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'!

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. 

Dubarry of Ireland

As most of you guys will know, I live in the country.  Not the 'suburb zone six' sort of country, the 'narrow winding road, signal-vacuum, wake up to find escapee sheep/labradors/ponies in your garden' sort of country.

(all taken from my instagram)

In my (somewhat biased) opinion, it's really one of the most beautiful places you could hope to live -  I'm backed up here by The Guardian's Tom Dyckhoff, although he does point out there's not much to do here (could be why we spend so much time in the pub!)

Anyway, getting to the point of my blog post, Tom is right -  if you're not used to outdoorsy activities, and walking five miles to the nearest pub/shop isn't your sort of thing, you certainly won't fit in. Tweed, Barbour coats and riding boots are a staple here, and I'd like to spend a little time appreciating my favourite boots for country pursuits. 

If you're a little country kid (or a keen boat lover) you'll probably have heard of Dubarry of Ireland - they started out making moccasins and boat shoes in the 1930's and eventually moved in-land, experimenting with creating a goretex lined leather boot that could withstand the most demanding of rural environments.  I'm pretty sure they succeeded - I've worn my Galway boots through thick and thin, and three years on they're still as comfortable and sturdy as the day I bought them. 

In addition to the original leather Galway, they sell tweed boots and an apres-ski version with a built-in furry boot sock (if you're looking to replicate this with your boots, you can choose from a selection of liners online).  The 'Clare' and 'Longford' are slightly more elegant alternatives, based on the classic equestrian knee-boot, and they're a little more expensive. 

They also sell deck shoes and loafers (men's link here) for when you're not roaming the fields;  priced between £89-95, these are a little more wallet-friendly and will still last you for years.  My personal favourites are the 'Fiji' deck shoe (in brown, denim, oyster or red if you fancy buying me an early Christmas gift), but I think the classic Menorca would make a great gift for mum!  I also think the 'Commander' deck shoe would be a pretty swanky addition to the man in your life's wardrobe.

You can follow Dubarry on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, but you probably want to check their Facebook page out for few reasons: the first being that they keep posting pictures of cuties like this!

The second being that they've got a competition on at the moment where you can actually win yourself a pair of Galway boots (and some extra country goodies) by clicking here.  I'd argue to the moon and back that these boots are worth the expense (and nobody hates the word 'investment purchase' more than me), but it's is always better if it's free. 

Besides, this little guy wants you to enter.. are you really going to say no to him?

The Wardrobe Update: The LWD

I know I probably shouldn't post topics consecutively, but I thought I'd tackle one of this summer's biggest hits before the good weather runs out.  Readers, meet the Little White Dress.

We've all seen the Little Black Dress in action: immortalised by Audrey Hepburn (as Holly Golightly), the LBD has become a wardrobe staple and effortless show-stopper when it comes to making an entrance, and no fashionista's wardrobe is complete without one.   However, SS13 shows heralded a successor to this now-familiar icon, and I've picked out eight from across the high street for your convenience.. 

L-R

1. Topshop Embroidered Prom Dress (£50) -  I know I struggle for breath between criticisms when it comes to Topshop, but I can't help loving this LWD.  Seen on countless bloggers, friends and party-goers this summer so far, this dress is a super-flattering option for day to dark activities.  The V back adds a little extra elegance to this otherwise fun number. 

2. Manilla by Izanagi (£95) -  The details of this lace panel LBD earned it a place within this edit; a fashion-focused take on the fitted jersey dress, this is the perfect choice for after-work drinks in the city.  The monochromatic contrast allows you to experiment with coloured jewellery and accessories, while being simple enough to stand out without. Izanagi makes it's elegant dresses to order, but you can order online, via twitter, or watch the main man himself for daily deals.

3. Karen Millen's White Lace Stripe Dress (£175 here; on sale at £125 here) -   You don't need to be a genius to figure out why I've added this dress to the list.  Remember this?  We all know Queen B always made effort when it came to showing up boys, and I can't think of a better first-date dress than this Karen Millen number.  (NB: the original dress Blair wore to the White Party was Marc by Marc Jacobs)

4. Jersey & Chiffon Dress, H&M (£7.99 !!) -  I thought I'd give your bank balance a breather by popping this wallet-friendly number in the middle.  If you're heading to a festival, field party, to the beach or just lounging around the house waiting for the cute window-cleaner to come, this dress is an effortless casual staple.  Add a flower crown, plaited belt and wellies for festival chic or studded ankle boots for the city; with this one you can afford to experiment with all the accessories you like. 

5. Whistles 'Adrianne' Dress (£95) -  Okay so I'm not colourblind, I know this isn't white, but can you really blame me for adding it to the list?  This powder-pink neutral flatters both a tan complexion and the deathly almost-blue pallor sported by unfortunate Brits such as myself.  It's comfortably tailored and can be paired with wedges for lunch,  embroidered sandals for shopping and brogues for attitude.  Also, it has pockets.  

