Join the Jet Set

If you are jetting off on your jollies this summer make sure you really travel in style and take Rimowa luggage!

Jessica Alba and Diane Kruger are just two of the jet set spotted with the highly covetable cases.















The hugely successful Salsa series combines toughness, practicality and style. The polycarbonate body is practically indestructible - each case never fails to retain its shape. Whilst the interior divider system ensures that even delicate clothes are transported safely and remain crease free. The case contents are simply fixed by straps and fasteners in order to prevent slippage - even if the case is only half full. You can trust Rimowa to transport your most treasured possessions!











The range has something to suit, whatever your needs; from the cleverly subdivided Beauty Case, to the practical Business Trolley... and for those who don't know the meaning of travelling light, there's always the large-volume Multiwheel Case to depend upon!

Happy Holidays!

www.rimowa.com

Perfect White Basics at Chinti & Parker

Say 'Wimbledon' and what immediately springs to mind? Strawberries and cream? Cliff Richard singing in the rain? Well, for me it's got to be crisp white cotton. This is one tournament that remains notoriously strict on its dress code - forcing Serena Williams and co. to tone down their attire. White not only screams summer, but is a huge trend at the moment.

If your wardrobe needs a boost in white basics, it's game, set and match to Chinti and Parker...





















They may form the basis to every wardrobe, yet we all know that finding a perfect t-shirt can be a seemingly endless task. It was this very problem which led Anna Singh and Rachael Wood to launch Chinti and Parker back in 2009. They spotted a gap in the market for British luxury basics which are produced in an ethical way, and effectively brought the long search for quality basics to an end. Their cotton jersey is 100% organic cotton, plus they have also inroduced a jersey made from a blend of highly sustainable Bamboo and Seacle - a natural product derived from seaweed. These are garments which are designed to bolster the wardrobe and, very importantly, to stand the test of time - all that from a carbon neutral company!

London stockists include: Anna, Browns, Cochinechine and Trilogy.
Or go to: www.chintiandparker.com

Top Picks from the Topshop Summer Sale!

Satchel-style Suitcase, Was £68 Now £35

Handkerchief Print Blouse, Was £26 Now £15

Embriodered Cover-up, Was £36 Now £18

Ruffle Swimsuit, Was £34 Now £20

Moto Denim Playsuit, Was £40 Now £25

Limited Edition Tulip Dress, Was £145 Now £70

Make a Splash in Wedge Wellies

Practical and stylish are not usually words which sit together happily when talking footwear - that is until now...


Wedge Wellies combine all the comfort and practicality of a welly with the style and sophistication of a wedge-heeled boot. They are described as 'vital' footwear for festivals - with Wedge Wellies you're sure to stand head and shoulders above the crowd!


I love the Man Eater mock croc design.


£49.95 www.shoes.co.uk

Hunter Wellies - Outstanding in Every Field

When it comes to festival footwear the sensible amongst us will always opt for a good old pair of wellies. But being sensible certainly doesn't mean that you have to sacrifice on style.

Hunter stock wellies in a huge range of colours, finishes and patterns besides the traditional dark olive green. Neon, metallic, Mongolian fur trimmed... you'll be spoilt for choice. One thing's for sure, with the ground at Glastonbury fast turning in to a swamp and even more rain forecast, you'll definitely want to take a look at www.hunter-boot.com.

Festival Fashion Look Book

With Glastonbury just a few days away, it's high time we talked festival fashion...

T-Shirts by Truly Madly Deeply
Boots by Office

The trend for all things Navajo is perfect for the festival season - zig-zag prints, feathers and fringed suede are available in abundance at the moment and achieve that much coveted boho vibe. Complete the look with stacks of beaded jewellery that looks as if you could have made it yourself.

You may think Navajo firmly belongs in the climate of Coachella, but chuck on a poncho and a pair of wellies and you're good for Glasto!

Speaking of wellies, more on that to come...

A Day at the Races

Forget about the horses, it is the head wear on display at this year's Royal Ascot that is grabbing all the headlines. You could be forgiven for confusing the elite sporting event for a Mad Hatter's tea party. From the bizarre to the beautiful, quite literally anything is possible when it comes to choosing a hat for Ascot. Hats adorned with birds, giant insects, shoes, a replica of the Titanic and even an iPad are just a few of the crazier creations spotted. No one would have blinked an eyelid if Princess Beatrice had worn her infamous Philip Treacy fascinator here. Beatrice in fact sported one of my favourite looks on display - a retro wide-brimmed hat which screamed sophistication. Opera singer Katherine Jenkins also drew admiring glances in an oversized scarlet hat, which perfectly complimented her figure-hugging red dress.

