CUMBERLAND-NEWS.CO.UK/ME
Stepping out in
Cupid's arrows
spring
Forget the chill factor and go for the wow factor, says
Sarah Newstead as she hears from loved-up Me models
T
he course of love runs
true for February's ME
models, Louise Mitchell
and Jenni Collins.
Ladette Louise, 20, is a
darts-playing Carlisle
lassie with a penchant for
impromptu arm wrestling.
But that didn't get in the way of
her setting up home with
boyfriend of two years, Andrew
Dobie. Even if the way they met
was less hearts and flowers, more
cigarettes and alcohol.
"We met in a club in Carlisle.
I've never told him this but I went
over that night because I'd run out
of money and I wanted a drink!"
But love blossomed and Louise
and self-employed window cleaner
Andy, 26, bought a house together
in New Harraby last year.
It's their shared interests that
keep them close according to
Louise, a documentation engineer
at Carlisle's Bendalls Engineering.
"We're both really interested in
health and fitness. Plus of course
we're both very good at drinking
and arm wrestling."
Louise, who plays for the darts
team of Hayton pub, The Stone
Rise, is more than a match for any
feller. "There was this bloke in the
pub and he was showing off his
biceps. So I challenged him to an
arm wrestle. Before we knew it,
Andy and I had a queue of people
waiting to wrestle us!"
Photography student Jenni, 19,
has a love story with the "ahh"
factor after six years together with
her childhood sweetheart.
Jenni and Colin Sowerby, 24, met
in their home town of Alston.
"I thought he spoke like a proper
country bumpkin! He was really
fun to be around � he still is.
"It still feels like it did when we
first met."
Jenni and Colin, who works as a
pattern maker at an Alston factory,
are hoping to set up a photography
business when Jenni graduates
from the University of Cumbria.
She added: "We both support
each other in whatever choices we
make and basically just enjoy been
around each other. I wouldn't
change him for the world!"
Louise (brunette) wears: white scarf, House of Fraser, �25; green dress,
Therapy, �30; blue coat, Therapy, �80. Grey beret, Linea, �17. Blue floral dress,
Untold, �70; red cardigan, Untold, �45. Jenni (blonde) wears: red and black
dress, Therapy, �30; red coat, Therapy, �60. Purple and black dress, Therapy,
�30; purple scarf, Therapy �10; black hat, Linea, �13.
N
e'er cast a clout till May be
out � or hang onto your
woollies because the chill is
set to last. But if, like ME,
you're tired of trooping out
the trousers and yearning
the optimism of a pretty frock, try out
hion's new take on countryside chic.
Channelling Keira Knightley and
enna Miller in love story, The Edge of
ve, ME models Jenni and Louise
owed off a fresh twist on 1940s day
ar with plenty of layering. The idea is
pair a floral or patterned tea dress
th a chunky knit and snuggly
cessories. The look is pretty, carefree
d flirty and with a nod to rural
stures with natural, homespun fabrics
ntrasting with bright chiffons.
A long cardigan in a neutral shade of
ey, navy, cream or taupe will work with
enty of dress colours and patterns and
n prove to be a great investment. A
eat coat with a spot of military
tailing will see you through the
remains of winter and into spring,
picking up on the new nautical styling on
the high street come Easter.
Tea dresses are still a strong contender
in spring collections having been a
fashion favourite for several seasons. Go
for a larger floral, ditsy or geometric
prints � the choice is yours. Tiny pearl
button detailing is a winner and peplum
frills at waists give an authentic 1940s feel.
ME took the green wellington boot
onto fashion turf for our shoot. But if you
can't forgive the green wellie for its
farming affinities, try a tan or brown
leather riding-style boot instead.
There's no need to keep your legs
under wraps if you master a bit of
layering and mix up fabric textures like
silk and wool. Fashion is having a rare
practical moment with leg warmers and
cosy socks peeping over the top of boots
to complete the look.
To ward off chilly winds, give a beret,
flat cap or peaked bobble hat a whirl for
extra warmth.
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