Bowler Hats and Bikes

Well Hello there Ladies!

Thanks for the lovely comments on last weeks post, we are remaining positive and trying to keep our heads up and trundling on.

I haven't been wearing solely pj's and eating nutella (although a fair bit of comfort eating has been happening). 

I decided that i need to put on my happy clothes to cheer one's self up. As we all know that if you feel like you look half decent then its certainly a step in the right direction of feeling ok!

 Please excuse my teeny tiny eyes. With large amounts of stress (and tears) i had managed to give myself some kinda burst blood vessel on my eye!! red bloodshot eyes are soooo not attractive. So i gave my peepers a rest from make up to aid recovery.

 Dress: A Beautiful Mess (from their last collection)

Cardi: F&F (spring '12)

Shoes: Hush Puppies via Very (last year)

Bowler Hat: New Look (old)

Blouse: Peacocks (last winter)

Hubby's beast of a bike out of its 6 year hibernation.

Its amazing when you cant shop what you find amongst what you already have.  This outfit is entirely made up from things i have had for a long while. I always feel a certain sense of accomplishment when i pull something together like this. It reminds me that i do not have to constantly shop (as much as i love to as a hobby, haha!) it reminds me that i have A LOT of really cool stuff. It reminds me i am lucky :-)

Do you get a kick out of remixing old stuff like me? Or are you a newbie favourer?

We Are Family...

Hi folks
I am currently in the middle of one of the worst weeks....ever.
Running a business in a recession is the hardest thing i have ever had to do. This all might sound a bit random -sorry.

In these tough times its family that keep you going...

Colourful bunch arent we 

"cccccoooooooooowwwwwwwwws, mooooooooooo"

We are family :)

All i feel like doing right now is wrapping myself in my duvet and hiding from the world. I dont feel like wearing pretty dresses and nice shoes. I want to wear pj's and eat Nutella out of the jar.
The next few weeks may be very hard.
I'm going to try and continue getting up and at least getting dressed each day.
And if you dont see me within a week....send for help, the tracksuit brigade may have gotten me;)

Take care lovelies and really hope to be back with positive news and happy dresses soon.
xxx
Ps send good thoughts for my little business wont you... the more the better. Some good thoughts right now, could go a long way.

PPS these photos were taken about 3 weeks ago when we didn't have torrential rain and i was still relatively sane :-/

Three Easy to Wear Autumn Fashion Trends with John Lewis

Greetings Ladies, 

Autumn is upon us, wouldn't you agree! It's fantastic. Shall we take a look at some autumnal trends? Yes? Excellent!

If you feel head-to-toe leather, PVC cover-ups and psychedelic prints are a bit much for a trip to the local shops, here are three easy ways to inject on-trend autumn style into your everyday outfits. Over to the John Lewis trend spotter for some top tips…

Belt up

Burberry Prorsum defined waists in on heritage skirt and jumper outfits with cute tan bow bands at the autumn/winter catwalk shows. And elsewhere Clements Ribeiro and Scandinavian label Acne were among the top name fashion houses to cinch in jumpers and coats with chunky belts. Choose a smaller size belt than that you’d use to hook through your jean loops, so it fits neatly around your waist with no trailing length, and pair with everything from daring dresses to cosy cardigans. Leopard spots and multiple-strap styles are hot right now, and offer an easy way to buy into the animal print and biker trends.

Image R - L: Burberry Prorsum and John Lewis

Faux fur

Full-on fur was featured on gilets, snoods and jackets at autumn/winter fashion weeks, and was also used as trim by many well-known designers. There are a wide range of faux fur coats and jackets on the high street, but if you feel that such a cover-up is a bit much for the day, look to accessories to help inject the look into your outfit. Stoles, gloves, bags and boots all boast faux fur details this season, and can help add a touch of glamour if you’re taking your look from day to night.

Image R - L: Christopher Kane and John Lewis

Bowling bags

There’s one key handbag style that all the top fashion brands have bought into this season – the bowling bag. This Fifties-inspired handheld bag has become the new must-have piece for fans of Burberry, Mulberry, Marni – the list goes on – and more affordable versions have also become readily available. The wide design of the bowling style means that it makes for fairly roomy bags, but make sure that your choice can comfortably house your everyday essentials so it can join you everywhere. And look out for patent, animal print and fabric details to hit on those all-important trends.

