Outfit | All White Dr Martens Originals

Hollie wears - Vintage Coat | Cos Cropped Trousers + Mittens | Dr. Martens Shoes | Tabio Socks | ASOS Scarf | Longchamp Bag | & Other Stories Earrings | Monica Vinader Rings

It been yonks since Hollie last appeared on here. Her job has taken over, and her spare time is now spent either in pyjamas, tweaking our wedding plans, or working on her new fitness routine (first time ever!). But it was nice to get her in front on the camera again recently, as her style is ever-changing - and this place seems like the best way to document it. I am trying to convince her to post more daily style stuff on Instagram, so we'll see...cos just look at those bright white Docs!

It will be our 10th anniversary in a just few weeks time, and also Buckets & Spades' 8th birthday. March is a month of milestones, so we''ll be heading up to Edinburgh (see our mini-city guide here) for a few wee days to celebrate; by sharing a few beers, hanging out in museums, and enjoying the time alone.

Anyway, that's enough about us. What do you have planned this weekend?

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Dr Martens - Made in England Factory Tour

Facebook's came up trumps with this one, Dr Martens posted an album of exquisite photos from a recent visit to their Cobb Lane factory in Northamptonshire. I've just had a gander on their website and it seems like these images can only be seen via their Facebook page, so I thought I'd share them with you guys. The shoes featured in these shots are of course a part of their Made in England range. They're more expensive that the regular range but worth every extra penny, your feet will thank you for it.

I love the idea of step-by-step documentation of how products are made but I think footwear is one of the most exciting subjects(I did see briefly how iPods were made which was quite incredible too). So I'm sitting here one this gloomy frost-ridden Saturday afternoon, with a freshly brewed cup of Pigteas' Breakfast Tea, thinking of the day that I might be able to visit one of the many factories in Northamptonshire. Enjoy.

For more into of the Made in England range nip over here & images from here

*Update on my "Made in.... series, I'm waiting for a sunny day to take some photos, all my days off have been super gloomy over the past two weeks. Hopefully I'll have part 2 up on Friday.

Made In....Part 1

Much loved Dr Martens 1461's - Made in England

Harlequin patterned Johnston's scarf - Made in Scotland

New edition to my wardrobe, Dockers cinch back chinos - Made in America

Christmas present from Hollie, Present piccalilli coloured wooly hat - Made in Scotland

The old faithful vintage tweed 2-button blazer - Made in Canada

Lately I have been taking extra noticed to where things are made. To know this bit of extra information reassures me to some extent and instantly puts thoughts into my mind about who might have made them, the type of factory they were conceived in and what type of machinery might have been involved. I'm one of those people that always checks labels before buying stuff in shops, checking out the fabric is a big thing for me, but now I might be adding another one to the list. I don't think it's  going to stop me from buying something but to know a little bit more about what you are spending you money on makes it more satisfying, in my opinion.

I'm going to split this post up into a 2-parter bumper edition so this post doesn't turn too picture heavy. I've got some more interesting stuff to share.

So go into your wardrobes and see what you can find, what are you waiting for? I'll be really interested to hear what sort of countries you can find on those labels, please do let me know.

Inspiration - Tommy Ton at Pitti

Not so much the one on the right but the left boots are an immense colour.

None original content alert! But why not, I've been looking at Tommy Ton's recent 'togs taken at the ultimate menswear trade show, Pitti. Granted, the majority of shots I've been oogling are of boots, this is because I've been saving for a new pair of boots for a while now(selling stuff on ebay and keeping it in my paypal account, it's a winner). I've been wanting some hiking/work boots for ages and I finally plucked up the courage to order some, these in fact. But when they arrived it turns out it's like having concrete feet, so so heavy.

So I have done a full circle on the work boots and plumped for some Dr Martens Monkey boots. I'll report back soon, if they're any good. Constant updates are always available on Twitter.

Photo source

Doing it in Dr Martens S/S 11

Now, there's a few various reasons why I love Dr Martens, one being their historical roots in workwear and non-mainstream music scene, second being that they are amazing in the winter, being waterproof and as comfy as wrapping your feet up in a duvet. But the other thing I love it the 1461 3-eyelet version. 

