Shopping Archives - Page 2 of 33

Stitch Fix #1

March 31, 2014 By Paola 5 Comments

I know I am super late to this party, but I thought I’d share with you my experience with Stitch Fix, which goes by the tagline ‘now every woman can have her own personal stylist’.

This service was recommended to me by a couple of people and I have to admit to being sceptical in the EXTREME. I loathe shopping for clothes as nothing ever seems to be made with me in mind – I’m short (5’ 1”) and extremely boobalicious, with no discernible waist. Add to this the fact that I seem to have put back all the weight I lost a year or two back round my middle (I don’t think my body processes insulin very well, which I’m just starting to work on through diet and exercise) and you can see why I have such trouble with clothes.

Essentially with Stitch Fix, you fill out an comprehensive online questionnaire about your fashion likes and dislikes, sizes, budget and style preferences (which was very fun actually), give your stylist links to your social media feeds and Pinterest boards (I sent my stylist links to my ‘I Want to Wear’ and ‘Bejewelled’ boards). And then your stylist sends you five personally chosen pieces to match your profile.

The items arrive beautifully boxed (next time I’ll take pictures) with a prepaid envelope to send anything you don’t want back. You have three days after receiving your Fix to decide. You pay a $20 ‘styling fee’ up front, which is offset against the cost of anything you decide to keep, and if you keep all five pieces you get a 25% discount. If you send everything back then you still pay the $20.

I figured that it would be fun, even if I ended up taking only 1-2 pieces. However, in the end I was very pleasantly surprised.

Here’s what I got.

Henry & Belle Kent Roll-Cuff Capri Jean $178

My heart sank when I saw there were jeans. Jeans, particularly mail order jeans, never EVER fit me.

I was reluctant even to try them on, but when I did, I was astonished. They’re a light denim with a nice summery wash and LOTS OF GIVE and they just slid right on. The fact that they were cropped helped the usual length issues I have.

Expensive but a definite KEEP. I’d pay anything for comfortable well-fitting jeans. It was good to be introduced to a hitherto unknown-to-me jeans brand too. Just need to turn up the cuff one more step as it’s a bit deep currently.

They also come with a cute card of styling ideas. I let the stylist know in my checkout notes that I liked the look of both the tops on this card and the aqua scarf.

Pomelo Julia Utility Jacket ($78)

Stitch Fix photography by www.paolathomas.com

This was my other favourite item in the box. It looks a bit shapeless on the hanger but I loved how it looked on (not so much buttoned, but due the boob situation I don’t button most of my jackets anyway). It’s the PERFECT alternative to cardigans for Seattle spring and autumn and I’ve already worn it a couple of times to many compliments.

Here I am wearing it with the aforementioned jeans, a black tunic dress thingy and my gorgeous new Fluevogs. Pam Ann on the stairs also approves.

Daniel Rainn Barcelona Solid Short Sleeved Blouse $78

Of all the items in my box this was the least ‘me’ mostly because for some reason I don’t usually wear that bright jewel blue. I think it looks a bit cheap on my skin tone. Also on its own it clung rather too much to the boobs and muffin top. But I could see that it would be a super useful piece and it would look great if I manage to lose an inch or two off said boobs and muffin top (or resort to judicious use of Spanx) and it looked much better under a jacket (though I think the bright blue and coral might be a bit too much). So in the end I decided to KEEP it, though I’m not entirely sure it was the right decision.

Pomelo Corinna Striped Dolman Top ($48)

At first I thought this top was very ‘me’ as this shade of grey suits me, but the cut and the horizontal stripes did make me look rather bosomy and plump. However this thing is soft as butter, extremely warm and cosy and perfect for wearing round the house with jeans or leggings. I haven’t taken it off since I got it. Don’t think I’ll wear it in company though. Another KEEP.

31 Bits Annabelle Long Beaded Necklace ($28)

This necklace is made by women in Uganda from from handmade paper beads and glass beads. The colour was fab with the rest of my fix and I really liked the length – longer, but sitting just above the boobs rather than drawing attention right to them. So I will wear it occasionally. However, it did seem a little bit ‘Etsy’ to me. This ended up being another KEEP because with the 25% discount for keeping five items it really wasn’t worth sending them back (likewise the two tops above). And it felt good to be helping women in Uganda.

So all in all my stylist Kim managed to pick out two ‘greats’ and three ‘almosts’ which I thought was a very good hit rate for a first box and I ended up keeping everything. When you check out you can also provide feedback on your pieces, so I’m hoping that April’s box will be even better. Kim enclosed the sweet note above, though I was a little confused when she mentioned a previous fix as I’ve never had one before.

