Osborn shoes first look book

Osborn shoes first look book

19/12/2010

15 comments

One of my first posts on this blog was about Osborn shoes. I love their individuality and quirkiness and I was so excited to see their new look book for winter/spring 2010/2011. What is also great is these shoes are hand-made in a time honoured old-world totally sweat-shop free environment and each shoe is signed by the maker as a testament to the sense of pride for the maker, as well as its wearer. The materials are also fairly traded and locally sourced, so not only are they super fashionable but also good for everyone involved. I love the whimsical images in this look book and the little behind the scenes film is inspiring.

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Outfit and beautiful little things

Outfit and beautiful little things

14/12/2010

7 comments

So I thought it was finally time to do a outfit post,this is my first one since giving birth.
So just lovin the bike indie look at the moment.

Quick run down - Shoes - River Island, Jeggings - H and M, Vest - Firetrap, Jacket - Gifted


My favourite part of Christmas is not the big presents but the little ones...and here are a few gifts I would love to have under the tree

I am in love with these rings but Scottish designer Holly Wilcox. She creates such beautiful pieces and is such a talented designer. I stumbled across her work while looking through some blogs. Her inspiration comes from natural surroundings, drawings and photography. I strongly recommend you check her blog out.

Don't know why I like this statement necklace so much but I do. I find the sharp angles and straight lines interesting and eye catching. You can pick this up for only £16 from Urban Outfitters.

I had to put this little feathered head-piece up as my bargain Christmas buy from H and M, it's on sale and is only £1.99!!!!

And for the home I really want this Love word lettering, only £10 from Next

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Beautiful books for kids

Beautiful books for kids

08/12/2010

9 comments

Mr A loves story time 

The wonderful world of reading is a great joy to give to your children. From a very small age, children can learn to appreciate a good book. With babies and toddlers, you can introduce picture books and short reads so that child can begin to learn about reading and how to use the imagination. Once a child begins grade school, they can begin to learn how to read and use their skills to enjoy the most beautiful books. There are several classic reads that you can introduce to your child so they can learn the magic of reading and build a healthy love of learning.

We introduced books and stories to Mr A from a young age

Introducing Your Child to Beautiful Books

As your child begins to learn how to read, you can begin to introduce new and exciting books. Take your child on an exciting adventure in their mind with magical books featuring amazing children, monsters, fantasy and more. Below are a few examples of classic books your child will love.

James and the Giant Peach is one of my favourite Roald Dahl books (image)

James and the Giant Peach

In this book, follow James as he goes on an adventure with several creatures inside a gigantic peach! The book was written by Roald Dahl and was first published in 1961. 

I loved reading Charlottes Web with my mother when I was younger (image)

Charlotte’s Web

Writing by E.B. White, this classic tale of friendship is a heartening book every child should read. Follow charlotte as she learns about life with the help of a few barnyard animals.

Stuart Little

A favorite since 1945, Stuart Little follows the life of a small mouse that is taken in by a loving family. Read along as Stuart enjoys adventure after adventure. 

The secret garden is another one of my favourite classics (image)

The Secret Garden

With this book, Frances Hodgson Burnett takes the reader on a quiet adventure in an unlikely place. Learn about the secret garden and what lies behind the hidden door of the old estate on the moor.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Another great by Roald Dahl, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory will take you on a sweet adventure. Follow Charlie and the rest of the children who tour the chocolate factory and learn about Wonka’s crazy treats

Harry Potter

One of the more popular books that has is newer but still considered a classic is Harry Potter. The Harry Potter books are written by J.K. Rowling and take the reader on an amazing adventure in the Wonderful Wizarding World of Hogwarts.

These are just a few books that you can introduce to your child to be able to gain a love of reading. Take into considering your child’s interests to find the best book to inspire your child to continue to read more each and every day.

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It's Christmas!!!

It's Christmas!!!

04/12/2010

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Even though it's winter when I came across these vintage sunglasses I needed to get them, my Russian look is now completed.

