Top 3 September Back to School Tips

Happy September! We are so excited for this new season and we hope that you are all returning to work, University or College refreshed and relaxed. The return to 'real life' after a summer of sunshine can be difficult so today, we have you covered with our top three organisational and motivational tips for the season. If you are still on holiday (we are so jealous!), you can read this pool side to ease you into returning to the daily grind and if you are back in work already - you've got this babes.

1. Organisation is Key -  You probably have plans for all the amazing things you are going to do this September. Smash your day job? Check. Sort out your closet to reveal a fantastic Autumn wardrobe? Check. Introduce an exercise regime and stick to it? Check. Make lots of plans with friends to make the most of Autumn in your town? Check. There are so many things that we want to do come September and so many plans we actually want to stick to yet everyday pressures make it sometimes difficult. For this, we aim to stay as organised as we can - to do lists, planners, all the diaries in the world.... you name it and we'll probably have whatever new tool is promising a more organised life. A recent favourite we'd like to try? Plate Planner - a planner which aims to improve your organisation around meal times. We'll be using this to plan our dinners when we get in late from work in the evenings - no more empty fridge dilemmas! Similarly,  to stay more organised when we are out and about, we'll be popping a mini Edie Pencil Case in our bags before we go out - how gorgeous are these?

2.  Seize Inspiration -  September is the best time to find the inspiration. After all, it is fashion month and what better way to get a little wardrobe inspiration that attending a catwalk show? London Fashion Week Festival puts on some great shows as well as industry talks and we can't wait for all the shopping opportunities. You can find more information here - and yes, we'll be the ones elbow deep in clothes! Another way we are seizing inspiration is by mixing up our outfits and playing with fabrics - how gorgeous is our Suede Clemmie Tote? A little twist on the classic leather Clemmie totes but a seasonal staple nonetheless.

(Picture Source: London Fashion Week Festival)

 3.  A Kind Gesture -  Following A-level results, so many hopeful and nervous students will be heading to University this September and chances are, someone close to you (whether a friend or relative!) is worried about making the big move too. Why not help them get organised for September and show them you're thinking of them with a little gift. Our favourites include a monogrammed Clemmie Tote or a cute Polly Keyring which is not only ideal as a good wish for a new house but also a helpful tool in minimising the lost key / locked out scenario which we all know too well. 

Do you love September as much as we do? Let us know what you are most looking forward to this Autumn. 

Love,

Pepper Alley HQ X 

Summer Wedding - It's Never too Late!

Summer is almost over; the last of the summer wine is being consumed and you are turning your gaze towards the new season. What will AW18 hold? What will London Fashion Week have in store for us? And most importantly, can you get away with buying yet another Edie pencil case for the sake of 'Back to School'?! (Of course you can, take it from us). However, before you leave summer fully behind, it's time to face that seasonal hybrid that comes to visit time and time again - the late summer, early September wedding. This occasion is enough to send even the most experienced wedding guests in a flurry of indecision - bare skin or tights? Can I get away with a short dress? And ultimately, shall I take a cardi? Fear not, friends of Pepper Alley - we are prepared with three top tips for you to ace the Autumn Edition of wedding guest style.

• Don't Be Afraid to Dare - While summer weddings bring their fair share of saccharine hues and  sweet pastel tones, late summer and autumn dos bring the opportunity to opt for a more daring style. Don't be afraid to experiment with dress lengths, bolder make up or a touch of metallic during the day - it's what Autumn weddings were made for. We love the rich golden of our Flora and Clara clutch and wristlet - the perfect piece to wish summer goodbye in style. 

• Turn up the Drama -  Have you read tip number one? Well, read it again and this time take it up a notch. Take inspiration from the colours around you - the last of the summer wine, the sky getting a little moodier than usual, the seasonal produce turning a dark shade of crimson...all the beauty that nature has to offer at this time of year. We love a Charcoal Eva clutch - the perfect shade to pair with deep oranges and purples. 

It's All About Balance  -  Just like the seasons gradually change from one to another in an effortless transition, your look for a late summer wedding needs to work in perfect harmony. An unexpected bare leg can be pared back with a satin shawl to wrap up for a chilly evening or a bright colour can be expertly toned down with some clever neutrals. Similarly, a hairstyle that is too severe can be easily softened with barely there make up or a bold lip can be matched to flawless skin reminiscent of that summer glow. Our favourite way to pare back a bold look? With our palette of neutrals of course. 

