Dressed and Pressed

So Fugly! Pink Soda abstract top, £45 at Oli

noreply@blogger.com (Dressed and Pressed) — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 14:58:00 +0000

Have you ever had one of those moments when you're looking at an article of clothing in a shop and you just can't figure out what the hell it is? Is it a top? Where are the sleeves? Is it a skirt? How does this thing go on exactly?

That's exactly how I feel about this "abstract" (the clue is in the name people) top from Pink Soda. It's not the nicest of garments to behold anyway, but with all those multi-directional graphicals, I had to do a triple take just assure myself that it was any kind of top at all. And then... Eeuwww, crappy arse beaded halter neck!

I know it's summer and we all want to swan around, pretending we're in a tropical paradise, with sarongs wrapped casually around our bodies as we walk barefoot on the beach. But this hideous top is not the answer.

And don't get me started on the ridiculous pricing. It looks like something you'd pull out of the bargain bin at your local pound shop. WTF?!

Bringing super back

noreply@blogger.com (Dressed and Pressed) — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 21:39:00 +0000

It's looking increasingly like the original Supermodels (and by that I mean the 80s supermodels) are making a comeback. In the past few days I've seen shoots with Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington and Naomi (okay, Naomi was never officially "away" but let's overlook that for the sake of this post, shall we).

I, for one, am glad they're back. I've missed them so. The Supers are the fashion icons I grew up with. Long before the waif was chic. Long before celebrity became a vocation, and actors and singers became a brand, the Supers bestrode the fashion world like Colossi.

They were strong, they were sexy, they didn't get out of bed for less than an average person's annual wages, and I loved them all. Because although they were freakishly tall and well put together, they still looked like they'd had their fair share of hot dinners. They had a beauty that you could aspire to - if maybe not fully achieve.

Even all these years later, they still look like they can kick some arse as well as look glamourous. Today's walking cadavers, AKA models, simply don't compare.

Thigh's the limit - Naomi for V mag

Wonder woman - Christy strikes a pose for W mag

Still not getting out of bed - Linda for Prada

Not a skinny breastbone in sight - Cindy in her hey day (and she still looks amazing)

Images courtesy Fashionation

On your marks...

noreply@blogger.com (Dressed and Pressed) — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 18:38:00 +0000

Be still my beating wallet. I know we're still in high summer but the Autumn/Winter Primark collection is looking mighty desirable to me. Shapes that look almost cutting edge, edgy-shoe designs and still at low, low prices. Unbelievable.

Of course, this could all just be photo-trickery but honestly just perusing the lookbook has got me drooling onto my key board. If I didn't love the sunshine so much, I'd be wishing it was Autumn already.

Fugly Update- Warehouse silk print dress

noreply@blogger.com (Dressed and Pressed) — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 11:48:00 +0000

A while back I wrote a So Fugly on this Warehouse silk print dress. The comments came in - mostly agreeing with me that the designers, while starting out with good intentions, might have been a little bit *ahem* high.

Make Do kindly offered to check out the offending item in the flesh and agreed that indeed the addition of the pelmet was an addition too far. And yes, I know that pelmets and peplums are the new fashion twist du jour but really, there is so much else going on with this dress that it is sinking under the weight of it's own fashion-y knicker knackers (I do believe that is the technical term...).

While doing my monthly scan of spam emails - which mostly consist of exhortations for me to enlarge my penis and buy fake designer jewellery - I came across an email from an avid reader who also happens to work for Warehouse, which goes:

I received your news letter today and it's such a shame you don't like the dress as it featured in Grazia this week, but you must feel quite strongly about it!? I hope you don't feel this strongly about the whole collection.

So let me just set the record straight on this:

I dearly wanted to like this dress but I got too distressed by it's full on OTT-ness. If the dress could speak, it would be plaintively wailing: "No mas. No mas!" while weeping softly and cursing mankind.
I can usually find something to like in any given Warehouse collection and when I do, I am effusive in my praise. Take this skirt, for instance.
Contrary to popular contemporary opinion, Grazia is not God. And that dress? Still Fugly.
Also, dear Warehouse person-who-will-not-be-named, send me some bumf about your entire Autumn collection and I will happily review the items I like.

