30 for 30 Challenge: The Remixers

Last summer I embarked on a six month shopping ban and whilst it was great for my bank balance and taught me to really appreciate what is in my wardrobe, those lessons and benefits have fallen by the wayside since the ban ended at the beginning of the year. Both the boyf and my mother have suggested that I do it again but a whole six months feels like such a long time now. However with a holiday on the horizon and birthdays and my Paris trip and then Christmas, I need to get my finances in order and had already decided to take a month off shopping – next month, to be precise – when I came across this challenge:


Kendi of Kendi Everyday challenged herself and others earlier this year to wear and remix 30 items from their wardrobe for 30 days.


So I thought, why not? I could do that too. Couldn’t I?


So, starting tomorrow, this is what I will be doing. I have chosen my 30 items from my wardrobe – and washed and ironed them all – and every day for the next 30 days I will post my “remixed” outfit here, featuring the 30 carefully chosen items.


Now, later this month I am off on holiday for 10 days, so I have had to factor this into my decision making a little which means that a fair few of my 30 items are beach related. We’ll just have to see how that works out for the 20 or so days that I’m not on holiday and that, instead, I am in rainy Britain.


There is another reason for my deciding to set myself this challenge: I have recently fallen out of love with everything in my wardrobe. Every morning as I lie in bed trying to convince myself to get up, I do a little mental tour of my wardrobe and instantly wish I didn't have to get up because, despite a wardrobe packed with clothes and drawers overflowing with more clothes, I have nothing to wear. I’m hoping that this challenge will remind me of all of the lovely clothes I have and give me some ideas for those mornings when I feel less than enthusiastic about the contents of my wardrobe.


To get me going I’ve even planned a few “fall back” outfits in case I get stuck for ideas at any point but I won't reveal anything here!


If you’re after a little more of an extreme challenge, you could try the Six Items Or Less Challenge!


If you do decide to take up either of these challenges, why not tell us all about it? Leave a comment here or send me an email and I might even feature you.


I’d just like to add that I found out about the challenge from Modly Chic – Modly Chic is a fashion blog for the average girl who cares about looking good without spending a lot of money and without looking cheap. Sounds good? Then go check this wonderful and pretty blog out.

Beauty Review: Dove Visible Care Creme Body Wash

I wasn't sure that I really believed the adverts when I first bought the Dove Visible Care Creme Body Wash. But it works. It really does.

I am lazy and that means that when it comes to moisturising, I don't. In the winter that's not so bad as I'm all covered up but come summer and short sleeves and no tights, I have a problem. A flaky skin problem. Which is not very attractive.

This summer was no different. So when I saw the adverts for the Dove Visible Care Creme Body Wash I couldn't help but be a little bit excited. I have to shower, right? And whilst in the shower I use a body wash, right? So now I could exactly what I was doing and still not bother mositurise and my flaky skin would be a thing of the past. It was worth a go.

A month on and I am still using the body wash. I was surprised at how quickly my arms looked better. I even stopped using it for a few days and the flakes came back! I have got a bit better at moisturising my legs but I will not stop using this body wash.

10 out of 10 Dove, thank you very much.

Have you tried Dove's Visible Care Creme Body Wash? If so, what did you think? What is your shower/post-shower regime? Are you lazy, like me? Or are you a bathroom goddess?

J'aime mon carré

Hot off the success of Burberry's Art of the Trench site which was launched last year, Hermès have launched a fansite of their own: J'aime Mon Carré: learn out to knot your scarf the Hermès way and check how others are wearing theirs.

Info and photo courtesy of the fabulous Fashion Foie Gras - if you haven't checked out Emily's blog yet, go do it now!!

Bargain of the Day: Asos Chunky Metal Ring

Looking for a cheap and cheerful update for your wardrobe that'll see you through to next season whilst still being on-trend now? Make a statement now and then with this Chunky Engraved Metal Ring from Asos, £10.

