TRICK OR TREAT

I love Halloween. I love everything about it! You should see the tea house at this time of year. I may have gone a little over board with pumpkins and decor but hey, it's ok!

TEA LADY WEARS - STRIPES & DUNGAREES

Sometimes it's just soooo freaking cold outside that the only way is to layer up in a cosy jumper and a pair of dungarees. I use to love rocking a pair of floral dungarees when I was a nipper, there is something so very, very comfortable about them don't ya think?

NO7 - BATH AND BODY LAUNCH

I am not the most organised person in the world. In fact far from it. But the past few weeks I have been really ahead of myself one minute and then right behind the next, and I am not sure how or if I really like this feeling of being a bit of an organised yo-yo.

I go through spurts of this, thinking I have plenty of time to plan and sort things out and then, bam, before you know it its come and gone.

At the moment this is in relation to Halloween, Bonfire Night and then Christmas. I always need to be a little ahead of the game running my own independent business. Planning is essential.

BREKKIE AT THE ALCHEMIST

Leeds, Leeds, Leeds!

COCKTAILS IN KINGLY

I LOVE Kingly Court!

When I was a Londoner for all of 10 months a few years back, I could not stay away from this place.

I am a total home girl and miss the sea, the hills and for some unknown reason to man, Middlesbrough.

FLEUR DE FORCE - MAKE UP COLLECTION

If you have been keeping up to date with my social media accounts or have been tuning in over here on the blog, you will know I was down in the big smoke last week attending the amazing launch of Fleur de Force's new beauty line with the babe that is Thumbelina Lillie.

BURGER WARS - SHAKE SHACK SHAKE SHACK

I have been slow on the old burger game recently. I do this, I find myself loving a beef patty one minute then find myself not being able to even look at that minced delight, sandwiched between a toasted brioche bun no matter how delish and un- keptchupy the piece de resistance is.

It was time to jump back aboard and go on the burger hunt and take a pit stop at Shake Shack. One of the most popular burger joints in London that I can't believe I haven't actually tried out yet.

BROOKS & BROOKS

There is nothing that makes you feel a million dollars than getting a new do is there?

I remember the feeling when I had a new hair cut and couldn't wait to go back to school with my new barnet, apart from that one time when it was wayyyyyy too short and I ran away from school because I looked like a boy after a sweaty P.E session. It was the same feeling I got when I had new school shoes too. Or is this just me?

When on my London advenutres last month I was invited to get the 5 star treatment at Brooks & Brooks in Bloomsbury before heading out to Fleur de Force's beauty launch.

Brooks & Brooks is a stones throw away from Holborn Station on the Central and Piccadilly lines so super easy to get to. It is one of a few independent shops on Sicilian Avenue which wouldn't look out of place on the streets of Italy. Small boutique shops selling spaghetti, stems, sandwiches and spectacles and yes it really does look as good as it sounds.

We entered though the huge wooden door, past the jar of brownies that you can help yourself to and into our seats for the consultation to began with our designated stylists Grace and Rosie.

The before photo...

Brooks & Brooks are three times winners of London Hairdresser of the Year along with a whole library of accolades.

It has a great atmosphere which leaves you feeling super relaxed with it's rich decor and wooden floors.

Grace was telling me the day after our appointments she was styling up hair backstage to the rich and famous for GHD at London Fashion Week. What lucky tea bee's we were.

After the most relaxing wash and head massage it was time to get my mop into shape and ready to be styled. A little dollop of Redken All Soft Argan Oil to protect my locks and a spritz of L'Oreal Professionel Volume Life to really get then curls to stay in.

My hair has a tendency to loose its curl so Grace was not taking any chances and got to work in pinning them in place and letting them dry so they would hold their shape.

Ta-Da - This is obviously the after photo right there.

If you are ever in need of your barnet taming when down in that London make sure you give these guys a go. Plenty of tea and biscuits and super friendly service. You will find them at 13-17 Sicilian Avenue, London, WC1A 2QH

x

TEA LADY WEARS - CLOTHO LONDON

Them leaves are surely falling, so it's here!! 

Autumn is all around us now, there is no turning back. 

And what do you mostly need during this strange weather when it is not too cold for a wintery fur number but too cold to have your arms out?  

A lightweight jacket is the simple answer to that.

Clotho came to my rescue and introduced it's lovely self to me. I logged on, made an account and right before my eyes was this Vintage Silk Jacket* waiting for my 'add to basket'. I snapped it up straight away.

I adore a good clashing pattern. Stripes, spots, floral, you name it, I love to pop them all on together. Colours, patterns and textures make me one super happy tea lady.

This lovely bag was a charity shop bargain but I have my eyes on this Aztec one to add to my collection. 

Similar // AZTEC BAG // NEW LOOK // £19.99

This jacket is the most perfect length for me and the sleeves are super cute too. Silky little three quarter length with plenty of room for a winter jumper underneath for when it gets a little more chilly.

I love this season and what it has to offer. You have got Halloween, Bonfire Night, which then leads up to THE season of seasons. Santa's season. Christmasssssss.

 I really like a long run up to the 25th of December. Get them Home Alone film at the ready.

WHITE TEXTURED PLIMSOLLS // NEW LOOK // £12.99

I popped on these little white plimsoles to go with my tennis player look by looks of things. It wasn't intentional honest. 

I had to run some errands and this was the comfiest outfit, with the silk jacket giving that little pop of  Autumn colour.

Similar // SAMI PLAYSUIT // TOPSHOP - MOTEL // £42.00

This is not actually a dress but a Romper I picked up in the Zara sale. It was love at first sight when it was full price but my size was not in stock so I went back a few months later and there it was in the sale waiting of me.

I have been super disappointed with Zara over the past few months with the quality of their garments and their slow communication. You win some, you lose some.

Now let me tell you a little bit about Clotho London.

Caroline & Vivien are the total best and we need to go for cake and tea when I am next down in London please girls!

They teamed up as partners in a Chemistry lab and their love for business and swapping clothes just boomed from there.

Clotho is a sustainable clothing exchange. Swapping your unused threads for something you really want to rock.

Pop your unwanted garments into the big pink bag they send you and wait for your account to be credited.

Every single Sunday at 9pm these ladies update the Clotho Shop and then you can spend away. I have my eye on a fair few items for this season.

I am such a sucker for an independent business and will shout the ones I love from the rooftops.

Pop over to Clotho London and take a peek for yourselves.

What are your staple season transition pieces? 

x

// Photos by Thumbelina Lillie \\