Yin Yoga with Nike Women

After weeks of hanging out sofa-side with my horribly sprained wrist (having two hands is now something I count among the highest of blessings) I have been feeling in desperate need of stretch! Not being able to function at my usual fast paced rate, where I usually dash all over London at all hours, has made me go out of my mind, and feel unusually frustrated.  I’ve felt soft in body predictably, but also in mind.  When Nike Women approached me and asked me to attend a private yoga class with Jessica Skye, kitted out in all their newest active wear, this wee marshmallow jumped at the chance! Now that my wrist is feeling stronger, this was exactly the push I needed to start my road back to feeling tough and sprightly again.

Nike currently have a relaxing pop-up yoga studio in the basement of FaceGym UK, on the King’s Road in Chelsea. I arrived with all the gear - and absolutely no idea!  There had been so many great Nike yoga options to choose from, but I had decided on some Nike Zonal Strength High-Rise Training Tights (I love their ombre’esq black to grey colour and the v-shaped waist band is ultra flattering), a supportive Nike Indy Cooling Sports Bra, and a super soft and loose fitting Nike Dry Training Top. 

I was soon in the softly lit studio with the wonderful Jessica Skye (Yoga Guru, SLASH DJ, SLASH Nike trainer, SLASH major babe) who instantly came up with a gentle Yin Yoga routine for me to follow, which would make sure my objectives were reached; to feel a little more mentally relaxed and suitably stretched - all while keeping my wrist free from any pressure or weight.

Yin Yoga, Jessica explained, comes from the Taoist tradition and is all about finding stillness, and cooling the body.  This practice is great for those who are already active but who suffer from mental overload and “mind chatter’ (errrrrrm, hello?! Yes! Hand raised!) With one eye constantly on my phone, replying to emails and updating my social media, these slow-paced poses and bends can prove to be the perfect antidote.  

After the class I felt so relaxed, and a lot more awake and alert than I had in weeks. I was given my own monogrammed Nike sports bra and a delicious cold pressed juice before heading upstairs to try the signature FaceGym facial.  I definitely feel ready, now I have my bounce back and my wrist is feeling stronger by the day, to start getting fitter – and with all the best kit to wear, I now have no excuse!

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Some other TLC Nike Yoga faves...

In collaboration with Nike Women
Nails:  Sophie Gass.  Photography:  Maria Bazhanova

Valentine's Gift List 2017 - For Him

Let’s be honest, Valentine's Day should kinda be all about the ladies, but regardless of how much of a ‘lad’ your fella might be, there isn’t a chap in town that doesn’t appreciate a little sweet Valentine gesture.  So what to give our menfolk to show that we care too?!  Well, aside from the obvious (beer, food, socks, you...) here are a few little gift suggestions to spoil your beau.

Hover and click on the items for their direct links...

Above:  Frangipani shirts, inspired by travels around the world and ancient block printing, manage to make the boys (and the girls that go on to steal them) stand out from the crowd whilst not looking too garish. There is a pattern for everyone and an occasion for them all.  Check out their new linen designs too.

Valentine's Gift List 2017 - For Her

I feel sorry for Valentine’s Day, a rather sweet day of the year that gets an enormous amount of flack. Each year you can see it merrily approaching, brim-full of romance and possibilities, with a kick in its heel, glistening heart emoji-eyes, and a pink, oh so very pink, trail of fairy dust (or perhaps Gwyneth’s Goop-recommended Sex Dust?) in its wake… All to be met by an anxiety-ridden, Hallmark-hating, eye-rolling audience of cynics, all heading for the hills to hide, regardless of their relationship status. 

Now, I get it, if you’re single this can be a day, frequently fuelled by a bottle of dry white Lady Petrol, where you feel continuously reminded of your current lack of love, and if you’re in a relationship you can feel immense pressure to perform like some lame love monkey whilst spending a ludicrous amount of money. 

However, in Valentine’s defence, I think it can also be seen as a day where we all can take a little Time Out from our frequently monotonous daily routines, and pay a little extra attention to one another, or friends, and even ourselves... Sometimes we sadly do need a reason, or a day each year, to remind us to do that. 

Spending a lot of money is not mandatory, as a little imagination and thought can easily be just as spoiling; some of the most memorable moments can involve the simplest of gestures and just some designated time to hang out. I am however, always asked each year for Valentine’s gift suggestions from panic stricken men, SOOO gentlemen, here are a few ideas guaranteed to put a smile on all those pretty faces, without a naff teddy bear or flammable set of red underwear in sight (don’t worry Ladies, I got yo’backs too…) 

Hover and click on the items for their direct links...

