Art in the Underbelly and Other News
October 7, 2010What Are You Wearing? Gloves & a Hat
October 11, 2010Aspire Style actually contacted me all the way back at the beginning of September about running a giveaway.
When I found out they had a store in Oxford I decided to pop in personally to pick out a prize for you, and to see for myself if their shops are as gorgeous as they claim!
I wanted to run a giveaway to help ease you all into Autumn, and also as a bit of a countdown to Halloween, which is one of my favourite holidays, totally devoted to fun with no attached gift buying or family meal obligations. What’s not to like?!
So, in mid September I headed into Oxford (on a bus!) to pay a visit to Aspire Style on Oxford High Street and have a nosy round.
Inside is unashamedly girly. Vintage furniture nestles alongside contemporary “vintage style” pieces, and every available surface is covered in goodies. The layout feels like it combines the best of the kind of rummaging voyage of discovery you get in good Charity Shops with the guarantee of quality, stylish stock that you get in a high end designer store.
The front of the shop is where I found all the goodies above. Jewellery, gifts and home decorations are scattered around along with loose teas, books and other random, but lovely, things. At the back of the store is the fashion section and changing rooms carrying gorgeous pieces from favourite high end brands with a quirky vintage twist, like Tara Starlet, Irregular Choice and Orla Kiely.
Basically it’s a fabulous place to shop, so I had a fine morning doing a spot of virtual shopping. They also have stores in Warwick and Stratford, and a new one soon to be opening up in Solihull, but if you can’t get to any of these places then never fear, you can shop online too at the Aspire Style Website AND I have cunningly negotiated with owner Emma an EXCLUSIVE 10% discount just for you. It’s valid till the end of November.
To claim your 10% discount just enter the code RETROCHICK at checkout.
So, onto the giveaway. I tried to go for a bit of a Halloween vibe, so your prize includes:
- Black & White Cobweb scarf
- Deliciously witchy black & pink striped umbrella from Bombay Duck
- Beautiful vintage stamp print wallet and compact mirror from Dandy, because I couldn’t resist a bit of pretty.
So, what do I want you to do to be in with a chance to win?
Well, I don’t like to make you jump through too many hoops, it’s not fun for anyone, but I put these requirements in so that the prize will hopefully go to someone who actually likes either me or Aspire Style, rather than someone who just likes free stuff (I say *just* because, lets face it, we all like free stuff!)
You can earn 2 separate entries. You’ll need to leave a separate comment for each one or it won’t count I’m afraid!
Entry Number One
Follow me! Follow the blog using the Google Friend Connect widget at the top of my sidebar, Like me on Facebook or sign up to my newsletter. The choice is yours, if you already do one of these things then please don’t feel obliged to do any of the others!
Then leave me a comment, tell me how you follow me, remember it’s handy to include your username, real name etc so I can actually check the entry!
Entry Number Two
Follow Aspire Style! You can join the Facebook page, Follow on Twitter, sign up for the newsletter, or use the Google Friend Connect widget on the blog.
Then leave a comment, same as above, using your regular email address, name etc is handy!
You only need to do one to get an entry, so if you don’t follow me, but you do follow Aspire Style, that’s one entry. See! Simple! Do feel free to say other lovely things in your comments too, just don’t forget the vital information!
The Competition will run for 2 weeks, closing at midnight GMT Friday 22nd October The competition is open WORLDWIDE (but you are responsible for any customs fees etc!) The final winner will be selected at random from all available entries The winner will be notified by email and has 48 hours to respond. No cash alternative is available!
152 Comments
Morning Retro Chick. I follow you on FB and your website and also receive your newsletter.
Love the Aspire wallet.
Fi
x
It’s me again. I’ve ‘liked’ Aspire on FB. Fingers crossed.
Fi
x
I adore Aspire, and thank myself lucky that I don’t live mear any of their actual stores because I would literally never leave!
I follow your blog, your twitter and also Aspire’s twitter 🙂
Amy at Wonderland Boutique
I already follow Aspire on Twitter and am signed up to the newsletter – will follow you now, thanks for the lovely competition!
Yay! Now following you through the Google follow thing on your blog. Thanks! 🙂
Hey Retro Chick,
I follow you blog and love the fact you do events lists for Norfolk/Norwich area – gives me an idea of what’s going on out there as my mum has just moved there!
I especially like the mirror – I find it’s small things like that in my hand bag that make me smile ecah time I see them!
i love reading your blog!
really like that umbrella. very pretty!
