End Of An Era

Morning,

Just a note to say that from the end of this month, we will switching to only selling online through our online shop and the last day our physical shop at 15 Silver Street, Wellingborough will be open is Saturday 25th June. After that, we'll still be able to get you all your favourite pieces, it will just be delivered to your door instead!

Because of this, we are having a massive sale as a big thank you to our customers. The sale is on both in store and online, and includes clothes by Death Kitty, Max C, Monsalina Chic, Worn Free, Spiral Direct, and even this season's Yumi. It also includes Temporary:Secretary jewellery, our ethically traded accessories and homeware, Smashing Glass glassware, and Stargazer hair dyes and false lashes. Some items have more than 50% off their original retail price!

Thank you to all of our in-store customers for all their support, and we hope we can still help you look unique via our online shop. In the meantime, enjoy the bargains!

Some of our bargains are below:

Death Kitty skirts only £10 and jeans from £12.

Lots of reductions on our ethically traded products.

All Iska dresses reduced to only £15.

Reductions on all our Max C pieces, with some less than half price!

All Monsalina Chic dresses £20 or less!

All Spiral Direct pieces are now £20 or less too.

Our Stargazer hair dyes and false lashes have been reduced.

All of our Temporary:Secretary jewellery is in the sale.

All Worn Free t-shirts are now only £20!

Up to £25 off this season's Yumi clothing.

Also, in store there are reductions on our Smashing Glass glassware, ethically traded kimonos, Wildcat body jewellery, and a pair of Dr Marten 8-Eye boots in Purple, size 9, for only £50!

Pick Of The Day today is this Max C Low-Waisted Bow Dress, RRP £42 but now only £19 in our clearance sale! It's a great summer bargain! Made from lightweight material, with pale pink and black polka dot around the sleeves, neckline and on the decorative bow, the drop-waist makes it very flattering. It's also got big pockets for your sunglasses and bits!

Have a great weekend!

Kat

Now Playing In The Shop: Lights Out - Easyworld

God Save The Queen

Morning,

Hope you all had a great long weekend. We are back open as normal from today and all orders placed over the bank holiday have now been packaged up and will be sent out later today.

We headed up north (okay, not that far north) to Derbyshire and had a chilled out weekend. We can definitely recommend Old Poets Corner in Ashover as a pub to check out!

Pick Of The Day today are these iconic Dr Marten 8417 Union Jack Boot, £95.00. They are classic black 8-eye DM boots with a Union Jack print on the toe. Bright and bold, these are great for the old school punk look or suedeheads. We love our Dr Martens and everyone should own at least one pair of the 8-eyes.

Have a good (short) week!

Kat

Now Playing In The Shop: Tonite It Shows - Mercury Rev

I Got The Blues

Morning,

Hope you all had a good weekend! We were dancing about to post-mods The Francis Jetty at Retro-Beat and very good it was too. Hope you kept your copy of yesterday's Evening Telegraph as well for 10% off Yumi in store with our advert.

We did have a bit of a hiccup with the online shop overnight. We have received orders through, so don't think there was any problem there and it's all back up and running now. But still, if you placed an order and you'd like us to double check, just get in touch using the contact information on our online shop.

We've been browsing through the new Dr Martens catalogue for AW11. There's some fantastic new lines in there, including a few vegan styles. Very excited! Personally, I'm loving their new Mary Janes with interchangeable bows.

Pick Of The Day today are these cute handmade Irene Mosedale Pink & Blue Wooden Bracelets, £8.00. Each one is different, and they're made from a selection of wooden, metallic and plastic beads. Perfect for decorating your wrists now it's warm enough to have your arms out!

Happy Tuesday! Off to pack up last night's internet orders!

Kat

Now Playing In The Shop: A Little Soul - Pulp

All White

Morning,

We've just seen the fantastic new advert that we'll be running in the Spree section of the Northants Evening Telegraph on Monday. If you're in the area, make sure you grab a copy of it to claim 10% off all Yumi clothing.

