LDN FSHN WK

It's London Fashion Week!

Personally, having been to a fair amount of fashion-cities from New York to Paris, I must say that I think London is where it's at. Walking along the streets of Central London there is an eclectic, varied and original look amongst the people. It can happen, but it is not usually the case that you are wearing exactly the same outfit head to toe as another person and that's what I like about London.I could confidently say that I think our high street shops are among the best in the shopping world.

So as London fashion week is off to a kick start, it is adorned by a vast range of designers, celebrities, media all keen to find out what will be hot for this year's S/S and A/W collection.

For Spring/Summer, look out for...

Flower Power!

                                                                  Paul Smith 2011
Pleated skirts

                                                             House of Holland 2011

Silk & Chiffon

                                                                   Bora Aksu 2011
Lush...is it pay day yet?!

Can't get yourself to the front row of a fashion show, drooling over the clothes? Why not take a bite out of them instead! Grab your friends, family and get yourself down to the Berkley Hotel in London for afternoon tea. The cakes are inspired by London Fashion week on Paul Smith patterned cutlery and tea pots!

It's a Mulberry kind of love

Today's feature was written by my guest writer Grace, she is the best friend to do those tiresome shopping trips with and quite possibly influences my handbag purchases. Absolutely loving the Mulberry post and considering giving my Bayswater a new best friend called  Alexa! Enjoy...

Whether used functionally or simply to make a bold fashion statement, most women are guilty of designer handbag obsession! This is often the case when you are loyal to a brand. I AM GUILTY and my LOVE is...Mulberry. The wonderful classic and seasonal collections stay true to British Culture and Luxury!

Emma Hill creative director has truly worked her magic on the designs; her playful and colourful taste has brought back fun into the seriousness of everyday life. Her changes proved successful as Mulberry won Best Designer Brand at the 2010 British Fashion Awards. 

Mulberry spoils both the 'girl next door' and 'fashionista' with a wide range of handbags. The must have classic is the Bayswater, an iconic timeless piece that ages beautifully and is simply a handbag that will not go out of fashion. Sported in this picture by Alexa Chung.

Funnily enough the current “IT” bag is the Alexa. The person who the desingers were inspired by.

SPRING/SUMMER 2011 COLLECTION

“I’m always really inspired by film and for this collection it was Grey Gardens – both the documentary and the remake – and the Secret Garden. I love the idea of this amazing magical world and I think that’s quite Mulberry,” the label’s creative director Emma Hill speaking to VOGUE

Say hello to floral, electric blue, light denim, chestnut, power beige just to name a few of this seasons “must” colours. Take a sneak peak of some the latest Mulberry fashion pieces...

Doggy style!

Yes indeed, Mulberry does clothing for DOGS too!! How adorable..This cute little pup is rocking out the trippy tiger print. Bye-Bye leopard, Hello Tiger =)

Go fourth and find your love for Mulberry, check out Mulberry ladies also available as an Iphone and Ipad application!

With Fashion Love xoxo

Blog feature

Check out the Bow! blog, a girl's life and cupcakes is mentioned today :)

It's all bow-tiful

Bow is handmade and designed by the stylist in you in mind.

Bow is a bespoke service that creates stylish and unique accessories from earrings to bracelets. It already has created a stir in the fashion world appearing on celebrities and featuring in popular magazines.

Check out her work on Etsy, I sported a pair of baby pink earrings on my hen night :)

I was fortunate enough to catch up with the creative hands behind Bow Davy. If she's not busy designing and creating bows, you can find her strutting her stuff at Pineapple dance studios. She is a brilliant talent who, on top of Bow, is also launching her own Zumba class in the near future-like how I link back to a previous post?!

What made you decide to create a bow business?  BOW! was born because I needed a creative outlet. I was job hunting, which is nobody's favourite task to do, and needed to do something different and creative.

