Pearson Square

Sunday, 21 August 2016
Happy Sunday everybody! This weekend is a very quiet one for me. Last week my body sort of went "umph" and I had to rest up and do very little. It's taken me years to realise it's ok to do that; the world isn't going to end if you walk away from your desk. Sometimes you need to just sit back, calm and listen to your body. 

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When I did eventually surface out of the house, I went for the most basic of all basic outfits. This look is very "me on a Sunday" as it's easy, comfortable and ready for all eventualities. Firstly, the top. It's from the Zara sale I found it right at the back of a rail a few weeks ago (it has sold out but I dug out this from ASOS for £12 for you). Boho tops are just a blessing from above when you want to look like you've made an effort, when in fact you fell out of bed into it...

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The trousers are from Monsoon, my winning brand of the summer. I've long been a fan of cargo pants, and have owned these Gap slim fit ones for ages. These Monsoon ones are ace; little bit roomier and have a really nice detail on the leg. They're the kind of things that go with everything - they look amazing with a denim shirt, or grey tee shirts or even as a neutral to go with a more patterned top or blazer. I am going to upgrade to a J Crew pair (here) at some point because everyone tells me they're brilliant, but for now these will do me just fine. I guess what I'm trying to say in my round-the-houses fashion is that every girl does need a pair...

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Shoes wise, I really struggle to do smart casual with footwear but these Topshop flats were a bit of a find. They're genuinely a joy to wear (coming from someone who lives in trainers that's quite a compliment) and make you feel like you've dressed up a bit when you can still run about all day...

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Lastly but not least, my bag. long time readers will know I'd been stalking Vestiaire Collective for a Neverfull for nearly a year. The number of times one came available, I missed it and I cried - it's probably not a good idea to dwell on it... I wanted a vintage one because the new ones are made from plastic, and I kind of feel if you're investing in a bag you want real leather. Finally one came up in my price range and I got my hands on it. We've lived happily ever after ever since.

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I hope you all have lovely weeks ahead of you. I'm going to check out Croatia's new festival island called Obonjan for a few days. Follow me over on Instagram here to see what I get up to!

Outfit Details
flats = as worn, Topshop / similar in silver / similar in blue

Photos taken on a Canon 5D from John Lewis here.
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The Art Of Living

Wednesday, 17 August 2016
Last week was an absolute blast. Having finally got home from Scotland (a two day storm meant we were stuck on the island for a little longer than planned) we had a very quick turn around to join the Quintessentially lifestyle team for two days of adventure as part of Aston Martin Lagonda's new Art of Living experiences.


I'm no car expert, but I like fast and good looking ones. Aston Martin is one of those brands every one knows, every one associates with luxury but yet few actually get the chance to drive one. So when we were invited to do just that and be some of the first people in the world to drive their new DB11 it was an instant yes (and I never need buy G a Christmas present ever again...).


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We arrived at their head office for a tour of the factory which really was fascinating. I had no idea how intricate the processes are when building a car, and Aston Martin really let the car owner get involved - they can come in and see their car being built and are notified when the car is at each stage of development.


It was really apparent that they are a "quality over quantity" brand - with only 85,000 car ever made in the last 104 years (90% of which are still on the road) which is the same as other car manufacturers you might otherwise put alongside AM produce in 6 months... Having learned all of this, I could hear the DB11s being revved up outside and I was itching to get in and give it a go...



I really wish I was better at describing how it felt to drive, other than just saying "OMG it's unreal." Other words that could just about work include: incredible, unbelievable, brilliant... You get the drift. I've been in some nice cars in my time, but this one really is on a new level.


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We drove in pairs across the Cotswolds with routes carefully planned out so we got a real sense of the car's performance, stopping for lunch at Cowley Manor before driving on to our home for the night, newly refurbished hotel, The Painswick. This place was my kind of hotel; boutique feel with very cool interiors, good sheets, excellent bath stuff (I'm a stickler for this, it was all Neom Organics which is one of my favourite brands). Their veranda (above) felt like it was in Italy, so beautiful!




After a great dinner with the group it was straight to bed to get up bright and early for day two. We drove back to Aston Martin Lagonda HQ through some gorgeous villages like Bourton on the Water and Stow on the Wold (stopping to take a few pictures with Lucy and Etienne) before a morning discovering how every Aston Martin design starts off it's life in clay.




We met the man behind it (John) who was so interesting, and it was great to meet someone clearly so in love with what he does for a living. The craftsmanship involved was incredible, and it was almost relieving to know that in this day and age some skills are required away from a computer to make something like an Aston Martin.




A few hours later, having all failed miserably at trying to craft a car from clay, we reluctantly left to go back to London. If you're looking to treat yourself or someone you know to a unique experience, do this. Just do it. I can't put into words the feeling of driving a car like that, and I'm now itching to do it again. Aston Martin now do all kinds of exciting trips around the world as part of the Art of Living series; check them out here. 
Thank you to Quintessentially, Aston Martin and The Painswick for a brilliant couple of days.  Rooms at The Painswick start at £149pp, book here (and do, it's awesome).

