Go for the Glamour
Make a statement with these party-perfect picks.
This spring and summer, I’m going all in on the pomp. Give me all of the brightly colored dresses, oversize hats and pitchers of Pimms. I just love this time of year in London, because it’s one show-stopping event after another. It all kicks off with the coronation the first weekend in May, followed by the RHS Chelsea Flower Show at the end of the month and then Royal Ascot in June. In between, there are weekend picnics in the park with plenty of bubbles and strolls through the open-air markets. Now let’s just hope the weather holds out.
No matter what’s on your calendar in the coming months, we all tend to be more social once everything thaws out. From weddings to festivals, this week’s three picks will help you do it all with a touch more pizazz.
As Iman once said, “Glamour never takes a day off.”
1. Beachwaver® S1 ($149)
Whenever I want to give my look something extra, I go for big curls. And now that the voluminous blowouts of the '90s are back, it’s the right time to share my go-to curling iron. Designed by celebrity hairstylist Sarah Potempa, the Beachwaver® S1 is a rotating curling iron that makes styling your hair simple and fast. It has a 1" ceramic barrel that rotates to the right or left at the touch of a button to help you create tight curls or loose waves to frame your face and give you loads of volume. I also love that this model is dual voltage, so I can use it wherever I am.
2. Lulu Guinness Red Lips Small Clutch Bag (£175)
A statement clutch adds a bit of fun to your formal wear. This shiny red acrylic one from British handbag designer Lulu Guinness is inspired by one of my favorite artists, Salvador Dalí, and is just big enough for the essentials. Bring it along to a wedding to celebrate love or use it to add a pop of color to any outfit. The lips clutch is also available with a gold chain strap for hands-free wear and in a variety of other sizes and finishes. The brand was launched in 1989 and now includes luggage, laptop cases and much more, each one with a unique twist.
3. Oliver Bonas Spiral Glassware (Two for £22.50 and up)
If you plan to do a lot of entertaining this spring and summer, it’s time to do an inventory of your glassware. Toss the chipped glasses and mismatched stemware from last year’s wine tastings. The Spiral collection from Oliver Bonas, the British lifestyle brand founded by Oliver Tress in 1993, includes champagne saucers (aka coupes), gin glasses (for holding larger mixed drinks) and wine glasses. With an elegant, modern design and reasonable price point, they’ll help you complete your bar setup without fear of having to forgo dinner for a week if a guest breaks one.
Something to think about …
Last week marked 50 years since the first successful cell phone call. These devices once seemed so sci-fi, but are now such a big part of our daily lives (phantom vibration syndrome, anyone?) Go back to the beginning with this article from Smithsonian Magazine.
Last week on MIDDI …
