The Watamu Turtle Pouch Launch and Competition

Last week, Elizabeth Scarlett founder Elizabeth Elsey and I celebrated the launch of our ‘Watamu Turtle Pouch’ at an intimate breakfast in the festively decorated private dining room at Balthazar London in the heart of Covent Garden. 

100% of the profit from our limited edition, intricately embroidered cotton, teal pouches (RRP. £25.00) go directly to the Local Ocean Conservation, a non profit organisation based in my home village of Watamu, back in Kenya.

Local Ocean are committed to the protection of critically endangered and threatened sea turtles and the preservation of Watamu’s spectacular Marine Park and Reserve. Having been lucky enough to help with several of their turtle releases, I can tell you first hand, nothing brings more joy than watching these beautiful beings healthily return back into the wild.

It was so great to see so many of my friends there to support my second ‘Buy To Give’ collaboration, and they all received their own ‘Watamu Turtle Pouch,’ which were filled with some of my other favourite ‘travel essentials,’ spoiling gifts from Jo Malone, Caudalie, Charlotte Tilbury, Spacemasks, ASOS Africa, and Sisley Paris.

Above (L-R):  With Venetia Falconer, Niomi Smart, Rosanna Falconer and Liv Purvis.

Above (L-R):  Nutritionist Zoe Stirling, Make-up artist Charlotte Cowen, presenter Venetia Falconer, and Matthew Williamson's Business Director, Rosanna Falconer.

Above (L-R):  With documentary photographer Freya Dowson, and wellness guru Jasmine Hemsley. 

Watch More Here... 

Watch out for the #TLCComp in the above vlog, for your chance to win your own Watamu Turtle Pouch filled with all my travel favourites (below).

Shop TLC's Look...

Photographs: Moeez Ali

With Thanks to Balthazar London

#TLCComp: Jess Collett Milliner Summer Illustrations

Everyone must know by now that I loves me a Jess Collett felt trilby, rendering me virtually unrecognisable in the Winter months without one firmly affixed to my head. With the London sunshine fiiiinally playing ball and putting its very own hat on, Jess’ summer styles, from her neon, pom pom adorned straw trilbies to her beyond creative, dramatic headpieces, are ready to take centre stage. Whether you have upcoming weddings, races, regattas or are simply heading to the beach, this Notting Hill Mad Hatter has got your back… or, you know, head!

As you may remember I organised a competition to find an illustrator to create some backgrounds for some of Jess’ most event-worthy pieces.  Thank you to every one for your wonderful submissions, I’m thrilled to announce Parisian illustrator Habile Buston has won a Jess Collett made-to-measure summer trilby worth £220.00 after designing these fabulous and vibrant interpretations of my impending summer fun! 

Make Up: Charlotte Cowen
Dresses: Matthew Williamson Archive. 
Photographer: Janie Airey

An Espadrille Workshop with Penelope Chilvers

I still remember the flurry of excitement amongst my school friends upon finding baskets filled with colourful espadrilles outside a cheap as chips boutique when on a daytrip to Paris.  We returned back to England that afternoon a few Francs lighter but feeling infinitely more bohemian and chic.  Many (oh-so-depressingly many!) moons later, high street and designer espadrilles are readily accessible to us all back in Blighty, and the variety of eye-catching colours and designs are now infinite. 

Penelope Chilvers, who’s shoes and commitment to the flat I have long admired, organized an Espadrille Workshop at her Duke Street shop.  An invited group of press were invited throughout the day to meet Penelope, enjoy delicious smoothies from Farm Girl Cafe, and create our own pair of espadrilles. 

With a basket filled of striped, floral and plain coloured canvases, and another filled with multi-coloured velvet and cotton ribbons, we all created unique customised designs which Penelope then had traditionally made up for us in her Spanish workshop.  SUCH a treat!

I was immediately drawn to this multi-coloured, almost Missoni'esq striped canvas, and thought it went really well with this jewel-toned, deep pink velvet ribbon...

At the workshop, Penelope told us the espadrilles she liked the best would go on to be produced in her upcoming SS’17 collection...

