The Cambridge Satchel Company's Collaboration with Peanuts

Just HOW excited do you think I was to receive an intimate dinner invitation to celebrate The Cambridge Satchel Company’s collaboration with Peanuts?!  I mean, with every nostalgic heart cord pulled, I couldn’t have accepted this most happy and colourful invite quicker.  The fun factor at this dinner, held on the top floor of the company’s stunning six-floor flagship store in Covent Garden, always promised to be HIGH. 

The Cambridge Satchel Company, founded in 2008 around a kitchen table by fashion entrepreneur and mother Julie Deane (left), has long been a street style fave amongst ‘schlebs and bloggers alike (namely, Alexa Chung and Susie Bubble).  Following on from previous collaborations with Vivienne Westwood, Erdem and Comme des Garcons, the latest satchels and zip-pouches will feature characters from the popular US cartoon strip, all adorably seeing Woodstock (my childhood favourite!) riding the company’s famous bicycle logo.

"This collaboration is close to my heart - Snoopy has always been a favourite of mine," the lovely Julie Deane told us.  "The collection makes me smile and that's the very best way to feel about what we can offer our customers. The logo was adapted to find a special place for Woodstock - always the industrious figure in the background, I am proud to have him on our iconic bicycle!"

Above:  With Sasha Wilkins (Liberty London Girl) and Julie Dean.

Having recently been awarded an OBE in the Queen’s New Year honours list for her services to entrepreneurship, Julie Deane hosted us at the most gorgeous and playful of tables for a delicious feast, spoiling us with gifts from the range (above) and Snoopy cookies!  The rhubarb and almond crumble with maple syrup crème fraiche should probably get it’s own special mention because… Oh… My… Sweet… Lord.

This exclusive collaboration will launch online HERE tomorrow, 19th February 2015, and in store from this Saturday 21st February. The pouches will cost £70-£90, with the satchels ranging from £140-£155.

TLC's Valentine's Wish List feat. Missoma

As a renown magpie, regularly adorning myself in sparkly British designs and shiny vintage treasures, I was thrilled to be asked by Missoma to choose my favourite piece of their jewellery for their Valentine's Gift Guide. Although picking just one design was hard, I imagine as hard as choosing a favourite child, there was one particular piece which shot out, like an arrow through the heart...  If you're clever boys, this last minute treat could win you some serrrrious brownie points! 

"Who needs red roses when you can have rose gold?! Yup, that's the line I'm taking this Valentines Day, and the Missoma diamond arrow bracelet, worn stacked or alone, is high up on my wish list. Don't say I didn't give you fair warning fellas..."  

Note to the Menfolk:  If she's told you she hates Valentine's Day, that it's a cheesy, naff occasion that is not worth celebrating... She's lying.  Panicking now?! Run Menfolk Ruuuun (to the shops...) 

Above (Clockwise) L-R:  Jess Collet Ash Trilby (RRP. £240.00), Choux à la Crème Greeting Card (RRP. £3.50), Village England's Mini Cranleigh Crossbody Bag (RRP. £128.00), L’Amour Trinket Tray (RRP. £10.00), Escentric Molecules 01 (RRP. £66.00)

Above (Clockwise) L-R:  Mermaid Perfume (RRP. £36.00), Deliciously Ella (RRP. £20.00), Peas in a Pod Socks (RRP. £3.00), Larsson and Jennings Gold-Plated Watch (RRP. £220.00), China Book Vase (RRP. £26.00), Naughty Little Card Shop Valentine’s Card (RRP. £3.00)

J&M Davidson's 30th Anniversary

I recently attended the most beautiful of dinners at the Connaught in celebration of J&M Davidson's 30th anniversary.  I knew my evening was to be a special one when my invitation arrived in the form of a limited edition, silver clutch bag (which I carried on the night).  The dinner was co-hosted by John and Monique Davidson and Tanya Ling, an illustrator who has a long history with the husband and wife team. 

Tanya Ling's unique, illustrated menus and name cards were stunningly placed amongst the most elegant of Wild at Heart flowers by Nikki Tibbles. Just BEAUTIFUL!! 

John and Monique Davidson launched J&M Davidson in 1984 from their home in Chiswick.  Now a global British brand with a French twist, their constantly evolving collections include covetable handbags, handcrafted belts, clothing and knitwear, all available online or from their colourful Notting Hill store.  

SHOP TLC's LOOK:

Above L-R (Clockwise):  Louisa Preskett and Katy Wickremesinge, Bip Ling, Katie Readman with Amy Williams and Alice Naylor-Leyland, Pandora Sykes.  Below:  "But first...." with Katie Readman and Bip Ling.

Below:  Some of J&M Davidson's current collection.  I am eyeing up their Medieval Blue Carnival bag – but the canary yellow drawstring one will no doubt be a SS’15 must have!

