Random

Working away from home recently is doing nothing for the upkeep of this little blog, only a couple of weeks left and then back to normal. In the meantime, here are some recent snaps from my iPhone...

Out for lunch in As You Like It in Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne.

New beauty products - by Nuxe and gold kirby grips from Cos.

Sonia Rykiel Bow Booties (sadly too small for me) and a looking through the mirror picture.

My key chain. And the start of a new tube of Marvis toothpaste.

More new beauty products - Rosewater from Santa Maria Novella Pharmacie and Chanel Coco Shine lipstick.

The new Pearl Lowe book, Vintage Craft is all I had hoped it would be. Her interior styling is so unique.

Garden Kitchen ~ Revisited

With the new Spring season comes a new Spring menu, at one of my favourite local eateries, Garden Kitchen. Invited for a return visit (you can see my previous visit here) last Bank Holiday weekend, a friend and I enjoyed a lazy, casual lunch in light and airy surroundings. With lots of seasonal flowers scattered around us in sweet mis-matched plant pots, it was easy to believe that we were actually in the midst of a British Spring/Summer, instead of this rather undecided weather situation we have been having lately.

The day called for some refreshing drinks - we enjoyed glasses of traditional, home-made lemonade upon arrival and glasses of Prosecco, Bloody Mary and Strawberry Blonde Mojito cocktails throughout our meal. Toasted Welsh Rarebit, Brie and Asparagus tart along with yummy fries were eventually finished off with huge slices of delectable carrot and salted caramel cakes with coffee.

Enjoy the photographs, I make absolutely no apology for quite intentionally making your mouths water.

Garden Kitchen

Eldon Gardens

Newcastle upon Tyne

0191 232 7885

Opening Hours: Monday-Saturday 8-6; Thursday 8-7; Sunday 10-5

The Provocateurs

Today I want to share with you a short film. A vintage film featuring clothes by Hickory Vintage, entitled 'The Provocateurs'. The theme of the film is to follow four female spies through four different eras: 1940's / 1950's / 1960's & 70's / 1980's with all clothing and accessories supplied by Hickory Vintage. Launched on 13th February, it was placed on the Fashion Film Network's Top 10 Films in its first week of release and was produced and directed by film-maker Lauren Midwinter.

Vintage lovers, watch and enjoy...

Patent

I have a bit of an obsession with patent leather it has to be said. Here are some favourites, old and new. Patent always looks so dressy and can easily be buffed up to become shiny and new, no matter how old. So for me it means investing as I know I will get many years of wear. These Sonia Rykiel Bow Booties you may remember from my recent Spartoo Shoes Wish List (sadly too small for me but fingers crossed the next size up will fit), a Vivienne Westwood pouch that I've had for a while and a YSL phone cover which was a gift with purchase of two YSL beauty products recently.

Summer Cashmere

Although knitwear and jumpers are usually worn in the winter, cashmere isn’t only for the colder months. It’s the perfect addition to any woman’s summer wardrobe whether used to fend off the chill in the evening or as a light jumper in the spring. This luxury fabric offers a quality and style that can’t be matched by anything else and the lightweight fibres are specifically designed to keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

Given their feather light quality and thin insulation they become the ideal layer for colder days, yet can translate to summer sun easily with their semi sheer appearance. Pure Collection has spent time perfecting versatile lightweight cashmere to be worn throughout the summer.

As the experts in cashmere, Pure Collection only use herders of Inner Mongolia to ensure their cashmere is of the finest fibres and highest quality. Their attention to its natural qualities, allow their collections to enhance the features of the raw cashmere with both soft and neutral, and rich and vibrant shades to create sophisticated timeless pieces.

To ensure the cashmere is as soft as possible but still perfectly coloured, different shades of wool are used for lights and darks so the minimal amount of dye can be used. Labelled an essential luxury by Pure Collection, all their cashmere has been obtained from sustainable farming since 2008 as well as being contemporary, beautiful and something you would be proud to wear.

Cared for correctly, your cashmere can last for years and be worn during every season. Ideally it should be hand washed and stored in a breathable area away from oils and deodorant, and will continue to be a durable, classic and essential piece in your wardrobe.

The contemporary, stylish pieces that make up the Featherweight Collection will tempt even the most staid shopper and appeal to the more adventurous fashionista as well. With soft neutral patterns and shades, Pure Collection offer an updated version of a wardrobe staple that will no doubt see you through the next several years. With cuts and shapes to suit anyone’s style the curved hem featherweight cashmere sweater is a more on-trend design offered in vibrant colours such as ‘Prussian Blue’. Teamed with a pair of slim trousers or some capri pants it would complete the perfect transitional outfit.

(This post was brought to you by www.purecollection.com).

The Robyn's Nest

I'm always happy to support small, creative businesses. And when I received an email recently from handmade craft store The Robyn's Nest, I was quite taken by the jewellery on offer. The Robyn's Nest is a selection of unique jewellery handmade in Scotland by Robyn Tinch. As well as the pieces you can see on the site, Robyn also specialises in custom made bracelets and is happy to work with customers to create unique, bespoke, custom made jewellery. The pieces I chose, as you can see below are the Kittiwake bracelet, the Storm Petrel bracelet and two of the rose-toned Crow bangles. I think they look good stacked together or as a single statement piece. And I very much adore the little wing charms that are attached to each bracelet.

Next Press Office TakeOver

The purpose of my recent trip to London was to attend the #NextPOTO, visiting the Next Press Office on London's Tottenham Court Road, to peruse the latest collections, sip delicious cocktails, snack on delightful miniature food and tuck-shop sweets as well as listen to some old-skool tunes, taking great amusement in watching my fellow bloggers get into the groove. I always smile at these social media events, it most be the only socially acceptable time for everyone involved to have phone in hand throughout the entire duration, keeping up with Twitter and Instagram, blogging on-the-go.

Next are always so creative with their events and this was no different, there was so much to see and sample and it is always pretty amazing to catch up with on-line friends, I'm sure you'll see some familiar faces in the pictures I took that evening. You can read more about the event here on the Next blog and you can take a look here at the most popular pieces from the collection as chosen by the bloggers.

A fantastic evening, thank you Next!