Photos taken using an Olympus PEN EP-L7 from John Lewis here and the 45mm lens here.
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Syracuse

Monday, 15 August 2016
These pictures were taken just after our friend's wedding in Sicily. We were wandering about the beautiful venue in search of bacon sandwiches and medical aid after dancing the night away. In a typical "poor old Instagram husband" fashion I made the boy stop what he was doing and take some pictures of me in my dress because I really, really wanted to share it with you all.  

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It's amazing when you find the perfect little white dress, it's even better when your friend made it. In summer things like this form the basis of every single one of my outfits. You can throw it on, put some flats with it for daytime or some heels for evening and you're done. You can also keep it handy in your beach bag for putting on during lunch, or to pop to get ice cream, or for post-beach drinks. 

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It's from Pampelone which you've more than likely already seen on Instagram as lots of us bloggers have been making any excuse to wear it. My lovely friend Holly set up the brand having seem a gap for premium quality, reasonably priced beachwear. She's completely nailed it and less than two years on she's stocked all over the world, included Very Exclusive.

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Sizing wise, I'm a pretty standard 10 (with a bum, so sometimes a 12 in places like Topshop were they almost fine you for not being a model) and I take a size small in all things Pampelone. Considering they're all quite oversize I always feel really slim in my dresses, Holly has got the fit completely bang on. I can't recommend them enough, check out the whole range here.

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After the picture we drove up to Palermo, took the overnight ferry and headed to Amalfi for the best holiday of my life. I'm itching to get away again now, it seems like too long ago...

Outfit details
dress = as worn, Pampelone / stocked at Very Exclusive here too (as always sells out super fast)
hat = as worn, pinched from a feature at the wedding and therefore not for sale

Photos taken using an Olympus PEN EP-L7 from John Lewis here and the 45mm lens here.
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Capri

Sunday, 14 August 2016

Ahh, going back to this day makes me so happy. We'd just sailed into Capri on a spontaneous travel detour and decided to make camp for a couple of nights. Neither of us had been before and it had always been on our bucket lists. Arriving into Marina Grande was every bit as special as you'd hope, and the taxi ride over to our little hotel in Ana Capri had some of the most breathtaking views I'd ever seen.

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We stayed at Hotel Orsa Maggiore which is absolutely amazing. All the options were either incredibly expensive or hostel-like so we were a little apprehensive as to why we could afford this one, and in truth we still can't really work it out. It's a really beautiful family owned guest house, with a gorgeous pool. The rooms were beautiful and just outside the town rather than off a market square, which most of the others seems to be. I'd definitely recommend staying in sleepy Anacapri if you're looking for a more relaxed break.

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These snaps were taken from our balcony and I just remember feeling so incredibly content. We later wandered around the area somewhat aimlessly, which is exactly what you should do in a place like Capri. The backstreets, pretty little boutiques, restaurants - couldn't get enough of it. Without a doubt one of the most special places I've ever been.

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And of course, my outfit. This dress is another brilliant holiday-throw-on from Monsoon. I've always wanted a black summer dress, I think they're so chic and perfect for a European beach break. I felt like someone from a film in it! That said, it's unbelievably comfortable and being black means that it hid a multitude of sins (by this point I was about seven days - so probably ten pizzas and twenty ice creams - down). I cannot recommend it enough, get one here - and hurry as it's already sold out once...

Outfit Details

Photos taken using an Olympus PEN EP-L7 from John Lewis here and the 45mm lens here.
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Linienstrasse

Friday, 12 August 2016
A couple of weeks ago I was walking the dog past Bimba y Lola in Hampstead and spied this dress in the window. For some unknown reason I had never gone into one of their stores before, but for the following few days I "oohed" at the window and by the weekend I popped in to try it on. I had completely assumed the brand was very expensive, but it really isn't. Whats more the dress was very reduced in the sale, find it here.

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Lopez had a great time with the lovely staff who were very happy to mind him whilst I proceeded to try on everything in the shop. I very nearly walked out with 200 things (this dress and this dress were seriously close purchases) but managed to limit it to just the yellow dress and some brilliant little sandals which were all reduced - to £19 - find them here.

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Yellow is a really tricky colour to wear unless you have darker skin, so as soon as I get the slightest hint of a tan I bring it all out of the cupboard. I don't know if it's an actual "thing" but I feel so happy when wearing yellow, there is something really liberating and brave about it. The cut of this dress is so classic too, I know I'm going to have it for years and years...


I really would recommend taking a closer look at Bimba y Lola, I'm kicking myself for not giving it a go sooner. They have some really good basic sweaters, work-suitable dresses and this shirt is a dead ringer for a much more expensive Equipment one I spotted in Berlin (where these photos were taken). Check out the whole collection here.

Outfit details
sunglasses = as worn, Fendi

Photos taken using an Olympus PEN EP-L7 from John Lewis here and the 45mm lens here.
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