Bring on the MAD Men-ness!

Last year I was completely devastated when I heard that the wonderful BBC had lost the rights to Mad Men and that it would hence be shown on Sky Atlantic.  As I now actually HAVE Sky..my temper has cooled somewhat and I am completely psyched for tomorrow night!  Chauvinism, cigarettes, boozing at work (just me?!) - there's no end to the revivals that Mad Men has inspired. And, as series five airs there's no better time to reflect on the show's latest must have...which despite being for a chap, if anyone would like to buy me, I would welcome with open arms HINT.

The costume designers have bestowed Don Draper, (the creative director of the Manhattan advertising firm Sterling Cooper in case you've been living under a rock), with one of the most elegant status symbols of the time, a Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso. Ultra-slim, functional flip case, clean dial - a perfect fit for the suave leading man.

This month, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Grande Reverso Ultra-Thin Tribute to Mad Men is being launched in a limited-edition version with the Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce logo embossed on the back.  Then..and here is where I get super excited-  each piece comes in a walnut box with a commemorative letter from Roger Sterling (I LOVE HIM) - Draper's boss - and a copy of Sterling's book, Sterling's Gold, autographed by Matthew Weiner, the show's creator and executive producer. 

'The Reverso is so unique that it has been made in many guises without losing its essence,' Jérôme Lambert, the CEO of Jaeger-LeCoultre, says.  We'll have to wait to see if the same can be said of the multifaceted Draper....I still can't believe he married the secretary!!

Now, I'm sure you've all heard of The Cambridge Satchel Company, a phenomenon that exploded almost overnight with their designs now stocked in 86 countries worldwide and toted by the coolest celebrities including Alexa Chung, Zooey Deschanel, and Elle Fanning

Their latest brand endorsement, however, came from a rather unlikely yet remarkable source. At the season five wrap party for Mad Men , the hit TV show's creator/writer/director/executive producer, Matthew Weiner, gave each of the cast and crew a special thank-you present - a classic dark brown Cambridge Satchel customised with the Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce advertising agency logo.

Mad Men costume designer Janie Bryant is a big fan of the brand (she owns a yellow neon one), and recommended The Cambridge Satchel Company to Weiner. The British-made brand then worked with Weiner to pull together over 300 of the gifts in time for the party.  Annoyingly, I don't think we'll be able to get our mitts on them BUT the company do offer customisation so you could still get one with "Mrs Don Draper".....

Bookworm - Part 2

"She is too fond of books and it has turned her brain"
                                                                           Louise May Alcott

Books are huge, pulsating obsession with me and one day, I shall have a room like this one above..even down to The Sound of Music vinyl cover on the floor. I've done many posts about books and have been known to buy multiple copies of the same titles because I liked different covers. The scene in Disney's Beauty and the Beast where he shows her the library as a present always makes me swoon in envy.  The reality is of course, although owning hundreds of books, I am a library short.  If you are a regular reader of this blog, you'll have noticed that bottom right corner always has which book I'm currently reading and a list of all time favourites.  I also keep a note in my diary of everything I read throughout the year.  I thought I'd share these with you and I'd love to know your current reads and recommendations...

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson
The Best of Everything by Rona Jaffe
A Visit From the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan
Grippen by John Boyne
Greenery Street by Denis Mackail
Slammerkin by Emma Donoghue

And currently Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon.

By my bed and next in line are Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer, Enchanted April by Elizabeth Von Arnim and I REALLY want to re-read The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins!

I think the current trend for pyjama pants is IDEAL for lounging and reading.  My favourite pair I actually bought ages ago from Whistles and are shown here by the fabulous Susie Bubble, who is also working the matching shirt which I WISH I'd bought at the time!  Anyway, this weekend in London it's going to be 21degrees so put on your silk pyjamas, grab a book and hit one of the Capital's glorious parks..that's what I'll be doing!x

The new Ebay?

There's a new kid in town folks.  I wouldn't read on if you're suseptible to goodies just being a click away but there, you have been warned.  Vestiaire Collective, a resale website dedicated to women's, men's and children's fashion.  What makes this France-based website so innovative is the way they act as an intermediary between buyers and sellers. While most eBay shoppers will at some point have been plagued by doubts regarding an item's authenticity, Vestiaire Collective have meticulously strived to eliminate any misleading shopping experiences, resulting in an abundance of high-end gems just waiting to be unearthed.  Having a quick scan myself, I did find some things that seemed to be slightly overpriced..a Zara dress on at £40.  For a second-hand high street frock, that did seem a bit much and a Gap hooded sweatshirt for £29.  The exact same hoodie is on the Gap webiste cureently for only £10 more and..obviously..it's brand new.  At the other end of the scale we have a pair of Isabel Marant Dicker boots in Cognac going for £190 and a pair of Rayban Wayfarers for £60! BARGAIN!

The emphasis on Vestiaire Collective acting as a "community wardrobe" is boosted by members quickly building up profiles displaying feedback from buyers and how many followers they have acquired.  With some items selling within 20 seconds of appearing on the site, the second-hand market is just the tip of an ever growing iceberg. New items - from a handpicked selection of niche labels such as Madras by APC, Bronzette for bikinis and Laurence Doligé for relaxed Parisian style - ensure there's something for everyone.

So whether you're looking to sell, collect or browse, be prepared to spend a lot of time on Vestiaire Collective.

There's a Kelly bag on there at the moment. Fly my pretties, FLY!!

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