Jane, MV’s Design Director, and daughter Amber make pancakes the relaxed glamour way, with a little help from Bear!

Jane flips her pancakes in style in the Pearl Satin Front Top and Neutral Knit and Woven Jacket.

Here at MV HQ, we’re all about making life as simple as possible. So, we’ve come up with a clever way of creating a capsule wardrobe for the new season. The 16 pieces in our Sudoku work effortlessly together across, down and diagonally to make 10 relaxed glamour outfits.

1 – Red Leather Heeled Sandals
2 – Neutral Peg Leg Trousers
3 – Lara Print Blouse
4 – Neutral Knit and Woven Jacket
5 – Red and Stone Stripe Tee
6 – Caramel Washed Leather Jacket
7 – Stone Patent Pumps
8 – Apricot Zip Detail Jean
9 – Navy Zip Detail Jacket
10 – Lucie Print Blouse
11 – Skinny Indigo Jeans
12 – Pale Tan Ankle Boots
13 – Caramel Leather Pencil Skirt
14 – Amber Leather Strap Sandal
15 – Neutral Trench Coat
16 – White Long Sleeve Tee

There was love in the air yesterday when Bear (the MV fluffy mascot) met Brinkley for a Valentine’s date, pooch style…unfortunately, it looks as though Bear is just too much of an independent girl!

Embrace the freedom of the open road; roof down and wind in your hair. Bathed in the pastel evening light of California, the season’s sorbet colour palette overflows in pretty laces and feminine silhouettes. Unexpected textures and finishes set a different pace as you head towards the horizon.

We catch up with the Make-Over Queen and Founder of NHJ Style Consultancy www.nhjstyle.com, Nicky Hambleton-Jones

Who or what inspired you most when you were starting out in your career?
My career in fashion took a bit of a windy road, so the starting point as such is difficult to pin point. I guess I always had a burning desire to do something remarkable (still working on this bit), and help other people, fashion was the vehicle that helped me to do this. In the early days I drew inspiration from girl power like Oprah and Madonna who really showed you could be something / achieve something no matter who you were or where you came from.

What are you working on at the moment?
I have just finished filming some beauty segments for Lorraine on Daybreak which was great fun and I have some more TV projects I’m working on too. At the moment, I’m preparing for the annual International Fashion Stylists Association Conference in New York, where I will be discussing elements of fashion styling – other guest speakers include Patricia Field and Philip Bloch. As always, my Style Consultancy, www.nhjstyle.com has various events planned such as the Body Shape Workshop which was incredibly popular last year, and my Style Academy continues to nurture and inspire the next generation of styling talent.

What’s the last useful thing you learned?
Ok this sounds really random, but my sister-in-law showed me how to fold plastic shopping bags into neat triangles so that they no longer clutter my kitchen cupboard. Sounds a bit random but I find it quite…….err…liberating?!

Where do you go to get away from it all?
I love going home to South Africa – it’s where I grew up and I have to go back at least once a year. We have a house on a game farm or in ‘the bush’ as we call it, and it’s a real escape from London life; dry, dusty and not a pair of stilettos in sight. I love the sounds of the African bush at dusk when it’s still hot, the sun starts to set and the birds start and crickets start chirping you can’t help but feel a million miles away from it all.

Who or what makes you laugh?
I usually laugh the most when I’m surrounded by my girlfriends. Not sure if it’s the company or the wine but things that seemed so mundane at the time become hysterically funny once relayed with a little exaggeration here and there…..yip, must be the wine….oops! Still – nothing like a good laugh, whatever the catalyst.

What’s your best piece of styling advice (for the season ahead)?
It’s wonderful to embrace the exciting trends which have emerged for the new season and although I’m always one to encourage people to be that little bit more creative and daring, I think it’s still incredibly important to maintain your own personal sense of style and taste. Try not to feel pressured to try every single trend the catwalks dictate to us and instead take snippets to edit your existing wardrobe with. Understand your body shape and make the most of your assets, adding new colours and textures to keep your wardrobe up to date and on trend.

That said if you want my top tip for this season it would be to embrace the soft pastels that were awash on the catwalk (lemon, peach, orange or peppermint green). Whether it’s a coat, cardigan skirt or an accessory, don’t let summer pass you buy without a pastel in sight.

What trends are you backing for SS12?
I’m loving the pretty pastel shades (mentioned above) which dominated the Spring/Summer 2012 catwalks, with the likes of Issa London and Preen showcasing their candy tones of baby blue, canary yellow and blush peach. At House of Holland, we saw pale ‘punky’ denim jeans of blue and peach teamed with sheer and floaty shirts in similar shades, for a girly and modern twist to some classic staples.

The Little White Dress will be key next summer, transcending last season’s leather-clad, gothic inspired black dresses. From light tunics to silky evening gowns, white dresses were seen at L’Wren Scott, Marc Jacobs and Marchesa who also channelled 1920s evening glamour with the flurry of glittering fringed dresses and delicate snow-toned feathers.

One of my favourite trends this Spring/Summer is the return of 1950s, featured at the hottest shows including Dolce & Gabbana and Prada. I love that this trend encourages you to embrace your femininity and I’m thrilled to see the gorgeous pastel prints of this trend with tailoring that nips in at the waist to truly transform you into a modern day Marilyn Monroe!

