Friday Finds (late) - 6 Christmas Pressies for Fashion Bloggers

I know it isn't for a while but I can't stop thinking about Christmas. I love buying Christmas pressies and my ideal person to buy for would be a fashion blogger. If by chance you don't have any fashion blogger friends or family to buy a pressy for, BSB are running a secret snowflake (a bit like a secret santa) where you send a present and get one in return - I love this idea and will definitely be joining in.

Here are some of my ideas of pressies for a fashion blogger. Sadly none of them fit into the price limit of £7.50 for the secret santa, but don't worry I have another idea for that, it is of course secret though!

1. A subscription to Style Sample Magazine - Although it is available online, I think that sometimes there is nothing better than flicking through some glossy magazine pages. For those who are fed up with so many ads in magazines like Vogue or who just want to indulge their obsession about fashion blogging, this is a great read full of colourful pictures, interesting articles and useful blogging tips.

2. Vintage jewellry - fashion bloggers love accessories and a vintage piece of jewellry makes a unique gift. There are so many place to buy vintage jewellry why not see if there are any vintage fairs being held locally or even look in charity shops. If you haven't got time both Etsy and Urban Outfitters have a good choice.

3. Pretty food - if there is one thing that bloggers love nearly as much as (if not more than) clothes, it is pretty and colourful food. Cupcakes, Macaroons, iced biscuits would all make great fashion blogger pressies, not only can they eat it but also take pictures of it for their blog. If you aren't great in the kitchen or just don't have time Biscuiteers have whole tins of shoe or handbag shaped biscuits or single ones that you can send.

5. Tights and socks- I am a firm believer that you can never have too many tights and socks. Whilst giving socks as a Christmas pressy is a bit of a joke, I love the idea of a variety of coloured, patterned and interesting socks from My Tights and Tabio.

6. A Stylish Handmade Goody - making something definitely requires a little more though than buying something but then that is what Christmas is about, isn't it? Many bloggers like wearing unique and individual stuff and something handmade likely to be different and unique. If you don't know what to make there are plenty of online tutorials to give you some ideas, you could start with Threadbanger.

Would love to hear any more ideas for fashion blogger presseies and also what you will be hoping to get in your stocking (or sock) this year.

Ceri X

Weekly Fashion Round Up 31/07/10

Despite being on holiday for the first part of this week, it has been incredibly busy not just at Style Eyes towers but in the fashion blogosphere in general. So much exciting stuff going on, I just can't wait to tell you.

First of all plenty of new posts on the Fashion Buzz lately including lots about latest must have items including jumpsuits, animal print dresses, skinny combat trousers and draped dresses.

On designerhighstreet.com I have finally got round to updating the shift dress collection with a great choice from lots of different retailers, please check it out if you are looking for one. Lots more updates on the site are planned over the next week.

British Style Bloggers have just launched a new community where you can do all those things that you do on other social networking sites but with other British Fashion Bloggers. I think this is an amazing resource I have joined up already here. They also have a meet up arranged visit the site for more details.

If you haven't already heard tommorrow is blog sale day organised by Fashion Pearls or Wisdom and starting at 11am. This is a great opportunity to recycle some of your clothes and make some space in your wardrobe as well as get your hands on some amazing clothes at a fraction of their original prices. If you would like to take part you can find out more here.

A big thank you to everyone who voted for me in the Sarenza outfit competition, unfortunately I didn't win but hope to have a great competition/ giveway to express my gratitude.

While I was on holiday, Catwalk Genius announced that they have now achieved the level of fan funding required for the Kate Eary collection to be produced (this is the first ever fan funded collection). I have a have a great interest in this collection as I have funded a very small part of it. Unfortunately I missed the press preview but the collection will be ready in just a few weeks so I will definitely keep you posted.

