#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!!

RIP Cilla...

There are just certain people who are synonymous with your childhood, and for me, one of those people was the ever glamorous national treasure that was Cilla Black, who sadly passed away at the weekend.  The very words that used to be spoken by ‘our Graham, "Aaand here is your host tonight... Missss Cillllaaaa Blaaaaack," would sound the klaxon to a Saturday night with my parents and sister, to all cosily watch “Blinnnnd-da-Date’ together.  Who could ever forget her little curtsey-bop upon her entrance to THAT theme tune, the ginger hurrr, the sequins, the long legs and the warm, Liverpudlian accent, “What’s your name and where d’ya come from?”  No show has really ever come close to being so authentically entertaining in a more innocent time of real personalities, before reality TV with it's falseness and ulterior motivations took over our televisions.  And don't even get me started on 'Surprise Surprise,' the show she hosted latterly that would leave a nation sobbing into their supper each weekend (all those reunited families would leave me in pieces!)  You may have helped make the 60's swing Cilla, but you also filled the 80's and 90's with a lorra lorra laughs and you will be missed. Ta-ra for now Chuck...  

A campaign has been launched to try and get Cilla Black's most famous hit back to the top of the charts. The Facebook group is urging Cilla fans to buy 'Anyone Who Had a Heart,' the Burt Bacharach and Hal David song that became the UK's biggest selling single by a female artist in the 1960s, as a tribute.  Available HERE on iTunes.

Blind Date's Greatest Hits and Unseen Bits...


The Coronation Cup with Piaget

There is nothing nicer at this time of year than a day spent with some fun fashunnnn friends, all dressed up in our finest, watching some polo in the sunshine.  I was both flattered and excited to be invited to the annual Coronation Cup by Piaget, the Swiss luxury fashion, watch and jewellery brand, which happily coincided with a visit from NYC by my sister, Claire Eastwood, which made the whole occasion even more fun, as we were driven through Windsor Great Park, with it's astounding hydrangea (my favourite!) towards Guard's Polo Club to spend a rare day, just the two of us. 

Following a delicious three course lunch where my sister and I both wore stunning Piaget Possession rings and chatted with the wonderful(s) Camila Carill and Victoria Ceridono, we briefly (thank goodness, baring in mind the height of our heels!) all stood on our chairs and saw off silver tumblers of Royal Salute, the title partner of the prestigious Coronation Cup!  Giddly, we all then headed off to watch two of the strongest international teams in polo – England vs. South America, competing for the Golden Jubilee trophy.

Now, I’m not sure why I was seated in the Royal Box alongside Prince Charles either people, but I certainly wasn’t going to ask any questions!  After some fast galloping and delicate champagne quaffing, the crowd all accessed their inner Vivian’s and Edward’s to stomp on some divots at half time (“beware the steaming divots?”) whist being entertained by a fabulously British marching band. 

England soon triumphed, and were awarded their trophy, and we soon were awarded with a delicious afternoon tea, and later, some Pimms - my first (and not the last...) of the Summer! 

Below:  With the lovely Camila (in Dior) after the match, wearing Isolda, Miu Miu and Pringle.

SHOP TLC'S LOOK:

Musical Moment: Walk The Moon ('Shut Up And Dance')

I still cannot help but jump for 1980’s joy when I hear this crazily catchy song by Walk The Moon.  It has definitely been one of my most played tracks of this summer.  

Inspired by when the band’s frontman, Nicholas Petricca, feeling creatively frustrated and having waited faaaar too long standing in a Los Angeles bar queue, was asked to ‘shut up and dance’ by a girl in a backless dress and beaten up red sneakers.  In an interview the singer has summarised the song's theme as "encouraging people to let go of whatever it is that’s bothering you and get into your body and out of your head."  Mission accomplished! Now, shut up and... 

"This woman is my destiny
She said, "Ooh-ooh-hoo,
Shut up and dance with me..."

