Hello There: Chinti and Parker

Cousins Anna Singh and Rachael Wood launched Chinti and Parker in October 2009 with one clear mission: to create beautiful, ethically made garments that value style on par with substance.  Loved by all the cool cats, including Alexa Chung, Kate Bosworthand Olivia Palermo, Chinti and Parker super-soft cashmere is available in an array of block colours and fun prints which provide the building blocks for the perfect capsule winter wardrobe.  Actress, lifestyle guru and all round TLC fave Gwyneth Paltrow also recently collaborated with the label after discovering the brand on a shoot, creating two exclusive jumpers for her Goop website.  I have picked out a few of my favourite items from the current collection – effortless, beautiful jumpers and a statement neon pink pom pom scarf and bobble hat that have my name ALL over them.  I do LOVE a pom pom. 

Above (Clockwise) L-R: Bobble Scarf (Grey Marl) - RRP. £125.00, Bobble Hat (Grey and Neon Pink Bobble) - RRP. £70.00, Contrast Cuff Sweater (Oatmeal) – RRP. £295.00, Heart Pocket Cardigan (Grey) – RRP. £295.00,  Contrast Cuff Sweater (Grey) - RRP. £295.00

Halloween 2013

Celebrating Halloween in the UK has become increasingly popular in the last few years (thank you Heidi Klum!) and now there is no shortage of thrills and chills to enjoy come October 31st.  With this ghoulish night fast approaching us (like a serial killer in a dark alley) costumes are now firmly on my mind.  Usually the ladies of London use this annual opportunity to leave as little to the imagination as possible... something spooky + clevage = (Sexy) Vampire/(Sexy) Cat/(Sexy) Skeleton/(Sexy) Devil, etc.  I however, would love to see more effort on the whole and witness some really spooky, stomach-churningly dramatic outfits on the big night;  a tormented zombie, a rabid hybrid werewolf, a two-headed cannibal, a VMA’s Miley Cyrus… Now THAT would be terrifying! 

Above: (Clockwise) L-R: Moto Bat Print Leigh Jeans at Topshop - RRP. £40.00,  Topshop Sadie Lazer Cut Heels - RRP. £80.00, ASOS Full Midi Skirt in Mesh – RRP. £55.00, ASOS Halloween Bat Print Unitard – RRP. £38.00, H&M Super Stretch Treggings – RRP. £12.99,Skeleton Print Unitard – RRP. £32.00

Above:  No Tricks, Just Treats:  Loving these Limited Edition shoes by Charlotte Olympia!
L-R: Vampira - RRP. £975.00, Bite Me Kitty - RRP. £495.00, Nocturnal - RRP. £745.00

Above:  Hummingbird Bakery Limited Edition Cupcake Gift Boxes - From RRP. £19.50
HOW awesome did Emma Roberts look dressed as her Aunty Julia's character Vivienne Ward from Pretty Women at last year's Halloween?! Genius. 

Left:  If you are still in need of some more devilish sinspiration head to Austique where flamboyant fancy dress boutique Violet’s Box are holding a pop up shop for the next two weeks. Stylist Violet Day will be on hand to help you choose a perfectly show-stopping/heart-stopping outfit.

Debit Buy: Gap's Leopard Print Slip On Sneakers

As perfect transition footwear, the ‘slip on sneaker’ had a BIG revival this Autumn, adorning the feet of many a hipster, fashion blogger and usually well-heeled fashionista.  I was naturally pining for Céline’s leopard print calf hair pair (right), but without wanting to beg, borrow or steal, I more than happily settled for GAP’s bargainous Céline’esq version for £39.99! The quality is great and I particularly love wearing them with my skinny black jeans and black cashmere jumper.  Several of my friends have also now run to buy them while they are still in stock – and whilst this weather remains ankle-friendly… #Hurry!

Isabel Marant for H&M

These leaked images of the huuuugely anticipated Isabel Marant for H&M collection have got me, along with most other girls in London, very excited!  The campaign features Alex Wek, Milla Jovovich, Constance Jablonski and Lou Doillon (love her!) effortlessly modeling the womenswear, which include many signature Isabel Marant pieces; peasant tops, tassles and leather.  Parisian cool at a slice of the price? Sign moi up! 

The Isabel Marant for H&M collection will be available in stores on November 14th and is guaranteed to sell out within a few hours of opening.  One of my girlfriends (yes, you Lauren) suggested we buy a tent and camp outside the shop the night before… I thiiiinkshe may have been joking.  Either way, elbows at the ready Ladies.  

Credit Buy: Alice by Temperley's Celia Dress

Oh Zut Alorrrrrs, I am suffering from THE worst case of Le FOMO... I am daydreaming of being in Paris for Paris Fashion Week.   Yesterday, attempting to make up for the intense lack of croissants and couture in my life, I headed to Megan’s café in Chelsea (above) for brunch and  pretended I was at Café de Flore... This helped un petit peu.  Today however, I am wishing I was floating nonchalantly down the Champ Elysees in this beautiful polka-dot tulle Alice by Temperley Celia Maxidress (below, RRP. £445.00 at net-a-porter.com).  Cool, alluring, flirty and with just the right amount of je ne sais quoi.  
Je voudrais this beauty and a Eurostar ticket s'il vous plait.

