R.E.V by Rêve En Vert's #SustainableStylist Campaign

The United Nations Climate Change Conference is taking place in Paris next month, and intense discussions about cutting global CO2 emissions will be at the forefront of proceedings.  With many figures from all professions, including fashion, lending their voices to the cause in the lead up to the summit, my friends at Rêve En Vert asked me to help raise awareness with them in their #SustainableStylist campaign for #COP21.  Given that the effects of climate change do and will affect us all, and that preserving our planet is of course all our responsibility, I was thrilled to become involved.

Founded in 2013, Rêve En Vert focusses on sustainable luxury; fashion made from a place of consciousness, stocking designers who not only create stylish, long-lasting clothes and accessories, but who also respect our planet and their customer.  What's not to LOVE?! 

Founders Cora and Natasha, who I met earlier this summer in Utah, recently developed their own collection of entirely organic prima cotton basic tees, R.E.V by Rêve En Vert, made at an environmentally sound Peruvian factory just outside Lima. Every part of this range has been created with great care and respect for both planet and consumer (even the labels are printed on environmentally low impact fabric from natural dyes!) and I absolutely love my super soft Linda Tee (RRP. £48.00), the perfect accompaniment to my oh-so-predictable but oh-so-loved jeans evvvvveryday look!  A donation from the sales of any of these basics will go to support the work of Fashion Revolution in spreading awareness of the true cost of fashion. 

Photography:  Ella Sadika

Blogger's Fashion Sale for the Wild At Heart Foundation

I was so happy to be asked to donate some of my wardrobe, alongside fashion bloggers Julia Lindin and Silk and Suits, to raise funds with Edit Second Hand in support of the Wild At Heart Heart Foundation.

There are 600 million stray dogs worldwide and this project, set up this year by Nikki Tibbles, founder of London's most sought after florist and Nadine Kayser, raises donations to sponsor rescue and neutering programmes, awareness campaigns and education initiatives.  Bally, the gorgeous dog who I was photographed with outside Wild at Heart, Pimlico, was rescued off the streets as a pup in Romania and re-homed in London. She is just toooo cute and thanks to the foundation, has a happy life ahead of her.

The sale featuring pieces from my wardrobe will be on until December 5th HERE.  

See further details on how to donate to the Wild at Heart Foundation HERE. 

'Christmas A Little Different' with Crew Clothing Company

It’s beginning to look a lot like… Yup!  CHRISTMAS!  Today I walked past my first Christmas tree and I can already taste the mince pies and mulled wine.  However, unlike most of you, who can leisurely enjoy such festive, warm treats, regularly ice skate across the season and settle down with a box of Quality Street surrounded by twinkly lights and baubles… I spend each Christmas with my family back home, in the baking hot sunshine, without a pine needle or snowflake in sight, in Kenya!  Now, don’t get me wrong, I am certainly not complaining – you’d be surprised how easy it is to enjoy the big day whilst bobbing around the Indian Ocean, Pimms in hand, with pressies under the palm tree… But there is something magical about a British Christmas I know, and I therefore always try and cram in lots of fun, traditional Christamassy things in before I jet off each year, sun cream and good book in hand...  

Each year, my best friend Lauren and I like to spend a chilly morning hunkered down with some choccies, croissants and champagne, watching classic Christmas movies together in a pair of cosy pyjamas. After having popped out first thing to get supplies (above, wearing my Hazelwood Jumper) Lauren arrived and we jumped into our gorgeous, matching Pyjama Sets and beyond delicious Cashmere Socks from Crew Clothing Company, who are currently celebrating, ‘Christmas A Little Different.’  Well, I certainly do that! 

Crew Clothing Company's accessible and timeless classic clothes are perfect for wrapping up to brace the cold, or chilling out by the fire over the festive season, so they were an obvious choice for our morning spent in hibernation-mode watching ‘Meet Me in St.Louis’ and ‘Home Alone,’ (Kevvvvinnnnnnnnnnn!!”) 

Actually getting out of our beyond soft pyjamas and socks, and having to start our Saturday afternoon took some real persuasion… I’m not ashamed to admit it, I was on countdown to get back into them by nightfall!

I’m so happy and grateful that once again I got to experience some festive British Christmas cheer with my bestie before signing off on 2015 and heading back to Africa.

Crew Clothing Company are hosting a series of Christmas Picnics which you can attend.

See HERE for more info.

Photography:  Ella Sadika

Created in collaboration with Crew Clothing Company.

Paris, Je T'aime

Nous sommes Parisiens... xx

Getting Christmas Ready with River Island

Just imagine HOW excited I was to be asked by River Island to pop down to their giant flagship, Oxford Street store earlier this week to curate a look worthy of the fast approaching Christmas parties.  It really it already THAT time of year!  With all the Christmas lights already sparkling on Oxford Street, I was certainly in the mood and couldn't wait to get perusing.

Narrowing down my vast array of choices in their very sleek, newly installed Parkhouse Style Studio, with a lovely stylist and some much appreciated champagne on hand, was beyond fun, and if I behaved slightly like a kid in a candy store, welllll… #SorryNotSorry!

