Copenhagen is one of my favourite cities for design and that extends to architecture, too. There are some incredible buildings all over this city. We were staying in Islands Brygge, so it was the architecture here that we saw the most, and got pretty excited by. Everyday we walked past the incredible Frøsilo, two huge dockside silos that have been converted into private housing. We stayed nearby in one of the penthouse apartments at STAY Copenhagen, an old industrial building that was renovated by Holgaard Architects. The roof of the building has been converted into a huge roof-terrace. Large wooden steps undulate up and down over the 6th floor apartments, along the A-shape of the building, like a zig-zagging amphitheatre, with a large open area at the apex of the ‘A’, where we shot these photos.
My style in the last few years has been highly influenced by Copenhagen style. When I’m there I feel quite inconspicuous, most people dress the way I do and that makes me feel at home. Although, don’t even think about asking me to speak Danish, I’ve tried and failed so many times. Food-wise I’m always impressed and eat so well. This time around we ate out for dinner at Bæst and Scarpetta (one of the Cofoco restaurants), and had the most delicious porridge on Saturday morning at Grød in the Torvehallerne. I would recommend all three, Scarpetta also for its beautiful interior design. Eating out is a casual affair in Copenhagen, people dress well but they don’t get dressed up. It’s more about getting together with friends and family, and eating well in a relaxed environment; something I can totally relate to.
Another highlight of my trip to Milan was a quick visit to the Shiseido Spa in the Excelsior Hotel Gallia, it’s right next to the Milano Centrale railway station. City centre spas are notoriously cramped in London but this was not the case in Milan; the Shisiedo Spa spans 1000sqm. I really enjoy visiting a good spa and by good I mean one with excellent facilities, at least one pool, and a passionate team of therapists. The Shiseido spa is set over two floors with a Calidarium, Himalayan salt room, ice drop, jacuzzi, steam room and indoor swimming pool. It was designed by Studio Marco Piva (who renovated the whole hotel in 2015) and was fitted by B&B Italia. Beautiful materials have been used throughout, combining tradition with innovation.
I was treated to a Perfect Purifying Facial, a signature Shiseido treatment, that’s designed to deep cleanse the skin whilst rehydrating it. During the hour long treatment my therapist used the Shiseido product range to tackle my skincare issues. My skin’s been playing up these last few months so it was a perfect facial for me, gentle but affective. It was wonderfully relaxing and the perfect way to end our trip to Milan. As everyone knows, flying is not great for the skin but the last couple of times I’ve flown back to London I’ve used it as an excuse to have a facial before I leave. One more time and I might have to make it a habit.
Tip: If you’re visiting a spa, plan and book your treatments at least one week in advance. It’s disappointing to arrive at a spa for the day only to find their treatments are all fully booked. It’s happened to me a couple of times.
Last month in Milan I found a beautiful place to stay, the Magna Pars Suites. Light, bright and airy, the 39 suites wrap around a central courtyard of lush greenery. It’s both peaceful and invigorating at the same time, as your senses pick up on all the different elements that surround you. This is a particularly important aspect of the Magna Pars Suites, it is the first Hotel à Parfum. The hotel is owned by the Martone family, the first to bring perfume to Italy, and it was built on the site of their original perfume factory.
Our rather large suite (FYI, we stayed in 30, Robinia – a floral suite), like all the suites it looks onto the central courtyard. Through the huge wall to wall glass windows all you can see are the tops of green trees and bushes below and the white walls of the far building; opening up the electric blinds in the morning, it’s a beautiful, fresh sight and a lovely way to start the day. Each suite has a little kitchenette, a small bookcase and the usual mod-cons. It also has a touch screen on the wall to allow you to control the lights, blinds and air conditioning/heating. Our bathroom was fairly large, with a bath, separate shower, twin sinks and separate toilet. It’s all very white and kept immaculately clean by the housekeeping. The lovely Marvin Aqua Adornationis toiletries you find in the bathrooms were created by Giorgia Martone. Each suite is adorned with paintings by artists from the Brera Academy, inspired by scents.
One of my main concerns I have when travelling is that I get a good night’s sleep. I need the room to be dark, not too hot, not too cold, not too noisy and (most importantly) the bed and pillows must be comfortable. It will come as no surprise, given the high-spec of the rest of the suite and hotel, that I slept incredibly well. The bed was huge and super comfortable. Waking up well rested, breakfast is always on my mind, it helps set me up for a day of exploring. The hotel offer a big continental buffet plus you can request cooked dishes to order. The poached eggs I had were exceptionally good, with deep orange yolks that oozed onto the plate. So good I had them two days running.
On the site of the hotel there is still a perfume laboratory, LabSolue. It’s a beautiful space, flooded with light during the day. Here you can attend a tasting session in the early evening. The benches are divided up by fragrance category; woody, floral and fruity. Like the suites, there are 39 corresponding fragrances, including Robinia – the name of our suite. Each of the fragrances was created by a famous nose, ours by Jacques Cavallier. A beautiful modern apothecary cabinet, made of warming wood lines one wall, it was inspired by Vincenzo Martone’s original pharmaceutical laboratory.
If you’re planning a trip to Milan this is definitely one hotel you should consider. The hotel’s staff are warm and welcoming, the hotel is stunning and it’s well located, just off Via Tortona, a stone’s throw from Navigili canals.
ME+EM Polka Dot Swing Blouse in Navy/White* | Topshop Denim Mini Skirt | Converse Chuck Taylor Plimsolls in White | Jones Bootmakers Lacerta Leather Tote Bag in Black* | Ace & Tate Heather Sunglasses in Latte* | Sally Lane Boomerang Earrings in Gold* | 88&Cloudless Gold Star Necklace*
Early in September I headed out to Milan for a few days. I had mixed expectations about this particular Italian city but came back home with plans to return before long; I really loved it. The weather in September was warm and pleasant, perfect for ambling around the city, taking-in the chilled atmosphere and looking at some pretty impressive architecture. Many had told me it was quite an industrial city with ugly buildings but I guess it’s just a question of what you do and don’t appreciate. The Italian laid-back attitude is apparent here, people don’t rush around like headless chickens they take their time to enjoy the small things, like a simple coffee. Everywhere I went the service was exceptional, people were friendly and helpful.
