Buy My Wardrobe Birmingham

Are you looking to sell or update your clothes and accessories?


This is the time of year when I start thinking about my spring/ summer wardrobe.  I have always had a de-clutter twice a year, at the start of spring and autumn, sorting by what still fits, is worn out or that I just don't like any more.  However this year, after my style consultation with Emily Jayne where I defined my personal style (have you defined your personal style?), there are a lot more clothes and accessories that  will be leaving my wardrobe.  But what are our options if we have designer or high end high street clothes that are still in an excellent condition and want to sell? Well it's quite timely that I saw a tweet from  BuyMyWardrobe announcing they were coming to Birmingham (Nuvo, Brindley Place) on Saturday 14th April. I've been aware of BuyMyWardrobe since last year and thought it a fabulous idea.  Up until now all of the events have been held in London, being highly regarded in the fashion industry, so I think it's great that they have chosen Birmingham as their first none London location.  

If you regularly update your wardrobe and have items that you no longer use or wear, to me it makes perfect sense to sell them so you can make space for your new season purchases.  What I love about the concept is that you are the seller, getting your own stall where you can sell your pre-loved designer, boutique, vintage and high end high street clothes and accessories.  

Even if you haven't got anything to sell what a great way to find a designer bargain and have a day out with your girlfriends. For those of us who like the VIP treatment then you can have a champagne preview an hour before the event starts, giving you the opportunity to beat the crowds.  If you feel you need a little extra help in finding the perfect item, one of Birmingham's top stylists Beth Goodrham will be on hand to offer style advice and personal shopping.  

As you know I am partial to afternoon tea and what better way to enyoy a girls day out than combining shopping and afternoon tea. Throughout the day Nuvo will be serving afternoon tea, including freshly-made sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam, and the selection of mini pastries and tartlets.


Tickets are already on sale for the April event at Buy My Wardrobe.

What better way to get the designer wardrobe you have always wanted.......at a price that's right!


Lula Belle x

The details

Interested in being a seller? email BuyMyWardrobe

VIP entry includes goody bag and champagne

Afternoon tea can be booked directly with Nuvo

Style sessions with Beth can be arranged by appointment

Image from BuyMyWardrobe 

Warwick's bid for Portas Pilots

Does Warwick need to change?


From my profile you will know that I am based in the lovely county of Warwickshire and spend a lot of my time in its towns and countryside.  I'm sure you will have read by now the amazing accomplishment of Hatton & Harding who came runners up, last Wednesday, in the Best Small Interiors Shop in the Telegraph Shop Awards 2012 - we are all so very proud of them. The awards were supported by Mary Portas who, through the evening, David and Jerry got the chance to talk to.  Not only did Mary praise them for what they have achieved in the last year and the support that they have within Warwick, but she also encouraged them to put in a bid for Wawick to become a Portas Pilot.  David and Jerry are passionate about making Warwick a destination town and with the encouragement of Mary they have come back with even more of a determination to make it happen.  As with anything in Warwick this hasn't stayed just an idea, within hours of a tweet from David and Jerry there was a blog launched, Warwick's bid for Portas Pilots, for people to be able to comment on what needs to be achieved to improve Warwick, to make it an even better town than what it already is!

The last four days has seen a real buzz around the town with many people offering support, including myself, as well as providing imaginative and innovative ideas.  There is already support from shopkeepers, the local MP, the Mayor and the council, which is fantastic as this is what is required for the bid.  What we need to do now is pull together all these ideas into a plan that demonstrates there is energy, enthusiasm and a vision to make Warwick town the hub of the community.  I can definitely say this will not be a problem for Warwick from what I know and have seen so far.

The key priorities of the Portas Pilots are to:

• Get town centres running like a business
• Get the basics right to allow businesses to flourish
• Level the playing field
• Define landlords' roles and responsibilities
• Give communities a greater say

I'm not alone in thinking that Warwick, whilst a great town already, would benefit from improvements in certain services and invest in new technologies.  What we need to do now is to produce a You Tube video as part of our plan.  So there is much to do in a short amount of time, deadline for submissions is 30 March, but with all the support and enthusiasm the bid has got we know we will achieve this.

