SNEAKS OF THE WEEK - THE SS16 TRAINER EDIT

Lazy dressers (aka me!) rejoice – the athlesiure trend (that’s fashion editor speak for sportswear) isn’t going anywhere. If you’re a sneaker novice, you can’t go wrong with Converse or a box-fresh pair of Stan Smith’s –  true wardrobe staples. If you’re seeking something fashion-forward, I’ve rounded up four key trainer trends for the season; flatform soles, white pumps with-a-twist, sneaks with a sporty aesthetic and super-luxurious embellished styles (Miu Miu’s crystal embellished pair will set you back a cool £1,025). There’s a trainer for every occasion - just don’t wear them to gym (!) 

Flatforms from L-R: DKNY Trainers, Daniel Footwear. Ash Snakeskin Trainers, Grazia Shop. Gold glitter flatforms, Office. 

White pumps from L-R: Copenhagen star trainers, Topshop.  Cork-trimmed Stan Smiths, Net-a-porter.com. Metallic leather trainers, Next. 

Sporty from L-R: Nike woven, Net-a-porter.com. Stella Sport, Zalando. DKNY trainers, Daniel Footwear. 

Embellished: Carvela Lullaby flats, House of Fraser. Miu Miu crystal embellished, Net-a-porter.com. Carvela embellished slip-ons, House of Fraser.

CHRISTMAS GIFT 2014 EDIT - PERSONALISED GIFTS

Personalised presents require that extra effort, but in return they offer a genius gifting solution. A monogrammed tote or an engraved necklace will make a thoughtful statement without breaking the bank or a fraught trip to Oxford Street. For affordable bespoke jewellery, my go-to is Anna Lou of London - I wear my monogram S necklace daily. Buying for a committed coffee consumer? [aka me - my chap and I have matching Keepcups!]  Then check out KeepCup – the first company to offer barista standard reusable cups. The best part? You can customise your KeepCup in colours of your choice, or gift a voucher to allow the recipient to choose their own – genius! Similarly, The Bathory offer the opportunity to invent your own bespoke bath soaks; I trialled the website earlier this year and it’s such a smart concept, plus the monochrome packaging is incredibly chic. A bespoke print makes the ideal choice for a new homeowner – my fellow blogger Victoria designs chic prints on request, available at her I Heart The Home Etsy store. Get your orders in this weekend to meet her Christmas delivery deadline!

Top row L- R: Reusable coffee cup, KeepCup, from £7. Monogram disc necklace, Anna Lou of London, from £54. Bespoke slipper service, Penelope Chilvers, POA. Middle row L-R: Maria Black gold plated + diamond engravable ring, Net-a-porter.com, £230. Willow monogrammed bag, Aurora Living, from £55. Wanderlust print, I Heart The Home etsy shop, £15. Bottom row L-R: Letter B tote, Alphabet Bags, £13. Customisable Nike Free Runs, Nike ID, £115. Bespoke bath soak, The Bathory, £18. 

LFF OUTFITS: CHECK MATE

For casual bank holiday attire, you can’t beat a sneaker/shirt combination. I am living in my Nike Air Vortex sneaks at the moment – they are the comfiest trainers I have found. You may have spotted my patchwork plaid Uniqlo shirt in the press recently- the fashion journos have gone gaga for it (gaga being the optimum word since Lady G’s former stylist Nicola Formichetti is Uniqlo’s new Creative Fashion Director) and coming in a range of colours at £19.90 a pop, expect to see it on every fashionable back come September. I can’t express how much I love Uniqlo at the moment- their designer collaborations offer great fashion for a budget price and their basics deliver on quality. I wore my shirt with a simple black skirt, grey marl tee and my favourite Zara ponyskin bag for an easy Sunday look. Will you be picking up some plaid for fall?

Shirt - Uniqlo. T-shirt - Uniqlo. Skirt - charity shop. Bag - Zara [Similar]. Trainers - Nike. Sunglasses - Marc by Marc Jacobs [similar]. 

Photos by Hannah Congrave. 

1. Plaid Shirt, Uniqlo, £19.90. 
2. Green Nike Air Vortex sneakers, ASOS, £67.
3. Marc by Marc Jacobs shades, The Outnet, £57.74.