I expected the Milanese style to be quite flamboyant (and not very me) with lots of clashing prints and gold details but the reality wasn’t so obvious. The women I met were well-dressed in elegant prints, usually with heels and little to no make-up, just a healthy glow. The men I spotted were mostly in tailored suits, white shirts and leather shoes. Only the younger women seem to wear denim, often very short shorts showing off their slim legs. I can’t say I felt like I fit in but I was comfortable, mixing print with denim, smart with casual. My tote bag from Jones Bootmaker was the perfect travel bag, fitting in lots for the flight (including my laptop and Kindle) and concealing my camera as I explored the city.
Whilst I was away in Croatia I received an exciting invitation, COS and The Gentlewoman were getting together for an architectural tour of London entitled Glimpses of The Future, and they had invited me to go with them. Years ago I had considered studying architecture but in the end chose design and art direction; I’ve never lost my interest in architecture though. (On a side note: For those of you that are leaving school and still don’t know what you want to do, don’t worry, give it time and go experience as much as you can.)
We were lucky to have the very knowledgeable, lecturer, Joe Kerr as our guide for the day. He led us around London on an old 1965 Routemaster bus, divulging the history of some of the capital’s most iconic housing projects. All were conceived by architects that were looking to create a better future and living experience for its inhabitants, hence the title of the tour, Glimpses of The Future.
The Boundary Estate, Boundary Street, London E2
Architect(s): London County Council Architects Completed: 1900
A collection of 23 housing blocks built in the Arts & Crafts style. It was designed to replace one of the worst slums in London (one in four children died before their first birthday) but sadly most of those displaced by the earliest social housing scheme didn’t get to live there, as it was considered too good for them and that they would lack the motivation to work living in such wonderful surroundings. William Morris, a forerunner in the Arts & Crafts movement, believed that beauty should be accessible to all. In the end only ten of the slum’s over five and a half thousand tenants were housed in The Boundary Estate. It was built to accommodate 5,524 people in 1,069 tenements, each with two or three bedrooms. In the centre of the estate is Arnold Circus, a large mound formed from the earth leftover from excavating the foundations for the site. On it sits a beautiful Japanese-inspired bandstand. Many of the buildings (including the bandstand) are Grade II listed.
Bevin Court, Cruikshank St, London WC1
Architect(s): Berthold Lubetkin Completed: 1954
Moving towards Modernism (my favourite era for architecture) we stopped to take a look at Bevin Court, built post-war on the bomb site of Holford Square. Originally it was proposed to call the building Lenin Court after the revolutionary who had lived in a building on the site from 1902-3, while in exile from Russia. There was already a memorial (designed by Lubetkin) on the site which was to be incorporated into the build but British Fascists repeatedly vandalised it. With the Cold War, Britain’s relations with Russia waned and it was decided by Finsbury Council that the memorial was not appropriate and suggested a change of name. The memorial was buried in the foundations of the staircase and the building was renamed Bevin Court after Britain’s anti-communist foreign secretary Ernest Bevin. The Constructivist communal staircase is the building’s showpiece, with each spiral upwards it offers different views of the city.
Royal College of Physicians, St. Andrews Place, London NW1
Architect(s): Sir Denys Lasdun Completed: 1964
Architect Sir Denys Lasdun (who also designed the Royal National Theatre) was asked by the Royal College of Physicians to design a new building for them that would blend in to its surroundings. It sits on the edge of Regent’s Park surrounded by the Regency architecture of John Nash, though subtle I’m not sure it exactly blends in. The Grade I listed Brutalist building is one of the more attractive of its era, with its mosaic-clad concrete boxes and curved blue engineered brick wall which conceals a peaceful medicinal garden. The influence of Le Corbusier can be seen in the way the upper level appears to float, this was made possible with some very clever engineering. Lasdun observed the way the college’s previous building was used and designed the new college to work well for its needs, then and well into the future.
Alexandra & Ainsworth Estate
Architect(s): Neave Brown, Camden Council’s Architects Department Completed: 1978
Famously known as the longest housing terrace in London, the Alexandra and Ainsworth Estate in Camden is quite an unusual sight. It is made up of three parallel crescent-shaped blocks with a public park between two of the blocks. On the one side, it resembles a football stadium, deflecting the noise of the West Coast Main Line train tracks that run alongside it. From the other, it’s a quiet pedestrianised residential street. The unpainted reinforced concrete was built on-site using wooden forms, you can still see the board marks if you look closely. Each of the 520 two-storey maisonettes, built in a ziggurat format, have a private garden or balcony, meaning all that live here have some private outside space, unlike the tall tower blocks nearby.
Isokon Building, Lawn Road, NW3
Architect(s): Wells Coates Completed: 1934
Our final stop, and my favourite of the tour, was the Isokon building in Hampstead. Built for Molly and Jack Pritchard, it’s an elegant concrete block of 36 apartments; each with a living room, kitchenette, built-in storage, facilities for a bed and a place to wash. They were originally serviced flats with the option of included meals, shoe cleaning and bed making. Its inhabitants have included Bauhaus émigrés Walter Gropius, Marcel Breuer, and László Moholy-Nagy; architects Egon Riss and Arthur Korn; and writer Agatha Christie. It was Breuer who designed much of the bent ply Isokon Furniture collection. Moholy-Nagy designed the identity for Isokon and Riss designed the Isokon Donkey Mark I. It became quite a hub for intellectual life in North London. In 1972 the building was sold to Camden London Borough Council and gradually deteriorated until the 1990s when it was completely abandoned. In 2003 Avanti Architects were employed by Notting Hill Housing Association to sympathetically refurbish the building. It is now Grade I listed and its current inhabitants include Magnus Englund, one of the founders of Skandium.
If you are interested in taking part in The Gentlewoman events sign-up to The Gentlewoman Club. There’s a guide for the London tour we took in the latest issue of The Gentlewoman.
