An Admirable Pub

The Admiral Codrington is an old mainstay in the south ken area and has recently had a modernising makeover. Not having frequented the pub that often previously, I really couldn’t say what the main differences are in decor as it seemed rather similar to me...The only notable difference was the ‘Admiral Cod’ graffiti work on the way to the bathrooms – not in keeping with the rest of the venue but fun nevertheless.

The atmosphere remains the same friendly, cosy and laidback vibe with dogs allowed inside with their owners – a delight for me – a canine lover although I didn't expect two dogs to have a fight! Likewise the restaurant has the same classic dining air about it with the lovely light skylight in the middle yet it's slightly more relaxed than before, which is mirrored in the menu.

Dishes now include more starter and appetiser options - not to mention sides - which follows the sharing philosophy many adopt now - padrón peppers and crispy squid come recommended. Main options have also been minimised and categorised by fish and steak in mini lists which I guess makes it easier to pick what you want.

The wine list has also been amended. Drinks now include the option of an English sparkling wine - The Three Choirs – not as nice as Nyetimber or my personal favourite – Chapel Down but the perennial classic Laurent Perrier makes up for this. And if you don't have anything you're celebrating - there's the usual array of pub drinks.

Always worth a visit.

http://www.theadmiralcodrington.co.uk

LOVE ME OR LEAVE ME

I am feeling nostalgic this Friday morning, maybe it's all the talks about my future wedding or simply the fact that I am going to "la bella Italia" this w-e.Things I thought were lost forever with time and distance, will reappear in my life (old friends, old school, old ex boyf.). I found myself browsing through my old record collection (yes I have vinyls - how antique I know...) and remembering my good old Italian time.

For all of you, some songs from my past who helped my soul and artistic development. Hope you enjoy them as much as I did when I was 18 (almost 2 years ago! :-) )

Old time classic Nina Simone. I remember this was one of the first English lyrics I learned: "love me or leave me, let me be lonely"



"To whom will I smile if not you?" - Fausto Leali 1967's song is a MUST song to listen to for Italian Nostalgia



and with this final song, I know all my fellow Italians will put an almost disgusted faces on.
I challenge any of you, guys, to swear that at the age of 12/14 you didn't listen to this song - Laura Pausini la solitudine:



It's all for now. Happy flashback to all of you.
Love,

T

Glam on trend

The super 80's italian sneakers brand is back in fashion. Fact. Sienna Miller has been seen around with them, hell even our favourite pin-bearing model Alexa Ching is into them and is the face of their ads!

We have to have a pair, having lived in them for several years when they were fashionable in Italy I struggle to not interpret them according to my tastes now. So, I suggest 
glamming up the old trainer with a silk ribbon upgrade (from VVRouleaux bien sur), now *that* my lovelies is more glam!

I heart them in Boysenberry canvas and a trendy glam-up to replace the laces with a light pink silk ribbon or even grosgrain ribbon as shown below. Surely you can see the similarity with the Lanvin pumps we lusted after last season??

Loving them and the options are endless...lime green with white silk ribbon, red with orange silk ribbon (daring!), blue with anything silk ribbon...endless I say, again. And for just over 40£!


Enjoy the lovely sun!
Love and glam to all,
Your Faithfully
xoxo The Eye


Photo courtesy of superga.co.uk

High Street sample sale - Reiss & Co.

Reiss Sample Sale

From: 25/05/11 - To: 28/05/11
The Music Rooms, 26 South Molton Lane, Mayfair
London
W1K 5AB

PRICES FROM £10

8.00am till 8.00pm SATURDAY, 8.00am to 6pm
Nearest Tube Bond Street

French Connection
Centro One, 39 Camden Street (Entrance on Mandela Street), London

Sample Sale
From 03/06/11 to 05/06/11





Paul Frank
12-14 Wilfred Street, London

sample sale
From 06/06/11 to 10/06/11

Obsessed and Possessed?

So I'm obsessed with lipstick!! 100%, completely, unforgivably obsessed! And when did I realise this little truth about me? Well, two summers ago I went on holiday with my boyfriend for 10 days, and when we arrived to the hotel and unpacked all my clothes, bags, shoes, etc, I realised that I had taken over the whole bathroom cupboard! One whole shelf was filled with products for the lips. The whole of it was filled with my lipsticks, lip glosses, lip liners - you name it! I had taken 35 of them! 35!! I mean who does that? For 10 days?

