L. K. Bennett SS'16 Breakfast

Earlier this month I was utterly spoiled by the wonderful peeps at L. K. Bennett, alongside a gaggle of my fashunnn faves, with a delicious breakfast at the stunning Mondrian London’s Rumpus Room, hosted by Brand Ambassador, the formidable Alex Meyers. 

We were given a sneak peak at the upcoming (predictably gorgeous) SS’16 collection (the over-the-knee boots will be a BIG hit, and are firmly now on my wish list) and each given a ‘goody bag’ to end all goody bags; a brand new L. K. Bennett Mariel Bag, hand-painted with our initials by esteemed British artist, and TLC Fave, Boyarde.  I meeeeean…!! You can only imagine our excitement!

Above (L-R) Clockwise:  Alex Meyers, Pippa Vosper, Kelly Eastwood (TLC), Anna Hart and Laura Fantacci. 

My bag was in orange, a favourite of mine for accessories (LKB had clearly done their homework!) and I couldn’t wait to hit the streets (whilst also wearing my prized Fianna Suede Ankle Boots) to give it a twirl. 

Shop TLC's LOOK...

After all of our bespoke Mariel bags had hit Instagram, there was such a demand for these gorgeous, bespoke bags that. L. K. Bennett decided to run a competition to win one, hand-painted with the winner’s initials.  Sign up on their mailing list HERE to automatically be in with a chance of winning. 

Street Style Photography: Ella Sadika

Shoes Speak Louder Than Words

Bruce Paltrow's World Famous Pancakes

Pancake Day... My favourite Day!

Bruce Paltrow's World-Famous Pancakes

Recipe from 'My Father’s Daughter: Delicious, Easy Recipes Celebrating Family & Togetherness' by Gwyneth Paltrow

INGREDIENTS (serves 6)

1 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons sugar
1 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
3 eggs (preferably organic)
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly, plus 1/2 tsp per batch to grease pan
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
About 1/2 cup whole milk
Maple syrup

Combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a bowl. Whisk eggs, 3 tbsp butter and buttermilk in another bowl. Whisk wet ingredients into dry ingredients until just combined. Cover batter and let rest overnight in the refrigerator. Heat a large greased griddle or large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add milk to batter until it reaches desired consistency; the more milk, the thinner and more delicate the pancakes. Working in batches of three pancakes, spoon batter onto griddle or skillet. Cook until surface of pancake is covered with bubbles, for 2 to 3 minutes. Flip and cook the other side until golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Drizzle warmed maple syrup over pancakes; serve. Yum!

Frieze Art Fair 2012

Last weekend I went to Regent’s Park for the tenth Frieze London, one of the world’s leading contemporary art events.  With so much art displayed along a dizzying grid, the whole exhibition felt like one giant creative speed dating afternoon, as I whizzed around briefly flirting with each of the 175 gallery’s presentations.  Below are a few of my favourites pieces… 

Above: Is it a Door? Is it Art? No... I's Frieze. Easy Mistake. Kate Moss by Mario Testino. 

Above (L-R): Robert Indiana's Love and Art (1972-2000).

Above:  Art appreciating art...

Above (Clockwise): 'I am the One I've Been Waiting For,' Harland Miller (2012), Untitled, Loris Greuad (2012) and 'Inthistogether' Darren Almond (2010).

Above:  My favourite of the day. A portrait on old cassette tapes by Gregor Hildebrandt.

Above (L-R):  'A Balloon For Britain,' Scott King (2012) and 'Oh No' Doug Aitken (2012). 

Lazarides' Bedlam at the Old Vic Tunnels

Last week I attended the opening of the Lazarides Gallery’s third and final collaboration with the Old Vic Tunnels, ‘Bedlam.’   For this exhibition, Steve Lazarides commissioned artists to encapsulate the brutality and horror historically associated with London’s infamous Victorian mental asylum, Bethlam (commonly known as ‘Bedlam.’)  Lazarides explained, “everyone in the art world is crazy anyway, but different artists took different things from the idea. For some it became about chaos, for others it was more medical.”

Just as the Victorians would walk around Bedlam staring at the patients, completely fascinated and intrigued by their erratic behaviour, I too walked around the Old Vic Tunnels (the most perfect venue for this exhibition’s creepy theme!) both fascinated and intrigued by the plethora of dramatic art, sculptures and installations on display.

Below Centre:  Hamish Jenkinson, the Director of the Old Vic Tunnels, amongst the art.

Some stand out pieces for me were Tobias Klein’s ammonium sulphate crystal angel (patients at Bedlam would have these crystals placed beneath their skin as part of their treatment), the giant spinning swing (another treatment was to shake the mentally ill ‘back to their senses’) and Tessa Fraiser’s hanging mobile made up of rats, animal skeletons and insect wings… Quite the most disturbing thing I’ve seen in a long time.

The thin line between genius and madness was made very clear to me at this show leaving me feeling confused and ultimately disturbed – the artist’s intention I'm sure!  This show will certainly leave you with an impression… and perhaps some nightmares...

Below Centre:  Hamish Jenkinson interviewing gorgeous DJ/Presenter Izzy Lawrence.

'Bedlam,' presented by the Lazarides Gallery is on until October 21st. Entrance is free.

HAWT: Cheryl Cole in Victoria Beckham

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 night Cheryl Cole attended the film premiere of ‘What To Expect When You’re Expecting,’ at the London BFI IMAX cinema, wearing a floor length Victoria Beckham SS’12 dress. 

With rose gold jewellery by Garrard and an elegant satin Sergio Rossi clutch, Cheryl effortlessly channelled two of this season’s "major" (to quote VB!) trends – sports-luxe and pretty, feminine pleats. 

The singer looked stunning in the two-tone, drop waisted dress – the perfect red carpet outfit to celebrate her first movie cameo and this year’s first day of sunshine in the capital.

Below: Cheryl Cole with the film's star, Cameron Diaz.

The trailer for 'What To Expect When You're Expecting' can be seen Here.