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Thanks to the comment left by one of my lovely readers (Hi Kerron!) it has come to my attention that I have maybe succumbed to a bit of sexism as apparently men read fashion blogs too people! I have decided to amend this travesty and address what seems to be a growing problem for many- finding a suitable bag for one’s laptop that doesn’t grievously offend the senses! I must therefore mention that *this* edition of silkshoes will focus mostly on unisex and masculine carriers.

Now, not being a man (obviously) I really have no idea what requirements a coveted bag should meet but hopefully my following top pics will suit many!

The Brat Pack

1.) Piper by Flicka Bags ($80) - A great waterproof bag with a foam core and detachable strap to allow for carrying whichever way you please. Fits up to 15.4″ screens.

2.) Skooba Skin DIY ($20.96) - Ingenious! Truly a bag for manly men as you can ‘do-it-yourself’ and scribble to your heart’s content on this durable bag! Bonus fun; the bag can by transformed from laptop sleeve to carrier through the clever use of handles!

3.) ‘The Archetype’ by Tom Bihn ($95.00) - A breathtakingly stunning bag which came as a surprise from a site whose other bags are quite ugly. This baby isn’t though! Made from moulded cork (sustainable and easily recyclable), this bag is not only durable but a thing of beauty.

4.) The Barcelona bag by Zegari (£325) - Expensive but oh so worth it when you take into account the simplicity of style paired with a modern sense of design.

5.) Pan Am Secret Agent ($99) - Catch it if you can boys! This retro bag is great and lots of fun. Paired with a durable laptop sleeve for added security, this bag would look rad slung over any shoulder.

6.) Booq Vyper Exo M ($215) - Cool futuristic design with amazing storage; I mean a truly gobsmacking amount of room!

7.) KinetikTM 15.4″ Backpack from Logitech (£99.99) - Yes I know, Logitech make bags? In fact, they not only make laptop bags but rather nifty ones too! Like this one here; one of the few backpacks I’ve included in my top picks and I’m sure you can see why!

Link-O-Matic
1.) www.flickabags.com
2.) www.skoobadesign.com
3.) www.kolobags.com
4.) www.booqbags.com - Search site by laptop size and make to ensure it’ll def fit your baby!

And for those of you who didn’t believe me about the Booq Vyper Exo; here it is in action!

Hey all! Happy New Year everyone- I hope everyone had a great time, I know I did!

The topic of today’s blog is the age old question: are false eyelashes the next step? Everyone knows bigger is always better and big, bad eyelashes are a must have for anyone looking to achieve the coveted ‘smoky eye’. Therefore I’ve decided to stage the big debate right on the heels of what was probably the biggest party night of the year.

Reasons against false eyelashes include that, for some, getting them on correctly (and without gluing you fingers together) is the hardest part whilst others complain about having to keep track of them throughout the night- maybe not the best bet when alcohol is involved! Of course, even the ‘haters’ have to agree that the look you achieve with false lashes is one you really can’t get any other way.

So…this NYE I decided to try a little experiment! I decided instead of slapping on falsies I would go ‘au natural’- choosing instead to layer on the mascara.

My Weapons of Choice

1. Sephora Eye Lash Curler - Picked this baby up during a trip to Prague and it’s honestly one of the best I’ve come across, especially at such a cheap price!

2. Bourjois Volume Clubbing Mascara - The adverts sounded very interesting so this was my mascara of choice.

My Opinion: This mascara did in fact make my lashes look very full, if a little clumpy. One of my pet hates would be clumpy lashes therefore, to avoid the dreaded clumps, use with an eyelash brush/comb to separate afterwards and then go over gently with an eye lash gel to further separate. (I used ‘No7 Lash & Brow Perfector’)

The Verdict..

My lashes as achieved with copious mascara (excuse the garish eye shadow- it’s the lighting, honestly)

The ‘glittery temptress’ look as achieved by my friend, Ms Elen Renfrew.

Other Finalists

1. Another great mascara I use when hitting the clubs is ‘Clinique High Impact Mascara‘; gives a great look with thick, lovely lashes and very little clumping (yay!).

2. shu uemura Eyelash Curler - yes, yes this is the eyelash curler, the one that makeup artists have been raving about and with good reason. It’s definitely on my list!

Link-O-Matic

1.) www.clinique.co.uk
2.) www.boots.com
3.) www.sephora.com
4.) www.eyebeauty.co.uk- A great British site I stumbled onto years ago; huge variety of false eyelashes that don’t break the bank!

 ETA: Sorry but this post is under construction- please wait while the images are restored. xx

Here’s a tricky one- A laptop bag for women! Why should it be so hard to find them? Ladies use laptops too; We need to carry them around and o business on the move yet all the laptop bags I seem to run into seem general, multi purpose wotsits (most of them all black ) and entirely masculine.

If, as women, we spend hours choosing the perfect pair of jeans and designer makeup I think we should also spend time choosing a laptop bag that suits us!

