last minute packing for labor day

If you are about to head off for the long weekend check my classic beach packing guide on Passported, a great site for stylish travel with little ones.  Pic above - Lisa B espadrilles

late summer sales

Nothing like a late August panic sales purchase to add to the 67 billion kaftans you already own. Vamastyle one piece | Calypso sample sale | Maje | Madewell and this | Melissa Odabash | Loeffler Randall (15% off with code DOGDAYS) 

edit 58 launches

Edit 58 launched a few weeks ago and we love it all. Personalised kids baskets in neon pink (which make the perfect gifts), grey blankets with pink pom poms, those coveted Eliza Gran baskets, oh and epic rugs. 

faithfull the brand

Faithfull The Brand makes me want to move to a small island and live in a hut. With a years supply of fake tan. Anyway, this is the Fall collection above and it is available for pre-order now. If you are still at the beach, I love these shirt dress | leopard kimono | off-the-shoulder top | riviera skirt 

the late summer sunglasses edit

Scratched? Neglected? Left in a bar? Those poor exhausted-by-August shades. Some of these are bonkers cash but if you wear them every day May-October and eat baked beans then it is just about OK. And you definitely won't lose them.

Laura Imami - Sara 

Le Specs - Runaways Luxe cat eye

Oliver Peoples - Abrie 

Celine - new Audrey

Ray-Ban - Round frame

the clutch bag goes on holiday

Inside your giant pom pom bag (more on those very soon) you need a small clutch. 

This is great. So is this one. And this one.

*image via pinterest

the short edit

So there's chambray with scallop edge at Club Monaco (in the sale, other colours available, Gap are also doing a similar style), silk print by Rag & Bone, white embroidery at Boden, denim boyfriends at Madewell, white denim Current Elliott or short-short-short-never-bend-down-or-eat denim at Free People. High waisted smarter denim at Pixie Market, stripes by Zara, a great print at Asos, or a culotte style, also at Asos. Simple navy linen by Whistles, dalmatian print by Andotherstories, or these at Hush which sell out every summer.

*images via the sartorialist

the new espadrilles

The espadrille has had a makeover, and yes they are allowed in the city. Stripes (above) by Soludos. Leopard print at Topshop. Snakey by H&M. Suede beauties by Aquazzura. Gold and metallic at Zara. Smoking slipper style by Soludos. 

*image via sincerely jules

gladiators

Gladiator tie-to-the-thigh sandals, it might take 45 minutes to leave the house but they are capable of hiding all signs of drunkenly applied fake tan. I love these styles:

 Loeffler Randall | Chloe | Topshop | Warehouse | Next | J Crew* | Loeffler Randall*

*LR have a friends and family sale 20% off and J Crew have 25% off

*images from interest via theyallhateus and pandora sykes 

marks and spencer broderie kaftan

Every year these sell out by mid-May, 39.50 GBP at our beloved very British Marks & Spencer (delivery is free to the US over 30 GBP). 

pom pom basket

Monday morning, time to feature a pom pom basket. This one is by Eliza Gran at Shoppe Amber Interior Design (love everything she does), keep an eye out for these ones by Edit 58 (spotted on Little Spree) they will also be the first UK boutique to stock Eliza Gran, or try a pillow at Urban Outfitters, or a quilt for the little ones by The White Company. 

winter sun

I'm off to the sunshine. I know. Dreaming of a new beach wardrobe...this pom pom basket, sandals by K Jacques or J crew sale, this cover up, this playsuit or this one, or a new bikini by Varley or Topshop. My little man will be rocking bright coral. Have a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy New Year! 
Thank you for reading, see you in 2015 
xxxx

*image via pinterest

beach bags

I've been looking for a new beach bag and spotted these....a simple straw bag with room for 83 bikinis at H&M, as seen on WIT blog here. A natural basket by Bodie and Fou, a gorgeous Palm Basket with silvery handles, a cotton canvas Circle Tote in grey and white (of course) and the New York classic (which they love to monogram) Boat and Tote at L.L.Bean.  Have a great weekend x

image via pinterest

just beachy

At the beach this week so a bit behind with posting, sorry! Enjoying 5am wake ups ;) 7am beach walks and 9am coffee and carousel. Totally rock and roll. I spied this gorgeous Emerson Fry caftan...if you are looking for something shorter try Tallulah & Hope, secretstylist discount details here, or try a loose cotton and silk shift, again discount code here. 

new shorts

My friend Rosie was staying this weekend so we pottered around Soho and the village. She bought this ridiculously pretty dress and I ended up buying the Jacquard shorts below. Also spied this pair for a smarter take on the denim look - Chambray shorts with scalloped hem, this (brave but rather gorgeous) Leather short and these casual Gap ones.

the bikini search

In search of a new strapless bikini and I keep coming back to these designs by Marysia Swim....also like this Varley London print or this retro Topshop number. The Outnet is always a winner for swimwear, lots of discounted designers like Melissa Odabash. If you would rather have straps I spied this striped triangle one in Cos and they are offering 25% off for new US customers. Check out the bikini chat on twitter too...

(images via salt uk)

beach chic by tallulah & hope

Stylish beach boutique Tallulah & Hope have just launched these gorgeous new designs for The Luxury Collection in Asia. Luckily for you they are offering secretstylist readers 40% off the entire Tallulah & Hope range, using the code LC40. I love the prints below (they could easily double up as a dress/floaty top in the evening) plus this classic one. For more designs check their look book. 

sophia rogge for corals for conservation

Another little gem (which I spied on The London Chatter), Sophia Rogge designs these gorgeous silk scarves and sarongs and donates 10% to the Corals for Conservation fund. Scarves are 190 GBP and sarongs are 65 GBP, she will post everywhere x

*beach image via Vogue UK

sotogrande style...spanish label tcn

If you ever happen to be near Sotogrande in Spain then you have to check out these boutiques in and around the marina. Itsomi, Mucholarala and Boutique Lema. Buy a panama at Chapeau Tiendas and check the local paper for the market as it can stock some great kaftans, floaty linen dresses for 20 euros and great beach jewellery. Itsomi stock TCN which is only available in Spain at the moment. I love picking up one of their bikinis and browsing their relaxed summer looks, see below.

 

beach candy

I read about Beach Candy on Sheer Luxe, loving their summery, breezy fabrics, perfect for floating about in on holiday. The collections are produced by charitable organisations in India which help people out of poverty, providing skills and support to those in need. Loving the peacock dress and hand embroidered silk bag...