Afternoon Tea At The Ham Yard Hotel

I have a friend called Maya who since I have known her has always been up to fancy things. Maybe I have become jaded from the city- I am too busy ushering tourists out of the way to stop and see what they may be looking at. My friend Maya on the other hand is the type who takes the effort to plan research and enjoy her city like she is on holiday. After growing a tad jealous of hearing of her fabulous excersions with other friends ( I mean she takes them to tea at the Ritz whilst we meet at Westfields) I insisted that I be included in her fabulous plans.

We decided on tea (how British) at the Ham Yard Hotel in Picadilly.

Tea in London can be quite expensive when we start to talk about the Ritz and so on. The Ham Yard Hotel is very affordable, if you want a civilised Saturday with friends this is your option. We both enjoyed nattering over scones and the best tea I have ever tasted (and I am an avid coffee drinker) £19.50. for Tea.

What was on offer:

Sandwiches, scones, cakes and desserts. It all tasted heavenly and the servers were so nice!

The Ham Yard Hotel:

A stunning hotel tucked away behind the heart of London's Piccadilly, the Ham Yard Hotel boasts a rare combination of being central yet refreshingly secluded. Down a cobbled street, in a mews you will find the entrance of the modern, artistic yet some how traditional hotel. It boasts a spa, bowling alley, fine dining, and of course a tea room.

Sight-skating Around Paris

My love and I had the pleasure of visiting Paris after a wedding in Chantilly. We were lucky enough to arrive on the day of the Fete De La Musique, where the whole of Paris was in song. Every courner had a block party, from early in the day to late at night. Being the wannabe hipsters that we apparently are, Kieran and I elected to bring our wheels (his Penney, my Micro Scooter) and see the most of Paris, with the freedom to stop as we wanted. It was a perfect day.

Kieran looking suave

So many beautiful details in Paris

The Louvre

We chose scooter and skateboards as main mode of transport. No better way to travel around a city

London on a Penny

Kieran loves his Penny board. He bought it at the start of the summer and has been non stop cruising ever since. He hates posing for pictures but I make him (when I can catch him). I am learning how to use the old Penney board. Small light weight and easy to manoeuvre its quite the accomplice to city living. Most boards come in cool colour combinations and you can buy a Penney board all around London in skateshops or you can see online

Shirt: Zara, Obligatory Skater Skinny Jeans: Zara, Board Penny Board UK 

London Street Art Eye Spy

London Has a great balance of old and new, the institutions and the rebels who keep things fresh, innovative and new. This constant battle is most often played out on construction boards around the city. Scooting around, I keep my eyes peeled for interesting street art. See what I spied below.

 This is some street art I came across on some construction work being done in East London

This is some street art I came across at the back of Oxford Street.

How to Rock Mens Comfy Casuals

Ever noticed how calm and laid back men look? Let me tell you for free, it is their clothing. How are women meant to be happy with shoes pinching, bras scratching and false fibres itching. Forget it, head to the mens aisle for greener pastures. Today I decided to do it like a dude, heading to the Zara mens section to pick up this 100% cotton (yes, see how they treat men?) natural fibre comfy as hell black sweater which worked nicely as a dress for me.  I paired the look with leggings and the best accessory in the world, my minimal Zara leather back pack and finished with plimsolls from Primark. Happy As Larry!

This Bag is THE BAG! I have received so many compliments. It is so handy and at only £19.99 I love it. It also comes in Stone colour and is still in certain Zara stores but not online. Keep your eyes peeled, the last place I saw one was in Chelsea Dukes Square Zara!

Loves & Finds : Joy 2 Piece Crop Top and Skirt Set

I fell in love with this twin set from Joy. I happen to live a stones throw away from Joy, and on my hunt for a wedding outfit, they were my first stop. I loved this set straight away, but obviously you can't buy the first thing you see, I had not even got to Central London yet. So I waved it goodbye and headed to all the top spots but you know what? After a day of trawling the best London has to offer, this was the best I found. I love the fact it is 2 in 1. Weddings are so expensive and who wants to buy a frilly frock thats too fancy to wear again. With this 50s style piece I was able to re work the separates to pair with separate outfits (which I did in Paris later, see pics below). The other thing I loved about this piece is that it is figure flattering to my hour glass shape. The crop shows off my waist while the skirt hides my belly. R E S U L T.

Another great thing is that this set is STILL available at Joy and on sale :D !!! Shop here 

Summer Silver Hair Top Tips

This season as the sun gets brighter the hair is getting lighter. Blame it on Danerys, but the mother of dragons has everyone from all colour tones coveting cool silver tones. I, not being exempt from the list have finally perfected the coveted silver hair. 

How to get the look

1. This look was created by placing Loreal silver shampoo on Platinum hair. leave for 20 mins. 

2. Apply black dye to the roots and mid way down pre dyed platinum hair for the ombre black roots.  Then when the dye has been in for 10 mins ( not set) wash out with silver shampoo. Because the colour hasn't set as it washes out it makes the hair go from dark lilac to pale lilac. 

I was so happy when I achieved this look- through  my trials and tribulations I have learned the following tipa

Tip 1.

Dye hair as far as it will go to platinum blonde. If you are starting from dark, one 

Dye will not do. So don't be lazy!

Tip 2

Tone out the brassy yellow. For silver it is not your friend. Don't cut corners! Get out all that brassy orange tones. Try Wella T50 it will tone hair silver.

Tip 3 

If you are weaving hair, it is much easier to start from ready dyed platinum hair and then just dye the roots as black as you would like

Tip 4

Loreal silver shampoo can actually semi permanently dye your hair lilac/silver if you leave it on for 20 mins. This is quite drying so is not a long term solution. Leave on for 20 mins only once to get the colour, then when uou wash the hair leave the shampoo on for only a regular washing time and condition with white conditioner to maintain the colour.

