Take It Easy

Rag & Bone tee, Current Elliot jacket via Question Air* 
Lovers + Friends jeans* via Revolve | Ego trainers* | Asos sunglasses

After the madness of London Fashion week followed by my impending trip to Paris in a couple of days, it was definitely time to take it easy inbetween. Dressing down doesn't have to be boring either, it's all about picking the right pieces. This super cute slogan Rag & Bone tee from Question Air is me all over in my downtime. Subtle details like the acid wash cotton and fine embroidery make all the difference to an otherwise plain tee. Also from Question Air is this gorgeous military jacket by Current Elliot, simply by throwing this on it gives the look a nod you he uitilitarian trend. Khaki too is just one of those hues makes a relaxed outfit a little cooler.

I'm also wearing my favourite biker jeans by Lovers + Friends and these awesome Yeezy dupes by Ego. They're so comfy and light I've been wearing them to the gym (and almost fooling my personal trainer I'm cool enough to have the legit ones). If you like the style of the artist's kicks but can't justify those £700+ eBay price tags these £20 dupes are for you - they come in a few different shades as well.

Hope you enjoy this laid back look folks, make sure you're following me on snapchat @ lucia_grace to follow my Paris Fashion Week shenanigans over the next few days!

Valmont Facial with White Room Beauty

Facials and massages were something I was fortunate enough to become well-versed in growing up, thanks to my mum owning her own salon. When I was living in Bristol a few years back, I managed to schedule in at least one a month (obviously taking full advantage of the hefty family discount) and got far to used to having a pamper session on hand whenever I needed it. Since moving to the big smoke, I have little time for such luxuries. My schedule rapidly became so fast paced any down-time I had would be catching up on the missed hours of sleep the night before - be it from partying, blogging or writing essays and the luxury of a salon-pampers became few and far in between.

That's not to say I don't still take care of my skin. I never forgot those early lesson's from my mum, to always moisturise moisturise moisturise and never forget to wear SPF on your face. As a blogger I'm lucky enough to receive a fair few samples so have grown to love trying out new products and different types of skincare. So of course, when I was invited to try out the signature collagen facial by luxury Swiss skincare brand Valmont at White Room Beauty, I was so excited for the experience.

The White Room salon is based on a pretty street in the heart of Knightsbridge. Walking inside the place had me at hello - all white marble everything. Beautiful products lined mirrored tables and shelves and were accompanied by fresh flowers, it really was an interior dream. I was greeted upon arrival by my wonderful therapist Hannah whom looked after me throughout my appointment. After some sparkling water and a briefing on what facial I'd be having, it was time to head to the treatment room. I didn't take any pictures in here as it was dimly lit (which was so relaxing) and echoed the design from the rest of the salon - it even had it's own (all marble) bathroom for you to use.

Once on the bed, it was all about comfort - from a pillow under my knees, ensuring the air con was okay and a heated massage bed Hannah couldn't do enough to help me relax. I was having the Valmont Hydrating Facial with a Regenerating Collagen Mask and the benefits of the facial and each of it's steps were explained to me as my therapist started the treatment. There's a lot of science behind Valmont products and I learned about ingredients such as Triple DNA - an exclusive ingredient that holds up to 10 times its weight in water to optimise moisturising potential. There's also Hyluronic acid that combines high and low molecular weight acids to both fill in fine lines and penetrates deep into the epidermis to retain water within the skin and Rosa Moschata extract for essential fatty acids and super smooth products.

The treatment itself was a ritual of masks, massages, exfoliations and decongestion finishing with a collagen mask to lift and plump the skin. Hannah also did a little bit of extra extraction for me to help remove any stubborn blocked pores. A wonderful massage technique and was used called 'the butterfly', a gesture across my face and décolletage that is a Valmont treatment signature. The products also smell incredible so all senses were stimulated, scents of bergamot, rose, jasmine and musk made were almost hypnotic. Each step of the facial was so enjoyable and I felt really comfortable in the expert hands of my therapist - the whole experience was heavenly and my skin looked and felt so nourished and healthy afterwards. I took the photo above - no makeup - as soon as I got home after the treatment and you can see how clear my skin and pores are.

