Friday 28 May 2010

Fever Sea Mist maxi dress - and 10% off!

The Fever Sea Mist maxi dress has been one of our bestselling items - both online and in our shops - since it first came in a few months ago, even though the weather back then was still on the chilly side!  We know why you love this dress.  It's beautiful, for starters, and the fit is stunning - a lady even bought this as her dress for her own wedding from our Stratford store last week.  We sell this dress cheaper than any other retailer, and always offer free delivery over £50.


We've now managed to bag the remainder of Fever's stock of the Sea Mist maxi, so once they're gone, they're gone!  Get yours before they go so you can look smug (and amazing) when we sell out.  And the best news?  If you buy this bank holiday weekend, you can get 10% off with the code MB10.

Hurry!

Until next time,

Ria
www.aspirestyle.co.uk
www.twitter.com/aspirestyle

Friday Floral Fix - Flutters and Fancies compact mirror

Every lady needs a compact mirror - if you don't have one, how will you know how beautiful you look when you're out and about?  And might I say, you look very beautiful today.  Unfortunately for you, I'm going home in an hour, and will no longer be around to provide you with such kind reassurances.  You don't want to look like vain by asking strangers, do you?  Guess you'll just have to get a compact!  Might I advise this pretty Flutters and Fancies one?


It's made of durable metal which closes with a clasp, so the mirror itself is protected and you don't have to worry about getting seven years bad luck.  It's £7.95 and available now!

Until next time,

Ria
www.aspirestyle.co.uk
www.twitter.com/aspirestyle

Wednesday 26 May 2010

What to Wear Wednesdays - the LBD

There is no rule which states the Little Black Dress (or LBD if you're "in the know") should be reserved for winter-time cocktails and office parties.  The fact remains, the LBD owes its popularity to its colour - or rather, lack of; a badly cut dress in black will look miles better than the same style in a different colour.  Especially if that colour's luminous yellow.  Black is flattering.  I don't know the exact physics behind it, but I'm sure if you've got the time, Wikipedia could help you out there.

Don't be scared to wear black in summer.  It's not ideal for the daytime because black absorbs heat, but if you're going out in the evening, a LBD twinned with a healthy tan can make you look the bees' knees.  The Tolouse dress is also good for covering up any unsightly tan lines you might have developed during the day.

WTWW - LBD



Use those Girls Night Out shoes for their true purpose in life and treat yourself to some cocktails with your lady friends!

Until next time,

Ria
www.aspirestyle.co.uk
www.twitter.com/aspirestyle

Friday 21 May 2010

Friday Floral Fix - Poetic Licence Mint Julip sandals

It's very hot today.  Too hot for the tights and brogues I'm wearing with my pretty Libby dress.  I very much wish I had these pretty Mint Julip sandals (£59) by Poetic Licence on my feet to cool them down (and look incredibly pretty at the same time).


Perhaps if I was wearing these, people wouldn't notice how ghostly pale my legs were, and that can only be a good thing.

Until next time,

Ria
www.aspirestyle.co.uk
www.twitter.com/aspirestyle

Wednesday 19 May 2010

What to Wear Wednesdays - Casual Maxi

I've already written about the many winning features of the mighty maxi dress and the Summer Fern maxi by Fever (£65) is no exception.  It's a beautifully light cotton, which makes it ideal for the hot hot summer I'm sure we'll be experiencing soon enough, and it's versatile too - you can wear it as a strapless bandeau dress as shown below, or you can add the shoulder straps which are included.  I've gone for a casual look this week with this maxi dress, and I reckon this outfit would look brilliant at a festival (one with lots of sun and no mud) - especially if you're hanging out backstage.  I'd be tempted to get a straw hat involved as well to shield my pale skin from all that nasty UV radiation.



Until next time,

Ria
www.aspirestyle.co.uk
www.twitter.com/aspirestyle

Monday 17 May 2010

Calling all customers! We want your pictures!

