Havaianas & Mavala Launch Beauty Bar at John Lewis

Just call me 'the fountain of all knowledge' this week OK - there's just too
many exciting events and initiatives going on out there that I couldn't not
share with you all could I!?

From 19th May-5th June, iconic flip flop (and so much more) brand
Havaianas and nail polish maestros Mavala are teaming up to launch a
summer ‘beauty bar’ at John Lewis, Oxford Street, London.

With summer finally on the horizon, Havaianas is celebrating with a pamper
treat for your feet. For two weeks only the popular 'Slim' style flip flops will
be available in 15 extra colours in-store, with a complimentary Mavala pedi
given away with every purchase.

Appointments can be booked in-store at the Havaianas Beauty Bar from 19th
May-5th June.

The Woolmark Company – Wrapped in Merino

The Woolmark Company is giving wool lovers the chance to make history
by setting a new world record for the World’s Longest Social Scarf.

Launching tomorrow,  Tuesday 29th of May, The Woolmark Company’s
‘Wrapped in Merino’ campaign,  which runs on a microsite and on the
We Love Wool community, aims to connect people in social media as they
collaboratively design a giant virtual scarf. Each participant creates their own
section of the scarf, adding their photo and customising the scarf design,
before sharing it with their friends through Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter. 

Participants automatically enter the draw to win one of eight fashion prize
packs, including Net-A-Porter vouchers and soft Merino wool scarves.

Merino wool is a unique fibre, loved by fashion and apparel designers for its
quality and versatility. The campaign aims to give users a hands on experience
with this fibre as they are given the opportunity to design and customise their
own personal scarf.

The campaign will be run through the ‘We Love Wool’ Facebook page
launched by The Woolmark Company in June 2011, which has recently
celebrated 100,000 fans! The thriving community provides consumers, retailers
and designers alike a touch-point to connect and discuss all things wool.

Find out more via the links below, or on Twitter, the YouTube campaign and
channel or Facebook brand page.

So what are you waiting for? I'm off to design mine now!

Sun, Sand, Sperry

Living by the coast has its advantages. You don't get much better than walking
the dogs along the shore on a Sunday afternoon, or sitting harbour-side to sip a
Pimms in the sun. Another advantage now and again is the related attire. I can
happily kit myself out in deck shoes, a good gilet and chinos, firm in the knowledge
that my sporadic slant towards preppy (I love a blazer and any kind of loafer, so
sue me),  is only what is expected in my neck of the woods...

OK, jokes aside, when I came across Sperry's spring/summer 2012 I was more
that a little surprised. Of course, we all know that Sperry is an iconic brand with
a long heritage. But this season, they've continued to introduce trend-led elements,
some very appealing colour ways and for me they've hit the nail on the head for
casual summer footwear.

Since inventing the first boat shoe in 1935, Sperry continues to share its “Passion
for the Sea” with those who enjoy the good life in, on and around the ocean. Sperry
Top-Sider is a rare and unique American brand. For more than 75 years, generations
have connected with them through this shared passion and families have happily
invited Sperry into their daily lives.

Sperry’s Women spring/summer 2012 collection has been inspired by European
and American coastal towns to develop designs that reflect the ocean, air, sun and
sand. Sperry has added a new twist on its original A/O 2-Eye collection this season
with new materials such as fish skin, washed canvas, leather and suede. Stripes,
metallics and ton sur ton are but a few examples of how the classic A/O have been
given a fresh, contemporary feel for 2012.

Me, I couldn't resit the A/O 2-Eye in patent coral/cognac and believe me when I say
they are probably the most comfortable things I've ever put on my feet! Watch out
'fashion week mega-heels', you've got some fierce competition for my affections this
season...

For more information have a look at www.sperrytopsider.eu and follow the brand on
Twitter.

Sandbanks, Dorset.

Lines We Love - Katie Ermilio

Don't miss my latest post for OliviaPalermo.com; this time I tell all on one of our
favourite designers, Katie Ermilio. Hop on over and check it out, along with the draw-
droppingly beautiful s/s 12 lookbook.

