Damn Batiste back at it again with the dry shampoo. I think Batiste now cover each and every scent known to man in their dry shampoo offerings. This new dry shampoo is infused with notes of raspberry and vanilla which helps to banish oily roots and lift lacklustre hair by adding body and texture. Batiste is a daily staple in my hairdrobe to help give
Overall I like the scene, it does smell very sweet and feminine without being childish or overpowering. I wanted to it to sell like the Fudge Vanilla and Raspberry hairspray but it doesn't quite reach that level of sweetness. Which is a darn shame as I love that so much! All the goodness of traditional Bastiste (Tropical will forever be the one) with the sweet smell candy. Absolute dream team. If you havent tried Batiste yet... where have you been?
There is a new discovery method in beauty and it comes to us by way of box. Ok, first of all - who am I kidding? This is hardly new. Only, it is new in the way that it's actually become worth taking a look. Long gone are the days of simply sending samples of beauty products to those interested in finding the next big thing in beauty. Finally, people have clocked onto the fact that full sized bottles are needed to truly hook someone onto their product. How is anyone supposed to see that something works after just one application anyway? Could never really put my full weight behind that. But, times they are a changing!
Over the past year I've seen the development of some pretty intense beauty boxes and I just wanted to take a moment to tell you about two, in particular. Two that I believe are really paving the way for more beauty box collaborations in the future.
Let's kick off with Cult Beauty. They've now created numerous boxes with beautiful beauty guru Caroline Hirons and not only have they sold out, they've commanded wait lists. And so they should. These were products recommended by an expert, packaged together and sold as a whole for far less than if one were to buy them individually. Caroline basically puts together her dream box of products and tells people how to use them to boot. It's a magical miracle in a box...hence the sell out. A brilliant collaboration with a brilliant result, right? Haven't heard a bad word said yet. And, if you guys are followers of Caroline Hirons' blog, you will see that there's a new box with Cult Beauty in the making as we speak. Try to contain your excitement.
For those of you that need an instant fix now, let me point you towards a beauty box I received last week from Liberty. Yes, London's favorite department store has jumped into the mix and they are leaping into the marketplace with quite the stellar beauty box indeed. Well, should I say beauty? It is most certainly all about beauty, but it's more about building beauty from the inside as well as servicing the outside. It's what I'm officially referring to as soul food. But, Liberty like to call it the Be Well Box. Created in collaboration with fitness ambassadors Hip & Healthy, the box contains nine cult products and is priced at £65, but carries a value of over £165. Just a quick word about this box - it has everything from a Diptyque candle to my dream hair mask (called Nou Nou... love it). It's a true journey of both body and soul and I have it on good authority that this may be the first, but it is most certainly not the last we'll see of such a collaborative effort from Liberty.
Really, all this is worth mentioning because I've found myself in one too many meetings with people discussing the old school beauty box. This is truly a new era and the beauty powers that be have listened to us as consumers, when we asked for more guidance in our routines and better products to trial with such guidance. I use the Cult Beauty and Liberty boxes as introductions to the new way forward. They by no means stand alone in the marketplace. As you find yourself shopping department stores or online beauty outlets, keep your eyes peeled for such buying opportunities. In the past year I have been introduced to at least three (that I can think of) beauty products which are now part of my day to day regime. Call me crazy, but I think that's well worth the price of trial and error involved here. But you see, that's just it - there's no error as these boxes are curated to a fine point. Get in there, beauty lovers. There's plenty left to uncover.
In 2016, we live in an age where handbags aren't just handbags, if you get my meaning. Handbags are identifiers. They say so much about a person from the get go. Some people care little, others care immensely. The importance is all in the eye of the beholder. But, one thing can't be argued - originality is key. My biggest pet peeve is an "it bag." I think we all know what I'm talking about here. Just look at Chloe last season. Do you remember seeing one top fashion blogger that wasn't swinging a Chloe bag from their instagram page? Can I get a collective yawn? I crave the brave when it comes to fashion, and in particular fashion accessories. Which leads me to where I find myself today... at a restaurant sitting next to a bag that defines me to a tee and it comes from a talent that has quite simply transformed the ability to stand out from the fashion pack. Meet Boyarde.
I have had the opportunity to work with some pretty amazing artists over the past couple of years of my career, but none have blown me away more than Boyarde. I first heard the name Boyarde a number of years ago after spotting an Hermes Birkin bag with a special twist - it was painted with a one of a kind design, made specially for the owner. Years later, Boyarde once again came onto my radar and this time around I knew the time had come - I had to have a Boyarde of my own. It was commission time.
