31 Dec 2013

2013 - You Total Dude


Hey folks. It's that time of year the where we all start to look back at photos to remind ourselves what's been going on, and hasn't time flown? I don't usually do a re-cap post but 2013 was a very important year for us, so here goes. There was plenty more posts in between but in my round up I've picked out a few of my favourite moments.


Whilst looking back through images from this year, it quickly became clear that 2013 was a massive one for us. We started off the year by heading to Orlando, in January but some of you guys might remember we had to cut out trip short due to a family death. It sure rocked things. In the few days that we were there we didn't actually manage to do much, but we did come across Buckets & Spades in Susie Bubble's Style Feed, sitting in Urban Outfitters, Orlando no less! It still doesn't feel real that Buckets & Spades made it into a proper book!



 Back in March I finally asked Hollie to marry me, and to my relief she said yes! We're still to set a date yet but I really can't wait, I'd do it tomorrow if it was possible. I'd been planning to ask her while we were in Orlando but due to circumstances it was best to wait till things had settled down. This image was taken on the seafront where we live, the town we first met in about 8 years ago. Hollie also knows good gifts!


This year I also discovered how much I enjoy classic car shows, and apparently, so does everyone else! Around the month of July was the time I decided to finally turn freelance and took up the blog full time. In my first freelance month I joined up with Pinterest to help launch their #PinInForward Campaign, ran several juicy giveaways and started daily posting on the blog. It was also a boiling summer, which meant shorts every single day for a good three weeks running! Blogging became my full time job and I've never looked back since. It's opened so many new opportunities for me and I'm extremely excited to see what 2014 holds for us. 

The blog is a joint effort though, it's not just me. - Hollie helps with photography and back-end design, and in October Yasumi of Stranger London joined in as a contributer! If you're interested in contributing to Buckets & Spades please do get in touch.


Another stand out moment of the year was getting to visit the Grenson Shoe Factory in Northampton. We spent about 6 hours at the factory (which is now no longer in use), seeing each stage of shoemaking, from start to finish. It blew my mind, since then I had a new found love and respect for craftsmanship and traditions. I also picked up a pair of swanky brogues for the wedding! 


A new pup landed in our lives. It's true, Chole is a nightmare at times but she's a doll really. Looking back at the first photo I ever took of her, well I mean, just look at how small her feet are! I was also lucky enough to have a gander around Raw creative studios thanks to my pal Carol.


Remember the DIY denim project I did for Bucks & Co., to raise money for Jeans for Genes Day? After a nervous start, I must say they finished product was pretty sweet! I'm not one for DIYs but I sure gave it a go. It was definitely a proud moment for me. I also joined up with a couple of other menswear bloggers and Uniqlo, to help promoting their UT Collection and new video sharing app.



We got our small label, Northern Goods Co. stocked in a couple of stores! In September I visited Liverpool based menswear store Weavers Door, to shoot an editorial and that day they became our first in-store retailer! Que balloons and ticker tape parade! Last week we also started working with  BBSC. It was really surreal seeing our products sitting alongside some big established brands, go us!

As I mentioned before, 2013 was the year I decided to go full time with the blog and from that I've been lucky enough to connect and meet some amazing people, from all around the world. Seriously guys, it's been a pleasure to meet you all. I just hope I can meet some more of you in person once we hit 2014! Your readership means everything.

In Part 2 I'll round up a few more outfit, places we traveled to, and a whole bunch of other stuff. But as this is the final post of 2013, I'll wish you all a very happy new year!

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28 Dec 2013

Holidays Update + A Great British Gift

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This week is a kind of null week for bloggers, the Christmas festivities have taken over and there's not enough hours in the day to bash out a post. For others, like myself, it's been a great chance to grab a bit of down time and eat ridiculous amount of chocolate.

A special thank you to my friends at Realm & Empire for keeping my head warm this week, with this British made wooly hat! I'm going for that Joe Pesci in Home Alone look. It will probably take me a couple of days to get back into regular posting but I'll be catching up with all your blogs this weekend, so please do send me your links in the comments or on Twitter.

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27 Dec 2013

The Simpsons 25h Anniversary Moleskine Notebooks

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Fresh for 2014 comes the latest limited edition release from Moleskine. To celebrate the 25th anniversary of Sprinfield's favourite family, Moleskine have created a range of The Simpsons hardcover notebooks. The set is available in both yellow and black (lined and unlined), feature classic illustrations, exclusive doodles, quotes and a set of stickers; lending themselves to Homer, Bart and the rest of the crew. [via]

Available mid January, pre-order your set here.

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24 Dec 2013

Christmas #GoodDeeds Part 2 | Merry Christmas!

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Getting in the #GoodDeeds.
Well Christmas is most definitely upon us, I'm very thankful for a couple of days off. Apparently yesterday was the busiest day of the year for supermarkets but I braved it anyway, it wasn't too bad. I had tons to do so I woke up at 6:30am and got stuff done, it was quite satisfying really. How did everything go with you?

It's been a couple of weeks since I set myself some seasonal #GoodDeeds, as a part of Coca-Cola's Christmas campaign, so I thought I'd give you an update on how I've been getting on. To recap, Coca-Cola invited us to spread some joy this Christmas by thinking about small deeds we can do within our local communities. Small things which can make a big difference. You can follow everyone's progress by using the hashtag #GoodDeeds on social media.

