Watch this Space

Okay, I’ll admit it: I’m in a complete watch rut. After chopping and changing between various chunky Baby-Gs and funky Swatches in my younger years, a while ago I invested in a gorgeous tortoiseshell Michael Kors number with a chocolaty pearlised face and discreet ‘diamonds.’ I’m a brunette so it goes with everything I wear. It also has a strong whiff of leopard print about it, which I tend to enjoy. As a result of this, I have not felt the need to chop and change between timepieces. Until now.

When I first saw Abbott Lyon watches, I got so excited! They are so sleek and polished-looking. They also, in my opinion, look far more expensive than their starting RRP pricetag of £119 would suggest.

Abbott Lyon is a British brand and the company prides themselves on simple, handcrafted, stylish watches. They’ve become something of a favourite with British celebs, especially the Made in Chelsea set.

So I’m definitely getting one but which to go for? I love the Hermes-like orange and white combo of this one but then this one’s candy pink strap is great for the summer. Maybe I’ll get two – it’s nearly my birthday after all. Which will you choose?

Have a browse at www.abbottlyon.com

Love how classic this one looks

This would go with everything

And this is so summery and fun!

Clerkenwell Design Week 2015

Every year Clerkenwell is transformed into a humming hive of design. I was invited for a tour of the major sites and enjoyed seeing some of the clever furniture, interesting fabrics and bold installations. I could waffle on for ages about angles and post-modernism (sigh) for a while, or I could just show you some pretty pictures. Here you go:

I loved this cool installation, 'Glaze' by Cousins & Cousins in partnership with Gx glass. It was inspired by Venetian Murano glass

So pretty and colourful!

There were several sites around Clerkenwell that you could go and see - bit like a design-y treasure hunt of joy

Cool

Monotype put on an outdoor exhibition which "celebrated the way type design permeates and enhances our world." It looked really interesting... 

...And you can use the first letter of your name as your profile pic - yay!

This was where that was

Love this bear by Jimbobart

Drippy

Triangles - nice

Want if I ever own a house

Ditto

Loves me a bit of macrame

Wish I was allowed more cushions in my house - they get in the way, apparently 

I'm not allowed to draw on the walls either

Cute

Sponsored by Renault so there were cars there

This light was amazing

If you want your house to look like a circus

Or if you want your house to look like a garden from the inside

so colourful! Nice one Johnson's tiles

Things like this surrounded Clerkenwell, kind of like a Roman city

Such gorgeous folders and press info

Got such a thing about palms at the moment

Talking about perspex brains, probably

Find out more about Clerkenwell Design Week here: www.clerkenwelldesignweek.com

Hackett and Williams cross the starting line

It isn’t every day you get the chance to race a F1 star - when it comes along, you have to grab the steering wheel with both hands.

Last week, Hackett and Williams hosted an event to celebrate their partnership ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix. Driver Valtteri Bottas set a lap time on a driving simulator and guests were invited to try and beat it.

It was a lovely opportunity to see Hackett’s latest collection and some of the unique pieces created to celebrate the partnership.

The event itself was typically glam with delicious cocktails and canapés. Guests included Susie Wolff, Claire Williams, former motorsport team boss and racing car driver Freddie Hunt.

‘Motorsport has been a part of the Hackett DNA for many years now and the prospect of working with one of the giants of F1 sends shivers up and down my spine. The Martini racing stripe has always been heralded as a marque of prestige and luxury and it seemed only natural for Hackett to style the team for the new season. I also noticed that Hackett was founded the same time Williams won its first World Championship...an omen, if ever there was one!’ – Jeremy Hackett.

www.hackett.com

The first of many tasty cocktails

Bottas takes the wheel

Neil meets a hero

Interesting interiors in the Hackett shop on Regent Street

Lovely suits

Bottas and a magician

Love these accessories...

...although I look a bit scared wearing them!

Neil meets Claire Williams

Hip to be square

A neon driving track

Sshhh, I don't really drive...