The latest news is that the dress has been featured in the Sunday Times Style mag as a "Star Buy" - to which I say: there's just no accounting for taste, is there?

See more fugly

Priceless!

noreply@blogger.com (Dressed and Pressed) — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 10:52:00 +0000

Knowing you've got no butt = £0
Going to the shops to find a remedy = £0
Finding the perfect pants to make your booty buoyant = Priceless!

Thanks to Winona at Daddy Likey for this priceless Monday morning image. I always knew that Mondays were pants and now I've got proof!

I want it now! Faith heart clutch, £30

noreply@blogger.com (Dressed and Pressed) — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:09:00 +0000

When I think accessories on the high street, Faith isn't a brand that immediately comes to mind. But recently, I've seen them edging more and more into my conciousness (at least that bit of my consciousness that sees something bright shiny and covetable and goes "oooh!") when I think I might need a little cheap outfit pick-me-up.

They are by no means there yet with a ready stock of "lovies" (to quote Susie Bubble) but every so often they come up with the goods. This gorgeous bag is a good example.

Love that shiny red and the heart shaped, hard frame. The shape also looks nice a robust - like you might be able to fit in more than a credit card and a small mobile phone - and not cheap and flat. And, thoughtfully, they've provided a nice long chain handle.

My only quibble is, seeing as it's not made of leather, can the £30 price tag really be justified? In these financially times, I'm thinking: not. Still, nice to look at.

Also comes in black, for those of you who don't share my penchant for brights.

1930s Mannish

noreply@blogger.com (Dressed and Pressed) — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 20:25:00 +0000

I love dressing up. Not just in the dressing to go out kind of way. I actually think of dressing up in a childlike way, like stumbling on your mum's trunk in the attic when you're five and trying all the clothes on. It's fun.

I like costume, the idea of becoming someone different or at least looking different - clothes as something to appear in but also to hide behind.

I have my hair in locks and most of the time I wear it straight but I've been fooling around with ways of changing my appearance via my hair, so I curled it and it came out in a great poodle-curled bob. Which made me think of Marlene Dietrich's hair in the film Blue Angel. Which in turn made me think of her mannish style.

The ever so poised and stylish Ms Dietrich

So for work today, I decided to dress up in an outfit that sort of went with the hairstyle. My main mannish accountrements were the hair, a pair of lace-up shoes and a great blazer that I picked up in a vintage shop in New York. And let me just say, I love that scarf! Best £8 I ever spent. On a scarf.

Vintage Emporio Armani blazer, Uniqlo culottes, H&M body, socks and scarf, New Look silver lace-ups

Shoe Lurve - Kurt Geiger Scania lace-ups, £180

noreply@blogger.com (Dressed and Pressed) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 19:06:00 +0000

How do I lurve these gorgeous lace-ups? Let me count the ways:

I lurve them for their beautiful curves, that rounded platform and that cheeky, slightly pointed, slightly snubbed toe.
For their two-toned, shiny patent, navy blue and white loveliness, made even lovelier by the spiky red heel.
For the perforated vamp that adds extra fun detail and texture, and the playful little red tab at the back.

Alas, I do not lurve the price tag... *sigh* Maybe they'll appear in the sales.

Karl/Karlotta

noreply@blogger.com (Dressed and Pressed) — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 22:06:00 +0000

There are very few people on the planet with a look as iconic or instantly recognisable as Karl Lagerfeld's. His uniform of tight tailored trousers and jacket, black shades, pulled back white ponytail, and fingerless leather gloves, are pretty much a uniform.

Although I think the look has more to do with the silhouette and the palette of black white and grey than the actual clothes. Either way, you can see unkle Karl coming a mile off.

So when I saw him modelling a rather natty, neon yellow safety vest in a recent French public safety advert, I thought: "brilliant choice".

Then I got an evil little germ of an idea: since he is so manniquin perfect, wouldn't it be fun to dress Karl up a bit. Much like one of those cut out paper dolls with the little cutout outfits you could dress them in.

Which led to these (click on images to enlarge):

Why Unkle Karl, you are so veree chic! Hee!

