#WantItWednesday (25/06/14)

Who doesn't love a sturdy loafer? 

The are reliable, the are formal and casual in equal measures and a good pair will last you a lifetime. 

So when something this timeless and classic comes along you're hard pressed to refuse. 

The home of classic, beautiful and hard wearing shoes, Russell and Bromley are a firm family (and lifetime) favourite. I remember buying my first school shoes there and they are just as relevant and fun then and they are essential now. 

My Chesters have been worn to job interviews, with a pair of pencil trousers and jumper/shirt combo and have made me look professional, I have worn them on casual brunches with floaty tea dresses and a slouchy cardigan when I want to relax I wear them everywhere. 

They can make you look chic, polished and professional when you need to and causal and fun when you don't. 

My go to pair are the ever effortless brown but every season a new, trend led pattern and/or colour is brought in making me want them all again. 

I am particularly fond of the silver pair available now. They add glitz and humour that has been seen on this season's catwalks and wouldn't look that out of place if you wore them to work.

The Pink suede are a brave, but nonetheless excellent summer addition and for obvious reasons suit bright bold florals and botanicals and would definitely accompany a co-ord. The Yellow is one of my favourites too

They last forever too, all you need to do is re-heel and that's it. 

A must on my ever expanding want list on a Wednesday!

#WantItWednesday (18/06/14)

The suns out, the breeze is heavenly. 

Boys are in short trousers and the girls are in pinafores. 

The British summer is in full swing: rather than spoiling it by speculating on a particular tournament on the lips of everyone (and their mother) at the moment. I thought I would harp back to a golden era; filled will lashings of ginger beer (alcoholic if you must), lemonade and packed lunch tins filled with cucumber sandwiches and a hefty dose of nostalgia. 

This beautiful hat from Mulberry evokes that and so much more. The straw style reminds me so much of the summer uniform I once loathed to wear and now cannot get enough of and certainly want to be back in now. 

I am a fan of hat/hair accessory and this one is perfect for warmer climes and it will elegantly certainly keep sunstroke at bay.

 I want to have it, you'll want to have it. So we should all just go and get it! 

It's fun and much like a lot of things out there at the moment should be worn with a heavy sense of irony.

Go all out in your summer uniform with a crisp, white mandarin collar and a navy pinafore, make it casual with an oversized t-shirt and a pair of light coloured trousers or denim; either way you want to head straight to the mouth of the Thames and spend forever lazily punting in the sun. (champagne optional)

I'm definitely in the mood to commit fully to this. Who doesn't want to wear a pinafore again?! If it means I get the hat, then I certainly do! 

All looks can be found here. 

Lacquer up: Nail Polish Trends for SS14

Anyone who has been on my Instagram page knows I love to paint my nails... A lot.

It has become a ritual. Usually, on a Saturday. I will get up, have breakfast and begin my process of beautifying my talons and will dutifully tag them under my #SaturdayManicures, because why not?!

Buying nail polishes has also become more than a passing habit. I'm often found wondering the aisles of boots looking for my new favourite shade (so much so that all do my family's Christmas presents this year will be bought from Boots, thanks to my Advantage card!) this too has now become a ritual and using the bum fight I have to deal with on a Saturday in boots as an indicator, I am not on my own.

With the likes of Sophy Robson and WAH Nails taking up a fair proportion of Instagram traffic, it seems many are following in the footsteps of Lily Allen and Kelly Osbourne (who aren't lacquering up themselves) and approaching their talons as the would their shoe collection.

It's commonplace to see on Tumblr and Instagram the stagnated pose of freshly painted nails holding the very same polish they have been adorned with. So I think it is time we got out of the old and into the summer shades. 

Having spent a fair amount of hours literally watching paint dry, I thought I would share my current favourites with you.

For summer, much like catwalks for SS14 season the colours are bright and bold, if they aren't bold they are a healthy shade of ethereal pastels. I have found the most fashion forward brand of the moment is Ciaté. I have worn and talked about Ciaté in the early days of the Locket and I think they are definitely one of the best for on-trend colours and nail kits. They just keep on innovating.

This new shade called 'Poppet' is one on my list for sure. It's a super cute pastel lilac that will shine next to summer skin. Perfect for hands or feet will definitely be one of my repeated colours over the warm summer months.
it will need a couple of layers, but the final effect would be as sweet and saccharine as you would imagine

If a bolder, highly pigmented shade is one you are after this summer then look no further than OPI. This is a name synonymous with manicures and pedicures. For years, this was the product you look forward to piling on and showing off. Pioneers in the acrylic and UV gels field, these colours are strong, long lasting and amazing. I am in particular awe of 'I Just Can't Cope' This is fun, bold and the perfect colour for the (hopefully) scorching weather.
As this has a much higher pigment count this would only need two coats at most and is absolutely delectable.

