Basso & Brooke x The Cambridge Satchel Company

Everyone knows a gal's best friend is her handbag. I mean come on, what would we do without them? Where else would we store our credit cards, keys, phone, diary, endless supplies of skittles and gummy bears and, of course, the countless amounts of random crap you find whilst rummaging around your trusty carry-all (yep we're talking half-empty packets of gum, nail polish, Hello Kitty stickers, and that lipbalm you've been searching the last 2 weeks for...)

When it comes to bags, there's no doubt that we're spoiled for choice, but lately the only bag on our minds has been the long-awaited lovechild of print design pioneers Basso & Brooke and The Cambridge Satchel Company.

The Cambridge Satchel Company's unique, handcrafted, high-quality (and highly-coveted) satchels teamed with Basso & Brooke's eye-catching and inimitable graphic prints? ERR, YES PLEASE. These beauties are a far cry from the dreary connotations of the traditional paper-bag-brown school satchels from yesteryear, this is another designer collaboration that's surpassed our expectations (which, to be fair, were pretty high in the first place). 

We want one in every print; take note, Santa/Parents/Siblings/Boyfriend. *

The Cambridge Satchel Company x Basso & Brooke satchels range from £145 - £218 and are available here

*Subtle hints are our forte. If we don't receive one of these lush satchels come December 25th, we cannot be held responsible for the hell we will undoubtedly unleash upon those closest to us. Christmas is a time for giving, folks!

Agyness Deyn x Dr Martens

Ever since we heard that our favourite northern lass was collaborating with the most iconic British footwear brand, our hearts were all a flutter here at Tantrum, and the Agyness Deyn for Dr Martens collection did NOT disappoint. Think creeper-style shoes in black and cherry red, muted plaid, '90s daisy prints and a grungey colour palette and you've pretty much got it nailed. 

Alongside the patent 1940 boots, chunky platform buckled goth boots and the velvet creepers, our fave piece from the whole collection was the heart-shaped satchel, available in 4 colours. We're torn between the oxblood and pale lilac, and with a strap that transforms the satchel into a rucksack, this is one A/W staple that will last seasons, and years to come.

Agyness Deyn for Dr Martens A/W '12 is available now, instore and online. Shop the whole collection here

Maria Francesca Pepe for Urban Outfitters

One of our favourite jewellery gals, Maria Francesca Pepe has "always preferred buying a ring rather than a dress'" which is a good thing really considering her art lies in creating bold, classic, avant-garde jewellery. MFP came to realise her calling as a jewellery designer upon graduating from CSM, London. Her designs are always one of our favourites to see at LFW, however now we can get our Pepe fix on a regular basis- Yes you can all have a little celebratory wiggle because If you haven't heard already, MFP has infused her rather perfect mix of femininity and edginess into an 8-piece collection for Urban Outfitters. We hope you are all as excited as we are! If the time it took to leave Tantrum HQ to the nearest store was an Olympic sport, Britain would be in for another gold.

 

This jewellery line is like no other; each piece is hand selected and the care and craftsmanship is to an impeccable standard, making sure that each design suits the Urban Outfitters' customer - definitely worth the investment! With an avid following from long time ambassadors, Rihanna, Lady Gaga and Pixie Lott, among many others, it's one not to miss.

Crosses, crystals and turquoise adorn chunky twisted ropes for statement necklaces and bracelets, while hexagonal studs and geometric shapes toughen up rings, earrings and bangles.The result is a collection that is elegant but never predictable.

 

Exclusively at Urban Outfitters stores throughout UK and US www.urbanoutfitters.co.uk 
words by Jemma Lamble

Converse bags SS12

Everyone knows that when it comes to accessories; if they look cute, it often means that they aren't exactly practical. Yep, we have a tendency to compromise brains for the beauty of it all, but luckily for us, Converse's SS12 collection lets us have the best of both worlds - Cool, hard-wearing and roomy bags that look great and have heaps of space for us to fill with all our junk...

Featuring a range of bags, from backpacks to duffels, all emblazoned with the trademark Converse logos, the SS12 collection is perfect for all your Summer holidays and roadtrips. Practical and pretty, who says we can't have it all?!

Converse SS12 bags & accessories are available NOW at ASOS, Schuh, JD Sports, Office and Size.

Rings & Tings

If you know one thing about us Tantrum girls, it's that we love a good bit of jewellery. Problem is, like most people, we're on a bit of a tight budget these days when it comes to treating ourselves! What with even High Street store's jewellery prices being a bit on the hefty side (We're looking at you, Topshop!) we were seriously lacking on the bling side of things. So we were pretty psyched when we came across Rings & Tings.

