Not The Cold Shoulder

Baukjen Medina Top in Black* | Paige High-Rise Sarah Straight-Leg Jeans in Sachi* | The White Company Leather Flat Tassel Sandals in Black* | Baia Trio Bag in Dove Grey* | Komono Renee Sunglasses* | Cate & Nelson No. 165 Watch* | Merci Maman Personalised Flat Bangle in Gold* | Felice Dahl Första Ring in Gold* | 88&Cloudless Gold Star Necklace* | Lucy Williams x Missoma Gold Graduated Fang Necklace* | Lines & Current The Bar Earrings in Gold*

Finally, it’s time to show some shoulder, throw on some sandals and sunglasses. Yes, I’m excited that I can leave the house without a coat and not worry that I’ll freeze my butt off 2 hours later.

I’ve been dying to wear this Baukjen top for so long. It’s made from a really light soft cotton jersey and feels wonderful on; it’s not clingy in the slightest. For those of you heading somewhere hot, it’s a good one for rolling up and tucking into your suitcase, it takes up very little room and is perfect for day or night. I can just imagine it with a black floor skimming maxi skirt or printed wrap. But today, I’m wearing it with these Paige straight-leg jeans which I’ve barely taken off since I got them, they’ve been in and out the washing machine non-stop. They’re a similar cut to Levi’s 501s and a similar wash but with none of that crotch bagging that bothers every girl I know. So if you’re looking for a good alternative, these are a good style to try!

I felt like Baia is one of those brands that only those in the know knew about, until recently when Emma Watson got her hands on one of their beautiful bags and suddenly it feels like everyone knows about them. But I like Emma and what she stands for, so I’m not complaining that she’s let the cat out of the bag. They are very special bags, made by hand up in Yorkshire by my friend Susy. She’s incredibly talented and I love every single one of her bags (I own three).

Does anyone else struggle when they first wear new sandals? My feet seem to blister at the slightest little rub BUT this was not the case with these ones from The White Company. It’s unbelievable just how soft and comfortable they are. It’s like walking on velvet and because of the way the straps attach to the back of the heel you don’t get that horrible feeling you get with some that tie around the ankle, when you’ve done them up too tightly and feel like your feet might fall off.

Positive Stripes

Custommade Jasmina Stripe Jacket* | Samsøe & Samsøe Mia Stripe Shirt* | Paige Verdugo Skinny Jeans in Keaton* | Nike Air Max Tavas Trainers | Whistles Leather Shoulder Bag in Grey | Retrosuperfuture Paloma Sunglasses in Matte Black* | Larsson & Jennings Liten Watch c/o Farfetch* | Missoma Engravable Initial Necklace in Gold* | CF Concept Tusk Necklace in Gold | Kristen Elspeth Blade Ring in Gold* | Dinny Hall Signature Large Hoop Earrings in Gold*

I love a bright sunny day in winter, it really perks me up. The air feels fresh and crisp, colours are brighter and my eyes feel like they open wider. These are the days I’m most productive in winter, I jump out of bed ready to go. I spend less time in the shower and I’m out the door quickly.

Clothes can have as much of a positive affect on me and my mood as the weather. This beautiful striped Custommade wrap coat immediately gives me more confidence and I feel so comfortable wearing it.

It’s weird the relationships we have with our clothes. They can make us feel confident and relaxed but equally can make us feel awkward and uncomfortable. There are items we imagine will change our lives if we owned them and others that we already own but don’t realise just how good they make us feel. You find yourself reaching for them every time you get dressed; you know the pieces, the ones you always find in the washing basket whenever you want to wear them. I’m always aiming to build on these pieces in my wardrobe.

I’ve been reading ‘The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying’ by Marie Kondo on and off for the last couple of months (I’m still only halfway through). She suggests asking yourself if an item sparks joy. This really resonates with me; buying, keeping and looking after the pieces that spark joy is what it’s all about.

Best Vintage Shops In London

Belstaff Roadmaster Jacket in Navy Blue (vintage) | Baukjen Thompson Striped Shirt* | Paige Verdugo Skinny Jeans in Black* | Woman by Common Projects Original Achilles Low Trainers in White | Radley De Beauvoir Tote Bag in Black* | UNIQLO Cashmere Scarf in Light Grey | Ace & Tate x It’s Nice That Sunglasses* | Felice Dahl Första Ring in Gold* | Dinny Hall Bijoux Star Stud in Gold* | Dinny Hall Bijou Pentagon Stud Earring in Gold* | Littionary Tiny Dot Stud Earrings in Yellow Gold

I like new clothes as much as the next person but I also love a good vintage find and we’re lucky to have so many great vintage shops in London.

In the summer I picked up this Belstaff Roadmaster wax jacket in one of my favourite haunts in Notting Hill, a little shop that’s been around for years and is a major treasure trove of vintage clothes, shoes and accessories, Retro Woman (there’s a Retro Man a few shops down). It’s one of the few vintage shops where I have to decide which piece I’m going to buy as I stumble out of the changing room, arms laden. Last time I was there I tried on pieces from Joseph, Equipment and Nicole Farhi, all reasonably priced and in good condition. They have a brilliant selection of sunglasses, too.

Goldsmith Vintage is the best place I’ve found in London for vintage Levi’s. It’s pretty much opposite Electric House.


