My week & Sample Sale

I've been MIA from blogging for a week and a bit, thanks to the half term break. It's been a rather refreshing respite and.......... wow, there's a world outside of blogging (!!!). I've also signed up for Pilates lessons to tone up my pudgy self and hopefully, fix my old sports injury. I'm glued to a laptop nearly everyday and live a somewhat sedentary lifestyle but it's high time I have a more consistent exercise routine.

Oh, and I've just discovered Korean dramas for the first time ever, thanks to a friend of mine who insisted I MUST check them out at least once. Lots of crying.....self sacrificial love....overly dramatic acting but boy, are they addictive. I'm still trying to work out the crazy hairstyle on the rather effeminate looking Korean actors and the kawaii style of acting. I guess they must really like cutesy, helpless girls.....

A friend and I with two kids in tow (okay, one's a teenager so technically it's only one kid) made a mad dash to London. We stayed overnight at a hotel I wouldn't ever recommend in this lifetime nor the next. This is what happens when you make a last minute booking.






I was dying to go to Nicholas Kirkwood sample sale. I'm obsessed with his shoes. The previous sale was a miss but I was hoping to see sensible heels and flats on offer this time around as he has introduced more of these into his current collections. It was surprisingly quiet when we arrived just before lunchtime. There were a lot more choices for those who are "blessed" with impossibly small size 35 feet.

I grabbed a few options (second photo from left to right) - the first pair (£200) were a little too similar to the ones I'd bought recently. The lace mules with fancy triangle heels were comfortable. The £50 price tag made them even more tempting but received a resounding no from my posse. I'd tried on the mesh and suede heels before at Browns. They were surprisingly comfortable but the price tag of £600 made me feel a little faint. It took 3 different staff members to find the other sandal. Actually, I should add that I was desperate enough to race from one corner of the room to the next, peering over the table to see if the box was misplaced. It was a triumphant moment equivalent to nabbing the ultimate prize at a competition when I held both heels to my chest and made it to the cashier's desk. Yeah......only a fellow shoeaholic will understand that feeling. By the way, they were £175. The pointy strappy heels were a mere £75 but again, my honest posse shook their heads. Oh well, those with bunions should never wear pointy heels anyway.

Sample Sale & Reiss press day

Attempting London when you've got a 3 hour door to door return journey sandwiched between school runs is like running an obstacle race. Dodging people left, right and center, racing up and down steep escalators, changing various tubes......and trying to get to your appointment without looking like you'd just completed .......... an obstacle race.

I rarely go to sample sales because I get vertigo just looking at the crowds and the dizzying array of clothes, all jammed together in a claustrophobic space. BUT.....I thought I'd check out Joseph sample sale held at the Music Room, located a few footsteps from South Molton St. There were a handful of Isabel Marant hawaiian shirts discounted from £800ish to £100 and skirts, also from the mainline collection reduced to £65. Alas, there was nothing in my size that caught my eye.








Next stop - Reiss press day. Their vast A/W collection blew me away. The pieces were a radical shift from the pastel and more classic S/S 14 pieces. On trend, contemporary and striking. There was the leopard print on calfskin hair, the exquisite lace top, a good selection of party dresses including the elegant evening gown with beautiful strip panels on the back AND there's even a piece of fabric to hide your bra. Brilliant.

The collection included a line for the younger market with a quilted asymmetrical biker jacket that has my name written all over it, another which is a selection of their bestsellers over the years with Italian made jackets (absolutely in love with the workmanship after turning the garment inside out to look at the finishing). I saw a dramatic dual toned textured sweatshirt which would look perfect, simply paired with jeans and ankle boots. It's not often I walk away excited and utterly impressed. With a more affordable price tag, Reiss will give the high end designers a run for their money.







I figured if I ran fast enough, I could get to La Pâtisserie des Rêves and make it back to Waterloo station in time for the train. Surprisingly, I was able to stop to take a few photos of the charming Marylebone village.




Outfit: Isabel Marant Etoile utility jacket (similar here), Uniqlo striped top, Zara jeans, See by Chloe ankle strap sandals (similar here), Chanel caviar WOC and Hermes Cape Cod watch.


A quick obligatory OOTD that I'd manage to twist Lil L's arm to snap a picture. (cue plenty of eye rolling and smart ass comments from the her). My usual outfit that has plenty of pockets so I can carry tons of junk on my body.....and comfy shoes so I could run.....the obstacle race.

