Vintage copper dress

Happy New Year everyone! It been year of ups and downs for me, but I know that's just life. I'm content knowing that 2011 should be a much calmer year on all fronts (fingers crossed)! I achieved my New Year's resolution mid-year which I don't think I've ever done before, and I've already set myself one for next year. On the blog front, I'm definitely aiming to post more content and am very excited that my new Canon DSLR will be arriving in mid-January. Hurrah!

One of the main reasons I moved to London was to travel while continuing my career, and this year was no exception. I've travelled to Paris, Barcelona, Berlin, Dubrovnik, Hvar, Budapest, Lake Balaton, Vienna, Rome, Florence, Chianti, plus the Cotswolds. Last year my job involved travelling around the UK from north to south, so I've concentrated on Europe this year and I've had a brilliant time doing so.

I am obsessed with jumper dresses this winter (and metallics come to think of it) - they are the only thing I can bear to put on in this miserable weather! I picked up this crazy 80's copper and black dress at Portobello Market about two weeks ago and just realised that it matches the copper detailing on my Mimco bag perfectly.

Wishing you all lots of happiness and prosperity in 2011! NHG x

Outfit details: Vintage copper jumper dress, Portobello market; Black patent bag; Mimco, Boots, Oasis; Blazer, Topshop.

Notting Hill Girl meets Sam Pelly

Back in October I was invited to be photographed as part of British photographer, Sam Pelly's exhibition on the people of Notting Hill. The exhibition is due to launch at his studio in Notting Hill in February 2011 and features people from all walks of life - from the wealthy to homeless locals and people who generally just have character about them. 

The diversity of Notting Hill is so rich I don't think there is a better place in London to capture locals. It's such a shame that the recent Channel 4 docusoap 'Seven Days' never quite took off as I've never met so many lovely locals in one place in my life.

Sam Pelly is the type of man who you instantly like, and I admire his passion for portrait photography. I've not shown my face on my blog since it launched for various reasons but hello, here I am! Perhaps you'll see more of me around here...NHG x

P.S I've been nominated for 'Blog of the Month' over at British Style Bloggers. Please vote for me here!

Outfit details: Black leather jacket, Whistles; Leopard charm necklace; Mulberry; Hair by Hershesons Blowdry Bar

Visit Sam Pelly's website here

British Style Bloggers - Blog of the Month nomination

I'm very excited to announce that my blog has been nominated for 'Blog of the Month' on British Style Bloggers for December 2010.

If you could please spare a couple of minutes to vote for me I'd greatly appreciate it! Vote by clicking on the British Style Bloggers logo. NHG x

NHG loves: Wild at Heart Christmas Wreaths

Christmas has well and truly come to Notting Hill this year, and the stores along Westbourne Grove look absolutely magical. One of my absolute favourite florists in London is Wild at Heart who have made the most beautiful (not to mention stylish) Christmas wreaths I've ever seen.

I normally head home for Christmas, however this year I'm staying in London and heading home in February 2011 instead. So because I'm feeling a little homesick, I've decided to bring a touch of home to my flat in Notting Hill in the form of a beautiful Wild at Heart Eucalyptus wreath.

The smell of Eucalyptus instantly conjures up memories of home for me as I grew up surrounded by a national park and bushland (forest) on a property with only native plants, mainly Eucalyptus trees. Believe me, there was not a rose bush in sight which is probably why I'm so fascinated with England in Spring. 

You can find Wild at Heart at the pretty turquoise 'island' at 222 Westbourne Grove, W11. If you don't live near Notting Hill, you can find them at Liberty of London, Harrods or at their new store in Pimlico.Visit their website here. The mid-size wreath I enquired about last weekend is £75 and the large wreath retails for £150.

NHG x

Fiorentini + Baker

Last month I attending a fabulous local press initiative called 'Notting Hill Press Day'. As a lot of Notting Hill stores and boutiques are independently owned, it's a great way to get press to attend the area in one swoop.

One of the stores I visited was footwear brand Fiorentini + Baker on Westbourne Grove. What I love about this store is that it manages to mix the quality of Italian footwear with a London edge. The butter soft Italian leather is to die for and they even have a great range of bags that are made from vintage leather jackets.

I had originally planned to come back here for a photo shoot with my favourite pieces, but a very kind photographer who was there took these impromptu photos for me (please ignore the white socks, my colleagues wouldn't let me live it down when I saw them later in the day for drinks!).

I have always been a 'hat girl' since a very young age, so I couldn't resist trying on the gorgeous blue hat from accessories brand Flu's Ear to try on alongside their popular biker boots which are favoured by celebrities far and wide.

The brand also has a fabulous collaboration with Anna Sui coming out in early 2011, so I'll post again once it's in store (you can see a sneak peak below!).

NHG x

 

Below: The new 2011 collaboration with Anna Sui. Very prairie/boho! 

 

Below: The best selling Eternity biker boots 

Visit Fiorentini + Baker at 302 Westbourne Grove, Notting Hill.

Style Inspiration: Lucy Laucht

Apologies for my lack of weekend style posts lately, I'm currently waiting for my new Canon DSLR to arrive, and Jessops seem to be taking their time...

For my mid-week style inspiration I've decided to feature one of my absolute favourite bloggers - Lucy Laucht.

I discovered Lucy's blog through a colleague who worked with her when she was based in Brisbane (she hails from Birmingham) and have been closely following her ever since! Lucy is now based in New York to chase her fashion dreams and her blog follows her adventures and thoughts, along with her fabulous styling.

She is not only a beautiful writer, but has a special gift for putting gorgeous vintage finds (New York vintage store Beacon's Closet features a lot) with high street pieces from the likes of Topshop and H&M. 

My favourite blogs all inspire me in someway, and I can credit the purchase of  my Mulberry oak print Bayswater to her! Perhaps I should call it the 'Lucy' bag...NHG x

Visit Lucy's blog at www.lucylaucht.com

All images above are from www.lucylaucht.com