<![CDATA[- Hayley Angell -

<![CDATA[- Hayley Angell - - Blog]]>Thu, 23 Apr 2026 10:55:47 +1000Weebly<![CDATA[Vintage sheets and a free printable dress pattern - Happy Easter!]]>Sun, 01 Apr 2018 03:07:47 GMThttp://www.hayleyangell.com/blog/vintage-sheets-and-a-free-printable-dress-pattern-happy-easter

From the moment I spied this vintage doona/duvet cover in my local charity store - I imagined it as a pretty 50s sundress, perfect for Easter lunch. I love to sew but the price of fabric can be a bit limiting - especially when there's a 50/50 (okay.... 70/30) chance that you're going to invest hours of your life only to totally cock it up. So, if you too want to create your own flirty 1950s frock for the bargain price of $3 (or perhaps even FREE depending how attached you are to the sheet sets in your linen cupboard), please dear Possum, read on....

*Insert picture of sheet draped over bed for added drama*
Okay, so I didn't snap many pictures following the process of this - largely because I was doing it for pure personal enjoyment, and mostly because I - as mentioned before - assumed it would all go a bit tits up. I've also not contributed to this blog for months but we won't dwell on that! Many of you assume me to be a much more adept sewer than I actually am, I P R O M I S E you, you can do this - if you want to (and if you have a sewing machine, that really helps). Just, give it a go! For, what we both lack in technical skills, we can make up for in enthusiasm and a willingness to unpick and re-sew our mistakes again...
and again...
and again...
and again.

You'll Need:

1) A doona cover, preferably Queen or King to give you more room to play with additional fabric.... but in this instance, I used a double sheet (unfortunately it limited me using the beautiful gradient design to its full potential, but, I just made it WERK). Keep in its original duvet form to make cutting your pattern pieces really easy! .

2) This free downloadable pattern

sew-essentials-pattern.pdf
File Size:	442 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

3) A dress zip

4) Sewing machine, scissors and cotton.

How to Make:

1) Print the 4,678 (or thereabouts) page pattern and follow the handy pattern map showing you how to lay out all the pieces! Huge thanks to Let's Knit for this awesome free pattern I may or may not have found by Googling "free 50s dress pattern" after discovering all of my own purchased patterns were irritatingly complex. As a side, note, I'm going to try this awesome free pattern from the V&A next!

2) Cut out pieces and follow the instructions. Let me caution you just quickly on the patten.... I am TERRIBLE with text-based instructions, I’m all IKEAesque-do-by-picture. So, if you’re like me, you may struggle just a little given the lack of pics. In terms of sizing - I’m wearing the 16. Don’t forget, you can YouTube tutorials on how to increase pattern sizes too!

3) After taking potentially 13hours of sewing due to incessant mistakes caused by your total inability to focus on any one task..... rock the bejesus out of your new frock, with or without a petticoat!
4) Advanced cIass: if you too are obsessed with dresses with pockets, cut your side panels in half and insert your own pockets.

And we’re done!

Do let me know if you decide to make the pattern, Possums! I’d love to get your feedback on how it worked for you.... better yet, to see a snap of it on your beautiful self. xxx

]]><![CDATA[Magic happens, Possums!]]>Wed, 08 Nov 2017 09:15:20 GMThttp://www.hayleyangell.com/blog/magic-happens-possums

Exactly one month ago I was surprised by British Airways, my wonderful wife and amazing Mum with an incredible trip of a lifetime to the UK. I have so many thoughts to share on this, but first - the video....

]]><![CDATA[The REAL Wedding Diet]]>Thu, 20 Jul 2017 14:00:00 GMThttp://www.hayleyangell.com/blog/the-real-wedding-diet

Hello lovely bride-to-be, let me start this by saying: you are glorious. On your wedding day, I can GUARANTEE* you will be totally, blindingly, earth-shatteringly radiant. Everyone you love - most especially The One You Love - will be in awe of you. Whether you believe this or not about yourself is kind of (sorry to be blunt) irrelevant..... because, Honey: it is F A C T.

It's absolutely okay that you're focused on a healthy eating and living plan to have you feeling your best self for the day. Hey, you're making good habits for the future and that's an awesome thing for sure. It's also totally okay that you turf the fucking plan and just rock 'You' from now until you hit that amazing aisle. So, in my experience... here is the REAL Wedding Diet.

12 months + 1 Day to go:

ERMMMAAAGOOOD - You're totally getting married! You wake up an hour earlier than you have in your life and go for a run in the morning sunshine. You smile for the full 3 miles (okay, 1.2 miles) thinking how wonderful it will be to marry the great love of your life. You dig out all of the little magazine beauty sample sachets you've been hoarding and apply every single one in turn, marking the beginning of an infallible 12-month skin care regime. You eat nothing but crisp, fresh vegetables and laugh in the face of carbohydrates.
Daily calories: 1,179 (alcohol units: 0).

12months - 9 months to go:

Date is set and venue is booked (phew!) so you're kicking straight into THE BEST BIT: dress shopping! With the perfect plan to consume nothing but moss-green smoothies, you in fact spend 3 months surviving on nothing more than prosecco and those saccharine little cakes/chocolates that do not exist outside of the world of bridal boutiques.
Daily calories: 2,880 (alcohol units: 4)

9months - 6 months to go:

It's the Spring and you and Mum are having a wonderful time visiting gorgeous vintage craft markets in all the cute and quaint village towns you never knew existed, despite being along a 20-minute radius from your family home. Of course, they have the obligatory vintage tea-party caravan, traditional ice-cream stand and Pimm's table. Seriously, it would be rude NOT to partake...
Daily calories: 2,910 (alcohol units: 5)

6 months-3 months to go:

You and your crew are trawling the High Street for adorable table centres and decorations (I mean: you're digging away in the pound shop wedged between the lovely boutique stores you used to shop in before you made the apparently deranged and evidently financially-ruining decision to get hitched). You would have lunched at that independent vegan bar BUT Zizzis and Pizza Express are just SUCH convenient meeting points. Skincare regime has waned slightly (let's be honest - you've barely shaved your legs in weeks).
Daily calories: 3,237 (alcohol units: 6)

Day of your wedding

You wake to a glass of bubbles lovingly poured by your amazing bridesmaids. You attempt to eat something to line your stomach only to find those adorable butterflies have become pterodactyls on speed. The ceremony whizzes by in a blur of love and tears but the reception is here and food on the horizon...
You attempt to eat your starter....
You attempt to eat your main....
You attempt to eat your dessert....
You drink a glass of bubbles x 16
You attempt to eat the evening meal....
You dance like a mental case until being tucked into bed by your beloved who doesn't mention the state/smell of your hair. God you made the right choice.
Daily calories: -6,891 (alcohol units: 67)

*I pledge a money-back-guarantee that you will rock the shit out of your wedding dress/pant-suit/onesie irrespective of your diet choice leading up to the big day. Of course, given you paid £0 for this advice... and will therefore receive the same in reimbursement... I hope you can take comfort in my total and unwavering confidence in you. :D

]]><![CDATA[FOOD: 'Christmas-break-heaven' to 'back-at-my-desk-office-hell" transitional lunch... Bagel Mania]]>Thu, 29 Dec 2016 14:00:00 GMThttp://www.hayleyangell.com/blog/christmas-break-heaven-to-back-at-my-desk-office-hell-transitional-lunch-bagel-mania

Bagel Mania | 338 Sauchiehall St, Glasgow G2 3JD

Bagel Mania on TripAdvisor

It’s your first day back at work after your over-all-too-quick Christmas break. The empty office a harsh and deeply depressing reminder of how stupid you were for having not booked the whole week off work. I mean seriously, who works between Christmas and New Year? How is this even an option for anyone who isn’t (and I say this with love as I worked retail for 6+ years) serving wildly-unnecessary-but-dramatically-reduced junk to shopping-weary, turkey-stuffed hacks who’s only alternative is to watch the Mrs Brown’s Boys Christmas Special saved on the Sky box at home?

Today is not the day for a thoughtfully packed lunch. Today is not the day to eat something plucked from whence it once grew happily and naturally in the ground or on a tree/plant/bush of some description. Having said that, you do have 20lbs to lose to achieve even 1/10th of the New Year’s Resolutions you’re already questioning your ability to follow through on, in just 3 days’ time.

When lunch time roll’s around – you know what you want: a delicious bagel. Sure it’s no chickpea salad but – it’s not a Big Mac either… so it's a decisision with which you are winning at life.

This was me all of 4 hours ago and yes – I’m still pretty pleased with my ability to have perfectly balanced 'holiday-food-worthy-deliciousness' with 'not-the-worst-food-decision-available-within-a-half-mile-radius-of-my-desk'. I’ve been walking past Bagel Mania every day for the previous few weeks and meaning to stop in for a little jewel of Jewish cuisine. The menu is sizable and given bagels are made fresh to order, one can only assume you could wander beyond the confines of 'The Board' and request any combo your heart so desired...

I kind of choked at the counter (as usual) and - despite my groaning tummy - ordered the simple pastrami and cream cheese, before having even given my peepers the chance to spot the NY Pastrami Deluxe or, more devastatingly, the Reuben half pounder. But hey, there’s always tomorrow… right?

I chose an onion bagel (the one closest to me) and waited a quick minute while my bagel was whipped up, warmed through and wrapped up in brown paper (seriously – someone has had lots of VERY recent Christmas wrapping practice…) all ready for me to enjoy on the trudge back to my desk. You can sit in though, the ambience is all you'd exact of a deli lunch counter.

I would have liked to see more pastrami, but I do accept I bought from the lighter, deli-style menu - probably more suited to a breakfast bite, a generous snack or a stomach not streteched by an entire turkey crown and several bags worth of duck-fat roasted potatoes only 72hrs prior. Yummy pastrami, deliciously creamy cheese and a bang-on bagel made for perfect lunching and I’ll certainly be back to beef mine up in honour of my visits to Katz’s Deli – aka: The Best Days of My Human Existence.

]]><![CDATA[Beginner’s Guide : Roller Disco / Roller Fitsco]]>Wed, 21 Dec 2016 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.hayleyangell.com/blog/beginners-guide-roller-disco-roller-fitsco

Like other inventions from the same glorious decade – think, Apple computers, Post-It notes and liposuction – the 1970s roller disco is alive, well and positively thriving. With spectacular lighting displays, thumping beats and four-wheel fun creating an electric atmosphere, the roller disco has everything you could want in a cracking night out… not to mention the opportunity to work up a sweat. Add a coach who turns up the workout with aerobics instruction, skate training and high-energy team challenges… and you have yourself a roller ‘fitsco’, Possums!

You will need:

Socks! My picks are these or these.
The rink will provide skates, wrist (and knee) pads which are really your only other essentials.
Consider wearing ¾ tights or leggings so your knee pads can sit over the top.
With a disco lighting set-up, I wholeheartedly recommend a white / fluoro t-shirt so you can maximise the black lighting to its fullest glow-worm-creating potential.

8 things You’ll Learn Very Quickly from Your First Roller Disco

1) A Beginner’s Class will take you from Bambi-on-ice to I-think-I’ve-got-this within an hour, so don’t worry too much – you can do it.

2. Knee pads have a right way and a wrong way up.

3. Falling over doesn’t hurt anywhere near as much as you think it will (in reality, probably the only bruising will be to your ego).

4. You will feel like this when you get off you skates and back onto solid ground:

5. Learning to stop is very important – especially when you find yourself skating at high-speed towards a stationery gathering of unsuspecting skaters.

6. Uptown Funk is the best roller skating song ever recorded in human history. Closely followed by It's Tricky.

7. You’ll be able to pick the Roller Derby crew (out for a spot of casual skating) as they are: (a) inherently cooler than you, (b) wearing awesome black ankle skates.

