Category Archives: Fashion

The Swanmore Pendant Light, By Barrow Designs

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Introducing the Swanmore Pendant Light, the debut design from Barrow… The Swanmore Pendant Light, named after the village in which designer Jim Barrow grew up, came from humble beginnings; a sketch on a scrap of paper, an idea inspired by the 18th Century staddle stone foundations found in the English countryside.

Jim Barrow light

From initial inspiration, to the metal spinners in Portsmouth and wood turner in Alresford village, Barrow has its roots set firmly in Hampshire. The Swanmore Pendant Light is the first in a series of lights with their names taken from this rural location.

Barrow believes in creating a product with longevity and to do so we utilise the skills of talented British manufacturers… “We know that it’s the people behind the process that are important, so we collaborate with craftsman who possess the expertise in their trade to produce the very best.”

Jim Barrow light

Natural materials are at the centre of the designs, contrasting with contemporary stainless steel and brass accents to create a modest, modern piece. The focal point of the Swanmore Pendant Light is its unique lighting effect. The inner scatter plate allows light to emanate upwards casting a beautiful glow onto the ceiling and its solid oak centre.

The Swanmore Pendant Light is available at BarrowDesigns.com and at The Do South Shop in Crystal Palace.

The Swanmore Pendant Light retails at £195.

Summer Dresses for Every Occasion

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Summer is the season for weddings and party dresses, and I always find it a challenge picking the perfect outfit for each occasion. So I’ve put together a selection of my favourite frocks for every kind of event.

avocado dress

City Escape

For city exploring I prefer something loose fitting and versatile. A long shirt or t-shirt dress is ideal, and is especially easy if you are going to be trying on clothes in the high street boutiques. This Zara dress is fun and full of personality with a cute cartoon avocado print all over it. It is a bargain too, priced at just $15.

summer dress

Wedding

For a wedding it is important to get the right look, you don’t want to feel inadequate with a casual dress and must avoid clashing with the bride. For a summer bash I prefer a pop of colour, something that gives off a positive, happy vibe. This sophisticated Off the Shoulder wrap dress from Topshop gives off the retro filmstar feel whilst remaining demure and suitably below the knee.

summer dress

Festival Fun

Floaty and floral is always a good look for festivals, but I also love striking prints, and they will help your friends find you in the crowds. This Vila smock dress is made from printed woven fabric with a scoop neckline and ladder sleeve trims. The dress is 100% viscose so is easy to machine wash when you get back from a muddy weekend away.

summer dress

Rooftop drinks

When the sun comes out the rooftop bars get busy… there is something wonderfully refreshing about sipping a Friday beverage with the wind in your hair and a cityscape view. The hipsters aim for effortlessly chic outfit whilst in the centre of town the dresscode certainly seems to more smart and glamorous. For a Friday night al fresco I think this embroidered sleeveless dress from Le Redoute is lovely, pretty without being too dramatic.

 

summer dress

Day out at the beach

I love going to the seaside and always take a light beach dress to throw over my bikini. Whether you prefer something sporty or girly there are plenty of beachy outfits in the shops at the moment. This loose fitting IRO dress is ideal made from light weight ecru crepe with adjustable straps and ruffled layers. Best of all this white garment will accentuate a tan, whether its the first or last day of the holiday.

To buy any of these dresses shop online at Lyst here.

Olympus Camera Companions

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When I returned home after 5 months of travelling round the world I pretty much hated the sight of everything I had left in my suitcase; worn out leggings, barely working phone chargers, dog-eared gifts from various countries and cheap dusty footwear for all eventualities. But I had only more love and admiration for my two Olympus cameras, which enabled me to capture beautiful sights and create lifetime memories everywhere I went.

Olympus Pen camera

It is always nice being stopped in the street and complimented on a piece of clothing. Nowadays I get stopped by intrigued passers-by who want to know where I got my vintage-style camera from.  I am talking about the Olympus Pen E-PL7, which though compact has the ability of a much bigger camera. Available in white, black and silver, all equally stylish with a vintage look, but the striking white seems to be the most popular. For bloggers this camera is the perfect companion… A remote control wifi facility means it is very quick and easy to transfer photos from the camera to my phone, enabling me to use the high quality images immediately on my social media channels. And the useful flip/swivel screen is perfect for selfies, but I use it more for overhead shots of food.

Here are a few photos taken on my Olympus Pen:

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I was lucky to travel to some of the world’s best beaches and marine reserves, and couldn’t have captured the same underwater photos without my Olympus TG-860 Stylus Tough Digital Camera. This compact camera is designed for travellers, it is able to go 15m underwater and is also crushproof, freezeproof and shockproof… basically it is indestructible.

olympus toughPaired with a 16MP BSI sensor and a 5x optical zoom lens, this camera is a versatile machine that’s perfect for outdoor, active photographers who are ready to head out on an adventure. With 5-axis stabilisation, a flip-out LCD and Wi-Fi connectivity, the TG-860 is a versatile companion for a multitude of shooting situations.

Here are some images I took using my Olympus TG-860:

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Now that I’m back in London my cameras are just as indispensable, accompanying me on blogging expeditions round the city and further afield.

More information on the Olympus Pen and Tough Digital cameras here.