Monthly Archives: October 2019

Crystal Drenching: From the Catwalk to Your Closet

When they said more is more, they were definitely talking about the latest trend to spark delight on the global catwalks – crystal drenching.

Models shone from head to toe with stunning headpieces, statement jewellery and crystal-adorned shoes. We’re fully on board with this trend but understand there’s a fine line between looking like a disco-ball and looking crystal chic…that’s why we’ve pulled together our most shining looks for everyone.

Fresh Flair

Make an entrance with a stunning hair piece that’ll add something standout to your collection, like the Bling Braid Multi Strand Comb Slide; pop in in the perfect pony, braid it in your plait … the options are endless. The Rainbow Jewel Hair Slides are an easy way to incorporate the trend in your everyday style – after all, who doesn’t want to sparkle on a Monday morning? 

Glow All Out

These sparkling statement earrings embrace the idea of more is more and are the easiest way to update any outfit this season. The Cup Chain Waterfall Earrings will glisten and swing in the light as you dance all night long. You also can’t go wrong with a sparkly update on the season’s hottest style – the hoop. The Billie Statement Drop Earrings will bring supercharged sparkle to your look, and your party-season wardrobe will thank you.

Anything but Basic

The beloved collar necklace has received a shimmering makeover this season, as seen on the runways. It’s the perfect way to add a little elegance to your outfit, while amping up your look – it’s all in the details. The Classic Pave Cut Out Collar Necklace will bring a touch of elegance to your look (and can be matched with the Classic Pave Cut Out Chandelier Earrings for ultimate glamour). If you prefer something understated that’ll still standout, try the Pave V Mini Collar Necklace, it’s the perfect match for your LBD. 

Sparkle Factor 100

A little glitz and a whole lot of glam, pick a product that sparkles as you move, with delicate fringing or dainty drops. The Freya Crystal Drop Ring Handle Clutch Bag brings the crystal drenching trend to any look. Carry the look throughout your whole outfit and pair your party-ready bag with the Crystal Cup Chain Slinky Drop Earrings or the Cup Chain Layered Choker Necklace (or both, more is more after all!)

 

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Autumn’s Top Trends With Francesca Perks

 We are fully embracing the change in season and all the fashion-related perks that come with it; think wrapping up in scarves and luxe new colour palettes. Here are our seasonal must-haves styled by fashion influencer, Francesca Perks.

The Jewel Tone Handbag

We get it, in the cooler months your wardrobe tends to lean toward the darker side; in other words black, black and black. Add a touch of colour to brighten up your outfit – and your mood – with a jewel tone handbag. Our fave hues?

Red Hot

On-trend croc print? Check. Detachable cross-body strap? Check. Bold colourway to add the ultimate pop of colour? Check. The Emma Croc Handheld Bag takes you from work to play with plenty of sophistication.

Green Queen

An update on the classic wintry hues of black, grey and navy, green is a fresh and on trend hue. Inject some vibrancy into your wardrobe with the Rebecca Croc Shoulder Bag (left) which features croc print and gold finishings. It’s the perfect size for an everyday bag; there’s space for keys, phone, book and snacks! The Dani Dome Cross Body Bag (right)  features touches of suede and comes in a chic domed silhouette, offering another unique update to your collection.

Star-bright Sparkle: Celestial-inspired headbands 

It’s no secret this season we are all about headbands and the celestial print (again), so, why not combine both? Whether you’re hiding a bad hair day or adding the finishing touch to a perfect blowdry, these hairbands will become your go to. Add something a little different to your look with the Shooting Star Embellished Wide Alice Hair Band (left),which is full of mystic eastern influences.  On the other hand for lovers of all things monochrome (with the added lush touch of velvet) the Velvet Star Embroidered Alice Hair Band is a bold yet simplistic touch.

 

The Beaded Bag

The definition of arm candy, the Check Beaded Shoulder Bag is created by hand with a mix of monochrome beads. This nostalgic take on our favourite childhood fashion accessory has an everyday-friendly long strap and just enough space for the important things.

The Faux Fur Stole

Cooler weather means snuggling up in all things cosy and for this we are thankful. The Luxe Faux Fur Stole is a glamorous addition to your winter warmer collection, taking you from morning commute to dinner out. The luxurious green hue is perfect for brightening up any dark and gloomy days.

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Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Meet CoppaFeel! founder, Kris Hallenga

This Breast Cancer Awareness Month (1st – 31st October) we’re proudly supporting breast cancer awareness charity, CoppaFeel! by donating £20,000 of the profits from our exclusive feel-good boutique collection of products. We caught up with the charity’s fearless and fabulous founder, Kris Hallenga…

A: Hi Kris, it’s a pleasure to meet you. Please introduce yourself!

