Amanda Wakeley’s Online Outlet, Somerset by Alice Temperley, More

We hope everyone is enjoying a beautiful weekend, it seems that spring has finally sprung.

We want to remind everyone to enter the EACH Giveaway sponsored by Links of London, more about that in a bit.  First we want to share a few news tidbits, beginning with word that Amanda Wakeley has opened an online outlet, something sure to warm many a fashion fan’s heart.

This is what you see when clicking on “The Loft” on the brand’s home page, that’s what the outlet has been dubbed.

One heads-up, you do need to register to see the site, above we show what you will see upon landing at The Loft.

Are there bargains? Unequivocally, yes. Below we see the Sueded Jersey Ruched V-Neck Dress, it originally retailed for £995, but is now priced at £497; the Panama Belted Coat in ecru is marked down from £795 to £477; the Satin Fold Dress, now £347, sold for at £695; the Birdseye Tailored Peg Pant was originally priced at £275, the cost now is £165.

That is just a sampling, this seems to combine the best of elements of “members only” (ahem) shopping sites with an upscale brand’s discounted merchandise offerings.

Next, a few brief updates:

• Gordon Rayner has a fascinating column in The Telegraph, “The Duchess of Cambridge: serene, savvy – and solo“.  In the story Mr Rayner writes of Kate’s “poise and assurance,” here is more:

“That self-confidence will be tested to the limit when the Duchess gives birth in perhaps as little as eight weeks, but all the evidence suggests that she and the tight-knit team she has built to support her will sail serenely on through the tornado of international media attention that lies ahead.

In the past couple of weeks, the Duchess has carried out solo engagements all over the country, an impressive five events in eight days, promoting such diverse causes as Scouting, children’s hospices and fighting addiction, and we have grown so used to her going it alone that the absence of the Duke of Cambridge passes without comment.”

• Naomi House, the children’s hospice Kate visited on Monday, has posted a wonderful collection of photos on its Facebook page, there are more than 150 images by David Cunningham, all of them a delight to see. (With apologies, I do not know if you have to be a Facebook member to look at the collection.)
• People has a brief piece dated today with input from several fashion experts as well as Katherine Hooker
• Our pals at Kate Middleton Style Blog shared a video of Kate we hadn’t previously seen, it is from the March visit to Grimsby, the video shows Kate chatting with young people from The Prince’s Trust Team programme.
• US residents looking for a preview of Prince Harry’s visit here that starts Wednesday, might enjoy this article from The Telegraph.

Previously we have written about the Somerset by Alice Temperley line for John Lewis, I actually planned to post about the spring collection much sooner than today.  (All those Kate appearances slowed me down!) This is the designer’s second such group for the department store, the spring line is available online and in stores now. Below, the Beaded Dress in Cream ($311), and the Beaded Blouse in Cream (£120/$190), the backs on these pieces are unembellished.

Casual pieces hold a lot of appeal.

Above (clockwise from upper left) we see the Stripe Frill Hem cardigan in navy & cream (£39.50/$60), Stripe Tunic Dress in cream & red (£44.50/$70),  Camellia Raw Edge Tote in navy (£225/$350), Striped Jumper in cream & red (£34.50/$55), Embellished (beaded) Stripe Top in navy (£44/$70) and the Honeysuckle Two Part Sandals in red (£165/$250).  Several pieces are actually on sale, including the striped knits.

The collection is broad enough there are even styles that arguably might do double duty as maternity pieces now and for ‘regular’ wear months from now. From left to right: the Contrast Trim Silk Top (£79/$125), Border Print Top in blue & white (£89/$140) and the Mesh Embroidered Blouse (£99/$155), this last item is much looser than it may appear on the model, it is *very* roomy.

And then there are pieces that just look very…well, “very Kate”.  Below we show the Mesh Embroidered Dress, Medium Satchel Handbag (£255/$400) and the Military Detail Tailored Skirt (£99/$155).

Perhaps they remind me of traits we know the Duchess enjoys in garments and accessories.

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As mentioned previously, our giveaway for some stunning jewelry by Links of London continues.

This is all part of our official launch for the Baby Cambridge Fundraiser benefiting one of Kate’s charities, EACH, East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices.

You can read more about the fundraiser here.

Links of London is generously providing the three fabulous prizes shown up above, that is on top of a $500 donation to the fundraiser. You could be the lucky winner of a pair of Kate’s Hope Egg earrings, her Effervescence Bubble Stiletto earrings, or a Links Sweetie bracelet, one of the jeweler’s most popular items.  Click here to enter our giveaway, scroll down through the post and you will see easy directions for entering.

Of course, Links has an awful lot of goodies that are perfect for Mother’s Day.

We will announce our winner on Tuesday.