Can't believe it's Friday already! Looking forward to watching The Francis Jetty playing live at Retro-Beat tomorrow night! Anyone else going to any good gigs this weekend? Do give us your recommendations (or reviews, we like reviews!).

Plans for today? Well, we've just changed the window display (it now features the Yumi Marina dress in navy, and the Yumi Yaura Leopard Tunic Dress in mauve). Hopefully got some customers coming back to have a look at our range of Special Evening prom dresses, then might even sneak in a bit of reading to finish off Kate Atkinson's Case Histories. And of course, if you're popping in or ordering online, I'll be making sure we do our best to help! Always the priority, that one!


Anyway, on to our Pick Of The Day which is these Dr Martens 1460 8-Eye Boots in White Patent. They look great with little Summer dresses and a tan, or they're perfect for a bit of customisation if you're feeling brave (if not, we recommend replacing the laces with ribbon in any colour you choose, for a bit of contrasting girliness!). We have a small selection of Dr Martens on our online shop, but you can browse the full catalogue in store, or just e-mail or telephone to ask if you're after something in particular. We usually only have a pair or two in stock, and get each pair in to order, so as soon as you let us know what you want, we contact Dr Martens (conveniently located just down the road!) and will let you know straight away if there's going to be any delay. We really do love our Dr Martens here!

Have a great Friday! Almost the weekend!

Kat

Now Playing In The Shop: Just Fine - Mary J Blige

An Eye For An Eye

Morning,

I've declared Winter over and bought out my pink Raybans. That's the official sign of Spring. :)

Going to be doing some price reductions later, so keep your eyes open for those!

Yesterday I finished reading Kate Atkinson's Started Early, Took My Dog. I'd not read any of her books before, and it was quite an interesting novel, if not particularly earth-shattering. Might give some of her other books a go. Bit of a holiday read, if you're going away this Summer. I have now started on The Last Of The Hippies by CJ Stone that our photographer Brian has loaned to me.

Today's Pick Of The Day is one of the most distinctive types of Dr Marten available. If you really love them, say it loud and proud with these Dr Marten 1B60 20-Eye Zip Boots in Cherry Red, £120.00 (also available in black). They have a zip on the inside leg so you won't spend forever getting in and out of them, as well! These look especially awesome with one of our Death Kitty skirts!

Have a great day. Almost Friday!

Kat

Now Playing In The Shop: The Devil Walks In The Sand - The Cooper Temple Clause

Bruise Violet

Morning,

We're celebrating the first bit of almost warm weather by having the door of the shop open. Except our side of the street isn't getting any sunshine so I'm a bit chilly and I'd forgotten how noisy the traffic was. Dealt with all those though by putting on a cardigan and turning the stereo up!

The improvement in the weather seems to be pushing you all towards our Yumi gear, with the Ormanda Floral Lace Skirt and Xaviera Parrot Sun Dress proving very popular this week. But let's not count our summer chickens before they're roasted, so we've knocked £10 off our Yumi Malin Blazer as well, because it's always best to take a jacket, just to be on the safe side (I sound like my mother!).

Pick Of The Day today are these Dr Marten 1460 8-Eye Boots in Purple, £85.00. We currently have a pair of size 9's in our window and they are even more lovely IRL than in the photo. Dr Martens are really coming back into style at the moment, and look especially great with little summer floral dresses and skirts, or peaking out discreetly from under a maxi dress. I'll admit, I'm a bit of a DM collector, and I find they are fantastic for lasting for ages and looking awesome season after season.

Have a great day and see you tomorrow.

Kat

Now Playing In The Shop: Antimatter (Hip Hop Mix) - Tricky

Tartan Army

Morning,

Hope you all had a good weekend. We have now heard that the patent Dr Martens that we've been waiting on are now due in around 15th April. We apologise for the delay to those who have them pre-ordered. For those who don't and who fancy a pair, the quicker you get your order in, the more likely we are to get it to you in the size and colour you want quickly. So why not treat yourself this spring?

