TLC VACATION: Puente Romano Beach Resort and Spa, Marbella

After the most depressingly long hibernation, and several bouts of rotten flu, the shiniest of tickets came my way; an invitation to stay at the Puente Romano Beach Resort & Spa on Spain’s Golden Mile, Marbella, where the sun shines for 320 days a year! HOORAY!  

Grabbing my friend Charlotte Cowen en route, I arrived at the most luxurious of hotels.  Designed to recreate an Andalusian village, the beachfront Puente Romano, with its endless array of restaurants, three swimming pools, Six Senses Spa and newly opened nightclub, La Suite, had everything both our mischievous and holistic desires required.   

Above:  Bellagio 4-Wheel 55cm Cabin Suitcase in Panna by BRICS.

Our room was found amongst the white-washed walls and baskets of geraniums of the grounds, and we were thrilled to find we had a gorgeous little balcony (room service locaaay sorted!) and adorable beach baskets and towels as gifts. 

Wearing: Daisy Mini Crop Set by Mochi.

Oh, I should also mention the giant plate of chocolate-dipped strawberries – soooo spoiling! 

Wearing:  Raspberry Mother Amazon Slip Dress and Sunrise Sunglasses by Matthew Williamson.

Wearing:  Lime Beam Printed Silk Crepe Playsuit by Asceno and Traveller by TOMS sunglasses. 

The heavenly Six Senses Spa offers an array of treatments, and Charlotte and I were generously treated to a hugely relaxing Couple’s Massage (hilarious!) in one of the spa’s nine treatment rooms.  

The blue-tiled swimming pool, with its view of the ocean, has amazing waterfall-style windows, and the spa also features a hydrotherapy pool; a cold plunge pool; heat and ice experience showers with different types of water flow and mood lighting; herbal steam room; sauna and hammam. UTTER heaven, and you can see why people travel the distances they do to unwind and spend time being pampered there.

Wearing:  Seafolly Coast to Coast Swimsuit from Beach Cafe.

Wearing:  Anna Kosturova (name to watch!) Dreamcatcher Halterkini from Beach Cafe.

There is a gym and a tennis court on site, and the resort is also very close to Marbella’s old town, but given that there are nine (yes, nine!) restaurants throughout the resort, it is quite possible to spend your entire stay hopping from one to the other… I can think of worse ways to pass the time!  The Sea Grill (above) is right on the beach and where we were treated to an array of fresh seafood and sushi on our first night. 

Two-Michelin-star-holding chef Dani Garcia’s playful concept restaurant Bibo was where we spent most of the next afternoon (I’m not even kidding, we feasted for for what seemed hours – NOT that any of us were complaining!) With an imaginative menu and Alice in Wonderland’esq touches in abundance (even the list of cocktails were presented in the form of Tarot Cards, which I made each of our party choose from - best game ever?! #EveryonesAWinner) the beyond imaginative tasting menu left us defeated, but amazed (I’d fly back merely for another portion of his INSANE New York-inspired cheesecake!)

Wearing:  Gold Diamond Moon Charm Necklace and Gold Diamond Horseshoe Necklace by Missoma.

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Mid-way through our amazing meal, Dani surprised us with the most amazing truffle treats in his kitchen...

We also enjoyed a delicious evening of sushi at UNI, several Turkish Delight smoothies at Rachel’s Organic Cafe (above, also my favourite spot at the hotel for sun bathing and reading) and a very healthy lunch at Celicioso, Marbella’s only 100% gluten-free restaurant (below).

Enjoying the sunset with Charlotte and our friend, the Fashion Director of Marie-Claire, Tanya Philipson.  The last time I was in Marbella was actually for Tanya's wedding, so it was great to see her, and this time with her gorgeous new son Archer!  Would you just look at those CHEEKS!!  Beyond edible. 

Wearing:  Dia White 70's Maxi Dress by Lily and Lionel.

