Claridges Part 2 - cocktails, raindrops and nightcaps!!

Once we had taken in the wonder of our room, the doorbell rang - I didn't realise we had one until I heard it??

A lovely lady appeared with a birthday treat for my hubby's birthday

 

 

I met with Sarah from www.thetimewarpian.com in the bar and over a glass of Laurent Perrier Champagne we chatted about the collection and my life in vintage generally.

 

 

Dashing back to the room for a quick change to head out for the evening - our first port of call was Bar American in the basement of Brasserie Zidal for a cocktail or two. It is a fabulous Art Deco bar and jazz club.

 

 



 

 

 

 

Feeling slightly squiffy we wobbled to the Palace Theatre to see Singin' in the Rain - I did enjoy it but I guess that I have seen Gene Kelly, Donald O Connor and Debbie Reynolds do the routines so many times that I imaged it would be just like that but they don't make stars like that anymore and I was a little disappointed.

 

 

After the show we jumped in a cab and headed back to Claridges for a nightcap - more cocktails (strong ones) and we didn't quiet get as many pictures as I would have liked as some were fairly blurred!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The next morning we had a delicious breakfast but by the time we got downstairs the dining room was quite full and I didn't want to intrude too much so I didn't take any photos but believe me it was fabulous - a little silver tray with jams and honey for toast and even the tomato ketchup was served in a little jar!!!

 

 

It was a fabulous was to spend an evening - very good cocktails in amazing venues - the next time we go I promise to have mastered the camera and take a few before I get drunk!!

 

 

Part 3 - the outfits coming soon.



Claridges - Part one Art Splendor Deco

This weekend saw us in London at Claridge's - a few years ago we had champagne in one of the bars for our wedding anniversary and it was such a lovely experience I wanted to go back and stay so we did!!!

We arrived in London around 12 noon and had a little look around Judy's vintage fair at Spitafields Market, a spot of lunch then jumped into a cab to take us to Art Deco Heaven.

The entrance of the hotel.

Our case was whisked away while we were checked in, after a little tour of the hotel by a lovely lady called Katherine, up in our room we took in the wonderful surroundings and squealed a little bit!!!

Our room

 

The bath was soo deep!!

 

 

The Fumoir - where we had a cocktail or two in the evening.

 

 

The dining room - where we had breakfast.

 

The foyer - taken from the sweeping staircase.

 

 

The décor was amazing and so well maintained - fabulous uniformed staff looking after your every whim. We had a little insight on how the other half live - and I think I like it!! We will definitely go back for another visit as soon as we can.

 

Part two and three coming soon.

 

Packing a stylist guide

I am very excited this weekend we are celebrating my hubby's 50th birthday and so we are having a very special treat - we are staying here for Saturday night -

I am planning the outfits with care as I feel that I have to do the fabulous Deco interiors justice, but I being a stylist I have a practical side to my packing so it will not be a case of

So here is my guide to packing:

• Choose outfits that will mix and match together - a suit that can be worn together for one outfit and then add a skirt in different colour to wear on another day with a blouse to match.
• Neutral colours such as navy, camel, black and grey are easier to work with and then you can add accents in your accessories - a bright red or green scarf, add a hat in a neutral colour too then take a few brooches, or flowers to change it so you can wear it on different days.
• When it comes to evening wear - go simple with a LBD - again you can change it with hair flowers or jewellery for your night out or wear it during the day with a jacket or cardigan.
• Choose a couple of pairs of shoes that will work with all your outfits (they are bulky to carry and your really need your entire collection for just a weekend???)

I will of course make sure that I take lots of photos of the chosen outfits and let you see them on the blog when we get home, and hopefully I will look equally as fabulous as my surroundings!!!

HQ - re-vamp!!!

The sun was shining through the window of HQ this morning both Abi and I had a mad idea to change the office around - I clipped out some tear sheets as I do for everything - it is a fabulous way to get a feel for how you want things to look!! I have to have a workspace to feel right and inspire me to create fabulousness and the office kind of wasn't doing it for me so we laid all the ideas out on the table and had a little play.

With the collection moving forward we needed to create some space for when we get all the lovely dresses in for you vintage gals to try on ( it is taking a little longer than we had hoped but rest assured they will be here soon!!!)

This was the inspiration ...........

 

 

 

 

We are still work in progress - we need to find a few more fabulous bits and pieces, get the running rail up for the collection, get some frames for our "wall of fame" for our achievements of the last year but this a little look how it looks now!!!