Change

Afternoon All, how are we?? I must apologise for the silence, a lot's been
going on since we last spoke! If you follow me on Twitter or Facebook
you'll know that I recently changed my day job (and laptop too, bear with
me)! After six amazing years I've left Mudpie, MPDClick.com and the
fabulous team there for pastures new. Of course, moving on is never easy
but I've taken up an exciting new challenge that I'm really excited about.
I'll tell you much much more in time, but I've taken up the post of digital
editor for a well known British home retailer...

I've been keeping myself busy elsewhere too, 'wedding season' has begun
so I've been photographing a fair few and assisting the amazing Angela
Ward-Brown. Our own plans are coming along nicely - picking our caterer
and the dress (!) are next on the list. There's also some exciting brand
collaborations in the pipeline so stay tuned for some great content and a
few surprises!

(PS. I know you'll all want to know - shoes are from Topshop!)

Home, UK.

Hat Academy

Just a quick heads up to all of you who might have a free evening tonight in London.
With the racing and wedding season beginning many of us girls I'm sure are
considering just how to deck ourselves out in perfect headwear.

Customers at Peter Jones have a long standing love affair with hats. To honour this
affection and ready shoppers for the racing season, Peter Jones at Sloane Square
will tonight host an exclusive soiree with milliner to the royals, Vivien Sheriff from
6pm and 7pm. Vivien will reveal the science behind picking the perfect hat and
launch Peter Jones’s annual Hat Academy for 2012. Guests will enjoy a glass a
fizz whilst Vivien discusses current millinery trends during an interactive tutorial,
matching hat styles to different face shapes. In addition, throughout May and June
the skilled Fashion Advice team at Peter Jones will host bespoke Hat Academy
appointments to celebrate the race season in style. The complimentary 30-minute
sessions will give race-goers a headwear master class with advice on how to
incorporate this season’s trends into a race day outfit, while meeting the new Royal
Ascot guidelines.

Judith Wilson, Chief Fashion Adviser at Peter Jones says, “The Hat Academy, is
an express style service offering newcomers and veteran race-goers alike
expert advice on choosing the perfect hat for the season. Providing guidance
on all aspects of racing etiquette, from hats and hems to heels and handbags,
the bespoke service ensures customers will be appropriately dressed and
perfectly on-trend for the races.” 

See also my good friend Coco's recent visit to Vivien's studios.


Vivien Sheriff’s Top Tips on How To Wear A Hat:

• Avoid the fashion faux pas of colour clashing. Whether you choose a hat in
  an accent colour or a matching shade, make sure it works with your whole
  ensemble. 
• New rules at Royal Ascot for 2012 require all ladies to wear a headpiece.
  Feathery fascinators are a fine choice but for the Royal Enclosure be sure to
  choose headwear with a base of at least 4” or 10cm across. 
• Make sure your hat flatters your face and your silhouette. If you feel
  overwhelmed in one style of hat then try another shape. Be daring and try on
  different shapes. You’ll be amazed at what you can wear!
• When a hat is too big or too small it’s as uncomfortable as an ill-fitting pair of
  shoes. Make sure the band inside the crown of the hat fits your head shape
  and if you wear glasses, ensure the brim will allow enough room for them. 
• Finally, wear your hat proudly on the top, never the back, of your head and for
  a sophisticated look, angle with a slight dip over the right eyebrow.

The evening with Vivien Sheriff will be held at Peter Jones tonight with talks starting
at 6pm and 7pm. Places are limited, to book, please email
events_peter_jones@johnlewis.co.uk. To book a complimentary ‘Hat Academy’
appointment, please contact Peter Jones on 020 7730 3434 .

You can also follow Peter Jones on Facebook.

