Patricia Field at Marks & Spencer.....

Patricia Field 2008

In case you didn't know, the legendary Patricia Field, Sex and the City Stylist, teamed up with high street giant Marks and Spencer to design a one-off capsule collection. The celebrity stylist best known for popularizing the mismatched style of Carrie Bradshaw and making Manolo Blahnik an expensive habit, showcased this exclusive collection on the catwalk of New York Fashion Week last month.


Patricia Field, 'Destination New York', New York Fashion Week 2008

An unlikely collaboration you may ask but with Field and her ‘midas touch' combined with Marks and Spencer's exceptionally high standards of quality, it's destined to be a match made in retail heaven! The 35-piece range is inspired by Field’s own definitive style and the key trends from the SATC series and movie. SATC fans can snap up reworked versions of floral print dresses, jumbo corsages and the studded belt that SJP loved so much that she wore it in almost every scene of the movie. I have my eye on the gorgeous sequin dress (below) a scarf and clutch bag which are timeless pieces that can be matched up with anything.


Black Sequin dress, £125

I wish they had produced a version of the greenish tutu dress that Carrie wore in the final episode of the series. This was my favourite dress and I think Sarah Jessica Parker looked really beautiful in those scenes.


Sex and the City, An American Girl in Paris (Part Deux) 2004, HBO

The Patricia Field collection for M&S will feature 40 dresses, starting as low as £40, in sizes 8-20, as well as tights, shoes, and scarves, from £15 and graffiti-print shoppers, at £2. Get your sleeping bags at the ready! Judging by the success of other celebrity designer collaborations such as H&M, don’t be surprised to find die-hard fashionistas camping outside M&S the night before the launch. I know, M&S!! Who would have thought that anyone would get excited over M&S even though they have revamped their image with the ‘Twiggy’ campaigns, but this is an opportunity not to be missed.



The new range known as, ‘Destination Style™ New York’ will hit stores nationwide on the 16th October and will be available through selected partners internationally. But if you happen to be in London on the 15th, you can meet Patricia Field at M&S Marble Arch where she will be hosting a champagne reception to launch the collection.

Get SATC style at M&S prices. I'll beat you to the check out (online)!!!!

L.O.V.E is Coco Mademoiselle..

I am loving the new Chanel Coco Mademoiselle ad with the stunning Keira Knightly and catchy Joss Stone soundtrack. This beautiful song makes me want to grab my partner, put on that LBD with some sexy heels and dance under a moonlit sky. It reminds me of those romantic perfume ads of the 80s that would always come on just in time for Christmas. I know its a bit early but I think this will make the perfect Valentines tune. Check it out!!

I'm back!

I have just returned from a trip to the UK where everyone seems to be in low spirits. Its not surprising really when the country is awash with the worst August on record, credit crunch and a possible recession on the way. I didn't get the opportunity to bag many bargains as my sole reason for going was to spend time with my sister who was celebrating her 30th birthday. There wasn't much worth buying anyway as the retailers were transitioning from summer to winter, although I did manage to pick up a pair of cool red espadrilles from Tesco supermarket for £7.50. I will be putting them away for next Summer as the winter is fast approaching. We will have to start putting the heating on soon!!!



One of the highlights of my trip was meeting the dynamic talented actress Josette Bushell-Mingo who was on the same flight. Josette is an award winning actor and director with an O.B.E (Order of the British Empire) to her name. I had the opportunity to see her last performance as an actor in Anthony and Cleopatra at the Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester in 2005. She is currently directing 'When We Dead Awaken' by Henrik Ibsen for Tyst Teater (The silent Theatre)in collaboration with Västerbottenteatern (Skellefteå) and Unity Theatre in Liverpool (explains travel to Liverpool). Tryst which specializes in producing quality theatre in sign language for deaf people is part of Riksteatern, Sweden’s leading national touring theatre. I was surprised to learn that Josette has been living in Stockholm for years, travelling back and forth to the UK at the weekends and she lives 2 stops away from me on the Tunnelbanna. It is a small world!!