So how did we get on?

Out of seven of original ideas we managed to complete three (and a half!). 

- Donate time to a local food bank - I even made it onto the front of the local paper!
- Make handmade Christmas Cards for friends, family and neighbors - Signed, sealed and delivered.
- Create Christmas parcels for elderly neighbors - This one will become a regular thing, for sure.
- Bake mince pies for the neighbors - This is the half, I wimped out and just bought some.

- Take time out to listen to the Salvation Army Brass Band and donate - We didn't come across a band this year but this one can be on-going throughout the holiday season.

Overall I was pleased with how we got on but we can definitely do better next year. The rest of the #GoodDeeds are still very much achievable over the next few days so hopefully we can tick a few of them off the list.

How have you been getting into the holiday spirit this year, are you planning any Christmas #GoodDeeds? I'd love to hear about them. Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

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23 Dec 2013

AW Selection @ Infinities





This week's AW Selection comes from UK menswear retailer, Infinities. The store currently holds residence in 11 locations around the country and with this year's sales starting early, it's seeming like a decent time to start planning out some post-Christmas purchases.

As always, I've picked out a few of my favourite items from the store's current collection, sticking to a  muted palette. Sale shopping on the higshtreet is a nightmare, I much prefer to pick up a few bits online, clicking from a comfy chair! The Garbstore camo/leafty Parka is right on the money for blending into the winter weather. It's fully lined with heavy wool, which can be detached. The burnt orange Edwin knit would do just the job nicely underneath. If one piece of knitwear isn't enough then get a second on, this button through knit by Universal Works has a certain old school charm to it. It's probably cold enough to wear it with a finer knit and shirt, I'd go for something like this grey snazzy jungle print Stussy number.

I tend to stick to boots in the winter but the New Balance 996 bridge that gap. They're slightly  awkward looking but I guess that's what's pulling me in. Finishing the whole lot of with this lovely mustard coloured PS wallet and traditional tartan scarf by Lyle & Scott, and we're good to go.

If you didn't manage to buy any decent presents for Christmas then the sales is a good place to make up for it. Is there anything catching your eye from all the early discounts?

All items available at Infinities.

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21 Dec 2013

One Jumper Project by Quiggleys + Weekend Links

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The One Jumper Project by is an on-going series of photographs by knitwear brand Quiggleys. The aim of the project is to travel around the UK, searching for interesting characters from all walks of life, connecting each person by photographing them all in the same jumper. One simple idea  has led to something pretty beautiful. I can't wait to see how the project progresses. Click here for more images of the One Jumper Project.

Well it's nearly Christmas and everything is starting to slow down. I've probably only got one or two more post in me between now and Wednesday, so much to do.  If you're shutting your computers down this weekend, for the holidays then Merry Christmas to you!

Weekend Bucket List

Purple velvet trousers, what a colour!
Manchester made jackets doing their Manchester thing, in Manchester.
How about inventing your own fabric? That's what these guys did.
A look around Folk on Lamb's Conduit St.
Pretty odd looking but I'm seeing the positives!
Something to aim for in the new year, man this looks good.

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19 Dec 2013

Jack Spade Holiday Lookbook

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It's been a Christmas overload around here for a couple of weeks but I promise there's only one or two (one being a Coca-Cola #GoodDeeds update) festive posts left now. To be fair though, I've got really into it this year. I've found loads more interesting gifts for my f&f and I'm very much looking forward to all the Christmas food. They'll be at least six big roast potatoes on my plate come the big day.

Above is some pretty sweet product imagery from the 2013 Holiday Lookbook by Jack Spade. If you find any of this under your tree this year you're one lucky blighter, I'm particularly fond of the Paint-by-Numbers Phone Case, Lime Green Wallet and Jack Spade x Barbour Jacket.

As like most of us, we'll be taking some time off from blogging around Christmas, posts will become more irregular from this weekend. So much to do!

All items available online and at their London Store.

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18 Dec 2013

Polka Dot Mug @ More & Co.

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I think I've found the perfect mug. Speckled on the outside, dotty on the inside and finished off with a bright yellow rubber-dipped handle. Perfecto.

Available at More & Co.

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17 Dec 2013

Store Visit...Folk - Lamb's Conduit Street, London

Folk - Lamb's Conduit Street, London.



At the top of my "things to-do" list for my recently trip to London was head down Lamb's Conduit Street in Bloomsbury. The much talked about street has become the home of some of the best menswear stores in the city, and somewhere I've been wanting to visit for a while. This recent article outlines how the sleepy street gathered such a following.

On Lamb's Conduit you'll find Oliver Spencer, Universal Works, Manchester's Private White V.C, as well as some modern design shops, coffee shops and even the brand new J.Crew Men's Store, No. 38. Today we're having a nose around Folk. When I first started getting into British menswear, Folk was one of the first brand I took an interest in. I was drawn in by their use of colour, innovative and sometimes humorous approach to design and impeccable attention to detail. 

Whilst wondering around the store it's clear to see they like to do things a bit differently, and quite frankly it makes browsing a pleasure. Along with the current AW collection and carry-over basics the space is filled handful of concession brands like Aesop, The Hillside and Hestra, which all work nicely together. Plus, if you don't happen to be a fella you can nip down to their Women's Shop a few doors down!

You can find Folk at 49 Lamb's Conduit Street, London.

For other London posts hereherehere and here.

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