Latest blogs (SheerLuxe)

Three Weeks To Go...

P&P can hardly believe how the last six months have flown by - just over a week until P&P is to be the bride she has always dreamt of being. Dress, shoes, veil, hair accessories, hair dresser, make up artist... all check.

Bliss oxygen facial, pedi, mani, spray tan... all booked. Organisation is the name of the game. Control freak not quite but close if you’re asking Green Fingers – especially when I threatened to take minutes of our wedmin session last night!

A girlfriend suggested P&P look into lash extensions. Lash extensions?! I politely reminded her that this was to be a smart, London, affair (a WAG wedding it is not). She pressed me to give them a try; I hadn’t noticed she’d worn them on her big day so was forced to admit that perhaps they were rather good – (she had looked simply lovely).

So I set off to for an appointment at Blink bar in Harvey Nichols (they’re in all sort of Department Stores but P&P is quite at home in HNs). I opted for the natural look (of course) and an hour later, was glued up and ready to go. With instructions not to use mascara (that’s the best bit) and that they’d last for up to two weeks (so they’d do the honeymoon too) I was convinced.

Needless to say, Green Fingers didn’t notice my new extensions but he did tell me I looked well – let's hope the reaction I get when I reach the top of the aisle is a little more enthusiastic!

Graduation Celebrations...

Stephanie has just graduated with a degree in English and French. She couldn’t live without Diorblush in Brun Cannelle, is desperate for a pair of Christian Louboutin Décolleté 100 patent pumps, and awaits the day when British bakeries make a half-decent brioche.
When she’s not daydreaming about future outfits, she's window shopping (oh! The woes of student debt!) online at Net-a-Porter, Matches, and actually makes purchases at ASOS and Oasis.

In just over two weeks I will officially be a graduate. My cap and gown are ordered, complete with a sash in a rather bright shade of cerise, (which will of course clash quite superbly with my red hair) my family and I have booked our place with the photographer, and I’m keeping everything crossed that I won’t trip and fall flat on my face as I go to receive my certificate from the vice-chancellor.

Having been in the education system for pretty much all of my life so far, it’s quite a daunting prospect when I really consider it: the thought of no longer being a student and still lacking a job that will bring my overdraft up from the depths to which it has plummeted is not a pleasant one.

Regardless of what is to come after the graduation, the event itself is something to celebrate, and whilst I still have no idea what I’m going to wear underneath the all important graduation robe, (cue hand-wringing and endless hours spent trawling the internet) I am well into the process of planning my graduation party.

I am extremely proud of my hand-made invitations in cream textured card with embossed gold writing across the gateway opening, tied closed with fuchsia organdie ribbon to co-ordinate with my sash, and when opened, reveal vintage style Laura Ashley craft paper and an iridescent champagne-coloured business card, complete with party details. I was feeling very creative that day, and even managed to find some graduation cap confetti with which to fill the envelopes!

I have decided that as my time as a student has yielded nothing in the way of culinary skills, save for the ability to make sandwiches, I will order a cake, as no party is complete without a cake.

Whilst originally I planned on a big cake that I could cut ceremoniously, I stumbled across The Little Cupcake Company and have since become completely enamoured with their mini cakes in pretty pastel colours; think Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette, and you get the idea!

And to top it all off, no party is ever complete without a tipple or two... Having come across Funkin's cocktail mixers during my time at Sheerluxe, I've been desperate to find an excuse to try them and surely no time is better than this?!

So, as apprehensive as I am for what is to come once I am officially no longer a student, I at least plan to have one last hurrah before I have to properly join the big bad world.

Embellish Your Heart Out

You embellish resumes, anecdotes, and this season - your wardrobe. Since arriving state-side, I’ve seen copious amounts of beading and fringe adorning the ensembles of the most standout fashionistas along the streets of LA.

Just last night in fact, I couldn’t believe the creative costumes being flaunted around the pool at The Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood. It was clear that minimalism has receded with the recession, and despite the lack of actual bling, the crowd was still able to boast an assortment of unique decorations.

For instance, the prints and tribal that have been coming together definitely allude to a Native American spirit. Swinging fringe and colourful beading have been embellishing the most basic of outfits, and maybe it’s because of my US roots, but I’ve definitely jumped on this fashionable bandwagon.

Kate Moss’s latest line for Topshop really embodies this look. Her collection personifies the season's obsession for the ornate and this jacket in particular is a great way to work the look.

Looks such as these are not for the timidly trendy - take a cue from the Teddy's crowd and make sure that you're the one wearing the trend and that it's not wearing you. The one thing that separates the fashionistas from the fashion victims is CONFIDENCE.

If such high-maintenance fashion isn’t for you, then this printed smock dress is ready to throw on. LA to a fault, this dress would definitely be on any LA girl's wish list. That is, if Topshop were to open a much-needed Cali location... Fingers crossed!

If you're looking to spend money on something this season, definitely steer towards something with more classical longevity than a pricey African-inspired afghan ensemble that will end up in the back of your wardrobe before the next season of The Apprentice. And remember- CONFIDENCE IS KEY.

A Proud Purchase

In my book, being a savvy shopper means being proud of your purchases. And when I’m wearing one (a proud purchase that is) I’m only too happy to share it with the world.

Girlfriends often ask why, when one could potentially be kitted out in some hot new designer, I’m so open about such finds but, truth be known... there’s something seriously satisfying about wearing Warehouse to a wedding.

