collaboration Archives - Style&Minimalism

Could You Live With Less?

This post was created in collaboration with Habitat.

When people talk about ‘less is more’ they’re probably not suggesting you sell all your prized possessions and live in an empty white box. It’s a phrase that was first used in design by the architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and he explained it as having ‘the greatest effect with the least means’.

1. TALIA White Bench | 2. LYSS Smoked Glass Table Lamp (no longer available) | 3. SUEDA Nude Pink Suede Cushion (no longer available) | 4. MERCO Black & White Ceramic Vase (no longer available) | 5. VIVA Glass Teapot with Infuser (no longer available) | 6. YVES Black Floor Lamp with Black Shade (no longer available) | 7. DEACON Blue Faceted Bowl (no longer available) | 8. VIVA Set of 2 Double Walled Glass Cups (no longer available) | 9. LYLE Charcoal Fabric 3 Seater Sofa

For me, it’s about buying only the things we really need and appreciate, whether that be aesthetically or functionally (or both, whenever possible); and getting rid of those we don’t. We currently live in a society in which we show our wealth with excess and I think it’s about time we took stock and realised that this nonsensical approach might not be the greatest one. It’s not only damaging to the environment but nurtures an anxiety in us to keep proving our success through larger, grander purchases. I’m not suggesting you stop working towards a better future for yourself. Just consider how you spend those well-earned pounds and pennies. Think about whether the next item you buy is going to make you happy today or for years to come. Will you still want to live with it in six months time? I’ve found that spending my money on items I really love and surrounding myself with these things makes me feel good in a way I never expected. You’ll also find that you save money, as you won’t feel the need to replace things so often because you’ll still enjoy both using and seeing them in your home.

Getting to grips with your personal tastes can be beneficial in determining what really brings you joy in your home. Go out and spend time soaking up the atmosphere and decoration in your favourite cafés, restaurants and hotels. Pick up a few interiors magazines next time you’re passing a newsstand or scour your local bookshop for interior design books, and sit with a cup of coffee and savour the pages. Pinterest boards are also an incredible way to build up a picture of what excites you. By discovering and determining the style that you love most you’ll make much better buying decisions. You’ll also find that the things you buy sit well together.

Over the last few years I’ve discovered that I’m drawn to a fairly minimalist aesthetic, functional pieces that have been made with great consideration for material and construction. They are quietly confident pieces that need no fanfare. I’m no longer distracted by what’s trending and know what suits me and my style. When I shop I look for pieces that will have a function in my home and I’ll have a spot in mind for them before I actually make a purchase. If you’re not sure, use the wish list function on your favourite website to curate a collection of items that you think might work. Then come back to them in a week or a fortnight when you’ve really given them some consideration.

It’s quite common to stop noticing the items we decorate our homes with, even the ones we spent hours debating over buying. We get them home, find the perfect place for them and then after a few months become quite used to them, to the point where we stop acknowledging them in the same way we once did. It’s not that you like them any less, they’ve just become part of the furniture (excuse the pun). Every couple of months have a rejig, move plants and prints around the house, change the books on your coffee table, try out a different configuration of your furniture. And if there are pieces in your home that you’ve completely tired of, get rid of them, either by selling them or giving them away to charity.

Christmas Gifts For Mums with Caudalie

This post was created in collaboration with Caudalie.

**Caudalie** Jason Wu Limited Edition Beauty Elixir

Caudalie is a great French beauty brand that use natural and environmentally-friendly ingredients. They source their vine and grape extracts (key ingredients in a lot of their products) from the vineyards of Bordeaux, Champagne and Burgundy.

The research that has gone into developing each product and sourcing ingredients is astounding. Grape-seed Polyphenols are reputed to be the most powerful anti-oxidant in the plant world and Vine Resveratrol, from grapevine stalks, intensifies the firmness and youthfulness of the skin. All their products are free from parabens, phenoxyethanol, mineral oils, paraffin, sodium laureth sulfate, phthalates and animal-derived raw materials.

I first came across Caudalie about three years ago. I was looking for Christmas gifts for my mum and she always like to be given beauty products. I’d already found her a few bits and pieces but felt I needed just one more gift. I spotted a handbag-sized bottle of Caudalie’s Beauty Elixir on the shelf of Space NK and bought two (one for her and one for me). It’s a fine mist that you spritz on your face throughout the day, it wakes up the skin and gives it a quick hit of moisture. It’s perfect for your desk or make-up bag. I’ve heard it’s used by lots of make-up artists for setting make-up.

This year my mum will be receiving some lovely Christmas gifts from Caudalie. The Vine Body Gift Set (which combines Vine Body Butter, Hand & Nail Cream, and a Lip Conditioner) should keep her feeling nourished all over. She’ll also be receiving an exclusive new limited edition bottle of their Beauty Elixir that’s been designed by Jason Wu. They have a few more gift sets that would all make lovely presents so if you’re stuck for an idea, you’ll easily find some nice gifts for friends and family on their website.

Timeless Originals with Barbour

This post was created in collaboration with Barbour.

