Have Your Say: Samsonite Cabin Sized Suitcases

There comes a time when it seems only prudent to spend a little more on luggage than one would normally deem to be sensible in the interests of not having a wheel fall off said luggage within hours of embarking on a trip which entails a fair amount of moving from place to another. Yes, this is what happened to me. Last year when we went to Sardinia for our summer holiday I bought a new suitcase - for two reasons: 1. my only big suitcase is pink and therefore the boyf does nothing but complain about carrying it - as he inevitably has to because it is usually too heavy for me; and 2. because the only other suitcase I had is barely what I would call hand luggage (thanks to Fly Be's rather mean cabin restrictions). So I bought a new black suitcase and the wheel fell off almost as soon as we landed in Sardinia. Helpful. So I have decided to purchase a new suitcase. And a slightly more sensibly sized suitcase that I will not be able to over-fill and will, therefore, be able to carry myself.

The only question is...

Which colour? Sensible charcoal for my new sensible suitcase?

Or pretty raspberry?

Please nominate me in the "Established Fashion Blog" category

Have you entered my Fab Five giveaway - to celebrate 2 years and 200 followers of Sugar and Spice - yet?

Have Your Say: traditional or metallic Hunter wellies?

When my monthly Elle subscription popped through the letterbox at the beginning of the week I nearly squealed with delight when I saw one of my favourite and probably one of the best loved British bloggers, Sasha Wilkins of Liberty London Girl, smiling back at me from the new ad campaign for Hunter wellington boots. A British icon for a British icon. If you haven't seen it, this is the ad:

Source

Doesn't she look fabulously British?

I have loved the Hunter brand for a long time but from afar. Until last month I decided to cross of one of my "lust list" items and buy myself a pair. I eventually found a pair of the shorter style in my size in the sales and couldn't have been happier! Neither could my feet, which don't now have to endure getting soaked in the lovely wet weather in totally unsuitable canvas trainers every time it rains. (I promise an outfit pic featuring them very soon!)

Anyhoo, for you lovelies, I thought I'd check out Spartoo's selection of Hunter boots. You could either go traditional with a green or black pair:

Or, for festival season, maybe a metallic pair in either blue or silver would be more appropriate?

Which would be your choice? After the success and fun of last week's poll, I thought I'd try it again:

Shirt? Check!

This is my preppy look. No doubt about it, when I wore this outfit I felt a little I should have traded my heels for wellington boots and added a Barbour and been out in the countryside. Or alternatively, running in and out of shops on the Kings Road!!*

Super Stylish Sis works for Charles Tyrwhitt and recently went to one of their sample sales and managed to snag this shirt for me - no idea how much it was (it seemed rude to ask unless I was going to offer to pay for it!!!) but the website has some really bargainous offers in the sale.

Do you like the clutch? Do you?!! I am in love *swoon* I have been looking for a leather day-clutch for a while now and when I saw this in the Asos sale I know I just had to have it. Not only that but it's great for this summer's colour block trend too.

I am wearing: Charles Tyrwhitt shirt, H&M jeans, Blink heels (via Spartoo) and Asos clutch.


*Please note - this is not negative but just not my normal style!!

This shirt has been sitting in a bag in the bottom of my wardrobe for a few weeks now and today I decided it was definitely time to get it out.

What Was I Wearing: lazy weekend outfit made good

I don't know about you but when my weekend activities consist of a quick dash to the supermarket and petrol station and changing beds and hoovering and cleaning and many many more boring things like that besides, I don't really feel like making too much of an effort with my outfit. Or my make-up. Or my hair. But even a pair of jeans and a plain tee don't have to be plain and boring, just add a little bling in the form of a statement necklace, like this one from Marks and Spencer:

And a pair of patent pumps, like these from Bloch (via Spartoo):

How do you dress at the weekend?

Have Your Say: Black or beige?

When I spotted these Esprit boots over at Spartoo, I knew they were just the thing for the transitional season (or summer, as we like to call it here in the UK!). But then I realised I had a dilemna... which colour? I can't really justify buying both pairs, so do I get black or beige?

Or alternatively, do you think they are ug-ly and I should get neither!!?

Mirror Image: Coco has a twin!

Last week, I wore my new striped Mango dress, this week I wear its twin sister (the colours are simply reversed). Yes, that's right, I loved it so much that I bought it again*:

My new denim jacket (c/o Joe Browns) has been just the perfect thing to throw on over summer dresses in what passes for summer here in the UK!!

I am wearing: Joe Browns denim jacket; Mango dress; and Blink heels (via Spartoo).

Do you have a favourite piece that you wear so much that you bought two of?

*Would totally recommend buying more than one of a piece if you like it and know you'll get a lot of wear out of it - more particularly when it is in more than one colour/colour-way.

Style Inspiration from Kate Middleton's shoe rack!

So far during her visit to Canada with her husband, Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, has been seen sporting a pair of Sebago boat shoes on two different occasions. If you fancy getting your hands on her style, why not snap up a pair by the New England based brand for yourself?

These Felucca Lace shoes are very similar to those that Kate wore:

Or you could go for the more iconic Docksides:

If you prefer Kate's smarter side, why not try out her other favourite shoe brand, Nine West:

She's been spotted in their wedges at least twice already in Canada. Here are a couple of options:

These Lazar wedges are practical and, presumably, easy to walk in:

And these Sadock wedge court shoes are elegant and chic:

Which look do you like best of the Duchess?

PS. I have added a little poll in the top of the right hand column, if you have a spare second - please choose your response. Thank you.

