Topshop with Tara Summers

I recently took British actress Tara Summers personal shopping at Topshop, Oxford Circus, whilst she was over visiting from LA.  An old friend of mine, Tara is best known for her role as Katie Lloyd in ‘Boston Legal,’ for starring in ‘Damages’ and also ‘Ringer.’  I'm very excited about her latest venture, acting alongside Greg Kinnear in new TV show, ‘Rake.’  Tara was on the hunt for some smart, but comfortable, daywear to wear with both blue and black jeans.  We shopped until we literally dropped (which luckily was atDean Street Townhouse - below - one of the best places to collapse btw!)

Tara’s favourite Topshop purchases included...

Above (Clockwise) L-R:  Aerobic2 Hi Top Wedge Trainers  - RRP. £45.00, Casual Drape Top in White - RRP. £34.00, Crepe Tunic Top in Colbalt - RRP. £34.00, Casual Drape Top in Khaki -RRP. £34.00, Navy Mallard Duck Ankle Socks (cuuuuute! I got them in pink!)  - RRP. £3.50,Drape Sleeveless Top  - RRP. £16.00, Able Pointy Lace-Up Boots - RRP. £62.00, Small Soft Zip Satchel in Camel - RRP. £32.00.

Cos Serpentine Summer Party

I attended the COS Summer cocktail party recently to celebrate their partnership with theSerpentine Gallery.  The Swedish high street brand are sponsoring the Park Nights series, which will see the Serpentine Summer Pavilion hosting performances, film screenings and talks on Friday evenings over the next few months.  

Cos have also created two limited-edition shirts (left, available here, RRP. £59.00) which were inspired by this year’s Serpentine Summer Pavillion installation designed by the Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto.  The Pavillion (below) is ahhhmaaaahzing, a real must see/climb!

La Martina Catwalk Show at Guards Polo Club

An afternoon of fashion, polo, champagne and macaroons?... Yes, Yes, Yes and Yes Please. Arriving at Guards Polo Club in my swankypants black Mercedes Uber car (left), I recently sat FROW at the exclusive preview of La Martina’s SS’13 collection. The well known Argentinean label is relied heavily upon for supplying polo-players with the very best of sportswear, but this show also included an array of ‘après chukka’ leisurewear for both men and women.  The show was followed with a polo match, bubbles and afternoon tea. Perfect. 

Above:  Henry Conway and Zafar Rushdie, Martina Betz and Kelly Eastwood

Above:  Once You Pop!  Wearing Long Sleeve Silk Pleat Shirt (RRP. £48.00) by Topshop, Necklace by Lulu Frost for J Crew, Love Me Tender Heart Ring by Phoebe Coleman (RRP. £108) Vintage Cartier Watch, Vintage Emerald Ring. Nailpolish by Essie ('Tart Deco').

Noble Macmillan

Noble Macmillan, tucked away on the sweetly cobbled Elvaston Mews, are well known for creating presents that are as genuinely unique as the shop itself.  Originally a 19th Century stable, and then a 1970’s garage, the shop has amazingly kept its beautiful original floor bricks, and given its distance from any highstreet, you feel like you are entering a secret, quintessentially British, treasure trove.

Walking through the doors I was met with the sight and smell of a myriad of colourful hand crafted leather goods and accessories. A rainbow of albums, diaries, visitor’s books, jewellery rolls, photo frames and backgammon sets, all of which can be personalised, are displayed.

Having struggled to find anything suitably stylish for my mini-iPad, I was particularly thrilled to see Noble Macmillan's brightly coloured collection of cases, and I adored their chic travel wallets.  This shop is perfect if you are looking for a classic one-of-a-kind present, especially for a friend’s wedding or notable birthday... or y'know, MY birthday ;)

Noble Macmillan have recently announced Otis Ferry as their Brand Ambassador,  having collaborated with the brand on a selection of journals which will be launched later this year.  Henry Samuelson, Managing Director of the leather accessories brand, says, "Otis represents the classic British Gentleman, whose passion for the British countryside combined with his urban edge fits perfectly with our brand."

I was lucky enough to have been sent this GORGEOUS Noble Macmillan leather notebook(below) in ‘Orange Tangerine’ with ‘Ibiza Pink’ embossing for all my summer scribbles!...

Thank you NM - I love it! xx

J. Crew Pop-Up

I recently attended the J. Crew pop up, a two-day sneak peak of the autumn/winter ’13 collection ahead of their launch in the UK on Regent Street this November.  I was met by a rainbow of delicious Italian cashmere (which you could charmingly have monogrammed), a plethora of gorgeous, wearable printed silk and a selection of sparkling, custom-made jewel collars which would make any outfit delightfully unique.

Below (L-R): Henry Conway and Annabel Simpson, Astrid Harbord and Kelly Eastwood

I love J. Crew’s easy and accessible approach to dressed up daywear, and I was specifically enamored with their statement necklaces. some of which were created by New York based jeweller Lulu Frost.  Although vintage in style, these necklaces are thoroughly modern and awoke my inner-magpie… I want them ALL!

Above (L-R):  Astrid Harbord, William Woodhams and Annabel Simpson with Coco Bear

The all-American retailer also announced they are teaming up with Central St Martin’s fashion school on a series of design projects as well as offering a new scholarship.

