The Dress Boutique Logo

After lots of research and numerous changes of mind - I am please to unveil the official logo for The Dress Boutique!!!

Hope you like it.

LuLu x

8 hours and 400 dresses later...

So today was the big day... collection of the dresses!

I got up really early and raring to go this morning, excited about going to collect all the dresses from Linda & Chris at Smart Exchange. We were due to be there at 10am but there was a mix up with the van hire, so we had to borrow one from a friend... which wouldn't start! So we were running about an hour and a half behind schedule when we finally got there.

We started by packing the dresses into boxes and loading them onto the van, followed by the rails, which where then transferred two miles up the road to my Mum and Dads house for temporary storage... With the help of Mum, Dad, husband Matt and my friend Tracey, we were done in four trips, then we started the onerous task of un-boxing them and taking them all upstairs to be hung in the spare room. Once up there we sorted them into colour order before finally collapsing at around 7pm.

A very productive day all in all! Thanks to everyone who helped :)

It's official!!!

So I am now officially the owner of Smart Exchange!

We signed contracts today and I have handed over a rather large cheque! We have agreed that I will collect the dresses on 28th March, just two weeks away.

Things are taking their time with the premises, so Mum and Dad have kindly agreed to store the stock in their spare bedrooms until I am ready to move in.

Very excited!

Lulu x

Location, Location, Location

We have found a premises!

Had a really good meeting with a land-owner in Goodworth Clatford and we are now in the process of agreeing the terms of my rental on a little converted barn!

Situated in a courtyard on a working farm, it's a rural setting, and looks like a cowshed at the moment but a lick of paint and some carpet and inside the barn will be light and spacious - perfect for my office and enough room to store the dresses.

Very excited :)

LuLu Loves - Classic Black Oscars Style

Inspired by Kristen Stewarts old school classic Monique L'Hullier midnight blue dress on the red carpet, here are some of my favourite pieces to complete an ensemble fit for a Hollywood Starlet!

The fishtail shape of the dress is always a classic, and the ruched fabric is flattering for all shapes and sizes. Actually this dress is quite similar to the one I wore from The Dress Boutique collection to the Andover Musical & Operatic Society 2009 Christmas Ball.

I must give Cheryl Cole a mention here, just because I loved the black ball gown style dress wore for the X Factor Finals last year. I've googled it but can't seem to find a definitive answer as to who designed the dress - many have suggested that it was Marc Ross - anyway, I think she looked fantastic.

For accessories, I love these Swarovski wing earrings available from Net-a-Porter at around £80 although Dorothy Perkins has a similar still at a bargain £8!

The Black strappy flower sandals are just £30 from Debenhams, while the Black Corsage Suede Ruffle Shoes are by Steve Madden priced at around £90.

Finally for the ultimate black nail polish it has to be Chanel Darlings!

LuLu x

For more information visit our polyvore page: http://www.polyvore.com/classic_black_dress_red_carpet/set?id=17786208

LuLu Loves - Red Carpet Neutrals!

I'm loving all the beautiful neutral shades on the red carpet at this years Oscars!

Kate Winslet, Anna Kendricks, Cameron Diaz, Demi Moore, Helen Mirren all choose variations on the theme, be it soft pink, gold or shimmering silver for their Oscars gowns.

Kate Winslets simple column dress in a subtle silver tone by Yves St Lauren was a classic and I loved her old-school wavy hair! Cameron Diaz glittered in Oscar de la Renta as did Demi Moore in her buff-coloured Atelier Versace ruffled gown.
Anna Kendricks pale pink chiffon creation by Elie Saab was youthful and elegant, while Dame Helen Mirren in Badgley Mischka dress proved that these neutral hues look good on women of all ages.

For me it was Sandra Bullock, who took home the Best Actress award, who outshone them all in her figure-hugging gown by British label Marchesa. The combination of the shimmering skirt with the embroidered floral bodice was a winner!

On the jewelery front, diamonds and pearls played a big role as ever, with favourites from Tiffany and Chopard.

Lulu x

For more information about the items in this collage, visit our Polyvore page: http://www.polyvore.com/neutrals_at_oscars/set?id=17808817

We have a name!!!

I have decided to call the business...... drum roll purlease!!!

THE DRESS BOUTIQUE

A survey of over 100 people agreed that this was the best name out of the shortlist of 10 that I came up with!
Hope you like it

LuLu x