Launched last year, and inspired by London street style, Rings & Tings started life as a humble stall on Brick Lane and rocketed into the online store it is now. Their concept is 'affordable street fashion online' and they're dead on - the average price of pieces from their store is around £3.50, a bargain compared to the crazy price tags seen elsewhere and a great price to pay for some quirky and cute offbeat accessories. 

We've included a little peek at some of our fave bits from Rings & Tings, but be sure to check out their website here for the full range - it will not disappoint!

Style Scrapbook x Kipling

We know you lot out there are a fashion-savvy bunch. And also, a lot of you are those creative types, who never leave home without a camera. In fact, you probably (like us) let said camera get bruised and beaten away in your bag without a protective case because let's face it, all the camera cases available aren't exactly what you'd class as 'stylish'. Well, that is until now...

Style Scrapbook (blogchild of super-stylish Andy Torres) has collaborated with Kipling to create a limited range of camera bags that are practical AND fashionable.  If you're thinking this is all a little bit familiar, that's because Andy has previously collaborated with Kipling on a collection that sold out in just 24 hours! This time around, the cases are available in 3 different sizes (including one for SLR's) and in 3 different colours (black, tangerine and vanilla cream) These really are the most perfect and practical accessory to be seen with!




And as if that wasn't enough - there's even a special case for iPad's and tablets, in the same colours and finish as those cute camera bags! Finally, your gadgets can be as well-dressed as you are!

This limited edition collection is available from next month. For more info visit www.25yearskipling.com

Pyrrha jewellery

With the exception of a birthday Tiffany necklace, I’m not a big jewellery wearer. I never really have been. I pretty much detest any huge amount of bling whether it’s a costume piece or a precious metal creation. I much prefer to wear smaller, more unusual designs which aren’t adorning the necks of Topshop- clad teens around the country, which is precisely why I can’t get enough of the new collection by Vancouver-based jewellery brand, Pyrrha.

Design duo Wade Papin and Danielle Wilmore found the inspiration for their innovative ‘Seal’ collection rummaging through stacks of 19^th century letters in an estate sale, letters which came complete with their inscribed wax seals still attached, which were sent way before emails became the norm. After discovering the symbolism of the creatures which adorned these seals, Papin and Wilmore chose to cast their gold and silver designs from these originals, embracing any imperfections in the wax to create traditional pieces with a modern edge. Horseshoes, gryphons and coats of arms are imprinted on to eye-catching cuffs, bangles and necklaces, all of which have a beautifully unique, handcrafted feel to them.

The fact that the pieces have a kind of grungy vibe means they’ll be as much at home dressed up as they will be paired with your favourite cut-offs. They also have a total timeless quality to them which means this is one investment piece which will see you through the fickle world of fleeting trends. With prices ranging from £150 - £4,000 the pieces certainly don’t come cheap, but for jewellery as cool as this I figure it’s okay to branch out a bit or, failing that, start dropping some pretty heavy hints to your loved ones. That’s what birthdays are for right?

head over to http://www.pyrrha.com/ for more info and to view the full collection.

words: Lucy Topping

All that glitters...

If you haven't quite caught on, glitter is always huge trend for this party season and it is everywhere. How can anyone resist a little bit of glitz and glamour to brighten up the winter days? We certainly can't! Glitter can be worn so many different ways so there will always be something for you, whether you love it and wear it on a statement dress, or wish to go a little more subtle with hints of glitter appearing on your shoes, or even your nails. We've created three looks for you, hopefully giving you some inspiration on how to introduce glitter into your festive party wardrobe; it really is fun as it looks!

If the thought of wearing glitter excites you then go all out with a statement dress. This gorgeous berry-red glitter frock is from LOVE, perfect for Christmas Eve antics or even your Christmas day dress - it's versatile and looks extremely flattering. For the evening luxe look, pair it with some platforms (we’ve picked a cream pair from Topshop for a festive colour palette) and a black envelope clutch (the one shown is H&M).

If the big-glitter look isn't for you, then how about glitter shoes? They won't be too dominating, but will definitely add a bit of va-va-voom to your outfit. Keep it subtle by choosing a silver pair. These Mary-Jane's are from Topshop and aren't too high, there is no fear of breaking your ankles in these! Keeping the look sophisticated, wear them will a classic LBD (the one shown is Topshop), which will also vanish that panic of overdoing it! If you want to add a bit of colour, do so in the bag (the one shown is ASOS) - this will polish of the look quite nicely.

For the real subtle look, get ultra-glittery with your accessories! Bags, nail polishes, make-up, belts, you name it and there will be a glitter version. Some of our party favourites include: Glitter look lip tattoos (Violent Lips). These are so fun and will last you through the times where the vodka misses your mouth (yes, it's happened to the best of us!) Glitter tights are another great way to jazz up your outfit and are found all across the high street at bargain prices. If you just want the littlest hint of glitter then pick yourself up some OPI glitter nail polish - our two favourites are Rainbow Connection and Gone Gonzo.

