Smear Fear... #SilentNoMore

64282029-081A-4656-80B5-F881883E952D.JPG

I was recently made aware that cervical screenings in the UK are at their lowest levels in two decades, especially across London, with one in three British women not attending their screening tests because they find them embarrassing. I was therefore, in total awe of my friend, and Lady Garden Foundation co-founder, Chloe Delevingne, for having her own cervical smear test on live television earlier this year, in a bid to combat the stigma around getting checked.

As cervical cancer is the most common cancer in women under thirty-five, its worth remembering that although smear tests are always pretty damn uncomfortable, they also last less than five minutes, are required only once every three years, and also save around 4,500 lives each year through early detection... Now that’s worth talking openly about! If you’ve been putting yours off, practice some ultimate self-care and book one in tomorrow morning… 💗 #SilentNoMore

I’m wearing my Tabitha Webb x Lady Garden Foundation silk blouse which helped raise vital funds towards the Royal Marsden’s ground-breaking research into gynaecological cancers... Available upon request.

75505023-FD8A-4CC2-A258-3924F63746DE.JPG

L. K. Bennett SS'16 Breakfast

Earlier this month I was utterly spoiled by the wonderful peeps at L. K. Bennett, alongside a gaggle of my fashunnn faves, with a delicious breakfast at the stunning Mondrian London’s Rumpus Room, hosted by Brand Ambassador, the formidable Alex Meyers

We were given a sneak peak at the upcoming (predictably gorgeous) SS’16 collection (the over-the-knee boots will be a BIG hit, and are firmly now on my wish list) and each given a ‘goody bag’ to end all goody bags; a brand new L. K. Bennett Mariel Bag, hand-painted with our initials by esteemed British artist, and TLC Fave, Boyarde.  I meeeeean…!! You can only imagine our excitement!

Above (L-R) Clockwise:  Alex Meyers, Pippa Vosper, Kelly Eastwood (TLC), Anna Hart and Laura Fantacci. 

My bag was in orange, a favourite of mine for accessories (LKB had clearly done their homework!) and I couldn’t wait to hit the streets (whilst also wearing my prized Fianna Suede Ankle Boots) to give it a twirl. 

Shop TLC's LOOK...

After all of our bespoke Mariel bags had hit Instagram, there was such a demand for these gorgeous, bespoke bags that. L. K. Bennett decided to run a competition to win one, hand-painted with the winner’s initials.  Sign up on their mailing list HERE to automatically be in with a chance of winning. 

Street Style Photography: Ella Sadika

Golden Globes 2015

Yessssssss… Award season has begun, which to me means the red carpet’s Battle of the Dresses is ON good people of Hollywood!  The Golden Globes, a ceremony I have always viewed as the drunken, more entertaining version of the Oscars, gives us not only an early indication of the season’s winners, but also a welcome glimpse at the latest show stopping frocks (or sparkly jumpsuits, as the case was this year).   

It is worth mentioning, before we get to the fashion nitty gritty, that the glorious Tina Fey and Amy Poehler presented the awards for the very last time on Sunday (a total travesty, someone throw even more money at them, QUICK!) Their opening monologue (below) was, once again, my serious highlight of the night… These two ladies and their on-point humour shall be greatly missed. 

Right, back to the fashuuuuun and my Best Dressed of the night… With so many of the stars dressed immaculately, but oh so predictably, at these events, I will always be drawn to the women who choose not to play it so safely (or clevagey).  No one, in my opinion, looked better at this year's Golden Globes than TLC's serial red carpet winner, Emma Stone.  Wearing a bejeweled Lanvin jumpsuit, the actress oooozed confidence and cool, with just the right amount of quirk.  Diane Kruger looked every inch the blonde and icy screen siren wearing one of my favourite designers, Emilia Wickstead.  I also adored beautiful Brit Felicity Jones’ unusual, teal Christian Dior gown, which although divided opinion, had me at hello. 

Special mentions must go to Leslie Mann for her yellow Kaufman Franco sequinned dress/green clutch combo (and for just always being the sweetest, most cute-as-a-button thing I ever did see), Sienna Miller’s stand out Miu Miu dress worn with rocky, choppy hair, and Anna Kendrick in her Cinderella by name/role, Cinderella by nature/dress, in fairytale Monique Lhuillier.

It has to be said, shiny Golden Globes may have been highly sought after by many a Hollywood hand, but the real winners were these three dapperly dressed dudes, all holding super smokin' and strikingly dressed ladies in their arms;  Benedict Cumberbatch with his fiancé Sophie Hunter (in Erdem), Joshua Jackson with long-term love Diane Kruger (in Emilia Wickstead) and Jamie Dornan with wife Amelia Warner (in another of my favourite designers, Husihan Zhang).  High five gentlemen, we salute you.

