All posts filed under: SHOPPING

10 Most Wanted

Published by Kate Lam

10 covetable products you need to have in your life right now WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED Clear out your umbrella collection to make way for this stunner. Yes, we know it’s summer but you know how the weather likes to rain on the parade. But there’s no need to be glum when it does. This brolly features a paradisiacal beach scene right around the inner canopy, so no matter which way you turn, you’ve always got a magnificent view that transports you to more tropical climes instantly. (Where I’d Rather Be umbrella. £29.99, whereidratherbe.co.uk) PLEASE REMAIN SEATED It doesn’t matter that you’ve never cared much about where you end up perching but we challenge you to prise yourself away from this armchair once you’ve curled up onto it. Be prepared to give daggers at the slightest suggestion that anyone else take the seat. (Kolton armchair. £449, made.com) SKETCH ON DEMAND If you’ve ever wanted to be immortalised in a piece of art, this app is a pretty good place to start. Simply snap a full-length …

Going for gold

Published by Kate Lam

One for The Wishlist Hand-made in Sweden, these 18-carat rose gold earphones is the perfect example of an item that bridges fashion and function. It delivers sweet music to your ears whilst providing the enviable glint that can only otherwise be attained with a beautiful piece of jewellery. Each pair is built with 25 grams’ worth of solid rose gold so you might want to guard them safely. HAPPY PLUGS 18-CARAT ROSE GOLD EARPHONES. £9,500, HAPPYPLUGS.COM

On the cuff

Published by Kate Lam

Big, bold and fiddle-free, cuffs are the perfect show-off summer accessory so we’ve lined up a handful of our favourites to help you get you off the mark. Make like a Grecian goddess and team your summer outfit with this elegant 18k gold-plated cuff. Its large caged design is quite apt as this wrist candy is sure to capture plenty of attention from onlookers. (Adin & Royale La Cage Cuff. £210, boticca.com) If the criss-cross lines look familiar, that would be because this cuff takes its design inspiration from its logo. Made from silver polished brass, this cuff will be given its chance to shine when worn with a simple little black dress. (Jaeger Knot Cuff. £75, jaeger.co.uk) You don’t have to worry about your cuff slipping off with this one – the wraparound bracelet snaps on easily thanks to a hinge clasp. The cut-outs either side of the bracelet means you can show off more of your tan too. (Accessoryo Black and Gold Cuff. £11.50, accessoryo.com) If you’re keeping your outfit simple, you’ve got …

Vera Wang designs Organza dinnerware for Wedgwood

Published by Kate Lam

Not only can stylish brides be adorned in Vera Wang gowns, they can now pick up a set of Vera Wang tableware to match too. Inspired by her “Deidre” bridal dress, the designer has created a 14-piece collection of tableware, Vera Organza Dinnerware for Wedgwood, that is reminiscent of the exquisite folds of organza fabric as found in the gown. Sculpted onto fine bone china, the all-white collection shows off the art of layering beautifully, from the rim of the dinner plate to the body of the teapot. It’s perfect as a wedding gift but can also be appreciated by anybody who simply wishes to elevate their tableware for a special occasion. Prices range from £9 – £99. Available at wedgwood.co.uk

Heart-shaped Valentine’s Day treats

Published by Kate Lam

When words fail you, nothing says it better than a heart-shaped gesture, so here’s our pick of some of the tastiest gifts available for Valentine’s Day. Pierre Marcolini Love Addict Collection £38 (for 36 hearts), Selfridges If this rainbow of chocolate hearts doesn’t brighten up your day, nothing will. There are six irresistible flavours to indulge in from lime, passion fruit and nougat to pistachio, raspberry and salted caramel. Hotel Chocolat The Love Birds £26, hotelchocolat.com Here’s a heart that’s made for breaking. Weighing in at 650g, this pretty chocolate heart is made from salted caramel chocolate on one half and 50% milk praline chocolate with crispy feuilletine flakes on the other. Which side will you take a bite out of first? “Heart to share” dessert at Alain Ducasse at the Dorchester Available as part of the Valentine’s Day menu (from £95), alainducasse-dorchester.com This stunning dessert for two is the perfect way to round off a romantic meal. It has been skillfully created and features decadent layers of chocolate mousse, praline feuilleté and passion fruit …

