Shopaholic Gossip

Jewels to wear on or off the beach

Pebble London's collection of necklaces, earrings and bracelets using semi precious stones and metals sourced from such far off lands as India, Africa, Thailand and China is the perfect range to browse through for summer.  Turquoise, coral, shell, wood and brass are just some of the ingredients that whip up this unique selection.  I covet them all.  Click here to find them in Latest Websites at thesiteguide.com

And the Bag of the week this week is............

Forzieri's Capaf Line hand-woven straw and leather clutch - pretty enough to take out anywhere and perfect for evenings in hot climates with its bronze and gold colouring.  Not only that, it's totally different to what you'll see anyone else carrying and even better, you can have it tomorrow.  Click here to take a closer look.

Beach Diva Favourite

I have to admit that this is my all time favourite from Figleaves this year and I've been admiring it now and then for quite a while.  It's a great colour, sexy shape and although I wouldn't look anything like the gorgeous girl in the pic I can see myself looking ok in this one, sort of.  Why does one get this dreadful angst just before bareing it on the beach?  Could it be something to do with not quite enough excercise, white limbs, not having started that diet yet?  Almost certainly.  Time to do something about it before it's too late.  Anyway, this one's for me so hands off.

The Only One for Flights is..................

.........................Kayak.  The next time you want to book flights, forget about going to lots of different travel websites and trying to find out who has the best offer.  Created by co-founders of Orbitz, Travelocity and Expedia, Kayak is a search engine that helps consumers find great travel deals from over 120 travel sites and includes Easyjet and other budget airlines in its search.  So if you want to know who's flying direct from Heathrow to Houston you can do so in a flash.  View the flights on offer as a list, matrix or chart and see straight away who's offering the cheapest price for your chosen airline.  You'll never leave home without it again.

Join the Waiting List for these

For the most comfortable pair of espadrilles to hit the street this season pay a visit here to Artigiano and put your name down for a pair in gold, silver or chocolate brown.  Sitting on my feet at this very moment I can tell you they're by far the most wearable heels (if you can call them that) in my cupboard and as everyone keeps asking me where I bought them I can truly say that they've hit the spot.  Now should I buy a second pair?.......I wonder.  Order yours now.

All year round black

I always think that it's quite dangerous to give your website a name with a colour or product in it just in case you want to move on at some stage.  It's happened with HQ Hair (an all time great) who just in case you aren't aware sell contemporary skincare, cosmetics, accessories, tools and yes, hair products too and it's also happened to black.co.uk who do sell a lot of black but also grey, beige, ivory and everything else gorgeously neutral too.  Take a look there now for wonderful shawls, belts, jewels and more and if you think they're just for the winter months forget it; everyone needs an all-year-round beautiful quality ivory wrap, now don't they?  They have a special offer right now so don't wait.

Bag of the Week

As someone who's always carrying around more than they need to it was great to discover this rolling tote, which'll be with me courtesy of Mid West Bags and UPS any day now.  Having searched far and wide for something girly(ish) smart and that didn't look like luggage but that I wouldn't have to actually carry this is going to be my trophy bag for the season to use on plane, train and, when I have to, tube.  It certainly beats those dreadful wheeled black laptop bags.  Let me know what you think.  Order from MidWest and it'll take a good few days but the best things are worth waiting for.  When you see me walking down the street with it next week try not to turn green with envy, girls.

Bag of the Week

There are so many bags out there that I'd love to have on my arm, that I'm going to be telling you about them each week, so 'Bag of the Week' has been born at Shopaholic Gossip.  This week it's Marc Jacobs yummy quilted tote which combines sheer luxury (butter soft ivory leather and hmm...the price) with contemporary quite chunky fittings that'll make everyone look twice and contribute to making this bag instantly recognisable.  Grab yours here if you can. 

A little French influence

The South of France is one of my favourite places in the world (of those that I've been lucky enough to visit so far) and one of the products that I love to have at home, that I can't be bothered to bring back in my luggage but that is becoming more and more popular here (so I don't need to) are the beautifully scented goodies by La Compagnie de Provence, which include liquid handwash, shower gels, soaps and body lotions.  Just to be cool and sophisticated you could go for their chic black bottled Ylang Noir body milk, alternatively try their other fragrances Figue, Lavande, Wild Rose or Cherry Blossom.  The other great thing about everything in this line is that it's very reasonably priced.  Good to look at, high quality AND not expensive, what more could you ask?  Click here to see more.

Glorious flats

So why do you wear trainers, other than going running or to the gym, of course?  Well, silly, because they're so comfortable, obviously, but to my mind they still have to look cool if you're going to wear them out of the door.  Scruffy trainers/sneakers are ok if you're going to stay at home and see no one but if you want them to take you shopping or further afield and if you're going to pair them with your 7 for all Mankind jeans then they have to match the standard of your legwear.  As someone who shuttles between town and country all too often and has got caught out with the wrong ones on my feet I now collect trainers, sneakers (call them what you want) that I'm happy can take me anywhere.  These I love.

Click here and take a closer look