I-Spy Something Beginning with P

Ms Miuccia Prada holds court over the global fashion industry, designing 2 trend-dominating catwalk shows - Miu Miu and (the ultimate) Prada. To choose a favourite piece of clothing or bag, would feel like choosing your favourite child. So I am excited to show off the new Christmas collection of jewellery...

Earrings, £140 Prada

Beaded bangle, £175 Prada



Necklace, £195 Prada

 

Bangle, £350 Prada

As well as crystals-galore vintage inspired costume jewellery, Prada also has a huge selection of "perfect for pre-SS" plexiglass bold pieces. With a safari, 1960's feel, these will be worn for years, they are also available in bold turquoise and pink, so stock up soon....

This Is Davina, Get Fit With Me!

Davina McCall is a super-powerhouse of achievements; TV personality, wonder-mum and wife, sports-fanatic, and now fashion designer with high-street supremo Next...showing an impressive collection of workout sportswear, post-workout clothing you can be proud of, as well as must-have accessories and protective and supportive ballet pumps and footwear.

Launching in January 2012, Davina For Next provides the ultimate wardrobe for aerobics to running, power-lifting to pilates – all in great modern shapes, fabulous colours and outstanding fabrics, there’s something for every activity. The collection was shown off yesterday, with a fun catwalk turned dance-show, where even Davina giggled as she posed on the runway!

The ultimate woman's best friend, Davina says: “My approach was to concentrate on what I would wear, thinking very carefully about the details that matter to me, like a place for an MP3 player, or reflective strips on the bottoms – essential when you’re jogging in the early morning or at dusk. And I’ve ensured the workout tops are extremely solid and secure so your boobs won’t be bobbing around while you’re working out!"

Pink cropped top, £25 and pink capri pants, £28 Davina for Next

There is also science on display here - harnessing Next’s F.I.T. technology, Davina developed stylish everyday shoes that offer comfort, performance and muscle activation previously found in cumbersome sports footwear. Cute ballerinas in bright patent or animal print with a reduction in stress on load bearing joints with the promise of decreased heel impact. And Davina’s ultra-feminine trainers will exert 25% less pressure on the ball of the foot (from just £28).

As well as stylish scientific sportswear, she designed post-workout pieces to wear on the school-run, weekends etc. Leightweight fabrics, fun prints, and wearable bold colours galore...

Along with the perfect work-out wardrobe, you have no excuse, and you can use it with her latest fitness DVD Davina Ultimate Target (£12.99, Amazon).

Perfect Wardrobe One-Stop Shop

Mint Velvet website holds all your wardrobe needs, from work outfits, to party dresses, to lazy weekend desires...on top of that,with lovely features on how to wear trends, blog and behind-the-scenes photo shoot videos to keep you entertained - you can easily wile away the time whilst shopping! A couple of months ago, MV celebrated its 2nd birthday, and I know it'll be around for many more years to come...

My top picks from the newest arrivals are a gorgeous 1960's collarless coat and my (faux) furry gilet and scarf - can't get enough of them!


Wool swing coat, £179



Faux fur gilet, £89



Faux fur trim scarf, £35

.....and I'm not going to ruin the surprises, but I have seen the amazing Spring Summer 2012 collection and it looks fantastic. Feminine, new prints, more day dresses and still the favourite jeans and leathers. Can't wait!

Spreading Christmas Magic

Following on from my post earlier in the year, celebrating the first Michelin star at Petersham Nurseries which you can read here, I am excited to see they are in the Christmas Spirit, with an intimate and very festive Candlelit Christmas Shopping & Carols from The Petersham Opera Choir on Wednesday 7th and Wednesday 14th December, from 6 - 9pm.

Alongside the beautiful carol singing from the Choir, you will find a selection of gifts lovingly chosen by the whole team including the gardeners and the restaurant. There are beautiful Welsh woollen blankets, copper hand tools, luxurious Angora goat socks and, incredible handmade rocking sheep with real sheepskin wool fleeces!

You can also decorate your home with antique and vintage crystal decorations, colourful Indian baubles, intricate beaded decorations and oversized etched glass baubles. Dress your table with handcrafted Astier de Villatte crockery, festive Venetian striped glass made by Countess Brandolini and exquisite Cire Trudon candles. The in-house florist will, as always, have an array of wreathes and branches...

