Vintage Style Me

26 August, 2016
Vintage 60s 70s Fashion Blogger Style
Vintage 60s 70s Fashion Blogger Style
Dress*: Vintage Style Me // Hat: Zara // Sunglasses: Spitalfields Market // Waistcoat: Zara (old) // Boots: ASOS (old) // Watch*: Daniel Wellington
Photos: Ioana Nicolae

When I first started this personal style blog (back then it was named 'Fox Tales') Vintage Style Me became one of the first indie, online vintage brands I fell in love with through the blogging world. At the time it was a mixture of one-off vintage pieces and hand lovingly made dresses from reclaimed textiles by VSM's talented creator, Rhiannon. Since those days, VSM has come a long, long way and now thrives on just Rhiannon's hand crafted sartorial, retro-inspired creations.

She contacted me a few weeks ago and kindly offered to send over one of her dresses from her AW16 collection that she just knew I would love, and it's safe to say, this girl know my style because the mustard, lace, bell-sleeved swing dress is my cup of tea! The mustard lace is layered over a hot pink satin under layer, which creates such a gorgeous, striking contrast.

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Another Vintage Suede Fringed Jacket

23 August, 2016
Vintage Red Suede Fringed Jacket 70s Fashion Blogger PhotographyVintage Red Suede Fringed Jacket 70s Fashion Blogger Photography
Jacket*: Tick Tock Vintage // Hat: Zara // Bralet: Topshop // Trousers*: Inlovewithfashion // Belt: Park Lane // Boots: ASOS
Photos by Katherine Mcmorran

A while back I was invited to raid the Tick Tock Vintage warehouse in Peckham. I mean, I had free reign of the entire wholesale vintage clothing archive, which is what sweet dreams are made of for a vintage fiend and secondhand treasure hunter like myself. 

Situated in Peckham, London, Tick Tock Vintage are the people behind a lot of your favourite online vintage brands and festival stalls. Upon entering their warehouse you can expect to be overwhelmed with piles upon piles of colourful 50s frocks, 60s two-pieces, 70s suede and 80s sportswear stacked high in a somewhat organised chaos. To some people, it might induce a panic attack, but for me, it was heaven. I spent the best part of two hours picking apart the piles admiring each individual piece that had been hand-selected from across Europe for their stock. You can read my interview with Tick Tock Vintage about my afternoon at their warehouse over on their blog.

Vintage Red Suede Fringed Jacket 70s Fashion Blogger Photography

After a fair amount of time exploring their retro treasures, I left with a high-waisted, folksy skirt and the most extravagant, oversized, suede, scarlet red, fringed, jacket that has me feeling like the lead in an old western movie. I have a number of vintage, suede, fringed jackets but I didn't have a red one in my collection, which is why I felt it was appropriate to take this baby home with me; when I refer to an item of clothing as 'baby', you know the love is real.

Vintage Red Suede Fringed Jacket 70s Fashion Blogger Photography

I shot these photos with the wonderful Katherine in Southampton's old town, which happens to be my favourite part of the city. Alive with supposedly haunted tudor architecture and tumbling castle walls, this little corner of Southampton is nestled quietly behind the towering shopping centre and high street. If you're not a local or if you're not visiting the city for its history, then the likelihood is that you wouldn't even notice it was there. It's the most idyllic spot for a outfit post narrative, which is another reason as to why I love it so much.

If you're ever in the city, it's worth a wander around the Old Town.

Vintage Red Suede Fringed Jacket 70s Fashion Blogger Photography
Vintage Red Suede Fringed Jacket 70s Fashion Blogger Photography
Vintage Red Suede Fringed Jacket 70s Fashion Blogger Photography


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Something really, really awesome happened...

20 August, 2016
Photo by Ioana Nicolae

This week something really fucking awesome happened. Whilst I was out at a press dinner with Kaye, I took my phone out to snap a photo of the dirty but delicious cheesesteak sandwiches that were presented before me and was met with more Twitter notifications than my phone has ever seen. It had been announced that I was shortlisted for best fashion blog in The Bloggers Blog Awards! At the time I was sat in a white lace dress with neon orange buffalo sauce splattered down the front of it, so I have never felt less deserving of a nomination in FASHION. I actually started shaking from freaking out so much at the time!

I cannot contain how absolutely overwhelmed I am by this, even a few days after the initial announcement, as I have never in my five years of running this blog been put forward for something like this before. As someone who is far from a big numbers blogger and whose wardrobe is easily 80% secondhand, which is mainly sourced from charity or vintage shops, I've always found my style to be quite particular (and sometimes a little eccentric) so it has bewildered me that people have considered using their fashion-based vote in these awards for little ol' me. The fact it was decided upon by fellow bloggers and readers makes it all the more overwhelming and special, because that's the reason I've kept this blog ticking along all of these years; if you're reading this right now, you're the person I write for!

I'm rambling on a little now and I'm not sure where this is going, but I just wanted to write a little something to say a huge 'THANK YOU' not only to those who voted for me, but to those who have read my blog over the years, supported me, collaborated with me on content, talked sense into me when I've contemplated calling it quits and have just generally been a positive influence over my blog over the past few years. Also, a big shout out to James for being the most patient 'Instagram boyfriend' in the world the past 3 years!

Although it's absolutely incredible to be shortlisted for this award, there are so many awesome fucking bloggers out there who put so much love and time into their blogs that weren't necessarily nominated this time. Whilst these awards are a reason to come together, socialise, drink far too much wine and celebrate, it by no means raises nominated bloggers above others at all. We've each and all had an input into creating this absolutely kick ass (because we really are kick ass!) online community that's churning out creativity and content every hour of the day and night. We've got this!