If you want to keep up with the development of Warwick's plan keep visiting the blog.

I'm backing Warwick's bid to become a Portas Pilot.......I love Warwick!


Lula Belle x


More information

The Portas Review an independent review into the future of our high streets

Summary of recommendations

Lula Belle Meets: Hatton & Hardng

Are you championing independent businesses?

Through my feature Lula Belle Meets I'm championing independent businesses and finding out what drives people to become self employed.

Lula Belle Meets: Hatton & Harding's owners David and Jerry 

As you'll know from isn't it lovely to be celebrate an independent retail success? and can interiors be elegant as well as functional? I found Hatton & Harding about eight months ago whilst looking for a coffee shop and as they say the rest is history! 

Congratulations to David and Jerry who came runner up in the Best Small Interiors Shop in the Telegraph Shop Awards 2012, supported by Mary Portas, a great achievement for a business that started in October 2010.

Where did the idea for Hatton & Harding come from?
Having sold our home with all its contents we became aware that there was a gap in the market locally for beautiful and individual items, but still at an affordable price. We visited one of the trade fairs and realised how much great product was out there. We've always loved interiors, our friends always said we had flair and with Jerry's strong retail background and our perfect shop becoming available, things slotted into place and fate took its course.

How did you develop your idea?

We did an extensive and detailed business plan covering everything.  We researched suitable locations and spent hours, literally, trailing the streets, chatting to people, discussing our ideas and gaining feedback. I approached mums in Costa and couples in the Rose & Crown, Warwick. We had to be confident that in the current climate we had removed as much risk as possible.

Was it easy to set up the business?

Not at all, we were not sure whether we would need additional finance to set up the business, we soon found out that it was practically impossible, particularly and strangely as the banks view interiors businesses currently as ‘high risk’. There were also various structural issues with the property that caused delays. Other than that, because we had done so much ground work before hand, we just followed our plan.

What are the philosophies of Hatton & Harding?

For us it's all about creating an experience that stimulates the senses – it may sound corny, but it's true - it's something you can't get from internet shopping. It's everything from the smile that greets you, the gorgeous smell, laid back music, stunning products - creating not only a place to shop but a place that you want to return to again and again. We get to know our clients personally and build great relationships which means that we can offer a service that is second to none.

What is the USP of Hatton & Harding?

Hatton & Harding!!!  We take passionate to another level!! We adore our store and only buy things that we love. We genuinely want people to leave with a smile and feeling uplifted, whether they've made a purchase or not is irrelevant, we want them to have enjoyed their experience. We engage with everyone, certainly as much as they want us to, and offer a truly personal service.

Has it been difficult to compete against the established chains?

It's a challenge for everyone at the moment and it's certainly a challenge when you open the doors on day one, praying someone will walk in. I think it's a challenge if you try and compete, I think the key is to develop your difference, your USP.  It's harder for staff in the big chains to be able to offer the level of personal service that we can. So we promote our strengths! 

What is your strategy for telling people about Hatton & Harding?

It's been important for us to grow organically and for us to be able to manage our business and footfall at any given time. We have purposefully not advertised but have used social media including Facebook and Twitter. We've also tried to go to local networking events and we hold our own in store events. The best marketing though has been word of mouth, the support and loyalty of our local clients has been phenomenal.

What have been the highlights so far? 
So, so many....feedback and support from people....making some really strong, new friends....completing our first year...and most recently making it to the finals of the Telegraphs Best Small Shops in Britain Awards...I'm sure of missed of lots...the whole period has been one huge high!!! 

What does the future hold for Hatton & Harding?

I think it's exciting, from what started off as an idea to open a small interiors shop is already now opening so many other doors which we hadn't even thought, which is incredible at this stage. We now have people approaching us, established businesses, wanting to work with us or be associated with us. We'll certainly be looking to grow our product range and services, whilst still retaining our core values of exceptional customer service.

What would you say to someone who has a business idea and wants to become an independent retailer?

Make sure that you are certain there is a definite gap in the market for what you want to do and talk to as many people in that area and see if they feel that your product or service is needed or desirable and would they buy it, and where they currently buy it. Spend as much time as possible on a detailed business plan, ours took three months to collate all the information, but was well worth it! We genuinely believe that now is a great time to take the plunge as if you can make it succeed now, then it really is down to hard working.

