Irregular Choice: Magic Pony & Purfect Pose Bags

I'm feeling a bit sensitive today, peaking in a strop that only a 3 year old would understand! Not leaving the house for 5 1/2 weeks (I did get out today to see the doctor), months of the house being upside down while the renovations are ongoing and my failing health all culminated in the silly tantrum this afternoon. Not a brilliant one actually, because I stormed off to my room then realised the floor was covered in wood shavings from the workmen and my bed was heaped with stuff (which had nowhere to go), so I had no place to sit! After feeling sorry for myself, I had a good cry, made a cup of tea (tea fixes everything, no?) and a couple of those new Cadburys Creme Egg biscuits (mmmm) and I'm feeling a little better (albeit with stinging eyes)! I'm now ready to face the world or at least write this overdue post! Oh and it's a goody...well aren't they all?
When you say "Irregular Choice" you immediately think 'footwear', but actually this post is all about bags. IC 'branched' out into handbags, accessories and clothing some time ago and while I've always quite liked their matchy-with-shoes bags (and probably own more than I realise), it's the last few seasons that have produced amazing (non-shoe related) bags. I'm still gutted I never got the Carnivale circus clutch and then the Deery Me, Paw Me or Pussy Cat from last winter. Obviously when I found out this season that they were launching a bag with unicorns on it though, I had to make a concerted effort to buy it. I got an inkling beforehand that these bags were extremely limited and there was a lot of interest in them.
"Magic Pony" came in off-white or dark blue and while the former would probably be more neutral and go with more things (including my unicorn shoes), I felt the unicorns weren't as prominent as they were on the dark background. I can justify (to myself) spending a lot of money on shoes, but somehow my logic doesn't really go as far as handbags. Yes, I've picked up quite the obsession and collection of Love Moschino (here and here) but I see shoes as my "first love" and that's where I'll spend the big bucks. I'm not going to try and make out like these weren't expensive because they were and it was a big extravagance and expense, as I'm sure it would be for many of you. I get a little irked by bloggers/anyone that spend several hundreds on an item of clothing (especially when they don't work) and make out like it's no big deal.  I know it's all relative, but certainly, I don't currently have a lifestyle where that's possible and I've been eBaying as much as I could to afford these luxuries lately.  Anyway, blooming unicorns are my thing (and seem to be costing me greatly lately), I just couldn't not get this.
There was a spanner in the works though, in the form of a cat bag. I'd previously bought the matching purse (still haven't shown you that post yet, sorry), but I adored the 'Purfect Pose' bag too. The colour, the shape, the sparkly cat, it ticked all the right boxes, but I'd already resigned myself to the fact I couldn't afford it and would make-do with the purse instead. So it turns out the bags are just as exclusive as the 'statement heels' and got their own release day and time. I was prepared, I was going for the blue Magic Pony. So I'm showing my Mum and Dad the photos and Mum was absolutely insistent I get the cat one. "You've already got the purse, it's nicer than the unicorn, the shape is nicer, I love it, I could borrow it for your cousins wedding" were just some of the statements she made. I think my only meek reply was "that would be naughty if I got both", knowing full well that all I needed was a little nudge or 'approval' to get both. The cat was £99 and the unicorn £85.  I'm supposed to be saving for my 'shoe room' and Mum actually said, "what's the point in having a nice new room without those lovely bags to display".  You had me at "what's"! 
Quite literally 10 minutes before they went on sale, I'm working out my finances and moving money between paypal and bank accounts so I have enough and obviously you've guessed I got both! I was not prepared for the major stress buying them though. I can only liken it to an intense eBay auction mixed with buying front row gig tickets!  Worse than any of the shoes, for sure. I was nearly hyperventilating when I saw all three bags on the site and clicked the cat because it was the first one, waited for what seemed like forever for the images to come up, clicked 'one size' then 'add to basket' and by the time I got back the other unicorn one had gone completely. Thank goodness I was going for the blue one. I paid for them and by the time I went back, the blue one had gone too. The bags could've been used, broken and £1,000,000 each and I'd have still bought them because I went through the whole process so quickly and without reading or checking anything!  I actually felt sick afterwards, I'd got myself into such a panic!  Even after the dispatch email, I still didn't believe I'd get them both, it wasn't until they arrived that I could feel relief!