 

 

 

 

It feels much more stylish - and more welcoming.  Just sitting here now writing I want to work and create - so here is to more wonderful ideas from the re-vamped HQ!!!





Spring Offers!!!

Spring is around the corner - IT IS because I am fed up with being cold now and have so many fabulous outfits to share with you!!!  So in anticipation that the warmer weather will be here soon I am doing some special prices on my shopping and styling services - so all you lovely vintage gals can get your wardrobe sorted for the sun.

• Shopping trip - shop till you drop - spend a morning or afternoon with me in all the best vintage shops, together we will choose outfits to suit your figure, budget and favourite era, packed with tips and hints on how to get the look, do's and don'ts of buying vintage, choosing the best accessories to compliment your outfit.  £40
•  Seasonal up date - bring you own pieces along to the office and we will work together to create new outfits from your existing clothes, play with accessories and discover what you need to pull it all together. (You can combine this with a shopping trip so we can find the perfect essentials as well). £35 or £75 combined with shopping.
• Wardrobe  Re-Vamp - if you wardrobe is a little too large to transport I can come to you - edit out the items that aren't working, suggest ideas for new purchases and mix and match items together so you have outfits that work for every occasion. £55 (plus travel expenses outside of Norwich).

If you would like to book just email me - offers will be on for a limited time only so get Spring ready and book now!!!

Spring Style

Sitting in the office with the sun shining through the window (although it is still only 4* outside!!!), my thoughts turn to outfits for spring days which are hopefully just around the corner - it has been cold for so long that I have forgotten what it feels like to step outside without having to wrap myself in fur to keep warm??

At the beginning of each season I take a little look at what I have already got in my wardrobe and how I can make it work this time around, the advantage vintage is that it is  so classic you can wear it season after season with just a change of accessories - add a scarf at the neck, change the belt on a dress or put mix a skirt with a new blouse or top.

At the moment I am finding that I have quite a lot of dresses and suits - the suits are fine for cooler days but can be a little too formal for everyday wear so my style goal this season is to find a few pieces that are still smart and chic but a little more casual - which is a challenge for me as I don't do dress down well!!

I have a couple of very lovely 50's cotton skirts, a navy pleated 40's one and have my eye on a rather fetching 70's does 40's in one of the vintage shops so what is needed are a few tops so that I can mix and match to create lots of different outfits to take me through the summer months.

So on my wish list are .....

A fitted white shirt - I have been after the "perfect" one for years and never quite found the right one (maybe that is something for The Collection - now there's a thought hmmm???)

A simple cotton dress - similar to Claire McCardel's wrap one that is so easy to wear.

Some little cotton sweaters or cardigans in some bright shades to go with my navy skirt and white Heyday trousers - maybe a little stripe for a classic nautical feel.

 

I actually bought a pair of sandals very similar to these so just need to find the dress now???

 

 

Sweater and pearls - not quite casual but hey ho!!

 

 

The white shirt???

 

 

So what's on your wish list for Spring - don't forget if you need a hand to sort out your own wardrobe you can book a re-vamp - where I will edit and create new outfits from you existing clothes or take you shopping to add a few new pieces to breathe a little life your wardrobe - check out www.fabulousmissk.co.uk for more details.

 

After the storm

It's been a couple of weeks since  the madness of Norwich Fashion Week and the Vintage show with the launch of the collection.

After taking a few days off from total exhaustion and then off for a weekend of fun at Hepcats (sorry no outfit pictures as I bought a new camera to use and forgot to get the memory card so I couldn't take any photos!!!), it was a fantastic weekend with great bands and lovely to meet up with friends and make some new ones too.

Now it is back to the reality of working and trying to get the collection under way - I was totally overwhelmed by the reaction of the launch and the demand has been so great that I need to have them manufactured to fulfil the demand.

I really didn't imagine that so many people would want my little dresses - maybe one or two friends would order one so it will take a while to get things sorted and get the production right.  So over the next couple of weeks I will be visiting factories and fabric shops, talking patterns and finishings - all a little scary but very exciting.

One of the dresses did have a little outing at Hepcats ...........

 

Photo Stephen Plumb

I am also working on changing the logos and stationery for the Fabulous Miss K brand so here  is the new logo........

By Simon Pritchard.

 

 

 

There are very exciting time ahead but rather daunting too but nothing ventured nothing gained and with my mother's strength and inspiration behind me I can't fail!!!