Top tips for the shopping in the Sales

With the sales in full swing we have been looking at some ways at ensuring your wardrobe won't be full of yet more must haves that will never see the light of day .....

Make a List of what you need
How many black jumpers or red T-shirts have you bought not only because they were a great bargain but also because they will go brilliantly with the jacket you got for Christmas - having completely forgotten about the three you have at home already?

Will I wear it?

Before you snap up that 'Rudolph themed' Christmas Jumper ask yourself will you actually wear it?

The three outfit rule
This a great one I found in The Telegraph. 'A certain stylish 'it' girl shops by this simple mantra; if it works with at least three other pre-owned outfits then the purchase is a sound one.' This is a savvy shopping rule and should be implemented when navigating the sales.'

Buy the right size
This is true whatever time of year but a mantra that must be repeated hourly when surrounded by 75% off signs. If it is a size too small leave it where it is. You might slim down enough for it to fit you by the beginning of next winter .......but you probably wont .

Leave children and husbands at home
Do I need  to say more?

Dress for success
Wear comfortable shoes and a warm lightweight coat with something that is easy to pull on and off underneath.

For guaranteed success Shop at Artichoke
Our sale starts on January 7th (preview days for Artichoke Girls 3rd & 4th Jan).
For bargain bagging in a relaxed environment either hop in the car and come and see us or have a look at the website where we will keep you up to date of the bargains to be grabbed.

We are looking forward to our best launch event so far.....

We are planning a great start to this autumn's collection with our three day launch which takes place from Tuesday September 17th to Thursday September 19th.

Tuesday September 17^th from 10am to 4 pm you can book a free 20 minute style advice sessions with Jo Allen

This is by far our most popular event. Local style guru Jo Allen will spend 20 minutes with you discussing either how to find your most flattering colours, which clothes flatter your shape most or a bit of both.

These very popular sessions are on a first come first served basis so please call 01953 851458 to book your appointment.

Wednesday September 18^th  from 10 am to 4 pm - Anna Montanna Jeans Day

If you love your Anna Montanna Jeans dont be mean - share your secret with a friend and bring her to be measured for her jeans too. We will be offering Anna Montanna Goody bags with every pair of jeans sold. This is whilst stocks last so make sure you are either early or ring ahead to reserve yours

Wednesday September 18th from 5.30 pm to 8 pm you can book a free 20 minute style advice sessions with Jo Allen

This is by far our most popular event. Local style guru Jo Allen will spend 20 minutes with you discussing either how to find your most flattering colours, which clothes flatter your shape most or a bit of both.

These very popular sessions are on a first come first served basis so please call 01953 851458 to book your appointment.

Thursday 19^th September from10 am to 4 pm or by appointment only from 4.30 pm to 9 pm join us for our Charity Launch Day

If you have held an event with either of The Artichoke Shops before and fancy raising a few more bob for your charity or organisation come along with a friend or two or ten and we will donate 5% to the charity you nominate. Just in case this idea is very popular (and it should be!)  please book in advance to ensure that we don’t get in a muddle!

Look forward to seeing you then.

The Artichoke Girls x

 

It's Competition Time!

We are gradually getting used to the brave new world that is Facebook and would love to reach 300 Likes by the end of September. As a big bribe to get you all to sign up we are going to pop all your names in a hat and draw the name of one lucky lady who will win this fantastic LouenHide Bag just in time for the winter.

All you have to do is:

1. Like our page on Facebook - the easy bit just follow this link 
2. Share something about Artichoke with your Facebook Friends - it could be something we have written out that interests you or a link to this blog or your favourite item of clothing that you have bought from us.
3. Drop us a line with your name and email address to artichokecollection@btinternet.com to let us know you have done this so we can pop your name in our draw and email the lucky winner.

Good Luck and remember we need at least 300 Likes by the end of September to ensure this beautiful bag goes to a new home.

With Love
The Artichoke Girls x

Trend Guide Autumn/Winter 2013

I have been browsing through August's edition of Vogue and discovered that we might be old gels living in the middle of nowhere but we are still bang on trend - ticking lots of boxes this season!