Hey there! I’m following your blog, following you on Twitter, have joined your page on Facebook and I’ve also signed up to your newsletter 🙂 which told me about this giveaway! Great stuff as usual xx
Hey ya
I have been a follower for a long while now. i also receive your newsletter and follow you on face book.
i really need that umbrella
I couldnt seem to sign up to a newsletter for aspire so I have liked the facebook poage instead
I am definitely visiting the shop next time I am in Oxford (without children 😉 )
I follow your blog and have signed up for the Aspire newsletter x
Hi
I follow Aspire Style on Twitter, I’m a fan on facebook and recieve your newsletter.
Fab blog xx
I stalk you everywhere..lol. Twitter (mashandsoph), Facebook, your blog and I get your newsletter.
I would love to win this amazing prize, everything looks so nice!
I love your blog and your style is fab x
Wow! it’s worth entering for the wallet alone:)
x
Hi Retro Chick! I now follow you on Facebook. Fingers crossed! xx
Aaaannd now I’ve liked Aspire as well. xx
I’ve been a follower already for a while, now also in Facebook
This giveaway is fabulous!
I also follow Aspire Style on Facebook now, never heard of them before (no wonder since I live in Finland) but it seems like a really cool store. Your pics from the place are so cool!
What a wonderful prize that wallet is so pretty <3
I follow you with google xoxo
Following your blog, receive your newsletter and also follow Aspire on Twitter.
Fab giveaway! 🙂 x
I’m following you on Facebook and I’ve signed up to your newsletter:) Thanks xx
i am signed up for your newsletter!
i am also following aspire on twitter.
Gorgeous! Follow you both on Twitter and receive newsletter.
Also now follow aspire on fb
What a cute store! I’m subscribed to the Retro Chick newsletter.
I follow aspire on twitter: @akaleistar
I’ve ‘liked’ Aspire on facebook and have signed up to the newsletter.
I follow you on twitter, fb and this blog as well as newsletter. Man i sound like such a stalker :p
I’ve fanned you on Facebook and I already follow you.
Looks like the store is absolutely as pretty as they claimed 🙂
Entry Number One
I have followed your blog, liked on Facebook and already receive your newsletter.
Entry Number Two
Have liked Aspire on Facebook and follow Aspire on Twitter (@maisietoo)
Liked you on Facebook and received your newsletter.
Liked Aspire on facebook.
I receive your newsletter straight to my inbox and I stalk you on twitter too. I love that you find pretty things for me to look at when I get home from work!
And I’ve just signed up for aspires newsletter too! More pretty things…
I’m following you on facebook, love the store 🙂
I actually own the pair of Irregular Choice Union Flag shoes in one of the pics. I bought them in January for my wedding shoes, but my mum and aunt didn’t like the idea at all! I chose a much more traditional pair in the end, although I was still very proud of my British made dress and local food. I already follow by the way, looks like a shop full of lovely treasure 🙂 x
Hello,
I’ve been following you on Twitter for a while and just signed up to the newsletter.
Caryne x
Hi, I have been following you for a while on Twitter. @ladynottramp
Recently discovered Aspire myself & I have to say they’re AMAZING! Their stuff is beautifully wrapped too, so would make excellent prezzies (if you could bear to give anything away!)
Been following you on FB & Twitter for ages as @pied_wagtail and also follow Aspire too x
Love the store following you both on facebook xx
I love the look of that shop. I follow you on google,facebook and twitter.
I’d love to win this giveaway.
I get your emails – for the same email address I used for this post…
Following you on Facebook, lovely site
Also following you on Twitter (scrumpy11)
I have follows you on FB
I follow Aspire on twitter
I’m following your blog, following on Twitter @mitchygems, following your page on Facebook (sharon mitchell mse) and I’ve also signed up to your newsletter, mitchygems@hotmail.com 🙂 I love Aspire your stuff is gorgeous, xxx
I recently came across aspire online and have been tempted eversince.. so many goodies 🙂
Pleased to have found your blog (and in time for a giveway – greedy me!). I am following you via FriendConnect
Happy weekend!
following on facebood, would love to shop at Aspire, it would be like a kid in a candy shop
I’ve “liked” you on Facebook. That shop makes me wish I still lived in Oxford!
Hi!!! I’ve just ‘liked’ you on facebook….That sounds very strange! I’m “Charlotte Evans”.
This is such an amazing competition, I can’t believe how gorgeous everything is and you’ve inspired me to go on a day trip to oxford I think!
I also follow you on twitter! (@charliecarly!)
Hey, thanks for the lovely giveaway lady! 😀 I follow you on your blog, and on facebook and follow Aspire on facebook too (I already did lol – Elisabeth Randell) and I follow Aspire on twitter (I already did too! @liz_randell) xx
Wow, what gorgeous goodies. Been following you on Twitter/Facebook for a while now – @KatDray/Katie Dray. x
hey
i follow on website, facebook (markie w) and twitter (pirate markie)
gorgeous shop, gorgeous goodies!!