When my boyfriend went into the bathroom and saw the cupboard, I could just see his

reflection in the mirror full of complete and utter shock! That was when he told me "Do you know that you have 35 lipsticks in there?". That number kind of scared me, but I can't help it. I have the need to have every colour, tone, texture available on the market today. I love colours that are completely unusable! Really! Anything goes - pink, purple, orange, red. For the classic red lip - Christian Dior is my absolute favourite of all time. Anything YSL goes for me - any colour at all - I pretty much have the whole collection. Yes, guilty like that.. And my newest discovery - BM Beauty lip gloss by Kimberly from Pussycat Dolls is surprisingly soft and gives a beautiful glow without that sticky feeling on the lips - so my hair never sticks to my mouth anymore.

Marina

Enjoy!xx

All there is, is you and me

I don't get easily pleased by today's music scene. I put an add on a "talent" website for new and up&coming bands to submit their music to Trisori. We are looking for the soundtrack of next collection. All I got is plain, repetitive, already seen and heard type of music.
It's like if the London music scene tries to copy-cut itself. You, though, have some of the singers wearing interesting attires or going a step forward and showing their generous breast in public to attract attention, some of them even sing in falsetto à la "Scissor sisters" to give themselves an edge.
Depressing and a bit dull.
Then, when all the hopes were lost, I went back to my old friend and discovered this gem.


Interesting, brain stimulating music by a London based group called the guilty ones.
Have a look at the song I like the most and let me know your thoughts. Unconventional songwriting and good lyrics that make you loose track of time (and give you a bit of a kick)
I though that's what music is for, no?

3 reasons to love Elizabeth

When you think about Jewellery, there are very few people that come to mind. Elizabeth is one of them.

Since 1969 (way before I was born!), when Richard Burton gifted her with a modest 69.42-carat pear-shape bling, later to be called the Taylor-Burton Diamond, my admiration for her grew fonder.
If you are wondering how a 70 carats diamond look like, here is a photo to satisfy your curiosity:

Her exquisite and extravagant taste in jewellery saw her accumulating a jewellery empire worth million of dollars (actually 150).

These are my 3 reasons to love her:

1. Platinum-set diamond ring: The 5.98-carat oval-cut diamond in its center is “internally flawless” and surrounded by 3.96 carats of round brilliant diamonds in a floral design. Yours for 1.3 million USD!

2. Sapphire and diamond ring: simple shape but unmistakable Italian style. After all, Elizabeth's love affair with Richard Burton went public in Ischia, Italy, in 1962. She was so revolutionary as both Richard and Elizabeth were still married (to someone else)!

3. Diamonds and Emeralds Necklace: Do you need to wear ANYTHING more than this? I don't think so...

Romance, inexperience, passion, tragedy, made headlines in the existence of this amazing Hollywood actress and her Jewellery collection set a trademark in her life.

She was once asked by a journalist if her new husband (she had 7 in total - you go girl!) felt uncomfortable when she wore jewellery given to her by other men, her reply was sudden: "I guess so, that's why I encourage him to give me more".

Would you have thought of a better answer?

Carry-all

As fashionable girls we are prone to temptation and have not been able to resist fashion trends. Ever. If you recognise yourself in this description you will probably have a vast array of handbags in different sizes, shapes and colours. I'll take that as a Yes!

One thing though that is quite new on the fashion horizon is the realisation that girls like us carry around a lot of luggage. Not just figuratively speaking, I mean all those make-up bags and shoe changes, emergency leggings/ tights/ holdups, creams, magazines, you name it we have it :)

So, finally designers have come to terms with the fact that we cannot only live on IT bags and I have spotted some fab totes this season that can really complement your existing handbag-age. I would never suggest a replacement #areyoucrazy.

Around town the Jil Sander Market bag in jelly plastic (also comes in leather) seems to be all the rage although I must admit I prefer the traditional cloth ones that hide the contents. My favourite picks come down to:
- An evergreen: the Herve Chapelier bag, comes in many many colours and resists for years of throwing about;
- A fashion statement: the Yohji Yamamoto bag available at the V&A exhibition *hearts*
- For the art-lover: I am digging the Sara berman Dan Canvas Bag in Ghost Dancer (shown in the pic)

Remember to keep it neutral but fun, it will complement your handbag and allow you to carry even more STUFF around with you!

Have a happy day.
Yours Faithfully,
xoxo The Eye


Photo courtesy of Sara Berman, available on http://www.saraberman.com/Sara-Berman/Dan-Canvas-Bag-Ghost-Dancer.aspx


Yohji Yamamoto at V&A is a must-see: http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/exhibitions/yohji-yamamoto/

Sample Sale alert!

