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Monday 21 December 2015

Happy Holidays WIT readers!

Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini skirt, Whistles top, KG shoes, Ted Baker clutch

Dearest WIT Readers,

www.wearingittoday.co.uk is taking a short break until the New Year, I wanted to wish you all a fabulous Christmas wherever you are in the world and a SUPER New Year! Thank you for following WIT (and in some cases Wardrobe ICONS - don't miss out on our last The ICONS Update tomorrow with lots of juicy content to see you through to 2016) and for being such amazing ladies!

Love,
Laura x

PS. I will still be around on Instagram on @WITblog ;-)

Friday 18 December 2015

What to get "The girl that has everything' this Christmas

How many times have I heard this question when my family and friends start thinking about what to get me for Christmas (birthdays etc..), but surely there are more girls like me out there? And actually, as it turns out we are usually quite happy with a £6 MS candle, a £25 manicure voucher or just about anything monogrammed...

Usually 'the girl that has everything' loves an experience (tickets for the cinema for her and her best friend? Or, if she has kids, a baby sitting voucher so that she can go and get her hair done!), anything stationery (thank you cards, notelets, To Do lists..), or something she wouldn't really treat herself to (a £30 luxury hand-wash - that's a bit silly to buy for yourself).

Anyway, you needn't spend a fortune on 'the girl that has everything'...but if you really want to spoil us, here are some more ideas!


Because "The Girl Has Everything"...

... Loves her home

... Has a thing for monogrammed anything

... wouldn't buy this for herself

... loves a pampering session

... is a bit girlie

... writes a thank you card for everything

... loves to decorate her belonging

... can never have too many grey jumpers

... always looks chic, especially when nobody sees her

... will always love Chanel's latest shade

... is the perfect hostess and will like her guests to have nice hand towels

... loves the little luxuries in life

... will probably have had an eye on this all season waiting for it to go on sale

... loves taking photos

... will love this for her office

... will have a favourite chocolate that she can't get enough of

... always likes something festive red for Christmas!

Monday 14 December 2015

The knee high boots you've been asking me about

2NDDay dress, Chloe bag, Vintage boots
I inherited these vintage tan boots from my grandmother, I actually think the were my great aunt's but some how they made their way to me as I'm the only one in the family with my granny's shoe size (lucky me as she was quite the fashionista in her days!). I've been wearing them a lot this winter and can never tag them in pics but constantly get asked about them. Luckily, earlier in the season we found a very similar pair from Margela and they've had a permanent spot in our shopping section on Wardrobe ICONS since. Petro bought them too and loves them as well as guaranteeing they are the most comfortable boot ever. So, if you like my boots, here's an almost identical pair available to buy today.

Maison Margiela Leather knee boots £635

Friday 11 December 2015

WIT mama Friday: my Christmas home


I should probably start by saying that my Christmas decorations can be, for some, reputed a bit minimal - despite loving the more decadent and traditional look I have a home that doesn't suit that look so I make do with a more paired back look. This to say my Christmas home might not be to everyone's taste especially if you like yours a little more dramatic! Nevertheless, here are some of the things I've done this year, some of which you can do to rather cheaply and shop from the shopping page below (everything you can buy is listed below). 

Happy WIT Mama Friday with a Christmas spin to it!


This is the first thing I see when I walk into my home - I always have the same little vase but I change the flowers accordingly to the season so right now I have some Holly leaves that I tore out of bigger branches that I have in a vase in my sitting room. I also have a gorgeously pine smelling Diptyque candle that I light up as soon as I get home (the smell is divinely Christmassy!!) and a Jo Malone room spray that I use to top up (it's pricey but I've had it for three years so it's really worth the investment).


I was given this monochrome vase by a friend and I have to say it goes with every flower at every time of the year: peonies in spring and even red berry branches in December. I hung up some glass monogram decorations with my family's name - I love the little personalisation touch and it makes me smile to think that I will be adding letters to this set up in the years to come. I set this up in the entrance corridor and it definitely screams out Christmas to my guests and it makes me happy every time I look at it!


Setting up a Christmas table is my favourite thing to do! The table cloth was a present from my grandmother and you can't buy it in the UK. Again, I keep things minimal and love staying true to my home's normal colour palette of greys and black and whites whilst adding a touch or festive red.

