Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge with the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall via The Mirror

So now let’s look at what she wore piece by piece:
The Hat:

by Jane Corbett, seen first at Order of the Garter 2012 and a wedding as well, I think

The coat:

Marella Coat by Emilia Wickstead

The clutch:

Russell & Bromley 5th Ave. Clutch, first seen on South East Asia Tour

The Shoes:

Whoa, hold on! the Park Ave. Shoes come small enough for my tiny feet!!! Okay now I just have to find a reason to justify learning to wear and walk in real “big girl” heels. My parents and former physical therapists are going to have a royal fit.

Carly Watson ITV Twitter Feed

The silk double georgette cocktail dress is available in sizes 8-16 and retails for £540.

 It is described this way:

‘With long billowing sleeves and knee length style, this dress is the perfect piece for any smart, summer occasion. The beautiful silk and cut makes this dress original, flattering and feminine in a versatile way that can be worn from day to evening.’

Now the elegant frock is available in three gorgeous new colors! The Purple Print Sabitri Dress is an eye-catching colorway and so wearable. This dress could easily take you to a summer wedding with the addition of a fascinator and your favourite pair of heels (L.K. Bennett sledge of course, if you’re replicating the Duchess). For petite princesses It’s quite a conservative length, and midi length dresses are very much on trend at the moment. At £475, it’s an investment piece, but one I anticipate you’ll wear again and again…

 Beulah London shared a look at the dress styled with L.K. Bennett heels, Zara bag and a floppy hat for daytime wear on their Facebook Page. It’s really a very versatile piece.

Beulah London Facebook Page

Below we look at the Sabitri in Navy and Silver.

 Beulah is an amazing brand, not just in terms of their designs. They are truly committed to making a difference through their label supporting a number of causes, primarily the movement against the trafficking of women. Driven by their twin passions for positive social change and beautiful designs, owners Natasha and Lavinia are very much on the right path. It’s worth mentioning 10% of all profits from the Shibani Scarf go towards the United Nations Blue Heart Campaign which raises awareness of the problem of human trafficking. Pippa Middleton owns this scarf and is often pictured wearing it.

 A combination of stellar garments and supporting a very special cause. What could be better?

Here are just 3 times that we have seen Catherine wear this brooch:

When I went to the Ed Sheeran concert at the Palace in Louisville, Kentucky, I was blown away and I remember feeling so lucky to have gotten tickets, well it seems my luck did not end there, not by a long shot.

Back in March I was debating getting tickets to a favorite venue on the RED Tour, but travel and work, and family concerns made it REALLY hard to justify and so I decided that Precious (Ed’s Feline Fan in this house) and I would just create our own Ed Sheeran/Taylor Swift concert on the night(s) of shows that I had hoped to attend. My Mom, it turns out, had other ideas.

Mom has been involved with a major fundraising event for a local charity for many years and this year was no different. March 10th Mom headed out of the house and was supposed to be back in 2 or 3 hours after just part of the fundraiser was over but as the clock hit 11 she still was not home so I just picked up the phone and decided to find out where she was. When she picked up the phone I was greeted with “You’ve got tickets to the concert, babe.” I couldn’t believe it, my mom had stayed for the auction at the end of the event and had outbid everyone else to win a pair of Taylor Swift tickets that were in the auction!

When mom got home the surprises kept coming, not only were there two tickets but there was also the use of a limousine for the night…what a treat! That was 10 March but the concert was on 7 May, the wait was going to be unbearable. I had to decide who to take with me and for a while it was my Dad that was going to go with me, he’d been to the first concert and he knew how strongly I felt that Ed NEEDED to play in larger venues like the Yum! Center or the Verizon Center, and so it made sense that he should come along to see how this concert went. One night, when my best friend called, mom suggested that I see if Lisa was available to go with me so that we could make it a girl’s night out and have fun at a concert that was sure to be interesting. Lisa put it in her calendar, got her mom to watch the boys for a bit, and our night out was set.

