A Stream Of Consciousness
My favourite glasses, gold Mary Janes, knitted bonnets, prettiest Christmas stockings, bag charms, vintage Bella Freud, and the shoes I swore I'd NEVER wear (send help!)..
Hi
How’s your week been?
I couldn’t decide what to write about this week (not due to lack of ideas I hasten to add, I just couldn’t make a decision), and when I consulted my ever-present running list of things to share with you, which I keep on my phone Notes, the list was pretty long. So here we are. Things I’ve highlighted/bookmarked/made a note of/just loved this week (in no particular order)…
Let’s get into it…
My favourite nighties
I have loved If Only If nightdresses since they first launched their best-selling Pandora, which I have. They have recently launched their new collection, and there are so many beautiful pieces to covet. Chloe is my favourite. The frill collar, wide balloon sleeves, both trimmed in lace. Just divine. I will always love a pretty nightie. Also, these bed socks…
2. Bella Freud x M&S
When I first heard about this, I will be completely honest, my first thought was: wow, she’s sold out (I know. Harsh. But I made a pledge when I first joined Substack, to always be honest, so here we are). But that was very quickly replaced with: actually, that is a pretty genius collab. And I really do believe that. I haven’t seen the collection in person, but I have seen pics and what I’ve seen looks pretty great. She’s cleverly played to her strengths and only created pieces (as well as her iconic slogan knits) that she knows she does well - a tailored jacket, trousers, dandy striped shirts etc. It’s a 26 piece collection, and is available online (although so much has sold out, unsurprisingly) and in selected stores (I would say this is your best bet - I hear there’s still pieces). This Honey jumper is one of my favourites.
I have one of her original designs, cirque 2006 - the black (with white lettering) Ginsberg is God one. I LOVED that jumper, probably more than I have ever loved any other one before or since. I lived in it. My favourite way to wear it was with a white denim mini and ballet flats (inspired 100% from Kate Moss of course). It was also the outfit I wore when I returned to my job as Senior Fashion Editor at Glamour after a year’s maternity (I remember that day VERY vividly - there’s definitely a future post there - just not sure I want to ‘go there’ again), just with the addition of black Wolford opaques (it was 5th January 2011). I then later had a Je t’aime Jane one (also black), which I then managed to shrink, so Tabitha now has it (I mean).
Disclaimer
Who’s watching? Tom and I need a new series to fill the giant Slow Horses (I mean, those last two episodes? SO GOOD!!) size weekly hole in our viewing, and this is it. Only two episodes in and I’m fully invested. I just love Cate Blanchet (I mean, has she ever put in a dud performance, ever?). Some excellent house porn in the mix too, which never hurts does it? Last night I flopped, exhausted on the sofa to watch the next episode, only to be told there wasn’t one. I literally could have cried. I think the third once drops tonight, so you know where I’ll be.
Find it on Apple TVMy glasses
I am asked about my glasses A LOT (which considering how rarely I share pics of me wearing them, is pretty funny), and I actually went to my favourite glasses store on Wednesday. Cubitts. My friend Joe recommended them to me a few years ago, when I was still quite a new glasses wearer, and they have remained my glasses go-to. I currently wear the Judd in a medium dark turtle, but I am thinking of getting my new prescription in either the black Judd or the black Plender. I had a little try-on and I’m going to pop back next week to order. I’ll let you know.
5. The prettiest Christmas stockings
It’s another collab between two of my faves - Edit.58 and Smock London - they’ve just launched their Christmas stockings, and they are the prettiest I’ve ever seen. I am going to be ordering one gingham with white frill and one gingham with red vichy to hang on the fireplace. I am happy to invest in lovely Christmas decorations, because they will be bringing joy for years and years to come. And nothing beats the joy (for me anyway) of unpacking the Christmas decorations each year. I always forget the things I bought the previous year, so that’s always the loveliest surprise.
