An Afternoon with Goldsmiths

Goldsmiths, the largest luxury jewellers in the UK, have always been a trusted, reliable and handily local source for those important, life long purchases and treasures, however big or small.  The brand recently not only had their London stores sparklingly refurbished and opened a new store on London’s hustly, bustly Oxford Street, but they have also started stocking some seriously aspirational watch brands which will have us all clambering for in the lead up to Christmas (including Cartier, TAG Heuer, and Breitling).

I recently attended the Victoria store’s re-launch (left) and was really impressed with not only the variety of Goldsmiths and other branded jewellery that was on display, but also the useful services on offer to their customers. I was told that they organised for your Cartier watches to be serviced and also for your rings to be re-polished on site.  I knew I had to try these new services out when heading into town for some shopping and drinks with friends before Christmas. 

Returning with my friend Charlotte shortly after, I had my vintage Cartier Panther (a spoiling 30th birthday present from my parents, to match my mother’s) sent to be serviced and a friend’s engagement and wedding rings cleaned, which I have to say, came back after only a few minutes dazzling.

I then set about trying on A LOT of the jewellery and the watches (how could I resist?!) The service at Goldsmiths is always second to none, so authoritative yet friendly, and always feel very looked after.

I eventually (after literally trying on everything and more!) chose a mixture of Goldsmiths' own jewellery and several pieces from their surprisingly reasonable Michael Kors section (above) to wear with friends later that afternoon for drinks at the Mondrian London’s stunning Rumpus Room overlooking London... 

Designer Kalita al Swaidi looked stunning in one of her upcoming creations, accessorising with a Michael Kors necklace, Michael Kors Tortoiseshell Ring and a Goldsmiths' Double Layer Ring. 

Make up artist Charlotte Cowen looked beautiful in her Goldsmith Gold Twist Hinge Bangle and three gold bangle, and a gorgeous Michael Kors Tri Tone Layered Ring. 

The Rose Gold Oval Locket Pendant by Goldsmiths and Michael Kors Arrow Motif Rings in both rose gold and yellow.  I wore were my favourites of the day… “Dear Santa…!!” 

Photographs: Ella Sadika, Make Up: Charlotte Cowen.

Created in collaboration with Goldsmiths.

R.E.V by Rêve En Vert's #SustainableStylist Campaign

The United Nations Climate Change Conference is taking place in Paris next month, and intense discussions about cutting global CO2 emissions will be at the forefront of proceedings.  With many figures from all professions, including fashion, lending their voices to the cause in the lead up to the summit, my friends at Rêve En Vert asked me to help raise awareness with them in their #SustainableStylist campaign for #COP21.  Given that the effects of climate change do and will affect us all, and that preserving our planet is of course all our responsibility, I was thrilled to become involved.

Founded in 2013, Rêve En Vert focusses on sustainable luxury; fashion made from a place of consciousness, stocking designers who not only create stylish, long-lasting clothes and accessories, but who also respect our planet and their customer.  What's not to LOVE?! 

Founders Cora and Natasha, who I met earlier this summer in Utah, recently developed their own collection of entirely organic prima cotton basic tees, R.E.V by Rêve En Vert, made at an environmentally sound Peruvian factory just outside Lima. Every part of this range has been created with great care and respect for both planet and consumer (even the labels are printed on environmentally low impact fabric from natural dyes!) and I absolutely love my super soft Linda Tee (RRP. £48.00), the perfect accompaniment to my oh-so-predictable but oh-so-loved jeans evvvvveryday look!  A donation from the sales of any of these basics will go to support the work of Fashion Revolution in spreading awareness of the true cost of fashion. 

Photography:  Ella Sadika

Blogger's Fashion Sale for the Wild At Heart Foundation

I was so happy to be asked to donate some of my wardrobe, alongside fashion bloggers Julia Lindin and Silk and Suits, to raise funds with Edit Second Hand in support of the Wild At Heart Heart Foundation.

There are 600 million stray dogs worldwide and this project, set up this year by Nikki Tibbles, founder of London's most sought after florist and Nadine Kayser, raises donations to sponsor rescue and neutering programmes, awareness campaigns and education initiatives.  Bally, the gorgeous dog who I was photographed with outside Wild at Heart, Pimlico, was rescued off the streets as a pup in Romania and re-homed in London. She is just toooo cute and thanks to the foundation, has a happy life ahead of her.

The sale featuring pieces from my wardrobe will be on until December 5th HERE.  

See further details on how to donate to the Wild at Heart Foundation HERE. 

