Curtsey to the Queen, Bow to the box bag!

Look like a Queen with the Toppers Crown Box Bag! I love mine
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Scrabble IS cool

Scrabble has never been cooler. Pick up one of these babies from Ebay. Every single time I wear it I get comments and whats more they also do rings and earrings! I've just purchased a bag of scrabble tiles so now the possibilities are endless. I'm also about to make a McQueen-esque bag avec glove- I will keep you posted...

Thought I would show you the scrabble earrings of mine. I have a C and B, as Tor calls me Clara-Bella... or Bella Pasta. Not to be worn with Scrabble Necklace for fear of Scrabble overkill- rings are obviously acceptable. No matter what the occasion.

The earrings are a lot easier to make than the Necklaces. Pick up the studs from the finding section of any good bead shop, I think I picked up 10 for 85p the other day. Super glue, scrabble. Simple... though my hands are covered in super glue from a failed attempt at saving a ring. x

Go on, have a stare...

You know that feeling when you are in town and you see that girl? Her hair rocks yours world, her make up rocks your world, her outfit rocks your world and the whole experience rocks your stomach and makes you sick with jealously and envy? Well as much as I hate that feeling, I love it. It makes me braver.

Take this new red hair craze. Its hot. At one time, a colour seen only on the hotty that is Ariel, is now seen up and down our high street. Jane Goldman and Viv Westwood have been flying the red head flag proudly for years but this trend is definitely a trend we can thank the front room fashionistas for. Normal, everyday girls like you and I have ditched boring locks and the copycat celeb styles for something adventurous and eyecatching. Something different and hardly seen in the celeb world!

Magazines are fab for inspiration but can sometimes be in danger of producing clones. I searched every Topshop in the Northwest for the most beautiful Topshop Boutique Sequin dress only for it to be sold out in every store and online. It was reaching sky high prices on eBay. Then it hit me- why do I want this dress? So I can bump in to 3 others girls wearing it in the toilets of a sweaty club and have to slip out mildly embarrassed? Magazines tell us what is hot and what is not but as much as I'd like to, I know I ain't gonna suit every 'it' outfit flashed in Vogue. You've got to jig it, add to it, take away from it, sometimes you've even got to say no to it but most of all, personalise it. And even if Vogue is saying that that sequin dress is out or those leather look leggings are so last season- who cares?! Why would you stop wearing something if 1. You look spot on 2. You feel spot on? It doesn't make sense. If it isn't this season then lets consider it vintage- thats what I say! I remember reading years ago that Ugg boots were over and you were no longer to be seen dead in skinny jeans but they still sit proudly in my wardrobe. Skinny jeans are my staple must have and always will be!

So, when you see that girl and her hair rocks your world, her make up rocks your world, her outfit rocks your world don't let the jealously and envy express itself negetively, let it inspire you. Front room fashionistas are healthier role models and even if it isn't right up your street...rate it, don't slate it!

Tee x

The Bindi- Certainly a Conversation Starter if Nothing Else.

Religion in Fashion obviously has a place, although it is debatable whether Fashion has a place in Religion, but I am sure that is a whole different question, and convinced I am not the person to conquer that. I mean, Tor has shown you our Icon bracelets, I still rock them, I sometimes have 4 at a time on. I have one that glows in the dark, which now, only on writing this down, sounds so horribly wrong.

Tor and I are currently obsessing over the Bindi. She has around 60 I think. Personally, love them. Can not understand why more people do not wear them. I do feel one has to be a little bit more fashion brave than normal, as you have to be prepared for a lot of questions such as 'What is that on your 'ead?', 'Did that piercing 'urt?' and many deep conversations on what religion you are. But you can be safe in the knowledge that your forehead has never looked better.

Nb to self: Tricking yourself into thinking it is summer, only makes you disappointed upon exit of the house

The winter days have been here far too long, and I for one, am bored. I suspect that goes for many people, but if I have to don my Ugg boots and lather up my ridiculously chapped lips with a combination of Cymex and Burt's Bees one more time, I will happily give myself up for scientific testing, however unsavoury. At least I will be taken away from the hell that is Lancaster’s winter. I knew hibernation was a better idea... The January Sales have come, and all that is left in the shops are the dregs, the garments you pick up and understand why they are in the £5 section, and you know, you will meet again next year! I know Toppers are fiends for putting out 2005's summer collection, a selection of white which they missed the mark with, and now are turning a sour yellow with a whollop of foundation at the colour.

