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.