You also might not expect to find Marbella’s hottest new club amongst the sub-tropical gardens of Puente Romano, but this hotel is full of surprises as well as palm trees.  La Suite held its glamorous launch party on our last night, and launch it we certainly did…!  With a mixture of old Roman architecture and ultra-modern touches, the club is the perfect addition to the resort and will no doubt, be well frequented by guests and local revellers alike. 

The next morning Charlotte and I were treated to breakfast (pancakes, naturally) on our balcony (I mean, this entire stay was such a romantic friend-moon!) and coconut water and lavender scented eye masks were brought to us to assist with our much needed R&R… I mean, next level thoughtful! 

Just the perfect little mini-break!  Thank you to all the lovely folk at Puente Romano! xx

TLC ON TOUR... MARBELLA SUITCASE:

(Click on the items below for their direct links)

The London Chatter was a guest of Puente Romano Beach Resort and Spa for two nights. 

TLC STAYCATION: Ham Yard Hotel with Sisley Paris

I recently was utterly spoilt, spending two glorious nights at Soho' s Ham Yard Hotel as a tourist in my own town, courtesy of Sisley Paris. The entire experience had my eyes on stalks (and my fingers on my Instagram!) as it was certainly the most colourful, chic and fun few days I’ve spent in a long time...

When I told my sister and friends I was to be working with Sisley Paris they were all incredibly jealous, as the brand is a much loved staple on their bathroom shelves and in their make up bags. Founded in 1976 by Hubert d’Ornano, Sisley Paris is known far and wide for its innovative cosmetic and skincare products, using a combination of phytotherapy and aromatherapy. The plant extracts and essential oils are perfect for sensitive skin, such as my own, and I was really excited to try the amazing samples left for me in my hotel room (alongside their accompanying Biscuiteer replicas!) upon my arrival at Ham Yard Hotel.

Above:  Checking into the Ham Yard Hotel, with my two of my most favourite and trusted travel companions; My Bric Bellagio Suitcase and my personalised Tephi Garment Bag.

I fell crazy in love with Ham Yard Hotel.  I’m sure you could see on my Instagram account, Kit Kemp’s magnificently vibrant, British interiors are a social media dream.  You feel like you in a Wes Anderson film and everywhere you look there is something unpredictable and eclectic which catches your eye.  From the butterfly and drift wood crocodile decorated dance floor, the bowling alleys, the neon signs, quirky art and the television IN MY BATHTUB (below right), it was a total joy to refer to this hotel as ‘home’ for two nights… As a consequence, my once fabulous flat down the road from this hotel, now seems just a wee bit ‘Meh!’ 

Above:  Wes Anderson, much?! Just call me Margot...

Over the course of the two days we got to dine at THREE of my favourite restaurants in London; the suntrap that is Petersham Nurseries, the celebrity trap that is Chiltern Firehouse and the delicious taco haven that is La Bodega Negra. I know… My job does NOT suck (#SorryNotSorry) and despite being just a few days late to spot pre-Oscar Leo at Chiltern, it was great to chat with the other bloggers and the Sisley Paris girls in such fun locations over one (or three) cocktails. London at it’s very best! 

Above/Below:  Too soon for rosé  ? Not when at the Petersham Nurseries (Petersham Rd, Richmond TW10).

Below:  The obligatory shot taken in the ladies at Chiltern Firehouse (1 Chiltern St, London W1U).

Above/Below:  With the formidable Juliet Longuet and the rest of the lovely GIRLS GIRLS GIRLS at La Bodega Negra (9 Old Compton St, London W1D).

We spent our second day all together at Christine d’Ornano’s S.T.U.N.N.I.N.G West London home.  It turns out I’m actually neighbours with the glamorous Global Vice President of Sisley International, and let me tell you, there isn’t a house nearby I’d prefer to turn up at to borrow some sugar!  After a presentation introducing us to the brand, revealing it’s family-run history, and demonstrations showing us the latest Sisley Paris skincare and cosmetic additions to the brand, Christine hosted a delicious lunch for us.  

After lunch, behind velvet doors (when I grow up I'm having these in my house!) we were all given a make over, using Sisley Paris products, by the fabulously talented British make up artist, Tania Grier. 