Below:  When Bad Dresses Happen to Good People.  Ohhhh… There’s always one who lets the side down… ok, perhaps five.  I met Lana Del Rey in LA once, she was LOVELY, unlike her dress on Sunday.  Rosamund Pike was scarily good in 'Gone Girl,' ironically as her cutom-made Vera Wang dress was scarily bad.  Lupita Nyong’o, who topped EVERY best dressed list last season, clearly has decided to let everyone else have a go this year, wearing this Giambattista Valli 'thing.'  Michelle Monaghan wearing a 'Throwback Thursday' to the awesome nineties… except it was a Sunday, and this Jason Wu dress was not awesome.  Kate Mara in Miu Miu. Has the 'House of Cards' actress stepped in a puddle?  Do puddles even exist in LA?!  And don’t get me started on that belt... No Kate. No. 

For the full list and details of the evening's winners see HERE

Topshop's Personal Shopping Experience

I was recently asked to visit Topshop's Personal Shopping area at their Oxford Street branch for an utterly spoiling A/W'14 wee spree.  I know... My job does not suck.  I have always seen their amazing flagship store as the ultimate grown up girl's sweetie shop, and I can eeeeasily spend hours wandering aimlessly admits all the season's newest styles, frequently finding things I never EVEN knew I needed, but OBVIOUSLY cannot live without!  On this particular occasion however,  knowing I only had a one hour appointment in my more than luxurious fitting room, I had done some research and online prep, enabling me to whizz around the shop like a Topshop ninja, pinpointing the items I wanted to try on.  One of the brilliant personal shoppers was on hand back to help change any sizes for me and help search for alternative styles if the ones I chose didn't suit me.  As a result, I managed to put together three very different looks (much of which is now in the sale, so be quick!) in record time - especially for me!  

Topshop's Personal Shopping is a complimentary service offered in eight of their stores.  Various different appointments can be made, catering to your specific styling needs, and if short on time, or in dire need of a quick wardrobe update, I really recommend booking yourself one HERE

Which is your favourite look?  I'd be lying if I didn't say the light up trainers...!  Thank you Topshop xx

LFW SS'15: Mulberry

After receiving what must go down in the history of London Fashion Week, the prettiest of invitations (above), I found the Mulberry’s SS’15 collection a breath of fresh air… literally!

Taking inspiration from an English country garden, the Mulberry showroom on Kensington Church Street had been transformed into a sweet–smelling, country oasis, filled with the most vivid blue delphinium flowers and hyacinths.  The gorgeous SS'15 collection, which includes laser-cut leather and hand-sketched floral prints, is totally chic and perfect for the ‘come rain or shine’ weather we are so used to experiencing in our finer months! 

Below:  I was sent home with one of these adorable Mulberry Cornflower Seedbombs! 

Having previously been sold on the latest Mulberry Kensington Bag range, I actually found it was actually this particular SS’15 Mulberry Delevingne Bag (below, that can also be used as a backpack) that caught my eye most… Pennies are already being saved! #MulberryFund 

Shop TLC's Look:

NYFW SS'15: Cara Delevingne's Mulberry Party

NYFW SS151.jpg
P1010816.jpg

 

Always fun, always quirky and always so awfully British, Mulberry parties are always THE parties you want to get invited to during Fashion Month.  

I was thrilled therefore, to be invited see Cara Delevingne unveil her second collection for Mulberry during NYFW, at their gorgeous Spring Street flagship store.  

IMG_7162.jpg

Fashion’s belle du jour, dressed top-to-toe in Mulberry, mingled (and pulled several of her signature funny faces) amongst hundreds of gold balloons with her sister Poppy Delevingne (above, also in Mulberry), DJ Atlanta de Cadenet Taylor (below) and Georgia May Jagger.

Vodka cocktails were served by exceptionally dreamy waiters in superbly tight ‘CARA’ t’shirts, making refusing their wares increasingly impossible (another one?!  Oh go on then…!!) and the miniature English canapés, including cute ‘ickle mini Sunday Roasts and ‘eeny weeny mini Fish’n’Chips, were delicious. 

P1010801.JPG

The latest collection of handbags, which can be worn as backpacks, also includes a limited edition creation that has gold lion studs, inspired by the famous lion tattoo that Cara has tattooed on her finger.  

Similarily, each bag has a lion rivet and a heart shaped patch based on another of Cara’s tattoos, which she explained “I want there to be hidden gems inside, based on the things that are personal to me, which my tattoos definitely are.”

