Golden ticket day

It's a rainy Sunday morning and I am filled with the emotions akin to those I imagine Charlie to have felt as he made his way to Mr Wonka's Chocolate Factory golden ticket in hand.
I am, however, not visting Cadbury's or Lindt, but rather about to enjoy a sneak preview of the John Lewis SS13 collection to be showcased at Cambridge Style Week.
What better way to kick off, or should I say fashion off, Cambridge Style Week than a bloggers morning at John Lewis Cambridge?

Beautifully styled tables offer a taster of what's in store for us as as I down a strong cup of coffee in the  brasserie and enjoy getting to know other bloggers like Deborah from Bang On Vintage and catch up with the lovely Alex Bright.

Table tasters

Loving these displays

                             
Chocolate hearts in hand (needing little encouragement that they were indeed for eating) we're whisked through an empty John Lewis (yip, this was pre opening) to the lingerie department to find out more about the variety of services on offer. As 20-something (soon to be 30-something) A-cup it was not purely the seductive knickers or bras which promise to increase your bust by 2 cup sizes, which most impressed me, but rather the wide array of services and products on offer for every age, size and style.
From bra fitting services to specialised advise for women who have had mastectomies. From Elle Macpherson to shock absorbing sports bras. Everyone within their market (apparently ranging from 20 - 80 years for the lingerie department) really is catered for.
Admit it. Even you're finding it hard not to be impressed with that one. 

I wouldn't go as far as to accuse JL of a stuffy 'only for older country women' type persona and I have definitely found my fair share of great pieces on their rails, but John Lewis not the first place that comes to mind when I'm looking for a seasonal it outfit. Or should I say 'came to mind' because Melissa and Bella definitely altered that perception as they walked us through a selection of pieces from the SS13 collections of selected brands!
Print on print trousers with matching top from JL's very own WEEKEND collection, an I-want-it-right-now tile print jumpsuit from the Alice Temperley's Somerset collection and the exquisite Giselle Sleeved floor length dress by Ghost were my highlights. I still can't get the Havana print top and trousers out of my mind...

Bella with the Havana print trousers and top!

A few of the Alice Temperley Somerset pieces

Heading home to find lunch and snooze-in-on-Sunday husband I began did a quick recon of the morning. Thinking about the wonderful ladies from John Lewis who'd welcomed us into the store, the super cool watermelon nail varnish I'd nabbed in the lucky dip and how I absolutely need to book a free style advice appointment with Bella and Melissa to try out the obligatory free session, which I am assured will transform me to a more exquisite version of myself. I mentally noted that the only improvement would have been to see the Alice Temperley collection modeled rather than on the hanger.
AND then the penny dropped... I'll get to do exactly that on the evening of 20 February at Cambridge Style Week.

And the things I've added to my to do list for the day
- Book free fashion advice session and see whether they recommend the Havana print trousers
- Buy above Havana print trousers 
- Book tickets for the Cambridge Style Week Thursday evening show to see the Alice Temperley Somerset collection on the runway while enjoying a glass of bubbly

I'll keep you updated on the trousers and fashion advice session (with pictures of course) and can't wait to see you at CSW 2013.

Nikki
x

A huge thanks to John Lewis Cambridge and Nicky Sheppard of Cambridge Style Week!