CAMBRIDGE SATCHEL COMPANY - TOWNHOUSE-WARMING PARTY

jacket - zara

sweater & skirt - new look

trainers - primark

sunglasses - topshop

Sophie & I popped by the Cambridge Satchel Company townhouse for the launch of their new store in Covent Garden this week. Spread over 3 floors (!), the store has been organised into collections, from their Vivienne Westwood collab, to Mens (incidentally the latter has some amazing matt leather, portrait shape rucksacks). Following indulging in one too many cake pops and biscuits and a bit of an intense sugar overload, we felt it necessary to visit Five Guys on the way home. It's all about balance, right?

bloglovin'/pinterest/twitter/facebook

{portraits by Sophie, edits & other photos by me}

♥

BIG SKIRTS AND CROPPED KNITS

Wore this skirt for the first time yesterday; it was only when I got home that I realised the tag was still attached! *d'oh!*

The full shape & structure of the skirt reminded me of the big skirts at Dior this season, & I really wanted to clash the pretty pastel colours with a 1970s orange knit. I've pretty much found my (literal) comfort zone in flats & pumps recently, these grey pumps from Primark fitting the bill on so many days. I'm also tempted to take my first foray into the Allstar market, maybe a pair of red or neutral cream ones to wear with dresses into the Autumn...

We tried out the Providores & Tapa Room for brunch beforehand: Turkish eggs with yoghurt & chilli served with soda bread, & eggs on chorizo were recommended, as was the bloody mary...

Happy Bank Holiday Weekend!

sweater & skirt - topshop
top (just seen) - h&m
pumps - primark
bag - zara
sunglasses - dior
watch - michael kors
bloglovin'/pinterest/twitter/facebook

{all portraits by Sophie, edits by me}

♥

ORLA KIELY / BRITISH SUMMERTIME

There's this hidden corner of Clapham that Sophie & I head to when the sun's out & we feel like dancing around in new outfits & getting a bit snap-happy, & of course there's nothing more suitable for this than an Orla Kiely dress & matching shoes! I originally wore this dress to London Fashion Week last season, so when it came up in a 50% flash-sale I couldn't resist! Huge thanks to Clarks too, who are producing the Orla Kiely footwear range & rather wonderfully sent me this gorgeous Marianne pair...

Afterwards, Sophie & I headed to the new No.32 in Clapham (used to be the Frog), & whilst they had a few teething problems (smoke alarm for starters!), the food was certainly worth waiting for!

bloglovin'/pinterest/twitter/facebook

{all portraits by Sophie, edits by me}

♥

THE WELL: FARRINGDON GASTROPUB

The Well in Farringdon is one of those gastropubs that truly commit to the art of drinking & dining well (sorry!) in an atmosphere & surroundings worthy of the traditional British pub. On one of the finest days of the year so far, we paid a visit to this institution on Saint John Street, nestled in amongst offices & tower blocks, its front & side walls opened up to allow tables & patrons to spill out onto the pavement. 

We arrived 10 minutes before the end of happy hour, immediately encouraging us to make a snap decision on cocktails, deciding upon a Strawberry Passion (Zubrowka vodka, passion fruit, strawberries & black pepper) and a Berry Swizzle (Prosecco, Chambord, raspberry vodka, & strawberry puree). The latter seemed a bit tangy for my tastes, but the former was deliciously light & frothy, served in a martini glass & garnished with a fresh strawberry. For my starter I chose one of the specials, a soft-boiled black gulls egg served with herbed mayonnaise, crushed black pepper, & flavoured salt. The egg was marvellously runny & red-yolked, although it would have been all the more perfect served with some buttered granary soldiers! The Well seems to specialise in produce from the sea, so I chose a main of mussels in white wine, cream & garlic sauce, which was nicely complimented with the addition of sliced fennel, celery & onion. Hand-cut chips were an obvious accompaniment, & were just the right amount of crispy salty goodness. Minted veg also appeared on the scene, a hint of mint & a generous helping of butter creating the perfect side.

The best dessert we tried was the sticky toffee pudding served with butterscotch ice-cream & toffee sauce. Surprisingly light, with a thick, syrupy sauce, a great endnote to the meal. Throughout the meal we enjoyed one of the nicest Roses I've had in quite a while, a Cotes de Provence Melopee de Gavoty, of the lightest pink & most delicate flavour. Dessert was another matter, as unable to decide upon a dessert wine, our waitress advised us of an off-menu sherry, a lovely velvety, dark, sweet wine that was so fabulous, I forgot to read the label & remember the name! I did, however, hastily order a 2nd glass even after dessert was over - only slightly less enthusiastic than my companion who suggested ordering a bottle. Too much for a thursday night? Never!

