Birdy Maxi

I blame my friend Igg for this one, as she asked us to choose between two dresses on Twitter, and I just *had* to look at what else was on the website she linked to.

Oh, serious dress envy. I really want this one. No budget for it, like, but it’s stunning (if you wear the belt with it, otherwise it’s an attractively patterned sack). This Japanese Bird Print Drapey Maxi Dress does exactly what it says on the tin. Not for 18andEast the trend of giving frocks girls’ names or whathaveyou. No, full on Ronseal. Gawd bless ‘em.

Costiness:£30 (in the sale, so hurry) from 18andEast

Wahanda Review

Full disclosure: I was asked by Aidan at Wahanda to make this post and was given a voucher to use to test the booking system. I was asked specifically to look at Hair Offers & Deals in Leeds City Centre. The questions I answer below come from Wahanda.

What is your initial impression of Wahanda as an online home for health and beauty?
It doesn’t feel like one at all. It looks like a much less attractive version of Groupon or Wish, with a much more restrictive set of deals. The name and the look of the site don’t shout health and beauty, or spa and luxury, or even fun and leisure. It all feels very utilitarian.

Is it a site you would visit for the online community?
No. I did read the reviews when deciding where to book, but most weren’t very helpful (many refer to free events rather than purchases) and there isn’t much of a community aspect going on. Unlike Yelp, Lush forums, Mumsnet, Twitter etc – there’s nothing that makes me want to stick around after I’ve got the basic information I’m after.

Would you recommend your readers to use it as a tool to find the best hair offers and deals in their local area?
No. There are very few deals on the site for my area. Most listings ask you to contact the salon via a button rather than stating an actual deal – why would I do this rather than just ring the salon myself and ask if they had any good deals, bypassing Wahanda? The listings are far from comprehensive, and there aren’t many good city centre or local salons on there. The limits on the deals that are there are fairly extensive – the one provider I had heard of had so many restrictions it made me never want to go back there even outside a deal.

I struggled to find somewhere to spend my voucher, though decided in the end (a bit like when your nan gives you a voucher for some shop you never use) and haven’t yet phoned up to book the actual apppointment. I am less than enthused about it. Most of the deals seem to either include a glass of wine (with no similarly treat-like alternative for non-drinkers) or require you to take a friend for the exact same service or both. The reviews also indicate that, much like Groupon, the savings on the normal salon prices are vastly overstated. None of the reviews are overwhelmingly positive about the salons visited. More along the lines of “well, it was OK for what I paid on a deal”. The salon spaces don’t seem to be that nice, descriptions of being in a busy area or far too small. Obviously none of the leading businesses in this sector in Leeds are on the site, and nor are any of the cool up and coming independents. It seems to be tired old salons or desperate new stylists within them in need of a new customer boost. Not my style.

What hair deals would you like to see more of in your local area?
More deals for people going on their own (I don’t understand why I would want to take a chum with me for a haircut or colour), more deals on colours and treatments without cuts (I’m more likely to take a risk with a new stylist on the former than the latter), less of an emphasis on cheap glasses of wine as a sweetener, more and better salons, more actual deals. Only two salons in the city centre when I tested the site last week actually had current hair deals. It strikes me that I would be more likely to buy e.g. a spa voucher (if the selection was MUCH better) for a present for someone on this site than bag a decent hair and beauty deal for myself. And I wouldn’t right now as things are.

Sorry Wahanda. The concept is good, but the execution is poor in pretty much every way. And my email provider thinks you’re spammers, which is unsurprising given the nature of the mails I have received since signing up to the site. I will write a second review when I have booked and received my treatment.

Lace-up Wedges

I always struggle for shoes to wear day to day with pretty dresses. I often default to boots when it’s not sandals weather, but find that I am a bit bored of the stompy ’90s look. I do have properly glamorous heels, but anybody who has seen me out and about knows that my CP leads to rubbish balance, and frankly they hurt. That’s fine for events, but not so good for daytime wear.

These F-Troupe wedges from Urban Outfitters were something I spotted in filming pics from the set of Doctor Who’s 2013 series. Jenna-Louise Coleman, the new companion, is sporting a pair.  A lightbulb went off in my head…WANT. They’re exactly what I need. Work well with tights and skirts/dresses, black, bit of heel from the wedge, flat rubber sole, lovely to look at, comfortable. Practical without being a statement. Perfect.

Costiness: £145 from Urban Outfitters

Uniqlo Undercover Hoodie

I adore this. It might be a bit cutesy for me to actually wear, I’m not sure. I love the subtler, more elegant elements of the Uniqlo/Undercover collaboration, but this kept leaping out at me earlier today as the rain thrashed down outside.

Costiness: £29.90 from Uniqlo

Bluebird Dress

It’s cold and dark and I am alone and dreaming of summer.