Something for the Weekend #5: 30/07/2010

I know that a lot of blogs already do this and indeed even our very own Independent Fashion Bloggers has their own Links à la Mode and now I propose to have my own Weekly Links series.


This week:


♥ Why not check out Good Life For Less' Guide to Better Blogging?


♥ And Rachel Phipps' Top Ten Websites For Fashion Bloggers? 


♥ Discover a new blog with an exciting daily mission: at New Dress A Day Marisa seeks to create a new dress each day with only a $1 a day: read all about the project here.


♥ Visit my Stylish Sister's brand sparkling new website - Sew Beautiful Designs - which very soon will have all of her wonderful handmade stock right there for you to buy.


♥ There's a new Asos Magazine out now and there's no need to clutter the place up with more magazines - you can read it online. This month's cover girl is one of our very own Style Icons, Olivia Palermo.


♥ Whether this is your first visit to Sugar & Spice or you're a regular reader, if you like what you're reading maybe you'd kindly consider nominating my little blog for the first ever Cosmopolitan Blog Awards in the Fashion & Style section?


Of course, I'd love you to check out my favourite blog posts from the past week:


♥ Check out what's in My Jewellery Box;


♥ Share in my joy at finding a maxi dress that actually fits;


♥ Join the debate, what do you think? Delivery costs: fair enough or enough's enough?


And one final reason to be happy that it's the weekend: it's pay day today.


Have a good weekend one and all. And, if you have a post you'd like me to read this week, email it to me or leave a link in the comments here.


Photos from: New Dress A Day; Rachel Phipps; Sugar and Spice; Sugar and Spice

Bargain of the Day: heeled moccasins from Pare Gabia

Looking for a bargain and one that will see you through into the new season too? Why not snatch up these heeled moccasins that currently have 50% off in the Spartoo sale. Pare Gabia Crine in Blackberry, were £145, now £72.50.

Style Icon: Daisy Lowe

Daisy Lowe is set to be one of the style icons of the 2010s.


The fashion model is the daughter of the singer/songwriter turned textile and fashion designer, Pearl Lowe and Gavin Rossdale, the front man for the band Bush.


At just 21, Daisy Lowe has already graced the cover of British Vogue as well as the covers and pages of many other fashion publications. She is currently fronting the commercial campaign for her mother's range at bargain high street store, Peacocks.


Lowe has appeared on the catwalks of London, New York and Milan for a number of fashion houses, including Burberry and Vivienne Westwood and Henry Holland.


What do you think of this young ladies eclectic style?


If you have missed the previous style icons featured on the blog, check them out here.

Tell me, who is your style icon?

Bargain of the Day: Vanessa Bruno Athé sandals from the Outnet

If you're still looking for a pair of sandals for your last minute holiday, look no further. These Vanessa Bruno Athé Studded leather flat sandals, from the Outnet, now have 55% off: Original Price £195 Now £87.75.

Mani of the week: French Mani

What do you think of my DIY French Manicure?


I used 17 Strengthening Base Coat, No7 Nail Tip Whitener and Chanel Le Vernis in Flamme Rose.

The long awaited maxi dress

Yes! I finally found a maxi dress that I liked and isn't too long. And here it is:

The dress is from H&M, as is the scarf, the belt is Dorothy Perkins, bangle from Next and the shoes from Spartoo.


I also had a play with my remote:

What do you think of my long awaited maxi? And of my final photos?

Bargain of the Day: Kenneth Jay Lane cocktail ring from the Outnet

Make a statement with this Kenneth Jay Lane Silver-plated Swarovski panther ring , from the Outnet, now with 70% off: Original Price £102.18 Now £30.65.

Would you change for a man?

After my post last week about Grease and the way in which Sandy and Danny transform the way they dress at the end of the film, I got to thinking about those occasions when I have changed the way I dress to suit someone or a certain situation.


When I started my internship in the European Parliament three and a bit years ago, I suddenly found myself in an environment where a suit was the norm. In my previous office, a suit had been the exception. It is sometimes difficult to keep a sense of your own identity when the way you dress has to change dramatically almost over night. You might remember that I wrote a post a while back which attempted to give advice on How to... dress for success without a suit in sight?


