London: Fashion Capital of the World

It's true, ladies and gentlemen! London has apparently overtaken New York City and been ranked the Fashion Capital of the World, at least for the year 2011. According to the Huffington Post, the city's new title can be attributed to the stylish Kate Middleton (more formally known as Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge), and luxury fashion house Alexander McQueen. Of course, the two almost go hand-in-hand, as Kate is often seen sporting a McQueen number everywhere from Wimbledon to the Diamond Jubilee. Not to mention her Alexander McQueen wedding gown designed by Sarah Burton (Pippa's dress is also McQueen!).    

I'm thrilled that London finally has some recognition for it's style. In fact, England in general seems to have an extraordinary number of stylish citizens. Kate Middleton is the most obvious, with her outfits making headlines each time she steps out in public. Who wouldn't want to take fashion pointers from a princess? Below are my favorite English fashion and beauty icons. Whenever I find myself in a "fashion rut", I always look to these British bombshells for some inspiration.


Kate Middleton: 

Forget Cinderella's baby blue ball gown and glass slippers. This princess knows how to dress. Because she must always look poised and polished, Kate has this seemingly magical ability to make even the simplest outfits look fit for tea with the Queen.

Favorite Looks:
- cropped coral jeans + blazer + scarf

- dressed in white at Claridge's

- trench coat perfection

- stunning in McQueen for the Diamond Jubilee

- vintage Amanda Wakeley

- flawless with camilla

- pretty in pink


While it can be more difficult to pull inspiration for everyday life from Kate since most of us don't get the invites to the royal affairs, her style serves as a reminder of how to look elegant and sophisticated no matter what the event.

Victoria Beckham: 

This is the woman that comes to mind when I hear the words "Best Dressed". I've been a fan of Victoria ever since I was a child when I determined that the Posh Spice Barbie doll was my favorite (I had all five). In fact, I chose it as my favorite because I liked the purple and black dress it had on. Even in doll form, Victoria never disappoints with what she wears.

Favorite Looks:
- ombre jeans

- fur, fur, and more fur : she's doing it right

- peachy pink + nude pumps

- airport attire: flying fierce

- sophisticated at Harvey Nichols, similar look

- royal wedding attendee

- orange dress

- gown #1, gown #2, and gown #3

- green chanel jacket

- blue peter pan collar dress

- hot pink dresses and green dress

Every outfit she wears is just perfection. I would do unforgiving things to be able to have (and fit into!) her entire wardrobe. Now that Victoria is a fashion designer and has her own line, I technically can have her wardrobe- I just need to strike it rich first. Basically, I'm as obsessed with her style as she is with Prada. Let's just point out that Victoria Beckham sure knows how to strike a pose.

Pippa Middleton:

The underrated Middleton sister, Pippa is better known worldwide for her impossibly perfect bum than, well, anything else. While she can't exactly compete with her sister, she is certainly not living in Kate's shadow. Pippa has a unique street style, and she flaunts it well.

Favorite Looks:
- bright pink jeans

- green jacket

- red-orange coat + boots

- maxi dress with white jacket

- pink gown and green gown

- denim jacket + dress,

- cardigan + blouse + jeans


When my dream of living in Chelsea comes true, I hope to look as cool, calm, and collected as Pippa does on my daily walks to work. In an attempt to get some sort of a head start on that dream, I even purchased the laptop case that Pippa is always seen carrying, like in the picture above.  Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating a little: I just needed a case for my laptop and genuinely like the one Pippa had better than others I had seen. Anyway, you can purchase the Knomo case here.

Stella McCartney:

Like Victoria Beckham, Stella McCartney is no longer just a person, but also a label. Stella is quickly becoming as popular in the fashion world as her father, Sir Paul McCartney, is in the music world. The following links are of my favorite looks that she wore. However, it is her talent in fashion design that makes her one of the most stylish Brits out there. Either way, she is still extremely fashionable and fabulous. Who knows, maybe a future blog post will be about Stella's exquisite designs...

