Thursday 19 December 2013

10 things that have made me happy this week...




I'm finally homeeeee! Its been a long time coming and while the last few days since being back may have been filled with work, revision and not much else, at least there is a full fridge and a smiling mummy at the end of it all! So here's the things that have been making me happy over the last week or so...

1) Getting home! <3 Yes that might be a long 3 hours of trains and yes it was a very heavy suitcase but there is no better feeling than crawling into my home bed with its incredible duvet and just snuggling.

2) A walk across the downs with the boy and a much needed yummy lunch at Stanmer House. Roast potatoes make everything good!

3) Seeing my gorgeous niece after a month. She's incredible and I love hanging out with her! 

4) Chats. Sometimes the deep ones are the hardest to have and the most upsetting but they really do make you realise what you have and why you're bothering to make it work, despite the hard bits.

5) Making Christmas hampers in amongst the work. Blog posts to come soon - this years a good one for homemade pressies!

6) The food that is making revision so much more bearable. Lindt chocolates and white wine are my life right now and I have no cares whats so ever about obesity!

7) Managing to see my lovely and ever growing godson. He is the epitome of cute and nothing is better than baby cuddles - I really do miss them when I'm at uni.

8) Wellies and my big fur coat. Staple everyday pieces since being home and I wouldn't want it any other way!

9) Wrapping pressies with the heating up high and some trashy music. 6 daysss!

10) Knowing I'm seeing my girlies on Saturday for a big formal occasion which are always full of memories - I cannot wait!

Friday 13 December 2013

Beyoncé


Without warning, Beyoncé just dropped a brand new 14 track record and it comes with 17  provocative videos. BEYONCÉis a powerful visual album by Mrs Carter, shot from New York City to Paris and Sydney to Rio de Janeiro. The self-titled fierce feast features work from directors Terry Richardson, Hype Williams, Jonas Åkerlund and Pierre Debusschere, as well as Beyoncé herself, who also directs the installments for RocketBlue and Jealous. Look out for the bonus video for Grown Woman, with Kelly and Michelle, and appearances from hot models Joan Smalls and Jourdan Dunn in YoncéMusical collaborations come from Mr Carter, obviously and Frank Ocean, Pharrell Williams plus more.

“I see music,” Beyoncé states. “It’s more than just what I hear.  When I’m connected to something, I immediately see a visual or a series of images that are tied to a feeling or an emotion, a memory from my childhood, thoughts about life, my dreams or my fantasies.  And they’re all connected to the music.”


If you haven't had time to watch the incredible videos yet check out the clips here.

Thursday 12 December 2013

Mulberry moments

What is it about Mulberry? A Classic black bag has been on my wish list for as long as I can remember and will almost certainly be my first big purchase once I have a 'real' job. The Effie range is by far my favourite. Soft, slouchy leather that is subtle in design and yet retains that 'perfect handbag' look.

Mulberry was only founded in 1971 and yet has the appeal of a heritage brand. The combination of beauty and practicality, and the unwavering passion for leather craft is evident every time you wander into a Mulberry store. For me, its one of the British brands that is classy but not showy, with the perfect  piece for nearly every occasion!  

From top right, clockwise: Effie Tote // Effie Hobo // Suffolk // Pocket Bayswater // Bayswater Tote

The Winter campaign this year has only added to my desire for one of these little beauties. The iconic windows at Harrods are filled with a mysterious winter wonderland and they really do epitomise Christmas! 
"This December Mulberry is celebrating festive magic  and the joy of fairy tales. Inspired by the beauty of winter woodlands and Mulberry’s roots in the English countryside, the fairy tale has been brought to life by the renowned  art director and set designer Shona Heath."
I mean, how can you look at these windows and not feel Christmasy? Its definitely December!!





Wednesday 11 December 2013

Sussex does sports luxe

The sports luxe trend is one of those that is completely new, refreshing and intriguing. Juxtaposing the sporty against the luxurious the trend has filtered down from nearly every catwalk: loose jersey trousers teamed with with racer back vests and plimsols of all descriptions. The ideal mix of fashion and function that has held its own over the past few seasons. 


The look is by no means colour co-ordinated and variety of materials and fabrics is key: this is sportswear with panache and I for one love it! 


