Cat Deeley looked gorgeous on the red carpet at last week's Emmy awards in her metallic Monique Lhuillier strapless gown. You can re-create her look...
Cortefiel's First UK Stand-Alone Store
Spanish retail group Grupo Cortefiel has launched it's first UK stand-alone Cortefiel store at The Centre in Livingston, Scotland. Three of its brands have stores in The Centre- Cortefiel, Springfield and Women's Secret.
Cortefiel is the flagship brand- elegant, comfortable quality women's and men's clothing. Springfield is a more urban brand with modern comfortable clothing; and Women's Secret sells gorgeous underwear, swimwear and sleepwear.
Already highly popular in Spain, the brands are now making strides in the UK, and it's easy to see why. We've picked some of our favourite Cortefiel (www.cortefiel.com) pieces. Prices are in Euros, so expect a slight variation with the UK Sterling prices in the store.
Delete Dancer Flats 69.95 EUROS, Chaque Printed Shirt 19.95 EURO
Sleeveless Top Flyers 59.95 EURO, Elastic Foulards Scarf 26.95 EURO
Already highly popular in Spain, the brands are now making strides in the UK, and it's easy to see why. We've picked some of our favourite Cortefiel (www.cortefiel.com) pieces. Prices are in Euros, so expect a slight variation with the UK Sterling prices in the store.
Travel Accessory Essentials
We travel a lot here at Twinkle HQ, so we thought we would share with you some of our most essential travel accessory companions!
We love the new luggage range from Lulu Guinness. Never has a suitcase looked so beautiful; plus it's hard-wearing too. These strong plastic cases with her iconic lip print detailing will have everyone wanting to sit next to you on the plane! To buy any of the Lulu Guinness products we show, just click on the picture! The small red case is £195, and is perfect for weekend getaways; and the large black case is £245.
We also fell in love with these cute striped travel card holders from Julie Slater & Son. Perfect for keeping any pesky tube and metro tickets in! Plus that all important credit card for any impulse buys! It has a plastic coating to keep your 'plastic' dry (get it?) and costs just £8 from http://www.julieslaterandson.co.uk.
We love the new luggage range from Lulu Guinness. Never has a suitcase looked so beautiful; plus it's hard-wearing too. These strong plastic cases with her iconic lip print detailing will have everyone wanting to sit next to you on the plane! To buy any of the Lulu Guinness products we show, just click on the picture! The small red case is £195, and is perfect for weekend getaways; and the large black case is £245.
To keep your phone safe whilst travelling, and to remind everyone where you are from, we love this gorgeous British red phone box phone holder; also from Lulu Guinness. It's patent leather, is elasticated at the sides so fits all types of phones, and costs £60.
If you are looking for great carry-on luggage for the plane, or a smaller bag for a night away, we love the cool new range of Converse bags. World-famous for their shoes, they have now brought out a range of bags, and this canvas duffel in Silver Birch is our favourite. It costs £44.82 and is available online at http://www.blackleaf.com.
Stylish Weekend Break: City of London
When planning a trip to London, staying in the 'City of London' area isn't usually anywhere near the top of our ideas list! It's the place with all the banks and businessmen isn't it? No...well yes...but there is so much more to explore and enjoy! It's a little style haven all on it's own.
Being right next to Liverpool Street station, the Andaz London Liverpool St hotel is the perfect place to stay to explore the area, and to navigate London as a whole.
It's a luxury 5-star hotel with a modern minimalist architecture. The sleek lobby with its wall of mirrors and sleek touchscreen check-in pads is a delight to experience.
The rooms continue the sparse but accessible theme. Everything is in monochrome or pop colours, and smooth to the touch. Simplicity is everything here- you have what you need (and the best of it) but it's unobtrusive.
Rooms have a complimentary healthy mini-bar, which is fabulous and contains waters, juices, soft drinks and snacks. There is an iPod dock should you require it, a fast-fill bathtub (and robes) if you are in a hurry but still want a soak, excellent silent air conditioning, a flat screen LCD television and a large work desk with a modern Jacob Jacobson lamp (if your trip is some work and not all play). Queen size rooms cost from £199 with breakfast, leading to a Large Suite room from £384 per night. All rates include local calls from the in-room telephone too.
Breakfast is also amazing; with the pancakes being far too good for anyone to pass on! Freshly homemade to order, they come with maple syrup, berries and crispy streaky bacon.
Within a short walking distance of the Andaz is a host of stylish places to visit, shop and eat.
The Royal Exchange on Threadneedle Street is one of London's best luxury shopping destinations; hosting stores from the likes of Lulu Guinness, Agent Provocateur, Gucci and Tiffany & Co. Strangely though, it is only open Monday to Friday; so make your trip a long weekend so you can catch it.
In the other direction from the Andaz is Old Spitalfield's Market at Horner Square. This is another must do shopping experience.
This old Victorian market hall hosts regular fairs, and is home to prime retail outlets and dining options such as Wagamama. Sunday is the best day for the market experience, as stalls on this day stock a nice mixture of fashion and art.
Culture and history are abundant in The City. St.Paul's Cathedral is a short distance away, and is the perfect place for a lazy afternoon.
Sit inside and take some time out to look at the exquisite architecture and painting in the domed roof.
Make sure you don't visit the cathedral without making a trip to the restaurant downstairs for afternoon tea. Their Afternoon Teas are delicious and excellent value for money. Staff are friendly and helpful; but leave you alone just to wile away the afternoon with cakes! Enjoy a selection of teas, some Carter's sparkling wine with apple, delicious cakes, scones with clotted cream & jam and a collection of neatly prepared finger sandwiches (£21.25 per person). Book a late dinner!
Mint Leaf Lounge & Restaurant in Bank is an amazing place to enjoy dinner. It's a dark bar and restaurant with a DJ that you would expect to find in the West End (and indeed you also do); but with its City work clientele, it makes it an excellent place for a quiet drink and dinner whilst also allowing you to feel that you have had a night out.
The food is Indian; although don't expect any of the stodgy bulky curries you get from the local takeaway. This is delicate food, all careful prepared and spiced. Everything is so flavorsome, that a little goes a long way!
The staff are excellent, and know the menu inside out because they are passionate about it. We had Chicken Tikka (£9.50) as a starter which came with pickle. Not liking pickle, we requested it without it. Our waiter loved this dish, and explained that the pickle was the indeed best part. He encouraged us to try it as it was kept on the side. So we did, and he was not wrong!
The City of London is not short of excellent dining options. A superb choice for lunch is Searcy's Champagne Bar, just next to St.Paul's Cathedral at One New Change.
Their sharing plates are great for lunch; washed down with a glass of champagne. We loved their Charcuterie and Cheese plates (£12 each), served with lots of fresh crusty bread.
City of London really is a great place to spend a weekend...or longer! To find out more about this area, visit www.visitthecity.co.uk.
Photos Copyright: Andaz/Hyatt, Mint Leaf, Searcy's Champagne Bars, St.Paul's Cathedral, Old Spitalfield's Market.
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