NHS Heroes (*and a happier day by the sea...)

I’m really relieved the members of the House of Commons Commission have decided that the proposed £500,000 needed to get Big Ben to chime in Brexit on January 31st, is money that would (obviously) be better spent elsewhere... Namely, the NHS - something we need to protect and prioritise with all our might, because you never know how much you rely upon it, until suddenly, you’re really bloody relying upon it.

8 days ago, I arrived at the hospital my mother had been brought to... We are still sitting tight in ICU, and taking each day, with their varying complications and long words, as they come, but I was totally blown away by the rapid response of the emergency services - the paramedics even came to check on me at the end of their shift, despite, I imagine, having had pretty exhausting days themselves. Similarly, the nursing staff, despite being run-ragged on their long shifts in a desperately underfunded arena, have been consistently compassionate, skilled and reassuring. These everyday heroes, deserving of our raised voices of support, see hundreds of people every week, but their faces are the ones that stay with us forever.

#NHSHeroes

A happier day by the sea…

Photography: Ollie Ali

Business Not As Usual...

Does 2020 have a re-set button?! Asking for a friend...

Assassinations and abdications aside, watching the Australian bushfires unfold have left so many of us feeling completely overwhelmed, hopeless and, besides being able to make donations, utterly helpless. I have felt unable to continue à la ‘business as usual,’ whilst knowing that over a billion animals have perished in the fire’s path, and many species are now hastening towards extinction.

After spending last week beating myself up over this uncharacteristic lack of chutzpah, and feeling unable to rally, I’ve decided however, that perhaps a ‘business as usual’ mentality is not actually what is needed from me, or any of us, right now - because let’s face it, ‘nothing changes, if nothing changes.’ What’s clear is that we need to hold ourselves and our leaders to a greater responsibility for the well-being of our planet... None of us have been, or indeed are, perfect, but let’s all agree that by making more sustainable and less polluting choices in our daily lives and businesses, we can all be and do a helluva lot better... Now is definitely the time, friends.

*To donate to the Australian emergency and rescue services, please see HERE.

Australian Bushfires - How Can We Help?

My heart is breaking over the footage I’m seeing from Australia. 14.6 MILLION acres of land has so far been destroyed (that’s the size of the of Belgium and Haiti combined), 480 MILLION animals have perished in this catastrophic fire’s wake (including 30% of New South Wales Koala population), countless homes are gone, thousands of people are stranded and at least eighteen people have died, including several volunteer firefighters... And this is all before we’ve even reached mid-January/February, when the Australian bushfire season typically peaks.

How can we help the emergency relief and recovery efforts, even from afar?

Please consider donating to the following;

Australian Red Cross

Wires Wildlife Rescue

Australian Salvation Army

Food Bank Australia

Port Macquarie Koala Hospital

NSW Rural Fire Service

Country Fire Association of Victoria

South Australian Country Fire Service

My thoughts are with all the exhausted, heroic firefighters and volunteers battling these fires, and hoping they can stay both strong and safe.

Climate change is here and its impacts are only going to get worse, unless we act now, together…

UPDATE (12.01.20)

Scientists from the University of Sydney had estimated that 480 million animals would be killed by the current bushfires, however, with the extended range of the continuing blazes, they have updated that figure at more than ONE BILLION animals. I don’t know what to say…

Joining the Cocoon Club

I’m thrilled to have discovered Cocoon, the circular, sustainable solution for (*commitment phobic) bag enthusiasts...! Founded by Matt Heiman, Maya Taras-Nelson and Ceanne Fernandes-Wong, Cocoon has been created to allow consumers to “experience luxury in a more responsible, less wasteful way,” with a monthly £99.00 subscription allows you to get your hands swinging the most sought-after styles, without any buyer’s remorse or additional environmental impact.

Luxury bag brands featured on Cocoon include Bottega (ooh, yes please!), Gucci, Chloe, Saint Laurent, Chanel, Stella McCartney, Shrimps - and Celine, like I’m wearing here.

Remember, sharing is caring, y’all…

Wearing: ‘The Patti’ by Rock The Jumpsuit, made from organic stretch denim produced sustainably in Portugal.

Hair: Taylor Taylor London

Photography: Rosalind Cazar

Ro Copenhagen: RO Women

Despite being a self professed maximalist (let’s face it, this chic pad ain’t my home, is it?!) when it comes to jewellery, I’m about as Scandi as they come; I prefer clean lines, simple designs and delicate finishes... Discreet pieces I can can stack together for additional impact when, or if, necessary.

