the UK has finally made it's mind up and decided to be cold I thought it would be fitting to do another 'Top Picks' post focusing on my essentials for Autumn/Winter.


I'd also like to add that I have seen a lot of top picks recently and don't agree that all the products have to be overpriced exclusives from high-end stores, it's all about whatever works for you.  Having had my fair share of disappointing purchases over the years my 'top picks' focus on tried and tested products and styles.  

This is amazing for clump - free thickness and can be built up for ultra glam eyes or used as an everyday mascara.  Lovely fool-proof wand which gives an even application.  Perfect handbag essential.
Available from Boots £16.50  

If like me you have very sensitive oily/combination skin then this is great and works well as a make-up primer too.  Made of natural ingredients which is super kind to the skin it feels silky and dries instantly.
Available from Boots £7.99

If like me you wear layers during the colder months then a chunky knitted snood can instantly add warmth and texture to any outfit.  This chunky snood from French Connection is the perfect colour and can be worn over or under a jacket or coat

French Connection £18.00

I'm currently trying to grow my hair and there's nothing worse then for it to be exposed to rain, central heating and cold weather.  Aussie's 3 minute miracle works wonders in conditioning hair and leaving it soft and shiny.  I'm a huge fan of quick fixes. 
Available from Boots £4.69 

I bought these boots a couple years back and am pleased that Kurt Geiger's bought them back.  They're rugged, stylish and incredibly warm as they're lined with sheepskin.  They were perfect for the heavy snowfalls and a great alternative to Uggs (not practical in the snow at all) and Hunters (they're much more warmer).
Sadler from Kurt Geiger £190

I was bought this as a present from the new Rituals store that opened in Solihull (West Midlands), having never tried anything from the store I was pleasantly surprised.  The smell is incredible and lingers for days, the cream absorbs well and keeps the skin moisturised all day.  Perfect indulgence for colder months.
From Rituals and available online £13.50

  

I love this perfume, I bought when it first came out and think it's one of those rare smells which is suited for both Summer and Winter.  It's fruity, sweet and musky all at the same time.

Juice Couture by Juicy Couture £35.00 100ml

I know last time I posted my top picks I had a lot of comments from readers on their tried and tested favourites, would love to hear about them.   


Happy Reading xoxo    

We're going through changes.

After enjoying the last few days of a belated Indian summer here in the UK, the reality of shorter days and longer nights has hit me and I'm ready to adjust to a lack of melatonin, premature Christmas marketing and Autumn fashion.  I know this probably sounds like a dreary start to a blog post but on a more positive note I'm grateful that here in UK we have 4 seasons and that on 4 occasions during the year we adjust and adapt without really thinking about it, a kind of organic adjustment we've learnt over time.  


Change isn't for everyone though and I think quite a few people would opt against it if they had the choice.  I've come to realise this more as I've recently started working for world-famous chocolate brand Cadbury who, as most of you will be aware, got bought out by Kraft Foods over a year ago.  I'm fortunate to be surrounded by incredible heritage dating back to 1824 of one of the most revolutionary businesses built on Quaker roots (a Christian movement devoted to peaceful principles).  Having been bought out by Kraft Foods it's quite straightforward to appreciate the advantage from a business point of view but, of course, there's a deeper fundamental issue of 2 companies built from different viewpoints, cultures, morals and objectives combining their skills and working together.  


Apart from the obvious perks of being surrounded by chocolate all day (which eventually puts you off eating it by the way) I'm really enjoying being involved in the transition of one of my favourite brands and once again working with some bright and ambitious people.  


Brands are built on ideas, thoughts and beliefs and it's interesting how many have maintained these over the years, take a look at some famous brand evolution below:

Starting off as a mail order boutique famed for selling celebrity style dresses in the 1960's 

Maintaining the brands art deco logo Biba was revived when House of Fraser successfully bought the company which is now regarded as high end boutique

A subsidiary of Mars, Opal Fruits first came onto the market in 1959, the brand name was phased out due to the sweets being introduced in the U.S. as Starburst and the former name slowly being phased out over time.  Personally I don't think they ever tasted the same after the name change.  

Trained as a tailor in Germany, Levi Strauss started off selling tents to minors and then moved onto making hard-wearing workwear which had copper rivets to strengthen stress points on work trousers.  

Levi's are still known for their hard-wearing jeans but the brand has evolved from workwear to the denim of choice for young fashionistas and also has a large vintage following

Founded in 1858, Rowland Hussy Macy opened his first store specialising in dry goods and on his first day his sales reached $280, from then on Macy's enjoyed steady success.

Today Macy's is the world's largest department store and has held an annual Macy's Thanksgiving Parade in NYC since 1924 adding to it's contribution of American heritage.  An interesting fact about the logo is that the store's logo has always had a star in it which comes from a tattoo that Rowland Macy had as a teenager.

Even though I think change makes people ambitious and visionary I am a true believer that you need to maintain the same beliefs you had initially for a brand, business or idea to grow, evolve and be increasingly successful.  


I'll leave you with a great quote I found:


"We did not change as we grew older; we just became more clearly ourselves."








XOXO