The shoes every girl needs part one: Black heels

Hi guys,
I'm sure it can't have escaped your attention that I am a shoe obsessive! I have more pairs than any one person needs, and yet whenever I walk into a shop I immediately check out the shoe department before I look at anything else! But I also know that my shoe collection is, in some parts, seriously lacking depth. I don't own waterproof wellie boots or sensible black pumps for example. But I do own three pairs of sequin covered heels. Where is the logic in that?!

So I thought it would be fun to do a rundown of the shoes every girl really should have in her wardrobe: I believe that with just 6 carefully selected pairs of shoes, you can have a shoe for every possible occasion. First up, it's a pair of gorgeous black heels:


I now own three pairs of black heels. The first two pairs were of the (not-especially) sensible court shoe variety: one with studded detailing from Ravel and one with netting detailing from Carvela.(My graduation shoes) The newest addition is a high heeled black sandal from Madden Girl, c/o Sarenza. These are going to look great teamed with skinny jeans and oversized blouses over the Christmas period whilst I'm still trying to hide my baby weight!

So why do you need a pair of black heels? Well the first and most important reason is because you can wear them anywhere. From a night out to a job interview, a wedding to a funeral, if you have a decent pair of black shoes you'll always have something to put on your feet. They also go with anything. So if you have a funny coloured dress, or want to wear mustard jeans but aren't sure what to put on your feet you can just throw on your black heels and know you'll look well put together.

Do I have you convinced? Well then here are some other black heel options, all picked from Sarenza's black heel range:

Love Moschino heart detail heels, £210
Clarks T bar heels, £54.99
Dune lace detail bow heels, £90
Miss L-Fire bow heels, £89.99
Guess gold toe cap heels, £116

Do you own a pair of black heels? How often do you wear them and would you call them one of the pairs of shoes that every girl needs? I'd love to hear what other shoes you think should be on the list!

Love Tor xx

James Bond Competition: Archie Grand notebooks

Hi guys,
To celebrate the release of the new James Bond film (Skyfall is out today, and we're going to see it tonight: excited!) I'm hosting a little competition to give away two James Bond themed notebooks from Archie Grand.

I'm a complete stationary addict, so I'm a sucker for a good quality notebook, and these are some of the best! Oh, and don't even get me started on how I feel about pens... In the words of Pauline from the League of Gentlemen, Pens are friends! Ahem. Anyway, here's the prize:



To enter: All you have to do is be a follower of this blog (using the box to your right) and then email me your full name using the subject header 'James Bond giveaway'. That's literally all there is to it! If you would like a second entry, you can also follow Fabfrocks on Facebook: mention that you have done this too in your email.

I will choose two winners, and each will receive one notebook each. The competition will close at 12 noon on Monday 5th November. I look forward to receiving your entries: Good luck!!

Love Tor xx

More great shots from Primark: Primark Limited Edition

Hi guys,
Another day, another series of images to lust after in Primark! This latest set is from their Limited Edition collection, which is already in store (I saw some of the pieces in the new Oxford Street store window the week before last) and will be just perfect for the party season.

The Limited Edition collection fuses digital print, sequins and studs (so all of the trends) and prices start from £8. Here are some of those all important shots:




Image 1: Mullet hem dress, £25. Leggings, £17.
Image 2: Studded shorts, £14.
Image 3: Print blazer, £25.
Image 4: Quilted jacket with faux fur trim, £26. Futuristic print leggings, £10

This is a really young, bodycon, on-trend collection. And I can see it being really popular. The pieces I've got my eyes on are the patterned blazer (I know that comes as no surprise!), the oversized black studded bag, and the snakeskin leggings.

What do you think of the new Primark Limited Edition collection? Would you pay a couple of pounds more for limited edition pieces from Primark? Or do you prefer Primark as a budget store where you can pick up pieces for as cheaply as possible?

Love Tor xx

Fabfrocks reviews: Groupon (and a new haircut)

Hi guys,
I'm signed up to a small army of daily deals websites. And I've written before now about my experiences with beauty treatments brought from Wahanda and similar dedicated beauty voucher sites. But I had never bought a beauty voucher (or any other voucher in fact) from Groupon before. Until now. And I have to say, it was a remarkably easy experience.

