2013 Flipagram

If you are enjoying a digital detox this holiday the latest, greatest app to take the (social media) world by storm may have, thus far, eluded you.  Flipagram lets you choose photos from your camera roll, select a song from your music library, and then allows you to share the constructed montage.   Along with pretty much everyone else on Instagram, I created my own 15 second flashback of 2013 filled with some of my year's highlights;  new puppies (Atlas and Albas), new kittens (Harry and Lloyd), protests (against the ivory trade and the annual dolphin slaughter in Taji, Japan) and playing the Bongos with Cara Delevingne are featured admist my amazing trips to Los Angeles, Kenya, Berlin and Mallorca (below).  Try it yourself - it's flippin' fantastic! 

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

Dear Santa... 2013!

Wow! I think I love this and hate this in equal measure!!  Certainly a sign of the times!...

 

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.

Musical Moment: Lorde ('Royals')

From obscurity to stardom in a matter of months, 2013’s break-through artist is without a doubt 17 year old, curly-haired New ZealanderElla Yelich-O’Connor – or Lorde, as she is now known around the world. Lorde’s first single, 'Royals', reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2013, making her the first New Zealand solo artist to have a number one song in the United States.  For the 56th Annual Grammy Awards, Lorde is nominated for a total of four Grammys, which include Record of the Year and Song of the Year for 'Royals' and Best Pop Vocal Album for 'Pure Heroine.'

I love this song (yes, it's on repeat... repeat... repeat...) and luckily there is much more where that came from… Lorde’s debut album, ‘Pure Heroine,’ was released in September 2013 to critical acclaim and it’s definitely worth the download (HERE).

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!