MANDLA No.10: The Power of Style is....nailing a bargain!

J. Crew Vs New Look

I know, I know, it's not a fair match but when it comes to the battle of the statement necklace, all is fair in love and budget. Besides, it's not how much you spend, it's what  you get for your money.

Both J. Crew and New Look have a loyal following of customers that swarm their jewellery racks, and this afternoon I executed a perfect low flying swoop on this fun and glamourous bubble necklace from New Look on sale for £3!! 

I'm looking forward to teaming this with anything I can get away with: black midi dress, grey tee, crisp fitted shirt... endless possibilities...

Necklace from New Look

New Look are fantastic for delivering on-the-minute high fashion for those on a budget at reduced and full price.

Now, let me just say, I LOVE J.Crew! When I lived in New York, J. Crew's Madison Ave store was right outside my office building and quickly became my reward, therapy and fitness centre - fitness because strong-arming their sale rack should be an olympic event!

However, as I clicked onto their site at random this evening to search for something else, I stumbled on an almost identical item for £127!

Bubble Necklace

J. Crew produce stunning pieces and whether you can afford the non-sale items or you're restricted to a budget, they're worth checking out because they often have items to suit all wallets.

MANDLA No.9: BE YOUR OWN SHOE DESIGNER!

Upper Street  - Customise your own shoes!

Who knew? WHO knew?!! Everybody except me, that's who!!

Those of you that call yourselves my friends and associates, can just forget it! Nobody told me about Upper Street an online shoe boutique where you can satisfy your burning need for the perfect strut by designing your own shoes, then placing an order to have them handmade. Just.For.YOU!

The company was set up by Katy Chandler and Julia Grinham who clearly have a passion for shoes and giving a girl exactly what she wants.
Take a look at the Upper Street story in the video below.

I had a field day on the design portal, click here and here to see what I plan to strut!

I'd love to see the what the creative fashion stepper in you designs, so please do leave a comment with a link to your design and tell me what inspired you...

MANDLA No.8: STYLE AFRICA EXHIBITION

This exhibition was first installed at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London when I was living in New York and I was gutted to miss it. So of course, I was delighted when I saw that it is now installed at the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery in Birmingham where I'm currently staying, and it was a colourful departure from the torrential rain on the day I visited.

The exhibition provides an overview of the printing and weaving styles used in African textiles as well as the distinctions between certain regions and tribes.

African style is particularly topical with tribal prints being one of the biggest summer trends (not for the first time), global fashion houses such as Burberry featuring the prints in their collection and labels like Stella Jean and Jewel By Lisa are gaining prominence with modern, coveted collections.

Enter Style Africa

Central exhibit

Nigerian printed

Nigerian printed

Luxury woven

Skirt & Jacket

 Style Africa is showing until 2nd September 2012 and while you're there, check out the restrospective celebrating 50 years of Jamaican Independence  Jamaica 50 - a good time to go while the Jamaican Olympic Team are based in Birmingham for London 2012!

MANDLA No.7: FASHIONS OWN ROSE GARDEN

Despite the gloom of the wet British weather, I decided to brighten up my accessories haul with one of my favourite colours, that I can also transition into autumn and winter - rose gold!

Years ago, rose gold used to be considered the poor and unfashionable cousin amongst the precious metals but over the last couple of years, its popularity has made it a favourite for established and emerging accessories designers, PLUS it suits every skin-tone, warming and complementing from the palest to the darkest!

A current obsession - my growing rose collection!

Believe me when I say that I hunted everywhere for an iphone case that would cover the whole device and not just the casing, so imagine my utter joy when I found one by chance in a Michael Kors store, that was not only functional but in rose gold AND on sale!!

Michael Kors have a wide range of iphone cases that carry cards and money and look like envelope clutches and in python skin.

Also well known is their oversize rose gold and jewllery which can be purchased online.

 

The ombre necklace and grey studded belt from H&M don't just look nice but I'm actually enjoying wearing these two items singularly and together and I'm going to team them with berry hues for the autumn and winter to keep me glowing!

Another H&M bargain is the white bangle with the toggle chain fastening and the Folli Follie earrings can be worn as drops or shortened with the mini heart looped up!

Also try ASOS, Net-A-Porter and Ted Baker uses rose gold as a feature compliment on some of the handbags and purses.

MANDLA No.6: 5 REASONS TO STYLE IT OUT IN VANCOUVER

I didn't realise I needed a vacation until my friend invited me to join her on a trip to Vancouver. It wasn't a place that was on my list to visit but the clean and friendly city proved to be a tonic and  now it's at the top of my list as a place to live!

No. 1: The weather can be very British but Vancouver is 4 cities in one – business metropolis, suburbia, island/seaside splendour and beautiful looming mountains, all providing you with an opportunity to utilise layers and be a style chameleon!

The first few days of the trip were wet and a little chilly so layers it was but, I was determind to keep it bright and cheery in true vacation style. The electric blue leather bag from Zara was a birthday gift from my Mum, scarf is from New Look and the  trench is Ben de Lisi

No. 2: Home-grown Canadian stores and labels, I found that "laid back" is the main style theme with rock chic and American preppie being sighted everywhere but indie labels offer a welcome diversity to the mainstream chains and a few of them originate in Vancouver: 

• Aritzia            Bedo

• Dace          Lark 

No. 3: Get you’re outdoors groove on! I’m not usually an outdoors type-o-gal but I did manage to cycle along the sea wall, with the city on my left and the water and mountains to my right!

 

More downtown than up a mountain but I still managed 4 hrs on a bike in 4 inch Kurt Geiger  wedges, a Banana Republic blazer with Dorothy Perkins skinnies!! 

No. 4: Meet the islanders – Granville Island’s huge indoor market and artisan stores make it a fashion, crafts and gourmet haven, like combining London’s Portobello and Borough markets!

Check out the The Net Loft opposite the Public Market housing indie retailers of local and foreign designers and crafts.

 Pretty glasses by Ted Jolda

  

Jo Ludwig's sparkly Glitter Bowls.

 




  

Dresses by Dream Apparel and Articles for People  for those that like to remain stylishly undefined

Ten Thousand Villages for the sheer array of ethnic crafts and accessories from sustainable businesses around the globe

No. 5: Trendy Gastown -  I loved strolling through the regenerated industrial district now populated with boutiques, bars and restaurants

Indulge in leather goods and accessories brand m0851 



 

 


Curated fashion boutique Shop Ishara stocks the neon Rebecca Minkoff Mac bag  - perfect for Summer ’12 but will lead nicely for Autumn ’12 too!

No. 6: It’s a great place to dress up or down for dinner and cocktails!

Malene Birger peach Fiducia dress to The Waterfront Cafe, a top seafood hotspot

Rose gold accessories around the neck and to cinch in the waist both from H&M

Dressing down for Sunday night Jazz at the Pourhouse.