The WIT project is here: www.wardrobeicons.com

 

I’ve been thinking about what to write in this post for a really long time, mildly obsessing over how to introduce the secret project that I’ve been working on for so many months… and then I realised that I can’t think of any clever ways of doing so, and that, together with my amazing friend and business partner Petro, I just want to say: “Here it is and we really hope you like it”.

Wardrobe Icons is a shopping website dedicated to wardrobe essentials and it’s you, WIT readers, that have unknowingly been asking for it. For years you’ve asked me: “How do I build the perfect wardrobe?” “What are the essentials you really need? “Where can I find the perfect white shirt and the forever stripy top?” so I decided to do something about it and create a website that answers all of these questions, whilst also giving you inspiration on how to wear these items today.

Despite being a fashion editor I often walk into stores and feel overwhelmed by the vast choice; I look at websites and there are thousands of items to choose from. We spend our days doing the research so that you don’t have to, handpicking each and every one of our "icons" for you. We’ve narrowed it down to a super tight edit because that’s what we are here to do: we cut through the overwhelming choice and help you shop cleverly knowing that everything we feature on the site we either own ourself, wish we owned or would recommend to a friend.

And for those of you who miss my shopping pages in Red magazine… we have a little magazine for you; it’s called The ICONS Update, from which you can expect shopping pages that you can print and save, personal style advice and interviews with women whose style we admire, every Tuesday in your inbox when you sign up to our newsletter.

Here's what it is: if WIT is your “daily inspiration from inside a fashion editors wardrobe”, Wardrobe Icons is the place to see me back in my fashion editor's shoes and shop our edit for a multi-tasking, intelligently selected and long-lasting wardrobe - the wardrobe we all dream of owning.

But don't worry, WIT is not going anywhere - Wardrobe Icons is merely an extension of it and will be packed with all the things you wished for in WIT, and the ones I have always wanted to do in my very own magazine.

You came up with the idea; Petro and I are going to do the legwork for you and for me… it’s a little dream come true.

Thank you and I really hope you like it... please let me know what you think!

Love,

Laura x

www.wardrobeicons.com 

Wearing it Today (on my skin)

As most of you know, the last six weeks or so have been really busy for me with working night and day on my upcoming project and to make up for the lack of rest and sleep I've been relying on a few beauty products that I wanted to recommend. I have normal to combination skin, with dry areas around my eyes and, like most of you out there, have little time to faf around so I need quick, intense treatments that will deliver in an instant. Here are some of my thoughts:

AESOP hydrating cream - I use this lightweight cream in the morning under my make up and have been doing so since before the summer. I like it because it absorbs really quickly meaning I can apply bronzer or tinted moisturiser straight away. Aesop Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Hydrator 60ml £43

Philp B Salt Spray - I love this thickening hair spray and I've been recommending it since I discpvered it a year ago. It gives my hair a beachy texture and I don't have to do anything at all apart from spraying it on damp hair before I blow dry it head down. That is literally all I do. It also lasts a surprisingly long time considering I've had it since September last year. Philip B Maui Wowie Beach Mist, 150ml £22

Aurelia - When I left Red in June the beauty girls gave me an amazing beauty bag filled with the most amazing products and this Aurelia range was part of that. I hadn't heard of this brand before but since starting to use it about two weeks I have fallen completely in love with it. The Miracle Cleanser (great name too!) has a minty smell to it and when I take my make up off with it I feel like I'm at a Spa! And the under eye creams (0ne for the day, one for the night) have really helped the dryness under my eyes. Miracle Cleanser AURELIA PROBIOTIC SKINCARE £34.00

Liz Earle spray - I just love the smell and fresh feeling on this Liz Earle iconic product. I spritz it on my face after my nightly shower and before applying face oil just for the the fresh smell and instant pick me up feeling. Instant Boost™ Skin Tonic £13.50

Klorane dry shampoo - Since cutting my hair shorter I have to was my hair every other day... but sometimes I just don;t have the time! This dry shampoo buys me a day or two and also gives my hair quote a cool matte texture perfect for when I want to put my hair up in a messy bun.

Clinique body scrub - I LOVE body scrubs and this minty fresh one from Clinique has been one of my favourite for years. When I jump in the shower and use it all over I feel like I'm scrubbing away the stress of the day. It's also not super harsh so I can use it everyday and acts like a body wash too. Clinique Sparkle Skin Body Exfoliator £19 200ml

Aromatherapy Associates face oil - At night I always prefer a face oil to a moisturiser, it just feels more spa like. I'm certain I overdose on it on a daily basis but I just love the feeling of face oil on tired skin after a busy day. Nourishing Face Oil AROMATHERAPY ASSOCIATES £42

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser - Technically not a beauty products but definitely a saviour lately with my tired looking skin. It's just the best tinted moisturiser, glides on and still lets your complexion shine through without "caking" you up. Tinted Moisturiser LAURA MERCIER 50ml £34 

REN One Minute Facial - This product is a new one I've been using, it's like a super fine face scrub that you put on dry face and then dampen up to "release the vitamin C", wait for a minute and rinse. To be honest I don't know how effective it is but the texture, smell and quickness of it makes me feel like I've just drank a vitamin C potion through my skin. Flash Rinse 1 Minute Facial REN £32

WIT mama Friday: AlexandAlexa.com

Last week end Greta and I were invited to a lovely early Halloween party by children's website AlexandAlexa - and what a great day it was!

 

For those of you who are not familiar with the site AlexandAlexa UK is like a mini Net-a-Porter, with children's clothes from the likes of Stella McCartney Kids and Start-rite shoes  but also great, more affordable brands like Woodstock London hair accessories (my favourite!), Petit Bateau and French brand Cyrillus, great for inexpensive outerwear and everyday knitwear. It's also a great websites for sales, they have a fab selection on at the moment so if you have any friends having children this is a great time to get a little Chloe for up to 30% off!

All available from AlexandAlexa UK

Jeans + Blazer

Back to a little bit of outfit inspiration today with a simple style equation: jeans + blazer. My work attire can be as causal as I like, but for those of you who can't wear boyfriend and distressed denim to work I would suggest something like the super dark wash of a MiH JeansMarrakesh which almost looks like a pair of dark navy tailored trousers. There are plenty of options out there, just throw over it a stylish blouse, a sharp blazer (I love mixing navy and black), your accessories if choice and you have a fool proof, chic outfit any time of the day.

P.S Just noticed that Topshop did a whole feature about Jeans and Blazer today!

The WIT edit of the seven best high street buys to buy now and love FOREVER

As promised, a fab edit of seven great High Street buys from some of my favourite British stores that you will buy now and love forever from Warehouse, Karen Millen, French Connection, Top Shop, M&S, Accessorize and Kurt Geiger. A little bit like my New Look blazer and Top Shop boots, if you treat them well they will last you a long time and no one will ever know they are budget friendly buys!

1- Oversized zip-back navy jumper £38 Warehouse

2- Embellished Collar Shirt £36.00 Topshop

3- Black mini bag £99 Karen Millen

4- Black jumpsuit £150 French Connection

5- Heart ring £10 Z for Accessorize h

6- KG Jewelled slippers £69 Kurt Geiger

7- Leopard print coat £89 Marks and Spencer