8. Light up roller skates exist in the world (you’re welcome).

Look Fabulous, Feel Fabulous Rating

Fun

Once you get the knack of life on eight wheels, you start to relax your previously iron-cast shoulders and intensely scrunched brows, skate a bit faster and actually begin to take in the awesome soundtrack pumping through the venue. Building up speed is SERIOUSLY fun and incorporating cool new moves is fun insofar as you can stay upright! Though, I know from experience that stacking into a crowd of unsuspecting skaters can also be downright hilarious. Skating can be as social or as solitary as you like – laugh and jostle with your pals, dance the beat or get your head down and go full throttle!!

Heartrate / Intensity

As you begin to build up speed and really up the exertion of your skating, you’ll start to feel your heartrate kick into rhythm. If you’ve never skated before – you’ll likely spend much of your session getting comfortable being on your skates. While you won’t feel overwhelmed by the workout, you’ll feel plenty of heartrate quickening from the sheer terror of toppling over! If you’re taking a roller fitness class – as opposed to a regular roller disco or speed skate session - you’ll get lots of aerobic goodness from the 45,000 squat and/or squat-like skating moves you’ll undoubtedly do in the class.

Confidence Boost

The feeling from nailing a lengthy backwards skate or mastering a cool-looking turn is pretty life-affirming and there is almost endless scope to get more and more accomplished (like my pal Jim in the video!).

Ease for ABSOLUTE Beginners

If you have never EVER skated before then there really is a window of time it will take before you can skate confidently enough to incorporate some actual enjoyment/pleasure in what you’re doing. Having said that – I hadn’t skated in YEARS (as a 90s kid – rollerblading was my jam) and within 10mins I was competent enough to start thinking about more than not falling over. Funnily enough – it was only when I started thinking like this that I actually DID fall over (hey, you gotta push them boundaries, kiddo…).

All round Faaaaabulousness

The flashing disco lights, the iridescent blue leopard print skates, the thumping tunes and the electric vibe give the roller fitness 100% on the fabulousness scale. Short of showering skaters in chocolate unicorns at 10 minute intervals, I actually don’t think it can be improved in any practical/pragmatic/nutrition-friendly way.

]]><![CDATA[FOOD: Languorous lunching at Finsbay, Milngavie]]>Tue, 11 Oct 2016 14:00:00 GMThttp://www.hayleyangell.com/blog/food-languorous-lunching-at-finsbay-milngavie

Finsbay. 44 Main Street, Milngavie (Glasgow) G62 6BU

www.finsbay.com

As proud as Hettie-upon-sniffing-out-a-manky-tennis-ball-from-the-bushes to share the retro-fabulous deliciousness of Finsbay with you, the world. When a delightfully longer-than-anticipated lie-in thwarted our plans for a lunch-time south-side soujern, we decided to stay closer-to-home (read: within a 0.5 mile radius) and finally try the lovely dog-friendly cafe/bar/restaurant we'd spied when first making the move west to Milngavie a couple of weeks ago.

From the moment we walked in to excited cooing over the pup (which quickly escalated to doggy water bowls and a piled plate of doggy-heaven sausage), took in the effortlessly chic retro-inspired interiors - a wall mural of retro telephones and a converted retro tv fish bowl?!? YES PLEASE! - and wrapped our mitts around the handle of a glass tankard, we knew we'd found our new local.

With our pints of West Brewery lager in hand, we fawned over the surprisingly well-priced cafe-bar menu full of fun, modern-Scottish twists. The Light Bites, salads and sandwiches were immediately saliva-inducing but neither Lisa nor I could resist the Croque menu... me the Stornaway Black Pudding (yes, you read that correctly) and Lisa, the classic Croque Monsieur; each with the chef's own béchamel sauce. As if I wasn't already courting a coronary - I added a bowl of chunky chips; Lisa the chunky sweet potato chips. Our pal Laureen opted for the 6oz beer battered fish, chunky chips, peas and tartare for £6.50 (an upgrade to 8oz fish is +£1.50).

Lisa's Croque Monsieur and sweet potato fries

Reenie's flaky, fishy heaven.

My Croque with Stornaway Black Pudding

Wow. Just wow. I'm an Eater from way back and - honestly - I'm typing this 6hrs later and still haven't even the slightest urge for dinner. The Croque was INSANELY good and the chunky chips, some of the best I've had. The combination of black pudding and buttered leeks was outstanding offset beautifully by top-quality Arran Cheddar. Lisa's Monsieur was perfectly translated: A-grade bread, proper Gruyere cheese and super-tender baked ham that just melted in the mouth. Laureen's fish'n'chips a beer-battered, white-fleshy-and-deliciously-flaky-fish triumph. And, those chips.

Whether you're a Milngavie and surrounds local or up for an easy train jaunt (there's also loads of handy parking at Tesco or behind M&S) I wholeheartedly recommend checking out Finsbay. Warm, welcoming and altogether super cool, we couldn't have picked a better place to show-off Glasgow's dining delights to our London pal. With a monthly Gin club, open mic nights, special events and a cocktail list of dreams, we'll see you there.

]]><![CDATA[Hello YouTube! Me, Hettie and a sack full of Oxfam bargains...]]>Tue, 04 Oct 2016 20:09:17 GMThttp://www.hayleyangell.com/blog/hello-youtube-me-hettie-and-a-sack-full-of-oxfam-bargains

Well, it was only a matter of time before I expanded the social media options via which to pester you with my muttering, utterings and stutterings... presenting my first wee foray into YouTube-ery with this Oxfam thrifting haul (starring Hettie the Labradoodle, of course...)! From a vintage sleeveless cape to Japanese Apple Blossom emblazoned culottes - it's just a typical day in the wonderfully unpredictable world of charity/op shopping. I'd love to hear your thoughts... enjoy. x

]]><![CDATA[Why is it so uncool to smile?]]>Tue, 27 Sep 2016 23:00:00 GMThttp://www.hayleyangell.com/blog/why-is-it-so-uncool-to-smile

I can be as moody a bitch as the next person. Right now I’m sat in a sweaty nightie having aggressively vacuumed the utter bejeezus out of the carpet in a mixed effort to eradicate the daily plague of dog hairs while also taking my hormonal frustration out on the hardiest of my household appliances. Plus, those with sparkling floors are always entitled to an extra biscuit with their cuppa, post-chores.

Oddly enough, the inspiration for this post was not the grimace looking back at me in the bathroom mirror at 6.15 this morning – it was a delightful little message I received from my new Instagram pal @goodlookingbarbiedoll after I had requested to follow her account:

Hi. I just wanted to say – when I saw your follow request I checked your photos – and you are so different because you smile and laugh in your photos. Good for you – it’s obvious you love what you do! So I hit the 'follow' button.

Sweet, huh? I’m quite lucky to enjoy similar comments from lovely types who follow along with my silly outfit posts. While the attention-craving half of me gets all warm and squishy, the other half feels... well... kind of ripped-off. Why should it even be noteworthy to see someone laughing and having fun?

“Smile, Toots”

I absolutely get the sexist undertones and rage-inducing condescension around expectations that women should ‘smile’, ‘look pretty’, ‘be more accommodating’, ‘be good’ or whatever other patronising bullsh*t seems to have been heaped upon us by men – and, most frustratingly, by women – especially in our formative years (and often lovingly by those with our 'best interests' at heart). I love that Resting Bitch Face is now just a face and that bossiness has been thwarted as a concept.

I’m not talking about smiling in the You Must Be Pretty and Affable And Delightful At All Times way, I’m talking about smiling as in – Be Happy, Proud, and Enjoy Your Life kind of way.

Why is being happy so unfashionable?

From Zoolander’s Blue Steal to Mona Lisa’s Uncatchable Smile (basically a pseudo-arty term for: not smiling), from the cover of Vogue to an endless stream of Instagram #OOTD selfies, why is a facial expression that mixes ‘bewildered’ with ‘stuck in traffic’ seen as high fashion, but smiling unreservedly is regarded as kind of gimpish?

Who decided that a stern mouth and steely gaze are 'modern woman', while full cheeks and scrunchy eyes are the realm of the under 13? Somehow immature, underdeveloped, unsophisticated, unsexy *gulp*… unsuccessful.

London Fashion Week... surely these guys are having fun?

Taking happiness seriously (ourselves less so)

Surely the things we are interested in - whether Italian food, wood-carving or obscure 80s vinyls - are the things that make us totally and unapologetically happy? When I’m posing for a snap, I’m not performing complicated microsurgery, tending to the wounds of a mistreated donkey or bleaching a toilet… I’m wearing a cute frock that cost me £1 on a fabulous shopping day out with a pal. And whatever your equivalent is, don’t be embarrassed – smile, laugh, revel in it!

Yes there are huge dimensions of our lives and of the world around us that call for seriousness, sobriety and focus but let’s try not to be too confused about what they are.

The benefits are endless

Smiling and laughter reduces stress, increases energy, connects you to the people around you and is proven to extend your life. Smiling doesn’t just communicate your current mood, it actually influences your mood (we all remember scoffing audibly when Some Self-Help Do-Gooder introduced Laugh Therapy and similar therapies to the world) – so if you want to feel a bit better today, all you need to do is smile right... NOW!

It's bloody-well contagious.

]]><![CDATA[I'm Bloglovin Baby!]]>Sun, 25 Sep 2016 14:35:16 GMThttp://www.hayleyangell.com/blog/im-bloglovin-baby

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Hello Possums! I've been a wee quiet of late, but in the spirit of making this little puppy a bit easier to follow along with, I'm on Bloglovin'!

]]><![CDATA[Getting down and thrifty with Barnardo's Childrens' Charity]]>Wed, 10 Aug 2016 17:16:42 GMThttp://www.hayleyangell.com/blog/getting-down-and-thrifty-with-barnardos-childrens-charity

Just workin' my bargain Barnardo's frock at Pacific Tiki Bar, Glasgow.

One unexpected delight of narcissistically posting photos of myself on an inordinately regular basis is the connection it has opened with amazing charities, charity retailers and impassioned thrifters all turfing throwaway fast fashion in favour of seriously cool sustainable style. I still can't believe that when I find a fabulous frock for a bargain price it pays twice: once in draping my ample body in rainbows and awesomeness, and again in funding some pretty incredible work in the community. I'm an avid reader of The Thrift, the blog of UK's leading children's charity, Barnardo's, so when they invited me for a natter to grace their hallowed pages (err... screens?) I was pretty bloody chuffed. You can see the original article here.

One of my all-time favourite Barnardo's finds... this £8.99 Italian-made delight.

1) Hi Hayley! Love the dress. How would you describe your style?

Brunette Rebel Wilson does 50s pinup? Haha. Like many curvy girls it’s taken me quite a few years to fully embrace my ample physique and dress with all the colour and personality I had always thought I would “if I ever lose a few pounds”. I obsessed over covering what I hated about my body – like the dreaded bingo wings – by wearing black and worrying about ridiculous things like horizontal stripes. A girl who is desperately self-conscious about how she looks? How utterly boring and unoriginal.

2) What defines your look?

Me? I’m a glass-is-full girl in life and ¾ full in style – ¾ sleeves + ¾ midi dress length... with a headscarf and a dash of all-woman-cleavage thrown in for good measure. Haha!

3) What do you look out for when you go charity shopping?

Firstly, I never look at sizes. This has got to be my charity store golden rule. Clothes from across the decades (and across the world) are cut to all sorts of styles, trends and sizing scales, so focusing on the tags (unless it is a brand/era you know well) will see you missing out on true style gold. Forget the number and look at the garment instead. If there’s something that catches your eye and there’s a chance it will fit you, get it in that changing room! My mantra is: “just try it on, you have nothing to lose and a killer look to gain!”.

4) What do you enjoy about Charity Shopping?

Ummm… the price?! Seriously, find me another hobby that adds stunning, unique pieces to your wardrobe, contributes much-needed funds to support the extraordinary work of organisations like Barnardo’s AND generally costs less than a tenner…

5) What inspired you to shop in Barnardo’s?

