Thursday 28 May 2015

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!

Friday 22 May 2015

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


Wednesday 20 May 2015

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.





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...