A Rose Bouquet

'From the palest petal pinks to dusky damask hues ....an overtly feminine and flattering palette....rose tones offer a beautiful spin on autumn's pre-eminent trend: The new womanly allure'
At Artichoke this autumn you will find dusky pink knitwear from CPM & Marble as well as Lilac & Pale Pink Gilets from Grenouille.

WOMAN'S realm

'The autumn/winter collections were a paean to elegance and womanly charms....boasting hour glass curves ...only real women need apply' Dont we do this 24/7/365? For the second winter in succession we will be stocking Marble knitwear with a strong 50's feel.

The SQUARE ROUTE

'Last season's strict monochrome prints give way to softer, colour drenched checks for autumn ....breathing new life into trad tartans' Wait until you see our Alice Collins Jackets.

Moody BLOOMS

'Lush blooms in overripe hues' just about sums up Milano Italy's shirts - new to Artichoke this season

Chic Simple

....Handbags take the simple approach. Clean, cool and classic is the order of the day.' is the way I would describe LouenHide's bags.

 ALL AVAILABLE IN STORE FROM SEPTEMBER 1st ONWARDS.

Until then enjoy the sunshine and remember that being 'old fashioned' sorts we still sell SUMMER CLOTHES until the end of August.

PS: Here are the ones we ignored : Punks anarchic spirit ....feathers ....fur & leopard print

Now summer has finally arrived we are all turning our thoughts to shorts once more.
Have a look at this great article on The Colour Me Beautiful website for some tips.

......beginning to wish that I hadn't put those shorts in the sale now! ................

Ely Cathedral Flower Festival

We love our job! 

Each season we are invited to lots of events all over East Anglia - one of our favourites this summer was The Ely Cathedral Flower Festival. It was the first such event in the cathedral for fifteen years, over the four days attracted just under 20,000 visitors and was AMAZING!

The exhibits were designed by East Anglian designer Roger Woolnough - a gold medal winner both at Chelsea and Hampton Court and more than 220 arrangers from 38 clubs spent a year planning and executing the arrangements which depicted the creation of the world.

Follow this link to find some amazing photos of the event.

As one of the stands in The Shopping Area we were lucky enough to have our own 'almost' private viewing as we were allowed into the cathedral in the early morning when the flowers were being watered.

Socially the festival was fantastic too as we caught up with lots friends and customers - many of which were in some way involved in the festival. Artichoke Girls are not only (well dressed) pretty faces you know. Some are highly talented flower arrangers, others have incredible organisational skills and all are ready to live life to the full. 

An unexpected pleasure at the festival was meeting Denise Barnes and her friend Gill who had travelled by steam train from kent with Cathedrals Express for the day. As you can see they entered into the spirit of the journey and their vintage look was fab. 

I have found out since that Denise is a writer and you can out more about her and her adventures at her website

Style advice from Jo Allen

 At Artichoke we meet lots women who exude confidence and are very comfortable in their skin whatever their shape or size. 

We also meet lots who have in some way lost their sparkle and this is when we turn to Jo Allen our local 'style guru' for advice. We are thrilled that Jo has agreed to offer some of her practical, down to earth style advice to our readers in a series of occasional posts. Advice that we can all understand and if we choose to follow.....

DON’T SLOB OUT:  Fitted, shaped clothes are always preferable to oversize tents.  Baggy clothes do nothing to define your good points – and we all have at least one good asset!  If you are curvy, wear clothes that celebrate this, not hide it.  Badly fitting clothes can add years and pounds!  Know your body shape and dress to it.  

      Do you have a defined waist?  If so, you must wear clothes that are shaped in at the waist!

·         If you have very little waist definition, don’t go for belted styles that highlight this – better to put the emphasis somewhere else – say neckline or bottom line.

·         Are you someone who is wider on the hips/bottom?  If so, keep this area plain – add lots of detailing above the waist.  

·         If you are top heavy/big-busted, try a loose open cardi over fitted tops to break up the area.

