Dream Shabby Chic by Victoria

I share my bedroom with another person, namely my man, so my bedroom is a long way off from my dream bedroom.  He is not a man who likes girly things or throws or cushions so our bedroom is very minimalistic with teak furniture from Indonesia. The compromise was that I had a ”girls” room, one that wasn’t our spare room or our bedroom that I could decorate exactly how I wanted. 

So I often find myself picking up heavy home magazines, on my commute home, and planning my dream bedroom and here is what I think it might look like:

A chic french heaven of throws, cushions, white washed wooden floorboards, crisp white bed linen with pale pink dusky accents, cherry blossom, fairy lights and oversized mirrors.  And it seems I am not alone in my choice as fashion and home designers are predicting a big trend towards pale dusky pinks for AW2013 and the cultural re-set to old fashioned values means people are investing in traditional style furniture that will last you through to old age.

The colour palette is fresh whites with accents in dusky warm colours. Opt for coffees, pinks and even a warm sage green:

This look is about choosing your statement pieces, such as an oversized headboard, a dressing table or bedside chair, and then bringing the eye to these features by adding fairy lights, billowing lace curtains and strategically placed chair cushions.  It’s seemingly cluttered yet everything is well thought through in terms of position and size.

In one word;  beautiful.

What would your dream bedroom look like?

Love Victoria X

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Lake Garda, Italy. By Victoria

When it comes to Italy I am just a little bit biased because it’s where I was asked to be someone’s wife and it’s impossible for me to talk about Italy without totally swooning.  I have have since been back, several times, and the country continues to set my heart on fire – the people, the food, the architecture, the wine!  The fact that each region seems to offer it’s own little treasures – Parma for the food, Piedmont for the wine, Lake Como for the beach.

But above all Lake Garda will always be my hotspot and I have found gorgeous ways to escape the reputation of it being quite touristy:

“There are vineyards and olive woods
and lemon gardens on the hill at the back.
There is a lovely little square, where the Italians gossip
and the fishermen pull up their boats, just near.
Everything is too nice for words – not a bit touristy,
quite simply Italian common village”.

 D. H. Lawrence from a letter to Edward Garrett

September 16th, 1912

Lake Garda is one of the most known lakes and it’s true that people do frequent there year on year to enjoy the beach, the fresh seafood and the stunning scenery but there are ways to escape the tourist hustle and bustle, like this gorgeous resort:

Lefay Resort, Lago Di Garda,  is an eco-friendly spa resort nestled in the natural hills and terraces and is situated in Riviera dei Limoni. This means that it has been designed with the geography and topography in mind and the resort itself is so well nestled into the hillside that it cannot be seen from the neighbouring beaches. Eco-sustainbility is at the forefront of the resort’s ethos with attention to water saving, energy saving, waste management and social responsibility:

Each room is a suite so it really is a home away from home and you can choose your level of comfort right up to a Royal Pool and Spa Suite which includes:

“The Royal Pool & SPA Suite is the highest expression of the new Lefay concept of luxury, where peace, nature, space and wellbeing blend together in the unique and spectacular scenery of the natural park “Alto Garda”. The Royal Pool & SPA Suite overlooks a marvellous private garden and an amazing heated infinity pool and offers, in its top layout, up to three bedrooms, for a final total area of 600 sq.m. (6.460 sq. ft.). The selection of natural materials such as olive and national walnut wood and Italian marbles, the spacious interiors and exclusive services such as the Private SPA Area and the personalised concierge service turn the Royal Pool & SPA Suite into the most exclusive way to enjoy a stay around Lake Garda.”

As if the tranquil environment wasn’t enough to escape and unwind the Lefay Resort also has a resident Spa to fully relax and embrace the Italian way of life:

Of course, above all, is the location – the wonderful natural backdrop that Lake Garda gives to this resort, how can you not look at this view without your heart singing:

Italy we love you, we really do.

Love Victoria X

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So if you are twitching, just a little, to buy things under the NEW COLLECTION sign do make sure it’s one (or two) of these.

Love Victoria X

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It’s not often the fashion world give us a compromise but, this season, they have by taking a trend that was up and coming in Spring Summer and continuing it right through AW.  The look we are talking about is “Geometric All Over Print Trousers”.

All over print trousers have been around in Spring Summer, in both designer and high-street, in a range of patterns and florals but for AW13 the new update will mean focusing more on two tone geometric, especially black and white. The fit will be much more tailored, tapering down to the ankle with sharp front creases.  SS13 was all about the pyjama look with tops matching bottoms but for AW it’s all in the bottoms so wear plain coloured, or black, tops that allow the eye to focus only on the bottom.  The great news is that legs appear longer in geometric print.

An instant way to transition easily from SS13 to AW13 and its definitely one for us, will it be for you?

