Festival Fun From Primark

Hi guys,
I'm not going to any festivals the year (unless a day trip to Lollibop Festival, the music festival for under 5s, counts!) but if I did then I would be styling it in head to toe Primark!

The new Primark 'life is a festival' edit is gorgeous and just looking at it is enough to make me wish I had tickets to rock out at a festival or two this summer. Think boho styling in wide legged cotton trousers, cute-as-a-button playsuits, and gorgeous loose fitting midi dresses that will be flattering on everyone. I think sometimes I forget that I'm a chubby 30 year old mum, because I want to dress like the pre-pubescent teens in this campaign:




Image 1: Bikini top £6, trousers £12, sandals £12, sunglasses £3. 
Image 2: Playsuit £5, hat £8, rings from £3. 
Image 3: Playsuit £7, hat £8, sunglasses £3.
Image 4: Bag £14, Shorts £10. 
Image 5: Dress £12, bag £4, boots £15, headband £3, sunglasses £3

I love the Aztec prints, the focus on monchrome, and the beautiful ethereal use of white too. The collection has a very nineties feel, whilst also having overtones of the very first boho wave from the early noughties too. It's youthful, carefree, grungy. The embellished bags are gorgeous as well as being completely practical, and would look great outside of the festival environment: I want that backpack for hands free trips to the beach this summer! Fashion-wise, summer is actually my least favourite time of the year. But some of these pieces are almost enough to persuade me to embrace summer dressing and flash a little flesh.

Are you going to any festivals this summer? And have you given any thought to what you'll be wearing yet?

Love Tor x

SS13 In Primark this week: Heading to a festival

Hi guys,
I suspect that, as everywhere prepares for the arrival of the new season (despite the fact we haven't actually enjoyed this season yet: where is the sun?) this will be the last SS13 Primark post. I've already seen a couple of the autumn jackets that will be appearing in store next month, and based on that, I think next seasons offerings will be quite exciting. Bring on AW13!!

In the meantime, the latest arrivals into Primark are just perfect if you're heading to a festival or two over the next couple of months. From practical duffle bags to hold all of your clobber to the now ubiquitous floral festival headband, if you want something new to give you that off-duty rock star look, Primark is the place to be this week.

Everything on the product picture has either landed in Primark over the past couple of days, or is due to arrive by the end of the week: Blue candy stripe barrel bag, £6
Belted floral maxi dress, £13
Acid wash Aztec skinny jeans, £13
Flower headband, £2.50
Box chain spike necklace, £8
Studded skater skirt, £10
Aztec flap satchel, £9

All you need to add if your favourite band tee (which will look perfect with that studded skater skirt!), a lightweight mac and a pair of wellies, and you're ready to go! Being festival ready has never been so easy!

Are you heading to any festivals this season? If so, which ones are you going to and what will you be wearing? I'd love to hear all about it!

Love Tor x

PS - Did you know you can now buy a selection of Primark clothes online, over at ASOS? Perfect if there isn't a Primark near you, or you just can't face heading into those messy stores! My only concern is that because the quality of the fabric in Primark varies so wildly, you wouldn't be able to check that until the product arrives, and could end up spending a lot of time on returns. Still, if you're interested, here's the link!

Prepare to bling: London Jewellery Week is coming!

8-14 June 2009 is London Jewellery Week. I know so because I saw a poster telling me all about it on the tube this morning. Maybe it's because I skim quickly over the ads in my plethora of magazines, but I find it odd that I hadn't heard of it before. Maybe i'm losing my touch!

The poster promised jewellery making classes, fashion shows, exhibitions and "much more". And so as soon as i'd dealt with the obligatory Friday morning emails, I hot footed over to the website to see how I could get involved. And find out what "much more" actually entails.

First I downloaded the printed guide. (Is this a contradiction in terms given that you're actually downloading it online and all? Who knows!) And do you know, when they said "much more" they were actually right! That almost never happens! In fact, they were a 52 page booklet full of activities worth of right.

Here is a summary of the events I think I will try to attend. These ones might not be the ones that float your boat (does anyone else simultaneously love and hate that phrase!?) But I think whatever your interests (as long as they're jewellery based of course!) you'll find at least one that your desperate to attend!

Holts Academy of Jewellery
Saturday 13 June 10 - 11am
Langdales, 5 St Cross Street EC1N 8UA
Seminar
Jewellery Through the Ages.

Hatton Garden Festival
Family Day
Saturday 13 June 11.30am - 6pm
Hatton Garden EC1N
Festival
Street festival with jewellery-making demonstrations in the street, children’s workshops, costumed actors, musicians, a fine-food market and a host of jewellery themed walks, talks and workshops – fun for the whole family!

Cockpit Arts
12 June 7 - 9pm
13 - 14 June 11am - 6pm
Holborn Incubator, Cockpit Arts, Cockpit
Yard, Northington Street WC1N 2NP
Open Studios
Make a Difference by supporting talented jewellers and designers making work in London. Find exciting new jewellery pieces and more from £5 - £5,000. See behind the scenes and enjoy fabulous free attractions Star Buys trail, Quick Collect tours, Makers Makes activities, Design Shorts screenings, Love Your Stuff evolving gallery, Meet the Team sessions and Pop-Up cafés.

And if you have a flexible job/don't work for a living (damn you all to hell!!) this seminar on the Friday (12 June) sounds really great:

The Goldsmiths’ Company
9.30am - 7.30pm
Goldsmiths’ Hall, Foster Lane EC2 6BN
Seminar
Day of Knowledge: A series of illustrated presentations by jewellers featured in The Goldsmiths’ Company’s summer exhibition, CREATION II: An Insight into the Mind of the Modern Artist-Jeweller. Guests will have the opportunity to meet the speakers directly. Tickets £10 (includes catalogue and refreshments). For tickets email promotion@thegoldsmiths.co.uk or call 0207 3675 907

And why should we all love jewellery? Well I don't need any persuading (my collection of rings and bangles is out of control, and the bigger the better) but for all the doubting thomas's amongst you, here is the blurb from the back of the guide: Jewellery is a symbol. Whether it is a fashion statement or a work of art, it is often the focus of, rather than the accessory to, an outfit. With wedding bands and anniversary jewels such as rubies or pearls, jewellery has come to symbolise eternal love – and as such, its sentimental value far exceeds the initial cost.

So there you have it; beautiful sparkly beautiful jewels and the implicit promise of a true and eternal love. You'd be crazy not to get involved!!

Love Tor x