Emma Kiss Tina Illustration

I'm excited to announce that my new blog header by Kristina Hultkrantz from Emma Kiss Tina Illustration is now live!

I have admired Kristina's illustrations for a long time after spotting her work in Matchbook Magazine, so was excited to discover that she offers bespoke blog header illustrations in her Etsy store.

The process was so simple - I just pulled together a 'Blog Inspriration' mood board on Pinterest incorporating a few of my favourite things (including my Mulberry Bayswater bag, Diptyque candles and my pink Miu Miu bejewelled flats) and Kristina did the rest!

Below is a screen grab of my original mood board and the end result. You can visit Emma Kiss Tina on Etsy here. NHG x

Weekend Uniform

Hurrah, this weekend well and truly felt like spring is nearly here! On Saturday I spent much of the day outside riding a Boris bike from Notting Hill via Little Venice to Primrose Hill...that was after my TenPilates class in the morning so by the time we arrived, I needed a serious lie down.

Lucky Primrose Hill is full of gorgeous Italian deli's to refuel and we had delicious sandwiches at Anthony's Delicatessen followed by a visit to Lanka to stock up on cake for later...

This is kind of my staple weekend outfit at the moment now that I (hopefully) don't need my heavy wool coats. If you're in the Northern Hemisphere, is it nearly spring where you are? NHG x

Outfit details: Grey and black leopard pea coat, Reiss; pink silk shirt, River Island; baby wool jumper with stud detailing, Reiss; coated black skinny leg jeans, COS; watch, GUESS; lipstick, Fushcia colour riche by L'Oreal; nails, Chastity by Essie.

NHG loves: Reiss SS12

Reiss is by far one of my favourite high street collections this Spring/Summer. Even though I LOVE the bright neons around at the moment, I know they don't have longevity, so I'm keen to keep my wardrobe full of muted pastels and gorgeous prints that I know will last.

Reiss's digital floral prints are particularly strong this year, and their collection of silk shirts are a wardrobe staple if Equipment's prices make your eyes water. If all else fails, wear your Breton striped top for the easiest, chic summer look of all. I know I will be...

See Reiss' Spring/Summer look book here. NHG x

The Art of the (High Street) Trench

After today's Burberry show at London Fashion Week, my desire for a quality trench coat is stronger than ever. I owned a lovely Zara trench up until recently, when my dry cleaner lost my belt, and I ended up giving it to a charity shop for someone who is happy to wear no belt or a replacement in it's place.

High on my high street list is this Classic Banana Republic trench in Almond (£125), as worn by Laura from Wearing It Today below. I've seen a few in Topshop, however the quality isn't great. There are also classic styles in both The Kooples and Sandro on Westbourne Grove at the moment, but their prices are so high I might as well save for a life time of Burberry.

If I were to invest, I love this Burberry Brit Trench (£795).

What do you think? Is a trench worth saving for or do you think high street styles are just as nice?

NHG x

Photo credits (clockwise): The Glitter Guide, Wearing It Today, Fash n Chips and Atlantic Pacific.

Winter brights

I bought this hot pink wool scarf from COS last November, but have only just started wearing it in the last few weeks! Typical that we get the warmest winter since records began until the very end of winter...ah London!

I love the hot pink colour and the fact that it's 100% handknitted wool. It's very similar to the Louise Dungate chunky scarf I blogged about here!

NHG x

P.S It's now on sale for €25 at COS online.

Blogger Weddings: Wearing It Today

Last year I profiled Australian blogger, Mandy from Oracle Fox's wedding, and thought I'd make it a monthly feature. There are SO many wedding blogs out there (brilliant ones at that) but just as I take my fashion inspiration from fellow bloggers, I am inspired by their weddings too.

Laura Fantacci's blog, Wearing It Today, is one of my absolute must-reads and I buy Red magazine just for her fashion pages. I adore her style so much, so I knew her wedding would be impeccably styled. I wasn't wrong...

Laura designed not one, but two wedding dresses (white for day, pink for night) and wore the most stunning Christian Louboutins ever. I love them so much I'm considering buying them for my wedding (although I need to sort the dress first!).

My favourite aspects of the wedding are definitely the different multi-coloured bridesmaid dresses that go so well together, only a stylist could have been behind the overall look that was achieved. The other cute idea I love is the fact that Laura (& Simone) not only had a photographer (completely normal), but an illustrator too! What a brilliant idea to capture your day.

I've selected a few of my favourite photos, see the full album links below. NHG x

All photos from Ed Peers. Visit Wearing It Today here.

ASH Jalouse boot

I had a lot of emails and tweets about my ASH Jalouse boots when I featured them on my blog last spring. The good news is that they're back for Spring/Summer 2012 and mywardrobe.com has them in stock! 

They are available here in black, taupe and navy. Be quick - these sold out everywhere last season (and are a wardrobe staple for me). Click to buy. NHG x


NHG Beauty: Kiehl's

I've used Kiehl's products a few times in the past, but it was a brand that I mainly purchased as a gift to others (traditionally it was quite expensive in Australia). Recently a store opened at work so I decided to give their products a go. I then also won a huge box of products in our staff Christmas fundraiser so my bathroom ended up looking like a shrine to the brand.

I've been using the following products: 
Ultra Facial Cleanser: A gentle gel cleanser, it's quite nice but I find that I still have a lot of foundation on my skin when I tone afterwards. It's not over drying and leaves skin fresh, but I probably wouldn't buy it again as it doesn't cleanse deep enough for me.
Ultra Facial Toner: Really love this, it's a nice milky texture and leaves the skin hydrated and smooth. I've never really liked toners because of the tight feeling they leave, but this is fabulous.
Ultra Facial Cream: A great moisturiser - not too heavy or light. Is quite similar in feel to the Nuxe Crème Fraîche de Beauté moisturiser I was using previously.
Coriander Bath & Shower cleanser: Love the smell of this and used it to soak in the bath after a hard session of pilates. Coriander is not something you would think of for a bath fragrance, but it works.
Acai Texture Perfecting Cleanser: I'm not a fan of foam cleansers so I won't be buying anymore. I also didn't like the Caudalie or Nuxe 3 Roses foaming cleansers that I recently bought, as they leave so much make-up behind and you can't use them on your eyes.
Light Weight Creme de Corps: The light weight version of Creme de Corps, I really loved this. It's quite expensive but I would buy it again as it soaks into my skin and doesn't leave a frangrance (no clashing with your perfume). I don't like heavy body moisturisers as I live in opaque tights and hate the sticky feeling some leave behind.

Do you use Kiehl's? What are your favourite products? NHG x

You can purchase Kiehl's online at House of Fraser here.