Apart from anything else this service is just super FUN and perfect if you’re like me and dislike shopping. if you’d like to give it a go my referral link is here. If you use it, I get a small discount on my next Fix and I will also love you forever. (The above Fix was paid for by me, and all opinions are resolutely my own). Oh and apologies for really crappy iPhone photos. Next time I’ll get out the tripod.

New York, New York

March 28, 2014 By Paola 13 Comments

So I’m back from two back to back trips to New York, New York – firstly to attend a food photography workshop given by Penny de los Santos (with the Minx and the Husband tagging along) and secondly for Blog Tour NYC and the Architectural Design Home Show. I am still processing all I learned, saw, thought and felt, though I will be blogging the bejeezus out of everything in the coming weeks. Stay tuned for sumptuous shops, stunning restaurants and sexy hotels.

In the meantime, by way of an introduction, here are some of the sights and characters of New York City, which are still buzzing round my head.

One day I AM going to start a Tumblr called ‘Hipsters in their Habitats’.

Loved this hardworking little guy down in the subway.

New York, New York photography by www.paolathomas.com

Love truly was in the air.

Pilgrimage to PurlSoho. Check.

Remember when we did a ‘Go Fug Your Room’ on Diane Von Furstenburg’s NYC penthouse? Well here it is, seen from the magnificent new High Line Park. I couldn’t quite see in to see if she’d taken our decorating advice.

Gorgeous chartreuse green tables and chairs on the High Line, and windows that look like makeup palettes.

Ladies in green.

Photogenic taxis? Check and check.

For some reason people kept mistaking me and my Canadian friend Danielle – fellow foodie and street photographer extraordinaire, for British tourists. Can’t think why.

But I forgave her wearing that scarf when she introduced me to Balthazar’s.

Fabulous street art everywhere.

Can anyone tell me how water towers work? Do they collect rainwater? They fascinate me.

Lots of neon.

New York truly is a melting pot.

And obviously many iconic tall buildings.

I’ve never been a big one for street photography, but I could get completely obsessed by it in New York. We didn’t have a huge amount of time for it on this trip, but I WILL be back. I love this city so much.

Weekend Link Love

January 4, 2014 By Paola Leave a Comment

Here is a photo from my winter wanderings around the golf courses of Whistler and here are some more tidbits from this week’s wanderings around the Internet.

This article about focusing not on goals, but on systems is really resonating with me. I’ve been trying to improve it over the last year, but nobody in our house is good at systems and I spend SO much time looking for things or reinventing various wheels. I’ve also started watching this CreativeLIVE course from Ari Meisel on the same subject and it’s definitely furnishing plenty of food for thought so far.

At the same time, I don’t think the systems within my body are working terribly well (I’ve put most of the weight I lost recently straight back on) so this article about losing weight without dieting made a lot of sense. I think there’s a lot that needs to be fixed and I don’t want to struggle AGAINST my body anymore.

This article TOTALLY works with this year’s quest for more ‘deliciousness’ in my life.

Whereas this time capsule Paris apartment is my dream home. Surely the movie of this story must be coming out some time soon?

And finally these bodymaps of the physical manifestations of human emotions are just mindblowing. Here’s wishing you lots of happiness and love in 2014!

We’re having one last weekend of festive fun – hosting a British Christmas party and then going to see the panto today, followed by SingalongaSoundofMusic on Sunday – and then #maythelordandallthesaintsandangelsbepraised everyone goes back to school and work on Monday.

WTF Friday-Kim Kardashian’s Handbag

January 3, 2014 By Paola 9 Comments

I thought it was about time for a good old-fashioned WTF Friday, just in case the following passed you by in all the Christmas madness.

While I was thrilled to get camera equipment for Christmas, Kim Kardashian was ‘lucky’ enough to receive a specially-commissioned one-of-a-kind gift from fiance Kanye West, her very own Birkin bag, hand-desecrated er, painted, by artist George Condo! Which apparently shows a naked Kim being punched in the face by naked momager Kris Jenner. Because, of course.

If you too would like to possess such a ‘gift’ then the basic Birkin will apparently set you back a meagre $40,000, while a George Condo original recently sold for more than $1 million, which makes it all the more sad that poor Kim is having to walk round with holes in her jeans.

And now I promise never to mention Kim Kardashian on the blog again. Apologies.

