WHEN IN OAK - Setting the pace for the trend race

A Love affair with Forward thinking Fashion

I am very easily excited. Many people say that I laugh at pretty much anything. My response is - I am a genuinely happy person. But nothing makes me happier when I find an item of clothing that embodies everything I love about fashion. Or a store that has 'Welcome - You are our favourite customer' written in lights above the doors. ( a little dramatic, but I love it )

On Bond street ( not the one in London- there is one in New York too) there is a store which brings that independent one of a kind fashion to the streets of New York. A melange of designers such as Margiela, Acne, Theory and Wang- creates this delicious concoction of young fresh pieces.

Now I know that you can buy Wang and Theory etc. in most major fashion stores however what Oak achieves is different. They have pulled together the very best in the collection, the very individual pieces to create a perfect unique store.

It has this muted feeling when you walk in- very simple, very plain not deviating from the focal point of the interesting clothes. However it has this avant garde weird sensation as if you have stepped into another universe. A universe where everyone is at the top of the fashion radar.

The selection of accessories is equally as good and interesting as the clothing. I am in a love affair with their selection of rings. Armored and riveted, silver and gold.

What I also liked about the store is that nothing seemed to go over a certain price point. The pieces start from around 50 dollars for something from Cheap Monday to about 450 dollars for something from Maison Margilea. So if you are the kind of person who likes to be different in your dress sense and you are willing to pay a little more than standard pricing then Oak is definitely for you. It is for the fashion forward buyer who wants to set the pace for the trend race. I am already putting on my running shoes!

This is a must visit When in New York

Happiness, hit her like a train on a track
Coming towards her, stuck don't want to turn back
She look around all corners and she looked on the rails
She looked downstairs and looked every where
With every step her heart light up
And pounded and beated it could not stop

The dog days are over
The dog days are done
OAK fashion is coming
So you better run

for more info see:
28 Bond Street
New York, NY 10012

WHEN IN BOND 07 BY SELIMA - A Magical Vintage Emporium

Patricia- How could you keep this a secret?!



Vintage. It is a word you hear often nowadays when it comes to fashion. Vintage stores, vintage styles, vintage inspiration. Everywhere you go there is some kind of reference to a style that is vintage.

Walking through Soho I stumbled upon a store that can only be describe as a magical vintage emporium. Filled from front to back with fabulous designer finds and some amazing jewelry.

You walk in and its like you have been given the key to Patricia Fields secret stash of clothes that Carrie Bradshaw would have worn. Pieces from all over the fashion world this place is swarming with choice. Ironically this store's main item is glasses, however it holds a variety of every accessory.

You wander through and all you can do is stare in awe at pieces throughout the ages which are sooo on trend. It is like your very own fashion history lesson which is lot more fun than listening to facts nfon the cold war for the hundredth time!!

My advice would be - If you are out shopping and you want to buy 1 really special  piece that no one else will have, then this is the place to go. Mix it with a modern piece of jewelry and check out their museum of beautiful Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Gucci handbags.

It is really a breathe of fresh air to see a vintage store where the clothes aren't moth eaten or dusty or have that annoying 'old' smell. It is so good to see a place where vintage is revamped and renewed to make it modern and so accessible to you and to me.

This is a must visit When in New York

Sitting here I'm eating my heart out baby
waiting for some great fashion to come
seen about a 1000 stores baby
none of which my feelings are strong!


Looking for some Vintage baby this evening
I need Vintage baby tonight
I want some Vintage baby this evening
gotta have Vintage  - God I need something from the store Selima tonight


For more info see:
7 Bond Street bet. Broadway and Lafayette
NYC, NY 10012

BLK DNM - Your own Personal wardrobe

Effortless styling 

Due to working for a denim brand for a year, I really appreciate good quality and simple fits. I haven't been able to find many brands, who incorporate cutting edge good fits with good pricing. Whilst walking around Soho the other day I walked into a store which defines the word ' Cool'  BLK DNM is a huge industrial looking space which includes simple fabrics into modern outfits. A very muted colour pallet outlines the space of nude, white, black and stone with the occasional bottle green.

