Valentines Gift Guide 2016

Once again ladies, I am here to save those darling men in your lives from making any highly-flammable lingerie or petrol station-bought floral disasters… You’re welcome!  

Gents - Hover over the images for the direct links... This LITERALLY couldn't be ANY simpler! Good Luck. 

As an aside, if anyone happens to be secretly in love with me, NOW would be the time to holler y'all... ;)

Above (L-R):  I don't have pierced ears, but if I did, I'd be hoping for these...  Missoma Gold and Pink Tourmaline Arc Jackets (RRP. £130.00), Missoma Gold and Diamond Bolt Hoop Earrings (£225.00)

Above:  Woo and Wow your lady with Nikki Tibbles Wild at Heart's STUNNING Pimlico Bouquet (RRP. £85.00), a beautiful mix of pink roses and spray roses, clematis and anemones.

Above:  A personalised, tailor made Garment Bag (£175.00) from bespoke womenswear label Tephi would make the chicest luggage for that roooomantic weekend away he’s booked… #NoPressureLads.

Below:  Sick of wearing your heart on your sleeves?  Try moving it to your jeans... These Christopher Kane Love Heart Boyfriend Jeans (RRP. £845.00) are BEYOND cute. Yes please. 

Below:  Star crossed lovers?!  Smythson are taking an astrological approach to Valentine’s Day this year, with their ‘Written in the Stars’ campaign.  Until February 14th you can have any of your gorgeous purchases (over £175.00) personalised with a particular star sign motif.  given a complimentary personalisation service.  Despite being a Scorpio, I recently had my super sleek red Mara Leather Card Holder stamped with a Lion symbol… Nothing against my sign, but lions beat creepy crawlies!

Below:  Launching just in time for Valentine's Day, these stackable, rose gold  Diamond Alphabet Pendants (RRP. £150.00) from Monica Vinader would make the most perfect, sparkling pressie.

Below:  If champagne and choccies are not your thing (FYI we prooobably wouldn’t be friends, but I digress...) then maybe your fella can spoil you with Imbibery London’s Valentine’s Day Mylk six pack of limited edition cold pressed juice (RRP. £32.00).  It's actually very delicious!

Musical Moment: Zayn Malik ('PILLOWTALK')

‘PILLOWTALK,’ Zayn Malik’s raunch fest of a debut solo single shot to number one in the charts in 60 countries the day it was released, racked up over 24 million YouTube views, and became number one on the iTunes chart.  After watching the provocative and moody video (around 42 times...) I can see why.  With artistic graphics, holy-moly-me-oh-my lyrics and a steamy make out sesh between the former One Direction singer and his new, mega-hot girlfriend, model of the moment, Gigi Hadid, there’s quite a lot to like.

Gigi obviously looks incredible in the video, and she is seen throughtout it wearing a super sexy Bordelle silk and satin Bondage Wrap Bra with 18k gold plated hardwear (RRP. £225.00).  Bordelle has become the go-to for lots of celebs and fashionistas wishing to wear their underwear as outtawear and  I can imagine this bra might be a sell out come this Valentine’s Day…

"It's our paradise and it's our war zone..".

HAWT: Alica Vikander in Louis Vuitton

Hawt = A late 1940's and early 1950's acronym for "Having A Wonderful Time."
Now the word is used on the internet as slang for something reeeeally hot.

My new girl crush Alicia Vikander not only won Best Supporting Actress for her outstanding performance in Danish Girl last night at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, but also, in most people’s opinion, won Best Dressed of the night also.  The gorgeous Swedish actress wore a geometric, metallic sequinned Louis Vuitton gown (Alicia is the new face of the brand) which despite it’s demure long sleeves and high boat neckline, had a cheeky thigh-high slit.

ANOTHER red carpet high five to you, Ms. Vikander!  I cannot wait to see this film. 

For the full list of award winners see HERE.