Anthony and Cleopatra, Royal Exchange Theatre, 2005

Following it’s UK premier at Unity 'When We Dead Awaken' will tour Sweden. You can see it at Riksteatern from 23 November 2008.

Best foot forward - Hetty Rose shoes

Hana, Hetty Rose, 2008

I discovered the website of the talented Hetty Rose about a year ago and I have been visiting the site ever since. Hetty Rose creates the most beautiful bespoke shoes using exquisite vintage Japanese kimono fabrics. The kimono fabrics are bright and luxuriant in detail, and each has its own story since the patterns are very symbolic.

Kimono Clutch, Hetty Rose, 2008

A graduate of London College of Fashion, Hetty is leaving her footprint on the fashion scene with her eco-friendly philosophy of reusing vintage fabrics in a sustainable way to create her stylish Kimono collections which are all handmade to order. The new Kimono 2 Collection launched April 2008, includes some fab bags to complement this timeless collection. I particularly love the 'Kimono' Clutch (£135) which will glam up any outfit from jeans to that special little black dress. Shoes start at £220 and bags at £115 from The Natural Store.

Sex and the City Style - Patricia Field Bondage Polly

As you may have guessed, I am huge SATC fan and like many fans I would give anything to own Carries's wardrobe. I would love the Extreme Dior Gladiator Platform shoes that Carrie wore in the movie but at $770, they are way out of my budget. So imagine my delight when I discovered that SATC's very only stylist, Patricia Field has created her own version of the shoe incorporating her unique style and a less daunting heel. Patricia Field's brand is not for the fainted hearted but I think these shoes are cool and would set you apart from the thousands of Carrie wanabees wearing the Dior copies which are now sold out on sites such as ASOS. At $170, these are a steal and would look great with summer dresses or skinny jeans like the ones below by Cheap Monday, now 200SEK (available at Urban Outfitters and Weekday).


Cheap Monday Violet Ice Tight Jeans

"Friendships never go out of style.."

Sex and the City Movie, New Line Cinema, 2008

Well the movie is finally out in Sweden but I had the opportunity to see it in the UK while I was on a visit there a few weeks ago. In one word, it was just FABULOUS!!! It was the perfect ending for the 4 girls and I think that it was great that the creators finally injected some much needed diversity into the story by adding the St. Louise character (tokenism aside), played by the talented Jennifer Hudson. After all, New York is one of the most multi-cultural cities in the world and SATC attracts fans from all races! Although I will miss SATC, I really hope that they don't spoil it by making a sequel.

Jennifer Hudson, Sex and the City Movie, 2008

Women were queing up to see the movie twice and three times over in the UK, but I am content to wait for it to come on DVD so that I can absorb the gorgeous fashion and addictive love story from the comfort of my armchair over and over. Plus it will make a great addition to my lovely shoe box series collection, which I received as a Valentines gift many moons ago!

SATC movie merchandise is now available on the HBO store website. My favourite is the Environmentally Friendly Reusable Dry Cleaning Bag ($29.99) which features one of Carries infamous quotes:"I like my money right where I can see it...hanging in my closet". If you spend $60, you get a highly collectable movie poster!!!

Sex and the City Reusable Laundry Bag, HBO, 2008

Baduism

The stunning Ms Erykah Badu will be wooing audiences with her captivating voice at Berns this Friday. After 5 years of raising kids, writing 2 albums back to back and most recently becoming the face of Tom Ford's new perfume, the talented Badu is back with a vengence. Hopefully she'll cover classics from her first album such as 'On and On' and 'Next Lifetime'.


Erykah Badu 'Next Lifetime'

Catch her at Berns on the 26th June!!

Longer lashes

Well it's almost summer again which means the no makeup, bare faced look will be back (all year look for Swedish women). What better way to carry this look off than with naturally beautifully conditioned lashes or you can fake it for that sultry 60s retro babe look, a la Marsha Hunt.

Splurge

Talika Lipocils Eyelash Conditioning Gel 215kr (my favourite)
Gurantees longer thicker lashes in 28 days and it really does work.

