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Friend Friday #33: Rules of Engagement

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This week's Friend Friday topic is Rules of Engagement. As a new blogger the rules of engagement with others in the blogging world is uncharted territory. For example, how do you deal with Tweets, emails, DMs etc… from people who seem to be only pushing their own blog. A lot of what we all learn about how to do it is from trial and error. But this week's posts from all of the Friend Friday bloggers might help new bloggers to learn from our mistakes:

1. Guest posts are a good way to gain new exposure. What do you think is the appropriate way to go about securing a guest spot?

Some bloggers actively ask for guest blog submissions, or have a page dedicated to explaining their process for approaching the blogger about it, like mine. But for the most part, make sure that if you want to guest post on a blog, you know what that blog is about, what makes the blogger tick and the style of the blog. Check before sending that the blogger hasn't already written about the subject - if they have, don't despair, why not find another blog it might fit into? To start with, send a short email, explaining who you are, giving a link to your blog, and a brief outline of the post you had in mind. If they like it, great. If not, try someone else? Or ask how it could be changed to fit. Once you have written the piece and sent it to the blogger, don't be upset if when they edit it a little. It will happen. Make sure too, to link and tweet the link to the guest post once it is published - it's only polite. If you'd like the opportunity to guest post here, on Sugar and Spice, head over to my page and drop me an email. For an even more comprehensive and coherent guide to pitching a guest blog, check out Liberty London Girl's post over on IFB.

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2. Leaving comments is essential to growing your blog. But how can you leave a comment without coming across as ‘Follow Me. Follow Me!’?

Leaving comments is something that always gets me. I can go for a few weeks leaving thoughtful comments and then another few when I am still reading all of the same blogs avidly but not leaving any comments. That's bad, right? If it's a blog you read and comment on often, a short comment every now and then is fine - just to check in. But for the most part, I try to leave a comment which demonstrates that I have actually read the post on which I am commenting and might even add something to the post. Chelsea, over at Dear Winnie my new blog addiction), recently wrote a great post all about commenting and laid out her 4-step guide to writing a comment:

1. Say whether you liked the post or not (and use the person’s name!).

2. Say what you liked or didn’t like (see the next section for more on this).
3. Say why you liked or didn’t like it.
4. Thank the blogger and wish him/her well.

3. We’ve all gotten a mass email at one time or another asking for blog exposure, a link exchange, etc… But the mass emails don’t work. How do you make your email stand out from the crowd?

Unless I have an actual reason to, I don't tend to send emails. If I'm planning a specific post or series of posts that I would like input from other bloggers on, then I will send an email, but I make sure they are to each individual and a little bit more personal than a group email.

4. In interacting with other bloggers where do you draw the line between seeking support and begging for exposure?

I think that's just it, any communication should be genuine and, if possible, have an additional mutual support angle. If you are simply asking for a link and nothing in return, expect maybe a reciprocal link, then it is unlikely that anyone will respond.

5. What’s one rule of engagement error you made and how have you remedied that?

In the beginning, I used to leave very short comments on posts on any blog. I was very indiscriminate and impersonal. But, as I have discussed above, I have learned the error of my ways and am now (for the most part) a reformed commenter.


What are your dos and don'ts of blogging?

Remember to check out the other contributions to this week's discussion over at ModlyChic. And if you would like to be a part of the Friend Friday Group, you can find all of the details here.

Britain's Got Talent



Yesterday, me and Thandie Newton did our bit for British fashion. This was on a trip to Bicester Village to see the latest pop-up shop for the British Designers Collective (a collaboration between the British Fashion Council and Value Retail). Thandie officially opened the boutique saying, 'Wow, it's my first time at Bicester Village, it's like Disney for grown-up Cinderellas - I'll shut up now because I'm sure you all want to shop.' And I drank the free champagne.

The chairman of the British Fashion Council, Harold Tillman, probably the smartest man in British fashion, was in attendance...





Lovely Scottish designer Holly Fulton was there in one of her very own Art Deco print outfits. Check out the fabulous upside-down Chrysler Building skirt:




Top journalist, Avril Groom liked the Jean-Pierre Braganza collection and homed-in on a gorgeous beaded Markus Lupfer top:



Fashion historian, Colin McDowell - a vision in plum corduroy - discusses the perfect trouser width for spring:



This was my first time at Bicester too, and though I'm not generally a fan of retail outlets, this is a superior* shopping experience with plenty of grown-up fashion on sale at very attractive prices:




Thandie then went off to Heston Blumenthal's Fat Duck restaurant, so That's Not My Age gave British fashion a little extra support by buying this lovely Markus Lupfer knitted top:




The British Designers Collective runs for six weeks from the 31 March.



*TM Faux Fuchsia

Drooling over dots



  Sanne in Moschino’s ruffled dress. Wee Khim for April’s Style Singapore.


Trending the bright multicolor stripes

Harper's Bazaar April 2011,  Patricia van der Vliet photographed by Richard Burbridge,



GUEST POST: Style Icon: Kate Middleton

*This post was updated below on 1 May 2011.


This week’s style icon post is special for two reasons, the first is that this is a guest post from the lovely Lexie of The Stylista and the Frog, and second is that it kick starts a month of special posts celebrating the Royal Wedding that will take place at the end of the month, on Friday 29 April between today’s style icon, Catherine Middleton and Prince William.

Lexie explains: “The Stylista and the Frog is a fashion blog that was set up as a way to collate looks/trends/styles that have inspired me and the people I meet.” Lexie’s blog might only be a few months old but reading her posts, you’d think she had been blogging for years. Check out her latest street style pics – she certainly has an eye for spotting some v stylish young ladies!

