Top tips for going to Cheltenham Festival in Style

Although I’ve definitely had a fun festive period, I really love springtime because it’s the time when we can finally shake off the winter blues and enjoy the great outdoors. And I’ve been investigating a few options for getting out and about, and the upcoming Cheltenham Festival seems to offer a good combination of cocktails, horse racing excitement, sports fun, and of course, lots of fashion opportunities. But as ever, my main question is - what to wear? Races conundrum The hardest thing about putting together a look for the races seems to be how to look stylish without necessarily breaking the strict dress codes that are often enforced. Thankfully the Cheltenham Festival looks like it doesn’t suffer the restrictive dress code found at Royal Ascot, but it still requires a little bit of forward planning. Thankfully, the racecourse’s website gave a good idea of what was acceptable depending upon what kind of ticket you’d purchased. And similarly, I found that Betway’s site ......

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Brilliantly British Boden

Me in the photobooth So last thursday I was lucky enough to make my way to the big smoke and have a sneak peek at the new AW13 Boden collection at Somerset House and if I could use one word to describe the winter autumn collection it would be - WOW. I am a true lover of summer but in a way seeing the lovely Fair Isle jumpers and cute mini boden children's clothing I cannot wait for Autumn and to snuggle up in front of the fire with a cup of hot chocolate and a lovely knit jersey to keep me warm and cosy. I first got into Boden when my very stylish mother starting buying their clothing and I was envious and always borrowing her clothes. The great thing I love about the brand is it really is a family brand with stylish pieces for all the family and I was very impressed with not only the womenswear but also the mens collection they had on display and of course the  beautiful children's clothing. They had amazing room sets that invited you in to have a closer ......

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Instaloving

Another little instagram roundup of our week, what we have been doing, wearing and whose hair John has been cutting. The weather has been quite good the past few days so had some great outdoor fun, as well as coming across some old CD's and my nineties flashback. From Left to right starting from the top 1. Mr A rocking my new shades - he wore them the whole of bath time 2. John and mr A on a little train adventure 3. We went to a friends wedding last week and we both went for a sort of vintage style with John rocking a tweed jacket and me with a polka dot tea dress 4. Mr A having fun climbing trees in Thompson Park 5. The amazing green man in Thompson Park, Cardiff 6. My vintage gap shirt with Levi skinnies and creepers 7. A blast from the past - No Doubt and Green day albums 8. John rocking his Edwin jeans, Burlington socks and Clarks originals. 9. Johns favourite haircut of the week on Kris from Frontier Tattoo Parlour Follow Laura on Instagram Follow John on ......

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Autum will soon be in the air

I cannot believe it as soon as you think the sun is around to stay is disappears again...summer is soon going to be over and it's as if it never really got started. You can see the change in the shops, with the new arrivals of Autumn and Winter collections slowly trickling in. I am determined to not be caught out this year as I found that winter appeared out of nowhere last year and I was under prepared with regards to a nice warm, practical and stylish jacket. I have finally learnt over the years that when it comes to a winter jacket you really do need to invest in a quality item that not only looks good but keeps you warm and preferably dry. I always think the French get this spot on and I always think of Parisian ladies in their quintessential Pea Coats and Macs. This year though I am going to go for a more British Look as it only seems fitting to embrace Britannia when we have so much to celebrate at the moment. I am thinking countryside, wax jackets, tweed and quilted patterns......

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40 Winks Showcase - 6 Designers

Why of all the weekends does London City have to shut down the whole of Jubilee line (the line I needed because I was staying in Swiss Cottage) and parts of Hammersmith & City and District line during London Fashion Week, so frustrating especially if you wanted to get to the 40 Winks Pop-up Showroom in East London's Mile End. Well anyway after having to make a million changes on the underground and walk from Whitechapel to Stepney Green (which was interesting in itself) I finally made it to what has been quoted as "the most beautiful small hotel in the world" by German Vogue, and it did not disappoint. Going through the very Grand front door I was greeted by the rather eccentric proprietor and interior designer David Carter, who had someone come up with a cup of tea and slippers (as it was a shoeless house). The showcase was spread over three floors with 6 designers each been given a space in which to display their collections. The first designer I had a chance to l......

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