#TLCSplashMob: Ice Bucket Challenge for the Cove Guardians in Taiji

My friend, photographer/videographer/conservationist/dude, Jimmy Greenwood (Feral Film Productions) recently nominated me for the Ice Bucket Challenge.  Rather than chucking a bucket of water over my head (adding to the already over flowing Facebook walls of my friends), and inspired by Jimmy’s unconventional, and eco friendly, take on the challenge, I decided to rally the troops and make a SPLASH in London’s Serpentine for the love of dolphins, in support of Sea Shepherd’s Cove Guardians.

As you may know from my Instagram, I have attended several protests outside London’s Japanese Embassy in the last year (above), alarmed and disgusted by the brutal annual six month ‘cull’ of dolphins off the coast of the small fishing village of Taiji.

Annually, after a small selection of herded dolphins, porpoises and small whales are chosen for marine parks, thousands of others are brutally slaughtered and sold off for their meat.  Most citizens in Japan are unaware of these horrendous dolphin hunts, or the serious toxicity of dolphin meat, which contains extremely high levels of mercury and PCBs.

Now, more than ever, it is important to add your voice to the growing global outrage and international protest against the drive hunt, as well as the captivity and slaughter these innocent creatures.  The strongest weapon we have is our voice. Please write to your local Japanese Embassy or consulate and use your social media platforms to let it be known you oppose the slaughter in Taiji.

Thank you to my girls for agreeing, without hesitation, to one of my more crazy requests, to the Masketeers and the Artful Badger, to Summer Watson and to Jimmy, a man as passionate about this cause as me, for his excellent camera skills, encouragement and enthusiasm.

Donate to Sea Shepherd's Cove Guardians HERE.

J Crew London Launch

You would have had to of been living under a rock to have not heard the preppy clad tremors of the J Crew brigade landing in London last week and I was thrilled to be invited (by balloon, no less) to their glitzy pre-opening party.  With 227 stores across the United States, J Crew’s gargantuan 17,000 sq ft of flagship store fun at 165 Regent Street was buzzing with excitement; finally the Brits can have easy access to the label’s rainbow of cashmere, bejeweled accessories and clashing jacquard prints without having to fork out for the plane ticket alongside them! 

The shop is divided into three interlinking sections, for men, women and children and is a visual feast.  The evening's (J) crew comprised some of the biggest names in British fashion celebrating the launch by enjoying great music, a flip book booth, an enormous table of retro sweets (obviously I spent much of my evening hanging out here) and, of course, exploring the extensive preview of colourful designs which were immaculately displayed. 

Below:  I was lucky enough to have a chat with the unbelievably charming and awesomeJenna Lyons, creative director of J Crew and all round style icon (not to mention also the owner of the most perfectly long ‘selfie’ arms, as put to the test below!)

Below (Clockwise) L-R:  William Woodhams and Annabel Simpson, Julia Neel and Kelly Eastwood, David Grievson, Amy Williams, Lauren Scott and Kelly Eastwood. 

Below (L-R):  With fellow bloggers Ella Catliff, Laura Fantacci and stylist Martha Ward. 

Below:  Wearing a polka dot Topshop playsuit with black lace back (available HERE - RRP. £48.00), a Zara perspex statement necklace, a Wilbur & Gussie Coco Clutch (similar available HERE - RRP. £265.00) and a massive bag of J Crew retro sweeties.

After a couple of glasses of champagne I left clutching an embarrassingly large bag of sweeties, a London-friendly J Crew Umbrella and one seriously extensive shopping list!
Below are some of the current items in stock that I now have my eye on…

Above:  Colourblock Funnelneck Coat - £RRP. £398.00,  Etta Sequin Pumps - RRP. £350.00

Above (Clockwise) L-R:  Chevron Fingerless Gloves in Citron Grey - RRP. £35.00,  Statement Flower Necklace – RRP. £198.00,  Double-Zip Sweater in Colourblock – RRP.£89.50, Hughes Satchel in Pale Graphite – RRP. £298.00, Jewelled Cuff - £125.00, Jewelled Donegal Sweater in Slate – RRP. £98.00

Above: (Top)  Collection Café Capri in Tie Silk – RRP. £198.00, (Below)  Toothpick Jean in Velvet Pack Green – RRP. £110.00

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