High Street Challenge - Day 2

 Super busy but for once it is all GOOD :) I know this is NOT my Twitter stream but I just have to share this quote with you all....

                 "Follow the dreams that define who you are" - Ralph Marston

Primark Top & Bed-Jacket / Uniqlo Pants / Cherry DMs

Share |

Blue Chambray

Writing this makes me feel giddy but I refuse to talk all over this post. Instead I give you a couple of images from the Saturday that was. We stopped by the Barbican to see Peter Brook's 'A Magic Flute', an endearing opera that was efficient in its delivery. I liked hubby's images of my outfit so much I suggested we turn them into My Capacious Bottega's very first style book. Yes, sit back and enjoy my first style book. Click here  or the magazine front-page below.

                                                                          Blue Chambray MCB Style Book 

                                           

I love reading your comments so do continue letting me know what you think. And yes, per your requests, I am working on a style remix of 3 very different but equally exquisite looks based around the Raphael Young that landed last week which I think you will all adore!

Share |

Point + Shoot

Supre Maxi Skirt / Uniqlo Heatech Top / Jeffrey Campbell Lita / Vintage Jewellery / Audrey Cantwell Turban

I get lots of comments regarding my pictures so I thought I would use this post to speak a bit about what we use to bring about the images you see. The concept, styling and make-up is undertaken by myself but there would be no lovely pictures to bring the vision to life if it was not for an amazing photographer, who I am also lucky enough to call husband. He is a tad anti-social as opposed to shy where social media is concerned but more of his work can be found on Flickr.

Hubby's home studio kit currently consists of -:

• Canon 5D 
• 50mm EF 1.2L
• 2 x Interfit 200s through white umbrella, camera left and right. 1 interfit 200 top left on the backdrop
• Photoshop

However, I am undecided over a camera for my own every-day use. I currently use my trusty Canon Ixus 870 point and shoot for daily use but want to share more great pics with my blog friends without having to rely on the old man / photographer. We use Hubby's Canon 5D for shooting style content for the blog. He reminds me often that 'his' camera is indeed 'ours' but I would not feel comfortable handling it for my own pedestrian use (I am a walking accident most of the time) and as such I am considering either a Canon 500D or 550D to replace my point & shoot.

If there is anything else you would like to know about the visual side of things on the blog I am sure I can convince my hubby to do a guest post! In the meantime, I am pretty sure I am going for the 550D but have you got a preference? What do you currently use and are you also considering changing to DSLR?

p.s I asked for advice and the valued ones spoke! Thank you for helping me make up my mind and expect to see the new  acquisition during the week.

Share |

Banished...

...my clothes that is! Nope, I have not signed up to any challenge but with our imminent temporary move from a 4 bedroom house (with two walk in wardrobes) to a 2 bedroom compact house, my husband insists that I put 2/3 of my clothing in storage. You can just imagine the shock my tweets reflected immediately after this but I am glad to say that phase has passed and now that I can think straight (seriously my reaction was that of an erratic woman) I can see that it must be done. This does not mean that it makes the pill easier to swallow but I now have to get practical. What to retain and what to store. How can he not understand my need to have ALL my shoes around me at ALL times! My positive spin on this is that I am going to embrace it as a de-cluttering challenge but still where to start...

Please leave nice words and help me get my head around this! Have you ever had to make such a sacrifice compromise?

Storets leopard print harems, Uniqlo jumper, Jeffrey Campbell boots

Share |

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.

Share |

Sundried Upstream

Anything would feel relaxed in comparison to the last term at school but I am sure that I shan't have to eat my words later on when I say that this is as chilled as drama school has been for like forever. We are 4 full days into rehearsal and the play is already looking fab. We are now back in our uniform of blacks which could be a huge hindrance to someone running a style blog...I managed to take these pedestrain shots before the dress code changed. I like the fact I look like a 'proper' student albeit one with a Francesco Biasia school bag!

(Big massive allo to my new followers. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I am now also on Facebook so do 'like' the page...)

Uniqlo jeans, Babooshka turban, Carla Jones jumper, Firetrap boots & Francesco Biasia bag.

Share |

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.

Share |

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.

Share |

Uniformity

I have unconsciously adopted a winter uniform. It seems having to wear a uniform of black at drama school has not in any way put me off the colour. Instead away from school, I marry it with grey as my go-to colour combo of choice. On paper it sounds dreary but it just works and when the Nigerian in me craves more excitement in the form of colour or a lil' bit more 'Grrr', I play around with my footwear or laden on the jewellery.

I want to know, what is your current winter uniform and do you find you wear less colour in winter?