While I loved charity shopping as a teenager (what grunge-aspiring, 90s girl wouldn’t?), by my mid-20s I figured I was “a bit old” and stopped going entirely. I thought that to be taken seriously I had to take myself (too) seriously and got caught up in the pressures of brands. Shopping at Barnardo’s helped me find the real me in my own style – stumbling across the vintage-loving store here in Glasgow’s Merchant City was a revelation.

6) How much did you spend on your latest Barnardo’s shopping trip and what did you buy?

My most recent trip nabbed this summer-loving tie front dress (£8.99), a navy vintage hat with birdcage veil (£6.99) and a fab pair of unworn, low wedges (£3.99). A cocktail-hour haul for under £20!

7) What is your favourite Barnardo’s purchase and why?

This vintage navy evening gown, it was £9.99. I love everything about it – the floaty sleeves, the aching-to-be-spun-in skirt, the flattering softly-pointed belt, the starry-night design – just give me a glass of Champagne and invite me to the Oscars! Like many items you’ll find in Barnardo’s, it was made right here in the UK – in Milton Keynes, in fact.

8) How much do you approximately spend on an outfit from a Charity shop?

Over on my blog I set myself little vintage style challenges – top-to-toe looks for (well) under £30 within three hours, mixing both charity and vintage stores for inspiration. At a charity store I’ll generally pay £4-£5 for a cute day dress and £8-£10 for something a bit more special. A fab handbag or shoes will be around £5 and belts/scarves/accessories £1-£2. Honestly, I doubt I’ll ever shop High Street again.

9) How often do you visit Charity shops?

I pop my head in once or twice per week [please don’t tell my wife!]

10) What advice would you give to Charity shop virgins?

Be bold and live in the moment. Charity shopping is full of one-off surprises… there’s no option to trawl look-books online or to order the piece in every size, style or colour. Really look at each item as you flip through the rack. If a garment catches your eye for any reason – whether the colour, cut, shape or pattern – don’t fuss. If there’s a chance it will fit, throw it over your arm and try it on. If you love it, but worry about what you could wear it with – dedicate the rest of your charity shopping trip to finding the perfect trousers/skirt/top and accessories to make it work as a complete outfit. You’ll get a fabulous top-to-toe look for less than a single item purchased new in-store. Once your friends/family/colleagues start complimenting you, you’ll be hooked!

Another cheeky Barnardo's Merchant City, Glasgow find.

]]><![CDATA[That's a wrap! A fortnight of fabulous top-to-toe looks for under $200 / £100]]>Fri, 08 Jul 2016 05:36:59 GMThttp://www.hayleyangell.com/blog/thats-a-wrap-a-fortnight-of-fabulous-top-to-toe-looks-for-under-200-100

What a big bloody #BegBorrowBargain Brissy whirlwind! Ladies, if there's ever something I can wholeheartedly recommend it is to travel light... like REALLY light. I'm talking Leave-All-Your-Clothes-At-Home, light! Convinced I'd be walking around Brisbane on a rolling outfit rotation of my crumpled Aussie flag and a meat-pie stained pillowcase, I was genuinely and overwhelmingly shocked at the incredible bargain style I was able to snaffle and all in support of amazing Aussie charities like The Salvation Army, Lifeline, Endeavour Foundation and St Vincent de Paul Society. A total of 21 days of dresses, shoes, bags, brooches, bracelets, earrings, scarves, shoes, tops and skirts - two overflowing suitcases of style gold now bursting from every drawer and cupboard in my tiny Glasgow flat. All the finds from weeks 2 and 3 below and all for just $180.50 / £90.25. Not bad, huh?

Day 8 - $8 / £4

When I first put out out the #BegBorrowBargain Brisbane call, I was delighted that my awesomely stylish pals came to the rescue! Overcoming my total fear of wearing trousers in public, I made it work for this stunning sheer striped shirt... feeling very "sexy referee" thanks to Laura! And you'll never guess what? She said I can keep it!

Top borrowed from my pal Laura
Crop trousers altered from some old leggings!
Belt $1, Salvos
Scarf $1, Salvos
Wedges $4.50, Lifeline
Bracelets 50c each, Salvos
Earrings $2, Salvos

Day 9 - $4.50 / £2.25

I discovered this gorgeous autumnal skirt for $5 at Lifeline and shed a little tear to find it had a broken zip. I spoke to to the lovely store manager, who offered it to me for a $1. She then suggested I take a look in the box of sewing bits and bobs for a similar zip as a replacement... low and behold, I found a perfect match for 50c (which I clunkishly installed later that eve). Voila! never be shy ladies, ask, ask, ask!

Top as per week 1, Salvos
Skirt $1, Lifeline
Shoes $3, Lifeline
Scarf borrowed from Laura
Belt & clutch borrowed from Sami
Bracelet 50c, Salvos
Brooch borrowed from my lovely Mum

Day 10 - $16.60 / £8.40

Had such a cheap one for day 9, I happily treated myself to a blow-out with this taupe candy striped number. I stumbled on a little Eco-cycle Emporium - a second hand / up-cycle haven - packed with all sorts of weird and wonderful pieces... and knew I'd found gold as soon as I read the "make us an offer" sign! I bundled together a few frocks, shoes, scarves and a fab wool wrap (a total of $67) and offered $50. Don't be afraid of a good, especially when you're buying a few things! Finished the look with a $1 Cassowary brooch - a little slice of home to bring back to the UK.

Dress $8, negotiated down from $10 from Eco-cycle Emporium, Morayfield
Scarf $2.40, down from $3, Eco-cycle Emporium
Belt as per week 1, Lifeline
Bag $3, Salvos
Bracelets 10c each, Caboolture Recycle Market
Earrings $2, Salvos
Cassowary brooch $1, Salvos
Shoes mine from The British Heart Foundation

Day 11 - $7 / £3.50

Love this floaty monochrome daydream which was originally $8, but nabbed it for $3 in the Salvos blue tag sale!! I had never realised that most of the larger op-shops (look for Super / Mega in the name!) have day-by-day specials. So, on this particular day, anything with a blue tag priced $6 and under was $1 (see Day 12) and anything priced $15 and under was $3. How good is that??

Dress $3, was $8, Salvos
Belt $1, Lifeline
Scarf $, Salvos
Fish Brooch $2, Lifeline
Wedges as per week 1, Lifeline

Day 12 - $8 / £4

So, I absolutely loved this dress form the outset, but finding out it would be just $1 made my heart sing! It was enormous and utterly shapeless and I had no idea if I could actually make it fit! But, is if it wasn't worth the risk for the price of a Chuppa-Chup?! Hilariously, a woman in the store was so offended by it's existance that she tracked me down in the changing rooms to tell me I should put it back on the rack. Ha!

Dress with belt $1, was $5 Salvos blue tag sale
Bag borrowed from Laura
Scarf $1, Salvos
Earrings one half of $5 earring/necklace set, Lifeline
Bracelets $3.50, Salvos + Lifeline
Shoes are my own from Barnardo's

Day 13 - $11.50 / £5.75

The perfect dress for a glorious sunshiny (Brisbane winter's) day... this floral frock just $6 from Salvos. It was a near-perfect fit off the rack, but I popped in a few super small darts just to give the waist a lovely nipped-in feel for wearing without a belt. I almost never alter a belted dress (seriously, why?) but when unbelted, it's worth investing a few minutes to get that great silhouette.

Dress $6, Salvos
Wedges $3, Lifeline
Scarf $1, Salvos
Watermelon brooch $1 upcycled, Salvos
Bracelets 50c each (half price), Salvos
Clutch borrowed from Sami

Day 14 - $13.50 / £6.75

Day 14 and yet again loving the #BegBorrowBargain excuse to try things I ordinarily never would. I picked up this glam vintage twin set at the Eco-cycle Emporium but had nothing to pair it with... until I found these culottes in Mum's immaculately organised wardrobe (circa 1998). Still deciding how I feel about them but totally addicted to the comfort and freedom of wearing shorts (no more flashing the poor people of Glasgow every time I jump the Kelvingrove Park fence to let Hettie swim in the steam!)

Twin set was $10, $8 Eco-cycle Emporium
Belt $2, Salvos
Culottes borrowed, thanks Mum!
Clutch 50c Buderim Recycle Market
Scarf $1, Salvos
Earrings $1, Lifeline
Bracelets $1, Salvos
Wedges mine The British Heart Foundation

Day 15 $9.70 / £4.85

Picked up this sky blue number only to find make-up stains all down the front. I'd have happily paid $10 but - thanks to the lovely store manager - $5 was even better! I originally picked up a white belt but had a stern word with myself for being so obvious... and remembered this cute peach belt... so when I found the beach brooch in the cabinet for $2, I instantly pictured the whole look.

Dress $5, was $10, Salvos
Belt $1, Lifeline
Scarf $1, Salvos
Brooch $2, Salvos
Bracelet 50c, Salvos
Earrings 20c, Beerwah Recycle Market
Wedges, mine The British Heart Foundation

Day 16 $13.40 / £6.70

Hugely chuffed with my most ambitious alteration yet.. the shoulder seams of this $3.50 dress were almost at my elbows. I added two large darts/seams from the front waist, all the way up and over the shoulder and down to the middle back. I can't quite believe it worked and really happy with result. Honestly - if you stumble on a bargain but it's just too big (whether a little or A LOT), why not take a risk? Pop the dress on inside out, grab at the problem areas, shove a few pins in and just sew it up. What's the worst that can happen?

Dress $3.50, Salvos
Belt $2, Lifeline
Bag $2, Salvos
Scarf on bag borrowed (now gifted!) from Mum
Brooch 50c, Beerwah Recycle Market
Head Scarf $2.40, Eco-cycle Emporium
Earrings I've previously owned these and was devastated to have lost one! Was so excited to find a pair for $2, Lifeline
Bracelets $1 each, Salvos

Day 17 $14.25 / £7.15

Sunday Funday in this cheeky polka-dot linen dress. A little shorter than I'd ordinarily like - but you only live once, huh? Mixing my fave combo of navy/blue with red and yellow accents, all framed with a crisp white shirt (the 25c shirt I've been trying to incorporate since buying it on day 1!). If you're ever self-conscious about your arms, add a white shirt with rolled sleeves for an instant touch of vintage style.

Dress $7 was $14 on Endeavour 50% off rack!
Scarf $1, Salvos
Watermelon brooch upcycled $1, Lifeline
Shirt 25c, Buderim Recycle Market
Bag $2, Salvos
Wedges $3, Lifeline

Day 18 $16.85 / £8.40

Working polka dots in a different way on Day 18 for this red, white and black, tricolour look. Loved this simple linen midi dress (not my usual style but so beautifully made and surprisingly flattering) and when I spied this little white top in a Salvos 3-for-$1 sale, I knew the look was complete! For years I strapped myself up in girdles / Spanx / fat pants (whatever you want to call them) and it was only when I started donning waist belts and showing off my shape, that I finally turf them all!

Dress $9, Lifeline
Top 35c, Salvos
Bag $3, Salvos
Scarf $1, Salvos
Wedges $3.50, Lifeline

Day 19 $21.50 / £10.75

Love this super sheer, handmade shift dress in tangerine and green AND these crazy 80s-style patchwork shoes!! Totally broke the budget on this combo... I actually umm'd and ahh'd about buying this dress as it was comparatively simple to others I'd bought. But, with so many rich colours in the lovely floral design, I hoped it would really pop with the right accessories. After years of agonising over individual pieces, I've realised that my favourite outfits are those that work together as a whole package.

Dress $6, was $12, Endeavour
Cardi $8, was $9.50, Lifeline
Belt $2, Lifeline
Shoes $4, Salvos
Scarf $1, Salvos
Bracelets 50c each, Salvos

Day 20 $16.70 / £8.35

Feeling every inch the big-bottomed Sugarplum Fairy in this floaty floral delight. One of the first things I did when touching down in the UK was to get a full tulle petticoat underneath it! I was lacking a soft pink scarf to finish the look - but managed to get my hands on an old hair-roller hood, which I turned back to front and tied at the crown of my head. Voila!

