Window Shopping

Going way back to some lovelies I photographed just after Christmas in the sales. Some are just too good not to share, whether they're still available or not (and I warn you now, there's a lot of luxury items to follow - hence the 'window shopping' title).  I do love to window shop and day dream about what I would buy should money not be an issue and items didn't have to work so hard for me. Starting with some Valentino's that were more recent in Bicester Village. These aren't at the actual Valentino shop but the Kurt Geiger one that stocks a huge array of brands - so do pop in.

Miu Miu silk tops at Prada, Bicester Village in January - £50.  Yes, I was so tempted.

Currently in Zara, £49.99 suede beauties

Spotted in TK Maxx last week for £50 - Valentino sunglasses

It's a good job these were too big on me or 'dry February' may have had to have changed...!

The Christmas sales in particular are always a good time to invest in accessories and this last one was no exception.  I could have gone mad on shoes and handbags but I was so restraind.   I decided I wanted to invest in shoes that could be worn more on a daily basis than a special pair (more on them soon).  I was also not in need of a large handbag so all of the below didn't come home with me.  But how beautiful is this little lot!

Fendi at Bicester Village.  Canvas with the softest leather handles.  I still love this. 40% off down to £223.20

Chloe at Bicester Village, £795 down to £282 - the raw suede lining was just as good as the external view

Miu Miu at Selfridges £890 down to £445

Gucci at Gucci Westfield, these had 40% off from memory.  I was very tempted by the yellow as it was a cross body style bag I had my eye on

Karen Millen samples (very recently) at Bicester Village - these were £45 (from my poor memory, but am pretty sure they were under £50).  The back pack especially was gorgeous

Also at Karen Millen at Bicester, these suede shoes were also £45.  How stunning are they.  I just don't go out enough to warrant them!

From one beauty to another - these are from Manolo Blahnik and were in the Libery sale after Christmas, £650 down to £325

Completely having a play here!

With Winter feet and un-manicured toes these Chanel's still looked good - properly day dreaming about these.  They were around the £400 mark and no, not in the sale!

Finishing with something a little more accessible, these jumpers from & Other Stories.  I love a chunky knit at the moment, almost as much as a sweatshirt.  I am back in London soon and on the off chance these are still in (saw these a few weeks ago), I may just have to try one on as I love that they are that little bit different.  They were both half price at £47.50 (£95 full price - wow!).

PS Just checked and the above jumpers are both £40 online but there's £6 for delivery. 

The Vogue Festival - My Day In Pictures

Better late than never - I've finally got round to sharing my snaps from the Vogue Festival last month. The festival is fairly new (3rd one they've done) and has lots of different fashionista speakers you can go and listen to.  I heard about it first last year when Victoria Beckham did it - I was gutted to have missed out on her so this year I made sure I was on the ball ticket wise.  They are pricey (£45 odd per session) so my friend and I decided to only see the one which was 'My Fashionable Life' with Tory Burch, Angela Missoni and Manolo Blahnik.  However we discovered there were other things to see and do their once you were in (it as at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in South Bank) so you didn't feel like the price was too bad.  There was a mini cinema, make-up sessions with Burberry, manicures (found out a little too late and missed out!), hair stylists and the chance for budding designers to show their products to a Vogue editor.   So all in all, the price wasn't too bad.  Our day started in Harrods (naturally) just for a little browse around as our talkers didn't start until later.

Had to have a little look in Chanel of course

I majorly want an Equipment shirt, the silk was amazing

I love this bomber jacket from T by Alexander Wang 

Amazing dress from Victoria Beckham, absolutely stunning

Then we arrived!

A quick pit stop

Drinks and a treat in the sunshine!

Additional mini talks going on that were free to watch once you were in

Eagerly awaiting ....

Tory Burch

Tory Facts;

• She is the second youngest self made millionaire
• Her first boutique was opened in New York in 2004, her first London store in 2011
• Her brand came from "something I was missing in the market.  I love designer clothes but could never afford them."
• With her first collection, she "wanted to build a lifestyle global brand"
• Bergdorf Goodman was her first account in 2004 
• Travel is a huge inspiration for her collections
• "If I wasn't a great Mum, I wouldn't be a great CEO"

She came across as a really down to earth, a working single Mum who appreciates what she has but has had to work really hard to get there and has a great team behind her.  She also supports women in business with her Tory Burch Foundation.

