HOTEL BLOOM

Whilst staying in Brussels for the Modo Parcours, I was lucky enough to stay in the Hotel Bloom; from only 69 euros a night the rooms were beautiful, each room had a unique hand painted design of it's own by a young european artist and overlooked the city centre. The trip was pretty full on, so I was happy to be able to kick back and relax with a bath and a new copy of Encens magazine on the final night. The breakfasts were out of this wold too, you got to poach your own eggs to avoid any of those rubbery disasters you spy at most breakfast buffets, also a range of fruits and yoghurts as well as pastries and cereals; seriously the perfect start to every day.

Thanks Hotel Bloom for having me and to Elke from Modo Brussels for organising the trip! 

BREAKFAST WTH RICHARD NICOLL

Yesterday morning I joined Richard Nicoll, the British Fashion Council and Vodafone for breakfast on Soho House roof terrace for some exciting news. Richard will be joining forces with Vodafone for the next two seasons to give Vodafone customers access and the chance to meet the designer backstage at LFW. The partnership will also see the fusing of technology and cutting edge design in a new type of accessory to be showcased at his A/W 12 show.

After the speeches and formalities, it was great hanging out in the sunshine with friends Kate (don't you just love her in my Versace's?), Cyrena, Simon and Abi, as well as meeting some new darlings Natasha and Reem. The highlight for me had to be meeting Caroline Rush from the British Fashion Council who was so lovely and promised to come to my presentation in September too!

I'm kind of obsessed with that neon pink Richard Nicoll dress as well as those ever so relaxed and easy to wear striped resort pieces as seen on Caroline and Jo. I definitely need more easy to wear pieces in my summer wardrobe.

BREAKFAST WITH THOMAS LYTE

Last month I was invited to have breakfast with Thomas Lyte, in their new flagship store in Burlington Arcade, Mayfair. The place was alive by the time we got there, breakfast canapes were served as we peeped around the store. All the leather accessories are so beautiful, my favourites being the little leather envelope purses in various colours. The philosophy behind the brand is about keeping the art of craftsmanship alive; each piece is made in London and as Mark Henderson said "Our aim is to make heirlooms not landfill". The most impressive pieces I saw there had to be the candle holders, jugs and thermoses made out of folded sterling silver. NOT bonded together but one sheet of silver folded precisely together, amazing. After Mark Henderson's very funny talk on What makes England Great, we headed down to hang out on the large leather sofas, you instantly feel at ease at Thomas Lyte and we must have sat there talking until they got the hoovers out. 

How amazing is the shine ya shoes gov'na chair outside too?