10 pearls of business wisdom for any budding entrepreneur

I've spent a lot of time this month talking about getting started in chasing a dream with the help of Currys PC World and the best technology available to us today. Call it the seven year wisdom share? The ups and downs haven't made me an expert, by any means, but they have definitely given me a few pointers to pass on for anyone who's trying to chase a a dream, while still managing the day to day business of life. It's not easy, but my goodness is it rewarding. So, for those of you stepping out into the great unknown, here are my top tens pearls of wisdom for doing so. 1. Study business If there is just one thing I could have gone back and done differently with my life, it would be this - I would have taken every business course I could fit in at University....

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InstaTravels

Instagram @5inchandup There might not be a reoccurring #5inchanduptravels hashtag trending on Instagram, but that has not stopped me from spamming your feed with scenery changes and the not-so-surprising airplane images (sorry but they really match my feed!). Although recklessly answering NO to the polite ‘Been anywhere nice recently' questions, I keep forgetting that I have indeed been to a lot of nice places this Summer. Am I starting to rule out European destinations of my ‘serious travels?’ Maybe. Or maybe I just need a little wake up call.  SOON we are going to go through a few changes here on the blog, one that will lift travel into a more frequent feature. But until then, a little Insta recap of the cities visited over the Summer months. An attempt to become interested in...

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The brand that has become my fashion family

Wearing a Marina Rinaldi Coat Just about every fashion obsession I have, at present, I can trace back to a few select moments of drooling over my mother's wardrobe. She had a style that I've spent 30 years trying to live up to and replicate. She could look like a cast member from Urban Cowboy one day and Kim Basinger the next, and she did it with sophistication and confidence... the key, really, to making any ensemble complete. I'll never forget one item in particular, a mid-length shearling coat. It was chocolate brown with a buttery off-white lining. I would wrap myself up in this coat and dream of inheriting it. One afternoon, while running my cheek along the furry lining, my mother turned to me and said, "you know that coat comes from Italy, from one of the my favorite brands,...

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Style Update: Fall Fringe

Oh wait, did you think fringe was over? Think again, ladies and gents. This is the trend that keeps on giving, so keep the fly aways at the ready for the season ahead. Fringe is in. And if you don't believe me, just take a look at the autumn winter offering hitting stores now. My current obsession? The latest accessory to find a home in my bag collection. You guessed it, it's got "fringe fanatic" written all over it and it's the perfect clutch to take me from late summer right through until the winter months. Oh, who am I kidding? I'll be handing this classic piece down to the next generation along with a Chanel tweed jacket and a pair of killer Manolos. Yes, I do actually have a box for such treasures. But, this beauty deserves a twirl or two around town before it goes away for safe keeping....

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Rio Ready Nails from Elegant Touch

ELEGANT TOUCH RIO READY NAILS* ELEGANT TOUCH PINEAPPLE PARTY NAILS* Elegant Touch have a couple o' limited edition nails to make even the stubbiest and ugly looking hands (like my own) look somewhat presentable. To celebrate all things Rio Olympics Elegant Touch have a v. festive, colourful and crazy duo of nails out this summer. Brightly coloured and in your face prints they sum up the energy of Rio really well. Well as well as a pair of nails actually can. The blue and tropical print of the Rio Ready ones reminds me of a dress that I had a couple of summers ago from Zara. It's legit the same concept and colours with the clash of prints... you could say Elegant Touch ripped off Zara for a change. None the less the two go together really well considering they are supposed to be...

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Outfit du Jour: Looking forward to fall

Shop The Look: Marina Rinaldi Coat, Chloe Trousers, Raey Corset, Prada Velvet Heels, Gucci Bag ...

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Flow Festival

FREE PEOPLE shirt TOPSHOP jeans RAY-BAN sunglasses CELINE shoes IVY OAK maxi dress LOUIS VUITTON bag CHLOE sunglasses STELLA MCCARTNEY shoes Flow Festival, or as we know it - the sweet Finnish festival that can’t be missed, the last stretch of our Nordic summer. The epic and infamous three day extravaganza took place last weekend, and this year I had the pleasure of experiencing it with Zalando. The online store has been big on the festival scene this season. Big enough to host their very own scene in the form of their very own Zalando Factory. On deliberating what to wear, it occurred to me that hardly anything would look out of place at this city festival. Even a white shirt and jeans would work, so that’s what I did. A festival version of course - crocket replaced crispy...

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Daydreaming again!

Darlings! SIGH. I am such a daydreamer - procrastination is a disease you know! I must pull up my Chanel socks and do something useful... bunny kisses Fifi Lapin xxx ...

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Style Update: The perfect little white dress

If we're talking addictions, I have a big one when it comes to little white dresses. They are the perfect summer style solution when you're in a hurry, need to throw something on and be out the door looking stylish and ready for warm weather in a jiffy.  Last month I came across one of my favorite little white dresses in H&M... of all places! This breezy number was screaming my name from the window. I ran in and bought two. I told you I had a problem. It fits perfectly, has great balloon sleeves that are all the rage this season and it's incredibly comfortable for travel. Enough said! Shop the Look: H&M Dress, J Crew Shoes, John Lewis Flamingo Clutch ...

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11 reasons Waiting on Martha is the best place ever for gift buying...

If you've been following blogs for a while, you'll be very familiar with the American blog that is Waiting on Martha. I am, in fact, obsessed. So when the blogging superstar opened her online shop - Shop Waiting on Martha- I nearly lost all ability to scroll.  This is one of the best places online for gift shopping. Seriously, every wedding, birthday or moving home present I've bought over the past few months has been from this little lovely. So, I thought it was time to share my online shopping secret. You'll find everything from clever matchboxes to stationary that's truly drool worthy. Here are my 11 favorites on the site right now. Keep this page bookmarked. It's a lifesaver of epic proportions. // JavaScript is currently disabled in this browser. Reactivate it to view this...

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Style Update: The perfect summer bag

Ladies and gents, allow me to introduce you to one of my favorite hometown bag designers... Dewdrop Designs! There's a reason these gorgeous bags are a favorite of Oprah...they are simply fabulous and perfect for travel, a day at the beach or just a run to your local grocery store. Every single place where I've carried this bag in London, I've been asked where it can be purchased, so, I thought it was about time to come out and shout about it. This neoprene necessity is available to purchase online and comes in every colour way you can imagine. Get one in now!  Ok, so about the rest of the look. Well, you're more or less looking at a preppy moment in head to toe J Crew. You can take the girl out of the preppy southern states, but you can't take the southern states out of the gi...

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