OOTD: 30.04.18

I read in the paper yesterday that this week our capital looks set to be ‘battered by torrential rain and gales,’ with warnings of potential flooding. Sooooo, that’s a pretty big ‘no’ to Spring then, right?!  At a time where I should be perusing the pastels in my wardrobe, I’m leaning heavily back towards the cashmere. 

One colour I particularly feel weathers (for want of a better word) this unpredictable time of year well, is olive.  Olive is one of the most versatile colours you can wear, being both cool and casual, whilst also being a while lot more forgiving than the predictable summer khaki options that are currently available en masse on every one of our high streets.

This show stopper of a trench coat is by the wonderfully talented Huishan Zhang, who I have long been a huge fan of.  Combining both his Eastern heritage and Western design skills, the coat’s olive scallops are both powerful, yet pretty.

Worn with my high-waisted/wide-legged H&M black trousers, stripey Day Birger turtle neck (yup, back to those… Brrrrr…), my Jerome Dreyfuss circular bag, my Swedish Hasbeen’s clogs and my And Other Stories Sunglasses (a girl can hope…!) I am feeling as Springy as I possibly can right now!  Even if I’m not loving this weather, this coat?! Olive you longtime…

Shop TLC's Look...

Photography:  Joseph Galvin

Hair:  Taylor Taylor London

Nails:  Sophie Gass

My Colour Consultation with Farrow and Ball

If you, like me, have ever felt totally overwhelmed by paint charts, spent far too much money and too much time testing various (and usually pretty identical) colours on your walls, ordered the wrong amounts, or just simply got the choices so completely wrong and had to end up repainting entirely… Then, breathe easy folks… Farrow and Ball have got you!

Having experienced the aforementioned paint frustrations more times than I wish to remember, I was determined that my boyfriend, whilst coming to the end of a long and tiring house renovation, was not to have this last and final hurdle be a stressful one.  Although we both had some ideas for what colours we thought might work on each floor and room (mine perhaps being the less subtle of preferences, unshockingly…) I suggested we get a Farrow and Ball in-home colour consultation to give us both some guidance and some peace of mind on this frequently daunting mission!

Within one hour of Scott our colour consultant arriving at the house, during which time he speedily analysed both the structural detailing and lighting plan of the house, and listened patiently to our haphazard thoughts, he had brilliantly helped us devise an entire paint scheme to fit both the house and our lifestyle using some of the 132 beautifully rich Farrow and Ball shades.  

We decided on Farrow and Ball's Green Smoke for the hallway (above), using Strong White for the skirting boards and doors.  In a room that is used more as a walk way than a living space, you can afford to be a little bit more dramatic and daring with your choices.

To compliment the Green Smoke, we chose Farrow and Ball's French Grey, which we moved into halfway up the stairwell at a natural divide, and then throughout the sitting room. This is a particularly calming colour, and it has a really chic feel to it.

We decided on painting some of the kitchen cabinetry in Farrow and Ball's Smoke Green, which once more created a real synergy and flow between each floor.  

Whether you're veering towards the subtle or the statement, the Farrow and Ball consultants understand the particular way each paint responds to light throughout the day, and which colours and textures combine to achieve the perfect, unique scheme for your home. 

Scott's advice was decidedly helpful when deciding on the master bathroom colours, as the light changes so dramatically in there throughout the day. We chose Inchyra Blue for the cabinets, which is inspired by dramatic skies (much like the usual view from the bathroom window!) which when contrasted with Farrow and Ball's Cornforth White, a magically versatile grey'ish tone, and the bathroom's dark wooden floors and herringbone white marble, creates a wonderfully intimate space. 

Following up from our consultation with Scott, we received a colour fan deck with our choices and the all-important quantities of paint required to complete each room. During a time when our minds were already pickled with light switch and cabinetry handle decisions (the last few months of last year were beyond rock'n'roll, can you tell?!), having this expert and invaluable help from Farrow and Ball, and being able to confidently make our paint order, took a huge weight of our shoulders, and is worth the investment many times over! 

