OnePiece Jump In Onesies & Discount Code!

Hands up who doesn't love a onesie? With the winter nights settling in, my new bff over the last few nights has been this Lusekofte Grey Melange Onesie* from Onepiece Jump in! Hate them or love them, Onesies are creeping their way into everyone's wardrobes and honestly, I don't know what it is but life seems to be all ok when you're zipped up and snuggled in a onesie! Hangovers, the dreaded flu, bad hair days, you name it! Sorted. (Just me? Oh.. ok) Anyway, I think it's safe to say I am most definitely a fan, so unsurprisingly when Onepiece contacted me to team up with them in the run up to Christmas I was more than happy to get involved! 

If you haven't heard of Onepiece before they are a Norway based company selling their amazing onesies all over the world and have been spotted out and about worn by the likes of Ellie Goulding, Ed Westwick, Henry Holland, to One Direction, who actually even have their own collection for the brand, although I'm sure the 'directioners' amongst you will already know that! The Lusekofte OnePiece I am pictured in above is ssooo cosy and warm with it's baggy fit and fleecy lining, I've genuinely struggled to take it off, much to the amusement of everyone else! There are so many different colours and styles to choose from too so it took me a while to select my favourite, which is why I'm excited to share with you all my unique 20% discount code!!  

I can't lie to you and say they are the cheapest onesies around however, the quality and comfort factor is amazing and If you're struggling with ideas for christmas presents be it for your brother, sister, cousin, or friend, they would make a fab pressie and the discount code can help you out! All you need to do is enter 31FASHIONMIXBAG at the checkout! 

This code is only valid till the 1st December 2013, so make sure you use it before it runs out! 

 

*Disclosure: My OnePiece was kindly sent as a gift. As always, this has not effected my opinion/review. 

Madia & Matilda - New Upcycled Fashion Brand

Who doesn't love a bit of Vintage fashion? With retro styled pieces settling themselves firmly at the forefront of fashion, it seems our wishlist for something 'once loved' is becoming increasingly popular. Embracing this sentiment of 'making unloved garments loved' is new Luxury Upcycled Fashion label 'Madia & Matilda'  and excitingly it launches online tomorrow! 

Last week I happily headed into the Cotswolds, camera in hand, to meet designer and owner, Shalize Nicholas to chat all things vintage at her studio based in Stroud.  

After a bit of a gossip about this and that and discovering that our work places have coincidentally crossed paths in the past, Shalize explained to me in more detail about her new label, and her journey leading up to the launch. From being a student studying Fashion Design at Manchester University, to working in production for Mary Katrantzou in London, Shalize has experienced all ends of the fashion cycle and over time developed a big love for craft and heritage where she then created a mini-Madia & Matilda for her final year collection at University. From chatting to Shalize, I could tell this continues to be the back bone and main inspiration for the brand which she has since grown and developed to bring Madia & Matilda to life! 

Having had a browse through the studio's work area, the one thing I can say for sure is that besides the lovely selection of garments, it is filled with the most gorgeous collection of retro fabrics. With the likes of crushed velvet, hand-printed colourful curtains and old tablecloths in the mix, it's fab to see that Shalize really does put her upcycling hands to anything and reuses even the most unrelated things to create her pieces, such as elephant embroidered materials which has become one of her key inspirations. When I asked her where she collects her fabrics and materials she listed off a few places such as Carboots, Vintage Fairs and Charity Shops - anywhere where she can spot something different and unusual.  

Swing Tag Labels: Ashley Kursey Design

Turning to the rails of clothes, as this is their first A/W collection, Madia & Matilda's launch pieces have been made more trend focussed with a selection of styles of jumpers, cardigans, shirts, skirts and dresses all featuring in the collection. Starting as a few designs, moodboards and fabric swatches, the garments are all designed and made in-house, but unlike most other vintage brands, Shalize is determined that where possible, multiples of each style will be made in sizes ranging from UK 8-16. Hurray! I personally really liked the 'old meets new' cropped embroidered shirts and velvet midi-dress Shalize is holding in the picture above.  

