THE PERFECT PARTY DRESS FROM FINERY LONDON

My definition of the perfect party dress? Something fabulous that feels comfortable, nothing too short so that I can cut some shapes on the dance floor and something completely removed from my everyday attire. Which makes this number from Finery London, ‘The Paloma’ dress, pretty much perfect for me. I love this dress for many reasons: there’s something distinctly Atonement about the cut (that film is pure fashion-gasm) and whilst I don’t normally do prints (they make me anxious) this abstract floral pattern feels grown-up rather than girly. You might think a silky fabric dress is a high-maintenance choice, but this dress is the exact opposite. It’s really nice heavy viscose so it’s virtually impossible to crease and the print will hide any red wine spillages, which are inevitable if you’re me. I’ll wear this in the day too with a black roll neck underneath and a clompy pair of boots for balance. There’s also a whole heap of gorgeous party dresses in the shops at the moment so I’ve done an edit of my other favourites at the bottom of this post too.  Now, where's the dance floor at? 

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MORE PARTY PIECES:

Photos: Barbara Premo

9 OF THE BEST: FESTIVE JUMPERS

There’s a subtle difference between a festive knit and a Christmas jumper IMOH. I define the festive knit as something with a sense of seasonality (bear with…) – a fair isle knit, a twinkling lurex threaded jumper or a charming slogan number all bring good tidings without appearing tacky.  Then there’s the Christmas jumper, a naff novelty number that tends to be a hard-sartorial sell – if Colin Firth can’t pull a look off, no-one can.  

What also separates a festive knit from a Christmas jumper is shelf-life. Festive knits deliver cost per wear because whilst they look great in December, they won’t be resigned to the back of your wardrobe come January. From a sustainability point of view – the festive knit wins hand down.  Having said that – I do own a t-shirt bearing Wham’s! iconic Last Christmas artwork but between you and I, in private I wear that all year round. If Wham! Isn’t your thing, here’s a edit of the best knits for xmas & beyond: 

AND A FEW MORE...

9 OF THE BEST: HIGH STREET SEQUIN MIDI DRESSES

It goes without saying that I absolutely love sequins (I wore this Studio 54 inspired Miss Selfridge rainbow sequin dress for 30th birthday and felt totally fabulous). This  festive season there's a big trend for a sequin midi dress, which somehow feels more modern and less try-hard than a fitted mini number.   If you want to splash out, the designer labels that do sequins best are Ashish and Halpern. However you don't actually need to fork out the big bucks given the amazing options on the high street this year. All of the below dresses available online now from some of my favourite high street stores - just click to shop (Y)

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6 REMEDIES FOR DRY WINTER SKIN

Suffering from dry, tight, seasonal skin already? I know the feeling! Until the age of 29 I had easy, low-maintenance skin that needed little to no effort. Then last winter the ageing process hit (sad face), and I woke to find my skin had become really dry overnight. As anyone with dry skin will tell you, moisturiser alone is ineffective in tackling the problem. In fact, it took a complete skincare overhaul to return my skin to normal. If you have dry, tight, flaky skin, here’s the products I used and tweaks I made to solve the winter skin woes:

OUTFIT POST: RIXO LONDON MINI WRAP DRESS

A few weeks ago I fulfilled a long-standing London ambition and paid a visit to The Barbican Conservatory. If you've ever visited Barbican Estate you'll know it's an other worldly kind of place, a brutalist masterpiece that divides like marmite. Some find the ambience oppressive, but I personally love the architecture and would give my right arm to live in the postcode. The Conservatory is hard to access because it's open on select Sunday afternoons only, when I can frequently be found nursing a hangover. It's so worth the effort of a trip however, a tropical hot house of flora and fauna intertwined around imposing brutalist concrete work. The contrast between the botanical and the mad-made is extraordinarily beautiful AND there's real life terrapins in there too. 

The tropical 'Cuba Print' dress that I'm wearing is a long-term sartorial crush for me. It's from a brand called Rixo London that I first came across in Paris when I was working in the same showroom as the Rixo founders during fashion week. The trip to Paris was ill-fated (I ate some dodgy salmon tartare, contracted food poisoning and projectile vomited allover my hotel suite) so I promised myself that after such a crappy experience I'd treat myself to a Rixo dress one day. Two years down the line and I picked this one up for less than half price from Depop, it was still eye-watering expensive, but worth every penny. The cut is so beautiful and so flattering, I think every girl needs a little wrap dress in their wardrobe. This exact Rixo dress isn't available any more but there's lots similar on their site. 