My voucher was for a half head of highlights, cut, and blowdry at Pasha in Norwich. (Until recently I didn't even know deals sites existed outside of London, and now I'm obsessed!) I bought my voucher just over 3 weeks ago, and it arrived that same day, so obviously I immediately called the salon and was surprised to get the appointment day and time I wanted straight away. I was half expecting to receive inferior service because I was paying with a voucher, rather than cash. But this really wasn't the case: as shown by the 3.5 hours I spent in the salon receiving my very precise cut and colour!


Ah yes! The obligatory gurning self-portrait....real pretty!

So what did I have done? Sadly I have no outrageous new hairstyle to show you guys: no mullets or pink tips here (as an aside, I was sorely disappointed by how long they lasted!) Nope. I had what I would refer to as 'the usual': light blonde highlights, and a long straight blunt cut. But I'm really pleased with how it looks: and frankly, because of the voucher, it was a huge bargain! If I can keep finding bargain deals like that, then the root-y period I go through between colours could become a thing of the past....

Sign up for your local Groupon daily deals email here.

Love Tor xx

*I received a voucher from Groupon to enable me to write this review. 

Fabfrocks at Home: How to carve a pumpkin

Hi guys,
Pumpkin carving is something of an annual Halloween tradition in the Fabfrocks household: hubby and I carve a pumpkin each every year, and compete to see who can create the best design! But if you've never carved a pumpkin before it can be quite daunting. Which is why I've written this quick step by step tutorial (complete with pictures) so that you can create a scary Jack-o-lantern of your own!

1. You will need: We don't buy special pumpkin carving kits, we just use the tools we have in the kitchen. We use a sharp knife, a blunt normal eating knife, a spoon, and an ice cream scoop. You will also need a biro to draw your design template.

2. First you need to do your prep work. Take a sharp knife and remove the top of the pumpkin: traditionally this is done in the shape of a simple circle. I like to create a star shaped lid. Once you have removed the lid comes the boring bit: emptying the pumpkin! Remember that the more of the flesh you can remove, the longer your pumpkin will last. I use a spoon and an icecream scoop to remove as much of the flesh as possible.

3. Choose your design. Google images is a great source of inspiration for this! Once you know what you want your pumpkin to look like, take your biro and draw your design onto the front of your pumpkin: this will provide the template that you will cut out.

4. Get cutting! Take the sharp knife and remove the skin and flesh from your design. I then use the blunt knife to smooth the edges as much as possible: I find it much easier to control and stick to the design that way.

5. Insert your candle, light you're pumpkin, and put it in your living room window so that it can frighten all the children on your street....Mwah hah hah!!! It really is that easy!

Have you carved a pumpkin for this Halloween? What design did you go for? I'd love to see your pumpkin pictures!

Love Tor xx

Winter styling ideas from Next

Hi guys,
Winter is here. It's cozy up warm time, which means knitwear, party dresses, snuggly winter boots and of course the perfect winter coat. Yes, I'm talking about that again!

Finding the perfect winter coat is something of a life mission for me: I'm obsessed with coats and own more than twenty: Nope, that's not including jackets! But realistically, most people (quite rightly!) only have one in their wardrobe: understandable too. Those things are expensive! So using the latest collections from Next,  I'm going to show you how to take one perfect winter coat, and style it in three very different ways. I've opted for a fitted faux fur coat because they suit everyone, regardless of age and body type. And because I have one from Next which fits like a dream:


For a shopping spree and girly lunch

Leopard print faux fur coat, £65 - Black leather trousers, £110 - Pussy bow blouse, £28 - Black stud slippers, £30 - Black leather bag, £75 - Silver crystal watch, £28


For a walk in the park

Leopard print faux fur coat, £65 - grey bakerboy hat, £10 - Relaxed skinny jeans, £26 - Star jumper, £28 - Feather necklace, £10 - Ankle Boots, £70

For a night on the town

Leopard print faux fur coat, £65 - Black sequin dress, £65 - Hidden platform shoes, £38 - Gold stud clutch, £25 - Black and gold bangle, £12

I hope this proves that if you choose the right, versatile coat, you can wear it for every occasion and it will look great! Although I'm not sure it means I'll be taking my own advice and getting rid of my beloved coat collection...

