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Love Liv xXx 

The Best Yard Around ....

Anyone that has already visited Princes Charles’ Poundbury development in Dorchester will know the vast assortment of houses and buildings that in inhabits. Aside from its residential areas, there are many hidden treasures to be found in the form of delicious eateries and bespoke gift stores, and one that I can never resist taking a peek into goes by the name of Yard.

 Yard is owned by Vicki whom has numerous years worth of experience in the world of buying after opening her first store at just 17! It is know wonder the shop oozes sophistication, style and was Drapers Fashion Award Winner in 2012.

On arrival you are greeted with a warm smile and the offer of a cup of coffee (which when visiting Yard be sure to accept as it is made in a proper mug... far more satisfying then a franchised coffee that is often thrusted at you with a grunt).

The welcoming shop assistants make you instantly feel at ease, and are a far cry from those stuffy boutiques in which you feel constantly out of place and quite frankly make you feel that your making the place untidy.

Yard’s collective array of beautiful clothing, accessories and wonderful trinkets makes it the perfect destination for a little Christmas shopping, or an indulgent bit of retail therapy.

New stock continuously hits the store, and as a lover of fashion the thought of being able to grab a gorgeous new item so accessibly is every girls dream.

Vicki’s expert eye means all her stock is bang on trend, super stylish and offers so much more then regular high street stores. Fashion brands such as Great Plains, Part Two, Masion Scotch and my personal favourite French Connection can all be found in Yard providing another reason why I love visiting this shop.

Being a girl against online shopping having these brands on my doorstop means I can have the pleasure of  holding the fabric between my fingers, and actually seeing what I am getting for my money.

On your next visit to Yard I hope you enjoy it as much as I do and would love to hear what you treat yourself to J

Knowingly I do rather like hopping on my little soap box and having a little rant about things that simply make me grumpy.

Whilst doing a blog post on a fabulous independent store I feel it relevant to finish on this little note…….

With a high street that is so obviously thinning it is more important then ever to support our local independent retailers as without customers they simply cannot exist!

Two little shops I have had close personal connections to have sadly had to close their doors over the last couple years ( No im not bad luck Cheeky J ), blamed for the rise in internet purchases. Whilst I know this is an issue that is on the increase and therefore only likely to get worse many locals I have spoken to are saddened by the closures, yet when asked if they shopped in the shops are replies were often no !

Whilst I am not asking you to never make an online purchase ever again, I am asking you to consider utilising your local shops more and ensure they are here to stay.

So being Dorchester’s answer to Mary Portas lets ensure these shops continue to thrive and allow us to explore their treasures first hand.

Which local shops are your faves?

Love Liv ..xXx

 Here are a few piccys of the gorgeous shop....... 

LDBT - Let Down By Text

Firstly, to confirm this is not a direct dig at anyone in particular, but an observation about what many people ( including myself i'm sure) are all guilty of in this digital age we now live in. 

The sin in discussion here is the conversation avoidance that is created through the simple send button on text messages, Facebook,Twitter or emails. 

Despite daily technological advances these modern day gadgets have yet to be programmed to spare the thoughts and feelings of their recipients. 

Typing the message on a screen diminishes the look of your respondents face when you tell them, yet again, you are unable to make that prearranged dinner date. 

As being no doubt a culprit of this, but more recently the victim of LDBT ( let down by text) I am increasingly noticing the loss of sincerity of society today, and how once again digital platforms are in fact forming a loss in real conversation. 

 I believe these instant messages are becoming to much of an easy way out rather then enabling people to delve into that good old thing once known as a discussion; they simply provide a faceless excuse for those whom are too wimpy to speak to your face. 

It scares me to think that in the not so distance future SMS will be the next romantic marriage proposal!.

Unintentionally this post sounds a bit ranty, but I wanted to remind people that in fact friends and family would be far more understanding of your change of plans if you simply actually spoke to them . 

I would love to know your thoughts on this topic and if you to have been effected by LDBT. 

Love Liv xXX 

Daily Obsessions

May's Lust List - Tie It With A Bow

My obsession with all things girlie has been reignited this month with so many pretty feminine things hitting our stores just in time for the sunshine. 

I cant wait to live the next few months prancing round in summery dresses and dainty bows in my hair, giving me another reason as to why I love being a girl :)

One particular design I am loving is everything and anything that includes a bow so the theme for this months lust list is all about BOWS...