LK Bennett's SS'16 'Inspiring Woman' Campaign

I was so thrilled when L.K. Bennett asked me back to feature once more as an 'Inspiring Women' for their Instagram campaign (see my previous SS'15 shots HERE.)  I really enjoyed wandering around my local neighbourhood with stylist Alex Meyers and photographer Eva Salvi, being snapped wearing a variety of the brand's latest pieces now available in store and online (click on items below for direct links).  With quite a classically eclectic style, I regularly find many of the L.K. Bennett creations fit effortlessly with my lifestyle, and their more quirky pieces work really well with much of my current wardrobe.

'No pain, no game,' is NOT my vibe!  Jumpsuits and flats are my idea of heaven - especially when said jumpsuit is covered in stars, and said flats are bright pink!  This shot was taken outside Nikki Tibbles Wild At Heart floristry in Westbourne Grove, where I could literally stand just inhaling by for hours... 

I love how Alex styled this particularly Chanel'esq boxy jacket with my never-take-them-off boyfriend jeans. The silver and gold metallic heels were a firm fave of the day... and miiiight have come home with me. #WerkPerk 

I like to call this pose the, 'Where's My UBER?!'  Dressed to impress as L.K. Bennett's New Year's Eve Girl. I particularly liked tucking my hair underneath this chic lil'tuxedo jacket - which is now in the sale FYI!  

Drinking my 'Clean and Lean' hot chocolate (who knew?!) at my new healthy hangout, James adn Christy Duigan's 'Clean and Lean' cafe on Westbourne Grove. BIG into these trousers, and yes, that's my favourite LKB Mariel Bag personalised by Boyarde in the background. 

The food served at the new 'Clean and Lean' cafe is all unprocessed, seasonal and seriously yummy (*as yummy as this cardigan which goes with EVERYTHING.)  

I loved the accessories Alex chose to compliment and bring out the vibrancy of this dress. I love this whole outfit and it's very much on the TLC Wishlist. 

Hair and nails by Neville Hair and Beauty (5 Pont Street, Belgravia, SW1) 

Valentino SS'16 Campaign shot in Kenya's Amboseli National Park.

National Geographic photographer Steve McCurry (best (known for his hauntingly beautiful 1985 cover image,  ‘Afghan Girl‘) has in an out of character move, shot Valentino’s Spring/Summer 2016 campaign in a Masai village in Kenya’s Amboseli National Park.

The campaign, featuring a collection inspired by ‘wild, tribal, Africa,’ has caused various accusations of cultural appropriation due to the use of predominantly Caucasian models, who all feature wearing their hair in cornrows (which I have to admit, is never really a good look - Monica Geller in the Caribbean much?!) leaving some also feeling that the, perhaps more interesting, Masai in the shoot were used as props.

As a big fan of photojournalist Steve McCurry, and as a Kenyan who loves drawing attention of the beauty of her country, I find these pictures refreshing, and exciting.  Rather than photograph the collection in a studio with a token elephant, this fashion shoot feels more like, as Pierpaolo Piccioli calls, a ‘cultural vision.’  

Steve McCurry commented, ‘photography is always finding the best solution to a puzzle and creating some wonderful feeling or scenario, making a great story’ adding, ‘the idea of these pictures is to take the viewer on a journey. The clothes were inspired by African motifs, to take the shoot to Africa and show how these interact and, this connection of the clothes, the models, the environment, the local people; I thought it was a great endeavour.’  What are your thoughts?...

Below:  A beyond beautiful behind the scenes video... and a stunning advert for visiting Kenya! 

The Golden Globes 2016

Award season kicked off this week with the 2016 Golden Globes (a lot like the Oscars, but a whole heap more drunken!)  Of course this time is about reflecting on and celebrating the most recent, epic movies and all the outstanding performances that Hollywoodland have exposed… But let’s not kid ourselves here, it’s mainly about the red carpet dresses, people! 

Here is a look at my favourite looks of the night… Ladies, Red Carpet High Fives all round!

Above: Jennifer Lawrence. Wearing wore a bold red Dior Haute Couture column gown topped off with more than 156 carats of Chopard diamonds, J-Law sizzled. A total head turner and show stopper (*and most importantly, she didn’t fall over.)

Above:  Alicia Vikander.  Nominated for not one, but two, Golden Globes, this beauty wore a refreshingly understated, yet effortlessly chic apron-front Louis Vuitton dress with ruffles and shimmering piping.  The cross-strap detailing of the column gown, and delicate pleating, oozed elegance. A total win.