Above:  Jo Malone’s Valentine’s Day denim designed gift box is beyond dreamy.  The sets, which contain a 100ml bottle of Jo Malone Red Roses (a scent inspired by seven of the world’s finest roses) set amongst freshly cut blooms from florist Philippa Craddock, is available from Selfridges until Feb 14th (RRP. £130.00).

"The fire and excitement may be gone now that we don't go out there and sing them anymore, but the ring of fire still burns around you and I, keeping our love hotter than a pepper sprout."

Johnny Cash to June Carter Cash

"I don't know how to tell you just how much I miss you. I love you till my heart could burst. All I love, all I want, all I need is you—forever. I want to be just where you are and be just what you want me to be. I know it's lousy of me to be so late so often, and I promise to try a million times harder, I promise."  

Marilyn Monroe to Joe DiMaggio

Above:  'Buy to Give' this Valentine’s Day by not only spoiling your loved one with jewellery, but also directly helping to fight against ivory poaching. Every purchase from The Tembo Collection, a collection of seven Masai bead inspired bracelets I designed with Auree Jewellery, sees 100% of the profit go to For Rangers, a campaign in conjunction with Tusk that helps the heroes on the front line of conservation in their fight against elephant poaching across Africa.  (RRP. £50.00 - £140.00)

"So My Lumps... You’re off, by God! I can barely believe it since I am so unaccustomed to anybody leaving me. But reflectively I wonder why nobody did so before. All I care about—honest to God—is that you are happy and I don’t much care who you’ll find happiness with. I mean as long as he’s a friendly bloke and treats you nice and kind. If he doesn’t I’ll come at him with a hammer and clinker. God’s eye may be on the sparrow but my eye will always be on you. Never forget your strange virtues. Never forget that underneath that veneer of raucous language is a remarkable and puritanical LADY. I am a smashing bore and why you’ve stuck by me so long is an indication of your loyalty. I shall miss you with passion and wild regret."

Richard Burton to Elizabeth Taylor 

"My mouth hasn’t shut up about you since you kissed it. The idea that you may kiss it again is stuck in my brain, which hasn’t stopped thinking about you since well before any kiss. And now the prospect of those kisses seems to wind me like when you slip on the stairs and one of the steps hits you in the middle of the back. The notion of them continuing for what is traditionally terrifying forever excites me to an unfamiliar degree."  

Alex Turner to Alexa Chung

ABOVE:  Treat someone special to a rooooomantic stay at the swoonsome Artist Residence in London's Pimlico. To celebrate Valentine's Day, this eclectic townhouse, my fave home away from home, is offering champagne and choccies on arrival, late checkout and a free room upgrade, all for £50 on top of their usual room rates between 10.02.17 - 05.03.17. (T&C's apply, subject to availability.)

#OOTD: 18.01.17

I do love an eclectic mix, but this particular concoction of leopard print, cashmere, pink and brocade might just be up there as one of my favourite clothing cocktails to date. 

I immediately fell in love with this woollen ASOS coat and the contrast of its powerful leopard print faux fur alongside the lady like dusky pink is elegantly eye-catching.  I have always loved Shrimps coats, and one day I willllll have one, but this one is so affordable (especially now, in the sale) and I’m mostly wearing it paired with complimentary berry colours and neutrals.  These plum coloured Donna Ida dungarees worn under an oatmeal cashmere Chinti and Parker ‘Good Girl’ jumper (now also in the sale) definitely let the leopard print details of the coat do all the talking/growling.

I’m wearing these brocade ASOS Hena Heels as much as I can, day or night, and even with some plain black socks if too chilly (which let's face it, it is!)  These have to be the most comfortable heels, and made from the most monarchical of textiles, there is something so brilliantly grand about them.  

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Photography: Ella Sadika

HAWT: Sienna Miller in Gucci

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.

Last week Sienna Miller lit up the red carpet like a beautiful ray of sunshine in her fantastical Gucci Lampshade Dress.  Alessandro Michele’s oversized detailing and bold colours once again stole the show at the premiere of Sienna’s latest film, Live By Night, a prohibition era crime thriller directed by Ben Affleck, which I can't wait to see. This icy blue, layered tulle gown, very different from Sienna’s minimalist Golden Globes ensemble, was full of character, wonderfully clashing with its icicle like golden sequins and her red power pout.  This magical look gets an almighty big Red Carpet High Five from TLC; un fashion triomphe.