'Christmas A Little Different' with Crew Clothing Company

It’s beginning to look a lot like… Yup!  CHRISTMAS!  Today I walked past my first Christmas tree and I can already taste the mince pies and mulled wine.  However, unlike most of you, who can leisurely enjoy such festive, warm treats, regularly ice skate across the season and settle down with a box of Quality Street surrounded by twinkly lights and baubles… I spend each Christmas with my family back home, in the baking hot sunshine, without a pine needle or snowflake in sight, in Kenya!  Now, don’t get me wrong, I am certainly not complaining – you’d be surprised how easy it is to enjoy the big day whilst bobbing around the Indian Ocean, Pimms in hand, with pressies under the palm tree… But there is something magical about a British Christmas I know, and I therefore always try and cram in lots of fun, traditional Christamassy things in before I jet off each year, sun cream and good book in hand...  

Each year, my best friend Lauren and I like to spend a chilly morning hunkered down with some choccies, croissants and champagne, watching classic Christmas movies together in a pair of cosy pyjamas. After having popped out first thing to get supplies (above, wearing my Hazelwood Jumper) Lauren arrived and we jumped into our gorgeous, matching Pyjama Sets and beyond delicious Cashmere Socks from Crew Clothing Company, who are currently celebrating, ‘Christmas A Little Different.’  Well, I certainly do that! 

Crew Clothing Company's accessible and timeless classic clothes are perfect for wrapping up to brace the cold, or chilling out by the fire over the festive season, so they were an obvious choice for our morning spent in hibernation-mode watching ‘Meet Me in St.Louis’ and ‘Home Alone,’ (Kevvvvinnnnnnnnnnn!!”) 

Actually getting out of our beyond soft pyjamas and socks, and having to start our Saturday afternoon took some real persuasion… I’m not ashamed to admit it, I was on countdown to get back into them by nightfall!

I’m so happy and grateful that once again I got to experience some festive British Christmas cheer with my bestie before signing off on 2015 and heading back to Africa.

Crew Clothing Company are hosting a series of Christmas Picnics which you can attend.

See HERE for more info.

Photography:  Ella Sadika

Created in collaboration with Crew Clothing Company.

Getting Christmas Ready with River Island

Just imagine HOW excited I was to be asked by River Island to pop down to their giant flagship, Oxford Street store earlier this week to curate a look worthy of the fast approaching Christmas parties.  It really it already THAT time of year!  With all the Christmas lights already sparkling on Oxford Street, I was certainly in the mood and couldn't wait to get perusing.

Narrowing down my vast array of choices in their very sleek, newly installed Parkhouse Style Studio, with a lovely stylist and some much appreciated champagne on hand, was beyond fun, and if I behaved slightly like a kid in a candy store, welllll… #SorryNotSorry!

Despite being totally tempted by the multitude of sparkles on the rails, and a gorgeous, almost structured lace black dress and toe-less boots combo (left) it was a stunning emerald toned, silky limited edition, belted trench coat which caught my eye and stole my heart, and I quickly decided that this was my must have item for the festive season, and I would work the rest of the look around it.   

Striking, yet demure, I kept it fun and festive by adding some leopard print heels (you can take the girl outta Africa…) and some lace and tie up detailing peaking through with my top and Amelie jeans - black needn’t be boring after all.    

Accompanied with my own Nathalie Trad clutch which is never far from my side after dark, I headed to the Mondrian London’s gorgeous Rumpus Room to give the look a little pre-Christmas test run.

What do you reckon? Mission 'Christmas Party' accomplished?!  Find me under the mistletoe... Or you, know, probably the bar.

Shop TLC's Look

Photographer:  Ella Sadika

Make Up:  Charlotte Cowen

Hair:  Clo and Flo

Debit Buy: L.K Bennett's Martina Saffiano Tote

As Autumn has most certainly arrived and my wardrobe is becoming increasingly darker by the day, I am loving that the current apple of my eye, my L.K. Bennett handbag couldn’t be shining any brighter.  The classically styled bag is roomy, with three compartments, yet small enough to carry desk to dinner (and beyond!) Oh, and did I mention it’s in the sale?...

Apple Green Martina Saffiano Leather Tote (Was: £245.00 / Now: £165.00)

Below: The Martina is available in four other colours, click on the colour you like for its direct link.

Penelope Chilvers for Tusk Trust

I have for a long time been a fan of Penelope Chilvers and with spending much of my year exploring Kenya's beautiful Samburu, I have lived in her fun and fashionable, yet safari friendly footwear.  I am therefore, in definite need of this safari-inspired rucksack in my life/on my back! In celebration of Tusk's 25th anniversary, Penelope is donating 20% of each of the canvas rucksack sales to helping the organisation raise awareness for wildlife and conservation across Africa. The adorable embroidered badges featured on the bag were designed by children from the Coaching 4 Conservation program in Botswana.  

