Championing British Brands

We love a bit of chic French fashion, Scandinavian understatement and Italian pazzazz but we're also keen to get good, traditional British brands in store.

Alicia Waite in The Telegraph yesterday did a great piece on British labels that are setting the heritage trend. Of course we've got Burberry and Pringle who do the whole tweedy, waxed jacket, Aran jumper thing brilliantly, but it was great to see her focus on the smaller family companies and also the new up and coming brands.

With the demise of the Luella label, there's been a gap in the womenswear market for a label that does the traditional British thing with a twist. Alicia listed several British labels that are now getting the recognition they deserve.

We are particularly pleased that Heritage Research got a mention. Not only is HR a British label, it's a Brighton label to boot. And we're so excited to be stocking it!

HR have been designing cool menswear for years but have brought out a fabulous womenswear collection for AW11 which is also handmade in Britain. This first collection has cited female aviator Amelia Earhart's groundbreaking androgynous style as the design inspiration. Though Earhart was American, her grit and determination are at one with the ethos of the brand, which offers a no-frills collection of brilliantly designed cropped riding jackets, breeks, Liberty print blouses and more.

We'll let you know as soon as it comes in! You're gonna love it.

Rx

S/S12 - Chinti & Parker buying trip

Last Monday I popped up to London to see the girls at Chiltern Street Studios. One of my absolute fave agencies. The space at Chiltern Street is so beautiful, all rustic bare brick walls and wooden floors. They have some great collections and on Monday I went to see Chinti & Parker. CP are a London based duo specialising in luxurious, ethically made basics, from cottons to cashmere. They are getting some great press at the moment and we've been keeping our eye on it for a couple of seasons. We think it'll fit in with nola's current collection perfectly. We've kept it tight, going for a couple of cotton vests, some great basic tees and a couple of cute, wearable skirts. We know you'll love them.

Rxx

The Times 20 July 2011

Just had the lovely @lisamacario tweet me this little recommendation of our Brighton boutique from today's Times newspaper. Do you think by "relaxed" they mean "drunk"?

THANKS THE TIMES!

Rx

Meet Columbina - my beautiful new tattoo!

I have loved the work of Dutch tattooist Angelique Houtcamp for years and always wanted one of her beautiful designs inked on me. It took over a year to decide which one and where to put it. I chose Columbina because I loved the colour of her hair. I had it done by Paula Converse at Into You in Brighton. We've changed it a little from the original - we've put green eyeshadow on her and put a love heart detail on the hat. I love it so much. Definitely worth the pain.

New House of Harlow 1960 now in store and online

House of Harlow 1960 is the highly acclaimed jewellery collection from Nicole Ritchie. The inspiration for her brilliantly wearable range comes from the bohemian heyday of the 1960s and 1970s and from her own extensive jewellery collection. Loving all things horsey, I of couse am coveting the horseshoe necklace, but I've also got my eye on the mahoosive sunburst ring.

Talking of rings, we've also just had a delivery from Disney Couture. We've got some AMAZY skull rings and necklaces from the new Pirates of The Carribbean movie now adorning our jewellery cabinets. Have a gander. X

House of Harlow Horseshoe Necklace - £62
http://www.nolaboutique.co.uk/horseshoe-necklace.html
House of Harlow Sunburst Ring - £51

http://www.nolaboutique.co.uk/sunburst-ring.html
Disney Couture Skull Ring - £24.50
http://www.nolaboutique.co.uk/skull-ring.html

Nola sale starts 18th December.

Our sale starts on Saturday 18th December, we're having an instore preview evening on Wednesday 15th - there will be drinks and nibbles galore, from 5.30pm. Try and pop in and see us for bargainous larks. Our online sale has already started - have a peek, you might find something for your stocking. Self gifting is good.

http://www.nolaboutique.co.uk/_shop/home.php?cat=9&xid=3641d7bf8a793d8cca02d7e980872068

Orla Kiely Olive and Orange now in at nola!

Oh be still my beating heart, we've just received our first delivery of Olive and Orange, the new line from Orla Kiely. It's full of Orla's signature colours, orange, pistachio, navy and we've got some beautiful cardigans and jersey dresses and tees. It'll be on our website in the next couple of days but this piccie will give you a sneak preview.

XOXO

New Bloch lace up boots and shoes in store!

So, there I was, doing my paperwork like a good girl when Mr Delivery Man pops through the door with two curious boxes. " What can this be?" I ask myself, (expecting a boring paper bag delivery). I sign for the boxes with a flourish when I see the "Bloch" packing tape and push Mr Delivery Man out of the door. As much as I love the Bloch ballet flats that we stock, the lace up boots and black and white heeled shoes are a joy to behold. The boots are leather and patent and lace up the front, but, they fasten at the side with a zip. They are priced at a really reasonable £185. The shoes are made from the softest of leather and have patent leather toe cap, priced at £160. Both look absolutely stunning with leggings and big chunky cardigans, or as Grazia is saying, "coatigan". Now it's the difficult decision on which to buy for me........Rx

New Bloch Ballet shoes now in store!

There's gonna be a stampede! Yep, the cappuccino Bloch luxury ballet flats have landed. Oh they are too good to be true. Our last batch of shoes sold out within days and we've only got a limited stock of these babies so get 'em whilst you can - £95. We've also got some amazing (faux) snakeskin pointy flats in from Bloch - they have the usual suede inner and have a beautiful patent leather trim. They are adorning my feets as we speak. £195. Hurry on down - they won't be here for long.

Oh, and the sale will be drawing to a close very soon - loads of bargains to be had so pop into our Gardner St store when you are next in Brighton.

See you soon. Rxxx

Union Jack shoes - let your feets do the walking!

The crazy delivery man from DHS arrived yesterday bearing gift of great tidings and joy! The Jackson Twins Union Jack shoes had arrived at last. Hallelujah! Made in Spain from the softest of leather they are just gorgeous. And they have The Jacksons trademark pink leather sole. Yum yum. Priced at £150.
My feets haven't stopped dancing....................

Rx

Malene Birger, See by Chloe, M Missoni up to 70% off in nola's Winter sale!

Hi ladies, quick post to let you know that our Winter sale starts on Tuesday 22 December at 10.30am. There'll be mahoosive savings on loads of pieces byyour favourite designer - up to 70% off M Missoni, Inwear, Luella, By Malene Birger, See by Chloe and much more. See you there! Rx

This Week We're Loving......M Missoni Bikinis!!

Hopefully you are all looking forward to jetting off somewhere hot and beachy in the coming months. If you are then a luxurious, beautifully made bikini can make all the difference to how you feel on the beach.

If you are in your late thirties like me then you know that cheap bikinis just aren't a good look for us. The colours are always just a bit off and you wear them once and they sag like mad. Plus all the mediterranean ladies take their swimwear seriously so that number from M & S that you thought looked great in the privacy of your bedroom mirror suddenly ain't looking too hot next to donatella's little Versace number!!!

This season we've chosen a fabulous style from M Missoni in two great prints that are fabulous for this season but as with all M Missoni, this will become a classic, timeless piece. Classic briefs with aenough height to cover those muffin tops!! with a triangle bikini top with metal clasp fastening and nice slim straps. First colourway is tropical splashes of orange, hor pink and red. The second colourway is white background with tropical leaf print in soft coral, blue and khaki. I'll put pictures up shortly.

The price is a really reasonable £120 and we stock sizes 8 to 14. We can do mail order so please give us a call if you fancy a bit of fabulous M Missoni

xxxx