In One Clothing

With the party season looming, we all know what that means – and we’d rather die than commit social suicide by wearing the same dress twice. However, unless you’re super rich or friends with a stylist, the buying of multiple dresses does little to appease the bank manager. Sure, a little black dress is a fail safe option but there are only so many different ways you can accessorise.

Apparently British women only ever wear a third of the clothes in their wardrobes and so in an effort to give women more style with fewer clothes Sylvie Morton set up In One Clothing. The capsule collection of multiway and convertible dresses, tops, scarves and wraps are guaranteed to transform your wardrobe meaning you will never have to worry about not having anything to wear ever again. Great for work, travelling, parties, weddings and even maternity, each item has been designed to wear in multiple ways in order to show off your best assets, follow the latest trends or simply switch up from day to night or from office to party.

Our favourite has to be the hugely popular multiway dress which can be worn in up to 14 different styles and dressed up or down to suit any occasion. The satin jersey finish and flattering full circular skirt skims over the hips and the two long sashes can be used to make sleeves, thick or thin straps, belts or bows depending on how creative you want to get. Other options include: halter neck, v-neck, one shoulder, standard sleeves, capped sleeves, strapless, cross back, backless or t-back. With knots you can make thin straps, knotted one shoulder or knotted capped sleeves and you can even wear it as a short or long skirt.

We also love the special bridesmaid collection which allows you to have all your bridesmaids in the same dress but worn in a different style depending on their individual shape and preference.

In One Clothing is available to buy online here.

Try something new with PitstopX London's jewellery-making classes!

Long gone are the days when a giving home-made present comprising of pasta shells lovingly glued to a piece of coloured cardboard or a blackened batch of burnt jam-tarts resulted in a forced smile and a stiff thank-you. And with the dreaded recession still impacting both the media and our bank balances, there has never been a better time to utilise, or indeed learn, a new skill. As a self-confessed accessories addict, but lacking somewhat in the artistic department, I had never previously considered making my own jewellery until I heard about PitstopX London. Run by Penelope Akester - a London-based jeweller with over 17 years experience – from the comfort of her home in Camden, she offers a variety of jewellery-making classes and workshops with a four person limit, designed to ensure that each student gets paramount attention.   From the Jewellery Making Starter Day to the Japanese Braiding on a Disk Day – there’s something for everyone, whether a novice wanting a taster class, or an accomplished jeweller wanting to hone and develop your skills. I’m hoping to try out the starter day – aimed at complete beginners it covers the basics of how to professionally create beautiful beaded jewellery, including both necklaces, bracelets and, time permitting, earrings. The course teaches how to string a necklace, add a clasp, and knot a gemstone necklace – perfect for amateurs like myself. And for the more learned pupils, the Repairs and Recycling Jewellery Taster Class schools students in the art of turning an earring into a pendant, and repairing broken clasps – ideal for those with hoards of jewellery that has seen better days.

So whether you’re bored of the ten-a-penny jewellery offerings from the high street, or want to make a unique and personal gift for a friend, PitstopX London is definitely worth a visit. And with courses starting at a very reasonable £35, it’s not going to break the bank balance and will almost certainly make a fab change from the aforementioned kitchen crafts!

Any readers of this page can have a £10 (ten pound) discount on any course booked  before the end of September! Just mention  'TheAmazingBlog' when you book at http://www.pitstopx.co.uk/Book-a-Workshop.html - happy jewellery making!

http://www.pitstopx.co.uk/Book-a-Workshop.html

Who made YOUR pants?

They say the basis of a great outfit is underwear, and having stumbled across a fantastic new lingerie brand, it’s never been more true;  at Amazing PR we love a brand with a story behind it – and whomadeyourpants? is a story and a half.

Selling gorgeous, ethical pants from materials sold on by industry at the end of season, whomadeyoupants? is a worker co-op specifically formed to empower marginalised women. Founded by Becky John in 2008, who has recently been nominated for Everywoman’s Innovator of the Year Award, she wanted to establish a connection between producer and consumer. It was as a result of this concept that she has ensured flexible employment, education, a social space and most important of all, a secure sense of community for all the women she employs.

Many of the women who work for whomadeyourpants? are refugees from Afghanistan, Somalia, the Sudan, Iraq, Turkey and Kosovo and they also hire women lacking either the education or opportunity they need to progress in a positive direction.

As well as buying into a very worthy cause, the knickers themselves are gorgeous – they have a fabulous, snug fit, and sit flat under your clothes – therefore avoiding the dreaded VPL. With an array of colours to choose from, from Lucky Heather to Ivory Blue, there will never be an excuse to wear those grey knickers again!

Check out their website now for their special September offer.

My Tiger Bag

When it comes to bags for life – y’know, those canvas or heavy duty plastic affairs, readily available at check out points in supermarkets, one rarely thinks of such accessories as the height of chic. They’re there to serve a purpose – and a worthwhile one at that – but certainly don’t win any brownie points in the world of fashion.

So hoping to do my bit for the environment without wanting to make a sacrifice in the style stakes, I was delighted when I came across My Tiger Bag – an online retailer selling a beautiful, reusable bag with extra kudos for its tiger design and stylish metallic finish.

They come in four colours – blue, bronze, gold and pink – and as well as using material that comes from recycled plastic bottles, a donation of fifty-pence from the sale of each bag is made to the WWF Save The Tiger Fund.

Combining green living and fashion with a charity donation makes the My Tiger Bag a real must have for anyone with a conscience - for this season and beyond. Get yours before they become extinct - and at just £5 a pop, they’re in danger of doing so very soon!

Decadorn

Anthropologie is always great for offering  one-of-a-kind shopping, you always feel you are getting something a little bit unique and different. So it makes sense that they should be the stockists for the gorgeous collection of jewellery from Decadorn.

When they first discovered the Decadorn line at Spitalfields East London market, they were instantly enamoured with the one off pieces and from there a beautiful, bohemian collaboration was born. Decadorn products are made from hand carved crystal or gemstones and plated in 18ct gold, leather and feathers add a hippy/boho touch. I adore these leather wrap bracelets, ideal for tapping into the current trend for armfuls of friendship style bracelets. What I love most about Decadorn is that they have managed to produce a collection that offers unique, striking pieces that are affordable, meaning they can be worn and loved every day.

Decadorn will be available in Anthropologie UK from early September, or from their website.