6. Silk & Tulle Gown by Willow @ Net A Porter (£705 from £1,175) -  If you've got a wedding, yacht party or similar fancy event to dress up for then this is the perfect formal LWD.  Not only does it cover the white, cut-out and midi trends in one beautifully made piece, Miranda Kerr was also pictured wearing a shorter turquoise version in her latest ad for Kora Organics.  Do you need more persuading?  

 9. Ted Baker 'IMOGINE' Colour Block Dress (£129) -  You're mixing the best of both worlds with this Ted Baker dress; not only is it both white and black, the drop-waist and loose style puts this dress right back in the swinging sixties (I'm really, really sorry. I can't apologise enough for that. It just came out), a style championed by Moschino's Cheap & Chic line this season.  Pair with super-cute coloured flats or nude wedges in the day and a point-toe black patent stiletto in the evening for instant retro elegance.

8. Jack Wills 'Meerbroke' Dress (£74, from £89.50) - Did you really think I'd manage an entire post without including some Jack Wills? That was naive of you.  

This flirty number also comes in bright pink (another big hit this season) and navy (you all know that, in my humble opinion, one can never go wrong with navy).  My favourite features are the racer back, modest hemline (hello 'meet the parents' scenarios) and the scalloped skirt hem; plus the lining (hello practicality) means you'll never suffer any of the inevitable wardrobe mishaps that occur from pairing bright underwear with white sundresses.

I lied. There's one more dress.

I haven't really included a naughty night-out dress here, so I'm throwing this Nastygal number (£38) into the ring. 

If you don't recognise the model then I really don't know where you've been for the last three months; this video has topped 100 million views on Youtube and has provided one of 2013's biggest conundrums:

What actually does rhyme with hug me?

I'm sorry, I've made too many bad jokes this post.  I'll make up for it by sharing my favourite cookie recipe on Thursday. 


PS:  I know we're all about white today but I'd feel too guilty keeping this from you guys and, as I've mentioned above, it's totally on trend.  I've popped it into my 'most wanted' list, but that just wasn't enough.  Designed by Jess Honey for MIC-feature-turned-fashionista (and musician) Caggie Dunlop's ISWAI project, 'The Orchid' statement skirt is the dream holiday buy this summer.  Pair it with chunky nude gladiator sandals, gold & leather jewellery and a plain white tee for instant hippie-chic; alternatively, slip on a pair of bright turquoise, silver or fluorescent yellow heels for a pop of colour at night.

 Isn't it dreamy?

Wardrobe Update: Workwear Staples

This is a long one, I'm afraid, but I've been inundated with requests for a 'working wardrobe' blog for a while now so I figured that, as I'm currently working on mine, I'd share a few tips for yours!

For me, the most important thing about your W.W is that you should look like what you are, and I don't know many graduates who can afford to rock up every day in Louboutins and Prada.  That said, it's important to mix and match expensive pieces with good quality basics that allow you enough choice to dress your outfits up or down when necessary (and ensuring that, with a quick change of jacket or blouse, you can wear your favourite skirt twice without anybody noticing).  

To start, you'll need a working week's worth of trousers, skirts and dresses.  It might seem like a lot, but if you mix and match enough then it's pretty easy to stretch these staples out across a two-week period.  These are the things I would recommend investing in: think reputable brands such as Reiss, Paul Smith, T.M. Lewin etc. or M&S for cheap, simple pieces.

All Saints (£98), Reiss (£110), Paul Smith (£189 - reduced to £94)

You can afford to experiment a little with separates by choosing a printed skirt (or dress) and cigarette trousers, for example, but I'd avoid printed trousers or too-bright colours unless you're working in an environment that allows for a lot of personal expression.  I've chosen the 'Wither' skirt by All Saints, a pair of simple tailored trousers by Reiss and a Paul Smith pique skirt (currently in the sale ladies - snap it up while you can) that I ended up leaving with yesterday because I absolutely love the navy side panels.  I'm also a fan of M&S' fishtail skirt and, at £19.50, can you really afford to say no?

If you've got a 'signature' colour or style (lace overlay, peplum detail etc.) then a dress is the ideal way to show it off, but  when it comes to skirts and dresses I'd advise you to: stick to two inches above knee level and avoid things that come with a belt (as it's usually cheap and tacky), and avoid cleavage like the devil (unless you're pairing it with a modest jacket/knit).

Theory (£125), Stella McCartney (£590), Moschino (£430), FCUK (£110)

If you favour a classic look then this Theory LBD is ideal - not to mention the fact it's almost half price in the sale.  A two-tone dress like the Moschino Cheap & Chic number I've picked is a good way to pull off the 'contrast' trend; alternatively go all the way and pair a fitted, jewel coloured number like the Stella McCartney or French Connection dresses with a black jacket and shoes.  If you're more about the accessories then try a simple, good quality jersey dress with a smart jacket (like these: 1, 2, 3) and a few well-chosen accessories.  My go-to jersey dress ('Mila' by Whistles) is sold out, but you can find similar versions across the high street (Dorothy Perkins, Reiss, ASOS) for as little as £16.