5 Under £50: Royal Garden Party shoes

Or 7 nearly under £70!!

Cinders will go to the Ball and she will do so in a pretty dress and a beautiful pair of shoes. But which dress? And which shoes? I still haven't decided on a dress, or a hat, or shoes! With less than a week to go!! So - for now - I have given up on the dress and am turning my attention to the shoes. I currently plan to choose a pair of shoes for the day from those I currently own but there's no harm in looking, is there...?!

Any thoughts will be gladly welcomed:

Sensible and conservative - but boring?
Clockwise from top left: Pura Lopez pale pink court shoes; Paul & Joe Sister black pumps; Maloles beige court shoes; and Nine West black heels.

Flatties: won't sink into the lawns at Buckingham Palace!!
Left to right: Ravel ballerinas; and Bloch ballerinas.

Sandals for a summer garden party: Nine West sandals

Which would you choose for the Royal Garden party?

Holiday Essentials #1

My number one holiday essential has to be, these Havaiana fit sandals:

I have worn them literally non-stop since I got them in the post from Spartoo at the beginning of May. I wore them the whole time in Ibiza and again last weekend in Valencia. They combine the ease of flip flops and jelly sandals and are comfortable and practical all at the same time. All for £24 - can't be too bad?!

What is your holiday essential?

PS:

Have you entered my giveaway to win a fabulous pair of Oasis New Vintage earrings? If not, make sure you do so right away!! You can’t win, if you don’t enter!

AND, if you have already voted for me in the Filofax Facebook Blogger Style Off, thank you. If you haven’t voted for me yet, please do go and vote for me and will be forever grateful.

How to... pack a capsule wardrobe for your holidays

I already told you that I basically lived in my Gap vest, H&M denim cut-offs and Havaianas for the whole of the three days we were in Valencia, but did you believe me? Well, if not, here is the proof. Yes, it is a different colour Gap vest but it is pretty much the same one. This is how I pack a capsule wardrobe for my holidays!!

Do you pack light for your holidays? If so, how do you manage it? If not, who carries your bags?!

PS:

Have you entered my giveaway to win a fabulous pair of Oasis New Vintage earrings? If not, make sure you do so right away!! You can’t win, if you don’t enter! 

AND, if you have already voted for me in the Filofax Facebook Blogger Style Off, thank you. If you haven’t voted for me yet, please do go and vote for me and will be forever grateful.

Alright shortie!

Until a couple of years ago I resolutely refused to wear shorts. I think it had something to do with having always had to wear them on summer holidays as a child and feeling the need, as an adult, to rebel against that. Now, though, it is all I want to wear on my holidays. (Mothers really do know best, it would seem!)


This was basically what I lived in for three days in Valenica:

I am wearing: denim cut-offs by H&M, Gap vest (currently on sale), Havaianas and H&M bag.

*These photos were taken at the Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències in Valencia.

Is there any item of clothing that you refuse to wear as an adult that you were made to wear when younger?

PS:

Have you entered my giveaway to win a fabulous pair of Oasis New Vintage earrings? If not, make sure you do so right away!! You can’t win, if you don’t enter!

AND, if you have already voted for me in the Filofax Facebook Blogger Style Off, thank you. If you haven’t voted for me yet, please do go and vote for me and will be forever grateful.

Ibiza: What's In My (Beach) Bag

I always love seeing other people's "What's In My Bag" posts and it's been a while since I did one (you can see my last one here). So I took the opportunity when packing for my recent weekend away to take some photos for this post:

For the trip, I decided I needed a new bag (who doesn't need a new bag for an exciting trip?!), so after scouring the shops and the internet I came across this Rip Curl bag, complete with its own beach mat. Could it have been anymore perfect?

For the beach, I always pack the all-important sun screen and sunglasses. These sunglasses were a birthday present from my parents:

I also like to have an easy-to-read book - this time I took "I Heart New York" with me - a light and entertaining read. I also make sure I have a pair of jelly flip flops in my bag - great for getting my feet wet and not worrying about ruining a beautiful pair of sandals. Of course, I also pack the essentials of my purse and bikini!

What do you pack in your beach bag?

Wardrobe Update #9: School sandals

The idea of this series is to do the leg-work for you to find instant catwalk updates for your Spring Summer wardrobe.

Style.com

"I don't like making clothes for red-carpet events," Tomas Maier said shortly after his impressive show today. "I like real life."


And so the Bottega Veneta designer had demonstrated when he sent models down the catwalk in flat leather sandals reminiscent of those that my mum used to dress me in for the summer term at school. Easy, laid back and highly practical and great, no matter if your budget won't afford you a designer pair:

SAVE: Casual Attitude Atra

SPEND: Emu Yuku

SPLURGE: Emma.Go Sienna

Do these remind you of your school days? Will you be investing in a pair of flat leather sandals?


If you've missed any of the previous Wardrobe Update posts, you can find them here.

BARGAIN OF THE DAY: Cotton and Leather Shopper

The colour is totally on trend and the leather straps are a chic addition and for less than £20 it is a bar-gain!!

Wardrobe Update #7: Flatforms

The idea of this series is to do the leg-work for you to find instant catwalk updates for your Spring Summer wardrobe.

Last summer Chanel brought us clogs, this summer the flatform:

Style.com

Apparently they like to challenge us with their footwear choices each season! So I have tried to find flatforms for every budget:

SAVE: Cubanas Guantanamera

SPEND: Fly London Yoda

SPLURGE: Camper Damas

Will you be wearing flatforms this season? What would you wear them with?


If you've missed any of the previous Wardrobe Update posts, you can find them here.