Lou Lou Chats with Alex Stedman, blogger ('The Frugality') & Junior Fashion Editor ('Red' magazine)

Today's 'Lou Lou Chats' is with Alex Stedman, whose blog 'The Frugality' is one of my favourite recent blog discoveries. Alex describes her blog as "not about shopping in Primark, or living off toast every night. I believe there are people out there like me: I live off every penny I earn. My wage goes towards my mortgage, bills, travel, food and (sadly) my credit card bill. But I don't set my sights low, I still want Eames chairs for my flat and the Mulberry Tillie handbag. I'm just sensible with money where I can be to afford the luxuries." In addition to writing a fabulous blog, Alex is also Junior Fashion Editor at 'Red' magazine, so has a great insight into what goes on in the fashion industry.Therefore I was delighted when she agreed to answer questions for my blog.

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Describe your style in three words.

Boyish, preppy, contemporary.

Alex Stedman. I love this outfit that she is wearing - great combination of leopard print and neon!

Please tell us more about yourself.

I work on a magazine, live in South London, love fashion and am a workaholic.

Why did you decide to start blogging?

I just thought there were too many blogs that look the same. They had pretty pictures but were all photos of them wearing shoes that cost £700. This is not normal. I wanted to show people the ‘real’ side of fashion. A Fashion Editor that does cook her own meals, rather than go to Shoreditch House every weekend.

This 'Theyskens Theory' bag inspired serious bag-envy in me!

Why did you decide to take the direction you have with your blog, as opposed to a ‘straight’ fashion blog?

Same as above really, everyone who I told about my idea said ‘I’d love to read that’, so that gave me the push I needed. I also wanted to do it before someone else did.

Has there been a particular highlight for you since starting up ‘The Frugality’?

Just seeing how many people click onto the site has been really gratifying. The amount of people who have found my blog just from browsing the web, or through recommendations has been overwhelming.

What has been your best bargain ever?

Oh god. Everything I buy from H&M is always a bargain. They are so on the pulse without the hefty price tag. I love my New Look studded brogues. I also have a pair of Balenciaga sandals that cost me £200 in the Matches sale 3 years ago, but they are STILL my favourite sandals of all time.

Studded brogues, £44.99 - New Look

What would be your top tips for hunting down a bargain?

With shops like H&M, Cos, Zara, the key is just to go in regularly, there is always new stock. With designer stores, make sure it’s only something you wanted full price but couldn’t afford.

If money was no object, what would be the first thing that you would buy?

Proenza Schouler PS1 bag….and a desk for my study

Do you think that there is a perceived divide between people working for the ‘traditional’ fashion media and bloggers?

I am turning to bloggers more and more for information hot off the press. Whenever I google a fashion news story, it’s always a blog I find it on first. I think it has made the ‘traditional’ magazines up their game in terms of fast, on the pulse information. However, I also think that magazines have more time to think about the reader and the articles, and hate it when I see ‘filler’ posts on blogs that haven’t got a specific purpose.

What advice would you give to people who are looking to get into a career as a stylist/fashion writer?

Sorry to say, work experience. It is invaluable: what you learn, the contacts you make, not just on the magazine but also the other side with PRs. Every paid position I ever got was through recommendations from work experience or making a contact somewhere. I was also a hard worker.

What would your ideal weekend be?

A lie-in. My weeks are so hectic I enjoy being in my flat on the weekend, watching films on the sofa, maybe a takeaway.

Is there anyone in particular who has inspired you in the fashion industry?

I have always loved the effortless style of Emmanuelle Alt. And people like Sarah Curran from my-wardrobe. The website is looking great these days.

Top Tip 

“Expect the worst. Hope for the best.” This is what the 75 year old twins in Angela Carter’s ‘Wise Children’ always said. I can’t even count how many times I have said it now, but it has got me through many a stressful moment!

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You can find Alex on Twitter as @TheFrugality and can see her fashion styling in 'Red' magazine, which is on a newstand near you now!

St. David's Cardiff Ladies Night

This Thursday sees St. David's Cardiff shopping centre holding its first ever 'Ladies Night'. Over 80 of the centre's store, from Reiss to Warehouse, will be offering discounts of up to 20%. There will also be entertainment and nibbles, to add to your shopping experience.

Here are just some of the discounts on offer:

Warehouse - 20%

Gap - 15%

Monsoon - 10%

H & M - 10%

Reiss - 10%

L. K. Bennett - 20%

Dune - 20%

In addition to the discounts on offer, you will also get the opportunity to be pampered by the hair and beauty experts from Kamigata Aveda Salon & Spa at their pamper station. You should also keep a look out for the Big Red Beauty Bus on The Hayes (sounds like my kind of public transport!), which will be offering makeovers.

If you are stuck for Spring/Summer styling ideas, then why not check out the John Lewis Fashion Showcases, taking place at 6pm, 7pm and 8pm.

As part of the event, John Lewis will also be holding their seasonal Beauty Event, but this time until 10pm, giving you an extra 2 hours of beauty loveliness. I really enjoy these events, as they are a great opportunity to ask the advice of a number of beauty experts, all whilst sipping on champagne and nibbling on canapes! I always find the staff are really helpful, but never give you the hard sell. This time around, the store will also be turning its Espresso Bar into a Cocktail Bar. I wonder if Espresso Martinis are on the menu?