THE LFF INSTAGRAM LATEST: JULY/ EARLY AUGUST

Here's a round up of what I've been up to lately through the eyes of my Instagram feed. If you're not following me yet you can find me @lafashionfolie

1. I spotted this written on the wall in my sister's apartment block and it reminded me of my favourite Oscar Wilde quote 'To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance'.
2. I invested in my first 'fashion trainers' - a pair of Nike Air Vortex. I bought a discontinued colourway off Ebay, you can shop the latest styles at ASOS. 

3. To celebrate the new-wave of Italian culture, Peroni took up residency in Portland Place under the name of 'The House of Peroni'. I visited with Neena and enjoyed the fabulous Peroni-extract, peach and passionfruit cocktails (it may sound strange but it was the best cocktail I've supped this year) and modern art in an utterly refined setting. Peroni will be staging a similar pop-up later in the year, I'll notify you when it's back. 
4. Neon art by Ludovica Giosca in The House of Peroni. 

5 & 6. I visited my favourite eaterie of the moment, Seven at Brixton in Brixton Village. If you're London based and you haven't visited Brixton Village for dinner yet - you really must! Seven is a tapas come cocktail bar that serves incredible £5 cocktails (unheard of in London) and fantastic fresh churros with chocolate dipping sauce.

7. I heading to Kensington Palace for the Fashion Rules exhibition that features a curated collection of dresses worn by the royals. My favourite styles were the Hardy Amies and Norman Hartnell dresses worn by the queen (8.) that possessed a fairy tale like quality. 

9 & 10. I headed back to Headmasters in Mayfair for a second hair appointment with Colour Director Siobhan Jones. I am really loving having auburn hair so we didn't alter my style drastically, adding a few more shimmers through the front and cutting in some more layers to add volume. Siobhan's top tip for colouring? 'Ask your stylist to do something slightly different at each colour appointment to keep your look natural. It's when you repeat the same treatment that colour starts to look flat.'

Until the next LFF diary.. Sophie x

ON THE LFF RADAR THIS WEEK...

Introducing a new feature to the blog where I will be sharing the fashion launches, trends and products making it on the LFF weekly radar. This weekend I will be mostly...

1. Doing some charitable shopping thanks to Fashion Targets Breast Cancer. A whole host of brands are taking part in the campaign this year, including my-wardrobe.com, Warehouse and River Island. LFF loves the Coast Bee dress, perfect for your summer soirees.
2. Heading to the Mawi sample sale which is on today for one day only (Friday)! Hot foot it to Dalston to invest in some wear-forever statement jewels.
3. Planning a hair restyle. I have cut and colour appointments over the coming weeks which I will be reviewing on here. One option I am considering is dying my locks an auburn hue for summer like my style icon Gemma Arterton.
4. Getting my kicks with the latest Nike x Liberty collaboration. The new sneakers launched this week and are sure to sell out sharpish. 
5. Painting my talons with the latest Topshop nail polish shades. The high-street brand are really on their beauty game right now; I am loving the apple-green Rad for day, whilst the sultry Late Show will look great after dusk.

SIX OF BEST: SNEAKERS FOR SS13

One trend that I'm finding really interesting at the moment is the evolution of the trainer from sportswear staple to fashion footwear. During London Fashion Week, the cobbles of Somerset House were hot footed across in many-a-pair of natty New Balance sneakers inbetween the shows. We have, in part, the Olympics legacy to thank for this athletic trend, which I am pretty sure has been helped along by the new super Cara Delvingne whose off-duty model look consists of 99% street/ sportswear. For a great example of how the trend can work in real-life, check out Reem of Five Five Fabulous blog who nailed the look in a leather dress/ Nike sneaker combination during LFW. It's a trend that I'm also keen to try out, so I've been perusing the net for the best trainers out there. Here's my top 6:

1. Stella McCartney Diorite Adizero sneakers, Net-a-porter.com, £140.
2. Trace neon lace up runners, Topshop, £35.
3. Nike Free Running trainers, ASOS, £80.
4. New Balance 410 Blue trainers, ASOS, £50.
5. Trace pink neon lace up runners, Topshop, £35.
6. Nike Free Training trainers, ASOS, £80.