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).

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Photographs: Moeez Ali

With Thanks to Balthazar London

Matthew Williamson's Belvoir Collection

In a wonderful attempt to coax the Spring sunshine out of hiding, Matthew Williamson’s ‘Gown Gang’ congregated at the palatial Kiping Sweet in Brown’s Hotel in Mayfair to play dress up in our favourite designer’s new Belvoir Collection. 

Matthew's opulent collection is inspired by Belvoir Castle and its beautiful interiors, with beautifully flowing countryside florals and eccentric patterns featuring monkeys and peacocks. 

After a breakfast feast comprising of acai bowls and chocolate dipped bananas (and apple pastries, which I admit, I ate four of – but they were REALLY REALLY TINY, people!) Charlotte Tilbury’s amazing team were on hand to give us all gorgeous make-overs. 

After each choosing one of the show stopping dresses to wear, and grabbing a pair of Cinderella worthy Jimmy Choo's, we braced the chilly streets of London for our multi-coloured Sun Dance (a little like a Rain Dance but with less stomping, and a lot more of our signature swooshing!)

Now, we don’t want to compleeeeetely take credit for the recent heavenly rays shining through the grey… But I don’t want to fully discount this theory either.  Jus’sayin.

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Photography:  Moeez Ali

Hair:  Secret Spa

Nails:  Sophie Gass

Matthew Williamson x USA Pro

This summer Matthew Williamson released a twenty-piece capsule collection of active and yoga wear with sportswear specialists USA Pro and I attended the collaboration’s launch at the South Kensington Club.  

The distinctive collection of leggings, zip-up jackets and sport's bra tops, combine USA Pro’s in depth technical active wear knowledge, with three of Matthew’s signature vibrant and exotic prints. The results are super stylish, yet practical - perfect for the gym, the mat... and more likely for me, the sofa... "Doing absolutely nothing in my (*Matthew Williamson) active wear...!"

“I view active and loungewear as a key component of our expansion into lifestyle in 2016. I am delighted to be able to design for another part of every modern woman’s wardrobe – distinct from ready-to-wear yet important for their everyday lives.”  Matthew Williamson. 

Above (Clockwise) L-R:  With Rosanna Falconer, Alicia Rowntree, Matthew and Sienna Miller.

Above: It's Miller Time with Matthew and my school pals, Savannah Miller and Sienna Miller.

I wore my Kaleidoscopic Butterfly Wheel printed High Neck Bra Top and Shorts in my first kick boxing class whilst on holiday in Kenya recently. The infamous saying, ‘all the gear and no idea’ has never been relevant, seeing me definitely float like a butterfly, not sting like a bee...! 

TLC LOVES... Matthew Williamson x USA Pro

Matthew Williamson x LikeToKnow.it Summer Party

If there are two things we all know Matthew Williamson excels at, it’s making beautiful dresses and throwing faaaabulous parties. Upon returning from New York last week, I attended a summer party thrown by Matthew and the President and Co-Founder of RewardStyle and LIKEtoKNOW.it, Amber Venz Box.

Held at the heavenly Clifton Nurseries, amidst great music, bongo drums and mahoosive bubbles (yup!) we celebrated Matthew’s high-summer 2016 collection, Mirage. Three exclusive #MWxLTK looks (each ready to shop via. Instagram that night) were also revealed that night, amongst the tropical flowers and tropical cocktails, worn by myself, Donia Ciobanu and Rosie Fortescue (below).

Below:  Marbilicous with Matthew's Artistic Director Georgie Macintyre and Business Director Rosanna Falconer.  Rowan Lewis' amazing floral installation was like being inside a floral piñata!

The evening ended in a lot of multi-coloured swooshing on the dance floor, the mass devouring of marbled chocolate and the releasing of hundreds of British butterflies into the wilds of Clifton Nurseries. FANTASTICAL.

Above (L-R):  Talking Heads with MW by some of his collection, with Venetia Falconer and Niomi Smart.

Above:  Where there be a giraffe, there be a Kelly!  #YouCanTakeTheGirlOuttaAfrica....