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WHAT TO WEAR TO WORK IN A HEATWAVE: LINEN

What to wear to the office in a heatwave? Getting dressed for work this past month has been a confusing business. How to look smart whilst negating dying a slow painful & overheated death on the Northern Line on route? Step forward linen, a fabric that is the answer to summer sartorial problems.

MY OUTFIT: 

THE SECRETS BEHIND QUEEN ELIZABETH II’S FASHION

If you’ve been watching Netflix hit series The Crown, chances are you will have developed a low-key obsession with The Queen. Claire Foy’s pitch-perfect portrayal captures a composed and considered feminist icon, commanding respect against the odds as young women in a patriarchal world. 

Leading with grace, dignity and duty, Queen Elizabeth II is Britain’s longest serving monarch, having become the first British monarch to Sapphire Jubilee in February last year – marking 65 years on the throne. 

As well as being an outstanding leader, Queen Elizabeth has also been celebrated for her impeccable fashion sense, which has remained ever present throughout her reign. If you’re left wondering just how she does it, Fulton Umbrellas, designers of bespoke windproof umbrellas are here to lift the lid on the Queen’s fashion secrets, giving you a glimpse into how she stays styled and polished to perfection.  

5 NATURAL ANTI-AGING SKINCARE TIPS

With the rise of botox and fillers, you’d be forgiven for thinking that a surgeon-on-speed-dial is the only answer to preventing the ageing process. And that’s true in some respects; I’m not going to suggest it’s entirely possible to roll back the years and iron out wrinkles with good diet and good skincare habits. But there’s a lot to be said for maintaining good health from the inside out to promote a youthful appearance. Case in point - I think my skin looks at its best and most youthful when I’ve left the gym post-workout, there’s nothing that says ‘youth’ like health. 

Last month I visited the treatment rooms of Anu Jarvinen on Marylebone High Street (inside the Neal’s Yard Remedies store which has a really dreamy herbal scent), for a facial with an anti-aging focus. Anu Jarvinen’s approach to skincare is entirely natural, using essential oils, vegetable oils, clays, plant extracts and flower waters instead of chemical-based beauty products. Whilst I enjoyed an incredible facial (honestly, my skin has never looked better than post-facial, see selfie evidence here) Anu shared her top five easy-to-adopt tips to combat ageing naturally: 

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THE PERSONALISED PRESENT EDIT

I'm a big fan of a personalised present. Namely because I like stuff with my name on it, and come to think of it, I'm yet to meet someone who doesn't love a Craig David-esque name check? It's also great from a gifting perspective because the world of personalisation is also a vast one. You may have a personalised card holder, but did you know you can personalise a watch face, or a champagne glass, or a hip flask? For a one-stop-shop for personalised presents, I've recently discovered Personally Presented, a UK website offering just about gift with a personalised touch. At Personally Presented monogramming is just the beginning when it comes to personalisation, the website also offer the option of adding thoughtful messages to many items from leather bags to travel wallets and hip flasks. I'm particularly into the personalised timepieces with customised watch faces, that happen to be really stylish too (sadly my birthday has been and gone, else I'd be dropping some hints). For some present-buying inspo, here's an edit of my favourite Personalised Gifts from Personally Presented: 

Top row from L-R: Personalised classic initial cream luggage tag, £14.49. Personalised metallic leather clutch bag, £67.50. Personlised LSA coloured cocktail tumbler tug, £62.50. Middle row from L-R: Personalised travel document holder, £29.49. Personalised champagne cocktail tower, £82.49. Bottom row from L-R: Constellation hip flask, £37.50. Gin & Tonic balloon glass, £20.49. To the moon keepsake necklace, £38.49. 

*This is a collaborative post with Personally Presented

THE PERFECT BLACK BLAZER FROM BAUKJEN

Hey hey, here's a long overdue outfit post featuring the perfect black blazer.