Hi,
I found you via ReeRee Rockette and now have you linked via Google. Aspire is a beautiful shop and would love anything even a pencil from there!
Also now follow aspire on fb ppy weekend!
Ha
Found you through retro Chick, am following you on Twitter
@MWeston13
Have also liked you on Facebook 🙂
Aspire looks gorgeous love the rose pendants.
I follow you F/B twitter and Google Connect.
I follow Aspire on Twitter @Jo_Bryan
ahh, ive wanted to order (a stamp wallet especially) from Aspire Style for ages.. great giveaway! I’ve followed your blog now 🙂
I love that wallet – so gorgeous!
I follow you on Facebook.
Thanks,
Emma 🙂
I’m also now following Aspire Style on Twitter and Facebook 🙂
i follow aspire, i love that shop, and i also would never leave 😛
oh and im also on friend connect for retro chick too of course 😛
i was already following your blog via google reader but know i follow it via google friend connect.
btw the store looks amazing.
Hi, I already follow you. Will like on fb as well though!
Liked Aspire on FB as well! I was just looking at that purse on Dolly Dagger earlier! x
I folow you and aspire style on facebook username = rai louise
I follow you faiiiithfulllly 😉
Love Halloween too and every year celebrate it in some silly way xxx
Oh and I also follow Aspire Style in twitter…lovely things you have picked out, especially the umbrella. I’m definitively going to check their website and may treat myself to something.
xxx
What a fantastic giveaway! I love Aspire its so wonderful to visit there.
I’ve ‘liked’ aspire on facebook and I’m already a follower of your lovely blog!
xx
I’m a subscriber and I now follow aspire on twitter. 🙂
hi just to let u know i entered your competition i followed this blog using my yahoo account my email is shahida_ahmed@yahoo.co.uk and i have followed you for ages on facebook my name is shahida ahmed
i like you on facebook, my email for that is rubina356@hotmail.com
i like aspire style on facebook, my email for that is rubina356@hotmail.com
Hi retro chick i follow you on facebook and am signed up to your newsletter please enter me!!!
Hello RC,
I already follow you on twitter and follow Aspire Style too! And I follow them on facebook, and recieve their newsletter…
Also, I NEEEEEEEEED a new brolly! 😀
fairynuff27 x
i’m aready a fan of your facebook page + a follower of the blog and your twitter so i guess that’s entry #1
♥ ◕‿◕ ★ xX
aaaaand i am now a follower of aspire style on twitter and facebook and blogspot (i’m their 50th blog follower as well so that’s just super duper)
yay for giveaways! ♥ ◕‿◕ ★ xX
Am following on FB
Following you on Google Connect as jet.musicpromo
Following Aspire Style on Twitter as Jetlbomb.
Just wow, these images are fantastic. You got a bus from Norwich to Oxford? Brave.
<3
Great giveaway..happy Halloween :O)
Liking on facebook and tweeting @daisyduck123
Just joined you on Facebook. Love the pics of your shop.
I have liked and followed. You have some lovely items which all look unusual. Good luck.
Hello there!
I am a dedicated follower of you on Facebook, your website and get your newsletter. I love the look of the Aspire shop I shall go and have a look at them on FB as soon as I’ve posted this.
Me again,
Am now a liker of Aspire on FB. 15% off coats this weekend – must cyber shop a little now!
following your blog, and like you on fb, also on twitter @andiecaz.
Following both on Facebook and follow Aspire on Twitter @FlorrieFloyd.
following on facebook and twitter @alienbuffy
I am a follower on Facebook and receive your newsletter. I absolutely LOVE those Union Jack shoes – they are going on my list for Santa (I’ve been a very good girl!)
lucywrightbooth@hotmail.com
Love the site – really amazing.
Following on facebook. x
Following Retro Chick on facebook 🙂
Following Aspire on facebook too!x
Love your stuff! Following on Facebook!
Oooh goodie! I found your facebook page and liked it today… I’m also following you via gfc for god measure. Loving that umbrella to the max!
Ooo, Aspire blog is cool too! and I see they do weekly giveaways…
or something like that.
I’m following them via gfc.
le.paradis.found at gmail dot com
I am following Aspire on twitter!!!
I admire your fashion so much! You have such an eye!
I have liked you on facebook for quite a while :o) that shop looks fabulous, I wish we had something like that close by to go and mooch around. That umbrella has to be mine lol!