Lovely blogger Amy Antoinette is collaborating with Next to giveaway a £500 voucher to the blogger who best styles three versatile looks from the new season Next collection. The above is my entry to the competition - wish me luck!! 

Love Tor x

Maison Martin Margiela with H&M: coming on 15 November!

Hi guys,
It seems like the H&M designer collaborations are coming thicker and faster than ever! Mere moments after the Anna Della Russo jewellery collection landed instore, we're now eagerly awaiting the arrival of the newest fashion collaboration: Maison Martin Margiela with H&M.

I actually really really like this collection, although I can't imagine myself wearing a single piece of it: it just isn't made for my body shape. But oh if it was how I would wear that red dress! I also have a slight obsession with the leather bags that look like gloves: the burgandy glove-strap bag will be mine!! Here are some of my highlights from the collection:



The full collection launches in store on November 15: just two weeks before my due date, so sadly I'll have to sit this one out. But I do wonder if the queues and the buzz will be as dramatic as it has been for previous H&M collabs: or if people have just stopped caring. What do you think? Is there anything you'd queue to buy? And what do you think of the collection?

You can view the full lookbook over at Vogue.com

Love Tor x

Finding new winter coats in unusual places...

Hi guys,
It must officially be winter, because yesterday morning when I left the house I grabbed for a coat instead of a jacket: and I needed it too, because it is getting cold! Not that I see this as a bad thing of course: it's my favourite time of year in terms of both weather and style! This got me thinking about the (in my case near-constant) search for the perfect winter coat that is happening on high streets up and down the country at the moment though.

Of course there are all the usual places to look. Yup, I'm thinking of you Topshop, River Island, Zara, and of course beloved Primark. But I bet you never thought to look for ladies jackets at Bonmarche. Nope me neither! And yet when I did, I was surprised by the collection of affordable classic styles in a range of great colours that they had on offer:

Plus size burgandy zip coat, £48
Wool blend check coat, £49.50
Orange funnel neck coat, £45
Cream square collar coat, £45
Roll sleeved parka, £35 
Padded winter jacket, £45

I really like the wool-blend check coat, which has that lovely cozy heritage feel that is so on trend at the moment. The parka also has a great shape (I like that you can pull it in at the waist) and is a style that's having a fashion moment too - I would team this with a faux fur gilet thrown over the top!

Have you bought your winter coat yet? What style did you go for - something classic or something more trend led? I'd love to hear all about it!

Love Tor x

*This is a sponsored post 

Event: Antoni + Alison - Talking fashion at the V&A

Hi guys,
I love a good fashion lecture. If you're a fan too, then you're in luck! To celebrate a quarter century in the British fashion industry, Antoni + Alison will be in conversation with Style Director of the Daily Telegraph, Tamsin Blanchard at the V&A this Friday.

This is a return to the Museum for Antoni & Alison as it was the original venue for their first show presentations. The V&A's Archive of Art & Design holds the duo's records, including inspirations, notes and sketchbooks. During the lecture, Antoni & Alison will be offering an explanation of their work, as well as discussing past and future projects. They will also show their latest film to commemorate their work to date.
The details: Friday 19 October, 7-8pm at the V&A. Tickets cost £9 or £6 for concessions. You can book your ticket online here, or call 020 7942 2211 for tickets.

I just picked up an Antoni + Alison blouse from TK Maxx: one of several pieces I own by the brand. And I am very very tempted to waddle down and check the lecture out for myself. Will I be seeing you there?!

 Love Tor xx

Mid-season sales bargain: Sensible court shoes

Hi guys,
When it comes to shoes I tend to either wear super-high super heels or comfy flats: I'd never owned a pair of mid heels, and I must admit I thought of them as a bit of a cop out. My philosophy when it comes to heels was always go high or go home! But actually, comfort is my newest mantra: and you can't get a more comfortable heel than a classic mid-heel court shoe.