Mains average on the pricier side towards £20, but if you have a gourmet card (we did), you'll get 50% off food.

bloglovin'/pinterest/twitter/facebook

{all photos & edits by me}

♥

WEDDING DRESSES AFTERNOON TEA @ PARK LANE SHERATON

Afternoon tea at the Park Lane Hotel is pretty special at the moment: in conjunction with the rather glamorous Wedding Dresses 1775 - 2014 exhibition currently hosted by the V&A, the Art Deco Palm Court invites you to a seriously stylish tea of champagne, scones, pastries & chocolates!

With a harp playing delicate melodies in the corner, the lounge offers a complete respite from the frantic business of Picadilly & tourist-London. Greeted with a glass of Moet & 2 tuxedoed chocolate-dipped strawberries, we sank into the huge sofas & prepared ourselves for a variety of treats. For the teas, I chose a sweet rosebud blend, whilst my companion chose a black vanilla. Cumin-scented cheese straws were the centre piece of the first plate, surrounded by a shot of cucumber vichyssoise dusted with gold leaf, smoked salmon & cream cheese on granary, San Danielli ham & asparagus brioche, poached chicken, tarragon mustard & lemon creme fraiche rolls. 

Second course was filled with the cutest heart-shaped scones, some classic, some apple & raisin. Raspberry & strawberry jams accompanied them, alongside clotted cream - what else? - & a lovely tangy lemon curd.

Finally, what you've all been waiting for - the cake! Something old - a vintage inspired pear & vanilla cake - something new - a golden ring of passion fruit with gold leaf on a biscuit base - something borrowed - a lemon & pistachio polenta cake decorated with a "borrowed" brooch - & something blue, a blueberry almond mousse with a luxurious chocolate cream - almost too rich to finish, but not quite!

This afternoon tea isn't just for couples or old-marrieds: celebrate friendships, old relationships, new couples - hey, tea & cake brings people together! I loved the little touches, scones moulded into the shape of a heart, the dress-inspired round of cakes, & the glamour that epitomises weddings & the V&A. We left with a final favour, white chocolate & espresso fudge gifted in a paper bag pinned with paper hearts <3

This particular afternoon tea is only running until the end of June, so make sure to check it out if you can! More details here.

bloglovin'/pinterest/twitter/facebook

{all photos & edits by me}

♥

SPRING PEACH

I'm super inspired by all things girly & pretty this spring/summer, from pastel lace-up brogues you might have worn in school, to glittery sunglasses that wouldn't look out of place in Los Angeles, & iced coffees in the park - or rather, Heals, my new favourite lunch hideaway in London...

Other current inspirations include Haleigh, from Making Magique, she posts such dreamy photos, & has such a unique girly meets ladylike style, i'm totally trying to emulate that high-waisted skirt thing!

bloglovin'/pinterest/twitter/facebook

{portraits by Sophie, & edits by me}

♥

CASLAZUR AW14 - HOSTED BY MISHKINS

The Caslazur AW14 collection was presented over at Mishkins restaurant on Catherine Street in Covent Garden, just a few minutes away from the hub-bub of Somerset House. I had a quick chat with the lovely Cassie, the designer behind the collection, who was wearing one of the enviable white & pink bomber jackets that I'm sure lots of people will be itching to get their hands on! From a distance, the geometrically arranged patterns adorning the clothes look botanical in nature, but Cassie revealed that a closer look would uncover a rather cheeky display of naked nipples! This fun, subtle approach to the print was offset by some more classic pieces in the collection, a wraparound belted winter coat, a gorgeous off-white-to-violet ombre evening gown.  In a nod towards such classic cuts, Cassie is taking the label to more red-carpet events & glamourous nights out on the town; recent spots have included actress Ophelia Loveibond, plus an appearance at last night's BAFTA's!

The clothes were worn at Mishkins, who rather wonderfully put on some gorgeous diner-style food: mini-burgers, rolls, & milkshakes topped with striped straws. Pink bombers & long evening gowns with comfort cuisine? Pretty perfect combination if you ask me.

bloglovin'/pinterest/twitter/facebook

{all photos & edits by me}

♥