My Style - I've Found A Satchel!

For years and years, possibly exaggerating slightly, I've wanted a satchel. I've posted about my love for them, and so when I finally found the perfect one, I was thrilled...

The blue, pink and taupe/grey colour scheme gives this bag a modern twist and the two straps, one shoulder length, one a handle, makes it all the more practical. It has an array of pockets inside and out, and guess where it's from?

Primark, £8. Yes, Primark. 

And since I'm so chuffed with it, I thought I'd show you what's in it...

The bag has a pocket on the inside at the back which is perfect for A5 paperwork or anything else of a similar size

It also has a pocket at the front which works well as a phone compartment

I always carry a couple of notebooks with me- one for notes (duh!) and one to journal my homeschooling process. The former from Paperchase, the latter from Martha Stewart.

My Cath Kidston Coin Purse is something else that accompanies me, and I also have the key fob to match. The little but practical purse is great for loose change and a couple of notes.

If I get a little sneezy, I'll whip out one of my Cath Kidston tissues. These aren't just cute, but handy if you've encountered a runny nose.

And now, my personal fav, my makeup bag. I have a spotty Cath Kidston Zip purse that houses my touch-up stuff, and it's the perfect size for everyday products.

left to right: Maybelline Colour Tattoo, the POREfessional, No7 Stay Perfect Eye Shadow, Real Techniques Shading Brush, Benefit BADgal Plum Mascara, Collection 2000 lasting perfection concealer.

What do you guys think of my latest addition to the handbag family?

El
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DIY - Personalised Journal

Paperchase is one of my favourite shops. The large array of notepads, pens, pencils- stationery heaven! I spotted a plain brown notebook for £3.50, and I loved it, but it was missing something. I could have met someone else with the exact same thing, so I wanted to do it up, and give it a bit of a vintage twist!
Here's what you will need to personalise your journal...

A Plain Notepad of your choice. As mentioned previously, mine was from Paperchase for under four pounds.

A Date Stamp or set of Letter Stamps. You can either print a word onto your book, or a date or time!
I got my date stamp from a fair for 50p. The last year is about 2007, but you can buy new ones for a fiver or more. The alphabet stamps were a good price and were purchased from a small craft boutique.

And finally, some ink! You can buy this from any arts and crafts shop and they come in lots of colours. I think that black ink works best with a brown background, so that's what I used...

So now you've got everything you need, let's get started!


Grab a scrap piece of paper and practise what you are going to stamp. This step is crucial as it gives you an idea of what looks best and how to space your letters!
Press a letter into the ink (I spelt 'My Journal') and then press it onto the paper. To avoid getting ink on another part of the stamp that isn't the letter, take a tissue and wipe it around the edge of the stamp!

 Keep practising until you are happy and confident using the stamps and have a clear idea of what to do. Next get your book and put a piece of paper across it. This will be your ruler and keep all the letters in line! Now you can start stamping...

 And that's it! If you give this a go then post a pic on instagram and use #elsvintageblogdiy to let me know!
Have you ever used letter or date stamps?

El
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Trend- Galaxy Leggings

Hi guys!

Now, I'm not usually one for trends, and this one isn't particularly vintage, but I've been loving the Galaxy Leggings Trend! Now, this is mainly because they remind me of Doctor Who, (my favourite programme ever!) and the Wibbly-Wobbly-Timey-Wimey Vortex. (Note: DW quote used and many more to come throughout this post!) After seeing a pair in H&M, I went on the web and found a few pics. The really annoying thing is that the leggings I saw the previous day aren't even on the website! But, here are a few pairs I like the look of!...

All these purple and blue leggings need is the TARDIS hurtling across the leg! 

These ones have more of a pink undertone- great for spring and summer!

Another lovely pair!

My personal fav- TARDIS leggings!!!

So, there you have it! My favourite Galaxy leggings pics! Unfortunately, I don't know where you can purchase those ones, but they are on my Pinterest (I'm El Coles) board- My Style.

You can buy similar leggings from the following websites:

Missguided 

Shanghai Trends

ASOS

Boohoo

Hope you liked this post- it was a bit different! What are your thoughts on the Galaxy Leggings Trend and trends in general?

El
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My Style- Old School Satchel

Hi guys!

I don't know about you, but I really like the look of an old satchel! There was a lot of buzz around them last year (neon ones especially!) and I was reminded of my love for them the other day when I saw a beautiful burgundy one in a shop. I really wanted one last year, and managed to find an inexpensive one from Matalan, which was reduced from £10 to £5. Bargain! It had a long shoulder strap as well as a small handle, but the longer strap eventually broke off! I do still use my satchel, and for a fiver it did well to last me as long as it did! So, here are a few satchels that I like the look of... (PS- I'll start at the pricier ones and move down to the cheaper bags!)