Budget

Oriflame Lash Conditioner 100Kr
A great budget alternative

Cheat

FACE Stockholm Individual Lashes 120Kr
For a natural looking finish if you have patience and a steady hand

Back in fashion...Sex and the City movie!!!

It's finally here (yipee)...Sex and the City the movie had it's world premiere (sorry London premiere) in London's Leicester Square last night, much to the dismay of New York fans. The four leading ladies were certainly back in fashion as they graced the red carpet to crowds of adoring fans looking as stunning as ever, although I feel that Cynthia Nixon (Miranda) was the best dressed in a plunging black metallic Calvin Klein dress.



What will happen to the four girls...
Will Carrie and Mr Big (John) finally stay together and get married; Samantha finally have a monogamous relationship; Miranda be able to juggle career and settle into family life and Charlotte have the baby that she so deserves to complete her perfect Park Avenue life??? It will be interesting to see how the girls lives have evolved since the last time we saw them and how the new characters such as Carries's assistant (Jennifer Hudson) will fit into the story. I can't wait for more great fashion courtesy of Patricia Field, hip New York backdrops, mouth watering cocktails, witty lines and lessons in love all from the show that taught us about dating, shopping, Manolo Blahnik, sex of every kind from dildos to vibrators and that "He's just not that into you!"



The long awaited movie will go on general release in the UK on 28th May and on the 21st June in Sweden (why is Sweden so slow to catch on?). I can't believe I am stuck in Sweden and will miss all the buzz in the UK when the movie is released. I will have to gag my sister from revealing the plot to me when we speak. She and a huge group of girls are going to have a SATC night and go and see the movie together with cosmopolitans to follow. When the last episode of SATC aired in the UK 4 years ago to a staggering 4.1 million viewers, SATC parties sprung up all over the country creating a kind of a sisterhood as fans flocked together to watch our four heroines knock back cosmopolitans over broken hearts for the last time.
The movie will probably be out on DVD in the UK by the time it arrives in Sweden, I will have to get my sister to send it to me or book that SAS flight quicker than you can say absofunkinglutely!!!!


Get carried away... 21st June 2008!!

An Irregular Choice

Irregular Choice, IC Coutesan Eclipse, 2007

I got these gorgeous shoes by Irregular Choice on my last visit to the UK after months of dreaming about them on their website. Irregular Choice is a British brand famous for producing quirky shoes inspired by Japanese style. They are not everyone's cup of chai but I just love the boot/sandal design of these shoes (very Carrie Bradshaw). I first spotted them last summer in the Manchester Schuh store but I didn't have the funds to splash out at £79. As they were now old stock (Spring/Summer 2007), I got them for a bargain price on the Schuh website.

Sky Bar - A view from the top

Sky Bar, Radison SAS Royal Viking, Stockholm

After watching the tear jerker 'Into the Wild' at the cinema in trendy Sodermalm, my friend and I decided to check out the Sky Bar to lift our spirits. And lift our spirits it did, with its mouthwatering cocktails, unpretentious atmosphere and breathtaking views of the Stockholm skyline. Their excellent range of cocktails start from 130SEK but are worth every bit of your hard earned kroner if the orgasmic 'Shy Cocktail' and 'Lychee Cocktail' are anything to go by. Drink your heart out Carrie Bradshaw!!! The aptly named rooftop bar is located on the top floor (9th floor) of the Radisson SAS Viking Hotel and is within walking distance to the most fashionable shopping centres and the main city attractions. It also houses one of Stockholm's finest fish restaurants, Stockholm Fisk which serves up locally caught seafood. Reach for the stars with a relaxing drink at the Sky Bar, after a long day of shopping and sightseeing!!!

Spring is in the air

After months of darkness and snow here, snow there, Spring has finally come to Stockholm. Birds twitter away in the trees, it's bright sunny and fresh and everyone is in good spirits. I met a friend in Ostermalm yesterday to go to the Andy Warhol exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art and I couldn't believe how many people were out and about after work on a weekday night. It appears that Thursday is the new Friday night for socializing. Walking along the water to the island of Skeppsholmen makes you really appreciate how beautiful Stockholm is.


