How to Shop the Sales!

 

 January = Post Christmas Sales

A very dangerous time for any women who can't resist a bargain. Wardrobes across the county heave with "sale bargain" disasters. Items that don't really fit well, don't actually go with anything you own or simply don't work within your lifestyle.

so my tips...

• Do some research! Pick up a fashion magazine and have a look at the new season trends. Perhaps you can find a new season bargain.
• Look for good quality basics in premium fabrics. Leather (black/brown), silk and cashmere never go out of style.
• Don't buy it because it's cheap, buy it because you love it!
• Try it on in the shop, trust me you won't get around to taking it back, altering it, magically losing 10Ibs etc etc.
• Eat before you shop, wear your favourite underwear and dress in easily removable clothes (no excuses - see above) ;-)

Oh and have fun and post me your pictures!

Bis Gleich,
x
a

2014 those Resolutions...

As I awoke this morning January 1st 2014, my thoughts lingered upon the traditional making of New Years Resolutions and what I hope this fresh year would bring to enrich and challange my life, thoughts and beliefs.

• I observed this morning that when I travel I take great pleasure in selecting and packing my travel cosmetics and take more time and effort to pamper my skin and take care of my body, as such my first resolution is to do this every day, take time to take care of my most precious resource; myself.
• My second resolution is to make time to read and learn every day. I will be creating a cosy reading corner in my home dedicated to bookshelves that are heaving with fascinating stories and inspiration.
• My third focus for 2014 is to be more more mindful of the little things in life that make it so beautiful, to give myself time to observe and listen and absorb. to be playful everyday and to be thankful for all the blessings I have been granted.

Mind, Body, Soul...

bis gleich and wishing you a very happy New Year and a prosperous 2014,
Xx
a

New York City: Brooklyn

Where: NYC Brooklyn
When: 27.12.13
Why: New Years Adventure

As per tradition, the H and I boarded a plane in Frankfurt and headed off to explore a different country/city for our new year holidays. 2013/2014 New York City!

Day 1 saw us staying at a friends apartment in Brooklyn and we decided to view Manhattan from this side before venturing over Brooklyn Bridge.

Armed with a sparkly new Samsung digital camera we explored the Dumbo area (Down Under the the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) and discovered a multitude of super cool boutiques, bars and restaurants.

My recommendations...

• Retail Vintage Cool - Front General Store (143 Front St. Brooklyn) The ideal location to pick up a fantastic retro leather biker jacket or a pair of funky yet hard wearing boots. 
• Modern Anthology - a mix of menswear, homeware and gifts. A somewhat over zealous collection of  varied items but certainly worth exploring. www.modernanthology.com
• For some local Brooklyn talent do pop into Trunk. I particularly liked Radka Osickova's jewellery, a clever manipulation of wire and rather beautiful. www.trunkbrooklyn.com
• A nice spot for a glass of wine? We picked the 68 Jay St. Bar and weren't disappointed. 
• Essential eating, wander through a desolate landscape of warehouses and stumble into eaterie Vinegar Hill House www.vinegarhillhouse.com make sure you try a Fast Rascal possibly the best cocktail I have ever drunk! (Pear Brandy, Sloe Gin, Ginger and lemon) and the Red Wattle County Chop was perfection.

Enjoy!

Bis Gleich,

a

Busy Busy Bee...

My goodness I have been busy!

The London Assembly officially opened on November 7th with a fantastic fashion show showcasing some of our fabulous designer creations specially brought over for you ladies in Frankfurt from across Great Britain.

Delicious canapees kept our guests happy and were provided by the fantastic Villa Kennedy Chefs whilst funky tunes by DJ Tibor kept our feet tapping before and after our inaugural Fashion show.

Opening Launch Party

The models did a splendid job strutting their stuff and Filiz Aycan was the worthy winner of our collaborative competition with Rocco Forte's Villa Kennedy Spa and Model Karma http://magde.modelkarma.com/category/modelkarma-contest/

Filiz wearing a bespoke sequin evening dress by Lizzie O

I am enormously proud of what we have managed to achieve in just 8 weeks and huge thanks have to be given to all of our collaborative partners from Alex the expert decorator to Siria Nielsen our Head of Marketing and PR.

In the coming weeks I promise to keep you updated with details of our exciting events program as well as 90second exclusive interviews with some of our designers and collaborators as well as providing some exclusive behind the scenes images of the creation of our boutique as well as the usual cultural reviews and previews of a creative life across Europe for a busy Retail Boutique MD.

In the meantime sign up to our events list via our  www.thelondonassembly.com and don't miss out on keeping updated with some very special festive happenings!

Bis gleich,
xx
a

photos courtesy of Michael Gozcal www.michaelgoczol.com

A Baker's Dozen of Business Startup Tips

When I started this blog I wanted to share some of my journey with you as well as some of my insights into planning, setting up and running your own business. With things moving at a whirlwind pace for the The London Assembly, here are a few tips to get you started...

1. Talk about your business idea to everyone you meet. If you're passionate about it you won't bore them and you won't bore yourself.

2. Research every aspect of your business concept. Everything you learn will aid you even if it's just a "oh I already knew that" confidence boost

3. Read, read and then read a bit more. Why? see above!

4. Get as fit and as healthy as possible. this will make everything else just a little bit easier.

5. Learn to listen, you might just learn something you didn't know you needed to know.

6. Ask for help. The ability to get other people involved in your plans will be beneficial

7. BUT ask the right people the right questions and don't force people to get involved.

8. Take time out to totally switch off. I always come up with the most innovative ideas when I'm going for a walk or taking a bath ;-)

9. Plan, plan and then plan a bit more

10. Be consistant. Once you have defined your vision, your brand and your company values then follow it through with everything you do.