Peter Jones, Sloane Square, London

Friday Five

1. This weekend I'm looking forward to visiting my baby sister in her
   new home by the sea and celebrating her birthday (time to crack
   open that magnum H). The area she's recently moved to is also
   packed full of stunning buildings and photo opportunities.
2. I think most of us in the UK are praying for a dry weekend - here's
   hoping my road trip tonight doesn't look quite like this one...
3. As I mentioned last week, I photographed a friend's wedding in
   Southampton's Old Town last weekend - spoiled for choice once
   again by beautiful buildings providing perfect backdrops.
4. Most of this week's spare moments have included editing
   aforementioned wedding photos.
5. The Bethrothed and I have been thinking a lot about our wedding
   catering this week... traditional three course vs hot buffet, hog roast
   vs BBQ... we might not know what we want to eat, but one's things
   for sure, it'll all be displayed on our typically rustic style of table
   setting - my amazing Mum is currently neck-deep in vintage crockery
   and glassware that we've been collecting!

Another thing I've been enjoying this week is coverage of Mecedes-Benz
Fashion Week Australia on some of my favourite Aussie blogs. Take a peek
at Tuula, Zanita, Spin Dizzy Fall and Shine By Three for the latest.

Hampshire & Essex, UK.

astrid & miyu

When co-founder Connie Nam first introduced to astrid & miyu, a
new online costume jewellery boutique based in London, I was instantly
hooked. Their super-cute website with a myriad of trend-led designs left
me with quite a shopping list.

What I like about the astrid & miyu brand is that they're catering to
modern women. Women who's jewellery desires range from subtle to
statement; work to socialising. They stock unique designs that can provide
the finishing touch or talking point of any outfit.

(After much deliberation, I settled on the gold 'fringe do' necklace and a
matching pair of 'silky stuff' bracelets in lime and tangerine.)



Co-founders Connie Nam and Jenny Orlova met at the London Business
School in 2009. Both worked in a conservative work environment and
found the "only way to express our personal styles was through jewellery".
Struggling to find a go-to retailer, they thought “why not start our own
boutique that solves our and many other women’s pains?”. astrid &
miyu was created soon after.

I recently put a few questions to Connie to find out a little more about the
astrid & miyu ethos.

Sarah-Leigh: Who is the astrid & miyu customer?
Connie: Typically fashion-forward women aged 25-40.

S-L: What trends or themes are inspiring astrid & miyu for
spring/summer 12? 
C: We play around with various trends, so there's something for
everyone; there's no one particular theme. If you look at some of
our spring collections, we have pearls, pastels, friendship bracelets
etc which are all in the trend-sphere on the street. 

S-L: Which pieces or styles have proved to be most popular for
the brand? 
C: Some of our recent best selling products include: Princess coco
ring, debutante earrings, all eyes on me multi-tone earrings, rose
gold pieces and leather bracelets.

S-L: Which other designers or brands inspire you? 
C: Everyone, but in particular, Hermes and Kenneth J Lane.

S-L: Where's you're favourite place to travel to/visit for inspiration? 
C: Museums, high streets and bars in different cities.

S-L: What's next for astrid & miyu? 
C: At the moment we want to really focus on women's jewellery. But
in the longer term, who knows? Jenny and I have briefly been discussing
expanding into children's and men's jewellery (we've actually had alot
of inquires from our customers too!). 



PS. I'm wearing my new favourite blouse from Zara, Topshop suede leggings and boots.

astrid & miyu, London.

Dreaming of Tahiti

It’s a Monday, it’s a little gloomy out there (actually, to tell the truth, the sun
is shining in the UK today – how refreshing), so what better way to perk us
all up than think about a summer holiday? Have any of you got anything
planned yet? I’d love to hear where you’ll be heading to to catch a little sun,
sand and sea.

The Betrothed and I have been thinking a lot about where to take out honeymoon
next year, we’ve swung from one side of the world to the other fairly often, but
one things sticks – the South Pacific. Tahiti and Bora Bora are top of the list, it’s
just which way round the world to get there that’s the question… I’m swaying
towards LA – Hollywood followed by French Polynesia sounds like an idyllic
combination to me!