Below:  'Live by Night' (out in cinemas NOW)

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OOTD: 29.12.16

Velvet?  Statement Sleeves? Count me in.  This forest green Trumpet Sleeve Mid Dress I just picked up in the ASOS sale is set to be the gift that keeps on giving this Winter.  Worn here with my multi-coloured Kurt Geiger Nova boots (also now in the sale by the way, and really worth snapping up, as they make ANY outfit), I intend to also wear the dress in the day with thick black tights and boots, a la Mary Poppins.  Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.

ASOS Trumpet Sleeve Velvet Midi Dress (RRP. Reduced form £68.00 to £40.50).

Kurt Geiger Multi-Coloured Nova Ankle Boots (RRP. Reduced from £230.00 to £109.00)

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Photography: Ella Sadika

#TLCComp: LKB x Boyarde

Last year, L.K.Bennett asked British pop-artist Boyarde customise several of their Mariel cross-body bags with the striking initials of some of their favourite influencers, to be used as place settings at a press breakfast (below).  Errrm… Spoiling or what?!! An Instagram frenzy ensued over our green juices and granola, and L.K Bennett spent the next few weeks apologising to the stampede of disappointed customers who were unable to get their own bespoke, now iconic, Mariel bag. Until now...

L.K. Bennett has collaborated once more with Boyarde, who created a collection of the most distinctive and bright leather alphabet stickers (RRP. £19.00 each) to attach to your own Mariel Bag (RRP. £145.00), or well, anywhere. In fact, I currently have a ‘K’ sticker stuck onto my laptop and everyone keeps commenting on it. 

My sister was one of the aforementioned disappointed peeps, unable to get her hands on one of the original L.K.Bennett x Boyarde bags. Knowing this would make the best gift, I was so excited to get one of the new styles with personalised monogrammed stickers; a ‘CE’ for her, and a ‘W’ for her daughter Willow.  I obviously didn’t want to feel toooo left out (an annoyingly frequent and expensive issue I regularly face when buying gifts!) so grabbed myself the new Mariel Multi-Print Bag (RRP. £165.00) to bespoke too! 

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TLC LOVES LKB x BOYARDE...

And get your LKBxBoyarde Stickers HERE!

#TLCComp...

My friends at L.K.Bennett have SA-WEETLY offered one of my lucky readers a chance to win their own customised Mariel Bag (*colour subject to availability) with their Boyarde-designed initials ready to stick on. Head over to my Instagram ('thelondonchatter') for further details. I will be picking the winner on New Year’s Eve; A happy new bag for a Happy New Year!  

Good Luck!

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#OOTD: 27.12.16

Launching her label in 2011, after studying at London College of Fashion and travelling the world as a model, Hayley Menzies’ unique designs have since become synonymous with the eccentric, yet effortlessness style associated with the Portobello girl. Fun, fluffy and most importantly, environmentally conscious, London-based Hayley Menzies’ knitwear uses ethically sourced materials from Europe, and every item is handmade using the finest Italian yarns. 

It was Hayley’s charcoal coloured, leopard print Elgin Poncho trimmed with super soft, cotton-candy coloured shearling (now in the sale: RRP. £213.00) that grabbed my eye. Not only am I also a huge leopard print fan (‘you can take the girl outta Africa…’) but as a Portobello gal myself, I just HAD to have this stand-out, cosy winter warmer.

I love wearing my poncho as a snuggly alternative to a coat, worn here over my Donna Ida Eliza Dungarees and grey Kurt Geiger Ladbrook Trainers (also now in the sale.)  This poncho is also the most perfect post Christmas cover-up, hiding a multitude of sins (and Quality Streets...!) 

Elgin Poncho in Dusky Pink (RRP. Reduced from £355.00 to £213.00)

I’m also very keen to get my mitts on, and into, a pair of Hayley’s Long Elgin Paw Warmers (now also in the sale reduced from RRP. £80.00 £48.00) to match my poncho!  I do so love a fellow crazy cat lady!

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Photography: Ella Sadika

The Net-a-Porter A/W 16 Sale

Net-a-Porter’s always glorious sale has kicked off, and with up to 50% off much of their designer finery and frippery, our normally fantastical online shopping cart can momentarily feel more obtainable!  To save you some time, I’ve curated an edit of my favourite discounted pieces, and if you place your orders before 3pm today (and pay £8.00 for next day delivery) Net-a-Porter can deliver your bargainous last minute gifts or party wear in time for your Christmas celebrations.  

