British Style Bloggers is your friendly neighbourhood blogazine showcasing the very best of British Style Blogging (and various other sorts of blogging from various other people in various other parts of the planet, from time to time). We'll also add you to a lovely long list of other blogs, so that you can get to know some other lovely people. Mwah x
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Big Congratulations to Rachel of Polkadot Stripes, then!
And, now seems as good a time as any to let you all know that a while back Rachel applied to write for us, but because of the competition, I told her she'd have to wait. She'll be starting as a contributing intern as soon as possible - so welcome a board!
You can submit your blog for January's Blog of the Month here asap - tomorrow, or Saturday!
I do hope you all had a lovely Christmas (and got everything on your list from Father Christmas!).
My most treasured Christmas gifts this year were two coats; a faux fur coat from my sister (which I have been living in!) and a trench coat from my mum (which I intend to live in, just as soon as it stops being winter!!).
So... my shopping ban is over. I already told you 'what I have learnt' from the experience, although if truth be told I am far too excited at the prospect of being able to shop again that I might just forget all of that!
In order that I don't, I have come up with my definitive 10 shopping Commandments:
1. I shall not turn to my credit card for clothes.
2. I shall budget and stick to it.
3. I shall save for that much coveted item.
4. I shall not buy in a hurry.
5. I shall go home and if I still want it tomorrow then maybe I'll get it.
6. I shall buy classic and investment pieces.
7. I shall not dash madly through Primark grabbing armfuls of clothes just because it has a price tag under a fiver - and I shall remember that it all adds up.
8. I shall continue to love the clothes and shoes I already own.
9. I shall carefully decide what is missing from my wardrobe and stick to this list when out shopping.
10. I shall not be tempted by a sales sign.
When I started this ban six months ago I had a couple of reasons for doing it;
1. To save money - for a deposit for a house and to finish learning to drive before I'm 30!!
2. Because I was fed up with being told that I "have too many clothes"!! And was intrigued as to what was actually in my wardrobe - the stats say that most women only wear 10-20% of what they own, so maybe I can start wearing some of the remaining 80-90% of mine!!
Well, I have managed to (re) start learning to drive and will hopefully be passing my (second) driving test sometime in the first half of 2010. The house deposit part was maybe a little ambitious but I have proved that I have the will-power to not spend spend spend and when we do decide to start saving, I will be able to!
As for the second reason; I have certainly had to stretch my wardrobe to its limits and have found things I had forgotten about. It has also shown me where there are gaps in my wardrobe and hopefully, I can fill them over time without going mad on things I don't need!
So, my resolution for 2010, is responsible and (slightly more) limited shopping.
Happy New Year to fashion bloggers and their readers everywhere,
I'm very, very excited to be announcing to you all today that for the early part of 2010 at the very least, British Style Bloggers will be running Body Image Season - as part of the Fashion Activism Campaign that Claire began with the "350 Items in My Wardrobe" climate change capaign earler this month.
Body Image is something we feel very strongly about, and it's something we think that Fashion Bloggers should be working harder to help - because, basically, we deal in aesthetics.
We'll be telling you the full details in January, when we launch this thing properly, but the basic message of our campaign is going to be feeling happy with yourself, regardless of size, shape, race, hair or skin colour and anything else under the sun that can make people feel bad about themselves.
So, to help us launch the campaign, we're asking for your help. We'd like to create a campaign video, showing the world that every one of us is unique, and that everyone has something about themselves that they like, and something that they loathe.
So, we're asking you to do one of two things (or both) -
- Send a photo of yourself that you really like - one that makes you feel really good about yourself, to us... - Or send us a short video clip which has not been uploaded to any video sharing site, including YouTube, telling the camera what makes you unique. Videos should be compatible with Windows XP (.wmv form, I think!)
You can email clips and photos to ukstylebloggers@googlemail.com, as soon as possible! (I have a day off work and with no school work on Jan 3rd, which I'd like to use to make the video)
We can't wait to hear from you - and we really, really want as much support with this worthwhile campaign as possible, so we'd love for as many people as possible to get involved - even if you're not a member, or a Style Blogger, or British! The more support, the better!
Press releases will be available soon - please feel free to repost this (with full citation, of course!), or tweet it on to your followers!
So, the British Style Bloggers Christmas Party is nearly over - the only thing left to do is vote for your favourite entry.
All of the final entries are below - and each of the judges has picked their favourite to tell you why they love it. Their backing counts for five extra votes, on top of whatever the public vote comes out as.