I’m Kris, the founder of CoppaFeel!. When I’m not talking about boobs I’m probably banging on about my cat, Lady Marmalade. I’m 33 (turning 34 in November!), I have an identical twin sister called Maren and I live in beautiful Cornwall.

A: What is the best thing about being the founder of CoppaFeel!?

I think being the founder of anything is pretty damn cool. I never saw myself as someone driven or motivated enough to start something brand new before I was diagnosed so I actually really surprised myself. Obviously, the proudest thing is seeing the impact we’re having and the response we get from all our campaigning and hard work. It makes it all so ruddy worth it.

A: It shows incredible strength that your reaction to the diagnosis was to start a charity to help others, where did you find that strength, energy and passion?

I have no idea. But I actually think we all possess a little bit of that killer badass inside us, and we just don’t know it’s there until we really need it. I find the energy because I know what we do matters and I’m passionate because I see the impact. Nothing worth doing is easy and straight forward. Having said that, I have my moments of weakness and low-energy, but I think that’s allowed!

A: What is the most important message you communicate to your audience?

CHECK YOUR BOOBS. It’s as simple as that. Currently, we’re running a campaign called “Grab Life By The Boobs”. The premise is that we want everyone to have a future free from breast cancer. Every ounce of life is precious so it’s worth grabbing on to and celebrating, much like your body.

A: In what way do you spread your very important messages?

We visit schools, recruit ambassadors at universities, we take our boob mobile Belinda to festivals, we have a free text message reminder and hand out copious amounts of shower stickers, which are a useful prompt to check in the shower. Each year we also put on our annual event called Festifeel at the House of Vans in London. This is a big ol’ celebration of everything we do and helps us to get the word out even further (plus it raises money, which is of course also beneficial!)

A: It’s CoppaFeel!’s 10 year anniversary this year, what’s your proudest moment/fondest memory of the past decade?

Gosh, there are so many things I’m proud of! I love that we’ve created a charity that gives people the opportunity to be good humans. Our team are good humans and everyone who volunteers for us LOVE what they do and it’s so nice to see. Of course, the proudest thing of all is hearing from people we’ve reached telling us their cancer has been diagnosed early because they were checking themselves and they knew the symptoms to look for. We can’t say for sure that we’ve saved lives because cancer has a sneaky habit of sometimes returning in the future, but we know for certain that we’ve given people the best chance of surviving because, statistically speaking, if a cancer is found at the earliest stage the survival rate is vastly higher. We believe everyone deserves that chance.

A: You already do so many amazing things, what’s next for Coppafeel!

Wider reach, to more people, more communities, more “pockets” of people who are currently not being educated. We want to reach BME groups, people who don’t go to uni, young mums and basically everyone that needs to hear our message. Having said that, we also want to ensure what we already do is done even better, even bigger and more efficiently. There’s no need for big changes because we’re already doing big things, we just have to do them better.

A: What’s your favourite ‘everyday’ motivational mantra / affirmation?

“Breathe”. Reminding myself to take a good deep breath is the most grounding thing I can do each day and it really helps me focus!

A: Aside from boob-checking, what other self-care rituals do you have?

I bloody love having a bath. It’s the ultimate “me” moment when I take a long soak in epsom salts. I also like to stretch out my body and practice yoga and reformer pilates.

A: How important is it for CoppaFeel! to partner with brands? (… Like us!)

Hugely! We need as many different audiences to listen to our message and the vehicle for doing that is brand partnerships. It would take us way longer to reach such a huge group of people without you guys! Of course, we also very much need the funds to keep doing our work. For me, partnerships have to feel authentic and truly meaningful. When a brand puts their name to a charity we make sure the people signing the contract actually check their boobs – what’s the point in telling your audience to do something that you haven’t committed to yourself?

A: Which is your favourite piece from the Accessorize x CoppaFeel! collection?

I love the scarf. I’m really into fun forms of headgear and I think it’s so cute to tie it up on your head – or alternatively round your neck!

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5 Pieces For The Cooler Months That Guarantee A Stylish Season

As the leaves start falling, we’re more than ready to embrace the cosiness of the cooler months that are upon us. Think bundling up in oversized scarves, wrapping your glove-clad hands around a hot chocolate and snuggling up for a girl’s night in. Whether you’re braving the elements or spending the night at home, look effortlessly cool with our top new season picks.

1. Wrapped up: The Wells Supersoft Blanket Scarf

During the colder months, we never leave the house without a scarf, whether it’s wrapped over our shoulders, snug around our neck or used as a blanket when the office AC is too high… The Wells Supersoft Blanket Scarf is perfect and will keep you cosy and chic in the cold. It also comes in a spectrum of colours, but we can’t go past these beautifully bold shades.

2. Best Foot Forward: The Real Suede Mule Slippers

The ultimate treat to yourself, the Real Suede Mule Slippers  will have you daydreaming of heading home and slipping into something a little more comfortable – literally. Made from luxurious real suede, they’re lined with cosy faux-fur to keep your toes toasty. There are a few brilliant hues to choose, a pair to match each pair of PJs, maybe?

