We Heart Nette' Leather Goods

We first encountered Nette' Leather Goods when the East Wing Collective popped up in Shoreditch's BOXPARK and it was love at first sight - exquisitely made from buttery soft leather, designer maker Johnette Taylor's bags and wallets are stylish, carefully considered and appeal to our love of all things traditional. We can't help think that Johnette's bags would make some wonderful holiday gifts for that stylish chap or lady in your life -- her timeless designs lend themselves any person's style aesthetic.

Nette' Leather Goods is currently in the running for the Stylist Makers Collection competition and we're hoping that if our dear readers enjoy her designs as much as we do, you'd take a second and vote for the talented (and bloody lovely to boot!) designer, Johnette Taylor.

Vote here for Nette' to win oodles of money so she can continue to build her awesome brand! Her voting box (at the time of writing this) is 15 boxes down and 2 over. Her voting box may change as the contest continues, so look out for the image on the right to find her brand and vote for her.

Dreamy Reality

Clockwise: Gold Clutch - New Look, Orbit Sunglasses - Karen Walker, 

Sand clutch - See by Chloé, Round Sunglasses - ASOS.

Sometimes what you dream of can be a little out of reach and when it comes to affairs of the heart we would never (could never) condone settling for a substitute, but with accessories, maybe it's okay (we also think that in lieu of a unicorn, it is perfectly acceptable to tie a cardboard horn to the head of a white horse, but that's another matter entirely). 

The Queen of Style

Clockwise from the bottom: Yellow handbag - Launer,
Unicorn pendent - At Work Gallery, Lace crown - Regal Rose, 

Etro purple paisley scarf - Liberty, Lion pendent - At Work Gallery, Check kilt - Topshop

"Was that?!" "No way?!" "Really, I think it was" "You're right it was!" "OH MY GOD!" Thus went our conversation following a rare sighting of The Queen, which is pretty much the same thing as seeing the last unicorn. And so, while the rest of the world might be getting all hot and bothered about the prospect of a brand new member of the Royal Family, we will remain as faithful as ever to the Queen of Style. Blessed with unrelenting grace, quiet dignity and killer bling, Queen Elizabeth II is a truly inspiring figure in what is frequently a vomit-inducingly vulgar world. We can't promise that wearing the above will give you the Queen's grace but it isn't a bad place to start.

Around The World in 80 Days (or 3 outfits)

Don't get us wrong, we love overpriced souvenirs as much as anyone, it's just that working them into your wardrobe when back home can be tricky. Nobody wants to look as though their gap year threw up all over them and those tie-on Thai trousers don't seem to quite evoke the same feelings of carefree abandon, as they thirstily absorb rainwater (and goodness knows what else) becoming sodden while the wearer trudges through the grimy streets of London.

Having graced almost every continent with her presence and bearing more than a passing resemblance to that oft neglected Disney princess, Esmeralda, this traveler extraordinaire is the perfect person to give us a lesson in how to incorporate holiday purchases into our everyday wardrobes; by teaming the contents of her luggage allowance with high street must haves and vintage pieces, Lia always looks unique and stylish in her eclectic, envy inducing ensembles! 

This beautiful kaftan was picked up in India and the box clutch is by Timmy Woods

Bracelets and Rings of gold - Oh my! 

Left hand:
The chunky gold bracelet belonged to Lia's Grandmom, the vintage gold ring was from her PopPop and the delicate knuckle ring is an Etsy find. 

Right Hand:

The Aztec midi-ring is courtesy of Urban Outfitters and the rose gold bracelets are by Shashi and are available on Shopbop.

We went to every H&M in Stockholm and Lia bought this beautiful dress.

Back in the USA with these Forever 21 earrings. 

Elipants are from India, the velvet bralette is from GAP, the chucky gold necklace is from Accessorize and the dreamy green shoes are by Zara.

Silver sunflower bracelet also belonged to her Grandmom, the felt clutch bag found its way home from Mongolia and the blue ceramic ring is from Penn State.

PhiLIAs Fogg wishes he had her style.

Let's Go to the Mall! Today.

When I left dear ol' America, I was worried that I might not have all the creature comforts of home: barbecue ribs, the Macadamia Oil Deep Repair Masque, The Real Housewives of Atlanta (thank you, internet), and mega-giga-tetra-size malls. I had heard mention of Westfield in Stratford from some of my favorite English beauty bloggers (Sam from Beauty Crush and Shirley from Meek and Mild) and when Miriam confirmed the location and breadth of the consumerist haven, the boy and I giddied up and ventured to it! The weather was suitably bipolar -- perfect for a day at the mall.

