Good Enough to Eat: Outfit Post 3

A Hummingbird Cupcake Ouftit

 A 50s inspired outfit to be worn whilst eating pastel shade Hummingbird bakery cupcakes.

 

 Dress, Natasha Bailie Vintage Clothing, £95

Jacket, Fever London, £49.50

Shoes, Office, £62

Bag, Big Bags by Bridget Saunders at notonthehighstreet.com, £40

Earrings, Les Néréides, £63.10

Headband, Joy, £8

Frame image source: graphicsfairy.blogspot.com

Dear Diary...

Yes, I write a diary. I have done for as long as I can remember. Like most long relationships there have been ups and downs: months spent apart as well as times of great passion. Oh for those evenings spent me and my diary, as I nearly set the pages alight scratching vigorous accounts of that girl whose shoes I really, really wanted, or that boy who I really, really fancied.

I think it is a tragedy that so few people keep a diary. In my diary, if nowhere else, I am the movie star in my own film.

In my diary I can write whatever I like; it is like talking to an elderly relative who loves you very much but is very hard of hearing. They will sit and nod and it really doesn't matter what you say. I can fill the pages with mundane details about the food I ate that day, I can safeguard my most thrilling gossip (sadly never particularly thrilling) or I can write four pages about bookshops...

9th June 2012

I am sat in bed with a happy pile of books next to me. Today I spent several hours in two beautiful independent bookshops in Bath. I could have spent all day there. I could have spent my life there.


Bookshops are unlike any other place. They are ripe with opportunity - all the possibilities of the juicy words I could pluck from bookshelves that are like branches. Not just the opportunity of all the books I could read, but also the opportunity of all the different types of person I could be. The books you have on your shelf and the books you read on the tube say a lot about the kind of person you are, or at least the kind of person you want other people to think you are. It is inadvisable, for example, to read self-help books on the underground. I once sat next to a woman on the Victoria Line who had her head bent over 'How to Find a Husband'.

Back in the bookshop. If the books are fruit and the shelves are branches, then I want to sit quietly in the shade of the trees and wonderfully waste away an afternoon.


The first bookshop we went to was called Mr B's Emporium of Reading Delights and had wooden floorboards and a clawfoot bath in the window full to the brim with children's books. The shop twisted around corners where unusual titles were hidden amongst wrapping paper and birthday cards and above a small bench seat scattered with gingham cushions. 


Upstairs was a small coffee shop, although we didn't go up to have a look. But I imagined it: wooden tables, one with a wobble. Chairs with homemade cushions. And cake. Of course. 


After book shop number one (and three purchases), we walked down the street in the sunshine. At the end we bought ice cream from a little stall. It was lovely and locally made, but in those crunchy wafer cones that taste like stale seaside holidays. 


I like watching how different people eat ice creams.


We walked up the other side of the street and then went into bookshop number two, Topping's. This one was bigger, which meant more books and more difficult decisions. 

Here they love books so much that they wrap the covers of their favourite ones in cellophane. I like the idea of wrapping all my favourite things in clear plastic; the kind of plastic you get around sweets and flowers (that says a lot). 

In the shop there were tables and chairs placed like commas through the room, offering pauses to the people sat at them drinking coffee and reading books. The sound of running water behind the till comes as a surprise; they have a kettle and a cafetiere and a teapot in this bookshop. 


A man was in there with his dog, a big brown spaniel who huffed and puffed as they walked up the short flight of stairs to the 'Arts Room' - the section of the shop dedicated to art and design books.

I pulled out the spines that smiled their sideways smiles at me and left the shop with an even larger pile of books.

Now to decide which one to read first...

Libby 


P.S And yes, I do realise that I cannot draw. And my handwriting would make primary school teacher put her hands in her head and weep. Miss Jenkins, I apologise for my wayward ways.

Libby Loves

* 'I want to have adventures with you' (Really, I do) £40, Urban Outfitters

*YES' bag : because life is worth saying yes to. £12, notonthehighstreet.com

*Daisy earrings, £7, thischarminggirl.com

*Stag head, £100, V&A shop

*Practically Perfect in Every Way teatowel (I want to be Mary Poppins), £9.95, notonthehighstreet.com

*Neon satchel, £98, Cambridge Satchel Company

*Happy Hour cocktail book, £9.99, Urban Outfitters

*Safari biscuits, £38.50 (including £5 for the Great Ormond St Hospital), Biscuiteers

*Train ticket cushion, £28, notonthehighstreet.com

*Initial purse, £14, Urban Outfitters

*Vinyl record cake stand, from £26, notonthehighstreet.com

*Rabbit lamp, £60, notonthehighstreet.com

*I love London lunchbox (because you're never to old for sandwiches cut into triangles), £5, V&A shop

Libby

Pretty Pickings

I have always thought of Miss Selfridge as Topshop's little sister; tugging at the too short hemline of her too tight skirt, trying to be noticed yet forever in the shadow of her quirky, confident and blow-dried older sister. Her wardrobe seemed to be a monotonous collection of minidresses, hotpants and too-tight t-shirts. However, recent years have seen a shift in style, and subsequently in my perceptions. Whilst Topshop has chased the high fashion dream with designer collaborations and more exclusive ranges (and price points) the little sister has grown up. Walking into a Miss Selfridge store in 2010 you are met by fashion conscious clothes with pretty twists, and the desire is in their relieving wearability.