Before, I finally hand over to Lexie to tell us about her style icon, I just want to thank Lexie and all of our guest bloggers and remind you that you can still email me with your style icon:

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Even before the royal wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton was announced, many in the fashion industry (as well as us mere mortals) were looking over Kate's wardrobe with a magnifying glass. Over the past few months there has been a media frenzy over Kate and her 'look'. Magazines and fashion editors all over the world have commented on her hair, dress sense, make up and even the way she walks.

Kate said a while ago that she wasn't fussed about fashion, though it is clear to see over the years she has become careful about the way she is viewed by the public in regards to her outfit choices. I personally think she does have style and is very careful when putting an outfit together.

Looking back over the last 8 years of her being in the public eye while dating Prince William, there have been very few times that she has been seen looking drab and plain. Indeed she does have an air of simplicity to her style and doesn’t break fashion rules like Zara Phillips. Though it is clear that Kate has learned over the years what suits her shape and the colours that complement her skin tone. To me this is a clever way to play her cards.

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If we are to look back, in 2005, at her and William's graduation ceremony. She worn a short skirt under her gown which obviously raised a few eyebrows, however it was a see through dress that caught Williams eye at a university fashion show that prompted him to ask her out in the first place. So I wasn’t surprised with her dress choice on graduation was how any normal student would have dressed.

After graduation it was reported that Kate had stylist Leesa Whisker assist her outfit choices in the early days of dating William, to help her look more of a socialite rather than a student. It was clear through her opting for cardigans with floral print skirts, the image she was hoping to give off to the public. I am guessing that this is where the accusations of her looking like ''lamb dressed as mutton'' came from as many were expressing that she wasn’t dressing her age.

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However in 2006, Kate started to dress more for her age. At the wedding of the Duchess of Cornwall's daughter Laura, Kate opted for a gold brocade silk coat over a laced cream dress, complete with a matching feather fascinator and gold clutch purse. Sticking to a classy yet youthful image.

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Later that year in December she wore a bold scarlet red coat and black hat to watch William graduate from Sandhurst. As this was the first time she has been at a high-profile public event attended by the monarch and senior royals as William's guest I am sure she wanted to look elegant and classy. I thought she pulled off the look effortlessly, and this was the start of her showing that she was very capable of picking an outfit.

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Over the next couple of years it was clear that we were taking note of Miss Middleton's attire. The simple black and white patterned Topshop dress she wore to work on her 25th birthday in January 2007 sold out on the high street and was one of Topshop's best selling dresses for the year.

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However in 2008 there was one outfit that made me smile (as I too have worn an outfit very similar) though surprised many was the yellow hotpants, sequinned turquoise halterneck and florescent pink leg warmers she wore to a charity Day-Glo Midnight Roller Disco which she co-organised in 2008. When the papers picked up on the images of her lying on the floor after taking a tumble in the rink they led with the heading the next day of ''Kate's in a state''. A little bit harsh as it was Kate letting her hair down.

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Though even with this one night of neon leg warmers under her belt Kate has remained classic in her day to day dress sense. Opting for high street options rather than high end designer from stores such as Jigsaw, which is owned by family friends John and Belle Robinson, Whistles, French Connection and LK Bennett. She sticks to key items in different colours such as a fitted yet feminine dresses and knee length coats. Kate keeps her hair non-fussy, yet styled an glossy and keeps her make up and jewellery very simple, which is something that I feel the general public find attractive about her, as a person and her sense of style.

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Indeed all eyes are on Kate as the future princess in waiting, mainly to see how she takes to royal life and of course who will design her wedding dress. However I am sure she will take each event, outing, charity attendance as it comes and think carefully about her outfit choices and indeed be a stylish princess.

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UPDATE: On 29 April 2011 Miss Catherine Middleton married Prince William of Wales at Westminster Abbey and became, from that moment, Duchess of Cambridge, Countess of Strathearn and Baroness Carrickfergus.


On her wedding day, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge cemented her place as a style icon when her wedding dress was revealed and the designer confirmed at Sarah Burton, of Alexander McQueen:


Source: Press Association

Source: Press Association

Source: Press Association

For her evening reception at Buckingham Palace the Duchess changed her dress, opting for a slightly lower key gown - without the cumbersome train which might have impeded her first dance somewhat - by the same designer, Sarah Burton:

Source: Press Association



What do you think of Kate's style? Is her style fit for a princess? Who is your style icon?

If you have missed the previous style icons featured on the blog, check them out here.

I am seeking for bloggers who would like to write a guest post for this series (see here for previous guest bloggers on this site) about their Style Icon. Please get in touch if you would like to get involved. You can find out more here.

15 pieces, 15 outfits: H&M

A little like the 30 for 30 challenge but without the dressing up part (so not quite so much fun!!), I have decided to trial a new little feature. Each week I will take 15 pieces from a high street store and style them into 15 outfits, to show you just how versatile a capsule wardrobe can be and how much fun! So, as we ease into Spring, I'll pick out this season's essentials for your closet, from colour block tees to simple maxis and classics like Breton tees and chinos:

These are the 15 pieces that I will "remix" into 15 outfits, this week from H&M:

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And here are the 15 outfits:

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What do you think of this new feature? Fun or flop? Would love to hear your thoughts!

Cos Spring/Summer 11

It's no secret that I'm a huge Cos fan; I rave about it to anyone that will listen.
However, I took a friend in the Oxford Street store to break their Cos-virginity recently, and felt personally responsible when we both walked out empty-handed and a little disappointed.

Please don’t despair, as I’ve just browsed through their spring/summer collection and it’s fantastic. As we come to expect, there are some great easy-to-wear, minimalist pieces in classic muted colours. These are perfect for bridging the gap from day to night, and work wear to out-of-hours. My personal favourites are the black high-waisted trousers (above), and long-sleeved v-neck dress (below). I can’t wait until pay day to start shopping!