Topshop with Tara Summers

I recently took British actress Tara Summers personal shopping at Topshop, Oxford Circus, whilst she was over visiting from LA.  An old friend of mine, Tara is best known for her role as Katie Lloyd in ‘Boston Legal,’ for starring in ‘Damages’ and also ‘Ringer.’  I'm very excited about her latest venture, acting alongside Greg Kinnear in new TV show, ‘Rake.’  Tara was on the hunt for some smart, but comfortable, daywear to wear with both blue and black jeans.  We shopped until we literally dropped (which luckily was atDean Street Townhouse - below - one of the best places to collapse btw!)

Tara’s favourite Topshop purchases included...

Above (Clockwise) L-R:  Aerobic2 Hi Top Wedge Trainers  - RRP. £45.00, Casual Drape Top in White - RRP. £34.00, Crepe Tunic Top in Colbalt - RRP. £34.00, Casual Drape Top in Khaki -RRP. £34.00, Navy Mallard Duck Ankle Socks (cuuuuute! I got them in pink!)  - RRP. £3.50,Drape Sleeveless Top  - RRP. £16.00, Able Pointy Lace-Up Boots - RRP. £62.00, Small Soft Zip Satchel in Camel - RRP. £32.00.

Cos Serpentine Summer Party

I attended the COS Summer cocktail party recently to celebrate their partnership with theSerpentine Gallery.  The Swedish high street brand are sponsoring the Park Nights series, which will see the Serpentine Summer Pavilion hosting performances, film screenings and talks on Friday evenings over the next few months.  

Cos have also created two limited-edition shirts (left, available here, RRP. £59.00) which were inspired by this year’s Serpentine Summer Pavillion installation designed by the Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto.  The Pavillion (below) is ahhhmaaaahzing, a real must see/climb!

La Martina Catwalk Show at Guards Polo Club

An afternoon of fashion, polo, champagne and macaroons?... Yes, Yes, Yes and Yes Please. Arriving at Guards Polo Club in my swankypants black Mercedes Uber car (left), I recently sat FROW at the exclusive preview of La Martina’s SS’13 collection. The well known Argentinean label is relied heavily upon for supplying polo-players with the very best of sportswear, but this show also included an array of ‘après chukka’ leisurewear for both men and women.  The show was followed with a polo match, bubbles and afternoon tea. Perfect. 

Above:  Henry Conway and Zafar Rushdie, Martina Betz and Kelly Eastwood

Above:  Once You Pop!  Wearing Long Sleeve Silk Pleat Shirt (RRP. £48.00) by Topshop, Necklace by Lulu Frost for J Crew, Love Me Tender Heart Ring by Phoebe Coleman (RRP. £108) Vintage Cartier Watch, Vintage Emerald Ring. Nailpolish by Essie ('Tart Deco').

Noble Macmillan

Noble Macmillan, tucked away on the sweetly cobbled Elvaston Mews, are well known for creating presents that are as genuinely unique as the shop itself.  Originally a 19th Century stable, and then a 1970’s garage, the shop has amazingly kept its beautiful original floor bricks, and given its distance from any highstreet, you feel like you are entering a secret, quintessentially British, treasure trove.

Walking through the doors I was met with the sight and smell of a myriad of colourful hand crafted leather goods and accessories. A rainbow of albums, diaries, visitor’s books, jewellery rolls, photo frames and backgammon sets, all of which can be personalised, are displayed.

Having struggled to find anything suitably stylish for my mini-iPad, I was particularly thrilled to see Noble Macmillan's brightly coloured collection of cases, and I adored their chic travel wallets.  This shop is perfect if you are looking for a classic one-of-a-kind present, especially for a friend’s wedding or notable birthday... or y'know, MY birthday ;)

Noble Macmillan have recently announced Otis Ferry as their Brand Ambassador,  having collaborated with the brand on a selection of journals which will be launched later this year.  Henry Samuelson, Managing Director of the leather accessories brand, says, "Otis represents the classic British Gentleman, whose passion for the British countryside combined with his urban edge fits perfectly with our brand."

I was lucky enough to have been sent this GORGEOUS Noble Macmillan leather notebook(below) in ‘Orange Tangerine’ with ‘Ibiza Pink’ embossing for all my summer scribbles!...

Thank you NM - I love it! xx

J. Crew Pop-Up

I recently attended the J. Crew pop up, a two-day sneak peak of the autumn/winter ’13 collection ahead of their launch in the UK on Regent Street this November.  I was met by a rainbow of delicious Italian cashmere (which you could charmingly have monogrammed), a plethora of gorgeous, wearable printed silk and a selection of sparkling, custom-made jewel collars which would make any outfit delightfully unique.

Below (L-R): Henry Conway and Annabel Simpson, Astrid Harbord and Kelly Eastwood

I love J. Crew’s easy and accessible approach to dressed up daywear, and I was specifically enamored with their statement necklaces. some of which were created by New York based jeweller Lulu Frost.  Although vintage in style, these necklaces are thoroughly modern and awoke my inner-magpie… I want them ALL!

Above (L-R):  Astrid Harbord, William Woodhams and Annabel Simpson with Coco Bear

The all-American retailer also announced they are teaming up with Central St Martin’s fashion school on a series of design projects as well as offering a new scholarship.

 My top J. Crew picks for the summer...
Above (L-R): Bijoux Bow Ballet Flats - RRP. £207.26, Crystal Compilation Necklace - RRP. £143.69, Vacationland Blouse - RRP. £108.85, Collection Cashmere Sweater in Punk Floral -RRP. £224.68, Mini-Pineapple Bikini Set - RRP. £85.07