Valentines Gift Guide 2016

Once again ladies, I am here to save those darling men in your lives from making any highly-flammable lingerie or petrol station-bought floral disasters… You’re welcome!  

Gents - Hover over the images for the direct links... This LITERALLY couldn't be ANY simpler! Good Luck. 

As an aside, if anyone happens to be secretly in love with me, NOW would be the time to holler y'all... ;)

Above (L-R):  I don't have pierced ears, but if I did, I'd be hoping for these...  Missoma Gold and Pink Tourmaline Arc Jackets (RRP. £130.00), Missoma Gold and Diamond Bolt Hoop Earrings (£225.00)

Above:  Woo and Wow your lady with Nikki Tibbles Wild at Heart's STUNNING Pimlico Bouquet (RRP. £85.00), a beautiful mix of pink roses and spray roses, clematis and anemones.

Above:  A personalised, tailor made Garment Bag (£175.00) from bespoke womenswear label Tephi would make the chicest luggage for that roooomantic weekend away he’s booked… #NoPressureLads.

Below:  Sick of wearing your heart on your sleeves?  Try moving it to your jeans... These Christopher Kane Love Heart Boyfriend Jeans (RRP. £845.00) are BEYOND cute. Yes please. 

Below:  Star crossed lovers?!  Smythson are taking an astrological approach to Valentine’s Day this year, with their ‘Written in the Stars’ campaign.  Until February 14th you can have any of your gorgeous purchases (over £175.00) personalised with a particular star sign motif.  given a complimentary personalisation service.  Despite being a Scorpio, I recently had my super sleek red Mara Leather Card Holder stamped with a Lion symbol… Nothing against my sign, but lions beat creepy crawlies!

Below:  Launching just in time for Valentine's Day, these stackable, rose gold  Diamond Alphabet Pendants (RRP. £150.00) from Monica Vinader would make the most perfect, sparkling pressie.

Below:  If champagne and choccies are not your thing (FYI we prooobably wouldn’t be friends, but I digress...) then maybe your fella can spoil you with Imbibery London’s Valentine’s Day Mylk six pack of limited edition cold pressed juice (RRP. £32.00).  It's actually very delicious!

The Coronation Cup with Piaget

There is nothing nicer at this time of year than a day spent with some fun fashunnnn friends, all dressed up in our finest, watching some polo in the sunshine.  I was both flattered and excited to be invited to the annual Coronation Cup by Piaget, the Swiss luxury fashion, watch and jewellery brand, which happily coincided with a visit from NYC by my sister, Claire Eastwood, which made the whole occasion even more fun, as we were driven through Windsor Great Park, with it's astounding hydrangea (my favourite!) towards Guard's Polo Club to spend a rare day, just the two of us. 

Following a delicious three course lunch where my sister and I both wore stunning Piaget Possession rings and chatted with the wonderful(s) Camila Carill and Victoria Ceridono, we briefly (thank goodness, baring in mind the height of our heels!) all stood on our chairs and saw off silver tumblers of Royal Salute, the title partner of the prestigious Coronation Cup!  Giddly, we all then headed off to watch two of the strongest international teams in polo – England vs. South America, competing for the Golden Jubilee trophy.

Now, I’m not sure why I was seated in the Royal Box alongside Prince Charles either people, but I certainly wasn’t going to ask any questions!  After some fast galloping and delicate champagne quaffing, the crowd all accessed their inner Vivian’s and Edward’s to stomp on some divots at half time (“beware the steaming divots?”) whist being entertained by a fabulously British marching band. 

England soon triumphed, and were awarded their trophy, and we soon were awarded with a delicious afternoon tea, and later, some Pimms - my first (and not the last...) of the Summer! 

Below:  With the lovely Camila (in Dior) after the match, wearing Isolda, Miu Miu and Pringle.

SHOP TLC'S LOOK:

Golden Globes 2015

Yessssssss… Award season has begun, which to me means the red carpet’s Battle of the Dresses is ON good people of Hollywood!  The Golden Globes, a ceremony I have always viewed as the drunken, more entertaining version of the Oscars, gives us not only an early indication of the season’s winners, but also a welcome glimpse at the latest show stopping frocks (or sparkly jumpsuits, as the case was this year).   

It is worth mentioning, before we get to the fashion nitty gritty, that the glorious Tina Fey and Amy Poehler presented the awards for the very last time on Sunday (a total travesty, someone throw even more money at them, QUICK!) Their opening monologue (below) was, once again, my serious highlight of the night… These two ladies and their on-point humour shall be greatly missed. 

Right, back to the fashuuuuun and my Best Dressed of the night… With so many of the stars dressed immaculately, but oh so predictably, at these events, I will always be drawn to the women who choose not to play it so safely (or clevagey).  No one, in my opinion, looked better at this year's Golden Globes than TLC's serial red carpet winner, Emma Stone.  Wearing a bejeweled Lanvin jumpsuit, the actress oooozed confidence and cool, with just the right amount of quirk.  Diane Kruger looked every inch the blonde and icy screen siren wearing one of my favourite designers, Emilia Wickstead.  I also adored beautiful Brit Felicity Jones’ unusual, teal Christian Dior gown, which although divided opinion, had me at hello. 