So here is a pick of the prettiest (and, naturally, pinkest) pickings from the dark horse of the high street...

The dungarees above (£35) seem to be the pure embodiment of summer. Team with a white vest, headscarf or straw hat, espadrilles and a love-worn shirt for summer evenings.

The sailor girl / Chanel connotations of this pale pink bow front dress (£39) make for a very cute LPD (Little Pink Dress).

Covered in a glorious summer boquet print, this playsuit (£22) is listed as beachwear - so is perfect for throwing over a bikini. But teamed with the right accessories (wedges, 'done' hair and popping pink lipstick) it could make a splash away from the shore too.

These fab earrings (£7) remind me of a collection of rings Dior made a few years ago, rings that I pined over and whose advertising campaign still adorns my bedroom wall. Unfortunately the Dior versions were (just a little! ha) out of my price range. In step Miss Selfridge, therefore, to soothe my tears with their cheeringly affordable interpretation.

Espadrilles are a comfy and left-field summer shoe that somehow seem completely right. These floral versions (£12) are right on the mark.

These heels (£39) are utterly fabulous. With their retro look, chunky heel and big bow I want to wear them whilst dancing the night away to sixties hits.

On a more demure tone, these blush pink peep toes (£35) have a more manageable heel and are laced with a silk ribbon that is beyond devine.

Libby

Happy Camper

You could probably guess, but I am not a camping person. I say this, however, after returning from a week of camping in Devon with my friends. There are aspects of camping that I enjoy; waking up to "good morning"s coming from the other tents and to a breakfast of porridge and syrup or barbecued sausages. One evening we all sat outside in our sleeping bags playing cards, before lying back into the grass and falling asleep watching the stars. Luckily we woke up again and dragged ourselves into our tents before the first drop of rain fell.

Because that is the flip-side of camping. It rained at least once every single day. Shoes became sodden and my body acquired a permanent layer of damp sand after using the one towel I had brought with me for both apres beach and apres shower. I may have seen dozens of floppy bunny rabbits hopping around the campsite in my late night toilet excursions, but I still got cold and returned to the tent damp from the rain.

However, perhaps my biggest objection to camping is my aversion to khaki. It may be the colour of next season, however it loses its allure somewhat when in the form of a sea of drab tents as opposed to a jacket or shearling coat. Why does camping equipment have to be so deeply unattractive? I fail to find one good reason why a tent should be khaki. Camouflaging into the surroundings? Surely that's the last thing you want when returning to your tent after the pub or trying to locate it after nipping to the loo at 2 in the morning.

No, I mantain that any camping experience would be greatly improved if it involved sleeping underneath this Zandra Rhodes teepee tent (£89.99 at Millets). This is the ultimate tent for the ultimate happy camper. Because in the words of Coco Chanel, "Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening." So why should fashion stop at camping?

To match the Zandra Rhodes tent is this snuggly sleeping bag (£24.99 at Millets), both warm and pretty enough to induce the sweetest of dreams.

A pink, polka dot double skinned tent (£44.99 at onestopfestival.com) - pretty perfect I'd say.

There'd be no chance of losing this multi-coloured tent from Millets (£49.99).

This whacky zebra print tent is a pop-up version making for quick and easy assembling. (£24.99 at Millets)

I am lucky enough to own this pink sleeping bag, which I slept in last week along with my pink 'Love' cushion that I brought with me. It is so warm and comfortable (not to mention pink and beautiful) that I am tempted to sleep in it at home too. (£24.99 at Blacks)

And last but not least, I am in love with 'Anorak' sleeping bags. The comfy sleeping bags come in a range of kitsch designs for the most stylish night's sleep. This bunny version has to be my favourite. (All designs £55)

I love this cute birdie bag.

And if you're bored of counting sheep, try counting boats instead.

Libby

I love Octopus

Octopus, home to wonderfully wacky accessories and homeware, is one of my favourite shops. Walk in to one of their stores and you are met by an array of rainbow coloured goodies, from floral toasters to jewellery made from zips, and umbrellas too pretty to inflict rain upon. Every trip to Bath (one of my nearest cities) or Cambridge (to visit my sister) demands a visit to the Octopus shop, one which usually ends with me leaving with one of their bright blue bags, the famous octopus logo emblazoned on the side.