3. Heads Up: The Bea Chunky Turnup Beanie

This season it’s all about the classic beanie so say hello to our Bea Chunky Turnup Beanie . It’ll brighten up dark days and not only keep you warm but also protect your hair from the inevitable winter frizz – bad hair days no more. If you’re feeling extra fabulous and fancy one day adorn the beanie with a stunning hair accessory like the Pearl Hair Pinsor stock up on various colourways to brighten up every day.

4. Soft Touch: The Faux Fur Tippet

Add a touch of timeless elegance to your look with the Faux Fur Tippet. This fluffy addition adds a luxe and glamorous touch and most importantly it keeps you warm during the colder, darker months while adding a cheerful colour injection. It’s also available in black for those who can’t break away from the beloved hue.

5. That’s a Wrap: The Holly Supersoft Blanket Scarf 

Last, but certainly not least, the pop-of-colour-scarf. We all know that our winter wardrobe tends to favour darker shades, which is why a bold piece can brighten your look. The Holly Supersoft Blanket Scarf features chunky fringing that adds a little special something and this striking red colourway is perfect. There are a few colourways to choose from, so pick a shade that complements your wardrobe best.

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Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Meet CoppaFeel! Ambassadors Charlie and Jess

This Breast Cancer Awareness Month (1st – 31st October) we’re proudly supporting breast cancer awareness charity, CoppaFeel! by donating £20,000 of the profits from our exclusive feel-good boutique collection of products. We caught up with the charities amazing ambassadors Charlie Launder and Jess Megan for a quick chat about life, self-love and the importance of getting hands on…

A: Hi ladies, please introduce yourselves!

C:  My name is Charlie, I’m 30 and I live in London. I have been married for almost exactly a year to my university sweetheart George. I am a personal trainer, specialising in pre and post-natal women. I started a business called Bumps & Burpees and I absolutely love helping women feel strong and amazing.

J: My name is Jessica and I’m a body image activist, curve model and very proud CoppaFeel! Ambassador. My job is focused on encouraging women to get to know their bodies on an intimate basis, as well as normalising them externally. Hey, hello, hi!

A: Why did you first get involved with CoppaFeel?

C: When I was 25 I found a lump in my breast, after watching Kris Hallenga’s documentary Dying to Live (she’s the charity’s founder) so I have a lot to thank CoppaFeel! for. I had that removed and luckily no further treatment was needed, but a year and a half later I found another lump in the same place and they discovered a few tumours that all needed urgent surgery. I have been supporting CoppaFeel! ever since and don’t stop talking about what they does to anyone who will listen.

J: Because my message is based around getting women to get to know themselves, both physically and mentally. When we recognise patterns and habits, we can identify bodily malfunctions. These can include mental health blips, missing periods and spotting the signs of cancer. CoppaFeel! was the perfect charity for me, so when I was asked to be an ambassador, I was totally thrilled.

A: Why is CoppaFeel!’s message of early diagnosis so important?

C: If we all learn what to look out for and to get into the habit of checking our boobs when we are young then we are all in a far better position to spot anything ‘odd’! By taking ownership of our bodies and knowing what feels right, we can confidently ask for the help we need if and when we need it.

J: If symptoms are detected early, it can increase the chance of successful treatment. Many frightened women have approached me in relation to their own breast cancer diagnoses or symptoms they are experiencing. They’re worried about the results, the future, and their families. I tell them that while it will be hard and sometimes scary, they can still stand even with shaking legs, and they CAN move forward. Fear is okay, its normal.

A: What advice would you give to someone who feels awkward talking about/checking their boobs?

C: Firstly, you don’t need to talk about checking your boobs if it makes you feel awkward… But you do need to do it! Do it in the comfort of your own house and don’t make it into a ‘big thing’. Have a quick check lying in bed, or standing in the shower – it takes no time at all but that could be saving you a lot of time and stress later on.

 J: We are all different. My breasts are saggy, with white stretch marks and large nipples, and they’ve been that way since I was sixteen. There, I said it! Breasts are a very normal and natural part of being human. We are all dangling, soft machines – there’s a lot of stuff happening in our big bodies all the time and occasionally malfunctions might happen. The only way you can know if something goes wrong is if you get to know your body intimately. Create a bond with your boobs!

A: What are your top tips to remind yourself to regularly check your boobs?

J: I have one tip and it’s the best tip ever (ever, ever, ever): Sign up to CoppaFeel!’s monthly text reminders HERE. They’re super fun, totally non-invasive messages that give you a little nudge every month.

A: What’s your favourite mantra or affirmation?