 I was very impressed by all the naturally active products I tried, and by their chic aesthetic (obviously being from Africa the zebra print had an obvious appeal!) but there were obviously always gong to be some favourites which I thought I would share with you...

1.  Black Rose Cream Mask (RRP. £95.50):  My sister had already warned me this would become a ‘must have’ after I’d used it once, and she was right.  Known as a cult product in France for it’s nourishing, rich anti-aging benefits, you apply a generous layer for up to fifteen minutes before blotting away any residue (of which I had none of because my greedy face ate it all – yum!)

2.  Phyto-Lip Twists (RRP £29.00) I am well known for loving a bright lip, day and night, so these were always going to be a real winner for me.  Appearing like a tinted balm, but with the strong pigment of a lipstick, and the shine factor of a lip gloss these fun, chubby Lip Twists are as hydrating as they are long lasting. Ideal and in my handbag at all times. 

3.  Phyto-Eye Twists (RRP. £29.00):  I love how easy these are to apply, and they are perfect to use either as a thick eye-liner or a smudgy smokey eye. Enriched with plant-based active ingredients, so your delicate eyelids are protected, the Eye Twists are waterproof and available in multiple colours which all compliment each other so well (you’ll end up purchasing quite a few…) but Lagoon and Topaze were my faves. 

4.  All Day All Year Moisturiser (RRP. £236.00): Jam packed full of antioxidants like Apple Skin Extract and White Willow Extract, this heavenly product shields your face pollution, sun, and every day environmental toxins. Swoooon… My hero! 

TLC ON TOUR... SOHO SUITCASE:

(Click on the items below for their direct links)

Thank you Sisley Paris! Bisous xx

A Spring In My Step With Boden

Fiiiinally… The blossom is starting to bloom, our arctic attire is beginning to shed its faux fur skin, and all our moods are joyously lifting as we all make way for SPRING. There’s no denying it, there are few better places to be in the world than England in the Spring, and I cannot wait to start wearing dresses sans tights and finally emancipating my (albeit, extremely white) ankles from their imprisoned UGG-state.

My style is known to be quite eclectic; one day I might look like a fourteen-year-old boy in baggy jeans and trainers, and then next be in a bright, sparkly gown with killer heels (“I’m a lady, don’t you know!”) The most important thing present in all my outfits, is that I feel comfortable, and also colour is key to me.  There is certainly no time like the Springy present to inject some colour into your wardrobe if you’ve been hibernating in black for the last five months. 

Boden has some great Spring pieces this season and I decided to style up some looks whilst hanging around my local Portobello ‘hood.  Let me know what you think...

For me, loose white jeans are synonymous with sunshine.  Liz Hurley likes’em skin tight, and this may scare off many without her bod (so all of us basically), but the more boyfriend-look, cropped jean works for most, and goes with practically everything (except coffee, red wine or black cats… all my favourite white-perils!)  Whilst buying some gooooorgeous flowers from Harper and Toms, I teamed the jeans with some basic white trainers (you really can’t go wrong) and a sunshine-friendly linen shirt which I only tucked in at the front giving a more relaxed vibe. Alongside the classic olive/tortoiseshell Sadie sunnies (such little winners, and a match for so many of their designer contemporaries) I wore a khaki jacket which has obvious appeals to my safari-loving self, but is also super versatile and will be a staple inter-seasonal cover up for me.

So light and easy to casually wear with jeans or tucked into a skirt for smarter uses, the unpredictable red and pink clash of this jumper was too good not to share with you (or immediately purchase myself!) Rainbow clashes were seen on many of the major SS’16 runways (Christopher Kane, Gucci, Balmain and Dries Van Noten to name a few) and this top is an easy way to emulate that trend.  I teamed the jumper with the previous same jeans and trainers, but added some dark pink Sadie sunglasses to compliment the look. 