Over three years of working in a smart office where business attire is expected (all of the men wear suits, with no exceptions), I have learnt to dress in a way that still lets me express myself, just as I would outside of work. Accessories are still my essential item.


But changing how I dress for a man? Now that is something that I find a whole lot harder to stomach. Sure, I might make more of an effort when I have a boyfriend (for example, fewer Sundays spent pigging out with greasy hair and no make-up!) but I don't try to be someone who I am not.


And I think that is the crux of the issue for me: to change how I dress would be to change who I am.


Would you change how you dress, for a man?

Shoe search: clogs

Thanks to Karl Lagerfeld and his offerings at Chanel, clogs were all over the catwalks and the high street for Spring/Summer 2010 and, if you're quick, you can still get in on the action. You can even save yourself a few pennies, with these which are a twist on the traditional clog and currently have 50% off:

If you'd prefer something more traditional and maybe easier to walk in, why not go for one of Birkenstock's styles?

Have you been rocking the clog this season?

Je retourne à Paris!

Yes. You read that right. For the second time this year, I'm off to Paris again. This time in October. With my mum. We booked our flights yesterday and I can't wait. Again.


If, like me, you love the French capital, be sure to check out the photos from my last trip.


I have already started planning my trip and have been searching the archives for memories of previous trips:

Now I just need to start browsing those Autumn/Winter collections for my perfect Parisian capsule wardrobe!


Any tips or recommendations for Paris in Autumn, please let me know!

Wishing the Summer Away #3: Asos A/W 2010

I am well and truly on the bandwagon now and there ain't no getting me off! This time it is the turn of my favourite online shopping site, Asos.com.


The Autumn/Winter 2010 collection at Asos is all about juxpositioning feminine pieces alongside tough masculine ones - something which is so much easier to do in the cold than in the warm. I love the styling of the collection and have , again, picked out a few of my favourite pieces and looks:

Another cape for me to drool over, this time in a classic black that will take you from year to year.

Faux fur is the perfect way to stay warm this winter and this faux fur hood and collar conjures images of Russian winters in the snow.

These boots let you play with the sheepskin trend for next season without being too obvious.

This dress is divine while the outfit as a whole looks effortless.

I chose this simple for the mesh tutu-style skirt. I have been looking for one forever. Definitely on my list of things to buy next season!

Great juxapositioning in this outfit: lace dress? Check. Leather jacket? Check. Tough wedges? Check. Fabulous.


All products hit the site in September. Less than two months to wait ladies!


Now tell me, which are your favourite pieces?

Monday Morning Pic-Me-Up

A gorgeous composition: yellow roses (bought by myself, for myself), a lovely card from my Stylish Sis and a candle in a gorgeous wine bottle that dad bought me (naturally, we enjoyed the wine before the candle was put in it!).

Delivery costs: fair enough or enough's enough?

Internet shopping has come into its own in recent years. I remember just a few years back, I'd never have dreamed of shopping online and now it's become second nature. Of course, I'd never completely give up the thrill of a little "real" retail therapy but online shopping is always there as a back-up.


The one thing that has always put me off shopping online is the delivery charges. Sure, I understand that it costs money to send the clothes and that I'd normally have to pay bus fare/train fare/petrol and parking to get to my favourite high street stores but it does make you wonder when one shop charges £4 for your clothes to arrive in what is little more than a plastic bag and another charges you nothing for their clothes to arrive with you in double quick time and beautifully presented in tissue paper and a box. The latter is All Saints. Their clothes might be more expensive but their presentation makes it worth it.


Asos.com recently introduced the option of FREE standard delivery, whilst still providing a faster, paid service. I think this is the perfect way to do it. If you need something quickly and efficiently then we're all willing to pay the price but when it's a £2 ring that caught our eye in the sale, we're not to prepared to make that £6 with the postage.


