Little Bird by Jools Oliver - A/W 2013

The "Christmas in July" presentation by Mothercare last week featured the beautiful "Little Bird" A/W 2013 range by Jools Oliver.

Little Bird launched a year ago and this is its third collection....

it features gorgeous Liberty-esque dresses and plenty of bright & happy rainbow colours in the softest cotton.

Plenty of everyday wear for girls and boys, it would be impossible not to find something to love in this stylish & classic range.

There is an old-fashioned/vintage feel about it but it also feels very practical too.

The Little Bird A/W 2013 range is available from Mothercare from August 11.

Swimwear, Underwear & Beachwear

all from Boden

We might not be having a beach holiday this year but May has crept up on me & I've realised that I need some new swimwear for what will still be a hot Italian summer....

and if I wait much longer, I won't be able to find a decent one anywhere.

I have also narrowed down my outfit for the Italian wedding next month....

new accessories, including lingerie, will be required....this week-end I am on a mission!

Boden always have gorgeous swimwear choices, lots of mix and match choices....as do J.Crew.

A place I have found very good for online shopping & great choice is Intimissimi....

See here for Intimissimi voucher codes....

swimsuits via J.Crew, beach cover up via Hush

Bikini via The White Company, tankini via Figleaves.com & Kaftan from Boden

Summer of Colour

Boden ankle grazers/Boden colourblock high-tops/Ice watches

My twelve year old daughter and I choose her wardrobe together....most of the time!

I, of course, pay for it and we make choices together....

I love to see her putting outfits together though, matching items that I might not have thought of, creating her own style.

A lot of the time, she is all about skinny jeans, Vans or Converse....

but I think colour adds so much to an outfit, it lifts the spirits (however old you are!)

.....and it's fun for summer.

I've put together some items here that I've already bought for her....

and some that I just think would be perfect.

The Johnnie B range from Boden has such a great selection....

and an ice watch is something she's been wanting for ages....

you can see them here at Collectables.

 I just need her agreement 

- she's already looked at this lot and nodded enthusiastically (hoorah!) -

....and her summer wardrobe is complete ;)

     

Boden colourblock breton/Superga classic plimsolls/Boden skinny jeans

TopShop jelly sandals/A+F Dessa tee/Kipling bag

Boden broderie shorts/summer kaftan/sunglasses

Jack Wills hooded top/Next textured pink stripe bikini/Converse

Met Gala : PUNK : Chaos to Couture, Part 2

Anne Hathaway

Giovanna Battaglia 

Minka Kelly 

Hilary Rhoda 

Julianne Hough 

Stacy Keibler

Uma Thurman

Taylor Swift

Jessica Alba

Nicole Richie

Lily Cole

Jennifer Lopez

Christina Ricci

Ashley Greene

Ivanka Trump

Jessica Biel

Paloma Faith

(all photos via London Daily Mail)

Met Gala : PUNK : Chaos to Couture

The theme of the 2013 New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art's Monday night Gala was

PUNK : Chaos to Couture, held to highlight its spring exhibition.

Some of those attending clearly embraced their idea of punk completely, some simply went dressed for a gala....and some added a "punk" accessory or two.

If you're going to do it, you might as well go all the way....

Opinions of the outfits/costumes/gowns worn varied widely, as to be expected with a theme this interesting....but for me it was Madonna and Sarah Jessica Parker who stole the show.

You have to have attitude in spades & a lot of confidence to wear those clothes & I loved it. British fashion so often takes risks & SJP often carries that off perfectly.

I loved too that SJP wore British from head to foot, London is so strongly associated with punk rock....

and only Madonna could possibly get away with that outfit....she rocked it, as they say.

Outfit Love

hat via Zara (via my own wardrobe last season!)

Putting an outfit together....

I started with the boots below & then I added other items with a Saturday brunch with girlfriends  in mind.... 

then a browse round Hampstead High Street, followed by tea and cake....

the perfect winter (or March, based on the weather we're having in London right now!) Saturday.... 

tall leather boots

Michelle day dress via hush

or

this soft sweater via Asos

with this gorgeous poncho from Catherine Robinson Cashmere worn over it

plus

soft cotton black leggings via hush

 or

these black biker leggings from F+F at Tesco

Raybans

and finally

black Osprey London across body bag via John Lewis

Review : Chatham Marine for OutDoors & Sailing

Chatham Marine is a beautifully traditional Great British company, specialising in sailing and outdoor clothing and footwear.

It is known for its attention to detail, wonderful quality, traditional craftmanship combined with innovation and materials which are durable enough to endure whatever elements are thrown at it.

They have a fantastic range of deck shoes for men, women & children. 

For women they also have sailing shoes, country walking boots, driving shoes and loafers.

I ordered the Andalusia Country Chelsea boot in auburn (as seen below) and absolutely love them!

Super-comfortable and perfect for week-end walking or just to wear with jeans, the detail on the boots makes them very stylish too. 

Boots are by far my favourite choice of footwear & on the recent cold week-ends, I've been living in them. 

The company provided an excellent service &, surprisingly for boots, they took very little time to wear in. I wouldn't hesitate to order from them again.

Andalusia Country Chelsea Boot

c/o Chatham Marine

Chatham Marine is available online & can also be found at John Lewis. Check their website for the stockist nearest to you.

Fashion : Vertbaudet Maternity

Vertbaudet has long been a favourite brand of mine....

online French style at very reasonable prices.

Super-cute childrenswear, great wardrobe basics & lovely maternity wear as featured in today's post....I picked out a few favourites. 

Vertbaudet has always been great on basics and their maternity wear is no exception.

Workwear, very comfortable day & night wear and outfits & fabrics whatever the season.