You can wear them for almost anything. And because they are so comfortable that you can actually walk in them, they're perfect for day to evening, wearing to the office or, in my case, breaking yourself back into wearing heels after a long period of wearing nothing but flats!


These leopard print mid heels are from Dorothy Perkins and cost just £20 in the sale. They're still available on the website. As an aside, there are hundreds of lovely pairs of shoes in the Dorothy Perkins sale: definitely worth a quick peek! I think the fact that they're leopard print makes them look much cooler than, say, a plain black mid-heel. It seems to be the week of leopard print: I also got this dress from the River Island sale for just £12:

Have you been hitting the mid season sales? And have you picked up any bargains you want to share?

Love Tor xx

Daily wear: Shiny Jackets and Ballgowns

Hi guys,
Yesterday I met with up with my buds Reena and Amy to check out the ballgown exhibition at the V&A. There were plenty of sighs and lust-induced moments as we made our way round, choosing the dresses we would imaginarily wear for a variety of different events. I'm going to make it a new resolution that I have to be invited to at least one event in the next 12 months where I get to wear a ballgown: life is just way too short not to float around in a sea of couture tulle!!

Sadly it was jeans for me, not full skirts. But nonetheless, here's what I wore for the occasion:



This is the River Island jacket I got from their sale on Thursday for £25: sadly it's sold out on their website, but it's still available in the Norwich store, so you might find it in your local store too! The rest of the outfit is all stuff you've seen before: My BCBG Max Azria bag from TKMaxx, Red Herring @ Debenhams maternity jeans, H by Hudson boots, Topshop necklace and bracelet, Swavoski ring, Marc Jacobs watch and Alice Temperley Somerset scarf.

As I get bigger I find that I am wearing jeans and jersey tops more and more: they'e just by far the most comfortable things in the world! Thank heavens for my (admittedly extensive) collection of jackets and scarves to jazz everything up!

What did you do this weekend? And what are you wearing whilst you're doing it?

Love Tor xx

The River Island sale starts today!

Hi guys,
The title says it all really: the River Island sale starts today! I love River Island, so I'm always very excited on the day the sale starts. I cleared my schedule this morning and made a beeline for my local store where I picked up a gorgeous Chelsea Girl leopard print dress, peach sequinned jumper, and irresistible but thoroughly impractical silver blazer!

Possibly because my local store (Norwich) isn't very large, there is considerably more available on the website than I found instore. I'm sure this is a completely different story in the larger London stores though: thank God I'm heading into town on Saturday! But luckily I'm not adverse to online shopping. If you're not either then you're in for a treat! Here are my picks:

Brown leopard print peplum dress, £10
Grey sequinned biker jacket, £35
Brown and gold lace dip hem dress, £15
Red embellished t shirt dress, £15
Black peep toe stud wedges, £30
Leopard print block heel boots, £35

I'm always dubious about mid-season sales, and half expected to see a pile of left over summer season stock. But actually there was plenty on offer from the new autumn/winter collections, and even some glitzy dresses and tops that would be perfect for saving for Christmas, if you like to plan ahead. Everything I saw was at least 50% off: some things were considerably more.

Have you checked out the River Island sale? Have you picked up any bargains in your local store? I'd love to hear all about it, especially which stores the shopping is good in!

Love Tor xx

Book review: Quant by Quant. The autobiography of Mary Quant

Hi guys,
I first read this book when I was writing my MA dissertation 5 years ago (a battered old copy I borrowed from the library) so I was delighted when the V&A got in touch saying the book was being re-released, and asking if I wanted to see a review copy. Quant by Quant. The autobiography of Mary Quant covers the early years of Mary Quant's life: from growing up during the Second World War through to the early success of the Mary Quant brand in America, via her marriage to Alexander Plunkett Green and the infamous Bazaar days.

Admittedly I prefer the original cover, but excluding a brand new foreword from Quant herself, the contents of the two books are exactly the same.