Below, I’ve scoured the net and narrowed down some great, girly choices!

1.) Abbi New York - Home of some of the most beautiful laptop cases I’ve found anywhere. An American company but with the free shipping and the conversion rate, it stills works out the same as what you’d pay in England for a decent bag. With their beautiful patterns and clever storage, these bags are near perfect.

2.) Casauri Portfolio Valise - A funked-up version of the classic laptop case! Choose from a variety of different colour combinations and laptop styles.

3.) Mobile edge Cute Bug Laptop Bag - Retro meets hi-tech! This bag is perfect for every 50s chick out there with lots of pockets for everyday detritus.

4.) Pocket Full of ‘Puter Laptop Tote - Great fun laptop tote that will fit most laptops and comes in many different colour choices.

Laptop Sleeves
1.) Fabrixcases - With such a simple design and vast array of different fabric patterns to choose from, this is such a great find- affordable too!

2.) Manhattan Beach flower Power Sleeve - Psychedelic is definitely the word to describe this laptop sleeve! A thoroughly fun find; you’ll def never misplace your laptop in this!

Link-O-Matic
All images and prices are taken from links below.

1.) www.abbinewyork.com
2.) Manhattan Flower Sleeve- www.marriagecarriageandmore.com
3.) www.casauri.com
4.) www.fabrixcases.com
5.) www.mobileedge.com
6.) www.melissabethdesigns.com

As a student not living at home, I find that I’m hopping on/off trains and tubes all day so footwear is really an essential part of my life i.e. comfortable footwear! Difficulty lies in finding both *cute* and comfy shoes that aren’t trying to hard and I’ll still like by next month. So take a peek at my top pics below…

Cheap
Choices that look cute but don’t break the bank…

 1. Leather Jazz Shoe (£30.00) - Cute shoe that would look great under jeans but also to jazz up a pair of opaque tights. Also comes in Silver or Gold.

 2. Velcro strap ballet Pump (£40.00) - Sexy Patent ballet pump from Topshop for those who want a little bit of class for their buck. An added bonus- Velcro fastening! Easy as pie and great for when you’re go out for a drink; no having to struggle with itty bitty buckles when you stumble in early in the morning!

 3. Rocket Dog Kid’n'Play (£39.99) - Rocket Dog have the cutest range of boots out at the moment; great for just tucking your drain pipes into and running out the door. Train and Tube hardy as well- perfect for students! The Kid’n'Play boot reminds me of Spring (what? - fashion’s always seasons ahead) and I can’t wait to take a pair out splashing around in puddles!

 4. Rocket Dog JunBug (£44.99) - Personal Favourite; I’m definitely grabbing a pair from ‘Schuh’ when I can next afford it! The embroidered animals are just the cutest and I particularly love the contrast with the camouflage. The frayed edges and big, Velcro fastenings just add to the bohemian student feel of the whole thing! Love it!

Month’s Wages
 1. Solea Flat Three Button Strapped Boot (£150.00) - Gorgeous, just lovely; will definitely be adding a pair to the wish list. Fits in great with the vintage look of the moment and I can just see it looking great with a printed dress, tights and big, woollen coat.

 2. Ugg Long Boot (£170.00) - Yes, I know- ugh, Uggs. But from a purely comfort point of view you can’t get more comfy than slouching around in what are essentially tarted up slippers! The sheepskin lining feels great and so soft; but if you’re not willing to shell out all this money, Primark do a great copy for under £10.

Student Loan
    1. Chloé Patent ballerina flats (£265.00) - Simple and sophisticated; great investment if you’re popping up to the city all the time, want flats but still want a feminine look.

   2. Olivia Morris Daisy Tattoo Embossed Flats (£295.00) - If I were a millionaire and could conceivably spend £300 on a pair of flats, I would probably have half a dozen of these shoes littering my wardrobe. At first glance they’re laid back and boho but look closer and get a taste of embossed rock chic. I can see these shoes being a godsend on long plane journeys; great to slip on and off.

Link-O-Matic
Find any of the shoes mentioned above at these sites. Prices and Images borrowed lovingly from said sites!

Sites include:
1.) www.asos.com
2.) www.topshop.com
3.) www.schuhstore.co.uk
4.) www.net-a-porter.com

Breast Cancer Awareness Month
This month (October) is Breast Cancer awareness month and pink-clad supporters all over the country are supporting the cause!

Life Cycle: A bike challenge taking place throughout October so you can cycle either 50 miles in one month, 25 miles in one day or another distance of your choice and raise money for the Breast Cancer campaign. Don’t worry though- you don’t have to go dirt biking through the Lake District- you can log miles on any sort of bike, even the spin bike at the gym!

Wear it pink®: If you’re not active, you can still support the cause by wearing all pink on Friday 26th October and donating £2 to Breast Cancer Campaign!  You can even show your support by wearing one of the Breast Cancer Campaign’s pink ribbon badges!

