Minna

Ireland, so nice to meet you!

Today was one of those lovely days full of suprises! Landed at 8am in Dublin, took a long bus ride to my crappy hotel, worked and went to check out all the shops. I so rarely have time to go out and do market research in London so it was a real treat to have some me time. Yes, ME, ME, MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE time.

Brown Thomas did not dissapoint me with the usual suspects, all the lovely labels which made me feel like breaking the bank, which ( thank god) I did not.

Finding a cool vintage shop was the highlight of my day. Totally unexpected, which made it even better! I found the most gorgeous navy blue, 1930's dress that was calling my name. It really was love at the first sight....So this lovely shop worth checking out is called Dirty Fabulous ( the name is just spot on) but remember I warned you, you do not want to leave empty handed. They source their vintage from the US so it is in pristine condition and worth paying the heft price tag...

 

 

 

 

Cape

I constantly have this dilemma when running around. I am either too hot or too cold. The solution was sitting right at my office. The cape! I used to wear my vintage capes when I was pregnant, last time, when I was on my way to the hospital to give birth to Hayden. This is now three years ago...Maybe the cape was reminding me of the time, when I was preganant, when I was unable to do up my jackets, see my toes or enjoy a glass of wine. Hmmmm......

Cape was the key piece of my latest Autumn/Winter collection. The girls at the office have totally fallen in love with our edgy UK made wool cape with Finnish reindeer leather collar.

The thing about cape is that it is so versatile. A wardrobe staple, like a well cut pair of jeans, crispy white cotton shirt or a perfectly tailored jacket. It will never let you down! Anyone can wear it, regardless of age or size. What is there not to love?

So there it was, hanging right next to me: the softest cashmere blend cape. It was also my favourite colour; camel beige, with leather edgings and an adorable brooch. I decided to put it to the test over the weekend.

And let me tell you, it was like falling in love again! So much in fact, that I am dashing to buy fabrics tomorrow in a range of stunning new colours, so watch this space.......

Lastly, what do you do when you have run out of gift wrapping paper? These days Kristiina's calendar is booked with birthday invitations and as organised as I try to be, I always forgot to buy the damn gift wrapping paper. But voila, since our house is filled with magazines, it is better to put them into good use, don't cha think?

 
 

 

Remember the other day when I was cursing my pair of brand new Zara heels? Well, I can proudly tell you that they have found a new home. Or should I say that group of My little ponies and Hayden's lonely green, slimy lizard have found a new home with a little of help from Kristiina.

Last two days my bum has been firmly seated in my car, running around, doing deliveries and buying fabrics with school and nursery runs thrown in.Not very eco I must say. But most of the time, all that driving around has its bonuses. I get to find all these cool antique and charity shops that otherwise would be left undiscovered. The other day I came across the most amazing charity shop. The Fara charity shop near Victoria is only selling real vintage. Parking my car illgally, I ran in and spent 15 minutes dashing in and out of the shop and spending a small fortune, that will be the inspiration for our new collection. This is the kind of shopping I like. Finding stunning 30's tea dresses with a knowledge that ALL the pennies goes to helping orphaned and abandoned children in Romania!!!! 

I can't resist showing our latest addition: the Madeleine dress, that was inspired by my Fara purchase. Made from wool jersey and lace, this maxi dress even got the nod from my husband, who normally would not blink an eye on our lace creations.....

 
Me, looking like I need a another cup of coffee, hair brush and make-up...The reality when you hit the post 30 mark is that " I just got out of bed " look does not work anymore.......

Where are my heels?

What on earth has happened to me? Over the last two months, I have started looking like a desperate housewife as opposed to a glamorous fashion designer.......I keep eyeing my amazing fashion interns and thinking how the hell do they find the time to get glammed up? Obviously the difference is 2 children!

Laura, my amazing assistant, is always so glammed up and pulling cool looks together. Her mom's YSL skirt worn as a dress...you get the idea, she is officially cool.

So, I decided to start wearing some make-up again and wearing heels. Yes, you heard me right. All my 50-60 pair of heels have been living under the bed, feeling lonely and covered in dust. They have occasionally been pulled out for some odd photoshoots...poor heels!

The first pair of heels that I decided to wear were the lovely camel beige heels that I bought from Zara during frantic, last minute, " my parking meter is running out" kinda rush.

They looked amazing with my gap skinny jeans and pedicured toe nails. My first test was the school run, carrying kicking Hayden and hurrying Kristiina. It did not go well. I walked like someone who has had too much to drink. The shoes kept stretching, which meant I felt like I was wearing very heavy high heeled flip flops. Needless to say, I kept falling down while trying to recover myself quickly without anyone noticing....Not a good sight!Once I got to the office I kicked of the heels and run around barefeet...much better.

My walking in heels was again put to test when doing a quick shopping trip to the local fabric shop. My lifestyle requires me to run 100 miles per hour, but this time I was walking as slow as a snail...who might have even been quicker...

But the good thing about those damn heels was that I was actually looking around. I noticed a sign for a pop-up craft market in a lovely pub and all these lovely new cafe's opening up in Brixton market.

Found some cute little bits and bobs for the house and bought a birthday present for Kristiina's friend.Yes, I was officially super organised...and wearing heels......

What shall I wear tomorrow, another forgotten pair of heels of my super comfy flats?