Pam Hogg. London Fashion Week

For the gay guys and straight women, you can stare at the fashion and pretty men around the room.

For the straight guys and gay women, you can stare at the women and their immaculate figures. Oh, and the odd boob too.

For the majority of last night, I was flashing away on my Blackberry to catch shots of the latest collection from Pam Hogg for SS13. London Fashion Week is upon us. Another week of models strutting their stuff, designers showcasing the latest collections, and celebrities battling for FROW seats.

Pam Hogg was no exception last night. From Jaime Winstone to Alfie Allen, to Kate Nash and Nick Cave, this show was full to the rafters with many people turned away, and the reason was obvious. The collection was utterly different and flawless, especially with the model Alice Dellal taking to the catwalk for this too.


The camers are set.

Entitles 'Save Our Souls', the show opened like a minture concert. A model, cladded as a nurse, made her way down the catwalk whilst the music began to fill the air. As the lights came up, the collection of spandex inspired bodysuits floated down the floor. The theme of souls continued, with the models portraying a bewildered, lost-soul persona as they flaunted the collection.

Whilst these looked breathtakingly fantastic (and you know Jessie J will probably crack a few of them out), it wasn't until the wedding inspired dresses took to the runway that the room really applauded Hogg's work. Backless dresses, Queen Elizabeth inspired head pieces, this was my highlight of the show. It was more a case of what the models wasn't wearing, but the pieces were amazing. Although there may be a few eyebrows raised in the church should someone wear them to their wedding.

Oh, and straight guys, this is when you really would have wanted to pay attention.










Spot the blogger? Here is a clue... Furthest left

With the final walk of honour from the models, the entire crowd rose to a standing applause as the designer made her way down the catwalk. The lights came back up, and we made our way out of venue, discussing the collection we had just seen.

Oh, a quick pose outside the venue before heading out to dinner.

I chose loafers from Aldo. Blue Skinny jeans from Topman. Plain White Tee from River Island. Cream Blazer from Zara.

Frankie chose her dress from Topshop, and a vintage denim jacket.

London Fashion Week continues until Tuesday, 18th September. Go here for more info!

The Windsor Castle

To find a country-like pub in the middle of London is sometimes a bit of a mission.

So you can imagine my excitement when I found just that, but it also made me feel like a hobbit at the same time! Perfect!

The temptation to walk around bare foot and find Gandalf was almost over-whelming, though I resisted!

The Windsor Castle, in Kensington, is a little gem that makes you feel like you are out of London and amongst the fields with the dogs by the fire. With the rain splashing against the window, all I needed was my wellies!

With a great food menu (I went for the Rump Steak which was to die for!) and a jug of Pimms a mere £14, you come away with a full stomach and a tipsy head.


Apologies for the slight blur... Camera Phone!

Once inside, it was hard to remember that you are a full height human, not a hobbit, when going through the small doors! Especially after a couple of drinks. All they needed was the theme music to the films and you would have felt right in the heart of Hobbiton.

Luckily, the great atmosphere made you feel like you were part of the family and after a few bangs to the head, I got used to the small door frames!


Fit for any Hobbit-Wannabe!

Just make sure you don't bump your head!

 What is even better about The Windsor Castle is the FREE Bloody Mary you can have when you visit. Yes, FREE and Bloody. Just don't make your own by hitting your head!

All you need to do is follow the steps on the chalk board next to the bar, or join the mailing list by clicking here!

A free drink, and feel like a hobbit. What is not to like in there?

The Diamond Jubilee

'I will not see something like this again, so I am coming to London to see the Flotillia!'

Those were the words that echoed down the phone from my mum, and a few days later I was greeting her at Waterloo with open arms, ready for a few days of walking around London to take in the atmosphere!



The rumours that Harrods had decorated the front of the store to replicate Bucks Palace seemed to be partly true. Still, we went on in to visit Cafe Godiva. This is a little chocolate heaven on the second floor, and after tucking into a chocolate fondue you feel like you are on cloud 9.



