Friday Fashion Treats

I must apologise that I have been so absent from my blog of late. I have been interning and moving, so the blog has gone a tad quiet.

I have also been without internet which makes life pretty difficult for a blogger.

Alas, I am back and felt I should share with you some glorious end of week treats to tempt you away from your pressing Friday evening work.

1. Every time Bijoux Bazaar gets a new drop, I notice a sudden drop in my bank balance. Anyone else feel this knock-on effect? This dove grey and crystal MANHATTAN style is the latest piece to catch my eye, and I am terribly worried it will sell out very soon. It is the perfect piece to throw over a casual sweater dress, or to add a healthy bit of chic to your LBD. It is a great buy... but please don't all buy one. Leave one for me, yes?

2. I have fallen hard for these burgundy velvet Hoxton sandals from ASOS. Velvet is so very decadent and elegant, and this rich colour just exudes opulent allure. They are the perfect shoes to buy in the run up to the party season.

3. A slip dress is foolproof for a Friday night, and this metallic one is a real dazzler. It's so 90s Kate Moss it hurts, and the silver sheen is perfect for both AW13 and SS14. It's a knockout. Sadly most small sizes are gone, but it will work on anyone.

4. This nail polish by Seche, also at ASOS is the perfect regal raspberry shade to compliment these killer ASOS heels.

Schoolgirl Chic

Back to school, boys and girls! Uni kicks off again next week, so I thought I'd post a little student-y style post (featured on The Guardian Students here)

Dressing for your university debut is no mean feat. For the first time in your educational journey you do not have the ease or reassurance of a uniform. No gingham dresses or boxy blazers to soften the blow: this time, the ball is in your court. 

My first day of university came during an Indian Summer in London. The temperatures were soaring and there was no place at London College of Fashion for my winter woollies. I decided to keep it simple in pairing my favourite cream silk shirt with black leather shorts, practical patent ballet flats and a big tan handbag with my MacBook Pro crammed in. The outfit was smart but classic, a tried-and-tested look that I felt I could truly be myself in. 

This season my back-to-uni look also features the ubiquitous cream blouse, this time paired with a dark checked mini skirt and lashings of metallics. The finishing touch is my expandable handbag, the perfect size for all my study essentials. 

The way we dress plays an intrinsic role in making those all-important first impressions, so bear this in mind when putting together your first-day ensemble. There is a lot to consider, but ultimately you should aim for an outfit that stays true to your own personal style. 

My blouse is Urban Outfitters (similar style here), my mini is by Zara (sold out but check similar styles below), my bag is a medium black Pashli (try here), my necklace is by J Crew (love this one but this J Crew style is slightly more affordable) and my shoes are also Zara (here)

SIMILAR STYLES

Holiday Wardrobe: Simplicity in the City

New York is a city full of very stylish women. The signature style of a New Yorker appears to be simple and refined, glossy and glamourous, with just a touch of contemporary cool. I made no attempt to stylistically keep up with these sleek creatures, but tried my best to look stylish at all times.

For yet another day of sightseeing, this time on the liberty cruise, I wore a simple Topshop minidress with simple jewellery, nude ballerina flats and my new 3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli.

To add a touch of individuality, I stacked up various bangles and cuffs and finished the look with a silver and gold interwoven chain from H&M.

SIMILAR STYLES:

Holiday Wardrobe: Get Shirty

Step away from your LBD, ladies, for an ivory dress will go with just as much as black and it is every bit as timeless.

For my time in New York I put aside a couple of my favoured pale silken dresses, including this & Other Stories shirt dress in crepe. The dress is simple but a little bit directional, as is typical of & Other Stories (my new favourite high street store). 

A slick button up style, gathered slightly at the waist, the dress is cool and comfortable but still versatile. There are a number of killer shirt dresses out there at the moment, so there really is no time like the present to invest. This one works for the office, but looks just as cool with modern metallic brogues and a statement handbag for a day of tres chic shopping. 

I wore this style for dinner at Maialino in our hotel. Maialino is an Italian trattoria with a twist. It is classic and authentic Italian cuisine with decadent pasta dishes. As Maialino is Italian for pig, the menu is rather pork-centric (get that in the dictionary, folks) with the centrepiece being the roast suckling pig with rosemary scented potatoes. Though I was tempted by pasta, I played it safe with pan-seared hake, beautifully cooked and fragrant with black pepper, served with a selection of steamed seasonal vegetables.

