Holiday Wardrobe Shopping and What I Wore

If you follow me on twitter, then you will know that I have been doing some a lot of holiday shopping. Last month when we went away I didn't get a chance to 'prepare' as we booked our gateway last minute. Obviously, I survived and had the most fabulous break, but this time we are away for much longer period and, well, I just couldn't help myself...

First stop was Victoria's Secrets for some underwear. I've been a fan of this brand for a very long time and obviously I am utterly delighted that they finally opened their London store.

After buying enough knickers to last me a lifetime, I was off to Zara (another favourite) to get a few tops...

My new favourite colour (excuse my tired looking, make-up free face, but it was extremely hot and all I could think of, by that stage, was ice cold Pinot Blush in the garden)

This will look nice in the evening with some wedges

Summer, seaside - stripes (naturally)

I wore:

Shorts - used to be Trilogy jeans until a few weeks ago. I just couldn't find a perfect pair of white denim shorts and as the jeans have been with me for nearly five years, I decided to turn them into shorts!

Belt - Chloe

Top - Reiss (ancient)

Bag - Mulberry

Sandals - from boutique in Greece, already been soaked with strawberry cider by Little Miss S

Heatwave and What We Wore

Summer has finally arrived and settled in the city (day 6 of heatwave!). I am a huge lover of hot summer days, so we have been making the most of this glorious weather. Walks, picnics, barbecues, al fresco dinners. Oh, and what can be better than cup of coffee outside on the terrace in your pyjamas? Or glass of Prosecco in the afternoon (no need to wait for wine o'clock, it's hot!).

I wore:

Shorts (at last!) from Sisley. I am on the lookout for more shorts for our upcoming holiday. I prefer shorts to skirts, especially when I am out with Little Miss S. However, shorts also make a great evening outfit teamed up with some wedges or high-heel sandals and a shirt (just make sure they are not too short unless you don't mind being mistaken for a pole dancer).

These Michael Kors shorts are currently on sale at Outnet. They would look fabulous with a white shirt and some nude wedges.

My see-through top, which also opens at the back (it's hot after all!) is from Greece and has been one of my favourite buys for this summer.

My bra (don't normally write about my underwear but it's summer and you can pretty much see it) is from Agent Provacateur and it's one of my favourites.

Little Miss S wore:

Playsuit from H&M
Hat from Vertbaudet



Lebanese Festival and What We Wore

How would you describe your perfect weekend? How about delicious Lebanese food (even if you are not hungry, the smell will make you want to eat), cold Lebanese beer (have you tried?), lively Lebanese music (cannot help but dance) and sunshine (not just any sunshine, but very warm with not a cloud in the sky), lovely company and the fact that this is all happening in London (no need for travelling), and I think that would pretty much sum up my ideal weekend. So that's exactly what we did last weekend as Lebanese Festival was taking place. It's a fabulous day out for family and friends (yes, sunshine does help). I like the idea of taking your whole family out (from grandparents to tiny little babies) for a picnic in the park, eating food, meeting friends and dancing (yes, families were actually dancing and it wasn't some random drunk dancing...). At one stage I actually felt like I am abroad on holiday. Cannot add anything else. It was perfect. Here are some (a lot) photos.

The Hubby insisted on buying pretty much everything on the stalls (what is it about men buying food in large quantities?). And who ate majority of it? Me, of course!

Queue for kebabs was very long but very much worth it!

I wore:

Playsuit (or is it a jumpsuit?) from Asos

Bag from Longchamp
Sandals from a little boutique in Greece (which were later slightly damaged as Little Miss S knocked over the whole glass of strawberry cider over me...all forgiven, but I think I should get a new pair...)

Little Miss S wore:
Shorts: M&S
Top: Zara
Booties: Bobux
Hat: Vertbaudet

Swedish beauty

I've recently been invited to the opening of FACE Stockholm at Fenwick, Bond Street. This uber cool yet approachable cosmetic range comes from Sweden, where it was found and, more importantly, is still managed by the mother and her daughter. Their range of colours is spectacular, but what I really liked is the fact that they use only most natural ingredients. We went through pretty much every single product and I was very impressed by the quality.

Colours are vibrant and fresh, but not harsh.

Apparently lime nail varnish is men's favourite (on ladies obviously) ... Will need to test that with Mr Hubby

 

I thoroughly enjoyed playing with different colours. This is another great thing about this brand. Their attitude towards make-up is very laid back. It is all about joyful learning, creativity and laughter. You can take a very bold and bright lipstick and then add some lip-gloss to neutralise the colour. Don't be afraid to experiment. Just remember, if you are wearing a signature lipstick, keep your eye make-up neutral (I sometimes don't even wear mascara) and vice versa.

Ellen (the lady who brought FACE to the UK) and I came up with three essential products for busy yummy mummies.

1. Magic Wand - to cover up those sleepless nights.
2. Creme Brush-On  - can be used on lips, eye-lids and cheeks to give a little bit of glow (I went for Tokyo colour).
3. Brow Shadow - apply a little bit at the arch of your brow for a natural daytime look (I went for Myrrah colour).

Make-up and champagne is always a good idea!

