August 05, 2013

Crimes of Fashion. Terrifyingly Ugly Clothing Adverts from the 60s & 70s

August 05, 2013/ Claire Spence

For the past few decades the vintage look has been in. The word has almost lost meaning with oxymoronical auction site listings boasting, "brand new vintage" dresses, coats and accessories. Language evolves and where once vintage meant a second-hand, charity shop piece of clothing, it now determines a look or feel that is instantly recognisable even in brand new items.

It's scary to think that grunge is coming back, and it's the latest vintage trend for teenagers who were literally in nappies when Kurt left us. It seems clothing becomes vintage 20 years on from its original time period. When I was a teenager in the 1990s, it was the looks of the 1970s we tried to emulate. In the period of 2000-2010 it's been the ugly 1980s that has seen a revival, and now as we enter the 2010-2020 decade, like clockwork, the 90s are back.

In my last post I shared with you parkas, a big hit of the 90s. Leggings with DMs, or floral frocks with big boots have come back too. I wonder by 2016 will we be taking pictures of Jennifer Anniston back to our hairdressers & requesting The Rachel? And what comes next? Those horrific parachute pants with all the strings hanging off them? Linkin Park t-shirts and wallet chains? Platform trainers a la Spice Girls? I better stop, I'm beginning to scare myself.

Yes, vintage doesn't always mean classy, and you need to know your stuff lest you end up looking more Marilyn Manson than Dita Von Teese. Luckily nowadays we have reams of fashion bloggers to help guide you safely into the world of vintage, by passing the horrors that should definitely be left behind. I hunted out some proper vintage looks of horror, and surprisingly the worst offenders are the men. The sock adverts are especially bad.

So, if you have anything as ugly as these crimes of fashion, why not make some money out of it by selling your clothing online to Music Magpie UK. Not all vintage clothing needs a come back.

August 05, 2013

Parkas are BACK! Lets all Dress as All Saints Circa 1995

August 05, 2013/ Claire Spence

Parkas are back. Well I say that, but as those who do the school run know, they never really went away. When your hands are full of lunch bags, P.E. bags and musical instruments, there's no hand left over a much needed umbrella, so a big, hooded parka is your best friend for the playground. But it's nice to know that this year you'll be fashionable as well as cosy.

New Look have a good range of different coloured parkas in store, but my favourite has to be the classic army green, faux fur-lined hood version priced £49.99

If you want to go full army colonel, then maybe the camouflage print, waterproof parka is for you. New Look has one for just £10 in their current sale.

While we are talking sale season, how about these bright, bold coats for only £10 too? Great to buy now & pack away for next year's festivals. Not only will that save you paying twice the price next June, but you'll have something so unique your friends will be able to spot you in the muddy crowds.

How about this take on the parka, also from New Look? The classic khaki green is there, but with a twist. Aztec, leather look sleeves make this a bang up to date fashion piece, available for £49.99

Carrying on with the Aztec detailing, this more feminine parka has interesting chest detail, and would look great over a neon shirt. You can choose from green or navy, and it's down to £15 in the sale, so if you like the look of this one, snap it up now.

Now all I'm waiting for is parachute cargo pants paired with shoe string vests to come back in fashion. Then we can all go '1995 All Saints' and walk around humming 'Never Ever' to ourselves.

August 05, 2013

Get Your New Doctor, Peter Capaldi, Merch NOW!

August 05, 2013/ Claire Spence

First off if you haven't watched The Thick of It, get on iTunes or Netflix and get that done. It's the original version of Veep, and although the US series is a remake of sorts, the series are completely different in plot & characters. You can also hunt out the movie version In The Loop, which stars Capaldi alongside the late James Gandolfini, and he manages to out intimidate the most intimidating man on US tv.

Right, if you've done that you will want to get some merch before everyone else, right? Cause that's what being a proper fan is all about- having everything first ;-) !

I've previously blogged these Malcolm Tucker Etsy.com items but it's worth repeating after yesterday's news. Enjoy.