I don't know if this is just me, but a) I wasn't expecting the cat to be smaller than the unicorn and b) I didn't expect the unicorn to be so big and strong. These bags are much larger than I'm accustomed to.  As you'll know I rarely venture far (well nowhere at the moment), so a small clutch is usually big enough for my purse, phone and lipstick.  Despite them being pricey (for me), I don't consider them overpriced. You are getting a lot of bag for your buck and a lot of details and fabrics and when you consider they are the same price as many IC shoes, it seems reasonable.
Ok, so onto the details, as you've seen, the unicorn one has this paint splatter pattern all over. The back is plain splatter and the unicorns are on the front. The base is so much bigger than I expected, there is a lot of depth to this bag! It's metallic, as is much of the unicorn face with the most wonderful, colourful glitter mane.  There's also a pink glitter heart and large 'jewel' between the unicorns.  It's lined with metallic fabric (which matches several of IC's shoe linings) and opens with large knobbles. You know I love frame bags and big knobbly bits! You really need to twist your hand with the knobs when opening rather than just 'snapping' your two fingers, because they are quite tough (especially at first) to pass each other. It comes with a long strap which I'm not very fussed with (although I like the pink sparkly hearts on it). With my body and boobs, it looks awkward as an across body style, but it feels too long and the bag too big for wearing on my shoulder. I'd prefer a short handle so it was hand held.  The bag itself is very stiff and won't be easily misshapen with heavy items inside.  I was trying to flatten the seams/shape a bit and I actually didn't have the strength to do it!  There's 4 studs on the base too, to protect the bag when you're placing it on surfaces.  Am I the only one that feels the need to name the unicorns?
The kitty bag has two sections and both open and close with knobs, smaller than the unicorn ones. Each section opens really wide (seems like it could be hard to lose stuff inside, because you can 'see' it so well) and there's a zipped pocket in one side and substantial 'mobile phone' pouch in the other side to accommodate the ever-growing mobiles these days. This one has a fixed short handle which I love and then a longer adjustable shoulder strap which can be attached and removed. I think I'd always use the short one.  The cat (again I want to name her) is made of smooth, shiny holographic material with embroidery and pink glitter details.  On the bag you get this huge corsage (I'm a little sad it restricts the view of her pretty face so much) and on the purse, this is just a flat fabric detail.  Another detail that gives her that 3 dimensional feel is her little plastic nose (again, just stitched on the purse).  On the bottom corners of the bag, you'll see metallic and glitter flowers with some beading and gold flowers placed randomly on the front of the bag and again the base is metallic with studs.  The background, almost a galaxy-like printed fabric is really pretty and also really soft, but again the bag can't be stretched out of shape easily (although it doesn't feel as stiff as the unicorn).  
I know from my 'What's In My Bag' posts that I'm in the minority when it comes to minimalist stuff inside a bag but I'd imagine both of these would carry quite an amount. I'm not saying as much as a big slouchy 'weekender' type bag, but certainly it feels bigger than most other structured, frame bags.  After I popped my cat purse inside (and it looked kinda lost and pathetic) I was like "hmm, not sure I have enough crap to fit in this"!  I have no idea how you ladies carry such full and heavy bags though! I get rather exasperated if I can't find stuff in my bag, so I can't see me changing my 'bag habits' just to fill it!  Look at their adorable matchy-matchy-ness below though, cute huh? 
So there we go, I made it through the post!  Thank you all for your lovely comments, prayers and well wishes recently, I'm rather saddened not just for myself, but for everyone that I'm not doing so well just now.  I put a brave face on it, but I'm basically back where I started 12 years ago and that's so very disappointing.  I'm also rather miffed that it's affected my blogs, which have been lifelines for me during my illness.  There's no makeup or outfits so my regular posts on The Shoe Girl Diaries along with Monster High Monday, Too Pretty To Swatch, Beloved Beauty Bits etc have had to take a back seat.  Just as I was almost at 1000 days of shoes too!!

