Let's Talk About Juice

How I feel after too much juice...

Juice. Not just the glass of Tropicana that might adorn your breakfast tray but serious squeezing, pulsing of ANYTHING. The craze that kicked off  across the pond many moons ago is now firmly on our shores and shows no signs of abating. I can barely go on Instagram without someone showing me a picture of the juice they carefully created that very morning. Naturally a while back I decided to up the ante and go on a juice cleanse. I did a five day one from Nosh as I'd a) heard some pretty good things about them and b) when I booked it, they had a special 40% offer otherwise it is a pricey enterprise. Buying a decent juicer plus all the fruit, veg and supplements you might need really adds up..never mind the time. 

Unfortunately the last juice detox was whilst I was on my blog hiatus but fear not, I'm embarking on a slightly less hard-core three day detox next Monday and will document it right here. I've also booked another one in the run up to my wedding. This would be the point to say that I'm not doing it for crazy diet reasons. Whilst losing some weight is a side point, if I was simply eating just fruit and vegetables for three days, no-one would bat an eyelid. It's the fact that it's liquidised that seems to be the eyebrow raiser. For me, it'd more about getting my body on the right track after being a bit excessive in my lifestyle choices recently. It was the same with the previous one that I did directly after Christmas and with Summer approaching,  I can't think of a better reason. Wish me luck! x

Water, water everywhere!

We have a glorious hot weekend coming up folks and whilst the Pimms and rose tinted vino is beckoning me, this shocking new infographic has definitely made me have a bit of a rethink.  As well as making you grumpy, hungry and sleepy, water can affect skin, hair, nails and even weight as well. Start keeping a litre bottle on your desk and filling it up from the tap, downing a glass before every meal and maybe switching to a herbal tea in the morning.  I'm certain you'll see a difference!

Happy Friday! xx

P.S. The Marant dress arrived and it's perfect - boom!

Summer Lovin'

Adieu mes petits! I will be scampering off on my Summer break to the French Riviera so all will be quiet on the post front for a couple of weeks. I hope the sun stays gloriously shining as it has been for the past few days. See you in September! X

Holiday, Celebrate! - Avoid packing Hell.

Not everyone like streamlining their packing....

I am off on my jollies to the South of France shortly and packing looms on the horizon.  There are those who believe that the simple approach to dressing works equally well on holiday. There's simple and simple. Pack 10 T-shirts in a suitcase, throw in some swimwear and flip-flops and that's about it is not what I ascribe to.  I believe that you will have a better time on holiday if you feel right. Clearly "feeling right" differs from person to person and holiday destination to destination. That said, there are some guiding principles that can help to up your style ante on this year's summer break. I'm leaving it to you dear readers to think laterally and adapt to suit. I should add that a large amount of my suitcase space always ends up being occupied by books. Note to self - must invest in a kindle.

• Have an airport/travel look that comprises of warmish layers and your heaviest holiday shoes. This is especially key if travelling on budget airlines that have small weight allowances. This is not the time to channel Angelina Jolie in a black silk mini dress and skyscraper mules. You'll be cold and grumpy and desperate to buy a bad cardigan from a second-rate high street duty-free shop in no time. Instead, this is the time to wear a rolled chino, a light knit, knockout sunglasses and a pair of leather sandals...also possibly a hat so it doesn't get squashed in your suitcase.

• Speaking of footwear, unthinking loyalty to flip-flops is a style copout. It takes minuscule extra effort to choose a pair of sandals to take away with you, yet they add a style dimension to even the most basic shorts-and-vest holiday look. Also pretty ballet pumps. These are my style staple and I will taking a pair of silver and gold metallic quilts and leopard ponyskin with red edging (both French Sole).

• Don't have a holiday wardrobe, have a holiday style philosophy instead. One that means you wear your usual summer clothes but in a crafty holiday-ish way. Not only does this save cash and time spent in badly lit changing rooms, it is the fast track to looking more stylish. This means admitting that the summer dress you bought for a party can easily be your sightseeing dress. A blouse you normally wear with jeans will look good with shorts for an alfresco lunch. This isn't wardrobe downgrading, this is wardrobe multitasking. And your holiday snaps will thank you for it. Promise. Also it will save you the insane Topshop/Whisltes freak-out panic buying session.

