MONKI MADNESS

Last Thursday I attended the official opening of the new Monki store on Carnaby Street, the party theme was a sunken underwater world filled with silver balloons, carousels and plenty of cocktails; there was an all female set of entertainers with Yasmin DJing downstairs and Icona Pop rocking out upstairs; nibbles of jellies and mini burgers served on carnival trays and an a makeover counter where you could get sparkly eyelashes or lips like this.. 

The party was so much fun, I love the layout of the store and Monki's mission to make dressing up playful and enjoyable. I always found Carnaby street a little stale but with the opening of Monki and sister store Cheap Monday a few doors down the area is exciting again! 

EDITED BY

Some covetable Topshop pieces from their last press day, which means it must be in stores now (wahoo!) How often online do you see something which is available to buy right away? I definitely need to take a trip into Oxford Street soon, also because for the next few weeks the Regent St side entrance of the store has been turned into Edited By; a mini Tophop with all the best pieces hand picked from the main store by a different editor each month. The first is Dazed & Confused's Katie Shillingford and will give a true insight into one of London style visionaries. Not only will the clothes be hand picked by Katie but also the music in the the space itself as well as a selection of books and magazines that are inspirational to her. I tend to get a little nauseous when shopping in the huge flagship store, so this mini store filled will all the best items hand picked by Katie Shillingford? It sounds almost too good to be true.

Edited By will be open from August 2nd and will feature a new guest editor each month for a two week period.

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?