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Love to Love: Part Five

Sarah Akwisombe

Welcome to Love to Love - a series of interviews with top women we love to love, about all the stuff they love to love.

Today we meet Sarah Akwisombe - the straight-talking interior stylist with a penchant for monochrome alongside bold colour pops.

You’ll have no doubt seen the fresh interiors Sarah shares creation of in her own Croydon home, lusted after her streetwear influenced style, and even spotted her and the fam in that festive Ebay TV ad. But, what you may not know is that Sarah is a bonafide popstar, who helped pioneer Grime music as alter ego GoldieLocks. Yes, really! Oh - and she has set up her own training programme, brilliantly named, the No Bull Blog School. You really should check it out... But for now, let’s find out more...

How would you describe your style?

I’d say my look is quite pop, but with a bit of humour to it - so irreverent basically. My clothes are always very casual, but in a put-together way. I love pastels at the moment - and am also coveting anything textured, preferably fluffy or at least stroke-able!

What’s your dream dinner party line up if you only had three chairs to fill?

I’d have to have my husband there - so we could tick off a nice dinner date at the same time, which is something we’re always trying to find time for (and a babysitter!). Plus he’d be excited to meet the same people as me anyway. I reckon we’d invite Tyler the Creator and… Jennifer Lawrence. I feel like I should say someone mega intelligent, but I don’t know any intelligent people... I reckon that would be a good group anyway - and most importantly we’d have fun.

Where’s your favourite place to visit and why?

I went to Austin Texas for a festival thing when I was making music. It was great weather, obviously, but also just felt like a really cool music scene. And the food is amazing. Loads of barbeques, sauced ribs and stuff like that. It’s somewhere I’ve always felt like I didn’t explore properly, so I would love to go back. Although that said, I’m also desperate to go to Japan. We’re saving up for a trip at the moment in fact. I feel like it’s going to be my spirit animal of countries.

Where do you get your style inspo from?

I don’t really look to fashion stuff. I don’t read fashion magazines or follow that kind of thing, but I really like counterculture - and  street-style. I also like to like look back in history for retro and vintage inspiration. I prefer indie brands if possible, but then the obvious like Nike for trainers and stuff.  It’s great when a little funny independent brand pops up on Instagram or something. I just found one that makes these t-shirts of chicken chubs, and I was like, yeah, I need that. I like things that are just a bit silly and don’t take themselves too seriously.

What does jewellery mean to your style?

I think it is a really good way to finish off a look. Because I dress really casual and wear baggy oversize men’s stuff, it’s a nice way to add some glam. I use it to make my outfits quite feminine - and to show I’ve made an effort basically. Otherwise, I could just look like I’m rolling up in my tracksuit, which is a bit dodgy in some circumstances. But if I rock up in a tracksuit with some blingy jewellery, people are confused and assume it’s a fashion look. So then I can totally get away with the tracksuit…

So what is your favourite piece of the Milk Tooth range?

I don’t have my ears pierced, so I’m all about the vintage clip-ons. I’ve got a couple of amazing pairs from Milk Tooth that I love. Normally anything chunky and gold is good for me. From the new range though, my favourites are the Women earrings. I like that they’re quite different to the other stuff that you guys have done before - and they’re quite different for me too, because I usually like geometric straight lines. But with these, I’m loving the fluidity - and it has a slightly retro feel as well. 

New Year Resolutions

So, it's that time of year. Generally, we don't take resolutions too seriously, but sometimes it's nice to pause for a second and think over the serious stuff. Here's our three resolutions - and *spoiler alert* you need to pay close attention to the third one...

NEW YEAR RESOLUTION ONE >>> Drink Responsibly (downgraded from Never Drink Again on 1st Jan morning).

NEW YEAR RESOLUTION TWO >>> Share Complements and help spread a little happiness e.g. "Iman darling, your earrings are sickeningly fabulous".

NEW YEAR RESOLUTION THREE >>> Be Generous and Kind. And we are putting this into action straight up, by sharing our 15% off Friends & Fam discount for all you lovely people. Simply enter code 'NiceJan' at checkout during January. Yes, really!

And once all those January mantras are over, there's still our simple philosophy to remember >> Embrace your own style, buy things you love and hey presto, feel amazing!

Check out our super stylish one-of-a-kind earrings to make you shine at  https://milktoothldn.com/collections/all 

Love to Love: Part Three

Natalie Campbell

Welcome to Love to Love - a series of interviews with top women we love to love, about all the stuff they love to love.

Today we meet Natalie Campbell - the sassy commentator, Founder of A Very Good Company, and one third of Talk Radio’s Badass Women’s Hour.

You’ll no doubt have marvelled at Natalie’s quick wit, strong hair game and variety of lip colours already, but what you may not know is that Natalie’s first business was a fashion store she launched aged 21, plus as a Civil Service Commissioner she plays a seriously important role helping to select the most senior Whitehall staff in the country. Impressive stuff. Let's find out more…

How would you describe your style?

I go for simple, but impactful. I’m not driven by trends and don’t buy lots of stuff anymore; it really has to be about sustainable purchases. I’m often in black but will accessorise - although with just one thing, I’m not someone who layers up. For me, jewellery is everything. You can update your whole outfit with the right earring, with the right necklace - or when on holiday, the right crown, whatever it is! It’s the thing that lifts an all-black outfit, or that makes you feel like you have a brand new look to rock in a dress you’ve had for 10 years.

If you were hosting a dinner party with only three seats, who'd you invite?

Everyone knows I’m a massive Rhianna fan, so she’d be there for sure. Also Michelle Obama - because she’s superwoman of course. And, sorry for such a cliché, but Anthony Joshua, for visual reasons! (*We also hear he’s very sweet, so sure that’s your main motivation, right Nat?!)

What’s the favourite place that you’ve ever travelled to?

New York holds a special place in my heart. I love the chilled, down-to-earth culture in Brooklyn, but also being in Manhattan with the glamour and scale of the buildings - and supersized food! The city reminds me how small we all are, but equally big you can be. I was inspired by a massive billboard I saw aged fifteen of Puff Daddy in Times Square - and I fell in love right then. It’s a place that always gives me fight. (*We are also big fans -  check out our guide to jewellery shopping in the Big Apple, right here)

Do you have any go-to places for fashion inspiration?

My friends. If you’re wearing a really cute outfit, I’m going to ask where it’s from - and may well copy! I’m not really someone that looks at things on social media and covets stuff, it’s more of an immediate, real-life feeling. I also have go-to brands like Joseph, Max Mara, Jigsaw. Places you can walk in and know you’ll get something so you don’t have to think too hard, I don’t like having to overthink!

Tell us about your fave Milk Tooth earrings...

At the moment it’s The Lovers - because that’s where I’m at right now, all about the love, trying to find a man - so hoping this is a subliminal thing too! But also I love the shape - womanly, but again it’s simple whilst statement, which is a really hard combination to get, but is what’s happening right here.

Embrace the love with your own pair, right here.

*Editor's notes