• Take into account your holiday pals and the kind of look they will be rocking at the check-in desk. In terms of how right you feel on holiday, it's up there with reading an accurate weather report ahead of time. Also if they're packing a hairdryer, do you need to take one? Things like this help with allowance weight too.

• No one of any style repute actually wears a sarong. A beautiful, floaty kaftan that you can throw on is all that is required - heck, maybe even a couple. Think about how you're spending your days. If you're going on a beach holiday and lounging around is a big factor you need less proper clothes and probably 2 or 3 cover-ups. Again, they're also light!

• There is no need to buy a dedicated beach bag, unless it is along the lines of a Marc by Marc Jacobs bright canvas shopper: ie, something that you will want to shake the sand out of and use again in actual real life. Failing that, use your Monday-to-Friday leather bag, provided it's a decent size. It gives the impression that you are more nonchalant about beach style and is infinitely chicer.

• Jewellery in the form of overly fancy earrings or a big, shiny bangle will add kick to your style quota but almost nothing to the weight of your luggage.

Lastly, have a super time! X

Chanel- o!!!

We all love a pop-up..at least I do. That 'Oooh I must get there before it's gone and probably spend a fortune I wouldn't have done otherwise' feeling. What can I say folks? I'm a marketing person's dream However shortly, there will be one that make-up aficionados can get truly excited about. Chanel is opening a (literally) one-of-a-kind store in Covent Garden, with two floors dedicated to beauty. If a touch-up is needed in a hurry, fret not, the Chanel pop-up will be hosting makeover and manicure bars for summer panic moments.  See you there!

Other news! Mari Kasurinen took a My Little Pony and made transformed it from playful to fierce as My Little Karl Lagerfeld.  We should all have one of these around, no?

Classics - Little White Dress

Who wore it best?!

Perhaps not the most practical festival choice Chloe..

I had five days in beautiful Marrakesh before coming back on Friday to the sodden Jubilee.  Not that I didn't get fully on board with it and three rounds of hurrahs for Queenie who must have been exhausted after it all.  I know I was! It seems faintly ludicrous to talk about Summer dresses as I peer out of the window at the rain, but one thing I really missed on my mini-break was the perfect white dress.  I used to have one but it one of the many items that seems to have strolled off since the move.  Grrrr.

The white dress is the perfect thing to throw on when it's bright outside, like it's better known sister (the LBD), it's good for any occasion.  It can be smart or toughened up with a leather jacket or chucked over leggings and ballet flats when there's a bit of a breeze.  Layer it up with a Breton sweater, add a tailored blazer and a hat for a day at the Races or just put it on and with a pair of sunnies and head out on your bike like Kiki.

Anyway dear readers, my constant hunt has paid off and I've found a few that I think could fit the bill - the only problem is which one. Two are from Whistles and one is from Jack Wills. Urgh JACK WILLS!! I cannot stand that shop but I had to sidle in when I saw this dress in the window, it is also available in black as well. I really like the black one as well...

The next two are from Whistles, a shop that I've always had a rather strained relationship with. I love so many of their clothes but the fit is always slightly off on me.  Their Lisa dress however, I LOVE. This is definitely one that you could dress up or dress and is probably the most formal of the bunch. I think it would look beautiful with a large black straw hat for a wedding...

My last choice is probably the one I'm going to buy. Breathable cotton? Tick. Under £100? Just. Lovely detailing, including a cheeky cut out? Tick. Now I just need the sunshine...

Marni Mania

The flurry of fashion week is over and London is feeling slightly more Spring like.  I struggle with Spring, especially English Spring because it is so unpredictable.  This is when having a talent for layering really comes into its own.  This is a talent that I don't really possess, indicated by my purchases this week.  I got caught up in the Marni flurry.  Getting up at 3am to queue outside a shop is not really my style but I did spend the majority of my day trying to access the website AND succeeded.  Purchase number one will not be worn until the Summer, but it will certainly bring a pop of colour to my wardrobe!

Purchase number 2 is arguably more 'wearable' and will certainly go between work and play.  It was the lovely green patterned one I REALLY wanted but hey..I'd probably have had to queue the day before to get that one!

