Something beautiful

 

Two things that are never not in fashion... Chanel tweed jackets and Bombay Sapphire Gin. This beautiful blue glass bottle is one of the few things that tastes as good as it looks.  Selfridges and Bombay Sapphire have brilliantly come up with the exciting concept of having your Gin bottle personalised.  This Christmas customers will be able to step inside the department store to get their bottles beautifully engraved. What a great present so give friends and yourself during the festive season. I know what I am asking Santa for!

Bright White

 Nothing says summer like a pre-breakfast swim and by 9am this morning we were on the beach. It does help that it takes me approximately 10 minutes to get to there from home as it is almost on my doorstep.  Today was hot, hot, hot and perfect lounging weather and the British sea was actually warm after our long summer.  This Topshop white cheesecloth cover-up is perfect from beach to pub and I have lived in these Next leather sliders for months  I may be a city girl during the week but my home is definitely where my heart is.

It's not what you wear...

 

I didn't think that me and Stan would get along.  Or maybe we would tolerate each other, but I would never adore him.  How wrong can you be. 

Styling it part of who we are. How one person, or group of people, adapt a product can inspire entire trends.  I can take zero credit for this one as I have never been a fan of the Adidas classic Stan Smith sports shoe.  That was until I fell upon this gorgeous blog post by Office London showing the iconic shape worn in a whole new way.  Pastel coloured sports-luxe trenches, oversized blazers, leather trousers and bare legs are paired with the chunky white flats and finished with oversized shades and sleek hair.  Keep your Stan's whiter than white and tie properly with a knot and bow, and no socks please. These are perfect for a day of manic meetings or long Saturday brunches. 

This new fad has old roots originating from the American tennis legend and two time Grand Slam champion born in 1946.  In 1971 Adidas approached the then sports celebrity to endorse the shoe which was then called the Haillet.  It is no longer recomended for tennis, however neither is the duster coat and leather shorts I will be wearing with mine!

Adidas Stan Smith's via Office London £66.99

Wedding shoes

I have been developing my sense of style since the age of about four.  I think for a lot of people this goes hand in hand with finding out who you are.  At the age of five I demanded a hot pink Benetton tracksuit with embroidered multi-coloured jungle animals in bright colours on it. I adored it. This was not my finest fashion moment.  It was also not the last time I had a fashion disaster.  However I would not take back any of them as they are the reason I enjoy and have fun with fashion to this day. 

By the time you get married I think most people have a fair idea about who they are, and what they like to wear, yet it is easy to get lost in what you are 'suposed' to do.  The best advice people have given me is to stick to your guns.  It is yours and your partners day... not anyone else's.  For the past year I tried on every pair of shoes that I thought I should have for my big day.  None of them felt right.  They were not fun, or minimal, or particularly unusual.  

One lunchtime I was browsing the rails and plinths in one of my favourite stores, & other stories, when I fell in love.  They are everything I would want from a shoe.  Great heel height, a mix of textures, neutral, have a hint of black, and very me!  They were swiftly packed up in their beautiful box and are waiting for my big day. What do you think?

Suede slingback sandals £55 at & other stories

Be you and stay you x

Wedding Lingerie by Ted Baker at Debenhams

The decisions involved in planning a wedding are insane.  I lie awake thinking about everything from what shade to paint my nails to what font to write the table names in. So when Debenhams contacted me to take a look at their beautiful Ted Baker bridal lingerie I felt a decision was wonderfully made for me.  I have worn and loved the B by Ted baker range before and found everything from the fit to the fabrics perfect.  This ivory bridal set is studded with Swarovski crystals and embroidered with cream B's and bunting.  It has a real Great Gatsby, Art Deco feel and yet has sleek edging so your dress will sit perfectly with no lines. The set is online and in stores at Debenhams but pick it up quickly as it is selling fast.  

Ivory bridal balcony bra £30

Lace briefs £18.50

Heel, toe.

Socks be gone. Summer is all about bare feet and weekends spent dunking toes in to sea and sand. However I could never give up my footwear altogether, partly due to working in London where bare feet is a ridiculous idea and partly due to my extreme love of shoes. These Zara flat mules combine an almost trainer comfort sole with a smart point whilst leaving your heels in summer freedom. They have been in stores a while now and if you can track down a pair they are only £29.99 in the sale! Hello bargain.