For the last bank holiday of the year we headed up to Lincolnshire for the brilliant wedding of our friends, Helen and Alex. (Alex, by the way, runs pop-ups in London and his food is always outstanding.) It was a pretty indulgent weekend and neither of us could face heading back into London on the bank holiday Monday, only to get stuck in traffic for hours, so we decided to take a detour to Oxfordshire and spend the night there, returning to the city early in the morning. And boy was it a good idea, the moment we arrived at Mr Hanbury’s Mason Arms we both felt that we’d made the right decision. Set in the Oxfordshire countryside, the country pub, restaurant and hotel is part of the small but perfectly formed Artist Residence boutique hotel group. It’s a beautiful thatched building that, from the outside, appears quite normal, except for the two fibreglass penguins that greet you at the entrance. Inside it has been decorated in a quirky yet incredibly comfortable way. The first thing you notice is the cool artwork that lines many of the walls. There are cosy nooks by fireplaces for cold days, and a lovely garden and courtyard for the warmer ones.
We arrived at lunchtime and, after a quick game of ping pong in the garden, sat down to share a bowl of mussels and the best Ploughman’s I’ve ever eaten! The food here is really good, in less than 24 hours we managed to eat three meals (lunch, dinner and breakfast) so I feel well-qualified to state this. Some of the ingredients are grown on-site, some are foraged and others are locally sourced. Tops marks to their head chef, Leon Smith for a creative menu that still has all your pub favourites.
The most incredible thing about our stay was our room. We were in the Farmhouse Loft (room 2) towards the back of the building. It has a high pitched ceiling and windows on two sides which gives it a light, airy feel. The style of the room is kind of cosy minimalism with vintage finds, warm wood accents, soft textiles, and (of course) quirky artwork. The well stocked ‘mini-bar’ has lots of yummy treats and there’s a great selection of magazines. We both slept so well in the large bed, so much so I didn’t want to get out of it but my anguish was soon eased by the shower, the large head drenches you and is somehow both gentle and powerful at the same time, by far the best I’ve experienced. The Victorian style roll-top bath had seduced me the night before, by the way. The bathroom isn’t large but everything is well positioned. The big fluffy towels, dressing-gowns and an abundance of organic Bramley products to use during our stay made it feel luxurious.
There’s a lovely story behind how Artist Residence began and what inspired its name. Back in 2006, Justin Salisbury dropped out of university to help with the running of his family’s B&B on the Brighton seafront. His mum had been badly injured and Justin stepped up and took over. The guest house was in a bad state and he had to come up with a clever way to re-invigorate the place without a budget. A little like the Colombe d’Or, Justin reached out to the Brighton art scene, he offered them board in exchange for decorating the rooms. It didn’t immediately take-off and it took a visit from Alex Polizzi to put Justin on the right track. He’s since been joined by his now wife, Charlie, whom he met at university before leaving. Fast forward to 2017 and they have places in Brighton, Cornwall, Pimlico, and most recently, Oxfordshire.
As you may have noticed from my Instagram and some of my recent posts, I’m starting to travel much more regularly now. This summer I’ve been to Portugal, France, Croatia and Italy, and soon I’m off to Denmark and Spain. Travel is something I’ve always enjoyed and I made the decision earlier this year that I wanted to make it a priority in my life, as it has such a positive affect on me. I’m going to continue to share my trips here on my blog and my social media, and will do my best to inspire you with some beautiful places.
I don’t think it will be long before I’m travelling out of season and I know it’s going to be much harder to find suitable clothing. All is not lost, however, as in the last few years there have been some great resort wear brands popping up. Resort wear brands specialise in clothing, footwear and accessories for hot weather. In keeping their offering small they are able to focus on creating a well made, functional product. And another benefit is that they are available throughout the year, not just in spring and summer.
Caroline Constas is one of the new breed of resort wear brands I’m referring to. Caroline is a Canadian designer based in New York and surprise, surprise she loves to travel. Recently, I discovered their core offering which includes their Signature Cambridge Stripe collection – pretty tops and dresses in classic blue and white stripes, they specialise in off-the-shoulder tops and shirt dresses. They are incredibly well made, in a light twill cotton that holds its shape.
We photographed this look whilst away in Croatia in the little town we stayed in, Sveti Lovreč. There were lots of old buildings in pretty pastel colours, some with crumbling walls and a few derelict ones with hidden wild gardens that had sprouted up inside their walls.
The little village of Bale in Croatia was definitely one of my favourites out of all we visited in Istria. It’s not a hilltop town in the Tuscan sense but it was built on slightly higher ground than the land surrounding it. Small pretty cobbled streets seem to wind in all directions and the walls of the buildings have that beautiful disheveled look that you find in the Mediterranean. There are a few little cafés, restaurants and konoba (tavernas). The central part of the town is much older and centres around a big old church.
We visited for lunch one day when passing through and then returned for dinner a couple of days later. We had a lovely three course meal in the pretty little courtyard of the Hotel La Grisa. We didn’t stay but the hotel has some simple but nice rooms and apartments.
Good design should be at the heart of every interior design project, and the whole of this Stockholm apartment lives and breathes it. Living here would be just so easy. Not to mention, there’s a hotel attached that offers cleaning and laundry services, room service, a rooftop bar and a gym. The apartment is on the 16th floor of a block in the Norrmalm district of Stockholm, with stunning views over the city.
It’s the slick well-considered design that I’m most impressed with. Good quality materials have been used throughout. Industrial glass walls allow light to travel through the apartment, creating a bright space. The beautiful Carrara marble in the bathroom is one of my favourite materials and has been used to great effect. The lovely wooden floors have been finished seamlessly. The built-in storage has a Mid-Century feel which compliments the collection of assorted contemporary furniture designs. There’s also a great selection of artwork, books, decorative details, textiles and lighting throughout that give the potentially cold space a relaxed, lived-in feel; including all those gorgeous Louis Poulsen lamps.
I love open-plan living as it creates a sociable space, you can be cooking in the kitchen and still chat with your guests. The glass walls cleverly partition each area without building barriers. Although I’m not too sure how I would feel having my bedroom on display to my guests whilst entertaining, maybe with all that storage it would be presentable.
I found this beautiful apartment for sale on ESNY.
With autumn just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about my wardrobe for the new season and what’s missing. I’m sharing a few brands you might not have heard of before and also some of the trends I think would suit my style.