Add these dates to your diary:

What: Marie-Chantal
Why: Up to 75 per cent off tops, bottoms, outerwear, sleepwear and accessories for children.
When: Today, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Where: Chelsea Old Town Hall, King’s Rd., SW3 5EE

What: Les Néréides
Why: Up to 80 per cent off jewellery.
When: Today-Sat., 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sun., 11:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Where: 35 Long Acre, WC2E 9JT (020 7379 9197).

What: Mawi
Why: Discounted costume jewellery starting at £65.
When: Fri., 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
Where: 2 Nimrod Passage, N1 4BU (020 7923 1414).

What: Tania
Why: Up to 70 per cent off cashmere sweaters, beachwear and summer dresses.
When: 23 & 24 May. Mon., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Tues., 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where: 61 Addison Rd., W14 8JJ (020 7602 3168).

What: Juliet Dunn
Why: Kaftans, beach dresses, tunics and accessories from £10.
When: 24 & 25 May. Tues., 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Wed., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Where: 93 Cornwall Gds., SW7 4AX (020 7584 1059).

What: Day Birger et Mikkelsen
Why: Up to 70 per cent off ready-to-wear for men and women.
When: 25 May. Wed., 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where: The Toll House, Delamere Terr., W2 6ND (020 7432 8088).

What: Jasper Conran
Why: Clothing for men and women, bridal and accessories starting at £1.
When: 25-27 May. Wed.-Fri., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Where: 1-7 Rostrevor Mews, SW6 5AZ.

What: Reiss
Why: Clothing and accessories for men and women from £10.
When: 25-28 May. Wed.-Fri., 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sat., 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Where: The Music Room, 26 S. Molton Ln., W1K 5AB.

Behind closed doors

Shhhhh… By far the most exclusive and talked-about club in downtown Manhattan arrived to London’s Soho with a big bang of secrecy about it. Impossible to get into, photography is prohibited – doesn’t that just make us all want to know more?

Let’s just say it’s not like any other club in London! It’s grand, it’s artistic, it actually has a design about it rather than most “black holes” with banging music in London. And it is pretty much the only club in London where you go upstairs rather than downstairs when you enter.

The feel is absolutely fantastic – the atmosphere takes you back into a Cabaret style amphitheatre, where the dance floor is almost non-existent. And trust me, there is a reason for that! Most of us will not be able to dance! Most of us will open our mouths in awe and simply stare at what unveils on stage.

It is not a sex show, as some might expect - it's not far off though. All performances are explicitly sexual in one way or another. Whether it’s the topless dancers, naked rope dancers or the transsexual with the whiskey bottle – you can only guess what happened to that bottle!! Well, I’m not one to kiss and tell! All I can advise – is if you do make it through the forbidden doors of The Box, don’t stand too close to the stage and prepare to close your eyes from time to time!

Marina,

Enjoy!xx

One colour: White

There is much one could say about the recent Chanel Cruise 2012 show, starting from the amazing setting and the wonderful wonderful clothes.

One might also cringe a bit at the 'Tale of a Fairy' movie released on such occasion, yes one might (check out here if not already seen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcWR8nqdqoI&feature=related). Not quite sure about this 'fashion movies' trend-thing.

But what KL is really really *really* good at is taking basics and making them, well, a fairytale. In the Cruise 2012 collection I noticed an abundance of white - fair enough it is a cruise collection but still.

My view? Stock up on white now, it's all over the place and you can find some gems on the high street as well - I will mostly be looking at versions with broderie anglaise for the summer and with meche panels for the winter. Much like this Reiss dress.

After selling out the Kate dress I guess they can do no wrong can they? ;)

Enjoy my lovelies and be well!

Yours Faithfully,

xoxo The Eye

Photo courtesy of Reiss - available online for 195£ at www.reissonline.com 

The Fox Gets the Grapes

Named after Aesop’s famed fable, it’s hard to really comprehend why, as the fox never gets his grapes and assumes that they are sour... At Fox & Grapes, Wimbledon, you get what you want.


Inside, the interior has had a ‘lightover’ – transforming the traditional dark wooded, cosy pub of old to the perhaps somewhat ubiquitous light, airy modern gastropubby fee of now, complete with Farrow & Ball-esque tones on the walls and candy striped seat cushions on the benches.

Set up by Claude Bosi of Hibiscus, it could give one reason for pre-conceptions about the standard of food. We were pleasantly satisfied however with the degree of crackliness on the pork belly, as well as the crisp of the chips – which actually were wedge like and possibly a little too greasy for some...but maybe that was just me. Other sides – of vegetables were cooked to perfection – sometimes tough to achieve at such a busy lunchtime rush. It definitely hit that Sunday lunch spot.