Something New, Something Blue

Here we are in the midst of wedding season, but finding a suitable outfit is as difficult as ever. Too short looks tacky, but go too long and you risk feeling frumpy. As for colour, call me old fashioned but black is a no for weddings - thus ruling out a trusty LBD. And as for white - do you want the bride to hate you?! In my opinion blue is the way forward...

You only have to look at pictures of Tara Palmer-Tomkinson at the royal wedding to see that cobalt blue is a real show-stopper. Yes the style is rather outlandish, but the colour is glorious. The shade is bright enough to make a statement, yet dark enough to remain dignified - and slimming! Have I convinced you yet?

If not, maybe this selection of dresses from Topshop will sway you...






















Topshop Limited Edition, £145





















Topshop, £65





















Topshop Boutique, £55

These dresses would make ideal wedding outfits, and just show that you don't have to spend a fortune. Plus, with the saving made on the dress you can splash out on accessories. Well, it wouldn't be a wedding without a Philip Treacy headpiece!
















Philip Treacy headpiece, £659
Carvela platform shoes, £130
available from www.harrods.com

A Perfect Day

After much anticipation my lovely friends Lucy and Olly tied the knot on Saturday. Congratulations to you both - it really was a perfect day!

Thankfully the rain held off so we could pose for lots of photographs in the sunshine, and enjoy a glass of champagne (or two) in the beautiful grounds of Makeney Hall in Derbyshire to toast the happy couple.

As promised, here are some pictures of the dresses. I'm sure you'll agree the bride looked stunning in her ruched ivory gown. Both the bouquet and veil were encrusted with tiny crystals which shimmered in the sunlight as she made her way down the aisle to John Lennon's Love.

The bridesmaid dresses are by BHS. The simple prom dress shape suited us all and I love the shade of green, which was used as a theme for the wedding and included on the cravats, cake and favours. I had a fabulous time being a bridesmaid and was so pleased to be asked.





















It is a busy time for weddings at the moment and I know a lot of people who are in the process of planning their own big day - so here are Marie Claire's Top 50 Bridesmaid Dresses to offer a bit of extra inspiration...

Lily Allen's Debut Collection

Lily Allen and her sister Sarah Owen have unveiled their debut fashion range, and as you'd expect from the proprietors of Lucy In Disguise, the collection is heavily inspired by vintage pieces. The 'Treasure Chest' collection features influences from the 1930s right through to he 1970s. So, whether you fancy channeling a 30s flapper, 40s deb or a 70s style icon (the red Roxy jumpsuit would certainly be worthy of an entrance to Studio 54 astride a white horse a la Bianca Jagger), there is definitely something for you! Here are a few of my picks to whet your appetite. As for my personal favourite, that would have to be the mint green chiffon Chatsworth dress...

Royal Wedding Dress to go on Display

It's the news I've been waiting for... Kate's wedding dress is to go on show at Buckingham Palace! From July 23rd-October 3rd the stunning Sarah Burton creation will take pride of place in the ballroom, displayed alongside the Queen's Halo tiara, the bride's hand-made shoes, and the diamond earrings which were a gift from her parents. This is an opportunity to see British design and craftmanship at its very best!

www.royalcollection.org.uk

Psst...Have you Heard the SalesGossip?

Know when shops go on sale before anyone else!


We all know that finding a sale can be an art in itself. The lucky few continually flaunt their fabulous findings (all at 70% off), whilst the vast majority resort to trawling through the dregs the sale rail has left to offer, having missed out on who knows what treasures!

Back in October I let you in on the secret to successful sales shopping - SalesGossip. Their research showed that 70% of people only found out about a sale if they happened to be walking past the store. 44% heard of reductions from friends and colleagues. SalesGossip set out to significantly increase your odds of bagging a bargain.

Now the favourite website of every fashionista on a budget has had a makeover, and it's better than ever!

The beauty of SalesGossip is that you never have to miss out on a sale again. High street favourites to high-end designers, flash sales to exclusive sample sales - the girls at SalesGossip know about them all. The new and improved website is updated daily and allows you to search for sales by area (London based), brand and product type. There are handy maps as well as links to the online stores, plus a blog offering insight to London's hottest shopping destinations and events. With start and end dates of the sales clearly displayed it couldn't be easier to plan your next shopping spree.

Make sure you sign-up to receive FREE customised SMS and e-mail updates and you'll always be first in line for reductions at your favourite stores. For those of you always on the go you can also access the mobile site via your smart phone. There really is no excuse to miss out!

XOXO

www.salesgossip.co.uk

Summer Arrives at Austique

Are you on the lookout for that perfect summer dress? Well look no further - Austique's own brand summer dresses are in store now! Whether you are going to a pool-side party or a summer wedding you're sure to find something you love. Plus, with the next wave of arrivals due in store on 8th June you'll be truly spoilt for choice!

www.austique.co.uk