We had local band The Liabilities in on Saturday to do a shoot with our photographer, Brian Chapman. It was the usual carnage associated with those lot (I keep finding random scarves and jackets upstairs now). If you're in the Northampton area on Friday, they're playing at the Avenue campus Student Union.

Pick Of The Day today is this perfectly punky Death Kitty Purple Tartan Skirt, £15.00 (we also have a few left of the red tartan version). It has a black net tutu trim at the bottom, and the Death Kitty logo safety pinned on the front, for added effect. It's a really fun little skirt, and looks great with leggings or over trousers (or be daring and just bare legs, if the weather's getting warmer!).

Spring has sprung!

Kat

Now Playing In The Shop: To Deserve You - Deja Vu feat Tasmin

Parroting On

Morning,

It's Saturday! Admittedly, feeling a bit tired today (not sure why) but we're here to help you look and feel your best!

Going to change the window display later. Always enjoy doing my stylist bit! Going to put some more of our Yumi pieces on the female mannequins, and have a great pair of Dr Martens 8-Eye boots in Purple to put on display as well (they were from a cancelled order, so if anyone's a size 9, give these a try!).

Pete's in the corner designing the poster for the next Retro-Beat at the Horseshoe Inn, and our photographer Brian is coming in later to do his thing in the Unorthodox studio upstairs. So if you're in town today, pop in and say hello!


Pick Of The Day is this Yumi Xaviera Parrot Sun Dress, £50.00, that went up on our online shop yesterday. It's available in black, navy or beige, and has a contrasting coloured print of exotic flowers and parrots, both front and back. The neckline is decorated with coloured beads, and it has a very elegant cross-strap back. It's a lovely piece for your summer wardrobe, and our customers have already been having dilemmas over which colour they prefer (I would always recommend buying all three, but then I would say that!). I think it's really typical of Yumi's style, with the colourful print and simple lines, so if you're a fan of the label, this is a must-have.

Have a great weekend!

Kat

Now Playing In The Shop: Turnip Farm - Dinosaur Jr

Cameo Like A Bomb

Morning,

Hope you all had a good weekend. Today is both International Women's Day and Pancake Day. International Women's Day is about highlighting the causes of equality and women's rights, and the people who fight for them. To celebrate, we're giving away a Barry M Dazzle Dust with every order of Yumi clothing received today. And Pancake Day? Well, whilst it has religious roots, for a lot of us, it's about eating pancakes! I have the utmost admiration for anyone who can flip them in a frying pan, because I can't!

The Dr Martens we have had on backorder are gradually starting to come through, so if you've had your eyes on some, now is the time to get your order in to ensure you get the ones you want!

We've been at the books again. I reckon I'm going to finish Graham Greene's Our Man In Havana today and get started on Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky. Anyone got any recommendations for our Unorthodox library?


Today's Pick Of The Day is one of our Spring/Summer 2011 favourites. This is the Meila Lace Tea Dress by Yumi. It's available in grey, black or navy (yes, it is a purple-y kinda navy, we noticed that too). It's vintage look is very on trend and is enhanced by the cameo brooch that comes with it. The waistband is elasticated as well, for better fitting and a flattering shape (great for girls with curves, this one), and means you can fit in another pancake later! This is an absolutely classic dress and a must-have!

View and choose your Yumi Meila Lace Tea Dress on our online shop here.

Have a good day, whether yours is about women's rights or pancakes (I'm a fan of both).

Kat

Now Playing In The Shop: Never Think - Rob Pattinson

Baby Blue

Morning,

Forgot to say yesterday, did you see our advert in the Spree section of the Northants Evening Telegraph on Monday? Right next to the piece on Hello Kitty. So it might be worth remembering we have fantastic Hello Kitty rings and earrings in the Temporary:Secretary section of our online shop!

Busy day yesterday, with lots of the Smashing Glass going out. The sale is still on and there are some real bargains to be had, especially among the Max C and Worn Free pieces. Have you had a look yet?

