Thursday, 20 August 2015

Selling my wares

Hi Guys

Just a quick note as thought some of you may be interested in a bargain or two.
I'm selling a load of clothes, shoes and bags on Ebay.
There's some great stuff just begging for new homes and a lot of it is like new.
I'm selling some Nine West, Warehouse, Oasis, Joe Browns, Clarks, River Island to name a few.

Be sure to go have a look if you fancy some treats! The starting prices are all ridiculously low as I try to just make some space in this teeny tiny house of mine.
Take a look and see if anything takes your fancy, there's definitely some bargains to be had!!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/rachelthehat?_trksid=p2047675.l2559



Here's a few of the best bits!















Plus lots more and more being loaded tomorrow!
Happy Shopping ladies!!
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Tuesday, 18 August 2015

The Jumper Challenge (i love me some knitwear)



Each autumn/winter/spring-who am i kidding- all year around, I love me some knitwear. Thin knit jumpers. thick sweatshirts or drapey cardigans. I just love 'em. So when Matalan asked if i would like to get involved in their Jumper challenge and style up one of their new gorgeous sweaters, well i jumpered (ha) at the chance. The jumper is this delightful zip back number, which has the loveliest dipped hem. I chose the neutral cream colour and i flippin' love it.
Lately when i add something to my wardrobe it has to be multifunctional (did you see my one dress 2 ways post?)
So I wanted a smart sweater that would look equally good casual (im thinking some khaki joggers would look awesome) but also dressed up for some food out or what not.

I chose some pretty strappy heels, to set off the last of the summer vibes and as a nice contrast  against the knit, then some soft light blue skinny jeans and then just added some statement jewellery to finish.
I absolutely loved this outfit, it was comfy and perfect for the chillier days we've been having.
In the day i swapped the heels out for some black slip on sneakers and then for night i just added the biker jacket and snazzy heels.
The bag is also from Matalan, and is more than a little bit Rebecca Minkoff but without the hefty price tag, and i could not be more pleased with it!

There is going to be a competition with Matalan over on Facebook to see who styled their jumper the bestest.. Be sure to check it out here, and if you're feeling generous, you could always give me a like? ;)










Shoes, Jeans, Bag and jumper all c/o Matalan
Biker Jacket: New Look last year
Necklace: Yosa

Are you a knitwear fan like me?


* Just to clarify here for my international friends that 'jumper' means sweater here in the UK.. i know in some countries its a completely different article of clothing.. bizarre i know.
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Thursday, 13 August 2015

Yosa Turns 1 (&Giveaway) and #Passion4Fashion Linkup

Well i can't quite believe it. A full year has rolled around since i launched Yosa the online statement accessories boutique. I'm in shock! Where has the past year gone?! Just like when my little boys birthday arrives, I've come over all sentimental, what can i say i'm a big ol shumshy softie.
My baby business is 1 year old. And what a year it's been!
Having run a business previously (something entirely different however), i kinda knew what i'd be in for. Lots of hard work and late nights, blood, sweat and tears. I knew there would be up's and down's, which of course there has been.
But the thing that's resonated with me is, surprisingly, how super proud of myself i am and my husband Salvatore, is proud of me too, which fills me once again with the warm and fuzzies.
The other thing that has really struck me is how, even if i'm having a low day and there's some negativity buzzing around me, you ladies pick me up. I don't know why i didn't realise it sooner, as blogging does the same thing, but in regards to Yosa, it really has spurred me on.
From the thank you emails and cards, to the tweets and Instagrams, your words and photos lift me up and truly make my day.
Yosa Customers are quite simply, the nicest ladies there are.
The other thing we have developed over the last 12 months is the Yosa Community.
Yosa was launched for the pure and simple fact of fabulous accessories. Not long after we launched I soon saw that it was actually much more than that. I realized that part of the reason why i love this trade is seeing other women looking and therefore very importantly, feeling fabulous!
Empowering women is something i feel very strongly about, whether that be complimenting the pretty barista who has just made your morning coffee, or complimenting a colleagues new coat or shoes. A simple compliment can really go a long way as to how we feel.
Confidence boosters always help.
And if fabulous accessories helps encourage women to feel confident and amazing with themselves, then i think that's bloody fantastic.
If you don't know much about the Yosa Community, its basically showing some love.
Tweet us or Instagram us and we will share the love. And excitingly our customer lookbook/gallery is currently undergoing a huge overhaul to house all your wonderful, gorgeous pictures.
Each month we also have out Yosa Cover Girl which has received the most wonderful reception. Once a month we choose one of our customers photos to adorn our front page with links back to their social media channel of choice.
Its just a great way to share the love.
I love seeing Yosa items on our customers, so to have them on the front page as our cover girl, just makes me so happy.
Yosa
So i thought, instead of boring you all with photo's of me, yet again, i would share some photos of Yosa's gorgeous customers..
Take a look:

