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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All He Wants for Christmas 2016

Picky, averse to change, incapable of pulling out an appropriate poker face when disappointed?  Yup. That would be the majority of menfolk we are challenged with spoiling this Christmas. If you’re struggling to find something more exciting than the annual pair of socks (I firmly believe no man has ever bought his own pair), here is a little giftspiration for the (sometimes) deserving men in your life…

Hover and click on the items for their direct links.

Above:  Seaside-inspired knitwear brand Old Harry has just launched a range of colourful Beanies just in time for the temperature to plummet over Christmas. I’m a big fan of their unisex fisherman'esq jumpers, and these hats definitely have ‘what’s yours is mine’ stamped all over them! #SharingIsCaring (RRP. £25.00)

Above:  "God creates dinosaurs, God kills dinosaurs, God creates man, man kills God, man (*at Coach) brings back dinosaurs..."  I dino(t) belieeeeeeve it!  Rexy, Coach’s roarrrsome leather Rexy Puzzle has arrived in London from NYC for the festivities.  For the man who has everything… Apart from a leather dinosaur puzzle. (RRP. £375.00)

All She Wants For Christmas 2016

If like me, amidst the haze of festive celebrations and trying to finish off various work projects, you’ve left your present buying to the very last minute, fear not! We still have some time to place orders for our loved ones online, cuppa in hand, rather than having to brave the last minute high street dash on Christmas Eve!  Jingle Kells is back here with a little annual, last min giftspiration for the ladies in your life (*and for the men by the way, as I suggest you email this to them immediately!  Yup. You’re welcome...)

Hover and click on the items for their direct links.

Above:  There are Christmas hampers… And then there’s Not Another Bill’s Christmas Hamper. Curated by Justine Picardie, editor of Harper’s Bazaar, you couldn’t ask for a more unashamedly elegant treasure chest. The luckiest of ladies will be waking up on Christmas Day to a wooden crate at the end of their bed (stockings are sooo last year) which they will ply open with a 18ct gold-plated mini brass crowbar, to reveal eight of the most indulgent selection of pressies.  From a year’s subscription to Harpers Bazaar, to cashmere mittens, a ‘Feu De Bois’ Diptyque candle and P. Le Mount candy stripe dressing gown (worth £280.00 alone!) this is the ultimate in sophisticated, stylish spoiling. (RRP. £385.00)

Above:  'Buy to Give' this season by spoiling your loved one with jewellery that also directly helps fight against ivory poaching.  The Tembo Collection comprises seven Masai bead inspired bracelets which I designed with Auree Jewellery, and every purchase of a Satao, Pembe or Shina 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.  A little fashion for good?  Now THAT's a feel good pressie.  (RRP. £50.00 - £140.00)

Above:  Customise your own (now iconic) L.K. Bennett cross-body Mariel Bag (RRP. £145.00) with pop-art inspired Printed Leather Alphabet Stickers (RRP. £19.00, below) by British artist Boyarde. I just LOVE mine.

Above:  I’ve never seen a disappointed response to someone receiving a ribboned box from Jo Malone.  Their luxurious products are sophisticated simplicity at its best, and these are some of my all time favourites. (RRP. From £14.00)

Above:  I’ve been pretty obsessed with Petalon's Instagram account for a while now (the flowers are super pretty, but MY GOD check out their dog Huxley!) and a flower subscription with them would be the bee’s knees.  Each hessian wrapped bouquet (delivered weekly, fortnightly or monthly) sees a donation of £1.00 per bunch donated to the Bee Collective, a non-profit that improves London’s landscapes for honey bees.  

Above:  Pens, make up brushes, carrots… If they fit, they’re going in one of these Pentreath Hall Alphabet Pots. Organisation just became really beautiful. How many is too many?! (RRP. £42.50)

Above:  I display all my most colourful baskets around my flat like art (*and to also hide all the clutter), and this Aranaz Flamingo Pom Pom Bag from Beach Flamingo will be taking pride of Pom Pom place until dem'birdies and I fly south for Winter! #BeAFlamingoInAFlockOfPigeons

Above:  I am a big into pyjamas... But bigger into personalised pyjamas that are covered in pink pineapples and ethically made in Africa.  Tales of Thread pj's are hand printed by workers paid above the market wages in a safe, solar powered factory, and then air dried in the Ghanaian sunshine.  This Pineapple Ashanti Set makes the perfect attire for my ritual weekend CSI Miami Marathons... #IHeartHoratio. (RRP. £145.00)

Above: True Grace currently has a pop-up at Oxford Street’s John Lewis (until Dec 23rd) where you can have complimentary etching on the hand-blown glass holder of your candle. Inscribe the vessel of your heavenly scented candle (Amber is my favourite) with initials, a little message or a date, making this a truly bepoke and special pressie. EVERYONE loves a candle... Especially these ones! (RRP. From £28.00)

Above:  I don't know about you, but the Christmas holiday is a real opportunity for me to catch up on some much needed Zzzzzz (and not just in front of the TV with a tin of Quality Streets on my lap... Anyone else? Anyone?!)  Studio by Silent Night allows you to easily design your own bed online, choosing from an array of styles and storage options, different colour fabrics and mattress comfort, all making sure you have the most comfortable Christmas possible.  I was amazed at how easy the process was, choosing the above geometric style in a natural colour with four drawers, and the lovely delivery men set it all up for me, leaving me just to add cushions (by Elizabeth Scarlett, obviously!) Do Not Disturb... (RRP. From £499.00)

Float your collection of dreamy TINKALINK charms in their unique Locket Cases or just personalise your phone, diary, computer, etc, and make them all truly personal… I’m currently actually running out of places to stick them. The silver elephant and gold turtle are my favourites. (RRP. From £5.50)

Credit Buy: Olympia Le Tan x Mr Men

The leader of the coolest book club in town, Parisian designer Olympia Le Tan, has recently paid homage to Roger Hargreave’s 'Mister Men' series and I have never coveted one of her designs more. TOO CUTE! 