Meeting Boyarde is what I imagine it's like to meet Banksy. Ok, that may seem like a bit of a stretch but follow my lead here. You see Boyarde paintings hang from the arms of some of the world's most fashionable and fantastic women. These women are trendsetters and industry leaders. They purchase and customize to suit their own needs and very rarely share the secrets of their style success. So, just like Banksy, Boyarde has been a name that is whispered in social circles. If you have one of her paintings, you are one of the lucky few. But never have I heard anyone detail how exactly you go about getting your hands on a custom piece.
Well, it's time for me to let the cat out of the bag. Boyarde is in fact accessible. There's still a waiting list for her talent, but getting your hands on a one of kind handbag design is not impossible. And here's the kicker. I've met Boyarde, in the flesh, and I'm crazy about her - absolutely head over heels. Her creative energy flows like a river. We sat and had breakfast and talked about what I wanted to do for a piece and it was love at first bagel.
First, one needs to determine what bag they'd like to have customized. Boyarde is great at being able to easily establish which leathers will work best with the methods she uses for painting. After all, she wants you to have a product that you can hand down to generations to come, so she uses only the best materials that will stand the test of time. But, the type of leather she works with plays a very important part in that. It will also determine how big a canvas she has to work with in creating your original piece of art. For my Boyarde original, I came to the table ready. I knew I wanted to work with my beautiful Bally bag - a classic that I thought would be the perfect canvas for a groundbreaking painting.
Then, over breakfast with the ladies, we all discovered our unwavering love for the movie The Way We Were and actor Robert Redford. It was in that moment that I knew. You see, I have always said to any long term boyfriend that they should never ever be fearful of me being unfaithful. There is only one man that I would ever cheat on anyone with and that man exists in a movie that was filmed decades ago. Of course I'm referring to Hubbell from The Way We Were. So it seemed fitting that I should have the man of my dreams on my arm at all times. Boyarde made that dream a reality and did so by capturing one of my favorite scenes - the moment when Barbra Streisand says goodbye to Robert Redford. In case you're lost in remembering such a scene, watch this:
This is the moment that Katie has to let go of the one man she's ever really loved, and let him start a life with a new woman. Queue the tears. It's emotional and I'm a basket case just writing about it. Yes, I'm a glutton for punishment that I'd want such a moment frozen in time on my favorite handbag. But there you go. Boyarde didn't ask any questions, she just knew I'd landed on my perfect painting concept.
A week later I had my bag couriered over to Boyarde's studio in North London and I awaited a sketch to showcase what my "scene" would translate to with her vision as an artist. The first look was perfection. I told her to get started and I could barely contain my excitement when I had an email a few weeks later with the first look at the bag. Boyarde checks to make sure that the painting is exactly as you had envisioned it before she puts on her final coat of paint that will lock the detail in place for the life of the handbag. I gave my final approval and two days later the handbag was on its way back to me, complete with a Boyarde ribbon tied around the carrier bag. It arrived just in time for fashion week. Couldn't have planned that timing any more perfectly.
Now - what you need to know as someone who is looking to commission Boyarde. First of all, check out her website. Here you'll find contact information and discover some of the past commissions in her portfolio. This will give you a much better idea of the breadth of her work and what she can accomplish for you. Secondly, let's talk price structure. Boyarde works with all different sizes and materials in her paintings. She can create a piece on something as small as a wallet or as large as an oversized humidor. Truly, she's up for whatever challenge you can throw at her - although she may kill me for writing that later. Prices start at £250 and you become a member of a highly elite club - a Boyarde original caretaker. These are truly beautiful creations and are most definitely pieces that will set you apart from the rest. My Robert Redford Boyarde moment presently works double duty in my household as a handbag and a shelf display. It is a piece of art worthy of display, in my opinion, and will never be hidden away in any closet of mine.
The posts always tend to get a bit short and rushed during fashion week season. How do you feel about that? The creative flame is usually running low as all energy goes to faffing around and, well, staying awake (a underrated factor).
Let’ talk about the bucket of flowers sticking up from this get-up, shall we? The very colourful Gucci was added to my collection whilst traveling though Heathrow, tax free = guilty free? Maybe, or more like cushioning the blow of a flowerless Valentine’s Day. You know what they say about loving yourself, on fashion week you need a lot of that.
Hello favourite monthly feature, although this is a few days late, in denial I say hello beloved spring collections!! The summer sets are finally hitting the stores right about now, but I wanted to squeeze in a shoe from the Cruise collections, before they vanish from the stores. Dior is killing it in the shoe department to say it lightly. Have you seen the patent sandals from the SS16 collection? If not you will soon, because I might have already got them as well. But now let’s discuss the silk booties! Weirdly enough I don’t have many non leather pairs, my most iconic silk shoe already scored last months feature, is the thought of silk shoes growing on me? What won me over was the stunning shape in these boots, they look like a million dollars and can’t be mistaken for any other than the mighty Dior. I had been flirting with the thought of going in to try the much covered - buckle boot, lower heel version, but realised quickly that these boots are so delicate that I have no time for a lower, more ‘practical’ heel. It’s not like I am going to travel in these princess boots.