Sadly, we've now removed the Dr Marten New Authentic Zip Wedge boots from our online shop as these are no longer available in the colours we stock, although apparently they are still doing them in black, brown and red, so if you're interested, get in touch and we can put in a special order for you. We're also still waiting on the patent 8-Eye boots to come in, hopefully end of March/beginning April, so those who have ordered them, thank you for your patience! And if you've had your eye on some, get your order in quick, so we can guarantee you a pair in the colour and size you want.



Pick Of The Day is this gorgeous navy blue with cream trim Max C dress. It was originally £40 but is now in the sale for £25! It's a lovely light dress, perfect for spring, when the nautical look is back yet again. It also reminds us of Alice In Wonderland, and we think it looks great with the Temporary:Secretary Alice In Wonderland Charm Necklace. Because this is now a sale item (and has been much loved and admired!) we only have the dress in stock in limited sizes and numbers, but hopefully we'll have yours!

View the Max C Bow Button Ruffle Sleeve Dress on our online shop.

View the Temporary:Secretary Alice In Wonderland Charm Necklace on our online shop.

Have a good day!

Kat

Now Playing In The Shop: Rose Garden - Shad

Shadowplay

Morning,

I've been doing a bit of New Years trendspotting this month, and I've noticed the following things seem to be getting really popular... Dr Martens in Cherry Red (especially 10 and 14 eyelet ones), all patent Dr Martens (which we can't get in stock for love nor money until around March, I'm afraid), ginger and auburn tinged Stargazer hair dyes, Irene Mosedale beaded necklaces and bracelets, and our Monsalina Chic dresses are getting loads of attention! Remember, most of our accessories and clothes are available in limited numbers only, so if you love it, make it yours (especially with the sale on!).

The biggest pile of post just arrived, so it's going to be a brief one today, and I'm going to crack on with our Pick Of The Day...

Something for the guys today (or girls who like their shorts baggy, I suppose). These Spiral Direct shorts have the fantastic Shadow Skull print front and back. They're great quality, and perfect for when the warmer weather hits. Plus, they're now in our sale with a tenner off!

View the Spiral Direct Shadow Skull Shorts on our online shop.

Right, off to tackle the post mountain. Have a good day!

Kat

Now Playing In The Shop: I Promised Myself - Nick Kamen

Back In Black

Morning

It's the start of another week. Hope everyone had a good weekend. Remember, our sale is still on so grab yourself a bargain, quick! We also have our new Smashing Glass pieces in, and the ones that are suitable for mail order will be going on the online shop ASAP.


Pick Of The Day today are these iconic and essential Dr Marten 1460 8-Eye boots in black. If you don't have a pair of basic black DM's, you really need some! They go with everything, we reckon (and look especially great with floaty floral spring dresses on the girls). Available in sizes 3 to 15, there's no excuse!

Dr Martens Iconic 1460 8-Eye Boot in Black on the Unorthodox online shop.

Have a great day!

Kat

Now Playing In The Shop: The Beat Goes On - Britney Spears

You Make Me Want To Drink Bleach

Morning,

Had a great weekend. Thanks to all our customers, both in store and online.

For our Xmas opening times we've added some extra hours in the run up, and will be open every day until Xmas:
As normal except
Sunday 19th: 10am - 4pm
Monday 20th: 9am - 5.30pm
Xmas Eve: 9am - 6.30pm

We will then be closed Xmas Day and reopen on Wednesday 29th.

Next, some news on our Dr Martens. The Patent 8-Eye boots are out of stock until March (with the Cherry Red Patent having been discontinued). These can still be ordered now to ensure you get them, but we will contact everyone who orders them to make sure they are ok with the later than usual delivery date.

Our new Monsalina Chic dresses are due in this week (and maybe some RedRock Fashion pieces too) so if you've not got all your presents and party gear ready yet, keep your eyes open for those.



