Oh yes yes, the warm weather has arrived at long last in London, a month of continuous down pours, grey skies and horrid cold snaps, we were forced to dig out our Winter clothes to generate our temperature-confused body heat, trust me it felt like Christmas Day.

Last week I became a giddy teenager and wore my favourite Benetton floral patterned tops and the lovely Benetton tote bag outdoor to celebrate the arrival of Spring….again.  Let’s hope we’ll have a continuous sunshine throughout Olympics.

Kit Lee, Style Slicker

Don’t we all just love receiving goodie bags from press days?  At Benetton AW12 press day, I was lucky to receive this vibrant mango coloured canvas bag full of little goodies, I felt like a child showered with birthday gifts.  So what’s inside THAT goodie bag?

An essentially good read – COLORS magazine focusing the wide topics, theory, stories and the science of ‘SMILE’.

A high tech slim mouse that glows so bright in the dark, you could use it as glow stick.  A custom made Benetton heart chocolate stick.

Kit Lee, Style Slicker

I first encountered The Illustrated Nail a few seasons at an event when the emergence of WAH nails (crazy nail art company) took its height and seen regularly at events, I had my nails done with them in varied styles from lightning pattern to gradual blend of two colours.  I must say it is rather difficult to find an official information on the net as it remains to be a private hire company for event and editorial purposes.

I was lucky to find a spare moment to get my nails done before headed off to another press day, I chose a bright hot pink as the base with the Benetton logo on both thumbs.  Nail art is cool.

Kit Lee, Style Slicker

Don’t you just love walking into a shop and you happen to be in a kidswear department by mistake?  I certainly do.  As seen for the first time at Benetton AW12 press day kidswear collection were rarely shown to the press especially on the blogosphere, it has given it’s love and attention by us and in awe of their cuteness.

Check patterns in dresses, trousers, shirts and coats seems to be a key favourite in kidswear, cute knitted wolly hats with animal facial feature will be a big hit in the autumn winter season, I wish they have them in adult sizes.

Kit Lee, Style Slicker

Benetton AW12 press day part 2, menswear.  The menswear collection is looking a lot more preppy than the previous season, mix and match colour palette, heritage and retro reference, patterns on knits, checks, key fabrics like tweeds, wool and cashmere knits, toggle fasteners (signature detailing for preppy fashion), brogues and loafers which strongly appeal towards young style conscious men.

Stay tuned for Benetton AW12 press day, kidswear, you’ll love this one.

Kit Lee, Style Slicker

Colourful apparels awaited for my late arrival at the Benetton autumn winter 12 press day in central London, a dreadful down pour weighed down my mood and the colour of my face, pale.  The Benetton showroom was like a rainbow of revival, colourful like jellybeans you want to eat it.

Pretty colours and pretty fabrics – purple, gold, orange, greens to the more neutral tones.

Tweeds, silk and cashmere and fine cotton knits.

Patterns and prints; faded floral prints, heritage style tartans, cable knits, and lots of tartans!

Left: Simple gold silk shift dress with fish scale like patterns.  Right: Floral print skirt.

Left: Rough looking loafers.  Right: multi-tone lace up wedges.

Left: Well paired items, the purple coat and multi-coloured scarf.  Right: Pretty floral print blouse.

Left: Country style urban boots.  Right: Khaki leather shoe boots.

Above: These items are a stunner, strong orange tartan cape and trilby hat, definitely a must have items for the next season.

I know it’s silly but I really can’t wait for the autumn winter season to come.  Stay tuned for Benetton AW12 press day, Menswear!

Kit Lee, Style Slicker

I was strolling by in Brick Lane and came across this spectacular colourful installation, clothes covering the Stolen Space building from the ground to the roof terrace.  It was raining heavily and the clothes were literally soaked and weighing down dripping with rain water, I could not find any information online about this particular art installation although the workmen were still hanging or pinning the clothes row by row.  Are they’re creating awareness of throw away fashion, can’t wait to see how it turns out.

**EDIT: A moment ago I was watching a news featuring a large department store in collaboration with a charity organisation Oxfam, creating sustainability strategy for customers able to drop any unwanted clothes at stores. 10,000 of unwanted clothes being hung on the building.

Kit Lee, Style Slicker

Ever tried bubble tea?  Drinking bubble tea has been part of my tea drinking culture since I discovered the drink during my student years, it’s pretty much loved by everyone of all ages. So, what is bubble tea? Bubble tea is one of the most popular beverages in Asia originated from Taiwan in the 1980s, it’s a mixed tea based cold tea, milk and chewy pearl balls made of Tapioca starch hence the bubbles.  Bubble tea comes in different varieties; fruit juice with syrup, ice tea, coconut jelly, slushie-like drinks and the like with added tapioca pearls.

Over the weekend, my friends and I visited Bubbleology in Soho there was a huge queue formed outside the shop, Bubbleology was celebrating its 1st year anniversary of their London opening, with an attractive promotion in hand they offered customers a free bubble tea with a choice of Kumquat, Taro or Coconut.  Also on the same street attracting a large crowd of people, a film shoot appeared to be within a proximity of 8 metres some say they saw Jason Statham acting in a fight scene, who knows?!

I chose Taro whilst two of my friends chose Kumquat (type of orange), I must say it was delicious I’ll definitely come back for more.

Please visit the Bubbleology website for more information.

49 Rupert Street, Soho, London, W1D 0207 4944231.

Kit Lee, Style Slicker

(video via earthday.org)

Earth Day is happening next Sunday, what are you going to do?  The infamous London Marathon is happening on the same day, not exactly the most environmental friendly at least they’re doing it for charities and spreading awarenesses for cancer, saving the animal, green peace and many more.

What can you do and pledge to appreciate Earth’s natural environment and be eco-friendly just for 1 day? Here are the solutions;

- eat more local produce to reduce carbon footprint.

- bring your own reusable shopping bags to to the store.

- recycle and conservation.

- take advantage of natural light as much as possible.

- reduce vehicle use, walk more to reduce consumption of energy.

- save electricity and water, wash clothes in cold water.

- DO NOT USE ANY PESTICIDES OR HARMFUL FERTILISERS IN YOUR GARDEN!

- Plant trees.

Save the Earth, do not consume it.

Kit Lee, Style Slicker

After a long stroll at the Portobello Market in Notting Hill, I stumbled upon this hidden gem ‘Temptation Alley’ a trimming shop I used to visit regularly when I was interning around the area in the mid 2000s.  Established in 1963 this tiny shop stocks abundance of varies types of trimmings; embellished, tassels, lace, ribbons, velvets, grosgrains, beaded, bridal, ropes, fastenings….pretty much everything the prices wholesale direct to the public.  This is a paradise for fashion students, seamstress, fashion and interior designers, diy hobbyists and collectors – you can spend hours admiring every selection.

Temptation Alley, 359 Portobello Road, London, W10 5SA

Kit Lee, Style Slicker