The wine menu looked good although I didn’t study it at length. Sicilian Nero D’Avola proved a good choice and was superb. We did have to ask for this menu which is surprising since most places try to ply you with lots of alcohol given that this is where the biggest mark up is.

Puddings are very flavoursome – a deconstructed strawberry cheesecake and raspberry & apricot sorbets both passed the test.

I’d go back if nothing else but to have a glass of wine and try the pork scratching – a crunchy weakness of mine which are happily back in vogue on menus now.

http://www.foxandgrapeswimbledon.co.uk/

Chill or Charge Your Glass....

If you like one place where you can do it all with minimum effort with maximum output, then Buddha Beach in Puerto Banus, Spain is your ideal location for holiday!

Whether you’re a serious tanner who turn every half hour or just like basking in the sun, you can take a lounger (with complimentary towel, water and fruit) or if you’re in a largish gang simply book a large ‘bed’ to hang in with your group of friends to soak up the rays.

If you’re hungry, you can have a bite to eat from the menu whilst posing around the pool, take a long, lazy lunch in the restaurant or simply sip on cocktails at the bar. House white wine is just too drinkable and if you don’t fancy a cocktail from the menu, then they will knock up whatever takes your fancy if they have the ingredients.

The menu ranges from starters of tempura and spring rolls and lighter options like fruit bowls to full on burgers, club sandwiches and delectable salads to satisfy your whim.

Staff are friendly and offer drinks or whatever you need around the pool or wherever you’re sitting. Alcohol seems to arrive before you can say sun but ask for anything else and it can take a few reminders.

Cage me

These beauties have flown off the shelves and it's no wonder:
Gladiators *tick*,
Animal print *tick*,
Cage cutout feature *tick*
AND they are effortlessly cool *tick times a million*.

Many, many girls around London have been spotted wearing these since last summer when the gladiator trend started. One year on these shoes are still very much the most worn flat sandal shoes around town.

Personally I would style them with skinny jeans and slouchy tshirt, to rock up a flowery dress or with some evening silky shorts...the possibilities are endless!

They're out of stock online but promises have been made that they will be back within weeks. Oh yes.
Otherwise use those pins to head over to the Covent Garden shop where there's still a few sizes in this wonderful natural snake leather. Also loving the grey suede and the very OTM jelly fluo pink or turquoise #buythemall.

Bring on the summer gigs and picnics in the park, we are sooo ready!

Your faithfully,
xoxo The Eye

Photo courtesy of Office Shoes - available online for 45£ (http://www.office.co.uk/) Model: Arabian Nights.

Kafka Jap-tastic

When a friend asked me to suggest a book to read, a storm of mackerels rushed through my head.

No, I didn’t loose the plot. The mackerels are just a flashback from one of the most compelling, weird and ecstatic novels I have read in the past few years:

Kafka on the Shore
by Haruki Murakami, translated by Phillip Gabriel
656pp, Harvill, £12.99

Set in rural and urban Japan, the plot unveils in two tranches.

In the first one, the 15 year-old Kafka Tamura runs away from Tokio and from his father, who kills cats to make flutes with their souls. Kafka ends up in the Japanese provinces where he befriends cross-gender librarian Oshima and the mysterious Mrs. Saeki, who offer him an employment and place to stay.

The second tranche of the plot describes how a group of wartime evacuees glimpsed a UFO before falling unconscious. All the evacuees cam back to their wits after a few hours except for Nakata who remains in a coma for weeks before waking up bestowed with cat-talking powers.  Many years later, Nakata comes across Kafka’s father, while he works as a “cat finder”.

The story continues in the most bizarre, entertaining way.

I won't give away the ending as that *would* be a crime. You will have to read it and, trust me, you will be captured by the twisted and enthralling world of one of the most acclaimed modern japanese authors.

Read this book if you liked: 'One hundred years of solitude' by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Going Nude

Ok I admit it, I am a complete freak for a colour palette of Nude - Powder Pink - whatever you wanna call it. No regrets, I love it. The colour is consistently flattering on any girl I have seen wearing it (and some very brave men too), it is effortlessly chic and frankly I could not live without it.

My search for the perfect nude pink t-shirt climaxed with the purchase of a fab Aubin & Wills, after a full year of searching (ahem). The hunt for the perfect nude trouser has finally come to an end #easilypleased.