Another from OPI is perfect; from the new and wonderfully ethereal 'Sheer Tints' Collection. This is perfect for the new Watercolour Manicure trend that is all over Tumblr at the moment. This is wonderfully light and can be used a slightly tinted naked nail or to perfect addition to add interest a white manicure.
My favourite is 'Be Magentale With Me' a wonderfully light pink bottle of confection that I will want to wear right through the summer and possibly right into late autumn too.


I also feel like everything should be beautifully bronzed and you should look no further than this sun-kissed shade from Butter London.'Chuffed' makes you feel like you have been on south beach for a week soaking up the sun while slowly sipping white wine and elderflower spritzers and that is definitely a good feeling to have.
This goes with everything. If you fancy an all cream modern 'Celine/Chloe' ensemble for summer this would be perfect, of if you are of a more bohemian vibe this will still shine.
It is warm, inviting and requires little effort.

If you are looking for a slightly more natural look and feel to your summer manicure you can go no further than this absolute GEM of a nail polish from Barry M. This is my go to nail polish for when I am not sure what colour I feel like a particular week. This goes with everything and then some, this allows you to load up on rings in all the lurid shades your heart desires and the colour would not be cloying in the summer months.

It is super cheap too so you can slick this on again and again. a total winner in my opinion

So those are my tips for the best summer nails. 

Enjoy watching your nails dry! I certainly will!

and if you are still unsure of your colour, take this fun quiz from Buzzfeed. It'll cheer up your day no end!

#WantItWednesday (11/06/14)

You can't have not noticed. 

Matching two pieces and suits are back with a bloody vengeance. 

Gone are the days of matching two pieces being associated with fusty secretaries from the fifties 

(pre- Mad Men Obviously!)

'Co-Ords' are cool, fashionable and ridiculously on trend. 

They are EVERYWHERE and then some. Short suits, Camisoles and matching skirts, sport luxe suits, trouser suits and more. 

Bright patterns and bright colours work best. There is no point in doing this if you aren't going to go big. 

I have picked my top five:

5. This striped Bermuda short perfection can be found at Whistles. 

Get the delectable Crop Top here & the Bermuda Shorts here

4. If florals are your thing, this modern, Grecian inspired lemon set from Topshop is the one for you. Get the Bralet here & the Pencil Skirt here

3. Who doesn't love sequins?! This modern short suit from Acne is opulent, modern perfection at its best. The Jacket & Shorts are an excellent combination. 

2. I am a recent convert to the botanical print; this co-ord set from Zara have been instrumental in changing my mind.

These are perfect for summer and make you feel like you need a Margarita in hand while wearing it. Get the tunic here & the trousers here

1. I am a big fan of bold florals; this suit is just perfect. It's bright, exciting and full of humour. Zara, have once again triumphed with this flirty and fun co-ord set. I want to wear this for the rest of summer. 

Get the Jacket here & the shorts here

My undoubted number one is the longline floral masterpiece from ASOS (top image)

The floral pattern is dusky enough to take you from high summer to early autumn. Perfect for weddings, BBQs general frivolity and even, if paired with my oh so worn (but still chic) converse could be a relaxed look for work or brunch, with a crisp white mandarin collared shirt (oversized is always better). 

Get the trousers here & the jacket here

I'm getting my fill of Co-Ords in every form possible! 

I would suggest you do the same!

#WantItWednesday (04/06/14)

How can anyone not love this quintessential British jewellery brand, Alex Monroe? 

A mainstay on the British jewellery scene, Monroe is often on the necks, wrists and lips of the fashion's retail elite and with good reason.

It's SUPER cute, incredibly intricate and I want it all. 

What I love most about Alex Monroe's ever evolving collections are that they are crazily intricate and wonderfully British, having been made in the very same studio he acquired more than 20 years ago. 

(L-R, Teeny Tiny Pea Pod Necklace, Strawberry & Diamond Flower Necklace, Honeybee and Sapphire Necklace

Just remember, these are on tiny pendants!!

The detail is insane.

Pendants that are wonderfully petite and delicate. I'm not one for delicacy (as I've already mentioned) but these can be layered, layered and layered again; allowing you to can spell out your quintessential British personality around your neck, without feeling or looking like  

Mr. T. 

Go on, treat yourself to a Pea Pod Pendant, a Bunch of Keys or even a Bundle of Asparagus! (Maybe, all three)