WHAT I WORE:

For an elegant and simple look, I wore my & Other Stories shirt dress with my black Pashli, Zara sandals and my new J Crew statement necklace. 

SIMILAR STYLES: 

Holiday Wardrobe: Dinner at 15 East

Deciding where to eat in New York is no mean feat. The city boasts such an array of accomplished and diverse dining spots that is hard to know where to begin. 

Of course I did my research- perusing all manner of blogs, travel guides, magazines and Instagrams* in pursuit of New York's finest restaurants. However, this only served to complicate matters: so many restaurants, such little time. 

I was tasked with selecting an assortment of New York eateries, making sure that each and every one offered a wholly different dining experience to the last.

My first dining choice had to be the famous Pure Food and Wine. A raw and vegan restaurant with a great wine list to boot, Pure Food and Wine is at the forefront of the raw food movement in NYC and I truly believe Pure could convert even the most stubborn of meat-eaters to veganism. Reading the menu I was totally spoilt for choice, but finally opted for a fresh fruity salad to begin with and a divine curry dish as a main, complete with a quinoa poppadom and a zingy trio of dips.

Our next evening was spent at the esteemed 15 East by Union Square. A stylish restaurant nestled away off the busy Union Square, 15 East is yet another fantastic Asian restaurant to add to my ever-growing list. As a sushi enthusiast with a rather unhealthy appetite for wasabi, I simply had to go for the elaborate sashimi platter. It was gloriously light with gems of tender scallops and ruby red tuna.  

*"Ooh Leandra Medine checked in here so it MUST be cool."

WHAT I WORE:

I was very naughty in New York. 

I tried to resist, but I am far too weak and by day two in NYC I had already succumbed to a 3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli, an assortment of Kate Spade bangles and some Ray Ban sunglasses. 

I will live to regret this when Zara AW13 hits stores- mark my words.

For dinner at 15 East I went for a simple look with a touch of floral flirtation. I paired my new bag with a little Topshop shift, a Zara jacket (picked up on sale), a stack of Kate Spade bangles and my failsafe Zara sandals. 

SIMILAR STYLES:

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: Monterey Bay

Our last stop in California was Monterey. While I did enjoy myself, it must be said that Monterey reminds me a little too much of home. How so? It’s cold. SO cold.

We stayed in an ocean-facing suite in the InterContinental and were able to enjoy a few days of relaxation before embarking across the country to New York.

Our time in Monterey was charming, of course, but the highlight had to be the famous Monterey Aquarium. It has otters, hammerheads, jellyfish, turtles – you name it, they have it. I mean, they even had Dory and Nemo swimming together… I still don’t get how it took anyone so long to find him- his signature look is rather eccentric.

Following our morning of marine mania, we headed out along the 17 Mile Drive towards Carmel. Carmel is a pretty little town with incredible boutique stores and some glorious galleries and stylish spots to eat- it is far more to my tastes than Monterey.

En route, we made a stop at Roy’s at Pebble Beach. Based on Hawaiian cuisine with a strong Asian influence, the menu at Roy’s was too good to resist. My father and sister opted for teriyaki chicken Bento Boxes while my mother had Mahi Mahi soft tacos and I had a vibrant sashimi selection.

WHAT I WORE:

When in Carmel, I had my first real look around a J Crew store and I was rather impressed. Gleaming statement necklaces, chic staple dresses and lots of basics: it’s little wonder that J Crew is making waves internationally.

While I did have my eye on a white t-shirt with a golden pineapple print, the store did not have any in stock (they have it on sale here if you want to race me to it?), so I settled for a fine-knit cornflower blue sweatshirt, a striped fit-and-flare ponte dress and a dazzling crystal necklace.

For dinner that evening I was ever so tempted to wear my new dress, but instead opted for the weather-appropriate option in my new J Crew sweater paired with a neoprene floral skirt from Zara (sold out but this Oasis one is an equally lovely print and a more forgiving fit) and my jewelled anklet pumps, also by Zara.*

*try a low-cute nude leather ballet pump with a couple of antique-inspired anklets. 

SIMILAR STYLES: 

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. 