So what are you waiting for? Go glitzy and glam and have a great party season!


by Jemma Lamble 

Esty store spotlight: Cakeeater

Now, we're huge fans of all things kitsch, and so upon trawling through the online wonderland
that is Etsy, we were pretty psyched to come across these amazing handmade pins by Cakeeater.

Available in a range of colours and words, from 'creep' to 'doll', 'witch', 'teen dream' and 'alien she' (you can even put in custom requests to have a truly individual pin!) These heart-shaped beauties are lovingly handmade, painted in cute pastel shades and finished with a glittery topcoat.


Cakeeater is the brainchild of Seattle-based designer/illustrator/crafter, Natali Wiseman who makes "things that are cure and/or spooky". She's inspired by her love for candy colours, riot grrrl, fancy desserts, '60s kitsch, movies about teen schoolgirls, glitter and the pastel toys she had as a kid.

Natali's pretty rad, huh? And you know what, her Etsy store is too! Go have a little browse and see what other little gems you find!




http://www.etsy.com/shop/cakeeater

Converse x Britta Burger

Following all our Converse bags & accessories hype previously, we bring you news that they've collaborated with emerging UK-based creatives, who have customised their Converse bags to suit their styles and personalities (and you can, too! Converse bags are the perfect blank canvas!) First in our installment is Britta Burger - A London-dwelling photographer & journalist...

Britta Burger: http://brittaburger.com/ and http://cooler.mpora.com/

About: Britta Burger is a London based stylist, photographer and journalist from Austria. After her degree in literature and linguistics she completed an MA in fashion journalism (London College of Fashion). Britta is Acting Fashion Editor at Cooler magazine and London Fashion Editor of Flux magazine. She also freelances for a variety of UK and international magazines and quality newspapers. Her special area of interest is youth and subculture.

What band's style influenced you at school and why?Nirvana. It was all about grunge back then.

Describe your school style or your favourite accessory?Grungey - beige corduroy Levi's, grey lambswool sweaters, my grandad's old cardigans, mini kilts and over the knee socks, embroidered waistcoats, my favourite items were a black vintage tailcoat and a floorlength navy military double breasted coat with gold buttons - it was two sizes too big and I thought it looked amazing (we obviously didn't have to wear uniforms...)

How did you style up your school uniform?I went to school in Austria, we don't have uniforms there. But I remember being so impressed with them on my first trip to England as a teenager that I wore my own version of a British school uniform for at least a year...

The inspiration behind the bag:I worked on the bag whilst I was back home in Austria which was where I grew up.
I’m a big fan of the author John Updike and his 'rabbit' tetralogy, the duffle bag really reminded me of all-American High-School basketball heroes, the whole sporty collegiate style. It’s also about the way I grew up, the whistles remind me of my parents who were sports teachers and the poms poms, which I made with wool from my Granma’s house, are kind of like balls.
The canvas of the bag was just asking to be drawn on with the markers and I suppose it's also an abstract take on the classic stars and stripes, but I was inspired by the iconic pop art aspect of it, not the fact that it's a national flag. 

How amazing is Britta's kitsch all-American bag?! Stay tuned for the next installment of Converse's collaborations.
To be continued...

Gel it.

There is nothing quite like a unique approach to fashion, and Christopher Kane is one of those designers who has a habit of doing exactly that. Here at Tantrum, we crave fashion that makes a statement, so what's better than a gel-filled clutch? 

Let us introduce you to the Aqua gel-filled clutch - doesn’t it look like an insanely fun accessory to own? We don’t know about you, but it reminds us of those rad gel-filled pencil cases from the '90s that would always distract away from the teacher, they really were just too cool for school.

Nostalgic feelings aside, this kitsch clutch was greatly applauded at the AW11 show, and we can definitely see why. If you like quirky fashion, then this is for sure your bag of the season. Here's how the Tantrum team would style it…

Swap the wedges for some studded pumps for that night to day transition. Styling with black keeps the look sleek and defined, but it's best to get imaginative to show off this bag to its full potential. 

Aqua Gel-Filled Clutch- Christopher Kane @ Net A Porter - £385 

Words: Jemma Lamble

Get carried away with Converse.

We've been addicted to Converse shoes since we were in our early teens (practical, affordable, cool and available in like, a million different colours. What's not to love?!)
And now we're all grown-up (kind of...) we're still just as much in love with the iconic all-American sneaker brand as we were when we got our very first pair of black canvas all-stars.

So it somewhat surprises us that it's taken THIS long for Converse to branch out into another area of the apparel industry, but YAY, because that's exactly what they have done now. 

