Eva...

A recent commission got me drawing...

I decided to call this dress Eva and I'm going to include a similar version (editing some details in the back and adding sleeves) in my mini collection of versatile wedding dresses.

The lace is a beautiful corded open work lace and the skirt will be layered chiffon and floor length with a separate under dress that can be worn by itself too!

♥

xoxo

My Wardrobe Challenge

So I started my wardrobe clear out... Luckily I do have some sort of order throughout so the next few weeks is going to be skirts skirts skirts! Thankfully the weather is agreeing with it too, it's sunshine and flipflops for the next week or so at least

Day #2 (Saturday) I wore my much loved vintage sage pleated St Michael skirt, it's gorgeous on and the perfect length when paired with my KG's. We had some cocktails and tapas at Pica Pica discussing some future plans for the new shop and then headed to Fire Island for dinner, keeping it all in our quirky corner of Cardiff!

♥

xoxo

Beautiful Bride

One of our wonderful Brides Lucy got married today (Congratulations!), so we can officially release out photos of the stunning champagne and ivory dress we made for her. 

You may remember our post Here comes the Bride showing the preliminary sketches and designs for Lucy's dress. A champagne satin under gown with a beaded lace overlay and stunning keyhole feature in the back. As far as I'm concerned I'm still new at working with lace, especially of the beaded variety, but I'm so pleased with how this turned out!

Complete with a button up bustle train to dance the night away!

The sash is optional, appliqued over the champagne under satin with a tie back.

We hope Lucy had the best of days and wish her all the best for her future! Enjoy your beautiful dress

♥

xoxo

The Wardrobe Challenge.

I bought my wardrobe from a second hand shop a few months back and painted it up to look pretty. It's a super cute, 1940's "gentlemen's" wardrobe, which essentially means - it doesn't fit all my clothes.

As quirky and interesting my wardrobe looks on the outside, I have to say I don't feel like my clothing reflects this quite as much as I'd like it to, but I'm sure every girl feels like that. Right?

I like to pick pieces at random. I have no thought as to what it should go with and unfortunately there are no 'wardrobe essentials' as Gok drums into all his viewers. So as I stand every morning looking at my wardrobe thinking "I have absolutely NOTHING to wear" I usually end up wearing the same things over and over.

So, I've set a challenge to myself...

(In true Ted Mosby style "if you haven't used it in a year")

Each item in my wardrobe is going to be worn, from one end to the other over the next few weeks - or months (I may well be underestimating the amount of clothing I have). Anything I feel like I don't want to wear is being revamped into something I do want to wear or going to charity! 

It's a hard thing for me. I have so many sentimental items of clothing that never get worn but just sit when they could be of so much more use to someone else. I built E&W on the ethos of reviving clothing, something I should adopt in my own wardrobe and I feel now is the time!

Ill be posting every few days my collection of outfits and challenge you lovely followers to do the same! 

Its Summer clean out time

♥

xoxo

Hello, I'm Sophie...

Remember me? I've been hibernating for a little while to get the new shop on track and all of our lovely brides looking beautiful for their individual special days! After all, it's mid wedding season and I've been super busy creating the dresses of dreams

So much so, that it's been a little while since I've got to design anything for myself! Inspiration has been everywhere with wonderful brides sending me image after image, Paris Haute Couture fashion week (always excited to see Marchesa!) and endless Autumn/Winter 13/14 updates in all the magazines, but with being booked up until mid August isn't giving me much time to get drawing.

Marchesa - Pre collection S/S 14

After having a lovely read of Lionheart Magazine today (available in store!) it's got me more inspired than ever. The wonderful interviews with artists and makers, couple and founders of The Green Kitchen, an account of a week in New York (the travel bug starts biting whenever I read about NY) and a wonderful illustrated article on Silhouette, the magazine is packed full of interesting people and ideas.

To be honest, I'm not entirely sure where I'm getting at with this! With 2 beautiful dresses being collected tomorrow, a lot of weight is off my shoulders! Maybe i'll fit in a little time to design soon, after all I'm a midnight designer! Hopefully to be made before the end of year...

♥

Shine on you crazy diamond

The new store is officially launched and it looks great. Last weekend Cardiff's Castle Arcade welcomed Hubbard's Cupboard with a big smile, and in return we introduced our brilliant suppliers, seasoned the party with tasty macaroons from Marmalade Cookery School, and invited everyone to have a go at making beautiful pom-poms with Helen!

As was to be expected, the new store features loads of up-cycling and re-purposing decorative ideas, and today I am going to share one of them with you guys!

How to make a collection of miscellaneous lampshades.

Hubbard's Cupboard hat lampshades.

A web of quirky lampshades is currently shining over our store. Looking up to our ceiling you'll find not only up-cycled vintage lampshades, but also hats and plant pots!

To make your own quirky lampshade you'll need:

- a light bulb fitting cord with ceiling cup;

- a hat or a cute plant pot to serve as lampshade;

- A drill and the correct drill bit for the your lampshade of choice (masonry drill bit is needed for china!);

Instructions:

Drill a hole on your hat/plant pot. The opening should be the size of the opening of the fixture you have bought. Unscrew your fixture, place the lampshade in between and screw is back together. If you are using a hat, make sure that the bulb won't touch any part of the fabric (the high temperature of the electric bulb might set the fabric on fire). We recommend using an upside down ceiling place inside the hat!

Finally you just have to secure the ceiling cup using a drill! Easy :)

Back to the future

Shell and I went back in time - sadly not driving a DeLorean - to those hectic days that preceded our store's grand opening. Remember? Painting, decorating, testing, assembling... Well, we are happy to announce that we're doing it all over again, because it is time to move forward and dream bigger!

In a matter of weeks Hubbard's Cupboard will be living under the emblematic roof of the Castle Arcade! We will be sharing yet another awesome space with Shell, who is going to be in charge of our mega wedding emporium.

Hubbard's Cupboard will remain faithful to its ethos and will welcome a much wider selection of must-haves that you must check out! I am very happy to invite all of you guys to our grand opening, which will be taking place on the 29th.

Believe me, it will be hard to miss us, and impossible to resist us. There will be flashy Lindy Hop dance shows, delicious sweet treats and crafty workshops. You know the place. See you there?