June 26th 2014.

Brilliant Bargains! 

Treat yourself to this season's high-street hottest with these gorgeous leopard print treats!

Perfect for your warm-weather wardrobe, these luxe leopard print ankle straps will add a dash of spice to your summery ensembles! From £95.00 to £49.00, these Kurt Geiger footies are not only beautiful but a brilliant bargain too!! 

For a similar style and a super bargain however, check out Matalan, with their animal print pretties available to purchase for just £12.00!

Leopards from Matalan

Leopards from KG

June 25th 2014.

Add a pop of pretty to your summer style

with these lush palettes of pink!

Bow Clutch- Nina

Pink Remi Clutch- Kate Spade

Pink Small Leather Shoulder Bag- Salvatore Ferragamo

Pink Pouchette- Marc by Marc Jacobs

Pink Box Clutch-Zashadu

Large Pink Zip Pouch- Victoria Beckham

Large Pink Leather Clutch- Marc by Marc Jacobs

Fuchsia Pink Leather Clutch Bag- Versus Versace

Pink Monogramme Clutch- Saint Laurent

Pink Patent Leather Clutch- LK Bennett

Hot Pink Suede Clutch- Sugar & Style

Pink Python Fuchsia Fold Over Clutch-Lin

Pink Pony Skin Clutch- Ted Baker

Sun Patent Leather & Suede Continental Wallet- Jimmy Choo

Pink Quilted Bag- Rebecca Minkoff

Pink Leather Clutch- Lanvin

Mini Raspberry Suede Clutch- Boticca

Pink Grained Leather Wallet- Saint Laurent

Envelope Clutch Bag- Dune
Mini Crayon Shoulder Bag- Fendi

Fuchsia Clutch- Etsy

Happy pink purchasing!

What I'm Wearing....

A Lifetime Luxury

After days of ‘umming’ and ‘arrring’, I decided to take the plunge and purchase my dream handbag. Number 3 on my ‘End of 2014 Goal List’: Save up and own a Mulberry- TICKED. I strongly believe that if you work hard, then you most definitely deserve to treat yourself, and seen as I do, I did! Some can’t justify spending nearly £900 on a handbag; admittedly, I was one of those, hence changing my mind about 500 times! Yet I believe that you get what you pay for. I look at my new purchase as something more than a handbag. I see it as an investable and lifetime luxury piece, and after a lot of consideration, I have come to realise that that big sum of money that I have spent on a designer handbag would have otherwise been spent in dribs and drabs across the years on cheaper high street ones that last me a year, if that. Essentially, whilst in the short term it is a huge and extravagant expense and my bankcard is crippling, in the long term it is a fashionably fabulous and valuable investment! 

Timelessly classic and a Mulberry signature, the iconic Bayswater is tailored with the love for luxury and the very best of understated and exquisite leather craft. Renowned for its quality and fine artistry of luxe leather goods, the traditional English brand are pioneers in the fashion industry, crafting classics that have been staple accessories of the effortlessly classy lady's wardrobe for decades. From its soft-brushed interior to its soft supple leather and pretty practicality, this handbag is functionally fashionable making it more than just a statement accessory. Team it with daytime denim or evening elegance, or don it with country couture and city chic flair, this Mulberry masterpiece is a stunning signature for your lifetime key-piece wardrobe.

The English label, famous for its quintessential production, eminent longevity and plush value has therefore fallen subject to counterfeit crime. This can be somewhat frustrating for authentic buyers and worrying for new ones, who are duped into buying designer duplicates by the phony professionals who work within this multi-mass business of counterfeit commerce. Though the replicas can imitate a look quite similar to that of the genuine article, they will never provide the same quality, durability, or expensive elegance that flows within the exterior and interior of a real Mulberry piece. 

Don't be FOOLED BY A FAKE! 

Read this quick guide on how to differentiate a genuine Mulberry and how to spot that fake!

