Archive By Alexa Chung

The klaxons for London’s SS’16 Fashion Week were sounded by Alexa Chung, kicking off proceedings at a party hosted by the British Fashion Council to celebrate her latest design collaboration with Marks & Spencer.  The 31-piece collection, inspired by the brand’s past designs from the 1940’s through to the 1980’s, features wide-leg trousers, mini dresses, a trench coat and THAT ruffle-necked shirt (seen in the promo shot above) that will more than likely cause in-store customer casualties upon it’s Spring release. 

With full access granted to the high street store’s vast 70,000 items deep archive, Alexa has reimagined previously popular classic designs with new colourways and modern fabrications. With a distinctive and internationally recognised style, Alexa, “pulled from stored garments, in-house magazines and TV adverts from various points in the history of Marks & Spencer to create the collection that I believe looks every bit as relevant today as it did then."

The range, launching in April, will cost between £19.50 - £89.00, with the most expensive item being the trench coat which Alexa herself wore to the event, and which I have my eye firmly on!

Below:  Featured in the Evening Standard, accessorising my off the shoulder Marks and Spencer shirt, with stacking rings from Gemporia and a yellow gold Boundary Necklace from Georgina Boyce Fine Jewellery.  My fish tail plait was created by the fabulous Tatiana Karelina (33 Holland Street, London, W8).

Shop TLC's Look...

Aerin Beauty's Mediterranean Honeysuckle

What better way to encourage Spring along, than over a randomly sunny afternoon spent surrounded by heavenly blooms, a gaggle of gorgeous gals and a feast to celebrate Aerin Beauty's new fragrance.  Fashion Me Now’s Lucy Williams (below) recently invited me to one of my favourite restaurants, Petersham Nurseries, where over the most delicious of lunches, I was introduced to  ‘Mediterranean Honeysuckle.’  With hints of jasmine, grapefruit, Italian bergamot, lily of the valley and mandarin oil, to name just a few, the scent evokes sun-drenched afternoons whiled away on the beach, and alongside the spoiling Prosecco jelly, we all felt quite transported... even if only for an indulgent couple of hours!  Thank you Lucy!

Above:  With Missoma's Marissa Horden, Lucy Williams and Stylonylon's Julia Rebaudo.

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TLC LOVES.... Aerin Beauty's Mediterranean Honeysuckle


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) 

All She Wants For Christmas 2016

It's THAT time again folks; The mad dash to buy your loved ones gifts and the mad hope that they in return take a look at this page (handily left open on their desktop, iPhone and iPad...) before using their own initiative and buying you anything...!  Hover over the items for their direct links. 

Above:  Missoma's beautiful Gold Half Infinity Rings look stunning stacked. (RRP. £65.00)

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Above:  Bespoke womenswear label Tephi’s tailor made, personalized Tephi Garment Bag has made transporting your Sunday Best a whooole lot chicer.  With zipped compartments for your dresses and shoes, this is both stylish AND practical... #WinWin (RRP. £175.00)

Above:  Elizabeth Scarlett's distinctive embroidered Velvet Cushions, inspired by her many colourful travels, make beyond gorgeous additions to any home. (RRP. £55.00)

Above:  The Penmayne of London midnight blue Willow Fedora with a leather and guinea fowl feather – utterly chic. Have the silk lining initialed for that added touch. (RRP. £319.00)

Above:  The gift of some Bliss UK pampering and peace... I mean, the dreeeeeam.

Above:  The most beautiful addition to your home is a Feu de Beaumont candle. Each heavenly smelling candle (my favourite is Feu de Bois) comes with a gold-plated lid which can be engraved.  (RRP. £59.00)

#TLCComp: The London Chatter and Wahanda's #BookYourselfieFabulous

This week, I've teamed up with the lovely peeps at Wahanda to give away five of these SENSATIONAL inflatable flamingos which I had the pleasure of splashing around with recently!  Lets face it, these pink pals of mine have been THE summer accessory of 2015, so to win one of your own, AND a £50.00 Wahanda voucher, make sure to follow both of our accounts on Instagram and tag your best summer selfies with ‘#‎BookYourselfieFabulous’ for a chance to win! Good Luck everyone!

FACT:  A flock of flamingos are known as a FLAMBOYANCE!