August 04, 2013

Rad Animals, Robots & Zombies, from Matt Cipov

August 04, 2013/ Claire Spence

Visit Matt's store to purchase.

August 03, 2013

So, What's Cooking in the Pancake Art Studio this Summer?

August 03, 2013/ Claire Spence

I mentioned Dan Lacey this evening & it occurred to me that I haven't blogged his work lately. I previously featured Dan regularly, so of you search on my site for him as key word you will see lots more kitsch portrait work, all adorned with pancakes & a twist of madness. You can also visit Dan Lacey on his own blog.

August 01, 2013

Our Stay at The Bushmills Inn, Causeway Coast, Northern Ireland

August 01, 2013/ Claire Spence

Holidaying 'at home' has become the done thing for families these days & we were lucky enough to be sent on a special mission by Tesco Magazine, to spend three days exploring Northern Ireland's North Coast.

Tesco Magazine are encouraging families all over the UK to hit the road and explore what's on their doorsteps in The Great Family Road Trip.

My tales of adventure will be on the Tesco blog very soon, but in the meantime I'd love to share with you some pictures of the hotel we called home that weekend.

The Bushmills Inn, situated a stone's throw from the world famous distillery of the same name, is a four star luxury home-from-home.

The two storey rooms offer everything you need, and more, with Nespresso Machines and complimentary Elemis toiletries. The staff even left a little Bushmills Inn teddy on my son's bed for him arriving, which pleased him no end. He carried it around all weekend.

The room was the height of luxury, with a shower room and dressing room downstairs, off the sitting area, and a separate bathroom with bath upstairs, and the double bed for us. This was super in the evenings as our tired out five year old could doze off in his bed on the ground floor, and we could sit and watch television without disturbing him, upstairs.

The hotel restaurant was outstanding, both for breakfast and our evening meal. The staff make you feel like royalty, and are knowledgable of the local area and attractions, useful as most of the other guests seemed to be those on golfing holidays. The Causeway Coast has a number of world famous golf courses, as well as world famous natural attractions such as the Giant's Causeway.

I would recommend a stay at The Bushmills Inn in a heartbeat. One of the best hotels I've ever stayed in on my travels. If you are visiting Northern Ireland from another land, make sure you look it up.

July 31, 2013

Snot the Zombie- My Son's New Best Friend

July 31, 2013/ Claire Spence

I picked up my son from his friend's house this afternoon and told him I needed his help with a blog review today. I told him it was a zombie backpack. "I don't like zombies" he says. Home, and 30 minutes later he is literally kissing his new Wow Pack, Snot the Zombie. I think I'll have to have him pried out of it at bed time. He just loves it.

Wow Packs are the first 3D animated back packs and they launch in the UK in August in Smyths Toy Stores. The eyes roll & snot comes from the nose, which seems to be hilarious if you are five. The controls are on the straps and there's also a motion activated setting, so Snot can trick your friends, or Daddy.

Snot comes in green or blue, and there's also a Kitten which comes in purple & pink.

Like Wow Packs on Facebook or follow on Twitter to keep up to date with Wow Stuff. Check out the Wow Wanderers on Pinterest.

July 31, 2013

I'm 33 Tomorrow. It's Time I Got a Beauty Routine, with help from NSpa.

July 31, 2013/ Claire Spence

I didn't start wearing makeup until I was well into my twenties, and I still haven't got into a beauty routine in my thirties. NSpa are affordable at-home spa products developed by the UK's number one day spa, Nirvana. They sent me a selection from their Bathing Rituals and Beauty Rituals range.

The products are numbered in order to use, which is handy for me as I'm never sure what's supposed to come first. I've been using the range every day for a week now, and the skin on my face felt different after the first day. My foundation was easier to apply, and because you layer the products you smell absolutely lovely (if I do say so myself) even before you use fragrance. The Bathing Ritual Foam is also great for shaving your legs, and the Dry Oil after showering is non-greasy and sinks in in seconds- I hate trying to put clothes on over greasy moisturised arms!

I'll be picking up some more products from the website, or in store in Asda. I look forward to trying their Haircare Rituals too.