La Pâtisserie des Rêves

I made these. Just kidding. Not that you were fooled for a second. I just photographed the heck out of these decadent pastries and then demolished them with the help of 3 others. I made a mad dash in between appointments to the much lauded La Pâtisserie des Rêves while I was in London (literal English translation - Patisserie of Dreams). It's owned by the revered pâtissier, Philippe Conticini. I've gushed about the place previously after my initial visit, thanks to a tip off by my foodie friend, Lois but they needed another mention.

I'm just thankful that more and more French boutique patisseries are making their way across the channel which means I no longer have to make the trek to Paris and binge as if the world's on the verge of pastry Armageddon (hypocritical comment seeing that I just came back from a binge fest in Paris). After a rather exciting discussion with the ladies at the Pâtisserie about which delectable pastry I should buy, I walked away with the strawberry tart and Saint-Honoré.


La Pâtisserie des Rêves
43 Marylebone High Street
London W1U 5HE

Diplomacy 101

Outfit: Isabel Marant Etoile parka (affordable & fab quality parka here), Helmut Lang t-shirt, The Kooples sweat pants (or here), See by Chloe ankle strap sandals (similar here), Hermes Cape Cod watch and Chanel sunglasses.


Outfit: Boden breton, H&M bib shorts and Petit Bateau ballet flats


My peer group consists of very honest people. The kind that requires Diplomacy 101.

On days when I take the time to put on my face.....the whole shebang.
"What's that stuff on your face?" asked my husband while peering curiously over the dining table.
"What?! What do you mean by stuff?" I frowned.
Sensing he's in a sink hole about to go under rapidly, he backpedalled. "Err.....it looks....err....good"

On days when I can't be arsed to put on my face......
"Hey! Your skin looks great! What did you do?" the nosy husband asked.
"Nothing much. Just a touch of concealer and powder."
Looking confused trying to decipher the last 3 words. "Oh. Whatever it is, it's great. Better than that mask you had on the other day."

On days when I tie up my hair,  spray with a decent amount of Elnett and all the unruly flyaway hair pinned neatly back...........
"Mama, you look like that kung fu guy in the movie. "
"WHAT?!"
"Err.....oookay. I think I'll go read a book. "

On days when I can't be arsed to do my hair so I look like I'm carrying a bird's nest on my head.......
"Marlene, did you just come out of the hair salon? Your hair looks great!"
"I didn't do anything. I forgot to brush my hair."
"Erm....hahahaha.....guess you should start "forgetting" to brush your hair more often. Looks better than being tied up like... like..."
"Like what???"
"Erm......oh look! The kids are out now. Guess we'd better go pick them up. Gotta go!"

Anytime you feel like you're not getting an honest answer, come and find me. I'll sic my crowd on you.

7 Comfortable Summer Shoes under £200

1. Sam Edelman Trina sandals 

2. Pretty Loafers Camo with coat of arms

3. Ancient Greek Thais leather sandals

4. Zara lace espadrilles

5. TOMS espadrilles

6. Senso Fifi sandals

7. Ancient Greek Astrapi sandals

I've yet to quench my thirst for edgier and more statement type shoes. I've probably overindulged in plain and comfy shoes that blend into the background, the way I do at parties. Don't get me wrong, comfort is still the paramount factor when I'm choosing footwear but I love quirky details like the strap in the shape of a lightning bolt on these Ancient Greek sandals or their bright red slip ons. They're similar to the K.Jacques sandals that I own but far more affordable and innovative.

Why go for plain canvas espadrilles when you can have zebra stripes (taking the love of all things breton to my feet). Valentino lace espadrilles are the current rage in the fashion world but sadly, the price point is way WAY above my budget but these Zara ones are just as gorgeous at a mere £39.99. I know I've talked about these Senso leopard print Fifi sandals but they need another mention. I find myself reaching for my leopard print flats more often than any other shoes.

Since the camo print is regarded as a neutral, why not add an eye-catching coat of arms embroidery? Okay, officially the Sam Edelman Trinas aren't considered statement shoes but they are by far, the most comfortable and versatile sandals out there in the market. You've got well cushioned insoles and the low chunky heels are far more comfortable than flats especially if you have a higher arch and are on your feet all day. I love my neutral ones but I'm planning to get a pair in black as well. By the way, if you're living in the UK and know your size, do consider purchasing the Trinas from Nordstrom. They work out £40 cheaper even with the shipping and duty.

