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Thursday 28 August 2014

Q&A with: Beulah London

Choosing a beautiful outfit for a wedding can be a difficult task, we spoke to Natasha Rufus Isaacs, co-founder of beautiful British-born silk label Beulah London about what to wear to a wedding as a guest, bridesmaid and mother of the bride. 

Lady Natasha Rufus Isaacs
In 2009 Natasha Rufus Isaacs and Lavinia Brennan spent time in Delhi volunteering for an organisation that helped women who had escaped the sex trade. Many of these women were from the suburbs or villages and had been promised work or a better life. Inspired by the charity's work, they decided to start a company that would provide such women with an income and skills as well as raise awareness of the issue. Despite no formal fashion training the girls decided to found an ethical fashion company, and in 2011 Beulah London was born. 

You can find out a bit more about the brand here.

What was the reason behind starting your gorgeous label, Beulah? 
To produce beautiful clothes that are effortlessly glamorous and made in the finest silks. Our motivation to set up the business is to help provide women who have been trafficked or are vulnerable with an alternative, sustainable livelihood.

Who tends to be your customer?
She's a young, ambitious professional who loves to look her best and has a conscience about how her clothes are made.

Beulah Seraphina
What has been the most exciting moment for Beulah to date?
It has to be being given a commendation by the UN as a business in dedication to combatting human trafficking in 2010 and 2013.

What kind of dress style do you think suits most bridesmaids? Have you noticed any trends recently? 
A-line, floaty and flattering style that suits all figures and shapes. Our Sarai style is the most popular, it is floor length and has sheer sleeves with small buttons down the middle. It's classical, elegant, in fact, my bridesmaids wore the same style to my own wedding!

Kate Middleton wearing the Beulah Sarai dress
What would suggest as a stylish and contemporary outfit for a mother of the bride?
Our Sabitri dress is beautiful for mother of the brides - as it is covered, but very flattering and cinches in at the waist. Otherwise I would suggest a light silk shift dress with a knee length jacket to go over the top. 

Beulah Sabitri
What are your ultimate dos and don'ts for guests when deciding what to wear to a wedding?
Don't wear white, never wear backless in the church (always wear a jacket with it) and do not opt for anything too short! 

For summer weddings I suggest our floaty silk dresses which are easy to wear and transition well from day to evening.

Beulah Porcelain
Thanks for speaking with us, Natasha. 

T.A x

Friday 22 August 2014

Focus on: NEOM Organics

I have long been a fan of Harrogate-based NEOM organics and recently my sister and I bought our mum a hamper of NEOM treats to unwind for her birthday. 

My absolute favourite product to date has been the Sicilian Lemon and Fresh Basil Scented Travel Candle, £16. A great product to take away on holiday with you, the scent takes minutes to fill the room and make you feel at home, while stimulating a tired and busy mind. I find it very quickly reenergises me. 



NEOM organics have recently undergone a rebrand, with new packaging and a refresh of their website, focusing on the natural elements of the products. I love the new look products with wooden lids and thick cardboard boxes that feel indulgent to open. Inside they say 'Scent to make you feel good'.

In the midst of wedding planning, I was delighted to trial their new Time to Unwind Bath Foam, £22, which is a pure blend of 12 botanical extracts handpicked from around the world - recommended as a great product to de-stress and unwind, exactly what I was hoping to do. 

The second I opened the box I could smell the gorgeous infusion of Guaiacwood oil, which comes from a tree called palo santo originally used to help meditation, mixed with rose and bluebell which helps to make you focus and reminds me of walks through the woods. 

Containing absolutely no sodium lauryl sulphate, the Bath Foam doesn't dry you out and it is packed with soothing marshmallow, aloe leaf, coconut and sweet almond to nourish and protect the skin. The ingredients are good enough to eat!


Next on my list to try is their Great Day Body Scrub, £34, from the Make you Happy range, which recently featured in STYLIST. The scrub is infused with wild mint and mandarin for a rejuvenating post-summer pick me up designed to help you de-stress and give you a boost. I love body scrubs and this one looks nice and textured to slough away dry skin,


See more of the product range on NEOM Organic's Instagram page.

And head to NEOM Organics for 15% off your first shop.

T.A x

Wednesday 13 August 2014

Dream Honeymoon: Provence



This week I'm dreaming of travelling to Provence on honeymoon and below are my top picks of what to wear when you're there…

What to wear


1. Essie, Find me an Oasis, Beauty Bay

2. Etoile Isabel Marant Cassidy Chiffon Dress, Net-a-Porter

3. Monica Vinader Rose Gold Quartz Necklace, Net-a-Porter

4. Philip Lim 3.1 Dress, Net-a-Porter

5. Mimi Holliday Banoffee Pie Lingerie Set, Damaris

6. Superga Blue Plimsolls, John Lewis

7. Miguelina Shorts, Shopbop.com

Where to stay 

Hotel Crillon le Brave


T.A x

Friday 1 August 2014

An evening with Jenny Packham

In July we were invited to an exclusive preview of Jenny Packham's 2015 collection at the Elizabeth Street boutique, with a talk from Jenny herself followed by hair styling in the garden, champagne and macaroons.  



The flowers were by the wonderful Philippa Craddock


Dress heaven, I found one that we are going back to see.



Here is a selection of designs from the 2015 Jenny Packham bridal collection.














T.A. x