FRIDAY'S FFFFOUND: BRASSAï

 

going to the Brassaï, Pour l'amour de Paris exhibition at Hôtel de Ville

with my brother and sister-in-law who are visiting this weekend. Have a good one!

SOMETHING BLUE

Even though it was many moons ago now, here's an outfit I wore to London Fashion Week in September, featuring a peacock blue hat from Hobbs' sister brand NW3, an ASOS wrap pencil dress and my Alexander McQueen cut out sandals.

The hat is made from wool with a grosgrain ribbon bow and is probably one of those outlandish accessories you should only wear with pared down, simple items, but I figured anything goes at LFW so wore it with clashing navy blue and my fabulous bright pink lace ups.

GEORGES BRAQUE EXHIBITION

Georges Braque was one of the twentieth century's major artists and leading figures in the avant-garde, belonging to a generation of artists which, in the opening years of the 20th century, invented modern art as we know it.  The Braque exhibition at the Grand Palais opened my eyes to the huge variety of his works, from across many disciplines - paintings, engravings and sculptures - various movements and styles, including Cubism - which he founded in 1908 with solid, timeless landscapes - Impressionism, Fauvism and pasted papers and exploring various themes, over many years.

L’oiseau noir et l’oiseau blanc,1960

The French artist challenged colour and line, reflected on space and changed between adventure and method, rigour and emotion before focusing on methodical series of still life and landscape painting, including the large scale series of studios and the famous birds.

In 1953 the Louvre invited a modern artist to add to its collections for the first time ever, for which Braques created three majestic paintings of flying birds for the ceiling of the museum. This retrospective features the birds series and showcases all the periods from across his vast career, gathering the artist's key works and features unpublished works, documents and photographs.

Georges Braque at the Grand Palais, 18 September 2013 – 6 January 2014  

OCTOBER INSTAGRAM PHOTOS

I spent October exploring Paris and getting to know the city through its boulangeries, cafes, brasseries, filled concert halls, quiet streets, packed tourist spots and museums and galleries, where I visited the Erwin Blumenfeld photography exhibition at Jeu de Paume, the Alaia expo at the Palais Galleria, Assouline's event for the Art Jewels book by Suzanne Syz and the one night only Nuit Blanche across Paris.

1. obligatory Tour Eiffel visit 2. Tarte aux fruits at Les Deux Magots in Saint Germain 3. my favourite Erwin Blumenfeld photograph 4. pretty pink roses (living by a florist is encouraging my costly fresh flowers addiction) 5. English girl in Paris 6. sunset on the Seine 7. nice evening at a unique little gallery celebrating Suzanne Syz's new Art Jewels book 8. Place de la République during Nuit Blanche 9. grand old door

1. fantasy dressing at the Alaïa exposition 2. nice day for the 20km de Paris 3. Alt-J at the Olympia 4. empty street 5. the iconic yellow raincoat by Petit Bateau 6. the Louvre 7. Halloween 8. Friday night drinks on the Nouvelle Seine péniche 9. quick fraises, framboises et Champagne stop at Café Marly

FRIDAY'S FFFOUND: CHAMPS ELYSEE

hitting the Christmas market this weekend.  Have a good one!

BLACK FLORAL PRINT

This black floral knee length, cowl neck dress from Monsoon is a new work staple.  Sensible length, easy to wear with simple black tight and shoes, but far from boring with a bright, colourful print.

Another high street treat is this pair of black pointed court shoes from M&S, as seen in Vogue and pretty much permanently on my feet since September. The conservative heel height means you can wear them all day and night and don't have to carry a pair of flats in your bag as respite for silly high heels.  Marks and Spencer, I salute you.

CORFU

This summer, I spent a glorious week at a beautiful villa in Corfu, the tan lines from which have now completely faded; come back, summer!  We stayed in Benitses, a tiny fishing village with a small marina and an old harbour with a handful of restaurants and traditional tavernas scattered along the waterfront serving fresh fish, cold mezze, souvlaki, grilled halloumi cheese and daily Greek salads with local beers and wines.

MOLTON BROWN PRESSIES

It's time to up the ante of my already-bordering-on-obsessive hand lotion application.  And get the gloves out too!  Luxury British bath, body and skincare brand Molton Brown has a selection of replenishing hand creams made with decadent white truffle extract.

The warm, wintry fragrances of Coco & Sandalwood, Gingerlily, Orange & Bergamot, Pink Pepperpod and Ylang-Ylang infuse the instantly absorbed cream for soft, moisturised hands.

The giftbox features a set of three, for one at home, one at home and one on the go.  Plus, if you spend more than £50, enter code ENRICH at the checkout for free delivery and a free 300ml hand or body lotion worth up to £25. Because who doesn't like to work on the one gift for them, one for you basis at Christmas time?

ALAIA EXHIBITION

I recently spent a glorious afternoon taking in Azzedine Alaïa's designs at the newly-renovated Palais Galliera, at the Tunisian-born designer's first retrospective in Paris.  The exhibition features a selection of seventy models from across his impressive career.  The couturier's draped, sculptural, bodycon designs in jersey, stretch knit and leather, switching between elegant and sexy, make you never want to dress casually again.

BLACK AND BLUE

At first I wasn't sure about buying these over the knee boots from ALDO as they're not genuine leather, but I gave in earlier this autumn in London because I was looking for an OTK boot with only the slightest of heel and this height is perfect. The fabric is thinner than suede, so it moulds to your skin and isn't stiff. The sole has a small block heel measuring a couple of centimetres so are basically flat, perfect for walking around Paris.  