Image R - L: Rochas and Somerset by Alice Temperley for John Lewis

All catwalk images courtesy of MPDClick.com

So what do you think ladies? 

What trends will you be partaking in this Autumn?

This is a sponsored post on behalf of John Lewis and the lovely people compensated me for this fabulous piece... Kind huh!!

Vintage Treasures with Asos Market Place

Ladies, if you've been following Rachel The Hat for wee while, you will know my love for Vintage and Retro. My favourite era has always been the 1960s. I fear i was born too late.

It’s thanks to the sixties icons such as Twiggy, Audrey Hepburn and Jackie Kennedy that the catwalks for this autumn/winter are being filled with 1960's vintage inspired clothes.

From short skirts to pant suits and tailored uniforms to tweed. Of course the shift dress is making appearances all over the place with geometric and floral prints to the Breakfast at Tiffany’s little black dress. 

Twiggy appeared on the scene at just 15 years old and bought the coal eyeliner and long eyelashes look with her. She is most well known for her extreme mod look which includes the sleeveless shift dress with collars and neck ties, military style suits and dresses as well as the male tuxedo for women. 

Picture submitted by circusbambam99 on fanpop

Audrey Hepburn’s role in Breakfast at Tiffany’s made her a sixties style icon. The high fashion clothes and sophisticated style of her character is the look people relate to when thinking of the actress. It is said that the little black dress in the film is that most famous and iconic dress of the twentieth century. 

photo by Heather Feemster

The Chanel suit was a staple item in every high fashion women’s wardrobe, but it was Jacqueline Kennedy that bought colour to it. The pink double breasted Chanel suit became the most iconic item of the 1960’s and an emblem for her husband’s assassination.

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Wearing a Pink Chanel Suit - U.S.Government 1963

 Its thanks to wonderful sites like Asos Market Place , that these styles live on and people like you and I can still buy these one of a kind historical pieces. 

When i buy a vintage piece, i just love dreaming up the history of where it has been, who wore it and wonder what it saw. If only dresses could talk! Just imagine the wonderful stories...

Here's a few of my finds that i would love to add to my collection:

Mod 60's Checked Dress

60's Polka Dot Dress

60's Zig Zag Day Dress 

 Floral Day Dress

                                                  

I could literally be here all day showing you my Favourites. There are hundreds of beautiful pieces, dresses, classic vintage bags, blouses. Its a whole emporium of vintage goodness.

Where do you buy your vintage? I have to say i was surprised at how well priced many of the items are, which makes adding to my vintage collecting even easier (just don't tell my Husband ;-)...!)

So my Dears, that wraps up my 60's love, from me to you. 

Do you have a favourite era? 

xxx

Ps: I was compensated for writing this, but you know me, i LOVE vintage and am on board with any one else who digs it too!Now lets all sit and chat about the good old days, yes?

How Doggy Do

Hey folks!! Happy Monday to one and all.
I have pretty much eaten my through this whole weekend. Good times!
Saturday we had a traditional cooked dinner with all the trimmings, then followed by apple pie, custard and ice cream.
Sunday was a wonderful continental breakfast of Bricoche, Bagles, eggs, hams and cheeses and then Nutella and Fluff (which i have only just discovered this weekend, the marshmallowy gooyness tastes like clouds in your mouth!)We have all gone Fluff mad in this house, the kids love it and so do Paul and me. We keep sneaking off to the kitchen and swiping a quick spoonful when the kids arent looking, haha!
Sunday breakfasts are becoming a bit of a family thing in this house, sitting down all together every week to a small feast has been wonderful. The elder kids this morning told me how sensational the breakfast was and how it was the best ever, ever! i was smiling all day after that..:-) Kids always manage to say things you least expect.
But now friends, i am back on the healthy eating (big sad face),up until last week i had shed quite a few pounds and was feeling really happy, so its back to it now....