If Johnny Cash had a shop this is what it would look like. Industrial, raw and simple.

 It takes items like the jersey T to another level. Stunning leather biker jackets, over sized white shirts, fitted suit jackets with a twist and simple washed denim create a staple wardrobe. I won't lie and tell you everything is for a dime, you are paying Soho prices, however nothing beats quality. A quality which is not really high street and not really high fashion so it meets right in the middle of the price pyramid. When I come to think of it though, for a jersey T shirt from somewhere like American Apparel you are paying at least 20 -25 dollars if not more. In BLK DNM you will pay 50 dollars for a jersey T, but one that doesn't pill, snag or tear after washing it twice.

The styling is that effortless cool trend which any supermodel sports. I had a particular eye on this maxi skirt which has 2 layers and floats as if you are ice skating on a catwalk.

This store is ideal if you are hip, trend focused and want to revamp your wardrobes with staple items.

This is a must visit When in New York

Your own, personal, wardrobe
someone to hear your prayers,
someone who cares

Your own, personal, wardrobe
someone to hear your prayers,
someone who's there


For more info see: 

237 Lafayette Street

New York, NY 10012

WHEN IN FUNKY SOUL POTATO - Eat that funky soul Potato Baby!

The Spud with Soul

I am a girl ( with expensive shopping taste!) with a simple eating pallet. I like my meat, I like my veg and I LOVE my potatoes. Now there is a place in the world that mixes the spud and gourmet tastes together. This place is called Funky soul Potato. It sits on the corner of the main museum square surrounded by the trendy restaurants, bars and clubs all where you go to be seen.

The menu is simple, potato, potato, potato, potato and more potato. However please note that these are not normal size spuds, they are giants! The fillings range from zucchini and goats cheese, to curry and lamb, there is no shortage of choice.

Even though it has the gourmet element, what I really like is the humour this place brings to food. Names like boogie wonderlamb and Free Willy ( a tuna based filling of course) or Mustang Sally ( for the all American cheddar cheese and beacon), you really enjoy the dining experience. I sometimes feel that when you go to a restaurant and you take a look at the menu, the long drawn out names with the everlasting descriptions littered with adjectives becomes a process in itself to choose from. Funky soul takes the concept of choice and makes it fun!

What better way to spend you day in Antwerp than to take a stroll around the south visiting great boutiques and then enjoying a real hearty meal at Funky Soul.

This is a must visit When in Antwerp

Eat that funky soul potato baby
Eat that funky soul potato right
Eat that funky soul potato baby
Get down  with the boogie and eat that funky potato
Tonight! 

for more info see:
Volkstraat 76
2000 ANTWERPEN

WHEN IN THE TATE MODERN - A Giant in the Art World

The official home of modern Ideas 

What to do on a rainy afternoon? I could go spend time in the Westfield center, but I have seen it all before, I don't want to run from shop to shop getting soaked. I could sit in a coffee shop and watch the world go by, but 3 lattes is definitely my limit.

On rainy days I take myself to the museums. Especially the Tate Modern. It never gets boring walking through the main entrance to see that vast stretch of open space. You have to catch your breathe for a minute. You stand in the middle of the entrance just looking up and all you see is light - pure, and natural light.

I love wondering around the huge hall spaces admiring the works of Jackson Pollock, Patrick Heron, Brancusi and Kandinsky ( to name a few) - artists who created ideas of the modern world.

You look out through one of the tall windows and you peer into the sights of London. For a split second you feel like a giant and you have total power over the city below.


The Tate Modern always has great exhibitions on so you are never disappointed. Whether it is Miro or Rothko, the Tate is totally equip to house these giants for you to visit.