In a moment (well a day full) of procrastination, avoiding possibly one of the most tedious essays of my life, I began to let my mind wonder... (as you can only watch Bid down TV for so long). I wanted to relive my days of the festival. Shorts, tees and fifthly filthy socks. Any field where it is okay to put Stella on your cornflakes, eat Pringle, processed cheese and chilli ketchup sandwiches and wear whatever the hell you want, is obviously the best field to be in! I was discussing with someone that certain festivals have become a little pretentious, when he said the worse thing ever... ‘Festivals, fashions shows for the pathetic’... Woah. How very very offensive. Just as people may feel the need to get ridiculously drunk, slide in the mud, and shout obscenities every so often, some people enjoy dressing in a little bit more eccentric style, and maybe white fur coats are not the best idea for the 6 tonne of mud which has been strategically supplied by thousands of footsteps, spilt cider and heavy rain but I tell you something, they look good! If I want to GLAMP, I will. I will simply point out, who would camp when one can Glamp?

So, through my procrastination, I felt I was really re-living the festival. I felt it was day 3, and my hair had peaked. The dry shampoo and hair spray may have made a slightly odd coating on my scalp, but this is not the biggest problem I was facing. Not when the toilets are that vile, no. That the slight hangover had been repressed, and the overpriced fast food was ready to be served! It was the Saturday night, and everyone was very excited for the headliners, and shunning normality. I was in a festival mood, and wearing head scarves and the beautiful Hunter wellingtons and the air bed was primed for me to die on later on that night. The vodka and cheap lemonade served up in a plastic cup may have had bits of grass floating about, but a bit of greenery never killed anyone! Glamping in a field is a must, bring your make-up, tea-dresses and over sized sunnies. If you are going to sleep in a tent, why not do it looking good! Concealer is a must for any self-respecting girl, especially when your personal hygiene consists of a quick baby wipe. Tousled hair looks amazing, and pull on a forehead band if you need to control your fringe. I am not talking the extremes of the £12 a go glamour caravan they offer at Leeds (though I must say Gas powered straightners are tempting, though a complete indulgence), but I love how beautiful the girls look at festivals. And although I know this goes against ever feminist theory I have ever learned (and I have learned way too many), I implore girls to carry on the festival fashion even when not at festival. I just think it would make the world just a better place, I am aware the sun is never out anymore, and I am sure it has some aversion to Lancaster, maybe some kind of intolerance, but bring some sun into my life, somebody.

Clare x

Bling Your Head

Bling out your head with these badboys. Available on ebay, handmade by choochiechoo... http://myworld.ebay.co.uk/choochiechoo

Bumpit Baby

This week I have mostly been bumping it baby!

I mean really- could a bag be anymore amazing?!? Alexander McQueen, you dirty, dirty man...you make me want to spend alllllll my money!

Tee

Hunters

So, recently Hunters have become a staple wardrobe requirement. And this time not just to look cool at festivals but because of the SNOW! I can't actually remember what my street looks like it was so long since I have seen it; and with nearly a foot of snow still lingering I don't think I will be seeing it anytime soon.

After purchasing about 5 pairs of Primarni flats last week, they still remain in the bag because lets be fair, I abuse my tootsies enough with the ridiculous heels I insist on wearing (at only 5ft tall I don't really have a choice), so I need to give them a little bit oflove in this weather. Cue snuggly socks and my trusty Hunters.

A bright red dream. Actually very comfy. And a life saver. Don't get me wrong I love my bargain shops but I'm so glad I didnt go down the bargain welly route. As I typed in my pin when first purchasing them I let out a little weep. £60 on wellies. An item I would wear one weekend a year when I was festivalling it up. Christ woman-get a grip. But as my friends revealed blistered, bruised and generally abused tootsies from their cheapsters I couldn't help but feel pleased with myself. I fell in love with my wellybobs all over again.

When the snow started 3 weeks ago I dug them out again. No self respecting snowballer can play out without wellies and that one weekend a year became one month a year. The problem is now I can't help but think I need more. Different colours. Different lengths. The special charity pair raising money for Wateraid. Seriously, it has taken all my willpower not to purchase the lime green pair, oh and the yellow pair, and that gorgeous purple pair . I'm thinking the only way I could justify it would be move to Arctic...or attend multiple festivals this year. Ummmmm...interesting...

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