Speaking of the summer, I am a huge advocate of fake tanning!  Not only do I loathe lying bored and baking in the sunshine, I am utterly paranoiac about sun damage and skin cancer. Having been raised on the equator, in Kenya, I annoyingly already have the inevitable brown patches on certain areas of my face, so love to arrive on holiday already tanned (accompanied by a vat of Factor 30, another of Factor 50 and a beautiful, big sun hat!)  Lots of people are nervous about fake tan, especially spray tans, worrying about the oh-so well documented ‘orange effect,’ or ruining white bed sheets, so I asked Wahanda Editorial Director Liz Hambleton to talk first time tanners through the ins and the outs of a summer leg's spray tan...

“Tanned legs look better. Fact. They also make you feel better. Another fact.  If you’ve yet to do the big summer reveal (we’re into August people so don’t leave it too much longer!) then a spray tan could be exactly what you need to get those legs out.  And yes, you could just slap on a few applications of gradual tanner in the comfort (and privacy) of your own bathroom but there’s something about a professional spray tan that goes a whole lot further. How so, you ask?  A) A professional job makes you feel slimmer, fitter and more toned – instantly. B) Clever contouring can add definition and shape to your legs and C) Your skin feels softer, smoother and way more supple.  You also don’t have to mess around with tanning mitts, wayward patches and trying to reach awkward spots that only a lifelong yogi could dream of reaching.  Interested? Then read on for the six facts you need to arm yourself with before spraying up for summer…

1)   Don’t shave or wax your legs before having a spray tan.  The colour can settle in the open pores and create a strange spotted effect.  Do it at least 48 hours beforehand to avoid any trace of dotted leg syndrome…
2)   A little Vaseline on your brows, hairline, lashes and even your nails can reduce any tan grabbing and staining on area that really don’t need a tan!
3)    Moisturise at your peril.  Turn up for your tan with clean, freshly showered (ideally) skin to allow the formula to develop as it’s designed to. Throw another product into the mix and things could get ugly!
4)   Wait at least 8 hours before showering if you can.  Many salons say you can shower sooner but in our experience the longer you leave it the longer lasting the tan.
5)   Don’t be afraid to exfoliate; a nightly buff in the shower will actually freshen your faux glow and help it wear off evenly. Most spray tan brands offer their own exfoliators that will work well with your tan. 
6)   Top up your tan and take the edge off any blemishes, marks or bruises on your legs with an illuminating, bronzing product. We love Charlotte Tilbury Supermodel Body, £45.”

 
Find your perfect spray tan at www.wahanda.com

And now you have your spray tan and inflatable flamingo sorted, don't forget your sun cream and sun hat!!

Father's Day Gift Guide 2015

Father's Day is THIS weekend and if you haven’t managed to already find a pressie for the father in your life (or your child’s father) and the kitchen cupboard is already heaving with novelty ‘No.1 Dad’ mugs (best present ever, SURELY?!) then here are just a few ideas… We love you Dads! You rock.

Click on the picture of the items you like for their direct web links...

Below:  Frustrated by the lack of dedicated boxer shorts for men, Liverpool artist David Huglin set about creating something that combined his artistic vision with a commitment to comfort. Burtonwode’s boxers and PJ’s are all made in the UK and are 100% cotton.  I have a pair of lemon PJ bottoms (from £60.00) myself, and if that is not enough affirmation, Eddie Redmayne OBE is said to have been married wearing a pair of Burtonwode boxers (from £17.50) beneath his tails! 

Below:  Unique and colourful, and perfectly suited from beach to bar, Frangipani’s designs (RRP. £75.00 each) are made of 100% power-loom cotton and influenced by travels around the world.  Matthew Williamson loves them and Poppy Delevingne steals them from her husband.

Below:  Ampfly is the brand new iPhone case that makes your music three times louder, all without batteries. Yup. THREE TIMES LOUDER PEOPLE.  A summer fun essential. (RRP. £19.99)

Below:  Collar Club makes the finest quality Egyptian cotton shirts without the unnecessary mark-ups.  Designed in Britain and made in Italy, the ready to wear shirts, available in five fabrics and two styles cost £59.00, and the made to order service allows you to choose from slim and tailored first and a variety of collar and cuff styles for £69.00.  Collar Club's revolutionary concierge service is also worth considering for any London-based Don Draper Daddy's; for the price of a yearly subscription, eleven made-to-measure, Jermyn Street-quality shirts, are made for you, and collected, washed and ironed for you once a week.

