Just what the Dr. Martens ordered (Volume I)

I am currently fortunate enough to work for Dr. Martens, in the Nottingham store, and over the past couple of weeks have become more and more excited about what AW14 has to offer. My relationship with Dr. Martens is a long one, moving past the giddy, honeymoon period of my early teenage years and blossoming into a true love. Each season there are the lovely, comfortable collections that just reinforce the connection, but there is also that spontaneous-breakfast-in-bed or romantic-weekend-away surprise shoe equivalent that reignites the flame.

I've taken a few snaps of some of my favourites of the season so far, but keep your eyes peeled and visit the website for more details. The pictures below show some of the quad retro, double-stack beauties we have in store!

Quad retro display

Jadon, Bryony and Bethan.

The rudeboy must-have, Marlie!

 As well as shoes, there has been some pretty sassy clothing in too, including tattoo-print dresses (seen above), gingham shirts, tartan shirts, and mohair socks! Here are some of my favourite men's shirts:

Oooh rugged and handsome

Tattoo, tartan and tasty!

The kids range is potentially the cutest thing I have ever seen, so bring the little monsters down to get kitted out or even buy some for your car as a fluffy dice alternative (yes that actually happened this week, what a legend), and whilst you're at it peruse the latest additions to the floral family!

Kiddie's Bruiser boots, everyone say "awwwww"!

Jaime monk strap and 101.

The ultimate mermaid accessory, a Pascal boot. Ariel, eat your heart out, love.

 And finally, I leave you with my favourite of the entire season, the Church monkey boot. This fine specimen of delicious leathery goodness has been pulled out of the Dr. Martens archive, and produced again to fill the monkey boot-shaped gap in our lives. I can't find the words to say how much I love it. So just look at the pictures. Enjoy.

Hello heaven.

Monkey boots feat. tartan trousers

DO:

• sing every song from the Little Mermaid until your mum if so fed up that she buys you the glittery Pascals just to shut you up. 

DON'T:

• say "What are monkey boots?"

There will be more to follow. Watch this space.

- Beth

Rekorderlig's Spirit of Summer

Yesterday I attended Rekorderlig's Spirit of Summer, a super fun event at Manchester's cool and quirky Black Dog Ballroom. Despite the weather being gloomy, the Rekorderlig team did an excellent job of bringing summer indoors with masses of cute, crazy and colourful floral arrangements artistically placed around the room. We walked up the magical stairs, through the enchanted forest (there were sensors that sprayed delicious scents into the tunnel when you walked through - fancy or what?!) and into the terrace bar. We were greeted with some snazzy sunglasses, flowery hairbands (of which Sandi Thom would have been very jealous), free cider and the soulful sounds of Davidian, the incredibly talented house producer from Nottingham. Check him out here!

Flowers

The rainy outdoors was kept well at bay by the cute little decorations dotted about!

More flowers

SO MANY FLOWERS

Davidian smashing it!

Rekorderlig has just brought out some exotic new flavours to make you foam at the mouth, and throughout the day we sampled these (perhaps a few too many for a Sunday afternoon) and made full use of the free photobooth. Much fun was had and the weather brightened up leaving us to enjoy the outside terrace and soak up some Manchester rays. Rekorderlig's event has been a highlight of my summer so far, and a great opportunity to catch up with some of my fabulous friends!

Vogue, watch out!

Short and sweet post today, but as the saying goes, a picture speaks a thousand words so technically I've waffled on for ages.

DO:

• say "One bottle of your finest passion fruit Rekorderlig please". Trust me, it's a taste sensation!

Mmmmm passion fruit 

DON'T:

• think you know the route to Manchester so well that when the tanoy tells you Manchester Picadilly is the next stop you ignore it and end up in Warrington, and then have to fork out 40 quid to get yourself back to Manchester City Centre. Well played, team!

Happy summery vibes,

- Beth