Hello There: Olivia Von Halle

Above:  I was utterly spoiled at Christmas when DG bought me a pair of gorgeous Olivia von Halle silk Coco Pyjamas (RRP. £330.00).  Unfortunately however, all my other pyjamas now pail into insignificance and I only want to wear these silk ones (...high maintenance much?!  Yup.)

Olivia von Halle launched her own luxury nightwear brand in 2011, inspired by the silk pyjamas Coco Chaneland her contemporaries wore in the 1920’s. The beautifully cut pyjamas in an array of stunning prints are now a firm fashionista favourite and are available in over thirty stockists including Harrods and Net-a-Porter.  You can even get them monogrammed These should be high on every girl's wish list - Trust me!
"Why have cotton... When you can have (OvH) silk...!"

Below:  Olivia von Halle's AW'14 collection inspired by Tsarist Russia in the early 20th Century.  Oliva has said, "on a trip to Moscow I was captivated by the extraordinary opulence of the buildings and the way a new generation of women such as Mira Duma and Lena Perminova were putting a chic modern spin on traditional Russian style." 

Oh, and another thing:  Olivia got married in 2008 wearing a pink skin-tight catsuit (awesome) and has a dog called Bathtub (who I am mildly obsessed with on Instagram!) 

 

 Olivia Von Halle, Olivia von Halle Silk Pyjamas, Silk Pyjamas, Harrods, Net-a-Porter, The London Chatter, Tsarist Russia, Opulent,Sleep Wear, Silk Sleepwear

 

 

Daisy Jewellery's 'If Only He Knew' Campaign

Gentlemen… If for some LUCICROUS reason you missed TLC’s Valentine’s Day Gift List last week (what were you thinking?!) and have idly let all other warnings of the looming love celebration pass you by, you may just have ONE last chance to redeem yourselves and save yourself from the Dog House… Daisy Jewellery is not only offering NEXT DAY DELIVERY but also a 15% DISCOUNT to the guys who purchase items from their ‘If Only He Knew’ Valentine’s Wish List (using code VDAY15 at the checkout).  
Now, you have NO excuses!!

My favourite piece from their ‘hearty’ selection is the Limited Edition Fluro Pink Heart Chakra Bracelet (RRP. £86.00) in rose gold (top left and above, modelled by Lloyd...)

Above (Clockwise L-R):  For a Happy Hearts Day... Heart Alpha Ring (RRP. £38.00),  Heart Chakra Pendent (RRP. £165.00), Little Heart Good Karma Bracelet (RRP. £60.00), Heart Chakra Nuit Bracelet (RRP. £86.00)

 

SJP Shoes by Sarah Jessica Parker

Last September we struggled to remain composed when Sarah Jessica Parker announced she was creating a shoe collection.  

The first image to be released was of the elegant Mary-Jane style 'Diana' heels (below) which have a diagonal strap and are particularly similar to the black Manolos SJP’s ‘Sex and The City’c haracter Carrie Bradshaw picks out to wear in the ‘Urban Shoe Myth’ episode.  All the SJP shoes are crafted in Italy and this particular patent pair of stilletos will cost $395.00 (approximately which is a round £240.00). 

 SJP actually credits her shoeaholic character Carrie as igniting her interest in shoe design stating, “Carrie's love of shoes meant I got to wear literally hundreds of pairs - and the more I wore, the more I realised that they are often the starting point of the style choices we make. Sometimes in fashion, little else matters but the shoe." 

The SJP collection will also apparently include kitten heels, laced booties, flats and strappy heels and will be unveiled later this month at Nordstrom.   There is currently no UK launch date in the pipeline but the shoes will be available online for us SJP fans across the pond so we can thankfully Keep Calm and Carrie On.

Beulah and French Sole Collaboration

Forget wearing your heart on your sleeve and start wearing them on your toes!  Beulah and French Sole have collaborated to make the loveliest of heart-shaped limited-edition ballet flats to help raise money for the United Nations' Blue Heart Campaign which supports the plight against human trafficking, a cause of great importance to the beauteous Beulah co-founders, Lady Natasha Rufus Isaacs and Lavinia Brennan (above).

