Political Style Gift Guide 2016

The holidays are here! I'm super excited to share the 2016 Political Style Gift Guide with you all. Over the past several weeks, I've been scouring the internet high and low for some of the best gift ideas for everyone on your list.

From fashion to technology, shoes to stocking stuffers, you'll find some of my favourite items from 2016- as well as some special pieces just for the holiday season!

And I haven't forgotten about you. I've teamed up with companies including Gousto, Buy A Gift and Case Station to offer some fantastic prizes! The giveaway closes on 19th December and is open to all readers.

Check out the gift guide using Issu above, or click here to view. Don't forget to enter the giveaway!

Happy clicking!

Tips for short haul trip packing

I regularly travel on long haul journeys so this week's short haul trip to Edinburgh feels like luxury!

Having just returned from a long journey, packing a suitcase is the last thing that I want to do. For long haul journeys I've got the suitcase and the routine down to a fine art, so packing for less than five days is feeling like a bit of a challenge! I'm not a girl who travels lightly, so the thought of taking the bare minimum is causing quite a panic.

Here's what my short trip haul is looking like so far:

Bag

My large L.L. Bean tote (complete with monogram!) is a serious contender for all my essentials. It's strong, durable and incredibly roomy.

Shoes

I usually travel with five pairs of shoes.... so this trip I am aiming for three. My New Balance x Bergdorf Goodman sneakers will be on my feet when I travel and for exploring the city. They are the most comfortable sneakers EVER! I'll pack my pair of Chanel ballet flats for the daytime events when I need to be a bit dressy, and my J.Crew leopard wedges for nighttime fun!

Clothes

Here's where the dilemma begins... what's the weather going to be like? I've been advised to take a coat with me, so I'll be taking my trusty Barbour jacket which has literally travelled the world with me.

A pair of black jeans and x2 black pants will be perfect to mix and match for travelling and for each day, and I'll throw in a super light asymmetrical linen black jacket for hopping between lunches, meetings and sightseeing.

My stash of trusty striped Breton tees in every color scheme imaginable will also be making an appearance, as will some cute lace tops in black and white for the evenings. Simple is best!

I'll also throw in a few favourite pieces of knitwear that I can mix and match, and two neutral scarves depending on what top I'll be wearing.

Accessories

I'll take my most personal of jewels as well as this fun necklace from Knotty Gal for nighttime fun! I'll also be using my Chanel bag in the evenings and for when I don't need to carry my large Longchamp tote.

Beauty

This is one area that I excel at. I've amassed quite a collection of travel sized toiletries for my various trips, and my washbag has to be one of the most organised I've ever seen! I have travel sized versions of my favourite make-up items, and just pack my regular brushes to make sure something stays the same!

Other Essentials

Work won't stop for me- I'll be taking my MacBook, various chargers as well as my Nikon for those essential sightseeing snaps.

How do you pack for a short-haul trip? Does the dreaded baggage allowance stress you out? Share your tips with me in the comments! 

December through Instagram

Christmas card organisation | Festive coffees and catch-ups | Fan-girling over the whole J.Crew shoe collection | Gripped by Valerie Trierweiler's memoir | Sparkle, it's December! | Revisiting favourite films | Loving Knotty Gal's range of ethical accessories | Perfect PJs for Christmas Eve | Excitement over Presidential mail

Follow me on Instagram and never miss a photo! 

Women in Business: Q&As for The Huffington Post in 2014

As many of you will know, I'm a regular contributor to The Huffington Post blog section. I'm currently writing about women in business and have had some amazing opportunities to speak to a whole host of great women who are making their mark in the business world. 

From start-up to CEO, I've had a fascinating year learning more about these women and how they run their businesses. 

Some of my favourite Q&As this year have included speaking to branding guru Michela Aramini, Founder of The Lovely It Girl, Christina Mercando, Founder of Ringly, Kim Getty from Deutsch and Christine Perkett, one of the Top 100 Must Follow Marketing Minds for 2014 and CEO of SeeDepth.

On the fashion front, I have loved speaking to Nur-E Farhana Rahman, co-founder of Knotty Gal and Emelyn Northway and Dorie Golkin, Founders of the amazing workwear brand Of Mercer. It was a great privilege to speak to the legendary Cornelia Guest, and one Q&A which I will never forget.    

As an individual working in communications, it was equally as fascinating to chat to Peggy Maher, CMO at Barclaycard US and Jennefer Witter, CEO and Founder of The Boreland Group. 

Truth be told, all the women I've spoken to are inspirational, each with their own story to tell and their unique advice to share. Whether you're a woman in business, or starting your career in a different industry, these Q&As contain something that we can all take away and implement into our own lives. I defy you to not be inspired! 

Click here to read these Q&As and many more. You can also keep up to date with my Q&As by becoming a fan here. 

Knotty Gal's Kickstarter Campaign

Who doesn't love a large, statement necklace that gives back? Enter Knotty Gal and their Kickstarter campaign!

As the brainchild of mother-daughter duo Nur-E Gulshan Rahman and Nur-E Farhana Rahman, Knotty Gal is the producer of one-of-a-kind knotted, handmade accessories for a cause! 

Knotty Gal’s pieces are designed by the pair and hand-crafted by Nur-E Gulshan Rahman, who incorporates intricate knots into bold, colorful, and one-of-a-kind statement pieces. Each of Knotty Gal’s necklaces, bracelets, and earrings is made from a combination of carefully selected cords and metals to produce a modern take on classic knots.  

Delightfully “knotty” by nature, the line is equally as “nice” in purpose. Knotty Gal is the result of the founders’ desire to raise funds for the Bhandari Girls’ School in Bogra, Bangladesh. Founded in 1962 by Nur-E Farhana’s great-grandfather, the institution was one of the first all-girls’ schools in the region. Today, the student body has swelled to over 1,200 girls, the majority of whom come from impoverished backgrounds.

Knotty Gal

After visiting the school in 2011 and seeing the overcrowded classrooms, lack of educational materials, and overall lack of resources, Nur-E Farhana knew something had to be done. She and her mother decided to combine their creative passions with their desire to help and create an accessories line that would resonate with knotty gals everywhere. A portion of all Knotty Gal proceeds directly benefits the Bhandari Girls’ School. 

Knotty Gal's current Kickstarter campaign will help the company to expand their efforts, allowing them to scale up their manufacturing, increase distribution and marketing the brand to a larger audience. 

The campaign ends on December 17th and backers have the opportunity to receive a number of unique Knotty Gal products and benefits as part of their donation. A donation also makes the perfect Christmas gift for a friend or loved one! Don't miss out on your chance to back a wonderful brand and individual who is committed to giving back and doing good!