You can take the girl outta Africa… It wasn’t going to take long was it? Growing up on the equator, my wardrobe is filled with olives, khakis and a pride of leopard prints, so this outfit has an obvious lure for me. This jumpsuit is not only flattering and chic, but can so easily be styled up or down, situation (and shoe height) dependent. I wore the jumpsuit to Pizza East Portobello with some bold African jewellery, tortoiseshell Sadie sunglasses and the most perfect, classic leopard-print flats which will work for city and beach alike this Spring/Summer. A bright clutch would be a welcome and contrasting addition.

This dress (also available in white) will be a huge hit for Boden this season. The style is totally classic but its heavier texture is far more luxe and warmer, than you would imagine which makes it perfect for smarter Spring events. Likewise, the tassled heels are also perfect for smarter occasions and come in a variety of colourways.  See you in the sunshine peeps! 

Photography: Eva K. Salvi

In Collaboration with BODEN

Trend: The Cold Shoulder

I love how both designers and the high street are all flooding our Spring full of off-the-shoulder tops.  Made popular in the 1960’s by the beautiful Bridget Bardot, and now a sunny staple for TLC style faves Olivia Palermo and Alexa Chung, the iconic, Parisian shoulder-baring look is nonchalantly sexy, yet still demure and sweet. Its popularity has made way for a plethora of cut-away jumpers (my favourite being the Dias jumper by British designer Zoe Jordan), shirts, dresses and jumpsuits, in an array of prints and colour, making this flattering look so versatile and approachable for all body types. 

TLC TIP:   Invest in a good strapless bra for this particular trend (Marks and Spencer, RRP. £18.00), and make sure to apply a big, healthy, shimmering sweep of bronzer across your décolletage (Tom Ford, RRP. £48.00) to get you perfectly cold shoulder ready for Spring.  Zara and H&M have some affordably chic cut-a-ways, and you can click on the below edit for links through to my current favourite off the shoulder tops... 

Photography:  Ella Sadika

Jewellery:  Missoma  /  Monogrammed Mug:  Anthropologie  /  Amelie Jeans:  River Island

Archive By Alexa Chung

The klaxons for London’s SS’16 Fashion Week were sounded by Alexa Chung, kicking off proceedings at a party hosted by the British Fashion Council to celebrate her latest design collaboration with Marks & Spencer.  The 31-piece collection, inspired by the brand’s past designs from the 1940’s through to the 1980’s, features wide-leg trousers, mini dresses, a trench coat and THAT ruffle-necked shirt (seen in the promo shot above) that will more than likely cause in-store customer casualties upon it’s Spring release. 

With full access granted to the high street store’s vast 70,000 items deep archive, Alexa has reimagined previously popular classic designs with new colourways and modern fabrications. With a distinctive and internationally recognised style, Alexa, “pulled from stored garments, in-house magazines and TV adverts from various points in the history of Marks & Spencer to create the collection that I believe looks every bit as relevant today as it did then."

The range, launching in April, will cost between £19.50 - £89.00, with the most expensive item being the trench coat which Alexa herself wore to the event, and which I have my eye firmly on!

Below:  Featured in the Evening Standard, accessorising my off the shoulder Marks and Spencer shirt, with stacking rings from Gemporia and a yellow gold Boundary Necklace from Georgina Boyce Fine Jewellery.  My fish tail plait was created by the fabulous Tatiana Karelina (33 Holland Street, London, W8).

Shop TLC's Look...

L.K. Bennett x Bionda Castana

Usually taking my slippers off in the morning is a real struggle... However, when I have a brand new pair of graphic checkered Bionda Castana for L.K. Bennett heels to tap around in, they were thrown off with wild abandon.  Lloyd meanwhile, had her eyes firmly fixed on the shoe box prize;  a win win all round! 

In what I believe to be the dreamiest of spring collaborations, celebrity-favourite Bionda Castana have created a gorgeous collection of limited edition shoes with high street fave L.K. Bennett, and every pair is just, simply put, lovely.  With three differing heel heights, the twenty-piece line up of shoes designed by the two British brands, featuring gorgeous lace-up and scallop designs, are elegant, yet ultimately playful.  Predicatably, the collection, offering our tootsies a little every day luxury, is flllllying off the shelves.