11. Work out what you're best at and become and expert, find out what you're worst at, learn about it and then delegate.

12. Make sure there is someone, indeed preferably a large amount of people who will actually buy into your idea!

and finally... Define your idea, create a vision and then focus on manageable time orientated goals.


Hope you find that helpful? Let me know...

Bis Gleich,
xx
A

Gold Star Holiday Outfits

It's always interesting to look back at holiday pics and certainly as a fashionista to check out what you've been wearing. I use the picture evidence to work out what does (and doesn't) work and to help plan outfits for the next trip.

This blog looks back at some of the looks I've donned over the last few holidays and features my gold star ensembles. 

What are your favourite holiday outfits? 
Leave a comment below or on facebook via www.facebook.com/TheLondonAssembly

• For some Wine Tasting in Germany
• Marvin Browne Print Cotton Dress (85€ The London Assembly)
• Typical Freaks Leather & Wood Collar Necklace (65€ The London Assembly)

Lighthouse exploring in Australia along the Great Ocean road

• Jersey maxi dress (Various colours available from Marvin Browne The London Assembly 65€) in this case in stripes from American Apparel but doing some kind of weird optical camara illusion trickery!
• Marks and Spencers Wolf boyfriend cardigan.

A Summer in the city. Press event at The Serpentine Gallery in London.

• 'Marilyn' dress by Cos
• Aurelia stone belt by Reiss
• Kervin Marc Nina Satchel (Exclusive design for The London Assembly 285€)
• See cos-not-just-salad-essential blog
• This is actually my favourite look for summer 2013! I usually like to wear bright colours in the summer but the light fabric and floarty nature of this dress has been ideal for multiple occasions. 
• Also looks great with colour pop accessories like fuschia and yellow.

Metallic Dream 
berlin-series-metallic-moment blog

• Black Sheer sleeve sweatshirt H&M
• Metal fan Necklace Nicole Fahri
• Pleated Skirt Drykorn for Beautiful People
• Another sheer floaty number that looks fab for many different occasions. I heartily reccomend adding some pleated joy to your wardrobe and am currently trying to source something similar for The London Assembly
• Black Leather collar ankle strap heels Shanibar

Everyone needs a Kimono! 

• Gorgeous vintage komono from Portobello road market
• Silver and Precious Stone Necklace by Gallardo and Blaine www.gallardoblainedesigns.co.uk
• Voodoo necklace by Australian/Vietnamese designer Alistair Trung from Shop 28 QVB Article on Trung's work www.alistairtrung.com.au

A sunny happy outfit suits Melbourne perfectly for NYE!

• Versace sunglasses throughout
• Vivid yellow Marks & Spencers lace skater dress
• White Converse Chuck Taylors
•  In 1917, All Star sneaker gave the world a blank canvas. At first it played basketball and then Rock & Roll and then everything else. It went along with athletes and artists, experimenters, rebels, visionaries and now, even after everything it’s been, it remains anything you want and has become one of the most worn canvas shoe ever!

Sydney walkabout

• Black wool & silk dress, Collection by Italian label Stefenal www.stefanel.com/de
• Sunglasses by Karl Lagerfeld
• Voodoo necklace by Australian/Vietnamese designer Alistair Trung
• Black & white leather pumps by Pretty Ballarinas www.prettyballerinas.com

Bye bye, Bis Gleich!

Lianne La Havas @Somerset House

Where: Somerset House
Why: Lianne La Havas Live as part of the Summer Series with Amex
When: Saturday 13th July

Lianne la Havas states on her Facebook site: "Nothing like Corinne Bailey Rae or Andreya Triana, but we all have similar hair." Brilliant.. I am always getting asked if I'm whoever is the popular mixed race women of the time so this comment really made me chuckle!

Lianne la Havas live at Somerset House

The gig surpassed excellent. Somerset House at sundown is the perfect environment for her voice and she looked fantastic in a red pvc skirt stopping to pause for a just a moment to wipe the prerequisite talc from her legs! Her voice really is sublime and I urge you, if you haven't got her album or seen her live PURCHASE IMMEDIATELY and GO see!

I was so impressed I'm looking forward to seeing her again at Lovebox next Sunday. (Review to come)

Wiki Facts: Born 23 August 1989 as Lianne Charlotte Barnes is an English folk and soul singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. She was nominated for the BBC's Sound of 2012 poll Her debut album Is Your Love Big Enough? was awarded the title of iTunes Album of The Year 2012.

La Havas was born in London, England to a Greek father and Jamaican mother. She was raised in Tooting and Streatham, spending the majority of her time with her grandparents following her parents' separation as a child. La Havas began singing at seven and cites her parents' diverse musical tastes as having the biggest influence on her music. Her mother played with Jill Scott and Mary J. Blige, and her father, an accomplished multi-instrumentalist, taught her the basics of guitar and piano. Lianne wrote her first song at the age of 11, but did not learn to play the guitar until she was 18 years old. Lianne attended Norbury Manor Business and Enterprise College for Girls in Croydon, where she studied art A-level, and planned to take an art foundation course; however, she left college to pursue a career in music full-time. Although born Lianne Barnes, her stage name is an adaptation derived from her Greek father, Henry Vlahavas's, surname.

Matt Corby Support Act

Matt Corby certainly held his own, another beautiful voice and I expect perhaps next year's headline act!

Bis Gleich,
xx
A