What do you love from MV’s current collection?
I love the Stone Lace Shift Dress which is perfect for adding a retro touch of glamour to your day or work outfit. I would team this with platform Mary Janes and a single necklace for the evening.

You can’t go wrong with a classic trench coat and the Stone Trench Coat is just beautiful. I particularly love the edgy zip detailing which gives it a modern, sophisticated touch.

What’s your motto?
‘I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul’ Invictus by William Ernest Henley

At COOK we really appreciate Mint Velvet’s relaxed glamour ethos and (despite the superficial lack of similarities between our bestselling Lasagne al Forno and this lovely Lucie Print Dress) we have actually found that there are many affinities in our approach to the needs of a modern working mother’s lifestyle.

Modern life can be a bit hectic, to say the least. At COOK we believe in reclaiming just a few hours each week to enjoy your family, your partner or simply some peace and quiet. Eating and cooking are two of life’s great pleasures and if cooking becomes a chore or eating ceases to be pleasurable, then our lives are poorer. That’s why we COOK, so you don’t have to – enabling you to keep your powder dry for the occasions when you’re in the mood to cook up a storm. And, because we cook in exactly the same way you would at home you can be confident our dishes will look and taste homemade, and should always be a pleasure to eat. Plus, with Valentine’s Day fast approaching, we’d much rather spend the time looking gorgeous than slaving over a stove. So, here are a few suggestions to get you through some hectic weeks.

For Special Nights In – Restaurant quality without leaving the comfort of your home
Eating out on Valentine’s Day is vastly overrated. By squeezing in as many couples as possible, many restaurants end up looking like an exam hall with regimented rows of tables for two. The “special” menus are generally anything but and there’s always the prospect of someone at a neighbouring table dropping to one knee and making a proposal – leaving one’s own efforts at romantic small talk seem rather drab.

And, when was the last time you went to a restaurant and knew the name of the chef who cooked your meal? Much better to snuggle up at home with something tasty we’ve cooked for you – just check the label to discover the name of your personal chef.

And, if you’re watching your waist – Virtually guilt-free Meals with 20% or less of the daily guideline amount of both fat and calories
Why do so many people insist on giving things up in the New Year? It’s a miserable enough month as it is without denying ourselves a few little pleasures. At the same time, we admit to possessing some bulgy bits that we could swear weren’t there before Christmas and that we’d rather get rid of. Of course, we believe in having our cake and eating it, and so while our Virtually Guilt Free dishes all contain 20% or less of the daily guideline amount of both calories and fat, they are all bursting with flavour and cooked just like you would at home. In other words, a pleasure to eat. Less guilt, more pleasure sounds like the perfect recipe for January.

If you’re entertaining instead – Canapes, main courses, party food, and big indulgent puddings
Entertaining should be fun. So why is it often so stressful? At COOK, we aim to decrease your stress levels and increase your enjoyment by giving you time to relax before your guests arrive, then time to enjoy their company rather than be chained to the kitchen. So whether you are catering for a couple of close friends, a dinner for eight or a party for twenty or more, let us do the cooking so you can concentrate on enjoying yourself. It seems a fair swap.

So, all you need now is the perfect Relaxed Glamour outfit. We’re opting for the gorgeous Maisy Print Dress.

Grazia’s Anna Foster worked her magic on our SS12 photoshoot . In between shots, we caught up with Anna on what she’s backing for the new season.

What are your Hot Picks for SS12?
Tall Cowboy Boots (Coming Soon)
Leather Heels (Coming Soon)
Caramel Leather Skirt
Slouchy Trousers
Sheer Trench (Coming Soon)

What do you love about MINT VELVET?
I love how women are designing for women. Nothing complicated, effortlessly classic and cool. Never compromising design or detail, but proving that these can be at affordable prices.

If you could pick one trend this season, what would it be?
Easy Tailored…is a timeless trend that all women should embrace. Soft silk fabrics, casual yet effortlessly stylish. I always love a contradiction in fashion trends and leather makes this more current.

And, your ultimate MV piece?
I can’t choose…. I need both the leather skirt and the silk front vest in my life!

Last week we headed for warmer climes in search of a gorgeous setting for our SS12 photoshoot. Here are few behind the scenes shots to give you a taste of what’s to come.

So, how do you create a frosted glass effect in a studio in London in the heat of Summer… Here’s some behind the scenes images of how we created our gorgeous Christmas video. It basically involves hiring a portable window (who would have known?!), stringing up lots of twinkly lights, blowing a constant stream of cold air onto the window, and voila we have created a Mint Velvet winter in July.

With the festive season fast approaching, here at MV HQ we’re obsessed with finding the perfect party dress ahead of our yearly Christmas shindig. And, it looks as though there’s a clear winner: the lace and feather dress.

Our Design Director, Jane tells us why she loves this piece so much:

“This season lace is big, and it’s the perfect way to rework the classic LBD. The easy shift style of this dress also nods at the 60s trend we are now seeing everywhere, and which has been an MV favourite this season. I love the simplicity of it; making it a flattering shape with a sexy feel.

I have an ongoing obsession with feather headdresses; I love how these add a sense of luxe glamour to a look, and I wanted this dress to incorporate some of that feeling. A subtle scattering of feather on the hem of a sweet black lace dress gives it added wow factor.”So, we think we’ve found our perfect party dress, and whilst we fight it out to decide who gets to wear it to the office party (the whole of MV HQ in the same outfit just won’t work), you can pick yours up now and turn heads all festive season.