Ever since seeing Ed in concert the first time I had been playing his album “+” (The Deluxe Version), and so this time I would know the songs, even though I still can’t sing along with “You Need Me, Man, I Don’t Need You”. I’d also been following Ed on Twitter and seeing the photos he posted on his Instagram account, so I had no doubt that this guy loved to have fun and in many ways is a typical 22-year-old who happens to have many incredible opportunities like meeting Robert DeNiro or playing poker with a Former President of the United States.

When 7 May finally came, I was so excited and so ready for a night off. Like Ed, I am a big supporter of the Children’s Hospice movement and just a week prior to this concert I had, with a team of other bloggers, launched a massive fundraising effort. I was in bad need of a night off.

My best friend and the limousine arrived and after a few minutes of friendly chat with the driver, The Awesome Mr. Danny, we were off. Sometimes when I take a limousine or taxi the driver is not comfortable handling my walker or wheelchair which can make the entire experience a bit uncomfortable and stressful. Not this time, Mr. Danny simply asked how the wheelchair folded and we were soon on our way after a few obligatory inside of the limo photos. We made our way to the Yum! Center and Mr. Danny made sure that he let us out at an entrance that was very accessible, and told us that he’d be there when we were ready to leave.

We got inside the venue and could tell that there was a heavy security presence but it was not one that got in the way of enjoying the evening. Upstairs in the main concourse we were there in plenty of time to get a bite to eat and a drink (I had learned my lesson about screaming girls at concerts). I went with a Rum and Coke, normally I don’t like them too strong but this time it did not bother me and I was with my best friend so I indulged. Our seats were about as perfect as you could get for not being in the VIP section on the floor. Our section entrance was located near food, and an accessible restroom was just at the bottom of our entrance ramp. This is the perfect way for the Yum! Center to earn its way on to my “Favorite Venues” List. While we were shopping for souvenirs Lisa noticed Florida Georgia Line T-Shirts and asked me if they were performing, I told her that I had not heard that they were…we were both in for a surprise.

Right at 7:00 PM a scream came from inside the arena and I panicked…not thinking that there was an act coming on stage before Ed, and not wanting to miss a note of an evening I had wanted to enjoy for so long we scrambled to get to our seats. Turns out it was the guys of “Florida Georgia Line”. This put a smile on Lisa’s face and we settled in for a really great evening.

What follows are my thoughts on the performances of each of the acts, settle in and be warned I can be a bit long-winded thorough:

Florida Georgia Line
First I have to say that this set list may be in the wrong order, I don’t know this group so I can only manage to remember what I heard…nothing had the ID’s ready to go in my head.
1. Get Your Shine On
2. Cruise
3. Party People
4. Round Here
This group comes across as really fun and really engaging! My friend Lisa really likes this group and so this was a really unexpected treat for her. We settled into our seats and had a great time. They used the entire stage and really connected with the crowd. From what I could see everyone was really enjoying themselves and, really, that’s what you want in a concert opening act. The songs that they did are finding ways to get stuck in my head and well, that is usually a good sign.

Ed Sheeran:
This time I knew the set list and so I was ready to hear some favorites and to have a great time. I also knew from experience not to leave my sunglasses in the car and I am so glad I had them simply because of our location. The songs and my thoughts on each, plus an apology to my friend follow below.