From there, we took in more atmosphere around Oxford and Regent Street, before heading down for Afternoon Tea at Fortnum and Mason. Set in the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon on 4th, the food was so tasty that I even contemplated getting a second portion.



We even stayed on theme and chose the Jubilee Tea from the selection. After all, it did say it was 'truly fit for a queen.'


Oh, if you insist!


The BEST Lobster Omlette





Flotillia day was spent taking in the atmosphere along the thames, with me and mum walking from Westminster to Battersea to really take in the excitement. Some people said it was chaotic, we said it was fun and British.

People even broke into building sites to get a view of the queen.

Fortunately, we found the perfect spot just up by Battersea, which had a view in both directions. With our flags waving and champagne being popped, we joined in with the crowds cheers and excitement as she passed.





 

Lizzy Lizzy, Give us a wave!

Following that, we made our way back to the tube before the HUGE crowds left, and made it home in time to catch the fireworks on Tower bridge.With a huge smile on mums face, and my goosebumps still tingling from the music, we headed back to Wiltshire that evening. 'My feet are so sore, but that was worth every moment.'

The London Diary

I know I haven't written a post for a looonnggg time (part neglect, part NeverHadAMomentTo) so what is better than to quickly fill you in on whats been occuring!

I finally became a Londoner back in March, and since then have been finding my feet in the big city! The first day was daunting, moving into a new apartment in a big city and starting a brand new job. Coming from a small Wiltshire town, to staring up at this big sky scraper was scary enough, not to mention walking into a new place of work and meeting new people!

Luckily, where I work is fantastic, and the people are even better! )Who knew that having a bar on the 9th floor would be so convenient, or that I would rekindle my love for Nandos on a near-daily basis. What's more, I get to view London from my desk whilst working away. PERFECT start!

Over the next few weeks, I got to learn the position inside out, upside down, back to front, until I finally grasped everything and am ready to roll. The team I work with are brilliant, and all enjoy a bit of shopping too so even better! The social side isn't too shabby either, with work drinks and lunches always on an agenda. What's more, Thursday afternoon is wine afternoon, so sometimes a cheeky bottle will make it onto the desk.

There was even a chocolate surprise at easter!

So whilst work has been going great, the social side of being in London has been getting along too! Meeting LOADS of new people, catching up with old friends, and having friends visit from home have been taking up a lot of my time. The London Lifestyle has really taken ahold of me, with resturants and wine becomming very close friends of mine, and the bank balance becomming my enemy!

As time has gone on, I have really found my feet and starting to really get to know London, which I will share with you through here! From having drinks in Claridges, to attending the Attitude 18th Birthday, there is so much you can do!

This is definitely for me, and the only way I will slow down is if my body can't cope anymore. It's doing pretty well at the moment!

Bending it with Beckham

There are those moments in life where you literally have to pinch yourself to realise what is going on. otherwise you get completely lost in the moment and before you know it, it's over.

I was up in London on Wednesday for a few more interviews, again wearing my same interview outfit as I blogged about last week! It is always a nice outfit to wear, and after a few hours of answering questions I found myself wandering around Oxford Circus, having a browse in the shops.

I had no idea that H&M were launching the David Beckham underwear range on Wednesday at their flagship near Oxford Circus, so you can imagine my delight when I saw the window display. I snapped a picture and facebook'd it, before carrying on having a browse round before I went to meet my friend later that evening.

Stood freezing cold at Plimlico underground station and craving a visit to ChinaTown, I finally caught up with my friend.  Already knowing that he had just come from an event, and due to his connections with work, I had a feeling it HAD to be something relating to the H&M launch, so you can imagine my excitement when he told me that I also had entry to the event... I think the people at the bottom of the escalator heard me scream Oh My God when he told me that it was the David Beckham evening bash I was going to. Sod the chinese, I was off to the hottest party in town!

Composing myself, we headed off to the location (stopping at a pub on the way so I could sort out my tube-blown hair and add some aftershave- my outfit was staying the same as I didn't have an iron!). Held in a Hotel in Millbank, I walked up to the front, dodging the paparazzi and few fans that had gathered, and was greeted with a huge statue of David Beckham himself. Only a few hours ago I had Facebook'd a picture of the same, smaller statue in the window display, and now here I am at the Party!

