Next Bloggers Network Workshop

I had the pleasure of attending Next's first ever Blogger's Network Workshop last week.  I went completely blind as to what to expect.  Starting with my commute in.  I had planned on the trains but St Jude had started and trains were being cancelled left right and centre.  I decided to drive into London (probably about 50 miles from my house).  I love driving into London so it didn't bother me in the slightest, I just planned a little extra time and to drive slower.

London bound!

Pleeeeease let me make it to London!

The event was held at The Hoxton Hotel in Shoreditch (fab venue if you're near).  We were greeted by Gemma from Jam (who sends the friendliest of emails I want to add, lovely lady) and welcomed into the 'kitchen' for a cuppa.

The fully working kitchen and breakfast, yum!

We were then split into 3 groups for 3 different sessions.  I won't bore you with all the details (boring for you, not for me that is!) but needless to say the sessions were so informative for us Bloggers.  I am so thankful to Next for organising such an event, it was a great day full of hints and tips for us bloggers, with guest talkers from other very successful blogs.  Namely, Abisola from Abimarvel, Emily from Fashion Foie Gras, Kit from Style Slicker, Lily from Lilypebbles, Anna from Vivianna Does Makeup and the very blog design savvy Faye from FK Designs.  All of whom were so friendly and humble about their achievements.

Eyes open shot, I'm good to you I know.

I am honest enough to admit, I was having serious wardrobe malfunctions leading up to the event.  I wanted to be comfortable yet feel smart and confident therefore height would be needed with some heels.  Court shoes and skinny jeans it was.  Plus probably my favourite top by Pyrus, I really need to visit their store and buy some more.  It has silk in it (one of my favourite fabrics) and washes so well without loosing shape.  I love how it fits and feels.  Teamed with my Next chain statement necklace (£12) and my Moschino shoes (very very old TK Maxx buy) and voila.  (Obviously I drove in Uggs!). Oh and saving the best until last, my Chanel handbag which was a charity shop find, I know I am a lucky lady, someone was watching over me that day.

Some pictures from the day.

Hollie from Mummy, Wife and Chaos was just as pleased as me to see the sweetie station!

There were just a few outfits on show with a couple of rails to browse through.  I love the biker jacket with the elegant dress look, really adds some va va voom to it all! 

'Cheese'!  Hollie, me & Aimee-Jade from Bella La Moda

The lovely Monica from The Elgin Avenue's fab Next shoe boots

YUM!

Afternoon tea, we were well and truly looked after

Check out Sandra's jumper who blogs over at The Chicest, roar! 

Because they deserved a close up all of their very own.

Thank you Gemma from Spreading Jam agency!

The scariest part of my day?  The storm? Nope.  Driving my car into a lift to get into the car park.....

Thank you Next for a fabulous day.  I think you can safely say it was a success and has left me seriously impressed with the effort made by you to engage with your bloggers.  Now bare with me readers, after all that I've learnt, some changes will be taking place to make this a better read for you!

London Fashion Week

I had a blast!  I had the pleasure of going on behalf of British Style Bloggers this year to review some shows.  But to be honest, my favourite part was just the atmosphere and people watching.  There was a huge variety of styles from the right out there to the chic and sophisticated, I loved them all.  Being a lover of fashion mean's that even the most extreme outfits I appreciate, honestly!  Anything goes, no one cares if it's madness, it's an individual's interpretation of fashion.  Here are some of my favourites.

If the outfits weren't adventurous, there was lots of glam black - but I loved this ladies scarf

My hubby said he heard someone on Radio 1 talking about wearing their pink silk jumpsuit - who is she?  She was at the Markus Lupfer show, how brave was she!

I also had a bit of a thing about the buildings, they were all so stunning.  Ceiling envy!

Anyone can wonder around the courtyard at Somerset House so I was so pleased I managed to pap John Rocha, check out his man bag!

I would have loved to have been able to go into the show rooms around Somerset House (maybe next year!) especially as Pamela Love was showing.  I love her jewellery designs, not only because I am a huge heart fan (my house is becoming a bit over whelmed with them) which is one of her staples but because of her uniqueness.  Feminine designs with a tough twist.  I have a pink thing going on at the moment (more of that in another post coming soon!) so I love this rose gold necklace.  I know it's an arrowhead but I also think it doubles up as a heart if you look close enough!

So what I wore, not 'fashion' based but 'style' based me for!  Oh and comfort and weather also had to play a part.  Originally I had planned on open toe shoes with cropped skinny jeans, I had to have a re-think!  You know I'm not the best at having photo's taken and this was after a long, cold, wet day.  The hair just about fought the frizz!

Top; Pyrus
Jacket; Miss Slefridge
Jeans; Topshop
Boots; Marks & Spencer
Scarf; Alexander McQueen
Bag; Balenciaga

I reviewed the Markus Lupfer and Lug Von Siga shows as well as a special post on Street Style, follow the high-lighted links to read my articles.

A special LFW shoe post is to follow as there were so many it deserves a post all of it's own!