All of our customers are beautiful.  This is a fact, just like how the cash machine will only have £20 notes available when you have less than that in your account, and how you can never have just one chocolate-covered Hob Nob.  We'd love it if you could send us pics of yourselves in your Aspire Style purchases so we can feature them on this here blog and our Facebook group, and when we get enough, we'll hopefully be able to start a gallery over on www.aspirestyle.co.uk - it'll be like you're famous!  Just send your photo(s) to shop@aspirestyle.co.uk with your name and any other information you'd like us to have (maybe you received excellent customer service or purchased your item for a special occasion) and we'll be sure to feature you.

Check out this lovely lady in our Stratford store wearing the Tara Starlet Gypsy apple spot dress - doesn't she look fab?!


We look forward to receiving your pics!

Until next time,

Ria
www.aspirestyle.co.uk
www.twitter.com/aspirestyle

Saturday 15 May 2010

Aspire Style/Ardencote Manor makeover competition winners!

We have recently been involved in a competition organised by the Ardencote Manor in Claverdon near Warwick where a mother and daughter won spa treatment at the Ardencote, a haircut and makeover, professionally taken photographs and... an outfit each from Aspire Style!

The lucky winners, Nicola Weeks and daughter Abigail, came to see us last Thursday with Maja from the Ardencote, who was running the competition, to choose their prizes.  Stratford and Warwick managers Abbey and Laura, along with junior manager Libby, excelled themselves by helping the lovely ladies pick beautiful outfits, which they would be wearing to their 'Big Reveal' - just like on TV show 'Ten Years Younger'.

I went along to the Ardencote Manor on Monday to record this event, attended by the pair's friends and family, so without further ado, let me present to you Nicola and Abigail Weeks!


How beautiful do they look?!  Here are their outfits:





You may notice this is almost exactly the same as the Rockabilly look from What to Wear Wednesdays a few weeks ago.  Which just goes to show, I'm very good at what I do.  Here's a couple more pics of the ladies for your viewing consumption:




You can view the whole album on Facebook here.

Until next time,

Ria
www.aspirestyle.co.uk
www.twitter.com/aspirestyle

Friday 14 May 2010

Friday Floral Fix - Fever Scribble ruffle dress

As soon as we got this Fever Scribble ruffle dress (£49) in, the fight began between the Aspire girls to see who would buy it.  I swear, it was like that scene in Mean Girls where they're all fighting in the school hallway after the contents of the Burn Book came to light.  Well, maybe not that bad, because we all love each other dearly (and there were customers in the shop).  It's a fantastic floral print with a pretty ruffle collar, and it's super flattering.


Laura, the Warwick shop manager, wears hers with navy leggings, which look great.  It would also go really well with a bright cardigan in red, yellow or blue.  Embrace the colour!

Until next time,

Ria
www.aspirestyle.co.uk
www.twitter.com/aspirestyle

Wednesday 12 May 2010

What to Wear Wednesdays - Beach Chic

Ok, so it's not as warm as it was last month, and if the weather people tell me there's snow in Newcastle one more time I may cry, but I comfort myself with the fact that it is still technically Spring, so we've not much right to complain.  Next month, however, is June, which will undoubtedly bring cloudless skies and non-stop sunshine (except for at night, obviously), and you will experience a phenomena known as Beach Craving.  If you've not heard of Beach Craving before, it's because I've just coined the term, but it does exist!  British people naturally flock to the seaside in the summer!  It's as innate as breathing or hating sprouts.

However, there's no point strolling down to the beach looking like you've been so distracted by the sun that you've experienced some form of blindness whilst getting dressed.  That will not do.  So take my advice, and get Beach Chic:



The pearls might be a little much for bucket and spade activities, but they're excellent for taking this outfit from beach to bar.

Until next time,

Friday 7 May 2010

Friday Floral Fix - small rose headband

We stock a range of plastic jewellery that sells so incredibly well we get it in every season - it's becoming almost cultish!  We have different colours every season, and this Spring/Summer we have two ranges of colour (yes, you're right, we do spoil you).  My favourite are the pretty pastel roses, which come in necklaces (large and small), rings, brooches, cuffs, and these lovely headbands:

They're £7.95, and popular with everyone - children and adults alike.

Until next time,

Ria