After checking my bag in, I made my way upstairs to the main room and before my eyes were a range of celebrities. I was in awe and had to pinch myself a few times to remind myself that I wasn't dreaming. I was a HUGE Spice Girl fan, so to see Emma Bunton and her husband laughing away was crazy for me. The same for Jessica Ennis, who I have adored and followed her career since she started out in Athletics. Bear Grills was chatting away to Dermot O'Leary to my right, and a whole host of other celebs were mingling and enjoying the atmosphere.

Trying not to let the screaming fan inside me take over, I grabbed a glass of champagne and started to mingle with my friend and his work collegues, and whoever they were talking to. The champagne kept getting poured, and there was canapes offered around although I chose not to eat in case I ended up spilling something!

Then, around half an hour after I arrived, David Beckham himself walked into the room. Literally 5 metres away from me. For me, it was another pinch yourself moment as he walked through the crowd, posing for photos for the newspapers with other celebs like Rizzle Kicks. I had already whipped my phone out and done a Facebook status, and then we started to move around and get talking to people.

I met a couple of lovely girls call Tali and Hattie, who introduced to me a Bloody Mary and spent quite a lot of the evening with. Laughing away and enjoying the night, watching as the chefs brought out the most amazing dessert trolley I have ever seen.

My quest for a photo with David was looking like it wasn't going to happen, because he was constantly surrounded by celebrities and other people congratulating him on the launch, and being interviewed by a few press members. However, when he came to talk to my friends group who he knew anyways, I thought I had to ask as it was now or never! So I walked over and said: 'Excuse me David, but can I get a picture because my mum adores you,' to which he said was absolutely fine! First name terms there! His manager tried to not have the picture taken, but I used my charm and she was happy to let me pose. You can imagine my excitement when he put his arm around my back and I did the same to him! It was Bromance from there!



Snap Snap and the pictures done, I thanked him for the evening and the photo, then he turned to start talking to another group of people. I had just spoken to, and buddied up with David Beckham for a photo! I was literally speechless.

Carrying on sipping the alcohol, which was now a vodka and lemonade, we chatted away to more people until I saw Jess Ennis was stood with her partner just across from me. Sod it, I have had a couple of drinks and feeling confident after asking Mr 'Goldenballs' for a picture, it was time to wish her good luck for this year. We went over, I started chatting to her and my friend complimented her dress, and had a right little laugh. She was so sweet and genuine, and really made my night even more better. It was like a dream come true in a non-cheesy way!

The star of the evening had already left, but not before saying goodbye to us and letting me thank him once again for the Bromance pose we had! With the alcohol still flowing, we continued to party the evening away with some friends, had our photos taken by some photographers (photos can be found here), and stood on Bridget Nelson Husbands foot (Of course, I apologised). Like all good things, the party drew to a close and we made our way to the exits.

On the way out we were given a goody bag each with some items inside. The last time I had a goody bag was at freshers fair, and that contained a few flyers and some penny sweets. A David Beckham goody bag on the other hand, was amazing. Two pieces from his new collection (I got the underwear and t-shirt), a bottle of his newest fragrance which smells amazing, and a smaller statue of him. It is like an oscar, and weighs a tonne! The following day I was sat on the tube with my bag in hand, and the woman opposite was looking at pictures in the paper of the celebs leaving with their goody bags, looked at mine and smiled. Little ol' me with my DB bag :D

Me and my friend made it to the tube station, and headed up to finally grab that chinese in China Town! It was worth putting off for a few hours, and was delicious! I always find China Town to be fascinating, and even more attractive after a few vodkas and the urge to eat growing by the second. The excitement of the night was still running through me untill I passed out when I got back to my friends.

The next morning I woke up, and headed off to one of my interviews with a sense of bewilderness. This was one of the hottest A-List parties in town, and I was able to meet some of my idols that night. It might sound cheesy or corny, but I had such a fantastic time! David Beckham met the Wiltshire Country Boy! High 5 for that :D

And yes, I am still pinching myself now.

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