 In particular, the ‘Little Mix Chatterbox,’ clutch (RRP. £630.00), with its hand embroidery and Liberty-print lining, could not be more perfect for ol’TLC herself!  Wear with jeans and a simple jumper (I am wearing Enlist's Isabella Kimono Knit) and let this little one do aaall the talking. 

TLC LOVES... OLYMPIA LE TAN

Photography: Ella Sadika

Bloom & Wild Tiny Tree Pop-Up at Boxpark

Just when I was wondering how I would fit a little festive cheer into my small loft-style flat, let alone drag said cheer up four flights of stairs, the flower delivery peeps at Bloom & Wild came to my rescue. Their little elves (I imagine) posted one of their 40cm tall Tiny Trees through my letter box last week and solved my current Christmas conundrum.

HOW Bloom & Wild manage to fit a miniature pine tree, a waterproof collapsible pot, a box of ‘ickle baubles and a string of fairy lights in a letter-box friendly parcel I will never know, but magically they can. 

Despite being equipped with everything I needed to style my tree and infuse some Christmas spirit into my apartment, I decided to personalise my tree with some H&M Home Gold Pineapple Ornaments (£6.99 for two), some golden giraffe I found on Etsy and my orange kikoy - I guess you can take the girl outta Africa…!  

The results? The cutest touch of home away from home, and I couldn’t be happier when I return each evening to see the sparkling ornaments by my fireplace.

Today Bloom & Wild are launching their ‘Tiny Tree’ pop-up in Shoreditch’s Boxpark where you can not only handpick your own adorably pint-sized tree (priced between £25.00-£33.00), but also stock up on lots of cute decorations to dress it up. My own Africa inspired tree will also be on display until it closes on Sunday.

Bloom & Wild at Boxpark (Tues 6th – Sun 11th December 2016)
Boxpark, 2-10 Bethnal Green Road, London, E1 6GY

In collaboration with BLOOM & WILD

TLC Vacation: 24 Hours in Munich with BMW

Last month I went on what I can only describe as some sort of Bavarian Bonanza… 24 hours in Munich with BMW. Despite the time limitations, and the city being brim-full with Oktoberfesting revellers, I was surprised at just how much of Munich I managed to explore. 

After arriving in Munich I swiftly checked into the Sofitel Bayerpost, a beyond large, heritage-listed Italian Renaissance building that once served as Munich’s central post office right in the centre of the city.  After a bite to eat at the hotel, I was taken for a guided tour of the BMW Museum and BMW Welt.  Founded in 1973, and expanded in 2008, these two attractions continue to be really popular amongst tourists.

It was really illuminating learning about the history and future of the German vehicle manufacturing brand, and I was severely dazzled by their 125 most valuable automobiles and motorcycles.

The museum is also peppered with brightly coloured MINI Coopers, which are only my favourite cars EVER, and this visit only but fuelled the flame… I need one… Or two… I digress… Basically, car aficionado or not, this is a really entertaining and interesting experience and a great way to spend an afternoon in Munich.

Hilariously, I then got to experience the other great way to spend an afternoon in Munich… Yup. Oktoberfest! 

Donning my finest dirndl (shop similar HERE), which adorably said ‘to my dear’ on it, I made my way, like 6 MILLION other people did over the course of the 16-day festival, to one of the jam-packed Oktoberfest tents owned by Munich’s six breweries; Paulaner, Spaten, Hacker-Pschorr, Augustiner, Hofbräu and Löwenbräu.  Each tent sits around 1000-8500 people and are to be found amidst a massive village of Bavarian-style fun and games (think, Winter Wonderland just bigger and drunker…) 

Overflowing frothy beer arrived at our table, and soon we were clinking our one litre sized mugs with our neighbours (everyone is joyfully over friendly), and singing along to the thigh-slapping oompah music where we could (‘Country Roads’ was a particular favourite!)  An astounding 7.5 million litres of beer are consumed over the 16 days (that’s 3 Olympic sized pools.) I’m happy to say, I contributed to around a whooooole ¼ of those litres. LAD. 

Food wise, this is not a gastro haven.  I stuck to the GIANT German pretzels (delicious) and the bunches of radishes which were being quite randomly passed around.  Being a vegetarian, I steered away from the popular Bavarian pork knuckles, white sausages, oxen dishes and grilled chicken, and the copious burger stands to be found outside the beer tents.  

DO:  Pay attention to how you tie your Dirndl… If the bow is tied on the right side, it will be perceived that you are a taken woman, but if tied to your left, it will suggest you are single and ready to miiiingle.

DO: Wear flat shoes, and not particularly special ones - they will likely be covered in beer.  I ran into town to buy some cheapie Zara Velvet Loafers when I realised my heels would be both uncomfortable, and more than likely trashed. 

DON’T:  Put a foot wrong… Or in this case, on the table! If you do this you will be expected, in front of some 5000-8000 chanting spectators to neck your entire beer. Expect aforementioned 5000-8000 people to boo quite ruthlessly if you are incapable of such feat!

I left Oktoberfest after dark via Tuk Tuk where I whizzed around, enjoying a fast paced tour of the city, all in search of a cocktail… A LOT of fun, but I’m still more Pina Colada than Pint! 

TLC ON TOUR... MUNICH SUITCASE:

(Click on the items below for their direct links)