C: There can be no flowers without rain. When you have a bad day or receive some bad news it can feel all-consuming and like you’ll never get through it, but you will and when you do the good days will feel SO good.

A: Aside from boob-checking, what other self-care rituals do you have? 

J: I eat what I want. If I want a salad’s bowl worth of pasta, I eat a salad’s bowl worth of pasta. If I want to sleep, I sleep long and hard. Self-care isn’t so much about face masks and baths (although if that’s what you like, go for it!) it’s more about listening to your body and knowing what it wants. My biggest self-care treatment is spending time with my dog. He’s a chunky, short-haired rescue and it’s so soothing to be with him after a busy day walking around London.

A: How important is it for CoppaFeel! to partner with brands (… like us!)

 J: Breast cancer is an issue that affects so many and it’s such a worthy cause that needs as much awareness as possible. Influential brands such as Accessorize are vital not only for raising funds, but also to break down barriers of fear between ‘real life’ and the clinical aspects of cancer. Many women I speak to are frightened of hospitals, medical terminology and doctors. Familiarity brings comfort and big brands and corporations can provide this by bringing attention to important issues.

A: Finally, which are your favourite pieces from the Accessorize x CoppaFeel! collection?

C: With my job, I go to and fro from the gym a lot, and I love the printed drawstring pouch for keeping my gym trainers in. It works within my larger carry-all and I can’t get over the print – so cute!

J: The boob necklace! I have a million boob-shaped, boob-printed, boob-centric pieces in my house. I’m missing a boob shaped necklace in my life. A tiny set of golden boobs to perch on top of my boobs. Bliss.

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Design Stories: The Accessorize x CoppaFeel! Feel-Good Boutique

This Breast Cancer Awareness Month (1st – 31st October) we’re proudly supporting breast cancer awareness charity, CoppaFeel! by donating £20,000 of the profits from our exclusive feel-good boutique collection of products. Venture into the Accessorize design studio to discover more about the vision behind the range and the techniques used to create that eye-catching print…

The inspiration

“As a business that is predominately made up of women, providing accessories for women, it was a no-brainer to support such an amazing charity,” says Mary-Jane Ralston, Buying Manager at Accessorize.

“CoppaFeel! are so imaginative and light-hearted in the way that they aim to break the taboo surrounding talking about and checking your boobs (and pecs!) so an element of fun was very important to capture within our exclusive product range.”

“As a brand we design for girls and women of all ages, so it feels really important to support a charity that focuses on increasing awareness on something that touches almost all of our lives either personally, or through a friend or loved one. I now have a much greater understanding and how to check myself, and I think that our print symbolises that empowerment with a tongue-in-cheek edge.” – Georgie Chappel, Designer at Accessorize.

The design process

The print was developed in-house using a loose, illustrative style. “Abstract prints are big for AW19 anyway, and so this felt like a natural mix of artistic style, trend-influence and meaningful motifs,” explains Georgie.

Pink represents friendship, affection, harmony, emotional strength and inner peace, but it is the softer side of dominant, powerful red, so in the right shade it can still pack a punch. As well as being one of CoppaFeel!’s official colours (and pretty close to our very own brand coral!) the words ‘strength’ and ‘peace’ feel really relevant to this collection and the cause.

The collection

Once our in-house design team were happy with the scribbly ‘boob’ print, we printed it onto some of our best-selling pieces. The boutique collection includes three must-have bag shapes (a tote, wash bag and drawstring pouch), two delicate gold necklaces, a silk scarf, printed tee and cute motif keyring.

“I’m obsessed with the ‘pearly pair’ boobs necklace! Coincidentally there is a big trend in jewellery right now to feature faces and body parts, so this is the perfect piece to buy now and tick off a key trend whilst also supporting this fabulous charity.” – Mary-Jane Ralston, Buying Manager.

“2019 has been the year of the hair accessory, so our silk scarf looks likely to be a bestseller. The best thing is the versatility within this one single product – wrap it around your pony tail or weave into a messy bun. I also love the cute tee – it’s perfect with jeans for everyday.” – Georgina Chappell, Designer.

Education & empowerment

CoppaFeel! are the first breast cancer charity in the UK to solely create awareness amongst young people, with the aim of instilling the knowledge and tools they need to get to know their bodies. We admire the way they discuss and deliver a serious message in a light-hearted way, empowering us all to start healthy habits for life.

CoppaFeel!’s dream is that one day we can live in a world where ALL breast cancers are diagnosed at the earliest stage possible, at which treatments are more effective and survival rates are higher.

“Since working with CoppaFeel! I certainly feel more knowledgeable about checking my boobs and keep telling my friends to start doing so regularly. It’s really simple; cancer has no prejudices, it’s not embarrassed or self-conscious so why should you be?” – Mary-Jane Ralston, Buying Manager.

Getting to know your boobs could save your life – so sign up for a boob check reminder here and get hands on now!

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