(Coat - Tokyo store,  Spiked Sweater - Forever 21, Black Skinnies - Topshop, Suede Ankle Boots -  Sam Edelman)

(Spiked sweater - Forever 21, Cross earring - Asos)

And we arrived! We ate Turkish food and Japanese food and browsed through pretty much every retail store I love. There were quite few sales and most stores had purchase lines with a 15 minute or more wait, which deterred a couple of purchases. The best sale by far was at Zara, where I found love at first sight with some spiked loafers. I think my eyes genuinely sparkled when I saw them.

We unknowningly stayed at the mall pretty much all day -- the time warp of windowless buildings is disturbing. Our ride home was a little bit eery. 

And here we have the spoils of war! Not a huge haul, but I was feeling particularly particular that day. I can't wait to rock those frilly socks with some ankle boots. The night sky top is flowy and cropped; it will be great for summer. I was shocked that it was only 5 pounds in the sale! 

(Night sky print top - Bershka, Crystal Ring - Topshop)

(Frilly socks - Topshop, Plaid spike shoes - Zara)

Heathers

During a wholesome weekend away in the Borders, beauty was found not only in nature but in fashion too...

Fabulous friends Katie and Lizzie always look amazing.

Lizzie's Clutch is by ASOS and her envy inciting jewellery is by Gavin Shelley (silver charm bangle) and 

Fi Fie Fo Fum (pink topaz ring)

 Contrast Sleeve Textured top is by Dahlia.

Katie's Floral Tee is from H&M and the Silver Necklace is an excellent Accessorize find.

Silver Toe-capped Ankle Boots are Kurt Geiger. Love!

For Lovers

Gentlemen, STOP! Before you part with your hard-earned cash (well, earned cash) for a rank teddy-bear holding a misshapen heart emblazoned with the sort of sentimental nonsense sure to make your beloved retch, please see below. We have waded through the mountains of tat sure to grace a landfill with its presence to bring you this, a selection of the least repulsive Valentine's gifts. You're welcome.

Clockwise from top: Personalised Lollipop (£1.45 each - Notonthehighstreet.com), Lovebirds Blusher (£18 - ASOS), Love heart Ring (£13.50 - Meandzena.com), The Bronte Sisters' Three Novels (£16 - All good bookshops!), Annina Vogel Mizpah Victorian Brooch Conversion Necklace (£450 - Liberty), Mix Tape (A little bit of time), Tudor Underwear (£25 - Notthehighstreet.com), Charm Broach (£750 - atworkgallery.co.uk), Heart-glitter Nail Varnish (£1.78 Forever 21), Claddagh Earrings (£39 - Tatty Divine), I Love Everything Scarf (£135 - Silken Favours at Liberty)

The Emerald City

(Gabby Sequin Dress - Motel Rocks, Lace Bra & Knickers - Topshop, 

Dancing Queen Mirrorball Lacquer - Model's Own, Lace Crop Tee - Topshop, 

Envelope Clutch - American Apparel, Sweater - Acne,

 Bonnie Crop Top - Motel Rocks, Midi-Dress - Asos)

Ring the knell, gather round children and get ready for some visual stimulation -- Pantone has announced that the color of the year for 2013 is 'Emerald'! I know we are used to this shade being reserved for St. Patty's Day, but free your mind and the rest will follow. Emerald is also about elegance with an energetic and playful undertone. Because of these dimensions, you can really alter the color to suit your OOTD. To be elegant with emerald, pair it with blacks of all different textures (tweed, leather, suede). Beautiful costume jewelry goes very well with this look. To be playful with emerald, colorblock it with fuchsia, cobalt, or tangerine. And for an energetic emerald, pair it with heather greys and sport-casual items. Above are some of Remotely Fashion's top picks for emerald fashion items!

Pep in Your Step!

The holidays are behind us and for us this always means a bit of post-reinforcement pause -- we lose some interest in shopping and spending because: A.) We are skint/broke. B.) The shops are filled with those awkward in-between seasons clothing items that are tempting but not immediately wearable. I see you, interesting cut-out spring dress, but I can't have you... not yet. 

I'm usually more likely to be buying a replacement set of gloves that have fallen to the wayside at this time of year. But, this where the internet comes in! I can virtually stalk purchases for S/S or browse through F/W sales while remaining cozy and warm at home. The fashion endorphins are still released. 