My week

Currently........
Things have been a little quiet on the blog front. I've been popping back and forth between here and London like a proverbial jack-in-the-box. I have full admiration for my husband and his fellow commuters who do this exhausting trek twice a day.  For the privilege of being crammed inside a carriage (standing room only) like sardines every single day, one has to fork out £6K or more a year. Transportation is a killer on the budget here in the U.K.


Home office......
A bunch of tulips, floral scented reed diffuser and a candle on the corner of my home office (aka dining table)......make great eye candies while I sip coffee and try to do some work. Mwahahahaha (falling over laughing)....... just goes to show that a photo does NOT portray the reality. After 6 months of trying to find a pen amidst layers of paperwork, junk, receipts, piles of "important" documents, laptop, iPad, phone and whatnots, I finally cleared the table *ahem* home office. So if anyone ever show you photos of their picture perfect homes, ask to see the "before" photos.


Evolution of personal style.......
My style has gone through an evolution over the past year or so. I may still shop with a list in one hand but I now prefer to invest in unique pieces with interesting details. Fit, fabric, comfort and versatility are of utmost importance, though without sacrificing the design. The further I move into my 40s, the fussier I become.

In fact, the more press days or presentations I attend, the more critical I am. I asked a friend yesterday if there was something wrong with me. Frances being her diplomatic self argued that it was because I have a clear vision of what I want. Perhaps I'm beginning to get more comfortable in my skin. Jelly belly, bat wings....be damned. They're battle scars from motherhood and aging.


Gripe about footwear.........
Have you noticed how much ££££ we spend on designer shoes yet we're traipse about in our sneakers and flats most of the time? Recently, I asked the buying team at a multi-brand store why they rarely, if ever, stock affordable mid heels? There was a deadening silence...... I looked around and guess what? Every attendee was in flats or mid heels because we had to sprint/walk/take public transportation to get there. I mean....just take a look at the street styles of London or Paris or any city for that matter.......

There's a whole science behind wearing high heels - how to walk in them, when and how to swap from flats to heels before arriving at an event, how to make heels more comfortable, which heels are comfortable..... It's an elusive art form desired by many but achieved by few (the lucky ones with an incredible high arch).


Strange & stranger
Recently, I attended one of the strangest, if not THE strangest presentations I've ever been to. All of us had to shuffle our schedules, move heaven and earth to organize childcare, pay a small fortune and travel a rather long way to get there only to see A4 sized paper being passed around and not even a single cup of coffee being offered. The entire purpose of the meeting was a little lost on me. Right now, we're all reeling from the shock of it all.....

So, how was your week?

5 Ways to Wear a Striped Top in Spring and Summer

Outfit: Jigsaw t-shirt, Hackett panama hat (similar here), Uniqlo shorts (similar here), K.Jacques sandals and Chanel WOC. 

Outfit: Jigsaw t-shirt, Isabel Marant Étoile skirt and See by Chloe ankle strap sandals (similar here).





Outfit: Isabel Marant Étoile utility jacket (similar here),  Jigsaw t-shirt,  7 for all mankind denim cutoffs (similar here or just snip off any old jeans), K.Jacques St Tropez and vintage Coach bag.





Outfit: Chanel bouclé jacket, Jigsaw t-shirt, James Twiggy jeans, Nicholas Kirkwood heels, Chanel WOC, Hermes Cape Cod watch and Monica Vinader Riva bracelet.





Outfit: Zara blazer, Jigsaw top, Hermes Kelly 28cm, Zara boyfriend jeans, vintage Hermes belt and Nicholas Kirkwood heels (similar here).


What do you call someone who's addicted to stripes? A zebra.

I'm starting to look like the two legged cousin to the dual colored equine at the rate my obsession is going. I started off earlier in spring winter spring um....yes, most definitely spring, according to my Gregorian calendar with a fixation on getting a lightweight striped top. The Isabel Marant Étoile "Felix" top was desirable but the £110 made me pause......indefinitely. This was soon followed by an Armor-Lux linen t-shirt at £50. I thought I hit the jackpot with this Jigsaw top at £35 but good ol' Uniqlo came up with their version yesterday at a mere £12.90.

With the schizophrenic/PMSing weather that can't decide whether to shine or rain, my only attempt at breaking out in spring/summer clothes is arranging bits and bobs on a piece of cardboard. Shockingly enough, there are a few bright colors radiating from these photos. Yeah, I know.....pretty shocking especially from a person who thinks the color wheel consists of 3 neutral hues - grey, navy and black.