Ok perhaps not Warehouse (but it was good alliteration), maybe Marks & Spencer though....

The downside? That other savvy shoppers might own the same piece too.

Like when I arrived at a restaurant for a girls dinner last week to find that two out of three of us had seen the same qualities in M&S’ Limited Collection Colour Block Silk dress. (She used to shop for Trinny & Susannah – yes, they have stylists – so I’ll take it as a compliment.)

We were asked (by more than one other diner)where it had come from, were only too happy to tell them where and even happier to announce it was only £39.50.

I’m making the most of mine before it hits the masses...

Vodka Slush

Serves 10
Prep time - 5 mins

Yippee! The barbecue season is well under way and this lovely refreshing drink is perfect for any summer occasion. These quantities make about 10 glasses:

Ingredients

300ml Diluted Lime Cordial
300ml Lemonade
200ml Water
300ml Vodka
150ml Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice
Sugar to taste

Combine all of the above ingredients and freeze for several hours.

To serve, place the slush in some glasses and top up with mineral water which you slightly need to stir through.

Garnish with slices of lemons and oranges.

Festival Chic

Abigail has just graduated with a degree in English. She has a handbag and shoe addiction and claims to own over at least 40 handbags and 50 pairs of shoes.
She is waiting to complete her collections with the one and only Chloe Paddington and a pair of Manolo Blahniks (size 6 if you are feeling generous). Until then she’ll keep shopping at Urban Outfitters, French Connection and on Portobello Road.

Last week with all the talk of Glastonbury I’m suddenly keen to purchase a pair of Hunter wellies. It would seem like a good investment, but the fact that I reside in North London and have already attended my one festival of the year is weighing slightly on my wallet.

For me however festivals are the perfect time to go shopping. That may sound odd but I love the style of Kate Moss and (dare I say it) Peaches Geldof kitted out in festival gear, so much so that I even planned a shopping trip simply because I was going to the Isle Of Wight Festival.

Whilst others kitted themselves out with waterproofs and thick jumpers I visited Topshop and Urban Outfitters to find ‘key’ pieces for the weekend.

My finds? A hippie chic cover up from Topshop which went perfectly with shorts and wellies, and a cool straw fedora. To complete my ‘festival cool’ I also invested in a pair of Ray Ban Wayfarers, a definite necessity for any festival goer.

Despite my festival chic appearance the living conditions within the festival were anything but stylish. Let’s just say I now have a fear of portaloos, and waking up in a four man tent after several drinks is anything but glamorous.

I expect to change this however for next year’s festival after my discovery of Cath Kidston’s charming tents. Her Box Floral Teepee would easily stand out from the crowd- perfect when trying to locate your tent after a few drinks!

Return To Glory...

It’s always sad when we have to say goodbye to our interns, who quickly become adopted members of the SheerLuxe family, so when the time came for the ever-stylish Kate to head back to sunny California, it was only right that we saw her off in style.

But with our next conference fast approaching and deadlines to meet, we needed treats that could happen in house.

Cue the wonderful Hummingbird Bakery and their heavenly cupcakes, a sumptuous sushi feast from Itsu (we’re mad for their Maki), and copious amounts of Pimm’s to wash it all down.

When making the transition from French Soles to sandals (let’s face it – we might have been drinking Pimm’s, but the Californian summer is on a different scale), a girl’s got to have her toes looking tip top.

Which is why we enlisted the help of the wonderful Michelle at super duper mobile beauty therapy company Return to Glory (they'll come to your office, your home, your hen party), to sort out our Converse-worn tootsies and get us all ready for baring feet in our new sandals.

The perfect pedi is harder to find than the mythical Manolo Mary Janes, but it seemed like the beauty gods were smiling down on us – starting at lunch time, Michelle worked her way around the entire office; she left no scraggy cuticle unexfoliated and my paintwork is still going strong 2 weeks later.

So as we Returned to Glory (Michelle can definitely come again), Kate returned to the sunny States. Luckily, we can still check in on Kate’s adventures via her SheerLuxe blog, whilst she is soaking up the Californian sun, moseying down Melrose and bumping into Hollywood’s finest... Jealous, us?

A Few Home Comforts...

Stephanie has just graduated with a degree in English and French. She couldn’t live without Diorblush in Brun Cannelle, is desperate for a pair of Christian Louboutin Décolleté 100 patent pumps, and awaits the day when British bakeries make a half-decent brioche.
When she’s not daydreaming about future outfits, she's window shopping (oh! The woes of student debt!) online at Net-a-Porter, Matches, and actually makes purchases at ASOS and Oasis.

This weekend, I moved back home. Having lived between two places for the last four years, and never really properly unpacking at either, I hadn’t realised quite how much stuff I actually owned.

I was horrified to learn that there were, in fact, 34 pairs of shoes altogether, that I had more make-up scattered throughout various bags and boxes than a MAC concession stand, and that I’d also managed to accumulate 4 recycling bags full of clothes that I no longer wore.

It wasn’t an easy task to unpack all of this into a room that is, at most, 10ft by 10ft, and dominated by my bed. I’ve therefore been forced to find various ingenious space-saving ideas, in order to make the move back home slightly more bearable.

Whilst previously I’d owned a very large laundry basket, I’ve since invested in a very lovely laundry bag from Cath Kidston. I saw the floral print and couldn’t resist, and decided with my now extremely limited space, a laundry bag that can be hung on the back of a door, rather than a basket, is a much better option.