Above/Below:  Forever Blowing Bubbles with Venetia Falconer.

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TLC Loves.... Matthew Williamson's Mirage

The Launch of Matthew Williamson for Duresta

Being invited to a veritable ‘Lock In’ at Harrods by Matthew Williamson is one thing, but it’s utterly next level to also have your outfit personally chosen by the designer himself...

In celebration of his vibrant first furniture collaboration with Nottingham-based sofa manufacturers Duresta, Matthew, knowing I not only LOVE orange (it's my happy colour) but frequently ‘wear the trousers’ amongst his ‘Gown Gang’ (aka: his flamboyance of feathery super fans), dressed me in one of my favourite MW outfits to date; archive coral trousers and an exotically printed Tangerine Parrot Wing Cowl Neck Shirt from his latest, much coveted, Amazonia collection.

The furniture collection includes five brightly coloured velvet upholstery ranges and several unique occasional pieces (including side tables with flamingo legs, no less!)  As to be expected, there is some serious colour which would, without fail, add some drama and opulent flare to your home.

“Making my first line of furniture with Duresta has been a passion project; it’s been a real journey to see the pieces come to life over the past year.”  

Matthew Williamson.

There was a wonderful mix of glamorous guests all perching on the bold turquoise and fuchsia sofas, from Lindsay Lohan (above, with Matthew) to Plum Sykes, but as we're both Instagram-addicts, it was Maureen, Matthew’s ultra charming and glam mother, who I enjoyed speaking to the most!

Above:  MW and Venetia Falconer. Below:  With MW's Business Director, my bud, Rosanna Falconer. 

Duresta for Matthew Williamson is available exclusively in-store at Harrods on the Third Floor.

Joined by MORE of the #GownGang team; Gabriela Fones, Anisa Soijka and Niomi Smart. 

Below:  After dying in bed for over a week, my ghostly corpse was revived and made MW party-ready with the help of a spa-maaaazing Bliss Spa Triple Oxygen Facial, "Princess-Belle-Meets-Alicia-Vikander-At-The-Oscars-Hair pleeease" by Tatiana Karelina and lots of spoiling new Tom Ford makeup... #ItTakesAVillage.

TLC LOVES: MATTHEW WILLIAMSON'S AMAZONIA COLLECTION...

ABOVE (CLOCKWISE) R-L:  Tangerine Parrot Wing Cowl Neck Blouse, Mint Mother Amazon Silk Slip Dress, Blue Mother Amazon Silk Asymmetric Dress, Raspberry Marble Nature Silk Dress, Tom Ford Traceless Foundation Stick, Rainbow Snake Silk Palazzo Jumpsuit, Tom Ford Lipstick in Plum Lush, Bliss Triple Oxygen Energising Vitamin C Day Cream.

Celebrating Matthew Williamson's Amazonia Collection

Last week I attended a dinner at Matthew Williamson’s Queen’s Park Studio for a dinner to celebrate his new Amazonian-themed collection. Well, I say dinner but it was certainly more of a tropical extravaganza. Hosted by Matthew’s right-hand girls (and party planner extraordinaires) Rosanna Falconer and Georgie Macintyre.  In the company of three parrots (yup, not even kidding) and a flurry of exotically dressed guests, I was served a delicious Balthazar London feast and waaaay too many glasses of NYEtimber bubbles amongst various wild and feathered figurines surrounding my plate! We were then adorably spoiled with mini meringue pies and jelly snakes served alongside our mint drunk from elegant vintage crockery.

The collection, inspired by the Amazon and the spiritual revelations and awakenings reportedly experienced from consuming ayahuasca, the enlightening drug shamans have used for centuries as a window into the soul and cure for illness and depression.  The typically vibrant Matthew Williamson prints contain beetles, monkeys, snakes and a lot of stunning, tropical flowers; mood lifting indeed!

TLC Loves Matthew Williamson's Amazonia Collection...

