Style: June must-haves

Phew! Could it be that Summer is finally here? Even if the gorgeous weather is just a tease, we’re tempting fate and prepping our wardrobes for the sunshine. Whether you’re jetting off to warmer climes, stocking up on the dry shampoo for a weekend of festival fun, or dusting off the deck chairs and settling down to a good book in the garden, we’ve compiled a list of June must-haves to see you through the month in style. From fringed boho bags perfect for Glasto, to mismatched cossies that’ll make a statement on the beach, we have everything you need to keep you looking glam wherever you’re headed. And just in case the clouds do close in, don’t forget to pack a kimono for a cool cover-up!

There’s only one name on every sun-worshipper’s lips this Summer, and that’s Zimmermann. The Australian sisters’ swimwear range has been flying off the shelves, with its mismatching prints, high-necked halters and frills galore. We’re loving this clashing two-piece.

Update a strait-laced outfit with a pair of statement earrings. These gold-plated crab and lobster earrings by Brazilian desinger Virzi + De Luca would look great with an LBD, to add a bit of tongue-in-cheek fun to those Summer cocktail parties.

We all know that Summer evenings in Britain can get pretty nippy. If your barbecue carries on after sunset, cover up with a chic kimono jacket like this one from Oasis (£50), which also has a bang-on-trend tropical print.

Yellow ruled the Summer ’14 catwalks, from eye-stinging canaries and neons to more subdued lemons and mustards. This Theresa Swarovski necklace features a heady mix of neon yellow crystals, faux pearls and braided cotton, and would be perfect teamed with a plain white tee.

For those of you lucky enough to be heading to Ascot this June, this wide-brimmed straw visor by Stella McCartney puts an understated twist on the floral and feathered head candy usually seen at the races.

Whether it’s a blazer and shorts, or crop top and trousers, this Summer is all about co-ords – the bigger, brighter and bolder the pattern the better. This two-piece from Zara is the perfect solution to keeping cool in the office.

For the bolder of the bunch, dare to bare all with a cute bralet. This gingham one from Topshop ticks all this season’s boxes. Keep it classy by teaming it with a high-waisted midi skirt or cigarette pants to show just a flash of flesh.

Get boho-chic with this fringed suede shoulder bag by Steve Madden. It’s big enough to fit in all your beach and festival essentials, while the drawstring will help keep them safe.

Whoever said you can’t wear leather in Summer? Pair this Warehouse full midi skirt (£120) with a crop top and heeled mules for a feminine take on the punky trend.

This season’s sunnies are all about making a statement, and these embellished cat-eye shades by Miu Miu will make you stand out from the crowd without going too OTT (check out Anna-Karin Karlsson’s range if you really want to learn the definition of ‘statement’).

Use your old school shoes as inspiration for this Summer’s sandal, but bring them into this decade with a chunky platform. Swedish Hasbeen’s range are all made of ecologically prepared natural grain leather, so you can treat your feet without the guilt.

We’ve never been happier to see culottes back on the catwalk. These refreshingly comfortable shorts are oh-so-adaptable, from knee-skimming numbers like this pair from See by Chloe (£258), to floaty thigh-grazers perfect for the beach. Three of each, please!

Eddie Redmayne engaged

Get your Kleenex at the ready, ladies. Eddie Redmayne is officially off the market. The 32-year-old Les Mis heartthrob proposed to his girlfriend of two years while on a romantic getaway to Tuscany this weekend. Eddie and publicist Hannah Bagshawe were spotted on an EasyJet flight from Pisa to London on Monday looking more loved up than ever, holding hands and admiring the hefty diamond ring on Hannah’s third finger.

The pair have been inseparable since they first went public at the December 2012 premiere of Les Miserables. In a recent interview, Eddie admitted that he relies on Hannah to pick out his clothes because of his colour blindness, saying “I’m lucky to be with someone very supportive”. But the couple certainly looked Italian-chic, with Hannah in a black leather jacket and leggings, and Eddie wearing blue and white striped trousers and a shirt. They both wore converse trainers.

During the flight, Eddie pored over a script while Hannah busied herself reading an interview in Elle magazine with Eddie’s Les Mis co-star Amanda Seyfried. It had previously been rumoured that Eddie and Amanda had dated while filming together.

Keeping it grounded, the pair were then seen hopping on a train to London.

While we can’t say we’re not a little bit devastated that he’ll never be ours, we wish Eddie and his bride-to-be every happiness for the future!

Style: Matching separates

Whether it’s a blazer and skirt, or top and trousers, this spring is all about matching separates. And we’re not talking no-nonsense suits here. We’re talking patterns – the bigger and brighter, the better. Here’s our pick of the best from the high street, in all their floral, geometric and checkered glory.