I’ve also had to find a way of coping with the unexpectedly large number of shoes that I never knew I had. Enter John Lewis. Their shoe organiser has meant that I can keep a large number of my pumps hung up and out of the way, rather than simply scattered across my bedroom floor like the debris from an explosion in Imelda Marcos’ closet.

Moving back home has also presented other, slightly more unpleasant problems to deal with, namely having to share a bathroom with my 14-year-old brother. Gone are the days of sharing with four other girls who know the importance of personal hygiene and understand that you should leave a bathroom in the state that you found it. My saviour? A gorgeous Pure Light candle. After much deliberation I decided that Lemongrass and Lime fragrance was my favourite to cover up the odour of teenage boy.

I can’t complain too much though. I now have my own, personal spider catcher on-hand 24/7 and someone to reach up to the top shelf of my wardrobe for me. Coming home does have its perks.

Stilton, Beetroot & Smoked Duck Salad

Serves 4 as a starter or 2 as a main course
Prep time - 5 mins

A delicious salad using seasonal ingredients.

Ingredients

1 Bunch Watercress, sprigs picked
1 Bunch Baby Red or Golden Beetroot, boiled in salted water until tender and then cooled, peeled and quartered
2 Firm Pears, halved, cored and thinly sliced lengthways
2 Smoked Duck or Chicken Breasts, trimmed of fat and thinly sliced
100ml Walnut Oil (or any other nut oil that you prefer)
2 tsp White Wine Vinegar
1 tsp Dijon Mustard
Dash of Lemon Juice
Freshly Ground Salt and Black Pepper

Whisk the oil, vinegar, mustard and lemon juice together in a small bowl until well combined. Place all the other ingredients into a large serving bowl.

Pour the dressing over this and toss gently to combine.

Season generously before serving.

Abi in Wonderland...

Abigail has just graduated with a degree in English. She has a handbag and shoe addiction and claims to own over at least 40 handbags and 50 pairs of shoes.
She is waiting to complete her collections with the one and only Chloe Paddington and a pair of Manolo Blahniks (size 6 if you are feeling generous). Until then she’ll keep shopping at Urban Outfitters, French Connection and on Portobello Road.

A few weeks ago I finally got the key to the door and turned 21. For me, it was yet another excuse to have a huge flamboyant party and this year definitely did not disappoint.

I themed my 21st ‘Abi in Wonderland’ and transformed my garden into a massive tea party. My family decided to push the theme to the extreme and soon there were rose bushes, playing cards, love hearts, teapots and chandeliers covering every inch of our marquee.

I decided to be authentic with my outfit and ordered a tailored Alice in Wonderland dress (including pinafore) which managed to decrease my age by ten years. It was however my shoes that completed my outfit and were the talk of the town - my Melissa and Vivienne Westwood ‘Lady Dragon’ heels – whimsical peep toes with a huge red heart embellishment.

My birthday treats did not end there however. The morning of my actual birthday I was woken by my mother at 6am (I’m really not a morning person) who had a surprise for me, a day at Champneys Health Resort.

We spent the day indulging in facials, hour long massages, pedicures and a new treatment called Thalasso Active, which takes place in a pool and claims to tone and reduce cellulite. A day of complete relaxation.

I was also given a hardback copy of Lucia Van Der Post’s book Things I Wish My Mother Had Told Me: Lessons in Grace and Elegance. This book is a necessity to anyone with any interest, big or small, in fashion. It covers everything fashion and lifestyle-related, from how to dress for your figure to choosing paint colours for your house. My Grandmother, mother and I all own our own copies and I know that I will be referring to this book for decades to come.

Hair Haven...

Admittedly absolutely nothing beats having your hair done to make you feel fresh but I am 100% set in my ways when it comes to hairdressers and have been known to have slight (well, ok more than slight) diva tendencies if I'm not happy with the outcome!

Having been scarred by endless hideous hairstyles as a child it's really not surprising that this is how I've ended up and once I finally found someone that understood me (and didn't give me a mullet or a mohawk) I haven't looked back.

That was until a friend recommended the new Gielly Green salon. Located just off the ever trendy Marylebone high street, the salon is based on a boutique hotel design and includes a Butter London Nail Bar, Amanda Birch beauty rooms, a bar and of course a hair haven.

I was introduced to co-founder Shai who took one look at my rain-soaked mop and decided things needed to change.

The conclusion was half a head of highlights to give me a lift for the summer months and a cut to put a bit of style back into what was really a boring and very overgrown bob.

So, magazine in hand I sat back and let Shai work his magic. What felt like minutes later I had a head of foils which were so immaculate it looked like a work of art.

But the best part? The washing of the hair. No more sore, stiff necks from hard sinks, but instead leather beds imported from Japan which electronically raise you up, lie you down and pad your neck while your hair is washed, head massaged and you generally go into a sleep induced state!

A quick style with the scissors and the best blow dry I have ever had, I was red carpet ready!

Shai you are my shining star!

Testing Times

Yes, it’s THAT time of year again. Exam time. When all the joys of early summer are chased away by the looming prospect of hours of revision, and sweaty afternoons staring at question papers wondering if, by chance, you’ve strayed into the wrong room by mistake because nothing on that sheet makes any sense at all!