 Hey so longtime no write, basically I decided to take the first few weeks with the new arrival (baby Arthur) out to cope with the sleep deprivation, but now he is sleeping through the night things are falling into place well. Also SideStreetStyle is going to become a Unisex blog, yey, with my partner who is in love with his clothes and blog is going to be posting, starting this coming week (full intro will follow). So December is finally here, shopping, snow, chocolate and mince pies. Also Urban Outfitters has finally opened in Cardiff, and has that wonderful "new" smell about it. In other Cardiff news, there is a bloggers meet at at Pica Pica on the 7th December, hopefully I will be able to make it.

So Christmas can also mean, so bad but so good novelty jumpers,which ofcourse is a must get, well for me anyway. Big fur coats (not real fur though) and all wonderful and warm things. I came across these little goodies in the most recent Next Winter collection, affordable, warm and wonderfully festival. Sometimes it can be easy to forget about these high street stores, or overlook them, so I was pleasantly surprised with this Next collection.

Winter luxury - Faux Fur Coat £75, Jeans £28

I love novelty xmas jumpers -  £30

Fairisle Knit Hood £50

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Baby, books and blogs :)

Baby, books and blogs :)

14/10/2010

9 comments

Sooooo I know I have been super quiet of late, but with good reason, I have just given birth to my first child, Arthur, on the 21st of Sept. I didn't really mention the pregnancy on the blog because I wanted to keep one thing baby-free, and I wanted to keep my blog about fashion, photography etc.....luckily though I exercised and kept healthy during the pregnancy and 10 days after giving birth I was back in my levi skinny jeans - yeay :). So here is the little mini-me

Besides that news I have also made the shortlist of Wales Blog Awards - yey :)
The awards is happening tonight at Chapter Arts in Canton, Cardiff....hmmm what to wear? Can't wait to meet other bloggers and have a much needed glass of wine (after 9 months of none!)

So other things that are taking my fancy at the moment, one is looking forward to buying a new winter wardrobe yeah!! Another is expanding my little book collection. My partner just ordered an amazing book called Take Ivy, which is a sixties documentary-style book of Ivy league fashion and lifestyle taken by Japanese photographer T.Hayashida. If your into preppy style and want to see where is came from this is a great book for you.

My book of choice for this week though is an art book called Hg2| A Hedonist’s guide to Art, which officially comes out today (14th). It's a seminal collection of essays from international artists, writers, gallery owners and art collectors who reveal their hidden lives, the lives of others and slightly appealing secrets of people in the industry.It's published in association with Artica which has a great art blog full of inspiration, check it out here. They are having their launch night in London today....wish I could of been there, but I am sure it's going to be a great creative filled night.

Anyway I have loads of fashion, style, photography posts coming....and lots of exciting news. Three words - Urban Outfitters Cardiff!

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Weekend Adventures

Weekend Adventures

28/09/2010

4 comments

So lately I have had a major need to spend each weekend finding new and cool places to eat, have coffee, talk about music, fashion and such things. I don't live in the biggest of cities but that's almost what makes it fun - going and finding new places. Here are a few images from successful missions over the past summer.

John in the "book" room, 10 Feet Tall. I ended up having a really nice bruchetta with chorizo and chicken with salad and herby chips with Lycee juice...yum yum

A little outing to Cardiff Arts Institute, which has a really interesting interior full of nooks and crannies, paintings and random art, reminds me of the Mad Hatters Tea Party.

Preppy Fashion in Penarth Park

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Autumn is here! New season and giveaway

Autumn is here! New season and giveaway

18/09/2010

9 comments

So I went for walk in a nearby park, I love this time of the year when the seasons change, just like the colours in nature fade from bright new greens to yellows and browns, so do the themes and colour trends in fashion. I am really excited about the new season as I love vintage prep in the form of Satchel bags, leathers and brogues. Also camel and greys, big knits and all wonderful warm things :).

 I love autumn colours...and blackberries...so when I saw these I had to take a photo.
So if price was not an option this is what would be on my autumn season shopping list....