My favourite thing from Octopus was given to me by my sister, knowing how much I love the shop. This patent pink bag in the shape of a watering can always receives compliments, giggles or bemused looks. Because that's the thing with Octopus - it's a little bit crazy, but then what's wrong with a little pink dose of crazy?

I love the bag's hot pink colour that matches perfectly with my new watch from New Look. I have long pined over the neon bright, sporty style of ToyWatches. They are very much in vogue, gracing the pages of nearly every magazine. However at £165 I had to accept that I was never going to be able to afford the real thing. So instead of sulking, I opted for New Look's pretty much identical version for £15. Lovely.

A tad on the mini side, this bag is just big enough to fit a purse, pink lipstick, phone, and a rolled copy of Vogue poking out. Just big enough in my opinion.

I dream of buying pretty much everything from Octopus, and decking my life in multicoloured fabulousness. Below are a pick of some of my pink favourites from the Octopus website:

£24 This is a bag that is shaped like a car. Like the watering can bag, this is probably a love or hate number, but I don't care because I LOVE it.

£7.50 I love this cute acrylic ring, with the blushing cheeks, blonde bob and flower headband. I want to be the girl on this ring.

£35 Who said clocks were all about telling the time? This wall clock may not have any numbers, but the flowers that surround it are so pretty and colourful. Who needs to know the exact time of day when you have a timepiece this beautiful brightening your wall?

Large £12.00 Small £9.50 I think getting ready in the morning should be an enjoyable process. Perhaps I'm just strange, but I go to bed looking forward to deciding what to wear in the morning. I love getting dressed and putting my make up on, but think the whole thing would be enhanced if I had a hairbrush this pretty to use.

£8.50 I'm not sure if this pretty pair of tweezers would make plucking my eyebrows any less painful, but they are very cute anyway.

£14 Oh what an urge I would have to cut things out if I owned a pair of these bird scissors.

£16 Washing up doesn't have to be all soap suds, grease and fluorescent marigolds. Wash up in style with these beautiful gloves and the whole thing will become a much more glamourous task altogether. Promise.

£14 This cheese grater is pretty silly, but pretty it is nonetheless. And kitchen utensils should always be pretty in my opinion (see my 18th birthday post below).

Libby

A lovely little bit of Lunacy

How can I fail to love a shop that has a flamingo for its logo? I love online store Lunacy Boutique for its sugarlicious jewellery and quirky accessories. Here is a pick of my favourites...

What more does a girl need than a bright pink cuckoo clock? And at just £17.50 I'd call that a bargain too.

And now for something sweet... Lunacy Boutique have been dipping into the cookie jar for inspiration for their delicious range of jewellery. Wear your favourite confectionery around your neck with these necklaces, from £13.

This marshmallow bracelet (£15) looks so realistic I have images of myself subconciously nibbling on my wrist if I was feeling peckish. Marshmallow shades are going to be big this summer, so why not have some fun and go for the real thing?

These earrings, £8 are so cute. Iced gems make me think of the birthday tea parties I had when I was younger, as do jammy dodgers which take pride of place on rainbow hair bows for £7.50.

I think these dolly mix earrings (£5) are my favourite Lunacy Boutique find. Dolly mixtures are my favourite sweets, and I think these could be set to become my favourite earrings.

This grinning toast ring (£5) and gingerbread man brooch (£4.50) made me smile.

Crayons make me think of my primary school days, and at just £4.50 these quirky crayon earrings are fit for pocket money prices too.

With Valentine's Day coming up this sexy legs necklace (£23) with its inundation of tiny pink hearts seems very fitting.

What's there not to love about a sky blue purse (£26) featuring two kissing lovebirds? The romantic inside me sighs a happy sigh.

And finally... I didn't even know handmuffs still existed. I am very pleased to see that they do. These look like furry little creatures screaming out to be hugged. At £18 the only question is, which pattern bow to choose? Or maybe it's best to go for all three and make a happy, snuggly handmuff family, a different bow for every outfit.

Visit the website at www.lunacyboutique.co.uk

Libby

Pink Lemons

Perhaps lemons are usually a juicy yellow, but in one shop they are pink. 'Pink Lemons' is a clothing and gift shop with outlets in Bath and Bristol. I particularly love their jewellery and accessories; it is the perfect place to find pretty and quirky gifts. Having recently launched their online store http://www.pinklemons.uk.com/ now even more people can get their hands on a juicy find. From wire heart photo frames to a pair of lace up heeled brogues that I have fallen in love with the website is full of things to pine after. Here are some of my favourite pink 'Pink Lemon' finds. The pink flying pig is called 'Betsy' and is not a hallucination, it is a candle. Sticking with the animal theme I also love this pink owl cushion. I thought these two scarfs were fab too, the hot pink one with its quirky swirling pattern and the vivid floral design. Florals may be a sure fire hit for this spring, but why not start early and bring some sunshine to a wintery outfit?

Libby