An event to remember

A 21st should be an opportunity for celebrations reflecting on annecdotes of your childhood, with slightly embarassing speeches from parents, shared with friends and family who will continue to stick around for future milestones in life. In my opinion my friends 21st birthday occasion did just that, and more.Undoubtedly the company, food and drink were great but admittedly the setting is also a major factor and the decorations and attention to detail, in what is already a beautiful house, made this event extra special.

It was originally intended to be a summer garden party but the unpredictable British weather wasn't quite acting according to the correct season so space was optimised using a long tressel table to seat all the guests and decorated with colour co-ordinated table decorations.
It has definately given me some aspirations for my birthday event, better start planning!

Handmade Mulberry bag cake

'Wish box' for guests

Fairytale slippers

To commemorate the re-launch of arguably the most glamourous Disney film, Cinderella, Christian Louboutin has revealed his interpretation of Cinderella's glass slipper and one thing is for sure: you wouldn't want to loose one of these. The signature red sole is embellished with crystals and two butterfly embellishments, not a shoe fit for every day but it is capable of making any girl feel like a princess.
"Cinderella is not only an iconic character when it comes to beauty, grace and fairytale love, but also shoes," said Louboutin and I think this wonderfully summarises fashion as a form of escapism in which there are no limits in the world of fantasy and fairytales.

Louboutin's Glass Slipper

A sketch of the glass slipper

Crystal adorned butterfly embellishment

Dior's new direction

Raf Simons must have felt under great pressure at his debut Dior show at Paris couture week but he stepped up to the mark and certainly didn't fail to impress. His vision to infuse 'the codes of dior' but include 'more energy' came together on the catwalk as the scrutinising fashion world gave Simons their seal of approval. Following in the big footsteps of John Galliano, who was sacked last April, Dior has been at the centre of controvesy but delivered just the comeback required.

A much anticipated and discussed debut that will go down in fashion history Simons incorporated his own signature style, which is minimal and aware of practicalities, amongst the pretty, detailed, feminity which Dior has typically been recognised for and the result was definately a success. I think we can all rest assured that Dior is in very safe hands under Raf Simons control and the future of the iconic brand will bring a lot to look forward to.

Images from Vogue

Royal Ascot 2012: The good, the bad and the ugly

Royal Ascot is as much about the races as it is about the outfits. The much talked about and controversial reformed dress code for Royal Ascot 2012, strict hemlines and no fascinators, didn't seem to stop the fun. High heels, stylish dresses and statement ( and eccentric) hats remained the focus of attention on Ladies Day. Here is my selection of hats guaranteed to catch your eye - for all the right and wrong reasons...

Not meaning to wish my time away...

I know there's no time like the present but let's blame the weather, which isn't exactly providing us with that summer-time feeling and as the previews for spring/summer '13 collections are looking ever so pretty what's the harm in creating an early wish list? It will give us something to look forward to and here's how mine will begin:

Valentino Resort 2013

Gucci Resort 2013

Erdem Resort 2013

Colours fit for a Queen

The Queen hasn't failed to impress the nation over the Jubilee celebrations and as a result Vogue have created this colour chart proving to us all that we all need a splash of colour in our lives.

Rainbow Queen

Special edition Pantone colour guide

So if the Queen can pull off this seasons candy hues using fashion-forward colour trends there's no stopping any of us!

Jubilee Fever

A double bank holiday, the perfect excuse for baking and street parties but overall: the chance for everyone to become patriotic - it's no wonder jubilee fever is sweeping the nature.

Here's my pick of the best of British:

Dior manicure

The iconic Bayswater with a twist

Baking inspiration

So whilst we have the perfect excuse to celebrate let's not overlook our very own style icon who hasn't let us down during her 60 years at the top:

Chris Levine portrait of the Queen