A Storm is Brewing!

It’s amazing how such small jewellery can make a girl so excited!!

And excited I was when I saw this range of jewellery from Storm in a Teacup (my knees are starting to go weak now at how cute the name is too!) I stumbled upon a gem of a website and hope you love the snapshot of their range shown below as much as I do…!

2 hearts bracelet

Cold as ice ring

The Emma bracelet in navy

The Lemony Snicket bracelet

The range compliments the next item so well you could wear all of her bracelets together on one arm…

Fetch

LLLB

Laundry Boutque

The Altringham store opened in March 2011 on Stamford New Road. The boutique is the best around by far and has been caterpulted into the limelight and is the hot topic of conversation on the lips of fashionistas. 

Owner Laura Warburton thinks the reason for early success is down to the emphasis and time that goes into buying, and says “we are constantly ‘out there’ hunting for cool new labels and cherry picking only the very best pieces.  I have a rule – I won’t have anything in the boutique that I don’t adore myself.  Our customers are very disconcerted; they are bored with the high street and want something different.”

Looking at the store above the first impression is that of luxury and high fashion, even before you step inside the gem of a boudiour! The rails, shelves and hat stands are dripping with an array of beautiful feminine silks and jerseys in muted pastels and vintage prints. Antique looking lace scarves, pretty dresses, tops and jewellery are hung haphazardly from mirrors, mannequins and antique furniture.

This is one dressing up box every big girl should play in.

Laundry’s pieces are so unique and feminine. Featuring are floor length maxi dresses, this summers hottest trend, in the prettiest prints and fabrics…

…ethnic inspired casual wear with 60’s detailing features highly amongst the distressed mirrors and duck egg decor…

…as does feminine touches such as embellishment and jewelled detailing…

Above is Ella King, Megan Warburton, Lucy Shaw, Laura Warburton, Imogen Massey and Kate Gosling at the launch of Altrincham’s newest addition.

I think this is the crème de la crème of up and coming fashion boutiques I’ve featured on LLLB. It has such potential and seems she has thought of everything! I can’t wait to see what happens next for Laura and will be looking forward to seeing many more products available on the web too!

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Visit them at

laundryboutique.co.uk

LLLB

All You Need Is Love

” Too much of a good thing is wonderful”

Continuing the Battle of the Boutiques, here is another little gem I found!

Free Love Boutique was created by sisters, Joni and Katie Free, opening its doors in October 2005 on the beautiful island of Guernsey.

Each piece from every collection has been individually selected by the girls, who pride themselves on bringing new and exciting labels to Free Love for their valued and loyal customers to enjoy. So, whether it be that little black dress, gorgeous evening gown, sweet summer’s day frock, must-have clutch bag… or the, ‘can’t bear to walk away from’, dream pair of shoes… Free Love holds that something special just for you.

I’ve selected my favourites below!

 

This gorgeous crochet top and printed skirt are perfect for following the summer trend of pastels and feminine style. Show them off with a plain other half such as white trousers or a colour blocked tee and some ‘of the moment’ summer cork wedges.

Pair with: Tea and crumpets.

Darling Willa Top in Taupe £65, Darling Bridgette skirt in Spring Green £49.95.

As seen above, pair this colour block studded dress with a cropped jacket to add a rougher edge. Try a black biker jacket or brown suede style for a different take on the pretty dress.

Pair with: Vampy, kiss me now lips.

Almost Famous Spray Studded Dress in Orange £116.

With its floaty fabric and dainty ruffles, this LBD is the answer to your summer prayers. Light enough to keep cool and stylish enough to stay hot! Pair with bare legs and dainty heels.

Almost Famous Chiffon Pleated collar Dress in Black £122.

 

This large leopard print shoulder bag with patent trim and handles and gold buckle detail would work well with the above blue ruffle dress to add a hint of colour and pattern to a somewhat plain outfit.

Suzy Smith Iridessa Leopard Print Shoulder Bag £75.

This is my all time favourite item from Free Love due to its simplicity and expensive looking design, you can imagine A-Listers strutting the red carpet in it. The nude maxi encapsulates the feminine trend of summer perfectly with the draped fabric and sweetheart neckline.

