The best purveyor of small brands

So last week I had a meeting in Notting Hill (breakfast at Grangers which was superb but oh my lord I can't believe people queue to get in!)  and thought it was the perfect opportunity to have another trip to do a teensy tiny bit of shopping.  

If you've never been shopping in Notting Hill - do.  It's a non mainstream designer addict's dream.  Think all the superb European brands - personally it's the French ones that I'm obsessed with - Maje, Zadig & Voltaire, Sandro, Comptoir des cotonniers etc.  These however I am saving for my trip to France in a couple of weeks.  Am going with two French brand obsessed friends (plus the families) and so an hour or two shopping is definitely on the cards.

There is however another shop that I've mentioned before that I always have a look in. 

Wolf & Badger. 

Purveyor of independent brands including one of my absolute favourites - Rixo.  I did go in for a specific reason, I was looking for a new dress.  

And it was the Suki that I had in mind. 

Suki Dress £315

This is the medium and I absolutely love it.  The pics really don't do it justice - it's the perfect length for me, the shape is super flattering and I love the lower back (low but not bra strap showing low).  It's fitted without being super clingy - Henrietta and Orlagh, the two designers are complete wizards with their pattern cutting.




However.  Following on from my blog yesterday on blouses, it was this that was the inspiration.  As I said yesterday, I don't really do blouses.  So I've never looked at the Rixo blouses in any detail.  But the colours and the print on this was so completely eye catching (it does have a vague Marant ring to it perhaps? tis the boho vibe) that I thought I'd just try it.
Vivian Blouse from Rixo £165






Oh my lord I love it.  There are three different ways which you can wear the neck tie. 

Open.


Done up pussy bow style


Choker style 



The sleeve detail is sublime - completely oversized, it's sheer without being see through at all (if that makes sense - again, I don't know how they do it, but they've done it supremely well) and it can be worn tucked in (I've just got wide leg full length trousers on) or undone which would look amazing over skinnies.  I think I'm going to have to get it.  I just think, going into Spring, I would get so so much wear out of it.  Plus I have high waisted jeans that I never wear as I have nothing really to team them with bar the one Isabel Marant blouse (which isn't remotely as lovely as this).  So I'd actually be giving new life to something else in my wardrobe.. Can you see me clutching at the good old justification straws?  

Other Rixo items I tried:- (I could happily have walked away with all of them).

Leandra Dip Hem Midi Skirt £215





And then there is the matching fabric silk top which is almost a pyjama top shape. 

Mary Kate top from Rixo £185



I've tucked it in but it can be worn jacket style over skinnies easily.  



And if that is all a tad too boho for you, online (gutted they didn't have these instore) I discovered simply THE most amazing designer.  These have my name written all over them. 

Black Maxi Shirt Dress from Undress £199.  It.  Has.  Pockets.



Or a midi version.  

Purple Circle Skirt Midi Shirt Dress from Undress £180



Or the mini version in black - £149



Other items that I pounced on instore.  The Bagpuss scarf.  Ok so it's not actually called this.  But it should be.  As that would be epic.  And only recognised by people of a certain age.  Superb.

Florence Bloom Serena Scarf in Pink and Raspberry Mongolian Wool was £120 now £84



And in navy and pink now also only £84



Slightly more subtle in navy, grey and cream again on sale at £84




And similar to the one above with no cream and black instead.

Florence Bloom Serena Scarf in Grey, Black and Blue £150




If you do want something more subtle, then a collar could be a good idea.  These are the perfect addition to a normal coat or jacket to transform it into a fur collared number.  Ta dah! 

Cosima Collar Cream from Florence Bridge £100






One more statement item I have to show you.  The most amazing coat.  There is one of these left.  There were only a handful of these made.  It's absolutely divine.  It's the most new vintage coat I've ever seen and the pictures bely the quality of the garment.  Scrumptious. 

Green Miss V coat £220 




Actually I said one statement item, make that two.  I got to try on the stripe jumper from Orwell + Austin.  Gorgeous.  Cashmere, wide neck which I know lots of people love, a classic with a twist. 

Multi Stripe Cashmere Jumper from Orwell + Austin £180



Here I am in the medium.


And another twist on a classic - the staple polo neck.  Reworked with an oversize neck and sleeve length.  Perfect for Boxing Day.

Mihaela Markovic Natus Jumper £120


And here I am in the medium.  For the record this is not remotely itchy wool!


And then we come onto two items of jewellery that are on my Christmas wish list.  I have to call it a wish list as I don't actually make a list as such.  The husband is supposed to be psychic and I then buy what I didn't get for my birthday in January.  He does come up trumps with gifts but likes to come up with the ideas himself.  (he always does well, I have to admit). 

However these are exactly what I would want.   Stacking rings.  There are lots of far more expensive versions out there but these look amazing.  Gold coated stirling silver (apart from the silver ones obviously).  Lots of different colours online but these are the three I would go for.

Stacking Ring Rosegold and Moonstone £49 from Latelita




Stacking Ring in Silver Aqua Chalcedony from Latelita £49



Stacking Ring in Rose Gold Quartz from Latelita £49




And then some earrings.  Now I don't tend to change my earrings very often at all.  Recently I was given the opportunity to have another piercing.  Frankly I remember how much it hurt from years ago and I am a total wuss so declined that kind offer.  I also tend to swerve dangly earrings now as they all seem so heavy these days and because I'm not used to wearing them, I think they look slightly random on me. 

However I used to wear them lots and I've recently had a hankering for some jazz hands on my ears. 

Call. Off. The. Dogs.  An ear cuff.  Where have you been all my life?  Genius.  Just clips on to the top of your ear.  

You can have plain - this one is an earring with a cuff attached to it.  Absolutely adore the simplicity of these.

Kosmos Ear Cuff Silver by Dorota Todd £75



But then how amazing are these babies?  Oh my lord I adore them. 
Black & Rose Arrow Ear Cuff from Wild Hearts at £48 



And then there are the Christmas specials....

Star Cluster Ear Cuff from Wild Heart £52



This is just the tip of the icerberg when it comes to the gems that are online at Wolf & Badger (or in their stores on Ledbury Road or Dover Street.  Plus they're opening in New York very shortly.  Soho obviously...).

I am beyond tempted to order one of those scarves - I just need to decide on the colour... I think it's got to be the navy, grey and cream.  

Which would totally have worked with my outfit from today. 


Print midi dress - Autograph at M&S
Onyx leather jacket - hush 
Silver boots - Maje
Red Soho Disco Bag - Gucci

And I'm super hoping if the husband needs any inspo he has a look at this.  I shall be dropping some hints tomorrow - it's our Christmas "treat yourself" day.  Where we don't actually buy anything, but there shall be a jaunt around Selfridges after a lovely lunch, and then drinks.  I have only a couple of bits to get for the children - actually nothing for the boys but incredibly elusive Hollister jimjams for the 12yr old, along with a Rifle Paper Company Calendar.  She did also want a RPC planner but they only have a 17 month one which started last August.  Am I super tight not wanting to buy something (at full price and a pretty hefty full price at that) which is redundant by 5 months - basically a third of it?!  Any other lovely planner recs for a 12yr old who is stationary obsessed, gratefully received. 

In the meantime, if anyone spies something at Wolf & Badger that I've missed that's a complete humdinger, I'd love to hear it (to go on my *wish*list).