Life is Delicious

January 2, 2014 By Paola 7 Comments

I’m not a huge believer in resolutions, though I do like the idea of taking stock and making ideas and plans for the year ahead at the beginning of January. In fact this year I’ve decided that my new year will start on January 6th, as we’re still in full Christmas mode here – the Minx is home from school, the Christmas decorations will stay up until Twelfth Night and we still have various gatherings and activities planned.

Detailed resolutions don’t seem to work for me but I like the idea of choosing areas of focus for the year. Last year was The Year of Photography, The Year of Getting Fit and The Year of Getting Organised and I’d say I achieved one out of three (the photography), though I did make progress on the other two (and yes I DID tidy my desk). So this year is going to be The Year of Marketing (this blog is going to be a big part of that) and the Year of Getting Fit/Getting Organised 2.0.

I also love the idea of choosing a word of the year though I’ve never done it before. This year though, my word chose me.

I hit a big birthday at the tail end of last year and decided to give myself the present of a life coach and have been working with the inimitable Susan Hyatt. Though I’m very grateful for my lovely life and know I’m so much luckier than most, I wanted help with the stress, adrenal fatigue and insomnia which laid me so low this time last year and also help with building my new photography business.

We’re just starting the process and it’s been a fascinating so far, though there is still a lot to do. But the one thing coming out loud and clear so far is that I don’t stop enough to smell the roses and just ENJOY the simple things of life. That instead of rushing around from place to place that I should take the trouble to stop and just BE.

I got back from Whistler to find that Susan had sent me a special word charm necklace that she had commissioned from her best friend, jeweler Frances Cadora from Studio Fran, who makes the most spectacular one-off hammered silver pieces (I do LOVE my friends, but how lovely to have a tame jeweller at one’s disposal).

I was a bit teeny bit sceptical about someone else choosing my word, how could they know better than me?

But Susan did. She chose the word DELICIOUS and it is perfect and wonderful and feels just right. (I also feel honoured as she runs a fabulous online program called ‘Life is Delicious’ so it feels like she is lending me HER word).

So 2014 is the year that I look for deliciousness – in food, in photography and in life in general.

Have you chosen a word of the year? Or an area of focus? Or are you sticking with old fashioned resolutions? Or are you perfect just the way you are? And if you want to commission Fran to make you your own word charm necklace for the year then I’m sure she’d be delighted to hear from you. (Oh and even her gift boxes are beautiful, handmade and covered with gold leaf).

A Christmas Crib

December 9, 2013 By Paola 6 Comments

We’re in full Christmas countdown mode here at chez Thomas and the Minx gets more and more insufferably crazy by the day. (We’re excitedly working through our Jacquie Lawson calendar – this year featuring a Downton-esque Edwardian country house, are you?)

This year I thought it might be fun to put up a Christmas crib. We’re not particularly religious in this household, but I think it’s important for the Minx to understand that there’s something more to Christmas than Santa and sleighbells and I find it sad that, unlike British school kids, she’s never had the opportunity to appear in a school Nativity play.

It also ties back to my (and her) Italian roots. Though they’re becoming increasingly popular in Italy, Christmas trees are only a recent innovation there. Instead each family puts up a wonderfully elaborate ‘presepe’ or Nativity scene, usually set in a little working village, often complete with running water and electric lights.

My aunt is married to a Neapolitan, and the Christmas crib tradition runs particularly strongly in Naples, with a whole street dedicated to shops selling little figurines and statues for cribs of various sizes. I remember visiting as a child and it was magical.

In the little mountain villages close to my Italian family’s hometown of Cuneo, they even set up ‘living cribs’, with actors playing all the parts, not only of the Holy Family and the shepherds etc. but of villagers of bygone times. I visited one many years ago and it was a beautiful, if rather cold, experience, which I one day want to repeat with the Minx.

In the meantime here are a few little crib ideas for you own home.

I’ve actually bought this beautiful little Nativity set from Princess Nimble Thimble on Etsy (we also got some additional angels). The quality of these little handmade dolls is superb and as a family we are particularly in love with the tiny Baby Jesus. We just need the Minx to build us a diorama to put them in.

I’d already bought the Princess Nimble Thimble crib when I saw the one at the top of the page from Alessi featuring the world’s most awesome Baby Jesus. It is touching how proud and full of love Mary and Joseph are. This crib also features the world’s cutest star (who knew a star could be cute?) and some very cool sheep. I’m thinking I might add this to MY Christmas list.

Christmas Crib photography by www.paolathomas.com

Finally if you’re in the market for a modern Nativity and are also extremely rich here is the rather splendidly folksy Alexander Girard Nativity, a new nativity set based on an illustration he made which now hangs in his son’s house.

