High Street Challenge - Day 1

OMG. The girl posts! Where I have been is prepping the production arm of MCB primed for full assault on publications by styling mega concept shoots the summer through. BUT that does not mean the blog is to be neglected because of this. In fact, all the 'seriousness' of the business side of MCB makes it easier to find the fun in blogging just for fun!


I undertook a 5 day challenge this week to see how I can best rock the current offerings on the high street and this is look no' 1. Yes, my hair is currently, according to Foxy Locks, 'Cherly Cole' red....She was way popular back when the weave was ordered but I digress.


I know I must seem partial to online shopping but seriously, I am not averse to shopping on the British high street and I really do believe there are plenty of affordable clothes to be excited about 'out there'. I am purposely featuring items from certain stores that some might imagine was not in fitting with MCB styling model but it is not all about high end couture here. You all know I like me some expensive shoes but I mix that up with vintage, indie designs, charity shops, established labels and high street. If the skirt looks familiar that is because you remember this.....

Primark Top & Skirt. Warehouse Denim Shirt / Jacket. Vintage Brogues via Etsy / Zara Belt

The blog is now a year old and I love all that it brings forth and all the new bloggers I have connected with. As far as global fashion domination goes the blog sits quite high on the pyramid of importance so rest assure that my 'front-line' presence shall continue to exist in conjunction with all my other attention seeking projects!

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Portraiture: Furore

My darling in-house Photographer / Hubby wanted to play about with some new lights, which I would say he did successfully, non? My styling brief was simple: fur & some sparkle / glitter. I knew straightaway a head-wrap would be the perfect accompaniment but the challenge was to find 'blow-me away' material in house with virtually no notice! 

June Ambrose might sell her Turbans for $125-150 a pop and good on her. However the colourful cloth bazaar adorning my head, a remixed turban a la MCB, is in fact a vintage dress (a.k.a styling manna from the gods) that cost me less than 10 quid. I spotted it casually draped on the banister as I went off to see to my face and it spoke to me!

 Bally Fur Coat & Vintage Abstract Sheer Dress wrapped as Turban

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Coral Reef

Personally, I have nothing witty or clever to share right about now. Bar these images that my hubby lovingly worked on for me to share with you. My body and mind are tired but rather than see these signs as negative, I listen to them as a call to strengthen from the inside out; a sign that I need to take time out for myself so that I can continue happily and fulfilled on this wonderful blessed journey I get to call my life.

Mastin Kipp is a daily fixture on my Twitter stream and is always good for reminding you about the bigger picture. Life is not a battle to be conquered and whilst that is an original thought I have long held I loved what he says here...

A measure of how successful you are isn't how much stuff you have or how much you have achieved, but how much happiness and fulfilment you feel. - Mastin Kipp

 

Coral Primark Shirt / Robot Ninjas Leather Pants / Brian Atwood Pumps / Vintage Jewellery 

I hope all those that pass through are on that journey to happiness and fulfilment and thank you for taking a moment out of our busy modern lives to nose through this. It really makes my day!

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Fascinators, Heiresses and Penthouses

Remember the wedding I mentioned? No, not the Royal Wedding! The one that Woody, darling daughter, had been invited to not only be a flower girl at but also a reader (Corinthians 13 1-13). Well, the girl did good and of course I gave as many tips as any Drama school trained mother would! Needless to say she used lots of vocal muscularity and lent a rainbow of colour to the words :) Hubby and I were/are very, very proud parents.

But yes, yes, on to what I wore! I did consider 'doing' a dress because weddings = dresses, no? No! I understand that at times, it feels like the easiest style solution when faced with a 'proper' occasion to attend (such as a wedding). However, separates can work just as beautifully and look just as effortless as a dress. Especially when perfectly accessorised, as I hope this set proves.

The peacock/pheasant fascinator, a stunning bespoke piece by Liz Dominey, ( featured here) and jewellery, as chosen by hubby, from an extensive collection (mostly gifts from him) completed the look.

We shall be turning these images into a MCB Style-Book which can all be viewed by clicking here.