During the break before Ed’s set my friend and I made sure we had all we needed to be comfortable and made a slight wardrobe adjustment … I had to get my boots off. Then we settled in and waited. When the lights went down and the lights came up on the stage a scream came out of me that I did not even know was there. My friend has what has medically been termed “super-sonic hearing” in one ear, so I am pretty sure I hurt her with that scream and for that I am so sorry. Ed performed for 40 minutes and did 6 songs.
1. Give Me Love
2. Drunk
3. Wayfaring Stranger
4. Lego House
5. You Need Me, I Don’t Need You / Thrift Shop (Macklemore cover)
6. The A Team
My thoughts:
Give Me Love: The beat he can build with this song live is INCREDIBLE! He really gets into this one and so does the crowd. I am amazed by this song every time I hear it and both of the times I have seen it live it has made an impact. Note: If you are listening on the Deluxe version of the CD you will see that this track is almost 8:50, that is because Parting Glass is on the end of the track with a short silence between them. A Hidden Track.
Drunk: I love this song and the video still makes me laugh. As I was sipping on my Rum and Coke and he was singing “I wanna be drunk when I wake up” I was thinking “I’m gonna be drunk when I wake up…” Lisa looked at me during this song and asked where his band was I told her that he does it all on his own, and right as I began to try to explain the loop pedal, Ed explained it for me. Thanks, Ed!
Wayfairing Stranger: It’s easy to see what the fuss is all about with his vocals on this song! INCREDIBLE! When I saw him live the first time I said “It’s almost like going to church, except that the pastor has tattoos, messy bright red hair, a british accent, and likes to ask his choir to sing “Hell Yeah!” back to him in 3 part harmony…as I said ALMOST like going to church.” My reaction this time was simple and quiet. “Wow”. He does this song so beautifully, and every time I hear it it moves me and soothes my nerves at the end of a crazy day.
Lego House: When Ed introduced this as the second single off his album I told Lisa that he was about to do the song she had seen him do on Letterman. I really love this song and am still so in love with the refrain. This time the Louisville Gospel choir was spread out among all the Taylor Swift fans so the beautiful harmonies on the refrain were harder to hear but they were there…”And after all these things I’ve done, I think I love you better now” such a great sound coming out of a crowd.
You Need Me, I Don’t Need You/Thrift Shop (Macklemore Cover): I knew this song was coming and this time I was really glad I knew. As I reached down beside me to get my sunglasses one of the strobe lights started and was right in my face. I just ducked my head and found my sunglasses as my best friend leaned over and told me that she was glad she came instead of my mom as that would have been the cause of an early exit. The song may be the highest energy one on his album and his ability to weave any other song inside of it and keep it going for as much as 15 minutes is pretty damn impressive, but it’s still the one I could do without.
The A-Team: This time I knew it would be his last song of the set, and that he’d want phones in the air…I happily obliged. As I heard him sing this one out I could not help but think back to the first night that I attended his concert, how I was wowed then, and indeed by how much everything has changed since then. But I knew as he left the stage he had one more song to go…
Taylor Swift : The Red Tour
Setlist
1. State of Grace
2. Holy Ground
3. Red
4. You Belong with Me
5. The Lucky One
6. Mean
7. Stay Stay Stay / Ho Hey
8. 22
9. Enchanted (Acoustic)
10. Everything Has Changed (with Ed Sheeran)
11. Begin Again
12. Sparks Fly
13. I Knew You Were Trouble
14. All Too Well (Piano version)
15. Love Story
16. Treacherous
17. We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together

Neither I nor my best friend listen to Taylor Swift very often, and so we did not really know any of the songs off her “Red” Album, though we did recognize the older songs that she sprinkled throughout. Regardless of the fact that most of the music was new to us we were both ABSOLUTELY STUNNED by the complexity of the stage design and choreography of this concert…there were several times that we looked at each other and asked “How did they pull this off?” “Wow!” and “Oh look we’ve left the Yum! Center and gone to a show at Kentucky Center for the Arts” or “…and now we’re out at the ballet”. Taylor’s concert did something that very little else has in the past few years. It made me miss working in the theater and made me want to get back into it. I can honestly say that if you have a chance to get into this concert GO SEE IT! The staging and choreography alone is worth it. They even created a little movie to serve as the intro to “Lucky One” and you get to see family footage in the intro to “22”.