I was also kindly sent away with Valmont's brand new Moisturising Serumulsion that was released this month, my therapist described it as a 'popcorn-effect' product which I loved. The formula combines the richness of a cream with the lightness of a serum, and can be used alone or in addition to your face cream, which is great as I'm able to re-create a little of my wonderful treatment at home.

Many thanks to Hannah and White Room beauty for such a lovely treatment and experience - visit their website here.

In The Navy | LFW SS16

Wallis striped blouse & denim pencil skirt* | Stan Smith's*

box bag* | mirror aviators

Day two at London Fashion Week was a wet one - do excuse my hair. This was also the day I started getting ill and ended up being my last at LFW this season. Not all was miserable however, as I managed to catch the amazing Barbara Casasola show and got to wear this killer outfit by Wallis and that certainly brightened up the day.  

I love navy, there's something so effortlessly chic about the dark hue so when I spotted this skirt and blouse by Wallis I knew the duo would make for a perfect LFW look. Co-ordinating the striped with my navy accented Stan Smiths actually made wearing trainers to fashion week some what chic - I love to mix things up a bit. Pairing smart pieces like this blouse and skirt with a pair of kicks and slicked back (sort of) hair made for an awesome sports luxe vibe which I think worked so well with this look. It was quite the street style hit and I got so many compliments - perhaps it's a trend I need to try more.

As I mentioned I managed to catch the Barbara Casasola show in the morning, thankfully it was in Chelsea and just a short 10 minute uber ride from my flat and it was just as impressive as last season (see here). I was fortunate enough to be given a seat on the front row which was great as I could see each glorious piece sashay past me in fine detail. It was all fluid tailoring, sheer details and asymmetric cuts and just wonderful. I actually got to meet one of my favorutie bloggers Lucy Williams of Fashion Me Now at the show who was so lovely. I actually happened to be wearing one of the necklaces she designed for Missoma too!

I then headed into the hub of it in Soho to shoot and catch up with Gemma and Charlotte but unfortunately wasn't feeling well enough for Holly Fulton so had to head some in the afternoon. I was so gutted about missing it as the collection looked so beautiful, but health's gotta come first and there's always next season! Hope you enjoyed my final instalment of London Fashion Week AW16, check out what I'm wearing below.

This post is in collaboration with Wallis but all thoughts and views are my own.

Layering Neutrals | LFW SS16

I'm wearing: Dorothy Perkins SS16 lace shirt & gilet* | Vintage trench coat

Levi's 501's (DIY crop)* | Topshop slingbacks

I think this may be one of my most loved fashion week outfits to date. If you caught my takeover on the Dorothy Perkins Instagram you'll know I'm wearing some gorgeous new pieces from their SS16 collection. So new in fact, they aren't actually on the website yet! Always one for a good bit of lace, I'm obsessed with the detail on this shirt. Perfect for spring summer, this looks gorgeous alone or layered under other pieces like I have. I feel like this faux suede gilet (also from the new collection) is it's match made in heaven. With a vintage trench and jeans and a pair of killer (literally, ow) heels, I was good to go.

I can't remember the last time London Fashion Week actually started with a bit of sunshine. For the passed few seasons it's the first day of fashion week has been all about huddling under an umbrella and trying our best not to skid on the wet cobbles. So, to head out on Friday morning into the bright sunshine was pretty bloody delightful. To kick off, it was breakfast with Kurt Geiger to preview their new SS16 collection (from that amazing Karlie Kloss campaign) in their Covent Garden store. Munching on some delicious breakfast canapés and sipping almond milk lattes, I had a lovely morning catching up with some blogger friends and browsing through the new pieces. I chose this pair to take away with me and my blister-ridden feet were so thankful to have them on me at the end of the day.

