Floral Fever - Key Season Floral Prints

Inspired by the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, opening today, May's Save v Spend feature showcases the best ss13 Floral pieces.  With a flurry of designers showing their penchant for floral prints and the high street following suit. Take a look at some of my key season pieces, sure to make an eye catching style statement.

 

Look out for my tweets and photos from my visit to RHS Chelsea on Tuesday.

 

 

Shop the Page

Save

Warehouse
River Island
Zara
Oasis

French Connection
H&M

 

Spend

Preen at avenue32.com
Mulberry

Stella McCartney

Vivienne Westwood at net-a-porter.com
Sophie Hulme at matchesfashion.com
3.1 Phillip Lim at brownsfashion.com

 

 

May Jewellery Notes - Nicola Crawford

A few weeks ago I discovered Nicola Crawford's, beautifully feminine, handmade jewellery. 

 

Nicola is based in Kent, after graduating with a first class BA (hons) in Silversmithing, Goldsmithing and Jewellery in 2011.

 

Shortly after University Nicola set up her own label, inspired by her love of nostalgia and narrative.

 

My favourite collection is the latest addition to the label and named after one of my favourite childhood stories, The Secret Garden, a novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett.

The collection is entirely covetable, with Ivy Leaf Rings, Key Pendants and Studs and a clever Lock and Key Ring. 

 

I admire the timeless quality of Nicola's jewellery, all of the collections are pieces you can wear forever.

 

My favourite piece belongs to another collection named 'With Love'.  The necklace is inspired by the illegible hand writing on a postcard from 1908. The letters on the pendant, hanging from a long chain, spell the repeated word love. This stunning piece is now on my wishlist!

 

To see more of Nicola's jewellery visit her website and for stockists click here.

 

 

Trend - The new outerwear: Sleeveless Jackets

Last week the sun decided to shine on most of the UK, causing excitement overload.  Despite the wind and the rain this week, I am trying to remain positive and look to the return of Spring.

 

This season the sleeveless jacket made an appearance in the collections at Jil Sander, Jean-Pierre Braganza and Azzaro. The High Street has followed suit creating this all important extra layer in different styles of faux-leather, denim, cotton and even studded.  This simple sleeveless jacket can transform your look nodding to the varying SS13 trends of multi-layering, modern tailoring and the new minimalism. 

 

STYLE TIP à Wear over a light summer dress, or team the long-line versions with trousers and a crisp white shirt.

 

 

Shop the Page 

Save

River Island

H&M

New Look

Warehouse

Topshop

 

Spend

Maison Martin Margiela at matchesfashion.com

Acne at my-wardrobe.com

Peridot London at wolfandbadger.com

Rag & Bone JEAN at net-a-porter.com

Dlux London

 

 

 

 

Something for the Weekend - Happy 2nd Anniversary to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

This year, the Royal couple will celebrate their second wedding anniversary preparing for the birth of their first baby.  To mark this, their cotton, anniversary I have found five perfect 'cotton' gifts and also my favourite selection of commemorative memorabilia.

 

READ MORE: THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE BIG DAY!!

 

 

 

Shop the Page

Royal Wedding Souvenirs

Allumer, Fairytale Sapphire and Diamond Pendant

The Royal Mint, Royal Wedding UK Gold Proof Coin

Sweet William, Handmade Earthenware Mugs, notonthehighstreet.com

Halcyon Days, Limited Edition Royal 'Initials' Wedding Box

Jessica de Lotz, Limited Edition Coronet Wax Seal Necklace

 

Cotton Anniversary Gift Ideas

Lush Designs, Cotton Pillowcases, selfridges.com

Burford Garden, Cotton Hammock Chair

Ralph Lauren Home, His and Hers Egyptian Cotton Bath Robes, amara.co.uk

Cable and Cotton, Handmade Cotton Encased Light Decorations

John Lewis, Egyptian Cotton Towel Stack.

 

April Jewellery Notes - Annina Vogel



London based jeweller, Annina Vogel is the go to designer for vintage antique charm jewellery. With a list of celebrity fans, including Kate Moss, Julia Restoin-Roitfeld and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Annina uses her extensive gold charm collection to make one-of-a-kind pieces of jewellery, connecting the past with the present.

I first found Annina Vogel at Liberty and since then a single charm bangle is on my (still saving..) wishlist.

Signature pieces from the collection are stocked on her own website, while other stockists include Liberty, Bergdorf Goodman, Selfridges and net-a-porter.com.

See my favourite pieces from the collection below and fall in love with Annina's own personal collection of vintage charms.

 

 

Trend - The new heel height: The Mini-Heel

 

At last..a trend I can enjoy! It’s time ladies to hide your soaring stilettos and be ready for a season filled with mini heels. When I was at school I wasn’t the girl who rebelled by dying my hair pink, I wish I had half the confidence to partake in that trend, instead I opted for the highest of heels every single day! Not only were they platformed and rivalling the Spice Girls, but at least 6 inches in height! Today, I long for the days when I could totter around, completing a whole day at school and then shopping in the city without feeling an ounce of pain.

I will never forget my Faith black leather knee high boots I bought from Topshop when I was 17. I went into Cheltenham shopping after school and before Ballet. I had saved so much to buy them I couldn’t resist wearing them from the shop. Teamed with my school uniform, looking back I must have looked bizarre, but these boots were mine and they made me feel fabulous!