Autumn Wish List
1. Alighieri No Lie Hoop Earrings in Gold-Plated Brass | 2. Anine Bing Madeleine Plaid Blazer | 3. Chinti & Parker Heart Aran Cashmere Blend Sweater in Red | 4. Re/Done Originals Distressed Denim Mini Skirt | 5. Cuyana Saddle Bag in Black | 6. Mango Slingback Shoes in Black
I’ve known Rosh from Alighieri for a few years, we met rather randomly at an exhibition at The Photographer’s Gallery in London. She’s so lovely and incredibly eloquent. Her collections are all inspired by Dante Alighieri’s ‘Divine Comedy’ which she studied whilst reading French and Italian at Oxford University. She describes the pieces as modern heirlooms, and they do have a timeless quality. It’s worth taking a look at her site even if it’s just to admire the beautiful photography.
If you haven’t heard of Anine Bing, where have you been? The Danish blogger and fashion empire owner has all your timeless wardrobe essentials covered. They’re a bit pricey but worth the investment, I think. The brand is well-known for its pretty lace bralettes but it’s their check blazer that I have my eye on this season. We’re going to be seeing check blazers everywhere, DAKS and Calvin Klein have some beautiful examples in their collections but this is one of my favourites.
Another firm trend for AW17 is red; red sweaters, red coats, red boots, red hoodies; RED IS BIG NEWS! I’m not one to jump on a bandwagon but I’m actually quite fond of red and have found a lovely sweater from one of my favourite British knitwear brands, Chinti & Parker. An Aran sweater is a wardrobe classic but the subtle heart pattern gives it a modern feel. It’s a cashmere blend so will be super soft, too.
I’m sure it hasn’t gone unnoticed that I love a denim skirt! I’m also a big fan of RE/DONE, they take vintage Levi’s jeans, unpick the seams and then remake them in the most gorgeous modern fits. There are many ways to be sustainable and this way of using vintage denim definitely ticks a box for me. They’re not the cheapest jeans you’ll find on the market but there are a few discount codes to be found online.
Cuyana is an American fashion brand that shares a lot of my values, they specialise in creating timeless, premium essentials. Their designs are simple and classic, focusing on quality and craftsmanship. Their Saddle bags are made in Italy and are perfect as an everyday bag, a decent size but minimal in design.
All summer I’ve been looking for a good pair of sling-backs, ones that don’t have a kitten heel as I always feel a bit stumpy in them. Mango have come through with these elegant pumps that will go perfectly with my vintage Levi’s and ME+EM Tux Trousers. This is definitely a look I’ll b sharing.
Whilst in Istria we visited the coastal town of Rovinj. It has a very Italian feel with pretty pastel coloured buildings and a large marina. We sat in one of the many cafés along the waterfront, sipping on coffee and nibbling on croissants, one morning during our trip around Istria. It’s a bustling town in the summer, overwhelmed by tourists but you’ll still find a table at any time of the day.
I would highly recommend a walk around Rovinj’s beautiful old town. It has stunning steep narrow alleyways, lined with buildings that have stood there for centuries. There are archways around every corner and pretty bougainvillea trailing up many of the houses. It’s all pedestrianised but be warned the cobbled streets are hard to walk down as they have been polished by many feet over the years.
I don’t often talk about the negative (I much prefer to focus on the positive) but I’d rather warn you in case you plan to visit, that it’s not somewhere I would return to for dinner. I booked a table in the old town one evening at a restaurant that was, in all honesty, all about the view. I hadn’t checked the reviews and, had I, would have thought twice. The staff were so rude when we got there (unlike the experiences we had throughout the rest of Istria, I hasten to mention) and, to cut a long story short, after being called a liar and having water thrown over me, we didn’t eat there. My experience in another restaurant in Rovinj was not much better. This is a tourist town and being so busy the restaurants seemed to see us for the money we would spend.
I wish we’d had time to visit:
Mediterraneo A chilled little bar/café with a stunning view over the sea and great reviews
Hotel Adriatic A dreamy minimalist hotel with a simple palette of white and grey, with pops of green-gold
Pai Skincare Skincare Gentle Genius Camellia & Bergamot Body Wash with Konjac Sponge* | Pai Skincare Comfrey & Calendula Calming Body Cream*
I once read that your skin is the largest organ of your body. It’s not something I’d really thought about before, always considering the skin to be just the bit that holds all your organs in place. As I learn to take better care of my body it makes sense to consider what it is I’m putting on it, not just on my face. If you use products that contain lots of nasties and are spreading them all over your skin then it’s pretty likely that you’re going to be absorbing a lot of them into your body.
I spend a lot of time researching skincare brands. Friends that I speak to IRL will know that I’m quite passionate about it, especially when I’m talking about a brand that’s organic. My friend Julia from Stylonylon suggested Pai Skincare to me a little while back, she’d met Sarah the founder and was super impressed with their products. (FYI Julia has amazing skin and has done for as long as I’ve known her.) They’re an organic skincare brand that specialise in products for sensitive skin. I admit, it took me a little while to give them a try but I wish it hadn’t. I’ve been using quite a few of their products over the last month and already have a few firm favourites.
I took a couple of Pai Skincare products with me to Croatia, a body wash and body cream. The Pai Skincare Gentle Genius Camellia & Bergamot Body Wash is a little bit different to most as it doesn’t contain Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), a synthetic compound that’s used in a lot of cleaning products (including laundry products). It’s an effective surfactant and foaming agent but it’s also an irritant and pollutant. As Pai Skincare specialise in products for those of us with sensitive skin they’ve chosen not to use it in their body wash. Instead they’ve come up with an ingenious way of creating a foam with the use of a konjac sponge, another product that’s really great for sensitive skin. I have got on so well with this product and have been continuing to use it since returning to London. I’ve also noticed that a little goes a long way with the use of the sponge.
The other product that I took with me was the Pai Skincare Comfrey & Calendula Calming Body Cream. This seemed particularly appropriate as I knew I was going to be in the sun and the calming properties of this cream would be perfect for soothing my skin at the end of the day. I didn’t take aftersun but used this instead. It has quite a thick texture which you need to pat all over to spread it before rubbing in (although I hear they’ve been revising the formula to make it more glossy). Apart from the very irritating mosquito bites I got in Croatia, my skin has been pretty happy.