I’m really excited to tell you, that the KELLY ESPADRILLES will be hitting the Penelope Chilvers shelves next Summer!  That's right, I WON!!!  Woooooo Hooooo!!!  I shall now been known as, #EspadrellyKelly!

Thank you PC, I love them! xx

If your sun kissed tootsies are looking for some gorgeous espadrilles to wear this summer, Penelope has some other really gorgeous summer must-have espadrilles available HERE.

#TLCCOMP: #MYMV Wishlist

It’s certainly no secret how much I LOVE Monica Vinader jewellery, and I was thrilled when they asked me to create my own ‘Wish List’ in time for Christmas this year.  Narrowing down their sparkles and jewels is always a difficult task, but this year the coloured gems with rose gold really stood out for me.  I love wearing bright clothes and accessories, but even if you are into wearing black everrrrything (errrm… do you work in fashion by any chance?!) this is a great way to incorporate some more colourful accents into your look. 

To be in with a chance of winning £500.00 worth of Monica Vinader jewellery, create your own wish list and share it on your Twitter or Instagram tagging @MonicaVinader and #MYMV.  

See HERE for more details. T&C’s apply. 

TLC LOVES... Monica Vinader

#TLCCOMP: Calling All Illustrators!

I have made no secret of how much I adore Jess Collett’s amazing creations.  In fact, a friend commented how she barely recognised me at a dinner recently as I was Jess Collett hat-less, a rarity now that I own not one, but TWO JC trilbys! With Summer coming up (one hopes!) and with it, special opportunities to adorn fantastical headwear designs to varying fancaaaay events, I decided to collaborate with Jess on this creative wee project, allowing us both to shine some light on a new artistic talent in the process.  I have four photographs (below) of me, with makeup by Charlotte Cowen, donning some more than gawwwgeous Matthew Williamson frocks alongside four of Jess’ amazing summer-sunshine-appropriate designs and I am looking for an equally talented illustrator to create the summery scenes (the races, a regatta, a wedding and an Ibizan sojourn) for me to be placed amongst.  The chosen artwork will be represented on both Jess and my websites and our social media platforms, and each artist will receive a stunning, bespoke Jess Collett summer trilby (similar to the one below worth £220.00).  Share this post with your most creative friends! 

Below:  The Wedding Guest:  We are looking for an image representing real excitement and celebration on the dance floor!  (Azure Chiffon Embroidered Asymmetric Gown: Now £1,095.00, my beloved Giselle Suede Strappy Sandals: Now £175.00). 

Below:  Regatta Fun:  We are looking for this image to show me perhaps noticing a gorgeous boater or sailor!  (Hibiscus Flower Silk Ruffle Trim Dress: Now £445.00, Giselle Suede Strappy Sandals: Now £175.00).

Below:  A Day at the Races: Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose... We are looking for this piece to show horses having whizzed by, with clearly my chosen horse lagging behind! #ComeOnDoverMoveYourBloomingArrrse... (Evening Palm Lace Feather Dress in cream: Now £1,495.00).

Below:  Ibizan Sunset:  We'd love this picture to show me walking onto a sailboat, yacht or on a beach on the sunniest of days! (Beach Palm Print Gown: Now £245.00, Sunglasses: Grey Oversized Curved Cat Eye Sunglasses £200.00)

Please send all submissions to hello@thelondonchatter.com by the end of next week - Good Luck! 

Competition: Muru Jewellery's Dreamcatcher Eternity Necklace

I love wearing my long, gold vermeil Dreamcatcher Eternity Necklace by Muru, a London based jewellery company which draws inspiration from exotic cultures and mythologies.  I usually layer my Dreamcatcher, traditionally used by Native American tribes who believed the symbol to trap negative energy and help you achieve your dreams, with other favourites.

If you would like the opportunity to WIN a gorgeous Muru Dreamcatcher Eternity Necklace of your own (RRP. £94.00) follow ‘thelondonchatter’ on Instagram or Twitter, using #TLCComp. The winner will be contacted later this week - Good Luck!