Pick Of The Day today is this RedRock Fashion Bleach-Out Tunic Vest. Brown with a bleached pattern (like tie-dye, but with balls), this is a very flattering and versatile top. RedRock are a Northampton based up-and-coming label, and has already got the attention of the Skins cast after their very successful London show a few months back. We love their pieces and their attitude, so make sure you grab yourself one of their pieces before they become very famous and expensive. :)

RedRock Fashion Bleach-Out Tunic Vest on www.unorthodoxshop.com.

Have a great week! As we're open every day until Xmas, you'll be hearing a lot more from me!

Kat

Now Playing In The Shop: Cold - Absence Of Faith

Cherry Cherry

Morning,

Getting started on our Xmas card writing today, and hopefully going to make it out later to stock up on Xmas decorations to make the shop all pretty.

Like our glassware? Well Smashing Glass by Dorne Boddington is featuring in an exhibition at The Castle arts centre in Wellingborough throughout December, so if you're about, pop in and marvel!

We had our first celebrity spotting today. Ok, well it was the actor who played Sam in Neighbours and Lachy in Home & Away in the early 90s, and he is in panto in Wellingborough so not that shocking, but still, he walked past this morning. I tried not to stare. That's made my week.

New arrivals yesterday included Stargazer Glitter Shakers (including UV ones), Stargazer Neon Gel Colour wash-out UV hair colour, Barry M Instant Nail Effects, Barry M Liquid Eyeliner in Pink, and new Barry M Dazzle Dust colour N0.102 Burgundy Noir. They're all up on the online shop as well. Also, the Glitter Shakers and Neon Gel Colours will be available behind the bar in the Horseshoe Inn down the road from the weekend, so if you get halfway through your night out and think it's missing something, you can sort it then and there!

Pick Of The Day are perfect for this weather if you want to keep warm and stay on your feet! These are the Dr Martens 1460 8-Eye Boot in Cherry Red, possibly the most iconic DMs ever. If you've never had a pair of Cherry Reds, or you have but they've gone to the DM box in the sky (and it takes a lot before you have to retire a pair of Dr Martens!), now is the time to grab them. We sell them at the RRP, which means it's usually the same as buying them from Dr Martens themselves, but be warned, that RRP is being raised in January, so get in quick to get them at these prices!

Dr Marten 1460 8-Eye Boot in Cherry Red on www.unorthodoxshop.com.

Feeling festive yet?

Kat

Now Playing In The Shop: Clint Eastwood - Shawn Lee's Ping Pong Orchestra

Pretty In Purple

Morning

Not loving the cold today!

Pick Of The Day are these gorgeous purple Dr Martens. These are the 1460 8-Eye, possible the most famous and classic of the DM boots. Purple is a key colour for Autumn/Winter this year, although it's always one of my favourites! It just makes them that little bit different without being ostentatious. These have the Smooth finish, although we also have the DM Purple Shimmer boots on our website as well, which have more of a metallic sheen.


Dr Martens 1460 8-Eye Boot in Purple on www.unorthodoxshop.com.

Stay warm!

Kat

Now Playing In The Shop: Crush - Jennifer Paige

Shake Baby Shake

Morning,

Saturday has rolled round again! Hope everyone had a good bonfire night/diwali (either way, fireworks!).

Got my Dr Martens on today. Perfect for Autumn/Winter, and if you haven't had a look through the Spring/Summer 2011 catalogue in store yet, do! They have some gorgeous new lines, including their new Diva range. A selection of Dr Martens are also available on the online shop, but if you don't see what you want, just send us a message and we'll let you know if we can get them for you and the best price.

Pick Of The Day today are these cute little Glitter Shaker Pots from Barry M. They're great for adding a bit of added sparkle to your body or outfit, or take them out with you and share the shininess! Perfect for the festive season. As with all our Barry M products, we stick to the recommended retail price, so you don't pay any more to buy from us than you would at most large retailers or from Barry M themselves (barring special offers, we can't keep track of everything!). You do, however, get the warm fuzzy glow of supporting independent retailers and our undying love. :)

Barry M Glitter Shaker Pots on www.unorthodoxshop.com.