Pay attention to the material- work with your senses!
Crafted with leather of only the highest quality, delicate and natural leathers are carefully chosen to create a Mulberry masterpiece. You should keep this in mind when purchasing your handbag – if the bag has a slick and sticky feel to it, then it is more than likely faux leather. Use your senses - feel it, smell it – genuine leather has a very distinct scent that is almost impossible to replicate. Pay close attention to the material too; different leathers age in distinctive ways therefore making each product unique, meaning that shade and texture, particularly on the handles, can vary. There are guidelines on how to prevent this, how to care for your handbag, and advice on how to minimise ageing the leather, which can be talked through and advised in store. Some buyers however love the vintage patina, whilst others would rather prevent it – both can be mastered to suit your individual preference. A fake handbag however will not give you this option and its handles in particular will remain unchanged with a polished look.

Be vigilant! – Swap online for in store!
Looks too good to be true?...It more than definitely most probably is! With Mulberry, you get what you pay for... and that’s quality- so don’t be seduced by the profuse ‘SALE’ signs and the description that sounds absolutely professional on these scam sites, which promote themselves as ‘Mulberry Outlet’s’. The descriptive narratives are usually taken from the real Mulberry site, whilst it is very rare that you will ever buy a new Mulberry for £206, or one that nears that price mark!! What’s more, if you zoom into the photos, you can sometimes see the shoddy stitching and sloppy slanted style that a real Mulberry would never make, and would most definitely never sell. Some sites however steal images of genuine products, so view very low prices as a very big warning sign! I therefore advise purchasing your handbag in person, where you will receive the service you deserve, be aware of what you are actually paying for, whilst enjoying an undeniable shopping experience that the Internet can never replace!

Pay attention to the hardware!
The authentic Mulberry logo will be defined and detailed, with strong engraved points and a distinctive triangular trunk. It is also worth looking at the zip, the brass fittings, the etching, the general hardware of the bag and the overall finish! If it is untidy, careless, or frayed and fragmented, then it is going to be a fake!

The serial number saga!

Mulberry has produced items with and without serial numbers – however, many copies imitate this feature in order to make it look more ‘real’. It is in fact this replicated detail that can help give it away! Serial numbers that are evidently prominent and that can clearly be felt should instantly alert ‘FAKE!’ alarms in your head. Authentic Mulberry codes have a smooth texture on the metal plate, that if you run your finger across it, you should only just be able to feel the carved digits. Fake handbags tend to have bold and curved fonts.

Packaging, Tagging, Labelling!

High end replicas have began to mimic the additional touches as well as the actual handbag, so be sure to look out for spelling mistakes on the care card, shaky or distorted labels stitched into the interior, and the way in which the brand’s name has been presented. Mulberry prides itself on its expertise in craftsmanship, so they are definitely not going to allow their name and signature emblem to represent that of poor standard!

Trust your local boutique!
The best way to buy a Mulberry is to visit your nearest Mulberry stockist. This way you have free reign to physically inspect what you are buying, whilst the purchasing process is immediate and there is no waiting around for a delivery! You also tend to find that you receive a more intimate customer service at local boutiques than you would at large department stores, where the high turn over of staff means that their retail team is continually changing, on average, every six months. 
I shop for Mulberry at Robinsons of Bawtry, a Bawtry boutique and my local shopping destination, which offers a stable team and a familiar shopping experience. They believe in creating and maintaining a good relationship between their customers and the store – and if the very unlikely situation arose that there was an issue with a purchase, it is comforting to know that they would directly be dealing with Mulberry themselves throughout the repair and replacing process rather than having to do it myself.

As authorised stockists of Mulberry handbags, purses, and accessories, Robinsons have a lot of Mulberry marvelousness running throughout the store! Visit them for glamorous goodies now!

June 11th 2014.

Wow in white!

Contributing article for Robinsons of Bawtry

Crisp whites and triangle trends are hot this summer on the stylish track of sensational seaside statements! Ace both styles by opting for this simple but stunning swimwear from Ralph Lauren's blue label. Team with Armani Jeans rope sandals, also available in store, and a light linen dress from Lexington to guarantee full glam-grabbing attention!

June 2nd 2014.