Blazers are such an important part of my wardrobe, I have a unofficial work wear wardrobe and it's basically blazers worn with t-shirts, jeans, trainers and the occasional pair of court shoes when I'm feeling less lazy (it can't be overstated how lazy I am when getting dressed). What I love about a blazer is that it makes me feel instantaneously work-ready and pulled together, even when my brain might not be on the same page (it usually gets going sometime around midday on a Tuesday). 

Outfit credits: Blazer: Baukjen (gifted) | Denim skirt: vintage (similar) | Earrings: Next (not online but I got mine recently in store for £6!) | Bag: Gucci | T-shirt : Gap | Mules: Next 

BUDGET WEDDING GUEST DRESSES UNDER £100

In need of a wedding guest dress on a budget? You're not alone. Attending a wedding costs a small fortune these days. By the time you've forked out for the hen do in an exotic location (plus the copious rounds of shots and all-essential inflatable penis), your train ticket to the the actual wedding, your overnight stay at the stately home venue in the middle of nowhere, not forgetting the 100-thread count bedding from the Harrods-curated wedding list, you're lucky to have 50p to your sorry name.

Which is why you'll probably be hitting the high street to find your dress for said wedding, right? I put the below edit together with a tight budget in mind, nothing costs over £100 which is usually the budget I'm working to for event dressing. Having done some extensive 'research' hunting for the dress for my sister's June wedding, I strongly recommend going to take a look at dresses in person where possible, as something can look lovely online but the wrong fabric will look terrible to the naked eye. Finery, Topshop, Warehouse and Mango all have your cash-strapped back this season ~ whilst Next and Whistles are my go-to's for the finishing touches. Which budget wedding guest dress is your favourite? 

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THE BEST YELLOW FASHION BUYS FOR SS18

Millennial pink move aside, there's a new colour trend for 2018 and it's all yellow. From custard to mustard through to citric lemon and golden turmeric, the high street is awash with buys fit for a sunny disposition. I think yellow can seem unwearable / a little scary at first glance, but it actually goes with everything. Black, white, denim and navy look timeless with a pop of colour, whilst I love the contrast between pinks, lilacs, reds, blues and yellow if you're feeling braver. 

The best thing about this trend is that it's really easy to do on the high street; you don't need to invest in designer when there's so many lovely pieces for under £100. New Look in particular have this trend nailed with a lovely selection of buttercup coloured sundresses. Also check out Topshop for the fab suede-effect yellow sandals - I'd wear mine with white jeans and a colourful t-shirt for a nice contrast. Oh and by the way, *technology upgrade* you can shop every product below by clicking on the icon on the image because I've final embraced the 21st century. You're welcome! 

MORE FAB YELLOW BUYS:

ITALIAN LEATHER BAGS FROM ATTAVANTI

If you're looking for Italian leather shoulder bags for summer, may I point you in the direction of Attavanti. Now handbags are officially my thang, and through many years of handbag hoarding I have learnt that there’s no better place to invest than in your accessories. You can wear top-to-toe high street outfit and still look expensive with a premium handbag on your wrist.


Attavanti are an online retailer with a passion for all-things ‘Made in Italy’, which is the ultimate destination for leather goods. You won’t find better quality leather than from an Italian supplier, which is why all the leading designer houses source their accessories from the region. 

Whether it's leather tote bags or leather grab bags you're after, there's some beautiful bags on Attavanti’s site, from interesting, lesser-known designers. My favourites are the woven leather styles, that have the Bottega Veneta feel without the high-end designer price tag. The multi-coloured woven leather styles bang-on-the-money for S/S18 (the rainbow colour trend is still HUGE news), I'd wear mine with a summer dress and white trainers for a high-meets-low look. Here’s an edit of my favourite styles on site:

Top row from L-R: Ghibli ochre woven leather shoulder bucket bag. Ghibli coral woven leather shoulder bag. Middle row from L-R: Arcadia Suzy white patent grab bag. Ghibli multi woven leather drawstring hobo bag. Arcadia Aprile brown grab bag. Bottom row from L-R: Carbotti quilted cream bag. Pratesi Tullia D'aragona red leather shoulder bag. Carbotti quilted black bag. 

WEAR IT WITH:

*This post is in collaboration with Attanvanti, but as always, all views are my own

LOOKING GOOD // FEELING GORGEOUS

In my seven years of blogging, I’m not sure I have done an outfit post covering what I like to wear at the weekend, so here we are.