Recently, Anya Sarre, one of Hollywood’s most influential trendsetters, introduced us to an up and coming online fashion store, ShoeDazzle. A nationally recognized celebrity stylist, Sarre is known for her impeccable eye and ability to tie any look together with the perfect accessory. Named “Best Television Fashion Stylist” for her appearances on Entertainment Tonight, The Insider and countless other media outlets, Sarre is the go-to fashion expert for Hollywood’s biggest celebrities. Of course we had to check out her recommendation! 

ShoeDazzle tailors a "showroom" to your specific fashion tastes monthly. Rachel Zoe is also now associated stylist for ShoeDazzle which makes the personalized stylist selections all the more exciting. The prices are in a reasonable price range (especially for post-holiday budgets). Here are Remotely Fashion's most desired picks:

(From right to left)
Bags: Bacavi, Aventura, Avra

Shoes: Dana, Diane, Sada

Accessories:Tough Trio, Fly Above, Ring On It

Anya Sarre also shared great tips to prevent that post new year's fashion-slump and to reinvigorate our closets:

"Make the most of online fashion retailers as you look for ideas. Check out the fun trends in basic shirts at StyleMint. Look for shoe inspiration at ShoeDazzle. Don't miss the latest accessory options at Birchbox and Stella & Dot. As you explore, you'll get a sense of where the trends are headed this year. You'll be able to evaluate colors and materials. You can create a list of wants to watch as the year progresses. Pay attention to the models used on these sites as this will provide creative ideas for mixing and matching components of your existing wardrobe." 

"Take your DIY fashion instincts to the Net by perusing sites like Pinterest. Whether you need ideas for great jewelry making projects or whether you need specific instructions for creating a knit scarf, Pinterest is likely to have what you want in abundance. You'll find unique color palettes and unusual materials to consider for use in your creation of accessories and separates. You can organize your plans and preferences easily with boards of your own, perfect for better managing your projects and ideas."

We thank Anya and ShoeDazzle for inspiring us and allowing us to remain sloth-like at home for a little longer while we plot our fashion choices for the new year!

Prisma Dope! A Look for Less

Happy new year everyone! I hope everyone had a lovely NYE and Miriam and I are looking forward to sharing more of our fashion loves with you lovely readers in 2013. Let's start it off with some bags!

Lately, my favorite handbag designers are Alexander Wang and Proenza Schouler. I've been doting dutifully to my PS 1 Medium bag on this blog, but there are just so many lovely styles out there -- a girl's eye can't help but wander! I'm always searching for "the look for less" styles and I recently picked up this great Alexander Wang Prisma Tote inspired handbag from Forever 21.

I have also been noticing a lot of Rebecca Minkoff inspired crossbody bags appearing on the shelves of Forever 21 stores. These bags are great for a night out and I adore the contrast between the edgy studs and delicate, classic straps.

From top left to bottom right: 

F21 Studded Quilted Crossbody Bag | Rebecca Minkoff Affair Bag 

F21 Studded Crossbody | Rebecca Minkoff Skylar Bag 

F21 Quilted Spiked Crossbody | Rebecca Minkoff Diamond Quilt & Stud Flirty Bag

What do you dear readers think about designer-inspired bags? Do you divert your fashion funds to one major designer bag of the moment or multiple less expensive versions?

Ode to a Nightingale...called Norman

Bird-cage ring by Buddug. 

This is Norman, perhaps the greatest piece of jewellery to have ever been created. He was adopted (not bought - that's far too vulgar) from a lovely little boutique in Newcastle (now online at http://www.skirtboutique.co.uk) around 4 years ago. In his short life he has journeyed in and around Eurasia and then back again to England, all the while serving as a reminder of the importance of freedom. Perhaps he looks a little careworn now, his beautiful plume less lustrous, yet he still receives admiring (?) glances wherever he goes and is a firm favourite among friends!

She who wears the crown Pt.1

I am currently in the process of wedding planning (yay!) and I am pleased to say that I found "the dress." Finding it made me so happy, and so did the prospects of picking out accessories! Shoes, garters, veils, hair accessories -- I am so excited. I have been a big fan of the floral crown trend for awhile but I haven't found many chances to rock it in my everyday life. Thank goodness for wedding days and Renaissance festivals. This floral crown Abby Lee is wearing seems so perfectly bridal and trendy at the same time with the pastel hues. The search continues for my perfect one. 

Brighton Rocks

Remotely fashion went on a day trip to Brighton and took the opportunity to wear this new, really rather heavy, H&M necklace (£25) Because children, bling isn’t just for Christmas.