Best Vintage Shops In London


Retro Woman
| 20 Pembridge Road, London W11 3HL
Beyond Retro Soho | 58-59 Great Marlborough Street, London W1F 7JY
Beyond Retro Cheshire Street | 110-112 Cheshire Street, London E2 6EJ
Goldsmith Vintage | 253 Portobello Road, London W11 1LR (great for Levi’s)
Rokit | 42 Shelton Street, London WC2H 9HZ

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.

Less Layers, More Light

Second Female Sao Coat in Grey* | ME+EM Silk Shirt with Piping* | Paige Verdugo Skinny Black Jeans* | MICHAEL Michael Kors Saylor Ankle Boots in Black* | Danielle Foster Charlie Box Bag in Khaki | Jil Sander Sunglasses in Grey) | Missoma Gold Engravable Initial Necklace* | Lucy Williams x Missoma Gold Graduated Fang Necklace* | CF Concept Tusk Necklace in Gold | Gemporia Arezzo D’oro Diamond Gold Ring* | Brandts Jewellery Daisy Ring

I love catching the late afternoon light, it’s my favourite time to shoot, when you’re bathed in a warm glow. It makes both your skin and hair glow.

With the weather improving by the day, I’m slowly peeling off the layers. There are no jumpers in this post, just a beautiful cream silk blouse from ME+EM, under my new oversize grey coat. I’ve been looking for a great pale grey marl coat for a while and I’m so pleased with this one, it’s soft and warm, and just the right length. I love being able to wear less layers come this time of year although six months from now you can guarantee I’ll be getting excited about how to layer things again.

These skinny jeans are a regular in my wardrobe, rain or shine. I’ve had them for ages and though they’re not the velvety black they once were, they’re still by favourite skinny black jeans.

10 Days In Antigua

Second Female Star top | Paige Grant denim shorts
Maje sheer white kimono | Jenny Sweetnam Silver Drop necklace | Jil Sander Wayfarer sunglasses in Havana brown
Hammam towel (bought in Istanbul) | Kite Martino sunglasses | Designers Remix Nomi black bikini | Dermalogica UltraCalming Ultra Sensitive Tint SPF30 | Remix Magazine | Paige Grant denim shorts | Sachajuan Hair In The Sun Protector
Pyrus Anoha Salt broderie anglais top | One Teaspoon Bandit denim shorts in Hendrix | Jil Sander Wayfarer sunglasses in Havana brown | Havaianas Slim flip flop in black
Charlie May cream silk top | COS shorts
One Teaspoon Bandit denim shorts in Hendrix
Second Female Star top | Claudie Pierlot Stereo skirt | Jenny Sweetnam Silver Drop necklace | Jil Sander Wayfarer sunglasses in Havana brown
Paige Grant denim shorts | Paige Sammy blouse in Alexandria
Ganni stripe bag | Panama | Hammam towel (bought in Istanbul) | Kite Martino sunglasses | Ultrasun Super Sensitive Family Formula SPF30 sunscreen | Dermalogica UltraCalming Ultra Sensitive Tint SPF30 | Happy Plugs Deluxe Edition gold earbuds | Remix Magazine

You might remember that I included Antigua in my Travel Bucket List in January, well we made it and wow, it was amazing. It’s such a beautiful island and the people there are so kind and friendly. As you might expect from a Caribbean island, the vibe is super relaxed and this hits you straightaway. I’ve even brought a little back with me, driving and walking around yesterday I realised I wasn’t in a hurry like I usually am in London; I’m not sure how long this will last but let’s see.

We spent the first couple of days partying with our friends in the lead up to their wedding and then we partied some more to celebrate. The wedding was held at The Carlisle Bay, a luxury resort with tasteful decor, lush surroundings and a gentle breeze off the sea. I was teary eyed throughout the ceremony (I’m awful for this at my friends’ weddings) but pulled myself together soon afterwards. The tipple of the night was a delicious old fashioned rum punch which helped us dance the night away, barefoot in the sand. It was a wedding I won’t forget anytime soon.

Shirley Heights the night after the wedding was worth the crazy 45 minute taxi ride across the island (be warned taxi drivers either drive very slowly or very fast along the hole-ridden roads). We were welcomed with stunning views, steel drums and the smell of the most incredible barbeque.

We stayed at the Cocobay Resort, in a beautiful setting on a small cliff overlooking the sea; surrounded by cacti, banana plants and palms. Our little waterfront cottage had everything we needed, including an outside bath, hammock and plunge pool. Pelicans flew past our balcony just a few metres away and the bright blue sea spread-out wide in front of us.

Both Dan and I are foodies (he’s a classically trained chef) so we insisted on trying a few local delicacies, conch and dumplings, both of which could be found a short walk along the beach from our resort. The conch came in the form of fritters which were served with a sweet tamarind sauce at a beach restaurant called The Nest, they were so good; they also served a mean coconut shrimp. We sampled dumplings (by special request) at Dennis Restaurant. They were served with salt fish and pickled coleslaw; I enjoyed them but wouldn’t be in a hurry to have them again. Whilst we’re talking about food, Sheer Rocks is a must, their coconut fish stew was heavenly.

All photos were taken with my new Olympus PEN E-PL7 which was given to me by Fashiolista and Olympus. I’m genuinely in love with this camera, it’s been so easy to pick up and use. If you’re a blogger, I’d recommend it.

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