If I Were A Rich Wo(Man): Animal House

Welcome to another list of beautiful items that I can't afford. Following on from last week's woodland trend theme, this week's wishlist is based on animals. Critters of all types seem to be popping up in fashion and homewares at the moment and I'm not complaining.

The fox is a a popular woodland motif and one that always seem to be in fashion. I particularly love this Prowling Fox Ring by the very talented jewellery designer Alex Monroe.

Prowling Fox Ring - Alex Monroe

It's from his collection The Chase, which features all manner of forest creatures. I'm not sure if I prefer it in gold or silver.

Prowling Fox Ring - Alex Monroe

Maybe both?

Now for more of a house pet.

Cheshire Cat White Cuddly Cushion by Rory Dobner - Liberty

This Cheshire Cat White Cuddly Cushion by Rory Dobner for Liberty ties into the ever popular Alice in Wonderland theme. I love the sketched detail. Here's the man at work.

Rory Dobner at work on his Cheshire Cat Cushion 

Look, the cat has a hat on!

Still, like the Hare Cushion from last month, £95 is too much for a cushion. I'd be scared to sit on it.


Back to the woods for my next want.

Carousel Pencil Skirt by DB Berdan - Wolf and Badger

The contrast of the stripes and the hare print in this Carousel Pencil Skirt by DB Berdan is fantastic. I also love the colours; it's pastels Jim, but not as we know it.

Carousel Pencil Skirt by DB Berdan - Wolf and Badger

This is now half price in the Wolf and Badger sale, but it's still a cool £120.


For my final wishlist item I'm moving away from the furry, woodland animals and onto the scuttling, beach dwellers.

Valentino Haute Couture Fall Winter 2013

A golden crab adorns this pearlescent clutch bag from the Valentino Haute Couture Fall Winter 2013 collection. The whole range is ocean themed, lots of octopus. I particularly like this bag because it feels that if you stare into it long enough, you'll see your future.

I suspect that never in my future will  be able to afford this crab.

That's all folks, check back next Friday for more pricey beauties.

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Give Me Liberty...Fabrics

New Season Liberty Fabrics

For all you fabric freaks out there Liberty London has just launched its new season A/W 13 range. Liberty Art Fabrics are always beautiful but this collection seems to be taking a different turn to the usual ditsy florals. It is inspired by the epic poem The Earthly Paradise by William Morris, the prologue is below.

OF Heaven or Hell I have no power to sing,
I cannot ease the burden of your fears,
Or make quick-coming death a little thing,
Or bring again the pleasure of past years,
Nor for my words shall ye forget your tears,	5
Or hope again for aught that I can say,
The idle singer of an empty day.
But rather, when aweary of your mirth,
From full hearts still unsatisfied ye sigh,
And, feeling kindly unto all the earth,	10
Grudge every minute as it passes by,
Made the more mindful that the sweet days die—
—Remember me a little then I pray,
The idle singer of an empty day.
The heavy trouble, the bewildering care	15
That weighs us down who live and earn our bread,
These idle verses have no power to bear;
So let me sing of names remembered,
Because they, living not, can ne’er be dead,
Or long time take their memory quite away	20
From us poor singers of an empty day.
Dreamer of dreams, born out of my due time,
Why should I strive to set the crooked straight?
Let it suffice me that my murmuring rhyme
Beats with light wing against the ivory gate,	25
Telling a tale not too importunate
To those who in the sleepy region stay,
Lulled by the singer of an empty day.
Folk say, a wizard to a northern king
At Christmas-tide such wondrous things did show,	30
That through one window men beheld the spring,
And through another saw the summer glow,
And through a third the fruited vines a-row,
While still, unheard, but in its wonted way,
Piped the drear wind of that December day.	35
So with this Earthly Paradise it is,
If ye will read aright, and pardon me,
Who strive to build a shadowy isle of bliss
Midmost the beating of the steely sea,
Where tossed about all hearts of men must be;	40
Whose ravening monsters mighty men shall slay,
Not the poor singer of an empty day.

Morris' episodic poem shows fairy tale and ancient mythology inspiration. This influence can be seen in a lot of the fabric prints.

Branch Flower D - Liberty Art Fabrics

Not so much in others.

Hunter Trunk A - Liberty Art fabrics

Not sure how many trucks there were in Ancient Greece.

