Sumptuous Silk - One of Life's Little Luxuries

With Christmas just around the corner how about treating yourself to something so luxurious and indulgent that you’ll be reclining on a chaise lounge eating peeling grapes in the style of an old Hollywood star before you know it (this is how we like to imagine the likes of Grace Kelly and Marlene Dietrich spent their time). Alternatively if you are in the process of dropping subtle (or not so subtle) hints about the items on your Christmas wishlist, ‘The Essential Collection’ from Anne Wiggins should be top of that list. Anne’s debut collection of loungewear and nightwear, appropriately called ‘The Essentials Collection’ offers the highest quality and most luxurious silkwear. The range includes gowns, pyjamas, robes, jackets, camisoles and palazzo pants. Each garment comes in the same flattering champagne colour and can be worn as loungewear, nightwear or under clothing. In particular, the camisoles and gowns work perfectly as slips to wear under tops or your favourite party dress.The old saying ‘If you want a job doing properly, do it yourself’ applies here, Anne spent a long time searching as a customer for the perfect silk range and found all of those available to be lacking  in some way. She decided to create a range that addressed all of her needs and the needs that she felt sure other women must share. Not only are the pieces made from the finest and purest silk Anne could find (which happens to be on a small farm in Japan) they are also completely ethically sourced and produced, as well as being free from any chemical treatments. Anne’s Buddhist beliefs influence every step of the design and creation of the garments, so much so she even insists on an expensive and rare humane method of farming the silk worms to ensure they are not harmed. As an added bonus to all this lovliness Anne’s silk does not demand to be dry-cleaned, it doesn’t even particularly want to be hand washed, it is perfectly happy in a mesh bag on a delicate wash cycle with some silk and wool wash.

The care and attention to detail has gone into each item is clear, reflecting the philosophies and Buddhist beliefs of their designer. Each of the camisoles and gowns has hidden mesh bust underlays so that they drape and flatter your figure. They also come beautifully packaged, boxed in tissue paper with monogrammed ribbon and organic lavender bags.I’ve got my eye on the long gown (£205) and robe (£270), perfect for reclining glamorously on the sofa and entertaining gentleman callers...Oh ok, more realistically for snuggling down and watching X Factor, but a girl can dream can’t she?! The short gown (£180) would also go perfectly under any party dress as a slip to create a smooth silhouette.

We suggest you start dropping hints pronto…but if that fails why not treat yourself? Come on, it’s nearly Christmas!

www.annewiggins.com

E M-H

Hug it Out

Now that the whole world and his wife seem to own a pair of those sheepskin boots (no mentioning of the U word here), how do you make yourself stand out from the crowds of identikit clones? Don’t worry we aren’t suggesting you give up comfort and warmth and expose your tootsies to the elements this winter, but how about finding a way to make it all a little less ‘samey’...  

We have just discovered Boot Hugs, a range of boot tassels and accessories that allow the wearer to customise and individualise their boots. Boot Hugs are a clever little invention allowing you to give a facelift to a pair of old boots, or add a distinctive twist to an outfit. The simple design (we wish we had thought of this one) consists of a decorative band that can be worn either at the top or at the ankle of the boot. They are made from a variety of different materials such as feathers, fur, suede fringe and ribbons and include embellishments such as charms, beads and crochet. We  ♥ these feather ones!

Retailing at around £20 a pair, they are a damn sight more affordable than a new pair of boots and have the added bonus of allowing you to play a bit fast and loose with your personal fashion flair.

Next time don’t go and spend £150 on a new pair of boots, instead save yourself some money, buy yourself a couple of Boot Hugs, create your own distinctive look and ensure you won’t end up looking matchy matchy with the girl sitting next to you on the tube.

Boot Hugs are avaliable to buy from www.boothugs.co.uk and cost £20.

Luxurious Sheepskin boots are from http://www.eliseleatherandsheepskin.co.uk £70.  Sizes 4 – 8 . Height 31cm. Available in Black, Sand and Chestnut.

KM

A Hidden Jewel

As an American PR intern studying in London, I am constantly amazed by the richness and diversity that London offers. The city is renowned back home for its history, buzzing ambiance, myriad of high street fashion and sometimes less than favourable weather conditions! However, I am thrilled to report that I’ve surprised even my most shopping savvy British friends with my marvellous discovery – T Fox & Co – a truly special hidden gem….

Located in The City, T Fox & Co holds the distinction of being London’s oldest umbrella shop, dating back to 1868 when the original founder Thomas Fox first began selling his elegant umbrellas to the gentlefolk of the day, including members of the Royal Family, Presidents and Prime Ministers. Nowadays umbrellas are far from the only thing they have on offer. On stepping into the shop a wonderful smell of leather greets you, the traditional display cases house an exclusive collection of elegant scarves, ties, shoes, bags, coats and many other luxuriously made pieces. Echoing old world values the shop provides a portal back to a time where superior, long-lasting design and quality were paramount. In a world of quick-fix, throwaway fashion, it is a gentle reassurance that craftsmanship and traditional styles have not been lost.