Above (L-R) Clockwise:  Raspberry Jungle Bloom Silk Chiffon Gathered Gown (RRP. £950.00), Mint Jungle Bloom Embroidered Flare Dress (RRP. £795.00), Raspberry Mother Amazon Silk Slip Dress (RRP. £295.00), Jungle Bloom Embroidered Halter Gown (RRP. £2,295.00), Lemon Jungle Bloom Silk Chiffon Gathered Gown (RRP. £950.00).  See the rest of the Amazonia Collection HERE.

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Above (L-R) Clockwise: Hourglass Cosmetics Illusion Hyaluronic Skin Tint (RRP. £45.00), Miss KG Audrina Silver Patent Mary Jane's (RRP. £50.00), Mulberry Aqua Green Mini Lily (RRP. £350.00), Raspberry Mother Amazon Silk Culottes (RRP. £275.00), Raspberry Mother Amazon Silk Top (RRP. £195.00), Givenchy Rouge Interdit Vinyl lipstick in 06 Rose Sulfureux (RRP.£24.00), Halcyon Days Gold Agama Bangle (RRP. £120.00)

The Conran Shop opens at Selfridges

The Conran Shop have opened an interiors haven within the illustrious and iconic lower ground level of Selfridges, and on the last night of London Fashion Week, my friend Rosanna Falconer (below, draped in glittering Matthew Williamson, as per) and I attended the launch.  Surrounded by a beyond stylish edit of multi-coloured gadgets and gizmos a’plenty, it took ultimate strength (of character, and at times pure manhandling) to not buy everything in sight after a glass (orrr two) of champagne. A go-to destination for note-worthy gifts and investment items for your home - Keep me away, this could be dangerous! 

TLC LOVES... THE CONRAN SHOP

Above:  I'm more than a little obsessed with these Medium Cactus Vases (£37.50) and Large Cactus Vases (£59.00). Next pay cheque, they're MINE! 

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The Launch of The Grill at The Dorchester

Last week I was invited to the launch of The Grill, the recently refurnished and stunningly re-imagined restaurant at The Dorchester. 

Before myself, and the beyond gorgeous (inside and out!) Emily Johnston of Fashion Fois Grois, attended the much-anticipated party (and more to the point, sampled the delicious menu!) we were both blissfully pampered at the Carol Joy’s salon.  We were both treated to voluminous blow dries (Emily assured me “the higher the hair, the closer to God”) and manicures (in a room which could actually compete, and possibly win, against me in an Essie Polish count!) in this hidden oasis. 

Once in my dress (I wore a pale pink Huishan Zhang dress which unzipped at the front to make an unusual crop-top dress), I joined Emily at The Grill ahead of the other guests so we could have a look around the sparkling new venue, see the detail of the new design, and meet the team on their first night.  

First established in 1931, The Grill quickly became an iconic, ‘go-to’ venue for the finest grill food in London with regular customers including royalty, statesmen and celebrities alike.  Now with a timeless yet vibrant new interior, courtesy of French interior architect Bruno Moinard, the restaurant and its charming staff are ready to welcome in a new culinary chapter, under the reign of Head Chef Christophe Marleix, Alain Ducasse’s protégé.

An amazing, hand-blown Murano glass chandelier hangs prominently in the centre of the room (right) adding some serious, majestic drama.   Another special and defining feature of the room are its pivoting wall panels which rather theatrically manage to create an entirely different ambience and mood by transforming the light from day to night.  Thus, the restaurant not only provides a romantic, cosy venue for dinner, but also the perfect light and bright breakfast location too.    

We were utterly spoilt with various, mini dishes from The Grill, including yummy scallops, utterly delicious fish and chips (a must!) and little pots of their signature blue lobster chowder and several different flavours of sweet soufflés (the rum and raisin is OFF the scale… I maaaay have had two... Ok three, but in my defence, they were really freaking small, OK?!...)  If these dishes were anything to go by, trust me, this restaurant is one to check out - and it will certainly be seeing a lot more of me! 

Below:  With Matthew Williamson's Communication's Director Rosanna Falconer.

Below:  With Louisa Preskett and Marissa Hermer.

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