Quote of the week

"I am a woman above everything else" - Jackie Onassis 

Afternoon tea at Sketch

My American relatives are over visiting right now. Which means I have a good excuse to be a tourist.

Yesterday my dad was showing them all around the historic places in London and I was given the responsibility of showing my uncles girlfriends daughter who is 16 a bit more of a chic, young side of London. As what 16 year old wants to be with their parents looking around historic places in a cool city like London, where instead we could be shopping and doing all the things her friends back at home would love to do and be envious of.  

So after obviously hitting the shops and being very successful. I thought what 16yr old girl from America who has never been to London, or even England would love to do keeping it British - of course afternoon tea. But not any old afternoon tea, as we still have to keep it chic, young, cool vibe. Sketch came to mind. 

                          

This place is beyond cool, very wacky, artisty, unique. The only way you can really describe it is saying its like going to the mad hatters tea party. Everything is individual from the chairs to the tea cups. Plus it doesn't have the same vibe as other afternoon tea places, it's more relaxed, less formal. Which I think is more appropriate for the younger scene, or people who don't like the more formal places. 

We were sat in the Martin Creed gallery restaurant which is only open on the weekends. The glade is open all through the week, it is a smaller area and reminds me of midsummer nights dream. 

The treats were divine, again keeping with the theme a few cool elements and twists to some classic pastry's and sandwiches. 

                    

But the wackiest most uber cool thing about this place, a reason itself for you to go, a moment in life were you feel like you are in a Lady Gaga music video is...................................... the bathrooms. Yes I said it the bathrooms. Here is why: 

This bathroom was insane. The chamber maid was dressed in a traditional french maid outfit, the toilets where inside these egg's, once inside you can hear the sounds of birds and nature, it starts to talk to you. You felt like you were in a art installation or Lady Gaga's music video. Safe to say a surreal and never before experience of a bathroom. 

It's definitely something I recommend you need to go and experience the whole effect of Sketch. A fun afternoon with friends. 

Gotta Love a Bit of Zip Action Part 1

Today I did a bit of retail therapy. I was in need of an outfit for a date I am going on next week. I had decided that a skirt/top combo would be suitable, as he has given me an insight of what dress code would suit the evening he has planned.  Which of course is the most important thing of it all  - what I am going to wear!!! Something nice but not full on dressy, which if you new me would be hard, as my casual is probably most peoples done up to the nines outfit. 

“I believe in manicures. I believe in overdressing. I believe in primping at leisure and wearing lipstick. I believe in pink.” - Audrey Hepburn 

So I have been constantly annoying all my friends with what I am going to wear. In the end I couldn't decided on an outfit in my wardrobe as it was either too dressy, part of the outfit worn before when I have been with him (I know pathetic), or too casual for me that I wouldn't feel sexy and good about myself, which I think is a huge part of a date, that you yourself feels sexy, confident and good. 

"Beauty and femininity are ageless and can't be contrived, and glamour, although the manufacturers won't like this, cannot be manufactured. Not real glamour; it's based on femininity." - Marilyn Monroe

So I hit the shops and find this little gem. 

Found this perfect skirt from H&M, all I need to do now is look through my wardrobe to find a top to go with it and most importantly the shoes. 

I will do part two for what I wore and of course the gossip. 

Wish List

 Each month I manage to build up a wish list of things I would love to have, what I have fallen in love with from seeing them in magazines, shops, blogs etc, the must have of the season, or just a new brand, shop or product which I can't believe I have never found or known of before. Many things on the list either pass on to the next wish list, will always be a wish, but sometimes I get to tick some of them off, and that is an exiciting moment.


Here is my wish list I have so far from this month:

Minimum - Jumpsuit Sue - Welikefashion.com

Tiffany Sunglasses - Tiffany Locks Butterfly

LK Bennett - Asilah Embellished Silk Jacquard Dress

Anya Hindmarch - Valorie Clutch

By Terry - Baume De Rose

Karen Millan - Leather Jacket

Karen Millan - Masculine Suit Jacket

Mulberry - Willow Tote

H&M - Skirt

Jimmy Choo - Black Shimmer Leather Platforms

Charlotte Olympia - Dolly Pumps

Aspinal of London - Leather Belt

Hermes  - Belt Kit 32

Miss Guided

Monica Vinader - Siren Cocktail Earings

Karen Millan - Faux Leather Jacket

Quote Of The Week

For a shoeaholic like myself this resonates with me : 

"I don't know who invented high heels, but all women owe him a lot" - Marilyn Monroe 

Monochrome

Today I have taken the plunge and purchased an item of my wish list of the month.  A to die for jump suit, which coincides with this season must Monochrome, my excuse for buying it. You need at least one piece of the season must have in your wardrobe "I keep telling myself". Plus a bonus is, it's universal - Can go from day to evening. How could I not buy it?!