I then headed over to Soho for a coffee with Lizzy before heading to the Threefloor presentation. This was actually one of my favoruites this season. As much as I love a pair of ripped jeans and a leather jacket, there's something about flirty, feminine pieces that just have me weak at the knees. White walls and fresh foliage made for a modern Alice In Wonderland vibe (remind me I need a room in my future house like this) whilst models clad in lace, pleats, were fit for any fairy tale. Red appliquéd flowers and sweetheart necklines added a Queen of Hearts air to the collection whilst the darker, sheer detailed pieces provided a mystical elegance.

I then spent a couple of hours at The Apartment. It was my first time attending this season and I have to say the whole set up was pretty spectacular. From a blow dry bar provided by the experts at Mark Hill to manicures, Krispy Kreme doughnuts and an unlimited pretty pick'n'mix buffet it was a great little haven amongst the madness of London Fashion Week. There was even fresh flowers and a variety of tiles outside to help capture those perfect #fwis shots! After a hair re-fresh and recharge of batteries (both mine and my iPhone's) it was time for my final shows.

At the Paul Costello show I was greeted with a lovely ice-cold glass of champagne as I was shown to my seat. It was my first time seeing this designer so was excited to see what was in store and the show did not disappoint. Plaid and checks come around quite often during the AW season but I absolutely loved the 'rock chick' vibes from this collection. Everything was super fierce, from the model's hair and make-up to the music. I'm not usually one for punk-y trends but I couldn't get enough of the edgy looks juxtaposed with sheer flirty pieces and feminine silhouettes.

Unfortunately, after a couple of drinks during the day, this is when I start to feel a bit unwell. I was absolutely gutted to have missed the Charlotte Simone presentation on Friday and from what pictures I saw it looked amazing. Annoyingly, I've had the worse kidney infection come on this weekend, hence why I only made it part way through day two. So, instead of today's shows it's been a duvet day filled with antibiotics and Netflix. I've missed some of my favourtie designers and it's the first season in three years I haven't completed properly -  safe to say I'm feeling pretty sorry for myself, but sometimes you just gotta follow the doc's orders. Stay tuned for tomorrow's look!

How To Wear The Coatigan

 Primark cardigan (similar here, here and here) | Whistles bag and marble ring
Levis jeans* | Public Desire boots* | Dorothy Perkins ribbed body*
Le Specs sunglasses* 

Firstly, I do apologise for the slight dishevelled-ness about me. Gemma and I seem to have the worst luck on the days we decide to shoot our looks. I'm talking rain almost every time, delayed trains and strange men coming up to us on the street and not forgetting that one time time a woman screamed and took pictures of us for standing in a (extremely quiet) road. Of course, it's got to a very comical point now and we spend a good portion of shooting time in fits of laughter.

So naturally, when we set out to Chelsea last week to shoot it started to rain and the 45 minutes I spent doing my hair quickly became pointless, but never the less this outfit is still one of my faves. I actually picked up this coatigan back in November. After a freezing afternoon shopping on Oxford Street I headed into Primark in search of all things snuggly and came out with this coat/cardigan hybrid. It's been too cold to wear on its own outside of the house (though has made for the best cosy Netflix'n'chill companion) over the past few months but is now becoming a great transitional piece. Layered over distressed denim and a simple roll-neck it's warm enough not to need another outer piece but doesn't leave you sweltering.

I also need to take a minute to appreciate the sheer gorgeousness of the new Dior lookalike boots. Public Desire have seriously out done theirselves with their awesome range of 'Chloe' boots. The patent nude is so elegant and I'm obsessed with the designer-looking perspex heel. AND lucky for you guys, they're offering 20% off site-wide until midnight tonight, so if you've been lusting after these boots or those new 'Yinka' dupes of the Rihanna x Puma creepers, now's the time to snap up a bargain. Shop here.