Love at first Liberace

I was super excited a few weeks ago when I read about Rock n' Roll Bride's collaboration with Crown and Glory, which had been kept under wraps (aside from a few subtle online hints) until it launched on July 29th with a glittering BANG! It's no secret that I adore hair accessories, and I couldn't wait to check out the collection brainstormed by two fellow sparkle lovers.

On the day of the launch I eagerly browsed Kat's blog, which was filled to the brim with beautifully-shot photos showing off all 20 headpieces. What can I say? It was all kinds of awesome! The collection combines glitter, flowers, gems, bright colours, delicate lace, bows and ears. It all looked gorgeous and I must admit it's difficult to pick a favourite when it all looks so good. Although the product photos have styled the headpieces as part of a bridal ensemble, they are very accessible to all girls (and boys!) that like to rock some sparkle and fun whatever the occasion would be. The Gala bows would look epic worn to a gig (I can imagine the stage lights dancing off of the glitter), the Lisa and Emma floral pieces at a summer barbecue or a festival, the Shauna alice bands are perfect for afternoon tea  and as for the ears...well, they can be worn for any occasion!

Although I had cartoon-hearts in my eyes for the entire collection, I was drawn right away to the Liberace ears, which come in both kitty and bunny designs. These are encrusted with rainbow-coloured gems and described as 'the sparkliest piece in the collection'. Be still, my heart! Once I'd looked at the collection I realised I was still under a self-imposed shopping ban. I had a birthday coming up and told myself that I would treat myself to a pair if I got any birthday money. About a week later I was texting with Elaine and asked her if she'd seen the collaboration - as a fellow headpiece aficionado I was sure she would dig the whole collection too. "Yeah, I've seen them birthday girl", she hinted. Eeek!

Last weekend we celebrated my birthday and at midnight, when it was officially my birthday I was presented with a beautiful pink bag of treats. It was filled with lovely gifts and then I pulled out a white drawstring bag, decorated with the Rock n' Roll Bride and Crown & Glory logos. Oh my! I delicately unwrapped my present, wondering what piece my friends had chosen since we hadn't discussed any of the collection in detail. I seen a flash of sparkle as I peeled away the tissue paper and I let out a sqeal! THE LIBERACE EARS! Wow! They had picked out the bunny ear design for me, since I already have a few pairs of kitty ears and "because, y'know, they're called Liberace" - what great friends!

I tried them on instantly, then took them off to admire them, then tried them on again. While I was looking at them I noticed how very well made they are, with the backs of the ears strengthened with a layer of silver glitter and a little pink & white label. I also loved how well-presented they are, wrapped in tissue in a dust bag and with a little bag of pink heart-shaped confetti included. I love when products are packaged well and I can see that a lot of thought has gone into the packaging of this collection.

I wore my ears out to dinner two nights later (see? Suitable for any occasion!)  and couldn't stop looking at them. I must be part magpie! It was truly love at first Liberace.

Needless to say that I am over the moon with my new RockGlory ears and I can see myself wearing them lots over the coming months. I have a feeling that they will also make an appearance at The Blogcademy which I will be attending very soon!

You can browse and shop the Rock n' Roll Bride for Crown & Glory collection on both of their websites (linked at the start of this post). Pieces are priced from £20 and the designs are sure to set your heart a-flutter, whether you're a bride-to-be or just a bunny babe.

Have you seen the Rock n' Roll Bride for Crown & Glory collection? What is your favourite piece? Do you ever feel part magpie?

Thanks for reading!

Weekend Wear: Maxi a la Marion

I was going to call this post 'Baby's first Maxi', because this weekend was my first go at wearing a maxi-skirt. I never thought I'd ever wear a maxi skirt, it just isn't my usual style and I thought I would look like I was wearing a tent. In fact the only time I've worn a floor-length skirt was when I played Maid Marion in a (very improvised) short production of Robin Hood! However, over the last few months I've seen many a babe (be it friends, fellow bloggers or even celebrities I admire) rocking a floor-length skirt, which made me re-consider my stance.

When  experimenting with a new look, I don't like to break the bank (unless I'm positively certain I'm going to love it) and I'm sure many of you are the same! Cue one trip to Primark and a rummage on the racks and I came away with this fuchsia number. The range of colours was brilliant - cobalt blue, emerald green and even jewel-toned purple. In the end (as ever!), bright pink was the obvious choice and I could see myself teaming it with some of my Sonia Rykiel for H&M pieces to create a swoon-worthy pink and black ensemble.

This weekend, it was still too warm to crack out the Sonia knits so I wore my new pink maxi with a slouchy grey marl tee by Disney Couture. The top is decorated with symbols from Alice in Wonderland, which I found appropriate seeing as I had just fallen down the rabbit hole into maxiland! This top is an old favourite from one of my jaunts to Downtown Disney, I really could go wild in the shops there (So. Much. Cuteness). 