When Ed came back to the stage to join Taylor for “Everything has Changed” I had my fingers crossed and Ed did not disappoint. They were a little hard to hear, but I am not sure if that is down to the microphones or the crowd. Either way they get points from me for being able to sing while on a spinning stage that rose out of the floor as they began to sing. As the end of the refrain rang out, “All I know since yesterday is everything has changed” I could not help but think about how much things have changed since I first saw Ed in concert.

Ed got a chance to sing his song “The A Team” at the Grammys with Sir Elton John, kept on touring with his own headline shows AND went on tour with Taylor Swift and her RED tour. He’s done good, gained many new fans and made the ones he’s had for a bit pretty proud. Even in the middle of this tour Ed is doing shows of his own and I have heard of at least one stop at a Children’s Hospital. I just know that there is more great stuff to come the rest of this year and, well, did I mention I have the release date of his next album marked on the calendar already? Thanks, Ed, I’m glad that I know you better now. I am still hoping we get a chance to meet one day.

As Lisa and I met up with The Awesome Mr. Danny and climbed into our limo we were tired. Mr. Danny showed us the 12 semis and 4 tour buses that travel with Taylor for this tour and we headed home. As we sipped on milkshakes from our favorite stop we look at each other and there was just one question…”How do we top this night out?”

Pretty In Peach, A Great Summer Wedding Ensemble

Pieces in this Ensemble

From Naomi’s House Facebook Page

We have been delighted with the positive response and support the Baby Cambridge Fundraiser has received thus far. It’s terrific to see so many of you supporting the invaluable work carried out by East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices. The Duchess described the organisation as “inspirational” and in her role as patron of the charity she spent part of her second anniversary visiting Naomi House to mark Children’s Hospice Week.

We will be running a host of contests, giveaways and online activities in the coming months featuring items from a selection of Kate’s favourite brands. We want to make this fundraiser fun whilst raising much needed funds for EACH.

For our second giveaway (Did everyone the Links of London giveaway over at What Kate Wore last week) we have two amazing prizes I think you will rather enjoy, especially with summer approaching. Have you guessed what they are yet?

Yes, it’s beachwear from one of Kate’s favourite brands, Vix. The First Prize includes the Cayman Bia Tube Bikini. The blue and white tie dye halter neck style bikini features logo sliders for adjustable coverage and removable padding. It retails for £198.

Cayman Bia Tube Bikini

An essential summer piece to have in your wardrobe is a stylish kaftan; and one lucky entrant will win the gorgeous Pipa Kaftan piece. It is described as:

‘Vix’s lightweight white kaftan is perfect for warm weather. Slip this pretty broderie anglaise piece over your favourite bikini at the beach, or team it with metallic sandals for sunset cocktails.’

The Pipa Kaftan retails for £199.

Pipa Kaftan

And the final item included in the first prize is a pair of Vix Ipanema Gold Sandals.

Vix Ipanema Gold Sandals

The second prize is the Cayman Bikini and a pair of gold flip flops.

Vix ‘Cayman’ Bikini and Gold Flip Flops

To clarify the prizes with sizing details:

The First Prize

• Cayman Bikini Size Small 8/10, fits up to 34C
• Pipa Kaftan Size Small
• Gold Flip Flops EU39 USA8

The Second Prize

• Cayman Bikini Size Small 8/10, fits up to 34C
• Gold Flip Flops EU39 USA8

Before we get to how to win these fabulous prizes, Claudine Davies, owner of Chelsea-based Biondi Couture, stockists of the widest selection of designer swimwear, beachwear and accessories in the UK, not to mention a favourite of Kate and Pippa’s, has kindly shared some essential tips to help you perfect your holiday wardrobe.

BIKINIS WITH BIONDI

It’s the time of year when you are consumed by the panic to get body beautiful and beach ready in time for the holiday season. But Claudine Davies, owner and founder of Biondi Couture, believes that looking good on the beach is all about finding the right bikini that is the perfect fit…

Top London beachwear boutique Biondi Couture is where you’ll find all your holiday essentials and is a firm favourite with Kate and Pippa, and many other celebrities.

