fresh start

http://teaandmanga.blogspot.com/

waiting for the 7.18

I feel as if I've got some explaining to do.

It has been over a month since I last blogged and it's down, I suppose, to a few reasons. I only really got into regular blog posting earlier this year and I was really enthusiastic to begin with. There are so many wonderful blogs out there that I enjoy reading, and it was great to enter such a welcoming community of bloggers. The few girls that I've spoken to so far, via my blog and twitter, have been so lovely and it is one of the honest reasons that I fell in love with blogging to begin with.

However, a few weeks ago I received some very hurtful and accusing comments online from another, fairly new, blogger which really knocked my confidence. I am not trying to be anything special with this blog, nor do I think I am more important or better than anyone, and I certainly do not copy content from anyone else's site. If I do take pictures, or see something of interest on another blog, then I credit and link accordingly. The comments really knocked my confidence, especially as I have so few followers at the moment that I really  wasn't prepared for anything negative. I felt my blog content needed a re-think and, due to starting a new job a few days late, decided to take a break from the online world.

I am a girl that loves to write, and is currently struggling through life after university unsure of what the future holds. I love fashion as much as the next girl, I love food although I'm not much of a cook, and I love to read anything and everything; I hope that my blog from now on will reflect this and therefore accurately represent me as a person. I've decided to continue with this blog as it brings me a lot of pleasure and happiness, and hopefully I'm now more prepared for any future problems. I'm not going to let one girl taint my feelings of the blogosphere as a whole and the hundreds of lovely people out there who write blogs and support other bloggers, both new and established.

This is a fresh start for Paper Bags and Polka Dots, and I hope that some of you will stay along for the journey.

pick of the best: sandals

Welcome to this week's very late (so so sorry!) pick of the best! The gorgeous summer weather we've been having over the weekend got me thinking about footwear, specifically my lack of summer shoes, which is why I have decided to take a look at some of the sandals in the shops at the moment.

As I pretty much live in my DM's, or a pair of boring black Topshop boots, the thought of exposing my feet to the world when the warm weather hits is pretty terrifying, but this lovely selection makes the scary prospect that tiny bit easier!

Hawk Feather T-Bar Sandals, £30, Topshop



Navaho Sandal, £65, Office



FRAN Suede Tassle Sandals, £40, ASOS



Plaited Beaded Sandals, £29.99, New Look



Brown Print Gladiator Sandals, £44.99, River Island



Kalahari Sandals, £55, Carvela (Kurt Geiger)

 I think my favourites have to be the leopard print sandals from River Island as I really like the chunky straps and buckles; I am definitely not one for a dainty sandal that will expose my whole foot! I can imagine wearing them with a lovely black maxi dress on a long summer evening.

I should be back to my regular blogging next week. I started a new part-time job at a bank on friday (I definitely need to get some shopping funds while I pursue my writing career!), and I've been suffering with an ear infection so I've been a bit down. Once I've settled into the job, and visited the doctor, I should be back on track though!

Hope you're all enjoying the lovely weather!

birthday treats

Last week I introduced a new item to the blog, Pick of the Best, which I feel was quite well received by you all and I intend to keep it as a regular feature!

However, today is my little sister's 11th birthday so I have been a bit busy sorting birthday-related things out for her; she is having a Mexican themed party after school so I have been making a pineapple shaped pinata...and a lovely Victoria sponge (not at all Mexican related, I agree, but delicious nonetheless!)

I will be back tomorrow with my pick of the best for this week! Plus, news on a crafty blog shop I'm considering opening!

x

style focus: wallpaper rose

Hi everyone! Firstly, apologies for a slight lack of posting during the latter half of last week. I've been pretty busy writing job applications and contacting companies for work experience, so I promise to update more regularly this week!

Right, on to this week's Style Focus. I give you...

http://www.wallpaperrose.bigcartel.com/

Wallpaper Rose is an online jewellery company that stocks beautiful vintage inspired necklaces, brooches and other gorgeous pieces. The style of the jewellery is exactly what I look for when buying accessories; pieces that look unique and pre-loved, even if they are brand spanking new! The company also stocks a selection of tees with lovely lace peter pan collars, which I can't wait to get my hands on! Unfortunately, most of the available colours are currently sold out but a little birdie has informed me that the next set is being worked on at the moment!

Here is a selection of some of my favourite items from the shop;

Eugenie necklace, £20

Eleanor brooch, £8 (on sale)

Rosamund tea necklace, £12

Lily brooch, £8 (on sale)

Rosie necklace, £15

Jen Tee - Burgundy Marl, £11

(All images taken from Wallpaper Rose)



I will definitely be keeping my eyes peeled for when the beautiful Jen tees get re-stocked! I think the lace collars are so lovely; the perfect way of making a normal t-shirt a real statement piece. I also love the Eugenie necklace, as the sea diving helmet is just such a unique charm!

I reccommend that you check out the website asap, if you want to get your hands on any of the sale items featured (and there are a few more sale gems on the site), as I'm sure they won't be around for long! You can also follow Wallpaper Rose on twitter, to be kept up-to-date with all their latest products!



pick of the best: fringing

Welcome to a new item for the blog; pick of the best! Each week I will choose a key trend, or a style that I'm particularly admiring at the moment, and share some of my favourite items with you.

Everybody knows that this summer the 1970's are making a huge comeback; this means bright colours, denim flares and festival chic - which leads me, of course, to fringing! The high street is already going mad for this trend, with plenty of fringed bags, tassled loafers and distressed tees having hit the stores in time for Spring, so here are some of the items I'm currently lusting over.



Leather Fringe Backpac, £60 (Sales), Urban Outfitters



Coral Lace Fringed Crop Vest, £26, Topshop



Sand Fringed Side Denim Shorts by Unique, £70, Topshop



Brown Fringed Flat Loafer Shoes, £39.99, River Island



House of Holland Dress with Fringe Strap, £485, ASOS




Eleven Paris Fringed T-Shirt, £65, ASOS



Okay, the House of Holland dress is slightly expensive but I love it so much that I just had to include it! It's nice to dream anyway.

What do you all think about the fringed trend? Is it the ultimate addition for boho chic, or too try-hard festival fashionista? 

style focus: joy the baker

I though that I had this week's Style Focus all planned after I came across a lovely online jewellery shop run by a fashion blogger (more in next week's Style Focus!), but that was before I discovered Joy the Baker and fell head-over-heels in love with her site. Okay so it is a food blog, rather than a fashion based site, but Joy certainly knows how to make cooking stylish! The photography is absolutely stunning, like something out of a professionally published cookbook, and the recipes are charming; they read as if you're talking to one of your friends about something they whipped up in the kitchen last week.

I admit I am not exactly what you would call an accomplished cook; I generally prefer to read recipes and admire the pictures than actually get in the kitchen and make anything! But, I feel genuinely inspired by this blog and have been scribbling down recipes that I want to attempt from the site all week. I'm thinking that Mother's Day on Sunday could be the perfect opportunity to test something out?

Anyway, here are some links to a few of my favourite recipes on the website (although there are so many that I have yet to sift through them all!). I'm particularly keen on trying to bake my own Pop Tarts, which I used to love eating for a breakfast treat as a child but can now only find in Cybercandy for nearly five quid a box!

Brown Sugar Bacon Waffles

Vegan Cream of Mushroom Soup with not so vegan herb bread

Hot Fudge Sundae Cupcakes

Spicy Vegetarian Chilli

Pumpkin Pie Pop Tarts with maple glaze

(All images from www.joythebaker.com)

Happy cooking everyone!