What about you chaps? Do any of you put up cribs? Found any other good sets?

Many thanks to Abigail of Abigail*Ryan fame for mentioning the Alessi crib on her Facebook feed. That might end up being quite an expensive visit to Facebook…

Things I Am Loving: The Secret Garden

June 20, 2013 By Paola 6 Comments

Pssst. Don’t tell the Minx, but I just bought her a colouring book for our plane ride at the weekend.

Well, to be more accurate I’ve just bought myself a colouring book, as I’m sure she would probably prefer to be plugged into an electronic device of some sort.

But honestly, who in their right mind could resist the intricate and magical pen and ink drawings in Secret Garden by ‘ink evangelist’ Johanna Basford?

Twelve hours on a plane doesn’t seem nearly so long now. (Check out this review from the Guardian, which includes some printable pages to download).

Speaking of The Secret Garden, which remains one of my favourite children’s books of all time, check out these beautiful clothbound keepsake editions of children’s classics from Puffin, designed by the amazing Daniela Terrazzini.

As the mother of an utterly voracious and rather advanced reader I’m the finding the classics to be one of the best ways of giving the Minx age-appropriate reading material. I understand from the Internet that these beautiful books can be hard to track down, but we found ours at the weekend in Seattle’s wonderful Elliott Bay Bookstore. Some are also available on Amazon. (There are some more boy-friendly options too.)

I, er the Minx, can’t wait to read them.

Grand Hotel of the Week: Fairmont Hotel Vancouver

May 31, 2013 By Paola 2 Comments

There’s a great exhibition currently showing at the Vancouver Art Gallery entitled ‘Grand Hotel: Redesigning Modern Life’. I saw it when I was in Vancouver last month and highly recommend it to anyone in the area who loves hotels like I do.

The exhibition traces the rise of the modern hotel, and celebrates hotel design, hotel life and hotel branding (lots of examples from the Ace Hotels funnily enough). It also, not surprisingly, makes a lot of mention of the venerable Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, just opposite the Vancouver Art Gallery and fabulously located in the heart of downtown, where we stayed on my recent visit to Vancouver.

The iconic copper turrets of the ‘Castle in the City’ are nowadays somewhat lost among the other high rise buildings, and its gargoyles and statues look down on a sea of plate glass, but inside it’s just as you would expect – like its sister hotel the Fairmont Empress, it’s a gracious, elegant, timeless example of what hotel living really ought to be.

That’s not to say that they’ve forgotten all the modern requirements of a luxury hotel. The pool was one of the best hotel pools I’ve seen, and amazing for a tightly-packed downtown location, and the staff was kindness and helpfulness personified.

And on a Friday night the downstairs bar was hopping, and serving fabulous cocktails. I had the new-for-Spring ‘Royal Boulevardier’ cocktail, a heady mix of bourbon, vermouth, Aperol and maple syrup, which was delicious, but will get you royally somethinged if you’re not careful. (Click here for a PDF of Fairmont hotels Modern Classics cocktail menu, complete with recipes).

Our room was spacious, comfortable and supremely elegant.

Reflection of the hotel from our upstairs window

And the gold stickers on the loo rolls made me smile.

Full disclosure: We were given an upgrade to the Gold Lounge in return for a blog post. However, the hotel has has no influence on the contents of this post and all opinions are my own. We just had a right royal time here.

Things I Am Loving: Art et Manufacture

May 30, 2013 By Paola 1 Comment

Continuing on my dangerous Helene Dujardin-fuelled shopping spree (goodness that woman has a lot to answer for), I have been making my way down her list of great prop providers and spending far too much money.

These utterly gorgeous ceramics from Art et Manufacture are worth every penny though.

I love how the shapes they use are modern yet timeless and the blue and white patterns are utterly contemporary while calling back to Delftware and other traditional blue and white china. Very European, utterly chic and completely inspired.

The sweet little espresso cups and bowl below are MINE though. Look out for them in a food photograph near you.

Things I Am Loving: Forms in Nature

May 10, 2013 By Paola 1 Comment

This sort of stopped me in my tracks when I saw it yesterday.

Created by artists Thyra Hilden and Pio Diaz, this ‘light sculpture’ entitled Forms in Nature is designed to cast spooky shadows reminiscent of a wild forest all round the room. I have long been fascinated by the beautiful shadows cast by chandeliers and I love how they’ve taken this to the next logical step and made the shadows the star of the show.