I accessorised this outfit with a Topshop flower crown and gold glittery Vans. I think everyone needs a sparkly pair of sneakers at some point in their life!

Wearing this style of skirt was definitely a kick out of my comfort zone, but any uncertainties were soon soothed when The Boy smiled and informed me that I looked "like a princess". Aww! Maid Marion, eat your heart out! I took the skirt out for a spin on Saturday afternoon and I must say I quite enjoyed it. I'm not leaving my skater dresses and circle skirts behind for it, but I could definitely be persuaded to wear it again sometime soon.

What did you wear this weekend? Are you rocking maxi skirts this Summer? Who is your favourite character from Robin Hood?

Thanks for reading!

Local Lovin': Something Different

In Local Lovin' I am looking at designers/ stores/ creators of marvellous things/ anything else that catches my eye - all based in Glasgow. I believe that we should be supporting the talent that we have locally so have decided to start Local Lovin' as a regular feature. If you would like to be featured please get in touch! See my Contact page for details.

As many of you will know by now, I am a huge fan of glitter. And bows. And hair accessories. I feel a bit naked if I don't have something pretty perched on top of my head! Call it a fancy comfort blanket if you like! So it was with great delight many craft fairs ago that I discovered Something Different and their sparkling treasures. As well as gorgeous hair candy, designer Eilidh also creates other accessories like shoe clips and beautiful multi-coloured jewelled collar necklaces. I have mentioned Something Different in previous outfit and shopping posts  but I think that it's only right that I give them a full Local Lovin' fanfare for their services to accessory lovers everywhere!

I caught up with Eilidh and found out more about her designs and what inspires her, as well as getting an exclusive sneak peak at some new designs that will be hitting the web soon...
 
When did you start Something Different and what made you decide to do it?
I started about 5 years ago now one summer when rummaging through all my sewing things. I've always made things since I was little so a sewing machine has been a part of my life for years! From having to take things up and in, back when I was younger to whizzing up little tote bags for my friends. I've made prom dresses for myself and friends, and even made a sarong for an old boy - friend going through a David Beckham phase! I hadn't done any sewing in a while as the 9-5 job took over... So It all started out as I had a massive collection of sample fabrics and silk scarves and a creative itch! With a huge revival of all things retro and vintage I wanted to use what I had to turn in to simple hair bows. Hence the name Something Different each hairband was unique. I sold them through a friends shop in the west end to huge success and simply grew from there...

If you had to sum up the overall style of your accessories in a sentence how would you describe it?

Limited edition pieces with something suit everyone! Always girly and more importantly glitzy! 

What kinds of things inspire you to create your accessories? Are you influenced by other designers, artists or anything else?

Mainly influenced by what I love... beading, sequins, glitter and print all feature heavily in what I like and what I wear so I try and incorporate these elements in what I think my customers will like. Street style is massively important also as I love to see what and how people wear there hair accessories to inspire me to make new styles.

I love that you can be seen modelling your own creations, who else do you have in mind when you are designing your pieces?  What kinds of customers do you normally find buying your designs?

I don't aim my designs at anyone in particular and am always surprised when any piece becomes a such a success. Simple things like my valentines print bow was so popular with everyone. I have a lot of young girls that have huge collections of my bows and people that maybe make a one off purchase of that one thing they love. I love summer as it's holiday and festival time and I always think girls of every age love to go a little bit further with their accessorising.

What has been your favourite piece so far and why?

Hard to pick a favourite! (I don't blame her...)

Over the last couple of years I've seen lots of your happy customers giving testimonials online and in person at the craft fairs. What has been your proudest moment so far?

Whenever I can help anyone to get something unique I guess... I do a lot of custom orders where people come to me with an idea which is always great to turn into reality. Even people like yourself who has followed me and continued to buy new pieces all the time.  Also a friend of mine told me once she heard a couple of girls discussing my glitter bows on the bus! So I guess knowing that people are talking about the website is a great boost! 

Anything coming up soon for Something Different?

Hopefully be back in Hummingbird maybe end of August/ September time to meet all the new freshers and show off my new autumn pieces... of which I'm working on now. I love a change in seasons to push you to think of new ideas. It's such an exciting time hunting down supplies to make new creations! So watch this space... Hope everyone will love them as much as I already do!

Eilidh also  very kindly let me see some new pieces not on sale yet! These new metallic leather hair bows (shown left) are a total exclusive and will be available to buy from Sunday. I just know that people are going to LOVE these bad boys. You can find out more about Something Different, keep up to date with new events and browse their accessories on their website (which has a summer sale on at the moment!). I definitely have my eye on a few things! A huge thanks to Something Different for being part of Local Lovin'! 

Remember, if you would like to be featured as part of Local Lovin' please see my Contact page and get in touch!

Have you ever bought anything by Something Different? What is your favourite piece? Do you have a fashion comfort blanket?

Thanks for reading!

(All photos in this post are used with thanks from Something Different)