I bought this garland from Paperchase but can;t find it on the website so I've recommended another one from the shopping list below. It's super cute and glittery and festive, and I just put it up with a little bit of glitter tape. I love the blank wall behind my table because I can dress it up for lots of different occasions - from friend's birthdays to kids parties and even boys night-ins ;-)

I love sending and receiving Christmas cards, it;s a family tradition we've had all my life. I love looking at them so I hang them up with mini wooden pegs on a festive sparkly twine. When the Christmas season is over I change the twine for a bit of string and I use it to display Greta's art work and for party invitations.


I wish I could have a huge tree but my flat is not big enough so I cheat a little bit and buy a smaller one which I put on a stand - that way I get the impression of height without the bulkiness underneath. I then cover the floor with presents so you can't see the stand. Oh, and I love garden lights too so we put little ones on the trees in the garden!


I have a strict gold, red and white colour policy for my tree ;-) There are baubles I've had for years and I add new ones every year. My favourite place to get them are John Lewis for the more basic ones and Liberty for the more spacial ones. This year I ought quite a few from Anthropology too.


I'm Italian so my festive "forte" is Panettone (which sadly I can't eat anymore...). I like to cut it up in thick slices and then off set every slice a little bit. I sprinkle icing sugar over it, put a few Christmassy decorations on top and serve it my mother's Mascarpone cream sauce (delicious!)


Happy shopping everyone!
x

Midwinter Red Berry Wreath £20  John Lewis

Floralsilk Ilex Berry Stem £8  John Lewis

Black and white ceramic vase £25 Habitat

Diptyque Sapin Scented Candle £28-48 John Lewis

Meri Meri gold glitter chunky star glitter garland £7.50 John Lewis

Meri Meri Jolly Confetti Large Paper Napkins £4.50 John Lewis

The Makery gold and green cotton twine £2.95 John Lewis

Mini Wooden Pegs, 50pcs £2 John Lewis

Mercury glass monogram ornament £6 Anthropologie

Jo Malone London Pine and Eucalyptus Room Spray £40John Lewis

Wednesday 9 December 2015

The midi-skirt that looks good on every body shape

J.Crew jumper and shoes, Eileen Fisher skirt, Chloe bag
Eileen Fisher does this brilliant knitted skirt that I have been wearing non stop - I love the midi length and knitted fabric. It looks super flattering on with both more generous jumpers and shrunken fits too and I love wearing it with my knee high boots and closed toe shoes. Admittedly it would look even better on talls, but with a growing bump and less of a waist to highlight it's been my latest obsession as my skirts choices are quickly narrowing down. My jumper is a Christmas buy from last year from J.Crew and the scarf has been a fab buy from Isabel Marant - the bottle green looks great with everything.

EILEEN FISHER Black knitted wool crepe midi skirt £175.00

Monday 7 December 2015

Sweater dresses - expensive to budget

Chinti and Parker dress, Lily and Lionel scarf, Jimmy Choo sunglasses, Chloe bag, vintage boots
 It was last season during the shows that I realised that knitwear, and knitwear-dressing was going to be huge this season, and I thought straight away that i was going to adopt this comfort-meets-style trend into my winter wardrobe. I've invested in a few new jumpers and was lucky enough to be gifted this Chinti and Parker sweater dress that I have worn countless amounts of times. You can get the real deal, or similar ones to mine. Here's the lowdown from super luxe cashmere cable knit, to a cheaper fine knit version. Something for every pockets.

Fine knitted dresses £19.99 Mango

Rib Stitch Tunic Dress £69 Boden

Ribbed Tunic Dress £295  Chinti & Parker 

Collection cable sweater-dress £850 J.Crew



Friday 4 December 2015

Five of the best cable knit sweaters


It's starting to get cold and all I want to wear are cosy jumpers at the moment. I've had this cream Banana Republic sweater since last year and I've been surprised as to just how much I've worn it and just how flattering it is on. I love the slight turtle neck, trapeze shape and extra long sleeve - it's like wearing a hug! I've had a look on line and sadly they don't do this specific style any longer, but I've done a little search for ones I would buy and suggest today. So here's the lowdown:


Étoile Isabel Marant Nilsen cable-knit wool sweater £175

Topshop Unique Keswick cable-knit wool turtleneck sweater £175

Banana Republic chunky textured cable knit sweater £55 

Mango chunky cable knit sweater £49.99

Tory Burch Textured-knit cotton-blend sweater £255

Tuesday 1 December 2015

The ICONS Christmas gift guide and WIN £500 spend + an in store shopping session with me in Whistles


When I was a shopping editor compiling the Christmas gift guide was always one of my favourite times of the year. Since starting Wardrobe ICONS the fun hasn't stopped and this week Petro and I have prepared our annual ICONS Christmas guide with the same enthusiasm and love. We are both ridiculously obsessed with anything Christmassy and couldn't wait to reveal an guide filled to the brim with fabulous gifts for you, for friends, for kids, for him and also icons, stocking fillers and the best wrapping too!
On top of this we thought we would celebrate the beginning of December with a surprise for YOU! With the help of Whistles advent calendar, one lucky reader gets to spend £500 in Whistles in store with styling advise from me and Petro on the day. The prize is only valid for today so enter sharpish. 

Check the page or http://adventcalendar.whistles.co.uk/  for further details!


Friday 27 November 2015

The LK Bennett / Boyarde bag we've been coveting



I went to an LK. Bennet breakfast recently and got given one of the most beautiful presents ever in the form of a little cross body bag personalised with my own initials painted on by hand by amazing artist Boyarde. It was a really gorgeous and unique present, but sadly for the readers a one off that is not available in store.  



You can however buy the little bag on line, it comes in four colours and I've actually noticed on the LK. Bennet homepage that you can enter a competition to win one bag personalised with your own initials, so I thought I would flag it today in case you want to enter. All you have to do is follow instructions here. Good luck!


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Mariel Grey Saffiano Crossbody Bag £145 L.K. Bennet

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 Or you could always personalise yours with an

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WIT Florence Tip: Pasticceria Gelateria Badiani


Going for 'un gelato' has always played a big part in my family's life - summer and winter. Greta shares this passion and every time we come back to Florence we go for an ice cream, even in the blistering November winds! I have a favourite spot in town where you can enjoy an ice cream sitting by one of the Arno bridges (Gelateria Ponte alla Carraia), but the best ice cream in terms of quality and prestige is a little bit off the beaten track and you have to make the trip to a not so central area of town to enjoy it.


Gelateria Pasticceria Badiani makes some of best ice cream you will ever taste and also 'invented' a flavour that has become a Florentine speciality. It's called 'Buontalenti' and it's essentially an ice cream version of chantilly cream (vanilla and whipped cream with a little taste of mascarpone), it's just delicious and goes really well with their fruit ice creams or more creamy ones. Being a 'Pasticceria" (bakery) they also make excellent cakes, home made ice creams and ice cream stuffed Panetton's - all in really chic branded packaging, so if you ever must bring something for a dinner or party this is the place to get your goodies.


GELATERIA PASTICCERIA BADIANI
Vl. dei Mille 20/R
50131FIRENZE
Tel +39 055 578682

Thursday 26 November 2015

WIT Florence Tip: Luisa Via Roma


If you are looking to do some seriously high end shopping, the Luisa Via Roma is the shop to head to. It's situated bang in the city centre just off Piazza del Duomo and it presents a quirkier, non-conventional buy like Valentino's Rockstuds in all the the boldest colours imaginable (some of which you simply wouldn't find on Net-a-Porter or Matches) and pieces that are directly off the catwalk. If you want something statement and a little bit on the fun side, this is the shop to head to.


The shop floor in itself is like a candy shop and the decor each season takes inspiration from the current there of the world famous bloggers event that happens every January and July. This year is was all titled "Over the Rainbow" and the shop is still decorated with Mini Ponies, plastic clouds and huge rainbows on the ceiling. It's a super fun shop to explore!



I went in with the intention of taking some pics for you and browsing only but it didn't quite turn out that way... I was drawn to a huge collection of Saint Laurent bags and clutches (the lipstick one is so so cute and has just been added to my Christmas wish list), Manolo Blahnik shoes (in store exclusive) and extensive Isabel Marant Etoile collection, but also some more classic pieces like Equipment shirts and Stella McCartney jeans. Obviously you can shop on line world wide, but if you happen in Florence do pay a visit to the store because it's really a bit different from everywhere else.