And this is what I wore:

Dress: Zara (ancient... 3 years)
Bag: Furla (present from my ever so stylish Grandmother)
Sandals: bought in a little boutique in Greece (pack light - buy some more...)

City Love and What We Wore

Our 'office' for today. Oasis of calm in London

 

Sunny and warm days like the ones we are having in London at the moment, make you really appreciate and enjoy the city. Motherhood just intensified my thoughts about not wanting to relocate anywhere with 'more space and fresh air'. When Little Miss S was born, Hubby and I entertained the idea about buying a converted barn 'somewhere in the countryside' or maybe even building our own house (too many Grand Designs quite clearly). You know, local village, nice views, fresh air, lots of space for Little Miss S to play, couple more dogs (at one point Hubby mentioned horses...he must have been drunk). Anyway, so I kind of enjoyed that idea for a while *picturing myself baking cookies in the Aga*.  Children make you want to change for the better and seek perfection. They 'make you' buy eco friendly floor polish and look for places with minimal air pollution (seriously)... 19 months on and no amount of space will make we want to leave the joys shops and bars  of London behind. I've always been a city girl (with a substantial dose of beach holidays thrown in). Due to my dads work, I had a chance to live in a few countries and I always enjoyed the buzz that only a big city can bring. Our apartment in Kiev was located right in the centre (probably equivalent to living near Regent's Street). I thoroughly enjoyed being next to all the restaurants, theatres, shops, galleries and food markets. Life was happening right on our door step and it was great. Therefore, I enjoy London and now that we have our toddling toddler, there are so many wonderful parks and places to explore. Motherhood just reaffirmed my belief that I want to stay here and if we do decide to move, it will be more central rather than out. Oh, and as for more space - I just about manage to look after our own garden (which consists of a huge decking and some grass and trees). More dogs - as much as I love the creatures, no thanks. It would just make it quite impossible to go out for a walk (child in one hand, dog in another). Air in the parks also seems to be fresh enough and we can always go away for long weekend (just a thought).

On another note, this is what we wore:

 

Top: Asos
Jeans: 7 for All Mankind
Scarf: Ted Baker
Moccasins: Geox

Little Miss S wore:

Hat: Vertbaudet
Cardigan: Zara
Top and shorts: M&S
Shoes: Bobux

If you are a mummy and live in London, then it is worth checking London Mothers Club for some ideas on various meet ups in town.

Shopping: hats and accessories

Summer is around the corner (although I honestly  cannot feel it) and so is wedding season (and Christening and horseracing for me!).  Therefore, I ventured out to Fenwick Bond Street to try on some gorgeous hats and accessories (hard life). As I mentioned before, it's a perfect place if you are looking for something a little bit different and quirky.

So here are my finds (all available at the store).

Awesome summer colours

I am in love with these bracelets. They are so delicate and understated. Perfect arm candy!

Very cute headbands. Two in the middle are Salvatore Ferragamo (would go nicely with the pums if you like matching things)

One and only Philip Treacy. Work of art (hat, not me). Worth investing in my opinion (Hubby might have different opinions...)

Fun factor by Mich Dulce.

 Flower power by Grevi

And this one for those who are feeling extremely adventurous! I just had to try it on.

Shopping: bags

Here we go, day two of my shopping for a perfect Mama wardrobe S/S2013!

So after shoes, girl can never have too many handbags. Actually, let me rephrase that. Girl should have at least one good quality handbag. Handbag either 'makes or breaks' the look (my Mama told me so and she knows, she is a fashion designer)... There is, of course, another theory about handbags being good investment pieces (think classic Hermes or Chanel)... something that My Hubby finds very difficult to comprehend. One day, hey!

Anyway, this is what we found:

This Kate Spade bag is my favourite for summer. Simply stunning

Another Kate Spade creation. Love the colour

Anya Hindmarch. Perfect for the office.

Leghila washable(!) bag available at Fenwick Bond Street. Actually, Fenwick, together with Liberty London, is one of the best places to go if you are looking for something really special and different. They always stock something a little bit quirky or 'with a little bit of zest' as I like to call it.

Annabel Ingall available at Fenwick Bond Street. Perfect Mama bag. Very spacious and look at that colour!

I am in love with Wilbur and Gussie clutches. They are both pretty and quirky. And see what I mean about that 'zest'?!

 

Nsew bags also available at Fenwick Bond Street. Loving those bold colours. 

Now then ... this little beauty from Clare Vivier has been purchased by moi! Perfection in my eyes. Available at Fenwick Bond Street.

 

And last, but certainly not least, Longchamp, of course. I have slight addiction to Longchamp bags... Put this one on my Wish List. Perfect for travelling.

 

Here is me at the scarf department in Peter Jones, Chelsea. I wore:

Trench coat: Massimo Dutti

Jumper: Ralph Lauren

Scarf: H&M

Jeans: 7 for All Mankind

Ballet pumps: Blue Velvet

Bag (2 of them!): Peter Jones collection and Longchamp

(I only have half face because this is how my mum took a photo ...don't ask)

 

 

 

                                       And here is my little helper, my Mama. She wore:

                                       Trousers: Gant

                                       Chelsea Boot: Russell & Bromley

                                       Cardigan: MaxMara

                                       Bag: Longchamp

                                       Scarf: Zara

                                       Trench: Jaeger

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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