Unfortunately I couldn't find one of my most-wanted separates - if anyone has spotted a particularly gorgeous lace-overlay skirt in block colour, navy or black then please let me know!

  The main workwear trends set to continue into AW13 are colour contrast and statement detail/print separates.  Jackets are a great way to pull off the print, as you can strut into the office looking fantastic whilst retaining the freedom to quickly remove your bold piece if needed.  Blouses and shirts are the best options for monochrome and colour contrasting;  blouses in jewel shades can be found across both designer and high street boutiques, and a crisp white shirt can be super-useful in balancing out a more exciting skirt or trouser choice.  If you're not that daring then choose pieces with quirky details such as a patterned cuff or collar, or pop a printed shirt under a plain jumper.

Zara (£39.99), Whistles (£95), Theory (£300)

I've chosen a cute transitional Zara number (currently £39 from £79), the classic Sylvia Blouse by Whistles, and this gorgeous cropped peplum detail tweed jacket by Theory at My Wardrobe.  Smart 60's jackets are a super-easy way to add feminine elegance to a simple work outfit.  If you've got a fair amount of budget to play with then hit By Malene Birger (I love the anchor-print suit), Equipment or My Wardrobe, but reasonable good-quality pieces can be found in the likes of Whistles and Zara.  This season my favourite shirts come from Zara's smarter, older sister Massimo Dutti - unfortunately there aren't many of these outside London, but you can buy online and visit stores across Europe. 

MD: Tie Print (£54), Oxford (£44) and Denim & Silk (£54) shirts.

I hope I've been helpful and just not talked (or typed) your ears off!   If you've found a workwear piece you love, why not share it below on the comments section?

Summer Thai Chicken

I don't really have a proper name for this recipe, but it's one of my favourites to whip up in summer because it's quick, easy and super-healthy - at less than 300kcal per serving this baby is high in protein and low in fat, carbs and anything else you don't want inside your summer body.  

For four people you'll need: 

• four chicken breasts (maybe more if someone's greedy!)
• 3tbsp thai red curry paste; again, mine's from Waitrose but if you have a world-food shop near you it's worth a visit!
• 3tbsp chopped coriander (fresh is best, but store-cupboard coriander will do!) 
• 12oz/350g natural low fat yoghurt (you'll only need a third of this for the chicken)
• a pinch (or two) of salt to taste

for the 'dip': 

• a cucumber - you'll need around half for your 'dip' but I like a little extra on the side.
• 8oz/185g/two thirds of your remaining natural low fat yoghurt
• 1tbsp coriander

and to serve:

• salad leaves (I picked these up in a packet from Waitrose straight out of my garden, naturally) 
• lime wedges.

 A little trick I use here to avoid throwing lemons & limes away/going 'out of stock', so to speak, is freezing them.  You can always get them out at a later date (just make sure you remember a few hours before you start preparing your meal, or pour boiling water on them if you just need the juice), you can pop them in your green tea to cool it down, and they make great alternatives to ice cubes in your cocktail/Pimms jug.



To make your marinade mix a third of your yoghurt with the curry paste and coriander, season with salt, and coat your chicken well.  Pop it into a shallow oven dish, with any extra marinade, cover and leave for a while (half an hour is good, but you can leave it all day if you want). 

When the time comes, preheat your oven to 180-200C (dependent on the aggressive heating power of your kitchen appliances) and while you're waiting for that prepare your dip:  chop your cucumber (chunks are fine) and add to the remaining yoghurt, add 1tbsp of coriander and a little salt/pepper if you fancy it, and leave it in the fridge.  Retrieve your chicken and cook for 30-40 minutes, or until golden brown.

While all that's going on in the kitchen, open your bags of salad skip to your vegetable garden and carefully pick some beautiful leaves to serve on the side.  Chop your cucumber into sticks, if you're that way inclined, and lay your salad on plates if you're eating casually - if you're cooking for guests find a nice patterned serving bowl for DIY salad distribution, find a plate for the limes and cucumber sticks, and individual dipping bowls (read: empty GU pots) add a little elegance to the yoghurt dressing.

You've got some time left here to pour yourself a large glass of white wine in celebration of the fact you haven't started a fire, burned yourself or offended any of your guests yet; alternatively setting the table and indulging in small talk are equally valid options.

When your chicken is nice and golden-y fish it out of the oven (Careful! You've come so far..) and serve on plates either with your dressing, salad and limes, or on it's own.  Wait for everyone to congratulate you, pour yourself another celebratory glass of wine, and dig in.

One of my favourite things about this meal is that the ingredients are easily doubled, making it perfect for sharing;  swap the grill for a barbeque (reduce the cooking time to 20-30 minutes) and invite your best friends around for an evening on the patio, just make sure somebody else brings dessert!

If your dietary requirements mean you cannot enjoy this fantastic recipe then enjoy this vegetarian and vegan friendly party joke instead.