WHEN IN BROWNS LABELS FOR LESS - Honey I'm home!

That's what I want

 I wonder through those expensive stores and I look around, find something beautiful and pick it up. I gaze for minutes in front of the mirror thinking, 'this is it...this is the one...This is my best friend, lover and sweet temptations all rolled into one.' Then I look at the tag and I burst out crying inside...it is usually more than a months rent in Notting Hill gate, and even if I try to kid myself in thinking I would live of pot noodle for a year, I put the outfit back and I wonder out of the store.

That is usually how my shopping routine will work.

Then I go to Browns outlet! A thrift princess closet filled with gorgeous items all with 30-50 even 70 % off!
I HAVE ARRIVED!

Margiela, Versace, Prada, Acne, Marni and many many more Browns outlet gives you the affordable high end fashion you always dreamed of.

Located across the road from the original Browns store on South Molton street, this little parlour of all things fabulous and common fashion folk friendly is definitely a place to shop.

This is a must visit When in London

The best things in life are free
But you can give them to the birds and bees
I want labels for less

(That's what I want)
That's what I want
(That's what I want)
That's what I want
(That's what I want)
That's what I want
(That's what I want)

You love gives me such a thrill
But your love won't pay my fashion bills
I want labels for less
for more info see:
http://www.brownsfashion.com/home/

When in the Bowery Hotel - Gemma Restaurant

A Scene out of a retro movie 

Imagine walking through the Venice during the 1800s peering through restaurant windows staring at the flickering candle light and wafting food aromas. You see candlesticks dripping with wax and old wooden tables littered with cheese and parma hams and bottles of wine. Old mirrors fill the walls giving off the illusion of space. The murmur of deep conversation fills the air and you can't help yourself but wonder in and take a seat.

This is not Venice in the 1800s rather downtown New York and it is 2011. Gemma is  a hot spot for the trendy New Yorkers.

You feel as if you should share a plate of pasta and meat balls to emulate the romantic scene in of Darling and Tramp from 1955 movie. Sharing a bowl of juicy spaghetti and a rich tomato sauce!

You step in and you have entered another world of old school glamour and the food is humble and scrumptious. Roast chicken, to big bowls of your favourite pasta, succulent meat and rich fish, Gemma has it all on the menu, but what it tops is the ambience. If you want a Sex and the City moment in the big apple with the gals or a romantic candle lit dinner for two then this is the place to go.

This is a must visit When in New York.

When the moon hits your eye 
Like a big-a pizza pie
That's amore
When the world seems to shine 
Like you've had too much wine
That's amore
That's Gemmmmaa!! 

for more info see:

335 Bowery
New York, NY 10003-7138

WHEN IN CARNEGIE DELI - 'You are my Everest!!'

Food the size of the solar system!

We all know portions in the USA are beyond enormous. We know that we have to wear sweatpants and a loose T shirt to feel comfortable after eating in an American restaurant. You mentally prepare yourself for the Everest of all cheese cakes...but oh what light in yonder window breaks...you have never seen anything like Carnegie Deli.

You walk in and are surrounded by familiar faces of celebs. All greeting you as you wonder into this emporium of food heaven. You are seated and you gaze up at the wall to find all you fav images of celebrities who have been seated in the deli before you. Sit next to Jerry Springer, Woody Allen and even the cast members of Jersey Shore, everyone has had a taste of Carnegie Deli.

The menu is as big as Big Ben, you don't know where to begin and the choice keeps rolling out. However as an experienced Carnegie Deli goer I can tell you that if it is your first time here, you have to try their famous corned beef sandwich. Your wait is short and placed in front of you is only what I can descirbe to you as half a cow and two slithers of rye bread. However the beef is soooo succulent and juicy you can't help but plough yourself through it and each bite is a small piece of sandwich heaven.

Their cakes are the size of Jupiter, Mars and the Moon, dripping in flavour so leave some room for a chunk!

Never fear, if you are starting to explode and your body can take no more, but your mind and heart yearns for another bite then take home your leftovers. They taste just as good the next day!

This is a must dine When in New York!

When the cake hits your eye
Like a big-a pizza pie
That's amore
When the sandwiches are so wide
Like you've had too much wine
That's amore
For more info see:
854 7th Avenue
New York, NY 10019-5216

WHEN IN SUNGLASSES - OLIVER GOLDSMITH

Unpack your sunglasses 

It is Autum time and we are slowly packing away are bikinis and throwing out old bottles of sun tan lotion, putting away our sundresses and flip flops. We also try to hold on to the last moments of sunshine with our shades in all different shapes and styles.

Oliver Goldsmith is a special sunglass boutique that hosts avant garde, beautiful mod creations inspired by the golden ages of trends.

You can't help but try everything. See through frames, dip dye frames, geek chick, 60s retro, and remodelled classics are a few of the styles that you see in this store.

Right in the heart of Nottinghill, this store has everything that you love about a trendy boutique.