The everyday pieces I wear and love the most almost always hold great significance (like Harry Potter’esq portkeys to beautiful moments and memories I treasure) and I loved discovering that Ro Copenhagen, a Danish brand that is both gentle and strong, was all these things, and sparklingly more!

I loved being part of this ‘Ro Women’ campaign, alongside a few (both gentle and strong) women I truly adore, and being photographed by my friend Candice Lake (who impressively managed to keep a *mostly straight face whilst I shimmied across the bench singing the Frozen repertoire in my (K)elsa dress...

Black Friday: Conscious Consumerism

I’ve been asked about my thoughts on Black Friday so much today and honestly, I feel it would be remiss of me, despite the threat of increased carbon emissions this weekend, to tell people to boycott it, considering I am in the lucky position to enjoy various discounts/loans throughout the year from my relationships within the fashion industry. I’m also aware that Christmas time can be expensive, not everyone can afford the wardrobes/beauty products/home wear they wish for at full price, and generous sales at this time can be insanely helpful. What I would encourage, however, is a level of Conscious Consumerism, where we all make really considered purchases, in spite of the excessive amount of enticing deals, to avoid buying unnecessary items destined for landfill. SO... My advice?

1. Make a list of what you actually need. For Christmas in particular, I find jewellery discounts to be the most helpful (Monica Vinader and Missoma are two old, firm faves of mine) but try and not deviate off track and make impulse purchases. In the moment, it's so easy to feel seduced by all the deals, so ask yourself two questions;

   Will I use this item more than 30 times?

   Would I be buying this if it weren't on sale?

   And, if your answer is no, pop it back.

2. If there is an expensive, investment (*the key word here) item you have been waiting to buy (a television, a new duvet, or in my case, a new camera) then this is of course, a great opportunity to enjoy a discount.

3. This could also be a great to time of year to try sustainable brands, which can be, for many, not as affordable as high-street options at other times of the year - I love Veja and Chinti and Parker.

4. Ask yourself, do I actually need anything?! Mending and not spending is the most sustainable thing you can do when it comes to refreshing your wardrobe, and many second hand/vintage/pre-loved shops/websites also have deals going on, ones which cause no further impact to the environment.

5. Lastly, consider renting rather than buying (check out My Wardrobe HQ and Hurr) if looking for a new festive one/off look with no eco/buyer’s remorse the next day!

Go forth, and be mindful out there in the crazy, y’all…

TLC Staycation: Daylesford Farm with Bentley

I couldn’t actually believe my luck when Bentley asked if I wanted to take one of their first ever SUV’s for a spin in the countryside… And neither could my Father, who’s excitement when the Bentayga arrived on his doorstop was wildly contagious (even my one-year old nephew Zac was clapping!) The timing could not have been better; My sister was over visiting from NYC with her family, and my parents were over from Kenya, so a TLC Staycation to the countryside was clearly in order…

We all know that when it comes to the British countryside, you struggle to pick a more picturesque area to visit than the Cotswolds, which is only an easy ninety mins outside of London. I had been wanting to stay at Daylesford Farm for many moons, and it just so happens that one of their beautifully chic converted farmhouses, The Wood House, has three bedrooms and could fit all the fam (providing I shared a room and bed with my jet-lagged, four-year old niece Willow… and if you watched my Instastories from that week, you’ll know just how that went…!)

Retaining many of their original features, the self-catered cottages are just a minute’s walk from the iconic Daylesford Farm Shop, restaurant, café and Bamford Haybarn Spa, and really allow you the chance to disconnect, relax, sleep (if not sharing a bed with a jet-lagged, singing niece) and enjoy some lovely family time and country air.

On arrival we received a generous welcome pack which included Daylesford tea, coffee, sugar, Daylesford red wine, gin and a selection of savory treats. The fridge was stocked with Daylesford Organic milk, butter and eggs, fresh bread from the bakery and chilled bottles of Daylesford rosé (my favourite) and white wine. Gorgeous fresh flowers were also left for us in the kitchen, and the bathrooms all had miniature Bamford products… All heavenly touches.

Had we stayed longer, we definitely would have enrolled in some of the cookery classes and floristry workshops, but we were more than occupied with our dreamy treatments at the Bamford Haybarn Spa (I fell utterly in love with the Bamford products, and subsequently bought both the Refining Exfoliator and Balancing Tonic used during my facial) and… oh yeah, eating, because my sweet Lord, the fooooood...!