This is fun... Anyone a dab hand with ye olde photoshop want to try it out? Send me your best efforts, pretty please, and I'll post them.

Images of clothing courtesy: Net a Porter, Schuh

Taking a break

noreply@blogger.com (Dressed and Pressed) — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 23:22:00 +0000

I'm away doing family stuff. I'll be back on Wednesday 16 July.

Step away from the shoe sales!

noreply@blogger.com (Dressed and Pressed) — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 12:32:00 +0000

My thoughts on buying shoes at sale time run something like this:

Before I hit the shops: Hmmm, time to buy a decent and reasonably priced pair of sandals and maybe snap up a pair of sturdy shoes/boots that'll see me through Autumn.

Once I'm in the shops: Shoes, lovely shoes and all so cheap! Shop assistant, I'll have every pair you've got in my size!! Yippee!!! *gibber, gibber*

Trust me, loosing your mind in the presence of shoe choice overload is not the most useful way to approach the sales. All you end up with is a load of cheap shoes many of which you will never wear unless you live in a place of perpetual summer and have genetically modified centipede feet...

Okay thinking about what that would look like is really freaking me out... Moving on...

So this summer, I've decided for my mental health to do a little forward planning and set a tight budget. First I'm online checking out what might be onsale and deciding what I need to buy. Then, I'll go see if I can find what I want in the shops and hopefully return with only one pair of summer sandals and - if I'm lucky a nice pair of boots.

Summer sandals (click on image to enlarge):
I adore those lace-up flat pumps from ASOS, even though their pleather. They are dirt cheap at £5.

Sturdy autumn shoes (click on image to enlarge):
Those Chloe wedge shboots are now reduced to £99 at Kurt Geiger! They're dark green, perfect Autumn colour.

So Fugly! Warehouse silk print dress, £65

noreply@blogger.com (Dressed and Pressed) — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 16:16:00 +0000

Okay, so at first sight you look at this dress and you think: "ooh... pretty!" Unfortunately, the closer you look, the more you see and it ain't good. It's. Just. Too. Much. At some point, someone just sort of lost the plot with this and turned it from Oh yeah to Oh dear.I can just imagine what must've gone on in the design room the day this dress was created. It goes something like this:

Designer 1: Let's create the ultimate high street dress. Something classy and expensive looking with lots of fabric and a rich looking colour... maybe a hint of pattern.

Designer 2: Yeah, yeah! Something subtle but sexy, structured but daring... A nice long bell shaped sleeve. Full skirt. A slashed bodice to take the prim out of it.

D1: Ooh yeah, I like that! But I feel it's missing something here... Ruffles! A touch of pretty ruffle detail around the neckline, in the bodice, creating shape...

D2: Gasp! You are sooo right. Ruffles are sooo in right now. I have to say this: you, my friend, are on fire today!

D1: but there's still something... What could it possibly be? It's already just so perfect...

D2: I know what you mean... Hmmm... Hold that thought I'm just gonna go and powder my nose. *Snorting noises, followed by sneezing and toilet flushes*

D2: I've got it! It's brilliant!! You are gonna love it!!!

D1: What? *clap, clap. Sniff, sniff. Barely concealed excitement* What is it?

D2: It needs... A pelmet!

D1: Dude! That is so the missing it-ness of this dress. Now. Now it is perfection! Right, I'll just send this to the tailors and we are done.

D2: Like, stick a fork in us like a sausage, cos we are not only sizzling but also... done.

Yep. That's what I think happened.

Thrifting in the outer-Nethers

noreply@blogger.com (Dressed and Pressed) — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 11:42:00 +0000

This week I had a little thrifting time, so I took myself off to my favourite charity shop in the outer-Nethers (or CSitO-N as will be known from now on) and set myself a strict £5 budget.

One of the reasons why I love the CSitO-N so much is because it's larger than the average and filled - but not overfilled - with all sorts - from bric-a-brac to doilies to bits of cloth, as well as the usual clothes, bags and shoes combo.

They don't filter out the less fashionable stuff and they don't overprice, which makes for a satisfying bit of rummaging and the chance of a real bargain. My £5 budget was ample.

