Wonderful Weekend Wedding

Sometimes there is nothing better than a wedding. Mr MDS and I repeated last weekend in wedding number 2. We donned exactly the same outfits given we were friend invitees this time, so no family present to remark on our ground-hog day appearence. I made one change from last week with the addition of a headband, although my hair isn't long enough to create the desired beehive affect.

It was a beautiful day, the bride and groom were suitably beautiful and handsome on their special day and Dulwich College was a wonderful location. The attention to detail at the wedding was down to the bride whose choice of floral colours and design were glorious. We ended the perfect day dancing madly to a great live band with a female singer who covered everything from Sister Sledge, Gloria Gaynor to Kings of Leon and the Killers to name some. The eclectic mix was such fun, one moment you were doing your best funk soul dancing to bouncing around like a indie mentalist! It felt great in Prada shoes.

M&S cardi, Moschino dress from the Outnet, Prada Shoes

Champagne in hand (tick) confetti in hair (tick)

The beautiful hall in Dulwich College

Nice touches home made jam - how cute!

An array of gorgeous flowers everywhere

The band

Bride & Groom

Cision nominate this blog as one of Top 10 UK Styling blogs

Imagine my surprise when I found this blog was number one in the Top 10 UK Styling blogs
Given I'm rubbish at technical design wizardry I can only provide you with the link, rather than a captured image of my status!

It has been 4 years of reading blogs and 3 years of actual blogging. It was also great to see Style Bubble and Kingdom of Style (they need no introduction!) in the top 50 of UK bloggers, which features lots of food, political and other blogs. Then the blogs got broken down into sectors. If you look at the vintage blog section you will see some other familiar UK blogs there. Why the inclusion is so wonderful is because the clever people at Cision have applied methodology to this. Basically Cision analysed traffic, input and output, influence and the chances of referral, so it is nice to know that objectively this blog stacks up...subjective views are another matter.

Now where is that book deal....

High Street Pick of the Week

Seeing as I can never resist a dress, I was happy to spy this number in Oasis. It is dresses galore at the moment, so go for something sumptuous like this velvet number. Just add Chanel Paradoxal nail varnish (if you haven't got it go to my giveaway here) with fishnet tights or stockings, red lipstick and some courts. I challenge any man to resist you!

Oasis Velvet Dress in Iris £55

Be Prepared - a fashion stylists working wardrobe

Fingers crossed I'll be working flat out from now (ish) until a week or two before Christmas. Knowing my likely schedule and the fact I need a working wardrobe for different situations, I've used my time off to a) attend to the petit garcon first and foremost, b) decorate, saving Mr MDS decorators fees and c) compile my A/W10 look.

I've mixed old and new items. It is my usual mix of a few designer pieces with mainly high street and some secondhand. I've omitted to throw in my few t-shirts, my skinny grey polo, accessories and gloves that I'll be donning but you can imagine those!

Evening

I do mix and match day and evening wear but I've separated them to illustrate in their more dominant environments. I tend to keep it simple upon an eve, although that is probably true of all my outfits.

The evening items

l to r, years old ankle boots in a patent faux snake skin, with kitten heel, Suede purple courts with detail 2 years old, this season Prada heels and my very old Sacco boots from New York.

l to r, Gerald Darel tuxedo jacket from Oxfam Wimbledon 2 years ago, Zara metallic v cardi last year, Toast navy velvet trousers and Gerald Darel ruffle white shirt both 5 years old.

l to r, Viktor & Rolf black long sleeve silk dress, a few years old, recent Moschino dress from Outnet and a sample sale Pink Soda dress coat.

Daywear

The day time items

l to r, M&S granny wedges this summer - will wear with ankle socks, heeled Brogues 4 years old, this season suede ankle boots from Oasis and lace up brogues from Topshop. I realised that my choice of tan shoes demonstrates a repeat pattern. I hold my hands up it is my favourite colour for shoes.
l to r, recent blog shop dress purchase from Mrs Bossa (will do a separate post on this as have altered it), See by Chloe floral print dress from Liberty sale and my See by Chloe pea coat jacket.

Reiss a-line skirt, expect a lot of wear of this item

l to r, Topshop this season floral blouse, last season Topshop blouse, ditto Ted Baker blouse and this season Zara one.