So I am looking at this frock from Swonderful in New Zealand, where the seasons are topsy-turvy and therefore it is already summer there.

I love this blue, so pure and intense, and the print is gorgeous with its swirls and birds and touches of one of my favourite hues of yellow. The broderie anglaise is also adorable. It has cheered me right up.

Costiness: $245 (New Zealand dollars) or around £153 at the current UK exchange rate from Swonderful

Ruffle Silk Dress

My love of grey, it knows few bounds. This silk dress in Flint is gorgeous. Even if the model wearing it looks a bit, er, Sloane Ranger revival. Pair it with much fiercer shoes and a more “common” face than this lass, and you’re golden.

Costiness: £125 from Boden (Limited Edition)

Classic Starlet Dress

Sometimes I try to convince myself that I am the sort of person who wears dresses all day, every day, including the days where I don’t leave the house or only go out to the post box (quite a lot of them, being self-employed).

It doesn’t quite work, but I do want more everyday dresses. Glamorous ones, otherwise I might as well be in jeans and a tee, and since I don’t *have* to be dullard-office-appropriate, I’m not going to be. I like this Classic Starlet Dress from Tara Starlet in navy/white/red a LOT.

Costiness: £75.00 from Tara Starlet

T-shirts For A Soggy, Foggy Day

Elena’s a fine artist from Barcelona, she joined business brain Robert in Dublin and together they formed the t-shirt company LadyUmbrella – because it rains so much in Ireland. It’s not just a name, either, the charming illustrations on the tees are all based on the character and each shirt has an amusing title. Since it’s incredibly foggy today and threatening serious precipitation tomorrow, here are my three current faves:

LadyUmbrella and the Trike

I really want a recumbent trike, but I think I’d struggle with the hills around my house. I’m not very strong. Also traffic might run me over. When I move to another area, which is something I am planning to do, I definitely want one for pootling into town. Maybe I’ll pretend to sell ice creams from the back. I love the bright orange of this tee, and the light bulbs over LadyUmbrella as she stretches out her legs.

Costiness: €29.97 from LadyUmbrella

LadyUmbrella and the Wise Owl

I do wonder a little if the owl thing has been overdone in textiles – everywhere you go, they’re on shirts/dresses/towels/totes/cushions. But then nobody would ever say that about cats, and this shirt is adorable. Baby blue, cute neckline and gathering, and that Wol is looking right at me.

Costiness: €27.47 from LadyUmbrella

LadyUmbrella is Friends with Sir David Attenborough

Points for best title, obv. Fabulous tealy colour, paper boat/hat, LadyU all a-shiver with her binoculars on the ice and the facial expressions on those blimmin’ penguins…I am slayed.

Costiness: €27.47 from LadyUmbrella

For The Love Of Tights (and Socks and More)

I’ve been wearing skirts and dresses a lot more this year than ever before. Finally a small amount of body confidence, or whatever you may prefer to call it. Everything sounds straight out of a self-help book, anyway.

These are the most recent additions to my hosiery wishlist:

JQ Wool Snowflake tights

The mention of wool is a little worrying, as I’m allergic, but can tolerate merino (the wool used here) in small doses. Adorable wintry leg-coverings, these.

Costiness: £24 from Tabio

Vertical Crochet tights

Frankly I want the shoes as well, if only I could walk in them. Another Tabio pair, I would love to wear these with my (Amy Pond endorsed) Dr. Martens Triumph 1914 boots. Particularly in this shade, though I would like them in every colour.

Costiness: £12 from Tabio

Super Stripes – Rayon

Cute over the knee socks, gorgeous stripes.

Costiness: $12 from Sock Dreams

Lurex & Sheer Stripe thigh highs with Sparkling Bow

I want these for Christmas Day. No arguments.

Costiness: $10 from Sock Dreams

 

Betsey’s Button Up! legwarmers

Heart-shaped cute-as buttons.

Costiness: $40 from Sock Dreams

Pinstriped Victoria over the knee socks

I can’t imagine the Victorians in these, but the pinstripes and scrollwork are brilliant and they look pretty toasty.

Costiness: $28 from Sock Dreams

Vertical Crochet tights with Lace Detail

These are practically too good for the likes of me. I’d best stay out of puddles.

Costiness: $9 from Sock Dreams

***

And finally, for something a bit different…

Polonova Velvet wrist warmers

In navy and silver, this could be my perfect winter treat. My hands are always frozen about the house…

Costiness: $35 from Sock Dreams

Champagne Sartorialists

Leeds boutique Paper Scissor Stone, about whose chinos I blogged the other day, are holding a shopping evening for ladies this Thursday from 6-9pm. Free champagne, sushi, manicures and more, plus a glimpse at exciting brands. I’ll be nipping along to report for this blog, and there are just 100 places in total that are going quickly. Do get in touch if you’d also like to attend.