I found a vintage suitcase with leather trim and bakelite handle for £3! (click on image to enlarge) Vintage suitcases are brilliant for storage. I've been looking for an affordable one of these for ages. When I do come across one, it's usually teeny and wildly overpriced.

This one's quite large - 26x15 inches - and 10 inches deep. I just need to figure out which of my bits and bobs I'm going to store in it.

I also found an adorable picnic case for 75p. It's about the size of vanity case and has pretty red gingham lining. And for those of you who've been following my DIY frustrations with the sewing machine, you'll appreciate the delicious sense of irony when I picked up a book called A-Z of the Sewing Machine for 50p.

So, a satisfying rummage, marvellous buys and I still had change left from a fiver. Result.

Black is the new... black?

noreply@blogger.com (Dressed and Pressed) — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 16:35:00 +0000

Image courtesy NY Times

So, last week I managed to lock myself out of the house. I had two choices: I could sit by the front door until the bloke got home or I could take a walk. Since the Nethers is actually quite picturesque and walk-worthy, I opted for the latter. So far, so ordinary.

While walking down the hill, some kids in a sporty yellow car zoomed past and shouted something at me. This is not unusual. Young people, I've found, like shouting. It's their hormones.

So I did the adult thing and ignored them. It took me three more steps before it registered: those kids had just called me a nigger! My initial reaction was suprise. Then resignation.

If you're a black person in a predominantly white society, you understand that racism exists. This doesn't mean that you walk around looking for men in hooded coats to lynch you while burning a cross on your front lawn. It's just there.

People will hate you for no particular reason. They'll wonder how come you're so smart/stylish/pretty because you're not supposed to be. It's irrational - negrophobia if your will. And irrationality cannot be reasoned with. I'm not about to try. That's their problem.

I don't let it get to me much or let it stop me from getting on with my life. I know that there are racists who will get in the way of that. I also know a hell of a lot of people who aren't racist and I'm happy to play those odds in my favour. That's just... life.

I'd all but forgotten about the whole sorry affair until I got a text from my friend K today telling me that I must buy the July issue of Vogue Italia.

Why? Because for the first time ever in any glossy magazine, Vogue Italia is dedicating a hefty 100 pages to black models. I am not even going to run through the range of arguments for or against this. But here is a range of my thoughts on the matter:

Fuck you, Vogue Italia. It's well-meaning, condescending, liberal bullshit like this that pays lip service but doesn't actually achieve anything at all. I don't want a token black issue of Vogue. There are plenty of black fashion magazines. Blacking up for a month then going back to business as usual is not solving the problem. At best, it's idle tokenism. At worst it's idle tokenism. Either way, it's idle and it's tokenism.

What I want is to open any issue of any glossy magazine and see that people like me exist alongside everyone else. I want to see a mix of all women of every age, shape, size and hue, ALL THE TIME! I am not holding my breath.

In the end, it all comes down to the bottom line - as long as the negrophobes are calling the shots in fashion (and by that I mean those who run, invest in, make money from and buy fashion) then black will continue to be equated with unattractive and unlucrative. I think I can make my peace with that. Just. This irrational state of affairs can't last for ever and I can wait.

In the meantime, I'll be buying my July copy of Vogue Italia to see all those beautifully shot pictures of black models because - guess what? - in my world, black is beautiful.

Televisual treats and not a trace of Big Brother

noreply@blogger.com (Dressed and Pressed) — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 21:23:00 +0000

God bless the BBC i-player, for it has totally revolutionised the way I watch telly. At first, I used it solely to feed my enduring love affair with Dr Who, new assistant Donna, notwithstanding (didn't you just love it when she got hit by a truck in Left Turn?).

Then I used it to wonder onto the world of The Mighty Boosh because I like to know what Noel Fielding's hair is doing at all times.

But now I've discovered Mary Portas or Mary Queen of Shops. For those who don't know, Mary Portas is a bit of a fashion business guru and in the programme she goes to different failing boutique every week, dispensing no-nonsense advice and miracle turnarounds.