Above (Clockwise) L-R:  Leandra Medine (a.k.a The Man Repeller), InStyle's Amy Bannerman, Glamour Magazine's Natalie Hartley, Marie Claire's Tanya Philipson, TLC with Mulberry's small Willow tote in wheat, DJ's Henrietta Tiefenthaler and Izzy Lawrence, Irina Lazareanu

 

SHOP TLC'S LOOK:

IMG_7259.jpg

Above:  With Poppy Delevingne (and her perfect Disney Princess hair!)

 

TLC LOVES... THE MULBERRY DELEVINGNE COLLECTION:

NYFW SS'15: Michael Kors

Desktop-012.jpg

 

I utterly adored Michael Kors’ SS’15 collection (and having had a quick peek at Pinterest I’m certainly not alone!)

The blooming, beautiful florals and 1950’s inspired embellished skirts, were paired with masculine, tailored shirts, crisp white boyfriend tee's or light weight cashmere sweaters, resulting in an effortless, ladylike chic.  

I mean, this could be the most perfect summer wardrobes of all time...  Michael, I’ll take the lot.  Please?! 

NYFW SS'15: Reward Style Party

I was very excited to be invited to the annual Reward Style Party, one of the most talked about parties each year during New York Fashion Week.  Sponsored by InStyle and Topshop, I joined hundreds of the world’s most popular bloggers on the rooftop of The Empire Hotel (where is Chuck Bass when you need him?!) for many a cocktail in the sunshine.

Below:  I chatted with fellow crazy cat lady, DJ Harley Viera-Newton, during her set.   If you haven’t already, you must check out the videos of her cat showering (yes, really!) on Instagram. 

Obvvvviously the best part of attending a party like this, and being surrounded by so many fashionistas, is the immense style stalking opportunities (but first, let me take a selfie...)

Roughly translated. "P*** Off!' Love this H&M skirt. 

 

Above:  Roughly translated. "P*** Off!' Love the versatility of this H&M polka-dot skirt.

These Red Bronze Nike trainers are amazing! #NEEDWANTMUSTHAVE!

Above:  These Red/Bronze Nike trainers are amazing! #NEEDWANTMUSTHAVE!

Above:  Model Coco Rocha in Christian Siriano

Credit Buy: Wilbur & Gussie Edith Clutch Bags

I have long been a fan of Wilbur & Gussie’s eye-catching clutch bags.  Using modern prints and vintage jewelled brooches, on a range of textiles designed in-house, Wilbur & Gussie’s designs have become synonymous with British wit and elegance, and a firm fixture in my wardrobe.  To celebrate the company’s new flagship store in London’s Marylebone earlier this year, I was spoilingly asked to pick a new clutch bag… The choice was overwhelming!  Entering the new shop is like diving into a large box of Quality Streets; so bright... so colourful... which one to pick... WHICH ONE TO PICKKK??!!

I eventually decided to go for the Edith Orange Bee Clutch, one I have had my be(e)ady eye on for a while!  I get so many compliments whenever I take her on the town and it is now, amongst some of it’s other pretty pals, in the sale! Hurry…  

RRP. £90.00 (in sale)

Zoë Jordan's 'Pretty Vandals' Fundraiser for The Amber Foundation

blog_469189_2478913_1403192715.jpg

I was recently invited by Zoë Jordan (left), the designer worn and loved by all the coolest of cats, to Chelsea’s Rossetti Studiosfor a shopping evening in support of The Amber Foundation, a residential centre aiming to reduce the level of unemployment amongst the 17-30 year old age group.  

Whilst chatting with friends and enjoying DJ Miss G’s set, I virtually drooled over the SS’14 'Pretty Vandals' collection.  Inspired by the 90’s, Zoë beautifully balances graffiti prints and perforated leather alongside a palette of elegant water colour pastels. I was particularly drawn the citron neon garments, which set against Miranda Donovan’s graffiti themed art installations, looked amazing.

blog_469189_2478906_1403192716.jpg

US Vogue contributor Sarah Mower interviewed both a past and a present resident of Amber.  Amber’s residential centres offer disadvantaged young people a fresh start and a chance to build their confidence and gain practical skills and qualifications which can lead to full time employment and more secure futures.  Kara and Natalie were both extremely honest about their experiences and were a real testament to Amber’s success. 

Above L-R (Clockwise)Beatrice Savoretti (wearing Zoë Jordan), Margot Molinari andJemma Powell, artist Miranda DonovanKaty ickremesinghe with Kelly Eastwood.

Above:  With designer Zoë Jordan, wearing a vintage silk shirt from Budapest with my Mulberry Bryn handbag in Flame.  Below:  With musician Jack Savoretti.

blog_469189_2478912_1403192717.jpg

To help transform young lives please donate to The Amber Foundation HERE