Debit Buy - Hennes Dress

I have been asked a few times where the dress I wore to Martha Freud's 'Mixed Messages' Exhibition last week was from... I recently bought this summery, pleated dress with mesh at the top from H&M.

Although available in black (a more obvious choice as we enter Autumn/Winter) I wore this cream version with navy tights and Steve Madden pixi boots - an easy transitional look between seasons (a.k.a - desperately clinging onto the summer!)

RRP. £19.99

Alexa Chung for Madewell

Presenter, DJ and fashion muse Alexa Chung’s first collection for Madewell in 2010 was a sell out hit so her second collaboration as guest designer with the American brand this A/W has everyone very excited – especially me.

I love the way Alexa dresses – part nerdy tomboy, part granny, part 5 year old girl – always modest and understated – always very, very cool.

Alexa’s collection was heavily inspired by girls in bands ‘who live their looks,’ and the seventies and nineties.

Shot in Austin, Texas, with an all American road-trip feel to it, looking dreamily beautiful Alexa models the collection herself.

The collection hits stores in the US (and their website for us guys this side of the pond!) today… Mouses at the ready!!

Beulah London Sample Sale TODAY

Beulah London is offering 60 per cent off their ladylike cotton and silk dresses until 7PM tonight at their summer sample sale.

Hurry!! Only 5 Hours left to go!!

At H2 Capital House, The Old Gas Works, 2 Michael Rd, SW6 2AD.

Whilst working at a charity in the Southern slums of Dehli, looking after impoverished girls recently rescued from the sex trade, providing them with safe refuge and the skills and tools they needed to become financially independent, Natasha Rufas Isaacs and Lavinia Brennan were motivated to take action and make a difference to the lives of these victims.


And so, Beulah London was born.

Natasha and Lavinia say, “We wanted to create a luxury brand that was naturally elegant and easy to wear. Our designs are simple, with a strong philosophy behind them – to provide stunning fashion with a conscience.”

If you cannot make the sample sale today, do look at their gorgeous website and if you buy nothing else (and good luck with that!) please do purchase a 'Beulah Bag.' The bags are made in the infamous red-light district in Kolkata, India, and made by women who have escaped the dangers of trafficking.

RRP. £10.00 (with 50% of sales goes directly to anti-human trafficking projects)

Photographs by Jack Brockway

Best Of London - Chris O'Dowd

31 year old Irish actor Chris O’Dowd is used to playing affable nerds and the sweetest of slackers, becoming well known for his role as the hapless Roy in The IT Crowd and for playing Simon in 2009’s ‘The Boat That Rocked.’ This summer however, Chris was catapulted into the ‘Leading-Man-Eye-Candy’ category when he played Officer Rhodes in the whopper blockbuster hit ‘Bridesmaids’ - eclipsing seasoned screen hottie Jon Hamm by a mile.


Taking some time out from being swamped with marriage proposals (to say the least) via Twitter from swooning women all around the world, Chris shares with us some of his London favourites;

My Pint – A pint and a whiskey in the Toucan in Soho with my best mate, Jamie.

My Date Night – With my beautiful lady friend, Dawn, at a French place called La Brasseriein South Kensington.

My Sunday Brunch – We host a roast at our place in Bermondsey for a big bunch of our mates 2/3 times a month.

My Building – I love the Art Deco Tesco headquarters on the M40 on the way to Pinewood.

My London Shop – I love the stuff A.Sauvage makes. Sweet, classic suits with an African twist.

My London Extravagance – High tea at The Dorchester. Nothing quite like it.

London's Best Kept Secret – I really like L'Entrecote just off Marylebone High Street.

My London Icon (Past or Present) – Richard Harris. I loved that he spent his final years livin' it large in The Savoy...

Below: A recent picture on set of 'The Sapphires' in Australia. Set in 1968, four young, talented Australian Aboriginal girls learn about love, friendship and war when their all girl group entertain the US troops in Vietnam.

