London Living (in pictures)

I thought that, given I've been away for so long, I'd provide you with a sneak-peek into my (not-so) glamorous new London life (with the help of my Instagram account).

I moved into my new flat in August:  it's in the East, which is somewhere I never imagined myself living, but I am in love.  It's a warehouse conversion somewhere between Aldgate and Whitechapel, and it's tiny, but it's all new and has big beautiful windows overlooking the City. 

 

We've moved things around a little now, and I've swapped flatmates in the meantime (you'll get to meet them later) but I was completely welcomed in by the girls living there in August and I'm still in love now.

In terms of my workplace, I've already moved offices from these views..:

...to these..:

Either way, I think I've picked a winner.

I've been instagramming my outfits:

 

I've met some amazing people..:

and I've been to some cool places:

All in all, I love London and I can't wait to see what the next few years will bring.

To keep up with me in pictures, follow me on Instagram.

J-Crew's back baby (...and so am I)

I'm making several apologies on this post:  first and foremost, for not posting since August.  I'm really sorry about that - moving to London turned out a lot busier than expected, and I've only really settled into my new life the last few weeks.  My second excuse for hiatus is that I forgot to change the primary e-mail address for the blog from my University e-mail, and it promptly disappeared.

(York were kind enough to restore my account so I could retrieve the blog.   You just wouldn't get that consideration down South.)

My second apology is more relevant to this post, and is entirely down to personal incompetence: I may have accidentally smeared handcream all over the back of my iPhone (electronic devices deserve pampering too) and this heavily impaired the quality of my already-shoddy photography. 

Anyway, onto the point of this post.. 

Before visiting the store last weekend, the only knowledge I had of J-Crew was the following:

• We've never had one before.
• K-Mid is known to wear it.
• My mother sees it as the natural 'step up' from my University wardrobe.

Since visiting the store, I have drawn the following conclusions:

• It's expensive.
• I need everything. 

I was greeted by a burly looking bouncer and America's image of London: four impeccably dressed models sporting Palace Guard hats and that classic British accessory, a phone box.   The store was full of yummy mummies and impeccably-dressed couples wielding bags from Burberry, Chanel and Selfridges.   All in all, I was pretty impressed.  Think of an Abercrombie for grown-ups:  sharp, clean better-lit and devoid of irritating teens. 

The first thing I picked up was the 'Schoolboy Blazer' in grey, with navy tips and beautiful gold buttons.  It was love at first sight and, at £268, fitted perfectly into my Christmas treat budget.  The blazer comes in graphite, vintage mahogany (both pictured) and 'pinot noir' (read: pretentious American for 'oxblood') which, in case you hadn't noticed, is staying firmly in over the next season.

 

Schoolboy Blazer in tipped wool £268

We all know I'm a sucker for a graphite and navy combo, so I promptly dumped all my belongings on Nicholas and headed to the mirrors.   I was a little disappointed trying it on;  I have a long body that doesn't tend to suit shrunken blazers, so I'm sad to tell you I left without the blazer (for now).

What did you think?
(tee: Whistles, jeans: Superdry)

I find that women split into two categories when it comes to fashion: those who change their jewellery daily, carefully matching necklaces and rings to certain outfits, and those who ignore their overflowing jewellery box and opt to wear the same three things day in day out.  I fall into the latter, despite my best efforts, so the seasonal knits (sorry - I refuse to say 'sweater') were perfect for me. Classic colours and styles were embroidered with brooches and necklaces, making them an ideal no-effort look for those who wished they could pull off the bejewelled look.

Starburst Sweater in 'Dusty Quartz' (£98), Donegal Sweater in 'Pewter' (£98)
and Collection Cashmere sweater in 'Indigo' (£298)

Much as I want to purchase the Donegal, I'm determined to leave my uniform of greys and blues behind (and my last grey-jumper purchase was mere days ago), so I'll be adding the Starburst to my list this Christmas.  In terms of classic jumpers Merino comes in at around £79 - not unreasonable for an upper-high-street name - however the 'J Crew Premium' can be seen in the price of basic cable knits (£88) and cashmere (starting at £188) , and I can't help but feel you can get similar/better quality elsewhere.   I'll cover this in a general winter-wardrobe post later, but if you're stuck for good cashmere this season try Whistles.

Another of my (sadly unachievable) favourites were the printed cigarette trousers, which were available in a variety of jacquards, tweeds and silk tie prints - if I had the legs to wear these to work I'd snap them all up in a second.  Again they're pricey, but I've not seen style or quality like this anywhere else so far this season..