For more hints and tips for more colours, view my hair blog law and miaw, 

Law and Miaw is one of the many ventures I have been working on this year. I'm now selling colouring and styling hair. For more info info@lawandmiaw.com

Portugal Summer Destination SS15

If you have't made plans to go to Portugal this summer I suggest you get to it pronto. This year, I have the pleasure of going to Portugal for a hen do of my girl Wendy. It was only a 3 day trip so I packed light and still felt like it was too much. Flying into Faro we stayed in Portimão which is a lovely beach town with beach side bars and lounges.

The accommodation was an apartment instead of a hotel which was a much better option it was so roomy and plush. We got up to paddle boarding, late brunches by the beach side (the food over there is amazing & cheap) cheeky afternoon drinks by the pool, and more than a few Irish bars (they are everywhere).

Margarita's by the sea, obviously

This is the hair I chose to install for this holiday. It is kinky straight hair from my hair company Law + Miaw and it was perfect for abroad as it matched my natural texture in humidity. I ombre'd the ends with 20 vol developer and bleach for that sun kissed look. Contact www.lawandmiaw.com to buy and customise

The group went paddle boarding. At first I was like hell naw (because of my weave) but it looked like they were having so much fun I had to join in. Plus no one fell off or got wet. Imagine a water activity which you can stay dry during. I think I have found my perfect sport!

I found this contrast colour block bra whilst over in Portugal. It was great because it kept my boobs under control which made me feel slimmer. You can get the same one from New Look : 

Attention seeking Accessories

This season, it is all about expressive accessories.  Anya Hindmarch leads the way, as she has been for some seasons following her recent popart handbag collections. For SS15 highstreet retailers follow suit as New Look and River Island offer a great selection of cheeky accessories to inject some humour and personality into your summer wardrobe.

Top left: Anya Hindmarch Matches Fashion £250, Right River Island Phone Case £10, Hold me bag, River Island £55, Bottom left Anya Hindmarch £895

SERGE DE NIMES SS15 LAUNCH

Following his spiritual AW14 collection "the wolf within" this week Proudlock unveiled his  SS15 collection.The unisex collection consisted of bold lines, symbols and geometric patterns and reminded me of urban tribal wear, pieces to suit the varied creative appreciators of Serge De Nimes- An international collection of cool kids- united by their love of art, expression and freedom.

The collection was launched at the Hoxton Hotel Apartments with an intimate event which had an old school house party vibe. Biggie, 2Pac and Outkast was on the playlist and the grand finale of the event was a MC performance by UK rapper Mikill Pane.

The Collection

LAW + MIAW Sister Post

I have started a blog with my sister aka twin, Michela. It is called LAW+MIAW and is a sort of memoir. Iconic pictures that speak to a time and a blog that should be a snap shot of our generation. The blog will also feature interviews with brands, film makers, fashion designers and other creatives who are up and coming, and doing their thing in the art world. Check us out: www.lawandmiaw.tumblr.com

I'm wearing:

Cos Dress
Zara Jacket

My sister wears:
Banana Republic Jacket
Primark Leggings
Top Shop Shoes.

Photography by Kyle Isaac Williams

Portraits. The way we were

Here is to the first half of my 20s in all its wide eyed discoveries & triumphs. 

 

Picture 2 (body)

Jeans: Dorothy Perkins £20

Crop Top: Kilburn (one of those tacky urban shops)

Fur Puncho: Portobello Market.

Picture 1 face

Make up 

Bare Minerals Liquid Foundation in Bare Buff

Lipstick, Mac Verve

Eyeshadow: Benefit.

Punk Rebellion

This weekend I thought why not inject a little punk rock rebellion into my wardrobe? Wearing my favourite boots from Zara an tartan pants from riverisland I worked my way up to create a punky yet fabulous outfit.

Shoes: Zara
Trousers: River Island
Trench: Zara
Jumper: H&M

Ootd Throw Back Thursday

3 weeks into the new year and two of those weeks have been spent wrapped up in bed fighting off the plague. I had such better plans for 2015. The first day I recovered enough to don heels you know what I did ? Hobbled my ass down to Zara to see the last of those sales. I picked myself up this jacket for £49.99 and the necklace for £7.99. Here is a tip for sales - to avoid going nuts buying things you don't really want or need - always remember you will never regret a coat- it can be accessorised several different ways and can easily dress up a plain outfit. 

Today I headed to shoreditch to prove just that dressed, as my friend on Instagram Pointed out,  like a pilgrim - perhaps it's because I felt like a survivor :)  

Galliano Debut for Margiela : My Verdict

Back in 2011 nothing got the fashion birds in a tweeting frenzy more than John Galliano's dismissal from Dior and subsequent excommunication from the fashion world following his bizarre anti Semitic comments. Yet here we are in 2015 and it seems the fickle world of fashion has forgiven Galliano, or at least, anger has made way for curiosity. 4.30 yesterday, fashion designers, journalists and elites hot footed it after the Burberry show (Christopher Bailey included) and gathered anxiously to catch a glimpse of Galliano's anticipated debut collection for Maison Martin Margiela.

Whilst many have been reticent to forgive, my self included, no one can deny that fashion has sourly missed this scorned genius. One question was on everyones minds, "Is this collection enough to see him rise back to the top Phoenix style?"  My answer, in a word is yes.

The collection was rich in drama, as you would expect from Galliano, bold silhouettes were complimented with a generous use of chiffon- granting the theatrics of movement. The strict black and red palette, embellished breast plates, masks and makeup gave collection a look of ferocious beauty, perhaps hinting to a designer on the defence yet confident in his craft.

It is evident that he came ready, he came fighting, and he came to stay.