Yet again, this probably won't be brought out until Summer proper..if we manage to get one and also neither have actually arrived yet so I'm a bit nervous.  Maybe I'll unwrap them and be totally deflated at the quality, cut etc but I truly hope not.  My Sonia Rykiel at H&M dress was a winning buy and I've worn it heaps.  It's the one in the middle in the picture below.  I love the fact that it's a good quality cotton knit so works in the winter and summer and more importantly, looks exactly how her designs are.  I was in New York when this collection launched and had to talk the manger into letting me have the XS out of the window.  It took all my persuasive powers but I went back three days on the trot until they gave in!

How do you feel about designer and high street collaborations and did you manage to get your mitts on some Marni??!x

Turn Up the Heat!

Yes, it's freezing outside but if you fancy looking ahead to the Summer, might I recommend Missoni's new video.  When I heard the buzz about Pedro Almodóvar being involved in this, naturally Ia ssumed he was directing, but oh no! Instead we see the Bad Education screenwriter taking a cameo role.
"Pedro had told me for years that he was keen to make something with us" explains Missoni creative director Angela Missoni.
"So I asked him this time and he offered to model in the campaign…It is a homage to the Spanish lifestyle with women and girls who love to party and dance into the night. It has been a great experience for all of us"

The Spanish women she is refers to include top model Mariacarla Boscono, Flamenco dancer Eva Yerbabuena and actresses Rossy de Plama and Blanca Martínez Suárez, all modelling the ruffled designs from Missoni's spring/summer 2012 collection, which are perfect for dancing in and the music..interuppted by some rather heavy breathing and moans.. (be warned..turn the volume down if you're watching this at work) !
Almodóvar and company appeared in front of the lens of director Marco Maccapani for the humorous and conceptual video, which sees stills taken by fashion photographer Juergen Teller interspersed in the style of a beautiful pop-up book.
Naturally the film wouldn't be complete without the Missoni's themselves making an appearance. Look for a trio of Italian brunettes all sporting side partings and you'll discover creative director Angela Missoni (centre), and accessories designer and model Margherita (bottom).
Two of my favourite parts of the video has to be the Parma ham-playing gentleman who pops up for a couple of seconds at around 1.13 minutes in and a model who appears to pluck a long-stememd rose from her nether regions! Enjoy!x

Found it - The Perfect Espadrille

One of my all time favourite movies is To Catch A Thief, the suaveness of Cary Grant, the radiance of Grace Kelly and THE IDEA OF BEING A CAT BURGLAR.  (Hello career change plan).  Obviously I need the right contacts and maybe a palatial pad in the South of France but maybe the key thing would be the right footwear; silent, stylish, comfortable.  Above you see Gary and Grace and she is working the espadrille.  I have been on a quest to find my ideal espadrille for quite sometime..in fact, about five Summers.

Espadrilles are GUARANTEED to make your legs look like Alexa's. Fact.

All I need is for the sun to come out in London and then I'm good to slip these lovelies on my feet, if not, I'll be waiting until my jollies later this month.  I have been looking for the perfect espadrille for a while and they've either been overpriced, badly made or in garish colours/ patterns.

Tonis espadrilles..just gorgeous

Tonis Got Sole founder Loren Platt named her label after her flamenco dancer grandma, Antonia Viel, who lived in her trusty espadrilles on her days off.  

"Antonia Viel was a spectacular flamenco dancer from Madrid, Spain. Known as Toni to her friends, she danced her way across the globe, mesmerizing her audience with the enchanting movement of her hands, the sound of her castanets and the stamping of her feet.  On her days off she would kick off her stack heel Mary Janes and reach for the comfort of her trusty espadrilles. Hand made in her beloved home country from the softest cotton and raffia thread.

She was in happy feet heaven.

Years later her British born granddaughter Loren wanted to spread the comfort and joy of the authentic Spanish espadrille to her friends in East London and beyond. With the perfect vintage silhouette, hand sewn in a plethora of colours, they are sure to become a spring summer classic, as they have been in Spain for generations" From the Tonis Got Sole website.

Loren's espadrilles – made from soft cotton and raffia, come in a rainbow of colours and are seriously comfy. Find her at Broadway Market School Yard, or pick up a pair at her online store.  Now I just have to decide which colour I want...

And they look great on chaps too!