 

How to host a clothes swap

Gone are the days where wearing second hand meant being forced to wear your older brother’s hand-me-downs that had been ‘customised’ by your mum to make them ‘more girly’ (usually involving copious amounts of lace trim and/or an iron-on patch). All we had to do was replace the words ‘second hand’ with ‘vintage’ or ‘retro’ and voila, old has become the new new. With celebrities like Dita Von Teese and Nicole Richie leading the way down (fashion) memory lane, second hand is now far more Grammy than Granny, and not only that but it’s incredibly bank-account and environment friendly too.

Vintage clothing shops have been popping up like daisies across the UK, but despite their musty smell and questionable music choices, they do tend to be quite pricey. And while charity shops can contain some great hidden gems, finding them does often involve trawling through rail after rail of corduroy trousers and velveteen blouses. Of course some do succeed in pulling these off, but it’s fair to say that for mere mortals like me such items should stay firmly in the hands of those in possession of a free bus pass.

So for those of you looking for a fast, fun and pricetag-less way to pick up some second hand sizzlers, why not consider hosting your very own clothes swapping event. For those of you who haven’t heard of these before, it involves gathering up a group of people armed with clothes, shoes and accessories that they’ve never had the right occasion to wear, that no longer fit, or they’ve simply gone off, and bringing them all together in one place to be oggled over and exchanged – as they say, one girl’s Crocs are another girl’s Louboutins. Not only does this eradicate the corduroy problem, it also means that the clothes are completely free, and you get the added benefit of catching up with friends or meeting new people at the same time. Here are my top 5 tips for hosting a clothes swap party to remember…

1) Choose a venue
Probably the easiest and cheapest place to host your swapping event is chez vous. Of course if you wanted to make it a big event, it’s usually easy to hire out community centre halls, or even function rooms in hotels or restaurants to make it extra swanky. Ask around for old clothes rails you can borrow (you mum/nan is probably your best bet), or Homebase have them on sale for just over £8. Alternatively, you could try stringing washing line from wall to wall and peg clothes on, or simply lay them out on tables.

2) Invite your guests
Send out invitations that include a list of guidelines – clothes should be washed beforehand (and ironed if necessary), in good condition, and advise that old pairs of knickers or socks may not be best-sellers (except of course where Agent Provocateur is involved – if so, gimme). Ask for donations to be dropped off before the event so that you’ve got a good amount to get you going on the day.

3) Have a wardrobe overhaul
Don’t just rely on your guests to provide the goods -make sure you’ve got something to offer too. A good amount is between 5-10 items of clothing, shoes, jewellery and other accessories each. Be ruthless! My rule is that any item of clothing which hasn’t been worn in a year or more has to go. And no, you can not use the ‘but what if I need it for fancy dress’ excuse.

4) Provide food and refreshments
There’s nothing quite like a sausage roll to make your guests feel welcome. If you feel like going upmarket, pink champagne (/chambrini) and cupcakes go down a treat. If you’re looking for something a bit more laid back (and kinder to the purse) serve up jugs of punch or sangria, and scatter around bowls of crisps and dip. Of course, just offering a nice cup of tea is enough to quench a retail-therapy-induced thirst.

5) Take any leftovers to a charity shop
Don’t let things go to waste – put any unwanted items in bin bags and drop them off at your local charity shop. They will be more than happy to take them off your hands.

Happy swapping!

Travel: Toulouse, France

Known by the French as ‘la ville rose’, or the pink city, Toulouse is a small city in South-West France famous for the pinky-coloured brick that makes up the majority of its medieval architecture. It’s ideally located one hour from the Mediterranean in one direction, and one hour from the Pyrenees Mountains in the other. Continue for another hour past the Pyrenees and you’ll reach Barcelona.

But despite its fabulous location, a visit to Toulouse will reveal that in fact there’s very little need to leave the city at all. Many would consider it the French equivalent of Brighton or Bristol – it’s edgy, arty, and a serious party town. With a plethora of universities and colleges scattered across it, Toulouse’s population is overwhelmingly a young one, so is in no short supply of quirky restaurants, bars and clubs.

With the benefits of a warm, Mediterranean climate, al fresco is a way of life in Toulouse. Enjoy a demi in one of the many bars that overlook the Garonne river, or taste one of the city’s famous cassoulets in one of the restaurants that spill out onto the cobbled streets and be serenaded by the street musicians that can be found on every corner. In the summer, watch a movie under the stars in the outdoor cinema, or party on the streets until the early hours at one of the carnivals or festivals that are hosted by the city almost every week.

