Monki Wishlist

I don't even know how I stumbled upon this store, but thank the lord that I did. Everything is clean cut and classic, whilst still being so affordable.
I'd describe it as being a one-stop shop for all your staple pieces from jackets and blouses, to purses and scarves.
It really is perfect, and here are some of my favourites.

www.monki.com check it out and tell me if you have any favourites! If you've ever bought from Monki before what's the quality like? I'd be interested to know before I buy.

Inspired by Christopher Kane

Halloween Inspiration

I decided to create an alternative look from the slutty cats, pumpkins, nurses etc. Especially if that's not up your street and/or you and your friends are slightly more mature and civilized than that. 
You could pretty much wear this outfit all day (bar the cat ears, but if you want to then I respect that a lot; you are one brave lady) as it's quite classy but relaxed.
If you're at work all day you can just swap the shoes for some comfy black flats, and the clutch for your fail safe - often massive - handbag. Just pop your cat ears, heels and clutch in your bag and then you're ready for drinks and a party afterwards.

The Tea Room, Epworth

I went out for Brunch with my family yesterday and we decided to go to a cafe on the corner of a road. I was won over by the flowers, bunting, and tins of tea everywhere, and my Mum was won over by the huge scones on the counter.
Open Tuesday to  Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m The Tea Room Epworth is the prettiest little cafe, with the highest quality of food and drink. Think Taylors of Harrogate, Dammann Frères, and world-famous Italian coffee growers Illy.
All produce used are local, and just by looking at the home-made treats you can tell only the best ingredients are used. 
A lot of what you see on the menu you can also take home, so whether you ask there and then, pre-order, or even ask for it to be shipped overseas, you will have the yummiest looking and tasting goodies at home.

The Tea Room Epworth do everything from traditional English breakfasts, light lunches, cakes and pastries, and the most delicious looking hot chocolates and milkshakes I've ever seen.
And if the incredible menu isn't enough to win you over the Tea Room itself is such a sweet little place to eat, and with the backdrop of quaint Epworth I don't think you could ask for a better place to spend time with people.
The staff were also fantastic - so polite and friendly that it made the whole experience even better.
We were served my the most lovely French woman I have ever met.

C/O The Tea Room Epworth Facebook

C/O The Tea Room Epworth Facebook

What topped everything off was what I over heard the French woman say.
It was possibly one of the best things you could say to a woman buying cupcakes.
"You don't gain the weight if you eat with pleasure."

Neon fix

London Fashion Week Favourites Part 4

Another Michael Van Der Ham piece. I'm not even going to babble on about why I like this shirt so much, it's just so feminine and delicious. 

For me, this piece from Peridot London sort of encapsulates everything in the collection - clean cuts, chic, and so utterly cool.

I met a lovely man called Chris in a pub and his was wearing such lovely accessories that I had to take a photo. That ring is beeeeaaauuutiful.

Why more men today need to dress like they did in the 50s

Dug up these old photos at my Grandma's house and I just thought, more men need to dress like this still. So effortlessly cool.

Hattie Taylor-Gell

I have a very beautiful and very talent friend called Hattie. She has been a superstar and drawn some pictures for me and they're so perf that you all need to meet her. She is lovely and you will all love her.

Hello. Im a student at Leeds College of Art, stuck in a living daydream. Spend half my life looking into space dreaming about things totally overambitious and unrealistic. I like to make people laugh. I like drawing. I like being around family and friends. I like eating new foods. I like travelling. I like meeting new people. <3 

 
Firstly, thank you so much for doing this incredible drawings for me! I can't wait to get to work on my new logo! When did you first realise you had such a talent and passion for art? 
 My earliest memory was sitting in the garden with a packet of chalk, drawing onto the patio slabs, all day long... I entered quite a few drawing and painting competitions when I was younger and somehow managed to win a couple... Finding success in something I loved doing felt exciting :) 

 
Which artists would you say have inspired you most?  
Neil Buchanan was my childhood hero. 
 
Would you say that people who aren't even artists have inspired you in anyway? 
My dad, he loves to draw. He's a signwriter and he taught me how to traditionally sign-write using paint, which has    definitely inspired my painting. However, anything could inspire me, I could see a picture in a book, magazine or on the internet and have the urge to draw/paint it!  

The drawings you've done of me are just amazing! What do you like to work with most?
I love drawing people and their expressions, just faces though, I'm not that good at drawing bodies... perhaps I should go on a life drawing course.... I also love typography and graphic design.  

What's your favourite material to work with?
I love acrylic paint, oils are good.. but they take forever to dry....  

What advice would you give someone who wants to improve on their skills, or even pick some up?
Break the rules. Take breaks. Rule the world. 

Again, thank you so much for the drawings They're just perfect. Are you working on anything you're particularly excited about at the moment?  College is quite demanding on studionotebook work and critical journal entries, I never really get that much time to do many drawings... Thanks Bex for giving me a break from work, hope you liked your drawings you beaaaut! 

FOLLOW HER NOW ON TWITTER @hattiegell

London Fashion Week Favourites Part 3

This new collection from Sibling is called Sister, and as much as I love the colours and patterns in the whole collection, I NEED to have this cardigan and jumper. It's not even a want, it's a need. I will die if I don't have this in my wardrobe.

These Peridot London sunglasses are so unbelievably chic and cool and perfect and cool. I like them a lot.

The best ice latte in Somerset House award goes to...

London Fashion Week Favourites Part 2

The whole of Holly Fulton's collection is so aesthetically pleasing it's just silly. This shirt was my favourite; the material was so soft, the colours and patterns are so feminine, it's just the perfect blouse.

 It was pretty obvious without having to ask that this collection from Michael Van Der Ham is all about texture. But I did end up chatting to the designer himself (exicting, I know), and he was rather excitable when telling me about how important the material was for him when designing these pieces. This dress was one of my favourites from the collection purely because of the colours, pattern, and classic cut.

Best beard award goes to...