Adult Colouring Books

What's the hottest trend for this season? Boho Folk? OTK Boots? Turtle Necks? Nope... It's Adult Colouring Books! 

Earlier this Summer I was browsing in a shop whilst waiting for a friend when something caught my eye. Not wanting to anyone to know I made a note of it, and went back the next day to purchase the desired goods. 

I made my way home with the same excited feeling I get when I buy new a bag or shoes. 

That afternoon I spent the next five hours happily content, feeling very relaxed and taking great care of my new purchase - My Adult Colouring Book and a set of colouring pencils. 

I was actually a little embarrassed by what I was doing, but when a friend came round, she was so envious, I let her colour a page "As long as she stayed in the lines". Then I over heard a colleague at work saying she had one, so I shared my secret too. 

Now it seems to be the new must have accessory or hobby as I have seen more and more people with them! Such is their popularity, that if you check on Amazon now, I guarantee several will feature in their 'Top Ten' sellers list.
Not only does colouring take you back to your childhood, it is also very good relief for anxiety and a great way to de-stress. It's been proven to be such a good source of meditation that even my Yoga Teacher was handing out special Chakra colour sheets after sessions.

Yoga Colour Sheets.

"It is overwhelmingly well accepted among art therapists that repetitive activity using art materials which are chosen by the individual -- that is, which involve some levels of choice, can be soothing to people experiencing anxiety and stress. This is a fundamental and very basic premise of art therapy." - Patricia Fenner, PhD, Senior Lecturer and Coordinator Master of Art Therapy. 

We are spending more and more time infront of screens, and on the internet. I often find it hard to switch off, and am terrible for spending the night scrolling through Instagram when I should be sleeping but when I colour I literally switch off from everything spending hours perfecting the colour of pretty intricate designs. It's my own little 'me time' when I can unwind and relax.
(Although I may go on SnapChat and share my work with my fellow colourists out there - who have also given me a tip that fine line felt tips are great to fill in with.)


My current go-to is the 'Can't Sleep Colouring Book' but there is definitely more I want to add to my list. Especially as I am travelling again early next year - what a better way to pass the time on long journeys.

This Vogue colouring book is not released until November - I've added it to my Christmas list! It will be £10 and published by Conran Octopus.

For any aspiring Mermaid's like myself out there! 

You can add this Enchanted Forest scenery colour book to your basket for £9.95 whilst selecting the rest of your autumn / winter wardrobe on ASOS.com 

You needn't spend a fortune either, The Works has colour books starting from £3.00. 

With Colour Me Calm, Can't Sleep, and mind healing books it certainly works out a lot cheaper than therapy! 

Dolce & Gabbana Kidswear AW13

I have recently started a new job for a Luxury Children's Clothing company, and thank god I don't have children as I would be bankrupt... Although my cousins and god sons have'nt done bad.

I am abosultuely in LOVE with the campaign images for the Dolce & Gabbana kidswear for this season...

The collection combines luxury fabrics such as tweed and silk, with opulent floral prints and premium design details such as the heavily embellished red dress below. 

And the child models are SO CUTE!!!! 

Available now at Childsplay Clothing. 

H&M Autumn Winter 2013

I went to the H&M Press Day this week to view the AW13 Collection, and what a beaut it was! 

Modern drama with a tomboy spirit is at the heart of this collection. First presented on the catwalk of Paris Fashion Week, it is set to debut in around 200 stores worldwide  and online from September 5th. 

The collection mixes tailoring with glamour to create contrasts. Military tailcoats create a dramatic silhouette while a variety of delicate sequin dresses add faded grandeur. 

Extra shine comes from the sequins and fringing giving the collection a Great Gatsby feel. 

Bohemia comes from a heavily embroidered velvet jacket, while chunky knitwear brings winter comfort. 

Accessories complete the contrasting mood with stacking-rings for every finger and stud earrings for a punk feel. Biker boots or flat shoes add a fresh twist along with tassel belts, embroidered collars and vintage-inspired bags. 

LOVE LOVE LOVE THESE SEQUIN EMBELLISHED TROUSERS! 

I also really WANT this structured skirt. 

Winter is not complete with out a great faux fur coat

High Street Fashion Week

Fashion month may be finally over but High Street Fashion Week is fast approaching.

From the 26th-28th April held at East London's BoxPark in Shoreditch, the worlds first pop up mall. 

High Street Fashion week brings together womenswear, footwear, beauty, lingerie and accessories all under one roof. 

The event will take place over three days and is divided into two parts; a pop up boutique exhibition allowing you to shop the collections and the latter part of the event will be an exclusive runway show that will be held in Aura in Mayfair. 