Daylesford is one of the most pioneering farms in the UK and Carole Bamford has won more than 60 national and international awards for its delicious food and sustainable practices. The farm grows over 300 varieties of seasonal organic fruit, vegetables and herbs, and we bought a lot of their delicious soups, jams and chutneys to take over, having really enjoyed them during our stay.

Driving the Bentayga to Gloucestershire was a total joy – not only is it clearly stylish and a real eye-turner, but it is so, so comfortable and smooth to drive. It was also great to have with us on the farm, as we could zip around the muddy terrain confidently, visiting both all the new born baby lambs and my old school friend, Leonora Bamford who lives nearby.

After two wonderful nights we packed half the Farm Shop’s produce into the boot, to reluctantly head home, and yes, I allowed (lol) my (chomping at the bit) Father to drive the Bentayga back. We’ll be back Daylesford (ummmm, in the Bentayga, please Bentley? Pretty please?!)

In Partnership with Bentley

The London Chatter was kindly hosted by Daylesford

Hello There: Farleigh io

Given our acute awareness of how the linear fashion model of buying, wearing and quickly discarding clothes so negatively impacts both people and planet, there is an increased demand from customers for greater transparency in the fashion supply chain. I for one, am really making a more conscious effort to buy from, and champion ethical and sustainable British designers, and one such brand that has recently come on to my radar, happily just in time for the summer, is Farleigh io, and their stunning ready-to-wear collection of hand-drawn printed mini’s and maxi dresses.

Created for free-spirited women of all ages and sizes, each of Farleigh io’s ethically made, romantic designs look just as great with heels or wedges at a wedding, as they do with a pair of Veja trainers at a festival.

Brilliantly, Farleigh io doesn’t believe in large seasonal drops, instead choosing to slowly add one new design to her beautiful collection each month, with the aim of you treasuring that considered purchase for a long time. The dresses are not only brought to life by local London seamstresses and pattern printers, but also, for every design sold, a tree is planted in Zambia to help offset any carbon emissions made during its creation… Aaaaall the wonderful sunshine feels!

Wear With…

Wearing: Farleigh io’s Hazel Dress

Featuring: Puffin the Pup

Smear Fear... #SilentNoMore

I was recently made aware that cervical screenings in the UK are at their lowest levels in two decades, especially across London, with one in three British women not attending their screening tests because they find them embarrassing. I was therefore, in total awe of my friend, and Lady Garden Foundation co-founder, Chloe Delevingne, for having her own cervical smear test on live television earlier this year, in a bid to combat the stigma around getting checked.

As cervical cancer is the most common cancer in women under thirty-five, its worth remembering that although smear tests are always pretty damn uncomfortable, they also last less than five minutes, are required only once every three years, and also save around 4,500 lives each year through early detection... Now that’s worth talking openly about! If you’ve been putting yours off, practice some ultimate self-care and book one in tomorrow morning… 💗 #SilentNoMore

I’m wearing my Tabitha Webb x Lady Garden Foundation silk blouse which helped raise vital funds towards the Royal Marsden’s ground-breaking research into gynaecological cancers... Available upon request.

OOTD: 08.05.19

We had such high hopes after that scorcher of a Bank Holiday last month, but annoyingly, ever since, my newly packed away winter clothes are one by one returning at pace, and I’ve intermittently had the heating back on! HOWEVER, these gloomy mornings and random downpours shall not rain on my parade or ruin my lewwwk – mainly thanks to this ALEXACHUNG vinyl hooded trench coat.

Waterproofing and insulation aside, I love the pale blue colour of this trench, which can be worn over separates or even styled as a dress (like it was on the runway), and it has a real retro feel to it, which I love.

I paired the trench with a Maje snake print mini skirt (I know, I’m usually a leopard lass through and through, but this chic skirt unsurprisingly slithered its way happily into my wardrobe), a sky-blue Jacquemus ribbed-knit top and some white ankle boots, the perfect transitional accompaniment for any season. This particular pair of much loved and worn boots are pretty old, but there are still some great options available, and I will pop some of my favourite alternatives below. I also recently discovered Sarah and Sebastian, ethical jewellers from Sydney, and I love their gorgeously delicate gold vermeil, petal-shaped Rosa pendants.

SHOP TLC’S LOOK…

And now, EVERYBODY…

Photography: Frances Davison

Hair: Taylor Taylor London

Dressed by Net a Porter