Dress $8, was $10, Eco-cycle Emporium
Cardi 50c, Beerwah Recycle Market
Belt $1, Endeavour
Heels Half price shoe sale, $4.50 was $9, Lifeline
Brooch $2, Salvos
Clutch 20c, Beerwah Recycle Market
Scarf 50c, Salvos

Day 21 $19 / £8

And that's a wrap! With my final #BegBorrowBargain I signed out with all the colour I could muster. Not usually a fan of strapless any/everything strapless, the boning made the dress really wearable and cropped cardi keeps the silhouette without adding bulk. Of course, with a dress like this - I splashed out on the most kaleidoscopic accessories I could find. The full skirt with thigh high split (whoops!) is just the kind of cheeky flair that makes charity shopping so exciting (seriously, find me another one??).

Dress $9, Salvos
Cardi mine from New Look
Brooch $5, Lifeline
Wedges $4.50, were $9 Lifeline
Bracelets 50c each, Salvos

Want to know more about this crazy #BegBorrowBargain style challenge? Click here. See how I fared in week 1 of the challenge here.

Hungry for even more Love Blog morsels? Wrap your chops around these beauties...

]]><![CDATA[Dressing fabulously for a week for under $50 / £25 #BegBorrowBargain]]>Fri, 01 Jul 2016 07:06:21 GMThttp://www.hayleyangell.com/blog/dressing-fabulously-for-a-week-for-under-50-25-begborrowbargain

Arriving on holiday with nothing but an Aussie flag (beer stains included), my camera and a week's worth of knickers was always a risky move. But, in the name of bargain style, I willingly took this potentially draughty gamble! Throwing myself at the mercy of The Salvos, Lifeline and Vinnies, even I've been shocked at the goodies I've managed to get my mits on. Strap yourself in Poodles... #begborrowbargain just got serious!!

Day 1 - $10 / £5

Chuffed to kick off Day 1 in this red, white and yellow poodle skirt dream! I almost fainted when I found this on the Vinnies rack... though my bargain bubble burst to find three massive oil stains across the front.
Originally priced at $7 the team offered it to me for $5 and with Mum's GENIUS laundry skills in the back of my mind... I went with it. Mum worked her magic (of course) and this cruise ship fantasy never looked better! A size 8, can you believe? That's why in the world of vintage shopping, you NEVER look at sizes...

Skirt $5 (Vinnies)
Top borrowed from Mum with a few temp darts
Necklace $3 (Salvos)
Earrings $2 (Salvos)
Bamboo Bracelet Duo $1 (Salvos)
Scarf $1 (Salvos)
Shoes (how did I forget I owned these??? Left here in Oz from my Hen Do last year....)

Day 2 - $10 / £5

Ahoy Sailor! Day 2 saw this 90s nautical number that may (disturbingly) have been from my actual 90s wardrobe! Picked this beauty up along with my cruise ship Day 1 Delight and nabbed a cute little lemon top for my favourite navy/lemon colour combo. Needing a touch of red for the brooch (come on op-chops, is it that hard to offer a perfectly formed nautical brooch?!) we spied a little watermelon necklace so broke of the chain, sanded back the edge and hot glued a brooch pin to the back. Voila!

Skirt $5 (Vinnies)
Top $3 (Salvos)
Watermelon Brooch upcylced, $1 (Salvos)
Sailboat Earrings $1 @salvosstores
Belt the tie from my rain Mac!
Shoes my amazing Babycham delights!

Ship shape and ready to go!

Day 3 - $1 / 50p

Adding BARTER to the list for #begborrowbargain, my lovely Dad traded his tech skills for a bag of Size 20-22 dresses! The former owner was all to happy to be rid of her gorgeous gown collection after dropping 4-5 sizes. An hour or two on the sewing machine and ... ta da! Here's how I altered it.

Dress bartered by Dad!
Basket Mum's fruit bowl 🍇🍊
Necklace as per Day 1 (Salvos)
Scarf $1 (Lifeline)
Shoes worn from home (British Heart Foundation)

Day 4 - $2 / £1.00

After withstanding people stopping me in the street asking if I needed a jacket ON A DAILY BASIS, even I could concede that Brissy was a tad chilly earlier this week. Throwing all thigh woes to the wind, I not only purchased but WORE trousers, like, in public. At just $1, I picked them up along with this cute chocolate cowl neck top from the Lifeline bargain rail - quite adorably the lovely volunteer apologised she couldn't give me the extra 25% off daily clothing discount!

Top $1 (Lifeline)
Trousers $1 (Lifeline)
Bracelets as per Day 1 (Lifeline)
Jacket bartered
Clutch borrowed from the lovely Sami
Scarf & earrings borrowed from Mum
Sunglasses mine already
Shoes mine already

Day 5 - $13.50 / £6.75

Day 5 was this 80s colour explosion of pink / purple / green deliciousness! Was so pleased to find this skirt having already nabbed this emerald green Ben Sherman knit top (bought alongside my $1 rack goodies from Day 4). Totally obsessed with my upcycled watermelon brooch, when Mum and I spied this Havaianas fridge market, we immediately knew its fate! DIY brooch tutorial to come at some point...

Skirt $5 (Lifeline)
Top $3 (Lifeline)
Wedges $4.50 (Lifeline)
Bag borrowed from Sami
Belt found in my old stuff!
Brooch $1 upcycled from fridge magnet
Scarf Mum's from an op-shop!

Day 6 - $1.50 / 75p

Who says a girl can't wear a dodgy, 25 cent, 90s patchwork house dress and not feel fabulous?! I Scored the dress, this cute cross-body pouch bag, a second dress, plus a lovely white cotton blouse all for $1 from Buderim Recycle Market. Recycle Markets might push your boundaries of trash v treasure, but there's no mistaking this is where the REAL bargains are! I'll talk a bit about recycle markets in a post to come.

Dress 25c (Buderim Recycle Market)
Bag 25c (Buderim Recycle Market)
Shoes as per Day 5 (Lifeline)
Belt 50c (Salvos)
Ladybug Brooch handmade by Mum
Scarf another borrow from Sami.

Day 7 - $8.50 / £4.25

Loved wrapping up the week in this 90s-does-40s olive number. I find this shirt-dress style so smart and flattering and when paired with an Eiffel of accessories... just works! The dress was a bargain at $4.50 and I melted when I spied this fab woven clutch handled handbag for a mere $3.00 (you know I'm a sucker for a basket!) Love the ever increasing paint flecks as Dad and I slowly renovate the house! :)

Dress $4.50 (Salvos)
Belt $1.00 (Lifeline)
Bag $3.00 (Salvos)
Scarf borrowed from Laura
Bracelets As per Day 1 (Lifeline)

So there you have it... week 1 and all for $46.50 / $23.35 ! Stay tuned for week two of #BegBorrowBargain Brisbane!

Want to know more about my crazy style challenge? Click here.

]]><![CDATA[The style challenge to end all style challenges… and I need your help! #BegBorrowBargain Brisbane]]>Wed, 22 Jun 2016 21:22:22 GMThttp://www.hayleyangell.com/blog/the-style-challenge-to-end-all-style-challenges-and-i-need-your-help-begborrowbargainbrisbane

Basking in the glow of being home here in Brissy for four fabulous weeks, I can’t seem to shake the feeling that I’ve forgotten something…

Ticket CHECK
Passport (I’ve certainly learned my lesson on this one) CHECK
Phone (I've REALLY learned my lesson on this one…) CHECK
Bundles of UK Cadbury Dairy Milk (Aussie anti-melting agent excluded) CHECK
Toothbrush CHECK
Clothes…. Oh. MY. GOD!

IT’S #BEGBORROWBARGAIN TIME BRISBANE!!

Yes, that’s right… my suitcases are empty and - having prioritised key items like: a replica gramophone, a lighthouse table lamp and 48 Tunnock's Tea Cakes over trivial things like... shoes - I need your help! I'm looking to get my mits on your loved or unloved clothes and accessories, hell - I want anything you can spare, for my most ambitious style challenge yet. I'll create 28 top-to-toe outfits with your donations all helping to ensure my birthday suit is kept firmly packed away for the duration of my trip.

#BegBorrowBargain Rules?

4 WEEKS.
28 Top-to-Toe outfits (don’t worry, knickers excluded! - we’re talking tops, skirts, dresses, shoes, jewellery and accessories.
All items to be kindly lent, generously gifted or begrudgingly shared by you lovely souls or hand sewn or bargain-hunted for no more than $15 per look.
No offer is too small, just get in touch via FB/email/one other of a seemingly never ending wave of social media platforms and I’ll drop by to collect it.
All your favourite pieces will be returned exactly as you lent them, unless of course you've given me permission to take to them with scissors... in which case: God only knows.
Donated items will be passed with love onto deserving charities - unless of course you insist that I keep and adore all items for the foreseeable future, in which case - I am your humble servant.

Follow along for daily outfit posts on Instagram and - as ever – regular posts right here. So please, get on board if only to save your fellow BrisVagans from this terribly ill-fitting flag and the potential for excessive body odour.

Yours in budget-friendly fabulousness,
Hayley. xxx

]]><![CDATA[Style Overhaul Part 2: A chopin' and a changin' - how to sew darts]]>Sat, 18 Jun 2016 07:01:34 GMThttp://www.hayleyangell.com/blog/style-overhaul-part-2-a-chopin-and-a-changin-darts

Part 2 of a 3-Part Style Overhaul Series, including:

All Aboard the HMS Decluttery
A choppin' and a changin' - 3 simple style alterations (darts, hem length + the chop!)
Stop. You't not actually going to wear THAT top with THAT skirt again, are you?

Every bargain hunter knows the very best finds need a bit of spit and polish. Whether it's seeing the potential in that overlooked, run-down little property, envisioning new upholstery on that tired chair, seeing through the dusty muck coating a glorious vintage tea set or eyeing up an ornate frame that's desperate for a stunning new artwork. And yes, the same is true for clothes. Revitalising your own wardrobe (FREE SHOPPING on a rack of stuff you actually like!) or scoring a soon-to-be new favourite that unfortunately (for now) is a bit too big, too long, too tight in places, too 80s, too frou frou, not frou frou enough, too high cut, too low cut... you most definitely get the idea... needs only a wee bit of elbow grease. So, fear not my fellow bargain-loving style pioneers - let us break uncharted ground with scissors in one hand and dressmakers pins in the other. We're kicking this off with... darts!

The Dart

(Editor's* note: deeply Australian reference to follow) No, no, not the dart:

The dart! That glorious little fold of sewn-in goodness that will transform the shape of just about any boxy, oversized or ill-fitting garment you can get your mits on. Sitting below kimchi pancakes but above ice-cream on the "gargantuan list of things Hayley loves", darts are my most favourite of all style alterations. While it's obvious this is a great one for all my fellow pear-shapes out there as we chant "cinch, Cinch, CINCH!" even in our dreams, darts will make the world of difference for those with: larger busts, smaller busts, high waists, low waists, wide across the back, narrow across the back... yeah, you get it. Everyone.

How awesome are darts?

You'll remember from a previous conversation with my bum that I was given a gorgeous frock by a pal who has recently dropped a size. In trying on said dress - this was the initial result:

And after an hour or so adding a few cheeky darts...

Not bad, eh?? I popped a set of two theoretically symmetrical darts in the front and two further in the back. Let's take a closer look:

I've just tried to find you a little YouTube video as a good intro to darts but unfortunately - after some time - I have lost the will to live. So, I hope you're happy to just follow along with my chat below.

What I have learned by adding darts to everything I own...

