Frank's Weekend Picks

All Saints Cargo Biker Leather Jacket: With this mild October weather we're having in the UK a leather jacket is a man's best friend. It's a great addition to any look, especially if you need a bit of an edge for a preppy outfit.

British GQ, November 2013: The latest issue of the magazine is the best companion for a weekend coffee. Also essential to get cracking with all your purchases for the FW13 season.

The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling: I usually read a lot over the summer but I haven't had the time to do so this year so I am catching up now. To start, J.K. Rowling's light but brilliantly written latest novel. Don't let the roars of the name put you off.

The 20/20 Experience Part 2/2: It only came out last Monday but I have probably listened to it a hundred times. It's got some brilliant upbeat tunes perfect for the weekend or to start the week in high spirits.

Paris vs. New York by Vahram Muratyan: Always a favourite of mine. I love flicking through it to enjoy the witty illustrations and the excellent art direction.

Balenciaga Overnight Bag: Still my favourite bag since I bought it two years ago. It goes with me to work, on my weekend trips and holidays and, well, just about anywhere else.

Frank's Top 10 Christmas Wishlist

1. Marc by Marc Jacobs shearling bomber jacket, 2. An Extraordinary Theory of Objects: A Memoir of an Outsider in Paris by Stephanie LaCava, 3. Slowear plaid cotton chinos, 4. New Balance ML574 Backpack Trainers, 5. The Unknown Hipster Diaries by Jean-Philippe Delhomme, 6. Alexander McQueen wool and cotton sweater,

7. Jil Sander dinosaur tie, 8. Oliver Spencer leather brogue boots, 9. J.Crew leather iPhone 5 cover,

10. Sandro checked bomber jacket.

Things you get when you turn 24

A week and a bit ago I turned 24. To be quite honest, I have got so used to my and everyone else's being kind of broke for so long that it did not for a minute consider I would get so many (amazing) presents. And it's because I am still so surprised, amazed and lucky (to have so many friends with such good taste and memory) that I decided to share them here.

The first to come was this silver cocktail-making set with which I already celebrated on my birthday. I fancy myself as a bit of a booze snob so this will either help to encourage me or I will be humbled by the experience (the least likely). Also in the picture above are a drawing of myself I received from my most talented friend from high school – I encourage you to check out more of her amazing work on her blog.
Fashion-wise, it was quite a successful birthday too. I actually couldn't believe some people had been paying so much attention to my blabbering and got me the Mansai anchor bracelet I wanted and the limited edition YMC pocket square I was kicking myself for not having bought.


It's funny because I love big coffee table books but I rarely go ahead and buy them for myself, which is why I am so thrilled two crafty ladies got me the Carine Roitfeld 'Irreverent' book. I was so chuffed, in fact, that I couldn't help but flick through it at 4am when I got home after innumerable champagne mojitos. Keeping the book company is my brand new Goyard wallet, which I got as a present for myself. I was pretty tired of my über-flat card holder so this slightly bigger version is going to make my life that much easier. It' adds a pop of colour and I feel like a 30's millionaire.

All pictures property of Fashion, Frankly

Unlike a lot of people I love getting house decoration as a present, mostly because I always end up spending all my money on clothes. So I absolutely loved this Arabic holder and the little utensil to put the candle off. It fits right in with my living-room table! What doesn't fit on it but I thought was quirky for the picture are my new Grenson brogues, also a present from me to moi. I had been looking for a classic pair in tan leather forever and am so happy I found them just in time for the spring!

The Gregory Specs

I wouldn't be lying if I said that Oliver Peoples do the best sun and optical glasses in the market. They have managed to beat Persol and Ray Ban at bringing vintage designs into the present without lowering the quality, under-doing the design or forgetting the coolness. Their latest model celebrates the 50th anniversary of the release of Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird in 1960. The 'Gregory Peck' glasses come in four colours and are inspired by the model that the actor wore as Atticus Finch in the 1962 film of the novel.
And this might be a little silly but the new model is not unlike my pair (also Oliver Peoples from two seasons ago), which, coincidentally, I used to read the book for the first time a couple of weeks ago.

[Pictures: OliverPeoples.com]