Remember that if you need more wedding style topics,  you can find more inspo right here . 

Wishing you a happy end to the summer holidays -  we can't wait to show you what we have in store for September. 

Love,

Pepper Alley HQ X 

We're on Pinterest!

Good morning and happy start to the weekend! We hope you are all having a good summer (and no, we haven't forgotten our favourite London recommendations, keep an eye on our Instagram, @pepper_alley, as those are coming very soon). We are checking in today to share some exciting news regarding our social media presence. You know that we absolutely LOVE Instagram and that we also enjoy the odd tweet here and there. However, as you know Pepper Alley is a brand born out of inspiration and which continues to be influenced by the various inspirations that shape our work. Whether it's London, colour or effortless style, there are numerous mood boards scattered around the office (and saved on our laptops!) that we always refer to when planning new collections, social media content or blog posts.

We know you love following along with our journey as a small business and we have been wondering, for a while now, on the best way to share our inspirational content with you guys. We are thrilled to have global clients that we can call our friends and in order to reach all of you and share what inspires us and motivates us everyday, Pinterest seemed like a no brainer.

So, what can you expect? There will be a monthly board giving you aall the inspiration for the four weeks ahead. Today, we are kicking off with our Travel Edit board giving us all the beach and sun vibes as well as the fashion finds we have been loving for the season. Similarly, there will also be an edit of our favourite Pepper Alley products for the month ahead - from the ideal tote to clutches and accessories, we really have thought of everything.

We hope you enjoy following us on Pinterest and we hope our boards inspire you and, why not, encourage you to try something new this summer and in the months to come too.

You can find us on Pinterest right here.

                                                              Love,

                                                           Pepper Alley HQ X

The Travel Edit Part II

Happy Friday babes! It's been a manic few weeks here in the office - we have been super busy with orders and last minute vacay planning not to mention enjoying this heat wave by being out and about in London every single weekend. While we have had a fabulous time, we haven't had much time to sit down and have a well deserved break which is something we are most certainly looking forward to once the entire London population goes on holiday and the streams of emails we receive every day are replaced with the good old out of office response. However, we thought we would check in with you before the holiday season is in full swing with one last instalment of our travel edit. While in the first post we had fun matching a Pepper Alley essential to a sought after holiday destination, we thought we would keep things fairly laid-back this time round and chat you through our three holiday essentials. A little last minute holiday shopping / packing guide if you will, just in time for your travels. Not jetting off this summer? We've got you babes - make sure to give us a follow on Instagram ( @pepper_alley) as we will be busy sharing our favourite London spots for a real #summerinthecity vibe.


1. The In Flight Essential - 

Our Eva clutch is perhaps a lesser known member of our collection but don't be fooled by its minimalistic allure - sure, the Eva may not be as bold as a metallic Clemmie tote or as fun as a Flora clutch but this little gem is not to be underestimated. This understated clutch is made with soft Italian leather, like the rest of our collection, yet it truly packs a punch when considering it's a larger version of our signature Flora so ideal to store all your inflight essentials. Skin care staples? Check. Passport, phone and purse? Check. It's also roomy enough to store your tablet and beach lounger read - a true holiday staple. After a pop of colour to truly get in the holiday spirit? Not to worry, you can choose from dreamy purple or orange liberty lining fabric - we love the purple for a subtle nod to the 2018 Pantone Colour of the Year trend. You can shop the Eva here.

2. The Beach to Bar Bag - 

Gone are the days of using tragic sportswear bags as beach bags or, worse, the freebie totes reminiscent of University Career Fairs. No, this summer, we are after something a little more glamorous, a little more fancy. Luckily, our golden Clemmie tote is just that. Delightfully spacious to store all your beach essentials but sufficiently glamorous to effortlessly take you from daytime chic to evening aperitifs, this tote is a true multitasker. Who doesn't love a little sparkle on holiday? If you, like us, can't wait to channel the bronze goddess look you can find the Clemmie tote here.