Food For Thought

This post titled "Life lessons I learnt in my 20s" touched my heart in more ways than one. Michelle's wise words will undoubtedly resonate with many regardless of which age group we belong to.

She might be known as Tiger Woods' ex wife but Elin Nordegren's inspiring speech when she was honored as her class' 2014 Outstanding Graduating Senior demonstrated dignity, determination and humility.

The next generation elevator? You WILL howl with laughter.

If your passion is food and travel, you'll love this blog.

And to all of you in the U.S, New Zealand and Australia who are celebrating Mother's Day today  - HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY. I hope you managed to get exceedingly spoiled by your little ones.

Summer clothes, ruffles & broderie anglaise

1. ISABEL MARANT ODRYS RAMIE DRESS

2. J.CREW SILK EYELET TOP

3. BA&SH EMBROIDERED ECRU TOP

4. J.CREW EMBROIDERED TUNIC

5. ZARA LINEN TOP

6. ISABEL MARANT ETOILE SILK SKIRT

Before I begin my spiel about my obsession with pretty summer clothes, let me say a quick thank you for sharing your thoughts regarding the mommy/work debate. I've worked full time and I've also worked from home with a toddler on my knee. I still remember the days when I was on a business call and.....you've guessed it....the baby would inevitably choose THAT particular moment to wail non-stop.  Sod's law.....fun times....whatever you call it. Or turning up to an important meeting with drool on my shoulder. These days, I'm extremely grateful to be able to work from home. I'm fortunate enough to have a small community of women who are always willing to help each other out whenever one of us has to dash away to a meeting or a work do.

I've been obsessed with needle lace (eyelets) ever since I bought my Etoile Isabel Marant broderie anglaise top a couple of years back. I've worn mine to death and thank goodness, it's still holding up well.  Here's a trivia - Do you know that the popular English embroidery actually originated from what's known now as Czech Republic in the 16th century? I'm fascinated by cotton lace, delicate ruffles, embroidery.......as long as they're not accompanied by a psychedelic backdrop. They add a touch of femininity to my otherwise tomboyish outfits without compromising comfort (still into fabrics made of breathable natural fibers). Nothing too trendy that they fall out of fashion faster than I can flip a pancake.

My go to label is still Isabel Marant, who is a master at boho luxe chic, followed closely by Vanessa Bruno's diffused line Athé as well as fellow Paul & Joe Sister and Ba&sh. I've also got my eye on a few pieces from J.Crew though thankfully, the price point is a bit more affordable.

Motherhood & Career. The ever challenging debate

Outfit: Isabel Marant Etoile Kady leather jacket (similar here), Petit Bateau breton top, The Kooples sweat pants, New Balance sneakers and Louis Vuitton Speedy Bandouliere 35cm.

I always feel like I have to apologize for my OOTD photos. No, I'm not fishing for compliments here. It's just that every time I remember to take a shot of my outfit, I'm bloated after a meal, my make up has melted or I have a miniature volcanic zit on my cheek.

Okay, enough about my venerable zit. I had a long discussion with someone recently about combining motherhood with a career. Both are equally challenging, the latter more so than the former because we're now tasked with guiding and equipping a young individual(s) to navigate through life. Without a manual, I might add. At some point, something's got to give.

Over the years, I've read and heard plenty of arguments with just as many finger-pointing and condemnation for either camp - working moms and stay at home moms. In fact, a long time ago when I was on maternity leave, I was at home with a newborn while juggling a home based business. A so called friend who worked part time as an architect asked somewhat mockingly, "What do YOU know all day since you've got sooooo much time on your hands?" Self restraint was the order of the day as I would've loved to blurt out - "I don't know...... Eat donuts, play with my fingers and toes, do star jumps, watch every episode of CSI, go shopping, change nappies, breastfeed. ALL at the same time? "

I didn't realize this is a multiple choice question that one will only get vindicated by choosing the right answer. How's this for a test?
A) I work because I love what I do. I feel I'm a better mom if I pursue my career/work.
B) I work because I have to. We need my income to survive.
C) I believe I give the best start to my child's life by being at home with him/her
D) Childcare and transportation expenses will negate any salary that I earn
E) I want to work but finding a job that allows flexi hours (school runs/term breaks) is next to impossible.

The correct answers are A, B, C, D and E. Yup, ALL of them. Whatever the choice is, one isn't really easier or better than the other. As long as we're doing the best we can, given the circumstances we're in......who's to say what's right and wrong? What say you?