Despite being totally tempted by the multitude of sparkles on the rails, and a gorgeous, almost structured lace black dress and toe-less boots combo (left) it was a stunning emerald toned, silky limited edition, belted trench coat which caught my eye and stole my heart, and I quickly decided that this was my must have item for the festive season, and I would work the rest of the look around it.   

Striking, yet demure, I kept it fun and festive by adding some leopard print heels (you can take the girl outta Africa…) and some lace and tie up detailing peaking through with my top and Amelie jeans - black needn’t be boring after all.    

Accompanied with my own Nathalie Trad clutch which is never far from my side after dark, I headed to the Mondrian London’s gorgeous Rumpus Room to give the look a little pre-Christmas test run.

What do you reckon? Mission 'Christmas Party' accomplished?!  Find me under the mistletoe... Or you, know, probably the bar.

Shop TLC's Look

Photographer:  Ella Sadika

Make Up:  Charlotte Cowen

Hair:  Clo and Flo

Parcafé at The Dorchester

I am loving The Dorchester’s latest offering; Parcafé.  This little gem of café can be found next to The Dorchester Ballroom on Park Lane and is the most luxurious coffee shop you will find.  With coffee created for you by South London roasters Alchemy (in the most envy-making, stand-out yellow La Marzocco coffee machine) and a variety of fresh juices, salads, pastries and THE most delicious red velvet cupcakes (selflessly tried and tested by me, youuuu're welcome), all freshly prepared at the hotel each morning.  Beautiful bouquets of flowers are also available to purchase, created by The Dorchester’s resident florist, and their scent, combined with the coffee is almost too heavenly.  Oh, and did I mention they serve home-made fudge?  I know.  I’m moving in too.  See you there...

Parcafé at The Dorchester Hotel: 53 Park Lane, Mayfair, W1

Musical Moment: Jamie Lawson ('Wasn't Expecting That')

Earlier this year, British singer-songwriter Jamie Lawson was the first artist asked to sign to Ed Sheeran’s aptly named label, Gingerbread Man Records.  Equally talented and heart-meltingly soulful, it was a match made in singer-songwriter heaven.  Jamie’s first single, ‘Wasn’t Expecting That,’ which has skyrocketed to number one on U.K iTunes, tells the story of a couple, going back through their lives together.  It will LITERALLY have you all kinds of choked up.  Honestly, I’ve just watched it three times and I need a hug.  Perhaps I’m overtired, possibly hungover (don’t judge) or maybe, just maybe, I’m a sentimental ol’marshmallow, but weeping at my desk?... I wasn’t expecting THAT! Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

"Oh and isn't it strange
How a life can be changed
In the flicker of the sweetest smile..."

Debit Buy: L.K Bennett's Martina Saffiano Tote

As Autumn has most certainly arrived and my wardrobe is becoming increasingly darker by the day, I am loving that the current apple of my eye, my L.K. Bennett handbag couldn’t be shining any brighter.  The classically styled bag is roomy, with three compartments, yet small enough to carry desk to dinner (and beyond!) Oh, and did I mention it’s in the sale?...

Apple Green Martina Saffiano Leather Tote (Was: £245.00 / Now: £165.00)

Below: The Martina is available in four other colours, click on the colour you like for its direct link.

'An Afternoon With Audrey' at Le Caprice

The National Portrait Gallery’s ‘Portraits of an Icon,’ the must-see exhibition celebrating Audrey Hepburn, teamed up with Le Caprice this Summer, and with only a few days left to go, I was thrilled to be invited to ‘An Afternoon with Audrey.’  For an amazing £35 pp, my girlfriend Kalita and I were spoiled with a delicious lunch (with a glass of bubbles, naturally) at the iconic London restaurant before heading to the gallery to enjoy over 70 images of the beautiful and elegant Audrey, taken by all the photographer greats; Richard Avedon, Cecil Beaton, Terry O’Neill, Norman Parkinson and Irving Penn.  

With images spanning from her chorus girl days, to being one of the world’s most famous actresses and fashion icons, to her admirable philanthropic work in Africa in her later life, Audrey truly deserves her title of 'icon.'  A stunning wall of vintage magazine covers, original film stills and truly special archival material (such as her old, pink ballet slippers worn in the 1940’s, below) add to the whole experience.

‘An Afternoon with Audrey’ is available Monday-Friday between 2.30pm-6.30pm until October 18th. To book call 020 7629 2239 and quote ‘Hepburn.'

Penelope Chilvers for Tusk Trust

I have for a long time been a fan of Penelope Chilvers and with spending much of my year exploring Kenya's beautiful Samburu, I have lived in her fun and fashionable, yet safari friendly footwear.  I am therefore, in definite need of this safari-inspired rucksack in my life/on my back! In celebration of Tusk's 25th anniversary, Penelope is donating 20% of each of the canvas rucksack sales to helping the organisation raise awareness for wildlife and conservation across Africa. The adorable embroidered badges featured on the bag were designed by children from the Coaching 4 Conservation program in Botswana.  

Tusk Rucksack (RRP. £249.00)