Continuing the high street theme and also breaking my rule of only wearing real leather, I'm wearing a Forever 21 jacket with pleather sleeves (and leather studded bag) and sticking to a simple colour palette of black and blue with a long sleeve ribbed dress which I picked up with a Pull and Bear voucher.

KATE MOSS AND JOHN GALLIANO IN VOGUE

I'm probably not alone when I say that I'm still not really sure how I feel about John Galliano after his angry anti-semitic rant in restaurant in Paris a couple of years ago, but I am kinda pleased he's made a return to the spotlight, guest-editing the December 2013 issue of Vogue, because this Tim Walker shoot is beautiful.

Entitled Fantastia and featuring the British designer alongside his BFF Kate Moss in her 34th Vogue covershoot, the photos feature vintage-inspired clothes and a fantastic set complete with exploding piano. I do love the Christmas issues for their fairytale storytelling, especially when Mr Walker is at the lens.

FRIDAY'S FFFFOUND: THE BEST CITY IN THE WORLD?

My goodness it's definitely high up on the list. Bonne week-end!

ENGLISH GIRL IN PARIS

Oh no you didn't...  I may be a Francophile with a penchant for fancy dress, currently enjoying a stint in Paris, but I would never go that far - I took the beret off before leaving the house don't you worry.

As much as I love my vintage Jaeger hat and new Petit Bateau breton stripe top (iconic sailor stripes from a classic French brand? Oui SVP!), never the twain shall meet or you look like a silly tourist in costume.  Now, where's my string of onions?

CHRISTMAS MUGS

My family is big on Christmas mugs.  We've each had our own since I can remember and we pack them up in the attic with all the decorations so we only see them in December. The collection has grown so that guests can join in the festivities, but if someone drinks from my mug (a tasteful Dickensian hand-painted Christmas scene) they are in serious trouble.

Red and White Christmas Town Mugs

CANDY FLOSS PINK

I'm currently digging the girliest colour known to man: candy floss pink.  Whether it's near-nude blush pink nails, dusty pink walls, editorials featuring marshmallow blonde hair, one of this season's many pink coats, frosty pale pink lips, dreamy autumnal sunsets, vintage girl's bike frames or delicate lace lingerie, it's catching my eye. Here are some of my favourite moodboard photos featuring the pretty hue.

Abbey Lee Kershaw with pink hair

J CREW IN THE UK

London welcomed J.Crew to the UK last week with open arms as its first European flagship store opened on Regent Street. It may be a few months before I can visit the new store back in Blighty, but I'm satisfying my appetite with the latest lookbook featuring a fresh, masculine mix of sleek sportswear and smart workwear.

As always with the American fashion brand, the magic is in the styling, like pairing a brocade patterned blazer with bright white New Balance trainers and layering a casual quilted satin sweatshirt over a smart button down shirt and finishing with a snapback cap.

FRIDAY'S FFFFOUND: FRENCH RUGBY TEAM

I'll be visiting the Stade de France for the first time this weekend to watch France vs New Zealand.  Despite being more of a football (Spurs) than rugby girl, I just really like supporting the French national rugby team...

BOUTON POPPY BROOCH

New British jewellery brand Bouton has created a gorgeous bejewelled poppy brooch for Remembrance Day on 11 November, with part of their profits going to support The Royal British Legion.

The commemorative brooches feature a flawlessly cut 1 carat ruby red simulated stone, hand set onto 925 sterling silver using a unique micro pavé setting and is a great way to support a charity close to the nation's heart.

PATENT LEATHER BROGUES

The black patent leather Agnes brogues from Hobbs add a masculine edge to feminine outfits and smarten up casual looks, with their traditional punch hole pattern and pinking detail updated with a modern block heel. 

CHAMPAGNE SAUCERS

Coupes are my favourite Champagne glasses, I much rather them to the usual flutes.  There's something so glamorously old school about elegant crystal saucers and they conjure up Gatsby parties, old Hollywood, chic black tie events and the rip-roaring 20s.

NEW NUDE

Today I'm singing the praises of Bourjois's fast-drying Nail Enamel 1 Seconde varnishes, a range of nail polishes which don't quite live up to their name, but do dry very quickly.  The French beauty brand believes that changing your nail colour should be as easy as changing jewellery or accessories so have developed a range of products with pleasingly fast drying times.

I was sent a few shades to try and I'm enjoying the Grandma-chic beige colour as an alternative to the lighter, creamier Topshop nude colour I love. The precise fan-effect brush provides good coverage and a neat finish, so it really does only require one, easy stroke. If you're as impatient with waiting for your nails to dry as I am, give it a go.  And as it's from mass market Bourjois Paris, it's cheap as chips too.

THE YELLOW RAINCOAT

November's here and when it rains, it pours... Time to get out your trusty raincoat. The most iconic raincoat, in my humble, Francophilic opinion, is the bright yellow ciré from Petit Bateau.

The French brand celebrates its 120th anniversary this year and continues to revisit classics, from basic underwear in good quality cotton and second skin lycra, to the ever-present breton stripes, which no wardrobe should be without.  If you like bright colours and staying dry, this is the jacket for you.

FRIDAY'S FFFFOUND: AMOUR