Entries Tagged as 'My Life'

Where to eat in London

06.04.13

 Whether you’re meeting a new client, catching up with an old business associate, or pitching a new collaboration here’s a round up of my 3 favourite places to cut deals over breakfast, lunch or dinner! 

Breakfast: Daylesford Organic 

‘With locations in Pimlico and Westbourne Grove, this light and minimalistic eatery is farm fresh. Set up by Carole Bamford (the wife of JCB construction founder Anthony Bamford) whose wide range of business interests includes farming, retailing, restaurants, clothing and spas. Quiet, well lit with beautiful organic food- go early in the morning when the communal tables aren’t packed there are also a few more private tables/ breakfast bars for 2 people. ‘

Eat: Boiled Eggs & Sour Dough Toast.  Drink: English Breakfast Tea & Blood Orange Juice

Lunch: Ceviche 

 ‘This eclectic and citrus clean Soho eatery is a hot pick for lunch. Serving a delicious array of tapas style bites, perfect to share and nibble on when you’re talking business. The atmosphere manages to be vibrant and cool without being too noisy and has an infectious positive energy that lingers when you leave. Founded by Martin Morales ( Ex Head of Disney Music) the meticulous interior design, music and layout comprise to make Ceviche a super cool brand ( their website is ace!) and lunch time experience. ‘

Eat: Plantain Chips, Don Ceviche & Grilled Skewers. Drink: Piso Sour

Dinner: Bob Bob Ricard 

 ‘I fell in love with Bob Bob Ricard when it opened in 2008, and after interviewing one of the founders, Leonid, who insisted on shots of vodka, have found it difficult to stay away from this sexy, decadent hide out ever since. Nestled on the corner of Lower St James Street in Soho, this eccentric restaurant is a collection of intimate booths each with their own ‘Push For Champagne Button’. Everything is theatrical and opulent with interiors by David Collins, its the perfect place to impress and indulge.’

Eat: Caviar, Sole Paupiette & Bramley Apple Tart  Drink: The Best Bloody Marys in London. Try the chilled Vodka and Pear Bellinis.

Post Easter Juice Detox

31.03.13

After an Easter Week full of chocolate  I was feeling perhaps slightly guilty ( ahem I ate my eggs early)  so I skyped a girlfriend in L.A. last night who in true Hollywood style said ‘Oh Easter! Yeah I’ll have a couple of mini eggs’    ( A COUPLE OF MINI EGGS?!) Me: Uhhh I need to get back in the game I have so much work to do! ‘Well listen’ she said, ‘I’ve got into the habit of doing a juice day once a week and it makes me feel on top form’, she continued, ‘my concentration is on point my digestive system is rocking. Seriously do it.’ OK I will do it! I said and yesterday gathered 3 recipes together to shove in my blender- full of determination, like I am a woman hear me roar, Im going to drink only juice for a day and kill emails!

Yes it was tricky, a test of willpower, but 3 juices and 4 cups of dandelion/ peppermint tea later and Im ready to go to bed, but also weirdly full of energy! Bright eyes, clear mind! Whilst pretty much everyone I know is doing the 5:2 diet I think I may take this once a week juice day offer…as long as I can have more than A COUPLE of mini eggs on the weekend. Happy Easter everyone! P.S. Readers you can get 15% off JEWELLERY @ MYFLASHTRASH.COM  tonight and tomorrow- enter EASTER at checkout 😉 xxx

Retail Opportunities in Hong Kong

30.03.13

Hong Kong is home to the largest number of billionaires in the world with over 8.8% of it’s 7.2 million populationmillionaire households according to Boston Consulting group. Combined with it’s popularity as an off shore centre of wealth and popularity with tourists, ( over 40 million high spending visitors per annum) it’s easy to see why the retail landscape is dominated by luxury brands.   

The current Nick Knight campaign for Lane Crawford aligned perfectly in store

 From Hermes to Isabel Marant to luxury department stores Lane Crawford and Harvey Nichols, you would be hard pressed to find a western premium brand that does not have a presence in this former British colony. Whilst this breeds a positive consumer culture of aspiration, in reality there is little shopping choice for the millions of average pay office workers and expats whose spending power, makes up on mass, a considerable opportunity for western mid-tier retailers.   

This gap that was identified by Zara back in 2005 and has steadily been filled by H&M, Forever 21, Abercrombie & Fitch (see me looking awkward above)  and soon Topshop yet there is a growing demand for affordable fashion and a real opportunity for hip, alternative stores such as Urban Outfitters and dare I say it independents to thrive in this market.  Indie surf and skate brands enjoy a strong sales presence whilst outlet malls are springing up all over the outskirts of the city and over 4 vintage shops ( see Select 18 below) have opened in the past 2 years- its an exciting time for smaller brands to enter the market.   

My opinion on this open door was bolstered further after a visit to Hong Kong local shopping haven Causeway Bay where I spent much of my teenage years seeking out the secret mini shopping malls. Entered through non-descript doors with staircases leading up to 5 stories packed full of  local designers and Korean brands occupying no more than 3 square meters each. Bursting with fashion under £10, when I returned to Hong Kong last week I was impressed by the growth of these malls. Not only are there now more of them, but the little shops have upped their game with sleek visual merchandising and branding that have transformed them from a small space full of clothes to uber-mini uber cool boutiques. Whilst these malls remain largely undiscovered by the expat community and tourists, the local 16-24 year olds acceptance of lesser known and local brands is an incredibly compelling and encouraging sign for indie boutique owners and up coming British brands.  

Im eyeing up a popup space in Hong Kong now, as well as speaking to the country’s first fashion e-commerce site ( another huge opportunity) all with a quote from Chinese military general, strategist and philosopher Sun Tzu in my mind-  ‘opportunites multiply as they are seized.’ 

Gizzi Erskine’s ‘Skinny Weeks and Weekend Feasts’

27.03.13


Im a big Rag & Bone fan- I love their urban New York meets Brit cool aesthetic and when I saw this acid green jersey dress it was an instant sartorial romance. Textured jersey fabric in a beautiful skater cut, I teamed it with a Lulu Guinness Clutch and some Flash Trash Girl Jewellery to go and celebrate my wonderful friend Gizzi Erskine’s new book launch down at London’s W Hotel ( where you’ll also find our FLASH TRASH jewellery concession!)  Go check it out sometime and try Gizzi’s limited edition afternoon tea! xx

1. Rag & Bone Fluro Skater Skirt £256 2. Gizzi’s new book £10.99  3. Lulu Guinness Lips Clutch £261  4. FLASH TRASH GIRL Hoops £15

Im Listening to: Robin Thicke – Blurred Lines ft. T.I., Pharrell

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