Here are some if the things I took into the changing room with me...


7 - Saint Laurent clutch £845
5 - Saint Laurent bag £1325
6 - Valentino Rockstuds £815
4 - Isabel Marant Etoile jumper £290
3 - Stella McCartney jeans £225
1 - Equipment heart print shirt £251
2 - Isabel Marant Etoile shirling boots £375
I may have splashed out on these Isabel Marant boots... not one of my most glamorous buys, but  boy are they warm and comfy and thinking of the winter ahead I needed a pair of practical shoes! I'm pretty sure they will be a WIT mama Friday favourite.

Isabel Marant Etoile shirling boots £375


Luisa Via Roma
Via Roma 19/21r
Florence

Wednesday 25 November 2015

WIT Florence Travel Tip: All' Antico Vinaio


I became coeliac with pregnancy but I remember vividly what a great sandwich tastes like and if you ever come to Florence you must make time for one of the best sandwiches in the world from All'Antico Vinaio


Vegetarians look away because this is the place to stuff your schiacciata (Florentine for focaccia) with sbriciolona (a type of salami), finocchiona (another type of salami with anise seeds), prosciutto and salame Toscano topped with all sort of grilled vegetables, mozzarella, pecorino and sauces such as truffle cream and sun dried tomatoes spread. I mean, a vegetarian could have a great sandwich here too.... but you would sort of be missing out.


Don't expect anything fancy from the experience - the sandwich shops are two simple shops off Piazza della Signoria: one where you can sit down and one where you can only to take-away. You will probably end up sitting by the Uffizzi Gallery or by the Arno overlooking Ponte Vecchio to enjoy your sandwich - which are both not bad at all eating spots. Be prepared to cue at pretty much any time of the day, but these run pretty quickly and ultimately are so worth it!


If you prefer to sit down and have a more "fine dining" experinece, you can grab a table at the less busy Osteria next door - no sandwiches served here but you can enjoy primi (risotto, pasta, soups...) secondi (meet and vegetables) or the phenomenal taglieri (boards) which you can get in all sizes and variations with a side of foccaccia and a glass of red wine. You can book here at any time and it's a great spot for both lunch and dinner.


All' Antico Vinaio 
Via Dei Neri 74 R, 50100 - Firenze 
Tel. 0552382723 

Tuesday 24 November 2015

WIT Florence Travel Tip: Officina Santa Maria Novella


I've never been one for 'souvernirs' but if you ever happen to be in Florence this is a place that you: a) want to visit as a historical site b) take away beauty and home products for both you and friends/family as chic/acceptable souvenirs. Especially around Christmas, gifting something in the beautifully wrapped Santa Marai Novella retro packaging is always a little bit special. I always stock up on hand soaps, bath salts and scented candles (the men's range is fab too).


Officina Santa Maria Novella is a Florentine institution. First founded in 1221 in Florence by the Dominican Friars who started making herbal remedies and potions to use in the monastery. Their reputation became world renowned and the pharmacy, sponsored by the Grand Duke of Tuscany, opened to the public in 1612. 


Many of Santa Maria Novella’s products have become a part of history: the world famous pot-pourri is still hand crafted in large terra cotta vats using local essences and plants as has been the tradition since the 1200’s. The first “Eau de Cologne” has been attributed to the pharmacy’s creation in the 1500’s of Catherine de Medeci’s “Water of the Queen.” She used the citrus and bergamot scented water constantly and gave it to all of her closest friends during her reign as the Queen of France.


The Almond Paste is an excellent rich cream made from almond butter. The Rose Water can be used on the face for washing and removing make-up or for scenting linens. The Milky Soaps, scented with Santa Maria Novella’s own fragrances are made with whole milk to protect and soften delicate skin.


And of course the Santa Maria Novella fragrances themselves; classic scents like Honeysuckle, Rose and Iris, exotics such as Patchouli, Marescialla and Calycanthus, and, romantics like Jasmine, Violet and Lily of the Valley.


The original "Officina" is in Florence, but Santa Maria Novella has shops all around the world that you can locate via their website and, from the US, shop online. Yet the Florence experience is unique so make sure you come and visit the store next time you are in town!

 Officina del Profumo Santa Maria Novella
 Via della Scala, 16, 50123 Firenze
Tel +39 055 216276


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