You have until 2nd January to vote - so, contestants, make sure you tell all of your readers to come and vote for you.
A quick recap of the brief;
- Outfit for the party & description - What are you bringing to eat or drink? (Extra kudos for recipes and photos!) - And what music would you like to hear?
We're all very impressed with the entries below - but in order that we can kick voting off as soon as possible, we're going to add in the other judges' comments once they materialise in our inbox!
Good luck, everyone, and happy holidays, once again!
"I'm wearing a Mina UK dress on top of a French Connection turtleneck. I chose this because it has a forgiving waistline - perfect for all the treats we're sure to be nibbling throughout the evening! (I've been told that the dress isn't very flattering on my figure, but you know what? I don't care! I love it anyway!)"
Music choice: Bad Romance, by Lady Gaga, "and lots of cheesy Christmas songs!"
Food or drink? Lemon tarts and home-made masala chai (spicy Indian tea).
Judges' Backing? Amy, BSB's founder, says "I love Leia's dress, and the creative way that she photographed herself, and explained her outfit choice. I also have a dependancy on tea, and so trying a different kind is definitly appealing to me!"
“For the party I will be wearing a black vest dress but obviously that would look a bit plain wouldnt it? You all know I believe that accessories make an outfit so I’m also wearing blue tights with houndstooth tights on top, a gret waist belt, grey leopard print shoes, a pearly locket and a pearl bracelet. my jewellery is vintage while my tights and shoes bring it more up to date. my dress is a summer throwback reinvention, i bought it during the really hot june that we had and dont want to let go of it yet. The necklace and pearls were bought by my friend and make me feel a bit more sophisticated. The tights are ofcourse one pair on top of the other but it stands out more than just one pair. And finally my shoes are the comfiest night out shoes I own so wont give me blisters from all the dancing I do at parties!”
Music choice: All You Need Is Love, by The Beatles
Judges' Backing? Janan, of Coco Rose (who are donating prizes) had real trouble choosing, but eventually said "Phew! So you can see my dilemma but I'm going to vote for..... Rachel because of her innovation and originality! :)"
No slideshow – sorry! It seemed silly with just two photos!
“In case you hadn't guessed already, I am a firm believer in overdressing, so I decided to go Blacktie and wear this Vintage 1970s evening gown. The story of the dress is this: My mum wore it when she was 18 to her School Prom, and many many years later I wore it to mine. Since then it's been sitting in my wardrobe not getting nearly enough love, so I decided that this Christmas was the perfect time to get it out again! The bag is Lulu Guiness which I got majorly on sale, and you can't tell but I've got my Melissa shoes on my feet too!
I'd also like to point out I'm wearing the most uncomfortable bra/corsetry arrangement ever underneath it all!”
Music choice: Fascination, by Alphabeat, “as it never fails to get me dancing!”
Food or drink? “Every Christmas I make a Chocolate Yule Log for my family, so I wanted to share that with all the other partygoers too! If you want to try it for yourself the recipe is (naturally) Delia's.”
Judges' Backing? BSB’s columnist and artist, Claire says “just think that dress is SO GREAT and I like the fact that it belonged to her mum. The bag is a nice touch, too. And I could reeeeally go for some yule log right now.. Christmas themed food at christmas party? Yes!”, Danielle, of I Love Cutie Pie, who are donating a prize, says “I think this lovely lady should win for her true elegance and the retro roulade. Always love a bit of Delia.” And, blogger Dream Sequins (whose birthday tea party this is all based on!) says "I vote for Where is Harriet?'s entry. Love the YSL feel of her vintage 70s evening gown. Swanky!"
No slideshow – sorry! It seemed silly with just two photos!
“My party outfit was a result of some very early morning browsing. I thought that I wouldn't be buying myself some new party wear this season but after discovering this dress on Missguided (recommended by Kingdon of Style) I just couldn't resist (they are all now sold out, but there are plenty more very gorgeous dresses on this site at amazing prices!). It has sparkly bits on it so very suitable for Christmas but, a bit different from this seasons all over sequins and definitely a change from the little black dress that I often wear. I also have a sequin and feather hair clip/ fascinator from New Look, which unfortunately you can't see very well in the picture amongst all my hair (another impulse buy).”
Music choice: Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow, by Dean Martin
Food or drink? Champagne, “predictable, I know”, and mini fish and chips, details HERE.
Judges' Backing? BSB’s columnist Florrie says “I think her outfit is best for the brief.” – although she’d like to add that she loves them all, and would like you all to have some lovely karma for Christmas because she’s so impressed!