Gorgeous Katie Portman of blogs Pouting In Heels and To Dream of Dresses


  Stunning Jane of Blog My Midlife Fashion

The Pink Everyday Clutch given as a gift to this pretty young lady

Lovely Tracey of Blog The Naughty Forty Diaries
absolutely rocking the popular Heritage Collar

This Canadian/Italian Beauty is Angie of blog Reasons to Dress

 Here we have one of my most recent customer (and a real lovely lady!) Jacqueline of Blog
Petite Silver Vixen, wearing the Oceanic Collar , which is now sold out but try this here

 Linda of Blog A Labour Of Life was one of my first customers! She wears the Neon & Pearl collar, which she rocks and remixes it all the time! So great to see.

Michelle of The Joy Chaser showing off her free gift. Did you know all Yosa orders receive a gift from us to you? Michelle rocks her gifted earrings! :D


My blogging BFF Catherine of Not Dressed as Lamb rocking the Golden Bib and just this week showcasing the Tough Cuff, which i luff :D


 Mother/Daughter style here! We loved accessorizing Donna of I Wont Wear Sludge Brown blog and her stunning daughter Ashleigh
Donna wears the Show Stopper and Ashleigh wears the Starlet

 Rachael wears The Multi red and mint blooms so perfectly

 Sally blogs at Sally Akins and took her Leaves of Teal necklace on her holibobs, and looked absolutely perfect!




I also had the absolute honour of appointing Yosa's first Brand Ambassador Vicki
 of blogs Honest Mum and Mummy's Got Style.
What can i say, this woman is a complete inspiration.
 Driven, gorgeous and confident. 
She is a fabulous ambassador for the Yosa brand and i am so thankful 
to have her on board promoting Yosa!



So my lovely Rachel The Hat Readers, if you've got a spare half hour go check out all these beautiful women.

And of course it wouldn't be a 1st year business birthday without presents would it?

So Yosa will be giving away a £30.00 gift voucher for one lucky reader.. be sure to enter!

Thank you all for your support over the past year, i can't even begin to tell you how much i appreciate it, and i hope you'll stick around and give Yosa a chance for your accessory needs!

Giveaway is open internationally ladies!

Let me know in the comments what you would get if you won!

In the mean time if you would like to partake in supporting a small business and gift yourself some gorgeous accessories then take a look!
And have some Free UK shipping with code: FREEUKSHIP
And half off ALL international orders with code: HALFINTSHIP

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Wednesday, 12 August 2015

One Navy Dress for Day and Night



This year i have worked hard to build a wardrobe of pieces that firstly i love and will continue to love, less of the passing fads, more longevity. And secondly pieces that can be easily worn time and time again for many occasions.
I have to say, this is the first year i have actually liked my wardrobe and had a lot less of the 'I have nothing to wear' scenario each morning. Yes i wear the same pieces a lot more, but i'm totally ok with that. I feel good in those pieces which makes me want to wear them again and again. And that means by my maths (which is horrendous by the way) that cost per wear is low and well worth some investment pieces through the year.
Take this navy dress:

Currently on sale for a whopping £25(!) and well worth every penny let me tell you.
Its a super flattering material that falls beautifully, skimming rather than clinging. It has a raw edge and a flattering V-neck, which i love.
I picked this up the sales and I'm so pleased with it. The quality (as always with Hush) is gorgeous, and the price tag is quite simply, a complete bargain.
Cost per wear on this baby will be in the minus pennies if i keep wearing it as much as i have lately.
Side note: i can not get enough navy this summer. Literally, i have bought SO many great pieces.. all navy, i have no idea why. I have to say its one of lifes great colours, it just goes with so much!

On to the outfits
For a night time look, I'm thinking meal out or drinks (rather than the other type of night time look, you know, sleepy time-night time, which in my case is mistmatched bushed cotton pj bottoms and hubbys tshirts, schexy i am not!) 
I went for a navy and black smart look. I love navy and black together, then added in some gold accents for the finishing touches.






 Details:
Black Heels: Primark
Jacket: George (Super old)

Then on to the day-time look.
It has to be easy going, so flats for running around are a must. I went for my simple tan sandals but i love the idea of wearing this dress with trainers, daps, sneaker type casual footwear and even some smart ballet flats or the 'they're everywhere right now' lace up flats, i have an orange Boden pair which are just begging to be paired with this dress. 
And then just the basics, a great tan bag and the summer staple: the denim jacket.
I added in a fun necklace too, 'cos y'know, how i could i not







Details:
Sandals: New Look
Denim Jacket: F&F


This dress has fast become a wardrobe staple that i'm super pleased to have purchased. From previously having a wardrobe full of useless items, i know i can always find something to wear now. Hell, i could even quit shopping, but seriously, who would help the economy then, huh? ;)

Have you bought any great remixable pieces this summer?
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