The Net-a-Porter Clearance Sale

Despite having the most fantastic time on a recent trip to the U.S, I was aware I was missing the sales back in the U.K... Well thank tha'Lord for the internet!  One night I found myself, as I'm sure many of you also do, glazing over the collections on Net-a-Porter.  Usually I create the most sensational of shopping baskets, see the immense final total, laugh heartily, close my Ipad and fall asleep... However, on this occasion I nearly choked when I saw the teal coloured Bella Freud 'Je T'aime Jane' jumper, the one I had several times forcibly removed from my oh-so-very-near-possession, staring back at me with a JOLLY reasonable price attached to it in the sale!  Treating myself, I arrived back from the Americas to a wonderfully wrapped, 'Dear Kelly, Love Kelly,' post-holiday-blues pressie, one which I imagined I would have to wait several months to wear.  I seemingly forgot how unpredictable the Great British Summer could be!!  With the grisley weather we've been experiencing in the capital this week, I found the prime opportunity to debut my new purchase (below, worn with Forever 21 dungarees and Topshop Brogues).  'Every cloud' so they say! 

Yet ANOTHER happy surprise was to receive an email this morning notifying me of the Net-a-Porter clearance sale.  I looked, I squealed, I purchased.  Below are some of my favourite items that are, as of right now, still available (everything is selling out QUICK though!) Hover over the item and click on through!

French Sole x English National Ballet

French Sole founder and designer, Jane Winkworth, has designed a limited edition, sparkly pink pair of shoe in aid of English National Ballet, an arts charity she and her brand have supported in the last couple of years. The ‘Henrietta’ style, which has a silver leather insole stamped with the English National Ballet’s logo, are a gorgeous addition to any ballet lover’s wardrobe…. And any non-ballet lover for that matter!
 
Female dancers can go through up to THREE PAIRS of pointe shoes in just ONE performance of a full-length ballet (that’s A LORRA LORRA twirls) so it’s easy to see how the girl’s pennies for pointes mount up!  As a result, the English National Ballet, which spends around £145,000 on pointe shoes every year, has set up the Pointe Shoe Appeal.  This appeal is vital to keep English National Ballet’s dancers performing world-class ballet to audiences around the UK and beyond.

French Sole’s beyond pretty pink pumps are available to purchase HERE for £120.00 and 50% of each sale will be donated directly to the English National Ballet’s Pointe Shoe Appeal.


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...

#TLCCOMP: Calling All Illustrators!

I have made no secret of how much I adore Jess Collett’s amazing creations.  In fact, a friend commented how she barely recognised me at a dinner recently as I was Jess Collett hat-less, a rarity now that I own not one, but TWO JC trilbys! With Summer coming up (one hopes!) and with it, special opportunities to adorn fantastical headwear designs to varying fancaaaay events, I decided to collaborate with Jess on this creative wee project, allowing us both to shine some light on a new artistic talent in the process.  I have four photographs (below) of me, with makeup by Charlotte Cowen, donning some more than gawwwgeous Matthew Williamson frocks alongside four of Jess’ amazing summer-sunshine-appropriate designs and I am looking for an equally talented illustrator to create the summery scenes (the races, a regatta, a wedding and an Ibizan sojourn) for me to be placed amongst.  The chosen artwork will be represented on both Jess and my websites and our social media platforms, and each artist will receive a stunning, bespoke Jess Collett summer trilby (similar to the one below worth £220.00).  Share this post with your most creative friends! 

Below:  The Wedding Guest:  We are looking for an image representing real excitement and celebration on the dance floor!  (Azure Chiffon Embroidered Asymmetric Gown: Now £1,095.00, my beloved Giselle Suede Strappy Sandals: Now £175.00)

Below:  Regatta Fun:  We are looking for this image to show me perhaps noticing a gorgeous boater or sailor!  (Hibiscus Flower Silk Ruffle Trim Dress: Now £445.00, Giselle Suede Strappy Sandals: Now £175.00).

Below:  A Day at the Races: Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose... We are looking for this piece to show horses having whizzed by, with clearly my chosen horse lagging behind! #ComeOnDoverMoveYourBloomingArrrse... (Evening Palm Lace Feather Dress in cream: Now £1,495.00).

Below:  Ibizan Sunset:  We'd love this picture to show me walking onto a sailboat, yacht or on a beach on the sunniest of days! (Beach Palm Print Gown: Now £245.00, Sunglasses: Grey Oversized Curved Cat Eye Sunglasses £200.00)

Please send all submissions to hello@thelondonchatter.com by the end of next week - Good Luck! 

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.