Liz Dominey Fascinator / TSR Cape Shirt / Dorothy Perkins Print Harems / Topshop Sandals / Chloe Clutch

I have been handing out a few, okay a lot, of the new cards we have had printed at every networking opportunity. The business cards look so seriously professional that the very act of owning them MAKES me feel ordained a proper blogger and I would like to say a huge hello to all that have found MCB by following the URL. So, to my new readers, I bid you welcome and I hope you stay a while, even better take a moment to introduce yourself in the comment field.

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Fade to Black

School resumes today and I revert back to uniform black. I get used to time-off too easily but no need to cry as I know Easter break will soon be upon me. Not that I am wishing my life away or anything like that!

Day 3 of London Fashion Week and it would be an oversight not to mention it. I might not be in attendance but I get to live vicariously through these lovely lot below.

VESHOEVIUS / Fuyume / Frou Frou / Creative Idle

I also have to say the LFW streaming site is an absolute gem and I have managed to catch a number of shows live which makes me feel a little less outside the loop. Twitter has also held its own and here are my personal favourites for #LFW updates.

Fiona Pain / Sophy Robson / Mercedes Benz LFW / Katie Wright / Daphne Guinness / Laura Jlee / LFW /   Laurel Waldron

Bespoke Fringe leather Bag by Adeleshop / Black Jersey Dress by Rschone / Cropped Jumper by TSR / Shoes by Sam Edelman via Solestruck 

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Shared Focus

 
Paris was amazing. You would not believe that it is only my second visit with the ease I showed in navigating the subway but I guess I have the London tube system to thank for my ability to read any underground map put in front of me! Those following my domestic life on Twitter will already know about the MAJOR Parisian purchase I made at Bally yesterday which I shall be showcasing once the shock passes...

I have been excited yet apprehensive about shooting content since the move because even though I have lots of ideas I want to throw at you all space is a major issue. I am currently trying to persuade darling hubby to venture outside with me but as of yet he is not budging on this. In the meantime, I shall be introducing a new viewpoint - images of treasured items not necessarily to be found on my persons but don't worry I will still be found here posing as if I were 5' 10....

H&M top / Robot Ninjas Leather shorts / Etsy vintage necklace / Rare shoes via ASOS

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Simple Sums

I have learnt that walking into MAC and buying lipstick off the cuff is never a good call. Modesty and Morange look stupid on me. Case in point; as evidenced within the body of this post...My search for the perfect nude & orange lipstick continues so if you happen to know of any good ones that is likely to suit my skin tone do drop me a line.

Dr.Martens 'Darcy' boots, I really should have worn my denim skater dress with this instead we have Uniqlo denim shirt dress and the warmest jumper in the world (I shit you not) made for me by this lovely lady.

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Contraflow

I have been a naughty blogger I realise for going MIA for a few days but on the other hand I have been a really good family member! The weekend was spent out of London which was refreshing and not cold at all thanks to the magical jumper knitted for me by a lovely lady I shall be introducing you to next week (I shall be starting what I hope will be a regular series showcasing my fave Etsy sellers). I am such a scatty type normally and pack horribly for country weather never taking into account the wind, the rain and all those great things that nature bestows but it seems another year older has brought about new sartorial wisdom!

Audrey Cantwell turban, Next jumper, Uniqlo skirt and vintage flats.

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Fool's Gold

1 leather pants. 3 different looks. I give you no'3
Can anyone tie the title of all 3 posts together?

This is a special post. Why so? Well, I am featuring my own design for the very first time. I wanted a classic wearable shape for the dress but with a little extra oomph. Seeing as I find female collarbone tres sexy (okay, that just sounds weird...) it made sense to make the neckline a feature. What do you think? What little tweaks would you make to a classic shape to personalise it.

The jewellery are from a batch picked up abroad to resell but of course I had to keep a few items for myself. Shoes are Neve by SENSO via Solestruck and leather pants are as you know by Audrey Cantwell.

