Primark pick of the week #2

Well, this was supposed to be a weekly feature, but it didn't really work out that way, did it? Have no fear however, because I have wrapped myself on the knuckles and made the solemn promise that I Must Try Harder.

Today's pick of the week is a double whammy, as it comes to you courtesy not only of Primarks much underestimated shoe department, but also their sale:


I picked these gorgeous ankle boots up for a mere £6 last night and I have to say i'm a little in love with them (I know, I know, i'm a little in love with something different every day!) The heel is a little narrow for my liking but the oversized bow and the metallic silver detail at the top of the heel? What's not to love?! I've teamed them with black leggings, socks and comfy fluffy insoles, and I have my fingers crossed that they don't start hurting by the end of the day - we have 3 flats to view tonight, and I don't want my legs giving up before I do.
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I for one can't wait for the contracts to be signed so the deposit can get paid and my primark spending can resume its normal frenzied quantity. Last night when trying to take pictures for your viewing pleasure I was nastily informed that I couldn't take photos in store. And then when my sister and I were divvying up the stuff in our shared basket we were told that wasn't allowd either. Since when did shopping in primark take on the qualities of living in a particularly nasty prison?
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So that's decided. With these new rules in place, unless I start spending again you'll never see fabulous pictures of all the wonderful things Primark has in stock. Its a duty and a chore, but someone's got to do it!
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Tor x

Crown Me, Immediately!

I read about the work of Camille Roman, creator of Tour de force, on the stylebubble blog last month, but didn't really take it in. Then this morning my catwalk genius newsletter arrived (did I mention i'm slightly in love with catwalk genius?) and they were waxing lyrical about Camille's work.

Such praise from two highly trusted sources meant that I had no choice other than to check it out. And now i'm totally obsessed! According to Catwalk genius Camille produces "hairpieces which allow people to make an impact with a high-end statement, but be easily adorned comfortable at the same time." And i'm quoting directly because I really couldn't but it better myself!

This is the image gracing the homepage of tourdeforce.com and the one attracting all the attention on the bloggosphere (I really hate using that word!) And you can see why: it really is a statement piece! At £140, it's also the most expensive thing on the site. And I would love to own it, and sit in my living room sporting it and feeling glamorous whilst I watched eastenders with a can of lemonade. I really do live the high life, don't I? But, like most people too afraid of attracting the attention, I don't think i'd be brave enough to wear it out. I'm not letting that put me off though. That doesn't mean tour de force isn't for me. Or for you. Because, for a wedding or a party, this is a hairpiece I would love to wear day in and day out:

It's called the butterfly crown and I think it's beautiful. Its soft floppyness reminds me of a cartoon bunny, and it has something of the anime princess about it.

And the thing that suprised me most? Actually, it really isn't that expensive! As the CG website shows prices in Euros, the weak pathetic pound is working against us at the moment, but even bearing that in mind, the butterfly crown of my dreams is only 76.96, which works out at a nicely rounded £69.91.

These hairpieces are quickly going to become my new obsession. I'm picturing everyone around me wearing them- here's a gold lame turban rose for Becky and monochrome pleated flower that would look amazing set against my sisters dark hair:

You can tell that Camille gained her experience at at Johnny Loves Rosie and Lulu Guinness. Looking at her designs makes you think of last seasons oversized (and I really mean oversized) floppy bows from Johnny Loves Rosie. But bigger and more intricate: they did the mini episode and she wrote the whole animated movie. Her work reminds me of 80's cartoon characters crossed with gorgeous mysterious 1930's film sirens travelling via Japan. And I love it.

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Oversized glamorous attention grabbing wild hair pieces. They're going to be the new black!

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You read it here first.

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Love Tor xxx

A little Etsy loving...

Hunting for unusual furnishings for our new home drove me back to Etsy (I have to have these robot wall transfers on my bathroom mirror!) but it was the amazing fashions that kept me there. My self imposed ban (I really am trying to cut back on my shopping addiction, honest!) meant that it had been so long since I looked on etsy, that i'd almost forgotten it existed, but now i'm back and the obsession starts once more.
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I've just started work on my first ever DIY dress, and it just makes me admire more the handicrafted magic all the clever people on etsy weave over every treat you buy. And shopping there is so much more exciting than on a high street website, because every item you look at is from a different shop meaning the style and atmosphere (yes, I do think an online shop can have an atmosphere!) is completely different. And more so with etsy than any other store, something doesn;t have to be wearable for you to fall in love with it. Which leads me neatly to my first lust -have object:

This beautiful kimono covered in apples by missbubbles (who also makes beautiful cards) is sold with a story: made inspired by the concept of Japanese dress and European folklore tales where the sun tree was a centre of happiness, shelter and beauty. This tree is represented by a blossoming apple tree on the back of kimono. The red apples symbolise happiness, life and magical future.

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It makes me feel special just looking at it and thinking about wrapping it around me. As does:

This feathered and beaded collar/cape by Lestat couture is more Victorian costume than fashion, technically. But I saw it and I loved it. I want to wear it like jewellery over a simple black dress or even jeans and a sweater. In fact, I don't care how I have to wear it, I just want to feel it's weight around my neck and just for once not shy away from all the eyes on me.

For a more every day wear (and if I owned them, I really would wear them everyday) here are the final 2 things my heart desires: This technically bridal organza jacket from the english department, to wear over layers of chiffon dresses and logo tshirts

And this cartoon inspired T shirt dress. In fact, I liked all of luchaworkshop's screenprints so much that it was hard to choose which one I loved the most. The warriors narrowly took the prize!

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When i saw a beautiful handbag on Sunday, I told my boyfriend we didn't need a microwave, i'd much rather have its soft leather in my kitchen instead. If I keep mentally spending money at this rate, we will not only forget the microwave....we won't have any plates or cutlery either!

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Oh well. I always did think practicality was a little overrated. And it's a well known fact that I can't cook anyway!!

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Love Tor x