The most amazing socks!

I never thought I'd write a recommendation post on socks.  SOCKS!  Not exactly the most exciting item of a wardrobe, but these are worth a post on the blog.  BAM socks! (Does this name make anyone think of Batman beating up baddies?  BAM! KAPOW!)

BAM Bamboo Socks

They were a birthday gift last year, and I put them in my drawer until I had trainers and jeans day.  Given the bright pattern I needed to wear them with the right outfit!  The purchase was made for the novel idea that they are made from Bamboo and thus more ethical and sustainable than some other fabric sources.  My first thought was 'they're pretty, and soft, but I bet they wont wash well'.  How wrong could I be?

BAM! KAPOW! THUD!

These socks are still as soft as when I was given them.  The colour hasn't run, and there are no wholes.  The moths haven't attacked them and they fit my feet perfectly.  All that sounds like a good pair of socks, but hardly 'amazing' I hear you say!  Well this is the amazing bit, that I didn't discover until I put them on the first time.  The toe box is made from soft, snuggly toweling.  This cushions your toes, not only keeping them warm but also helping to create a mini duvet for your feet.

A hidden, soft cushion for your toes!

If you are anything like me, once my feet get cold they are very difficult to warm up.  This means that in the colder months, appropriate socks are needed.  However if I wear those socks in the warmer months I find my feet overheating.  I have found BAM socks to regulate my feet perfectly.  I am not sure but I would think this has something to do with the natural fibers.

If you want to treat your feet, then I really recommend BAM socks.  Just don't feed them to a panda!

Bam socks are available for men and women and  come in a variety of colours from plain black to funky stripes.  You can find Bam online here, or at other outlets such as Riley and Silver (link) or amazon (link) and ebay (link).  It is also worth checking out your local natural health food shop to see if they are a stockist.

Bam make lots of yoga and sports wear too and if it is as good as the socks, it'd be perfect for working out in.

Stand Tall x

P.s. Don't forget my £40 House of Fraser Giveaway! (Link)

Style: Flats are back!

Alice Temperley blends ethereal style with white plimsolls

On the recent catwalk during SS15 (spring summer 2015) shows a trend has emerged for flat shoes.  I don't deny that heels can look really pretty, slimming, lengthening and help you see over the crowds BUT heels can also be incredibly painful, damaging to the body and completely impractical at times! Hopefully the recent catwalks have shown that flat shoes can be cool- fashionable, styling AND comfy!

DKNY Prom dress with trainers, but still feminine

 I'll be interesting to see how this trend manifests next spring, from plimsoll trainers with prom dresses to masculine brogues with floaty florals.  I am pleased at the prospect that there may be more choices of flat footwear available on the high street next spring- a welcome change to 5 or 6 inch stiletto platforms (which I rarely wear).

Karen Walker Brogues and Florals

 Of course, designers will always try to do something just a little different.  Victoria Beckham offered these flat shoes with a pointy toe.  They look great on this model but as white makes your feet look bigger, I am not sure I could get away with these shoes.  They sort of look like turtle or fish fins to me... maybe I could wear them in the water?  If I see them in person I will take a close up photo for you all!

Victoria Beckham does pointy flats.

It is not just shoes and trainers that come with the catwalk stamp.  BCBGMAZAZRIA teamed this light and airy cream ensemble with flat sandals.  I think we will be seeing quite a few thick banded sandals too.  Comfy for walking to work, tight enough to stay on but also stylish with formal wear.  

Flat Sandals with trousers!

I'm not one to copy the catwalk directly, but I can feel that my feet are pleased that they may have a bit more choice next spring!

Are flats a yes or no for you?  Do you find styling flats with work wear easy or difficult?

Stand Tall x

P.s. Don't forget my £40 House of Fraser Giveaway! (Link)

Sunday Service: Beagle at work, DVF dress and chocolate cake

Just a round-up of life, news, links, and things I like.

1) The gorgeous beagle puppy called Sherlock that returns KLM passenger's lost items in Amsterdam Airport.  So adorable and very clever.  Just watch below.




2) This Julian monochrome wrap star dress by Dianne Von Furstenberg.  Completely out of my current budget but I will stalk The Outnet until it arrives.  I'd team it with dark tights for the autumn.

DVF Julian star wrap dress

 3) Chocolate mug microwave cake.  I am a little late to this party, but I have been experimenting with recipes this week (some successfully, some not so much)!  I'm going to try this recipe next, it looks yummy!  There is something very comforting about a warm sponge pudding as the evenings draw in.

Photo c/o Table for Two

I hope your week has been fun!  Let me know what you think of this post.  Have a great Sunday!

Stand Tall x

P.s Don't forget my £40 House of Fraser Giveaway! (Link!)

Win: £40 House of Fraser Spree: Mango, Oasis, Biba, Dune, Ted Baker...

To celebrate three years I am giving away a £40 House of Fraser spending spree!  Oasis, Mango, Ted Baker, Phase 8, Millie Mackintosh or maybe a bit of MAC, Chanel, YSL, Clinique, Lancome, Bobbi Brown, Laura Mercier, NARS, Sisley, Tom Ford, Jo Malone, Origins- what will you choose?

Maybe Alice Temperley, Modalu, Nars... What would you choose?

To enter this giveaway, all you have to is work out what you would buy (i.e. a jumper, a lipstick etc), then visit House of Fraser, locate the item(s) and cut/paste the link into the comments section below with a short sentence saying why you would like it.  (It could be an item on your want list, a item you need to repurchase, a gift for your mum etc).  Don't forget to leave your twitter handle or email in the comment.

THEN use the rafflecopter form below.  This will collect entries for me!  You need to be a follower of this blog (Via bloglovin' ideally- link to the right), and follow me on twitter to be eligible.