The Glades Shopping Centre, Bromley
For those of you living near me (that is Bromley, England), the Glades Shopping Centre is hosting a comprehensive list of activities all in the name of raising money for Breast Cancer. Activities include;

1.) The Bra of Inspiration - Donate £1 and receive a paper rose onto which you can write a small message and then pin onto the ‘Bra of Inspiration’.

2.) Bra Amnesty - I think this is a great idea because it doesn’t cost us anything and also prove one woman’s trash is another’s treasure! Simply drop off any unwanted bras in one of the many ‘Bra Amnesty’ collection boxes throughout the centre and the Glades will personally donate 25p for every bra collected. All good condition bras will be donated to Bromley’s Women’s aid!

3.) LADIES DAY! - Thursday 4th October
Throughout the day there will be makeovers and professional health care advice on Breast Cancer and any other issues available from Breast Care nurses Lee Burgess and Anne Stevens from Princess Royal University Hospital.

In the evening, there’ll be a ticketed event held at 6pm in the ‘Central Atrium’ with the ticket price of £10 including a wine and canapé reception, a goody bag and guest speakers. Buy a ticket from Glades Customer services with all profits being donated to charity.

4.) BePink Tombola - 20th & 21st OctoberTo be held outside the ‘Disney Store’ and tickets costing just £1. Prizes are being donated from the store ‘Be Pink’ and everyone’s a guaranteed winner!

Link-o-matic
Register for Wear it pink®: here - www.wearitpink.co.uk/register.php
Buy a Pink Ribbon Badge here - www.breastcancercampaign.org/shop/product/0053
Visit the breast Cancer Campaign website - www.breastcancercampaign.org
Visit the Glades Website for more information - www.theglades.uk.com

Having been a Camden regular since I was barely in my teens, I was one of the first to notice the tents and grating popping up heralding what would be one of the most controversial renovations in London; appropriate for a place as diverse as Camden.  Present day, most of the remodelling is finished so I grabbed a digi-cam and two friends to venture out into this new and improved Camden…

Camden Market
After leaving Camden station and passing ‘Inverness market’ we stumbled directly into Camden Market proper which, I am relieved to say, really hasn’t changed all that much though I think it’s maybe a tad better organised now.  Fashion highlights include the scarves, funny offensive t-shirts and the guy selling the wellies! £18 a pair and a half million patterns to choose from with more being added every few weeks.

Across the street we *had* to dash into the brilliance of ‘Rokit’, a chance to find something not ‘Topshop’ mass produced. Great finds of the day including this black polka dot dress (£50- oh! If only I were two sizes smaller) and of course, the fabulous netted ra-ra skirts(starting at about £45).

To my total dismay, whilst scrambling across Camden Lock avoiding dope pushers and leaflet-toting weirdos what do I spot but a Starbucks! In Camden! And there actually were people sitting drinking coffee like it wasn’t the most stupidly ironic thing- a Starbucks in Camden with its “Screw the Man!” mentality.

Market Hall
Inside the Market Hall too, the feel is generally the same; lots of colourful stalls slotted together. Some great stalls were the ‘Hello Kitty’ stall (looking like the bedroom of a five year old Japanese shopaholic), the handmade leather bags and ‘Amber Art’. The Market hall is also the permanent home of some of the better small designers with great shops such as ‘Killers Strawberry’ and ‘Stella’ selling some amazing original designs not to be found on the high street.

Non- fashion related find was the ‘Timeart’ corner- great presents for your boring Uni mate whose room still looks like a cell. Get great hand-painted scenes from your favourite movie from £15 per painting; guaranteed talking point.

The ‘Food Court’
Finally, I had found the source of most of the upheaval…Camden Food Court! The first thing that strikes you is the ‘Gilgamesh’- the posh new restaurant that sits right slap bang centre of the food court. It’s quite imposing and slightly ridiculous looking with its sleek new finish and fancy escalator.  I’m relieved however to say that the main food court is still pretty much the same; a crazy mishmash of different cultures. Lunch was yummy and cheap- perfect! Leading off the Food Court is the ‘new shopping bit’, covered and better ordered- a lot easier I suppose to see who’s selling what. Great little sellers include ‘Julie Moi’ and ‘Burlesque’ for the Goth chick in you.

The Verdict…

Well, honestly- I can see what some call may call improvements; it’s a little easier to see where you’re going and pick what you want for lunch (if you can ignore the pressure from the various food vendors) but all in all, there’s a little bit of Camden missing; it doesn’t feel as genuine as it did. Then again, I suppose I’m always going to prefer the way it was ‘back in my day’.

Link-o-matic!
Visit any of the Fabulous sellers mention in today’s post and support the independent cause!

www.killerstrawberry.com
Great original printed t-shirts for both genders and all ages!

www.timeart.co.uk
Great hand-painted famous film scenes

www.rokit.co.uk
True Vintage clothing