My Holy Grail - Statement Mid Heel Sandals

The quickest way to put me in a foul mood is..........shoe shopping.  Frustration rears its ugly head after the first hour. By the second hour, I'm better off being kept at a distance from fellow humans........ No, I'm not being polite or diplomatic. I'm stating the truth. Just ask the husband or child..........

Yup. The curse of being born with a size US 4 (EU 34/ UK 1) feet. Whatever that figure is converted internationally, my bloody feet are minuscule especially for my height. Imagine looking after a gaggle of 8 year olds and they wear the same shoe size as me. A 40 year old!  Pfffffffft. Spending more than a decade in a sport that required a lot of jumping and strange pirouettes brought about numerous ankle sprains so skinny unsteady heels are akin to death traps on my feet. Chuck in bunions and flat feet.....well, you've got a recipe for a disastrous shopping expedition.

See those metallic gunpowder bada$$ dramatic laser cut lace up sandals above (whew! What a mouthful)? They're M.I.N.E. My preciousssssssssss. They're my holy grail statement heels from Nicholas Kirkwood, shoe designer extraordinaire. And most importantly, check out those incredible triangular chunky mid heels that will ensure that I will never ever plunge headlong down any precipitous stairs.

I've drooled/fondled/ lusted after these darlings at Selfridges but sadly, the color white combined with the £975 price tag made me rather ill. Thankfully, there's The Outnet with a much reduced price of £390 (they're the most expensive shoes I've ever bought in my life).  I mean I've effectively "saved" £585. Yes....well....pretty insane rationale but hey ho, after 3 years of shoe searching, I'm elated to find a pair of statement mid heeled sandals in MY size.

p.s. A quick reminder - Nicholas Kirkwood shoes tend to run small so take the next size up particularly if you have wide feet.

My current wish list

1   /   2   /   3   /   4   /   5   /   6    /   

My style may be understated with an inclination towards monochrome tendencies but I do love a dramatic avant-garde flair in a jacket. This Rick Owens Naska leather jacket (I wear a size UK 10) caught my eye when I was out window shopping today. The man is a genius at contorting a woman's body in the most flattering way - long slender limbs, an hourglass torso and beautifully sculptured shoulders. Invaluable if you have a less than stellar body like mine.....thanks to lack of exercise (which is why I'm walking around all weekend like a bow legged cowboy after nearly killing myself in a two hour training session). The gathered back adds a point of interest in the jacket which will spice up even the most ordinary t-shirt and jeans outfit. Yes, the £1125 price tag is a rather eye watering figure but my rationale is 1) it's less expensive than other Rick Owens jackets  2) it's at least £400 less than the coveted Balenciaga leather jacket  3) it'll still be incredibly fashionable for years to come  4) it'll make my figure look like Jessica Rabbit's.

The Jigsaw breton top came home with me. I've been looking for an affordable and well made lightweight striped shirt since...........well, forever. It has a scoop neck which alleviate the fullness of my moon shaped face and jiggly double chin. I was nearly boiled alive in my Petit Bateau heavy jersey mariniere when the temperature hit an astonishing 18˚C today so this thinner top will come in really handy this summer.

Thank you all for your input on foundations recently. I ended up with.........the new Chanel Perfection Lumiére Velvet completely by accident. I was given a sample and diligently tested it over the past 2 whole days. It's quite sheer but turns matte and slightly powder like once applied onto the skin. Quite extraordinary really. I only used a few drops but it certainly filled in my crater like pores. And most importantly, I did not look like a geisha girl.

My ceramic obsession shows no sign of abating. Debenhams has a 20% discount and an additional 10% off with code BM92 (today only). This was enough to convince me to splurge on a Wedgwood teapot and another teacup. My pretty cup and saucer sets never ever fail to put a smile on my friends' faces whenever I serve their tea or coffee in them.

I've been using Neutrogena sunscreen for more than a decade and I do swear by them. My stash of these impossible to get sunscreen is drying up pretty soon so I'll have to rely on brands that are more readily available in the U.K. I've read rave reviews about La Roche-Posay Anthelios range so these are on my list to get just before summer season arrives.

Interesting Reads for the Weekend.

I hate to be the proverbial clichéd (adopted) English person who talks incessantly about the weather but when you have the ever changing atmospheric conditions like here, it's difficult not to get obsessed with it. I'm not packing my winter coats just yet. Right. Marching onwards and discarding the temptation to continue to whinge about it.

