Wednesday Wish List

Here are some of the fashionable things I've got my beady little eye on this week...

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As a big animal lover as well as a brooch addict, I'm loving Kimchi and Coconut's brand new Safari collection of animal brooches and necklaces. I think my favourites are probably the zebra, buffalo, mandrill and lion brooches, although the snake and iguana necklace (#10) is pretty awesome, too.

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I love these acrylic brooches from Daisy Jean Floral Designs' Jungle Book collection, especially the big cats, Shere Khan and Bagheera. Aren't they stunning?

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How cute are these kitsch acrylic and wooden brooches from Kitschy Kittens? I need that potted cactus flamingo brooch in my life!

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Betsey Johnson have just released the most amazing selection of novelty bags for summer with designs including everything from flamingo-pool-floats to surfboards, and so much more. I want them all!

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These messenger bags from Cath Kidston are a little more casual than I usually go for these days, but I can't help thinking how pretty they are. I always found the old style CK messenger bags really handy for travelling and using on day trips, and I think they'd be ideal for dog walking, too.

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There are few things I appreciate more than a dress with a fun print, and these sleeveless Esther dresses from Lady Vintage are cut from the funkiest cloths. One of each, please!

Urban Decay Game of Thrones Eyeshadow Palette

I must be the only person on the planet who has never watched Game of Thrones (I missed the first series, and haven't got around to catching up with the box set yet), but holy crap, this Game of Thrones eyeshadow palette from Urban Decay looks amazing! I particularly love the look of the green and burgundy shades- even if the colours are rather autumnal for spring time. 

If you'd like to see more of the fashion and beauty pieces on my wish list, check out my style and beauty wish list boards on Pinterest. You can also find all previous Wednesday Wish Lists here for more inspiration.

Any favourites this week?

Wednesday Wish List

Here's a few things I've been admiring this week...

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La Vidriola have released an amazing new collection of acrylic jewellery, featuring designs of some of the most iconic places in the world. New York, London, Uluru...even some Brighton beach huts. Naturally, the New York pieces are my favourites. I especially love the Coney Island and Central Park brooches, and how the skyline brooch includes the Flat Iron building- one of my favourite buildings in NYC! I want them all!

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If you love the glitz and glamour of old school Hollywood, you may appreciate Erstwilder's brand new jewellery collection 'Hollywood Glamour' which launched last week. The fourteen piece collection features brooches, earrings, and necklaces designed around some of the most iconic leading ladies and paraphernalia of the golden days of cinema, like movie reels, art deco cinema marquees, and good old fashioned popcorn. It's all fabulous, and I want it all! I've linked to Erstwilder's Aussie site above, but you can find a list of stockists around the world here.

Lime Crime 10th Birthday Eyeshadow Palette

I definitely don't need any more colourful eyeshadow palettes, but Lime Crime's 10th Birthday eyeshadow palette looks like the palette of my dreams. Those colours! *Insert heart eyes here.*

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I love these fun, fruity cardigans from Collectif. The price is steep, but I'd happily wear them both to death during the summer months.

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I also adore this beautiful cactus terrarium dress and matching skirt from Collectif. That print is amazing.

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And these wooden hand-painted brooches from Shop Miss Ella look wonderful. (Yes, they're just like the cushion kits I showed you a few days ago, but I love the designs!)

If you'd like to see more of the fashion pieces on my wish list, check out my style wish list boards on Pinterest. You can also find all previous Wednesday Wish List posts here.

Any favourites this week?

Polka Spots and Freckle Dots Turns Seven

Polka Spots and Freckle Dots turned seven last week (March 25th).

Seven!

My little space on the Internet is growing up so fast. How on Earth did that happen?!

I can't believe so many years have passed since I first logged in to Blogger, created this blog, and nervously sent my first post in to the endless void of the Internet. It feels like both a life time ago and no time at all a the same time.

When I started this blog seven years ago, I created it to share my outfits and work towards self-acceptance and body positivity. I mostly blogged headless mirror shots of my outfits, manicures I was wearing, shopping hauls, and other fashion and beauty related content. My photos were atrocious; all dark, grainy, unlevel, and poorly edited, and were taken on my iPod, Blackberry, or crappy old point and shoot. I gave no thought to arranging my product photos in to pretty flatlays; I just placed the item(s) on the nearest surface and pointed the camera, regardless of what was in the background. My writing was cringe-worthy, and most of my post titles were Linkin Park, Fall Out Boy, or Panic! at the Disco lyrics. Gems like: 'I Am a Wolf Among the Sheep Gnawing at the Wool Over My Eyes', and 'I'm Boring But Overcompensate With Headlines and Flash, Flash, Flash Photography.' What did they have to do with my posts about fashion and beauty? I have no idea, but that's okay, I was cool and mysterious AF!