If you want to cast your vote for the finalists in the #BloggersBlogAwards, then you can do so by clicking the banner below:



Now, I can't wait to get absolutely smashed at the awards party - who's going to join me?!


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Cruelty Free Beauty: The Hero Project Skincare

17 August, 2016
Cruelty Free Skincare The Hero Project Review Beauty Blogger

I'll be the first to admit, I'm not too strong with skincare.

My routine is rather irregular and my skin is overly sensitive meaning a lot of products end up making my skin break out in an army of spots, so I often just stick to water and a little, gentle moisturiser. I'm always on the lookout for that holy grail product (*cringe* I do despise that term) that may save my skin whilst also being cruelty-free, so when the opportunity to review a couple of products from The Hero Project popped up, I welcomed it with open arms. And you know what? I may have finally found that product...

Hyasoft Instant Moisture Boost, £19:

The Hyasoft moisture boost is exactly what it says on the tin tube; an awakening and refreshing boost that should accompany your morning fix of caffeine to get you ready for the day. Well, it doesn't exactly say that on the tube, but it definitely should.

 It's a silky, clear gel with multi-weight hyaluronic acid & vitamin B5, which helps rehydrate tired and worn out skin that has been ruined by the elements (aka. this harsh, entirely unpredictable British weather). As someone who suffers from dry patches of skin in both the winter and summer, I've been reaching for Hyasoft continuously over the past few weeks. Personally, I find I have to apply it quite generously across my face and neck but it does sink in impressively quickly, which means it's ideal to slap on in the morning before my usual make-up routine.

Glow Drops, £21:

HOLY COW! I cannot contain how much love I have for this product. It has been an absolute game changer when it comes to my skincare routine. As someone who suffers with combination skin (dry patches here and there followed by a whopping greasy forehead), finding facial skincare products can be a pain in the bum, quite frankly. In all honesty, I usually avoid oils simply down to the fear of them leaving my skin overly greasy and shiny. However, I've seen no excess oil from these Glow Drops but instead they've given my skin a little boost and radiance in the mornings, which is something that is desperately needed after my five hour sleep routines right now.

It comes with a little pipette that is attached to the lid, which helps distribute the product properly without any waste as you really only do need a few drops. You simply push the yellow button on the top of the lid to draw the oil into the tube, which is also a bit of a novelty in itself! I would recommend using it sparingly as a little really does go a long way with this product.


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Welcoming My 8th Pair of Dr Martens

15 August, 2016
Striped Zara Bowie T-Shirt Fashion Blogger
Top: Zara // Skirt: Primark // Hat: Zara // Sunglasses: Primark // Skirt: Primark // Boots*: Dr. Martens

Everyone remembers the first pair of Dr. Martens that graced their feet; mine were a not-so-subtle, metallic gold, soft leather pair of classic 8-eyelet boots that I purchased from some semi-famous scene kid with huge, backcombed hair on MySpace for £30. Who knew MySpace was doing what Depop does today, but a decade earlier! I actually still have that metallic gold pair in my growing Dr. Martens collection... eight pairs and counting if you were curious! 
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ASOS x Hunter Festival Style

11 August, 2016


Hunter boots*: ASOS (available here) // Blouse: Beatnik Vintage // Shorts: Beyond Retro // Hat: Zara

It's no secret that I love a festival. Despite not thinking I had any planned, this year I've been to both British Summer Time and Citadel Festival, as well as landing a digital job at a festival company, so I wouldn't say this summer hasn't been entirely festival free. Next year, I'm hoping to have my biggest festival year yet!

Festival styling is something that I like to think I'm pretty confident in; give me a challenge to piece together five days worth of outfits for Glastonbury and I'll be in my element. For the past decade of my festival adventures, wellies have been a necessary item in my festival wardrobe. However, over the last seven or eight years, I've had the same pair of metallic, golden Hunter boots that have seen me through many a festival across a few different countries; they've seen me through turbulent, drunken times including being knee deep in Glastonbury mud and they've still lived to tell the tale. I don't think I would ever switch from Hunter boots, because they really do last a lifetime.


Now, I love my golden Hunter boots with all my heart and they'll probably see me through until my 60's when I'll still be dancing in the Green Fields of Worthy Farm, but it was time to introduce a new pair of Hunter boots into my collection; enter, the original, refined, black, matte boots from ASOS!

These high, matte boots are becoming the must-have, iconic festival piece along with the classic Ray Ban wayfarers sunglasses (and they happen work together tremendously well, fyi). These boots been spotted on the likes of Alexa Chung, Emma Watson and many more. Hunter have redefined the clumsy festival wellington boot and have made them sleek, suave and the most desirable boot going for every festival.

Do you own a pair of Hunter boots?




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1

His 'n' Hers Shores Leather Jackets

07 August, 2016
Leather Biker Jackets*: Shores

Firstly, apologies for the lack of content this week. I started my new job on Monday, so I'm just starting to get into the swing of things and am trying my hardest to find a balance between work and blogging. I'm commuting five hours a day at the moment between Southampton to central London,  so it may take a while before I find a schedule that works. I was naive enough to think I would be able to blog on the commute between  Southampton and London, but if you've ever used South West trains wi-fi before you'll know what a pipe dream that was. Even my dial up broadband back in the noughties was faster than their wi-fi service.

Anyway, last month I rather miraculously enticed James in front of the camera to shoot our new leather bikers that were sent to us by Shores. Shores are a website that specialise in jackets and only jackets. Whilst a lot of people have an issue with collecting shoes or handbags, my weakness is jackets; I currently have probably around 40 - 50 in my wardrobe, which is quite frankly ridiculous. My argument is that a leather, biker is a staple item and goes with almost everything, so it's acceptable to have one in a variety of colours and styles, right?
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