I've never truly dieted but being on hypertensive meds for life has a way of changing one's lifestyle which included eating healthier and doing more strenuous exercises. However, this heartfelt and truly inspiring story about losing 100 pounds (yes, you heard right. 100 pounds) just blew me out of the water.

I'm guilty of never listening to the flight attendants' spiel about air safety. Bet most of us are equally guilty of committing this particular sin. Here's a different take on it. You'll want sit up and pay attention if you get a flight attendant like this.

I'm still a HUGE fan of anything Hermes despite thinking that their Petit H range is a little naff. Here's an interview with Pierre-Alexis Dumas about the principles of Hermes.

If you love Paris, this is one blog you'll NEED to read.

These are simple words but many of us make that mistake time and time again. Here's a description of 30 incorrectly used words that make us look bad.

The mantra of this blog has always been buying less but better quality clothes at a price range that you can afford. There's more awareness of ethical clothing these days but it is still difficult to identify which manufacturer practices it and which ones don't. In any case, here's an insight to this dilemma.

A Day in London

Outfit: Rag & Bone blazer (similar), Gap shirt, Hermes belt, Zara jeans, Christys' fedora and custom made boots (similar here)

Yesterday, I took the rare opportunity to attend back to back Jigsaw events in London. Here's a rather unflattering and grainy photo of me in the fitting room. Life has been very hectic recently as I've been juggling many things, all at the same time (aren't we all??). Hence, this is a let's-grab-whatever-that's-within-arm's-reach outfit including the hat because yes, I had no idea what to do with my hair so hiding it seemed to be the easiest solution. It did occur to me on the train that I'd be attending an event with fashion heavyweights and British celebrities and I'm in casual gear....... Ooops. Too late.


Petit Bateau x Satu Maaranen t-shirt  £45

I popped into my favorite store on King's Road to check out Petit Bateau's collaboration with a young and incredibly talented Finnish designer, Satu Maaranen who was crowned the winner at the Fashion and Photography festival at Hyères last year. The colors are bold and striking yet aesthetically pleasing to the eye. Despite being generally rather color phobic, I was surprisingly rather drawn to the print. Here's a visual diary of her collaboration with the iconic French brand. Like all Petit Bateau garments, the range is beautifully made at an affordable price range.






Once upon a time, Jigsaw was on nearly every woman's lips. My friends would utter the name in a reverential manner, the way I would with Isabel Marant. But somehow, it lost its luster along the way. They have a new albeit young CEO, Peter Luis at the helm who'd revived John Lewis and revolutionized their clothing department . He was also awarded the Fashion Retailing Personality of the Year in 2013. Hopefully, this is the beginning of a good partnership that will set Jigsaw back on its path.

The new Autumn/Winter collection consists of mostly dark and muted colors. I spied a few cocoon coats which are on trend. I was informed approximately 95% of the prints are done in-house. I'd love to see more pieces in the future that are interesting and unique, that are perhaps edgier and trendier while staying true to Jigsaw's style.






Admittedly, I have children's clothes on my mind as Lil L has had a growth spurt. I headed straight for this parka which is beautifully made with plenty of pockets and a fleece and fur lined hood as well as an adjustable waist and hem. Practical, comfortable and well designed. My only critique is, it would've been a bonus if it has a detachable lining which will make it a perfect parka all year round.  It's interesting to note that I live in a town with a large concentration of children (and strollers!) yet the Jigsaw store does not stock any childrenswear.





Sadly, I had to say no to the lovely canapés at Jigsaw. I was stuffed to the gills after a 2 course lunch.





All the Jigsaw Press Day attendees were offered a large pom pom with the color of their choice. Here's mine which drew a lot of smiles as I walked down Oxford St.




After a spot of shopping, I nipped back to the party at their new store Emporium on 55 Duke Street, opposite Selfridges. The party was in full swing with the red carpet rolled out, alcohol flowing, a coffee bar set up in one corner, a catering staff spent all night slicing delicious pieces of ham (best I've ever had) and gaggles of people mingling about.

Now here's the thing. I'm a HUGE fan of The Shop at Bluebird which stocks a lot of my favorite brands but I didn't know it's part of the Jigsaw family. They also champion and showcase a selection of carefully curated pieces from emerging British designers. I was particularly drawn to Studio Nicholson. The designer, Nick Wakeman who is a striking woman was in conversation with a few attendees. I would've loved to speak to her about her designs.

pssssst.....I found a lightweight 100% cotton breton top at Jigsaw for £35.