Picking a favourite item was tricky, I could have taken any number of pieces to delight the folks back home, however the Italian knitted ties especially caught my eye. They come in all sorts of colours and offer the perfect traditional-yet-funky twist for the man in your life’s wardrobe. Though if ties aren’t really his thing, or you feel like treating yourself instead, how about a handmade leather bag or a one of a kind umbrella? With the exception of the knitted ties everything in the shop is designed and made in London. These pieces really will last and last and as we have seen this traditional look never really goes out of style, perfect for adding a little heritage chic to an outfit.

The products in the shop are individually crafted by the best in the business, no mass production here, and every item is unique in its own way. As an added bonus anything bought in the shop is either 100% repairable or replaceable, should something go wrong. Where else can you get an assurance, not to mention a great deal, like this?

PRICES: *       Umbrellas range from £50-£300 *       Leather handbags start from £345 *       Silk screened scarves range from £150-£220 *       Italian knitted ties £59 *       Leather wallets from £40 - £120 *       Rain coats – Made to order T. Fox & CO (1868) LTD 118 London wall, London EC2Y 5JA +44 0207 628 1868 www.tfox.co.uk

WR

Love & Patience is Priceless...

‘Sometimes, someone is everything...There can be a million stories why but the reasons are all the same. You’re incomparable, you’re irreplaceable, you’re priceless.’

Looking for a special gift for a loved one or friend? If you are anything like me you crave inspiration and originality, I am constantly on the lookout for unique gifts to provide that all-important meaningful and personal touch. Well call off the search because we have just discovered Love and Patience.

Love and Patience is the brainchild of a couple, who, inspired by their own story, wanted to design products that allowed people to show their loved ones how much they mean to them. The first design in the collection is based on the sentiment ‘You’re Priceless.’ This message makes the gift perfect for any occasion; a birthday, Valentines Day, a christening, Mothers/Fathers day, a new arrival, or just a simple thank you.

Each stylish gift card comes with a small hallmarked silver blank tag for him or her to wear ‘as a symbolic reminder of your love and friendship'. The tag is hung on a meter length of organic waxed cotton so can be worn around the neck or wrapped around the wrist or ankle, there is also the option of an additional 18" sterling silver fine curb chain. The tag can either be left blank (or ‘priceless’) or alternatively engraved for a personal touch. Once you have written a message to your 'priceless person' in the card you simply seal it and send it.

All the cards are made in the UK using recyclable and recycled materials from local and ecologically sound suppliers and printers. The cards and tags have also proved popular amongst celebrities including Take That, Jamie Oliver and Emma B.

If you are looking for a meaningful, attractive gift with great packaging and affordable price then check out the website www.loveandpatience.com. You are also encouraged to share your own story as to why you have given or received a tag,  which they hope to eventually develop into a book of ‘Priceless’ moments.

So come on, isn't it time to show a special someone how much they mean?

Info

Card containing a hallmarked sterling silver tag (8x16mm) on brown waxed cotton cord £19.99.

Additional 18" sterling silver fine curb chain £9.99.

www.loveandpatience.com

www.loveandpatience.com/blog/

E M-H

Hello! I’m a 10:10 Tag

Yes, there's more to this cute little carbon-cutting charm than meets the eye...but what is it you ask?  That's exactly what I was wondering when I saw it in a women's glossy last month.  Lucky talisman? Eco symbol? Carbon cutting fashion statement?...Well whatever you want it to be really... this little "charmer" is probably one of the few pieces of jewellery ever to have been made from a plane that should have crashed but didn't. The 10:10 Tag is part of a worldwide carbon emission cutting campaign that's celebrated on Sunday 10th October (10:10:10).  On this globally recognised day people around the world will be doing their thing, big or small, to help cut carbon emissions by at least 10% and make our world a better, cleaner place to live.

The tag is made from the body of a Boeing 747 jet forced to make an emergency landing  in 1982 when it flew ito a plume of volcanic ash en route to Auckland from Heathrow. Frighteningly, all four engines failed almost simultaneously, it should have crashed, but amazingly the plane managed to land in Jakarta and no one died.  The lucky near-miss made headlines and became known as the "Jakarta Incident".

So what happened to the plane? Well she's been melted down and forged into 150,000 lovely little 10:10 tags, a stylish way to show the world you're cutting your 10% in 2010.  (Mine came in the post with a black bracelet/necklace cord and I haven't taken it off since it popped through the post box).

Worn by Hugh Jackman, Sienna Miller and Daisy Lowe to name a few, this extraordinary, symbolic mini chunk of metal has just sold out on the 10:10: website but it's still available (£3 from O2 shops nationwide) - so if  you want one you had better be quick!

You can even watch how the tags were made...click on the "747 to 10:10 in 34 seconds" video link on this page:

http://www.1010global.org/uk/tags

For more info see www.1010global.org/uk

FK