6. Knitted bonnets/balaclavas
I first dabbled with a bonnet last winter, and I have to say, loved it. Some might argue that I am potentially 45 years too old for this headwear, but do I care? No I do not. I will always love my cashmere beanies (they are SO good at smoothing my frizz and reducing the volume around my head, so they are multi-taskers for me), and in my opinion, Sézane does the best ones.
I bought one (a knitted bonnet) at the tail end of last year, from ASOS. Here are some I’m loving this year (some bonnets, some balaclavas/hoods - I would say that the hoods are generally easier to wear, but personally I love a bonnet)…
Monki
Urban Outfitters
Arket
Damson Madder
Cos
7. Bag charms
This is a trend that’s been bubbling away on the back burner for a while now (or as Tabitha pointed out: didn’t Jane Birkin do that to her Birkin bag years ago? Correct. That’s my girl!) and I am 100% here for it. I just love how fun and playful you can be with an otherwise, serious and chic bag. My ‘entry charm’ was the Jellycat croissant, and I am now eagerly awaiting a gold bubble S, some cherries and a gold heart.
Read more about pimping up your handbag here
8. Tabitha Simmons x Next
I first met Tabitha waaaaaaay back when when I was working at the Joseph press office (I was in PR briefly before I started working at the mags) and she was modelling. She was so lovely, and super-cool. She then went onto become a Fashion Editor at American Vogue as well as a shoe designer. She was always a ‘cool girl’. I was definitely surprised to see her new collab with Next, but there are some really cute things (and not just shoes either - they’re are bags too). My faves include these gold bow mules, present bow bag, Mary Jane block heels, velvet wristlet bag, and studded pointed Mary Janes.
Discover the full collection here
Cosy Crocs
There literally aren’t enough hours in the day for my to tell you about my long-standing hatred of Crocs. So you’re just going to have to trust me on this one.
So no one was more surprised than me when, on a recent trainer shopping trip with my son, Marlow, I spotted (and liked!!!!) this pair. Marlow persuaded me to try them on, and OH MY GOD, people are not kidding when they said they are the most comfortable thing you can slide you foot into. My God!! But I am still very tense about the fact that they’re still Crocs. Not sure I can go there. Can I? Tell me in the comments…
Wide leg jeans
I have (and will always, I’m pretty sure) always loved a wide-leg, seventies style jean. And I’m currently pretty obsessed with this pair from Anna Mason x Donna Ida. If you want a more budget-friendly option, I also really rate these from Abercrombie & Fitch (I have a pair).
11. Current favourite Mary Janes
Now you know how much I love my Mary Janes (high, low, flat, round toe, chisel toe, pointed…) and they are probably my most-worn style of footwear (they literally look great with everything from jeans to any length of dress). I have been wearing this Penelope Chilvers pair quite a lot recently. I love them with denim and white. Oh and they are SO comfortable (I did over 5000 steps in them today).
12. Liberté jumper
This is a late entry, but one that I couldn’t not include. The Liberté jumper (the coolest design), specially designed for Anti-Slavery Day (today) is made from 100% super-soft merino wool. This weekend Beulah London is donating 20% of profits from each sale to Justice & Care, a charity doing incredible work to fight human trafficking. Donations could go towards an emergency after-care package, for a survivor here in the UK, helping cover essentials like food, travel, and personal care items to meet their immediate needs.
That’s it for this week. Thanks, as always, for joining me. Have a gorgeous weekend!
If there’s anything specific you’d be interested in hearing about next time, just let me know. Here to serve!
pps: a little birdy (in the know) informed me yesterday that Sienna Miller has done a second collection with M&S for Winter. Exciting! So stayed tuned for that.
pps: if you enjoyed this post, please do ‘like’ with a heart, comment or share - it’s hugely appreciated and really does help with my posts being seen on Substack. Thank you so much. xx
*This post contains affiliate links which means I may earn a small commission on any affiliated items if you decide to purchase.
Loved this too! And, it's a "yes" to the gold coloured Crocs! I am also a hater of them, but these are on another level and are now on my "wish" list!! X😊
Loved this!