The perfect summer accessory

Beaded bags are a summer style staple and this little beauty from our fave beachwear designer Louise Sandberg has ticked all of the boxes for us. We love that it is large enough for all those beach essentials and works perfectly as hand baggage en-route to our summer beach destinations, but is also stylish enough to use as a summer handbag.

All the bags are handmade in a Moroccan collective, so each one will be slightly different - you know how much we all like a little bit of quirky uniqueness here! These bags really are beautifully made, incorporating a structured shape with leather handles, fully cotton lined and obviously some gorgeous embellishments. We think they will be the perfect summer accessory wherever you are heading this summer, from super-yachts in St Tropez to Cornish seaside cottages.

They are also limited edition, so when they’re gone, they’re gone!

Embroidered Bag - £59

Make an appointment to view Louise Sandberg's whole collection of beachwear and kaftans at her pop-up showroom - visit Louise Sandberg's website for more info

Vibrant abstract and floral prints

Despite wardrobes stuffed full of clothes – due to a bit of a shopping habit and the belief that, in fashion, what goes around comes around – I am always open to offerings from new designers. So when Jose told me about his friend’s Spanish-based label, Lavand, I was eager to check them out. Any excuse to find something original that you aren’t going to see walking down every high street in the UK! With Jose’s impeccable style credentials I know his judgement is trustworthy (today he is sporting his ‘summer man-about-town look’ - jeans rolled up to ankle-graze, paired with espadrilles, a stripy cardie and aviator shades – ‘every pavement is a catwalk’!!)

Lavand’s summer collection, with its vibrant abstract and floral prints on chiffon and cotton/silk mix garments (so much easier to care for), encapsulates holiday feelings for me. I am very taken with this printed maxi dress and have a feeling that with a bit of help from Jose for some ‘mates rates’ it will soon be in my wardrobe...I am sure there is room for it in there somewhere!

Made in Clerkenwell

Some real talent is being showcased next weekend at Craft Central’s Made in Clerkenwell summer event. Unearth a little oasis in the city as Craft Central opens the doors to its two fascinating buildings and a hotbed of cutting edge craft and design from 19^th – 22^nd May.

This unique shopping event offers visitors the chance to have a behind the scenes peek into the studios of this community of more than 90 designers, as well as the chance to buy their designs and craft on-site. We fancy a little break from the Oxford/Regent/Bond (in our dreams!) street scrum of a weekend and a ticket to this event allows unlimited shopping over four days, including the Thursday night launch event and Friday’s late night shopping. Get ahead of the curve and pick up distinctive pieces of jewellery, fashion, accessories and interiors ideas, from designers who are at the cutting edge of their disciplines.

The Craft Central studios are renowned for great jewellery design and this is the perfect opportunity to check out the offerings - from Andrew English’s Fingerprint Wedding Bands to the beautifully crafted gemstone pieces from Mark Nuell and the quirky designs (including nipple tassels?!) from Frilly by Lily - there is something for every taste and budget.

Top milliner Katherine Elizabeth, whose clients include Dita Von Teese, Alexa Chung and Lily Allen, will be on hand to help you prepare for those all important summer weddings and events with her vintage inspired creations. One of the Amazing PR team, who is heading off to a awfully smart wedding at Le Manoir in a few weeks is hoping she can get something suitably fabulous whipped up in time. Hetty Rose’s beautiful handmade shoes, created using vintage materials will add a unique finish to any outfit, whether you choose her ready-to-wear collection or splash out on a bespoke pair.

Your home will not miss out on this extravaganza of designer talent with numerous delightful interior textiles, ceramics and paintings also on offer.  After an afternoon of browsing, and maybe a crafty purchase or two, you will be more than ready to make a pit stop at Chop’s Cakes for a refuel. Their range of classic cupcakes include the quintessentially British ‘Eton’, a layered vanilla and strawberry sponge topped with vanilla buttercream and decorated with a homemade meringue, strawberry sauce and half an English strawberry. YUM!!

Why not swerve Topshop for a weekend and buy something really original, which has been designed and created with care and attention? You can also give yourself a pat on the back from us for supporting the talented, niche designers at Craft Central.

Dates:

Special Launch Night on Thurs 19 May, 5-8pm

Late Night Shopping on Fri 20 May, 12noon - 8pm

Avoid the High Street crowds on Sat 21 & Sun 22 May, 12noon - 6pm

Venue:

CRAFT CENTRAL HAS TWO GREAT BUILDINGS

Craft Central, 21 Clerkenwell Green, London EC1R 0DX

AND 33-35 St John’s Square, London EC1M 4DS

Admission: £2.50 per person (under 16’s free) TWO BUILDINGS FOR THE PRICE OF ONE!

KM

For all this sunny but windy days

Today I discovered a fun range from a young illustrator and designer called Lee May Foster. All of her designs reference nature, astrology and the seaside, maybe due to the fact that she is based by the sea in a rural part of deepest, darkest Cornwall!

Bonbi Forest is her web site, where you can buy exclusive screen printed t-shirts and sweaters as well as her jewellery designs and original artworks.  Her art muses on a world of fleeting creatures and strange and unsettling landscapes jutaposed with a fondness for colour and pattern. All Bonbi Forest clothing designs are screen printed by hand in her studio meaning each print is unique and ever so slightly different, a work of art in itself. Keeping this level of quality is a nod to the printing days of yesteryear, before machine printed goods and mass manufacture. In addition, all her clothing designs are printed on American Apparel garments and she has worked with brands such as Urban Outfitters, as well as designing artwork for Bat for Lashes and Sink and Stove Records.

I’ve already chose my favourite piece, a perfect blue sweater for all these sunny but windy days...

What a lovely sale!

For great jewellery it is possible to blow the budget at a top jeweller, or go cheap and cheerful in Topshop. But in my opinion if you are looking for something that is a bit individual the wonderful designs from Assya jewellery could be just the ticket. They are true works of art, combining gorgeously worked 18 carat gold vermeil or silver and unusual semi-precious stones. I have bought Assya jewellery as gifts for several of my friends for significant birthdays, but have not really been able to justify buying anything for myself...until now. I have just found out that they are having a sample sale on Wednesday at their shop on Ledbury Road. With up to 70% off it hopefully won’t blow a hole in the bank balance...if you are able to resist buying too many pieces! I am planning on popping up there to try and pick up a bargain from the Peace Love collection, race you!!

11^th May 10am – 7pm

53 Ledbury Road, W11 2AA