3. The Evening Gem - 

There comes a time on every holiday where your usual accessories just don't cut it. Whether it's the surprise dinner overlooking sensational views, the impromptu party or a final evening where you fancy 'making more of an effort', there are occasions which demand signature, iconic pieces. We love packing Flora's little sister, the Clara wristlet, for a little back up should a spontaneous opportunity come knocking on our door. This little gem is tiny enough to effortlessly slot in our heaving suitcases with minimal effort and outrageously glamorous on the inside and outside. In fact, it's golden exterior is perfectly complemented by its satin ruby lining. We heard July's birthstone is the ruby so what better excuse to treat yourself to this mini signature staple? You can shop the piece right here.

We hope you enjoyed this round up of our favourite holiday staples - remember to send us a snap if any of these make their way into your suitcase.

Wishing you a wonderful summer!

Love,

Pepper Alley HQ X 

Pepper Alley Travel Edit

We can't quite believe it but, at last, July is finally here! As summer arrives, so does our craving for warmer weather and holiday destinations and what better way to begin the month than with a little travel inspiration? We bring you three holiday destinations and, with each, the ideal Pepper Alley treat to match the occasion. Staying at home this summer? No worries, we have really thought of everything so be sure to check back in for a special post dedicated to the magic of the staycation with our favourite London spots. Happy summer and happy travelling babes!


Capri With Our Eva Clutch -  With our products being made exclusively with gorgeous Italian leather, how could we not start with Capri? Ideal for those looking to combine culture with glamour, the island of Capri offers the perfect mix of sight seeing and luxury shopping. With its fair share of celebrities arriving on their yachts to spend the weekend, this destination is perfect if you enjoy a little cool spotting on your holiday and can't wait to make all your friends at home jealous with your oh so effortless Instagram shots. Our top pick for this destination? Our metallic Eva clutch with surprise Peacock Blue lining, perfectly suited to match the cool blue of the sea.

Santorini with Rosie -  When it comes to matching cool blues and cloudless skies, packing our denim Rosie tote comes as a no brainer. We can't wait to personalise this little denim gem and allowing it to effortlessly take us from airport to hotel and from beach to evening cocktails. With its understated glamour, our Rosie is the perfect piece to pair with summer brights to match the island's glamorous yet laid-back style. Following its re - launch, we just can't get enough of the Rosie - particularly, its summer inspired texture which mixes the other worldliness of crystals and the ease of summer dressing.

St Tropez with our Flora in Gold - Nothing proudly shouts glitz and glam like this iconic French destination making our metallic numbers ideal for the occasion. Channel night time glamor with our Flora in Gold which will no doubt make you the best dressed guest at all those late night parties and yacht hopping. Heading there for a romantic getaway and not sure partying will feature highly on your list of priorities? Not to worry, our roomy Flora can double up as a make up bag to store all your essentials at the beach - a true multitasker.

Here's to one hot, stylish summer!

Love,

Pepper Alley HQ X 

The Perfect Wedding Guest

It's officially wedding season! Let's face it, there is nothing quite like a wedding to truly divide people. There are those who buy into the free bar, the singles' table and the first dance whereas others shudder at the thought of being confined with their family (or worse, other people's families) in a small space, perhaps in the middle of nowhere without wifi and with the dread of forced laughter through speeches to look forward to.


Here at Pepper Alley, we love weddings. We love the magic of them, the build up, helping brides find the perfect accessory and simply soaking up all the good vibes that only a wedding can bring.


However, weddings can be treacherous little occasions and we may find ourselves tripping over a wedding faux pas or two. Luckily, Pepper Alley HQ is here to help - after avidly watching the Royal Wedding and poring over every little detail, we thought we would put together a little post packed with tips and advice on wedding fashion. After all, who can blame us for taking a little inspiration from the wedding of the year?


Pattern like a Princess! - Who says that only pastels and block colours will do for weddings? Don't be afraid to shake things up with a little pattern especially if it's one of this season's chosen shades such as orange, emerald or the 2018 favourite, Ultraviolet. Still a little uncertain on embracing a bold pattern? Keep your outfit minimal chic and let our Liberty Lining do the talking.

