What's in my Beach Bag?

1.

Always a hat - I like a classic Panama like the 'Eva' from my 2013 collection - being a blonde, my hair is more susceptible to damage from the sun, so this is great for protecting my head & of course, it looks pretty cool too!

2.

Some make-up - emphasis on the some, I don't understand people that head to the beach with a full face of make-up, but I do like to take the essentials. You never know who is going to invite you to a lunchtime barbecue after all! My favourites are Rodial moisturiser, Bobbi Brown concealer, Laura Mercier tint, Creme de la Mer lipbalm & Nars blush in iconic 'Orgasm' that suits everyone.

3.

My iPod - I can't hit the beach without it. At the moment I love Lana del Rey, Jessie Ware & Washed Out - all great for the beach.

4.

Shiseido sun protection lotion - I can't reinforce just how important it is to make sure you protect your skin in the sun & this lotion is great for that. Light, non-sticky & smells great too.

5.

My camera - I love taking pictures of my surroundings - great architecture, beautiful sights, street-style, food - all the things I use as inspiration for my designs.

6.

A couple of good books. I've read The Help more times than I can remember & I still love it. I'll also be re-reading classic The Great Gatsby the next time I go away, I can't wait to see the movie either!

7.

Toni & Guy Salt Spray - like I said, you can't be sure when you're going to be invited to an impromptu beach barbecue or cocktail hour, so if I do have to get rid of the hat, I like to embrace the beach look with this spray. Gives that cool, beachy, bedhead style, I love it.

8.

Tkees flip flops are SO comfortable & take up no room in my bag. We sell them in my Notting Hill & Chelsea boutiques so I'll stock up on a few pairs in different colours before I go away.

9.

I have to take a sketchbook away with me - I'm always at my most creative whilst away - so I need to get those ideas scribbled down quickly before I forget them. I love these leather-bound ones that you can usually buy by the beach that hardly cost anything & are a great souvenir from your trip too.

10.

Sunglasses, of course, who could go to the beach without them!? I like these Miu Miu ones - not too big but still classic & chic.

Ciao Bello, Valentino!

Well, another year is here - happy 2013 everyone, I hope you're feeling refreshed & revitalised & ready for a great year ahead! I arrived back from a super-sunny trip to my house in Florida last weekend & threw myself straight back into work - January is a super-busy time for us at Melissa Odabash HQ as we're putting out designs into practice & starting production of samples for our 2014 collection. Very exciting but very hectic!

I've been enjoying some down-time after the Christmas rush, but I did manage to make it to the Valentino retrospective, currently exhibiting at Somerset House. It was incredible to see so much of such an iconic designer's work in one place - & if you think Valentino couture looks incredible in pictures, wait until you see the work that goes into each piece in the flesh, the detailing is exquisite. Make sure you check it out before it ends in May, and while you're there, the Tim Walker photography exhibition is still running too. The perfect way to spend a January Saturday afternoon.