Libertine-Libertine Logic Shirt Dress in Blue & White | Louise Kragh Hangaround 0401 Ring in Gold | Louise Kragh Hangaround 0402 Ring in Gold | Matthew Calvin Meteorite Ring in Rose Gold | Good Life London Eros Pendant in Gold
This is the third and final look from my AIDA Shoreditch Style Edit. You can see the first look here and second here. Once again I’m in blue and white, maintaining the theme of the shoot. For this look I picked out a cotton shirt dress from Libertine-Libertine. They’re another Danish brand that I’ve known about for a little while but have yet to feature, until now. Their summer collection spans from bold prints in bright colours to plain fabrics in muted shades, with lots of classic cuts. The styling of the collection is stunning and an education in how you can wear bold prints whilst not feeling too obvious. It’s certainly tempting me to be a bit bolder with my choices, although I think I’ll always prefer a more minimal look. Most people assume that because my style is minimal I never wear bright colours or bold prints but I do. I think it’s really about how you style your clothes, I’d always tone down everything else I’m wearing, hence the need for such great basics in my wardrobe.
A huge thank you to Rowan for inviting me to collaborate with AIDA on this project. It’s always lovely to do something a bit different and I loved taking a step away from my usual photographic style to create something unique for their site with her. I would love to know what you think about my Style Edit and whether you think I should take part in more shoots like this.
This post was created in collaboration with AIDA Shoreditch.
Mads Nørgaard Boutique Sudina Stripe Shirt | Wåven Fenn Flare Jeans in White | Veja Nautico Pekin V-10 Leather Trainers | Finlay & Co. Arlington Sunglasses in Pink Marble | Louise Kragh Hangaround 0401 Ring in Gold | Louise Kragh Hangaround 0402 Ring in Gold | Matthew Calvin Meteorite Ring in Rose Gold
For the second look for my AIDA Shoreditch Style Edit I went for quite a classic look with a modern twist. White jeans are a summer perennial and if not worn with more white, look great with a stripe. This high-waisted, flared cut is a lot more flattering than the fit of most white jeans I’ve tried. They’re from Wåven, a British brand I’ve featured before but never their jeans. (I have a denim jacket from their menswear collection that gets a lot of use.) I have to wonder why when the fit is actually really good. I definitely need to try a few more styles.
Stripes always look great with white denim but instead of a classic Breton I went for a beautiful shirt from Mads Nørgaard, a Danish brand who know quite a lot about stripes. In Denmark everyone knows them and more than likely owns one of their long-sleeve stripe t-shirts (they’ve been making them for years). The shirt was my favourite piece from the shoot and actually came home with me. It’s a really soft cotton that feels floaty yet structured.
Veja are a French trainer brand that have been on my radar for sometime but through no fault of their own have never quite made it into my wardrobe. Something that I need to change. I love the retro style of this pair with the red and blue details, and off-white sole. They are pretty comfortable, too. Aside from the obvious they have some great green credentials. They believe in fairtrade, the use of organic materials, reducing CO2 emissions and work with many initiatives to do things in a more sustainable way. For more information take a look at their Project page.
Finlay & Co. are the British sunglasses brand that first came to everyone’s attention with their wooden sunglasses. They still work with natural hardwoods but also Mazzucchelli acetate now. I don’t often wear pale frames because they usually make my eyes look small but these frames are large enough not to.
Rakha Organic Double Layered Blouse in White | Levi’s Made & Crafted Slouchy Taper Jeans in Bay Blue | Sol Sana Parker Mules in Black | Good Life London London Eros Pendant in Gold | Louise Kragh Hangaround 0401 Ring in Gold | Louise Kragh Hangaround 0402 Ring in Gold | Matthew Calvin Meteorite Ring in Rose Gold
I’m super excited to share with you my first look from my AIDA Shoreditch Style Edit. I’ve known the lovely team at Aida for a little while now, we met over a delicious hot chocolate with rum a couple of years ago when they did an in-store event with my mate Lindsey from Ropes of Holland. If you live in East London you’ll have probably been in to their gorgeous shop or café. It’s full of Scandinavian and Scandi-inspired brands (the dream) that are beautifully displayed throughout the store, alongside lovely ceramics, inspiring books and magazines, and other homewares. There’s also a men’s section downstairs.
I stuck with my favourite palette of white and blue for the shoot, including some stripes of course. It was great to be introduced to some new brands like Rakha (I’m wearing their organic cotton blouse in this outfit); they’re a London based fashion brand whose clothes are made with ethically sourced, sustainable materials. Louise Kragh is a very affordable Danish jewellery brand, I’m wearing a couple of their rings alongside the Meteorite ring which I made with Matthew Calvin recently (more on that soon).
I find it hard to actually take a break; owning a blog is like owning any small business, there’s always something that needs doing, emails keep flooding in and things can’t stop just because I need to. I’m away with my husband’s family in Croatia and the last thing I want to do is lock myself away in the dark to answer emails, write and edit all day (if you’ve tried doing any of these in the sun, you’ll know it’s impossible anyway). This is my time to sit by the pool, read my new Kindle and absorb as much vitamin D as I can, whilst spending some quality time with Dan and my new family.
My out-of-office is on and although I’m checking my inbox sporadically I won’t be answering anything that is not urgent. I’m also keeping things tidy by deleting all the spam emails so that come my return to London I won’t be inundated with an inbox full of unread emails that will have me running for the hills. Sorry to those of you who are reading this and have just realised that I genuinely will not be replying to you this week but I really do need to take a break.
The only work I have been doing is shooting my outfits and sharing photos of the beautiful towns I’ve been visiting in Istria. This place is extremely beautiful but also extremely hot right now so my shooting time is limited to just an hour in the afternoon as the sun starts to go down and I can bear to wear anything more than a bikini. Dan’s stepped up to the role of photographer and has been helping me capture a few shots before dinner. He’s doing a great job, don’t you think?