Thank you to David and Jerry for providing such an inspiring insights.  For me Hatton & Harding is a success because they have stayed true to their brand.  They are dedicated to making Hatton & Harding a success and with these philosophies then I have no doubt the sky is the limit!

I'm championing independents......I hope you do too!

Lula Belle x

Snowdrops

Are these the first signs of Spring?

Yesterday I took a trip, with my parents, through the Warwickshire countryside hoping to seek out the first signs of Spring.  Driving through the country lanes with bright blue skies above you'd be forgiven for thinking we were already in Spring.  Our destination was Baddesley Clinton a National Trust house in the heart of Warwickshire.  There is a long drive up to the house but this affords picture postcard views of the Warwickshire countryside. Once through the entrance we headed towards the lake and gardens.  It was here that we found the most gorgeous display of snowdrops.

With such a magnificent backdrop the snowdrops seemed to be posing for the camera.  As the sunlight caught them they twinkled showing off in all their glory.

On a nearby tree we saw a robin who was in full song.

The daffodils looked as though it won't be long till they bloom and dance in the Spring sun.

Carrying on round the lake there were some glorious reflections and colours.  I really couldn't imagine a better day to see the first signs of Spring.

 

Whilst it was a lovely sunny day it was still slightly chilly so we headed to the cafe to warm up before we toured the house - which I will leave for another post.


The first signs of Spring......oh what joy!


Lula Belle x

TOWIB Spring Social

Can you combine having fun and learning?

So you will know by now, from Isn't the English countryside magical in the snow? and Have we lost the art of conversation?, that last Saturday I took a trip down to London.  I was heading to the TOWIB (The Only Way Is Blogging) Spring social organised by Hayley from London Beauty Queen.  I'd seen several tweets about blogging events both locally in Birmingham and in London, but this event seemed like an interesting one and as the agenda started to develop I was pleased that I chose it.  I decided to take an early train so that I could spend a little bit of time in London before the event started. A stroll, in the sun, down Old Bond Street saw me popping into Mulberry, Coach, Longchamp and of course the Burlington Arcade, where I had to buy some Ladurée  macarons (Have you tried Ladurée macarons?).  I then headed off to The Montague hotel which is sandwiched between stunning town houses in Bloomsbury.

The art of conversation

Have we lost the art of conversation?


Whilst on the train travelling to London on Saturday not only did I notice how magical the scenery was (Isn't the English countryside magical in the snow?) I also noticed how many people in my carriage were using tech devices. The majority were either on their phones, laptops, tablets or electronic readers and it wasn't just the younger generation, this cut across the age ranges.  There were a number of couples on the train and at any one time either both or one of them were on their phones.  We weren't in the quiet carriage but yet there was no conversation everyone was giving their technology of choice more attention than the person/ people they were with.

English countryside in the snow

Isn't the English countryside magical in the snow?


Whilst travelling through the countryside yesterday en route to London there were some gorgeous views.  With the blue sky, bright morning sun and the snow on the ground it was truly magical.  The blanket of snow covering the rambling hills, the tree branches glistening in the sun light ans sheep keeping warm under their thick coats - it really was a picture postcard.  There were cars racing through the country lanes which reminded me of a scene in Bridget Jones's Diary.  I love this view of the countryside as much as I do warm summer days, with blue skies and lush green rambling hills.

Unfortunately I wasn't sitting in a window seat so trying to get any good photos would have been impossible, but I have found these images on Pinterest which are truly magical.

Image Source

Image Source

We have had snow in Warwickshire over the last few weeks.  The first fall of the winter looked so magical as it softly started to cover the rooftops, trees and ground.  As night descends it always looks so peaceful as the snow envelopes everything around.  It's also so very quiet as the snow camouflages any sound. I was so very tempted to go out and take some photographs, but having been inside all day I was far too warm to venture out.  By the morning everything had started to melt and I had missed my opportunity.  Snow doesn't look so magical as it starts to melt.  At the end of last week all we got was a dusting which came overnight and again a missed opportunity.  I do hope we get at least one more covering of snow so that I can take some photographs and for a chance to wear my new Timberland snow boots.