Anyway, do we love these bags or are they not really your thing? Do you like a bag to match your shoes or think that's rather naff?  Let me know.

Haul & Swatches: Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Lipstick

So you know when I go to buy makeup, I take this super serious and organised stance, researching colour descriptions, trawling blogs for swatches, scribbling notes, saving photos and in the end completely confusing myself by adding more discoveries along the way to my wishlist? Well I spent two days figuring out which of these new Estee Lauder lipsticks to buy. Two entire days. Unfortunately it's something I have to do when I'm unable to get to the shops. I could swatch 'em at a counter and make up my mind in about 2 seconds flat, but that's not an option for me right now. Anyway I bought two online and have another to buy once I figure out if it's different enough from those I've already got.
The new lippies are called Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick and have created a real buzz in the beauty industry already. I can absolutely see why. It's the first time in years that EL have formulated new packaging for their lipsticks and this one is very impressive, with a cool, sleek, laid-back kinda elegance. It feels incredibly weighty and luxurious in navy blue with gold ends and branding scribed into the top. The shade name is clearly stated on the base and inside you'll find more branding on the...what would you call the twisty bit you turn up? "The twisty bit"! I'm a big geek fan of that clicky noise lipsticks make when you put the lid on, but this one has gone one step further with a magnetic closure. Like my Guerlain ones, once the lid is almost at the base, it automatically closes itself, thus avoiding those loose lipstick lids and mushed lipstick in handbag moments. I can verify the snapping shut bit is extremely satisfying even without an actual 'click'!  I may have demonstrated several times to my sister while she looked on blankly. Then she smeared chocolate fingerprints onto my brand new cases, when I forced her to try it herself.  Clearly we are not related.    
Inside the lipstick looks so glossy and creamy, even before application. I obviously opted for nude shades, but there are pinks, reds, coral, darker browns and even plum. There's bound to be a colour for everyone. The one I originally wanted was 110 Insatiable Ivory (below), which was described as a warm nude.
Some photos made it look quite dark and I prefer light nudes, so I was a little concerned it would be quite brown in real life. My photos I suppose also look quite dark and in the swatches it's not the palest nude I've ever seen, but it's still oh so lovely. When it comes to the swatches, remember I literally haven't seen the light of day in weeks, so my hand is as pale as you can get. On my lips it doesn't look nearly as dark.
The other one I got was 120 Desirable (above) after to-ing and fro-ing between that and Impulsive. You'll never believe the amount of blogs I went on that had photos and swatches that weren't labelled, it was rather annoying! I knew exactly what I wanted from their pics, but there was no real reference to which shade was which. I think Impulsive may be lighter than Desirable. Desirable is described as lip tone pink nude, while Impulsive is a light, milky pink nude. Maybe there's not much in it and this is why I'm holding off buying it, if it's too similar.  I then also wondered if Desirable would be too similar to Insatiable Ivory, but you can clearly see the difference when they are side by side (Desirable is the lighter, pinkier one on the right).  I quickly applied them to the lips last night before bed, because I was super excited to see how they looked.  I applied one to the top lip and one to the bottom and ok, the lighting wasn't perfect at that time, but I did think they looked very similar!  They don't in the swatches though.   
As I thought from looking at them, they apply so smooth and creamy (my swatches don't do that justice). Despite these being the lighter shades in the range, they only need one swipe for a noticeable colour. I haven't had the chance to wear them all day to see how long lasting they are, but I've heard good things about that.  I suppose the shades I picked aren't super unique, but for this amazing creamy formula, I'd quite happily buy more!  They are shades that I'll wear loads and so it's money well spent in my opinion.  Speaking of, they are priced £24 each and I actually had £20 on my beauty card and for the first time, spent it online (you can do that now), so technically I got one free-ish (there was 10% off last week too).  For the swatches, I took one inside (below), then as the sun was shining so brightly in my window, another where my hand was directly in the sun (bottom).  
I bought mine from Debenhams who currently have a lovely GWP instore until the 15th (buy two products, one to be skincare or foundation) or you can opt for the gift I got by buying online, which is a makeup duo and bag. There's no restrictions on what you can buy (just two EL products and if the gift doesn't add to your basket, it's out of stock). You get a mini Sumptuous Extreme mascara and this adorable lipstick keyring. It's like Barbie sized, it's so darn cute!! I really should've placed it next to something for a comparison of just how ickle and tiny it is.  It's a Pure Color Crystal shimmer lipstick in 41 Tiramisu and I've swatched it next to the others below. It's a sheer rose with sporadic shimmer.  
I would seriously recommend trying these lippies for yourself as I'm sure you'll be completely enthralled with them too.  I'm desperate to see Impulsive and buy it decide if I need that too, then if I see the others I might go bold and buy something non-nude!  Go me! A quick note that I've been updating my shopping links page and added tonnes of new brands to it.  If you click through any of these links or ads and make a purchase, I get a small commission.  I'm sure I don't have to explain that I'm still completely honest in my opinions and reviews-I've previously linked to Debenhams (and other brands on that page) a million times before without commission, so it just seemed silly not to, when I naturally do it anyway.  Let me know if you've tried these lipsticks or suss out Impulsive for me!  