 My top J. Crew picks for the summer...
Above (L-R): Bijoux Bow Ballet Flats - RRP. £207.26, Crystal Compilation Necklace - RRP. £143.69, Vacationland Blouse - RRP. £108.85, Collection Cashmere Sweater in Punk Floral -RRP. £224.68, Mini-Pineapple Bikini Set - RRP. £85.07

Debit Buy: Kara Ross Earrings on The Outnet

When American fine jeweller Kara Ross was 13 years old her parents bought her a gemstone of her choice to commemorate a family safari in Africa.  When she returned home Kara designed a ring with the tourmaline she had chosen, “to know that I could create something wholly original at a young age really affected me.”  Kara’s elegant and dazzling cocktail rings, bangles and drop earrings are firm favourites of Kate Hudson,Cameron Diaz, Eva Mendes and Michelle Obama. 
 
Below:  These Kara Ross gold-plated Water Monitor earrings available HERE on The Outnet are a steal!

RRP. £95.00 £52.25 

Trend: Spring Knits

Above: Day or night, no one rocks a sweater better than Alexa Chung.

Despite the sun STILL refusing to put his party hat on (yes, that is snow outside... IN APRIL!) I refuse to let my style suffer.  It may be all miserable and gloomy outside but underneath my heavy parka and umbrella I shall be wearing a series of gorgeous light and bright knits bound to put Spring in my step.  A knitted jumper is key this season so whether you choose to wear yours with a bejewelled statement necklace, layered with a shirt underneath (collar done up for the ultimate in geek chic), or, à la Brrrrr-ave Alexa Chung, with bare legs and a skirt, your Winter Blues will be banished. 

Above (L-R):  Jump(er)ing into Spring:  Sienna Miller, Poppy Delevigne & Laura Carmichael.

Best of London - David Huglin

Burtonwode was launched by artist David Huglin (left) in 2010 when he noticed the huge imbalance “between the choice women had with their underwear compared to men.”   David set about to create stylish and unique boxer shorts for men who wanted something more individual ”underneath it all.”  

Printed in a 19th Century Carlisle mill and then stitched in London’s Canning Town, the sixteen pair collection of colourful Burtonwode boxer shorts are classically cut, made from 100% softened cotton and are available in a range of quirky prints from David’s own artwork.

Despite being based in London, David is Liverpudlian and has 'Liverpool' sewn onto every label "because I want it to be seen as a Liverpool brand; the city very much suits our outlook because there are things like plums and cherries on the boxes - it’s meant to be quite witty and cheeky and not taking itself too seriously.”  Fruity. 

David Huglin shared with us some of his London Favourites…

My Pint – I always try and go for something I've not had before.  I ask to try a bit of something random and and then have a pint of the stuff if I like it.  One that is always good value for money is Sam Smiths Alpine Lager at Blue Posts ( 81 Newman Street).
 
My Date Night – Home made Pierogies on the couch with my wife watching some trashy food porn programme.    
 
My Sunday Brunch – It has to be bagels with cream cheese and dry smoked smoked salmon at L&D in Hampstead (15-17 Lyttelton Road), or at Panzers in St.Johns Wood (13-19 Circus Road) - It's making me hungry even thinking about it...   
 
My Building – This is hard to choose, but probably the The Isokon Building in Hampstead.  Early residents included Walter Gropius, Marcel Breuer and Agatha Christie. I also find theRoyal Festival Hall just remarkable.  The details are unbelievable - check out the entrance door handles and brass banisters.

My London Shop – It was the Paul Smith furniture shop on Albermarle Street, full of whimsy and playfulness.  Sadly it's temporarily closed as it had some awesome stuff in there.  Calvert Street in Shoreditch is really great, it has Anthem, Mawi and Ally Capelino.

My London Extravagance – Taking the day off and strolling around the British Museum.
 
London's Best Kept Secret – I like the second hand furniture places on the Holloway Road.
 
My London Icon – Edward Johnston who invented the Underground Symbol and Typeface used until the 1980's. A brilliant and efficient response to the challenges of the underground mapping system. 

Burtonwode Boxer Shorts RRP. £26.00

www.burtonwode.com

Princesse Tam.Tam's Red Nose Day Pyjamarama

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Princesse Tam.Tam promised to donate £50.00 in my name at tonight’s 25th Comic Relief fundraiser if I agreed to be ‘Funny for Money’ and wear my pyjamas to work this morning!  I have worn my Princesse Tam.Tam Diamond Blue PJs (available here) along with the accessory du jour, a Red Nose, all day – including at a meeting with Literary Death Match creator Adrian Todd Zuniga at Notting Hill’s Granger & Co (below). 

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To donate to Red Nose Day click here.  The money you give will help poor and vulnerable people, both in the UK and in Africa.  

Mother's Day Flowers ... From Chanel

Show your Mum just HOW much you love her by hot-footing it down to Covent Garden this weekend and buying her a beautiful bouquet from the Chanel pop-up flower stall.  From tomorrow the flowers essential to the House’s most loved fragrances (including roses, jasmine, patchouli and irises) will be available to buy until late Sunday afternoon.  Also, if you purchase a 100ml of Chanel perfume, you will be given a complimentary hand-tied posy with a personalized message handwritten by a Chanel calligrapher on a camellia-embossed card... I’m slightly breathless at the very thought.  

These are not just flowers. These are CHANEL flowers!