Spotted, tested and bagged these Mango jeans for 39.90£. Yes indeed it is not always necessary to shell out the price of a Michelin-starred meal to get yourself nice jeans. I have always enjoyed the benefits of Mango jeans, together with Zara and H&M. Promise.

Now, the trick is channeling the colour blocking mood du jour. Personally I will go for a fuschia silky top I have and pair with very high platforms (as pictured). Otherwise they can work with a bright red or electric blue.

Oh and don't forget the belt: I would go for a slim tan or grey (head to American Apparel or an oh-so-wonderful Celine one).

Next task will be finding the perfect nude shoe, leg-lengthning heaven!

Love to all and enjoy your nude-ness or lack thereof!
Yours Faithfully, xoxo The Eye

Photo courtesy of Mango

All that Jazz

Here at Trisori we have fallen head-over-heels for this Essie s/s colour which looks extremely chic and perfectly complements the neons and colour-blocking of this season.

Very nice, we say.

On the same theme I am also looking out for a colour-blocking around the colours of pink - powder pink - neon pink. More very soon, the hunt is on!

Happy weekend to you all, may it be blessed with sun, laughs and sparkle!

Your faithfully,
xoxo The Eye

Sample Sale alert!

Click and go to sample sale heaven!

Yoox is holding its semi-annual sample sale...

http://www1.yoox.com/searchresult.asp/dept/secretsale/gender/D/tskay/B84CE7A2/ipp/40

I went straight to Footwear and Dresses.

Yours faithfully,

xoxo The Eye

Check out the check

Think summer think bbq and festival. An that leads us to hippie-chic, what with all these 70's flares popping up everywhere!

I don't personally favour flared jeans and the likes but I am really digging the checked shirts and this Uniqlo number fits my bill: 3/4 sleeves, taylored fit and a nice cotton-linen mix.
It works on so many levels:
- With a short jean short and flat metallic gladiators;
- White jeans and killer heels (currently loving chunky platform sandal from Zara - tan leather);
- Capri jeans and ballerinas;

My style addition to this ensemble would be a nice panama hat for extra cool-factor and some long chains around the neck.

The shirt is on offer online at Uniqlo for 14.99£ (steal!) and I've already seen a few walking around town. My favourite colour is the one in the pic above, code 11 PINK.

Note to self: avoid the cowgirl look (we *did* do it in the 90's and it was tough to pull off even then!) think more down the lines of City Girl goes to the park :)

Love to all,
Your Faithfully xoxo The Eye

Photo courtesy of Uniqlo

Must-read books for Fashionistas

If you feel the need of expanding your fashion background, Trisori is happy to suggest five books that our team read during the Easter break. We thought that sharing these books with you was a good way of passing on our love of fashion.

The Little Black Book of Style by Nina Garcia

Nina Garcia is a fashion icon & Project Runway judge, she definitely knows how to style a woman.

The Little Black Book of Style is about helping women to understand the basics of how to stand out.
We found very useful the don’ts of fashion that Nina lists elegantly and the directional paragraphs on how to create your sense of style.
This is the book we all need when we want to edit our closet and pass the time test.


The One Hundred by Nina Garcia

The One Hundred is a Guide to the Pieces Every Stylish Woman Must Own
Nina Garcia’s lists the top 100 items that every woman needs in her wardrobe
These include classics and basics like the Plain White Tee together with some surprising trendy. We will leave them for you to discover while reading the book!
This is the book you need to build a wardrobe ready for every occasion.

Glamour Girls by Patrick McMullan

This book is a collection of photos of beautiful and stylish ladies who have given a new dimension to the world of fashion.
Patrick McMullan has taken more then 1000 pictures of famous icons like Uma Thurman and Angelina Jolie.
This is the book to read for indulging in a journey of celebrities fashion.

That Extra Half Inch: Hair, Heels and Everything in Between by Victoria Beckham

Here at Trisori’s headquarter we are all very surprised to list in our top five books
Victoria's writing debut.
Her fashion tips make this book a must-read. Her conversational writing style helps to get the feeling of the friend’s advice you need when you need some inspirational fashion guidelines. As an extra, Victoria lists a great deal of stores where you can buy everything she talks about in her book.

House of Gucci: A Sensational Story of Murder, Madness, Glamour, and Greed, by Sara Gay Forden

A family murder adds always a bit of suspense and mystery to any story. Above all if it involves big brands like Gucci.
Why do you have to read it? It’s better than a movie and it’s a piece of 90’s history of fashion.

Love,
Trisori xx