**Barbour** Baffle Wax Jacket* | **Barbour** Stratus X-Back Crew Neck Sweater* | **H&M** Silk Camisole | **Paige** Miki Straight-Leg Jeans in Keiran Destructed* | **Seven Boot Lane** Honey Ankle Boots in Black* | **Saint James** Marine Cap | **Ace & Tate** x **It’s Nice That** Sunglasses* | **Felice Dahl** Första Ring in Gold*

Barbour is a brand I’ve grown up with, it’s flitted in and out of my life for as long as I can remember. First it was the boys at school who wore the classic Bedale over blazers in the winter. Then, I remember the way the smell of wax would emanate off my dad’s jacket when he came to support me at lacrosse games every weekend in the winter. And when I was at university my friend Oli wore a Barbour on-stage as he performed with his band.

A Barbour jacket is one of those pieces I’ve always thought I would own at some point. I remember searching high and low for a vintage Barbour just as Alexa Chung made them popular again in 2011 but struggled to find one anywhere.

It was an exciting day for me when last week I received a beautiful invitation from Barbour asking me to join them at their London showroom. Their menswear team had designed a new collection for women, ‘Timeless Originals‘. The men’s Bedale has been so popular with women for so long that they decided to design a coat for women that merged the tailored cut across the shoulders of the women’s Beadnell with the less fitted shape of the men’s Bedale. The result is the Rain Bedale Wax Jacket. It’s tailored across the shoulder, has an a-line cut and a slightly cropped sleeve which reveals a longer ribbed cuff. The ‘Timeless Originals’ collection is made-up of iconic styles, redesigned with today’s needs and style in mind. It includes a collection of complimentary knitwear, trousers and shirts with two drops, one in autumn, entitled ‘Raindrop’, and another in winter, entitled ‘Snowdrop’.

The Baffle Wax Jacket is the most minimal design in the collection, a black waxed longline puffer jacket that, again, fits well across the shoulder. It’s the most on-trend jacket they’ve created for the collection. Puffers were big on the catwalk for AW16, featuring in many collections including those of Balenciaga, Stella McCartney, Courrèges, and Marques’Almeida.

I had a wonderful afternoon with the Barbour team, shooting this look with Giles Smith, drinking hot chocolate in the showroom, and learning calligraphy in a private lesson with the talented calligrapher Lucy Edmonds, who founded Quill London.

Need To Know Places In Marylebone

This post was created in collaboration with Jaeger.

**Jaeger** Wool Wrap Coat in Black* | **Jaeger** Cashmere Slouchy Sweater in Charcoal* | **Jaeger** Wool Cigarette Trousers* | **Jaeger** Mini Oxford Cross-Body Bag in Black* | **Whistles** Cornel Suede Pointed Pumps in Nude | **Susan Caplan** Asymmetrical Ori Earrings in 18ct Gold Vermeil* | **Felice Dahl** Första Ring in Gold*

In the last year, I’ve spent a lot more time in Marylebone, an area of London I had previously thought of as north of Oxford Street and home to Madame Tussauds. That was until we had brunch at The Providores (the Turkish eggs are incredible) for Dan’s birthday and I discovered that there’s a whole lot more to the area. It has the feel of a town high street, yet it’s in Central London. There are lots of nice cafés and restaurants, as well as some great shops, including Jaeger who recently opened a beautiful new store on the main road, Marylebone High Street. I thought I’d share a few of my favourites with you.

Shops in Marylebone

FASHION
Jaeger 12 Marylebone High Street
L.K.Bennett 94 Marylebone High Street
Loft Designs By 36 Marylebone High Street
Sandro 6 Marylebone High Street
Theory 1 Marylebone High Street
Whistles 1 Thayer Street

BEAUTY
Aesop 69 Marylebone High Street
Space NK 83a Marylebone High Street

HOMEWARE
Skandium 86 Marylebone High Street
The Conran Shop 55 Marylebone High Street

Food & Drink in Marylebone

The Chiltern Firehouse 1 Chiltern Street
The Ivy Café 96 Marylebone Lane
Monocle Café 18 Chiltern Street
Nordic Bakery 48 Dorset Street
Pierre Marcolini 37 Marylebone High Street
The Providores 109 Marylebone High Street (now closed)

Style&Minimalism x Ille De Cocos Part IV

**Ille De Cocos** Merino Roll Neck Rib Sweater in Dark Grey Marl | **Lemaire x UNIQLO** Rayon Wide Leg Trousers in Navy | **Topshop** Herringbone Chambray Shirt in Pale Blue | **PB 0110** Half-Moon Bag in Navy | **Adidas Originals** Stan Smith Trainers | **Jenny Sweetnam** Statement Earring

I’m wearing Ille De Cocos‘ amazing grey roll-neck again but this time with a more casual look, with loose trousers and trainers. Roll-necks are so versatile and an essential in any winter wardrobe. I felt so warm and comfortable in this one. The knit has a springy feel, so whilst it’s chunky and warm, it’s also easy to move around in.

I chose a loose bun for this look so I could show off this incredible statement earring by one of my favourite London jewellery designers Jenny Sweetnam, a very talented lady. Sophia made it look so easy, I always think my hair is so difficult to work with but she said otherwise, so it just goes to show it just takes practise.

As with the other looks from my styling collaboration with Ille de Cocos, you’ll find them on their website.