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?  

 

Topshop SS12 Collection Preview

Despite Christmas day being just over a week ago, there appears to be no rest on the fashion front as the Spring Summer 2012 collections are already waiting to be released, hot on the heels of the winter season. With Topshop releasing it's SS12 preview collections online today, naturally my addiction to the brand meant that all other things I had planned for the day had to be pushed aside so I could whittle around the site to choose my favourite items, and so here they are! Featuring garments and accessories from the the Jungle' 'Hide and Seek,' '90's Redux' and 'Under the Sea' collections, there seems to be no limitations on teaming prints and colours from a variety of colour palettes. The floral print patterned pieces are particular favourites, especially with the shirts' asymmetric hems and the cutsie element of the back to school backpack.  

The 90's Redux collection sees a move from past winter collection's Aviator jackets with the return of the Bomber Jacket. Something that has not graced the shelves in force since the late 1970's. Available in clashing prints and bold colours, there's no doubt the re-juvenated jacket will be the statement piece of any outfit come the summer.

I also love the bubblegum pop shades and faded fluorescents, bringing in a nostalgic edge to the season's trends. (Although I don't think I've worn a sock with a frill trimming since a very young age when socks and shoes were teamed with matching party dresses, and our biggest concern was whether there would be enough jelly and ice cream... those were the days.)

All images: www.topshop.com