Finally if you haven't already checked it out my favourite ethical store People Tree have a great sale on at the moment with some amazing dresses (amongst other things) and prices from £20. Only 5 days left to go!

picture from www.catwalkgenius.com

BSB Body Image Season - My Body and Me

Todays post is one I have been meaning write for a while and is inspired by the body image season on British Style Bloggers which challenges fashion bloggers to help encourage positive body image and feeling happy with yourself, regardless of size, shape, race, hair or skin colour and anything else under the sun that can make people feel bad about themselves. Below is the video made by BSB to launch the body image season campaign and more about my own body image.



My own body image has changed quite a bit over the years. As I am slightly older than your average fashion blogger, I have my own unique issues about my body, not least that I am getting older, putting on more weight and the changes to my body shape since having 2 children but surprisingly, I am becoming more confident in my own skin as I get older. Perhaps I just don't have enough time or energy to worry about it anymore. In my teens and twenties, I stressed over my weight and height, the gap in my front teeth, that my skin was too white in winter, too tanned in summer, my hair too frizzy. I wouldn't have dreamed of posting pictures of myself on my blog as I do now. I am no model I know, but I love fashion and clothes and the best way to illustrate this is by taking pictures of my outfits. Style Eyes is a personal style blog and my style is dictated by my body and what looks good on me, so it wouldn't make sense to post just pictures of models wearing clothes that I couldn't wear.

Over the years, I have realised that:

- no one is perfect, but everyone is unique, individual and beautiful in their own way
- looking good is a lot about attitude, confidence and the way you dress in clothes that compliment your body shape, colouring and lifestyle and hightlight your best bits.
- My family and friends love me for being me and not for the way I look, especially my children who love me unconditionally.
- being healthy and happy is the most important thing to me, this impacts on all other areas of my life including how I look.
- I love my hair, skin tone and the fact that I am short now.

If you would like to read more posts about body image, I would highly recommend reading some of these posts and interviews on BSB. I particularly love the interview with Katie MacKay of What Katie Wore whose blog and amazingly colourful outfits have been hugely inspirational to me.

Please feel free to join in and add your comments to this post saying what you love about yourself (please keep it positive)

Vote for the BSB Christmas Party Outfits

The voting for the BSB Christmas Party outfits has begun. I am sadly lacking in votes at the moment. Please pop on over to BSB and cast your vote. Completely up to you who you vote for. Any votes for me are greatly appreciated- thanks.

Party Time with BSB

I was so excited to be invited to the BSB Christmas Party (along with other fashion and style bloggers in the UK). As usual I left things until last minute and then had a rush to get ready, hence the slighly odd expression on my face.

My party outfit was a result of some very early morning browsing. I thought that I wouldn't be buying myself some new party wear this season but after discovering this dress on Missguided (recommended by Kingdon of Style) I just couldn't resist (they are all now sold out, but there are plenty more very gorgeous party dresses on this site at amazing prices!). It has sparkly bits on it so very suitable for Christmas but, a bit different from this seasons all over sequins and definitely a change from the little black dress that I often wear. I also have a sequin and feather hair clip/ fascinator from New Look, which unfortunately you can't see very well in the picture amongst all my hair (another impulse buy).

To drink, I will be bringing champagne (predictable I know) as I think there is no better time for celebrating than Christmas. I will also be bringing mini fish and chips to eat (in little news paper cones). Just because I love mini stuff. Really easy to make, I just put pieces of salmon/ cod/ haddock in beaten egg, then breadcrumbs and bake in the oven for about 20 minutes or until they look ready, the serve in cones with a wedge of lemon and french fries.

Music, I'm afraid again not very original but the it is Christmas, Dean Martin - Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow. Or if I am allowed I would happily bring my whole Christmas compilation CD to get everyone in the Christmas mood.

Climate Change Fashion Challenge

I love a challenge, especially a fashion challenge. When it is combined with something that I feel quite strongly about such as climate change then I am most happy to participate. I spotted the challenge on Hi Fashion. The challenge set by BSB is to turn off the heating on either Friday 11th or Saturday 12th December and create an outfit to wear that will keep you warm. There are full details on BSB if you would like to participate.

Lets hope it isn't too cold next weekend!