Pick of the Month

Being supportive is both a metaphor for lingerie and the bosom pal nature of blogging. One of my major obsessions is the correct fitting and wearing of bras. I would like to introduce a code for the standardisation of fitting methods, an obligatory annual fitting and more research on this matter.

Whilst incorrect bra fitting isn't a cause of breast cancer, better knowledge and awareness of the breasts is a major factor in early detection and therefore the treatment of breast cancer/

As October is Breast Cancer Awareness month I've given over the High Street Pick of the Week slot to a special Pick of the Month post. A number of fashion bloggers have already highlighted this item and its support of the charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer but my-wardrobe.com have done an excellent job at promoting the Zoe and Morgan exclusive collaboration to raise money for Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

I much prefer good old fashioned honest pitches than the charity street muggers (chuggers) I avoid on a daily basis. And Zoe and Morgan have produced three limited edition items for my-wardrobe to raise money and awareness.

Silver Swallow Necklace £108

Gold Swallow necklace £125

T-shirt £46

Paper pants begone!

It's not everyday a stranger offers to send you silk knickers and certainly not ones enriched with shea butter! But who am I to say no...

The silk pants in question are a special edition designed by Ayten Gasson for Andrex and what a collaboration. It is in conjunction with the launch of Andrex's new luxury toilet tissue made with shea butter - incredible! I'm amazed at how a bog standard product can be diversified into a luxury moment with ones intimate absolution's. Hey ho!

However, the Andrex/Ayten collaboration is also in aid of raising money for the charity Look Good Feel Better, a workshop programme taking place in hospitals with cancer treatment patients.

Now did anyone elses mother make you wear paper pants on overseas journeys as a child, or am I the only adult with such a memory of being made to wear them!

Special edition £10 silk knickers on sale from Andrex or Bordello

Birthday Queen of Charity Shops.

Now I've been thoroughly enjoying Mary Portas's latest programme Mary Queen of Charity Shops on the BBC.

image from BBCi

However in bloggy world we know that the true Queen of Charity Shops is Sharon Rose so I couldn't resist a little interview for her views on Mary and charity shop shopping. Not to mention our Sharon is also a birthday girl today!

How many times a week do you frequent a charity shop?

Up to 5 times a week.

Which is your favourite local charity shop?

My Local Sue Ryder Care, which is less than 10 minutes walk away.

Which charity shop would you go and help?

One in another town, to see new faces as I'm very familiar with all the ones in my local town!!

Which do you think offers the consumer better value for money charity shop or car boot?

Boot Sales offer better bargains, especially for 50p to £3, but you do really have to rummage for them. Charity shops in my area aren't too dear and offer a wide variety at reasonable prices, generally anything from £2-£10, depending on the item.

Would you change the pricing in a charity shop(i.e. do you think too expensive or too cheap)?

I think the charity shops in my town and surrounding areas are priced just right, even for a good quality item, I rarely pay more than £8. London charity shops are expensive in my opinion, for high street items especially. I understand how Mary wanted to place expensive items in a shop for a lot more money-I'm not sure how this would work on a long term basis, especially when volunteers are unfamiliar with designer names. Items may be better off being auctioned on ebay by the charity, I know a lot of the charities work this way now.

How motivating do you think Mary Portas is?

I love her, I think she has a great attitude, but I suppose it must be hard for her when a lot of the old dears are stuck in their ways of working and methods-but she is giving it a go, much needed in some areas, I think! I really enjoyed the programme on Tuesday night, it's great because I can really see her vision and where she wants her shop to be, but there is also the other side of it regarding the volunteers and what they can do, considering they don't get paid and what's expected of them. Very interesting indeed!

If you had to work with one of the Orpington old dears who would you choose?

I love Leila, a great sense of humour!! Brenda and Graham are too set in their own ways I think!

Have you every volunteered in a charity shop?

No, I've debated it, but I've decided its just as good to buy from them and donate things regularly too. I will never say never though.

What top tip would you give to a charity shop virgin?

Expect the unexpected, be prepared to have a good rummage and stock up on key quality items, such as jeans, jackets and dresses. Oh, and always look at other items even if you're not intending to buy them. Yesterday afternoon, I went looking for costume jewellery, but because I look and scan most different items, I scored a gorgeous fluid jersey beige DKNY dress for only £4.99, which fits like a glove!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHARON-ROSE!!

Check out the bling...

Kingdom of Style have drawn attention to the fact Handbag.com and Cancer Research UK have teamed up to launch Handbag Amnesty to raise money to help beat cancer.

From September to October celebrities will be donating their bags to be sold on eBay to raise money. The bags will then be auctioned from Friday 3rd - Sunday 14th October to tie in with Breast Cancer Awareness month. All proceeds will go to Cancer Research UK.

How cool would it be to win a bag and find some left over stuff in there. I'm going to be looking to see what Dame Shirley Bassey donates! Please let it be blingtastic.

Chanel bag for Channel swim update

The sale of my cruise collection Chanel bag raised £77.49 for Zimhippo and his cross Channel swim to raise money for Homes for Zimbabwe

I said Chanel not channel

I'm a bit lapsed at being a consistent giving. When I was salaried I had an Oxfam direct debit but as a freelancer you can't do the tax free bit its very complicated. So I have to remember to give and then submit for the tax peeps to give the tax bit depending on my income....

Normally Idon't mention charity or plug an effort as we've all got friends who do their bit which we support in our own way.

However, every Monday I go to swimming training and one guy there is swimming the channel. He's from Zimbabwe and he's doing the channel swim to raise money for people to eat. God damn it that gets to me every time. So I've put up a bag for auction on ebay to raise money for him. I thought a Chanel bag was fitting for a channel swim.

My friend who runs an ebay shop is doing it for me -Closet Encounters

and this is the link to the bag - bag link!

If you want to visit Graeme's blog about his swim (and please note this is a lot of effort and he's not poncing off to foreign lands to do it!) here's his blog link - Zimhippo and here's the charity bit www.justgiving.com/zimhippo

Please get people to bid!!

Thank you xx