More is more for the season ahead

I don’t know what it is about afternoon tea but it always seems like the fashionable sister - if meals were siblings., that is!

Ever since Carrie Bradshaw went to Paris in the final episodes of ‘Sex and the City’ and sat dolled up to the nines in a Parisian café drinking coffee and eating colourful macaroons and delightful looking cakes and pastries, I have had a mild obsession with both Paris and afternoon tea.

While obviously I would love to jet off to Paris all the time, that’s obviously not really an option, so I like to pop into Lafayettes in The Imperial Hotel and pretend that I’m sitting in a beautiful café in Paris looking out the window and watching the people go by.

So I was super excited to sample their new Once Upon A Tea Time menu last week. I love that it’s inspired by some of the most famous guests to have stayed in the hotel like Princess Grace (fashion icon!) and Michael Collins (not so much a fashion icon but still impressive).

The strawberry macaroon with ruby whipped chocolate ganache and the Ardsallagh goats cheese tartlet were particular favourites of mine, while the Princess Grace pastry was so beautiful, it looked like it was on its way to ladies day at the races.

Now, full disclosure, I normally feel quite sick after having afternoon tea but while there was plenty of food here, it was all really light so I didn’t feel that sickening sugar overload when I was done. I even managed to fit in a glass or two of champagne to wash it all down.

In other news, I was up in Dublin during the week to go to the River Island Spring Summer Press Preview, and let me tell you, it certainly got me inspired for the season ahead.

There’s nothing quite like rails of new season beauties to get you in the mood for warmer weather. One of my favourite stories from the collection was a modern take on the whole western/prairie look and it’s a look that is in the stores now, so definitely purchase now to wear later. Think printed chiffon maxi dresses layered with suede and leather fringed jackets, my particular favourite being a blush pink, suede fringed jacket.

There were lots of gorgeous boots that you could easily wear now but are also perfect for spring and summer just worn with a bare leg or with jeans. There was also a big monochrome story going on which featured a lot of polka dot, and again, that’s a trend that is currently in the shops but really is a print that can be worn year round.

I’m particularly loving the bigger, bolder polka dot yet kept quite simple with the black and white palette.

Another story that was particularly beautiful and would be perfect for summer events and weddings were the occasion wear looks that looked like they were inspired by the floral prints of Erdem, the ethereal floatyness of Zimmerman, as well as some vintage print inspiration. A white chiffon blouse with blue and yellow appliqued flowers particularly caught my eye and would be perfect in summer with light wash straight leg denim.

When it comes to footwear, River Island always knock it out of the park if you like your shoes maximalist, which obviously I do, and I have my eye on a pair of leopard print sandals which have that element of ugly but amazing to them as well as a pair of raffia heels bejewelled with diamantés.

This season it’s clear to see more is more and I am here for it!