There’s little or no fun to be had from exams. Yet from the age of the age of 10, the twins have had to face them pretty much every summer. And will continue to do so until they’re about 25. The least I can do is try to soothe their frayed nerves and make them feel as calm and rested as possible over the next few weeks.

It’s probably a bit late to start on the Omega 3 route but we all know fish is good for the brain so it’s that or fish fingers for breakfast. Still, better late than never. and these capsules are easier to swallow than most. I reckon they’re super good for your skin and nails too, so it’s all win.

Revision (such as it is) will surely go better if everyone (self included) is calm, so I’ve invested in this lovely sound and light show, with pretty colours and a range of sound effect including birdsong and ocean noises which, at least, gives us all something to focus on when the irregular verbs become too much of a snore.

I’m a great believer in the power of aromatherapy – and as a fringe benefit, these fragrant aromatic oils in nifty roller-ball dispensers from Neal’s Yard mask the scent of fear.

On the day of reckoning, it’s not uncommon for the twins to be so terrified, they can’t even think of breakfast but neither of them can resist Lizi’s delicious organic granola, with a particularly low GI to provide long-term energy. Yummy with milk, it’s also irresistible straight from the bag – which is how I’m eating it right now! I’d better ask my good friend Ocado to send me round some more.

Succumbing to the Needle...

In the pursuit of good journalism (or perhaps vanity), I have, dear readers, succumbed to the needle... You see from a young age I’ve been more than aware that my top lip is, well, really rather lacking.

Couple that with an offer to improve it with Restylane (apparently THE safest non permanent filler) from a woman that’s so good at cosmetic procedures that she teaches them and you’ve got a trip to Harley Street before you can even utter the words, ‘needle, pain and self-inflicted.’

As I lay on the bed last Wednesday, I felt compelled to tell Deborah (Deboarh Forsythe ) that aged twelve to eighteen, I made mother write a letter to the school nurse every year so that I didn’t have to have the flu jab.

Deborah told me she thought I’d be pleasantly surprised (yeah right), to relax my shoulders (oh so easy), take a big deep breath in and hold it...

All I felt was a little scratch.... ‘and slowly breathe out.' Was that it?!

‘And again’ she said. Ok perhaps the needle hadn’t actually gone in yet, this time it was going to hurt....

That was it!

Four needles in my top lip later (less is more and I’ve left the bottom well alone) and bit of massaging to ensure there were no lumps and bumps (ok that bit was a little tender) and I was all done.

Afterwards Deborah told me that she often applies a numbing cream to the lip for half an hour to forty minutes before hand but in my case, she hadn’t felt I needed it! Either I’m suddenly seriously brave (and will be flying my own plane / voluntarily queuing up for the flu jab / getting a pet snake before I know it) or it really didn’t hurt.

(It seems it was the latter – I’d been given a new product that has anaesthetic in it so the minute it hits your lip, the anaesthetic starts to work, hence the lack of pain.)

I headed back to the office, did a days work, felt a bit bruised and lay low for about twenty four hours. The results are really very very good. So good, that disapproving girl friends (who had clearly been expecting Lesley Ash to walk through the door) have already asked for her number.

All I can say is, if that’s how the lip felt (apparently, ‘your lips and your downstairs department are your most sensitive areas’), then bring on the botox!

All in moderation of course....

I SHALL Go To the Ball...

Stephanie has just graduated with a degree in English and French. She couldn’t live without Diorblush in Brun Cannelle, is desperate for a pair of Christian Louboutin Décolleté 100 patent pumps, and awaits the day when British bakeries make a half-decent brioche.
When she’s not daydreaming about future outfits, she's window shopping (oh! The woes of student debt!) online at Net-a-Porter, Matches, and actually makes purchases at ASOS and Oasis.

For my first blog as an intern for SheerLuxe, I thought I’d share a little about myself... I am somebody who compulsively plans outfits. I see items of clothing and I dress myself in my mind complete with accessories.

I just can’t help it, I plan constantly. For events, I have to know exactly what I am wearing, at the very least, three weeks in advance of the actual date. If not, then my stress levels begin to soar as the image in my mind of that particular outfit begins to disintegrate.

This Thursday is my graduation ball, or ‘Final Fling’ as we call it at my uni. I saw the dress and knew I had to have it - a strapless maxi number with on-season oversized florals from high street favourite Coast.

Instantly my mind wandered to wonderful places, where the dress came complete with lovely St Tropez golden tan, gold bangles, long sparkly earrings, pale shoes, and a big white flower to go in my hair.

The jewellery wasn’t too much of an issue, Accessorize always has an amazing array of gorgeous chandelier earrings and bangles to complement any outfit, so I was all set there.

I sighed as I envisioned my tanned legs, and white shoes... and then remembered we’d be in a field, in British summer time, and I would be wearing a pair of shoes more expensive than my car, (I’m nothing if not practical, you see) and so settled for a pair of old faithfuls from my wardrobe, that were not only more comfortable than a brand new pair, but also wouldn’t leave me in floods of anguished tears when they ended up dirty beyond all recognition.

And so, I’m prepared. A little too close to the deadline for my nerves, but it doesn’t matter. The only thing I’m missing now is my mac. Please pray for sunshine!

Here Comes the Sun

There’s just something about the start of summer that brings a smile to every one’s face. Along with the small burst of warm weather, we are treated to an alfresco lifestyle with garden parties, BBQs and quintessentially British events like the Polo, Wimbledon and Royal Ascot that bring us together out in the great outdoors.