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Pink Blues

1 leather pants. 3 different looks. I give you no'2

Audrey Cantwell leather pants
Lipsy sequin dress word as a top
Pink shirt borrowed from Hubby
Jean Pierre Braganza jacket
Courtney Crawford heels

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Back to Black

1 leather pants. 3 different looks. I give you no'1

Audrey Cantwell leather pants
Beyond Black Dreams multi-way sheet top
Punkyfish studded cardigan
Park Lane shearling boots

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Friend Friday: Compare the Blogs.com

Had I posted this earlier, I might have started with a statement such as not believing that another Friday has arrived so quickly but as I am now closer to Saturday morning mentioning that now would be plain redundant. I am currently playing the lead role in The Witch of Beckenham. I did not audition for this role but rather, I woke up in PMT valley. My unfortunate supporting cast in the form of hubby & daughter are bearing the brunt of my heightened performance and in order to give them a well deserved break I thought I would pop in here and attend to this week's Friend Friday. Please enjoy as I promise not to shout. Or kiss my teeth. Or roll my eyes for the umpteenth time but I digress...I am wearing Asos chiffon skirt, Uniqlo jumper, People's Couture harness, Tristain Blair shoes & DKNY shoes.

On to the questions. This week week we are talking about the pressure bloggers feel to reach a certain standard. 

Have you ever looked at someone's blog and thought yours will never measure up?
Yes. However what I initially perceive as a negative I come to realise can become a source of inspiration from which to learn.


Do you (did you) feel pressure to meet some kind of undefined standard for fashion bloggers?
Pressure is only productive if it is directed towards your own standard. It is all about setting your own standard. In that way you come to have concrete and tangible goals and objectives to aim for. 

Many established fashion bloggers are also extraordinary DIYers, bakers, and crafty people. Do you think you need to combine all of these things to be successful at blogging? 
It is not about any particular skill but I can see that when we glimpse other aspects of a blogger's interests it gives the reader a window into a full personality and life which is never just about fashion. 


The most successful blogs are the ones that have their own personal voice - how are you developing your voice or how did you find yours?
Thankfully my current blog is not about me discovering myself (been there, done that, Livejournal circa 2002...) and the success of Mycapaciousbottega will be determined by how well I manage to communicate the fun I have with fashion and to inspire that same sense of  fun in my readers.


Toot your own horn... what's one thing you do that is unique to you and your blog? What gives your blog an edge? 
I am not a fashion fascist. I have a completely natural passion for style and fashion and I would be just as happy dressing up for myself on a desert island.  Or a gated estate in Lagos! What I am about is perfectly captured by my Etsy store byline 'Your Closet's Best Friend' - that is the whole MycapaciousBottega vibe and therein lies my edge!  

Thank you for reading my answers! How would/did your answers differ? I welcome questions or comments so please drop me a note. For more on this week's Friend Friday topic, do pop into Modly Chic to see lots more answers from this week's particiants. You never know, you might just discover a favourite new blog!

 

If you liked this post, do subscribe to my feed.

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Non-Cursory

This outfit is more of a N.Y.E precursor but I wanted to share it because it typifies me in a number of ways so I give you my go to wardrobe items for easy stylish day-to-night wear.

• Leggings (I own an unreasonable amount). These also feeds my print craving.
• Tunics. Easy to wear, easy to layer up and  forgiving on the figure. This also feeds my craving for bold colours. BTW it is a deep jewel green, not the blue my camera has made it...
• Stompers. Shoes should be part of your armoury. These make me feel like an urban warrior.
• Accessories (I literally buy in bulk). I always pile on necklaces and bangles. Scarves+turbans keep bad hair days under wraps.

2010 has been a year of sartorial progress in the sense that I have all but taken myself out of the fast fashion machine. I am proud to state that the most important and visible component of my wardrobe is my enthusiastic patronage of small labels and independent designers. I continue to make a small number of considered high street purchases but the majority of my wardrobe pieces are from small/obscure labels I have picked up on my travels or online. Blogging is a great exercise in figuring out the essence of one's wardrobe and I look forward to sharing more of my personal style with you in 2011. Thank you to every single person that has popped in here since I started this blog in June. Your support, comments and feedback have been invaluable!

I have a very special post still to come today. It should be live around 11pm, my very first Friend Friday. For those that shall not revisit the blog until next year (!)  Happy New Year in advance from the bottom of my heart :) I hope you state your intention from the onset because I have a feeling it could be your year. I sure hope it is mine!

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