Wear with: A single row of pearls or gold drop earings. Nothing more, nothing less.

Jarlo Yolanda Maxi Dress £85.

The nautical trend is still as present as ever and with this Henri Lloyd Elena Cardigan in Navy, £78 , you can follow it on through summer and Autumn too.

Wear with: wide legged jeans and a white ruffle top.

Don’t neglect what you think people wont see! Free Love’s ‘Haylie’ chiffon shoe boots in blush are stunning and will show of a great pedicure and glistening tan wonderfully. The peeptoes with sheer rouched upper, featuring a ruffle down the front, are ideal for updating a simple dress this summer, and are perfect for all the summer weddings people are having!

Chinese Laundry Haylie Chiffon Shoes in Blush £80

 

What The Press Are Saying

“Free Love is a must to visit. They stock fabulous dresses and shoes – in fact, I am wearing some right now!”
Dawn Porter, TV Presenter

“the boutique is awash with pieces to delight customers of all ages, shapes and budgets”
The Guernsey Press

“Joni and Katie travel over from Guernsey together to buy from us and are both very professional as well as being extremely charming. Their choices are always spot on.”
Ben Beeby, managing director of Noli

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Free Love captures a girls dream wardrobe in a few items, from the sheer seduction of the peep toe boots to the elegantly draped maxi dress. Everyone needs a bit of free love in their life. Each item works so well with the next, I’m excited to see what the future holds for the Guernsey girls!

Visit them at

www.freeloveboutique.com

LLLB

Vintage Vision

My new boutique crush and Nicki Minaj’s apparently too!!

Lovely – Such a good word to sum up this newly launched company. Collections from the range include 70’s Siren, Colour Pop, Destination Beach, Designer Vintage, Floral Fashion, Tangerine Dream, Maxi Dresses and Wedding. From Vintage Chanel handbags to full on trend driven maxi skirts, it is the first on-trend, fashion-current, online vintage boutique to offer beautiful and unusual one-offs in first-class condition that are still relevant to the way we live now (and that look fabulous when mixed with high street favourites).

Saying it is for the ‘Grazia’ generation, Lovely goes to London Fashion Week every season, attends fashion press events every week and styles photo shoots regularly so she is well placed to ensure that the vintage on http://www.lovelysvintageemporium.com is current and always of the moment.

Black leather handbag with blue and red stripe centre detail made in Italy in the 1970s

Made from the finest Italian leather, this bag will work so well with a contrasting outfit for summer but is shown here incorporating the red in the 1960’s vintage red maxi dress.

Dare to wear with: Red chino’s and a navy shirt

Knee-length vivid tangerine pleat skirt from the 1970s

Reminiscent of a propaganda advert from the war days, this outfit of sunrise yellow pleated skirt and 1970’s palm tree print skirt is wonderfully vintage.

Wear with: A piece if jewellery from her stunning collection below, try the Trifari signed pearl earrings and choker necklace set from 1960s for that glam housewife look!

Trifari pearl earrings and choker necklace set

Chanel rare brown quilted fabric and leather handbag from 1970s

Want a Chanel masterpiece without the price tag and that added mystery of who it’s belonged to?  Made from quilted fabric and luxurious leather with Chanel logoed gold fastenings, the £485 creation is sure to fly off the shelf when this post goes live!

Wide-brimmed camel-coloured fedora hat with buckle from 1970s

This fabulous on-trend 1970s wool hat is sure to give us that celebrity aura we crave for when were travelling or city shopping.

Wear with: Summer printed maxi and mini dresses

Baby-peach maxi dress with orange trims from the 1970s

V-neckline, peach colour, button up the bodice, long flirty style wrists … it has all the qualities of a chic romantic dress. Shown here with a rare Gucci handbag and a Trifari pendant necklace.

Wear with: A floppy hat as above or worn in leather sandals

Trifari gold tone and blue necklace from the 1960s

Elegant floaty tops in pastel prints and ladylike colours will show off the elegance of this vintage Trifari signed, gold tone metal necklace perfectly.