Guinot High Protection Sun Oil SPF 50* | Guinot High Protection Sun Spray SPF 30* | Caudalie Anti-Aging Face Suncare SPF 50* | Guinot Very High Protection Sun Cream SPF 50+* | Guinot Newhite Brightening UV Shield SPF 50* | Bumble and Bumble Hairdressers Invisible Oil 250ml | Sachajuan Hair In The Sun* | Davina Mulford Panama Trilby with Beaded Black Band* (Now Closed)
Fortunately, we are far more aware of the need to wear sun protection than ever before. As a teenager I didn’t get it, I thought the only way I would tan would be to wear the lowest SPF, or nothing at all. Add to that, that my mum has never set a good example and still to this day I tell her to wear SPF and she ignores me. I’m now utterly convinced and wish I’d been more vigilant as a teenager. I can now see the damage I’ve done in the past and have been spending more and more time lately looking for ways to reverse the damage. My advice to those of you that are unsure of whether you need to, wear sunscreen! UVA rays cause ageing and wrinkles, whilst UVB rays cause redding and sunburn, they’re also a contributing factor in the development of skin cancer. This is why it’s important to wear broad spectrum sun protection as it will protect you from both.
This holiday I’ve been using some really great SPF products that I would highly recommend. On my body I’ve been using Guinot High Protection Sun Oil SPF 50. It’s a dry oil which means it’s absorbed quickly and you won’t be left feeling like an oil-slicked body builder, instead my skin has been left feeling nicely moisturised. It comes in a spray which is quite handy, a few spritzes all over, a light rub and you’re done. It’s also good for those hard to reach places like your back. It just doesn’t work upside-down. I’ve been covering myself every morning and then topping up throughout the day after a swim or just later on when I feel like I need it. I’ve used half a bottle in one week. And don’t be fooled into thinking that low SPF means you’ll tan quicker, I’ve been using SPF 50 and I’m still going brown, I’ve just not burnt once.
I’ve also been using Guinot High Protection Sun Spray SPF 30 when we head out in the afternoons. I think this is possibly my favourite although I’ve not used it as much due to the lower SPF. It’s a bit like a deodorant can but for sun protection. You can barely tell you’re wearing it and it’s so easy to use. My only concern is that it seems to go down quickly.
On my face I’ve been using two different SPFs by the pool, Caudalie Anti-Aging Face Suncare SPF 50 and Guinot Very High Protection Sun Cream SPF 50+. Both are really good, there’s not much in it. Neither leave your skin greasy or white, and both are quickly absorbed. My skin looks moisturised but not too shiny after using them. Whenever we’ve been out for the day I’ve used the Guinot Newhite Brightening UV Shield SPF 50 (which I wrote about in my last beauty post). It gives a little bit of coverage, evening out skin tone so I feel like I’m not completely bare skinned; I’m not a fan of wearing make-up in the heat.
I’ve been using a couple of hair protectors. I recently started using Bumble and Bumble Hairdressers Invisible Oil – Heat/UV Protective Primer as a heat protector before using my hairdryer or styling tools. I noticed before I came away that it’s also a UV protector so it kills two birds with one stone; I love a multi-use product. I’d say it’s a light, pleasant smelling lotion rather than an oil. It goes on easily with the spray and doesn’t leave my hair greasy. The other product I’ve been using and have done for years is Sachajuan Hair In The Sun. You can apply it to wet or dry hair, I usually use it as a styling product to tame my hair in the evening after I’ve washed and dried it. So again, it’s a great two in one product.
And finally, I’ve been wearing this classic Panama from Davina Mulford! You might have seen it in a few of my photos on Instagram.
Vitamin C (AKA ascorbic acid) is nature’s miracle skin brightener, firmer and smoother. It’s a fantastic anti-oxidant that fights the effects of free-radicals that cause ageing and photo-damage, like hyperpigmentation. It’s also a key component in the production of collagen, the protein that holds skin together and gives it a firm smooth feel. It’s not a new discovery but for me, as I notice the affects of UV light and the ageing process on my skin, it’s become a key ingredient in the products I use.
Guinot uses vitamin C and melanoxyl (which slows down melanin production) in their Newhite range. It’s a line specifically aimed at people with uneven skin tone and/or hyperpigmentation. I’ve been trying out their Perfect Brightening Cleansing Oil, Vitamin C Brightening Serum and Brightening UV Shield SPF50. I got on very well with all the products and noticed that my skin was brighter quite quickly but I was especially fond of the UV Shield. It’s a white cream with tiny grey specks that once warmed in my hands adapts to my skin tone. It gives quite good coverage so I’ve been wearing it with just a slick of mascara on days when I’m at home or just popping to the shops. I really love a good multi-use product.
I used to wear SPF every day as it was in a lot of the products I used, until I changed a few and failed to notice that I was no longer covered. I’ve now gone back to using SPF religiously, again. It’s really important to use a high SPF when you’re trying to tackle uneven skin tone or hyperpigmentation. Melanocyte cells in the skin produce melanin in the skin when triggered by UV light. When your skin is exposed to it, even the dark spots that have previously faded will go darker again, unless you are constantly protecting your skin.
The Perfect Brightening Cleansing Oil is a thin oil, that goes on and spreads easily. We’re always told that opposites attract but that’s not always the case. The oil in this cleansing oil mixes with the oils in your skin, and then, once mixed with water, forms an emulsion which is easily removed. It’s a gentle way of cleansing the skin and removing make-up without stripping it.
Guinot’s Vitamin C Brightening Serum is a lightweight serum that is quickly absorbed. It comes in a small pump with a separate vial of pure vitamin C powder. When you are ready to start using the serum, you break the seal on the vial and pour the powder into the serum, shake it vigorously and then start to use. The vitamin C comes separately so that it stays as active as possible. Ideally you want to use the serum over a period of 14 days, this is when it is most active and will have the greatest effect.
Remember to use the Brightening UV Shield SPF50 after everything else, as your skin will be more sensitive to UV damage.
A year ago today we had our wedding in Provence. It was actually our second wedding ceremony, we did the first (legal one) in London’s Chelsea Old Town Hall with our closest family and friends, to make things easy. If you marry in France you have to be in the country for 40 days beforehand. To all intents and purposes the ceremony in France was the main one but of course we’re celebrating both anniversaries this year. With this being the anniversary of our French wedding I thought it was about time I got around to sharing some photos and telling you a bit about the day/weekend.