Have a great weekend! Catch you on Tuesday.

Kat

Now Playing In The Shop: (Tapping) The Source - CocoSuma

Peacock Strut

Morning,

Added some more reductions to the sale yesterday on our Iska dresses, so if you pop in the shop or check out the online shop, look out for those!

Pick Of The Day today are these Dr Marten New Authentic Wedge Calf Boots in Peacock Broadway. New on our online shop this morning, we also have a pair in store for those who want to look them over (or try them on if size 7 is close to what you take). These are perfect for Autumn and Winter, and are the ultimate boots of their style. The lush peacock colour is fantastic, and they're made in DM's Broadway finish, which is a full-grain leather with a soft comfortable feel. Personally, as a bit on the short side, I'm not someone who goes for flats, but I really did find these so comfy, so I recommend you give them a go.

Dr Martens New Authentic Wedge Calf Boots in Peacock Broadway on www.unorthodoxshop.com.

Have a great Halloween!

Kat

Now Playing In The Shop: Treat Me Like Your Mother - The Dead Weather

Farewell To Summer

Morning,

Exciting week coming up... we now have RedRock Fashion back in stock (see more on our Pick Of The Day), we have the new Dr Martens Spring/Summer 2011 catalogue in (now taking orders), a new canvas on the wall from local photographer Clive Wagner, and our gift vouchers are now available as well.

Pick Of The Day is this RedRock Fashion Asymmetric Multi-Coloured Beaded Cropped Tee. We now have these in both red and yellow. Yes, I know the weather is getting cooler but consider the following a) It looks just as good layered, b) It's summer in Australia and plenty of other places we ship to, c) You may want to start stock-piling this for next summer!

RedRock Fashion Asymmetric Multi-Coloured Beaded Cropped Tee on www.unorthodoxshop.com.

Hope you're having a good day!

Kat

Now Playing In The Shop: Who Do You Think You Are? - Spice Girls

Shiny Leather

Morning

Got some new pieces going up on the online shop today for you to look out for. We have some purses and make-up rolls, all hand-made by D'n'J, as well as the first of our gorgeous accessories by Irene Mosedale. It's the pink and blue beaded bracelets going up today so keep your eyes open for those!

Pick Of The Day today are these gorgeous Dr Marten 1460 8-Eye boots in Patent Black. The patent gives the leather a PVC look, and glams up the classic black 8 eyelet boot. Available in other colours on the Dr Marten section of the online shop, these ones are available in UK sizes 3 to 9, and we have them priced at the RRP of £75.00. You can either order them online, or pop in the shop for details.

Dr Martens Modern Classics 1460 8-Eye Boot in Black Patent on www.unorthodoxshop.com.

Have a good day!

Kat

Now Playing In The Shop: Deepest Blue (Lee Cabrera Remix) - Deepest Blue

High Times

Morning,

As promised, here is the article from Saturday's Evening Telegraph. Cheesy, but no harm in a little publicity!


I'll let you in on a little secret... I think I feel a sale coming on. Shh, I'll tell you more tomorrow.

Anyway, for now, it's Pick Of The Day time.

Pick Of The Day today (once again, tying in with This Is England '86 being on tonight) are these Dr Marten Modern Classics 1B60 20-Eye Zip Boot in Black Smooth. Possibly the most perfect and iconic knee-high boots about this Autumn/Winter, and the usual awesome DM quality. These have 20-eyelets to lace up, as well as a zip fastening (because life is too short). At £120, they're really worth every penny, and hopefully will keep you marching happily for many Autumns to come. They are available in sizes 3 to 9, and are also available in Cherry Red Smooth in the Dr Martens section of the site. If you are local to the shop, pop in to discuss ordering a pair, and browse the full catalogue.

Click here to check out and buy the Dr Marten Modern Classics 1B60 20-Eye Zip Boot in Black.

Have a good day!

Kat

Now Playing In The Shop: Lies - McFly