Andy Warhol, Campbell's Soup,1968

After going to Skeppsholmen we walked all the way to Mariatorget (Sodermalm area) to check out the bistro at the luxurious Rival Hotel where I had stayed many moons ago. I can't believe how small Stockholm is as a city, it only took us about 20/30 mins to walk from Skeppsholmen. It was a great feeling walking, taking in fresh air and observing the beautiful sites after being cooped up at home for so many months. I can't wait for Midsummers, which is when Summer really begins in Stockholm. Before moving to Sweden, I didn't really appreciate Summers in England but after my first long Winter in Stockholm, I can see why the Swedish have a great love for the outdoors and literally worship the sun.


Rival Bistro, Mariatorget, Stockholm

As for the Rival bar and bistro, I can highly recommend it. The atmosphere in the bar was warm and welcoming and the food in the bistro was great. We ordered the Catfish in Nettle sauce which will set you back about 245SEK and a glass of wine is about 90SEK which is probably a bit more than average even by Stockholm standards.

Retro feet

Fashion goes round in circles and the 70s are here again. While out in the city I spotted these cool 70s style trainers in Dinsko for 299SEK. These would look great with a pair of on trend flared jeans and tight fitted tee for a funky retro look.

"Les fleur"

I am loving the new H&M advert featuring the original 'Les Fleur' by Minnie Riperton. I first heard the 4Hero version of this song on the Baileys 'Float' advert (UK) a few years ago and I have loved it ever since. It's such a powerful piece of music which gradually builds up to a mindblowing climax.



Check out the 4Hero version below.

"No Diggity"

"..baby your a perfect 10, can I get in..., play on, play on" Who doesn't know those lines especially if you were young and living it up in London in 1996!!! No Diggity was the anthem of the London RnB club scene. People would sit posing till closing, not wanting to break a sweat in their stoosh get up but as soon as soon as the DJ played the first bars of no diggity, they would became possessed and flock to the dance floors like zombies to shake their booty till dawn.
Leave your inhibitions at home and head down to Cirkus for a bit of 90s nostalgia!!



Blackstreet 28 Mar 2008, Kl 19.00, Cirkus, Stockholm. Tickets: 350 SEK

"7 days away..."

Youssou N'Dour, 2004 (Wikipedia)

7 days away till Youssou N'Dour appearance at Berns Salonger, Stockholm on 18th March. Best known to Western audiences for moving hits such as '7 seconds' featuring Neneh Cherry, N'Dour has received critical acclaim worldwide for his unique way of fusing traditional Senegalese Mbalax with styles ranging from Electric, Cuban Samba to Hip Hop, Jazz, and Soul. Don’t miss one of Africa’s most celebrated musicians, book now at Berns!!!

Youssou N´Dour 18 Mar 2008, Kl 19.30, Berns Salonger, Stockholm. Tickets: 300SEK

"Naturally fun"

I am currently sporting a natural afro style consisting of cornrows crowned by a mass of afro kinky twists to help my hair recover (transitioning) from the effects of having my hair texturized (relaxing). I have yet to find the ‘holy grail’ of afro hair salons here in Stockholm but I have found a couple of places that are good with natural hairstyles and are better equipped to deal with the different textures of afro hair. Watch this space for my guide to finding a good hair salon in Stockholm.

I was not sure how people would take my new funky hairstyle as natural hairstyles seem to be a novelty here. The trend for chemical free hair has not really hit the ladies of colour here in Stockholm who seem to have succumbed to the Western ideal of beauty - long, straight locks (I have even seen blonde - it is Sweden). Maybe if more of these women started to wear their hair natural then Swedish people wouldn't think it was strange.

My boyfriend absolutely loves it but then he thinks I look great with most styles and there have been many. I have had a lot of strange looks but most people’s reactions have been positive. I was quite surprised when a Swedish man sitting opposite me on the tube actually complemented me on my “fun” (his words) hairstyle after looking at me curiously for most of the journey to my SFI course. Swedish people are quite reserved and would usually shy away from any form of social interaction with a stranger, so this was a first.