Preview: Dixi

Yesterday morning, Dixi, an online haven for vintage and modern clothing and accessories, released their latest stunning collection. I wouldn't be a very good blogger if I just left it there would I? In that case, it's a good job I've been given the chance to give you a little preview to wet your whistles before you hop on over to their site and haul-away. 

Aren't they lovely? Dixi really have captured contemporary fashion and trends in these mostly vintage or vintage style finds, this means you can give your little on trend look a big hit of personality. One thing I love about Dixi, other than their clothing and accessories exuding sui generis, are their druzy pieces. I don't recall seeing any in jewellery collections elsewhere, so I was immediately drawn to these striking rough cut stone items which give incredible texture and sparkle.

Maxi skirts are undoubtedly staying for yet another season, so these jersey numbers are a wardrobe staple - the wine red version is undeniably bang on trend right now. Rose gold is becoming more and more apparent and if you've not got a little piece in your collection, the aztec double spike bangle is a great place to start. Meanwhile, the  aztec earrings, antique finish turquoise rings, moonstone rings and rose quartz ring scream Grecian goddess. 

In order to keep to the Dixi promise, that their customers are the unique ladies in the crowd getting complimented for such eye-catching and different pieces, most of these jewellery items will be one offs. Once it's gone, it's gone. No going back. So if there's something here that catches your eye you'll need to head to the website sharpish!

Below are my favourite pieces from the preview which I've popped together to create a look.

Monochrome will be a big SS13 hit - personally I'm really excited to try it - so I popped together this mono look which is accentuated by the statement red garnet ring. (Okay, beige and black isn't strictly monochrome but I won't tell if you don't, ok?) Pair with a skinny belt, sunnies and black ankle boots for an effortless, yet chic, springtime look.

EXCLUSIVE: Free UK shipping code for my readers on a purchase of £15 or over for 7 days, starting Sunday 27th January and ending Sunday 3rd Feb. Use code: BLOGGERDISC

There are so many more new items in addition to these, 100+ I think, so check out the new in section of the Dixi online shop here.

You can also visit the Dixi eBay store, Facebook & Twitter

What are your favourites? Happy shopping!

Jolie fille, jolie vêtements, Jolie Moi!

Unfortunately, that's the extent of my French.

First off, pretty amazing news. I won 'best style and fashion advice' runner up in the New Look Holiday Hop competition on the wonderful Michelle Chai's blog Daisybutter! This means I will be getting a £30 New Look voucher through the post sometime soon and I'll be keen to make you all a post to show you what I spent it on. The other runners up entries were fab and the winners entry? WOW! Look. I'm pretty chuffed because I never seem to win anything (goes right back to my childhood and entering magazine competitions.)

Anyway, back to the sole purpose of today's post.

My list of shops is just getting longer and longer and I've another to pop onto the somewhat curling list: Jolie Moi!

They sound like my style personified, taking the latest trends but offering a vintage and wearable twist at payday friendly prices. It's only too well known that some lovely vintage-esque clothes make a hole in your lovely new purse.

Left: Jumper £35 Centre: Crochet dress £52 Right: Slouchy lace insert top £26;

1. Polka dot bodycon dress £28 // 2. Pink lace bodycon dress £28 // 3. Skull print dress £28 // 4. Woodland scene dress £40 // 5. Black mesh skirt £28 // 6. Galaxy skirt £22 // 7. Button pleated top £22 // 8. Patchwork/ colour block bag £85;

Right away I'm seeing catwalk inspired trends in the garments above; oversized, geometric, monochrome, crochet, lace, slouchy, galaxy, gothic, grungy, motif, chiffon and colour block. 

Paired with ankle socks, block heels/sandals, creepers or brogues with some lovely red or pink lips and maybe even a bunny bow, you have the perfect on-trend-with-a-vintage-twist look! 

I'm irrevocably in love with numbers 1, 3 and 4. Many people know that I am animal mad and will happily stop traffic to let a bunny cross the road (or in a funny case have a hare run alongside me at 40mph), so the wildlife dress is perfect for me. The beautiful motif caught my eye and I love the gothic mesh skirt that goes with it. The skull dress is a lovely autumnal colour and what's brilliant is they have different facial skeletal? expressions. Finally, the polka dots. I love a good sequence of spots and a bodycon style to show off your curves, and the crochet lace frill trim makes it a winner for me.

I urge you to check them out. 

A week in Southwold

I've not been away since 2010, not even for a weekend, and my last family holiday was in 2007; so to have 9 days away at the end of June/ beginning of July was heavenly. I'm a sucker for exploring new places and my worst idea of a holiday is one where you lay around all day every day, so this was perfect.

Colourful cottages of Southwold

We stayed in Reydon which is not even two minutes from Southwold by car and a 10/15 minute walk. I've always loved independent and individual shops, while I do love a good chain store you get something much more personal and special from independent retailers. Whether it be a bakers, butchers or cafe/restaurant you often get outstanding service and homemade quality foods that have been made with love and not thrown off a production line. 

The Olympic Torch relay

I managed to catch the torch even though we were late down there (I missed the freebies- boo!). That aside it was lovely to see everyone line the streets, and you know what I noticed? Not a single loud mouthed chav; I didn't see one for the whole holiday- what a bonus.

  Vintage excursion bus Southwold and the surrounding areas really are a treasure as you can see from this adorable bus. The pier and the beach huts make it what it is too but I unfortunately didn't get any photos of them as every time I went to, it rained! Typical.    Handmade leather diamante dog collars

If I had a female dog, that white collar would be hers. I saw so many beautifully handmade pieces that I could have bought but I wouldn't have had anywhere to put them! Some things were incredibly expensive and I saw many fab brands like Mulberry, People Tree, Barbour and Acne. Talk about lust.

Aldeburgh beach and boats  Me, my mum and dad stopped at Aldeburgh for a couple of hours; a wander along the beach, a browse around the quaint shops a, yummy coffee and mint chocolate chip ice cream tub and being hailed at by a builder later we carried on to Leiston.    Classic 'admit one' cinema tickets from 'The Last Projectionist' documentary

We went along to Leiston film theatre which is a striking independent one screen cinema-come-theatre. They had a special one off screening of a documentary called The Last Projectionist with an introduction and Q&A with the Director Tom Lawes. It was aptly shown in the regions oldest purpose built independent cinema and documents the rise and fall of the independent cinemas and the making way from 35mm film to digital during critical periods of history from the early 1900's to just last year. It takes a really unique perspective and I recommend it to anyone interested in film out there. The director-come-producer-come-coffee maker is a genuinely lovely and inspirational guy who bought the Birmingham electric cinema and restored it back to what it is today. One thing he said in the Q&A after that really struck me is how independent is making a return- we see it in vintage clothing and accessories more than ever over the past year, but now the multiplex cinemas are offering an 'independent' experience like introducing gallery viewing, a bar and 'luxury' seats. I even noticed it in a Tesco store yesterday at the meat counter where they had written their special offers all over the glass of the cabinet just like the traditional meat markets and butchers do. Off topic but something to think about.

Olympic flags                                           Dotty Blue cafe     I'll be going back again for sure- there's just so much I still need to see, do and take photos of. Undoubtedly, this is one of my favourite places and beats the like of hugely tourist-y locations like Great Yarmouth.