Topshop's Personal Shopping Experience

I was recently asked to visit Topshop's Personal Shopping area at their Oxford Street branch for an utterly spoiling A/W'14 wee spree.  I know... My job does not suck.  I have always seen their amazing flagship store as the ultimate grown up girl's sweetie shop, and I can eeeeasily spend hours wandering aimlessly admits all the season's newest styles, frequently finding things I never EVEN knew I needed, but OBVIOUSLY cannot live without!  On this particular occasion however,  knowing I only had a one hour appointment in my more than luxurious fitting room, I had done some research and online prep, enabling me to whizz around the shop like a Topshop ninja, pinpointing the items I wanted to try on.  One of the brilliant personal shoppers was on hand back to help change any sizes for me and help search for alternative styles if the ones I chose didn't suit me.  As a result, I managed to put together three very different looks (much of which is now in the sale, so be quick!) in record time - especially for me!  

Topshop's Personal Shopping is a complimentary service offered in eight of their stores.  Various different appointments can be made, catering to your specific styling needs, and if short on time, or in dire need of a quick wardrobe update, I really recommend booking yourself one HERE. 

Which is your favourite look?  I'd be lying if I didn't say the light up trainers...!  Thank you Topshop xx

The A/W'14 Sale Edit

If the weather is looking far too miserable outside, and you've eaten too many Quality Streets and mince pies over Christmas to even contemplate heaving your way to the shops to hit the sales, fear not!  I recommend enjoying the below, edited selection of beautious bargains whilst remaining firmly curled up on the sofa, ipad and hot tea (and by hot tea I mean mulled wine, hey, 'tis STILL the season after all!)  And remember, it's not what you're spending, it's what you're saving, right?!  Those Sophia Webster heels ar literally calling to me!!  Hover over the items you like for direct links... Enjoy! 

Hello, World!

All HE Wants For Christmas 2014

With all the chaos and mad panic arising on every twinkly-lit highstreet, finding a present for those lucky menfolk in your life can prove both tricky and super stressful.  Rather than resorting to making IOU voucher booklets (Ha! That ol'chestnut!) here is some TLC giftspiration which may make life a liiiittle easier over the next week or so...

Hover over the items for direct links - Enjoy!

All She Wants For Christmas (in her stocking...) 2014

Regardless of your age, NOTHING beats waking up to a stocking at the end of you bed (... or in mine and my sister's case; stockings strewn across the floor, having already been opened around 4am, having stumbled back from some annual, terribly civilised Christmas drinks on the beach with friends...) If I have been a good girl this year (which, to be fair, is still under some debate), I hope to discover some of these little treats waiting for me (early!) Christmas morning... 

Hover over the items for their direct links - Enjoy! 

All She Wants For Christmas 2014

We all know that most men fear, dread and loooathe shopping, so rather than ‘accidentally’ flambéing him instead of the Christmas Pudding this year, 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…?!  Warning... If someone else doesn't buy you some goodies off this list, you'll definitely end up buying yourself some (and that's ok, right?!)

Hover over the items for their direct links... Enjoy!

Hello There: Full Disclosure

Or should that be 'Well Helloooooo There: Full Disclosure?!' I was really thrilled to be asked to curate an edit of TLC's top picks from the newest go-to lingerie and sleepwear haven, Full Disclosure.  Housing (or should that be bedrooming?!) an enticing mixture of stunningly lacy and racy lingerie sets and corsets, beautiful and flirtatious playsuits and baby-dolls, elegant silk robes and suspenders, all from both well known and loved names to some new and exciting brands I too have just discovered.  I mean, seriously, forget Lapland, THIS is where you want your Santa-Baby to visit en route to your Christmas stockings... 

Check out the TLC edit HERE and if no one else will, go and spoil yourself!

Cyber Weekend: The ASOS Edit

The first time I ever heard of ‘Black Friday’ was at an American friend’s Thanksgiving lunch last year in Primrose Hill.  The Americans around the table seemed anxious they were missing out on the following day’s incredible sales and offers back in the US.  If you're still a little lost, 'Black Friday' was a phrase coined by the Philadelphia police in the 1950's after the chaos caused by shoppers flocking to the high streets after Thanksgiving to begin their Christmas shopping.  With stores keen to get as many people through their doors as possible, offers galoooore began, and a tradition born. 

Like Starbucks, David Hasslehoff and Cronuts, Black Friday has also now arrived on our British shores.   Thankfully however, in 2014 we don’t all have to panic, elbows at the ready to brave Oxford Street or Westfield, as plenty of online shops and boutiques are also offering some incredible deals this 'Cyber Weekend' (you couldn't make this up!)  ASOS are amazingly offering 20% off ALL their products ALL weekend... Just LOVE those guys!  So, to spare you hours of trawling their site, I took one for the team and selflessly put together this edit for y’all… Just hover on the items you like for prices and click.  Yes, that’s right, you can also be thankful for me this weekend Pilgrims!   

DISCOUNT CODE:  CYBERWKND20