Just before i go on to the pics i just wanted to say, it was raining, we were lacking time and the weather really wasnt playing. We managed a couple of shots but nothing major, so i gave Paul complete artistic licence to do as he pleased with them:

 So he cut me out and put me on what looks like an old TV!! haha

Think he enjoyed messing round with me! ha! he has also in the past cut me out and put me on the beach and in the woods peeking out.

Doggy Top: Very
Flares: river Island : Last year
Boots: Tesco
Hat: Old

I bought hubs a Mac a bout 2 years ago for Christmas, im a nice wife like that, but he never really got in to using it as hes normally a Linux/Ubuntu geek and likes to potch with his own systems, but he has brought it back out lately to do a bit of his photography and i think hes really enjoying it!
And the outfit, oh hello cute doggy top with pretty collar, how d'you do?!
And these are probably the most comfy trousers i own.. brought them out from their winter hibernation and it has been a joyous reunion!
Right then lovelies, thanks for stopping by as always! It really is wonderful to see you.
Also, i would just like to say YYAAAYY to 500 friends on GFC and over 100 on blogloving. This is AMAZING!!!!!!!!!! Give-away will be coming this week! Pinky Promise!! I'm just trying to think of something super dooper wonderful for you all!
See you Wednesday Ladies
Have a fantastic week
xxxx
Monday Mingle

Guest Posting

Hey lovely ladies I'm guest posting for my blogging buddy Kym over at
Bitty and Bunny. Come see me! I have cookies...;)
(I may be not able to send them but I'd be delighted to eat them for you and tell you how delicious they are!)

Snow White in the Woods

Happy Monday Ladies! Did you have a nice weekend? 

Ours was lovely. Our little home still looks like a bombs hit it so to me, that's the sign that i was too busy having a nice time rather than doing the housework. Its always there tomorrow right? Besides with 3 kids tidying is like snow shovelling in a blizzard.... Pointless!

 Paul as usual, took these photos for me, but this time he played about with the above image. He is just so clever, it blows my mind sometimes. It looks like i'm a painting up there. If any of you like fancy-shmancy, super lovely photos, he's not long joined Instagram and some of the photos he takes are absolutely superb, hes @Pst007x

 Dress: Old : New look
Shoes: about 6 months old: F&f Tesco
Cardi: Asda
Bag: Chelsea Girl: River Island

Another remix in the bag. This is a favourite dress, the pretty birds on a wire and of course my signature go to colours;)

My lovely blogging buddy Kym once commented that there was a certain Snow White esque presence to one of my ensembles. Looking back at these photos they totally reminded me of Snow White. Just need me some dwarfs and i would be sorted! i think Neo would make the perfect Dopey, heehee!

Have a brilliant week and i'll see you soon!

Linkies:

Monday Mingle

Craving Coats

Each autumn/ winter i treat myself to a new coat. It's a time i really look forward to and i take great pleasure in looking through different styles and types of coats and jackets. 

Having bought at least one (more like 2 or 3) coats each year for the best part of 10 years, you can appreciate, i have a lot of coats. So this year i am going to buy just one reeaaally nice one.

Ok so i've said the word coats so many times now its starting to sound funny.

So without further a do here is the shortlist... coats coats coats coats! blah

The Enchanting Illustrator Coat

What a BEAUTY, right?! Such a statement in itself, this little beauty needs to be on my back!!

Met Your March Coat

Oooo that red piping detail and big 

60's style collar is too cute for words

Pretty Slicker rain Coat

Because, lets face it, it rains A LOT in the UK, pretty much all.year.round. This coat would get a hellova lot of wear i reckon!

Yumi Duffle coat

I have 3 duffle coats already, but the checked cheerfulness of this baby makes me want to add it to the duffle collection!

Soaked In Luxury

I love me a bit of polka dotty spotty fun. 

This is a happy days coat!

Tularosa Coat in Dusk

For those days when all you want to do is wrap yourself up in your duvet, i think this would feel that good!

I really want to buy each and everyone! Help a girl out, which do you think ??

Do you like coat shopping?

Cheers Ladies

xxxx