Capri in Berry Bouquet (£248), Mid-Rise Toothpick Cord Trouser in Bottle Green (£98, other colours available),
Printed Tweed Tuxedo Pants (£250)

It could be that I'm turning into an old woman but I was also a fan of their corduroy stretch trousers, especially the fact they sell a mid-rise option.  I may be short but I'm also incredibly pear-shaped, and this often leaves me in an unfortunate position when buying jeans.

 

I really think people underestimate the value of a good pair of PJ's and J Crew has outdone itself here, selling a range of cotton, flannel and silk nightwear in both outfits and separates.  It's tradition that everyone in my family recieves a sleep-related present on Christmas Day, and I'm really hoping mine is one of these two (the nightshirt comes in plaid too).   They even sell a onesie.

PJ Set in Bright Cerise Flannel (£98), Cotton Nightshirt in 'Hydrangea' (£68)

I might have walked out of J Crew empty-handed last weekend but I'll be back, armed with my personal Christmas list and my gift-list for others.   Sure, it's overpriced, and it might be a few steps up from my current wardrobe, but in many cases J Crew's offerings are unique enough to justify the price tag.  

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'!

Autumn @ Jack

One of my favourite brands Jack Wills unveiled their Autumn Preview a couple of days ago and I thought I'd walk you through the looks, dish out a little advice on integrating new pieces into your current wardrobe, and get you as excited to buy this collection as I am!  

I love the pieces I've seen so far - the colour scheme is reminiscent of Victorian style; reflecting Jack Wills' tendency to celebrate and take inspiration from its British heritage.  The preppy brand's key colour this season adds a purple-hue to traditional oxblood shades to become Damson, and features on jeans, smart tees, dresses, playsuits and prints throughout the collection.  I'm 'pale and interesting' so the dark greys, navy and damson shades really suit my complexion.

In terms of cut, style and detail I think the Autumn collection is a little more grown-up than we've seen in previous seasons;  the delicate use of sheer fabrics, subtle polka dots and dainty floral patterns bring femininity to the androgynous cuts of jeans, shorts and boy-fit shirts.  These beautiful pieces add elegance to loungewear and casual clothing; the Marston Tee can be paired with black jeans and loafers during the day and a suede point-toe stiletto - this year's staple shoe - to carry your outfit through to the evening.  You could even add the Shelsey Cami to your workwear wardrobe; with a smart black skirt suit or cigarette trousers.

The Hamfield Crew (£49.50), Shelsey Pleat Cami (£59.50) and Marston Tee (£59.50)

 Wear with: the 'French 75' heel by Whistles, JW's own Maddison or J-Brand's 912 Skinny Jean.

Their key transitional outerwear piece moves away from the traditional rural uniform of weed, wax and quilt jackets towards the parka; the coat is often associated with an 'urban' or 'street' look (and championed by Liam Gallagher in the 1990's) and is available in navy or khaki, reflective of it's military origins.  The best thing about this coat is it's versatility - it can be thrown on over anything, and easily rolled up and popped in a bag when you don't need it til later. 

The Alwyn £98.50

 Wear with:  Contrast a sharp shirt and patent loafers with rolled-up trousers and the Alwyn parka for a slightly grungy city look.

'Kitty' by Charlotte Olympia, £465 (Selfridges)

If you're buying anything from this collection, or using it as inspiration for the rest of your Autumn wardrobe then here's a basic summary: stick to dark shades (greys, purples, reds and navy), pair  feminine tops with masculine-cut trousers, and never underestimate the power of a classic shoe.  Swap your ballet pumps for brogues and smoking slippers, and give your feet a rest in the evening because the mid-heel is back: point-toe styles in classic black patent and suedes, or wear a glitter or spiked pump for a little extra glamour.   Louboutin's 'Pigalle' is an absolute classic, as is the Whistles French 125 (/75) if you're not feeling irresponsible this month.

It isn't available in-stores yet, but my favourite piece is the Damson tweed jacket pictured below with the Bradnam short and a plain tee.  If you follow me on Twitter you'll have seen me raving about my guilty love of shorts-suits and, if anything, this little mix-and-match outfit has confirmed I've secretly been right about them all along. 

Weekend in London: Day #1

It was a friend from university's birthday this weekend, her 23rd (don't tell - she's still 21 as far as you're concerned), and she was having a bit of a party so I thought I'd escape to London for a weekend.  I love the countryside, make no mistake, but it gets a little boring when your closest friends live almost an hour away, and I was starting to miss the city (and the shopping) so I booked a hotel and hopped on a train down to King's Cross. 

