L.K. Bennett x Bionda Castana

Usually taking my slippers off in the morning is a real struggle... However, when I have a brand new pair of graphic checkered Bionda Castana for L.K. Bennett heels to tap around in, they were thrown off with wild abandon.  Lloyd meanwhile, had her eyes firmly fixed on the shoe box prize;  a win win all round! 

In what I believe to be the dreamiest of spring collaborations, celebrity-favourite Bionda Castana have created a gorgeous collection of limited edition shoes with high street fave L.K. Bennett, and every pair is just, simply put, lovely.  With three differing heel heights, the twenty-piece line up of shoes designed by the two British brands, featuring gorgeous lace-up and scallop designs, are elegant, yet ultimately playful.  Predicatably, the collection, offering our tootsies a little every day luxury, is flllllying off the shelves.

Everything about the Bionda Castana for L.K. Bennett lunch at Mark’s Club, in celebration of the collaboration, was beautiful; the shoes, the flowers, the David Gandy… 

Above (L-R) Clockwise:  David Gandy and Erin O'Connor, and Bionda Castana designers Jennifer Portman and Natalia Barbieri.  Below: With Laura Jackson, both in L.K. Bennett (hover for links).

TLC LOVES... Bionda Castana for L.K. Bennett

Mother's Day Gift Guide 2016

I never thought I would ever find myself on a Monday evening flower arranging with some fellow bloggers, let alone actually enjoy it as much as I did.  I was invited by Bloom & Wild (the through the letter box florist I’ve come to depend on for gifts) to Hobbs in Covent Garden, for a specialist flower arranging workshop ahead of Mother’s Day this weekend.  Now, not usually one to blow my own trumpet, but c’moonnnnnn… HOW beautiful is my bouquet?! (*I shall now available for weddings and bar mitzvahs, naturally…)  

As my Mother lives in Africa, she will have to make do with this photograph of the flowers that shoulda-woulda-coulda have been hers (but are instead are sitting looking heavenly in my flat!) but you and your mum can attend the workshop on Sunday yourselves by booking tickets HERE.

For some extra spoiling for your Mummy dearest/beautiful Baby Mama, hover over the items below...

Banana Republic's Pants for Every Body

Having recently unveiled their range of new trouser styles for the upcoming sunny season (the Ryan, the Sloan, the Avery and the Logan) Banana Republic feels confident that at least one of these versatile designs will be your perfect fit/NBF.  With the trousers differing in both shape and fabric, once you have decided on your favourite pair, you can stock up on the style in a variety of different colours and prints – Spring sorted!

I quickly decided that the cropped, skinny Sloan was the one for me; a comfortable and uncomplicated design I could easily see myself styling up or down, situation dependent.  I was happy, although unsurprised, to find a pair in my beloved khaki, as historically, Banana Republic love safari inspired separates just as much as me!  This brilliantly adaptable colour works just as well in the city as it does in the African bush, and I decided to pair these Sloans with a variety of less conservative, colour-popping accents and flirty fun pieces which I felt would take my new trews from daytime to nighttime in mere seconds.  The go-to LBD has some serious competition!

Below:  With a quick change of top, shoes and accessories, my Sloans and I are evening ready...

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Photography:  Ella Sadika

Created in collaboration with BANANA REPUBLIC.


Hello There: Rose Rankin

Since becoming the loud and proud owner of the above cool cats (Cheetah Simmy Mid-Top Sneakers RRP. £169.00) I’m obsessing over all Rose Rankin’s trainers.  A veritable high five for your feet, these handmade, colour popping sneaks come in an array of metallics and animal prints, and as I'm all too aware now, one pair is simply not enough for anyone's wardrobe.  Dangerously collectable, and just so much fun, the Velvet Colt Runners (RRP. £169.00) are firmly next on my hit list!

So forgetting double denim... is double leopard too much?! #YouCanTakeTheGirlOuttaAfrica...

TOMS Traveller Sunglasses: #OneForOne

I am so proud to have been chosen as an ambassador for TOMS Traveller Sunglasses.  I have always been totally inspired by this brand’s ‘One for One’ ethos and the incredible impact their ‘Buy To Give’ model has made across the world over the last 10 years.  

Just like their successful shoe model (where each purchase of a pair provides shoes for people in need), each sale of a pair of TOMS stylish sunglasses directly helps the visually impaired in developing countries, providing desperately needed prescription glasses or sight-saving surgery.  Founder and CEO of TOMS Blake Mycoskie has said, "sight is a fundamental need. The loss of sight has a dramatic impact on a person's life -- and on his or her family and community." 

I love these matte nude Traveller By TOMS Sunglasses (RRP. £59.99) and I love them even more knowing how wearing them has given the gift of sight to someone in need.  See the rest of the range HERE. 

Credit Buy: Charlotte Olympia for Agent Provocateur's Cat Nap Leopard Print Set

Charlotte Olympia’s recent, sultry collaboration with Agent Provocateur is nothing short of a match made in heaven.  The ultra feminine and playful collection includes several sexy lingerie sets and three pairs of sky-high, platform shoes, but it’s this wildly chic, Cat Nap Leopard Print Set that I want to get my little claws into…!  

The slippers... The eye mask... The coordinating silk satin pouch... This is what real dreams are made of (or should be!)  RRP. £395.00

See the whole COxAP collection HERE.

 

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HEADS UP:  This purrrrrfect set of three APxCO knickers will be joining the current collection and hitting stores from April. As a loud and proud crazy cat lady, I will almost certainly need these in my life! 

Celebrating Matthew Williamson's Amazonia Collection

Last week I attended a dinner at Matthew Williamson’s Queen’s Park Studio for a dinner to celebrate his new Amazonian-themed collection. Well, I say dinner but it was certainly more of a tropical extravaganza. Hosted by Matthew’s right-hand girls (and party planner extraordinaires) Rosanna Falconer and Georgie Macintyre.  In the company of three parrots (yup, not even kidding) and a flurry of exotically dressed guests, I was served a delicious Balthazar London feast and waaaay too many glasses of NYEtimber bubbles amongst various wild and feathered figurines surrounding my plate! We were then adorably spoiled with mini meringue pies and jelly snakes served alongside our mint drunk from elegant vintage crockery.

The collection, inspired by the Amazon and the spiritual revelations and awakenings reportedly experienced from consuming ayahuasca, the enlightening drug shamans have used for centuries as a window into the soul and cure for illness and depression.  The typically vibrant Matthew Williamson prints contain beetles, monkeys, snakes and a lot of stunning, tropical flowers; mood lifting indeed!

TLC Loves Matthew Williamson's Amazonia Collection...

Above (L-R) Clockwise:  Raspberry Jungle Bloom Silk Chiffon Gathered Gown (RRP. £950.00), Mint Jungle Bloom Embroidered Flare Dress (RRP. £795.00), Raspberry Mother Amazon Silk Slip Dress (RRP. £295.00), Jungle Bloom Embroidered Halter Gown (RRP. £2,295.00), Lemon Jungle Bloom Silk Chiffon Gathered Gown (RRP. £950.00).  See the rest of the Amazonia Collection HERE.

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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!

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) 

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!