Credit Buy: The Dolly Knit

Today I will be mainly transporting myself back to Bank Holiday Monday morning, lying peacefully on an Isle of Wight cliff top covered in heather... Opposed to dealing with having just found my home completely splattered in Carnival paint.  All together now; "Ommmmmmmmm...!!"

In celebration of Dolly Alderton’s witty memoir, ‘Everything I Know About Love,’ British knitwear brand Hades has created a lambswool ‘Dolly Knit’ inspired by the brainy Bardot’esq babe herself (RRP. 160.00).  

Available in Powder Pink and Blood Red, these sweaters both have ‘Know Thyself’ embroidered onto the inner sleeve of the left arm, which is perhaps wiser than the usual heart we’ve been known to leave there...!

Shop TLC's Look...

Mother's Day Gift Guide 2016

I never thought I would ever find myself on a Monday evening flower arranging with some fellow bloggers, let alone actually enjoy it as much as I did.  I was invited by Bloom & Wild (the through the letter box florist I’ve come to depend on for gifts) to Hobbs in Covent Garden, for a specialist flower arranging workshop ahead of Mother’s Day this weekend.  Now, not usually one to blow my own trumpet, but c’moonnnnnn… HOW beautiful is my bouquet?! (*I shall now available for weddings and bar mitzvahs, naturally…)  

As my Mother lives in Africa, she will have to make do with this photograph of the flowers that shoulda-woulda-coulda have been hers (but are instead are sitting looking heavenly in my flat!) but you and your mum can attend the workshop on Sunday yourselves by booking tickets HERE.

For some extra spoiling for your Mummy dearest/beautiful Baby Mama, hover over the items below...

Astley Clarke's Summer Party at the Serpentine

Bec Astley Clarke recently hosted a very sleek, ‘Thomas Crown Affair’ inspired summer party in the newly built Serpentine Sackler Gallery’s Magazine Restaurant.  Whilst sipping on Marmalade Martinis and (very) Tipsy Tea Cocktails, six suited and booted men in bowler hats stole (albeit only momentarily) the cases of Astley Clarke’s fine jewellery we had all previously been oogling.

I wore the Janson Dress by Zoë Jordan (now on sale! RRP. £595.00 £298.00) for the evening’s festivities. I was thrilled to be one of ‘Zoë’s Girls’ for the evening, alongside some of my most beautiful friends; actresses Sienna Miller and Jemma Powell and Fashion PR * Beatrice Savoretti. After the ‘heist,’ and several more drinks, guest DJ *Laura Whitmore took to the decks and we all begun, candy-floss covered chocolate ice-cream sticks in hand, to enthusiastically dance the rest of the night away. Thank you Bec xx

Above L-R (Clockwise):  Sienna Miller and Savannah Miller with their mother Jo,  Martha Ward with India Langdon, designer Matthew Williamson with our host Bec Astley Clarke,Kelly Eastwood also with Bec.  Below L-R:  With Sienna Miller,  Jemma Powell, Kelly Eastwood, Zoë Jordan and Beatrice Savoretti. 

The below video shows off the really fun evening perfectly... I think I woke up in that hat! 

Below:  The London Chatter appearing on Harpers Bazaar and Tatler online...

Ralph Lauren at Abbey Road Studios

I can’t tell you how excited I was to be invited BY RECORD no less (above) to the infamous Abbey Road Studios for the launch of Ralph Lauren’s Spring’14 collection.  

Right:  Wearing a mixture of Kate Moss for Topshop and H&M with my Astley Clarke locket (similar HERE) Riley leopard print shoes by Senso (HERE, RRP. £143.00) and my charcoal Codrington clutch by Beauchamps of London (HERE, RRP. £250.00). 

Inspired by ‘the bold spirit and playfulness of swinging London in the late Sixties,’ the usually all-American Ralph could not have picked a more iconic venue; the unpretentious, yet insanely cool, Studio 2 where artists such as the legendary Beatles, Pink Floyd and Oasis all recorded albums. 

Whilst I, alongside Tallulah Harlech and Amber LeBon, sipped our aptly and adorably named ‘Penny Lane Plum’ cocktails and ‘McCartney Mules,’ there was live music from Zeno to be enjoyed.

Models were soon gliding down the staircase, parading confidently through the crowd wearing a spectacular mix of monochrome mini’s and bright, citric shifts.   The collection included striped page boy hats, patent heels and polo-neck shifts (I particularly loved the dress above) which contrasted starkly with the eye-catching lime greens, tangerines and canary yellows which followed.  All the sunglasses were utterly fabu(g)lass. 

Below:  A little sneak peak of the night's show I recorded...

Ralph Lauren said, when recently discussing his latest collection and its influences, “I've always loved Britain - the character and charm of Fair Isle sweaters and beautiful tweeds. But most of all, I am drawn to the people.” Oh stop Ralph, we’re blushing! 

Right:  Everyone's favourite Beatle, the amazing George Harrison. 

Below:  When at Abbey Road... I couldn't resist! 