Sweat it out in Style!
Article featured in Eastside Magazine

Image Source

As Bonjour Bawtry draws a day closer, the town’s locals are eagerly anticipating who is going to be crowned as the cycling champs. Planned in tandem with the Tour de France, the exciting charity event will see teams of ten riders from Bawtry businesses sweating it out as they spin to win. All in aid of Aurora Cancer Care, there’ll be family-fun, French food and fizz! 

Sporty staples will therefore be making it to the streets throughout the weekend window, sported by the fitness-lovers, stylish spectators and pedal-pushing newbies who are all taking part in this brilliant event. Join in and update your workout wardrobe by acing the athletic trend with this guide on how to look and feel fabulous in fitness-fashion!

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Firstly, you need to decide whether it is ‘activewear’ or ‘sportswear’ that you want. The difference? Sportswear is purposely designed to suit specific sporting situations, created with the comfort, calculated fabric weights and particular properties that serve as a uniform to aid performance, such as swimming, running and cycling gear. Activewear on the other hand is a lot more flexible, tailored in a way that allows a transition between exercise clothing and casual attire. Created for those who lead a dynamic day-to-day schedule or love to spend their time outdoors, the active apparel is a practical preference and created with comfort, luxury and style. Pay attention also to the textures, length and cuts of items, as these are essentially important. For example, wear above the knee bottoms if participating in running or cycling to prevent tripping or catching the pedals, whilst cotton pieces work well with stretching, walking and leisurely exercise. In cases where outbursts of energy are taking place and you are likely to sweat, move away from loose cottons, which will become weighty and cling and instead opt for moisture wicking fabrics that quickly dry and keep you cool. Choose sporty separates that are figure flattering and which will accentuate your confidence, giving you an air of athletic-chic whilst also feeling comfortable. From footwear to underwear to accessories and apparel, keep it stylish but sensible by fusing precision and practicality with fashionable fitness flair. 

Adidas Stella McCartney Run Image Jacket Adidas Supernova Racer Bra Adidas Stella McCartney Run Chill Shorts H&M Short Yoga Tights Adidas Stella McCartney Tennis Barricade Skort H&M Grey Sports Bra Jack Wills Firby Sweat Pant H&M Tennis Dress Jack Wills Longcliffe Shorts

Colour coordinating your outfit will keep you looking freshly polished and stylishly suave, but I’d advise avoiding dark shades during summer, which tend to often retain heat. Make a sporty statement with prints or bold colour-blocks, with lime, pink, orange, white and blue hues proving popular this season in the sportswear sector. The seasonal styles are heading in the direction of hi-tech materials, metallics, mesh and sharp sleek silhouettes. Old-school signatures and preppy attitude has infiltrated back into the fashion-flow, with top designer names such as Balenciaga, Stella McCartney and Jeremy Scott tailoring the trend to fit their fun and perennial pieces. Embrace the sporty spirit head to toe by choosing what makes you feel as good as you look. Glamorous sporty garments are more popular than they have ever been, with the catwalks promoting pieces that mix elegance with exercise and sporty with a sexy edge- something that designer Prabal Gurung would refer to as “femininity with a bite”. From clean lines to sleeveless cuts, satins, silks, jerseys, crop tops, loose bottoms, flared skirts and sporty slips, the smart and sophisticated shapes are travelling in an athletic direction. Fashionable favourites for this year are going to be the tennis inspired skirts, trendy track pants and bomber jackets, so keep an eye out for them.

Finally, keep accessories to a minimum, whilst footwear and underwear are essentially the foundations of your outfit. Depending on whether you are physically participating in an activity, casually chilling or glamorously working the sporty-style, opt for shoes that are appropriate to the situation. For example, add heels to smart-tailored track pants and a crop top for an up-marketed chic look, or choose well-fitted, comfortable and vibrant trainers to add zest to your athletic kit. To stay looking tidy, tucked and trim, sports bras are fundamentally significant. Smoothing your look, reducing pain, providing support and enabling more movement is what you need, so I’d advise trying out the Panache and Freya sports bras. Most importantly, remember that whilst we all love to look good, (especially when working out!) ensuring your confidence and comfortableness takes priority is key. Enjoy your sporty-spending everyone, and for those who will be attending Bonjour Bawtry, I shall see you there- most likely dressed all in pink!!