Favorite Looks:
- perfectly pregnant in white coat

- polka dot blazer

- navy blue dress

- white + black

- heathrow houndstooth

- purple dress + black blazer


Obsessing over Stella's ombre jeans in the photo above? The 'Degrade Skinny Ankle Grazer Jeans', as they are called, are by Stella McCartney herself and were also pictured on Victoria Beckham in one of the links to my favorite looks of hers.

Kate Moss

Admittedly, I saved the best for last. The world's greatest supermodel, living legend Kate Moss, is the epitome of cool. Her style is effortlessly chic and often mirrors the rock and roll lifestyle she is attracted to.

Favorite Looks:
- cheetah coat

- floral jacket + white pants

- festival chic

- maxi dress + leather jacket

- pink chinos

- fur + moccasins, black fur, grey fur, and white fur

- studded leather jacket

- pastels

- all black topped with a hat

- ivory blazer, blazers + boots

- white pants

- evening romper + blazer + tights

- kate moss for topshop




Kate's style is envied by women everywhere, and rightly so. She stays true to herself and has been quoted saying that she only wears what she feels like. A trendsetter extraordinaire, Kate has, in recent years, popularized Ugg Boots, ballet flats, Vivienne Westwood Pirate Boots, skinny jeans, waistcoats, denim shorts, Alexander McQueen's skull scarves, Balenciaga handbags, and Hunter wellies, to name a few. She is not only my fashion icon, she is the fashion icon. What she wears, the world wears. I wonder how many women searched for a replica of her gorgeous custom John Galliano wedding dress!

Yves Saint Laurent

London may be the most fashionable, but these Brits are the most stylish. Yves Saint Laurent said it best: "Fashion fades, style is eternal."

Just Touched Down In London Town...Now What?

via www.healthinsurancesolutions.co.uk/london

After the many crossing of t's and dotting of i's, I am pleased to announce that my trip to London in November is booked, and to say I am excited is a tremendously large understatement, as I have been waiting for this moment all year long! I spent hours and hours online searching for the perfect hotel in the best location that doesn't cost the equivalent of a vintage Chanel bag per night. After finally settling for a wonderfully located Bed and Breakfast, it got me thinking how other tourists go about booking their stay in London without overpaying or lacking the real "London Experience".

I think a lot of people, especially when going to London for only a brief period of time, just want to be near Big Ben, Tower Bridge and Buckingham Palace, similar to a tourist in New York wanting a hotel room view of the Empire State Building. Or perhaps they book a room near Marble Arch to have quick access to Oxford Street.While it's vital to see these places in person once in your life, it's also important to broaden your horizons and step away from the cliche (excuse my lack of an accent mark), touristy locations in order to "do as the romans do". Soaking up the culture of the place you're traveling to is the best way to make the most of your time abroad. With that being said, I'm here to suggest some lovely alternatives to the tourist-trap locations.

The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea:

Wellington Square, Chelsea ( Just off the King's Road)

While it's just my opinion, I believe that Chelsea is the best area in London overall, and certainly the most beautiful. I might be biased, because my mum is from Chelsea and I have such fond memories on Lots Road, however there is just so much to see and do here and in Kensington and they each have extraordinary history to back them up. Are you a fashionista? Head up the Kings Road, where you will find a wonderful mix of one-off shops and more well-known stores, or Kensington High Street. More interested in music? Take a stroll up Cheyne Walk. In 1968, Keith Richards lived at number 3 and Mick Jagger lived at number 48 but currently owns number 98. Edith Grove was also home to The Rolling Stones in the early 60's. John Entwistle of The Who had a flat on the King's Road in the late 1970's, and Eric Clapton had a flat there a decade earlier. Love Kitchen Nightmares? Visit one of Gordon Ramsay's restaurants on Royal Hospital Road and see if he's as good as he thinks. Do you have a husband or son to keep occupied? Buy tickets to the next Chelsea FC match.  Are you more of a book worm? Go to 34 Tite Street to see where Oscar Wilde lived. For a general celebrity spotting, have a bite to eat at Bluebird Chelsea where you may find yourself dining next to the cast of Made In Chelsea. If you can't fathom the idea of going to London without even a glimpse at royalty, walk up Old Church Street and maybe there will be a Pippa sighting, as she still lives in the flat she once shared with her sister, the Duchess of Cambridge.

