Roses are Red: Romantic Wrap Dress & Market Days

Hey,

As it's Valentine's Day, I wanted to post about this romantic look featuring a red rose print wrap dress from Joy.

Not everyone is such a fan of Valentine's. Personally while I'm not a fan of the commercial side, I really like the sentiment it can bring out and I think anything which prompts a bit more expression of love and makes people appreciate and celebrate the love they feel for others is fine by me!

Valentine's Day will now forever be of a greater significance to me as on this day last year, I got engaged! It's now just five months (tomorrow) until we get married which has come up soo quickly.

Fedora hat - Primark

Floral wrap dress - Joy the Store

Boots - Topshop

I wore this for a stroll around Altrincham market on a crisp Saturday morning.

I think this is the first time I've posted about the market. We moved to Altrincham in May last year and I honestly feel so lucky to be able to stroll up the road and find all this on my doorstep!

When we moved, we were looking to move somewhere a little nicer (we'd been living in Manchester student central a.k.a Fallowfield for nearly five years!) where it was easy to pop out for a nice drink or meal. I was a little dubious about moving further out of the city but with us being at the end of the tram line, going into Manchester city centre is just a short ride away.

I'm a big fan of a market in general - but Altrincham's is next level! It's won various awards and has put this little South Manchester town firmly on the map.

My favourite vendors at the market have to be Honest Crust (the BEST wood-fired pizzas), Wolfhouse Kitchen (where the dreamy lattes and hazelnut chocolate cannolis above are from), Merri (for cute illustrated stationary) and Chloe Robinson Flowers.

Have you visited the market - which stalls are your favourite?

Afternoon Sunshine

Hello!

A quick outfit post.

This is an outfit I wore to a friend of mine's (baby's, obvs) christening that I went to just after we got back from Brussels.

 Clubmaster-style sunglasses- New Look*

Off-the-shoulder floral crop top- New Look*

Belt- charity shop

High waist trousers- ASOS

Bag- Vivienne Westwood

White court shoes- Dorothy Perkins

I'd had this floral bardot-style top for a couple of weeks and was been looking for an opportunity to wear it. It's quite girly for me but I was glad it was there hanging in my wardrobe- can hardly rock up to the church in my usual uniform of ripped jeans and a baggy top.

I was so surprised by the weather! I was expecting to return from Belgium to the usual dreary Manchester skies but it was so gorgeous the weekend we got back.

I had a white blazer with this outfit but couldn't bear to keep it on for these photos. The shoes are also horrendous to walk in, worst pair I have by far; I don't know why they're so uncomfortable! I walked down to my little outdoor blog photo 'spot' in my Nike sliders and threw on a big T shirt with an ice cold drink when I got back in.

The things bloggers go through for a photo opportunity...

Have you had any nice weather where you are recently?

Easy DIY: Floral Shades

Hello!

I don't know about anyone else but I'm thoroughly sick of the weather in the UK! I swear it decides to snow whenever I want to do anything. Despite the plummeting temperatures, last week I decided to do a quick summery DIY to cheer up the miserable day!

I remember being completely taken by the 3D flower sunglasses from A-Morir last summer; they're so beautiful and perfect for festivals.

The A-Morir 'Phillips' and 'Cass' styles:

These styles will set you back around £200-300. They're handmade to order and I'm sure are worth every penny, though at that price, they'd cost around the same as the holiday itself for me!

Taking inspiration from these, I thought I'd have a go at making my own.

First, you'll need a cheap pair of sunglasses.

I bought a couple of wayfarer styles from Primark- can't a wrong for £1 a pair.

You'll also need some 3D plastic flowers with a flat base.

You should be able to find some in any good craft/bead/jewellery making shop. I got mine from a bead shop in Affleck's Palace, Northern Quarter, Manchester- also my go to place for cool charms for jewellery making! The have an online shop too, here.

Pretty handily, they had some strips of three linked flowers in various colours which saved a lot of time and effort. A three-link flower was 50p a piece.


Then simply glue your chosen flowers to the specs wherever you like. I simply added a strip of three to either side at the top, but you could go all out and add single pieces all around the rim.

(I used Loctite superglue if anyone needs a good glue recommendation. I've found it to be the best I've come across for this sort of thing)

And voila!

Total cost £2 a pair! What do you think?

I think these make a great alternative to a flower crown, don't you?


Have you come across any cool summer DIYs lately?

Love,

Foxy x

Well Frock Me!

Hello!

Today I just wanted to show some love for a really great independent vintage company.

Frock On Vintage is based in Birmingham and is owned and managed by the lovely Pam Cheema whom I've had the great pleasure of meeting.

Pam loaned me some clothes while I was creating my third year project, a fashion magazine, which really helped me get a great mark- thanks Pam!

Pam has done so well with Frock On and deservedly so. Since I moved away from Birmingham, the Bullring Topshop has instated a Frock On concession- something I've yet to see!

Frock On now has a brand-spanking new website which I was very pleased about because I can shop the collection from the comfort of my sofa in Manchester.

It didn't take me long to snap something up.

I CANNOT resist something as garish and 80s as this.

I'm loving all the bright floral SS12 prints that are around at the moment and this bag definitely channels the vibe.

SS12 Garish Floral by katieafox featuring a floral print dress

(First proper go at Polyvore here- really love it!)

Can't wait to use it when the weather cheers up!

Here are some more items on my wishlist from Frock On:

Gorgeous, affordable vintage. Would definitely recommend checking it out.

Have you found any great clothing sites recently? I'm always on the hunt for new ones!

Love,

Foxy

x

Sleighbells ring, are you listening?

Merry Christmas everyone!

I hope everyone had an awesome day yesterday- I certainly did so thought I'd share it.

Me and the fella had xmas dins at our flat; my first time at Christmas dinner!

Shortly after taking this, I knocked a glass of the rose cava all over the bf, cream carpet and curtain- oops!

Deffo ousted the sprouts for my version!

It turned out really well and was delish- if I do say so myself!

After our dinner we headed up to my mum's in North Yorkshire for the afternoon/evening.

Failed to take ONE family photo. Mainly just ones of my dog!

I thought I'd share my pressies with you. I was totally spoilt.

Left to Right: Vintage Style by Sarah Kennedy (AMAZING), Making Vintage Accessories by Emma Brennan, Gorgeous by Gok Wan party nails bag, vintage-style fabric photoframe, floral tea tray, Olay moisturiser, LUSH bath bombs, The Good Girl on DVD (been looking for this all over), Cath Kidston coat hangers, jewelled trinket box, Baylis and Harding Vintage Rose hand soap, various biscuits and choccies, Cath Kidston mugs and milk jug, Wok, Kurt Geiger Woking boots.

My mum got me all the floral stuff- she knows me well!

And how thoughtful is this, she wrapped my wok up with noodles, sesame oil, soy sauce and Chinese five spice!

Oh and how cute is this fox ring my boyf got me?!

Please ignore the poor, poor attempt at Christmas nail art!

Hope you're all having a chilled out Boxing Day. I've been at work today but am home now, sipping on a brew in one of my new mugs, shopping online (buying a dupe of that Zara bag) and watching Come Dine With Me.

Love,

Foxy.
x