Silly Fun

I don’t know about you, but I find occasion dressing can get far too serious sometimes; should my lipstick match the dress? Can I get away with a wedge that size when I’m a) dancing a Ceilidh b) tramping through a field or c) walking on wonky tent terrain? Will I be cold?

Enough already. Sometimes you need a good old palette cleanser to take the edge off. In this case, a pair of fluffy marabou earrings. I fell in love with these as soon as I saw them on ASOS. What’s not to adore? They’re pale pink, silky and silly. When you put them on, your face looks softer, somehow.

They’re a bit sexy, too, like hanging Agent Provocateur slippers from your lobes, but much, much lighter. Admittedly, I was all geared up to wear them for my friend Ruth’s wedding last weekend, but I chickened out last minute. But with all the barbecues, birthdays, engagement parties and (more!) weddings on the horizon, it’s only a matter of time before I crack out what can only be described as the silliest accessory of the summer. You, reader, will be the first to see them in action.

These earrings are but £8 from River Island

The final outfit. My dress is by Emily & Fin

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!

Monki Business

Monki helped me remember there was life after a four-day weekend by throwing a wonderful party on Wednesday night. Celebrating their new and improved store at 37 Carnaby Street, music was provided by Mapei and the Braid Bar were busy plaiting everyone’s hair into designs so elaborate that ‘watch You Tube braiding tutorials’ is now top of my to-do list this weekend. Monki is always a great spot for on-trend, fun pieces and pretty good for basics too – I love my high-waisted Monki jeans so much - I just realised I wore every day this week. There were several pieces from their new collection that caught my eye (khaki pleated skirt, floaty, 70’s style yellow kaftan) but the party was pumping so hard that I thought it would be best to go back another time to do a proper shop. That’s number 2 on the weekend plan.  

www.monki.com 

“Fashion is not fashion without legs”

Slip on a great pair of tights and you’ll transform your outfit and your mood at the same time. Jonathan Aston tights have been around since the mid sixties and are known for working with fabulous designers such as Mark Fast.

Jonathan Aston is celebrating its 50^th Anniversary with another amazing collaboration. British design legends Celia Birtwell and Zandra Rhodes have both designed collections for the hosiery specialists. I ran along to my favourite traditional restaurant Kettner’s to find out more. The hosiery designs from both designers are fantastic; they perfectly capture the prints and colours each woman is famous for.

Celia Birtwell said: “Jonathan Aston burst onto the scene at the same time as Ossie and myself started working together so it was a pleasure to be asked to celebrate Jonathan Aston’s 50^th Anniversary.”

It was very exciting to meet the inspirational Zandra Rhodes, who said she had really enjoyed working on the collaboration. She has been a design hero of mine for a while, and it was really exciting to be taken through the tights installation by the designer herself. Zandra said:

“Fashion is not fashion without legs! The collection uses all my very special classic textiles and patterns – from peacock feathers and wiggles to chains with safety pins from my iconic punk collection of the 70’s.”

www.jonathanaston.com

Zandra with a leggy model! It's important to coordinate

Celia Birtwell's collection moodboard

And the collection itself

A piece by Zandra Rhodes

Loved these peacock tights!

And socks

And this

I met my hero!

Super Shop

I went along to the flagship Superdry shop on Regent Street last week, for the exciting launch of their ‘Premium Lounge’. 

The event was hotly anticipated and it was packed to the rafters with cool revelers and international press. We munched very tasty canapés and swigged, well, whatever we could get our hands on to be honest. Mostly Bellinis.  

The Premium space is now up and running with monogramming, basic tailoring and personal shopping appointments all available.  There were some exciting collaboration between Superdry and Timothy Everest, Cheaney and more!

The Regent Street Superdry is well worth a visit; traditional Superdry gear (logo tees, cargo styling) is now punctuated with some very chic items indeed. I spotted a gorgeous beige leather jacket in Stylist this morning and there were quite a few ‘ooh, I really want that’ moments on the night. 

Visit Superdry Premium Lounge: LG, 103-113 Regent Street. W1

Book a personal shopping appointment: +44 (0) 207 440 5111

Trolley Dash

When I lived in Belgium, buying clothes in super or hypermarkets was as normal as having moules and frites for tea. Although supermarket clothing lines have been around in Britain for a while, they have really started upping their game of late. It’s not unusual to see pieces from George at Asda, F&F at Tescos and Tu at Sainsburys in the press.

Tu had their AW14 press day recently and the offering was really quite impressive. Leopard print shifts, pleather pencil skirts and boxy, structured tops were chic and sophisticated; I have my eye on a marl-y cocoon coat and there were a lovely pair of over-the-knee riding boots on display too. Menswear was similarly impressive; I couldn't believe the quality for the price. The shirts wouldn't have looked out of place in Ben Sherman or Ted Baker. It’s clear that this is going to be one successful rebrand.

Chic, inexpensive style in the same place as your grocery essentials? Who'd have thought it?

www.sainsburys-live-well-for-less.co.uk