Special mentions must go to Leslie Mann for her yellow Kaufman Franco sequinned dress/green clutch combo (and for just always being the sweetest, most cute-as-a-button thing I ever did see), Sienna Miller’s stand out Miu Miu dress worn with rocky, choppy hair, and Anna Kendrick in her Cinderella by name/role, Cinderella by nature/dress, in fairytale Monique Lhuillier.

It has to be said, shiny Golden Globes may have been highly sought after by many a Hollywood hand, but the real winners were these three dapperly dressed dudes, all holding super smokin' and strikingly dressed ladies in their arms;  Benedict Cumberbatch with his fiancé Sophie Hunter (in Erdem), Joshua Jackson with long-term love Diane Kruger (in Emilia Wickstead) and Jamie Dornan with wife Amelia Warner (in another of my favourite designers, Husihan Zhang).  High five gentlemen, we salute you.

Below:  When Bad Dresses Happen to Good People.  Ohhhh… There’s always one who lets the side down… ok, perhaps five.  I met Lana Del Rey in LA once, she was LOVELY, unlike her dress on Sunday.  Rosamund Pike was scarily good in 'Gone Girl,' ironically as her cutom-made Vera Wang dress was scarily bad.  Lupita Nyong’o, who topped EVERY best dressed list last season, clearly has decided to let everyone else have a go this year, wearing this Giambattista Valli 'thing.'  Michelle Monaghan wearing a 'Throwback Thursday' to the awesome nineties… except it was a Sunday, and this Jason Wu dress was not awesome.  Kate Mara in Miu Miu. Has the 'House of Cards' actress stepped in a puddle?  Do puddles even exist in LA?!  And don’t get me started on that belt... No Kate. No. 

For the full list and details of the evening's winners see HERE

Dolce and Gabbana's Christmas Tree at Claridge's

London’s Christmas party season kicked off this year at Claridge's, where for the second year running, Dolce and Gabbana designed the hotel’s magical Christmas Tree, and I was invited to celebrate it’s grand unveiling – all eight sparkling metres of it!  Covered in 300 hand-painted baubles, gold ribbons, and a multitude of flags, the tree was inspired by childhood memories and was surrounded by an enchanted forest.

Wearing my new Ingenue London Megan Long Sleeve Jumpsuit in navy blue velvet (RRP. £103.00) it dawned upon me that I clearly had NOT got the D&G memo… The festivally decorated lobby seemed filled with equally festively decorated ladies, all in little red lace dresses.  Move over the LBD, it’s Christmas!

Above:  Best pressie ever?  I found this teeny-weeny-eenie Woodland Fairy (a.k.a my buddy, Anna Kendrick) wrapped up in Dolce & Gabbana underneath the tree. 

Above (L-R):  Martha Ward, Christy Osbourne, Emily Johnston, TLC, Amy Williams

Above:  "Well colour me happy, there's a sofa in here for twoooo!"

Above:  Heels off, robes on and Room Service... Anna and my after-party won! 

Above:  Featuring in Grazia magazine alongside Anna Kendrick

HAWT: Daisy Lowe in Miu Miu

Hawt = A late 1940's and early 1950's acronym for "Having A Wonderful Time."
Now the word is used on the internet as slang for something reeeeally hot.


The second I saw Daisy Lowe dressed as Jessica Rabbit (think long red latex!) at a mutual friend’s ‘OTT’ party on Osea Island, she became an instant girl crush.
This was once more confirmed when I saw pictures of the twenty-four year old English model attending theBritish Heart Foundation’s ‘Tunnel of Love’ themed fundraiser in London (left)wearing this diiiivine Miu Miu A/W’13 party dress.  
The shocking pink and red strapless bustier frock with a foldover sweetheart neckline was accessorized demurely with black peep-toe heels, a black satin Pradaenvelope clutch with red lipstick and a retro up-do, allowing this showstopper dress do the talking. 
HAWT!


Miranda Kerr's Summer Style

Aussie supermodel and 'yummy mummy' Miranda Kerr is loving the New York summer and I am LOVING her polished off-duty street style.

Strolling through Manhattan last week (above) with her Balmain tote, Miranda looked gorgeous wearing a long printed shirt-dress, a classic panama hat, gold flats, and the same Miu Miu Hexagonal-frame sunglasses I have been lusting after (available at net-a-porter, £190).

The following day Miranda was photographed (below, with adorable Flynn) mixing a printed Topshop skirt with an Isabel Marant vest top, a patent raspberry coloured Louis Vuitton handbag, nude Alexander Wang block-heeled sandals and MORE Miu Miu sunglasses.

Below:  Steal Miranda's Street-Style Summer Style...