This is my favourite buy, I love sheer material and the pattern and colours are wonderful. It sold out straight away.

l to r, Last season Topshop red jeans, Many, many years old Topshop jumper, which I love so much I'm glad it will get an airing this season. Normally it only comes out for very cold days. This season Zara knitted cardigan with geography teachers elbow patches.

Overall my look is a reference/nod to Mad Men, Celine and the things I always like. I would if I could buy some Chloe or Chloe inspired trousers and a D&G lace number wouldn't go a miss but the make do funds are emptied.

UPDATE: completely forgot to mention my black M&S cardi which is in the daywear section but then I've mentioned it loads already. It will continue to be used a lot.

Chanel 509 giveaway

Of course Chanel 509 is Paradoxal. Due to the cunning and tenacity that is Make Do Style not only did I have the ability to purchase Paradoxal and Rose Satin for family, friends and moi, but I've got one left over. Now of course I could be super selfish and sell the blighter on ebay but were is the fun in that. I'm in the mood for dispensing good cheer.


This little pot of happiness and perfect polish can be yours! The usual applies for a chance to win - be a follower of the blog and leave a comment on the subject of your best make do tip on anything from fashion, beauty, food, culture or adventure. The giveaway is open until Friday Sept 3rd (which is next week!)

Just to clarify the rules (thank you Pearl for being the organised one!)

1. Leave a comment containing 'WIN' so I know who wants to be entered and I will put all the names in a hat to draw the winner.

2. You must be a follower of this blog, new followers are welcome (Google )

3. For an extra entry tweet or retweet about the giveaway and /or mention it on your blog (and leave in the comment that you have done so).

UPDATE: forgot to say this is open to the world. Whether you are in Melbourne, Mumbai, Massachusetts or Malawi or Mexico. I know I've mixed up countries and towns.

Something I threw on

This is the first in a weekly style option for the out of towners! And maybe something for those who are big city dwellers. I will try to keep everything as an internet option, which isn't too hard these days and also September sees the launch of H&M online. It does mean that Zara is excluded but since sizing is an issue with Zara this probably isn't an issue. To qualify, sizing in Zara varies enormously depending on fabric, cut and design. I can discount XS and XL but S, M & L have all made an appearance in my wardrobe.

I thought I'd kick of this series with a solution for country living (wild west of Wales, Sussex etc.) and attempt to solve a cry for help from someone who is 'strawberry'. A strawberry body shape is like a strawberry - wider at the top and narrower at the bottom. I like to call it an upside down triangle, which means to balance out the proportions you need to create an additional triangle.

The look I'm creating is modern and fresh for A/W, with a nod, if you select the jumper option, to Prada but doesn't scream fashion.

Item 1 - is a Mango skirt from ASOS. I like to get women out of the trouser/jeans option where possible. Much easier to wear dresses and skirts if you can't rock a skinny jean or this season's leather pants a la Isobel Marant. At £37.90 it is a snip and the wrap feature and asymmetric detail make it more casual for everyday wear. The only problem is Mango like Zara only go up to a L which is a size 12. If you need larger I would opt for the Isobella Oliver maternity a-line skirt. What maternity I hear you shriek! Well, it's just you get a better cut with the waistband and you can tuck things in and add a skinny belt but still get a great shape. It is the perfect solution when you are an apple or strawberry shape.


Item 2 - ASOS bobble stitch jumper in navy, £30. Get the jumper for later when the wind chills the bones. And if you are top heavy for the jumper, go for a lightweight long sleeve tee in grey, navy or black, again this Mango Cowl neck top £17.90 is perfect for on its own or layering and this goes up to a size 14.

Then you only need to add some ribbed or opaque tights with some boots or brogues or even wellies depending on the weather. Do not under any circumstances add Uggs. I've nothing against Uggs but not with this look, okay!

Here are some links to boots ideas.

ASOS Trapper platform ankle boots

Dorothy Perkins Chocolate lace up ankle boots

M&S footglove wide fit leather slouch boots in brown

And a pair of brogues

Topshop soft leather brogues

For accessories, if you are top heavy get a nice chunky bangle or 3 to add detail. And if you are small(er) busted and wearing the navy jumper, a nice very long chain with a locket on the end would be fab. I just dreamt up the locket necklace, I have no images or suggestions to offer but something similar would work. Or a nice brooch.

Where to Shop?