New Season Shoes

Are you enjoying this beautiful sunshine? I'd almost forgotten what it looked like, but it's nice to have daylight and a sunny house, even if I'm not getting out just now. I have a beaut of a handbag haul post coming up *cough*unicorns*cough*cats*! However, in the meantime I'm having a quick look at the new season Irregular Choice and adding to my wishlist. You've got to be prepared you know! For once I've been quite quick in securing some new season pieces-I've already shown you my unicorn heels and you've yet to see the kitty pair, but there are some gems (and less limited edition!) in the main collection too, that I can't wait to get my hands on.
This season we are treated to some wonderful new shapes and fabrics alongside some revamped old favourites such as 'Abigail's Party', in bold florals with satin ribbons and 'Hook, Line & Sinker' combining coloured hessian with suede ruffles and printed fabrics.  While 'Baby Beauty' come in what I'd call 'Cath Kidston florals' i.e. a more vintage looking print and the t-bar Bloxy, mix polka dots with summery blooms. Top of my list though are the completely new Mal E Bow (below) in nude, here. That delicate lace and sumptuous satin bow are utterly gorgeous and I'm loving the slight transparency on the uppers. They almost look a bit dirty too which just adds to that vintage feel. I suppose they are almost an updated version of my old Take A Bow (similar shape and colours and the large bow). I get a lot of wear out of them, so suspect I would with these too. Plus every time I say the name Mal E Bow, it makes me think 'Malibu' and years ago, a girl I worked with bought me a miniature of Malibu as 'courage' for a date I was going on that night, which I was extremely nervous about. I downed the whole bottle straight (unaware it should be mixed) right before leaving the house, which wasn't the best idea I've ever had! Looking back, it was probably the most interesting part of that date though! Anyway it always makes me laugh when I see or hear Malibu.
The chunky, perspex 'Oz' heel I love so much, has popped up in several new styles too which I'm rather excited about. My favourite is Hello Ha (loving that name) available in several colourways including this sunshine yellow (below).  I'm a sucker for a big bow and I just really love the simple shape of the shoe.  There's also 'Dippy Daisy' courts with (you guessed it) a large daisy on the toe. The sweet little suede bow at the back and floral printed trim finish it off nicely. Then there's the bow-tiful (?) 'Secret Pair' which if you can see beyond the woven satin ribbons are actually butterfly printed fabric. There's a couple of new takes on the basic cortesan shape too with the satin Prim Rose and Kim Bow which feature a contrasting floppy bow on the toe with floral uppers. There's certainly plenty to get my head around, with Mal E Bow and Hello Ha definitely top of my list. Have you ticked any shoes off your summer wishlist yet or is there something here you fancy?

