From 5-star hotels to 5-star reviews: a big thank you to the UK’s Conde Nast Traveller magazine for their 5-star rating of CLICKINI.com!

Just in case you can’t read the above copy, here’s what they had to say about us (emphasis theirs, links ours!) :

www.clickini.com

ETHOS: The focus is on luxury resort collections from the world’s most stylish designers that you’re unlikely to find on the high street or in department stores.

USEABILITY: Simple to use with good graphics and photography, and honest and thorough descriptions. If items are out of stock you can reserve them or join a waiting list.

SURPRISE DISCOVERIES: Tomas Maier, Laura Urbinati and Jil Sander’s debut collection all feature.  The packaging is eco-friendly, and the site tries to minimise its carbon footprint.

VERDICT: It’s the most expensive beachwear, but the best quality and selection we’ve found anywhere.

*****

Tomas Maier's debut bag collection

One of THE most exciting discoveries we made in Milan was that Tomas Maier has created a capsule collection of leather bags using Bottega Veneta leather and made by Bottega Veneta artisans – the Tomas Maier fans amongst you will know that he creates a designer bikini collection under his own name, as well as being Creative Director of BV. Watch out for these incredibly beautiful bags on CLICKINI.com this fall season.

In the meantime, we have Tomas Maier’s beautiful designer bikini collection online at CLICKINI.com designer bikini store right now.

The Hotel Principe di Savoia belongs to the Dorchester Collection of luxury hotels and the entire family of properties has collaborated on a special cocktail menu, available at every Dorchester Collection hotel, featuring a signature cocktail created by the bar manager from each hotel.

When in Milan, we do as the Los Angelenos do and order the delicious Blossom Martini, the signature drink at the Hotel Bel Air. We were therefore delighted to find a video tutorial on the Dorchester Collection’s Youtube channel, showing how to recreate the drink at home.

Somehow we doubt that our attempts will taste anything near as nice…but perhaps it’s worth having a go!

Our favourite Milanese hotel however has always been the majestic Hotel Principe di Savoia which has just had a major makeover and looks better than ever.  The Acanto restaurant is a true oasis in the heart of the city and the bar has been funked up with a DJ booth and a luxurious new look in seductive chocolate tones. The aperitivo, a Milanese institution, is one of the best we’ve had at any of the upscale Milanese hotels.

[Photo via Luxuryexplorer.com]

Fashion and hotels seem to flock together like birds of a feather in Milan. The Bulgari hotel has always been a favourite haunt of ours so we were very curious to check out the new Maison Moschino Hotel which has just opened. It’s definitely worth a look – very quirky and colourful indeed. If the rooms look a little too much for sleeping, why not try the bar or restaurant, where dresses adorn the walls for a touch of boudoir dining.

[Photo via Coutureinthecity.com]

Being snowed in is the perfect opportunity to update this sadly neglected blog! But it’s got me thinking wistfully back to the record-breaking heatwave I enjoyed in Corsica this past summer. I cannot recommend Corsica highly enough – it’s very down to earth and unpretentious, the shops and cafes charge “normal” prices for the most part and it’s not a constant fashion show, but you can still strut your stuff if you want to.

I ended up there courtesy of two of my favourite designers at CLICKINI.com, namely Tara Matthews and Alexandra Joly-Firino Martell of Bronzette. Tara lives on the island roughly half the year and Alexandra has a beautiful summer home nearby. When it’s almost 50 degrees celsius outside and forest fires are raging, there’s nothing better than relaxing by the pool with friends and a mini Magnun ice cream!

[Photo via createvillas.co.uk]

I met up with Tara again the next day. We had scheduled a joint meeting with the very lovely Sarah Harris from British Vogue at The Wolseley for 5pm but were far too early, so we made a quick pitstop at Browns Hotel for a cocktail in the elegant bar. Unfortunately my Moscow Mule was not so good, but the news Tara received on her BlackBerry was: she had made it into the launch issue of Indian Harpers Bazaar!!

I meandered on ahead to The Wolseley while Tara quickly called the fashion ed in Mumbai to provide some last minute details for the story. I was just telling the maitre d I had arrived when the person in front turned around, and it was Sarah! We had arrived mere moments apart. The restaurant had given us an amazing table right at the front, and I watched in amazement as Amanda Ross was seated at the table across from ours – talk about a small world! Amanda was having a quick catch-up with Sarah Bailey, an editor at British Harpers Bazaar while in town.

Over tea and scones, I chatted with Sarah about the new collections, showing her the latest pieces by Naelie and Bronzette, which she loved, particularly the Naelie Vesta bikini in purple and the Bronzette Zoe bandeau, which are also two of my particular favourites from the site.

After tea, it was time to head to Gatwick and back home for a rest!

[Photo via Londontown.com]

It's a jungle out there!

Another very fun day in London! Decided to meet up with good friend Tara Matthews at Sketch for a leisurely afternoon tea. Tara arrived with another friend of hers, a former editor at US Harpers Bazaar, Amanda Ross. Amanda was the stylist for TV show Lipstick Jungle at the time and it was amazing to hear a behind the scenes account of how much effort goes into pairing a character with the wardrobe that best suits their on-screen persona. Amanda was over from New York to visit her twin sister, who is married to legendary London art dealer, Richard Green.

During our get-together, I got an email from Pippa Holt at British Vogue about calling in some product for an upcoming beachwear shoot. A few quick phone calls later and a colourful array of Anna & Boy, Anya Hindmarch, Bronzette, Flamingo Sands, Naelie and, of course, Tara Matthews was on its way over to Vogue House. The piece that eventually made it into the June issue was the gorgeous Anya Hindmarch Lennox dress.

[Lipstick Jungle photo via insidesocial.com]

Wow, it’s been quite a while since we actually updated this thing – our bad!!

And it’s not like we haven’t had fun stories to tell, quite the contrary in fact.

So let’s get this show back on the road, shall we?!

[cute puppy photo via jessenoller.com]

They say that the fashion world is a freakshow, but even I’m caught by surprise sometimes. Nina Ricci’s Olivier Theyskens has just presided over a revamp of the brand’s Avenue Montaigne store, so I decided to check out while I was in town. However, as I wandered down the Rue Francois 1er from the Balmain boutique, I noticed a homeless woman had taken up residence in the neighbouring doorway. But this unfortunate lady was no ordinary homeless person and she even had the posters to prove it:

The one in French on the right says “I’m dying. A private detective has completely ruined my life. Now I’m on the street with no money and in poor health. Help me please. I’m desperate.”

It’s always very sad to see someone down on their luck and out in the street. Unfortunately Larissa was nowhere to be seen that day so I wasn’t able to offer her any further help. If any of you are passing by the corner of Avenue Montaigne and Rue Francois 1er, let me know how she is doing.