A couple of weekends ago on a wintery day, Sussex Style embraced the trend on a shoot for the newly launched Promenade website.  Featuring sports teams from the uni including American Football and Ballet and combined with a gorgeous collection of clothes from local stores, the shoot took place on campus, embracing a vintage-retro vibe. Here are a few backstage shots before the final edits go live on the website which you can check out here. We'd love to know your thoughts!


Our beautiful ballet dancer...
American Football does sports luxe...
And the football team get their posing out!
And Sussex Snow in luxe knitwear...
















Tuesday 10 December 2013

Rosie for Autograph


I love Rosie's Autograph collection. Beautiful French lace, silks and cashmere in an elegant colour palette. The black and cream sets are my favourites for their classic simplicity and I want to invest in nearly all of the range!

Here are a few of my faves.


The silk padded plunge bra with French designed lace...




Floral and feminine, the rose printed silk embroidered plunge bra... 




Subtle and chic, the Deco embroidered bra..





And possibly my fave out of all of them, the triangle bra with French rose lace. I mean, how good would this look under an opened back top? Actually, I probably wouldn't want to wear anything else if I put this on!!







Wearing good underwear nearly always makes it a better day in my opinion!


Check out the rest of the collection here.

Monday 9 December 2013

The Gallivant

Last week I took George away for the night to a gorgeous little hotel in Camber Sands, right on the Sussex Kent border. It was an early Christmas pressie that I'd been planning for a while, firstly as a nice break away from uni towards the end of term and secondly as he's hard to buy for and I wanted to do something a little different. I managed to get him on to the train and halfway there before giving in and telling him where we were going which I was very proud of!! 

The train took us through some very desolate countryside from Brighton to Rye and we ended up at a train station pretty much in the middle of nowhere. There wasn't a taxi in sight and every company that we called from the taxi board outside the station had seemingly decided to have the day off but it was an experience to say the least!!

We eventually arrived at the seaside retreat, taken straight out of the Hamptons, and were taken though to our 'bigger' room. The Gallivant has had a makeover since its bucket and spade motel days and is now filled with whitewash floorboards, driftwood art, big fluffy beds and homely touches. All of the rooms feel calming, clean and distinctly coastal, and little touches like retro phones, rubber ducks in the bath and mini pots of cookies add a sense of personality and charm. Here's a little tour of our room...








We were invited to afternoon tea at 4 o'clock and of course could not refuse! We were treated to pecan slices, white chocolate coated flapjacks and tea and coffee, all served out of nautical themed china. So delish!





We headed back to the room after tea for a little bit of chill out time. We took full advantage of bubbles, the big bath (and of course rubber duck) and and ice cold bottle of wine!






Next it was time for the bit that I was really excited for - the Beach Bistro. I'd heard rave reviews, not least from our taxi driver, and couldn't wait to try it out! The room was light and airy and despite being fairly quiet as it was a Tuesday evening, background music and attentive staff ensured the atmosphere.  The menu was varied and I was more than happy with my choices, as was George from the appreciative sounds that came from tasting the main especially!! 



My starter was salt cod croquette with roasted tomato relish and quails eggs. George went for the game pie.



Mains were catch of the day with clams and herby potatoes and roast lamb. They were both gorgeously presented and I would return for them again without a doubt!



By dessert I was pretty full but the chocolate fondant was divine! Local wines accompanying each course were delicious. We retired to our room with full tummies and ready to sink into the cosiness of the white fluffy linen!


The morning afar the night before did not disappoint! We headed to the dining room to be greeted by a table laden with juice, cereals, homemade banana bread, yoghurt and fruit compote. My kinda breakfast! George ordered a bacon sandwich and I went for smoked salmon and poached eggs, both ridiculously predictable! Both delicious though and they definitely set us up for the day!






After popping up the perfectly suited room sign, we did what it says on the tin and headed to the sand dunes. My shoes came straight off and we wandered along the gorgeous beach in the winter chill, sitting and chatting on the dunes where I had a lesson all about costal geography - thanks Georgey! 








The perfect way to spend a couple of days. Lots of chats and chilling and a pretty good Christmas pressie if I do say so myself! <3

The Gallivant have lots of Christmas offers and an incredible seasonal restaurant menu - check them out here for more details.