1) It needn't be perfect

While my first set of darts was the result of 4.5hours of triangulation utilising assorted apparatus designed originally for amateur astronomy - I now know this: it needn't be perfect. Throw the tape measure away (not in the bin you crazy person! Heavens, I've got to keep an eye on you!) If the dart looks right to your eye, then it is going to look right to other eyes too.

2) Pin your darts wearing your garment inside out

Pop on your dress/shirt/skirt/trousers and stand in front of the mirror. Looking at the hang of the garment, start to pinch the fabric in places, doing so symmetrically with both hands. Looking in the mirror, just pinch away until - SHAZAAM - you see an improvement in the whole fit of the garment. Honestly, you'll know when it happens - then, pin, pin, pin! Obviously if you have a friend or a very sympathetic partner - asking them to pin for you is a big help. BUT if you wriggle about enough, you can certainly pin a good guide yourself.

3) Let your nipples be your guide

The dart alterations I most often make are either to cinch the waist or reduce excess fabric in the bust. The best place to start to pinch in the darts is in line with the nipples.... for waist darts, I pinch the fabric directly below my nipples, while for reducing bust size (honestly, when you have a bum the size of mine, you're expected to be slinging great, glorious cantaloupes around), I pinch the fabric horizontally from my nipples. While not always the perfect formula, this is the best starting point I know. Plus, I get to talk to you about pinching nipples.

4) If you bugger it up, there's no harm done!

At the end of the day, you've only sewn a few little lines - something which is easily reversed with a few crass words shouted at the sky and a few minutes unpicking the stitches to start again. For this reason, I very rarely cut away excess fabric created by darts. The extra room means you can always let the garment out again if you go one too many rounds of yum cha. But, if the darts are quite large and add unnecessary bulk, simply trim with pinking shears so the fabric stays fray-free, as below:

5) Once you start, you won't be able to stop!

Friends, loved ones and people on the street will be lining up to have you make a few sneaky alterations to their fave pieces! I only just made a few adjustments for my pal after she nabbed these maxi dress beauties at a vintage kilo sale but quickly relegated them to the cupboard as too big...

So go on, get darting! No doubt there is something in your wardrobe that is just going to keep hanging there unless you do something anyway.... so, what have you got to lose? (Well, besides your dignity and precious hours of your life? Don't think about it, just dart).

*you and I both know The Editor is me.

Gagging for more Love Blog eleganza? Try these beauties...

]]><![CDATA[You're damn right I'll #DOTHELOT]]>Fri, 27 May 2016 09:05:11 GMThttp://www.hayleyangell.com/blog/youre-damn-right-ill-dothelot

The last time I thought... "no, don't bother applying... you'll NEVER get it", a few weeks later I found myself with a $10,000 university scholarship and a job at a brewery bearing bottomless beer for me and all my friends. This taught me three things:
1. Only in Australia can your degree be funded by a brewery
2. 2003 was a bloody good year
3. Just imagine how many other people also think they won't win?!
Needless to say, when That Little Voice reappeared to dissuade me from applying to Intu Braehead's callout for blogging types to #dothelot with a fab shopping/galavanting/skiing/golfing/eating/drinking day in the centre... my response was to (a) ply it with booze and (b) convince it to go ahead with an audition anyway (see, and they said I learned nothing at uni).

If me running around like a lunatic in a shopping centre can teach us anything it's to ignore That Little Voice and just go for it. What have you got to lose? Funnily enough, I became my university's scholarship manager some time later and when I looked back at the files, only 12 people had applied for that scholarship. 12. While this utterly shattered any prior belief/delusion that I had toppled thousands of other candidates (and there were thousands who were eligible) it revealed a glorious little gem: everything looks harder from the outside.

So, the next time That Little Voice pops up and starts whispering in your ear: take it on an epic shopping spree, ply it with beer - or perhaps just ignore it altogether - and remind yourself that while embarrassment lasts a moment, regret lasts a lifetime. You're here on this big spinning rock to #dothelot - so go get it!

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]]><![CDATA[Style Overhaul Part 1 : All aboard the HMS Decluttery]]>Tue, 17 May 2016 08:54:29 GMThttp://www.hayleyangell.com/blog/style-overhaul-part-1-all-aboard-the-hms-decluttery

Part 1 of a 3-Part Style Overhaul Series, including:

All Aboard the HMS Decluttery
A choppin' and a changin' - 3 simple style alterations
Stop. You't not actually going to wear THAT top with THAT skirt again, are you?

Now, be honest. When was the last time you overhauled your wardrobe / cupboards / the crumpled heap shoved behind your bedroom door? 6 month? A year? 5 Years? 25 years (if this is you, then we need to talk measurements and your willingness for me to riffle through your things). I recent stumbled on an invite for a Shake Up Your Style workshop hosted by Lifestyle Lab and - while I'm not one for white denim jackets or shorts of any and all descriptions - I did find myself reluctantly inspired to finally attack The Overstuffed Hell Hole aka my wardrobe (theoretically "shared" with Lisa: she's been generously allotted 7 hangers and one entire shelf). With a spring in my step and an irritating-pop-song-on-endless-loop in my heart, I decided to delve into its murky depths...

I guess the problem is: I like clothes. I also quite like rehashing prior mumblings that, once re-read, are actually refreshingly lucid. So before launching Operation Restore Lisa's Rightful Half, I revisited some previous thoughts on how best to sort the diamonds from the rough via the deeply sophisticated art of tossing clothing into heaping piles. So, grab a cuppa, throw open your wardrobe doors and up-end your cupboard drawers... things are about to get messy.

Pile 1: It’s awesome, perfect and you want to be buried in it.

Every item in pile #1 is not only a keeper, it is essentially a vivid reminder of how brilliantly stylish you are for having had the insight to buy it in the first place. There is nothing more to do with this pile but bask in its (and your) awesomeness... though, we'll be taking another peek at its contents in Style Overhaul Part 3.

Pile 2: It’s not quite right but you could/used to/want to love it.

These are items you no longer wear (or have never worn) for all sorts of weird and wonderful reasons. It's an awkward fit, you have nothing to wear it with, it's out-of-date, it's outside your comfort zone (you were feeling all "I can TOTALLY rock a bomber jacket, right?!" the day you bought it... you Style Maverick, you), it's damaged but still insanely fabulous in the most part or it's just a tiny bit... meh. Usually when you push yourself to wear something from this pile you:

Stare at yourself in the mirror for 30 minutes
Tug and pull at it for 27 of those 30mins
Pair it with every possible accessory/outfit combination
Rip it off, shove it back in your cupboard and reach for the gooey comfort of an Old Faithful from pile #1.

Keep this wonderful pile aside - we'll come back to them in Style Overhaul Part 2 (pssst - this is definitely where the goodies are!).

Pile 3: It’s heinous and needs to go.

As it says on the tin. Okay, perhaps it’s not heinous, but you haven't worn it in a year, you kind of forgot you even owned it (and were not all that excited to rediscover it), it's probably either stretched or discoloured or you have 15 others that look just like it (I'm looking at you, breton stripe wearers). Honey, let it go. These items are destined for one of two places:

The bin
In a bag (that looks suspiciously like the one used directly above) to be donated to charity for some as-yet-unknown but dreadfully-lucky-shopper-who-will-breathe-new-life-into-it-via-a-series-of-narcissistic-Instagram-posts (or is that just me??), while at the same time donating much-needed funds to awesome charities. You're changing lives, you are.

(Please, for heaven's sake, don't mix up the 'bin' bag and 'charity donations' bag. Volunteers tend to quit pretty swiftly after thrusting their hand into a bag of vacuum cleaner dust and mouldy banana skins).

Carry on until you've allocated the final item....

"Hurrah! You've just earned yourself a bottle of bubbles, a tub of ice-cream and 2-5 hours of The Real Housewives of Melbourne. Afterwards, you have to DO THE WHOLE BLEEDING LOT AGAIN with your shoes, handbags, jewellery and accessories. Having just finished my own mass-decluttering, I thought I'd share a few little gems now destined for new owners...

What style horrors have you found?? Go on, share in the comments below...

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]]><![CDATA[Dear Bum : What have you done for me lately?]]>Mon, 25 Apr 2016 22:13:11 GMThttp://www.hayleyangell.com/blog/dear-bum-what-have-you-done-for-me-lately

On balance, my bum has been pretty good to me. Sure, we've had our moments... like, anytime I have attempted to:

Purchase jeans;
Squeeze into the corner table of a busy restaurant;
Perch effortlessly on the middle seat of a plane; or
Wear swimwear of any variety (scratch that, I'm looking at you: thighs)

But honestly, I'd say overall our relationship is a productive one. This week, having been approached by the shoe savants at Hotter and gifted a curve-friendly Silly Old Sea Dog dress by a lovely new pal... I thought I'd take a moment to reflect on what my bum has been bringing to the table these previous few years.

So I'll admit, it's taken me a lllooooonnnnnggggg time to make peace with my caboose. Through my teens and twenties, I waddled about with utter disdain for a rump which - in actual fact - was a pretty central part to my being, well, "me". Let's reflect on some prior bum highlights:

Providing an extra comfy seat wherever I go. From a low brick fence to a torture-chamber bed-of-nails, a booty this plentiful has the innate ability to iron out the bumps and fill in the cracks of just about any surface you could possibly imagine. Very handy when on a 25 hour flight to see my folks or waiting for Lisa to emerge from Barbour.
Boosting my ghetto street cred to Nicki Minaj-esque heights. Whether I'm wiggling through Harlem, twerking in downtown New Orleans (let's be clear, I have never actually done this) or just popping out for the milk this ol' bag of junk draws a very specific kind of attention. Whatever our collective feelings on cat-calling, my posterior has the kind of afro-gravitational pull that has sparked more than one invitation to be crowned "My African Queen".
Utterly hypnotised my wife into falling deeply in love with me. We all know it couldn't have been my sparkling personality.

So, this week - you can imagine my delight when I was able to chalk up a few extra hits of booty bounty. Very kindly the effervescent Last Year's Girl aka Lis Ferla recommended me for a fuller-figured fashion extravaganza hosted by Hotter and Taking Shape (a true blue Aussie outfit now here in Pommieland). With thanks to her and my very ample rump, I was invited to spend a fabulous eve sipping bubbles and ogling new season styles... culminating in MY VERY OWN PAIR of Sandy Shoes in swoon-worthy flint and light olive. Drool. Factor in the G-O-R-G-E-O-U-S Silly Old Sea Dog dress Lis passed onto me (the colour of which exactly matched my new heels), I'd say I owe her - and my bum - a bottle of bubbles, a bag of doughnuts and a night out on the town to rock this new look. Wouldn't you?

The Hotter look....

Hotter Sandy Shoes.

Silly Old Sea Dog floral dress with sleeve. I've altered the original size 18 (post to come!).

Prepare to see these puppies on Instagram. A LOT.

Is there a part of you that ALWAYS has your back? Tell me about it!

Want to keep the love flowing? You might also enjoy...

]]><![CDATA[FOOD: Once Upon A Tart...]]>Sun, 17 Apr 2016 08:30:06 GMThttp://www.hayleyangell.com/blog/once-upon-a-tart

Cake Love is in the detail Hayley Angell

Food Review: Once Upon A Tart, 45 King St, Glasgow G1 5RA

From one old tart to another, this is - without doubt - my food-of-any-and-all-types eating fantasy. Since first I cast my eyes over those four magical words: Once. Upon. A. Tart. (well, technically three words and a letter, but now you're just being pedantic) I knew deep within the core of my vintage-kitsch loving soul that this cafe and I were destined for a long and cake-filled life together. Let's not dwell on the fact that it took me 5 months to actually walk through the door...

Emerging from my West End nest for an early event, I thought it best to maximise the opportunity of being showered and dressed before noon (okay, okay - 3pm). A quick text to a pal (also shocked that I was dressed and generally functioning in society) and by the time I legged from the far end of Duke Street to the welcome mat of my dessert Mecca, she was by my side and also beginning to ever-so-slightly-creepily salivate at the sight...