The Cambridge Satchel Company's New Chelsea Collection

I was browsing the Cambridge Satchel Company's website when I spotted these gems. Inspired by the famous British Chelsea Flowers Show, they have brought out a range of 4 pastel coloured bags! Each one is available in either an 11 or 13 inch size, but at £120, it's not something I'll be buying soon!

The 13" version in Honeysuckle, a vibrant orange/coral- £120  

The 11" version in Sweet Pea- £115

The 11" version in Cream Crocus- £115

The 13" version in Lavender- £120

The Cambridge Satchel Company for ASOS

I spotted this lovely baby pink satchel on the ASOS website. Although it is made by the Cambridge Satchel Company, I hadn't seen it on their website so I assume it is either limited edition or made for ASOS. The one I saw cost £125, which is pretty expensive, but I assume TCSC (The Cambridge Satchel Company) is hoping that their products being 100% leather justifies the price!

£125 @ ASOS

Those are my top picks from TCSC. I actually found out about the company via this video- https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=E0qDrRJT4zE

Another company that came up was Zatchels, which make similar sized and priced satchels.

Polka Dot Satchel

This collection of spotty satchels by Zatchels include navy, red and pink bags with lovely dots! They are just over £100, and it's nice to see a modern twist on an old classic. Again, I won't be purchasing this one!

Navy Spot- £104

Another bag from Zatchels that I liked the look of was a brown distressed satchel from the Junkyard collection. It costs over £100 which really shows how lucky I was to get my cheap (but bad quality!) one.

£125 

Moving on to slightly cheaper ones, I spotted a few satchels on the much adored Cath Kidston Website...

Spot Saddle Bag

This spotty satchel makes a change from traditional styles, and is lovely! At £75, (told you the prices would eventually get cheaper!) it isn't too bad compared to ones from TCSC and Zatchels.

£75

I also spotted these cute leather mini satchels- another variation on the classic style! These again cost £75, and are real leather with beautiful patterns!

Obviously, not everyone can afford £100 bags (I know I can't!) so here are some cheaper alternatives:

The Cheap Satchel Company

This "spoof or spin" on TCSC have similar bags at a fraction of the cost. (less than £40) I don't know how reliable the website is as it doesn't look very well put together, and I have no idea if the bags are real leather, but I know that they are certainly cheaper! Unfortunately I can't upload an image for some reason for these, but you can check out the website here. 

Boohoo

Boohoo seem to have a small range of cute satchels on their website. My fav is the Jane Leather Effect Satchel, and at £20, what's not to like?!

£20 from Boohoo

And finally, my old satchel! Unfortunately, it isn't available on the Matalan Website anymore, but I took a few snaps!

Hope you guys enjoyed this! Do you own/want a satchel and do you think they're worth the money?

El

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My Style- My Jewellery Collection

Hello!

So, recently I have been looking through my jewellery collection, and I've found a lot of nice things so I thought I'd share my collection with you! Most of them are vintage inspired, so let's take a look...


Storage
I keep my most used earrings, rings, necklaces and bracelets in this gorgeous little box that I bought from a small boutique on my high street. I love it as it is beautiful, and surprisingly roomy!

The box has a beautiful butterfly design

Earrings
I wear earrings the most out of my jewellery, so I have quite a few pairs! I love studs with roses or pearls as well as more delicate earrings with pretty patterns.

I got these half-hoops from Cath Kidston last year 

I love these little rose earrings as they instantly dress up a look

I got these beautiful Audrey earrings for Christmas- they are so unique!

These gold bird earrings from Dorothy Perkins are beautiful and came with a matching ring

These E earrings are dainty and elegant

As every gal knows, it is a necessity to have some pearly studs! Mine aren't real pearls, however! 

Handmade using vintage buttons- how clever!

And last, but not least, a pair of simple hoop earrings!

Rings
I'm not really someone who wears rings, as I find they can often catch on things and become a bit of a pain, but I do have a couple that I love!

This gold bird ring matches the set of earrings from Dorothy Perkins

I bought this handmade ring at a vintage fair last year

Bracelets
I seem to always forget about bracelets! They are something that I tend not to wear very often, but by rediscovering my jewellery collection, I found a few pretty things!

I love this handmade bracelet with beautiful glass beads

This is another pretty piece from a vintage fair- and again, birds!

 Brooches & Badges
You could say I collect Cath Kidston badges as I have soooo many, but I've found some other lovely pin-on jewellery...

I bought this RSPB chaffinch a year ago in Devon

Again, another bird from another vintage fair!

I love this blue badge celebrating 60 years of the Queen's reign!

And my wide array of CK badges...

...there's a lot of them!

I got this 50s-esque pin for Christmas!

 Necklaces
I love necklaces, but I need to wear them more often!!!

My beautiful sis bought me this bird (yes, I think I have an obsession with the flying creatures) necklace

I bought this bird (surprise, surprise!) necklace at a vintage fair 

I love this teapot, tea cup and spoon necklace!

So that's my jewellery collection! I don't have many pieces in it, but I love each one and it is a wearable amount.

El
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