Lucinda Chambers (Vogue's Fashion Director) who led the talks rocking the socks and shoe combo

Angela Missoni

Angela Facts;

• The brand, famous for their colourful zigzag patterns, was created by her parents in 1953, after they met when he ran in the Olympics 
• She attended the fashion house's first show at the age up 5 but "grew up very free"
• She started off in jewellery before her Mum encouraged her to be more involved with the fashion line
• She took years off to be a Mum and did everything from starting her own kindergarten to raising organic chickens before returning to the family brand
• A question from the audience about starting in the industry made her respond with "if you really have something to say, you will be heard" 
• She feel's "there's still lots more things I need to fix"

Angela came across so warm and passionate about her families brand.  Something that started many many years ago has stood the test of time and I can't help but think that part of the reason is it's deep rooted family values.  

Tory, Angela mid flow and Manolo

Manolo Blahnik

Manolo Facts;

• The world renowned shoe designer was mentioned in every episode of Absolutely Fabulous
• He designed Kate Moss's wedding shoes
• He grew up in The Canary Islands where as a young boy he used to make shoes for lizards out of silver foil 
• He can't work with a team, he does everything himself apart from the sizing
• He has a house in Bath, UK
• When asked if he ever relax's, he said "I wish I could, no!  I don't like TV much"
• An audience question prompted him to say; "you have to have passion" and when asked about whether he really did do it all himself, he said; "no, no, no, I do everything"

Manolo had a great sense of humour, really dry and I partly felt he didn't know how funny he came across.  A little eccentric with a quirky personality, with his unique accent I could have listened to him talk all night. 

As they left the stage they all walked towards my side of the auditorium, it was only then did I realise that Rosita Missoni was sat a few rows in front of me!  Check out her adorable plaited hair below!

Rosita with the glasses on

I had to have my picture taken in front of the Vogue covers wall.  I wore heels but changed into flats for my commute!

Shirt; H&M
Trouser; MiH
Shoes; Bally Switzerland
Bag; Balenciaga
Watch; Tag
Fur Gilet; Zara

I had to get a close up with Victoria! 

Angela & VogueTV's Martha Ward 

And then the hustle and bustle, people started dashing, I joined in and lost my friend (sorry Jess) not knowing why but it was worth it.  Valentino was walking to the auditorium for his talk and stopped to give us all a wave, wow!

Silly me for loosing Jess, she got much closer!

I didn't get close enough to Valentino for a photo together (!) but I did with his partner and business partner Giancarlo Giammetti, I was a tad excited!

It was a brilliant day, I adore London anyway but it was so nice hearing these fantastical icons of our time speak, such a treat.

Tired and with a few hours commute home we ended our day having a little stroll around The Real Food Market outside followed by a delicious halloumi wrap.  If anyone is near South Bank, it is always open Friday - Sunday and I fully recommend for fresh yummy food. 

My First Video Featuring None Other Than Mr Manolo Blahnik!

A little teaser from my Vogue Festival trip, just to keep my loyal readers going (full blog post coming soon!).  It's grainy I know, but you should get to hear the man himself who is pretty damn fabulous.  Oh and that's Angela Missoni getting hot and using her fan!  Such a busy bee of late (thank you to my new clients) so hoping to be back to normal sharing my shopping finds ASAP.  Have a lovely Easter everyone x

The Dream Purchase: Manolo's (& An Outfit: Mango Dress)

Whilst in Dublin visiting my sister the other week, I had some child free shopping time (bliss, if only everything wasn't more expensive).  We popped into Brown Thomas, if you haven't heard of this department store, think high end brands and you get the picture.  I love it when you can be up close and personal with brands you wouldn't normally see and even more so when you can try them on.  Que a pair of Manolo Blahnik's.  Not just any Manolo's, but the one's Carrie bought in the first Sex & The City movie and Mr Big used as the 'engagement ring' (sorry, I get a little carried away with S&TC!).   Wow wow wow.  They didn't have Carrie's blue out so I tried the classic black.  How sparkly were those gems?  So not normally my cup of tea (I'm a PR companies dream, Carrie completely sold them to me) but if I was pushed, I'd make them work for me…….

Hangisi Satin Pumps £600+

Carrie and Mr Big with her pair of Manolo's

And to make me want them even more, Miss Olivia Palermo in hers

And back to reality.  A meeting in Oxford last week called for a dress so my Mango one got an outing worthy of it (school runs with biker boots previously).  Please excuse the fuzzy picture, it was the best of about 20 taken by my 6 year old, but you get the idea.  I didn't realise until trying to take a closer photo that the back drapes down slightly longer than the front hem, it's subtle.  The green isn't as dull as it appears.  I'm so pleased with my impulsive purchase, it lends itself to many different an occasion, changed easily with shoes.  

Dress: Mango
Tights: M&S
Boots; Topshop

A slightly better picture to show the colour

So who's with me on the shoes?!?