The warm weather also brings a huge smile to the face of my son Jake, who is guaranteed, year on year, to be the first in the Curran household to be sporting a pair of shorts and running around in the garden.

Living in France before we launched My-Wardrobe, we were used to months spent outside, but now back home in Leicestershire, we run for the garden furniture as soon as we see a glimmer of sunshine.

Like everything in life, each season, I feel the garden needs a Spring clean and a restyle. Actual gardening aside, for me, accessorising the garden is as much fun as accessorising my Summer wardrobe.

This year, I invested in a pair of eastern-inspired wind lights from Lombok, this beautiful wooden swing for Jake, and a few floral deck chairs.

Having worked hard to prepare the garden for the flurry of BBQs and outside entertaining, I decided to treat myself to By Malene Birger’s Montoya maxi dress. Perfect for lazing around in my newly styled alfresco haven…

Brochures, Samples & Swatches...

The accountant wasn’t all that impressed that I’d announced it on SL but (and sorry darling), this house buying lark is slow! Still no date for exchange and we had our offer accepted three weeks ago.

My kitchen table is piled high with brochures, paint samples and fabric swatches from practically every retailer listed on SL that has a shade of grey blue, toffee or cream in its colour scheme.

The whole house, from top to bottom, is mapped out in my mind (and on carefully sketched and colour coded room plans – they don’t call me Monica for nothing) from the type of hand towel and bathmat we need in the spare bathroom to the number of storage jars that will fit on the kitchen windowsill.

Whilst my Jenny Don’t Be Hasty mantra (aka don’t order anything before you exchange) is so far so good, that’s not to say that there needn’t be an exception – after all, if, god forbid, it weren’t to go through, the Nordic Style headboard (with ticking and toffee piping) I have on order would work as well in this house as in any other.

Never has my wardrobe taken such a back seat (smug Homes & Gardens style house owners told me this would happen) but I think it’s well worth the sacrifice...

LA Bound from LDN Town

It’s hard to believe that in less than two weeks from now, this London transplant will be heading back to her native Los Angeles. Soon, rather than browsing the charity shops in Portobello or reading in one of my favourite Prets, I’ll be sipping my Americano from Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf while browsing the selection at the Madison in Malibu.

Every time I start thinking about returning home after nearly 6 months away, one thought inevitably crosses my mind: ‘Do I look different?!’ Sure, it may sound shallow, but having lived abroad for almost half a year I should hope that my style has been inspired accordingly.

Now that I’m returning to the laid back culture of the West Coast from the primness of London (a Sunday on King’s Road vs. a Sunday on Robertson Ave. would probably offer the most vivid contrast), I’ll be making sure that some of the fashion cues I’ve picked up on will be coming home with me.

For instance, my newly acquired appreciation for the versatility of the blazer is something that I know will endure, despite the casual culture of Southern California.

Instead, LA favours the wear-and-go convenience of a Free City sweatshirt paired with some Havaiana flip flops (now I might substitute these for ballet flats – a more sophisticated alternative).

Oh, and my new affinity for leggings is definitely a result of this very stylish city.

Besides blazers and spandex legwear, I’ll also be taking home some of Anna Lou’s jewellery for Topshop. The line's cheeky take on all things Britannia is a perfect memento to bring back with me. Not only is the collection super stylish, but these statement making pieces are also ingenious conversation starters: ‘Oh, I love your brooch! Where did you get it?’ ‘Why thank you so much! I actually got it while I was living abroad in London...’ Oh yeah, that definitely doesn’t sound pretentious. (Sarcasm! That’s also something I’ll be bringing back with me!)

Despite the fact that the sunshine of LA sounds pretty appealing right about now, especially considering London’s recent bi-polar weather, I’m still reluctant to leave this town.

Although my time at SheerLuxe is drawing to a close, and my time abroad is nearly over, I know that I’ll be back to London soon. Until then, this fashion commentary will be continuing, just from an entirely different fashion hub...

Clothing Karma

Karma is a funny old thing. It’s all very well sending out positive energy into the universe in the belief that it’ll be sent back to you, preferably in the form of something shiny in a pale blue box with the word Tiffany on it – but surely doing good in the expectation of getting goodness back kind of detracts from the goodness of the original thing that you’ve done, if that makes sense?

I mean, if you do something kind, or generous, or thoughtful, all the while mentally keeping tabs on how you might expect to benefit from your action, doesn’t that make you just as – perhaps even more – selfish as altruistic?

And if you claim that you really are doing these things out of the goodness of your heart, and that you’re not expecting anything back – whether that thing is a favour, or a gift, or support in a time of need – well, doesn’t that just make you a liar?

Yes, I’ve never been too sure about karma – but I am beginning to wonder if there might be such a thing as ‘clothing (klothing?) karma’.

With many of my favourite pieces off-limits during this summer of pregnancy and, let’s face it, weight gain, I’ve been passing my things onto various friends on a “keep it for now” basis – partly because they’ve been nice enough to be complimentary about my clothes (thanks ladies), and partly because it’s just too depressing to see a perfectly good Theory dress just hanging there when I know all too well that I’ll be lucky to get into it this time next year.