Still, it's nice to see Liberty mixing it up a bit. As well as The Earthly Paradise, the designers of the fabric also took influence from "Icelandic adventures, audio prints, tattoos on Tana Lawn, almost edible conversationals and fragrant florals." A pretty eclectic mix but then this is an eclectic collection, ranging from detailed peacocks to colour block houses.

Growing Fonder B - Liberty Art Fabrics

Samols A - Liberty Art Fabrics

Rose A - Liberty Art Fabrics

Stanley B - Liberty Art Fabrics

Ranga C - Liberty Art Fabrics

I particularly like the open, natural prints.

Manning B - Liberty Art Fabrics

But I also like this simple horse print. It would make a lovely summer dress. If only I could sew.

Kussman A - Liberty Art Fabrics

Check out the new fabrics here.

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Liberty and Levi

I hope you've all had a lovely bank holiday weekend. I've recently moved to the countryside and actually now have a garden. This, coupled with the emergence of the sun, meant I spent most of the time shivering outside on a towel pretending it was thirty degrees.

I also took a little time out to cruise the internet and saw that Liberty has another collaboration; it's already teamed up with Nike and now it's also joined forces with Levi's to create the Levi's X Liberty collection (I say now, it was actually back in April, but I've only just seen it).

Levi's X Liberty

Floral Carlin Print Western Shirt - Levi's X Liberty

This one makes a bit more sense to me than the Nike thing, Liberty and Levi's are both well known and respected clothing companies. In a way, they are also representative of their countries; Liberty, with its London location and classic prints, is a part of British history. Similarly, Levi's conjures up images of rural USA and has been a constant staple in the changing fashions of America.

The combination of the two is quite powerful and makes for an interesting collection. There are only a small amount of items but most bases are covered, with a number of trouser styles as well as a shirt, dress and crop top.

Floral Carlin Print Mandarin Dress - Levi's X Liberty

Floral Carlin Print Bustier Top - Levi's X Liberty

I particularly like this bustier, it's a good festival look, if only I had a flat enough stomach to wear it!

I think the collection's missed the mark on a couple of items though, especially the anorak. They're tried to combine beauty and functionality but haven't quite melded it. Plus, whoever heard of a denim waterproof jacket?

Floral Carlin Print Hooded Anorak - Levi's X Liberty

Overall though, I like this collection. The two Liberty prints used, Carlin and Kerr Bandana, were specially designed for the range and contrast nicely with the antique look of Levi's denim.

The only problem is, again, that the items are out of my price range. Still, a girl can dream.

Find out more about the Levi's X Liberty collection here.

P.S I've just noticed that Liberty and Levi sound like two quite obnoxious children's names. Or the heroes of a children's book series.

Liberty Print Nike Trainers, Yay or Nay?

If you're a big Pinterest user you'll probably know about this already, but if not, I'll fill you in. The two power houses of Liberty and Nike have combined forces to bring you the Nike X Liberty range of trainers (original name yes?). Not two companies you'd usually think to put together. They've brought out three styles, the Blazer Mid, Roshe Run and the iconic Air Max.

I've been looking at these all day and I still can't decide if they're beautiful or deadly pretentious. Let's face it, they're probably both. I'm not a big sportswear fan but generally when you think of sporting items you think of Nike, the well known tick is a sign of approval. Similarly, whether you're a fabric fiend or not, Liberty is arguably the most famous haberdashery in the world and the prints are instantly recognisable.No matter how much I tell myself that the fabrics are overrated, that there are much cheaper versions just as good, it's not true, they really are faint-making.

Lodden C Tana Lawn

And have you been in the Liberty shop? It's so beautiful it's ridiculous and history just seems to seep from the walls.

So, thinking about it, I would rather like a pair, preferably the blue Capel Liberty Print Roshe Run ones.

Capel Liberty Print Roshe Run Trainers

But the main thing that puts me off is that I just know they are going to become the staple footwear of Yummy Mummies everywhere, the item of choice for when they take their Labradoodles for a mud free walk. Many pairs will also be purchased by Frumpy Mummies who are desperately trying to keep up with the Yummies. I just can't face being part of that club yet (in large part due to the fact that I am not a Mummy).

Did I say that was the main reason for me not wanting a pair? I forgot the not so small problem of the price. Maybe Yummies have £145 to spend on trainers but this impoverished journalist doesn't.

Still, I keep finding myself looking at them, so maybe there's a bit of Yummy in me waiting to get out.

Check them out on Liberty's site.