You feel as if you have been transported into another era, a golden time of chic cutting edge trends and Jackie Onassis!!

This is a must visit When in London


In the summertime when the weather's high,
you can stretch right up and touch the sky,
when the weather's fine,
you got sunglasses, you got sunglasses on your eyes.
Have a drink, have a drive,
go out and see what you can find.

For more info see:
All Saints Road in Notting Hill,

When in the blues kitchen - Swing your way into the early hours

Dirty Dancing just got a lot dirtier

It is always fun hearing live music. I love a little get down and boogy moment. However I find it very difficult to find these special places which have so much character and always put on a good show!

In the heart of Camden town is a place so cool that someone like Johnny Depp could not compare to this joint. If MTV were to film Muddy Water's crib this is what it would look and sound like.

The Blues Kitchen is a diner/bar which hosts great live performances almost every night. The food is that traditional all American food ( burgers, fries and ribs ( basically everything I love)) but you head back to the stage after a meal and a drink and you swing dance your way into the early hours of the morning.

The interior is rustic and raw and you are transported into another world of Jazz, with brass instruments dangling from the ceiling as light fittings, and tires littering the walls.

I felt as if Dirty Dancing had upped a level and we were in the pit of all things naughty and nice, the time of secret clubs in the prohibition age where we were the rebels of the night and no one could stop us from doing our thing

This is a must visit When in London

Ain't got the change of a nickel
Ain't got no bounce in my shoes
Ain't go no fancy to tickle
I ain't got nothing but the blues

Ain't got no coffee that's perking
Ain't got no winnings to lose
Ain't got a dream that is working
I ain't got nothing but the blues in the BLUES KITCHEN

for more info see:

111 - 113 Camden High Street
Greater London NW1 7JN

WHEN IN JEWELLERY - Jelena Behrend an artist of another kind

A trip into a story book 

Stepping into Jelena's studio downtown is like walking into a diary. Filled with memories, tools and inspiration this is every artist's dream.


Her ethic is based on individuality, everything having its own character and specialty. If you were to take a look at a Pollock or Rothko painting, and you would turn round to me and say ' Ha that is easy to copy!' I would tell you that there is not a chance that you could replicate the same substance as these artists did. Jelena is in the same category. Her pieces are simple but crafted with such care and personal attention that no matter what you see on the high street nowadays nothing compares to the history behind each one of her gems.


Her studio/showroom is a fantastic space, a museum of brick a brack which Jelena uses to merchandise and inspire. A long hall with shelves littered with old family photographs and candle sticks, books and letters, necklaces and tools, this place is a haven for all things creative.

At one end of the studio she has set up a showing space with her delicate collections, and as she showed me, she talked about her 'babies' and how she loves each characteristic of each individual piece.

It really struck me today that there was creative compassion still left in this industry. Jalena is living proof. Her work is her entire being and she lives and breathes craftsmanship.

This is a must visit When in New York

All of these gems and chains you see
Tell you the story of Jelena's past
So many stories of where she's been
And how she got to where she is
But these stories don't mean anything
When you've not got any jewellery too
It's true...her Jewels are made for you 

For more info see: 
http://jelenabehrendstudio.com/

WHEN IN LOUIS VUITTON - The Monet of all Luxury Brands

What came first the Bag or the Egg??


Now I know that this is slightly off topic for  a When in Fashion post, however I feel it only right that I should post something about this incredible brand.

Louis Vuitton is a store of timeless fashion, everlasting class and a dedicated team. I have spent three months here and have never seen so much compassion to a brand as the Louis Vuitton group possess.

Louis Vuitton is at the forefront of Visual Merchandising. With its creative team based in Paris, a dedicated North America group,  it strives for best in class actions and boy oh boy do they succeed.

If you take a look online at the Fashion Night Out windows for 5th Avenue,  you will understand why. Based on the FW11 catwalk show in Paris the windows are decked out with mini Kate Moss figurines, strutting their stuff over levels of catwalk which encompasses one of the gorgeous looks.

It is such a sight to behold that you feel engrossed by the sheer level of creative thought behind this window. This optical illusion is one of the many great things the brand does to keep the story of Louis Vuitton alive and I have come to love it.














In other stores windows there is a comic take on ostrich eggs hatching out shoes and wallets, Legs with bodies as bags walked by a lean and delicate mannequin. Simple yet beautifully structured, these walls keep you ' oohing' and 'ahhhing' and you wander- ' Which came first the Bag of the Egg???!!'

This is truly the Monet of windows, the Degas of presentation and the Cezanne of representation and I can't wait to see what they come up with next!


This is a must visit When in New York

Sometimes I feel like throwing my hands up in the air
I know I can count on you
Sometimes I feel like saying "Lord how they come up with that"
But you've got the Style I need To see me through



LV got the style 
LV got the style 
LV got the style 
LV got the style 
LV got the style 
LV got the style 


for more info see:
1 E. 57th St