Newcastle Fashion Week : Fenwick Style Challenge

The other week I was lucky enough to be invited along to an exclusive pre-Newcastle Fashion Week event at Fenwick in Newcastle! Held in their new department Boutique (which is just by the Eldon Sq entrance), myself, Hannah, Fen, Amy, and Sally were invited along to have a look through the collections on offer and style an outfit.


Boutique is a fabulous section within Fenwick that is about all about cutting edge trends without the hefty price tag. With brands like Vero Moda and French Connection, it's a great way to fill your wardrobe with designer inspired pieces guilt free!


Regular readers will know I am useless at styling, I like my comfortable jeans and blazers and I often find it difficult because I am so slim to get certain clothes to look right on me. However since my TK Maxx style challenge I've been trying to be a bit more daring, embracing colour and having fun trying things. So when I was set free in Boutique, that's exactly what I did! I wandered around the collections for ages grabbing a hold of things that I'd normally wear but also things I'd never normally even look at. I wanted to style an outfit that was fun and summery but also professional to fit in with my lifestyle and I think I managed just that.


It was a great night and I can't wait to get back to Boutique and stock up my wardrobe for my holiday. Thank you so much to Anna, Justine, Matt and Sophie from Fenwick who were fabulous hosts and provided the best goodie bag I've ever laid eyes on!

To find out more about Boutique at Fenwick, see their website.

Sunderland Live's Vintage & Retro Festival

At Feel Good Festival we were lucky enough to be the first to dish out the flyers for Sunderland Live's next big event - The Vintage and Retro Festival and the flyers went down a treat! Everyone was so excited to hear more details and there isn't too much longer to wait now! The festival is in partnership with Daisy Green Magazine and is happening the first weekend in June (1st/2nd) and features everything from vintage themed fashion shows, a vintage shopping market and the fabulous Scarlet Street band are performing! There will be lots more happening on the day as well as the chance to get your hands on the amazing tote bags above!

To top off the whole event the lovely Serendipity are going to be providing extra special vintage afternoon teas in the Pottery Gallery at the Museum & Winter Gardens. It's a beautiful venue and you can choose from Champagne, Cocktail or a traditional afternoon tea! To join me and the rest of the Sunderland Live team head on over to our Ticket Source page and book your seats now! Tickets are limited and they have been selling ridiculously fast - so get them quick before they go and I'll see you all on the day!

To purchase tickets for afternoon tea : Visit Sunderland Live's Ticket Source Page

To find out more about the Vintage & Retro Festival : Visit Sunderland Live's website

Feel Good Sunderland 2013 Out-Takes

Sunderland Live's Feel Good Festival seems like a distant memory now - as soon as it was over, work started on the up and coming June programme. As if the One Direction Stadium announcement wasn't enough, further details will be announced on the Sunderland Live twitter tomorrow - so make sure you give them a follow.


During Feel Good Festival, I was so busy running around and looking after the fabulous group of bloggers who attended that I didn't get that much of a chance to take photos. So I thought these few out-take shots from the day would make a good post to give you a taster of what it was like.


The day started off super early in The Museum and Winter gardens, it was very much the calm before the storm atmosphere as after opening nearly 2500 people passed through the doors! At 11 I headed along to meet the blogging team at The Bridges - where I managed to convince Amy to do a live bootcamp & Katie to tickle the boys from the Wellness Centre during their rowing challenge!






Sunderland Live intern Shannon and I, then took the bloggers on a trip to The Minster which had been transformed into a very tranquil like spa for the day. After everyone had had free reiki, reflexology and massages, the girls all popped for lunch in The Minster cafe which was had a special Feel Good menu. All fed and watered on their return, we headed back to The Museum. The day turned out to be lovely & warm and combined with the walking, here's an outfit/swollen feet photo! Nice!






After been massaged, tattooed (falsies), educated on skincare and given every sample imaginable, the only things left to do was hair! Luckily Feel Good Festival had that sorted & the Jonathan Pickup Pop Up hair salon transformed the bloggers hair into fabulous bows before heading to the Pasta Party in Mowbray Park!


It was a fantastic day, followed up by a brilliant Sunday and I want to say a massive thanks to all the girls who came along and wrote about the event. We can't wait to see you next year!

North East : Women What Do Business Event

The other week I mentioned I'd been invited by Publicity Seekers to be a guest speaker at the North East, Women What Do business event. It had been a long day planning Feel Good Festival with Shannon but we headed off to Cafe One77 in Hartlepool armed with our laptops!


The event was a huge success, I was a little shocked by how many people there actually were there! There were several fashion and beauty businesses exhibiting and just as we arrived the food was brought out. So we grabbed a glass of rose and some snacks before I got the presentation ready. The next stage of the evening was all about the businesses, each one gave a quick 2 minute chat on who they were to the crowd of women and then I was up!


When I was in school I always used to be nervous giving presentations but I actually quite enjoy them now. I love what I do and I enjoy all aspects of my job, so it's quite easy to talk about. The next twenty minutes flew over but it was great and I enjoyed answering everyones questions!


Lots of people came over afterward and said how much they'd enjoyed the presentation so I was really pleased. It was a lovely night and great meeting everyone afterward. There are so many talented North East businesses out there - it's really great to see.

Topshop Leigh Jeans / Breton top from River Island / New Look Heels / Zara Blazer

As it was a fashion themed event, I thought it would be fun to share what I wore - since becoming self-employed I've started to find I have my own uniform coming together and of course this is my standard outfit! Topshop Leigh Jeans, with various tops - the one I wore was this Breton top from River Island and go to New Look Heels. To smarten the fact I am in jeans, I cannot live without Zara Blazers. We all know I'm not that brave in fashion department so I've been throwing in bright coloured bags & necklaces to make my outfits a little more finished.


Thanks once again to Sam from Publicity Seekers for inviting me along and for being an amazing host and to all the ladies who attended and welcomed me.