 (Picture via Elle UK)

Opting for Comfort -   One of the most iconic moments of the Royal Wedding was certainly Serena Williams revealing her trainers which, she later explained,  she often wears on these occasions in order to be comfy for long nights. Serena is absolutely right - there is way too much fun to be had at a wedding to allow your fashion choices to hold you back. With the multitude of options available to us, there is no need to compromise style over comfort. Our top tip aside from opting for comfortable footwear? Choosing a clutch that is large enough to fit all you need for the big day. Our Flora clutches come in an array of shades and are delightfully roomy to store all your essentials.

(Photo via Harper Bazaar)

In Ode of NOT Playing it Safe -  When it comes to wedding fashion, we have heard it all before - 'Opt for muted palettes! Blush pink and navy always do the trick! Stick to what you know!'. Honestly ladies, the list could definitely go on. While navy hues and blush pinks always look smart and put together (in fact, there were a few ladies who opted for light pinks including Serena Williams), we couldn't help but be completely and utterly drawn to Amal Clooney's sunshine yellow number. Warm, bright enough to be glamorous yet easily pared back with minimal shoes and accessories, yellow could definitely become an unlikely contender for wedding guest colour of the year. What do you think? We love it when paired with metallics to amp up the volume for the evening or with a nude palette to keep things classy for a traditional service.

(Picture via Pinterest)

See you on the dance floor - we'll be the ones dancing to Beyonce's Single Ladies!

Happy Wedding Season!

Love,

Pepper Alley HQ X 

Pepper Alley Does SS18

When planning this post, we couldn't wait to share all the Easter excitement - the long weekend, the bubbles, the sunshine and the possibility of fishing out our Spring clothes from the depths of our wardrobe ready for a Bank Holiday Barbecue. However, living in the UK, we are used to the weather interfering with our plans just a little and we figured an outdoors guide to Easter in London or a summer look book would simply not cut it for this week's blog post. With forecasts of a rainy weekend and parts of the UK possibly facing (gasp!) snow, most of us will probably stay in. So what better than telling you all about our plans for Spring / Summer for you to read (indoors!) with a cup of tea and the remains of your Easter eggs? Hope you enjoy dreaming of SS18 with us and remember to hold tight babes, the sunshine is definitely on its way (*crosses fingers*).

(Picture courtesy of Pinterest)

The Return of Our Crystal & Denim Collection -  We simply can't wait for sunshine, easy summer dressing and spending entire days poolside without a care in the world. This is why we are delighted to relaunch our Crystal and Denim collection, reinvented to match the texture of a blue pool or a summer sky while still maintaining the ease of denim and that laid-back summer attitude. Throwing on a dress over sun-kissed skin and grabbing your clutch has never been easier or more effortless. Let the other worldliness of Crystals guide you towards a summer night where everything could happen, discover Poppy, Rosie and Daisy here.

Connecting with the Babes and Boys of Pepper Alley -  You know we are always thrilled to see our friends and clients wearing our creations and we love it when you tag us in your outfit shots! This summer, we will be sharing the #pepperalleylove further following some global (Italy and Germany, we are looking at you!) interest in our products. We can't wait to do a little traveling in search of further inspiration which then, inevitably, gets translated into a new product or collection back in London which we call home. We will definitely be sharing our travel adventures and, in the meantime, if you happen to go somewhere new and exciting, send us your pictures wearing our Clemmies and Floras to make the Pepper Alley office very jealous!

Some New Additions To Our Accessory Collection -  We have heard it time and time before, accessories really make an outfit. While we love pouring our creativity into new totes and clutches, we also love to make smaller, personalised pieces like our signature key rings or charms. We are currently finalising some new accessory launches and we can't wait to share them with you - all we can say at the moment is that personalisation will definitely feature and we will share our new designs with you very soon.

Embracing the Spirit of Summer -   A close look at our collections, and the numerous options we offer, will tell you that our creations are made to be shared. Whether it's tagging your sister in that picture of the Clemmie she has been looking for, sharing tips on how to effortlessly complete an outfit with a metallic Flora, surprising your mum with a personalised keepsake or going matchy matchy with your best friends and buying the same tote in different colours, our bags are made to be enjoyed in the company of those we love. This summer we will be embracing the laid back spirit of the season and vow to be generous with our time, our friends and....our fashion advice. Join us and share the #pepperalleylove this SS18.

Wishing you a lovely Bank Holiday Weekend and a fantastic SS18 in our company!

Love,

Pepper Alley HQ X