I was never one to dream of getting married in an old castle, in fact I didn’t really give much thought to how or where I would get married until we started to plan it. All I knew is that I wanted it to feel relaxed and that (with the British weather being so unpredictable) it would take place in a warmer country. Fortunately, Dan and I were very much on the same wavelength and it was Dan who suggested the south of France. When I was growing up I spent quite a few summers there and have fond memories. Unlike me, Dan had never been, so it wasn’t somewhere I had expected him to suggest.
We got married in a beautiful chateau in a little village in Provence called Uchaux, it’s just outside Orange. There are some fantastic vineyards nearby (including Châteauneuf-du-Pape), lovely little villages with cobbled streets, fields of lavender and sunflowers, and lots of sunshine. The Chateau de Massillan is a beautiful hotel, mixing old and new in a typically Provençal style. The hotel had recently been carefully restored and renovated with sustainable materials. The chef, Frédéric de Bourlout, is passionate about local, organic ingredients and creates the most delicious seasonal dishes. Food was always going to be an important part of our wedding, my husband has worked as a chef for many years and although he spends more time overseeing the cooking these days he is still passionate about good food. Our wine came from the neighbouring vineyard, Dionysos, and many of our guest went wine tasting the morning before our ceremony.
We took over the whole chateau for our wedding with three days of celebrations, a barbecue on the first night so that those that hadn’t met before could get to know each other and others could catch up, the wedding day and a brunch on the third day so we could spend as much time with our guests as possible. We only had a small wedding of around 50 guests but it’s still hard to spend time with everyone. I was told that the actual day would whizz by and it really did but not so fast that I didn’t manage to take it in.
We didn’t get married until the afternoon when it was a little cooler but somehow the morning vanished quickly. It was stressful at times as I had organised everything and was the only one that knew what was supposed to happen when and how. I’m a bit of a control freak and found it difficult to hand anything over to anyone else, just in case they misunderstood me and got it wrong. Big mistake!! I would recommend you have at least one person that knows everything you have in mind and trust them. I felt anxious and excited in the morning and as the hairdresser did everyone else’s hair I had a bath to chill out. I did my own make-up, using these products.
The big moment rolled around fast and suddenly my dad was walking me up the aisle. We had our ceremony under the cool canopy of some huge old trees, with a stunning arch of green foliage and white roses. Our priest, an Englishman living in France, was a complete diva and said so many things we had agreed he wouldn’t, he even got the story of Jesus wrong. At the time we were gobsmacked but looking back we’re able to laugh about it. He tied our left hands together as part of a blessing and forgot to untie them. He started the string quartet off before my friend had done the last reading and instead of standing behind the arch, stood in front of me, blocking our guests (and photographer) from seeing me. But nothing could take the smile off my face. As we walked back down the aisle together it felt so magical, and right.
After canapés, hugs and champagne; we ran off to have some photos taken, before rejoining the party in the courtyard of the chateau for our wedding breakfast. Our tables were arranged in a horseshoe shape which made it easy for us to look around and take in all our friends laughing and enjoying each others company over dinner. The speeches took place in-between courses and were all incredible, I just wish we had filmed them. Dan gave the most beautiful speech and even had a few of our male friends with tears in their eyes. One of the most special moments was just after our first dance when we encouraged lots of other couples to join us for a dance. Looking around I could see and feel so much love from everyone. The rest of the night was spent dancing and drinking, somehow we stayed up til 3.30am!
Special thanks to our florist, Blandine, who was not only an exceptional florist creating stunning white and green bouquets and decorations but one of the kindest people we met during the planning of our wedding.
I did a little Q&A with Charlie Brear for their #FridayBride section, which you can find here.
Star Mela Veri Emb Top in Mustard* | Levi’s501 (Vintage) Jeans | Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Ox Plimsolls in White | Ace & Tate Heather Sunglasses in Latte* | Felice Dahl Första Cuff Bracelet in Gold* | Mantra Strength Necklace & Lotus Charm in Gold*
I’ve escaped the city to stay with friends in the French countryside. Montmelard where they live, is a small commune in Saône-et-Loire, about half an hour from Mâcon. As I write this I am surrounded by fields of Charolais cows and a menagerie of animals that my friends own, including two cats, a dog and two horses. It’s heavenly here even if the weather has been a bit on and off. I’ve started each day with a long walk in the forest with my school friend Hat (we met over fifteen years ago) and their dog Blanche. After working up an appetite we enjoy coffee, croissants and freshly laid eggs from their two chickens back at their house. The clean air and fresh food have been working wonders for me, and I feel much more energised since arriving.
I really felt the need to get away from London for a little while and seeing my friends was such a great excuse. Travelling really helps me stay creative and inspired. I love to discover new places, try new foods and generally experience a different way of life. It all contributes to finding out what suits me and makes me genuinely happy. I’ve been experiencing a much simpler way of life here, that doesn’t mean quieter, my days have been full. I’ve visited brocantes, on the hunt for pieces for my friends to resell, I’ve run around after their beautiful children, cooked meals with them, visited local markets, and generally embraced the slow internet connection. It’s reminded me that constantly checking my emails and Instagram account is not essential, life goes on and you don’t miss out if you only check them once or twice a day.
I brought this beautifully embroidered peasant top from Star Mela along with me. It seemed so appropriate as the brand’s owners Amanda and Kirstine are also inspired by travel and develop their collections with the idea of being able to throw a few pieces in a bag at a moment’s notice and still look good wherever you may go. I’ve found that it has worked really well out here, it’s a soft, lightweight cotton that is comfortable in the heat as well as later in the day when it’s not as warm. I love to add a bit of boho to my style in the summer, and wearing it with my Levi’s and Converse it still feels very me. It’s a warm mustard yellow which is something I’ve not tried before but have seen a lot in shops since Chloé featured a similar shade in their Spring/Summer collection back in 2015. It felt a bit daring at first but is actually quite easy to wear.
This post was created in collaboration with Nest.co.uk.
HAY DLM Side Table in Grey* | Normann Copenhagen Moon Tray in Black* | HAY Tray* | HAY Paper Porcelain Coffee Cup* | Wood/Grey Striped Pom Pom Cushion* | Happy + Co Bondi Cushion* | Muuto Restore Storage Basket*
It’s really important to me to feel relaxed when I step through the door to my home. I love London but it’s a chaotic city that (most of the time) is far from chilled, it’s fun and inspiring but rarely chilled. When I get home I want to quickly and easily let go of the tension and stress that I often feel after a day spent in the city. Whether that’s due to taking the tube during rush hour, navigating tourists or just avoiding those annoying people that stare at their phone whilst wiggling/walking down the street. (Yes, I’m guilty too but I like to think I’m a little more aware of what’s going on around me.) Luckily I can avoid a lot of these stress inducing situations most of the time, a huge benefit of working for myself but it still happens as I have regular meetings to get to throughout the week.