I didn't care about SEO- in fact, I don't think I even knew what it was back then. I didn't even promote my posts on social media- not that I'm so great at self-promotion all these years later, either! I just blogged, and did it for the fun of it.

There was no stress about creating the perfect content, with beautiful photos and articulate writing. I wrote whatever crap came in to my mind, and uploaded the first photo I snapped, without spending two hours arranging a flatlay first, and taking 250 near-identical photos to get that one perfect shot. I could throw a post together in half an hour, and I looked forward to posting every day.

I had a lovely little following of (mostly) other blogger ladies I enjoyed chatting and interacting with who made blogging a pleasure. (Some of you are still following today- although, I have no idea why you've been reading my posts and supporting me all this time! Thank you!)

I loved those days!

Sometimes I find myself missing those early days of blogging. Sure, everything was less polished and perfect, but there was something wonderful about the simplicity and relatability of it all.

Blogging has changed so much since I first started blogging, but that's not necessarily a bad thing; it's just different. Things change, people change, I've changed... and that's life. 

My blog content has changed somewhat over the years, too. The fashion and beauty posts have reduced due to having little money for new clothes and rarely having enough energy to get dressed and made up, and other topics, such as crafts, adventures, books, chronic illness, pets, and life have been added in to the mix. My posts have become less frequent because of my health, and I can't always post the content I want to, but I like to think the quality of my work has at least improved over the years. There's a lot of room for improvement, but I can be proud of myself knowing I always put 110% in to every post I create.

I may not be a famous blogger with a huge following making millions from her blog, but I'm not sure I even want to be. I'm happy with where my blog has taken me over the years. I've worked with some fantastic brands, made friends with some amazing people I would never have known otherwise, and learnt so many new skills along the way. It's kept me going through seven of the hardest years of my life, and to me, that is the greatest achievement I could ever ask for.

Right from the start, Polka Spots was a much needed distraction from the chronic back and spinal pain I had been struggling to cope with for six months, and not only helped me deal with the pain, being bed ridden, and losing the life I knew, but gave me a purpose in life I so desperately needed again. It gave me a reason to get up in the morning and something to throw myself in to every day instead of mindlessly watching daytime TV. It provided me with an outlet when I was struggling with the pain and desperately mourning my old life, and had nobody to talk to. It offered a place to vent when I'd had frustrating and soul-crushing experiences with doctors and physiotherapists who were rude and indifferent, and weren't interested in helping me. It did all that and so much more. And it's continued to help me cope with my chronic pain and chronic illnesses, and this unconventional life of being housebound ever since.

This blog has helped me through scans and treatments and diagnoses, surprising test results, and plenty of frustrating encounters with the NHS and DWP. It's been there for me when the pain has been raging and my other symptoms have been so unbearable I've struggled to cope and wished for death to escape it. It's given me comfort when I've been struggling with missing out on life and grieving the life I lost, feeling lonely and depressed, and all kinds of emotions that come with living with chronic illness that we / I don't often talk about. It's been here for me every step of the way for seven years, and for that I'm grateful. I couldn't have got through the years without the blog to help me, and I can't imagine how much harder the last seven years would have been without it to keep me going, and help me through. Starting my blog was the best decision I could've made.

I know I've been very quiet here over the last few months, but I promise I haven't given up on blogging. There is still so much I want to share. I'm just struggling with my health at the moment, and while I've tried to, I haven't been up to blogging much since Christmas. My arthritis has worsened considerably since December, causing my hands and fingers (and knees, toes, hips, and other joints) to swell and stiffen on an almost daily basis. The pain in them has been so horrendous lately, I've had difficulty using my hands for anything, including typing and taking photos, and my knees have been so bad, I've not been out of bed or downstairs in a month. I've also been inflicted with the worst episodes of brain fog and writer's block to date, making blogging even more difficult. I've been having serious difficulty thinking straight, remembering and making sense of things, and recalling words, so whenever I've tried to write, the words just haven't come. It's been stressing and frustrating the hell out of me! I can't do a lot about the brain fog, but I think I just need time to find my groove with my degenerating arthritis, and the new me, and learn to function a little more efficiently again. It always takes time to get used to big changes to your day to day health with chronic illnesses, but I know I'll get there. I always do.

I'm hopeful I'll be able to get back in to the swing of things here this spring. There are so many products I want to review and things I want to write about. I'd love to get Polka Spots back where it used to be and make it a fun and colourful place for you to visit. I want to bring back more fashion and beauty posts again, and also add more crafts, books, stationery, chronic illness, and lifestyle posts. I want to get back to the fun and excitement blogging brought to me seven years ago, and try to avoid making blogging stressful because it shouldn't be. I want blogging to be enjoyable, and not make me want to pull my hair out because I can't get my photos to look perfect or I can't think what I want to say for a post I'd planned. That stress isn't good for my health. It's time to get back to a more carefree attitude towards blogging, and a good balance between hard work and self-care.

