Heart 'Feel Good Challenge'

Knowing that this time of year can prove quiiiiite the struggle for many of us (I mean, January is the Monday'ist of all the months, and February is kind of, well, a bit 'meh' too) those cheery lot at Heart (my personal antidote for all dem'winter blues) has launched the #HeartFeelGoodChallenge. Here comes the science bit; Challenge yourself by trying a feel-good activity, inspired by a feel-good song you heard played on the station.  

I always have the radio playing as I write, and last week, fresh off the boat from Kenya, wearing 84 layers of clothes and feeling ultimately sorry for myself, Heart played one of my faves, 'Say You'll Be There' by the Spice Girls, no less. This bouncy, deliriously infectious girl power anthem is ultimately all about how actions speak louder than words, which resonates slightly, given my New Year's resolution has proved, thus far, to be mostly hot air! Promising myself I would start doing some exercise in 2018 didn't quite go entirely according to plan… 

Being a life-long member of the 'Fitness Protection Programme,' I have always struggled to commit to any kind of exercise regime, let alone enjoy any classes that I've tried.  As I get older I am increasingly aware that the health benefits of exercise cannot be denied, and a little toning here and there is always a welcome perk.  'Say You'll Be There' definitely leaves you feeling pumped, ready to leap off that comfy sofa and get moving, so yes, it happened…I leapt; A Frame gym membership was sourced, and Barre classes and Reformer Pilates signed up to...

I have to say, despite the anticipated pre-gym grumbles and subsequent aches and pains associated with squats, the endorphins have been released, and I'm really looking forward to my next class; 80's aerobics (and yes, there will be leg warmers and a scrunchie… I may not be well versed in exercising, but accessorizing? Oh, I've got that down, people!)

I'd love to hear if you have also taken up the #HeartsFeelGoodChallenge and started any new mood-boosting activities to help you get through these grey ol'months… And please share any 'pick me up' song recommendations you've heard play on Heart which might help keep us all stay motivated...!

SHOP TLC's LOOK

In collaboration with Heart
Photography: Ella Sadika
Hair: Taylor Taylor London  

Debit Buy: H&M's Sleeveless Blouse

Whenever I wear my H&M ruffled top I am inundated with people asking me where I bought it.  Although I purchased it recently in store recently, it was an instant sell-out (having been featured in several magazines), and no longer available. HOWEVER, H&M have just released a similar style online (left), which may actually, with it's lighter, softer material, be eeeeeven more appropriate for the summer months (when they actually decide to begin...!)  

Quick, quick now, I don't expect this little on-trend frilled number with stand up bib collar will last long on the shelves either. 

H&M Sleeveless Blouse (RRP. £14.99)

Auree Jewellery Walton Gold Russian Wedding Ring (RRP. £295.00)

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

Maison Lejaby's 130th Anniversary Show at The Lido, Paris

Last week I woke up at the crack of sparrows and jumped on the Eurostar headed for The Lido in Paris to celebrate French lingerie leader Maison Lejaby’s 130th anniversary.  

The decadence of The Lido at the heart of the Champs Elysees was the perfect setting for the dazzling one-off, hour-long show the lucky audience was spoiled with.  Over seventy of the Lido’s infamous resident dancers, alongside several prima ballerinas, burlesque dancers and opera singers, took their guests throught the decades of the brand’s history, performing various enchanting routines whilst showcasing some spectacular Maison Lejaby couture, ultra-feminine RTW lingerie sets and striking swimwear.  

The highlights for me were the stunning Swarovski encrusted, boned ballet tutu (above, which took over 150 hours to create!) worn to open the show and an ethereal and mesmeric white silk gown worn during a solo performance to close (below).  

I thought the extensive Art Deco and Art Nouveau (below) collections were particularly elegant, and the flowing silk gowns and full-length chiffon robes extremely glamorous.  

Below:  A little (albeit quite fuzzy!) sneak peak of the show I made on my phone...

Maison Lejaby’s CEO Alain Prost, appointed in 2012, spearheaded the event and was emotional about the brand’s return to the French couture spirit.  Whilst on stage, Alain explained, “this event marks a new chapter for Maison Lejaby and gives us more strength and even more energy for our project Esprit Couture à la Française. This day will remain an unforgettable moment for our company and for the whole team for years to come.” 