Lovely has launched and edited magazines, styled numerous celebrities (such as Emma Bunton, Charlotte Church and Gail Porter)  helping them look fabulous on photo shoots, presented on many TV and radio shows, and has consulted for well-known fashion and beauty brands so she knows her trends!

She says: ‘Dressing up your high street finds from TopShop or Whistles with a vintage piece too is the fastest way to create a current but unique look – try it.’

I think we all will!

http://www.lovelysvintageemporium.com

LLLB

BOUTIQUES

Take your pick of the most up to date, trend driven, vintage boutiques – coming soon!

LLLB

Aftershock London SS11

“A woman who knows what flatters her curves and flirty silhouette will always long for a collection that has all the must have style pieces a fashionista wardrobe should include.”

Background

Aftershock is a luxury British brand founded over 15 years ago whose fashion signature is the use of exuberant colour schemes and beautiful design work. The brand offers an array of the finest intricately beaded ladies wear, casual wear as well as stunning accessories to complement the collection. Celebrity followers include Madonna, Helen Mirren, Charlotte Church and Katherine Jenkins to name but a few.

Currently there are over 50 stores and concessions in the UK and Europe plus stores all over the Middle East and South Africa. Aftershock was one of the youngest and most dynamic British brands to receive an award by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain in 2004. The brand continues to grow via its own stores, successful franchise programme and with quality department stores both nationally and internationally.

The Collection

Aftershock’s Spring Summer 2011 Collection lines up a range of outfits worth experimenting with. The elegant designs are complemented with big ticket accessories that make you feel confident in your skin. Invest in high-end looks in order to secure your spotless appearance and the nature of the event you attend.

Candy Fairytale: This theme is playful yet feminine as the season approaches high summer. Holiday life takes over and soft pastel tone chiffon tunics, light layered organza jackets and multi pleated flirty skirts come into play. The look progresses to a bohemian chic meets indie rock look as the festivals approach and outfits are completed with lace tops, light cotton blouses, jewelled knits with oversized pearl beadings.

The look is accesorised with ballet satin pumps, lace bags and chunky Gold and Silver bangles. The style icon for this look is Sienna Miller.

Cyber Warrior: The heroine we saw in last season’s ‘Power Play’ evolves to a strong and confident ‘Cyber Warrior.’ She makes a statement in the season taking inspiration from West London antique stores and 30s flapper style party wear dresses. The outfit is focused on washed tunics, digital print tees and knits paired up with sequin leggings and jewelled denim. Some shapes are cut out whilst bulky textures used to make casual wear even more comfy and stylish are used for those who are confident in their silhouette. On the other hand super skinny jeans teamed up with the most stylish blazers would serve as the best means to add a slimming effect for a curvy figure.

The look is accessorised with stud heels, metallic belts and stone clutches with chains. The style icon for this look is Alexa Chung.

Romantic Utility: ‘Utility chic’ transcends to a more romantic look this season highlighting how a working female in a fast modern life copes with romance. Inspired by the polished New York career woman and 1960s whirlwind romances in the ‘big city’ the theme has a number of options to express your individuality from the boardroom to the bar. Printed satin dresses, simple knits, soft coloured trench coats, straight cut tailored trousers with side zips and overall smart evening outfits complete the story to ensure you’re in command.

The look is accessorised with kitten heels, oversized shoulder bags, pearl necklaces and block colour sky high heels. The style icon for this look is Leighton Meester.

Accessories

Aftershock’s Spring Summer 2011 Collection remains fresh and sophisticated. The collection enables the time short modern day woman to stay effortlessly stylish and select the ‘key pieces’ for the season to achieve ‘the complete look’ without having to shop anywhere else. To view the collection online or for more information visit their website.

http://www.aftershockplc.com/

LLLB

Stack Up And Take Notice

“Jewellery to me is more than an accessory; it’s a form of personal expression to experiment with.”

Calling all stylish women!! ChloBo jewellery has officially arrived. Stack up and take notice.
The collections have leapt from Britain’s boutiques to the wardrobes of some of UK’s favourite celebrities, from chart topping sensations to best loved actresses.