Once Upon a Tart Love is in the detail Cake

It was breakfast to start - trembling eggs for Patricia and a sausage sarnie kissed by the Gods for Moi....

Once Upon a Tart Love is in the Detail Breakfast

This perfect first course was deftly devoured before moving to feast our eyes on the glass-domed buffet of baked goods before us. Cakes, desserts and delicious treats of every shape, style and colour - from chocolate-rich to berry-stuffed.... being unfussy to a fault, I gave my pal the honour of choosing a slice for us to share.
Big mistake.

The human-being-formerly-known-as-my-friend chose THE ONE DAMNED CAKE THAT DID NOT CONTAIN CREAM OF ANY KIND. I mean, really? Come on? We're looking at Chocolate Orange cake with ACTUAL TERRY'S CHOCOLATE ORANGES ON TOP and you choose the loafy looking thing? Pah! Like the big-hearted and deeply passive-aggressive person I am I conceded to this crumb-creating abomination and returned to my seat.
And then it arrived...

So... umm... these photos do not even do this cake justice. Soft, fluffy and moist beyond belief. With berries to die for, the cake's perfect crust was a thing of true beauty. So, yeah, I apologised. Profusely. The girl's got some cake-choosing skills on her. Though, between you and me, I don't think it was a lucky punt - I reckon these cakes are bloody fool-proof. Of course, in the spirit of research I shall sacrifice myself on the foodie review alter to try out each and every one. What can I say, I'm a giver?!

Oh, and the best bit? Once Upon a Tart is pooch-proud and wholeheartedly dog-friendly. So - If you're in Glasgow - Hettie and I will see you there! xxx

Crazily kitsch interiors...

A bit of Aussie nectar on hand!

Sample more Love Blog goodies here...

]]><![CDATA[Kilos over coffee - sitting down with The Vintage Kilo Sale team]]>Fri, 15 Apr 2016 08:53:11 GMThttp://www.hayleyangell.com/blog/kilos-over-coffee-sitting-down-with-the-vintage-kilo-sale-team

Just when you thought there was nothing more that I could say about vintage kilo sales, you were probably right. Regardless, when the team at The Vintage Kilo Sale asked to pick my kilo-loving brain over a cuppa this week, I used the opportunity to shamelessly re-say a lot of things I have previously said. And here they are! You can see the original article here. As an aside, Oxfam posted a significantly more helpful guide back in 2013, so not only am I wildly repeating myself - I am doing so with old news. Enjoy poppets!

Hi Hayley! How did you first hear about the Vintage Kilo Sale?

I saw the Glasgow sale on Facebook which beautifully coincided with a light-bulb moment that my uber-luscious backside rather lends itself to vintage-style, full-circle skirts! I had only recently moved to the city, so when a pal suggested we go along together, I snapped her hand off. I’d follow you around the country if I could!

How would you describe your personal style in a sentence?

“Vintage reproductions of classic vintage styles.” I adore the glamour and femininity of the 40s and 50s but generally via reproductions from the 80s/90s/00s given my ample curves.

What’s been your biggest buyers regret from the kilo?

A) Not buying more. B) The infamous dress number 8. Who knew the 80s sailor-inspired polyester number with oversized white satin Chelsea collar and heavy seam right across the thighs wouldn’t work? I looked like Sailor Moon reimagined as a roast pork. But alas, it went back in the charity shop bag and I’ve probably since walked past someone wearing it with total dress envy!

And your favourite of the 7 dresses?

While Day 1 is pure me – casual, fun and wildly inappropriate for the Glasgow weather, I have to say Day 7. I put it on and feel like a movie star! Secretly, it’s 3 sizes too big, so I don’t button it down, I wear it as a wrap dress… it works!

Could you talk us through how you went about styling your dresses?

I’ve kept my styling pretty simple with vintage stud earrings, waist belt (my wardrobe staple) and head scarves. I’m not a great heel-wearer, so I tend to collect vintage-style midi heels and wedges from charity shops and markets as stores seem to stock only sky-high (I wish!) or flats. I used to be quite picky in selecting accessories until I realised that a naff scarf/shoe/bracelet which coordinates/contrasts with your outfit will often trump a fab one that doesn’t! So, I pick an accent colour in my frock/top/skirt and accessorise to this colour. As a tip – I’d recommend getting yourself a basket and wearing it as a handbag. I must get stopped at least once a day with a lovely compliment!

What would be your best piece of advice for vintage virgins?

Just go along and have fun with it. Grab anything from the racks that catches your eye and don’t (ever!) look at the size. When I learned that sizes are completely irrelevant in vintage shopping (because there are so many variables like the style, country of origin, the trendiness of snug v loose fit at the time etc etc) it opened a whole new world of choice. I have dresses size 10-20, S-XXL in my wardrobe – so, if it looks like it’ll fit… throw it over your arm and keep going. When you’ve conquered the room, review all your grabs for the final shortlist and pay your respects to the Vintage Gods by hanging your unwanted’s back on the rack (besides, how else will I find my next vintage win?!). Was that 5 tips un-subtly disguised as 1!?

And that's all, folks! Regular love blog programming will return next week (unless I sleep through my alarm). xxx

More from the love blog archives...

1) Never, ever, EVER look at sizing.

Okay, this is one of my golden rules for buying vintage. I'm a bigger girl and have vintage dresses ranging from size 10 (I'm still hunting that elusive size 8... ;) to size 20. Bothered! While the tags may be an easy indicator as you flip through the miles of vintage-y goodness, know your body and trust your instincts when it comes to size. Hold it up and if it looks about right, grab it!

2) Grab first, ask questions later.

Following nicely from Commandment 1… don’t stand fussing over one thing on the rack, throw it over your arm or in your Kilo Sale grab bag and think about it properly later. You'll know fussing is a Kilo Sale Fail for two reasons:
A) You’re just getting into a good rhythm of flip, flip, grab, flip, flip, grab when you’re stopped dead in your tracks by some random fawning to their too-polite-friend-who’ll-never-give-honest-advice-anyway over whether or not they like that perfectly-fab midi dress. “Grab it Honey (or put it down so I can) and get out of the way!”.
B) Because you’ll look at your watch and realise it’s been 2.5 hours, you're at rack 3 and all you have is a 90s slogan t-shirt and a pair of denim cut-offs…. plus there’s a long line of people sending you the evils as per previous point A.
A quick game is a good game and one of the best bits of Kilo Sale shopping is finding a quiet corner to the side of the room to review your grabs before making for the big weigh-in and check-out.

3) Do the Sugar Test

No, this isn't my usual recommendation of a warm-up chocolate brownie... if you have no idea how much a kilo weighs: start training for the sale by lifting bags of sugar: in Kilo Sale Land, 1 bag of sugar = £15. If you're like me and love entirely winter-inappropriate cotton dresses that you pig-headedly wear year-round as some form of arrogant self-torture, you'll get a lot of frock for your Franc. Found your fantasy fringed retro cowboy jacket but worried it weighs as much as you do after Mum's Christmas Dinner? Don't be nervous... just ask the organisers for their policy on weight caps. For example, at The Vintage Kilo Sale - single items are capped at 1kg/£15 regardless of their weight: pocket anvils included.

4) Really, what’s the worse that can happen? Take it!

You’ve held it up in the mirror, tried it on over your essential I’m-in-serious-shopping-mode outfit of jeans and flats, harassed your shopping buddies/strangers for advice but still can’t decide whether to bag it or hang it. While my vintage shopping advice would usually be: “only buy it if you absolutely LOVE it”… the Kilo Sale is a place for taking risks and pushing your style boundaries. Check it first for condition (no tears/stains/damage) and if it passes the test: grab it! At best you have a rocking new outfit and at worst, it goes back in the charity shop bag for someone else to find and squeal over… it’s the Circle of Vintage Life, people!

5) Karma is REAL in Vintage shopping.

And finally, don't just dump your unwanteds on the floor or even in the return bins. The Vintage Gods have been good to you, so pay it forward. Keep your vintage brothers and sisters stylish and re-hang all your unwanted items in about the same place (or at least in the same category) as you found them.

I’ll be rummaging at the Glasgow Vintage Kilo Sale on Saturday 30 April – come join in the fun! If you’re further afield, I’d love to hear about your vintage kilo bargains + tips + antics so, don’t be shy, drop me a note below.

Want more love blog goodness?

1. Entertainment is king / queen

SELFIE!!

From the judges' achingly witty run-way commentary, the celebrity-serving fun of the Snatch Game to everything that ever left the lips of Bianca Del Rio, a drag queen's job is all about delighting audiences and bringing their very own brand of joy to the stage and screen night-after-night. A bit of schtick, miles of sequins and a whole lot of sass... that's Entertaintment, Hunty!

2. The style. Oh, the style

Ru's Season 8 girls in all their vintage-inspired glory. Come on Bob the Drag Queen!!

Ru's gowns. Ongina's millinery. Shannel's fishy swimsuit look. Manila Luzon's pineapple dress. Raja's entire wardrobe. Jinkxy's fox stole. Roxxy's sequins dresses. Alaska's finale wig and gown. Courtney Act's face. BenDeLeCreme's EVERYTHING. Violet Chachki's breath-sapping corsetry... please world, give me an excuse to serve Marilyn Monroe Does Comic-Con style in my average working day.

3. You NEVER take yourself too seriously

Little known fact : Alyssa Edwards and I pull the EXACT same faces when applying make-up in the mirror.

Like a bloke in a dress, if you can't laugh at yourself - how the hell are going to laugh at anything else?! Can I get an "Amen"??

4. Creativity, originality and individuality are celebrated

Spoiler Alert! All 8 of Ru's crowned queens. Raja rocking the headgear I only dreamed of in my orthodontics-sporting teens.

No cooker-cutter suits (Mama Ru's kaleidoscopic tailoring and Executive Realness excluded), no blending in and no towing the party line. Ru's winners are funny, fierce, fabulous and never apologise for making a mark; prop blood and hypodermic needles included.

5. Nothing is ever too OTT

Aussie Courtney Act serves mechanical swan realness.

Come on, life is short. Why hold anything back??!

If you have any thoughts, ideas or (please!) opportunities of what I could turn my perfectly manicured hands to, I’m all dress-diamond-adorned ears! Of course, I acknowledge there IS a female drag scene... so maybe it really is the answer?!

]]><![CDATA[Along Came Hettie : 7 truths about dog raising]]>Tue, 15 Mar 2016 08:20:23 GMThttp://www.hayleyangell.com/blog/along-came-hettie-7-truths-about-dog-raising

People who write blogs seem to be in the lofty position of giving advice: "9 tips for..." "7 ways to..." "28.63 things you must..." When it comes to dog rearing, my position is the antithesis of 'lofty'. I'm not even on ground level. 'Mordor' feels like a conservative estimation. It goes without saying - I bloody love my dog. I actually can't (and don't want to) imagine my life without her. But sitting here, drinking the world's largest vat of tea - purely for medicinal reasons - after being unable to remove Hettie from the plastic Tesco ham container she proceeded to lick clean before tearing into tiny strips, ingesting each and every one (did I mention that I was calling her name, offering her treats and pathetically attempting to catch her in full view of all Kelvingrove Park patrons while she destructed the container over a 15 minute period?), I thought I would take a moment to share - not tips - but truths of dog parenting as I know them.

1) They will be on your couch

Yes, you indulgently ordered that fawn and cream plaid M&S sofa on interest free credit as the perfect addition to your pre-dog owning flat. Yes, you swore the dog would never be allowed on said prized sofa... but that was until she looked REALLY cute and you decided she could have a little couch visit BUT ONLY if she sat on the throw rug you perfectly positioned for her. A few weeks pass... okay, forget the annoying fucking throw rug. She's on the couch. I mean, a dog is there to be cuddled, right?