This kills me...

Tried and Tested: Molton Brown's Rhubarb and Rose Collection

To celebrate the launch of the latest, deeeeelicious, good-enough-to-eat Rhubarb & Rose Collection, Molton Brown has enlisted the help of Tommy, Britain's youngest Michelin starred chef Tommy Banks, raised near West Yorkshire’s famous ‘Rhubarb Triangle,’ the area where Molton Brown sourced their new, luxurious bath and body products' rhubarb from.  Tommy has created two amazing recipes, both featuring rhubarb and rose, to help bring the new fragrance to life.  Creating two amazing and wonderfully sweet recipes, Tommy’s delicious Frangipane Summer Tart and a refreshing Rhubarb and Rose Cocktail would be perfect for any summer lunch (as long as I didn’t ruin them by making either myself…!)

Frangipane Summer Tart

INGREDIENTS

For the Shortcrust Pastry
750g plain flour
375g unsalted butter
300g icing sugar
1 whole egg
3 egg yolks 

For the Frangipane
200g unsalted butter
200g caster sugar
200g ground almonds
4 eggs, beaten
40g plain flour
1 tsp almond oil 
For the rhubarb jam
850g rhubarb, chopped
300g sugar
15g pectin  
For the rose glaze
100g caster sugar
100g water
20g dried rose petals  

1. To make the pastry, rub together the dry ingredients until they resemble the texture of breadcrumbs. Slowly add the egg and yolk to form a smooth paste.
2. To make the frangipane, cream the butter and sugar. Slowly add the eggs while stirring. Fold in the almonds and then the flour. Add the almond oil.
3. To make the rhubarb jam, slowly bring the ingredients to the boil. Simmer gently for half an hour on low heat. Test the jam on a cold plate - if it sets when cold it is ready. If still runny return to a simmer for 5 minutes then test again.
4. To make the rose glaze, dissolve the sugar in the water. Add the rose petals and bring to the boil. Strain through a fine sieve. 
5. Now assemble the tart. Thinly roll the pastry over a 10 inch tart case. Blind bake the pastry case for 15 minutes at 170°C. Smooth the rhubarb jam over the base of the tart case and add the frangipane batter. Cut 1 cm chunks of the extra rhubarb and push into the batter for a decorative finish. Return to the oven for 45 minutes at 165°C.
6. For the finishing touch, remove from the oven brush with the rose petal glaze.

Delicious Rhubarb and Rose Cocktail

INGREDIENTS 

For The Cocktail
50ml vodka
50ml rhubarb juice
50ml egg white
20ml lemon juice
25ml rose syrup
8 ice cubes for shaking 

For The Rose Sherbet
50g rose sugar
5g citric acid 
Makes one 6oz/17.5cl
martini glass

1. To make the rose sherbet, combine the ingredients in a blender and blitz to a fine powder.
2. To make the cocktail add the vodka, juices, egg white and rose syrup to a cocktail shaker and vigorously shake for ten seconds.
3. Open the shaker, add the ice cubes and shake again until the shaker tin has frosted on the outside.
4. Strain the cocktail in to a martini glass and dust the top with rose sherbet.


TLC Vacation: The Peninsula Paris

When I was young, growing up in Africa, I dreamed of Paris.  Nothing much has changed, as my ever-increasing collection of Breton striped tee’s, daily use of red lipstick and a flat peppered with French objet d’art will attest to (I have an actual Eiffel Tower shaped lamp made from an old olive oil bottle I’m particularly proud of!)  In short, I regularly imagine that I actually am un petit French fille and subsequently have supremely high expectations of Paris and visit there with extreme caution to avoid any disappointment.  You can therefore only imagine how quickly I said OUI when I was asked to travel first class on the Eurostar and stay at the Peninsula Paris for two nights. 

Above:  Distracting myself from my overwhelmingly naked passport with a handful of magazines (does EVERY blogger apart from me have a monogrammed Louis Vuitton passport cover?!)