She's part Nicky Hambleton-Jones - only a lot better dressed, part 'Surallan' Sugar (I look forward to the day when one the Apprentice wannabes turns to him in the boardroom and says: "no, you tosser, your fired!" Please God, let it be soon)- but a lot smarter, and part Gordon Ramsey - but with lady bits and a smoother face.It's absolute genius telly. It's worth the watch just to see what she's wearing every week and to see if she'll make another shop owner cry - which she invariably does. I am hooked.

Then there's my other new favourite - Shopping Is My Life, where shopaholics are made to face up to and change their spendthrift ways. I should probably be on that show but I'd prefer to keep my guilty purchases to myself, thank you. Although it has started me thinking about how much I spend and what I spend it on and why I spend it.

I could possibly do with not buying quite so much. But I already know that, which is why I've gone all DIY of late. Seriously, if you think you might have a teensy bit of a shopping problem, check this show out. If nothing else, it'll put your guilt about the odd £20 Primark purchase into perspective.

Status update: D&P is sewing

noreply@blogger.com (Dressed and Pressed) — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 19:31:00 +0000

Well, cussing a lot, actually. And sewing. So I've moved on to a slightly larger DIY project - the summer skirt - this week. One that requires the use of a sewing machine.

It's been a while since I dragged out the ol' faithful, so I'd forgotten just how exasperating setting it all up is. Not to get too technical:

First you have to spool thread on the little doo-hickey that goes in the hidden undercarriage bit of your machine. But before that you have to take it out of this hidden undercarriage which - if you're as rusty as I am - could take hours.

Then, when said doo-hickey is full of thread and safely replaced (another five hours of fiddling) you thread the sewing machine's needle - which, of course, is infinitely more complicated than it sounds.

When all that is done, you can sew your skirt by fitting the pieces of cloth together inside out - unless you're me - in which case you will sew the wrong sides together and have to take them apart, just as you're running out of thread from the little doo-hickey in the hidden undercarriage compartment...

Gah! I can hand sew faster than this! Give me strength!

The good news is, I'll have a lovely summer skirt to play with at the end of all this. Photos then.

Sewing machine. Torture device. Whatever.

Shoe Lurve: Chloe wedge shboots, £225 at Yoox

noreply@blogger.com (Dressed and Pressed) — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:16:00 +0000

I am not now, nor have ever been afraid of wearing yellow. In fact I positively embrace it. Especially if I can wear that colour on my feet in the form of these bright yellow, patent shboots.

They are ugly, but in a good way. I love the shape, the way that the leather smoothly covers the entire shoe and that exaggerated bit of heel/sole.

For some reason these shoes remind me of a sports car. It must be the sleek lines and the shiny pop of colour (oh dear, fashionspeak!)

They'd be great for dressing up jeans or dressing down a cocktail dress. It's times like this that I wish I had a bottomless bank account.

I may have been some time...

noreply@blogger.com (Dressed and Pressed) — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 13:51:00 +0000

Oh, hello! Remember me? Alleged blogger, poster of posts, mensher of Menshes, exchanger of links and all round MIA DIYer?

Yes, it is I!

I sort of fell off the edge of the blogosphere there for a while. Soz. Shit's happening. And when shit's happening round these parts, nothing else much happens.

Anyhoo, just wanted to let you know I'm still here and thanks to allay'all who commented, sent in links to link to, emails to be answered and all that. I will get round to it. As soon as shit stops happening or in between shit happening.

In the meantime, why don't you take a look at this Close-to-complete Ideology and Religion Shit List on Jaywalker.com.

Uber Mensh - Wendy Brandes Jewelry

noreply@blogger.com (Dressed and Pressed) — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 08:30:00 +0000

Wendy Brandes Jewelry is a fashion blog like no other. One day she's writing about dead queens and inspirations for jewelry designs, the next she's ripping the (usually deserved) shit out of some poor soul who's dared to cross her.

She's alternatively serious and intellectual or swearing like a seasoned navvy. On a one day shore leave. In a very dirty brothel. Depends on what day or in what you mood you find her really. But one things is constant: every post is filled with wit, charm and character.

She is just as likely to call us all bitches as she is to tell us about her various doings with the doting Mr B (her husband), friends and family. And we lap it all up, because you can't help but love Wendy B.

