WHEN IN HOTOVELI- The Black Pearl of New York

Born to shop this way!

Brunching in the city in the summer is a terribly civilized past time which many New Yorkers love to take part of.

The West Village is an extremely picturesque area of New York, something out of Sex and the city. The scenes where Carrie wanders down the street in some bright coloured Manolo's, a great handbag and edgy skirt. However deep within the streets is a store which contains something dark, dangerous and extremely sexy.

Hotoveli is a beautiful store, simple yet filled with some exquisite pieces from Westwood, Yamamoto, Rick Owens, Lanvin etc.

It illustrates some of the best examples of high fashion designs, avant garde and beautifully constructed.

The store showcases the clothing through muted colours and the odd metallic and leather piece. You feel almost as if you have walked into New York's treasure chest, and somehow this must be kept secret. I can not help myself and tell you that this museum of beautiful pieces is a must see When In New York

No matter black, white or beige
Hotoveli makes style change 
It's on the right track baby
You will love it this way
Style are individual here
The store makes no mistakes
I'm on the right track baby
I was born to shop this way

For more info see:
271 West 4th Street New York 

WHEN IN THE PARADISE- Miss Havisham's London Pad!

The place they keep secret in Austin or Dickens!


When I find a restaurant that I really like, I tend to go back relatively often. I love my meat, I love my veg, I love my potatoes - I am happy.

On the corner of Kilburn road, is a dark and Gothic looking pub. London being notorious for its pub culture, you would expect that each pub would look relatively similar on the inside. Dark wooden bar, tables and chairs filling up the space and the VIP customer who resides at the end of the bar glugging down a pint.

When walking into the Paradise, you have walked into Miss Havisham's house from Great Expectations. And boy oh boy did Dickens leave out that she has style!

Rustic white painted floor boards, book cases from floor to ceiling, vintage bird cages hanging at all levels, old paintings of nobles and noblewomen, stuffed animals decked out in costume jewelery, mis -matched tables and chairs, vine leaves and roses, candles and neon lights.

From a pub/bar to a restaurant to a live venue and karaoke bar, this is every socialites PARADISE.

It is such a refreshing feeling to find a place which has such an individual style yet serves beautifully prepared food. English inspired cuisine with a modern gastro pub twist.

Oh, I've been to Nice and the isle of Greece 
when I sipped champagne on a yacht 
I moved like Harlow in Monte Carlo 
and showed them what I've got 
I've eaten sticky toffee pudding,  
rib eye steak with pepper sauce, chips and peas
I've been to PARADISE, it's the only place for me... 
 
This is a must visit When in London.

For more information see:
19 Kilburn Lane
Kensal Green, 
London, W10 4 AE

WHEN IN LOVE ADORNED - Hold me, touch me, oh please Adorn me!

Love Adorn me from my head to my toes! 

I believe that the most unsuspecting shops tend to be the most interesting. When I'm not looking for anything I tend to find everything. One boiling hot day milling around the soho area, I wondered into a shop to cool down. Unknown to me, I had just walked into Hell's angles jewlery box. The most ecclectic mix of jewlery, vintage, modern, avant garde, strange, stunning, rings that cover your whole hand, semi precious stones, chains and horns, spikes and studs, ...the list could go on.

Like a craftsman's workshop, Love adorned has put all their 'love' into making the experience within the store so unique and individual.
Every niche is special.

You can't help yourself but gaze around the store for a while before trying anything on. There is so much to see and soon you find your self picking' this one , or that one , oh and don't forget this too!'

The rustic and ethical beauty of the store and choice is outstanding. You will find one off pieces that gives your style that extra flair and makes you feel as if you could get on your Harley Davidson and ride off
into the sunset decked out in stunning designs!

This is a must see When in New York

I came from the people, they need to adore me
So LOVE ADORN me from my head to my toes
I need to be dazzling, I want to be Rainbow High
They must have excitement, and so must I




for more information: 

269 Elizabeth Street, New York, NY, 10012

When in Please Don't Tell- New York's answer to the Chamber of Secrets !

Wingardio LevioBAR !!! 

I recently went to see the final Harry Potter movie. I am a bit of a fantasy fanatic. I love the concept that a shabby old boot could be a port key to another world or throwing dust into the air is another form of transportation. However unknown to me this world actually exists.

Down the bustling street of St Marks in New York, filled with Asian food places and tattoo parlours, bars and all sorts of creatures of the night, there is a simple hot dog shop called Crif Dog. Now I know what you are thinking. What does a hot dog shop have to do with Harry Potter? And why would I write about a hot dog restaurant on a fashion oriented blog?

Within this hot dog parlour, to the left hand side, is a phone box. You enter the phone box one by one, and you dial the number 1. Nothing happens. You stand in the booth, door shut trying to understand what is the point of standing in a hot dog restaurant in a phone booth. Suddenly out of nowhere, the back of the phone booth opens and you enter a new world.