Mary Quant helped define the world of British fashion. Regardless of how I feel about her now (you can read more about my interview with her here) she certainly was an icon of her time: a pioneer in mass production in the UK, and one of the first British designers to conquer the states. This autobiography definitely gives a real insight into how the Quant empire came into being: and this was a surprisingly haphazard process that could never be recreated now. To start with all of the fabrics for the dresses stocked in Bazaar, for example, came from Harrods, because Quant and Plunkett Green didn't know how to buy wholesale fabric.

This book is great because it makes you feel like you are experiencing the changes and the pop culture of the 'swinging sixties' from the inside: Quant shares what it was like to be there, tells tales of her favourite fashion journalists of the time, and even her stories about air travel and fashion export during the sixties are fascinating. Because I have a personal interest in Quant, I particularly enjoyed the first section of the book, reading about her childhood and how this shaped the woman she went on to become.

The optimism of the book is overwhelming, due in part to its original mid-Sixties release date(It was first published in 1966) when the Quant  brand was still riding high and it seemed nothing could go wrong. This makes in an exhilarating read, especially if you know that just ten years later, the empire will collapse into a pile of cliche, leaving nothing but the make-up brand to survive in its wake. Nonetheless, the Quant that writes this book is in equal parts naive but business-savvy, and ultimately very very likable.

I could talk about this book all day, but really you should check it out for yourself. If you have any interest in the history of British Fashion as we know it now, the sixties, or Mary Quant then I heartily recommend you read this book. Now, now, now! I've just run through it for the second time, and am still as fascinated now as I have always been.

You can buy the book from vandabooks.com for £8.99. If you would prefer an e-copy, that's due for release later this month.

Love Tor x

Lacoste Live: Making me wish I was talented!

Hi guys,

Do you ever wish you had an unusual talent? I always feel a small pang of jealousy whenever I see someone who has an obvious talent for something cool: styling, performance art, even really being able to sing. I don't have any cool hidden talents. I'm not sure that the ability to write whilst wearing pajamas counts as a secret talent really: and it's certainly not a very cool one!

Lacoste however have announced the latest talented peeps in their Unconventional Talents series: and this time it's coming to us from Montreal. The contenders are multidisciplinary creative artist Julien Vallée and the band Cosmetics. Julien Vallée hijacks objects and materials to give them different meanings and tell new stories and the music created by Nic and Aja from Cosmetics reflects what Montreal is like in the middle of winter: a frozen electro sound. And here you can see them in action:

Viral video by ebuzzing

Didn't watching that video from Lacoste L!ve make you wish, even just a little, that you could visit Montreal?! They have made it look very very cool. I love taking winter holidays (weirdly, a little more than I like taking summer ones!) and it would be the perfect city to wrap up warm in and take a walk where you could see your breath in front of you with every step: heaven!

I don't really think of Lacoste as a heritage brand, but technically they are. Although they are a brand built on sporting heritage, they were founded way back in 1933. The Lacoste L!ve collection that they've put together to go with the campaign really plays up to that vintage, heritage feel:

What do you think of Lacoste, and the new Lacoste L!ve video? And do you have any unusual talents that you've been hiding away? I'd love to hear all about them!

Love Tor *This is a sponsored post

Primark picks of the week: Erm, can I have everything?

Hi guys,
I had to pop into town to pick up some antibiotics yesterday afternoon (I have a sinus infection: yuck!) And whilst I was there I just couldn't resist a little peak in Primark. I'm glad I did, because I left feeling inspired: there is just so much to like in store right now!

I seem to have done a complete 360 on fast fashion recently. I'm still buying considerably less of it, and focusing on building up a wardrobe based on quality long lasting pieces, but I've come to realise that fast cheap trend-led pieces will always have a place in my wardrobe: it's the only way to inject some of the newer/more unusual trends into your look without winning the lottery!

Note that everything I've picked out below is available in my local store right now, so if you want anything you'd better be quick! (The perfect excuse to hit the shops this weekend, perhaps?!)