If you work up an appetite shopping, then you can pay a visit to one of the restaurants in the 'Eastside' restaurant quarter. e.g. Pizza Express are offering 20% off, and Yo Sushi! are offering a 40% discount.

You can find further details on the St. David's Cardiff website or Facebook page

Versace for H & M : Launch Day

A few weeks ago I chose my favourite pieces from the Versace for H & M collaboration. Well, the wait is finally over, as the Versace collection hits Cardiff tomorrow (Thursday 17th November). This is a bit of a coup for the store in Cardiff's St. David's centre, as it is the only store in the Wales and South West region who will be stocking the collection.

What items from the collection will you have in your shopping bag?

If you have got your eyes on a few pieces from the collection, then here's what you'll need to know:

• You should get to the store early if you want to get one of the coloured wristbands which gives you 10 minutes in the Versace zone. There are 14 ten-minute slots altogether.

• The coloured wristbands will be issued to shoppers from 8am, although the store won't open until 9am.
• Queuing will be on the Hayes entrance to the store.
• Every shopper who purchases an item from the Versace collection will receive a 20% off voucher to use in the rest of the store.

So, will you be heading down to the store to buy something from the collection? What pieces have you got your eye on?

Versace for H & M

H & M have been collaborating with a range of designers for the last few years, from Stella McCartney to Lanvin. The hype around them seems to build with every new designer collaboration. The latest designer to work with H & M is none other than Versace.

Donatella Versace has described the collection as "the essence of Versace". The collaboration has drawn on archive pieces and prints and contains all of the Versace hallmarks, e.g. the Greek key and gold metal detailing. In addition to the womenswear, Versace have also designed ranges of footwear, accessories, menswear and homeware. Here are some of my favourite pieces from the collection, which will be released on 17th November online and in 300 stores:

£79.99 - A simple shape with classic Versace metal and cut-out detailing.

£39.99 - I really like the simple shape and think that this would be great for wearing
to work.

£69.99 - I think that this would look great with a simple top to contrast with the detailed pattern.

£79.99 - I think that this corseted bustier dress is classic Versace.

£79.99 - I love this colour.

£39.99 - I think that this would be a real statement piece when paired with a simple top.

£24.99 - This scarf would be perfect for adding a splash of Versace colour and pattern to a simple outfit.

So what are your thoughts on this collaboration? Who else would you like to see H & M collaborate with in the future?

H & M Trend Silver Cardigan

Last week I finally tracked down this beautiful piece from H & M. I first saw it on the 'Dress Me Perfect' blog, written by Dawn. As soon as I saw the cardigan I tweeted Dawn to ask her if it was this season. Once I found out that it was, I was determined to get my hands on it. It wasn't stocked in the one nearest to my office, so I had to wait for a week until I had a bit more time. I was really pleased when I found it, as there were only three left instore, and there was a lady waiting to pick up one of them when I got to the rail! After nearly missing out on my TopShop trench coat, I made sure that I grabbed this as soon as I could.

I love this cardigan. Although it is a cosy knit on the inside, the painted metallic outer makes it edgier. As it is quite chunky, it is perfect as a relaxed coat, but when worn with a black belt it can have a sharper silhouette. It is perfect for adding a more glamorous and vintage-look edge to an outfit when thrown over a pair of skinny jeans and a tee. Since I bought this, I have started to see it on a number of blogs, so it looks like I'm not the only one who loves this.

All things bright and beautiful

As you will know from some of my previous posts, I am a huge fan of the bright nails trend which is popular this season. Looking at the photos from my Orly Va Va Voom and Holla posts got me thinking about how I have increasingly been choosing brighter colours over the last few months.Whilst my closet and makeup collection by no means resemble a Pantone colour chart, my recent additions have definitely been brightening things up a bit.

Previously there was a lot of black and white (in my closet, not my makeup collection!) but I have been making more of an effort to bring a bit of colour to proceedings. In the not too distant past, my makeup used to range from pink lipgloss to sheer browny-pink lipstick to...um,pink lipgloss, but now I love a slick of bright lippie! I find that wearing bright colours perks me up even when I'm half-asleep (as I most definitely am not a morning person).

In this post I've included some photos of some of my recent purchases and also some things that I had in my closet that hadn't seen the light of day for a while. Whilst writing this post I discovered an orange Barry M lipgloss I wore for a fancy dress party that I think I'm now going to try out day to day.

Previous readers of my blog will have noticed the blue ring before, in my Orly Holla post. It's from the Scott Wilson for ASOS colection from last year, and cost £35. I love it and it definitely makes a statement. Ever on the hunt for another statement ring, I purchased the orange ring yesterday from H & M for a bargainous £3.99!

The handbag is one that I bought in the Warehouse sale about 4 years ago. Not surprisingly my eyes were drawn straight to it so I snapped it up for £10. I love the combination of the patent, perspex and metal together. It's always guaranteed to bring a pop of colour to an outfit.

So are you a fan of brights or do you prefer sticking to darker colours?