I'm often asked 'where should I shop/where is the best place to shop?' (on the UK high street)

The answer is never the same. Each season changes the 'where' bit. I probably would suggest always having a look in the mid range retailers such as Reiss, All Saints, Ted Baker and concessions in departments stores from Tara Jarmon, Paul and Joe Sister, and the Jesiree range in John Lewis. You do have to have a plan and a list when you go shopping, this always helps to make sure you don't come back with a repeat number.

However, this season I'm mainly loving Topshop and Zara. Last winter I had no love for either but slowly and surely they are both back on track. On the back burner I'd put Warehouse and Gap (the cape at £60 is a winner) and I'm sighing a bit over my beloved Oasis, not sure I'm feeling the love yet. My surprise wild card will be Miss Selfridge, check it out sporadically, there will be much to coo over. Finally, M&S, well would have thought it! I'm suggesting caution (as always) but there is some mighty fine individual pieces. My Mad Men esque cardigan in black has been a winner at £18.

Maxi, Midi, Mini - take 3 duffle coats

Ah yes the summer fun is nearly over and so it seems is my extended break. Well what with the petit garcon off to school, my MA over proper, it is time to roll up my sleeves and get stuck back into the world of fashion styling with vigour.

That means less indulgence on the blog and more focus. Yes, anonymous from Borth, I've taken on all your feedback! There will be three featured blog posts each week specifically related to curent trends and retail. Saturday's High St Pick of the Week, remains with the addition of Maxi, Midi, Mini - one item, three options, from the highs of designers to the budget bargain of the high street. The final post in the trio will be Something I Threw On. Imagine my horror when I was told that someone who shall remain nameless actually opened the Next directory catalogue, looked at the images and bought a complete outfit head to toe based on a look. I'm coming to the rescue! My mission is to inject confidence about creating a look, whatever size or shape. It will not require 'making' or 'brow beating'. I'll keep it simple and hope to inject some style where once there was merely bafflement. And yes it will be 'normal' fashion...

...We start this week with a bubbling under trend for outerwear - the duffle coat. Look it is windy and wet on this Isle and you need to withstand these vagrancies of weather. Be prepared with a duffle coat.

Miu Miu Wool and angora- blend twill duffle coat £1,190 at Net-A-Porter (no spluttering on your coffee in Borth!)

Long navy duffle from DufflecoatsUK reduced from £245 to £135

Bound Seam Duffle Coat £80 Topshop

Family and Fashion

There is a lot to be said for family and friends. It is only with family you can often share moments of emotion about loved ones who are long gone, even when it is a happy occasion such as a marriage. So when my uncle gave a speech at my cousins wedding and mention our departed grandmother and their other departed grandmother, my cousin and I (who incidentally were both born on the same day), our sisters and brothers, my dad and her mum (my dad's sister) all welled up with tears. I was also wearing my grandma's necklace so she was there.

Equally in the comfort of family you rediscover the similarities. So when a group of six Dutch cyclists touring the British countryside appeared in their everyday attire of jeans and t-shirts for the wedding, none of the family and friends who know the family well batted an eyelid. In fact they were staying at the castle (which is a youth hostel) opposite the village church and had got talking to my aunt as she was doing the flowers in preparation for the wedding. Naturally, she invited them along to the service. Naturally we all had a chat with them afterwards before going to the reception.



And of course at the reception we had a wonderful view of the Kymin a white towered building above Monmouth where Admiral Nelson breakfasted with his lover Lady Hamilton and her husband Sir William Hamilton (who was quite old) and greatly admired the views.

The location for the reception was the marvellous modern Sports Pavillion of Monmouth Boys school. With its splendid space and views of both the English and Welsh counties.


There was something lovely about the blend of old and new, which is a good reminder why the changing nature of fashion when it comes to taste and new ideas is something to welcome. Yet the story of Nelson and Lady Hamilton is a reminder how little we change as people.

High Street Pick of the Week

It is crazy out there on the high street. They are all after your money and wanting you to buy the seasons must have jacket (the aviator one) from them. Instead I give you the thing furthest away from the £100 upwards needed to get one - socks.
The best transitional piece for your wardrobe right now is a good pair of ankle socks. Topshop has a great 3 pairs of sock for £7 offer on at the moment. Just add kitten heels and a-line skirt.