It can be easy to blur the lines between your office and weekend wardrobe, but I prefer to keep the two separate, because it helps me to mentally transition from work to play. In the week I like to wear tailoring (blazers on repeat) – at the weekend its denim, Converse & leather jackets.

What exactly I wear at the weekend depends on where my plans take me, and this particular weekend I was in Peckham Rye.

Peckham happens to be one of my absolute favourite places to spend my free time, particularly in summer because there are so many alfresco watering holes. It’s a place for the creatively minded; there’s colourful street art and twinkling disco balls and foodie pop-ups and Campari-cocktails - basically all the things I love.

New(ish) to the South East London scene is Peckham Levels – a multi-purpose space in a former a multi-story car park.  Step inside for the best independent food (the poke bowl was insanely good), drinks, events and exhibitions and more. What I love about Levels is that everyone is welcome, from toddlers to grannies to hipsters and foodies, on the Saturday that I visited just about every demographic was in attendance.

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WHY I'M NOT FREAKING OUT ABOUT TURNING 30

Type ‘turning 30’ into google and the first page of results have a common theme.

Result number one, a Psychology Now article ‘If you’re turning 30 and freaking out’, is followed by a succession of depressing opinion pieces from Cosmo, Huffpost and the Metro, of a similar nature. The hysteria peaks at result number 9, a Mumsnet thread titled ‘to be utterly depressed about turning 30...???’ (LOL, oh Mumsnet…)

Then there’s throwaway comments; ‘You’re not turning 30… are you? Oh god you are!’, ‘How do you feel, scared?’…‘Don’t worry, at least you don’t look 30’. 

I wanted to write this blog to present an alternative opinion; a viewpoint from someone turning 30 imminently, freak-out free, genuinely full of excitement for the unwritten decade ahead.

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THE BEST BUYS IN THE JANUARY SALES

If you've not got round to checking them out yet, there's still some bargains to be had in the January sales. Long time readers of this blog will know I endeavour not to follow trends where possible, so I've done my best to edit the sale buys that I think will have plenty of mileage in 2018.  

One of the most exciting sales for me is the Alexachung sale, on Net-a-porter. Having tried (emphasis on the word tried) to emulate Alexa's look many a time, I was super excited about the launch of her eponymous collection. However the prices were definitely out my budget, so the sale offers the opportunity to buy into a little piece of the Alexa magic. 

Elsewhere the Baukjen sale is definitely worth checking out for cut price investment pieces - look for leather jackets and winter coats. The Me + Em sale is another highlight; I am obsessed with the below side stripe jeans that have the perfect wash and cut combined with interesting side stripe detail. 1. Madewell striped cotton t-shirt, Net-a-porter.com, £60 now £30. 2. Leopard print remi coat, Baukjen, £899 now £719. 3. Side stripe jeans, Me & Em £139  £69. 4. Textured double breasted coat, Whistles, £99. 5. Alexachung red pumps, Net-a-porter.com, £300 £150. 6. Kearia black ankle boots, Aldo, £120 £83.98. 7. Iva leather jacket, Baukjen, £399 £259. 8. Alexa Chung zip up jersey track jacket, Net-a-porter.com, £250 £175.  9. Lipstick, Topshop, £8 £3. 10. Manu Atelier burgundy shoulder bag, Net-a-porter.com, £475 now £285. 11. Lydia panelled top, Kitri studio, £75 £52. 

Happy shopping! x

1. Madewell striped cotton t-shirt, Net-a-porter.com, £60 now £30. 2. Leopard print remi coat, Baukjen, £899 now £719. 3. Side stripe jeans, Me & Em £139  £69. 4. Textured double breasted coat, Whistles, £99. 5. Alexachung red pumps, Net-a-porter.com, £300 £150. 6. Kearia black ankle boots, Aldo, £120 £83.98. 7. Iva leather jacket, Baukjen, £399 £259. 8. Alexa Chung zip up jersey track jacket, Net-a-porter.com, £250 £175.  9. Lipstick, Topshop, £8 £3. 10. Manu Atelier burgundy shoulder bag, Net-a-porter.com, £475 now £285. 11. Lydia panelled top, Kitri studio, £75 £52.