Ralph Lauren., Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Spring 2014, Ralph Lauren Abbey Road Studios, Abbey Road Studios, The Beatles, Tallulah Harlech, Amber LeBon, Kelly Eastwood, Lucy Myners, The London Chatter, Zeno, Topshop,H&M, Beauchamps of London, Codrington Clutch, Senso, Senso Riley, Astley Clarke Locket,Astley Clarke

Astley Clarke Jewellery Lunch at Marcus

I was recently invited, alongside a bevy of London beauties, to an exclusive VIP jewellery lunch to toast Astley Clarke’s new Fine Jewellery collection.   Hosted by Bec Astely Clarke (above with Poppy Delevingne) and chef Marcus Wareing (above with Bec) we dined in The Salon Private Dining Room at the sparkly new ‘Marcus’ restaurant at The Berkeley.  

Above Clockwise (R-L):  Bec Astley Clarke hosting Chloe Delevingne, Zoe Jordan, PoppyDelevingne and Tori Cook,  Jemma Powell and Beatrice Savoretti, Tori Cook and Poppy Delevingne, Marissa Montgomery.  Below:  Smooches with my school pal Sienna Miller.

Not only were we spoiled with lots of bubbles and a delicious lunch (quail with a raddichio and pine nut salad, followed by salmon with buttermilk and faaaar too many chocolate truffles!) we were sent home with Marcus’ cook book and a beautiful rose gold Astley Clarke locket which had been personally engraved for all us girlies whilst we dined.

Above Right:  I decided (after much anxious deliberation!) to get the title of DG and my favourite song ('Just One Look' by Doris Troy) engraved on the back of my locket (cheesy?!) and I love it so much I haven’t taken it off since!  Thank you Bec and Marcus for such a wonderfully gorgeous afternoon!  Astley Clarke lockets available HERE.

Above:  With my great friend Jemma Powell.  I accessorised my Topshop shirt and bold print Zara trousers with Wilbur and Gussie's Orange Bee Edith Clutch (RRP. £180.00).

Above:  Featuring in Grazia magazine alongside Poppy Delevingne, Chloe Delevingne,Sienna Miller and Jemma Powell. #TheChainGang

Swanky Lash & Brow Bar

I was recently invited to Swanky Lash & Brow Bar on the Portobello Road, one of two salons (the other being in Kensal Rise) owned by sisters Sophia Chrifi-Alaoui and Donia Chrifi-Alaoui.  Perfectly placed opposite some of my nearby Notting Hill faves (Pizza East Portobello, Meli Melo and Lowry and Baker) this vibrant and affordable salon is usually chockablock full of loyal regulars (I advise booking) and I could easily tell why… With a room full of talented beauticians and real characters, you would be hard pressed to find a more personable, chatty and buzzing environment to get pampered. 

 Arriving early (yes, this sometimes happens!) for my mani-pedi, a treatment Sienna Miller recently raved about to Vogue, I got my eyelashes tinted.  After this, Sneeha, one of Swanky’s more hilarious employees, suggested I also had my eyebrows threaded; a quick and relatively painless treatment I always seem to forget about yet find so effective.  I found it hard to keep still whilst listening to Sneeha’s amusing stories and jolly giggles but luckily the results revealed otherwise!  

My manicure and pedicure was made far easier by Donia (above right) speedily helping me decide which colours to wear (a usually agonizing procedure for me and any poor technician waiting).  I went for ‘Tiki Tiki Laranga’ gel polish for my hands, and 'Where Did Suzi's Man-go’ from the latest SS’14 O.P.I range (above left) for my toes.  Two weeks down and both tips and toes are still going strong.  I have been hapilly able to show them off the last two weekends running; in Cornwall over Easter (below left wearing my Zara slides) and at a friend's wedding (below right wearing my Topshop jumpsuit, Zara Sunglasses, Monica Vinader stack rings, Astley Clarke locket and my customised Bags By M Book Clutch) and just in time for the sun to make a much-appreciated appearance.  
​Thank you Ladies, I'll see you again VERY soon! 

Swanky Lash & Brow
335 Portobello Road, London. W10 5SA (Tel: 0208 9697580)
26 Chamberlayne Road, London. NW10 3JD (Tel: 0208 9642569)

Swanky Lash & Brow Bar, Swanky Lash & Brow Bar Notting Hill, Swanky Manicure, Swanky Pedicure, Swanky Lash & Brow Bar Portobello,Swanky Lash & Brow Bar Kensal Rise, Manicure Kensal Rise, Pedicure Kensal Rise, Manicure and Pedicure Notting Hill, The London Chatter, Donia Chrifi-Alaoui, Sophia Chrifi-Alaoui,Sienna Miller, Sienna Miller Manicure, Sienna Miller Pedicure, Pizza East Portobello, Lowry & Baker, Meli Melo, Zara, Monica Vinader, Stack and Share, Astley Clarke, Topshop Jumpsuit,Topshop, Aix Rose, Bags By M, Zara Sunglasses