2) They will be in your bed

This was your BIG rule. After all, there have got to be boundaries and your wife's penchant for white sheets and your decision to adopt a black dog are about as compatible as a drag queen at a power tools convention. But then, she lets out a sweet little 'hug me, I've missed you' yelp at 6am. You open your eyes to see her sat, ever-so-adorably looking up at you with the cutest eyes and an oh-so-slightly cocked head and, in your sleepy haze, you've got a decision to make:
1. Tell her to go back to bed knowing she will be back in exactly 30mins to yelp again...
2. Get up early like a better person than you actually are, put on your sweats and take the dog on a brisk jog around the park before an ethical, vegan breakfast of pulses.
Or 3. (and it's a big 3) let her up on the bed safe in the knowledge she'll sleep in for as long as you're willing to let her.
Make no mistake, they will be in your bed.

3) Training is not linear

Dogs want to obey, right? They enjoy responding to commands for treats (which may be in the form of your attention or food - two things they absolutely value equally) - in fact, training increases the bond between you and your pet. Written firmly at the top of the doggy manual, this is true to an extent. The extent to which your dog, who happily sits and stays and heels in the comfort of your lounge room, decides that your treats (and certainly your pathetic company) pale in comparison to that decomposing squirrel carcass, that other dogs' arsehole or that manky hole filled with fetid, stagnant mud. The feeling you get as she - hearing your calls - looks up at you, twitches her nose, then dives back into devouring whatever godforsaken filth she has discovered, only this time on some kind of deranged fast forward setting because there is now the very real possibility that you will storm over there and drag her away from it.... or worse still, the feeling when YOU KNOW she can hear you (because she can hear you opening the kitchen treat cupboard from 3 blocks away) but chooses to carry on doing what she's doing, ignoring your maniacally high-pitched command to (please!) COME... is the most specific kind of soul-destroying feeling you will ever experience. But, amid the misery know this: tomorrow you will sit in a bustling cafe - aggressively bashing out a blog article dedicated to your dog's miserable behaviour and she will sit, faithfully and loyally, right by your side.

4) They will behave better with every other human being than you

Yes EVERY OTHER human being. Especially, and most irritatingly, that smug cargo-trousers wearing Cesar Millan wannabe dog trainer who smirks like they've just taught your pooch how to hula-hoop with a plate balanced on her nose when, in fact, they've just called her name. Of course, she responds immediately and sits perfectly at their feet at full attention. Thanks Hettie. Now you have to endure yet another 30 minute lecture about how your treats aren't tasty enough, your toys aren't colourful / squeaky / interesting enough and how much your timing / tone / general existence sucks.

5) They will make you grow up over night

Without even acknowledging it, you've kind of felt like a kid your entire life; "adult" seemed to refer to your parents much more so than you. Yet, this will all change in an instant. One moment you're pondering which pub to meet at for seemingly unending rounds of Cards Against Humanity and the next you are (literally) taking a tiny puppy from her mother (meanwhile, why does nobody ever mention this?! Nothing will prepare you for the utter anguish... it's horrible!), from the delightful Derbyshire farm of her birth and ferreting her back to your one-bedroom flat. In Glasgow. Those little terrified eyes will look up at you and you'll be struck with the deepest and most incredible feeling of responsibility for this little life. You will Google "doggy slow feeders" because you're concerned with how quickly she gorges her dinner. You will Google "why is my dog's poo like Mr Whippy ice cream", "can dogs eat stones", "do dogs ..." yeah, you're gonna Google a lot of shit.

6) They're the best kind of Humanity Barometer

From the quiet smiles of those who pass you both in the street, the squeals of kids as she bounds towards them at the beach to the friendly head-tussles and banter she sparks amongst fellow pub patrons; your four-legged friend will shine a light on all the big animal-loving hearts around you. Fascinated by everyone and judging no one, she'll bring great joy to family, friends and strangers alike - making the most humbling kind of connections - perhaps including a woman who, amid slobbery doggy kisses, tells you what it means not to be judged by her homelessness but to be taken for who she is.

7) They'll enrich your life more than you ever thought possible

Very true, but only listed because some American said I needed 7 dot points for this article to be memorable. Remember, I'm aiming for 'lofty'...

Go on, share your crazy / wonderful / nightmarish puppy stories below!

Also on the Love Blog...

]]><![CDATA[Vintage Style Challenge #2: Nottingham, a mean-spirited sherif and a very vintage day out]]>Tue, 08 Mar 2016 23:33:19 GMThttp://www.hayleyangell.com/blog/vintage-style-challenge-2-nottingham-a-mean-spirited-sherif-and-a-very-vintage-day-out

The jury's in, you crazy kids LOVE a Vintage Style Challenge as much as I do. This isn't just another one of those run-of-the-mill 'match made in heaven' scenarios. Nuh-ah. This is the kind of match that's been dipped in awesome, covered in chocolate buttons and vomited on by unicorns wearing replicas of Audrey Hepburn's 1954 Oscars gown. While I hadn't expected to take on another style challenge so soon, when my plan for a ladies morning tea at my all time favourite vintage store (located a mere 300 miles from home) in Nottingham exploded with the news of a Judy's Vintage Fair (nay, that's Judy's AFFORDABLE Vintage Fair, to be precise) on the very same day... it would have been rude not to take up Challenge #2. Team, you know the rules: 3 hours. £30. Wildly unnecessary pauses for carb-loaded snacks. Gratuitous photographs of my watch. GO!

Part 1: The Challenge

11:00am THE WARM-UP

I like Nottingham. What ignorant Australian who knows of nothing more than: the tale of Robin Hood, the actual existence of Sherwood Forest and the fact that the 2014-2015 Sheriff of Nottingham WAS A WOMAN, wouldn't? (Seriously, is it weird that my mind is more blown by this than the prospect of a woman (or Donald Trump) becoming President of the United States?!). But, any visit to Nottingham for me really means only one thing: a (very long) trip to Hopkinson Vintage - four floors of pre-owned, pre-loved and pre-worn vintage-y goodness. What's so good about it, you say?

Brooches are about a fiver a piece (and there's approximately 800 head-height cases housing them all)
I've picked up awesome swag here from kitchen scales and apple crates to head scarves and basket bags
Oh - and it has a cafe.

So, for a little pre-challenge warm up, a catch-up with my Mother-in-Law Kim (who, rather annoyingly, is absolutely delightful. Awkward / evil Mother-in-Law stories make such good schtick) and friend Julie for tea and scones, a leisurely dig through the cornucopia of vintage and a good old natter. While there, I nab a pair of £3 earrings (that oddly look like mini yellow lifebuoys) as inspiration for my day ahead...

1:00pm GO TIME!

I set about waddling from Hopkins' up to Nottingham Trent University for the fair, conveniently checking the time outside Nottingham's beautiful Theatre Royal...

I should say here that I'm not a great lover of vintage fairs. Not for any other reason than the one propelling me on this indulgent challenge in the first place... I love a bargain (which, in my experience, is usually won by having a rummage in a mouldy old box, more so than casually flipping through a beautifully curated rack of vintage perfection). Praying to the Vintage Gods I pay my £2 (I've £25 left...) to the lovely Emily, get my wrist-stamped (and begin having flashbacks to student night at The Victory) and thrust myself out into the fair.

First vendor, first rack: ALL DRESSES £25.
Shit.
Second rack, I pull out a dress: £28.
Shit.
My eyes dart about for a dark corner.... I pull out another dress: £14 (heart rate slows... okay...). I flip along further: £10 (size 8). Okay, okay... I can do this. I keep flipping.
Flip.
Flip.
Flip.
And then, I see it. A vision of permanent marker on creased cardboard tag: £5. It's polyester. It's blue. It's covered in maple leaves. But.... cute sleeves, cute tie collar. No belt (meh). I let my eyes drift over it again: £5. Come to Mama.

1:40pm: The search continues...

Radiating in the glow of my bargain find, I make a beeline for Cow - a hip vintage store I'd known from my days visiting Sheffield. Now, I say this from a place of love - but nothing in the world will make you feel older than being in this store. You stand, surrounded by giggling uni students feverishly grabbing for vintage scrunchies, vintage crop denim jackets and vintage button down floral dresses ahead of their [insert any day of the week here] Night Out and try not to shudder at having owned and lovingly worn each and every one of these items what seemed like only a few years ago... I luck out on my hunt for a yellow crop cardigan or scarf but luck in with the world's most incredible carpet bag. No, there is no possible way it will style with my dress. Yes, I have completely broken the cardinal rule of the Vintage Style Challenge. No, I do not care.

From Cow, I cross the street to a very unassuming charity shop with a seemingly remarkable vintage collection in the window. I meet the awesomely knowledgable Richard (above R) - clearly something of a Nottingham institution himself - and his colleague Ryan (above L) and get a comprehensive run down of Nottingham vintage. Add to that a gorgeous lemon 1930s hat... was £30, then £15 now £10... she's a little flat and lifeless, but nothing a little bit of love can't fix. I hash out a tenner and take Richard's advice for lunch...

2:15pm: LUNCHHHH!!!!

I pop into indy haven, Cobden Place... see a Salt Beef Sandwich with pickle and sauerkraut on the menu and know that I will never need to finish this sentence.

2:40pm Time to get serious, handbag and shoes await...

I bid Nottingham a fine farewell and jump the bus back to Derby. I'll have just 45mins to find a belt (which I never do as I already own a perfectly fine red belt... that I secretly wished was white or yellow ), shoes and bag. Just off the bus, the fine people at Cancer Research UK come to my rescue with a pair of midi heels that even Dorothy would be proud of... sure they're Atmosphere by Primark (and therefore the antithesis of vintage...) but the £4.50 price tag me has me reaching for my cash quicker than discovering advance tickets for RuPaul's 2016 Extravaganza Tour. My final stop - the ever colourful Alternatives in Lisa's home town of Spondon offers my final piece.... the cutest little picnic basket you never thought could ever pass as a handbag. DONE!

Okay, the bill??

Dress: £5+£2 fair entry @makedoandvintage via @judysvintagefair
Hat: £10 @mysightshop
Earrings: £3 @hopkinson21
Bag: £1.99 Alternatives Charity Store, Spondon
Shoes: £4.50 @cr_uk
Belt: own
Brooch: Seriously, haven't I over-accessorised enough??
TOTAL: £26.49 (+tea/scone +salt beef sandwich)

Part 2: The Look

So it's over to you my fine challenge loving friends! Set me a challenge below and we'll see what kind of bargain-loving goose chase you have me on...

Also on the Love Blog:

]]><![CDATA[Chalk it up as a damn fine blackboard tutorial (that'll only cost a quid)]]>Wed, 02 Mar 2016 21:48:49 GMThttp://www.hayleyangell.com/blog/chalk-it-up-as-a-damn-fine-blackboard-tutorial-thatll-only-cost-a-quid

Skill level: Beginner
Time: 15 minutes

Chalkboards are pretty bloody handy - especially when you're people-herding at a wedding or special event. Whether it's directions to the loos, a nifty editable table-plan, the place for a mildly irritating inspirational love quote or a reminder that - yes - it is indeed a free bar (okay, that one probably doesn't require any form of signage... bushfires have taken longer to spread) - you can almost never have too many of the things on hand. A chalkboard that's free standing?! Even better.
Yes, yes - I know, your budget is so out of control the 12,467% interest on that pay-day-advance loan is starting to sound like a really good deal... relax, I've got your back. Read on my lovely, £1/$2(ish) blackboard frames await...

You will need:

The cheapest, ugliest, tackiest plastic picture frame you can find. Honestly - this is essential. I bought mine from Poundland (they're a standard item so, get in Brits!) but, of course, just about any dodgy discount store will have the goods.
Stick-on blackboard cover - buy online or readily available from hobby/craft/discount stores for a few bob per roll.
The TINIEST amount of white paint (or colour of your choice). We're just going to be lightly brushing, so go for the colour that will highlight the tackiness of your frame to maximum effect.
Paint brush.
Drop cloth or paper - yours REALLY needn't be posh handmade wrapping paper like mine (clearly I'm attempting to counteract poor content with pretty pictures).
(You'll actually need scissors too).