If you made it past that overload of information, I applaud you. My point is that there is something to do  for everyone in this area, and with so many notable residents, you know it's a cool place to stay.

Accomodation in Kensington/Chelsea: 

B&B's

Moore Street

For my stay in Chelsea, as I mentioned earlier, my mum and I decided that a B&B is the best option for us. I highly recommend using Britain's Finest and Uptown Reservations to search for the best B&B options in London. As stated on their website, they "offer a comfortable, relaxing and value alternative to that impersonal hotel experience," and were easy to book with. You can take comfort in the fact that they put you in "an elegant home that has been inspected to 4-star standard," "top-quality accommodation," and with "hosts that care about you". This is the best option if you're on a budget because you will be staying in the same areas as pricey hotels, but for much less. For example, we'll be staying on Moore Street, pictured above, which is just minutes from Peter Jones/ Sloane Square! Naturally, here is a picture of Kate Middleton leaving Peter Jones after a day of shopping. 

MyHotel Chelsea

MyHotel Chelsea

Located on Ixworth place, this boutique hotel was initially our first choice hotel for our stay in London. I fell in love with the decor- so chic! There's pink throughout the hotel and in almost every guest room, which obviously scores some points in my book, and is in the absolute perfect Chelsea location, close to Sloane Ave, Fulham Road, King's Road, and Old Church Street. At around £170 for a standard double room, MyHotel Chelsea is decently priced for its area. I can just picture myself there now, walking up those steps with shopping bags in hand, ready to rest my head on the fluffy pink pillows after a long day walking up and down the King's Road!


The Sloane Square Hotel

The Sloane Square Hotel

Does it get more convenient than this? Staying right in the charming Sloane Square, an ideal location, means you are just steps away from the Kings Road and Peter Jones. Take an enjoyable walk up Sloane Street past Tiffany and Gucci, and you will find yourself at the legendary department stores, Harrods and Harvey Nichols . At around £220 for a double room, this 4-star hotel is sure to please.





The Pelham Hotel

The Pelham Hotel

This 5-star , townhouse-style hotel in South Kensington may be a bit pricey, but it seems to be worthevery penny. The rooms are stylish and elegant, and its website states that it "really is the perfect foundation for your sophisticated stay in London". I agree. This hotel is close to many of the same locations as the hotels listed above, but it's even closer to the famous Hyde Park and Kensington Palace. Plus, I hear it has a delicious afternoon tea!

I hope you will consider staying in The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea for your future visit to London, as I promise it will not disappoint. I think it would be a much more fulfilling experience than staying where, well, everybody else tends to stay when they visit England's capital. 

No matter where you stay, though, just remember you can take 

one of these bad boys to get wherever you want to go.

Flying Chic Across The Pond

With talk of an upcoming trip to London for a family wedding, traveling is on my mind. Although many will disagree, I think airports and plane rides across the Atlantic are nearly as exciting as the journey to follow, and there’s something special about dragging fifty pound suitcases around Logan and Heathrow from terminal to terminal with a keen eye open for a new gossip magazine to enjoy that makes me feel like a true international jet setter.

When traveling internationally, it’s always a good idea to arrive a few hours early, especially with the thorough security checks that must be done. That being said, a three-hours-early arrival is a foolproof way to avoid the stress and headaches that are often associated with airports. Then, if there is time left over before boarding the plane, it can be spent catching a bite to eat or taking advantage of the Duty-Free shopping!

 But, if you’re like me, the main thing I worry about is looking smart, keeping comfortable and staying fresh during the entire experience. You never know if there will be a seat open in first class, but you can guarantee that nobody in sweatpants or pajamas will be upgraded. Look good, feel good, right? If the old saying is correct, it is quite important when applied to a seven hour flight.

I’ve put together some tips and necessities that will help make anyone’s travels more enjoyable and more chic!