Buying a bikini is not always an easy task, so Claudine has shared her top tips.

What is the philosophy behind the store?

Biondi stocks an amazing selection of designer swimwear, beachwear and accessories in the UK, providing everything for the perfect holiday wardrobe. I am committed to ensuring my clients look and feel great in their swimwear, and travel around the world to find new and exciting products. I always say wearing a swimsuit is the most naked a woman ever is in public, so it makes sense to invest in looking good. It is Biondi’s aim to source styles that compliment and inspire confidence as well as look fantastic.

What are your top tips for swimwear shopping?

• Choose a shop like Biondi with knowledgeable and helpful staff. Don’t be scared to ask for advice and try on as many shapes as possible.
• Always select fit over fashion. You will not look good if the suit does not fit properly.
• Don’t be afraid to invest in a well-made bikini as they will often fit you better.
• Resist covering up your worst bits in fabric – this will accentuate them and make them look bigger.
• For those who really struggle with their shape, choose a shop that sells separates or choose a bespoke bikini as this is made to measure to fit your body exactly.

So we’ve found a bikini that fits well, but how else can we boost our beach confidence?

Most importantly make sure you’ve found a swimsuit or bikini that you feel happy in and then get a fake tan, wax or shave and make sure you have a nice manicure and pedicure. If you feel confident you will look great!

What are the bestsellers for Summer 2013 at Biondi?

We’ve got a gorgeous range of Vix as favoured by Kate – see the Vix giveaway for a taster!

We’ve also spotted lots of other celebrities wearing Vix bikinis…

Yes, the Vix Bia tube bikini in any colour or print is a must-have. This classic Vix bikini is cut to perfection – making it popular with lots of celebrities. Kelly Brook, Coleen Rooney, Denise Richards, Kim Kardashian and Abbey Clancy have all been seen wearing it!

With many thanks to Claudine for sharing her incredibly helpful tips. One can take a look at the magnificent selection of swimwear at Biondi here and find out more about their bespoke service here (A very exciting new website will be launched on May 20th).

Biondi Couture

Before you head on over to Duchess Kate Blog to enter we do hope you donate £1 or $2 to the Baby Cambridge Fundraiser Just Giving Page, every penny counts towards achieving our goal and no donation is too small. The giveaway is open worldwide. Wishing you all the very best of luck!

Here are the items you could win…

Kate wore her Hope Egg Earrings for the official engagement portrait.

Photo by Mario Testino

The giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents only (There are many more which will be open internationally). To be in with a chance to win of these wonderful prizes pop over to What Kate Wore where the lovely Susan has all the details and good luck

My Mother was making a trip to our hair salon, Joesph’s Salon & Spa and saw a new display for some nail polish…she came home and told me and well…I had to share the Kate connection.  You see, the brand was ESSIE, they make one of the colors that Catherine mixed for her wedding day manicure and I suspect she has used their clear topcoats on other days when she wanted to keep her fingernails looking natural.

What Joesph’s has on display right now is the Essie Bridal 2013 collection:

Surprise! Nail Polish brand that Catherine uses now available at Joseph’s Salon & Spa

I don’t need another reason to enjoy my time at Joseph’s, the Owner, Kelly, and the staff are always very friendly and always greet everyone by name as they come in the door. They get to know you, not just what you like when you’re in the salon but what you like and enjoy day to day. Kelly greets me now asking my opinion on Catherine’s outfits…I admit I haven’t made a stop since the pregnancy was announced but I’ll make one soon and I know there will be a LOT to catch up on…clothes, websites, concerts and more. Essie, may be carried in several locations and for most people it may be easy to find but I can’t think of a friendlier place than Joesph’s Salon & Spa for me to stop in and stock up!