Method:

Step 1: Remove the glass and backing and pop to the side.
(Remember to have painted your nails because you don't want your hands looking manky in the photos. Also, grab a scrap piece of paper as you don't want to blot paint on your aforementioned posh wrapping paper in Step 2).

Step 2: Lightly dip your brush in the paint (I just use the lid) and blot any excess onto your scrap paper / drop-sheet / posh paper.

Step 3: Lightly brush across the horrid detailing of your frame - you want to accentuate the OTT design AS MUCH as possible, so pay extra attention to faux plastic beading or faux ornate corners. I'm actually not joking - they come up really well! Paint until you've gained your desired effect - it can be as as heavy or as subtle as you like, but just remember to softly build up the layers with a near-dry brush or your paint will fill-in all your lovely/heinous details...

..once you're happy, pop you completed frame to the side to dry. It will only take a couple of minutes.

Step 4: Measure out the blackboard contact using the glass (or plastic) of your picture frame.
Try to show off your fab wedding / engagement rings as much as possible.

Step 5: THE. FUN. PART. Despite the fact you still have nightmares about covering your school books... fear not! This time it will be different! (Truthfully - it really won't. Sticky-covering ANYTHING sucks the big one). Simply peel pack the top of the blackboard film, apply to the glass, and cover away. Go slow and push out the air bubbles as you go. DO NOT get frustrated and smash the glass in a huff. Perhaps try making cups of tea in 5 minute intervals.

Step 6: Press out any final air bubbles.

Step 7: Voila! Grab some chalk and finish the job with your pithiest phrase. I welcome your very best puns in the Comments section below!

]]><![CDATA[Vintage Style Challenge : within 3 and under 30]]>Thu, 25 Feb 2016 13:42:58 GMThttp://www.hayleyangell.com/blog/vintage-style-challenge

Hayley Angell in vintage dress styled with a vintage clothing challenge sat in airy living room

Admit it - you love a challenge. In fact, your fervour for challenges is only superseded by one thing...
the thrill of A BARGAIN. With this in mind - today's post kind of wrote itself: set myself a ridiculous challenge in a thinly veiled attempt to legitimise my obsessive vintage shopping habit (this blogging thing sure has its benefits - Lisa actually sounded impressed when I told her I was off to spend our money...). So, with the Glasgow sun shining (expect to see this comment again in June), £30 flush in my pocket, a song in my heart and your help (thanks Instagram chums)... that's exactly what I did.

Part 1 : The Challenge

11:00am: GO TIME

Hayley Angell watch displaying 11am and beginning of vintage style challenge with brown leather vintage cloves and tweed jacket

My first stop was obvious: my Glasgwegian home-away-from home, The Glasgow Vintage Company£10 dress rack. It's quite honestly the best thing to happen to me since I landed the coveted role of The Laughing Gnome in my school Christmas pageant (don't ask). Essentially - if there was nothing for me here, then I was chucking the whole bloody challenge in the bin as an utter lost cause.

The Glasgow Vintage Company 10 pound dress rack to be searched for Love is in the Detail vintage style challenge

The Glasgow Vintage Company dress rack for Love is in the Detail Vintage Style Challenge

I spot a delicious autumnal print and yank it out to find it has... a pencil skirt (though, an unusually stretchy pencil skirt), I start sweating profusely and grab wildly at handfuls of other dresses in my full-circled comfort zone. Meh. Thighs-schmies, that's what shape-wear is for... right?? I whip out a £10 note and make for the register. Oohhhh.... what's that?! A scarf alight in warm greens and oranges for £2?!? Yes please!

Setting off towards Byers Road I drop into Shelter charity store. I spot a pair of cute, bronze/metallic heels (by cute, I mean mid-heel height), brand new (£50 Clarks tag, thank you very much) for £10... I umm and ahhh. What?! Shoes and winter jackets are half price? A few bracelets and £7.25 later, I'm on my way.

Glasgow charity store Shelter Scotland offering half price shoes for Love is in the Details Vintage Style Challenge

12:55pm: Is that the time?! Surely I've earned a celebratory snack...

Hayley Angell watch displaying 12:55pm and time for break from vintage style challenge with brown leather vintage gloves and tweed jacket with Glasgow cobblestones in background

If there's one thing that naturally complements the purchase of figure-hugging clothing; it's sugar, fat and carbohydrates. Time for a break! I pop into Nic's NYC Deli for an INSANELY GOOD lemon cream doughnut (and a sneaky cinnamon to go...).

Love is in the Detail takes a break from Vintage Style Challenge at NIC's NY Deli for doughnut with cup of tea and take-away donut

1:10pm: Righto, back to it!

With a belly full of tea and doughy goodness, it's the final stretch - I just need a brooch (obvs) and a few extra accessories. Oxfam DIY Shop offers up the find of the day with a sausage and mash ring (Yes: SAUSAGE AND MASH ON A RING) for £2.99 and the darlings at Vintage Guru complete my look with a fab lime-green, polished-stone brooch for £3.

Glasgow charity store Oxfam DIY Store on Byers Road selling ring for Love is in the Detail Vintage Style Challenge

Oxfam DIY shop on Buyers Road

Vintage Guru store Byers Road Glasgow for Love is in the Detail Vintage Style Challenge

Love, love, love me some Vintage Guru!

1:50pm: BOOM! #NailedIt

Hayley Angell watch displaying 1:50pm and end of vintage style challenge with brown leather vintage cloves and tweed jacket in sunshine.

And 10 minutes ahead of schedule no less (there's a first for everything). I may have missed adding a handbag and earrings - but at less than £25 (doughnut included) I'm ready to forgive myself. Okay, let's take a look...

Part 2 : The Look

Hayley Angell founder of Love is in the Detail stands in window wearing outfit from Vintage Style Challenge smiling with red lips.

Hayley Angell founder of Love is in the Detail stands in window wearing outfit from Vintage Style Challenge hands on hips.

Hayley Angell founder of Love is in the Detail stands in window wearing outfit from Vintage Style Challenge smiling with red lips and hand on hip.

Hayley Angell founder of Love is in the Detail wears outfit from Vintage Style Challenge while playing a record.

Hayley Angell founder of Love is in the Detail shows off scarf purchased as part of Vintage Style Challenge.

Hayley Angell founder of Love is in the Detail shows off pie and mash ring purchased as part of Vintage Style Challenge.

THAT ring. *drools*

Hayley Angell founder of Love is in the Detail shows off Vintage Guru brooch purchased as part of Vintage Style Challenge.

Beautifully understated, works perfectly with the dress' bold print.

Hayley Angell founder of Love is in the Detail models outfit from Vintage Style Challenge posing with Labradoodle puppy Hettie.

Snagged your own style bargain recently? (apologies if I'm wrongly assuming you're not so lame as to have masterminded your own ridiculous challenge... if I am, then tell me!). I'd love to hear about it!
Xxx Hayley
Ps. Remember, ou can keep up with all the latest LIITD posts by joining here or following on Facebook.

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You'll Need:

How to Make:

And we’re done!

​12 months + 1 Day to go:

​12months - 9 months to go:

​9months - 6 months to go:

​6 months-3 months to go:

​Day of your wedding

​Bagel Mania | 338 Sauchiehall St, Glasgow G2 3JD

You will need:

​8 things You’ll Learn Very Quickly from Your First Roller Disco

Look Fabulous, Feel Fabulous Rating

​Finsbay. 44 Main Street, Milngavie (Glasgow) G62 6BU

“Smile, Toots”

​Why is being happy so unfashionable?

​Taking happiness seriously (ourselves less so)

​The benefits are endless

1) Hi Hayley! Love the dress. How would you describe your style?

2) What defines your look?

3) What do you look out for when you go charity shopping?

4) What do you enjoy about Charity Shopping?

5) What inspired you to shop in Barnardo’s?

6) How much did you spend on your latest Barnardo’s shopping trip and what did you buy?

7) What is your favourite Barnardo’s purchase and why?

8) How much do you approximately spend on an outfit from a Charity shop?

9) How often do you visit Charity shops?

10) What advice would you give to Charity shop virgins?

Day 8 - $8 / £4

Day 9​ - $4.50 / £2.25

Day 10 - $16.60 / £8.40

Day 11 - $7 / £3.50

Day 12 - $8 / £4

Day 13 - $11.50 / £5.75

Day 14 - $13.50 / £6.75

Day 15 $9.70 / ​£4.85

Day 16 $13.40 / ​£6.70

Day 17 $14.25 / ​£7.15

Day 18 $16.85 / ​£8.40

Day 19 $21.50 / ​£10.75

Day 20 $16.70 / ​£8.35

Day 21 $19 / ​£8

Want to know more about this crazy #BegBorrowBargain style challenge? Click here. See how I fared in week 1 of the challenge here.

Hungry for even more Love Blog morsels? Wrap your chops around these beauties...

Day 1 ​ - $10 / ​ £5

Day 2 - $10 / ​ £5

Day 3 - $1 / 50p

Day 4 - $2 / ​£1.00

Day 5 - $13.50 / £6.75

Day 6 - $1.50 / 75p

Day 7 - $8.50 / ​£4.25

Want to know more about my crazy style challenge? Click here.

#BegBorrowBargain Rules?

The Dart

How awesome are darts?

What I have learned by adding darts to everything I own...

﻿Gagging for more Love Blog eleganza? Try these beauties...

​Want to keep the love flowing? You might also enjoy...

​Pile 1: It’s awesome, perfect and you want to be buried in it.

​Pile 2: It’s not quite right but you could/used to/want to love it.

Pile 3: It’s heinous and needs to go.

Carry on until you've allocated the final item....

For more love blog goodies...

The Hotter look....

Want to keep the love flowing? You might also enjoy...

Food Review: Once Upon A Tart, 45 King St, Glasgow G1 5RA

Sample more Love Blog goodies here...

Hi Hayley! How did you first hear about the Vintage Kilo Sale?

How would you describe your personal style in a sentence?

What’s been your biggest buyers regret from the kilo?

And your favourite of the 7 dresses?

Could you talk us through how you went about styling your dresses?

What would be your best piece of advice for vintage virgins?

More from the love blog archives...

1) Never, ever, EVER look at sizing.

​2) Grab first, ask questions later.

3) Do the Sugar Test

4) Really, what’s the worse that can happen? Take it!

​5) Karma is REAL in Vintage shopping.

Want more love blog goodness?

1. Entertainment is king / queen

12 months + 1 Day to go:

12months - 9 months to go:

9months - 6 months to go:

6 months-3 months to go:

Day of your wedding

Bagel Mania | 338 Sauchiehall St, Glasgow G2 3JD

8 things You’ll Learn Very Quickly from Your First Roller Disco

Finsbay. 44 Main Street, Milngavie (Glasgow) G62 6BU

Why is being happy so unfashionable?

Taking happiness seriously (ourselves less so)

The benefits are endless

Day 9 - $4.50 / £2.25

Day 15 $9.70 / £4.85

Day 16 $13.40 / £6.70

Day 17 $14.25 / £7.15

Day 18 $16.85 / £8.40

Day 19 $21.50 / £10.75

Day 20 $16.70 / £8.35

Day 21 $19 / £8

Day 1 - $10 / £5

Day 2 - $10 / £5

Day 4 - $2 / £1.00

Day 7 - $8.50 / £4.25

Gagging for more Love Blog eleganza? Try these beauties...

Want to keep the love flowing? You might also enjoy...

Pile 1: It’s awesome, perfect and you want to be buried in it.

Pile 2: It’s not quite right but you could/used to/want to love it.

2) Grab first, ask questions later.

5) Karma is REAL in Vintage shopping.

1) They will be on your couch

2) They will be in your bed

5) They will make you grow up over night

Skill level: Beginner
Time: 15 minutes