 What to Wear:

Gwyneth Paltrow has it right. Simple, comfortable, and pretty. Wearing all black is a great idea as it makes the outfit a bit more dressy. Leggings keep it comfy while a long sleeved shirt helps fight the airplane chills that the cheap, thin blankets provided simply cannot. Leave the Uggs and heels at home. Slip-on boots like these are smart and also convenient when they have to be taken off and put back on quickly at security. Wearing layers is also smart for possible temperature changes!

 Accessorize With a Scarf:

Scarves are a great way to add color to any outfit, but at the airport especially they can have multiple uses. Larger scarves can double as a blanket when the airplane gets chilly or simply when you want to take a nap. There’s nothing more cozy than a cashmere scarf. Or, invest in a silk or chiffon scarf like the one above which is so lovely and flowy that it can be folded up to the size of a credit card, which is perfect for traveling since it doesn’t take up much space.

 Prep Your Skin:

Keeping skin looking great on board is vital, especially since it will be hours and hours before you can properly get back into your daily skin routine. When I’m going away, I like to have a bit of a healthy looking tan, but that’s just a personal preference. St. Tropez’s Bronzing Mousse is by far the best self-tan product I have ever used (and I have used PLENTY on my naturally pale skin)! What makes it so perfect is it’s coloring, which is a natural tan color rather than an oompa-loompa orange, and the fact that it goes on brown, so you don’t have to play the guessing game and pray that you applied it evenly. You have a tan the second the luscious mousse meets your skin. Due to its size, I would suggest to leave this at home, but definitely use it before you leave for a perfect fake bake!

 The next on-board necessities are the Evian Brumisateur (mineral water spray) and Clinique’s Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion. My face would not survive the drying atmosphere of an airplane without these products. First, I apply the moisturizer to my face right when I get seated on-board, and re-apply when necessary. Throughout the flight I lightly spritz the Evian spray all over my face and neck, and each time, it lives up to its “Heaven in a bottle” reputation. As the bottle says, it tones, moisturizes and refreshes, and it reassures me that I will arrive at my destination feeling like “a million bucks”. Or at least my skin will.

 Finally, Crabtree and Evelyn’s Rosewater Lotion is perfect because it comes in a mini bottle allowing you to take it on the plane, and has a lovely, not-too-strong scent that can always come in handy when on any form of public transportation. The formula is a life-saver to hands that can become dry during the flight. The thing to remember to refrain from is spritzing perfume while on the plane. It is not only rude but some passengers may even be allergic. Stick to scented lotions such as Crabtree and Evelyn’s, or use a rollerball perfume. My favorite is the Chloe rollerball, only $25 at Sephora!

If you must have a little spritz of perfume during your travels, there is no need to bring along your full-size bottle of fragrance, which will often be too big to get past security, anyway. Instead, get a few samples of your favorite scent from a department store.

 To Wear Makeup or Not to Wear Makeup:

Many women are unsure if they should wear makeup while traveling, since they will be applying moisturizer throughout the flight. While it may be okay to wear a full face of makeup for shorter journeys, I would stick to a natural face for international flights. In the dry, (and let’s face it) dirty environment of an airplane, one risks clogged pores and acne breakouts with a face smeared in foundation. There’s also a good chance that eye makeup will just become smudged and flaky, especially if you fall asleep. With a chic outfit and big sunglasses, you just won’t need makeup. Before landing, if you don’t want to arrive completely naked-faced, mascara and bronzer are the way to go. The bronzer will give you a healthy, refreshing glow (my favorite is NARS’s Casino) and the mascara will provide that wide- eyed, awake and refreshed look. DO NOT FORGET lip balm. Lips are one of the things that you should focus on keeping moisturized during the flight.

 Keeping Chic on the Inside and Out:

Finally, you can relax on your flight, knowing you are feeling clean, moisturized, refreshed and beautiful. Reading magazines keeps me entertained when the movies being shown on the airplane do not. MAGAZINE BUYING TIP: those with my girls Gwyneth Paltrow and Kate Moss on the cover have never let me down.

 I’ll be sure to use these tricks, tips and products the next time I visit London, and I hope you’ll give them a try as well.

 Enjoy your travels!