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Topshops Print Icon Celia Birtwell, by Victoria

We just love bringing a little bit of the fashion world into our home and find there is no better way to do it than with a coffee table book.  Books, like this, are wonderful as they can really spark friend’s interests and have them interacting and discussing a topic they might have thought they knew nothing about.  In fact all my coffee table books are always well thumbed as I cook in the kitchen but nothing receives as much love as the book by Celia Birtwell (and Dominic Lutyens). Perhaps its because Celia is a one of Britain’s best-known, best loved, designers or perhaps it’s because the book is just really, really pretty.

Image: British Vogue

This is the only book of it’s kind, to document the life and career of Celia from her bohemian lifestyle in the 60s and 70s right through to her boom in the 1990s and best selling TopShop ranges more recently. What is really intriguing about the biography is the arts scene in which Celia mixed in and seeing her call Manolo Blahnik, the Beatles, Mick and Bianca Jagger and Paloma Picasso friends. All this is well documented in delightful memoirs, photographs, drawings, paintings and sketches. The style of the book is like a scrapbook which really makes you think you are delving into the private world (and mind) of this remarkable designer.

Stay reading for more of what is on my coffee table.

Love Victoria X

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Summer is here and it’s time to let your hair do the talking (before it’s hidden under a winter hat).  Here is our round up of our favourite, on trend, summer lovin’ hairstyles.

Princess Head-Band

A simple, non embellished, head-band can create quite a statement.  You can use it to sleek the front of hair back, then back comb from behind the hair band and let the rest go wavy.  Keep all the height at the back and the head-band will also serve the function of keeping the hair away from your face and not distracting you.  We love this because it’s a very simple style yet the addition of the gold head-band makes it very chic and girly.

Messy Bleached Bob

Bleached blonde hair is on trend again for summer style and this messy style is the epitome of summer coolness.  To get this look invest in some salt spray like this one from Fudge.

Take hair, spray this and then scrunch up.  This spray works well on any hair type and style but in the look above it creates a great contrast against the sharp blunt bob cut.  The perfect, sun-kissed, just been surfing beach hair for cool girls.

Plaited Beauty 

Plaits are big news for summer and are being rocked by those in the know at all the summer festivals. They are the ultimate festival hair because they keep hair up and clean and are actually styled better on hair that hasn’t been washed that day.  These front and back pleats are not the easiest to style yourself but help is always at hand in the form of fake ready pleated extensions or hand-bands. This look is very relaxed and easy going and works well with empire line floaty frocks.

Extreme Side Parting

The new fringe is actually not a fringe but a very extreme side parting that cuts across the face and adds softness.  To keep volume you can back comb at the parting and then add a wave to the rest of the hair.  We love this hair style, it’s so primitive yet on trend.  It’s just very important to invest in a good spray to keep hair in place and out of your eyes.

Fish-Tail Braid

Fish tail braids are beautiful because they give more  volume than a normal braid which tends to flatten hair. They are wonderfully romantic and really easy to do.  Follow our guide below:

1. Divide your hair into two large sections, parting straight down the middle. For a sharper look, you can use a comb to part your hair evenly. If you’d prefer the tousled  look, though, simply part it with your hands.
2. Pull a thin strand of hair from the outside of the left section. Pull it over the top of the left section, and grasp it under the right section. In other words, the strand of hair has gone over the left section and finishes under the right section.
3. Repeat Step 2 on the other side. Pull a skinny strand of hair from the outside of the right section, pull it over the right section, then weave it under the left section.
4. Keep alternating sides, weaving over and under, until you reach the bottom of the braid.
5. Tie off the end with a hair bobble or elastic
6. If you feel that the fishtail is too tight, use your fingers to gently massage into the strands a little to loosen it slightly

Retro Hair

The return of the Bridget Bardot backcomb makes us very happy.  It’s so wonderfully romantic and retro.  You can start right from the front section and back-comb from there or, much like our Princess Head-Band look, you can take the back crown section and back comb from there. This look continues to inspire Hair Dressers year on year and is often cited as one of the top hair styles ever.  What’s not to love?

Our round up of summer hair-styles we love.  Styles that can take you from festivals, the beach and just day to day summer lovin’.  Which style is your favourite?

Love Victoria X

Ps thanks to Vogue, Allure and Elle for the images.

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The second most trending topic, after the Royal Baby, has to be this heat-wave.  Some love it, some loathe it but either way we have to make the best of it and do it in style and by in style we mean in shades and what better way to start than with these candy stripes shades from Moda Operandi!

These beautiful creations, also known as, ILLESTEVA Stripes Leonard Two are made for me because I just love round Lennon style sunglasses but I don’t have the face to wear them (long, thin!).  What makes these so great is their round lens but the wayfarer style side flicks which will suit most face shapes.  And let’s not overlook the massively on trend monochrome stripe and red underside which makes them just the right side of colourful.  My new favourite thing. . .along with a couple of others below.

Dolce And Gabbanna also took inspiration from candy stripes when designing their new striped sunglasses.  Accessorise yourself perfectly with your deck-chair! The wonderful thing about white is it enhances a summer tan and this shade of blue is so Ocean like you can’t help but want to be on a beach.