Holiday Wobble (or 'How to look hot on a beach')

Me on holiday...honestly

From Saturday, I have a glorious week in Marrakesh coming up.  Myself, the Boy and a whole bunch of dear friends are in a stunning villa for a week and will be soaking up sunshine, culture and the odd g and t. We are also lucky enough to have a chef on-site and will be making the most of it, although we have booked dinner out on a couple of nights to give the poor man a rest! Expect a full write up of all this on my return but suffice to say I have not purchased everything on holiday wish list.  This wish list changes upon location.  Marrakesh is currently 39 degrees...swoon....

1. Floaty kaftans for pool loungwear - Done! Acquired over the years in bright colours and prints!
2. Maxi dress for wandering around the souks - Nope, everyone I've tried made me look like a 70s reject or dwarf.
3. Decent body oil - Huile Prodigieuse Or by Nuxe purchased in Biarritz last year and (appropriately) Ren's Morrocan Rose Body Oil
4. A sunhat ideally with a wide brim or possibly a panama - No joy whatsoever..but also a bit of an arse to pack. MUST get one for Biarritz later in the year.
5. Selection of easy cotton/ linen/ silk dresses for day or evening - done! Isabel Marant, Topshop, Uniqlo (fab for t-shirt dresses), Zara.
6. Pair of flip flops - bronze metallic thongs that are at least 8 years old but go with everything and are super comfy.
7.  One pair of high shoes for evening - Wooden Zara wedges
8. Topiary - eg. waxing etc to get bikini ready, am booked in for tomorrow!
9.  Comfy bikinis -halter necks and strapless are best on my figure. My favourites are from Moontide (they're reversible so great value for money!) and Vix.
10. Clever accessories - silk scarves and jewellery are the order of the day here.

I'll leave you with these stunning pictures from the iconic Vogue desert shoot in 2002 shot by photographers Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott.  Faded colours and salvaged materials were combined to create a deserted island vibe that set off the deep tan of Kate’s bare skin. This is the darkest I have seen her and it looks surprisingly natural with her sun-kissed hair – which is a perfect example of how balayage should be done this season.  I've just had it done for my holiday hair and I'm loving it!!

Also before you go calling your spray tan lady asking for the darkest shade, there’s one little thing you need to remember. Fake tans this dark may look great on film, but that doesn’t mean they work in real life. Take my advice and save it for a photo shoot or go on holiday, slap on your sunscreen and go gently golden instead.X

Bikini Bleurgh

"Bond girls follow a fairly well-developed pattern of beauty. They possess splendid figures and tend to dress in a slightly masculine, assertive fashion, with few pieces of jewelery and that in a masculine cut, wide leather belts, and square-toed leather shoes. They often sport light though noticeable sun-tans, and they generally use little or no makeup and no fingernail or toenail polish, also wearing their nails short." —O.F. Snelling, author of Double O Seven, James Bond, A Report.


Now according to that description people, I don't have too much to worry about. OK.."splendid figure" might be pushing it and I loathe wearing shoes on holiday but I never bother painting my toes or fingernails as I have the co-ordination of a blind toddler and I suppose my holiday clothes are a bit masculine and square cut, though I am a fan of the sun dress and especially the kaftan by the pool. I've even got the light tan covered.

Have to say, not entirely sure Kate is working the Bond girl look here..

The one issue that presents itself summer over summer is the bikini problem. Bond girls don't appear to have issues with this (albeit that might be because they have a mammoth hair and make-up department at their disposal and probably had a personal trainer for a few months) but I'm going to go on a group holiday and I feel I should invest in a new one. Gulp. Psychologically one has to pick the right moment to bikini shop. Get it wrong and you'll feel like a whale squeezing into a tube of smarties, get it right and you're essentially Hedi Klum.  Also I resent spending a large amount of money on something that'll get seen for about three weeks of the year MAX. On top of all of this, I am petite but top heavy, this rules out buying any sets and limits me to separates.  Grrrr.

In character..very Bond

Still looking pretty fab...even in real life

Am I alone in my bikini hell or do you struggle as well? I have no problem buying my clothes online (thank you ASOS and net-a-porter) but for some reason I don't want to buy my bikinis in cyberspace. I really need to try them on.  Where should I go?  My sole comfort is that really, once one is actually on holiday does it matter so much? Any help gratefully received.