Bills

Bill had grown up surrounded by vegetables.  His father was a keen gardener and when he took Bill down to a shed sized building in Lewes, East Sussex, he told him to make of it what he wished. Bill opened a grocer's which struggled along until it was wiped out, along with his house, in the floods in 2000. He gave it a second shot. This time the grocer was given the addition of a cafe and was opened on the high st.

The cafe was stacked high with beautiful and delicious ingredients and fresh homemade food was served to the locals. Bill became a bit of a success and started opening more cafes to cater for the demand. The rest you could say, is history.

Whether you stop by for a coffee and pastry or a burger and raspberry lemonade in Covent Garden, Brighton or Lewes, think of Bill and his second shot. I for one am extremely grateful he gave his dream another go! Be sure to visit one of his many restaurants to dine on delicious food and enjoy the friendly local atmosphere. 

Thanks Bill

www.bills-website.co.uk

Happy Birthday Oliver

July is always filled with tartan, gold, glitter and the odd retro elf after becoming the month of the Christmas press day. Stepping in from the humid London streets writers and editors are usually met with the smell of mulled wine candles and even served the odd minced pie.

Oliver had no such plan!

The 25 year old brand, Oliver Bonas, did Christmas a little differently. Neon bottles holding pink, orange and minty green candles filled the room sat on raw wooden tables. Neon and copper dishes and candle holders covered fire places and side boards. Elegant British made fabric sofas in notty greys were layered with neon and cream throws. A rustic-meets-modern zesty lemon blanket will definitely be making its way into my home. 

Oliver and his gorgeous team talked us through the collections from the exciting new own branded cosmetics to the studio showing Olivers prints and fabric designs. His clever use of colour and print are taken through most of the products this season creating beautiful art to hang on your walls and to dine from. 

If you haven't yet discovered Oliver Bonas check out one of the many stores and the website at www.oliverbonas.com. The lifestyle brand has homeware, beauty, books, accessories, clothing and jewellery covered and is the ideal stop off for that perfect present.

Shop Oliver Bonas at www.oliverbonas.com 

 & other stories has changed my life and my wardrobe.  Well maybe thats a slight exaggeration however I do adore the minimal store, the beautiful clothing, the mood board style website and the delicious accessories. This stiff a-line silk shift dress is my new favourite summer buy and is ideal for work or play.  Wear with beautiful heels or summer flats for easy dressing.

Silk A-line dress via & Other Stories

A weekend adventure at Hundred Acre Wood

"Now the Hundred Acre Wood boasted many natural wonders, but none was more beautiful than a tiny stream running through the forest. This particular steam had a very long way to travel. And by the time it reached the edge of the forest, it's a grown-up, so it was almost a river. Being grown-up said to itself, 'There's no hurry. We shall get there someday.'"

The Hundred Acre Wood was based on A.A.Milne's favourite forest in the heart of the East Sussex countryside, The Ashdown Forest.  In the centre of this storyteller's world sits Ashdown Park and the beautiful Ashdown Park Hotel and Country House.  The neo-gothic Victorian manor house was built in 1867 alongside the little church of St Richard de Wych.  The soft grey stone buildings sit in the middle of the lush green parkland to create a magical environment ideal for a relaxing weekend.  

After a short train journey from london with a bottle of Champagne we arrived at our large 'Monkey Puzzle' bedroom and splendid views over the park.  The warm sunshine made for a perfect evening wandering the grounds and fountains before retiring to the award winning Anderida Restaurant.  The menu was filled with local ingredients and the food did not disappoint. We ate from the great value 'two courses for £30' menu filled with fresh seafood (and plenty of meaty options) and everything was delicious.  

After an evening of wining and dining and a great night's sleep an award winning breakfast was in order, followed by a trip to the Spa.  The rest of the day was spent in the stunning pool, using the sauna and enjoying a Kerstin Florian Organic Aromatherapy Massage.  This 85 minute massage will have you feeling wonderfully relaxed from the minute you choose your oils.  

This is a wonderful place to spend a weekend or an evening, with friends or a loved one. You can walk the grounds, play a game of pooh sticks, visit the lamas or curl up in one of the drawing rooms with a good book and a scrummy afternoon tea (best scones ever).   Thank you for a wonderful stay, I can't wait to visit again soon x

Visit Ashdown Park