As if that wasn't enough, they will also introduce bespoke Christmas Crackers and handmade Christmas Hampers filled with gifts inspired by the Restaurant, Shop, Teahouse and Nursery.

Once you have shopped, get your gifts beautifully wrapped!

PUT THESE WONDERFUL DATES IN YOUR DIARY...
Monday 5th December - Wreath making workshop
Wednesday 7th December - Christmas Market Evening
Monday 12th December - Wreath Making workshop
Wednesday 14th December - Christmas Market Evening
Thursday 22nd December - Petersham Nurseries Cafe Christmas Feast
Friday 23rd December - Petersham Nurseries Cafe Christmas Feast
Saturday 24th December - Petersham Nurseries Cafe Christmas Feast
Saturday 31st December - Petersham Nurseries Cafe New Years Supper Club
Christmas and New Year Opening Times
Saturday 24th December - Open
Sunday 25th December to Friday 30th - Closed
Saturday 31st December - Open
Sunday 1st January - Open usual Sunday hours (11am - 5pm)
Monday 2nd January - Open as usual

For an extra special treat, they are also indulging us all with Magical Christmas Feasts on Thursday 22nd, Friday 23rd and Saturday 24th December. nestled within the enchanting cosy glasshouse the team serve three special and truly memorable Christmas feasts offering a delicious 5-course set menu for £90 per person.

Bookings available from 12.00pm to 3.30pm.
Reservations are essential. To book a table call 020 8605 3627 or 020 8940 5230. Alternatively email info@petershamnurseries.com

What are you doing on 8th March 2012? Don't Know? I'll be queuing!

Following the successful sell-out of Versace for H&M, Marni will follow suit as the next label to create a collection for high street retailer. Consuelo Castiglioni has designed a spring collection which will land in 260 stores worldwide, and online, on March 8th 2012.

"I wanted to create a true Marni wardrobe by revisiting all our favourite pieces in signature fabrics and prints," Castiglioni said. "As always, I love juxtaposing prints and colours, mixing modern tribal with Bauhaus graphic and adding sporty utilitarian elements."

The menswear and womenswear will showcase all the elements that Marni mainline has become famous for, from vivid colours to all-over prints. Highlights from the women's collection will include full pleated skirts, dresses, cropped trousers and jacquard knits, in fabrics range from silk to crisp cotton.

 "Marni has such a modern touch with everything they do, mixing prints and accessories in a playful but chic way. It's fantastic to see how Consuelo Castiglioni coordinates her designs, matching new combinations of print and colour, with such incredible craftsmanship behind every piece. The collection will arrive in stores at just the perfect time, as a lovely statement for spring."

The Marni collection is the latest designer collaboration for H&M, which has previously collaborated with brands such as Karl Lagerfeld, Stella McCartney, Comme des Garçons, Jimmy Choo, Lanvin, and most recently Versace. This is truly a wonderful opportunity for everyone to fall in love with Marni, as the fash-pack already do!

In-My-Bag Topshop fashion-lover heels

These gorgeous, sleek, monochrome heels from Topshop, are stylish and will prove your fashion credentials as they are inspired by Celine Pre-Fall 2011 collection.

Suede and leather Garland courts, £65 Topshop

I-Spy Something Beginning with O

Osman Yousefzada is a regular on the London Fashion Week catwalk schedule. Sticking to a rigidly simply shape that is cut and constructed to perfection from the best fabrics, his designs are tailored, architectural and flatter everyone. Modern and clean silhouettes are classic as they do not conform to colour or print trends, reminding us of New York based Calvin Klein.

Silk blend dress, £758 Osman Yousefzada at Matchesfashion.com

This beautiful and elegant dress has a simple looking front, but the back is simply stunning - monochrome and tied at the back, it has wow-factor.

If you want to show your fashion know-how without the designer budget, check out John Lewis's collection designed by the man himself. Echoing his main line collection, the dresses and coat are great investments.


Long jersey dress, £250, Osman Yousefzada for John Lewis

 

Asymmetric jersey dress, £179, Osman Yousefzada for John Lewis