Tag: review

Zalando : Review (…and Orla Kiely)

Amanda Cottingham | June 16, 2013 | 1 Comment

Oh be still my beating heart….do you see it? Do you? I know, its an Orly Keily bag, and its gorgeous!

I was contacted by Zalando, to put their site through its paces and in return, I got given a £100 voucher to spend. Now if you haven’t heard of Zalando its the UK’s (it originates from Europe though) largest online wardrobe! It has shoes, clothing and home items. Now when I say it the biggest, it really does have a lot of stock, but the site is well signposted, and you really wouldn’t realise this when navigating the site.

I toyed with the idea of buying this :

At £85, I knew just the wall that it would look great on. I could imagine it with half family photographs, and some vintage postcards I’ve been collecting too. Then I saw this Rene Lezard Cocktail Dress :

…which I fell in love with, but at £250 I really was blowing my budget. Don’t worry Tall Dad, I didn’t buy it….yet!

But then I realised that they sold Orla Kiely, bags, dresses, coats and purses. I have loved Orla Kiely for years, and I have some of her home-ware in my kitchen, the retro vibe of the designs really appeal to me.

So when I saw this Orla Kiely Poppy, cross over leather bag, in yellow: £155, I just had to have it! I love this bag, it’s perfect for summer, and for my upcoming holiday. It’s the perfect size to add to an outfit for the evening, I wear allot of black, and navy, so I love that it will give a pop of colour too!

Once ordered, it arrived 3 days afterwards. I was notified, by email and by text. It’s such a good idea to add your mobile number, if like me you tend to be out and about in the day. It was really well packaged, and came in a cloth Orla Kiely bag. Made from gorgeous leather, I absolutely adore it!

Thank you Zalando, I am now your No1 fan!

Thank you for reading

Hotter Shoes : The Verdict

Amanda Cottingham | June 11, 2013 | 11 Comments

Now amongst my loves, I have a penchant for leather bags, and shoes. I like them to be good quality, and reflect me. Even in my childhood I loved good shoes, and bags. I remember pleading with my Mum, to buy me a pair of beautiful patent red shoes (with matching bag) when I must have been 7 or 8 years old, like my life depended on it. I love a slightly vintage but classic style, this is reflected I think even in the way I style my home.

I was asked if I would like to review some shoes from Hotter Shoes - Carly ‘Live, Love, Comfort and Style‘. It was a new range on me, but I was intrigued to find out if they really were as comfortable as they claimed. The shoes I chose, I think have the kind of vintage, classic look to them I like, and I absolutely loved them when they arrived.

I’ve been wanting to use the Vine app for a while for a review, so here are my shoes on the move!

I do really struggle with shoes, I’m a size 8 and it looks like my girls have both inherited my large feet, as well as a high instep. It takes me days of wearing, to break shoes in, and this always seems to result in blisters. Don’t let on I told you, but when I lived at home, I used to ask my Dad, who was a size 9 to wear my shoes to break them in a little for me….

This is, hand on heart first pair of shoes that have not needed me to break them in. I wore them for the first time on Saturday night, whist partaking in a glass of Prosecco with Penny from Alexander Residence, Jen from Love Chic Living and Annie from Mammasaurus, and the next day, I was blister free, and they hadn’t hurt me at all during the night. They are lovely soft leather, and have comfortable cushioning inside of them. It sounds dramatic but Hotter shoes, as a bit of a revelation to me, and I cant wait to buy another pair, I’m thinking heels or wedges next time.

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BabyBeau : Baby Changing Bag (Review)

Amanda Cottingham | June 4, 2013 | 8 Comments

I have been test driving a beautiful, Nava – BabyBeau, baby changing bag for the last week. This baby changing bag from the Luxury company BabyBeau, is very different to any changing bag I have ever used before. It is not only very beautiful, but so well designed. No, I’m not pregnant, (sorry Mum) those days are very over, but I do have a keen eye for fashion, and I have actually a tiny (huge) obsession with handbags.

The first aspect I’m going to discuss is the look of the bag. Regular readers will know I like a big bag, I like it to be fit for the job it has. This bag is a generous size : • Dimensions: H: 47cm W: 44cm D:15cm.

In this case, as is a baby changing bag. It really need to be able to carry lots of things, spare clothing, nappy, nappy cream, possibly snacks and a drink. As well as the usual handbag items, of purse, keys and lipstick. This handbag would have no problem carrying all of those items, it could do these and many more.

The leather is very soft, and is fantastic quality, but at the same time feels robust. It is a colour I would describe as a warm buttermilk, with dark chocolate accents, at the handles the buckles and zips are gold. It has a detachable (adjustable) shoulder handle, but can be worn as in the picture below too.

The detailing of the bag, gives it the appearance of a softer more practical satchel style. Even having the ability to make it wider, with a zip running the length of the base of the bag.

It has two large pockets, which have press studs to open and close. It also you can see has an additional, detachable clutch to the front. I haven’t removed this though, as I love the idea, of it being an additional pocket, to stash things away(I’m a devil for loosing keys in the depths of my bag) and I definitely know they will be there when I check later.

So how about its credentials as a changing bag.

When you open the bag, inside, is just as luxurious looking. with a changing mat, bottle holder and zip pocket pouch. Each of these items match the bag too, so it make a real style statement. The interior (which has more pockets within it and is completely detachable) is water-resistant, so perfect for those little spillages that inevitably happen. Honestly, it is so well equipped, this is the most beautiful, elegant and well made changing bag I have ever seen or used.