So you see - already, there’s been something in the arrangement for me – so when I managed to buy the most perfect piece of clothing – not once, but twice, when all that was left in stock both times (insert gleeful dance) was one medium (my size!!) I couldn’t help but think that the wardrobe gods were smiling down at me and wonder if it was somehow all linked?

Made from whisper-soft, oh-so-comfy cotton in the easiest of day-to-night shapes, my American Vintage Baton Rouge maxi (I bought it in charcoal and purple) is just beautiful in its simplicity, both for my pregnancy and beyond.

Since I bought the last of each colour, however, you’ll just have to take my word for it. Not that I want to rub anyone’s nose in it or anything –I mean, surely that would just be bad karma?

No. 5 on the No. 11

Living with a lot of boys in the City has its ups and downs – the ups being that when I’m throwing a diva fit (which is more often I care to admit), I can always get a starkly rational male opinion on the matter. The downs – the loo seat being left up, no shops/restaurants open ANYWHERE at the weekend (sometimes I feel like we’re the only residents within the Square Mile) and living on the other side of London to the office (the boys won that argument – they often work 20 hour days).

Which means that if, like on Wednesday, there’s a tube strike on, you’re well and truly stuck. So there I was – stuck on a number 11 bus with hundreds of other commuters checking their watches frantically.

Luckily, I always have a book in tow – since moving to London, I’ve realised you’ve got to have these kind of contingency plans for the hours and hours spent waiting for buses and tubes to come and said buses/tubes to arrive at your destination, unless you want to be staring at the back of someone’s head for a good few hours of the day.

The book in question? The new Chanel tome: Chanel: Her Life, Her World, The Woman Behind the Legend by Edmonde Charles-Roux. Some might say I’m a leeetle obsessed with Chanel, although I prefer ‘life choice’ over the word ‘obession’.

Needless to say, I’ve just opened a savings account purely for the purpose of saving for my favourite bag of ALL TIME – the Chanel Jumbo flap. (In black Caviar leather with gold hardware, before you ask.) I’ve put it on every shopping list, every grocery list, emailed my boyfriend hints, even changed the desktop on his computer, to no avail. Which is why I decided to take matters into my own hands.

Anyway, back to the book. It’s the inspiration for the new film, Coco Avant Chanel, and so accordingly tells the story of Coco’s life before she became totally immersed in fashion. Can you believe that the same woman who persuaded women to shorten their skirts, bob their hair and scent their world with Chanel No. 5, also was born in a poorhouse and raised in an orphanage? Me neither.

It’s definitely one fascinating read, which made my supersized bus journey a little more bearable (that and ogling the woman in front of me who was carrying a much-coveted Chanel 2.55 classic flap bag).

Pure Peppermint Passport Style...

So the wedding has been and gone and boy was it a blast! In fact I would even go so far as to say it was one of the best weekends I've ever had and I was only a bridesmaid!

The bride and groom are well on their way to sunny Ibiza for 2 weeks (jealous? me?) whilst the rest of us try to come down from the high and get back to work.

The bride's big 30th birthday was only a couple of weeks before the wedding so all the sisters clubbed together and treated her to a capsule honeymoon wardrobe: kaftan, beach bag and sunglasses, so when it came to getting her an extra little wedding present from us all, we were left a bit stumped.

That was until I came across Smython’s new Peppermint Collection. Their Passport Cover was the perfect pre honeymoon pressie before she and her new hubbie jetted off in serious style.

Keep Covered with Added Drama

Ok, I just have to rant for a moment: I’m so absolutely bothered by the copious amount of editorial coverage dedicated to healthy sun protection this time of year.

It is as if every time we receive two days of sunshine in a row, every fashion magazine recites - “Wear sunscreen!” That’s all fine and dandy, but to say the pedantic preaching is repetitive (and annoying!) would be a complete understatement.

While not providing ways in which to avoid obtaining a scarlet complexion would be utterly irresponsible, I propose that in addition to reaching for our sun lotion, we should also reach for something a bit more dramatic… like a fabulously stylish hat.

As we try and combat the elements, we should always aim to do it as chicly as possible. Whether taking on a rainy day, dealing with a strong wind, or dodging the sun’s harsh rays, the weather can provide a perfect excuse to take some fashion risks.

Keeping the rest of your ensemble understated is the best way to brave a daring hat. For instance, a pair of jeans with a tee tucked in would be the most flattering compliment to this Helen Berman topper.

If I was feeling in the mood for a bit of sass, this Eugenia Kim combines cool and casual with distinction and drama.

It reminds me so much of an old time movie starlet that the £195 is completely justifiable. Especially if you think of how much money you’d save on the botox required after too much sun exposure!

This sunhat from Melissa Odabash is also on my radar. The natural straw makes this choice very wearable and the wide brim allows for people-watching over your Frapuccino while remaining completely inconspicuous. Add it to your everyday basics or pair it with a vintage sundress to channel Audrey Hepburn (and who wouldn’t want to be her?!).

So when you’re shopping for your Summer skin guardian, don’t just pop into Boots for some SPF 30. Hats are another great way to safeguard your complexion.

With the new crop of retro-inspired styles that add an element of luxe to your park day style, you can be sure to look poised and polished while keeping your cool on even on the hottest of London days. Hat’s off! (I had to do it…)

Onion Chutney & Goats Cheese Tart

Serves 4 as a starter or 2 as a main course.
Prep time - 5 mins
Cooking time - 20 mins

It is now possible to buy delicious Onion Chutneys from a variety of suppliers. My preference would be a caramelised red onion chutney if possible.