Now, if only Farrow and Ball did carpet consulations…

In collaboration with Farrow and Ball

Photography: Ella Sadika

Hair:  Taylor Taylor London

Nails:  Sophie Gass

Summertime with Iris Fashion

Anyone who lives near one of Iris Fashion’s three boutiques (in Queens Park, Battersea and Chiswick) knows it’s virtually impossible to walk by and not walk in, and subsequently to walk out empty handed! Known for being a yummy mummy and fashionista gem at the heart of each of their neighbourhoods, Iris is consistently jam-packed with a stylish and eclectic edit of womenswear (designer and the brand’s own), gorgeous jewellery, lingerie, coveted pressies and some of the inky dinkiest of kidswear for your wee ones.  I’m always really excited to consistently discover new brands I’ve not heard of, hanging on the rails alongside some of my faves, like APC and Isabel Marant. 

I recently popped in to my local Iris in Queens Park to choose some of my favourite looks for the (currently M.I.A) summer!  Not only do they have some seriously great holiday must-haves currently in store, they also have a brilliant array of wearable summer in the city attire, so whether you are enjoying the sunshine at home or abroad within the next few months, your wardrobe is sorted - High Five!

Discovering the Spanish brand Masscob was a real highlight of the day, and I loved the feminine, relaxed feel of their Savina White Paisley Dress.  I wore the dress with some Zan Zan Avida Dollar Sunglasses (I’m a big fan of this brand and of pink sunglasses in general – so much softer on the face than tortoiseshell - I need them!), a pretty Deborah Cadby Leaf Necklace and some Penelope Chilvers (a firm foot-fave!) Jude Tan Leather Platforms.

As we all know, I’m a BIG jean’s girl, and I could live in boilersuits, jumpsuits and playsuits.  This MIH Jeans Saint All-In-One Jumpsuit is super lightweight and can be dressed up or down with trainers or heels.  I paired the jumpsuit with a vibrant Iris Pom Pom Clutch (I LOVE POM POMS!), some more Zan Zan Avida Dollars Sunglasses and a pair of the ferociously popular Isabel Marant Etoile Leather Bart Trainers.

This Masscob Calma Lace Panel Top is such a summertime winner for me, combing both lace and ruffles, two of my all-tie favourite things! Worn with a pair of ultra soft, vintage wash Le Skinny Crop Jeans by Frame Jeans, a beyond cute Gary Gold Fringe Bag by the allllways cool Jerome Dreyfuss, and a pair of Iris Gladiator Sandals.  Trust me, these sandals will be your summer essentials; The brushed metallic colour is unique and unlike many other sandals, these are really flattering and don’t cut you off at the ankle.

Created in collaboration with Iris Fashion.

Photography: Maxim Garcha.  

Makeup: Charlotte Cowen

Hair:  Tatiana Karelina and Nails:  Sophie Gass

Monica Vinader's Friendship Bracelets

At school some of my friends were renown for their sporting prowess, their academic superiority, or their ethereal choral charms… Me? Aside from an obvious flair for the dramatics, I was pretty revered for my (…drumroll) Friendship Bracelet making skills… Oh yes, take that you long-limbed netballers!   I was always making my school pals Friendship Bracelets in their favourite colours and if they managed to keep them hidden from all the matron’s eagle eyes, all desperate to confiscate anything which might allow your uniform some colour of charisma, they were enjoyed for a long while.  

You have to imagine my joy when I realised Monica Vinader sold Friendship Bracelets. Obviously far more chic, coveted and long lasting than any of my childhood creations, these bracelets still have friendship at their core and make the perfect presents.  

A large group of my girlfriends (which includes the beautiful Charlotte and Jessica, above enjoying smoothies at Moosh with me)  have spent the last year marking our birthdays and friendships by giving each other colourful statement Fiji bracelets, which we had engraved with our initials or names (a complimentary service offered in store).   

Available in silver, gold vermeil and rose-gold vermeil, and offered in a variety of adjustable and colourful cords, with a rainbow assortment of gems symbolizing different meanings (pink for love, turquoise for peace, nude for calm, etc) if so wanted, the three designs (Fuji, Bali and Esencia) can be worn alone or mixed and layered up together.  

Below:  There are some more expensive and elegant diamond chain bracelets now also available which are slightly more evening-dress appropriate, and I am particularly loving the recent festival and Ibiza-friendly fluoro additions which really pop in the sunshine.   

All Monica Vinader Friendship Bracelets are available in store and online HERE.

Make Up:  Charlotte Cowen
Photography:  Ross Ferguson 

My Necklace and Stacking Rings:  Monica Vinader
My tangerine bespoke Lined Notebook (from RRP. £55.00): Noble Macmillan
My Chinti and Parker Star Sweater (RRP. £350.00) and Jerome Dreyfus Igor Bag (RRP. £490.00) both available at Iris Fashion Boutique