Over a decade later and now living in the city, I cannot wear heels all day. I am not sure how this happened, whether I treated my feet too much with comfy UGG boots and Ballerina slippers, but heeled shoes are mainly taxi shoes and my heel height of choice is 4inches max!

Despite the reality I am still persuaded by beautiful high heels. I have many pairs of expensive shoes, of which most I have only worn around the house! One pair of Louboutin’s I bought to wear for my Graduation have never made it out of the box. I simply look at them now and again, as they are so pretty!

However with Nicholas Kirkwood, Valentino and Miu Miu showing support for the mini heel it is definitely a trend to take notice off, which happen to be to kind to your feet! Take a look at some of my favourite options and shop the selection below!

Shop the Page

Acne, my-wardrobe.com
Dune, asos.com
Jemima Vine
L.K. Bennett
Miu Miu, mytheresa.com
Nicholas Kirkwood, Selfridges
Unisa
Valentino, net-a-porter.com
Yull
Zara

Handbag Crush - Clear Thinking: Perspex

 

 

 

 

When I was studying for my Art Foundation in London, my friend Polly would sometimes carry a translucent bag to college. It used to create conversation amongst our friends and I remember thinking, would I had the confidence to bear all?  In hindsight, if there was any period of time in which this would be possible, it was then. Over the years my handbag contents has increased tenfold, overflowing with my favourite Smythson notebooks, organisers and technology. I also arm myself with my full make-up bag to ensure I am not caught out if I need to go to an event after work. Putting my belongings in the spotlight simply wouldn't work! Therefore I have found some options for those of us who want to make a clear statement, without exposing too much.  Choose from the High Street versions by L.K Bennett and Accessorize, an online alternative by Asos.com or Charlotte Olympia's luxurious Pandora Clutch, which all feature a lining inside.

For style devotees, able to edit their contents, Marc by Marc Jacobs geometric shopper is sure to add the wow factor to your ensemble. Or opt for a Klear Klutch, a huge hit at London Fashion Week, this is one clutch bag that will compliment every outfit. Do remember to think of the security aspects with this new trend. Practicality may sound dull but thieves only view your valuables as easy cash.

Sarah-Hayley Attended.. - Global Kids Fashion Week with AlexandAlexa.com

AlexandAlexa, the Global online style destination for kids, launched the first of two fashion shows, at the first ever Global Kids Fashion Week (GKFW), to an invited audience at the Freemason’s Hall, London.

 

Tonight’s event showcased a variety of fashion from established designers to up and coming names, all showing the latest AW13 trends. Tomorrow, GKFW will show current trends in a public event, with ticket sales donated to Kids Company.

 

The event sponsor, AlexandAlexa, launched in 2007 by husband and wife duo Alex Theophanous and Alexa Till. The online site offers over 200 premium brands spanning fashion, toys, sports and lifestyle.  Five years on and the company has exceeded all growth expectations and is a true global player with a thriving customer base in over 100 countries.  Theophanous, founder and CEO of AlexandAlexa.com says: ‘Kids’ fashion is playful, fun and innovative – we all believe it deserves its own dedicated platform. This is why we are so proud to be supporting the very first Global Kids’ Fashion Week. With this event, we aim to put children’s fashion on the map worldwide’.

 

They certainly fulfilled their goal! The atmosphere was fabulous with chic mums and their pint-sized fashionista’s taking up the front rows. Unlike ordinary fashion weeks, the vibe was relaxed while we waited for the show to start. The set-design, made from oversized building blocks, caused great attention as the mini guests used it as a climbing frame.  When the show started to the sound of chart music, the mini models walked up and down to the audience’s smiles and cheers. Even the youngest attendee, Leo, the 5 month old daughter of Louise Nichol, Editor of Harpers Bazaar Arabia was happily gripped with the action on the catwalk.

 

The hair was simply styled with a low ponytail and the clothes on the catwalk were totally age appropriate.  The show came to a close with metallic confetti and a great applause.  The confetti also proved to be a popular memento for the children, who all descended onto the runway to pick it up and play.

 

It was such fun and a great change to see children enjoy being at a fashion event! Bring on the next GKFW next season!

Back Very Soon...

The 85th Academy Awards - The Oscars Red Carpet 2013

If you missed my live tweets of the Oscars Red Carpet, take a look at what the stars wore to the 85th Academy Awards. My Best Dressed is split between Jennifer Lawrence, Kerry Washington, Amy Adams and Jessica Chastain.

 

Designer Details:

Jessica Chastain - Armani Prive

Salma Hayek - Alexander McQueen

Jane Fonda - Atelier Versace

Anne Hathaway - Prada

Adele - Jenny Packham

Charlize Theron - Dior Couture

Kerry Washington - Miu Miu

Jennifer Lawrence - Dior Couture

Amy Adams - Oscar De La Renta

 

Not Pictured

Jennifer Hudson  - Roberto Cavalli

Octavia Spencer - Tadashi Shoji

Reese Witherspoon - Louis Vuitton

Zoe Saldana - Alexis Mabille Couture

Kristen Stewart - Reem Acra

Nicole Kidman - L'Wren Scott