I have my beady eyes on the Tabitha Simmons' Micki Meadow Boots (Saaaa'woooooon!) and the small suede Jerome Dreyfuss Fringed Gary Shoulder Bag.  FYI. I have Heidi Klein's Manhattan Dress and find it the most useful and flattering summer's dress. Frame jeans are also total game-changers, so definitely check them out whilst the going is good! 

Hover and click on the items below for their direct links.

Christmas Time on Regent Street

When being faced with an inevitable bout of last minute Christmas shopping, there is only one place I can head, and that’s Regent Street.  Move over Fifth Avenue and Champs-Elysées, this elegant ‘Mile of Style’ is brim full of covetable international brands, housed beautifully in Grade II listed facades, now welcomes over 7.5 million tourists a year.  Despite its popularity, hustle and bustle, I don’t ever find shopping on Regent Street ever too hectic, but actually a totally enjoyable experience.  Amidst a well curated stretch of flagship fashion heavy weights and a scattering of trusted high street honeys, there is a supreme lack of feisty, jabbing elbows from fellow shoppers, and importantly, plenty of places to get some R&R if you (and your credit card) need a break.  

Last week I dashed to Regent Street for some Christmas shopping and some pre-Christmas lunch pampering. I immediately felt incredibly festive when I arrived, red-cupped Pumpkin Latte in hand, I was so excited to see the street’s famed Christmas lights glistening in the sunshine and the shops looking all sparkling and lush with their over flowing Christmas decorations.

I headed straight to DryBy, a blow dry and nail bar just off Regent Street which offers a capsule collection of five classic hairstyles (I chose ‘The London,’ obvs!) With its dusky pink walls, rose-toned lighting, wooden floors and a marble styling station, the beyond stylish salon is one of the prettiest and chic places to get those follicles spoilt.

DryBy: 74 Mortimer Street, London W1W 7RZ
Blow-Dry’s range from: £28 – £42
Nails range from: £21 – £55

Flicking my glossy, tousled locks (‘coz I’m worth it), my next stop was Space NK on Regent Street for a make-over. I love having my make up done, and the benefit of booking a make-over at Space NK is that your make-up artist has at least half a dozen different brands to choose from, so you really do get the best of the best.

I had my face cleansed and prepped which left my skin feeling glowy, and then made up for my Christmas festivities later that afternoon - LOVE me a professionally flicked cat eye… HOW DO THEY DO IT?!!  A real little discovery of the day was Chantecaille’s Mermaid Eye Colour in Seashell (RRP. £29.00), which can be worn wet or dry as an eye shadow or eye liner. However, despite being on the wish list, this was a day of shopping for others… (“I’ll be back…”)  

TLC Loves… Space NK

Primped and preened, I headed to one of my high street faves, L’Occitane, a brand I was properly introduced to earlier this year, and one I’ve used religiously ever since. Inspired by Provence, one of my favourite places in the world, I’m excited to share my new found L'Occitane love with my family this Christmas. I found lots of brightly wrapped gift collections in the Regent Street store, but inevitably ended up leaving with a selection of my firm favourites to pop under the tree later this week.  FYI: The Lavende Foaming Bath (RRP. £20.00) is magnifique!

TLC LOVES… L’Occitane 

A trip to Regent Street wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Anthropolgie. Breathe in the gooooood, exhale the baaaaaaad… Is there ANY other shop in the world that smells so gawddang good?!  Anthropologie is less of a shopping location, more a sensory experience, igniting all your senses with its rich, artfully packed, variety of treasures.  An average customer’s visit to Anthropologie lasts an hour and 15 minutes, and you can instantly understand why. I am a massive fan of their home wear and you can always find the best presents for your loved ones (and yourself… at it again, oops!)  Alongside buying myself a Safari Beaded Headband (RRP. £32.00), I did get some of my friends and family some pressies too…

TLC Loves... Anthropologie

Shopping bags in hand, I was ready to spin through the revolving doors into the refined British splendour of Hotel Café Royal, a five-star hotel on Regent Street, and the perfect location for a festive feast.  The hotel is looking completely magical, and my girlfriends and I merrily tucked into their Festive Menu, which also has some delicious vegetarian options, beside their opulent Christmas tree. The perfect end to a successful, and stress free shopping day.

In collaboration with Regent Street
Photography:  Ella Sadika

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