SIMILAR STYLES

Holiday Wardrobe: San Francisco Shoppin'

Our second day in San Francisco was my kinda day- shopping! 

Usually, sad though this is, I spend time researching the best local boutiques before visiting a new city. However, this year all my research has focussed on our upcoming NYC jaunt (just FYI, best books for top New York tips are The Fashion Insider's Guide to New York and The Stylists Guide to New York- both are fabulous).

Sadly, San Francisco shopping was pushed to one side and we ended up spending our day milling around generic designer shops, with obligatory detours to Zara and H&M. I worry that we did miss a trick in San Fran shopping, but there were still a few gems in and around Union Square.

We began our day with a lovely breakfast at the Grand Café. I had creamy porridge topped off with sweet strawberries and a wonderfully strong skinny capp. We then began our shopping trip, despite the chilling breeze and grey skies.

The first SF gem we found was the charming San Francisco T-We Tea shop. I am a bit of a tea enthusiast and this colourful, uplifting store was a must visit for me. I hope to do a bigger post on this store in the coming weeks, but it really is quite a treat and a great stop for gifts. The T-We Tea store is in Crocker Galleria, 50 Post Street. 

My mother and I absolutely adored Neiman Marcus, which feels just like Harvey Nichols, and spent a good few hours perusing the beauty and homeware departments. I also found myself stroking Balenciaga leather bikers and Saint Laurent claret shifts… One day, my pretties, one day.

We stopped for a lunch in Neiman Marcus' restaurant, The Rotunda, which was divine.  I opted for a light salad and mocktail, my virtuous choices immediately spoilt by a scrumptious creamy coffee and massive complimentary brioche roll with strawberry infused butter. Oh well, as my father says, you’re a long time dead.

For this trip I wore a demure pleated midi-dress from Topshop, paired with bejewelled ballet flats from Zara. In an attempt to beat off the chill, I slung on my lightweight Zara khaki jacket (online they only appear to have a stone version left), but ended up having to buy a decidedly inelegant H&M hoodie, just as the colour started to drain from my extremities. I finished off the look with my new Zara tote and a bohemian ring from H&M (like this but in cream).

Note to self: Raynauds Phenomenon is not so chic. Bring gloves. 

Holiday Wardrobe: San Francisco Sightseein'

Firstly, I would like to apologise that my blog has been a little neglected of late. I have, in fact, been on holiday in California and have had reasonably limited access to internet (I have also had NO access to Champagne which has been difficult. On my return to the UK please send bubbly.)

California has been truly phenomenal and I have so many lovely restaurants, stores, spas and retreats to share with you from this holiday of a lifetime, but in the meanwhile I will be super boring and simply post shots from holiday wardrobe!

I know that i'm no Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and my wardrobe doesn't exactly rival Poppy Delevingne's, but I am a real nosy parker when it comes to holiday style and I hoped you may be too!

The first part of our wonderful West Coast journey was a few days spent in San Francisco. My only niggle? It is much colder than I had anticipated- so excuse the abundance of goosebumps in my SF posts.

We began our first day with a glorious breakfast by Union Square (porridge -or oatmeal- for moi and strawberry studded French Toast for my companions) and then went on to spend the rest of the day down by Fisherman's Wharf. We feasted on glorious fresh crab (with stolen sips of dad's fiery Blood Mary) by the bay before heading out on a boat across to Alcatraz, a must see for all other keen tourists.

For this trip I wore my beloved Zara lace midi-dress (a similar style here), my faithful Zara jacket with aztec embroidery (on sale now) my H&M aviators and my sandals du jour from Dune (see them here).

I carried about my ultra heavy DSLR in my panic-bought Zara studded tote (also on sale), which I have found to be a great bag for Shona the Explorer.

Dora, eat yer heart out.

Christmas Time, Mistletoe and Twine!

Aah i've got the Christmas bug, I know it is only the 12th of November, but I don't care. It's Chreeeeeeeeestmaaaaaaas.

Just thought i'd share a wee pic from my fun-filled festive weekend (feel free to give me a slap, i'm such a loser) with Harriet. The cool kids that we are, all we talked about was swimming, fish, Mahiki, Jaymie from Union J and, of course, Christmas Twine.

We know how to party, ladz... Form an orderly queue.