When Life Sucks (Part 2)

So I left the last post, about to turn 22 and in my last year at Uni. I was a little unsure of exactly what area of fashion I wanted to go into when I left university. Someone had come to speak to us about a teaching programme, with almost on-the-job type training to become a high school teacher. It's something I'd imagined doing towards the end of my career rather than the beginning, but I was intrigued by it anyway. I went for an interview in the north east of England and was accepted. This is when the turmoil began. Let me digress slightly here for a moment, I'm a girl who goes with her heart. I listen to my head, but it's my heart that usually wins and my heart I want to listen to. Like I said in that last post, I just knew that college I visited wasn't for me, the moment I set foot in it, but the Uni I went to instantly felt like my kinda place.
Our uni course involved a term (and summer) of unpaid work experience in second year. So let me deviate further and say careers advisers fill me with dread. My high school one wanted me to become an engineer rather than 'waste' my life in fashion. I had zero interest in engineering, could she not tell that just from looking at me? She wanted a backup plan if I didn't get into Uni (for me, I was going into fashion or going into fashion, there was no backup plan). I said I'd work on the beauty counter (which I already did after school) if fashion didn't work out and joked that I'd have free lipstick for life. She was not amused. So back to Uni and this careers adviser found me a placement after we'd had a chat and filled in forms about aspects of our course we liked and didn't and where we'd be willing to relocate to (anywhere in my case as I was very flexible). She picked this pattern making job for me. An area I didn't enjoy. It was my last choice actually and obviously I was disappointed seeing as everyone else seemed to be matched with areas they did like. Giving up my paid job all summer to work unpaid and in London where I'd have big expenses, was something that worried me, although I wanted to do it.  I had to go for an interview, so I remained open-minded and knew I could decide when I saw the place. I walked in and honestly it hit me immediately. I hated it. The manager was creepy and made me feel uncomfortable throughout the very informal interview. You know when someone is undressing you with their eyes? Yeah, that! Although friendly, my future co-workers just didn't feel like people I'd get along with and when they started suggesting friends couches I could sleep on during my stay-I couldn't get out of there fast enough.

