24 Hours in Mykonos with Figleaves

I was really excited to be invited to Mykonos a few months ago by Figleaves to get a sneak preview of their gorgeous Spring/Summer’18 collection, which has recently hit their digital shelves. 

I’d never visited the idyllic, white-washed Mykonos before, and over a whirlwind, bikini-filled 24 hours, I was able to really get a taste of both the glamour and simplicity of the Greek island. 

In the morning I explored the island’s capital, Chora, which gave me the opportunity to wear some of Figleaves’ new beachwear around all the narrow and winding, labyrinth-style streets.  Picturesque, and quaint, there are endless little souvenir and handicraft shops to peruse, and cafes to drop into, as you wander around the bougainvillea scattered narrow and winding, labyrinth-style streets.  

No trip to Mykonos would be complete without visiting the iconic windmills which overlook the sea, dating back to the 16th Century. 

Above: Wearing the Rowan 0ff The Shoulder Sundress (RRP. £38.00), also available in white. 

I was quite overwhelmed by the amount of stray cats in Mykonos, either happily soaking up the sunshine, or merely looking to share your lunch. To adopt a stray from Mykonos or sponsor their fostering or sterilization efforts, please contact Mykonos Animal Welfare. 

In the afternoon, I headed to the Alemangou Mykonos, a boho haven on Mykonos’ Ftelia Beach. The rocky landscape, golden sand and crystal Aegean seawater made for the perfect location to shoot some of the latest Figleaves swimwear.  My favourite piece from the new collection was the Surf Shore Soft High Neck Tummy Control Swimsuit (below, RRP. £45.00), which was an unusually sporty choice for me, but I loved its high neck and unique mesh detailing. 

I have always wrongly thought that Figleaves only catered for the more curvier figures, but I was so thrilled to realise that they have copious, sun-sational (couldn’t resist) fits for every shape and size, allowing us all to feel both supported and stylish this summer, whether poolside or at the beach.

Above:  How pretty is this Margarita Frill Triangle Soft Bikini?!  I prefer non-wired bikinis, and being not adverse to the odd frill or two, this bikini top (RRP. £20.00) was an immediate, 'add to bag!' 

Below:  A few other favourites from Figleaves that I have my beady little eyes on for this Summer; The Secret Garden Soft Cut Out Swimsuit (RRP. £45.00), the Tulum Tassel Kaftan
(RRP. £45.00) and the Frida Underwired Bandeau Swimsuit (RRP. £50.00).

Here is a little video of my whirlwind 24 hours in Mykonos...

TLC ON TOUR... MYKONOS SUITCASE:
(Click on the items below for their direct links)

In collaboration with Figleaves

'The Season' with LK Bennett

This season LK Bennett cordially invites you, me and EVERYBUDDY, to celebrate in true style… Whether you have some confetti to throw or some lucky bets to place, whatever the summer soiree may be, LKB has you covered with their effortlessly chic edit of beautiful occasion wear. 

With an exciting barrage of summer events on the horizon, I decided to style my three favourite LK Bennett looks from their The Season edit, all which felt easy-to-wear in both shape and fabric (always key in the hotter months) and that could also be worn from day well into balmy night. 

The Eve Cranberry Silk Dress

I adore this tea-dress inspired Eve Cranberry Silk Dress from The Season collection, and the tie-waist makes it so flattering.  The dress is so versatile, and could just as easily be worn with flat flat gold sandals as with these incredibly luxurious, burnt orange velvet Henie platform heels. 

As a well-documented fascinator-hater (*facihater?!) I keep my hair pretty natural (aka. scruffy) at smart summer events, preferring a killer pair of sunnies or some sort of kooky hair accessory… Here, I chose to highlight the whole vintage feel of this dress by adorning my favourite Cat-Eye sunglasses and faux-pearl hair slide. The LK Bennett Lucille clutch, a 100% raffia handbag, keeps this look feeling fresh, summery, and slightly more casual, which I tend to prefer. 

The Sukie Pink Multi Silk Dress

The Sukie Pink Multi Silk Dress is a true silky beauty, and the ¾ length sleeves are ultra-flattering if like me, you prefer a little bit more coverage when in the sunshine. I wore this dress with the sky-high LK Bennett Annabella Green Satin Sandals (also available in rose pink) and felt instantly party ready. The khaki colour of the cork platform sandals worked perfectly with the floral print of the dress, and the LKB Adriana Sunglasses, with their black and taupe tortoiseshell two-tone finish, were the cherry on the outfit cake.  

The Loren Navy White Silk Jumpsuit

I have always been a real jumpsuit girl, and the LK Bennett Loren Jumpsuit, with its flowing and fluid silhouette, an flattering tie-wast, obviously caught my eye instantly.  I have attended several weddings and super smart occasions in silk jumpsuits before, and felt just as glamorous amongst all the dresses.  By wearing this jumpsuit with metallic heels, and a box clutch, you would feel instantly more elegant, but I kept things comfortable and cool by once again, wearing burnt orange Henie platforms.

Which is your favourite look of the three?

Shop The Season HERE. 

In collaboration with LK Bennett
Photography: Joseph Galvin
Hair: Taylor Taylor London

An Espadrille Workshop with Penelope Chilvers

I still remember the flurry of excitement amongst my school friends upon finding baskets filled with colourful espadrilles outside a cheap as chips boutique when on a daytrip to Paris.  We returned back to England that afternoon a few Francs lighter but feeling infinitely more bohemian and chic.  Many (oh-so-depressingly many!) moons later, high street and designer espadrilles are readily accessible to us all back in Blighty, and the variety of eye-catching colours and designs are now infinite. 

Penelope Chilvers, who’s shoes and commitment to the flat I have long admired, organized an Espadrille Workshop at her Duke Street shop.  An invited group of press were invited throughout the day to meet Penelope, enjoy delicious smoothies from Farm Girl Cafe, and create our own pair of espadrilles. 

With a basket filled of striped, floral and plain coloured canvases, and another filled with multi-coloured velvet and cotton ribbons, we all created unique customised designs which Penelope then had traditionally made up for us in her Spanish workshop.  SUCH a treat!

I was immediately drawn to this multi-coloured, almost Missoni'esq striped canvas, and thought it went really well with this jewel-toned, deep pink velvet ribbon...

At the workshop, Penelope told us the espadrilles she liked the best would go on to be produced in her upcoming SS’17 collection...

I’m really excited to tell you, that the KELLY ESPADRILLES will be hitting the Penelope Chilvers shelves next Summer!  That's right, I WON!!!  Woooooo Hooooo!!!  I shall now been known as, #EspadrellyKelly!

Thank you PC, I love them! xx

If your sun kissed tootsies are looking for some gorgeous espadrilles to wear this summer, Penelope has some other really gorgeous summer must-have espadrilles available HERE.

LFW: Matthew Williamson SS'14

Just like his AW/13 collection, Matthew Williamson’s SS’14 collection showed his designs evolving steadily from the bohemian holiday wear he had long been associated with, to a more sleek, simple and mature aesthetic. “My girl is growing up, she is the same free spirit inside but, like the rest of us, maturing – and I have to respond to that,”  Matthew explained.  Hand-drawn and painted daisy and dragonfly prints were displayed on belted dresses, tailored silk trousers and feminine, yet sophisticated, dresses.  I particularly liked the yellow organza based shift dress with ornate white appliqué flowers.