This month sees the launch of Converse's first dedicated collection of bags and accessories. Featuring a range of duffel bags, messenger bags, rucksacks and more in Converse's trademark block colours, it's pretty easy to get a bit, ahem, carried away when deciding which one you like best!

Prices range from £19 - £54.95. Stockists include Schuh, JD Sports and blackleaf.com

8.L.A jewellery

Pretty with an edge. You could easily think we're talking about your favourite blog/magazine (bigheaded? what? us?!) but in this case we're talking about jewellery from 8.L.A

Kick-started in Brick Lane by London-based Lucy Holbrook, 8.L.A manages to nail that perfect blend of creepy-but-cool. With a range of luxe necklaces, bracelets and rings featuring tiny gothic skulls, crosses and delicate pearls, 8.L.A is kind of exactly what you'd imagine the modern-day Lydia Deetz to be rocking. 
And if it's cool enough for us to envisage fictional Tim Burton characters wearing it, then you can sure count Tantrum as fans of 8.L.A!

With quirky, high-quality pieces that are definitely worth splashing out on, 8.L.A might just be your new favourite jewellery brand!


Cece cross necklace - £45
Harrie silver skull bracelet - £86
Luster turquoise cross necklace - £105 
Stevie gold skull bracelet - £110
Cece skull necklace - £89
Roxy pearl and gold skull cuff - £98


Check out www.8lajewellery.com to buy the pieces or for more info, and become a fan of 8.L.A on facebook! 

We don't care if Monday's blue.

So it might not exactly be a Monday today but let's be honest, it's not like we need to use that excuse to show you the SS11 collection from Stockholms hippest label - Cheap Monday.

Influenced by Latin denim styles and L.A's celebrity culture, the SS collection keeps that effortlessly cool Scandinavian edge through combining those infamously garish elements with Cheap Monday's trademark minimalist style, which results in, well, we'll just let you take a little peek at some lookbook shots so you can see for yourself...

With these incredibly cool, wearable and more importantly - affordable pieces, Cheap Monday prove that it's not just denim that they do well, and with their corresponding accessories lines (yep, think sunglasses, shoes and even underwear) we're thinking that Cheap Monday are a label we wouldn't mind being spotted in EVERY day of the week.

words: Navneet Gill

images courtesy of Cheap Monday
check out www.cheapmonday.com 

Regal Rose knows the score.

We all love a bit of jewellery, right? And I don't know about you but we love pieces that have a bit of a story and a little bit of an edge. Forget the cutesy little flowers and dainty teapots, we'd rather have miniature skulls, serpents and crosses. Sure, it may be a bit creepy but that's kinda how we roll.

Regal Rose totally get what we're after, with chunky statement rings, featuring skulls, armour and, erm... unicorns as well as bohemian feathery earrings and a cool but macabre ear cuff that resembles a ribcage, they totally have that whole creepy but cute thing nailed. Here are a few of Tantrum's fave pieces.

All of these pieces are available for less that £15 each (they totally look like they should cost waaaay more, don't they?!) so there's no need to feel bad about spending your hard-earned cash! 
And for all you lot out there who love the whole notalgic, quaint little pieces, fear not, Regal Rose have got you guys covered too! 


Freya Silver Raven Skull necklace - £10.99
Armed & Dangerous double hinge cage ring - £11.99
Mai Snake Wrap earring - £14.99


all available from www.regalrose.co.uk

Words: Navneet Gill

Little Fille, big impact.

So, as the weather-lady has been saying Winter is officially here. You've dug out your super-warm coat, found some cute mittens and a scarf that doesn't match anything and you're writing down (and underlining) HAT on your winter shopping list because for some reason, you manage to lose your hat every.single.year. Or is that just us?

Well this year, We think we're gonna ditch the ol' knitted hat look because wearing a hat would mean NOT wearing this seasons coolest staple - the headband.

But us Tantrum girls won't be rocking your average headband, nope!  We only wear  the most gorgeous headbands ever and they just so happen to go by the name of Little Fille.
London-based Little Fille individually hand-make each versatile headpiece they sell, from the cute velvet bows to the super-warm earmuffs so you know every single headband is completely unique and there's no way you'll be stepping out in the same £15 Accessorize piece as your next door neighbors nan (Believe us, it's happened before...)

And did we forget to mention, not only are their super-cute pieces available online, but they're also stocked exclusively in Topshop's flagship Oxford Circus store! 
We think they're pretty much better than all the wintery headbands you'll see popping up all over the high street, but if you don't believe us, you can take a look for yourselves...

They're the perfect accessory for every winter outfit, annnnd (boys, take note!) they're brilliant christmas gifts.
Let's just say, we would be far from disappointed if a bunch of Little Fille headbands were wrapped up and waiting under our Christmas tree...




Little Fille headbands & Earmuffs, ranging from £14-£37
Buy Little Fille at Topshop Oxford Circus or online here