Minnies boutique, Brentwood

Brentwood’s most famous sisters Sam and Billie Faiers were the first of the ‘The Only Way Is Essex’ (TOWIE) cast to open off their own boutique- it seems now it has turned into somewhat of a fashion.

Minnie’s; a small boutique along the cobbled Brentwood streets is a family run business.

Walking down Brentwood high-street you are more than likely to see a few people clutching the brown paper bags with the Minnie’s logo on them; often having been signed by Billie or Sam.

But what is it really like?

The shop is only small and cosy, but that gives you the chance to talk to them and see all the stock in the shop. There is the personal touch about the shop with Billie, Sam or their Mum and Aunt offering friendly advice. The personal theme is continued through how the shop named after Sam’s childhood nickname due to her love for Minnie Mouse- hence why their range of jewellery is Minnie Mouse themed.

There are some lovely little bits to have in Minnie’s. Of course there are the glitzy, sequin, jewelled, Essex- style short, tight dresses but there are t-shirts and dressing gowns too. And mixing vintage with some cute little new items, Minnie’s keeps high-street stylish and personal.

What I really like is that the personal touch continues in their website with Sam and Billie actually modelling the majority of their clothing.

With consumerism overload in our society it is nice to see the rise of boutiques in Brentwood; lets just hope these aren’t short-lived and survive against the army of chain stores. So if you haven’t already check out Minnie’s boutique there are some lovely bits I have my eye on.

http://minnies-boutique.co.uk/

10th Feb... Don't judge a book by its cover

So I may be a proud Essex girl but I am proud that I don’t believe I particularly fit the associated stereotype. Don’t just judge a book by its cover. In fact on a recent night out where I was only the born and bred Essex lady I was told I didn’t even sound very Essex.

So on the 10^th February my good friend from university came for a taste of Essex; originally from Warwick she came to see the famous taunt of TOWIE: the Sugarhut nightclub. Now, as I only thought I would be in Essex for two nights one of which I would spend as a night-in with Mum and the TV and the other at Olly Murs I didn’t bring many clothes or shoes back with me, As it turns out the shock snowfall meant I actually stayed in Essex for a whole week and two weekends. This however did give me the perfect excuse in my desperate time of need to treat myself to so much needed items: a pair of jeans, top, jumper’s tights and of course what a girl needs most a good pair of heels. Well I am short and couldn’t go to the Sugarhut in flat, little pumps now could I?

I loved the heels because they were a little different; with a suede black heel and platform but contrasting cream and grey patent areas. The cream stood out on the shoe and matched well with my cream Topshop , Chiffon blouse. I wore this with a leotard underneath as it’s so see-through and sometimes that little motto less is more is not always best and my Aztec print I have previously blogged about.

My friend Toni; who actually moved from London a number of years ago but has since lived in Essex wore a simple black dress of a fitted bodice style and full, pleated skirt. The current trend of tights is the mock suspenders and Toni wore her version with bows on them with a pair of killer leopard print shoes; giving a pop of print to her look.

Taking a girly sexiness to a new level Sophy mixed leather leggings from Topshop, grey chiffon, long-sleeved blouse and mega-high platform red courts. She looked amazing and also just shows you don’t just have to stick to dresses. In many ways that just highlights the change to society that women’s fashion has much more freedom.

 

Above:  Left to right- me in river Island and Topshop, Toni in Topshop with Dorthy Perkins tights and Sophy in Topshop.

Essex nights out

When many people find out I’m from Essex (well most work it out as soon as I start talking) but one of the first questions they ask is about the nights out. Have I been to the Sugarhut? Is an Essex night out so amazing?

Well the answer to both of these questions: YES! I do love a good Essex night out.

I love the town of Chelmsford- a small town near me on a student night Wednesday). This is because there are quite a lot of places you can go there. There are clubs there and bars verging on the club boundaries, like my favourite Missoula.

Essex is good because there are so many places you can go and so many places near and easy to get too; although with my prejudice Brentwood of course has to be the best.

Brentwood has changed since the reality TV show ‘The Only Way Is Essex’; many people come to experience a bit of ‘Essex’. The Slug and Lettuce in Brentwood is popular for cocktails on a Saturday night; particularly for pre-drinks before the Sugarhut which is opposite. Other bars in Brentwood are good for a more relaxed, chatty night.

I must admit I love an Essex night out and often miss it when at university. You can definitely tell the Essex boys (or even more the Brentwood lads with their chino’s, polo, shirt or denim shirt and even the sweeping haircut named the Brentwood barnet).