 Acne Olga Shearling Hat £295

 Alexander McQueen Lace Knuckleduster clutch £1285

Chloe Bird Print silk blouse £755

Burberry Prorsum knitted slim fit jacket £695

 Diane Von Furstenberg Ceila Dress £318

 Grafia Leather Satchel

 Pringle laser cut top £795

 Stella McCarthney, Linda McCarthney photograph top £115
Nearly all of these items can be found on my new fave site - Matches, I literally want ALL there clothes.

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Wales Blog Awards and Birthday daze

Wales Blog Awards and Birthday daze

16/09/2010

7 comments

 First of all I was sooo happy to hear that I made the "Long-list" for the lifestyle section of the Wales Blog Awards which is very exciting. I love meeting other bloggers from the same city/country and see what they are up too. You can see the rest of the nominees at Wales Blog Awards

 So it was my birthday this week...one year older and not that much the wiser. It does seem with every passing year that the excitement fades. When I was younger I couldn't get to sleep at all the night before my birthday, now I sleep in, with no rush to get downstairs to open presents. I didn't have much of a plan for the day, that way one cannot be disappointed, and overall I was very happy with what turned out to be a lovely day. I woke up with my partner having put little "happy birthday" signs around the house, which made me smile, along with a bagel for breakfast and a 80's Timex watch and really cool Nike Mid-tops (it's all about the casual wear this year). I didn't have much time to hang around though as I was off to Bristol to enrol on the final year of my photography degree (yes it's abit of a commute from Wales to England 2 days a week) and to have some lunch and cupcakes with my mother. Even in the rain and on an overcast day I enjoy the old part of Bristol City centre - the houses mixed in with the shops are so beautiful and I want to live in one!!! After enrolment we  went for a bite to eat at The Boston Tea shop and than to Swinkys cupcake shop which literally sold the most amazing cupcakes ever! I had a carrot one which felt like eating the richest carrot cake in mini version and my mother had a super scrummy cappuccino one.

After our little Bristol outing, a drive across the bridge, I returned home, alittle tired, so I put my feet up while John made a very yummy spicy Caribbean curry. I ended up not having the relaxing bath with the herbal bath salts I had got, but I am pretty sure I will find the time soon, but all in all what a pleasant day.

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Little things I love

Little things I love

12/09/2010

6 comments

So I have had such a pleasant weekend it makes me think of all the small things that make days special. Yesterday was filled with lazy couch moments and pottering around the house, de-weeding the garden, listening to music and putting posters up in the middle room. Today was spent in the city book browsing (mainly looking for The Selby book), having coffee, discovering a new cafe bar and enjoying good food, in good company.
With having got my laptop back and going through this summer's photos, it's great to look back on those "little moments" and "future ideas" that will come from those...so here are the little things I love

Eating homemade cupcakes in the garden 

Foxgloves - Poisonous but pretty

Being on the beach late at night and writing light into the darkness

Hiding in the flowers in the garden

My current blog crush is The Selby, and if you have not heard of it believe me you want to check it out. It's the creation of Todd Selby, a portrait, interior and fashion photographer who goes into fellow creatives' houses and takes photos of the most wonderful and inspiring interiors in flats and houses in various cities across the world. He also has a book "The Selby: In your place", which is what I was looking for today, but alas did not find. 

 My other creative crush at the moment is stop animation and I am determined to make one before the end of the year. I came across this one which I just love...enjoy :)

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Summer, too soon to end

Summer, too soon to end

08/09/2010

5 comments

Well, everything does take longer than you think, alas my laptop is still amiss but the computer tech guy assured me it would be fixed by this Friday.

So the one thing that does not seem to take long enough is the summer in the UK. This summer hasn't been bad but it could have been filled with more long warm nights and clear blue skies and it seems to be nearly over all to quick. So here are some photos from last weekend, which was actually warm enough to wear shorts and a dress - one of too few days.

It was one of those days in the city when you think "why don't I do this more often", a long stroll in Bute Park, coming across a little summer cafe with soft serve ice cream, then followed by a yummy bean burger in Milgi Art Bar with some iced Elderflower presse....perfect combination for the soul.

Milgi Bar, Cardiff

Ohh don't forget to enter the competition for the Bags of Change bag (just scroll down, about 3 posts away), the competition is running for another week :)

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