I don't know what the next seven years have in store for my blog, but I'm not going anywhere, and I'm looking forward to finding out where they take me. I hope you guys will join me for the ride.

Thank you for all your support over the last seven years, whether you've been with me since the start, or are a new follower. I don't know why you chose to follow and stick with me, but it means the world to me and I appreciate every single one of you. Thank you so much! You guys are the best.

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Wednesday Wish List

This week, I've been coveting...

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Oh So Flamingo have released the cutest collection of baby farm animal brooches for spring, and I'm completely smitten with these four designs. They're so adorable! My favourite has to be Rosie the Calf, and I don't know how much longer I can resist her...

MAC Art Library- It's Designer Eyeshadow Palette

I definitely don't need any more colourful eye make up in my life, but this eyeshadow palette from MAC looks amazing. Look at those gorgeous colours! If colour isn't your thing, there are neutral versions in the collection to shop from, too.

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I'm loving the new Cath Kidston Fearne Cotton collection that was released last week. The new prints are to die for, and I particularly love the look of these bags, cases, and purses.

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These gingham and striped dresses from Lindy Bop are my idea of dress perfection. 

Lindy Bop Daniella Dachshund Swing Skirt

This dachshund skirt from Lindy Bop is the cutest skirt I've ever seen! I hope they bring back the dachshund dress because I missed out on it last year and would love it in my life.

I Am Acrylic Daffodil Necklace

This acrylic daffodil necklace from I Am Acrylic is so lovely. It would be perfect for pairing with spring and Easter outfits.

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And I'm loving so many of Lady Vintage's new Lady Voluptuous dresses which have just dropped for spring in sizes 14- 30/32. There are some fantastic prints and styles available this season. The only problem is, I can't decide which one I love best.

If you'd like to see more of the fashion and beauty products on my wish list, check out my style and beauty wish list boards on Pinterest. You can also find all previous Wednesday Wish List posts here.

Has anything caught your eye this week?

Vendula London Le Bicyclette De Vendula Box Bag Review*

*AD- This post features a bag I was sent in exchange for a review. As always, all words, thoughts and opinions are my own and have been written 100% honestly.

When it comes to fashion, I've always had a weakness for handbags. Some women adore shoes, others love diamonds, but for me, it's always been about the bags. I love all kinds of different styles, but, as I'm sure most of you will know by now, I have a particular fondness for novelty designs and anything colourful. The quirkier the better.

One brand I have long admired for their quirky bags and purses is Vendula London, the British brand known for their iconic shopfront bags, so when they recently got in touch and invited me to review a bag from their new season collections, I couldn't have been more excited. Of course I said 'yes!'

Vendula London sent me the beautiful La Bicyclette de Vendula Box Bag* from my short list of favourites, and when the bag arrived on my doorstep a couple of days later, I was instantly blown away by how stunning it was. It was even more beautiful than I had imagined it would be, and it unsurprisingly attracted much jealousy from my Mum and sister who both keep trying to steal it! I can't say I blame them, but they won't be prising this bag from my hands any time soon- I love it too much to let go!

The La Bicyclette de Vendula Box Bag is a beautiful sky blue and cream vegan-leather bag featuring one of Vendula London's brand new shopfront designs for 2019- a charming bicycle service and repair shop! I thought there couldn't possibly be any shops left for Vendula London to immortalise in to handbags, but they've gone and proved me wrong with this wonderfully unique design. A bicycle service and repair shop bag?! I really have seen everything now!

Like Vendula London's other iconic shopfront bags, whose handbag establishments include everything from post offices to pubs and chocolateries to toy shops, the bag has, obviously, been designed to look just like the front of a shop. The top of the bag has been made in to the shop's awning in scalloped stripes of blue and cream, but the pièce de résistance is the shop's window display which is filled with amazing detail that has to be seen to be believed. I notice something new every time I look at it.

If you peek in the shop's window, you'll be transported to the sweetest bicycle repair shop you ever did see. On the left, there are shelves filled with storage boxes, cans of oil, and a blue bicycle helmet hanging above a red applique air machine. To the right, is a work station with tools hung on the wall above a table with a pink bike helmet sitting on top, and a couple of stools and storage boxes sitting neatly underneath it. Best of all, hanging from the shop's ceiling in the centre is a cheerful yellow bicycle and a sky-blue penny farthing, both with black trim, complimenting the pink applique vegan-leather bicycle with a wicker basket full of greenery parked on the pavement in front of the shop. The colourful bikes are easily my favourite parts of the design- they're so darn cute!

