Heidi Mottram

With the arrival of Spring comes the perfect opportunity to update our winter wardrobes with splashes of colour ready for some sunshine. And with the temperature warming and the evenings getting lighter, never has there been a better time for some new additions to our wardrobes. Here at The Amazing Blog we recently stumbled across Heidi Mottram, a London College of Fashion and Central St. Martin’s graduate with an impeccable background in fashion having worked alongside Vivienne Westwood and Matthew Williamson. Her new SS12 bag and purse collection is full of bright colours and quirky appeal and as well as being one of the first designers in the UK to work with Eel skin, she is also considered one of the best. With no two skins alike, each item is totally unique, and injects a whole lot of fun into any spring outfit.

Heidi has chosen a luck and fortune theme for her new collection, with the ‘Fortune Card Wallet’ and the ‘Talisman Ipad Case’ just a few of the style names.  Each piece has a unique autograph with new silver branded, name plate on the outside and with a wonderful palette of eye-catching colours, the lemon sorbet is our favourite!

The collection for this season is limited to 30 bags and 50 purses, each piece including a certificate of authentication stating the serial number. If you’re interested in distinctive and fabulous colours, textures and shapes, have a look at their list of the UK and web stockists here.  And adding in an extra token of good luck, Heidi Mottram will include a 4 leaf clover charm inside a pocket of every bag or purse!

Considering that, unlike traditional leather, Eel skin does not get damaged when wet, this is the perfect fail safe buy that will see you through spring, summer and beyond!

My Shopping Spy

When you're busy working long days at the office it can be hard to find spare time to go shopping; despite being something of a fashion-addict, shopping can be a tiresome sport and certainly not the most relaxing of ways to spend a Saturday afternoon. And if, like The Amazing Blog gang, you're a big shopper check out My Shopping Spy, an easy to use website where you can find out all about London’s coolest shops.

This free online directory covers different tools like the Spy Search, where you can find loads of shops that agree with your style, location and budget. You can even build your own shopping area with My Spy member’s tool, adding a list of your favourite shops in your profile and planning your personal shopping trips around the city. And the Spy Alert not only updates you with the latest shows and shop openings in London but with Spy News, you can stay one step ahead of the pack as they supply you with all the hottest fashion-related news, including info about London based designers.

My Shopping Spy is tailor made and keeps its users up-to-date with all things fashion. You'll also be able to access the seasonal sales and special offers and vouchers for different shops in London.

Created by Editor and Founder Kristina von Oertzen, who herself is passionate about shopping guides, this hand-selected directory with handy maps and shop reviews is the perfect option for those who want to enjoy the very best of London's shopping.

Crumpet

A weekend of sunshine has got everyone excited for lighter evenings, balmier temperatures and more hours of sunshine and with Spring fast approaching, there's never been a better time to update your wardrobe. And so, out with the chunky knits, the over-sized parkas and the wooly tights in order to make way for some hot new editions for spring. As always, The Amazing Blog gang have been keeping our collective eyes peeled for inspirational ideas to add to our wardrobes. Certainly one of our favourite finds has been Crumpet, whose latest collection is a fabulous selection of pop Cashmere colours and prints like never before.

Expanding its current Cashmere staples to introduce luxury bright colours, fresh prints, jersey basics and lace embellishments, the Spring/Summer collection is made up of effortlessly cool pieces perfect for mix and matching. A plethora of popping bold colours in classic shapes provide everyday staples for the fashion loving woman. Long cardigans in vivid tones offer the perfect balance of streamlined simplicity and are perfect for pairing with neautral basics. Dip-dye directional tones look fantastic on maxi dresses and waterfall cardis and the tunic reappear for Spring/Summer in an adorable ditsy print. Paying tribute to fashion's love of lace, Crumpet's skater dresses and embellished cardigans give the perfect chic look for evening wear and delicately adorned shoulders give a truly feminine but ultra-cool appearance. And for balmy Summer nights we know we'll be donning their racer-back maxis and sundresses which give a  truly relaxed but flattering silhouette. We've been visualising our Spring/Summer wardrobes all afternoon...now where's the sun gone?

Crumpet is available to buy online here.

Fashion Space Gallery

Anyone who's anyone knows that one of the two most important events in the fashion calender starts today - Spring/Summer's London Fashion Week. And thus, the creme de la creme of the fashion industry are jetting in from all over the world to our buzzing capital in order to bear witness to both legendary and up-and-coming fashion designers.

And for those who aren't in the elite glitterati of the fashion industry, there are a whole host of exciting events and exhibitions to coincide with the upcoming catwalk frenzies. From fashion themed nights to special events at some of London's most fashionable of shops, there's certainly no need to miss out on all the action.  And here at The Amazing Blog, one of our personal favourites is the Fashion Space Gallery at London College of Fashion, which opened on the eve of London Fashion Week. Offering the perfect opportunity for fashion fans alike, The Fashion Space Gallery is showcasing some of the UK's most exciting emerging designers.

With the designs of a number of raw talents, including Derek Lawlor, Fyodor Golan, Felicity Brown and Una Burke, The Fashion Space Gallery gives visitors an exclusive insight into the future of fashion. And what binds this group together is their imperative attention to detail, craftsmanship and execution that define fashionable dress at its highest level, yet demonstrates radically innovative approaches to materials and construction.

Each designer has an impeccable CV, and their unique work makes for a truly impressive exhibition. Design duo and celebrity favourite Fyodor Golan, have been described by Roland Mouret as being "unique and stubborn'  and their unique couture-level creations won them this year's prestigious Fashion Fringe award. Meanwhile, knitwear specialist Derek Lawlor, who has been credited by Vogue's Sarah Mower as producing 'fabulous knitwear' has built up a strong following since graduating in 2009 from Central Saint Martins.

And so, whether you're a fashion fanatic or simply want a taster of what's to come in the world of fashion, shimmy on down to the Fashion Space Gallery, located in the heart of the West End at the London College of Fashion flagship site, running until the 7th April.

Roses are red, violets are blue...

Alas, Valentine’s Day is fast approaching and with it comes the influx of the biggest advertising push of the year so far, with flowers, romantic meals and bubble baths-a-plenty on every platform going. From heart-shaped cupcakes, to pink champagne and a dozen red roses, it’s hard to avoid the overload of clichés that the most romantic day of the year brings.

Thus, as always, we at The Amazing Blog set ourselves the challenge of finding an alternative way to celebrate Valentine’s Day – particularly for those single gals among us! Not wanting to gate-crash a candle-lit restaurant, nor being thrilled at the prospect of a one-off special Valentine's Day viewing of Baz Lurman’s Romeo & Juliet - bound to be chock-full with canoodling couples - we decided to look further afield.

Happily, it wasn't long before we stumbled across the London Jewellery School, the UK's largest independent jewellery training centre based in london's most famous jewellery quarter - Hatton Garden. They have a huge spectrum of classes to chose from including both day workshops and evening classes, and with over 20 world-class jewellery tutors and two fully-equipped jewellery studios, there's something for everyone at London Jewellery School.

And getting in the mood for all things love-themed, the London Jewellery School is putting on a three hour-long workshop this Sunday, perfect for anyone wanting to make their loved-one, or indeed, themselves, a timeless trinket. For just £45 + VAT participants will be guided by a professional jeweller in how to make a solid silver 'Love Heart' style charm using a fantastic material called metal clay. At the end of the session all those taking part will receive a finished silver charm to take away in a lovely gift bag all ready to present to your Valentine. or, in the case of a singleton, yourself!

For full details and booking please visit their website.