The London Chatter's Winter Sun Essentials

If you are lucky enough to escape the f..f..f..freezing weather in London right now, and are getting ready to jet off to sunnier climes, then you may be wondering where to find stylish summery goodies whilst the high street is currently brim full of wooly jumpers and mittens. Fear not, as a seasoned Winter-skiver (I have myself just returned from FIVE weeks in Kenya, above) I have put together a selection of Winter Sun must-haves, so whether you are heading to a tropical jungle, a secluded white sandy beach or are just planning to relax pool-side somewhere glamorous, your sunshine needs will be totally catered for...

Above Clockwise (L-R):  Globetrotter Safari Trolley Case in Ivory - £860.00,  Topshop Sundress - £38.00,  Miu Miu Cat Eye Sunglasses - £225.00,  Daisy Jewelry's Solar Plexus Chakra Bracelet - £86.00 £34.40, Kenneth Jay Lane's Gold Coin Necklace - £70.83 £49.17,  Accessorize Flower Fan - £6.00,  Stella McCartney Lizzie Espadrilles - £146.00.

Above Clockwise (L-R):  Meli Melo Bon Bon Bag in Cipria - £320.00 £224.00,  Topshop Hawaiian Print Sundress - £36.00,  Tangle Teezer - £10.00, Nars Monoi Body Glow Ii - £44.00, Benefit CORALista Powder - £23.50, Benefit CORALista Lipgloss - £13.50,  Dara Ettinger Lark Dyed Amethyst Cluster Ring - £69.17,  ASOS Cat Eye Flying Birds Sunglasses - £20.00, DKNY Linda Patent Multi-Strap Cork Wedges - £120.83.

Left and Below:   At The Tamarind in Mombasa, Kenya, wearing The Summer Dress - £150.00 - a British collaboration between designer Chessie Grievson (of the luxury bespoke label Tephi) and artist and conservationist Sophia Rogge.  This silk dress features a sand dollar print, inspired by the sea urchins from the oceans of Fiji. 10% of profits from this purchase will go towards coral conservation. Fashionable and environmentally friendly... No excuse not to really!  

Above Clockwise (L-R):  Beach Tunes!  The Very Best Of Toots & The Maytals - £15.99,  Bruno Mars 'Unorthodox Jukebox,' - £7.99,  Jack Savoretti 'Before The Storm' - £7.99,   Ben Howard 'Every Kingdom,' - £8.99, Lissie 'Catching A Tiger' - £4.99,  The Lumineers - £7.99.

All I Want For Christmas Is....

All I want for Christmas is you... And this... And maybe a few of these... Oh, and this too...

Above Clockwise (L-R): Brilliant Books from Amazon...  'Kate: The Kate Moss Book' - £50.00 £42.50, Tim Walker's 'Story Teller' - £45.00 £24.30, Karl Lagerfeld and Carine Roitfeld's 'The Little Black Jacket' - £65.00 £55.25, Mel S.Elliot's 'Colour Me Good Ryan Gosling' - £7.50 £6.00, Camilla Morton's 'Diane Von Furstenberg and the Tale of the Empress's New Clothes' - £12.99 £8.83, 'Grace' by Grace Coddington - £25.00 £21.25.

Above Clockwise (L-R):  Sophia Rogge Silk Scarfs - £190.00 or £270 for personalised, Plates from Anthropologie - £16.00 - £26.00, Anya Hindmarch Studded Leather Cosmetic Case - £225.00. 

Above Clockwise (L-R):  Movies and Music from Amazon... 'Moonrise Kingdom' (DVD) - £11.99, 'Homeland' Season 1 (DVD) - £24.97, 'The Hunger Games' (DVD) - £10.00, Rihanna's 'Unapologetic' (CD) - £8.99, Jake Bugg (CD) - £7.99.

Oh... And World Peace. 

HAWT: Alexa Chung in Valentino

Hawt = A late 1940's and early 1950's acronym for "Having A Wonderful Time."
Now the word is used on the internet as slang for something reeeeally hot.

When British DJ/Presenter Alexa Chung attended the ‘Valentino: Master of Couture’ tribute at the Miu Miu pop-up club in London last week she wore a 1950’s-style Valentino Resort 2013 green satin dress with a cream lace overlay top and black bow belt.  Accessorising her outfit with an Anya Hindmarch handbag and a pair of simple black patent Valentino Mary Jane shoes, Alexa looked both lady like and HAWT.  This girl just never gets it wrong.

Credit Buy - Miu Miu Shooboots

As you may have noticed by now, I am a bit of a magpie when it comes to glittery shoes… They have an extreme magical power over me; no challenge or obstacle in the world seems unconquerable when I have twinkly toes.

Alexa Chung (right) Zooey Deschanel and Diane Kruger are amongst the many fashionistas who have recently been spotted wearing these Miu Miu’s A/W’11 shooboots.
(RRP. £555.00)

Luckily for us, the highstreet also has a range of sparkly
boot-iliciousness this season… So lets all click our heels three times, “there’s no place like… Topshop...”