The night before I flew home to Kenya for Christmas I went to George on Mount Street in Mayfair, for the launch of these adorable, must-have slippers.  The soft grey flats with navy velvet hearts on their toes have bright blue soles and Beulah print lining. 

Available at French Sole (HERE) - RRP. £185.00 (25% goes to the Blue Heart Campaign).

 

All She Wants for Christmas 2013

We all know that most men fear, dread and loathe shopping so rather than ‘accidentally’ flambéing him instead of the Christmas Pudding as thanks for that last minute, delightfully flammable red underwear he left for you under the tree (“but it’s festive!”) may I suggest you help the poor fella out this year by kindly leaving this page open on his desktop…!  

Above (Clockwise) L-R: Kate: The Kate Moss Book – RRP. £50.00, Jonathan Adler’s Mr and Mrs Muse Mug at Amara – RRP. £24.30, Topshop Rasberry Bow Heels – RRP. £55.00, Anya Hindmarch Girlie Stuff Wash Bag – RRP. £95.00, Princess Tam Tam’s Folie Bra – RRP. £58.00

Above (Clockwise) L-R:  Dannijo Joanie Stud Earrings at Matches – RRP. £125.00, Topshop Collar Jacquard Dress – RRP. £75.00, Monica Vinader’s Gold Vermeil Stacking Rings - RRP. £50.00 - £100.00, Anthropologie Lady Bugs Dinner Plate – RRP. £24.00, Anthropologie Multitude Hairbands – RRP. £14.00 

Above (Clockwise) L-R:  Smythson 'Shoe Queen' Leather Notebook at Matches - RRP. £38.00, Topshop Velvet Sequin Pencil Skirt – RRP. £42.00, ‘Isabella Blow: Fashion Galore!’ at Amazon – RRP. £37.50 £23.25, Limited Edition Diptyque Candles at Space.NK– RRP. £25.00 -£45.00. Graham and Green Ceramic Animal Boxes – RRP. £15.00 - £18.00 

Above (Clockwise) L-R: DVF Diane Von Furstenberg Lips-Print Iphone Cover - RRP. £30.00£21.00, Wilbur & Gussie’s Penny Clutch - £295.00, Soru’s Double Green Opal Ring in Gold –RRP. £120.00, Beulah’s Shibani Shawl – RRP. £120.00 (10% from each Shabani shawl purchase goes to the UN’s Blue Heart Campaign against human trafficking), Biscuiteers Nativity Biscuit Set – RRP. £35.00, Just Ballerinas’ Leopard Print Slippers – RRP. £139.00

Thank you to actresses Anna Kendrick, Sienna Miller, Tara Summers and Ella Smith,  presenter Louise Roe and fashionistas Savannah Miller, Tanya Semikoz and Natasha Rufus Isaacs, for sharing with The London Chatter their 2013 Christmas wishes. xxxx


All He Wants for Christmas 2013

The Christmas count down has officially begun and with the chaos and mad panic on every twinkly-lit highstreet, finding a present for the lucky menfolk in your life can prove both tricky and stressful.  Rather than resorting to making an IOU voucher booklet (that ol'chestnut!) here is some TLC giftspiration which may make life a liiiittle easier...

I also asked LA-based Brit musician and all round dude Dhani Harrison and the evvver hilarious Irish actor and comedian Chris O'Dowd to share with us their Christmas wishes. 

Above (Clockwise) L-R:  Drakes Knited Wool Tie – RRP. £95.00,  Ray-Ban Mirrored Aviators –RRP.135.00, Anthropologie Moscow Mule Mug – RRP.£16.00, Spotty Happy Socks at ASOS –RRP. £13.00, Cox & Cox Wooden Letter Rack – RRP. £65.00,  J Crew Flecked Wool-Blend Sweater – RRP. £90.00

Above (Clockwise) L-R:  Nike Air Max Trainers – RRP. £94.99, Suits (Season 1 and 2) – RRP.£34.99 £20.00, Kiehl’s Facial Fuel Energising Face Wash – RRP. £25.00, Leica D-Lux 5 Camera– RRP. £644.00, Laguiole Carving Set – RRP. £31.00, Graham and Green Winston Antique Globes – RRP. £79.00 - £89.00, The Kooples Straight Cut Wool and Cashmere Coat with Leather Details – RRP. £420.00 £336.00

