Holidays In The Sun - Luggage Which Lasts From TUMI

With the summer season running up fast to meet us, all thoughts are turned to dreams of holidays and summer fun. So whether you're off on a two week pool side adventure or running home for a weekend of downtime with friends or family, there's one thing we all need to help us with that journey - some sturdy, reliable,  luggage. And TUMI at Betty Hemmings are here to solve all of your luggage needs!

Bags Of Style from House Of Fraser

More often than not, the perfect handbag can be the illusive holy grail of fashion. We want something which compliments our outfits, yet can also be filled to bursting with all of our daily essentials. From sunscreen to house keys to tablets, we often have different bags for different occasions - but just like shoes, a girl can never have too many handbags, right?

Sweetheart or Heartbreaker? A Valentines Wishlist from Vivien of Holloway

For anyone casting even a cursory glance at my blog, it's pretty clear that my wardrobe mostly revolves around vintage and vintage repro. I've always adored the shapes and prints, and dresses adapted from those 40s and 50s patterns have always been a hit with my hip heavy shape. For repro aficionados, Vivien of Holloway is a name which springs up time and time again.  Whether looking for a party dress or even a wedding gown, their range of styles and accessories will have you kitted out from top to toe.

With Valentines Day on the horizon, I felt it appropriate to put together a wish list of style ideas for the modern girl with vintage tastes. I'll never forget the first time I stumbled across them - the bus I was on whizzed past their Holloway shop front, and I practically gave myself whiplash by turning my heart eyed head so quickly!

Left photo (c) Tony Nylons / Vivien of Holloway. Right photo from previous blog post here.

Their dresses are probably what Vivien of Holloway are known best for, with their legendary halternecks designed to support even those with a larger bust. I've always been a big fan of their day dresses with the Runaround Sue designs being my favourite shape for day to day fun.

(c) Vivien of Holloway.

The petticoats are another incredible discovery, with multiple friends admitting to me that they tend to purchase circle dresses and skirts based around the colours hanging in their wardrobe! Priced at £59 they are certainly an investment piece, but as anyone who frequently wears petticoats already knows, you cannot beat one which is well made. The multiple layers and non-scratch fabric are reason enough, but they will transform both your dress and your mood in just one spin. Made from chiffon with an elasticated waistband and available in twelve colours, it doesn't matter how carefully you pick your shade so as to buy just one. I guarantee you always go back for more!

(c) Vivien of Holloway.

I couldn't write this post without giving their accessories a mention, with this Sweetheart Red Wicker Handbag making my heart all a flutter. Their website and shop sell all manner of items from vintage brooches to "Fakelite" jewellery and they also have a huge selection of hair flowers to finish off your outfit to perfection.

If you are based in London, it's worth popping into their store as the sales staff are always happy to measure you up and find your dream dress!

Until next time,

Diana xx

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www.fashionlovesphotos.com

(All photos (c) Diana Thompson / Fashion Loves Photos unless otherwise stated. Please do not reproduce without written permission.)

Click Flash - Cara Camera Across Body Bag from Accessorize

So imagine you're a handbag loving photographer, and you stumble across the most incredible camera shaped design ever made. That's what happened to me recently when I walked past the window of Camden's Accessorize. I quite literally stopped in my tracks, gasped and handed over my credit card without question. Never had I needed to purchase something so badly in my entire life!

Whilst I'm a lover of frivolity, I try to avoid spending money on silly things for the most part but this bag was too adorable to pass up. Called the Cara Camera Bag, the cross body design is comfy and easy to wear. It's small enough to be the perfect size for crowded places, but big enough for your phone, purse and your key make-up essentials.

Whilst being utterly ridiculous, I cannot look at it without smiling. The soft colour palette make it a neutral choice for most outfits, and it opens and closes easily with a simply popper.

Have I mentioned how much I love this bag? Expect to see it glued to my side all Summer long!

Until next time,

Diana xx

Follow me on Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, Bloglovin and Facebook.
www.fashionlovesphotos.com

(All photos (c) Diana Thompson / Fashion Loves Photos unless otherwise stated. Please do not reproduce without written permission.)

Handbags & Glad Rags - Bags and Scarves from El Dragonfly, Barcelona

A girl can never have too many handbags, so I was over the moon when Barcelona based company El Dragonfly were kind enough to send me one of their beautiful samples. Established in 2013 with a designer boutique in the heart of the city, they specialise in pretty bags made from quality materials with much of what they sell made by their own  team of designers.

I chose their beautiful Señora Toledo Bolso in a pretty salmon pink colour. I loved that the style was rooted in vintage sensibilities, and wouldn't look out of place amongst my collection of vintage handbags and camera cases. Made from leather and designed with a traditional knitting pattern in mind, the versatile style can be worn with one strap pulled taught, or two shorter chains to wear on the arm. The colour is lovely as we step into the warmer months, and is the perfect arm candy for sunshine filled fun.

(Dimensions: Height - 6.7". Length: 10.6". Width: 2.17".)

In addition to the bag, I also found a pretty scarf to go with it. Whilst the one I received isn't currently on the website, it has made me excited to see what else they will be offering soon.

At 5'6" the scarf was both taller and wider than me, and is so versatile. Whether you want to wear it as a wrap, headscarf or neckerchief, a few simple folds ensured a speedy outfit update!

If you want to find out more about El Dragonfly, you can visit their website here.

Until next time,

Diana xx

Follow me on Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, Bloglovin and Facebook.
www.fashionlovesphotos.com

(All photos (c) Diana Thompson / Fashion Loves Photos unless otherwise stated. Please do not reproduce without written permission.)