BrandAlley

With the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee rapidly approaching, we’re flying the flag here on BrandAlley with our Best of British week. It all kicks off today with savvy savings on your favourite British designers, like up to 60% off Vivienne Westwood/Melissa shoes and up to 60% off Fever London tomorrow. Your Jubilee celebrations start here!

Talking of stylish happenings today…

Image: V&A

Ballgowns: British Glamour since 1950

Don’t miss the V&A’s stunning new show Ballgowns, which opened yesterday to mark the opening of their newly redesigned, two-storey Fashion gallery.  From beautiful ballgowns, red carpet evening dresses and catwalk showstoppers, the exhibition features more than 60 designs for fabulous social events such as private parties, royal balls, state occasions and opening nights.

Image: Chelsea Fringe

Chelsea Fringe

Check out the first ever Chelsea Fringe, a brilliant new festival of flowers, gardens and gardening right across London. It’s on until 10^th June 2012 and has lots of green-fingered treats lined up. There’s everything from guerilla gardening to performance art, pop-up markets, veg and flower gardens and even edible bus stop gardens. To find out what’s on today, go to Chelsea Fringe. And look out for our chic Floral Fancies sale, which will be starting on Tuesday exclusively on our Facebook page – inspired by the RHS Chelsea Flower Show opening on the same day.

Hold a Jubilee Street Meet

Image: The Street Party site

Fancy holding your own Jubilee street party without the need to close any roads? You can have an informal Street Meet in your front garden, driveway or even on the pavement (with certain conditions) without needing to get permission from your local council. To find out all the ins and outs, and to make sure you’re doing everything above board, visit The Street Party site. It’s a brilliant resource for street party planning, advice and support. It even explains how to organise a small, private Neighbours’ Picnic in the local park without ruffling any feathers. Time to get organising…

Image: The Street Party site

Bring out the bunting

You couldn’t possibly have a British street party without bunting, so here’s how to make your own. First, cut out cardboard templates of triangles. Next, using pinking shears to get zig-zag edges, use your templates to cut out triangles in colourful and patterned fabric, oilcloth or plastic. You could always decorate your flags further by adding images, words or stick-on paste jewels. Then glue, tie, sew, or staple the shapes on to tape, ribbon or thin rope and hang them around edges of your table, etc to make everywhere look cheerful.  Lovely!

Happy Sunday!

Jo x