Re:So and Betty.

On Tuesday I took over to Southampton With Love Betty products to be placed for sale in the new shop called Re:So. The Retail Solent Initiative is a shop dedicated to Southampton Solent students in creative fields who wish to sell/exhibit their products, art, music, photography and their creative talents to the public. I absolutely LOVE this idea, and being an ex-Solent fashion student I am fully behind this idea and couldn't wait to get involved when a ex-lecture asked if I would be interested in selling my products there.

As you can see from the images above the store oozes creative flair, the Visual Merchandising is contemporary with a industrial feel. The store is designed completely by the students themselves and also run by the students. The products are unique, exciting and reflect exactly what these creative courses are all about. It gives them a opportunity to sell or exhibit their works, gaining experience in the retail industry, with working alongside each other as well as working towards their own specific market.

I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to talk to a few of the students and you can see how excited they are to showcase their ideas to the public, with one student actually sat at a sewing machine in store, customising her clothing ready to put straight onto the rail. You can check out her blog here www.lemonade951.blogspot.com or find her on facebook Fb: /lemonade951. Another student was designing her own fashion magazine called "Peace & Love Magazine" check her out on Fb: /peacelovemagazine. Please have a look, Its so important to get behind students in creative industries as they rely upon the public.

And here are some images of With Love Betty's products.....

I'm so excited to be involved and cant wait to see how well and if the public like my vintage garments & boots.

You can find the Re:So store in the Marlands centre, in Southampton, on the high street up on the second floor. Please go check it out if your ever in Southampton and support the students. You can also follow their blog if your interested in finding out a bit more about the store at http://so-blog.tumblr.com/ here you can also find their post on With Love Betty.

Would you buy items handmade or customised by students? Do you wish your uni would do something like this for you too be able to sell your products? Let me know what you think by commenting below.

With Love.......

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Love a day out in Brighton.....

On Sunday a friend and I decided to take the short train journey to Brighton for a day of shopping (maining window shopping), people watching (one of my favourite things to do) and eating yummy food :)

We arrived at around 11am and headed straight to one of their cute cafes down the north laines, and that is where the people watching started, and oh my Brighton is such a fab place to people watch. There are so many interesting, cool people; love getting styling tips by seeing how other people style there own individual looks.

From there we started to weave in and out of all the amazing shops down the North Laines. If you've never been to Brighton and love vintage shopping, get yourself down there for the day!!

Lots & LOTS of amazing, unique jewellery!!

Bags Galore!!!

Loved looking though all the vintage photos.....fantastic for styling tips.

For the day I wore my favourite coat, an Aztec blanket, swing coat. I received many compliments which always helps with your confidence when walking around a cool place like Brighton. I matched it with a pair of black jeans and my ever so comfy white converse. It was a beautiful day so even got to get out the trusty sunglasses ;)

After looking in what seemed like a thousand shops and wishing I had won the lottery we headed down to the south laines. These are the smaller laines which you can EASILY get lost down. Lots of boutiques, jewellery shops, make-up stores and yummy restaurants :)

The South Laines are absolutely beautiful as they are the older part of Brighton. The architecture and mood of them are so picturesque.

My friend Lindsay wore her beautiful faux fur coat (which she actually bought on our last visit to Brighton).

We found this guy chilling out with his owner, he was absolutely massive but extremely friendly, I just wanted to lay down next to him and give him a big cuddle!! (the cold wind stopped me though)

So overall we had a fantastic day. We were Island bound by 8 o'clock and too be honest was knackered. So for £15 return on the train from Portsmouth you and your friends can have a fab day out. However we've decided next time we are going for a weekend so we can check out Brighton's nightlife :)

Have you guys been to Brighton? Which shops are your favourite? Or have u found a better city I could try out? Let me know by commenting below!

With Love.......

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Vintage + neon = fab styling!!

I had the lovely Ceri come into store the other day. She is the very talented lady who is behind "Penny Lane jewellery," the beautiful hand made, vintage inspired rings, ear rings and brooches found in With Love Betty.

She looked absolutely stunning in a cream vintage blouse with a gold beaded collar and dark sheepskin coat from With Love Betty. She added a modern twist by wearing a neon bright statement necklace, this contrasted fantastically with the fab Alice band she was wearing.

I love her unique styling, she always has a fab vintage style with a modern twist!

What do you guys think of her outfit? Have u worn something similar?

Please comment below, your advice and views are very much appreciated :)

With Love.......
Xxxxxxxx

Checks & beanies

Anyone who knows me knows I’m a hat lover.......and I love wearing beanie’s at the moment. Don’t get me wrong fedoras are my all-time fav hat but a beanie adds a more relaxed casual twist to any outfit, plus they are warmer on the ears. I buy most of my beanies from Topman, mainly because they are extra slouchy and cheaper compared to the female equivalent.    

The outfit above & below shows me wearing my beanie with a simple vintage check shirt from 'With Love Betty' of course. It came up slightly too big so instead of just tucking it in I decided to tie the bottom. I love the bright colour of this one and think it looks fab styled simply with black jeans. So that I wasn't too casual I paired the outfit with some stylish black boots and rolled up the bottom of the jeans.

Check shirts look fab done up all the way to the top, customised with studding or you could accessorise the shirt with a brooch of some kind in the middle of the collar. These can be found in 'With Love Betty' I customise the shirts myself and we sell handmade brooches.