Vanity Van, the UK's leading mobile beauty treatment supplier are styling the catwalk team and will also be on hand in the VIP suite offering complimentary beauty treatments (can't wait). Also in the VIP suite will be My Chocolate, offering some sweet treats and Megabooth will also be there to capture moments from the day!  

Brands I am most looking forward to seeing are Chic and Geek, Dissimilar Apparel, Lili Marie Boutique , and Frills by AD. 

It always feels good when you source out new brands and support independent businesses. 

For more information on High Street Fashion Week please visit www.highstreetfashionweek.co.uk

Holly Fulton AW13 - London Fashion Week

It seems that London Fashion Week has come around again sooner than ever, and this morning I was at the Holly Fulton show, and what a beautiful and wearable collection it was.

Inspired by 70s art school rockers and taking seductive temptress Beatrice Dalle as a muse, Holly has sliced and pasted signature geometric motifs across leather biker jackets and photocopy skirts. Big cats, angry bears and venomous snakes pop on billowing, printed satin organza maxi skirts and dresses.

For an Autumn Winter collection it was nice to see some colour, with a lot of blues, and pops of ruby red.

The Holly Fulton label centres around the creation of high-end, contemporary Womenswear, with print and embellishment at its core. Strong signature graphic elements epitomise the bold aesthetic to which the label is synonymous for, and this collection did not disappoint.

One of my favourite looks; sequinned feathers embellish soft leathers. 

And my all time favourite, the final look; A beautiful flowing organza silk maxi dress. 

Woo! by Juergen Teller at the ICA

Whilst I am off work (I like to think of it as more of a career break rather than unemployed) I want to do as many productive things as possible. 

Yesterday I went to the new Juergen Teller exhibition 'Woo!' at the ICA in London. 

On til' 17th March, the exhibition presents iconic images of celebrities  such as Lily Cole, Kurt Cobain, Vivienne Westwood, Kate Moss and Marc Jacobs with whom he has photographed many campaigns for...

 Remember the one of Victoria Beckham with her legs hanging out of the huge Marc Jacobs bag??

Although quite small, I would definitely recommend... and its FREE! 

Don't miss out on the Reading Room, which is covered in a wallpaper of his editorial and advertising work, a favourite of mine. 

Be warned, if you a bit of a prude 'Some scenes are of an adult nature'. 

Kate Moss by Juergen Teller

The wallpaper in the Fox Reading Room at the ICA

Cock & Caviar anyone??

Because who hasn't woke up feeling like this on a Sunday morning!! 

Free People Launches in the UK

Eagerly awaited US seventies label Free People crossed the pond today with the launch of their brand new UK e-commerce website. 

Loved by the likes of Kate Bosworth, Heidi Klum and Taylor Swift Free People offers an eclectic mix of spirited and confident styles to suit every lifestyle. 

The brands main target is a 26-year-old-girl, who is smart, creative, confident and comfortable in all aspects of her being. 

"Free People girls in the US and UK share as commonality of being curious and creative" Free People Art Director Lauren Cohen said of the move in to the UK retail market, "We love how girls in the UK style pieces from high fashion to high street and wear them together. Free People is not about what you're wearing, but how you wear it. Whether you style them in a tough tomboy, romantic and pretty or bohemian way it's all about taking the pieces and making them your own".

Part of the Urban Outfitter's group, Free People is a very popular brand in America, with over 77 stores and stocked in all major department stores. 

They also use high profile models in their campaigns such as Lily Donaldson and Karlie Kloss. 

Offering Free Delivery for the first month and free UK returns the website is now live. 

www.freepeople.co.uk 

Every Girl Want's The Fairytale...

Admittedly I am going through a Tomboy style stage at the moment. Denim cut offs, Trainers, off the shoulder tee's, DM's and lethal looking jewellery are my staple wardrobe items, however just because I may dress a bit hard round the edges that does not mean that I'm not still a total girly girl. 

I love cute fluffy animals and hearts and flowers, pretty things and all that shiz.... You get the idea. But the one thing I still believe in most is Fairytales. 

(Find me a girl that don't... we were bought up and force fed this drivel. Yes I sound bitter because the fairytale still hasn't happened for me yet but I do still believe.) 

Off on a tandem but who remembers the Julia Roberts "I want the fairytale" line in the film Pretty Woman? See even prostitutes can dream!

So Mulberry really know what they're doing with their new Autumn Winter Forest Fairytale campaign featuring model Lindsey Wixon and two furry forest creatures shot by British photographer Tim Walker  in Blackheath Common, Surrey. The campaign is inspired by 'Dreams, fears and imagination' something we can all relate with, wouldn't you agree?

Connecting with consumers on a dreamy level it's no wonder their profits continue to rise... but more importantly it gives up something pretty to look at. 

Enjoy x