One of my favourite EVER online accessory stores is Johnny Loves Rosie who are the ultimate designers of girlie goodies.

Mint Green Striped Mini Bow Hair Slide £8.00

Pink Striped Mini Bow Hair Slide

                 £8.00

Aside from looking deliciously candy like, these hair clips despite being far from edible  just ooze summer appeal. Teamed with a floaty tea dress I can see these will make me feel like Alice in Wonderland, which is why they just had to be included in this months lust list. 

A Liv's Lust List is just not complete without at least one item from Ted Baker, and this beautiful gem ring is one that once again sparked the magpie in me to be drawn to sparkly bow shaped ring. Its neutral bronze hue means it will go with any outfit meaning its the perfect finger companion this season.

GEMSTON - Gem ring - 

£69

. 

In true Topshop style they have created an edgy take on such a dainty design to create this spikey headband which can provide even a biker chick with a little feminine chic. 

BOW RHINESTONE HEADBAND

• Price: £12.50

From head to toe there are bow designs embellishing the fashionisters this season and I love how these New Look earrings give just a hint of this at such a reasonable price.

                                                       

Pink Bow Stud Earrings

                                                    £3.99

Seemingly I am not the only person obsessing over bows, as nail polish brand Ciate have include them 

within their bottle designs. 

There extensive array of colours and textured polishes ensure they are all bang on trend and the brand 

to look out for. Making them a obvious choice for this months Lust List.  

£9.00 

 

Whats your lust for May ? 

Love Liv xXx 

Dorset Knob Throwing 2013 ...

 If there was an award for the most innuendos in one place then this Dorset event would be sure to be crowned top.
Its memorably name comes from the renowned local biscuit made since 1880 by the Moores' family;  the event itself seeks those who think they have what it takes to throw the hand moulded biscuit the furthest, and to be subsequently crowned the knob throwing champion.

Aside from the Knob throwing competition the event included other activities such as Knob eating, Splat the Knob and Knob darts. A children's area named paint the Knob ( which i quickly discovered was not a cheeky name for a face painting stall)  was where young attenders could get creative with painting their very own designs on the Dorset Biscuit. This variety of aptly themed activities made sure  the day was a fun truly family day out.  

With the beaming sun and the longed for Bank holiday weekend it was no wonder this event saw a record turnout. The inclusion of the Frome Valley Food Fest, meant that a delicious array of food was also on offer; from Posh Pigs hog roasts, to scrumptious cupcakes hand made by the local WI there were choices to cater for all taste buds, and for all the ale lovers the ultimate inflatable pub!

Live music played throughout the day giving the event a true festival vibe and one that is sure to be a hit for years to come. 

As a local resident I was humbled to see such a tremendous turnout of all ages, and immense admiration goes out to the organisers of the event....

Hope to see you there next year in the first Sunday of May, for more Knob mayhem and a truly fun event that really takes the biscuit ( i'm sorry ... just couldn't resist). 

 For now I will leave you with a few pictures I took throughout the day whilst I get practising my underarm swing to be in for a chance of being crowned next years Knob throwing champion. 

 For more information and to discover this years winners be sure to check out the event website : http://www.dorsetknobthrowing.com/

Weekly Publication Becomes No More! .....

Ironically womens weekly magazine More! announced yesterday via social networking that it was to suspend its publication due to current economic climates. This was announced on the very media platform that is taking over the world of physical magazines and publications; the world of social media.

Despite being active on most social media sites, everyone who knows me will know how much I favour traditional notepads and do you remember that thing called a pen?
So this news that a magazine that I have read for years is ceasing publication makes me extremely saddened and slightly panic stricken that once again the power of technology has taken away another of my loves.
Yes I know what your thinking ....  how hypocritical of me to be writing about my love for physical handheld publications on a online blog, but this is an issue that I just felt passionately about and wanted to share my views with you.
Does this represent the beginning of the end for publishing, or does it emphasise the need for magazine publications to embrace various media platforms, such as the Hearst magazine group who have recently launched a mobile device for Elle magazine.
Surely I am not the only person left in this digital age that love the physicality of a real magazine; its crisp pages, vibrant images and the concept of actually owning something you can keep rather then accessing information on a screen.

So off I now pop to purchase what is potentially the last ever More! magazine ( sad face) and will savour every last article and feature with a nice cup of tea.

Love Liv xXx