Tusk Rucksack (RRP. £249.00)

The Conran Shop opens at Selfridges

The Conran Shop have opened an interiors haven within the illustrious and iconic lower ground level of Selfridges, and on the last night of London Fashion Week, my friend Rosanna Falconer (below, draped in glittering Matthew Williamson, as per) and I attended the launch.  Surrounded by a beyond stylish edit of multi-coloured gadgets and gizmos a’plenty, it took ultimate strength (of character, and at times pure manhandling) to not buy everything in sight after a glass (orrr two) of champagne. A go-to destination for note-worthy gifts and investment items for your home - Keep me away, this could be dangerous! 

TLC LOVES... THE CONRAN SHOP

Above:  I'm more than a little obsessed with these Medium Cactus Vases (£37.50) and Large Cactus Vases (£59.00). Next pay cheque, they're MINE! 

SHOP TLC'S LOOK...

Nine by Savannah Miller at Debenhams

Savannah Miller, an old friend, has recently joined the Debenhams' Designer portfolio, and launched a 70-piece clothing range, with 45 accessories.  Nine by Savannah Miller is a laid back, boho, with definite references to both the 1970’s and 1990’s, both popular styles this season.

"I am delighted to become a part of the Designers at Debenhams offering with the launch of my new collection, Nine," said Savannah. "The range is inspired by the eclectic and bohemian, chic way that cool girls dress and comprises of relaxed, casual separates. Naturally there is a particular emphasis on amazing knitwear which can be teamed with perfect jeans to embellished sequin skirts."

I particularly like the Lou Bucket Bag, leather jackets, the Double Layered Faux Fur Gilet, and Steffi Biker Boots (all featured above) and I'm planning on maaaajorly stocking up on the navy and blush Breton style basic tops – you can never have too many and these ones are so soft and affordable. 

I recently met up with Savannah in THE most beautiful house in North London, and had a sneak peak at the collection...  Most of the collection works really well when worn together, taking away any worry of how to style a complete look.  Savannah talked me through how how she herself would wear the pieces together, creating simple yet elegant matches, and how she easily could take the looks from day into night, with accessories and make up. I hope you enjoy these clips we filmed… We certainly had a giggle making them!

Savannah Loves...

Below:  With Savannah at the launch night of Nine by Savannah Miller at Ham Yard Hotel. 

FACT:  The Debenhams' collection is named after Savannah’s lucky number, but also relates to her daughter’s name, Lyra, a constellation that shines most brightly after 9pm. 

Shop the full Nine by Savannah Miller collection HERE

The L.K. Bennett Social Skirt

I love wearing a mid-length, full skirt on evenings out in London. Aside from feeling automatically chic, the silhouette of the skirt is ultimately forgiving and flattering, hiding a multitude of sins; a win win! 

L.K Bennett’s beautiful array of ‘social skirts’ came to my attention earlier this year. Being oh-so-luckily frequently invited to some oh-so-faaancaaay evening events, I quite regularly and naturally gravitate to one of these characterful skirts.  Given the shape has a classic 1950’s aesthetic, the skirt could possibly come across in rather a prim way.  I like to therefore modernise the look, and make sure to keep it youthful, by wearing them with a flash of midriff, a slouchy cashmere jumper, or a little rocky t’shirt, with the highest of heels as an obvious necessity! The overall look is subsequently low-key and relaxed, but still omits a real hot to trot glamour for an evening out.

Having been inspired by many of the looks I admired over London Fashion Week, I decided to style up my L.K. Bennett Kenton Skirt (now on sale!) in the day time,  and have a little wander, with the fantastic photographer Ella Sadika, around my beyond colourful Notting Hill ‘hood. 

I decided to wear the Kenton Skirt with a Chinti and Parker cashmere top, a Nathalie Trad clutch (a total work of art) and some pink Sunday Somewhere sunnies.  I have literally not taken my L.K. Bennett black and rose gold Sally Platform Ankle Strap Courts off since I got them, and this day was no different...

An easy and more comfortable day time alternative to heels would be a pair of brogues (I like the LKB ballerina pink Elga Saffiano Leather Brogues) or a pair of boots (like the blue LKB Keri Knee High Boots) for when it gets chillier - a look I really love and will definitely be trying out more this fast approaching Autumn.  

Shop TLC's Look...

Below:  L.K. Bennett’s range of elegant social skirts come in a variety of textures, dramatic prints and fabrics, and there is definitely a style suitable for everyone's taste.  Check out the amazing mulberry Delfine Leather Skirt, an online exclusive which is in extraordinarily high demand.