I have notice recently from the magazines, red carpet hot choices and whats in store, that the one thing we need in our wardrobe at the moment is either monochrome or part of your outfit being sexy yet classy sheer. It's all about sexy, sophisticated and teasing the eye. And all done with the colour every woman loves - black!

So I have put together some inspirations and what is out there.

Monochrome: 




Sheer:

Cow Girl

Last night me and the girls headed out for a catch up and some cocktails. So far so good with keeping to my new year resolutions. 'Spend more time with the girls'.

We decided just to head into our small home town were we are lucky to have a few bars and a club. During the day you would never even think this small town actually had some form of a night life. The town in itself is literally just one road. But lucky for us there is a cocktail bar for us girls to venture to when we can't be bothered to go far.

The cocktail bar has mine and my really good friend Becky our most favourite, desired, orgasmic, delicious, amazing shot I have ever had the pleasure of tasting. It is the only shot I have ever had were I want to savour the taste and moment. The name of this heavenly shot is ......... Cow Girl.

Last night I had to ask what was in this delicious shot.

So here are the components needed: 3/4 Butterscotch Schweppes

                                                        1/4 Bailey's layered on top 

I don't know how just two things can create such a desirable taste and experience.

Birthday lunch at the Savoy

I know it is a bit late but, last monday we went to the Savoy for my sisters birthday lunch. This year my little sis turned 18! I cannot believe it.

My sister was having a few days in London staying at the Savoy with her boyfriend and enjoying ice skating at winter wonderland, shopping etc. So me and my parents gatecrashed the first day for another birthday lunch - her birthday was the 30th Dec so we took her out then, but this was now 3 days on. our family know how to prolong our birthday celebrations, its kind of a family trait.

Walking into the Savoy just after New Year was magical. It still had the Christmas ambiance, red everywhere,  the Christmas tree beautifully decorated as you walk in. January blues were no where to be seen or felt.

Unfortunately due to all the birthday celebrating, I only managed to remember to take one photo. This is also a family trait that has been passed down. Note to self - another new year resolution to add to the list, take more photos!!

The lunch was food porn  - amazing! The highlight was the desert me and my sister's boyfriend ordered called Valrhona manjari chocolate sphere. This was a chocolate ball filled with passion fruit ice cream, with the finale of a gentlemen pouring passion fruit syrup over my desert and watching the magic happen.

I cannot recommend highely enough to go to the Savoy for a dinner, special occasion, stay or just a casual catch up over lunch.  We eat at the Kaspar's seafood bar and grill.

My aims for 2014

“The future belongs to those who see beauty in their dreams” - Eleanor Roosevelt 

Although it was over a week ago for  revealing your New Year resoloutions I thought I will write mine down, with the hope of it propting me to keep to them. Plus I have only just this week had time to reflect and ponder what mine could be.

So here goes:

• Hang out with my girlies more 

• Me and the girls have a joint one this year, where we are going to do everything we say instead of it just being an idea. 

• Read more then a book a year! I seem to manage to read about 5 books whilst on holiday, but yet everyday life I maybe get through a book a year. 

• Try at least 2 new reciepes a month 

• Of course add more shoes to my collection!!

• Visit Scotland - Shamefully I have never been and with my mum being Scottish makes it even worse and more of a must for 2014!!! 

Lets see this time next year if I have managed to at least do one of my aims for the year? .......

So this is my first Blog. I had been meaning to do it for a few years now, as I think it is a great way to document the cool things and places I find, and the fun times to be remembered. And if people read it and enjoy it bonus!!

Ok so a bit about me: my name is Jo (Joanna) I am in my twenties, my loves are: Shoes, Fashion, Handbags, Champagne, Chocolate (can you tell how I got my title for the blog yet?) Movies, Girls night out, My Family, Cat, Horse, Oh and don’t know if you can tell yet Audrey Hepburn - my icon. 

A New Year, New Ideas and a New Blog begins.......

A place I can document my finds, ideas, experiences, thoughts and love of things.