BELOW:  Afterwards I went for the most delicious lunch off the Champs Elysees (wearing a skirt from H&M, heels from Zara, a vintage shirt from Budapest and a Mulberry Bryn handbag) where I had the most incredible fresh cream macaroons… Ooh La La all round!

Maison Lejaby now has a salon on the Rue Royale in Paris and offers the most beautifulHaute Couture, which of course represents the very essence of French luxury.  Lucky Londoners can head over to Rigby and Peller for an underwear makeover and buy their pretty Maison Lejaby sets (which come in an impressively wide variety of sizes) HERE. 

Ralph Lauren's Ricky World Tour

Designed in 2005 and named after his wife, the Ralph Lauren ‘Soft Ricky’ handbag is one of the label’s most iconic and popular pieces.  To celebrate its success, Ralph Lauren’s giant ‘Ricky’ bag, that took a month to create and measures 1.8m high and 1.5m wide (so maybe juuuust big enough to fit all my stuff in!) begun its world tour last September, travelling to New York, Tokyo, Paris and now… LONDON.  Yes, that’s right, the ‘Ricky’ has landed at the Ralph Lauren New Bond Street store and I paid homage to the XXL accessory last week while it held court at Ralph Lauren and Vogue’s fun, cocktail-fueled shopping event in support of the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.

Above:  Accessorising my Zara top, shoes and statement necklace, and my new H&M embellished scuba skirt (available in store, RRP. £39.99) with my grandmother's aquamarine cocktail ring and my Lulu Guinness lips clutch (available HERE, RRP. £325.00) which I momentarily swapped for a gorgeous, coral-orange 'Soft Ricky.' 

Above:  Bag smoochin' with super stylist Martha Ward.  Below:  My great buddy DJ Izzy Lawrence and the delicious, rainbow-coloured Ricky bag biscuits to take home.

Below:  The multi-coloured Ralph Lauren 'Soft Ricky' bags available HERE (RRP. £1750.00)
#OneInEveryColourPleaseRalph!

'Honestly Healthy For Life' Book Launch

Last week I attended the launch of vegetarian chef Natasha Corrett and nutritionist Vicki Edgson’s second alkaline cookbook, ‘Honestly Healthy for Life,’ at Notting Hill’s Bumpkin. With over 100 new and anticipated easy-to-make recipes to choose from, this book promises a diet that will boost your energy and immune system, improve your mood and aid digestion. Fear not sweet teeth, HH also offers some healthier versions of your naughty favourites, including sticky toffee pudding and doughnuts! (*cue my face lighting up!)

The alkaline diet has become one of the biggest eating trends of recent years, with Victoria Beckham naming Honestly Healthy as her favourite cookbook.  To summise, our blood is 7.35/7.45 on the pH scale, making it slightly alkaline, so staying clear of acid forming foods, and eating more alkaline meals, keeps us at our optimum health.  

Above:  Guests, including Laura Whitmore, Sienna Miller (in an elegant nude Chloé shirt and sparkly Jimmy Choo brogues which hadmy inner magpie squawking with envy) and Jo Wood all enjoyed bite-size quinoa beetroot and spinach burgers, mini-slices of orange and almond cake, crunchy toffee popcorn (yum!) and vodka coconut mojitos.  

Above:  Natasha’s proud-as-punch mummy interior designer Kelly Hoppen.
Below:  On yer Honestly Healthy Bike!  With Natasha Corrett and Katy Wickremesinghe.

Below:  The London Chatter wearing a dusky pink jacket from H&M (RRP. £39.99), Black Ripped Jeans from Zara (RRP. £39.99), Senso Qimat Boots in concrete (RRP. £152.00), Mulberry Lily (RRP. £750.00) and a leopard print coat similar here from Topshop).

Raw Green Curry with Courgette Noodles. 

A quick, fool-proof recipe packed full of flavour from ‘Honestly Healthy For Life.'

Ingredients:
 
For the Sauce:
1/3 cup dried or fresh curry leaves
1 cup raw cashew nuts, soaked for 30 minutes and drained
½ cup water
Juice ½ a lime
½ cup coriander, chopped
Generous ¾ cup coconut milk
1 tsp each of ground cumin, ground ginger, dried lemongrass, fresh chilli (chopped), ginger root (grated) and ground coriander

For the Courgette Noodles:
5 courgettes
1 cup bean sprouts
1 ½ cup snow/sugar snap peas
200g baby corn, sliced
raw cashews to garnish

Instructions:

Put all of the sauce ingredients into a blender and whiz until smooth. Set aside. Spiralize the courgettes, and mix through the sauce. Next, add in the chopped vegetables and pack everything into containers and refrigerate until ready to serve. If you prefer you can make the sauce a day or so ahead and mix with the spiralized noodles just before serving.Garnish with a sprinkle of cashews and coriander leaves just before eating.