Ingredients

200g Ready Rolled Puff Pastry
3tbsp Onion Chutney
1 tbsp Thyme
200g Soft Goats Cheese
60g Watercress
Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Preheat the oven to 220C (Gas Mark 7).

Unroll the pastry and place on a baking sheet. Using a sharp knife, lightly score a 2.5cm border around the edge of the pastry. Using a fork, prick the central base of the pastry all over.

Spread the chutney within the border. Sprinkle the thyme over this and then crumble the goats cheese evenly over the top.

Bake the tart for 15-20 minutes until the pastry is golden and risen and the cheese has melted.

Scatter the tart with the watercress and serve at once drizzled with a little olive oil.

Summer Season

The Summer season is upon us and I just love it! It all starts on the last day of the Chelsea Flower Show with the wonderful sight of the Kings Road swamped by ladies carrying all shapes and sizes of wonderful flowers and plants to various corners of leafy suburbia.

Back here the tents start to go up in anticipation of Henley Regatta. I just love Henley and for those who have yet to experience it, the festival that follows is not to be missed.

Maybe this year we’ll be lucky with the weather, as my memories of Henley past were always of a scorcher, when we would take our lovely wooden boat down for the duration, the highlight being the fireworks on the river on the Saturday night.

Along with Summer, colour is back. Just check out the new throws from JH Trousseau. The limited edition hot pink is my favourite and will probably not be reserved solely for my bed but accompany me to many an outdoor event this summer in case it gets chilly.

If you’re not into hot pink, lime green and duck egg blue are also new and utterly scrumptious. And of course, I can never resist the classic throws from the Josephine Home range (JH Trousseau’s older sister, as it were), which come in melt in the hand cashmere and are so hard to put down!

I love this shop and am very happy to have invested in the tactile Egyptian cotton bedding for my own home. There’s something about the sensuality of climbing into freshly ironed and laundered sheets at the end of a long, summery day – a small luxury, but one I cherish.

Working Mums

Gosh, it’s been roasting! I’m not complaining - it’s lovely - but rushing around in the heat isn’t fun. The Baby Gurus is suddenly in demand for forward-thinking companies looking to support pregnant women (and getting them back to work smoothly).

I just spent three days in Glasgow speaking to women who’ve found the whole baby business stressful. Going back to work after time off was very much at the top of the agenda.

It’s no mean feat, going back to work after maternity leave. Planning, planning and some more planning makes the whole thing smoother (try Smythson’s Yummy Mummy notebook - totally fabulous to help with your agenda).

Choosing childcare that works for both Mum and baby is a good start. People often choose a nursery near home but perhaps it’s worth thinking about it being close to work.

Babies often become clingy (often happens from 7 months onwards), so it’s worth considering when you go back to work in relation to your baby's stage.

My cherubs peaked clingyness at 1 and I remember it well. It’s a normal reaction to separating Mum and baby - they need to know you're coming back.

I did hear that playing peak-a-boo as a baby can help babies know you’ll come back… I never did test this theory so I’ve no idea if it works, but perhaps it’s worth a try…

Put on the Neon...

Even though I've disparaged the look in the past, there’s no denying it: the 80s are back… and this time they’re showing staying power. Designer collections of both past and present have all been paying reverence to this era now for quite some time now.

And whether it’s in the form of luxe leggings or structured shoulders, looks from the decade of a pre-yoga Madonna and a Locomotion Kylie don’t appear to be leaving us any time soon.

For summer the 80s are perfect, as the bright weather is demanding even brighter hues. Prepare yourself, ladies… neon is yet again the palette of choice.

Even the most surprising of fashion forwards are looking backwards to add some pop to their summer wardrobe.

Even though Kate Moss is probably the last person that comes to mind when talking neon, she has recently been spotted rocking a bright pink blouse like this from Elizabeth and James (pictured). And when Ms Moss leads, we mere mortals follow...

The trick to making this palette work for you is to not take it too literally and look to neon to provide a quirky accent, rather than a complete ensemble.

For instance, adding this Marc by Marc Jacobs tote to your standard weekend attire will turn your entire ensemble up a notch. And because the colour is so bright, this shade inevitably goes with everything because it actually goes with nothing (how's that for fashion irony?).

Shoes are also an easy way to try on this trend. These Diane Von Furstenbergs make it easy to take the trend for a style test drive. The tamer hue of these heels is especially choice for those of us who are the neon faint of heart. Paired with a white blazer and black dress, this look is current and now, without being OTT.

The thing that has always irked me about neon is that I feel as if the second you put it on you immediately become the centre of attention.

But adding some subtle hints of a vivid hue is actually an ideal way to use this look to increase your fashion clout without infringing on your more subtle inclinations. This summer, I’m daring myself to take a walk on the brighter side...

Wild About Smokey Eyes

As we all know, smokey eyes are bang on trend again. In an attempt to look smokily sultry, last weekend, I pulled out all the step-by-step guides in the beauty sections ofvarious magazines, sat in front of a well-lit mirror and began to apply. I can tell you now, I didn’t look quite like the models in the pictures at the end of it... As for looking like my icon, Kate Moss, well, I looked more like a demented panda!

This is when I decided it was time for some much needed help, so I called in the beauty expert, Nadira Make Up Mistress to show me how to beautify like a pro.