Fenwick’s January deal: spend £200, get £250 worth of freebies

Published by Kate Lam

Spend £200 on beauty at Fenwick’s and receive £250 worth of beauty freebies. We’re sorry to have to give you yet another reason to spend more money but here’s an offer that will appeal to many a beauty addict. From today, spend £200 or more in the beauty hall at Fenwick of Bond Street and you’ll receive a free cosmetics case filled with 24 different beauty products worth £250. If you’re curious, here’s what’s inside (deep breath…): 111 Skin mask, Cane & Austin glycolic acid pads, Caudalie Divine Oil, Chantecaille deluxe mascara, Christophe Robin shampoo and conditioner, Clarins Instant Eye Makeup remover, Darphin Hydraskin Light, DHC cleansing oil, Eve Lom cleanser, IPD Alyssa Ashley, Laura Mercier Foundation Primer, Lipstick Queen Chinatown Catalina & Chinatown Chase, MOA, NUBO, Phillip Kingsley Elasticizer , Phyto citrus shampoo, Racinne Ultimate Youth Powder Neck Emulsion, Radical mask, Sachajuan hair repair, Shiseido Gentle Cleanser & Perfect Rouges, Suqqu Moisture Mask Scrub, When-Mask facial mask, Xen Tan, Glam Glow and Youth H2O Youth Activating Concentrate. And if you’re wondering about the slogan, …

Take Note: XiN – 3D-printed jewellery

Published by Kate Lam

With 3D-printers now available at many a designer’s disposal, the race is on for the most fantastical and extravagant of pieces but what to do if you’re of an impatient nature? Well, you could try taking note of this jewellery range for starters.   Created by Chinese designer Xinran Lu, jewellery brand XiN already boasts three collections that have all been 3D-printed in London and which are now available to buy and wear, with prices ranging from £400 to £8,000. The ‘Shan-Shi’ collection (pictured) – translates as ‘Mountain Lion’ in Chinese, features bold, intricate but minimalist shapes along with luminous gemstones and diamonds that have a mesmerising effect on anyone who catches sight of it. Each piece is designed digitally before being 3D-printed, coated in precious metals and hand-finished with any precious stones added along the way. Here, Xinran gives us some insight into the process behind creating the pieces in his collection. “When I finish a digital model, I send it to the 3D printing workshop. Once I have the 3D printing wax model …

The best Christmas gifts for…err, myself

Published by Kate Lam

Because you must take care of yourself because you can take care of others   50 People of East London by Adam Dant £12.95, hoxtonminipress.com Not only is this book beautifully illustrated, it is uncannily accurate in its profiling of all the diverse personalities that make East London brilliant, from the Creative ‘digital thought leader’ typically found on Great Eastern Street, to the ‘massive bush’-carrying Sunday Flower Market Shopper along Columbia Road. – – – – – The Bluebeards Revenge Perfect Man Kit £49.99, bluebeards-revenge.co.uk How about a gentle nudge for your partner in the grooming department, because if it helps him, it helps you? This set has all the essentials to keep him fresh and fragrant – a ‘does what it says on the box’ type of gift. – – – – – Bomb Cosmetics Berry Christmas Gift Set £7.99, bombcosmetics.co.uk Good enough to make your mouth water, this cracker of a gift contains three fantastically fragrant, fruity bath bombs made with essential oils including neroli, sweet orange and chamomile. – – – – …

The best Christmas gifts for techies

Published by Kate Lam

Clever gadgets for clever people   Stelle Audio Go-Go Speaker £99, stelleaudio.com A brilliant speaker for enjoying music on the go, plus, it firmly ticks the style box. A removable strap allows you to hang it wherever you like (up to 50 feet from a connected Bluetooth device) and you can even mount it onto the handlebars of a bike so you can groove as you move. – – – – – X-mini KAI 2 Capsule Speaker £39.95, x-mini-com This portable speaker, with ceramic drivers that deliver loud and clear sound, doubles up as an excellent mobile conferencing tool. A clever, built-in noise-cancelling microphone helps to filter out background disturbances so you can hold quality conversations wherever you are. – – – – – Huawei TalkBand B1 £99, amazon.co.uk This sleek wearable tech packs a whole lot of function into a single band. There’s a fitness monitor to keep track of your activity levels, an alerts function so you can screen incoming calls and emails, a nifty screen that pops out doubling up as a …

The best Christmas gifts for the house-proud

Published by Kate Lam

Your home is your theatre, show it off   Anatomy Boutique Arteries plate £50, anatomyboutique.com “That’s a pretty plate. What is it?” “Oh, some arteries.” How’s that for a conversation starter? If like us, you’re mesmerised by the anatomical illustration on this beautiful hand-guilded, bone china plate, you might like to know there’s a whole set with further anatomy-inspired designs to impress upon your dining guests. – – – – – HAM Superhero Rabbit Screen Print From £29, hammade.com This artwork perfectly sums up our mood. A simple and elegant, hand-made screen print featuring a silhouette of a daredevil rabbit is the perfect reminder for always putting a spring in your step. – – – – – Sabichi Owl Cushion £15.50, sabichi.co.uk If you’re after an adorable decorative cushion, this ‘goes with everything’ owl design is a pretty wise choice. – – – – – Madebyzen Fresh Mint and Grapefruit Candle £21.99, madebyzen.com A bright and beautiful scented candle that fills the room with natural fresh and fruity notes for hours. Better still, the food-grade …