Monday, May 28, 2012

Sun

We've had glorious sunshine in the UK for the last week or so and I've been making the most of it with BBQs, ping pong in the park, ice cream, mini golf, eating out and plenty of other good stuff.

Here's a few photos from along the way...

 Sunbathing in the garden. Nail polish by Essie.

Trying new designs on my nails (I achieved this with the end of a hair slide dipped into polish)

Homemade strawberry lemonade 
Photo c/o Xue Tintin

 Birthday BBQ
Photo c/o Xue Tintin 

Getting last minute pieces before I go away next week. This hat is H&M.

 Nostalgic ice lollies - remember these? 

The pattern on my new maxi (New Look)

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Phoenix

I've just got back from a delightful afternoon playing dress up at Phoenix dress agency in Cobham. I was invited by Nicola to visit her at her placement where she's in charge of the shop's social media.

If you don't know what a dress agency is, it's a second hand designer shop where people sell their unwanted luxury items. When I say second hand, I really mean that it was bought brand new by somebody ridiculously rich who put it straight to the back of their vast wardrobe - often with tags intact - never to be worn and then given to Phoenix to sell at a reduced cost six months later. Brilliant idea.

The team at Phoenix were lovely. A bubbly, friendly group of women run the shop and they were all so welcoming. Nicola is doing a great job with the social media and after three weeks has considerably increased their Facebook and Twitter traffic.

After a mooch around the two floors of rails ranging from Alexander McQueen gowns to Mulberry handbags, I tried on a pair of nude lace Sportmax shorts (image below), a blue striped Joseph kaftan and a blush pink with navy sequins Tory Burch kaftan (image below). The Tory kaftan was lovely, £80, but sadly gone by the time we got back from lunch. I was desperate for the Joseph kaftan, £60, but decided that it was perhaps too much to spend on something to wear to the beach (says her who just bought a Missoni bikini). The Sportmax shorts were also great on and would be a wonderful addition to my wardrobe but just not a necessity at the moment. Maybe next time.

If, like me, your budget might not always stretch to the shop fresh article but you still have a penchant for designer, pop into Phoenix, I guarantee you won't leave empty handed. I didn't... PS. Have a look at this beautiful Balenciaga that just arrived this morning.







Tory Burch kaftan, £80 (sold) 

Anya Hindmarch clutches

Sportmax nude lace shorts, £60 

 I love the detail on this Christian Louboutin heel



...I couldn't resist. Nude, patent Rupert Sanderson sandals - my heel of the season.