Buy a handbag - Relive your childhood

Long before the tellytubbies, in the night garden or bratz dolls, there was barbie. When I was a little girl I loved my barbie dolls; I had a barbie mansion, a barbie sports car, even a little barbie wardrobe. I think it was barbie that sparked my obsession with shoes, for where by sisters would select whole barbie outfits, I would buy five pairs of little pink barbie shoes, and leave my doll naked from the ankles up. My barbies got married, divorced, had great jobs and babies and great friends. They travelled to the moon, and to the beach (sometimes in the same day!) and always had time for icecream; it was a wonderful world!

Check out this listing I found on ebay! A seven year old me would be in heaven!

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I tell you these stories of happy barbie-obsessed childhood days, because I relived them all when I saw the "Barbie loves Pauls Boutique" collection by Pauls Boutique, celebrating 50 years of everyone's favourite doll. Although these bags were launched last month in Selfridges, they arrive at ASOS on Monday, meaning anyone not living in London, or not wanting to leave the comfort of their computer chair can get their paws on one:

There are also baby pink and zebra print versions that I am struggling to find pictures of. They are very distinctively Pauls Boutique aren't they? They're also so trashy and awful that it actually (sort of, almost) works! And what better tribute to the doll who'se spent so many years trapped in the back of my cupboard wearing leopard print trousers and fushcia taffeta!?
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Can I see myself buying one of these and walking around the town? Realistically no, it's a little too cutesy for me. But I also disagree with several feminist bloggers that have written negative things about the bags infantalising women or encouraging negative body images.

To me, this bag is for all the girls that wanted a barbie backpack, but had a sensible hardwearing one from Adams instead. It about reminiscing over memories not quite lost or, dare I say it, still enjoying the concept of playing with dolls as a grown up! Carrying one doesn't make you a "barbie girl" or a "bimbo". It's such a shame that anyone buying this bag will have to justify why they did, when in actual fact, it's entirely up to them!

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As far as i'm concerned, any women (independent or not, because its still up to you to choose) can dress how they please, buy the bags they want, and celebrate the icons that they cherish, without fear of being seen as 'infantalised' or 'being associated with a childrens toy'. And, on a final note, being a feminist doesn't mean you can't like barbie! The ability to like what you like without gender stereotype means that you can buy whichever cutesy bag or t shirt you like. Now where is my rainbow brite top.....

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Lots of love,

Tor xx

Something for nothing: Outlet shopping in the UK

Hi guys,

I don't know if it's the recession, or if you're all just as bargain crazy as I am, but since my last post on the accessorize outlet, combined with my continual chitter chatter about the topshop outlet, I have been barraged with emails about outlet shopping.

I have replied to you all (I always reply to all my mail!) but for those of you who didnt message me but are still interested in saving some money on your shopping, here is my definitive list of the outlet stores all over the UK that I have visited and enjoyed:

Topshop outlet - This is located in the Broadwalk centre in Edgeware, London. Everything in the store is sale priced, and everything is buy one get one free, including the jewellery, shoes (although they dont often have shoes in stock) and underwear.

Accessorize - This is located in the Trocaderoc centre in Leicester square, London. It is quite a small store but has a wide variety of stock with discounts from 50-70%

New Look - The only New Look outlet in the country that I know of it in Princess Quay in Hull. Everything in the store is in the sale with discounts from 20 to 80%.

Lipsy - With dresses from £5 I am told that if you like Lipsy (i'm not a massive fan, they dont cut for my bust) then the outlet store on Fonthill road, London is a must-visit. The sign at the front of the store is old, but the stock certainly isn't!

Next/Karen Millen/French Connection - If you want a day out full of outlet shopping, try Gunwarth Quay in Portsmouth. I have been there 3 times and always come back with a bargain! It is a very big American style complex literally full of amazing outlet stores. Alternatively if you live a bit further north, the closest outlet mall to my hometime is called Springfields in Spalding. It is small but perfectly formed, and the underwear section of the Marks and Spencers outlet is always worth checking out.

I'm sure there are more to add, but these are ones I have personally visited and picked up some bargains from. Enjoy!

Love, Tor x

NOTE: these are all sourced from my own personal experience. None of this is sponsored, nor can I guarentee the shops will still be there when you visit (although I can say I have been to all of them in the past 12 months!)

Stick it on my head!

Hi guys,
I think I have a problem, and there seems to be no cure. Recently I have become rather obsessed with headwear, and more specifically, with bows.

It started off small, with this glitter covered cartoonesque bow I wore for New Year. But since then the obsession has grown.....
....Next I found this rather wonderful pink number in Topshop and I knew that I wouldn't be able to rest until it was on my head. But before long, even that wasn't big enough.....
.....So last week I bought this enormous verging on the ridiculous number from Johnny loves Rosie; golden yellow satin to clash with my hair and make me feel fabulous. Plus it has the added bonus of embarrassing the boyfriend whenever I insist on wearing it out! .
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Now i'm frightened I can't stop. I have been lusting and lusting after a Tour de Force headpiece, so imagine my delight when my catwalk genius newsletter landed in my inbox with news that a selection have been reduced to up to half off!!

I can't decide between the Nautical Feast (reduced from151 euros to 69) or the puff bow (reduced from 140 euros to 69). Now i'm left puzzling; would it be wrong to buy both? PS - theres loads of other stuff in the catwalk genius sale, so if your idea of fun isn't wearing a hairpiece bigger than your head (and shame on you!) then it's definitely stuff worth checking out!)
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Love, Tor x