Spitalfields Style

Having become so enamoured with Shoreditch during my visit to Wills HQ, I dragged my best friend Nicholas back across to the East on Saturday to do a little more exploring around the local street markets in preparation for 'the big move' taking place in a couple of weeks. 

We started out in our usual style with coffee at the Guardian Cafe on the Shoreditch Boxpark, which also features OnePiece and Nike Running shops among others -  I had to be forcibly prevented from buying the newest addition to the Nike Free collection (I have the 5's and they're an absolute dream!). Usually I'm outrageously picky about my coffee - side effect of working in a coffee shop for three years - but I thoroughly enjoyed the drinks and snacks on display at Guardian Coffee, and I'm a sucker for a latte in a glass because it always makes me feel as if I'm really sat in an Italian street cafe.

Details: Mulberry Alexa in Slate Blue, scarf is Paul Smith and the sunnies are about five years old, were an outrageous bargain, and are Ben Sherman (Men's) via T.K. Maxx. Nicholas is wearing a tee from All Saints and Topman sunnies.

On the walk back to Liverpool Street Station we decided to check out the famous Spitalfields Market (Nicholas has a thing for All Saints) as I was in need of a pair of flip flops, and the delicious coffee had built up our appetite for some real (street) food!  

I should mention here, as I'm totally ashamed, that I didn't find any flip flops at the market and ended up grabbing a leather pair from - wince - Hollister.  I apologise to anyone who has ever trusted my fashion advice, but the ribbon pair I liked in Tommy Hilfiger were £65 and I was desperate.

The market was amazing:  lots of vintage, delicate jewellery, cupakes (always a good sign) and souvenirs from far off places.  I wasn't allowed to take photos, so I've only got two and they aren't the greatest quality - I kept getting caught and having to delete them!

Mummy AG has a thing for elephants, so I thought this would make a brilliant sneaky gift!

I've always loved flower crowns, but fresh versions don't last and it's hard to find a good quality 'fake' - fortunately I managed to find a stall here selling beautiful handmade headwear outrageously cheaply, so I snapped up a pair for myself and my housemate (who I was meeting later, and who is currently off sunning herself at a spa hotel - not that I'm bitter). 

Their website is down ATM but you can find them online at Fairy Goodies, or at Spitalfields Market on the weekends!

Armed with market goodies, gifts and the rest of my bags, I headed off to meet Emma for our train to Oxford (which we almost missed - no change there!) and Ruby's birthday.  It was a lovely reunion for the girls, and naturally we celebrated in style..

 

Ruby is the domestic goddess of the group - I don't think I could throw a dinner party to save my life but she managed to serve cocktails, whip up a delicious meal (complete with the best cheesecake I have ever tasted) and beat us all hands down at after-supper games without even breaking a sweat.  (I shan't share the pictures, but Emma and I were useless - we both went to bed looking a little like dalmatians after losing horribly at a game of Ibble Dibble.  If you follow me on Instagram you can see the video of Ruby blowing out her candles!)

Heading back to London was a little sad in the morning but with friends like these I have no doubt we'll be back together sharing tales of work and love soon.  Besides, there's only one cure for the blues..

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Wills HQ

I headed down South this weekend for my best friend Ruby's birthday in Oxford, a bit of cheeky flat hunting in London, and a visit to Wills HQ in Shoreditch to browse the new collection (and pick up a few bargains at the Aubin & Wills Sample Sale).   I'd never ventured as far as East London before and I was pretty excited about this trip, so much so that I may have come back the next day..

The building's basement has been converted into the 'Aubin Cinema' - which has recieved rave reviews from friends who have visited (sadly I haven't - it's on my to-do list) - and the shop is located on the ground floor.   I'd only seen bits and pieces from the Autumn collection so far, so I was pretty excited to get stuck in with the whole thing.  Unfortunately there were still a few pieces missing, including the Damson Tweed Jacket I'm desperate to get my hands on, but I picked up a few pieces while I was there.

 

I particularly liked the button-down skirt (available in denim and cord) for a looser, grown-up look; paired with  oversized crew-neck jumpers and lightweight coats.  Colour pops were seen in light purple chinos and dainty coral camisoles, suggesting 2013's hottest summer colours are set to carry on through to Autumn, worn to offset the wintery khaki and navy shades.   I'm sad I didn't take a picture of the shoes, as a gorgeous pair of patent loafers caught my eye, and I'll be picking those up at a later date. 

For the boys..

I really liked the colour-palette contrast between the collections for men and women; while navy, damson and grey featured in the men's (like the backpack above) it was generally a lot lighter than the women''s.  Trousers, shirts and tees were neutral tones, designed to be layered with darker knits and crew jumpers underneath pale outerwear. 

I loved the warehouse-y East London feel; Jack Wills shops usually inhabit listed buildings, so the bare-bones look really allowed the collection to shine and reflected that you don't need to be a country bumpkin to rock the look.   I picked up a damson pleat blouse from the new collection and a cardigan with some pink chinos from the sale, and I intend to come back for this season's lace camisoles, floral t-shirt dress and either a pair of the Chelsea ankle boots or the patent loafers.    I'm really hoping they bring out another boyfriend-fit blazer, as oppose to the usual fitted style, as I'd love one in navy this season. 

Jack Wills are currently in the final reductions stage of their summer sale (with some epic bargains), and you can redeem a cheeky 15% off if you're a student on full-priced items.  I'll be doing a giveaway at the end of summer involving some JW items, so if you're a fan make sure you've subscribed via e-mail (see sidebar) or on bloglovin'!