The detail doesn't stop there; look closer still, and you'll see a sign for 'service & repairs' in the window, and find the shop walls are painted cream with a sea of cogs outlined in sky blue faintly embossing the lower half of the shop. If that wasn't enough, the arch of the window is framed with a garland of colourful flowers sewn on to the leather, and beside the bicycle on the cobbled-grey pavement is an embroidered pot plant with an applique pot.

To the right of the window, the black and cream door is filled with colourful signs advertising 'REPAIRS DONE WHILE YOU WAIT!', 'SAME DAY REPAIRS', 'BICYCLES FOR RENT', and 'FREE AIR & OIL.' And hanging from the wall above the door by two little black plastic chains, is a crimped circular sign proudly advertising the shop's name, La Bicyclette De Vendula, in black, white, and pink so you know where to go for all your bicycle maintenance needs. The amount of detail that has gone in to this bag is just incredible.  

If you thought the attention to detail was reserved for the front and outside of the bag, think again; Vendula London have given the back and inside of the bag just as much care and attention.

On the back of the bag, you'll find a bright yellow and black tandem bike parked in a bike rack, just waiting to be taken out for a spin, and there's also a small zipped pocket large enough to store your phone or keys safely away from pick-pocketers against your body.

The inside of the bag, in both the main compartment and the back pocket, has been lined with a fun London print, which is made up of iconic British paraphernalia like red telephone boxes, the Queen's guards, black cabs, post boxes, double decker buses, London Underground signs, penny farthings, and more on a cream cotton background. The print compliments the outer design perfectly, and if you're anything like me, you'll find yourself admiring it each time you reach in to the bag to grab something. It's almost as pretty as the outside!

You'll also find a zipped pocket for keeping valuables secure, and a generously-sized mobile phone pocket that should fit even the largest of today's smartphones sewn in to the lining in the main section of the bag. 

The bag itself has been handcrafted from high-quality vegan-leather which looks and feels just like thick, good-quality leather, but with one simple difference- no animals were harmed to make it, which is fantastic! I admit I do buy leather products from time to time, but as a big animal lover, I prefer buying cruelty-free alternatives as much as possible because I hate the thought of animals suffering for fashion. It's so unnecessary when there are amazing cruelty-free options to shop from, like this one, and it's just one reason why Vendula London's products appeal to me. 

Aside from the design and the quality, what I love about this bag is that it is the perfect size for every day use. It's neither too big or to small, and has more than enough room for the essentials. I can fit everything I need in it for a day on the go- including my chunky bridge camera and a book- with room to spare! I judge a good day bag on whether there's room for a paperback and my camera along with my other essentials, and the box bag definitely passes the test! It's the ideal size for everything from shopping trips to work, and sight-seeing to just doing the food shop in style.

Another detail which attracted me to the box bag is that it has an adjustable shoulder strap which can be worn on the shoulder and across the body, depending on your mood, outfit, and needs. I love having the option to sling a bag over my shoulder when my arms are tired, or I just need my hands free for other things.  The best part is the vegan-leather strap can be adjusted to seven different lengths, and it's long enough to wear comfortably. I'm 5'6" and if I wear it on the shortest notch on my shoulder and the longest notch across my body, the bag sits comfortably on my hip and top of my thigh respectively. Whether you're short or tall, slim or plus size, this bag should fit almost everybody comfortably, which is fantastic. There's are few things I hate more than finding a beautiful bag and then discovering the strap isn't long enough to be comfortable or practical. Well done, Vendula!

Now, it's unlikely that I will put this bag down long enough for it to gather dust, but if I do, I won't have to worry about it getting dusty because like all Vendula London bags, it comes with its own bright pink dust bag to keep it looking its best when its not in use. They really have thought of everything.

The Le Bicyclette de Vendula box bag retails for £78, which I personally think is really reasonable for a handcrafted bag of such high quality, especially with all that applique and embroidery detail which takes time and skill to create. I couldn't be more impressed with it; it's stunning, it's quirky, and fantastic quality, and I know I'm going to be using it for many years to come. You can find it on their website here or if you're in London, why not check it out in person in their Covent Garden store?

If the box bag isn't your style, the Le Bicyclette de Vendula design comes in a wide range of different styles, with another six bags and seven wallets and purses to choose from, all featuring this beautiful blue and cream bicycle repair shop. The collection includes Vendula London's coveted grab bag, an interchangeable backpack, and the loveliest little coin purse, with prices starting at just £19. You can shop the full collection here and of course, browse the rest of their fabulous designs on their website now. I promise you won't be disappointed.

What do you think of the design? Will you be buying anything from the collection this spring?

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*AD- This post features a bag I was sent in exchange for a review. As always, all words, thoughts and opinions are my own and have been written 100% honestly.