The LFW Backpack

A luxury backpack is a must at London Fashion Week this season, and you will be hard pushed to find one better than this Whistles Portland edition – hot from the SS15 catwalk. In a versatile neutral tone with glossy silver hardwear, this practical backpack is spacious enough for all your show-hopping essentials, and will lend a contemporary edge to your LFW look. (Designed exclusively for London Fashion Week, it is available to purchase online here, and also in the two newest Whistles stores in Kings Cross St. Pancras and the Bullring in Birmingham.)

But it is what's inside that counts, right? Here is my wishlist of chic Fashion Week essentials. 

1. With rose-gold frames and mirror-shine lenses, these lightweight Linda Farrow sunglasses whisper understated luxury. They are £610.00 here.

2. A nourishing facial oil is a must for parched post-summer skin. Rodin's Olio Lusso is a cult product in fashion circles – the expert blend of 11 botanical oils will deliver a runway-worthy glow in no time. It is £97.00 at Net-a-Porter here.

3. My, my - what a stylish little camera you have. Launching in October, the new Olympus Pen E-Pl7 camera is designed with fashion folk in mind – it even has a 'selfie-mode'. It will retail for £499.00. 

4. Aptly called 'The Sophisticate', this Charlotte Tilbury eye palette of subtly smoky tones is perfect for on-the-go touch-ups. It is £38.00 from Net-a-Porter here.

5.This Zakynthos nail polish by NARS is the perfect neutral - the sandy shade feels more modern than blush-toned nudes and was the colour of choice for the 3.1 Phillip Lim show in NYC. It is £15.00 here.

6. Last but not least, this Smythson Fashion Week notepad is the only way to jot down your front-row musings. Far chicer than an iPad, the Runway Notes' notebook is £65.00 here.

Holiday Wardrobe: Big Yellow Taxi

From West to East, our final US stop was the city of dreams- New York.

I must say that I did not know what to expect from the ultimate metropolis. I had heard mixed opinions: some loved it, some hated it, and I had no clue into which category I would fall. However, as we flew across the city, taking in the iconic scenery, my mind was pretty much made up. And now I get why everyone wears those t-shirts... I, in fact, also love NY.

We were very lucky to stay in the luxurious Gramercy Park hotel in Manhattan, just across from the private gardens of the same name. The hotel was darkly decadent, dripping in chandeliers and oozing old-time luxury.

Our first day was spent doing all manner of tourist-y activities, including a trip to the Punk exhibition at The Met, which I would highly recommend. With everything from risqué t-shirts from SEX on The Kings Road through to delicious Balmain RTW and dangerous Givenchy Couture, the Met's Punk curation plays on the interrelation between punk and couture- namely the DIY spirit which ties the two together.

We then took a trip down Madison Avenue to the flagship Kate Spade store, which was a girly paradise complete with oodles of glittering pumps, colourful enamel jewellery and kitschy popcorn clutches.

For lunch we made our way across the road to Barneys, intending to dine at the celebrated spot for "Ladies Who Lunch": Fred's. With a half hour wait and some rather weary feet, we decided to retreat downstairs to their interactive lunch stop Genes at CO-OP.

I. Loved. It.

Genes is a little glass enclave in the corner of the contemporary designer department. Futuristic and suitably fashionable, the cafe features one long dark table made up of full-screen touch tablets, from which you can order and surf the web. Tweet while you eat? Don't mind if I do!

My order of the day was a green juice, an iced double espresso and a hearty raw superfood salad- dressing on the side, of course: ideal fuel for an afternoon spent milling around Tiffanys and SAKS. 

WHAT I WORE:

Holiday Wardrobe: Yosemite Evenings

There are a few sights in the world that are enchanting beyond description. While words are my one true love (after Gosling, obviously), even they cannot do the beauty of this world justice.

One such example is Yosemite National Park in California. It is all too easy to mistake Yosemite for a stuffy hikers haunt, but there is something utterly captivating about the area.

Almost wholly unspoilt, the scenery is dramatically sculpted by glacial erosion, with rolling plains and ragged cliffs meeting seamlessly at rows of giant redwoods.

If ever we are lucky enough to return to Yosemite, we hope to stay in the park itself, as this year we opted for a chateau outside the town of Oakhurst. Oakhurst is, comparatively, rather mundane.

Our chateau, however, was glorious. Chateau du Sureau proposes a totally different experience to Solage, but is almost as enjoyable. With acres of forestry and secluded gardens, including a fairytale trail complete with antique swings and a lakeside gazebo, Chateau du Sureau is inspired by traditional traits of romantic resorts in Europe.

The Austrian founder Erna has an enthusiasm and warmth that enhances the elegance of the welcoming resort. Each lodge is stocked with treats including fresh lemonade and cookies studded with golden raisins, and every morning guests are offered freshly baked croissants and brioche with homemade jams.

The true gem of the hotel is Erna’s Elderberry House, a dining establishment with an inspiring five-course menu, which changes daily. The restaurant is suitably refined, with a smart dress code and exceptional service to match the carefully considered cuisine.

Our meal began with tender sea bass, followed by a sweet plum gazpacho, a rich beef dish, a palette cleansing strawberry salad and a duo of desserts. Decadent, yes, but delicious nonetheless.

WHAT I WORE

It’s been a good while since I’ve dined at a restaurant with a dress-code, so I thought I may as well make an effort. No H&M menswear hoody here, folks.

Somewhat predictably, I opted for a tan-enhancing strapless dress in finely pleated ivory silk. This prom style is from H&M a couple of years ago, but I still love its elegant look. Try this cute style or this delight in Champagne.

To inject a little colour, I added a Zara statement necklace in jade and aqua and complimentary hoop earrings with turquoise drops. I loosely parted my hair off-centre and tied it in a low-slung ponytail before teasing out strands for a messy look.

Last but not least, I popped on my beloved Zara sandals and set off for Erna’s Elderberry House. 

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