The Cruise boots were seen on the runway, and comes in a 10 cm boot, like the one pictured and a 4.5cm heeled, beautiful buckle version. It comes in a navy printed jacquard, with or without red toe (like mine) or a brown printed silk. It was also produced in a more wearable suede.
Comfort: 4/5
Comfortable but because of the laces on the side, it’s not really possible to wear with socks, hence the bare feet in a silk boot can feel a bit strange.
Quality: 5/5
Beautiful silk work and stunning composition. However, these are not as durable as leather shoes, so wear them with the respect they deserve. Don’t take them out in the rain, these are meant to be worn only for a little bit at the time or for inside events. I also love idea of such a festive boot, they would work in a amazing victorian inspired look, worn with a gown.
Purchase price: 890€ in Dior Paris, January 2016
Dior does not sell online, so these are only available in the stores and the bigger department stores like Selfridges and Harrods.
The boots comes in two heights, and suede and silk. On the top of the range we have the buckle suede, 4.5cm boot for £920, while the same booth in suede retails for £870. The most ‘affordable’ version is surprisingly enough the one featured, which will set you back £700 if bought here in London.
Sizing: Runs true to size, but since it’s a boot, you can afford to go up half a size if you must. However, not more than that, because you want the silk to fit your ankle perfectly.
I'm so excited to introduce you to my latest kids collection for Mamas & Papas. There are lots of super cute outfits to choose from. My god-daughter Mae was in heaven when she opened the box they sent over. Here she is modelling her favourite picks for you.
I'll be back tomorrow with some more goodies to show you but hop over to Mamas & Papas if you'd like a closer look
Bare Burger is my absolute favourite spot in New York to eat. I love burgers more than anything in life and switching my diet up, I needed a plant based option. Bare Burger is a small chain restaurant with joints all over NYC. It's a great lunch spot in a pinch, with friendly simple service. I got a sweet potato and rice patty on a sprouted roll with guac, pickles, spinach, onions and lettuce. It was the best burger I've had in a long long long LONG time and as I type this I wish I was eating it right now instead of waiting for my pasta to boil. Woe is me. Anyway regardless of your diet I'd totally check out Bare Burger if you see one around. They have a variety of burgers, salads and sandwiches to suit all tastes. I totally recommend the build your own burger option so you can get exactly what you want, oh and don't skip on the half onion rings and half fries!
I currently have a closet for my coats. Alright, I say that and you're thinking, "well, that's normal - almost everyone has a coat closet." Yes, this is true. Only my coat closet isn't one that has room enough in it to house the coats of my guests. I imagine most coat closets around the world are rather the same. They are filled with overcoats in muted colours. They are the coats we grab as we head out the door, the coats we use for inclement weather or the coats we throw on to run to the door mid-morning to great the Fedex man. Am I am an expert on coat closets? Hardly. But I've been to enough houses to have the lay of the land. These are general storage closets. That all being said, my coat closet is anything but normal. In fact, it might just be my favorite "room" in the house. Keep in mind I live in London and my "house" falls more in the category of shoebox than actual house, if we're keeping things honest here.
My coat closet is a rainbow of colour, a stew of texture and a storybook of my life. For over a decade now I have collected and cherished every loud, proud and out of control coat I could get my hands on. I always wanted something that, when thrown on, could instantly transform my mood. I have soft and cuddly for moments when I need to be hugged (man, that makes me sound sad). I have loud and colorful for grey days, which we are very familiar with in London. I even have oversized and impressive for the fat days (am I the only one that has those days?). My coats have become my trusted companions. Don't worry, I haven't gone as far as to give them all names... yet.
But, this all brings me to a recent discover in the form of two new additions to my coat closet - both from the power fashion house Marina Rinaldi. Now, I'm just going to come out and address the elephant in the room here as I think this is a brand that many shoppers tend to stroll past because they believe it's just a "plus size" label. In truth, yes, it is a brand that carries their sizes through into larger numbers. Imagine that... a brand that actually wants to cater to the average women walking amongst us. How dare they be so fabulous? Well, these fabulous people caught my attention pre-fashion week and I was drawn in by two coats that are, well, they are just miraculous and exactly what I needed to get me through the fashion week that is filled with rain and grey weather days. One is from an artist's collaboration with the brand, and the other is part of the spring summer collection - both are the best new sparkly friends my coat closet has ever seen. And yes, they are both worthy of mention and praise. So there you have it.
Now, I'm off to my next meeting. Which coat to wear...