The handbag is available to order on-line on the BabyBeau website priced at £225.

What I wanted to show in this review, is how buying a fantastic quality bag, such as the ones on offer on this site, gives you ability to still use it in the long-term.

The Nava baby changing bag converts very simply into handbag, you could just simply take out the liner. It would easily fit a net book, I have used it for my iPad, and it fitted very comfortably inside, alongside other items.

I have also gone one step further and purchased, a padded camera liner(£16) which I have added to base of the bag, so I can use it to transport my DSLR around. Much more stylish that the usual camera bag as well. I am so pleased with this, it is exactly what I have been looking for, I have even used the bottle bag, for a spare lens!

So what do you think?

I really am in love with this multi functional and beautiful handbag, that is sure to last you for many years to come!

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Hilton Rediscovering Nottingham

Amanda Cottingham | April 18, 2013 | 4 Comments

I am originally from the borders of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. As I was growing up though, I always went to Nottingham City Centre for a night out. For me it has everything. Diverse and exciting, has great bars, places to eat and clubs all within easy distance from the centre. Now 15 years on, I am married with 2 children, so have little opportunity to get to the bright lights of Nottingham City Centre, to paint the town red. However I still recommend Nottingham, as a fantastic place for both young and old.

I was asked by Hilton Nottingham, if I wanted to rediscover Nottingham, and all its night-life last weekend, and I grabbed the opportunity. It was interesting as I was tweeting photographs of my night out, how many people who replied to my tweets and Facebook updates, saying Nottingham is such a fantastic place. So there are obviously lots of other people who agree with me.

The Hilton Nottingham

Hilton Nottingham places you in the heart of a city that blends medieval history with contemporary shopping, culture and entertainment.

When Tall Dad (my husband) and I arrived, there was a really large group of people being checked in. We had decided that we wanted to do some shopping, once we dropped off our bags and didn’t want to hang around. So spoke to the really professional and friendly concierge, who gladly took our bags and put them somewhere securely, so we could continue our day. This was the start of our experience with the Hilton, and its a touch such as this that really makes a hotel experience I think.

When we did check in later, it was done efficiently and professionally, we were asked if we would like to make dinner reservations, which we did. Also, if we needed a wakeup call, or newspaper. We were directed to the lift, as we were on the fourth floor. Even though I have passed the Hilton many times over the years, I had not realised how big it was. It’s not a foreboding size though, and it is full of charm. We soon didn’t use the lift, as the (original I think) staircase was so lovely to walk up and down.

The Room

The room, was tucked away in a corner of the hotel, and was very clean and tidy, the bathroom was too. I loved that they choose white bed linen in the softest cotton for the beds, and it felt really luxurious to sleep in. The lighting was good, with lights in various places in the room. There wasn’t air-conditioning in our room, but we didn’t need it anyway. It also had complimentary toiletries to use, tea and coffee and a hair-dryer We didn’t really have chance to watch it, but there was also a flat screen TV, with lots of channels, and a radio.

We both slept really well, the room was quiet, and we couldn’t hear other guests at the hotel. So we both got a lie in, which was a fantastic bonus!

Nightlife

The Hilton Nottingham is so well placed, within easy working distance, of not only lots of things to do in the day, but also in the evening too. You can walk a few hundred metres and be at the Corner House, which has a casino, cinema, bars and restaurants all under one roof. Across the road from the Corner House is the Theatre Royal and the Royal Concert Hall, if you would like a spot of culture or music. All less than a 2 minute walk!

A little further, but still in the city centre is the Capital FM arena, which is a great venue for both ice skating and concerts. There are even comedy clubs and my favourite Rock City, which is a great place to see a gig.

We decided to have a cocktail at one of our favourite bars Dino’s (Warser Gate – Lace Market) owned by Saff and Luis. I had an Espresso Martini, which is a favourite of mine.

We then headed back for dinner at Nicholson’s Bar and Diner back at the Hotel.

Nicholsons

We were both so impressed with Nicholsons. Both being foodies, we do have quite a critical eye when it comes to eating out. We were so impressed by Nicholsons. We had the best seats in the house, which was a large table, looking out on the hustle and bustle of the city outside. Our waitress, was really lovely, friendly, but professional and slick.

We each had a cocktail, from the great selection on offer, they were very potent!

The food was incredibly delicious, the highlights being a starter of three different goats cheese, with balsamic glaze.

Delicious sides, to accompany our main meal, I think the thick cut chips, must has been twice cooked…devine!

Tall Dad, really enjoyed, his rump of Lamb, with dauphinoise potatoes and asparagus. Apologies for the quality of this photograph, I think Tall Dad was enjoying the wine too much to bother focussing!

We also sampled the wine, during our meal, and opted for a bottle of the house wine, which we thought was well priced, and a very good taste.

Overall, both the service and the food were fantastic, we had a really lovely evening and left with smiles and promises to eat there again.

Breakfast is also served at Nicholsons, we arrived, fairly late, thanks to our lie in. It was perhaps a little over half full though. We didn’t have to wait for a table. We were both still full from the previous evening, but did have a small plate each. There were morning papers to read whilst drinking freshly brewed tea and coffee. It felt unrushed, and was a lovely relaxed ending to our visit.

Overall I would recommend the Hilton as a fantastic hotel, right in the midst of it all in Nottingham. It is definitely a hotel that prides itself on service, and I can’t wait to visit again!