Meetings with heidi klein & Upper Street, & the Harrods Christmas Press Preview

Christmas in July might seem a bit bonkers to those not in PR, but trust me, it makes total sense for brands to spend this summer month showcasing erm, what’s in store, in store, this Christmas!

And last week saw me get rather festive in the Big Smoke-

But first, before the Christmas cheer commenced, I spent my morning in quite the sunny mood, meeting with PR Emily of designer swimwear brand heidi klein over at their flagship store, on Westbourne Grove.

I actually lived on Westbourne Grove straight after uni when I first worked in the film industry, myself and four great girlfriends and still now, these parts along with Notting Hill and Portobello Road have always been my favourite haunts, instantly transporting me to carefree days, life learning the ropes of the film industry at a major film company, first dates with my then boyfriend, now husband, shopping expeditions blowing rent money on designer bags most frequently, and lots (and lots) of wild nights out.

How times have changed (sort of)!

…Now for those who missed it (where have you been?) I recently collaborated with heidi klein on a swimwear shoot in Jamaica ( I know, crazy right, and I must state again how much I appreciate all that this blog brings)…so I returned to discuss another two shoots planned in Spain next week, and have a sneak peak at the current and next season pieces (some below) and next year’s (embargoed) collection too.

I was in beautiful beachwear heaven!

From timeless nautical pieces channelling the much lusted ‘riviera chic’ to LA style bold brights, and boho Aztec prints, I craved every single piece (greedy, moi?)!

But can you blame me?

The resortwear, beach bags, clutches, sun hats from fedoras to wide brimmed and beyond to fine bracelets and metal cuffs, now all on my ever growing wish list, some, thankfully making their way to Leeds right now (phew).

Thoughtful, inspired, exquisite swimwear pieces and accessories, the answer to our longing to be stylish yet comfortable while away…I simply cannot wait to share more soon…

Leaving the ‘beach’ behind, I jumped in a black cab to shield the rain (a reminder I was in London and not the South of France) and headed to ‘colder climes’ at the much anticipated Christmas preview for Harrods.

This was in fact, the first time the press show was held outside its famous doors, hosted in a towering townhouse in Waterloo, each floor cleverly and elegantly creating the perfect Harrods home at Christmas.

Stepping into an open plan plush kitchen/diner, all stripped back walls and concrete floors-a sleek ebony black dining table took pride of place dressed for Christmas Day with honey glazed turkey, cold meats, pies, Christmas pudding, and cherry cakes, placed upon muted teal and aubergine crockery: a scaled back, contemporary feast.

Above us, towered the most magnificent tree filled with vintage style trinkets, dazzling baubles, gold and shiny crackers, red roses laid beneath. The perfect Christmas for those with high ceilings and wide rooms (*calls my folks)!

In fact, there were as expected, a great many stylized tree in each and every room, along with fresh blooms and fragrantly spiced biscuits by Harrods (all offered to us in our gift bags).

The crimson sofas in the lounge, stockings by the fire and the mountain of boardgames at the ready, all perfected the happy Harrods Christmas tableau. I could have stayed all year.

Climbing the wooden stairs, I discovered almond white bedrooms filled with kidswear, toys, womens and menswear, with a short trip to the master bedroom’s ensuite bathroom (all white tiling and glass mirrors) housed the Urban Retreat spa for the day.

Any one for Louis V boxing gloves and brandy?

With rows of Jimmy Choo, Chloe and Tom Ford clutches to beg Santa for, Chanel shades, and every designer imaginable laid on dressing tables, draped on chairs and hung on metal beams, you felt you were tiptoeing into the bourdoir of Dita Von Teese’s (her delicate, sensual lingerie graced the bed to many gasps)…

Divine to infinity.

Tucked away in the bathroom was celebrity hairstylist Andrew Barton CEO of the Urban Retreat spa in Harrods himself, there to discuss beauty and hair treatments that promise high octane glamour this festive season.

Andrew is such a hoot, born in Yorkshire, just like myself, and gifted in all things hair, I’m beyond excited to visit the spa in September and share some party style and treatments with you all.

It was wonderful to meet and catch up with several PR’s at Harrods across various departments too, with exciting collabs in the works, more on that soon…

And if that was not enough excitement, to end the day, I hot-footed it to stunning shoe lounge of designer brand, Upper Street, where I set about designing my very own bespoke pair of heels with stylist Janine.

An online design site where you can choose your fabric and style of shoe, ensuring no one will ever own the same set of heels as you, it was a true delight to visit the boutique myself and see and feel the samples, playing with the styles I liked, creating heels I know will shine this winter.

Once champagne was sipped and the shoes designed and ordered (to be delivered in a few weeks), it was time to return to Leeds, and kiss my sleeping babes…

What a day!

Blogging really is an incredibly dynamic, stimulating job to have, it’s hard work of course, long hours but I love it all, the stimulation, the intensity, the creative joy it brings-it’s a little world I made, a business I created, word by word, that’s growing every day.

Thank you for your support, for reading and being interested, it means the world.

I cannot wait to share more from these sublime brands soon but now, right now, I’m off for cocoa and to start my ask Santa list (something Tom Ford shaped please)…well, I have been a good girl (so far) this year 😉