I know that I am much more likely to make an impulse buy on line if the postage if free and that if I have to pay for it, I am often a lot more sensible about where I spend my pennies.


I asked some fellow bloggers for their opinions on the subject. The consensus was that "the cost [of delivery] often doesn't make clicking "buy" worthwhile". My feeling that impulse buying was less likely: "when I only want one, inexpensive item, and the delivery charge gets added on, it's not worth the purchase". I was also interested by the opinion of one blogger that "I am always put off when there is a delivery charge, because it adds to the expense of the item you are buying - especially if it's on sale".


What are your thoughts on shipping charges for online shopping? How much are you prepared to pay?


Special thanks to those fabulous bloggers who shared their thoughts on this subject with me: Connie of Sogni e Sorrisi; Maria of Frills 'n' Spills; Leia of Leia's Delights; Sherin of HiFashion and Laura of Side Street Style. 

Bargain of the day: espadrille wedges

You might remember these from my Friday night outfit. They were a bargainous £4 from good ol' Primark. They will be perfect for warm evenings on holiday.

My jewellery box

Harriet of Where Is Harriet? recently wrote a post about how she stores her jewellery and it got me thinking about my own rather haphazard jewellery box arrangements.


Here is my jewellery "box":

This is my dressing table assortment: a box from Camden Market which I got for £1, a swan ring holder from my grandmother and a stylish black hand from Topshop.

This is a box which  a friend gave me for my birthday years ago that now sits amongst all of my make-up and toiletries and now houses my bangles, including my new Next bangle.

After months of having to untangle my necklaces every morning I decided to take action and put these hooks up.

This little basket is home to all of my hair accessories.

For my "overflow" jewellery I keep them in a Tupperware container. Not very chic.

This jewellery box was a find on one of my trips to London, from Muji. It's brilliant and has some great compartments that can be interchanged, it's just way too small for my jewellery obsession!

One of my best friends bought me this little box. Beautiful. It keeps some of my rings safe.

How do you store your jewellery?

Guitar solo

This is my lazy Saturday/playing the boyf's guitar outfit. I am wearing: H&M boyfriend denim short and an old Zara shirt.

Bargain of the day: Asos Hankerchief Top

I love this Asos Hankerchief Top. It was already a steal at £8 but it is now in the sale for just £4!

It would love very sexy on a warm summer evening. Grab one now, before they're all snapped up!

Happy bargain hunting!

Beauty review: St Tropez Wash Off Body Lotion

To me, St Tropez is the last word in fake tanning. I have only ever heard good things about it. So when my mother encouraged me to buy the St Tropez Wash Off Body Lotion I didn't really think twice. I figured that it would be perfect for those sunny mornings when I wanted to chuck on a summer dress and had forgotten to fake tan my legs the night before.

I tested it one Sunday morning. The colour is subtle and doesn't look too orange. However it did take a while, I couldn't just slap it on as I do my fake tan and I had to rub it in properly. My hands were quickly a very grubby brown colour that was difficult to wash off and when I left a little excess for a minute or two in a blob on my leg it left a very dark mark that wouldn't go until I scrubbed it the next morning.

The colour was definitely very true and it didn't run or smudge all day, or come off on my clothes. But it was not quick - I couldn't just slap some on in the morning before work - and it stain my hands. Maybe I'll just have to get myself some of the St Tropez Latex Gloves or the St Tropez Tan Applicator Mitt.

Maybe I'll just have to remember to fake tan the night before. Or wear trousers.

Have you tried St Tropez Wash Off Body Lotion?

Beach look #1

I'm still getting used to the remote, so please bear with me.

This is one of my beach holiday outfits that I have bought in preparation: the dress is another H&M bargain - only £2.99!! My espadrille wedges are another bargain, this time from Primark and were just £4! The bangle is my latest Next purchase and the ring is from Accessorize.

What do you think of my beach look?

What are you up to this Friday evening? I'm eating chocolate mini rolls and watching Big Brother. Good times.

More soon. Love, SG