Wednesday, 21 July 2010

Aspire Style - fame at last!

You poor, neglected things.  I know, I know, it's been a while, but for good reason!  We've been very busy here at Aspire Style HQ over the past few weeks.  Firstly there was our amazing three flash sales which took place over the first weekend of the month which proved to be such a success we will definitely be holding them again soon!  If you missed out, make sure you're kept in the know next time by signing up for our mailing list.  We don't spam, I promise, and it means you'll be informed about our news and promotions before anyone else.

Secondly, we've also had products featured in Grazia two weeks in a row, which has kept us pretty snowed under.  The first product to grace the pages of one of our favourite magazines was the Ruby Belle Madagascar bustier dress (£39), still available in sizes 8, 12 and 14 (limited stock):



The following week, not only did Grazia feature our Fever Cezanne side lace dress (£69), it also showcased it on the cover (top right hand corner)!



As this item was already an Aspire bestseller, you can imagine how many orders we had after all the nation's most stylish ladies clapped eyes on it.  Unfortunately they got our website address slightly wrong, but the determination of our lovely new customers won through.


We've only got very limited sizes left but are still having the odd one or two returned, so if you weren't able to get the size you want, either keep an eye on the website or email us with what size you want and we'll let you know if we get one in.  Alternatively, we now stock the Cezanne print in a beautiful cocktail dress (£65):


And if it's the flattering side lace shape you're after, we have this in a lovely blue butterfly print:


A massive HELLO to all our new customers (and a reassuring 'we haven't forgotten about you' hug to all our lovely loyal ones) - we look forward to seeing more of you!

Until next time,

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

Wednesday, 30 June 2010

Job opportunity at Aspire Style Oxford!


Fancy working for Aspire Style?  We're currently recruiting for a Junior Manager in our Oxford shop.  The role is 5 days a week including Sundays, but no Saturdays.  Please email us at shop@aspirestyle.co.uk if you're interested.

Tuesday, 29 June 2010

Greeting cards now available online at Aspire Style!

What's better than sending your friend/family member/love of your life a present from Aspire Style?  Sending them a present from Aspire Style AND a card!  We now have a large range of greeting cards online for all occasions, be they birthday, retirement, or general well-wishes, as well as a plentiful selection of very pretty blank cards you can fill with your own sentiment!

I have become my mother in the sense that I now buy cards I like and horde them.  I tell myself that it's handy to have a stash in case I suddenly remember someone's birthday at the last minute, but if I'm honest, I like the cards too much to share.  Here are some of my favourites from our range available online:


If you would like us to send someone a card on your behalf, let us know by emailing shop@aspirestyle.co.uk when you place your order and we'll see what we can do for you!  And we'll use our very best handwriting, promise.

Until next time,

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

Friday, 18 June 2010

Friday Floral Fix - Ruby Belle rose bustier dress

I'm not sure it's possibly to get more feminine and floral than this beautiful rose bustier dress (only £39!) by Ruby Belle:


It's actually amazingly comfortable, owing to a stretchy back panel, and looks great either dressed down with a tan belt and gladiators, or smartened up with heels and pearls.  As that man on Big Brother would say, You Decide!  You can't accuse me of not being down with pop culture.

Until next time,

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

Wednesday, 16 June 2010

What to Wear Wednesdays - boho beauty

This outfit was very much inspired by our lovely merchandiser Sassi, who is responsible for creating all the beautiful windows in our Stratford and Warwick shops.  She can basically wear anything and look amazing.  The dress in today's What to Wear Wednesday is the Main Stage dress, by new Aspire brand T Style (check out their other items in our brand new New in section), and Sassi wore it so well that I had to make an outfit featuring it for you.  Here's Sass in it...


And here's today's outfit!

Those awesome gladiator sandals are also new in, and an absolute bargain at £29, and the Flutters and Fancies satchel is the most recent addition to the popular Flutters and Fancies range.  Très boho chic!

Until next time,

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

Friday, 11 June 2010

Friday Football Fix - England flag

To celebrate the start of the 2010 World Cup, Friday Floral Fix has become Friday Football Fix for one week only!  Plus, instead of one item, you get loads.  That's what I call value for money (and an attempt to make up for the lack of What to Wear Wednesday this week):

England flag

Apologies to our customers from Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and everywhere else in the world.  Why not make your own flag over at Polyvore?  Even if you don't like football, it's FUN.

Enjoy the World Cup!

Until next time,

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

Friday, 4 June 2010

Friday Floral Fix - Irregular Choice Flick Flack kettle bag

I carry a lot of stuff around with me (quite often in on of our lovely canvas bags; I'm like a walking advert) so I like big handbags.  This Flick Flack kettle bag (£65) by Irregular Choice is a wonderful size for all your bits and pieces so you can appease your inner Mary Poppins without looking like a bag lady!


It also comes in red:


And if you love a bit of co-ordination, we've got the matching shoes too (£69):


Mary would be proud.


Until next time,

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

Mary Poppins image courtesy of http://www.brickfish.com/Pages/Blogs/BlogList.aspx?pid=117680

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