The London Chatter's Charity Gift Guide for MyGoodness.com and Elephant Conservation

I have never kept either my love of elephants or my frustrations over their rapid demise a secret.  Alongside hundreds of other ele-lovers I recently protested outside The Houses of Parliament (left, see HERE) urging the government to take action to end the illegal trade in ivory.  At the current rate of poaching African Elephants could face extinction in the wild by 2025!!  I was therefore, thrilled to be asked by MyGoodness.com to curate a Christmas gift list in aid of Elephant Conservation. 

MyGoodness.com is a fashion and lifestyle website with a ‘Buy to Give’ mentality, allowing you to and give back to great causes and charities with every purchase made online.  Each of my chosen gifts will trigger a donation to these three brilliant elephant conservation organizations; The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, Tusk Trust and Elephant Family so why not surprise your loved ones this Christmas with stylish gifts that make a positive impact on elephant welfare? Now that WOULD be a Happy Christmas! 

Right: Visiting the elephant orphans at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trustin Nairobi, close to where I was brought up, when I was little and also more recently.

Hello There: Bags by M

Maria Marigliano Caracciolo's Bags By M Book Clutches are inspired by her native Italy’s heritage and traditions.  Using the finest of leathers, silks and gold leaf, the customised book clutches are bound by Neapolitian craftsmen near Maria’s home in Palazzo Marigliano, using techniques passed down over the generations in a century-long tradition.

Every detail of your Book Clutch is personalized according to your preferences;  the colour, the material, the decoration, and of course, the title.  Both traditional styles (RRP. £240.00) and luxury designs (RRP. £350.00) are available and your name can be printed on the back of the clutch under the Latin phrase ‘Ex Libris (‘Library Of’), alongside your date of birth or dedication, making this a totally individualised and one-of-a-kind accessory. 

After speaking with Maria over a coffee at Megans one morning, I decided I would choose Karen Blixen’s ‘Out of Africa,’ as my title as I too “once had a house at the foot of the Ngong Hills,” having being raised in Kenya on the author’s former coffee plantation just outside Nairobi.  We chose the colours we thought suited the title and my style best, and then the perfect illustrations.  This is a truly bespoke and special gift, a lifelong treasure and I am totally in love with it!!  Thank you SO much Maria!! xxx

I have had SO many compliments this week over my Bags By M. Book Clutch, and I’m more than happy to spread the word of it’s origins... Something I won’t need to do for long as Poppy and Cara Delevingne (right) have  both ordered their personalised Book Clutches for Christmas (above and below) so this brand will be on the tip of every fashionista’s tongues by 2014! 

Order HERE today for delivery before Christmas and mention 'THE LONDON CHATTER' to receive a 10% discount on traditional clutches and 15% on luxury designs! 

Monica Vinader's Online Ring Stacker

I was so unbelievably excited to try out Monica Vinader’s new online ring stacking service (HERE) this week. Like a grown up pick’n’mix, customers can virtually load up their favourite rings, all designed to compliment each other, eventually designing one unique, interchangeable, piece.  Oh maaan… yet another tough day at the office!! (#ILoveMyJob)

“The ring stacking tool really builds on our ‘Make it Your Own’ concept,”  said Monica Vinader, “I am committed to creating jewellery that people can wear every day and reinvent by wearing the pieces together to showcase their individuality."

I relished in this opportunity to choose from a seemingly endless pool of beautiful gemstone and diamond everyday rings.  Spending the happiest half an hour rearranging and repositioning various sparkly combinations (examples of which are above)  I finally decided on the perfect personalised, bespoke stack from the comfort of my own home – one I can add to as time goes on and mix up depending on the occasion. 

The very next day the rings arrived, beautifully packaged in Monica’s signature pink bag and my virtual stack had become a bejeweled reality!  

Below:  With mixing my rings around I can create the perfect daytime and nightime stack! 

This was a really fun and simple process and the choices were endless.  I definitely recommend this as a Christmas treat (...preferably for yourself!)  
Thank you Monica Vinader xxx