Im personally not a fan of doing my shirts and blouses up all the way and prefer to wear them un-done in a casual manner. How do you like to wear your shirts and blouses? Do you have a different way of styling them? How would you change this outfit? Id love to hear your views and gain some styling tips so please comment below.....

Off to Brighton tomorrow with a friend to do some shopping down the lanes so ill definitely take lots of pics and post about it on Monday.

Have a fab weekend everyone

With Love....

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Newness......

I am loving blouses at the moment and apparently so are you guys! They are one of the best selling departments in With Love Betty and good news people.......we have had a delivery of newness :)

Blouses are such a easy, staple piece which will see you through from the winter to the summer. Paired simply with a pair of jeans (or leather trousers if your feeling adventurous) or a pair of cut off denim Levi's in the Summer. They look simple yet effective, because remember "less is always more."

From cut-out collars, pussy-bow, silk, short sleeve & long sleeve there's a blouse here to suit everyone. 

This is my favourite blouse in store....

This pale pink striped blouse is so unique, Ive never seen anything like it. Yes its a pussy-bow blouse but the way the two ends are pulled through a tab to create the bow effect is very different.

I also really love this black patent leather belt with a brass buckle and chain, a fantastic twist to this angelic blouse.



dont forget to come in store and check out the newness :)

Please let me know what you think of my latest post....comment below.

With Love xxxxxx



Mixing Vintage with highstreet....

Obviously I wear alot of vintage pieces as I own a vintage boutique, however this certainly doesnt stop me from wearing/buying highstreet pieces which I can wear alongside my vintage finds. Im a missive fan of leather: leather jackets, shorts, skirts and trousers, and even though I have vintage leather pieces I have found it hard to find vintage leather trousers that fit me how I like. Im definitely a skinny trousers type of girl and wear my faux leather trousers from Topshop all the time!!  They go perfectly with an oversized vintage jumper, I love the bright red one shown below, worn with red lipstick, the colours look fab against the cold grey days of winter!!

As it is so cold (and was snowing) I paired my outfit with a long faux fur coat, which is one of my favourites. Its slightly too big for me but I love the oversized look and it feels extra comfy and warm.

My Fringed leather bag is from a mexican market in old town San Diego, im not sure if its vintage, its beautiful though. Ive had it a few years now and my friends can probably tell you I wear it all the time! I think it goes great with this outfit.

I decided to add a modern twist to this outfit by adding black Topshop wedged high top trainers. I love how they enlongate my legs (im very short) without me looking to dressed up in heels, plus they are really comfy which is an added bonus.

So what do you think of this outfit and what would you do differently? please feel free to comment below.
Im new to this blogging game so any advice from you guys would be fantastic. I would also really appreciate it if you could share my blog with friends/family and of course dont forget to come visit With Love Betty to find your own Vintage pieces to inspire your own outfits.

with love xxxxxxxxxxx

A snowy vintage outfit.....

I've decided to start posting my own vintage inspired outfits.....

SNOW DAY.....
I put together a beautifully warm cream roll neck jumper with a pair of simple black jeans, a black leather belt with silver buckle. An amazingly warm sheepskin coat, gorgeous burgundy fedora hat, an Egyptian inspired leather bag and black leather and suede flat boots, plus a beautiful turquoise vintage inspired ring by penny lane jewellery. All from with love Betty :)

Enjoy your snow day :)

sorry sorry sorry..........

I know, I have been terrible at posting on my blog...........well that's going to stop now.

Christmas has been pretty hectic for me at With Love Betty, the store did great over the festive period, we've been trading for just over 4 months now and so much has happened its crazy!!!

So lets give you a quick breakdown of whats been going on.........

In November With Love Betty collaborated with the 6th form college here on the isle of Wight, working with their year 12 fashion class. They were given the opportunity to enter a competition to design the Christmas window scheme for the store. This gave them the chance to gain work experience in the industry by working alongside a brief for a client. They had to research and present their ideas in a visual format in a professional manner. The winners, Meg & Khya, designed a contemporary window scheme, working towards there strengths in photography. They asked to use the clothes and accessories in store and styled and photographed their chosen model in a location which reflected the identity of With Love Betty. A main picture was then chosen and framed in a antique frame with smaller, Polaroid style photos hanging either side by string and tiny wooden pegs. They also dressed two busts in the clothes they used in the shoot and accessorised the window with props and accessories. The overall out come was fantastic. They worked in a extremely professional manner, taking the project fully into their own hands but kept me in the loop by checking I was happy with all their decisions. The window was left through-out Christmas until the new year.

Meg & Khya creating their design.

The final result....

Next......With Love Betty collaborated with Penny lane jewellery. Hand made jewellery which has a vintage feel. Rings, earrings and brooches are available and they are all unique, adjustable and absolutely beautiful.....the perfect add on for your vintage outfit!! check it out below.....

With Love Betty also had a few photo shoots of its own to organise and complete. A x-mas photo shoot was completed, showcasing the Christmas/winter collection.....

Model: Lindsay Becker

Stylist: Me

Photographer: Me

Location: Watchbell lane, Isle of Wight

Just a quick photo shoot showing outfit and styling inspiration.

I will definitely be posting more often so please make sure u keep following.

with Love...... 

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