After a 4 year, £341 MILLION makeover, the five-star Peninsula Paris, the first Peninsula in Europe, swung its gloriously immaculate doors open at the end of last year.  The original building, which dates back to 1908, is steeped in artistic and political history, with George Gershwin penning ‘An American in Paris’ within its walls in 1928 to housing the Nazi military command whilst Paris was occupied during WW2.  Located across an entire block near to the Arc de Triomph and Champs Elysees, the hotel now boasts 200 suites (starting at £800 a night), 34 suites, a penthouse suite with its own lavish rooftop garden (a mere £20,000 a night), an underground spa and 20m swimming pool, 600 incredible staff and a fleet of BMWs, Mini Coopers and two Rolls-Royces.  Yes. I was also wondering how I managed to bluff my way past their uniformed bell boys and polished, marbled lobby (Shhhhhhsh... I won’t tell if you don't!) 

After a delicious lunch (above) at the aviation-themed L’Oiseau Bleu, one of the hotel’s six bars and restaurants, named after an early French biplane and with 360˚ views of Paris, I made my way to my room.  And by room, I mean basic apartment.  Just as immaculate and glossy as the rest of the hotel, my suite had everything I could possibly need, dream of and even more.  From a Nespresso machine, to a hidden printer, a nail-varnish dryer in my dressing room (I’m not even kidding), a television in the bath tub (I had four square-eyed baths during my short stay), Oscar de la Renta amenities, and a state-of-the-art, touchscreen tablet which controlled the lighting, heating, curtains, TV and room service (dangerous!) There were complimentary international calls, a complimentary mini-bar (helllooooo!) and after an immensely busy few weeks collapsing into my giant, sumptuous bed for an afternoon disco-nap was totally dreamy.  

That evening, after cocktails in Bar ‘s randomly brilliant outdoor cabin, I dined at their increasingly famous Cantonese restaurant, LiLi.  The rich interior was inspired by the drama of Chinese and French opera and the food, although not the place I would advise a strict vegetarian to go, is prepared by the fantastic, award-winning Hong Kong chefs in their own impressive Chinese kitchen within the hotel. 

Above:  By the striking ‘Dancing Leaves’ installation consisting of 800 hand-blown twinkling crystals leaves in the hotel’s main lobby.  It really is a truly beautiful sight, especially at night. 

After yet another bath and another (far longer) sleep, the next morning entailed breakfast in the stunning, Belle Epoque’esq Lobby Kléber, where we also later sampled a traditional and spoiling Japanese tea to coincide with Japanese Spring.  After one (ok, two) sugary ‘mini’ kouglofs by the hotel’s award winning pastry chef, I went to a chocolate workshop in the impressive kitchens.  My diet when left unsupervised… WOW.  There was a real moment I actually anticipated rolling back to London…     

So frequently on work trips you are so busy running around the city, you are almost unable to enjoy the amazing room you are staying in.  After a couple of super brief spells into town (I say 'super brief' as the weather was super chilly and super wet!) I luckily, after the most relaxing and revitalising hour long, hot–stone ESPA massage in the hotel’s enormous, 1800 sq m spa, and a short spell in the relaxation room, I was able to retire to my suite for an evening of room service, movies and sleeeeeeeep.  After an incredible lie-in, followed by EVEN MORE room-service the next morning (this couldn’t have been more heavenly!) I enjoyed one last delicious lunch with the team.  I felt truly refreshed by the time I headed back to London.  

Thank you to The Peninsula Paris Hotel and Eurostar.

TLC ON TOUR... PARIS SUITCASE:

(Click on the items below for their direct links)

Mother's Day Gift Guide 2015


This Sunday is Mother's Day and if you were thinking this was just another Hallmark centric, schmultsy, meaningless day, I suggest you take a minute to watch this…

Yup.  Soooo, now we are on the same page, we can commence the appreciation…!

Now, if there’s one day of the year that beautiful flowers are essential (…aside from Valentine’s Day… Your Birthday…. Tuesdays….) it’s, of course, Mother’s Day!

This year Roses Only are gloriously offering TLC readers and followers a 15% discount on all their stunning bouquets, with next day delivery throughout the UK and same day delivery within London.  Now there’s no excuse for any last minute panics or petrol station bought carnations!  Give them a call on 0208 772 6699 and use the code MD2015.  Alternatively, these pressies (hover over each product for direct links) would also make any Mummy smile…