Need new shoes but want it to be a safe shopping experience?

Do you need new shoes for summer but don’t fancy heading into the city centre or a big shopping mall? Or perhaps your children’s feet have grown and you haven’t a clue what size to order online?

If you can travel to either Clifton Village or Portishead then the independent shoe shop Solelution have the answer for you.

They are operating a very slick appointment system so it’s a personal shopping experience for shoes! I cannot tell you how much effort and thought has gone into making sure that both customers and shop workers remain safe. 

Everyone will need to apply hand sanitiser before entering the shop, the numbers are strictly limited and your shoes will be fitted from behind a protective screen.

So if you’re nervous about it, I can assure you that absolutely everything has been put in place to ensure a slick and safe shoe shopping experience (I won’t be able to say that after a few glasses of rosé!)

They have a great range of quality shoes in stock including brands such as Lunar that have been made right here in the UK.

For more information or to book your appointment please visit www.soleution.co.uk or check out their Facebook page.

An evening of styling and shopping

On the 25th October, Village Green (which is a gorgeous, pre-loved designer boutique) and I will be joining forces to offer you an evening of styling and shopping.

I’ll be sharing my tips on how to choose clothes for your own unique bodyshape before helping you pick some lovely things from the shop.

Tickets are £15 and include drinks, nibbles and 10% off all purchases. There’s two slots to choose from and numbers will be limited so that I can help everybody.

So if you fancy some new additions to your wardrobe or perhaps something for the festive season, this is for you.

You can get your tickets here!

Hope to see you there x

It's a jungle out there!

If you’ve been clothes shopping recently, you will have discovered you cannot MOVE for animal prints - leopard in particular. Now, I know that leopard print has some women running for the hills. One woman visibly shuddered when I picked up a blouse on a recent shopping trip so if it’s really not your thing, then just walk away.

If you’d like to give it a go though, here’s three simple styling ideas for you:

1/ Funk up a plain jeans and t-shirt look with a jacket.

Both looks here are where the coat does all the talking. This is because everything else is stripped back to allow the coat to the be main attraction. Because the coats are styled with neutrals (black, white and denim) the look is less obvious than pairing with with a colour such as red. The coat is from Asos at £75 and the biker jacket is from Boohoo at £35.

2/ Keep the look simple with plain accessories

This wrap dress from Hobbs at £99 is a real classic and even office ready when styled with black shoes and bag. Again, keep the look simple with minimal accessories and if black isn’t your thing, chocolate or rose brown will look equally elegant.

3/ Add a hint of print with an accessory

If wearing leopard print on clothing seems a step too far, why not try a skinny belt or bag? You decide on the size and have as much impact as you dare! Using it as a tiny accent is a fun (and inexpensive) way to add some personality to an otherwise clean and simple outfit.

I love this belt from LaRedoute Just a flash of it showing under a well cut jacket adds a hint of trend but won’t break the bank or bring you out in a sweat! The bag from Roman is also a really fun way to add a print to your look without being too overpowering. You could even try a pair of shoes or boots.

So there you have it - go as wild or as subtle as you like but above all, have some fun and choose whatever suits your style best x

Make a statement with these bold earrings!

I stumbled across these beautiful statement earrings in Collab this week (I’m pretty sure I was a magpie in a former life as I’m constantly drawn to shiny, colourful things!)

I instantly loved the playful, fun designs and then when I researched the brand and found out there’s repurposing going on too, I loved it even more. 

The range is Dakota Rae Dust and it’s handmade in Bristol by a designer called Bec (maybe another reason I love it!).

While the fixings, zips and tassels are new, the fabrics used are either vintage or secondhand which have been sourced in charity shops and jumble sales or from off cuts and textile left overs. 

To see more of the range either pop into Collab on the Gloucester Rd or shop online here

It's all kicking off!

Goodness me!

If you had told me this time last year that I would be running shopping tours of the charity shops I wouldn't have believed you. But it's very real and the word is getting out there fast. Even the BBC recently filmed a short piece on it as they were intrigued by the concept! So I just wanted to share some of the feedback from recent shoppers as it's such a good feeling to know that other women are now finding joy in pre-loved clothes.

And here's what some of my most recent shoppers had to say about the whole experience:

““I keep meaning to write and say what a BRILLIANT time I had on the last charity shopping tour with Becky. It was so helpful to have your wisdom and eagle eyes Becky and I absolutely love everything I bought, including that amazing 1950s vintage dress for £20. One very happy woman! Thanks so much xxx””

““7 tops, 4 dresses and 4 necklaces...epic shopping session today with the amazing Becky Barnes. Becky you are a total legend and thank you for a fab morning””

So if you fancy seeing what little gems might be out there for you, please have a look at my latest dates and book yourself on before I hang up my shopping shoes for the summer! You can find all the details and book here:

Charity Shopping Tour Tickets

Go on, with summer just around the corner let's bring in some new pieces to help your wardrobe and your style feel refreshed x