All set for Christmas? Made your lists yet? Last year Locher launched a competition called Bad Santa. It was so successful that they’re running it for a second year. Here’s how it works. Instead of writing about how good you were this year, Evil Santa (aka Locher) wants to know how bad you’ve been. That’s right. He wants to know about all your naughty deeds and dirty dealings.

Email your letters to badsanta@lochers.com to be in with a chance of winning. The best letters will be posted anonymously on the Locher Facebook fan page and the letters to get the most “Facebook likes” will be the winners. Ten lucky people will have the opportunity to receive anything they want from the Locher store (with the exception of the new limited edition iPhone cases).

Letters can be emailed up to 20th December. Winners will be announced on 22nd December.

Here’s a little taster of what’s up for grabs.

Time for a another ‘Day in the Life of’. This time we follow Chrissie King - milliner, mother, wife, shop owner and champion juggler.

Getting Up

My day starts when my 3 year old shouts, “Mummy I want you”. Normally this is around 7am. Breakfast is sat at the kitchen table with Daddy. Then it’s dog walking and getting organised for starting work. Thank God for Ceebeebies! Currently ‘Timmy Time’ saves the day or Morning!

My Commute

I have one flight of stairs from bedroom to kitchen and another fight of stairs from kitchen to shop. Yes I live above the shop which is great while Alice is little but I am never away from work and you will find me regularly ON DUTY at the sewing machine at 1am. Catching up.

Work is very busy. My shop can be quiet or really busy and you never know what it will be like from day to day. I am open Tues to Sunday so there’s never a dull moment.

I have a constant stream of bespoke orders so clients bring in many types of outfits for functions, all needing me to make something fabulous for their head.

The shop needs plenty of varied pieces and I also stock a nice sprinkling of accessories, so I am always searching for wonderful fabrics to get my scissors in to.

I have had my share of celebs through the door and hats etc. are taken all over the place. One off to Buckingham Palace tomorrow.

This week I have a new stockist in another part of Yorkshire at a lovely boutique so that’s great news.

And of course not forgetting blogging, Tweeting and Etysing!

Lunch

Lunch is now about 12 as my munchkin is off to nursery at 1. Prior to this it would’ve been anytime.
Hebden has some great cafes but alas I don’t get to have lunch unless it’s a delivery.

Being a Mummy

At 5 I lock up and then it’s being a mummy until about 8pm when peace reins and I get back to work, like writing this guest blog. But hey a busy life is a good life as they say.

It’s great to be self employed and I wouldn’t change it but sometimes I do feel as though I’m the juggler who has thrown all the balls in the air and caught none of them. Keep Practising Chrissie!!

Check out Chrissie’s website at www.hattherapy.co.uk, read her blog at www.thelittlehatshop.blogspot.com and shop at www.hattherapy.etsy.com.

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Thank you Chrissie.

If you’re an independent designer / maker / crafter or work within the creative sector and would like to write a ‘Day in the Life of’ article for us, please get in touch at info [at] indiequater [dot] com.

I love Anna Pitchouguina’s traffic stopping outfits and sexy lingerie. And of course her dramatic styling and photography.

Dresses are Anna’s thing and she designs with ‘girly romantic ladies’ in mind.

She is a very busy lady, working as an intern for Derek Lam and showing her own collections at a Brooklyn fashion show in two weeks time. Anna is also a finalist in the US ‘Arts of Fashion’ contest. Definitely one to watch!

For more information and great pics visit www.pitchouguina.com.

I love this hat and neck warmer ensemble from Hat Therapy. It’s made from lovely thick cotton and is just perfect for autumn. It’s versatile too - easy to pull on everyday or team with a striking outfit for a city smart look.

British milliner Chrissie King makes all manner of handmade headwear including berets, fascinators, cocktail hats and everydaywear. Her designs have graced most major events including Buckingham Palace garden parties and award ceremonies, Ascot, Henley, and Dubai races.

Oh I long for the days when women never left the house without their hat and gloves. These days I’m lucky if I manage to dry my hair before dashing outside. I say bring back the hat! I wonder if there’s a hashtag for that?

Shop at www.hattherapy.etsy.com.

Penelope Bolkovsky loves the idea that her clothes are worn by women half way across the world. She is based in Sydney and ships internationally. Deliberately never following trends, Penelope produces collections that will stand the test of time. The style and cut of her clothing is inspired by vintage and antique collections. Old movies, a love of 70s and 60s prints and Hollywood glamour have helped develop her style.

Each garment is a unique hand tailored piece of clothing. There are no more than 10 copies per design and many are one-offs.

For more information visit www.penelopered.com. To shop go directly to www.penelopered.etsy.com.

The above pics give a sneak preview of Penelope’s next collection which will launch in September.

To make way for new season stock, the summer sale starts 1st August. All items will be discounted by at least 10% - 20%. Hurry though, the sale ends when stocks run out or by the end of the month.

Now you don’t often associate knitwear with summer. But this pretty, feminine collection from Maggie Cook will keep you cool and comfortable. Made in a range of cotton yarns, the capelets, cardigans, shrugs and scarves provide stylish accessories to everyday and special occasion outfits. They’re light and versatile and make great additions to summer dresses when the sun goes down and you’re still up.

An inspiring and unusual collection with its roots in long English summer days. Think picnics, garden parties and afternoon tea.

For further information and to shop, go to www.maggiecook.co.uk.

It’s Royal Ascot this week and almost as many column inches will be filled with fashion as with talk of horses and racing. This is the week that the hat comes into its own. And it seems that it’s not a time to be conservative.

I caught up with milliner Karen Henriksen to talk about this season’s trends. Like many designers she’s noticed a real interest in ‘individuality overcoming high street blandness’. Small sculpted head-pieces and handmade Windswept panama caps and visors have proved popular with her customers.

Karen is passionate about making millinery relevant and accessible. She uses traditional methods but brings them bang up to date to a new generation of hat wearers. She has worked with some of the most respected millinery companies in London and won the prestigious Hat Designer of Year Award in 2002 while studying at the Royal College of Art.

You can buy direct from http://shop.karenhenriksen.co.uk/shop.php. Bespoke orders are also welcomed.

Now these are pretty. A delicious selection of Liberty prints balanced with bursts of sunshine yellows, apple greens and ribbon reds, all by Nadinoo. The designs are about being comfortable in your own skin and also a wee bit flirty.

Now for a bit of sunshine please.

Shop at www.nadinoo.com.