Seasons Greetings!

Today is a time for family and close ones, so eat lots, drink lots and be merry. Merry Christmas to all from Buckets and Spades!

See you on the other side.

A View From The Bedroom

View from my bedroom

We never get snow in Blackpool, as a rule. But a woke up yesterday morning so find a nice thick blanket of snow. We don't cope very well here with it as we weren't expecting it, but I donned my Dr Martens and trotted off to town to meet some chums for some last minute Christmas shopping. It's much worse today and I've got to brave to chill for a long walk to work. Wish me luck.

Christmas Treat: Boldstar* Footwear

Trainers aren't high priority on my wish list right now. Brogues, stand alone blazer and heavy cords all being above, admittedly trainers weren't even on the list until I saw these suede/leather mix beauties by Japanese label Boldstar*. I know very little about the brand other than

oki-ni are currently the only online stockest. I'm really into the minimalistic look that the leather and suede creates in the muted tones. They also come in a few different colours, my other favouite being these black and white pair.

I think I will be treating myself when new year comes around.

Available at oki-ni

Bought: Quilted Jacket

One thing I my wardrobe has always been lacking is jackets, and the main reason is that I don't see many that I like within my price range. When I shop around for jackets all I seem to see if bomber jackets, which I'm not a huge fan of and uninspiring variations on utility khaki numbers. Also I'm not really into trench coats right now, they look nice but some how don't seem to do anything for me.

So my praise have been answered when I stumbled across this navy blue quilted jacket, hand made by John Partridge of Staffordshire. It was a bargain at £25 too, well within my very low budget at the moment. Buying for myself is my lowest priority when it hits December, but I'm finding present buying quite tough this year.

John Partridge quilted jacket, which features a dusty grey cord collar and a nice little added touch with the gold "Partridge" logo badge on the cord collar.

It's nice to know where your clothes are made and this one is handmade right here in England. I'm pretty sure this jacket will see me through a good few years. John Partridge may not have the iconic status as Barbour but you can guarantee it is made with just as much pride.

Abraham Moon for Topman

To be released next Tuesday, should be good. Abraham Moon have a great reputation for using the finest wools, tweeds, cashmere and alike. This collection is just what we need as the chillier weather approaches.

Image from tm_contribute

Friday Inspiration

Table Mountain in Cape Town, South Africa.

Bit of a weird "Friday Inspiration" but that's what this blog is all about, I tend not to stick to one subject, more just post what I'm thinking about and inspires me at the time. Please feel free to tell me if I'm rambling and if there is anything else you would like to see on Buckets and Spades.

In other news, I'll be moving down to London for a new job at a magazine next month! I'm going to need tour guides.

Róisín Murphy in Crash Photoshoot

I've been a bit of a fan of Roisin Murphy for a while now, there's just something about her. She's got style, a brilliantly unusual voice and pretty much everything else about her is great. It doesn't harm that she is pretty yum too. I came across these images which feature in Crash magazine, with the images taken by Mark Squires. Hopefully she will be bringing out some new material sometime soon, but for now, her debut album will do just fine.

Images via fashiongonerogue

Maharishi Sample Sale 10th - 13th

I'll be working at this on Thursday, should be pretty going with the 70% off and all.

Look of the Week

It's all about the coat

Image by The Sart

Winter Inspiration - Metal Magazine

I know little about Metal Magazine, other than it's Spanish and you can sometimes pick it up in American Apparel stores. It seems like I'm going to have to venture into my local American Apparel more now, as the bad news that Borders will be shutting down very soon. What a sad time, where else are we going to go for magazines now!? WHSmiths just doesn't cut the mustard, for one I'm sick of having to reach up into the "mens lifestyle" section for i-D and AnOtherMan.

I'm hoping some of these images inspire some of my Winter outfits, as the cold is setting in, I'm going to need as many creative ways of keeping warm as possible. In the coming weeks I'm going to be on the look out for longer length vests and shirts.

Metal Magazine available here