We know it’s important to eat well and exercise regularly but how often do you consider how your environment affects wellness?
Stress affects us all in one way or another and although new studies show that it’s your approach to stress that determines whether it’s detrimental to your health or not, I try to reduce it in my life where possible. We’ve all become far more aware of the need for wellness than ever before. It’s mentioned daily in the press, their are blogs dedicated to it and new businesses popping up daily. We know it’s important to eat well and exercise regularly but how often do you consider how your environment affects wellness? A simple space with easy, neutral colours can help calm a busy mind. Whilst cluttered spaces give the eye so much to take in and can excite the mind.
A home should be somewhere you feel happy, somewhere you want to invite and entertain your friends and family. It should inspire you and help you to relax, in equal measures. The way you decorate your home can have the biggest affect on the way you feel in it. It’s important to decorate it in a way that creates a positive space for you to live in. For me that’s a fairly stripped back but comfortable environment. I’m drawn to Scandinavian design; I find the combination of clean spaces, neutral colours and soft textures relaxing. The Scandinavians will often bring the outside in, connecting themselves to nature, bringing them closer to the quiet countryside whilst living in a busy city. It’s this balance that I crave and one of the many reasons why I’m (not so secretly) a Scandiphile. I have lots of plants, wool rugs and throws, and real wood floors and furniture around me. To keep it feeling clean and minimal and not too country I mix in contemporary designs from Scandinavian designers like Normann Copenhagen, HAY and Muuto.
I know it’s easier said than done to keep your place decluttered. Try giving yourself 10 minutes every day to go through anything that stacks up. Also, be clever with your storage, having a home for everything will make it so much easier to keep your place tidy.
Every now and again I come across a house that’s been so beautifully designed that I want to move in immediately; this is definitely one of them. Unfortunately, it’s in Sweden and is already inhabited by the owners of Artilleriet, Christian and Bjorn. Artilleriet is an incredibly well curated homeware website with two shops in Gothenburg. Like their shops, their home is an eclectic mix of classic design, both old and new, blended to create a warm, welcoming space. It’s exactly how I see my own home in years to come. The palette is neutral which I’ve found really helps when it comes to combining old and new design. Everything seems to have its place but it doesn’t feel so contrived that if you pick something up you’ll disrupt the whole look; it’s all very liveable.
Although we don’t have nearly as much space as these guys there are a lot of similarities between their house and ours. They’re both old buildings which have been lovingly taken care of and we have a lot of similar pieces of furniture and decorative homewares. I wish we had their bathroom though, how incredible is the wooden sink stand that looks like it was once a regular sideboard? We don’t have such a large collection of chopping boards but we’re definitely headed that way. And that bowl on their dining room table looks remarkably like our fruit bowl. There are lots of things that I could point out but I’m sure in time you’ll be able to spot things as I share more of my home. If, one day, our home looks like this I’ll be very happy.
The White Company Three Quarter Sleeve Linen Blouse in White* | Sandro Veinarde Leather Biker Jacket in Black | Levi’s 501 (Vintage) Jeans | G.H. Bass & Co. Weejuns Penny Loafers in Black* | Ace & TateSuzy Sunglasses in Bio Black* | Finery London Flora Fan Peel Earrings* | 88&Cloudless Joy Mini-Star Necklace in Solid 9ct Gold* | Merci Maman Personalised Flat Bangle in Gold* | Straw Bag (Bought In France)
It probably became clear some time ago that I’m always in denim. It’s one of those fabrics that’s never out of fashion, it’s unisex and crosses classes. It’s a leveller, and that suits me down to the ground. I don’t choose to stand out so it’s quite strange to have ended up as a blogger, sharing my style on a regular basis. I’m not the stereotypical loud, centre of attention kind of person that bloggers are perceived to be (and I’ve met many others who aren’t either). Even when I speak normally I’m softly spoken, I really have to project my voice to be heard.
“…finding my comfort zone has actually given me the confidence to experiment more with my style.”
I would never describe myself as glamorous. I don’t feel comfortable with hairspray in my hair, let alone when it’s styled. I feel overwhelmed by make-up, if I wear a lot it seems to wear me, which is why I stick with a natural look. And, I like to wear simple clothes with subtle details, it’s what I feel most comfortable in. That’s not to say I don’t wear dresses or that I don’t dress up for special occasions, I do, but just not in the same way others might do.
Being comfortable has always been an important factor in what I wear, not just physically but emotionally, too. I hate dress codes, I often don’t conform because they usually make me feel more conspicuous. And who likes being told what to wear anyway?
Believe it or not, finding my comfort zone has actually given me the confidence to experiment more with my style. I love to elevate the ordinary, taking my simple style and adding in a detail that changes things up. At the moment, I love adding a pair of statement earrings or a small splash of red. I’m actually thinking about trying a red lip on occasion. There’s one that MAC do, I think it’s ‘Dangerous’ that’s not too red and I reckon I might be able to carry off without feeling like everyone is staring at my lips.
I’m always going to love the classic, timeless styles and quality wardrobe investments but there’s nothing wrong with trying something new sometimes. Stay tuned for more denim and, occasionally, something a little bit different.
I admit black may not be your colour of choice when it comes to what to wear on a hot summer day but come the evening, when the temperature drops a little and the sun’s rays no longer penetrate, it’s perfect. And if you have a golden tan then all the better for showing it off.
This loose fitting black silk dress feels amazing on, it’s soft on the skin, floaty and hangs really nicely. I knew from the moment that I first tried it on that I had to have it. It’s another piece in my growing collection of wardrobe essentials from The White Company. I’ve been so impressed with their collection this season and it’s been hard not to go in and buy up half the shop. I can see myself wearing this dress beyond summer and into next season, with the addition of a long sleeved t-shirt or jumper it may even make it into winter.