·         If you have a tummy you’d like to camouflage and want to disguise middle-age spread:-  

o   Try a jacket or overblouse, or bypass with tunic styles that hang from the shoulder. 

o   Avoid double-breasted jackets which make you look wider – opt for single-breasted

o   Divert the attention elsewhere – with necklaces.

o   Look for flat-fronted trousers which avoid adding bulk to a fuller tummy

o   Try longer skirts lengths (below the knee or to mid calf) to visually elongate the body and thus disguise fullness around the tummy and hips.

o   Try a long scarf or perhaps a tie front or waterfall cardi – this will draw the eye up and down and away from what’s hiding underneath.

 You see it is so obvious when you know how!

 You can find out more about Jo either by following her on Facebook or visiting her website

Anna Montanna Jeans available online

We are delighted to (finally) be able to offer you our best selling, Anna Montanna Jeans online.

 Anna Montanna Jeans are a great German Brand. Relatively new to the UK they are a best seller in both our shops. We are very sure that if you do not already own a pair you will be an instant convert. High waisted, available in three different shapes with several leg lengths, a little bit of stretch and at a great price.

Initially we are offering two styles in one colourway - authentic blue.

Anna Montanna Dora Jeans

Dora Jean

With it's partially elasticated waistband and a slender cut over the thigh this straight leg jean is perfect for the apple shaped woman who has a bit of a tum but smaller hips & thighs 

 

Sizing : UK size 12 to 26 these jeans are great for the apple shaped woman.

Length: 30" straight leg - limited availability in 28" & 32" inside leg.

Colours: Year round in authentic blue, black & kitt (a mid Brown) as well as seasonal colours which this summer include red & silver.

 SIZE GUIDE IN INCHES

Size	12	14	16	18	20	22	24	26
Waist	30	32	34	35	38	40	42	45
Hips	39	40	42	43	46	48	50	52
Inside Leg	30	30	30	30	30	30	30	30

Washing Instructions: Wash seperately at 40 deg - Do not tumble dry

Made from 80% cotton / 18% polyester / 2% elasthan - to give that little bit of stretch

Anna Montanna Monika Jeans

Monika Jean

With it's fixed waistband, curving slightly over the bottom & thighs this cut is perfect for the hour glass or pear shaped woman. 

Sizing : UK size 8 to 24 these jeans are great for the hour glass or pear shaped woman.

Length: 30" 32" 34" straight leg

Colours: Year round in authentic blue, black & kitt (a mid Brown) as well as seasonal colours which this summer include red & silver.

  SIZE GUIDE IN INCHES

Size	8	10	12	14	16	18	20	22	24
Waist	28	29	31	32	34	36	38	40	42
Hips	35	37	39	40	42	44	46	48	50
Inside Leg	30	30	30	30	30	30	30	30	30

Washing Instructions: Wash seperately at 40 deg - Do not tumble dry

Made From: 80% Cotton / 18% polyester /2% Elasthan - to give that little bit of stretch

For more information or better still to buy a pair of these great jeans please visit our online shop. If you would like fitting advice please either call us on 01953 851 458 or pop into our boutique at Hackford in Norfolk.

 

Food for thought .....

Did you know that for every £1 that is spent with an independent store between 50p & 70p stays in the local economy?

The same £1 spent with an online giant or out of town store only returns 5p to your local economy.

Whilst you can still find them please support your local butcher, baker and candlestick maker...

and of course thank you for shopping with us .............

The Artichoke Girls
x

The New Webiste is live.............

Our new website has just gone live. We are all incredibly excited about this new project, so much so that we are letting you have a sneak preview before it is quite finished!

Over the next few weeks we will be uploading photos of new season stock as it arrives. We will also be adding stock to our new online shop.

We hope that you will keep 'virtually' popping in to see us at the new site to keep up to date with what is happening.

As always we welcome any feedback - if there is anything you would like to see that you cant find on the site please drop us a line at artichokecollection@btinternet.co.uk and let us know.

Best Wishes
The Artichoke Girls x