This giveaway is open internationally.

If you would like to double your chances then please head over to my beauty blog (link) where the same giveaway is being run!

I think House of Fraser have a great range of brands in the beauty department, but you might like to choose a candle or some face cloths- the choice is yours! (link)

Good Luck!


a Rafflecopter giveaway  
Disclaimer: Winner will be picked at random, and must make contact in 5 days.  I reserve the right to amend, change or cancel this giveaway at any point.  I also reserve the right to disqualify any entrants.  No alternative prize is available.

Decor: Lauren Conrad's Penthouse Apartment

Lauren Conrad is very put together.  It figures that her Beverly Hills penthouse apartment would be nothing less than perfect.  She is a woman who knows what colours and textures compliment each other.  How to use a space to it's best advantage.

Lauren Conrad in her penthouse apartment

For those who don't know Lauren, she came to the public eye through two of the very first  'reality tv' shows- 'Laguna Beach: The Real O.C.' following several teens during the last few years of high school, and 'The Hills' following a few of the Laguna Beach kids as they move to L.A. for college, careers, dating, partying, shopping and much more.  I recently re-watched 'The Hills' (it's very cheap to pick up individual DVDs and box sets on ebay- link) and it is a superficial pleasure.  I keep changing my mind over which series is the best, but currently 2 or 3!  

Lauren Conrad's penthouse bathroom.

Since her 'Hills' days Lauren has graduated from fashion school, created her own fashion collection and generally ring fenced her personal life from the public eye.  She has a good business sense and has managed to successfully transition from a 'reality tv star' into a respected business woman and consultant- something most 'reality stars' struggle to do.  Of course it helps that Lauren started from a privileged background, but she hasn't rested on her laurels and lived on the bank off the bank of mum and dad.  Lauren has earned her stripes and made her own path- something we all can learn from regardless of our starting point.

I love the mismatched smaller cushions, all on a monochrome theme.

For someone who is fairly private, Lauren let Instyle into her apartment and gave them a bit of a tour.  I love how everything feels light and airy, minimal and stylist... oh and her closet.... her closet is probably the size of most people's lounge!  I love the clutter free surfaces, and the careful placement of the items that are out.  Less is definitely more.  Lauren seems to favour light pastel hues, although there are one or two more colorful pieces.  Clutter free is easier to clean too.

Check out that closet.  Now that is a walk in wardrobe!

You can view the video here (link) and view pictures of her apartment here (link).

What do you think?

Stand Tall x

Disclaimer: All photos credited to Instyle.

NEW: Taller that your average x Long Tall Sally collection launch

Jourdan Dunn captured backstage wearing TTYA x LTS with Cara Delevingne

Exciting news!  Taller Than Your Average (TTYA), clothing label founded by former ASOS stylist Irene Agbontaen, have collaborated with Long Tall Sally to create an 18 piece capsule collection.  Modeled by the stunning Jamie Gunns and photographed by Alex Sainsbury, the collection aims to make core staples more accessible for the taller women (5' 8" and above).

Taller Than Your Average founder Irene, looking gorgeous in the Maxi Metalic Dress and jumper.

I am a big fan of Long Tall Sally (see my visit to HQ here).  Their philosophy is that the taller girl shouldn't have to compromise on style or choice.  Just take a look at their jeans- several different leg lengths AND colours!  Irene has a similar philosophy and her mission is to help the taller girl feel 'style conscious, not self-conscious'.  TTYA currently has a cult following including Elle MacPherson, Jourdan Dunn, Daisy Lowe and Jessie J.

The collection looks great and costs range from £24- £110.  It is a real mixture of pieces that can be worn together, or mixed with other items from your wardrobe.  I've shared a few of my fashion picks below, including a few styling tips.

Removable Collar Dress (link)

Take the Removable Collar Dress (yes removable), you could style it for the office, or an evening out with dainty heels (as above), or why not remove the collar, add dark tights and lace up boots.  Chuck on a denim jacket or biker jacket and you are dressed for going down to the shops or grabbing a quick coffee.

Jourdan was wearing it above- the striped wrap shirt.  There has been a really big trend this summer for cropped tops and high waisted skirts that display a bit of midriff.  As a (taller) girl, I often sport this trend purely by accident (go me!)!  I love that this monochrome striped top is long enough to skim the hips- even when you (inevitably) visit the supermarket and get asked to reach down a tin of sweetcorn off the top shelf.  I'm not sure I am brave enough to 'bare' the deep V so I would style it over a simple plain vest top (or even one with lace trim to compliment the textures).  I think this might also look good with a thick, black or white elasticated to clinch in the waist.  Or even this belt from Altuzarra for Target (link) and a pair of wet look black leggings.

Striped wrap shirt (link)

Transitioning from summer to autumn is always tricky, but layering is the answer.  Layering thin clothes under a jacket means that if the weather suddenly changes during the day, you can adjust the layers accordingly.  (I always find dressing for the day a challenge due to the weather first thing in the morning completely changing by the time I am dressed!).  This yeti coat looks like lots of fun.  There is something very Marilyn Monroe about it.  I can imagine walking a red carpet in lots of sparkly jewels and a killer dress... then getting up the next morning and chucking it on over a vintage rock band t-shirt with some dark skinny jeans and a pair of converse.

Yet Coat (Faux fur of course) (Link)

Stuck for a (Halloween) fancy dress idea?  Why not stick a pair of ears on an alice band and wear the coat :)

The collection looks fantastic, and launches today on Long Tall Sally (link) and in selected stores.  Long Tall Sally have outlets across the UK, Germany, USA and Canada so hopefully there will be a few items close to where you live.  I'd love to know your thoughts on the collection!

Stand Tall x