She has an infectious style that makes her feel like a good - albeit virtual - friend.

In other words she's pretty fabulous.

Wendy B, for your unhealthy obsessions with latex, bows and lolz catz, and your energy and enthusiasm not just for blogging but for other bloggers, you've just been Uber Mensh-ed.

Favourite posts:

No such thing as bad publicity? Let's Test - Wendy takes on the spammers and whups their sorry behinds right back to fugly town.
Living high on the iHog... in Latex Meet Fernando von Bakonstein and discover the depths of Wendy's latex obsession. But this post is about so much more than that. Read it.
About this blog - Everything that you've ever wanted to know about Wendy B in one handy, bitesized blog post.

I want it now! Eucalyptus spot dress, £65 at Oli

noreply@blogger.com (Dressed and Pressed) — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 20:43:00 +0000

Fashion doomsayers are predicting that the end is nigh for pretty dresses. I say, stuff that and take a look at this beauty. Black and white polkadots and bright red sash give this variation on the prom dress extra staying power.

Add to that an adjustable hem that can be tied up for extra pouff or let down for a more demure look and the versatility box is ticked. It' s strapless so you can team it with pristine white tee for a casual touch or wear with a statement choker for added glamour.

Perfect and just in time for the wedding season.

Quick and dirty - festival outfits

noreply@blogger.com (Dressed and Pressed) — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 21:12:00 +0000

Even if you've been living under a rock in the Himalayas for the past few weeks, you probably know that festival season is upon us. And with it, come the reams of articles telling you what to wear - which is exactly what this is.

So, why do you want to know my ha' penny's worth? Because I'm not going to bore you with a hundred and one outfit changes, and I'm not going to tell you how to get the look of the latest celeb du jour; I'm just going to tell you the honest truth here: don't bother dressing up for festivals, it is a colossal waste of time.

So what do you need for festival dressing? Very little.

Must takes...
Cover ups - It could get chilly. Take a waterproof jacket, a cardigan and a sturdy pair of socks or tights

Sturdy flat shoes - hunter wellies may look cute and practical but they scream "Kate wannabe" and are ridiculously expensive. Try a pair of brightly coloured Doc Martins instead. But it could be sunny, so take a pair of flat sandals -just in case.

And the rest...
Forget long floaty skirts and maxi dresses - you're almost guaranteed bad weather and even if the weather turns out fine, the last thing you want is to drag your petty maxi through sick, wee or worse.

Instead opt for denim shorts (culottes if you really hate your legs), and a couple of t-shirts then just wear them to death (at the most your festival experience is going to last three days. Why bother with anything else?) If you can take the inevitable drama in the toilets, you could also opt for a playsuit.

Doc Martins, Schuh; gladiator sandals, Office; shorts, Topshop; culottes, Dorothy Perkins; t-shirt, Uniqlo; long cardigan, Toki & Nabi; bag, Topshop; playsuit, Miss Selfridge

If you're a girlie girl and can't bear to wear boy stuff, take a pretty summer dress, a skirt and - yes you guessed it - a couple of t-shirts.

Floral skirt, Dorothy Perkins; dip dye dress and nylon jacket, both Oli; t-shirt, shoes and bag (as above)

You're going to need a bag but none of your ginormous shoppers. You'll need something portable that can be worn close to the body. You could wear a bumbag but let's face, they are fugly. Better off with a small cross-the-body bag on a short strap.

And that's it - it should all fit into a small rucksack, just don't ask me how you're going to cope with the tent because I haven't got a clue.

Let's link up

noreply@blogger.com (Dressed and Pressed) — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 17:08:00 +0000

So, I've been thinking about doing overhaul of my links list for some time and yes, I have noticed a few comments asking to exchange links. Just to let you know, I am totally up for that, in fact I positively welcome the opportunity to get to know some new blogs for both my and my readers' reading pleasure. But first, a few ground rules:

You need to have been blogging on the regular for at least 3 months - if you're a new blogger, I apologise but so many new bloggers fold before the 3 month mark and I cannot be dealing with broken links
If you've been blogging for more than 3 months, you still need to be blogging regularly - at least once a week
Your blog needs to be well written - witty or quirky or informative or madly stylish or all of the above - if you love what you do, then you'll know why this is important
Independent bloggers get precedence but if you're aligned with some company I'll consider you on the above merits (and entirely at my whimsy)
If I link to you, please link back - it's only fair
If you'd like to be linked please email me: dressedandpressed[at]googlemail[dot]com - I am so looking forward to some fresh blog action!