To make matters worse, I'd travelled down to London with a classmate as she was also being interviewed (elsewhere). When it came to us going to her potential new job, the place was just lovely. I remember it was bright and they had this huge vase filled with flowers (the silly things you remember!) and they couldn't have been nicer to us, getting me settled with magazines in the office while I waited and giving us both a tour (my mate had been left standing at the drafty door in my joint). I just got this vibe in there, that it was the type of place I'd be happy to work. It was an easy decision for me, I wasn't going to take the job and went straight to the careers office the next day to tell her. I was too late though, she'd already accepted the job on my behalf! Creepy guy had phoned immediately after I left to offer me it (obviously completely unaware that it doesn't take 2 seconds to travel back to Scotland)). I was adamant I couldn't do it and lets just say I felt the wrath of the careers lady that day! She shouted "how does this make me look? I've already accepted. He's going out of his way to provide work experience for students here and you're jeopardising the whole thing". I mumbled that she had no right accepting it before speaking to me and that I just didn't think it was feasible. I left her office in tears (I'm not usually a 'public crier') with her shouting behind me that she wouldn't look for any other job for me, because clearly I wasn't prepared to move to London. She was totally wrong. I'd have moved anywhere for the right job, but that one wasn't it. After what I'd been through in 1st year, I refused to make myself unhappy just for a job and especially one that didn't pay.
So in the end, I had to stay at Uni for the term with three other classmates (we were like the naughty kids that didn't get to go on the school trip) and it turned out to be extremely rewarding. We had a great project (designing/making an Oscars outfit, then the high street version of it) and with smaller class sizes, I learnt so much. For anyone interested in how my friend got on, she was hospitalised the very next day after contracting a strain of meningitis (she's ok now). She never took up her placement and I certainly would have been the last person to be offered it. I told you there was drama every minute! The girl that did go to 'my' placement, ended up working there for years (actually she only left just recently) and is now working for a big name designer, so she's done very well for herself. At the time I didn't know her very well but she was curious as to why I didn't take the job (I babbled about money being an issue rather than creepy guy) and she said her boss was disappointed I didn't take the placement as he "fancied me". Yuck! My intuition saved me yet again!
Anyway the point of that long-winded flashback, was to illustrate how I go with my gut feeling. I trust it. So this teaching job I'd been offered. I was obviously nervous during the interview day, but I didn't get a straight 'no way' or 'yay' feeling from the place. I could possibly have seen myself working there, but I wasn't sure. It was a very hard decision for me. I think the hardest decision I've ever had to make actually. I knew my parents wanted me to take it, it would've been a stable income and wasn't as risky as starting my own business venture with my flatmate (which we'd been seriously looking into). Teaching was the 'sensible' option and I even had a lecturer blast me, when I said I was undecided with whether or not to take it. I think I was the first in my course to be offered a permanent job and on this alone, I should take it. Apparently! I knew it was a decision I had to make myself, despite all this input and it was genuinely really hard. I clean and walk (not at the same time) when stressed and I did a lot of that during this time. I remember walking miles into the next town (and back), on my own, just to think (every passing car thought I was mental). I knew in my heart I didn't want to take it, but I didn't want to let my parents down. It's funny how the world works though and in the end, the decision was taken out of my hands.
I turned 22 towards the end of May and in the couple of weeks following that, began to feel ill. It started with tiredness and aching pains. I'd come home to work one weekend and I remember having to take my shoes off during my break and sit with my feet up because I was so sore. My Uni exams were finished and my dissertation had been handed in (I'd stayed on my own all Easter break and worked to complete it rather than go home) and all that was left was to tie up some loose ends and of course my Graduation Ball! I was (obviously) designing and making my outfit from scratch and after choosing a dissertation only (rather than part essay, part garment collection) that year, I was happy to be sewing and doing what I loved again.
Our whole house were feeling the effects of working (and playing) hard. We all felt a little 'off', but none of us had any inclination of how bad it was about to get. My Mum had come down to visit and by then I was really quite poorly.  She insisted I go to the doctor.  I was in extreme pain and had stopped eating because I found it hard to swallow. My glands were visibly enlarged and my throat was agony. My nature is to push on and get on with things and seeing as I only had a few days left, I wanted to finish my ball outfit and go to the ball! I figured I had time to rest when I got home after that week. When I went to see the doctor, I couldn't even speak. He asked what was wrong and I just croaked and motioned to my throat. He immediately suggested glandular fever and took some blood for tests. A sure sign I wasn't feeling myself, I didn't even flinch when he took blood!
He sent me home with some soluble painkillers which he knew I couldn't even swallow. So I had to gargle it and spit it out and hope that it did something! I'll never forget how awful that felt, being unable to swallow and being in such pain. I was even spitting out my own saliva because it was too painful to swallow-it just felt like my throat had closed up completely. Looking back, I probably should have gone to the doctor earlier, but as bad as it felt, I still thought it would pass. I think it was later the next day that the surgery rang to let me know the results and it was indeed glandular fever. I was just stunned and numb. I know it had been likely and I only had to take one look at my neck to see it, but none of it felt real. I just didn't think this would happen to me.

The rest is a blur. My Mum came back down for the day to help me home (we don't have a car, so it felt like the longest train journey of my life). She'd had the florist send round a beautiful bouquet of flowers earlier that day because she knew I'd be upset at not getting to my ball when the other girls in my house were going that night. She'd organised it before we found out about the GF. I didn't get to pack anything, I just took a small bag with underwear, my toothbrush and medication and the flowers! That was it! No goodbye to my house, Uni or anyone.
It felt like everything stopped. Time stood still and even now I'm sketchy on days/weeks/months during this period. Thankfully the throat spray and steroids did the trick and my throat cleared up. I think it was 6 days later that I managed to eat three small bites of melon. I'll never forget how proud my family were watching me eat for the first time. Such a stupid little thing, but at the time it seemed so enormous. The doctor had initially said 6-8 weeks bed-rest and I kinda laughed at the thought. Surely I wouldn't be out of action for two whole months? I was young, strong and active, so thought I'd bounce back quickly. Little did I know it was about to get much worse.

Part 3 to follow (the whole thing disappeared, so I have to re-write it, grrr), Part 1.