Once I'd snapped away it was time to play dress up! With the help of Shalize, I chose to pop on one of my favourite big collared shirts and pink cable knit jumpers from the Autumn Winter collection, you know me, love a bit of collar here and there! With this preppy 80's inspired combo I definitely felt quite Clueless-esque! All I needed was a tartan skirt!  

It was lovely to meet Shalize and have a bit of an insight into everything behind the scenes at Madia & Matilda! 

You can shop the Madia & Matilda A/W collection from 16th Nov via Shop Cotwolds: here 

What do you all think of upcylced fashion?

 

Next SS14 Press Day

Last Wednesday I headed on down to London for the day to hit up a couple of SS14 press days! I can't believe how quickly this last year has gone, it feels just like yesterday I was heading down to check out all the newbie SS13 goodies! But nevertheless I excitedly grabbed my copy of 'Mad About The Boy' popped my Oyster card in my pocket and headed to the train station. My first stop of the day was at Next, which was being held in the Film Museum in Covent Garden. After a couple of delayed trains I finally made it there about an hour later than planned and trawling through the pouring rain trying to find the way- I'm not too London-lingual so completely relied on my phone, thank goodness for Google Maps (and my fedora hat) hey! 

As soon as I arrived I immediately felt like I'd stepped into a different season with all the lovely summery-ness displayed and had a good look through all the new collections layed out in Womenswear. I have to say Next have really pulled it out the bag for next years trends- the accessories and little bomber jackets in particular were amazzzeee balls and I developed multiple crushes on little cute cut-out brogues, heels and tote bags. Check out the quilted leather backpack too, so perfect! The main collections that stuck out to me were the mustard & monochrome with all the fluffy jumpers, brocade jackets and the casual denim & blues with oversized sweatshirts and denim shirts. I'm excited to see them in the Next stores in 2014 in summer!

After having a good rifle through I spotted the lovely Becca from Fashion Train snapping away (who's blog I have been reading for agggeess) so thought I would go over and say hi! I then luckily met lots of my favourite other bloggers too who were all so so lovely and enjoyed chatting with them all over a few cucumber & elderflower 'bomb' cocktails and yummy canapes! After having a good long gossip with the fab Kirsty from Fashion Champagne and meeting some of the Next ladies too, Amy (Wolf Whistle) , Kristabel (I Want You To Know) and I decided we should probably take a little more of a walk round and checked out the beauty room and homewear bits!

In the gorgeous beauty hub the Next ladies were giving everyone complimentary manicures and blow drys. It was a shame I had ran out of time otherwise I would've definitely got my hair joojed up a bit after being totally rained on! 

The Beauty Room

How gorgeous are all the shabby chic homewear bits? I've also now decided I would like a wooden boat and oars in my future house. Maybe I'll have to swap a sofa for it? Totally do-able though, right..... 

What do you all think of Next's SS14 collection? 

 

Tartan & Baroque

How bloomin' freezing has it all of a sudden got? Today was the first day I cracked out the gloves and multiple layers to go to work in so I thought I would share with you all my new favourite winter accessory - this amaaaazing tartan blanket scarf from Zara. I've been loving all the Tartan coming into fashion so once I spotted this online for only £19.99 I had to get it. It's double sided with a traditional scottish tartan one side and a black and white check the other. It is literally the biggest, softest and cosiest scarf I own (pretty sure you can use it as an emergency picnic blanket too if you find yourself in that predicament?!) so it's a lotta scarf for a small price! I teamed it with my baroque print skinny jeans from River Island, and Feather band floppy hat from Fox & Feather in Bristol which I loveee and got when I went to their store opening a little while ago. I managed to get a cheeky 10% off it with their fun discount darts game - I'm not the most skilled with a dart, put it this way, I missed the whole board to start with so I was pretty chuffed with any discount! If any of you live near/in Bristol I recommend giving it a visit, it really reminded me of all the fab vintagey boutiques up and down Northern Quarter in Manchester.

 Ps.As usual Puppy always ends up stealing the limelight - look how much bigger she's got!!

What do you all think of this look?