Picture postcard winter scenes.....I love them!


Lula Belle x

Longchamp Le Pliage

The perfect everyday bag?


There came a point about three years ago when everywhere I looked, from career women to students, they were carrying a Longchamp Le Pliage. This iconic bag, with its leather straps/ front flap and lightweight nylon material, is such a versatile addition to any handbag collection.  The Longchamp Le Pliage is available in a rainbow of colours and sizes to suit any occasion.  The larger sizes are perfect for the growing trend of having a shopper bag, plus there are dedicated travel bags too.  Which ever size you choose having the option to fold and clip for easy storage makes them rather unique.

I brought my first Le Pliage two years ago in Birmingham Airport on the way to a week in the sun.  After much deliberation I opted for a small grey handbag.  I used it whilst on holiday and many times since.  It is perfect if I don't have much to carry or if I need my camera bag too, I'll put them both in my large DKNY canvas shopper.  My next purchase of a Le Pliage, from the Longchamp store in Old Bond street, was a small black shopper which is the perfect size for an everyday handbag.  I like the contrasting brown leather as it works well if I am wearing gold accessories.  The latest Le Pliage I brought, from Selfrdiges, was a medium mustard handbag. I brought it specifically for my holiday last year as it is large enough to carry all your essentials whilst travelling.  I used it all summer too as it is such a great colour and size.  My Le Pliage have ranged in price from £48 to £62 which I think is reasonable for such a versatile bag.

Jeremy Scott has designed two summer Le Pliage totes which look like seaside postcards.  You can choose from 'Greetings from Paradise - the land of sunshine' and 'Wish you were here'.  My favourite is the 'Wish you were here'. They are a fun addition to the Le Pliage range and retail at £190.

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You'd have thought I'd got enough of these bags now, however I think my handbag collection would benefit from a large brown shopper.


Can a lady have too many handbags.......never!

Lula Belle x

Ladurée

Have you tried Ladurée macarons?

I first got introduced to Ladurée macarons by SBA and LBA.  A few years ago on one of our many trips to London we visited the Ladurée store at the entrance to the Burlington Arcade.   Not only was this the first time I had been to Ladurée but also to the Burlington Arcade.  Since then it is a regular pit stop when I am in London.

I can't say that I had really tried macarons previous to this, however once I had tried Ladurée macarons nothing was going to compare.  The first time I tried one I brought just one but it was a large one, so could have been cut into four, but it wasn't!  They literally melt in the mouth and are packed full of flavour.  I now usually buy a box of eight regular size in my favourite flavours of salted caramel, vanilla and pistachio.

Last year when I heard that Ladurée where opening a new store in Covent Garden, which would include a cafe, I put it on my list of places to try. But before I could get there a few people I knew visited and the photographs of the cakes and pastries looked amazing.  You'll know from Do you have a savour or sweet tooth? I definitely have a sweet tooth, so I can appreciate images of gorgeous cakes.  The website describes it as ' a stylish elegant Parisian refuge' and I can't help thinking about the episode of Sex and the City where Carrie was in Paris eating cakes and pastries to her hearts content.  I've been twice to the Covent Garden cafe, but only in passing so, I need to make a point of making time for coffee and pastries next time I am in London.

Whilst looking for links to this post I came across the new store openings and was absolutely delighted to see that a store recently opened on Madison Avenue  in New York.  They are also planning another New York store located in lower Manhattan in April.  I think this will also have to go on my list of places to visit.

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If you haven't got the idea by now I adore Ladurée macarons, but am still happy to give others a try.  I was pleasantly surprised at how nice the one I had for dessert at The Ivy Restaurant was (Can our expectations sometimes be too high?).

Ladurée was founded in 1862 so this year they are celebrating 150 years in business and to mark the occasion every month they will be creating a new pastry.

It's not just their macarons and pastries that they are famous for, they also have a beauty, candle and home fragrance collections, as well as baby and gift collections.   You can find information on all of these on their website, which is the most delightful website and opens to a cafe scene with all the sound effects.


Indulging in Parisian pastries....Oh la la!

Lula Belle x