Below: With Meghan Fox and Jason Segal on the set of the Judd Apatow's new film, 'This is Forty' which follows Leslie Mann and Paul Rudd‘s 'Knocked Up' characters. Chris says, “it’s an in-depth look at relationships, marriage and parenting in this kind of post-boomer generation."

Follow Chris (or tweet marriage proposals) @bigboyler

Debit Buy - Velvet on a Shoestring

I have always thought that the most decadent of purchases are those which are the most impractical with the shortest of life lines - yet desperately desired in spite of this... cashmere socks for instance. My pair lasted one glorious, indulgent day and after one wash they shrunk so small they would fit only a pixie (hand wash socks… seriously?) But now, as seen on the Paris catwalks earlier this year and now filtering down on to our hightstreet, there is a trend for an even more frivolous foot companion; velvet.

Luxurious, sumptuous, jewel toned velvet – stereotypically donning the slippered feet of bluebloods, this material is hardly the most sensible for us to strut our stuff in. They are ill-equipped for bad weather or the most minor of daily scuffs - therefore, wholly desirable...

Now all I need is my very own Sir Walter Raleigh (Jack) to chivalrously lay down his cloak (jacket) over any puddles in my track to prevent me from muddying these velveteen lovelies (this could take some convincing.)

Topshop, as always, have us totally covered with flats, boots and heels;

Topshop Valerian Velvet Ballet Pumps, £18.00 (in Oxblood, Teal, Green and Navy Blue)

Topshop Artwork Velvet Lace Up Shoes £75.00 (in Marl Red, Dark Green and Navy Blue)

Topshop Sacred Velvet Bow Court Shoes, £58.00 (in Black, Blue and Burgundy)

Best Of London - Kelly Hoppen

Kelly Hoppen; MBE, Interior designer extraordinaire and the undisputed Queen of Taupe.

When not designing celebrities homes (or the interiors of their private jets... yachts...) or busy writing her 8th design book, Kelly also runs her own design school, has her own collection of home accessories, designs ranges of organic clothing for Earth Couture, has a super successful QVC range, oh – and has a new TV show helping five families create stylish interiors in their own homes starting next month.

Phew! This is one busy lady.

Surely Kelly, based in West London, has no time left to go out and about and enjoy London?! Wrong. This lady is nothing if not a serious multi-tasker!

Kelly shares with us some of her London favourites;

My Transport – Black Cab or I drive my Jaguar.

My Cocktail – A Caipirinha with agave at E&O - they have the best barman.

My Date Night – With my man - Big A, at J.Sheekey – Love, love, love! 

My Sunday Brunch – At Raoul's in Notting Hill Gate – Great food and happy, Spanish staff. 

My Boutique – The Cross, its small and full of unusual one offs.

My High Street Store – All Saints, I love their t-shirt clothes. 

London’s Best Kept Secret – The Idle Hour in Barnes; its cute, has great food and is tucked away. 

My London Icon (Past or Present) – Vidal Sassoon. A good friend, he is an extraordinary man and pioneer in his field – he was also so inspired by architecture – his new film is a must!

www.kellyhoppenretail.com

'Super Interiors with Kelly Hoppen' starts on Sept 21st at 8pm on Channel 5.

Credit Buy - Melissa Lo Cosmo Bangles

I really like these Melissa Lo Four Stone Cosmo Bangles.

Available at Austique, you can choose between four colours of semi-precious stones to adorn your gold vermeil bangle; Amethyst, Blue Topaz, Chrysophase or Smokey Quartz.

These would look great on everyone - and they are perfect for the summer, worn alone or stacked.

£120.00

Repetto Toes

Madame Rose Repetto made her first ballet shoes in 1947 and prima ballerinas from all over the world were soon flocking to her shop. In 1956, inspired by these ballet shoes she created her famous ballet flats – hugely popular at the time with Bridgette Bardot, they continue to be just as popular today and regularly adorn the feet of Kate Moss, Sofia Coppola – and MEEEEE.

These are my favourite pair – how could you not smile with these precious sparkles on ya tootsies?

Repetto flats are now available from Selfridges.

www.repetto.com