Christmas Time!!

Above: My beautiful tree x

Mulberry: London

Above: Paul Smith-San Francisco

Below: Paul Smith-Paris

It's that time of the year with only 19 days till Christmas and stores begin to decorate their windows with all their beautiful festive decorations. I have looked into window displays of brands that I am focusing on within my Case Study which are Aquascutum, Paul Smith, Jaeger and Mulberry: British brands and their heritage!!

I have also included a cheeky pic of my Christmas tree this year....lovely!! xx

Aquascutum: Regent Street, London

Four Magazine Launches

Hi guys, I realised recently that I have been so busy and my blog (that was looking quite substantial) has been left for far too long. So I have made a promise to myself that I must make a post atleast once a week ha!
Well now that I am back at university for my final year it's all go! Just the other day we had our first project hand-in which was to produce a magazine in a short period of just 6 weeks. The magazine needed to be able to offer something new to the market, so myself and my group produced a magazine for the established, creative female.....which we named Four x

Newbies at Kidston

There seems to be some rather charming purchases at Cath Kidston at the moment, maybe a few new year purchases are on the cards. I'm loving the Daisy chain crystal bracelet....its so cute especially if you mixed it with other pieces you may already have.

I'm also loving the floral tapestry purse...it's very me and would definitely fit my clutch on a night out.

Margin launches App

London streetwear show Margin have launched an iPhone app, allowing users to search for independent retailers by location.

It's called the Stradd app which searches for indies depending on their location and doesn't feature high street chains or department stores. It costs £1.79 and can be bought from the Apple app store.

This gives insider knowledge to previously unknown stores and boutiques. I think this is a great idea. If you were visiting an unknown city for a long weekend and you fancied seeing the niche parts of the city then this app will be perfect.

The New Pompidou

Paris's centre Georges Pompidou has gone into the franchising business recently and opened its first spin off museum, which is situated in the North-eastern French city of Metz.

The gallery opened its doors to the public in May and was designed by Japanese/French architect duo Shigeru Ban and Jean De Gastines, who also delivered on a budget (10 million euros) and in a record time of 3 years after construction began.

I have previously visited the original Pompidou centre in Paris which looks slightly like a fun house from the outside but this new franchise appears to have a minimalist and European feel to the design.

The beauty of window shopping

Each year I am just as excited to go window shopping in the city than buy presents for my loved ones. And London, along with cities like Manchester and Birmingham, is no exception being the centre of extravagance in the window dressing department for Christmas 2010.

-Georgina Goodman chose golden cats for her window display on Old Bond Street.

-Ralph Lauren decided on traditional colours and pieces for their window displays. Green foliage and twinkly lights played home to a perfect Christmas scene.

-Selfridges always go a bit wacky and this year have gone for a theme loosely based around a dolls house, there was also felt creatures looking out in some windows whilst doing their Christmas shopping at Selfridges.

-Harrods decided on a fantasy Christmas, using the Peter Pan fairytale due to supporting Great Ormand Street Hospital Childrens Charity in the process.

Add some festive cheer to your post

Its that time of the year again which some people dread, but personally I love, to sit down and take some time writing your Christmas cards to the special people in your life.

And this year The Royal Mail are getting in to the spirit by collaborating with the nations favourite animated characters, Wallace and Gromit, producing a small collection of stamps for the Christmas season.

Royal Mail designers worked closely with Wallace and Gromit creator, Nick Park and an animations company for the scenes of the stamps. The scenes include usual festive acts like posting cards, putting up the tree and carol singing.

Royal Mail spokesman, Philip Parker explained that the festive stamps are one of the finest sets ever produced. The stamps which went on sale from November 2nd 2010 range from £60p for second class to £1.64 for first.