A world of low ceilings, and wooden walls, stuffed animals and a glowing bar. You have entered Please Don't Tell bar. A bar which is everyones secret.

The Phone Box

The cocktails are as interesting as your entrance. A melange of flavours, colours and textures.

Only a certain amount of people are allowed in the bar at one time so you need to book in advance, however the planning is well worth the  effort as you feel like a VIP or in my case VIWW ( a very important wannabe wizard!)

This is a must visit When in New York!

For more information:
Please Don't Tell
113 St. Marks Pl. , New York, NY 10009

WHEN IN CREATURES OF COMFORT - Something fashion CREATURES can not resist!

 I am a creature who takes comfort in such a store!

Wondering around, flickering in and out of stores, feeling very New Yorkerish and sipping on a iced coffee. What a picturesque scene. I am a creature who enjoys in the comforts of everyday finds. But O! what light in yonder window breaks?! Tis a shop! A very intriguing shop!



I was not sure whether I was walking into a retail environment or whether I had walked into someones living room however that didn't phase me as what a wonderful living room it was! Little cubby holes of unique pieces, unusual accessories and amazing shoes!

Located in the notorious soho, Creatures of Comforts is a boutique concept store for fashion hunters who enjoy being different.

I wasn't expecting to buy but when I heard 50 % off everything a light bulb when off in my head and the fashion beast within lept out and before I knew it I had a pair of shoes by the till and my hand had extended over the desk with a credit card. ( I have no control over these things- The condition is called Mustbuyenitis!- its quite common in women)

The styles are simple, yet elegant and have a modern twist. I would recommend when looking in such a store, to pick out the most avant garde piece and pair it with something classic. This way you can re invent your wardrobe without feeling as if you have gone completely Gaga. Imagine pairing a Bernhard Wilhelm dress with a classic lightweight raincoat. Mixing the old with the new - taking inspiration from the past and making it current. This is the recipe for style success when looking through the beautiful rails of clothes in Creatures of Comfort.

Fish gotta swim and birds gotta fly

I gotta have some new clothes

Or I  might just die

cant help lovin creature of comforts style

205 Mulberry street

New York, NY 10012

See for more info: http://shop.creaturesofcomfort.us/

WHEN IN DAMARIS-BUST a fashionable move!

Mimi Holliday

The Bend and Snap of Lingerie 


You all know the saying beauty does not only come from the outside- it's what on the inside that counts.

Well if you are decked out with sensual, sexy undies of course you look gorgeous on the inside too!

I love Agent Provocateur however come on- they don't cover anything. Yes yes yes, I know its sexy, but when you need that little bit of support in that region then you are going to need more than a piece of chiffon and hair pin to hold them up!

Damaris and Mimi Holliday is the most gorgeous underwear line that incorporates fashion and practicality. I Know! Who would of known that could exist in this industry!! I have always said in fashion - 'Pain is your friend' however lets face it,  you need to be comfortable to feel great in your clothes.

Damaris - Collaboration Roksanda Ilincic 

It is one of these brands online that I keep going back to just to see what beautiful creations they come up with next.

Mimi Holliday being the fast fashion orientated lingerie - bright colours and every style under the sun and  Damaris as her alter ego showcasing delicate silhouettes and beautiful fabrics to make you feel great for a reasonable price. Bugger La Perla, who needs M&S granny panties, bring on beautiful bras and knickers!!


Feel fabulous When in Damaris !

See www.damaris.co.uk for more information

WHEN IN COS- It's BeCOS your worth it!

Recipe for great fashion success! 


Take a bit of Jill Sander, sprinkle a bit or Marni, whip it up with some Alexander Wang a dollop of Helmut Lang, some Celine frosting and top it with high street prices and you have COS.

H&M's second brand it is my first stop on the high street. I have said many a times that I shall live and die in this brand. It is one of a kind. It posses such simple style yet you are at the cutting edge of fashion. With clever merchandising you are also drawn to buying full outfits- Yey! Lucky credit card!

I think when I go through my wardrobe about 50% of it contains COS clothing. Let's be realistic, we don't all have disposable income at the tips of fashion hungry fingertips and therefore we don't own the latest YSL shoes or this seasons Dries Van Noten coat however COS allows us to look and feel like we have spent a thousand of pounds when really we have only spent 100.

I love flipping through high fashion magazines and 'oooing' and 'ahhing' at the beautiful clothes and then realizing I have bought something so similar for a fraction of the price.

However the best part of COS is the fact that even though it is high street and therefore accessible to the masses it still looks so unique on each individual.



O COS Shall I compare thee to a summers day
Thou art most lovely and most trendy
Rough economic times do shake the darling wallets of many
but thy eternal fashion shall not fade! 


You are in for a serious fashion treat When in COS.