Perfectly Printed Pants

I'm loving the printed denim that's around this season. It's great for women like me who can't really carry off a busy print in a top.  My current favourites at nola are the A.P.C leopard print and the IDA Ivy in Dreamtime Noir.  Both look great with a simple plain sweatshirt and statement jewellery.

A.P.C Leopard Print Jeans £155 at nola

IDA Ivy jeans in Dreamtime Noir 

Click here to see all jeans available at nola

Currently listening to Althea and Donna - Uptown Top Ranking

Friday Footwear Fix

I'm not mentioning the weather.  I'm just not.  OK?

I'm focusing on my Footwear Future, where the sun is all shiny and the sea is glistening and I'm on Brighton beach for an after work drink on Friday. THESE THINGS WILL HAPPEN.

When the sun does eventually get it's hat on.  I'll be wearing a selection of these beauties:

APC Braided Wedge

Saltwater Sandal

YMC Sandal

All sandals available at nola. Click here.

Currently listening to: Wanda Jackson - Hard Headed Woman

Sunday Sizzler

Ack, snow, sleet, grit, sludge. Welcome to Spring folks. I'm convinced this weather is just that diva Winter having a final hissy fit before she lets Spring take the floor. So until Madame Spring actually gets her butt in gear, we're still wearing the woollies. 

Spring knitwear is playful and funtimes.  Hitting the shop floor this weekend is this cheeky mohair oversized sweater with skull motif Zoe Karssen .  Wear with the new Zoe Karssen  'The End' jeans for a cool weekend look.

Skull Sweater in Pink or Black  £175

The End Jeans £165

Buy Zoe Karssen at nola here. Huge UK selection.

Currently listening to: Beck - Loser

Friday Fashion Fix

Well hello Friday, where've you been all week?

Yes, I know the weather is still rubbish but I've got Spring in my heart.  I'm feel positive vibes pulsating from nola HQ.  And all because of this little beauty........

American Vintage Oversized Silk Knitted Jumper in Strawberry

As modelled by the lovely Sam (wearing Nudie Tight Long John in Bleach/Black)

Happy Friday to you all.  Have a lovely weekend! xx

American Vintage Jumper at nola - FREE P&P!

Happy International Women's Day - X Ray Specs - Oh Bondage

Why Spend On Footwear?

Whenever I go shoe/boots shopping, I hear the woman from that old Nescafe ad saying to me "Cheap Shoes????" (with Denise Van Outen, her heels broke off her shoes, you remember it now). Her voice makes me do one of two things, either walk away from the cute hard plastic, uncomfortable cheap ones I've just fallen in love with but know I'll never wear, or rush to the till with the blow the budget, have in my wardrobe forever, wear to death pair.

Now, there's always exceptions to the rule but in general with footwear you gets what you pays for. I've learnt, after many rash purchases, that  I'd rather spend decent money on a pair that will last me years than spend the same amount on a couple of cheaper pairs. The cost per wear just makes it a no-brainer.  And most high street brands aren't so cheap any more. Probably £60 - £80 for shoes, £150 plus for boots? 

My shoe collection is VAST. Seriously. In that collection are many, many cheap pairs of shoes I've only worn once because they've torn my feet to shreds but I still hope that one day I'll break them in. I won't, and I'm determined to ditch them soon. There's also a lot of gorgeous pricey pairs of going out shoes that I wear a couple of times a year, and I know they will last me forever.

Then there's the old faithfuls.  The pairs of boots and shoes I wear at least five times a month, and they've lasted me years.  Like these APC cowboy boots. They cost £340, three years ago.  They are so beaten up, (they make me feel like Keith Richards) and I've had them resoled twice (£48),  but I reckon I've worn them at least 250 times because they are the most comfortable boots I've ever owned. 

So that's £1.55 a wear (and getting cheaper every day).  It's a big outlay in one go, but for a pair of classic boots that never date, I reckon it's always worth it.

Currently listening to: Fat Larry's Band - Zoom

I go to Paris and buy lovely A.P.C accessories for Christmas (2013!!)

Bonjour!  

Gosh it's been a long time since I've done a blog.  No excuses, I just seem to find it hard to run the shop, web, Twitter, Facebook, and then find pithy fashion things to say in a blog.  But, as much as I love Twitter, sometimes 140 characters just isn't enough so I've decided to resurrect the blog and use it to keep you up to date with my antics, bring you interviews with designers from our labels and put up some pics of you lovely lot in your nola clobber. 

Well, I'm on the quieter end of the buying season for AW13 - all done now.  Wowzer, there's some good collections out there for next season.  I think my favourite, and a new label for nola this season, is Rabens Saloner.  Real edgy rock and roll vibes going on there for AW.  It's such a good collection, I'll do a separate blog for it later.  And I've picked up another label, Denham.  Great denim from Amsterdam, (wait 'til you see the Ella jeans) and some really beautiful outerwear.  And lots of other lovely stuff which I'll tell you about in more detail over the next few blog posts.

My last buying trip was to sunny Springy Paris on Monday for Winter 13 APC.  A small collection but perfectly formed.  I've bought some cracking camo sweatshirts and bought heavily into their "fake snake" accessories. And by gum, Jean Touitou is a bit tasty!  Bit achy after my 15 hour round trip but A.P.C is always worth it.

I also picked up some of their lovely room fragrances - had a panic at Eurostar when I thought they wouldn't let it through customs but all was good.  I've got the Toumbac (tobacco/vanilla), Cologne and Fig.  Limited quantities because I couldn't carry too much. It's £25 a pop.  I think I'm the only stockist in the UK. 

 A.P.C Room Fragrances

                                             
                                                   iPhone covers.  For iPhone 4 and 5!

A.P.C Coin purse to keep your pennies in.



Currently listening to The Beatles, Golden Slumbers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1e_j66mgTDE