If it’s retail therapy you’re after, Toulouse caters for all – from the high street stores strung around the edge of Capitole, to the more upmarket boutiques found around Place Saint Georges. If it’s vintage you’re after, Toulouse is an Aladdin’s Cave of  second-hand and vintage shops, mainly found along Rue Temponieres. Alternatively, visit one of the city’s many flea markets to find antique jewellery, furniture and knick-knacks. There’s one held every Saturday and Sunday morning in the grounds of the Saint Sernin cathedral, and a larger one held on the first Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the month on the allees Jules Guesde.

If you’re looking for somewhere to enjoy warm weather and a slower way of life, but with all the excitement of a big city, Toulouse is the place to be.

Nails of the day

We LOVE these super-cute Disney nails. Almost makes us want to book a trip to Disneyland just so we can match them up with a pair of Minnie ears!

Food: Chocolate orange cupcakes

These delicious cupcakes make a perfect Easter treat, and are so easy to make too! All you need is the following…

For the sponge:

• 100g butter
• 100g caster sugar
• 2 eggs
• 50g dark chocolate
• 1 tbsp cocoa powder
• 2 tbsp orange juice
• 1 tsp orange zest
• 125g self-raising flour

For the icing:

• 100g butter
• 200g icing sugar
• 100g Terry’s Chocolate Orange segments (use the rest to decorate)

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 170C/gas mark 4
2. Start melting the dark chocolate by placing it in a heatproof bowl over a pan of boiling water
3. Beat the butter and sugar until creamy, and then add the melted chocolate
4. Add the orange zest, juice and cocoa powder to the mix
5. Beat in the eggs and fold in the flour
6. Bake for 15-25 minutes
7. While the cakes are in the oven, melt the chocolate orange and leave to cool
8. To check the cakes are ready, insert a knife or skewer into one. If it comes out clean, it is baked
9. Place the cakes on a wire rack to cool. You can now start on the icing
10. Beat the butter and icing sugar together for about 5 minutes until really creamy
11. Gently fold in the melted chocolate orange
12. Put the icing into a piping bag fitted with your favourite nozzle and pipe the icing onto the cakes
13. Decorate the cakes with a segment of chocolate orange and a sprinkling of orange zest

 

Style: The best of Coachella 2014

Coachella 2014 has come to an end *sob*, but that’s not to say we can’t still oggle over the fashion that the last week and a half has blessed us with. Take a look at our pick of the best festival looks showcased this year…

For more Coachella street style, follow @siamagazine on Instagram

Him vs Her: Canary yellow trousers

Column: Age of the Smoothie

Smoothies. Everyone’s drinking them. A smoothie spells sophistication, success and self-assurance – and all minus the pulp.

It was for that reason that I woke up today with a smile on my face. Today was the day when I would follow in the footsteps of Carrie Bradshaw and realise my full potential as a stylish, skinny and successful 21st century female. And all through the medium of the uber-techno smoothie maker I had just invested in.

I donned my tightest pencil skirt and highest heels, grabbed the flask of superfruit smoothie I had made the night before from the fridge, and set off down the road smoothie in hand, feeling the burn of envious stares on my back.

When I opened my flask, I saw that overnight the smoothie had discoloured to a creamy brown colour. It had also thickened into a paste, not much unlike mayonnaise, but with indeterminate lumps floating in it, which I couldn’t distinguish as any of the fruit I had included in the blend. However, there was no doubt in my mind as to the detoxifying qualities of this smoothie, and regardless of colour or consistency, I took a swig.

There are no words to adequately describe the hideousness of this so-called ‘smoothie’. Imagine a combination of off-milk, rotten eggs and stale urine and you might be half way to understanding. This was no smoothie. This was a lumpy. And a vile one at that.

I panicked. There was no way I was swallowing the concoction. But what other option did I have? I could see the people sat in the queue of traffic which had been building up beside me as a walked, could see their looks of awe and wonderment; “If only I was as cool as her”. I couldn’t let these people down. But I couldn’t make the smoothie go down either. The longer I held the drink in my mouth the more intense the taste became.

I gagged.

Brown lumps appeared like cancerous boils on my skirt and shoes. It had happened. I had spat the smoothie out in front of hundreds. Whispers and laughter rose up like a tidal wave, growing taller and wider, gathering speed as it moved, engulfing me, drowning me. I dropped the smoothie and ran, felt the wet sting of liquidised pomegranates on the back of my leg as the flask smashed and smoothie was propelled in all directions. I cursed myself for being such a fool – such a fool to believe that I could ever carry off a skirt and stilettos and a smoothie.

Next time I’ll pack a banana.

Image credit : http://www.broccolicity.com/2013/09/10-benefits-of-green-smoothies/