Everything about the Bionda Castana for L.K. Bennett lunch at Mark’s Club, in celebration of the collaboration, was beautiful; the shoes, the flowers, the David Gandy… 

Above (L-R) Clockwise:  David Gandy and Erin O'Connor, and Bionda Castana designers Jennifer Portman and Natalia Barbieri.  Below: With Laura Jackson, both in L.K. Bennett (hover for links).

TLC LOVES... Bionda Castana for L.K. Bennett

Mother's Day Gift Guide 2016

I never thought I would ever find myself on a Monday evening flower arranging with some fellow bloggers, let alone actually enjoy it as much as I did.  I was invited by Bloom & Wild (the through the letter box florist I’ve come to depend on for gifts) to Hobbs in Covent Garden, for a specialist flower arranging workshop ahead of Mother’s Day this weekend.  Now, not usually one to blow my own trumpet, but c’moonnnnnn… HOW beautiful is my bouquet?! (*I shall now available for weddings and bar mitzvahs, naturally…)  

As my Mother lives in Africa, she will have to make do with this photograph of the flowers that shoulda-woulda-coulda have been hers (but are instead are sitting looking heavenly in my flat!) but you and your mum can attend the workshop on Sunday yourselves by booking tickets HERE.

For some extra spoiling for your Mummy dearest/beautiful Baby Mama, hover over the items below...

Banana Republic's Pants for Every Body

Having recently unveiled their range of new trouser styles for the upcoming sunny season (the Ryan, the Sloan, the Avery and the Logan) Banana Republic feels confident that at least one of these versatile designs will be your perfect fit/NBF.  With the trousers differing in both shape and fabric, once you have decided on your favourite pair, you can stock up on the style in a variety of different colours and prints – Spring sorted!

I quickly decided that the cropped, skinny Sloan was the one for me; a comfortable and uncomplicated design I could easily see myself styling up or down, situation dependent.  I was happy, although unsurprised, to find a pair in my beloved khaki, as historically, Banana Republic love safari inspired separates just as much as me!  This brilliantly adaptable colour works just as well in the city as it does in the African bush, and I decided to pair these Sloans with a variety of less conservative, colour-popping accents and flirty fun pieces which I felt would take my new trews from daytime to nighttime in mere seconds.  The go-to LBD has some serious competition!

Below:  With a quick change of top, shoes and accessories, my Sloans and I are evening ready...

Shop TLC's Look...

Photography:  Ella Sadika

Created in collaboration with BANANA REPUBLIC.

Hello There: Rose Rankin

Since becoming the loud and proud owner of the above cool cats (Cheetah Simmy Mid-Top Sneakers RRP. £169.00) I’m obsessing over all Rose Rankin’s trainers.  A veritable high five for your feet, these handmade, colour popping sneaks come in an array of metallics and animal prints, and as I'm all too aware now, one pair is simply not enough for anyone's wardrobe.  Dangerously collectable, and just so much fun, the Velvet Colt Runners (RRP. £169.00) are firmly next on my hit list!

So forgetting double denim... is double leopard too much?! #YouCanTakeTheGirlOuttaAfrica...

TOMS Traveller Sunglasses: #OneForOne

I am so proud to have been chosen as an ambassador for TOMS Traveller Sunglasses.  I have always been totally inspired by this brand’s ‘One for One’ ethos and the incredible impact their ‘Buy To Give’ model has made across the world over the last 10 years.  

Just like their successful shoe model (where each purchase of a pair provides shoes for people in need), each sale of a pair of TOMS stylish sunglasses directly helps the visually impaired in developing countries, providing desperately needed prescription glasses or sight-saving surgery.  Founder and CEO of TOMS Blake Mycoskie has said, "sight is a fundamental need. The loss of sight has a dramatic impact on a person's life -- and on his or her family and community." 

I love these matte nude Traveller By TOMS Sunglasses (RRP. £59.99) and I love them even more knowing how wearing them has given the gift of sight to someone in need.  See the rest of the range HERE.