But if stripes are not your thing you can always revert to the classic tortoise shell but with a twist, Stella McCartney does that twist perfectly with these square shaped glasses.  The shape is so modern, almost space age, but the frame is a classic combo which stops the look being too alternative, the perfect, on trend, protection from the sun’s glares.

Or if you prefer something more understated but still perfectly on trend then it is our delight to introduce you to these by Gucci. Perspex is a huge trend right now in shoes, bags and accessories and lends itself beautifully and tastefully to these shades which are also available in pink, green and lemon yellow so plenty of choice for everyone.

With so many options there is not excuse to not protect your peepers from the sun’s rays and look good, which shade is your style?

Love Victoria X

* image by Keith Clouston www.keithcluston.com Production by www.onemegamanagement.com  Model Elle Liberachi

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I know it’s very British to pray for heat and then wish the heat away but I am guilty as charged.  Don’t get me wrong I love sky high temperatures but only when I can sit in them, in a bikini with a cocktail or an ice cream  Working and commuting in this heat is difficult and it’s when I turn to my go-to travel sized magic box from L’Occitane.

Cooling Hand Gel

First up is this Cooling Hand Gel which turns to a mat, powdery finish when applied which reduces any perspiration and swelling.  It’s enriched organic verbena and tapioca powder which leaves my hands feeling dry and cool.  Plus it smells so good with extracts of verbena, orange, geranium and lemon tree.

Aromachologie Revitalising Leg Gel

My job takes me all round the world, actually a blessing at the moment because airports are cold, but long flights tend to leave my legs feeling restless which is why I love the Aromachologie Revitalising Leg Gel. This gel is specially formulated for advanced foot and leg relief and contains Arnica, the wonder herb, which is proven to help bruising and circulation.  Plant extracts and essentials oils are compounded with a cooling menthol and nourishing Shea Butter to keep my legs and feet feeling soothed and refreshed even after flying long haul.

Finally Verbena Refreshing Towelettes

Finally Verbena Refreshing Towelettes, every commuter needs these in their life. Delicately perfumed with citrus scented Verbena, these Refreshing Towelettes cleanse and perfume the hand and body. Easy to carry, they can be used all day long and are ideal for travel. What makes them more caring is that they are 100% biodegradable so the planet is happy.

 My essentials for staying cool and refreshed during this heat-wave. . .what are yours?

Love Victoria X

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Summer is here and it might have caught some of you so fast that you haven’t yet fully updated your summer wardrobe, afterall, we weren’t entirely sure that she would show up! Never fear there is an easy way to update your look instantly, one that can even be done on your lunch hour, the answer lies in your nails.

Designers have released wonderful shades of summer brightness in a bottle and are all available now.

Chanel

I have always used Chanel as my safe go-to for traditional red and pink colours and never really thought of Chanel for up to the minute on trend nail polish shades.  Imagine my delight, then, when I saw these were released for Spring Summer:

Les Vernis by Chanel

The coral colour is on trend for summer as it is perfect in shade and texture, while the blue and green are shimmery metallic which seem to change in tone and texture with the light.

YSL 

YSL have embraced the fashion world’s love for dip dye tones and come up with a brand new concept, layering three tones in one bottle to get three looks.  They are surprisingly easy to use:  take the brush out smoothly and paint straight on to nails for a solid coat, swish the coats around for a dip dye look or shake the bottle up to add a shimmer to nails.

YSL Dip Dye

In this case it is all about texture, don’t expect a smooth finish.

Dior

Dior nail polishes perform hard and are always my selection when on the go. Perfectly in keeping with the ”girl on the go” Dior have created these twin pairings – two completely different, yet complimentary shades.

Dior Vernis

 You can grab them and pair them with very little thought, imagine turquoise on your fingers and pink on your toes or be bold and paint a pinky in a contrast shade.

Lovely shades of summer in a bottle , just in time for flip flop season.

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This is how we felt when we saw these by Roberto Cavalli for AW2013.

 Cavalli has never been known for subtleness and is best known for loud and proud animal prints but this new collection is so wonderfully feminine yet directional. Each shoe looks likes a work of art as the print appears to be done by hand. Cavalli has referenced pottery as his inspiration with the flower pattern deriving from ‘’Capodimont’’ pottery, which has Italian heritage. The colour white dominants on a strong base colour which is a perfect blend of Summer and Autumn as we transition into a new season. The rest of the colour palette itself is taken from the world of porcelain with English pottery making being represented in black, navy, cobalt blue and purple colours.  The colours peony and peridot are atypical of Capodiment pottery and are represented in this collection in shades of nude, orange and canary yellow.

These works of art would make such a statement with a cropped black peg leg trouser and we can already picture the boots perfectly tucked into our faithful 7 For All Man Kind skinny jeans. They have a perfectly summery vibe that is so fitting for July but which is certain to cheer up any dark and wintery December. An investment item that updates any wardrobe.

Not that we need any more reasons to make them ours.

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