I had just enough time to check into my room before running to Waterloo to meet another friend, who  had travelled up from "the country" (Devon, for those of you who don't speak Deep South) and was my date for the afternoon. There'll be more on him later, but I'd like to show you around one of my favourite London hotels first - St James Court.

photo: London St James

The hotel is situated on Buckingham Gate, a stone's throw from the palace, and has this lovely courtyard (on the right) with beautiful blue tiled walls, a fountain, and outside dining - making it wonderful for summer visits.  IHG are our go-to hotel company of choice (they run Intercontinental and Crowne Plaza among others) and this is my favourite hotel in London by far.  I love the traditional decor and the narrow Victorian hallways, and there are several fantastic restaurants and cocktail bars all within the hotel and it's residences.  I'm never usually there long enough to check out the Spa at 51, but I'm determined to make time for an Anne Sémonin facial and massage during my next stay.

I ran off to meet my friend - we're going to call him D - to find he'd had a nightmare on the train.  It was far too hot for a theraputic lunch, so we settled for champagne instead.  D claimed the bottle was a gift from his friend Mary, but unfortunately I don't watch the Great British Bake Off (check me out, name dropping television shows) so I'm ashamed to admit I had no idea who he was talking about.. 

We were sent flutes and an ice bucket, which was kind of the hotel as we hadn't purchased the bottle from them, and caught up (and compared transport woes) while deciding what to do with the rest of our day.  D wanted to pop to Regent Street to check out the Gatsby Collection by Brooks Brothers so we rang them up, asked if they could squeeze him in for a fitting, and headed for the Tube.  D prefers taxis, but I'm a Londoner now (or at least I will be soon) so the Underground is my new best friend. 

Brooks Brothers did all the men's clothing for Gatsby, so you can buy almost every single item seen/worn in the film in from their collection: unfortunately it's almost all sold out, and can only be purchased from their Regent St. store or on the American website.  It wasn't all bad news - they had a sale on, and Amer (D's fitting man) was a fantastic laugh.

I couldn't get enough of these hats..

It was only after buying his prohibition stash that D realised he didn't actually know how to fix the bow-tie I'd convinced him to purchase, so Amer sat down and gave us a final lesson on his knee.. 

Among the purchases were a new pair of Church's loafers which, irresponsibly, someone had opted to wear without socks.. which worked for me because it prevented any further Bond Street shopping at all (although, retrospectively, I should have nipped into a shoe shop - I'll catch you up tomorrow) and I skipped back to my hotel in the sunshine to get ready for dinner. 

Here's a very quick instagram of my outfit: the Nadine Dress from Malene Birger's 2ND DAY collection.  It's from SS12, so you can't buy it in the shop now, however you can find it online in quite a few places.  I don't have a photograph of D, but he wore his Church's loafers with Levi's, a Jack Wills shirt and Hermès belt.

I shan't go into details regarding evening activities (and I didn't want to be rude taking photos all evening!) but we opted for dinner at the Bank restaurant within my hotel as we'd forgotten to make reservations elsewhere. I ordered a martini and the staff were kind enough to make D his favourite off-the-menu cocktail; an Old Fashioned, since you're asking. Prices were reasonable - it was fairly easy to stay under £100 - and both food and cocktails were excellent. 

Reservations here, or contact Bank Westminster directly by phone on 0207 630 6644, but if you're staying at the hotel it's relatively easy to walk straight in.  There's another restaurant in Birmingham if that's a little closer to you.

photo: Individual Restaurants, Bank Westminster

As for D, I don't know if I'll be seeing him again, but I did have a lovely evening. In the morning I headed over to Laura's flat in Islington (after a short detour via Mayfair & Hyde Park), and I'll be blogging the rest of my weekend on Thursday.

I'm going to have to apologise again about the photo quality, I'm far too forgetful when it comes to putting my camera in my handbag.

Bora Aksu SS13 @ LFW

I was super excited for the Bora Aksu show this SS13 - I'd never heard of him before and by the time I'd researched him I was desperate for a ticket to the show. I was lucky enough to be granted a front-row seat, so I can confirm the show was an absolutely incredible experience (and I have the photos to prove it!)

I had an amazing time looking at all the outfits - inspired by Queen Marie of Romania - and the way they were accessorised; with patterned tights, regal sashes, crowns and plain pumps. The show was accompanied by a string quartet playing slow, slightly ominous music. 

My goodie bag was equally incredible; a liquid pen eyeliner (that I have used religiously since), some face masks, a Louboutin luggage tag and - get this - CHOCOLATE CRACKLE SKINNY POPCORN.

If you know where I can buy it, give me a call. Otherwise - enjoy the photographs. 

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