I started to mess around with fabric and bits and bobs that I have collected over the years. I'm one of those people who buys a pack of pretty beads, saves buttons, you know...just in case.And then BOW! was born. I started to make them for myself and then friends and family and then everyone!

What items do you make?  I make anything and everything that is BOW! related. I mainly work on a BOW!-spoke service so people have the freedom to create their own piece according to their style. I like to encourage creativity and encourage people to be trend setters and not followers. My pieces include, BOW! ties, necklaces, rings, earrings, bracelets, cuff links, cushions etc!

Who is the most famous person to wear your creations?  Can I have 3? DJ Nikki Beatnik (Kelis' DJ), Labrinth (he's going to be huge this year!) and Samuel Hextall (Paris Hilton's British BBF).

Which is your favourite pattern?  Favourite pattern? It depends on the outfit and occasion.

What advice do you have for someone who wanted to start their own online business?  Go for it! If you don't try it you won't know. Be open minded.

What's next for bow?  Who knows....? More colla-BOW!-rations, new fabrics, new styles...watch this space.





A Fairytale

...and they lived happily ever after. This fairytale reference we tend to associate with a wedding or marriage but there are also a couple of characters that women insert into conversations when discussing dates or a relationship-frog and prince. ‘You have to kiss a few frogs, before you find your prince’ so people say but there are occasions when you just know that it definitely won’t be a happy ever after.

It can start as early as a date, hoping it would go well and it does-until the frog says something that makes you thinks oh no! One relationship (I say that loosely because I really don’t think it was one) in the past I knew was doomed because our opposites just didn’t attract what-so-ever, in fact I don’t think they have ever repelled so far apart!  I was more Britney and Christina; he was Slipknot and System of a down’.

"I knew the first date was over when the only compliment he gushed at me repeatedly was about how his male boss thought he looked like a hot Bollywood actor." (Lena)


"As soon as I SAW him, I knew I weren't interested!" (Christine)


"I spent most of the night talking to my date's friends, as my date creeped me out!" (Emily)

"...he talked about his ex girlfriend a lot. Put me right off." (Grace)

"...He was in the army. He thought a great way to spend our date was to talk about all the people he has beaten the crap out of THEN he boasted about being on 'sick leave' for months when he didn’t need to be THEN he ended the date opening up his Mickey mouse umbrella for me to walk and said 'I’ll call you' and called me two years later....true story." (Hannah)

I think it helps to come across of few ribbits on your path it makes meeting your prince that slightly bit more interesting! Of course in this day and age the Prince can sometimes revert to being a frog and in fact turn into a toad! On the flip side there are Princes out there and can and will make you feel like a Princess. Fairytales have a lot to answer for...

Ditch the workout join the party!

Zumba is what it's called and Zumba is what has taken the fitness halls by storm.

As a fitness instructor Beto’s life took an unexpected turn one fateful day in the mid-‘90s when he darted off to teach an aerobics class and forgot his traditional aerobics music. He improvised using his own mix of music from tapes he had in his backpack (salsa and merengue music he grew up with). Spontaneously, he created a new kind of dance-fitness, one that focused on letting the music move you!

Zumba features moves from salsa, hip hop, merengue to reggaeton in a way in which you can tailor it to your ability. It's energising, fun and gets the blood pumping. It's a fitness party!

It's so kitsch!

Ear piercing is one of the oldest known forms of body modification with artistic and written references from cultures around the world dating back to early history.  Designs range from small loops, large hoops, decorative danglies and studs.

But what is bang on trend at the moment? Bold, novelty and the bigger the better! A pop of red, yellow, pink or blue-kitsch it up!

Tatty Devine have a great selection of earrings.

The Golden Globes

Natalie Portman looked stunning in a Victor & Rolph gown and sporting her bump. I wouldn't be surprised if this dress will influence a new design of their perfume bottles!

Well done to Colin Firth for his role in The King's Speech. Definitely Oscar worthy for his portrayal of King George VI.

A few more gowns to drool over...