Below:  The London Chatter featured in Grazia Magazine.

‘Honestly Healthy for Life’ is available HERE from Amazon (RRP. £̶2̶5̶.̶0̶0̶ £12.41)

Halloween 2013

Celebrating Halloween in the UK has become increasingly popular in the last few years (thank you Heidi Klum!) and now there is no shortage of thrills and chills to enjoy come October 31st.  With this ghoulish night fast approaching us (like a serial killer in a dark alley) costumes are now firmly on my mind.  Usually the ladies of London use this annual opportunity to leave as little to the imagination as possible... something spooky + clevage = (Sexy) Vampire/(Sexy) Cat/(Sexy) Skeleton/(Sexy) Devil, etc.  I however, would love to see more effort on the whole and witness some really spooky, stomach-churningly dramatic outfits on the big night;  a tormented zombie, a rabid hybrid werewolf, a two-headed cannibal, a VMA’s Miley Cyrus… Now THAT would be terrifying! 

Above: (Clockwise) L-R: Moto Bat Print Leigh Jeans at Topshop - RRP. £40.00,  Topshop Sadie Lazer Cut Heels - RRP. £80.00, ASOS Full Midi Skirt in Mesh – RRP. £55.00, ASOS Halloween Bat Print Unitard – RRP. £38.00, H&M Super Stretch Treggings – RRP. £12.99,Skeleton Print Unitard – RRP. £32.00

Above:  No Tricks, Just Treats:  Loving these Limited Edition shoes by Charlotte Olympia!
L-R: Vampira - RRP. £975.00, Bite Me Kitty - RRP. £495.00, Nocturnal - RRP. £745.00

Above:  Hummingbird Bakery Limited Edition Cupcake Gift Boxes - From RRP. £19.50
HOW awesome did Emma Roberts look dressed as her Aunty Julia's character Vivienne Ward from Pretty Women at last year's Halloween?! Genius. 

Left:  If you are still in need of some more devilish sinspiration head to Austique where flamboyant fancy dress boutique Violet’s Box are holding a pop up shop for the next two weeks. Stylist Violet Day will be on hand to help you choose a perfectly show-stopping/heart-stopping outfit.

Isabel Marant for H&M

These leaked images of the huuuugely anticipated Isabel Marant for H&M collection have got me, along with most other girls in London, very excited!  The campaign features Alex Wek, Milla Jovovich, Constance Jablonski and Lou Doillon (love her!) effortlessly modeling the womenswear, which include many signature Isabel Marant pieces; peasant tops, tassles and leather.  Parisian cool at a slice of the price? Sign moi up! 

The Isabel Marant for H&M collection will be available in stores on November 14th and is guaranteed to sell out within a few hours of opening.  One of my girlfriends (yes, you Lauren) suggested we buy a tent and camp outside the shop the night before… I thiiiinkshe may have been joking.  Either way, elbows at the ready Ladies.  

Beyonce as Mrs Carter for H&M

Beyonce is the face of H&M swimwear this summer and HOW gorgeous does she look in this pre-released campaign shot?!  Taken in the Bahamas by Inez van Lamsweerde andVinoodh Matadin, Queen Bey reclines on a sun lounger modelling pieces inspired by her individual style.  The campaign will introduce the star as "Beyoncé as Mrs Carter in H&M."  

"I've always liked H&M's focus on fun affordable fashion. I really loved the concept we collaborated on to explore the different emotions of women represented by the four elements - fire, water, earth and wind," said Beyonce, "It was a beautiful shoot on a tropical island. It felt more like making a video than a commercial."

H&M's High Summer 2013 collection will be in stores from May.

David Beckham's Short Film for H&M

David Beckham’s short film for his H&M Bodywear line, filmed in Los Angeles by 'Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels' director Guy Ritchie, is HERE!!  Run David Ruuuuuuun!! 

The David Beckham Bodywear Spring/Summer collection is in stores now.