Rabbit print jumper, £14 
Embroidered shoulder cut out blouse, £12
Chunky metallic crew jumper, £12 
Watercolour mono blazer, £19
Studded collar shirt, £12
PU sleeve military jacket, £25

Quilted biker jacket, £25
Leather skater skirt, £12
Animal peplum top, £8
Floral block heel ankle boots, £20
Leather panel pencil skirt, £12
Graphic zigzag blouse, £12

I actually picked up the rabbit jumper yesterday: I can't wait to wear it! I also already have the chunky knit with the metallic flecks. It looks great, and is indicative of the gorgeous knitwear currently instore: I was impressed!  I also picked up 2 pairs of super-thick 150 denier tights: the quality feels better than ever before: certainly worth the minor price increase to £3 per pair. And if you're a plan-aheader, Primark have all their Christmas supplies in store too; wrapping paper, stocking fillers, and even Christmas tree decorations. What don't they have? Well I haven't been impressed with any of their coat selections so far: let's hope they're coming soon!

Have you been into Primark recently? Were you impressed by the stock in your local store, and have you bagged any bargains?

Love Tor xx

September 2012, according to my iPhone...

Hi guys,
This post is a couple of days late, but it's better late than never! The obligatory bloggers favourite 'my month in pictures' post....

Shopping..

I can't get enough of my new studded bangle from Topshop; I've worn it nearly every day this month. £8 well spent! Another item on my 'can't stop wearing' list is my new pink Dior lipstick: such a vibrant shade, and a huge jump from my usual red but I really like it! Primark have all of their new season stock instore: how cute is this owl hat for just £8? And finally: Dior Baby Shoes!! Extravagent, ridiculous, but I just couldn't help myself.

Nails...

My obsession with painting my nails has reached another peak this month! In another old-trend revival, I am loving leopard print nails and update my style and colour constantly: a sign I have too much time on my hands perhaps?! Here are all the colours shown above:

Grey nail varnish, Essie, Then and Now, Red nail varnish, No 7, Devils Delight, Brown nail varnish, Bourjois So Laque, Santal opulent, Blue nail varnish, Bourjois So Laque, Bleu Model, Silver nail varnish, Nails Inc, Montpelier square, Black nail pen, Models Own WAH nails

Outgoing...

My main activity for the month was London Fashion Week -which feels ages ago now! It felt amazing to be back in London and doing something non-baby related though. My favourite show by far was the Tahir Sultan show (pictured above). I have also indulged in afternoon tea twice this month - not good for my waistline - and hubby and I have another one booked for in a fortnight's time! Finally, a wedding - it's not easy to find wedding-appropriate maternity wear, but I did my best!

Have you had a good September? What exciting things have you been up to? I'd love to know!

Love Tor xx

Shoes: I'm bringing Boho back! (?)

Hi guys,
This season the main boot trends are chelsea boots, studded rock chick leather, sleek wedges, metallic banana heels...the list goes on. All great trends I can get behind, and all lovely boots I poured over on the Sarenza website. The trend most definitely is not for moccasin boots.

Which is why it seems illogical that the latest boots I've fallen in love with are exactly that. Not on trend at all: in fact, they remind me of Sienna Miller/Kate Moss in the height of the boho trend, circa 10 years ago! But I just can't get enough of them. And I think they look great!



These moccasin boots from Chocolate Schubar at Sarenza are as gorgeous in the flesh as they looked in the photos. I love the way the top pulls together in a draw string style, and the lace is made of the same suede as the boot itself: a really nice touch! They'll be perfect teamed with skinny jeans and chunky knit jumpers and cardigans for those casual days that seem to happen much more often in winter than in summer.

They look great paired with my favourite tan Pucci bag, and they're so soft that they literally mold themselves around my feet. Maybe they'll even challenge my beloved H by Hudson boots to be my new favourites! It just goes to show that sometimes following 'the trends' can be overrated, and it's much better to just buy what you like!

Now I want your confessions! Do you have any not-quite-on-trend items in your wardrobe that you just can't live without? Any pieces you just can't bear to part with? Go on, you can tell me....

Love Tor xx