The other thing: following this post, I started thinking that it would be great to do reviews of some blogs that I really, really like. I also really like the term Uber Mensh - which is basically a pun on Ubermensch (which makes me feel all witty and intelligent... What?!).

So that what it's gonna be called - Uber Mensh. It's open to all, young blogs, old blogs, big blogs, small blogs. If I like what you're doing I'll write an Uber Mensh and link to my three favourite posts of yours. In return you can put the Uber Mensh button on your site for all to see. I have to say I got really excited about creating that button. I think it came out alright (see below).

First rule of DIY: start with the small stuff

noreply@blogger.com (Dressed and Pressed) — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 18:58:00 +0000

Success! I got round to finishing my DIY ruff project.

In the end it didn't take that long at all. Most of the work was carefully unpicking the ruffle at the buttom of the child's dress.

Then I measured and sewed in ruffles to fit round my neck, added some black grossgrain ribbon from my bag of bits and pieces, and here's the result (click on images to enlarge):
I think it came out alright, although it's not as bouffy as I would've liked. But it it transformed my plain black and white, floral, sleeveless top:
And the great thing is, if I wear it back to front it looks like a little capelet with a natty bow.

DIY is it taking so long?

noreply@blogger.com (Dressed and Pressed) — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 14:29:00 +0000

This post by Susie Bubble on Johnny Loves Rosie has just reminded me of all the DIY projects that I've got brewing that I've still not got round to.

Johnny Loves Rosie - if you didn't know - do these quirky, totally DIY-able accessories, which are not exactly expensive but not really that cheap either. Seeing their bows and things just made me itch to get to work on some stuff.

However, between the work life and the social life and the blog life and the life life, I just can't seem to find the time to squeeze in my projects. To recap, I want to:

Make a ruff and a large corsage out of a child's dress
Make a playsuit out of some African print material that I brought back from my trip home
Make some harem pants out of an old sweatshirt(well, actually it turned out to be a dress but that's another story)
Make some pretty summer skirts out of the material I found at my local-ish charity shop
Do something with my motherload of buttons

In addition to these, I want to:

Make some cute hair accessories from my bits and pieces of ribbon, felt and random other found and habberdashed things
Make a summer dress - I found the perfect ditsy-print material with yellow, red and green flowers, for £1 during a recent thrifting expedition. It is currently draped around my tailor's dummy in the hall and everytime I see it my palms itch with anticipation.
Try my hand at transfers - I bought some Dylon product called Image Maker, which apparently transfers pictures onto fabric "in three easy stages"! I simply must try it out. I'm thinking a collage from fash-mag images onto a t-shirt would look totally cool. If anyone's ever used this stuff, I'd really appreciate some tips!

So, anyway, this weekend's already looking like a bust as I've got friends and fam cropping up everywhere but I will get started soon and then you can see the sweet - or possibly rancid - rewards of my labour.

Shoe Lurve - Topshop Scarlet platform shoe, £65

noreply@blogger.com (Dressed and Pressed) — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 10:35:00 +0000

I love a good platform shoe, I do. And over the past couple of years the High Street has been going absolutely platform mad.

I've recently been burning my way through my future childrens' inheritence by collecting these irrisistable boosts to my ego and height and, just when I think I couldn't possibly need or want another pair, these gorgeous shoes from Topshop turn up.

They're a pretty, simple shape but that lovely pink platform just takes them to the next level. Makes me think of teaming them with something quirky - harem pants, high-waisted shorts, ditsy printed skirts, comic book tees, brightly coloured plastic jewelry/accessories... Or doing something 80s- black with accents of bright colour.

These shoes give me aches of longing in the pit of my stomach. Must have them.