There is this level of inter-activeness which I feel is so important to the Tate Modern. You feel very close to the art, rather than separated by barriers. It might be due to the size of the gallery, however it creates that personal experience which I believe lacks in many art galleries.

In addition the museum has one of the best book stores for art I have ever been to. I always find something great to take home with me. A little piece of modern art to call my own!

Come rain or shine this is a must visit When in London

All around me are familiar faces
Painted places, sketched and installations 
Bright and light  for the daily races
Walking through, walking through 


And I find it always interesting, I find it kind of great
The dreams in which I'm here are the best in any case
I find it hard to tell you, you need to see yourself 
When people walk into the the Tate it's a very very  
Modern world, modern world


For more info see:
Bankside
London SE1 9TG

WHEN IN L'EPICERIE DU CIRQUE - Food Glorious Food

'This is not just food- this is Belgium food!'

Eating in Belgium is a wonderful dining experience. Over a year I can safely say that I was fed well. Rich food, with gorgeous sauces, meat which tastes like velvet, the home of the french fry , delicate smooth Belgium chocolate desserts....hmmmmm I could go on forever ( I feel like the woman from the Marks and Spencer advert- 'This is not just food, this is Belgium food' with her sexy deep voice whilst you watch dripping succulent images of what you might have for dinner)

Off the main square in the heart of the south in Antwerp is a little place called l'épicerie du cirque. It is a small, simple and modern tavern which seats probably no more than 15 people. The menu is simple food with that extra twist which you don't notice until it is placed in front of you.

I can safely say that if food could talk the filet that I had there would say ' OH MY GOD - HMMMMMMMMMMMM'  I literally could not bring out the words comprehensively to explain my feeling of sheer joy in eating at this little place.

I started with the filet and season greens which had been lightly marinated in the most gorgeous sauce. I then had the chocolate fondant with home made raspberry sorbet which was like that warm feeling in the winter where you put on your thickest socks and woolliest jumper and sit with a thick hot chocolate on the most cushiony, velvety sofa. ( I am a tad dramatic - but that's how I felt)

Accompanied by great wine and great company this was a perfect evening with food that made you think of home.

This is a must visit When in Antwerp

Food glorious food
Velvet filet, greens and dijon mustard
Chocolate, cream and fruit smoother than the best custard
Fish, sides and pastry
Sauces so rich and so tasty
L'epicerie du Cirque!

for more info see:
Leopold de Waelstraat 7
2000 Antwerpen, Belgium

WHEN IN CLOAK AND DAGGER- New York's walk in wardrobe!

Walk in to your secret wardrobe annex!

I love the east village in New York. It is full of students and funky hang outs so I feel right at home. However every area of the big apple never fails to do anything without style!

I skip a long - kitten heels, floaty skirt, swinging my handbag, grinning exposing my entire case of teeth, the sun is shining and people are happy.... what a a glorious occassion for...Cloak and Dagger!

This little boutique is located in the typical New York neighbourhood, fire escapes and all. Red brick buildings and locals walking their pooches- this is the scene out of any New York movie.

Cloak and Dagger is one of the stores that sits quietly on 9th street, through the slumbering lull of the east village during the day. It is a small boutique with two small walls of clothing. But this is a store where the phrase 'Quality rather than quantity' really fits. However the space that they have they use well!

The store is decked out from head to toe with little trinkets and cute outfits perfect for the fashion loving gal who wants to be quirky. It has an antique vintage feel to it which makes it so appealing. Even though the clothes have that feminine  touch, check out the accessories which are a little more risque and funky. Rings that fit over three finger, ones that could knock your teeth out, necklaces with millions of chains, gothic, retro, vintatge, modern... the list could go on.

This is a must visit When in New York

Some boys kiss me, some boys hug me
I think they're O.K.
If they don't give me something from Cloak and Dagger
I just walk away

Living in a material world
And I am a material girl
You know that we are living in a material world
And I am a material girl

for more info see:

441 East 9th Street
New York, NY 10009-4958