I have both boots and shoe variations but I always turn back to my 1461's because they suits me so much more and, well, they're not as obvious and damn cool too. For Dr Martens S/S 11 collection they have thrust the 1461 into the limelight by giving it a fresh new palette, finishes and patterns.

So seeing that I haven't been out of my Docs since it started snowing, which is a repeat of last winter I think it is highly likely I will be buying some new ones from this collection.

A shot from last summer. 1461 Dr Martens worn with yellow Uniqlo socks and DIY painted chinos.

Original image source - Style Bubble

Winter Shoes In Summer

I picked up these vintage Dr Marten shoes on ebay a few weeks back for under £10. Perfectly worn up but in near perfect condition inside, the perfect combination I think! I've worn Dr Martens boots for a few years now but I've never really been happy about the way they look on me, too chunky/massive looking? So as a happy in between I thought a pair of the classic "postman" shoes may suit me more. Turns out I was right, I'm so chuffed with these and wasn't expecting to be wearing them till the colder months. The clouds bring lots of rain this week, so I've been giving them a test drive.

Wearing - Stripey t-shirt, Topman, diy painter's trousers, H&M, yellow socks, Uniqlo, vtg shoes, Dr Martens.

I think I should stop trying to look cool and just smile, so I'm pulling out a tiny grin.

Tilly, the cheeky little dog. She is really unwell at the moment, which is really sad. So we are spending as much time as we can with her at the moment. She's been a big part of the family for about 11 years, I didn't like dogs before I met Tilly, I am now officially converted.

I made a Mississippi Mud Pie for Hollie's birthday, which was yesterday, I will post some pictures of the it soon. It was my first attempt at baking a cake! Have a nice weekend everyone. 

Happy Birthday Dr. Martens

Thursday 1st April 2010 marked Dr. Martens 50th Birthday, to celebrate they are launching a couple of new ranges including the "Worn" 1460 collection (for all the lazy people!) and new colour in the "Made In England collection.

They have also got a bunch of Dr. Martens fans to talk about why they think the brand has passed the test of time and why they are so special to each of them. Feast your eyes, it's a good watch and great to here a bit about the iconic brand's history;

Here's how I'm wearing mine at the moment;

One 1/2 year old Dr. Martens worn with multi-coloured socks, no names and Topman beige chinos.

The boots are clearly quite a hard looking piece of footwear so at the moment I'm wearing them with trousers that aren't so harsh, just to give a different look to the usual, wearing them with jeans. I'm not completely sure if it works so much yet, what to you think? Good mix of soft and hard?

As I mentioned in my previous post Steve from Style Salvage was lucky enough to take a tour of the Dr. Martens Factory in Northampton last week, there's some great images from his visit. Check out the full post here.

So how do you do/would you wear yours?

Also tomorrow I might give you a sneak preview of a little art project I've been working on, in my spare time. 

Think tank for summer

Whilst a busy morning of paint the wall in the back garden, in the uncharacteristically hot English weather I got to thinking about what I will be wearing for work this coming week and for our short trip to London (which will hopefully be in July but we haven't booked yet.

Another thing which spurred this into my head was a link to an article about the rise in chinos, on men and women which Style Salvage posted on their Twitter this morning. Click here for the article, it documents 10 people who walked through the doors at London's bStore and posing the question, "are they the new jean?". I pretty much think they are, especially for the warmer months. I currently own a dark navy/charcoal pair and a beige pair.

This was my favourite look for the 10magazine selection, mostly because this is similar to how I would wear my beige pair. Wicked boots too.

Purple chinos from ASOS

I've been wanting to try something a bit more adventurous in the trouser department for the summer, I stumbled across this purple pair from ASOS. I just can't help think they would look much better if the shade of purple was a touch darker.

Mint green chinos by Acne, from ASOS

This shade of green is very much to my liking but sadly out of my budget, though to do kind of look for like light fabric jeans rather than a trouser.

My two current pairs, ASOS(left), H&M(right)

So chinos will undoubtedly be the choice of the summer for me but what is my shoe of choice to go with them?

If it's raining (theres a good chance in that happening!):

l-r ASOS brown boots, Clarks Desert boots, Dr Martens

And if it's sunny, fingers crossed:

l-r Spencer Jones boat shoes, Hudson patent tassel loafers, Vans

What are your summer essentials?