Also like apsire style on facebook now too 🙂
love it all!
a great site with fabulous products
i love this page as you have loads of gorgeous things to look at
I follow you on Facebook & I follow AspireStyle on Twitter @fripfoll
I love Halloween! 🙂
your style is unique and fantastic i always enjoy browsinig over here reading your posts on facebook and even your tweets (mrstracey1972)
I’m a fan of Retro Chick on Facebook & also subscribe to your newsletter – I didn’t realise Aspire were on Facebook but thanks to you I’m now a fan on there, as well as in real life! They have a shop near my work in Warwick so it’s all too tempting to pop in on my lunch break. In fact, I was given a voucher from my lovely work colleagues for my birthday recently so will have to force myself to visit next week ;o)
Hi Gemma! Just read the Facebook Update about this 🙂
I’ve been a follower of yours for a while now, and have just become a follower of Aspire Style – their stuff is gorgeous! Wish me luck x
Hi retro chick I like you on Facebook and an am follower on Twitter (@LuckyThing13) I’m now off to follow Aspire Style too
I’m one of your Facebook likers
Following you on Facebook already, and now following Aspire Style too.
Hi Retro Chick,
I like you on Facebook!
Lynn
Like Aspire style on Facebook too
Lynn
I’ve just signed up for your newsletter and now I know you have a store in Oxford I will be visiting it!
I follow you on FB and all that jazz xxx
and I have just liked aspire. Tempted to look for some christmas goodies now.
Have been a fan for a long time Retro Chick great site keep it up x
Im New to your shop but i love all things Vintage and old but find it hard to find my sizing as i am a size 20 at the top and 16-18 at the bottum im always looking for new clothes and jewellery ,i live in Australia and wish there were more shgops like yours here thanks Denise
I follow via google connect
following aspire on facebook
I’m cheating slightly, as I already follow you both on Twitter & Facebook, but had to enter anyway 🙂 Their store is absolutely gorgeous, love the birdcage filled with flowers.
Thanks for the opportunity of winning such a great giveaway.
Hi i’m already a fan on facebook, and already follow aspire on twitter.
thanks x
I already follow both of you everywhere and chat on Twitter!
I’m @cheekychicken24 on there xxx
I follow on Facebook and on Twitter @FruityTutti.
I’m a huge Aspire fan and have a set of jewellry from there. Best looking shop display I’ve ever seen!
Following via Bloglovin with the same name xxxx
Am a friend on Facebook follow Aspire on twitter (@cistolic)
I read your update on FB to get here
nice article, keep the posts coming
I’ve liked u on facebook
Liked on facebook, please enter me in to your competition x
Hi! I follow Aspire as Kyle Kepner on facebook and I am on your newsletter email subscription list too (activated/confirmed)
Thanks 🙂
The shop looks amazing!
I follow your blog as twannywun with GFC and also on facebook as karen scammell!
i also follow aspire style on facebook, karen scammell
Hey just signed up to your newsletter, really excited about this giveaway!
x
What a fantastic competition. My daughter would think I was really cool if I won this.
I already follow both Aspire Style and retro chick on face-book, the shop looks amazing and so much stuff I could be in there for hours! The goodies all look fab but the umbrella is awesome 🙂
Alison Tripp
I follow you on facebook and I get your newsletter 🙂 Hannah Holdroyd
I also follow aspire style on facebook and twitter, and get their newsletter! Hannah Holdroyd
I follow you all the ways 🙂 @nickiem on twitter!
And I follow Aspire on twitter as @nickiem 🙂
i follow you, of course I do… here, Facebook and Twitter…. Aspire.. Oh How dare you introduce me to this den of gorgeousness! Ban me, immediately. I can’t spend money! no way no how!
Hello, I ‘like’ you on facebook even though you do cause me to suffer serious hair envy at times 🙂
i follow you on Facebook, i just love your stuff the photos are like an Aladins cave, love it all
i already facebook follow you and im kinda sure i follow on twitter too lol have just facebook liked aspire will go have a nose round , oh yes my really name is karen walkden , @secksy34 twitter name , i so love your giveaways and your blogs and i love ur new hair too 😉
@fraoch1 following both you and Aspire on Twitter, and on Facebook and GFC Cathy MacLennan
Have signed up for the newsletters.
This shop is my idea of heaven.
Wow, what a fab prize!!
I’ve been following you on facebook for ages and love reading all your posts and love the photos you post 🙂
Just liked the Aspire page too!
I love those stamped postcard items 🙂 I already follow your blog and on facebook and I like Aspire on Facebook already too, so that wasn’t very hard work for me 🙂 Thanks for the chance to win!
I was already following you on FB and Aspire on Twitter (@kelliec3) but have added Aspire on FB as well now, hope that’s right
The brolly would certainly brighten the dreary days ♥
I follow you on twitter and liked you on facebook xx
Hey retro chick !
I follow you on twitter and facebook AND also on your blog.
Loving the candy umbrella
Hey there, RetroChick,
I follow you on Facebook sweetie, thank you for brightening my day 🙂 x
I follow your blog, facebook and Twitter @cheznal
Fab blog!! Michelle x
following on twitter