In an undecided state I tried on my Black, Grey & Tan Jessica Simpson Dany's before settling on a pair to wear out. I teamed the shoes with my Uniqlo combat thermals (love, love, love), Babooshka adjustable skirt, Bershka chain detail top & a Babooshka studded turband.

Share |

Is it, is it, is it really real?

He wore blue velvet.

He bought me diamond ear-rings.

One of these 'fact' is actually a lie. I am sure you can guess which one! I have the most amazing hubby and I have been so well treated for my birthday that quite frankly I am overwhelmed from it all and might suffer another bout of exhaustion should the gifting continue!

No, not showcasing my new bling just yet but for a spot of jewellery shopping down Hatton Garden I wore my newly proclaimed super warrior jacket. Yes, this is one of my Jean Pierre Braganza purchases from my Monday spree. It is a runway piece from the A/W 2010 collection. It is super-duper warm (must be all that fuzzy Mongolian woolly fur). And it manages to feel so uber luxurious/opulent whilst also retaining a youthful edge about it. I am in love with this jacket. Seriously!

I borrowed hubby's Uniqlo cashmere jumper, my Gripp jeans are from Amelie Boutique & yes, those are Jessica Simspon's 'Dany' in black you see me sporting there. BTW I bought them in 3 different colours because I am a fiend & clearly need help!

Share |

Things I Know...

I have an eye infection. Blepharitis to be precise. Not sexy nor cool but it is what it is. Not only am I on antibiotics for a duration of 6weeks (It is THAT serious) but it also means my daily obsession with eyeliner has been thrown off kilter. It is the only make-up that I use daily; religiously & without fail. When I don't (use it) I look ill but If I were to use it whilst infected, I will remain ill for longer as it will most likely prolong the infection!

So, I am currently stuck between a rock & a hard place because I am damned if I do, damned if I don't.

Case in point, I might be rocking my uber fierce Stella McCartney boots coupled with my ever trusty Uniqlo pants & Schwing Schwing top but still how ill do I look in these pics!

Share |

You Spin Me Right Round

Would you believe it! Having got myself in a tizz over having a blog that no-one, seemingly, peruses beside my old man, I find myself attracting attention in not just one but two cool platforms in a matter of days. The lovely folks at Weardrobe found my 70s' Sensibility fit to be featured on their front page and come today, I open the ever regular Black Milk mailout to find lil' old me being described as super stylish. Both these coupled with an obscene amount of hot yoga are going a long way in keeping the smile on my face!

Have I mentioned that I am an 80s baby? Well, if you didn't know before, this silk beaded top I scored on Etsy totally gives the game away wouldn't you say! The trousers are from Uniqlo and yes, those are the very same magical Walter Steigers I introduced last week.

Share |

Slackness is a state of mind...

Why have I not been in here for days I ask myself and to be honest, I don't know!

I like having this blog as a little project/hobby for myself but how to make it make enough sense for me to commit as much time as I ought to is something I am still a long way from figuring.

I have mummy stuff to keep me busy, wifely duties to attend to and of course there is drama school, which I return to in just over a week. So yeah, lots of stuff vying for my time but one can always make time for fashion, right?

For drinkies in South Ken with the gorgeous Alex, I wore a sweet little purple dress from Uniqlo, Office shoes snapped up mega cheap in the sales earlier in the year and lots of silver accessories acquired on holiday and my amethyst Gucci studs. My inflammed ring finger is better so my wedding & engagement bands are back in place where they belong :)

Share |

Feline Fantasy

I knew a guy called Marco once. He was a cobbler, one of those old school types. He had a shop in the random-est part of south London and I used to pop in to get my shoes re-heeled, as you do. We got chatting one day and it transpired that he made shoes to order. Yes, as in couture. I was sold, instantly. I placed an order for not one but 4 pairs. All I then had to do was take in a pair of well fitting shoes of mine (+ save up a serious amount of wedge/dough/readies) for him to make a last of, which he then used to construct my shoes.

One of the pairs he made me was the leopard skin beauty that you see below. I have had this for years but have actually never got round to wearing them. Yes, I have put them on my feet and paraded around my house on numerous occasions. I have shown them off to friends and family alike but still I have never stepped foot outside in them. Until now that is. They deserve to be worn, not just admired and I intend to do something about it!

Top: TSR
Shorts: Uniqlo
Shoes: Marco (made to measure)

Share |

Buff / Tan / Nude

Thursday 's outfit. Off to see a play or two with my hubby.

Camilla Skovgaard shoes
Mulberry bag
COS boyfriend jeans
Uniqlo cami-top
Topshop cardie

Share |