Above:  Cate Blanchett.  The Marmite dress of the night; you either loved it or hated it. I LOVED. For me, Cate can do no wrong on the red carpet, continuously making unexpected, risky and regal choices. Wearing a Givenchy Haute Couture design, with Tiffany & Co. jewellery and a Roger Vivier clutch, Cate’s pale pink 1920’s silhouette, capelet and fringing was all kinds of Downton FAbbey.

Oh, and then there's that awkward moment when bad dresses happen to good people...

Above (L-R): I love Kate Hudson, she’s hilarious… However, I’m still waiting for the punchline of this outfit.  Despite her killer abs being more than sensational, this two-piece Michael Kors (stripper) ensemble, was just not red carpet worthy.  Eva Longoria’s underwhelming and rather conservative floral and bow ensemble just didn’t match the rest of the glitz and the glamour on the red carpet sadly. Melissa McCarthy apparently designed this metallic wrap dress/rain mac herself… Yikes! #StickToYourDayJob.

For the full list of Golden Globe winners, see HERE.  

David Bowie, RIP.

"There's a starman, waiting in the sky..."

Hello There: Boyarde

I was recently introduced to Boyarde who is well known for her vibrant pop-art infused aesthetic which she gloriously paints on any canvas, as long as it’s not paper!  With her popular monogramming technique, or ability to create bespoke characters and sayings to your preference, London fashionistas went into a frenzy towards the end of last year, vying to have their tote bags personalised by the artist. 

During London Fashion Week and Frieze London, Boyarde held a special exhibition at the Hyatt Regency, where several of her hand painted handbags, belonging to various tastemakers and fashion bloggers, were displayed in all their bright, shining glory.  I was lucky enough to be asked to participate, by having my newly customised, dove grey Smythson Panama North South Tote displayed alongside bags belonging to Charlotte Olympia and Laura Bailey (below).

I had decided on having one of Boyarde’s ‘signature divas’ on my bag, the African Queen herself, Katherine Hepburn (a Smythson fan herself!) who we decided to colour in similar tones to Smythson’s Panama range; emerald green and red. Playing on my African roots, and OBVIOUS love of The Lion King, my sassy lil’diva hollers out, ‘Hakuna Matata, Sweet Cheeks!'

Not many people get to swing their phone and keys around in such a beautiful piece of art! 

Thank you Boyarde and Smythson xx

The A/W 15 Sale Edit

If you’re suffering from the serious medical condition of ‘Back to Work Blues’ then Dr. TLC can only prescribe one thing… Surfing the sales for an instant pick-me-up. Take THAT January! 

 Hover over the top left of the items you like for direct links... And remember this my friends, it's not what you're spending, it's what you're saving… Right?! Enjoy!

An Evening at Shinola, Soho

Having recently been introduced to Shinola (See 'HELLO THERE: Shinola') I was thrilled to be asked to host my own shopping evening with them, the last ‘hurrah’ at their Newburgh Street store before upgrading to a bigger venue around the corner on Foubert’s Place in Soho.  

The evening was a really fun opportunity for me to share the beautiful craftsmanship and brand ethos of Shinola, renowned for helping Detroit to get its groove back, with lots of my friends and followers. 

The city of Detroit, once blighted with unemployment and plummeting population after hitting bankruptcy a few years ago, is now enjoying regeneration and is home to the Shinola factory where their timeless, aesthetically ‘All American’, products are assembled.  

From 6-9pm the shop was buzzing with people hanging out, Christmas shopping, and perusing all the Detroit built products, including watches, artisanal bicycles and leather goods, with everyone leaving with their own embossed Shinola journal and a bottle of their famous Shinola Cola.

Above (Clockwise) L-R:  With Lauren Paton and Charlotte Cowen, Emma Watkins, and Miguel Arquero. 

I can’t tell you how many people over the last month have commented on my Shinola Medium Leather Shinola Shopper Tote handbag (RRP. £550.00) and new Shinola watch, The Gomelsky (RRP. £470.00), I’m a total convert and can’t wait to watch this brand evolve and see what styles 2016 has in store for us…