Well, I’ll sure be a lucky girl if we get there and I’d love to hear any travels tips –
tourist operators that specialise in the South Pacific, flights that won’t cost us
the earth, great things to see and do while we’re there?



Images from top: CNTraveller.com via Pinterest; The Cherry Blossom Girl;
sunsurfer.tumblr.com via Pinterest; audreymim.tumblr.com via Pinterest;
ninbra.tumblr.com via Pinterest; The Cherry Blossom Girl; Kiwi Collection;
The Cherry Blossom Girl; Fotopedia; oprah.com via Pinterest.

French Polynesia, South Pacific.

Temperley's Ophelia

Most regular readers out there will know that I’m to be wed to my darling
bethrothed next year, so imagine my glee when the ol’ day job comes up
trumps and a little ‘wedding fashion’ is allowed to creep in to both work and
play. Earlier this year my good friend Coco and I were invited to the
Temperley London Boutique at Colville Mews in West London for an
exclusive peek at their s/s 12 ‘Ophelia’ bridal collection (a look at what we
wore below too - how cool are Coco's booties!?).

I have to say, I thought I hadn’t quite got to that stage where I wanted to
try dresses on. With much of our budget currently concentrating on venue and
food, I was of the opinion that there was plenty of time… It’s amazing what
an hour in a Temperley store with lovely attentive staff and a best bud egging
you on can do…

As if rail after rail of stunning bridal gowns weren’t enough, the team from
Hula Nails were on hand (pardon) to pamper while exquisite bespoke
footwear by Emmy was set on display alongside tea and the most divine
little cakes, plus, the s/s 12 ready-to-wear line was also on show to
provide even more distraction.



I also had the chnace to catch up with the lovely Petrina Nystrom, Temperley's
UK Press Manager, to find out a little more about the latest collection.

Sarah-Leigh: What is the inspiration for the spring/summer 12
collection? 
Petrina: Bridal is slightly different from Ready-To-Wear in terms of
inspiration. The collection is not inspired by one theme; each dress in
the Ophelia 2012 collection draws inspiration from different themes or
eras. There are plenty of reverences and inspirations - from
renaissance fashion and Victorian gowns to 20’s decadence and 70’s
glamour. 

S-L: The collection looks exquisite, have any special new techniques
and applications been used for s/s 12?
P: The collection is characterized by incredible craftsmanship, fine
hand embroidery, beautiful beadwork and delicate laces. All embroidery
and fabric manipulation in the collections are applied and crafted by
hand. Temperley uses the highest quality French lace which is hand
beaded with signature Temperley designs and to add that special touch
and make each bride feel luxurious on her wedding day, all dresses are
lined with satin to feel luxurious and soft against the skin and a
majority of gowns have internal corset/boning to hold the dress securely
and contour to the body. 

The Opehila 2012 ready-to-wear collection has had elements personally
selected by Alice sewn into the seam, for the bride’s Something Old; a
vintage 1920’s button, Something New; a sequin from the new collection
Something Blue; a small piece of hand embroidery. 

S-L: Where do Alice and the design team turn to for inspiration? 
P: Anything and everything can inspire. From vintage markets, films,
books, music, surroundings, travels…. 

S-L: Do any reference points ever cross over into Temperley’s other
collections? 
P: Both Bridal and mainline are characterized by attention to detail
and incredible craftsmanship – we only ever use the finest fabrics and
all our collections are made with the same philosophy; feminine,
timeless elegance. 

S-L: Is there a Temperley bridal muse or certain customer profile that
influences design? Does this change from season to season? 
P: Everything is designed for the Temperley Woman, who cannot be
pinned down to one person, age or personality; she varies vastly. Someone
who is independent, strong, sexy and pays attention to detail and
appreciates investment pieces.



Many thanks to Petrina and the Temperley team for a fantastic afternoon :)

Temperley London, 6-10 Colville Mews, London, W11 2DA.