Nadira V Persaud has nearly 15 years’ experience as a make-up artist, working with actors, models and celebrities for tv, magazines and catwalks, so I knew I was in safe hands.

The package I chose was the 'Make Up Mistress Makeover', a two hour, one-to-one session, where Nadira shows you the tricks of the trade and crucial skills for perfecting your make-up, including smokey eyes.

Nadira also cast her critical eyes into my make-up bag and showed me brands I’d never used before. My new favourite product is Omorovicza Complexion Enhancer SPF15.

I highly recommend booking a session with Nadira to learn the latest looks. The demented panda eyes have long gone and I am ever closer to the alluring Kate Moss!

On that note, I’m off to get ready for an evening out for my friend’s birthday with my smokey eyes and the gorgeous Wild-About bouquet I’m giving her.

Moving Up & On...

After five years in a one bedroom flat that could be mistaken for a shoe box, we’ve just had an offer accepted on a house! Tempting fate to blog about it I know but sometimes the excitement just gets the better of you.

We had decided we’d wait until later this year but in a moment of weakness (whilst browsing PrimeLocation.com), the accountant (aka the husband) spotted something that even Captain Sensible himself reckoned was worth a look. I didn’t disagree.

Tucked in the Tonsleys (a little pocket in SW London) was a little picture perfect three bedroom house. Loft conversion – tick. Side return – tick. Smart new carpet, Farrow & Ball Dimity... And even a white picket fence (ok never a key criteria but I’ve always loved Wisteria Lane).

I won’t bore you with the long and drawn out events that followed until the offer was accepted but let’s just say there were four offers before we settled on the fifth and at least a week of sleepless nights.

Since then, the accountant’s formula-filled spread sheet has been working on overdrive as his wife is gearing up to enter interiors heaven.

Ever impulsive, I’m trying my absolute hardest to resist ordering anything until the date of exchange is agreed.

However I have managed to sneak a couple of chest of drawers through without too much trouble. ‘Hon these are a bargain, super stylish, the perfect colour and will look stunning either side of the fireplace in our bedroom. (I mean the bedroom in the house we're hopefully buying).’

As you can see I haven’t quite mastered the lack of emotion that’s needed when buying a house...

MOTB: The Wedding

Well, it’s all over. The happy couple are on their honeymoon, the marquee is down, I've given away most of the amazing flowers and the dress is in its bag waiting to be sent away to be cleaned and packed. In fact, looking out of the study window no-one would believe that anything had happened…

But it did and boy, did it go well. The weather stayed dry despite the most awful forecast, the make-up artist did a brilliant job, and the hairdresser is in a class of her own - everyone’s hair looked simply amazing.

As for the bride, she looked like a DREAM, ‘The Dress’ was wonderful, the bridesmaids were totally beautiful, and the grandmother looked terrific, as did her grandson in his first outing in a morning suit.

And the FOTB looked so good I could have married him all over again but if he didn’t want to then I might have pinched daughter No.3’s boyfriend who escorted me up the aisle.

It was a truly amazing ceremony with the bridegroom grinning so much I thought his jaw might break. I’ll never forget how they were cheered as they walked back down the aisle.

We had the photographs done in the garden and I have to say I absolutely love the MOTBG’s hat - a brilliant creation in a gold coloured straw.

Cook and Buttle excelled with the food, 007Teez were a rocking band, the photo booth was an outstanding success and the flowers and the cake...

OK I’ll shut up. I wish we were doing it all again this weekend but we might need to refill the coffers before the next one!

Herby Baked Fish

Serves 4
Prep time - 15 mins
Cooking time - 1 hr, 10 mins

Delicious and so easy to prepare.

Ingredients

1kg Waxy Potatoes
1 Large Onion
4 x 150g Red Mullet Fillets or Sea Bream Fillets
1 tbsp Good Quality Mixed Dried Herbs
Olive Oil
Juice of Half a Lemon
Freshly Ground Salt and Black Pepper

Preheat the oven to 200C (400F, Gas Mark 6).

Wash and finely slice the potatoes. Peel and finely slice the onion and scatter over the base of a roasting tray or wide shallow ovenproof dish. Lay the potato slices over the top.

Season well and sprinkle with the herbs as you go. Drizzle 4tbsp olive oil and the lemon juice along with a little water over the vegetables so that they are covered to about halfway in the liquid.

Cover the dish with foil and bake in the oven for about 30-40 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for a further 30 minutes.

Season the fish fillets well and brush them with some olive oil. Lay these on top of the potatoes and bake for about another 10 minutes until the fish is cooked through.

Serve with lemon wedges.

Cannes Travel Light (& Chic!)

When I first found out that I’d be going to the Cannes Film Festival, my mind began to race… ‘WHAT SHOULD I PACK?’ Of course, glitz and glamour is completely expected of anyone deciding to make a pilgrimage to the South of France during the sacred festival, attracting A-list celebrities the world over. However, given the abusive luggage allowances offered by airlines such as Ryan Air and Easy Jet, the stress of packing alone warrants its own holiday.

The challenge of packing light becomes even harder when packing for an occasion that requires complete style and chic. I mean, heels alone require their own holdall! And I find it completely unreasonable to be expected to pack only one ensemble for each evening.

How will I know precisely what mood I’ll be in on any given night and whether I’ll feel like channelling Audrey Hepburn with a demure shift dress or Sophia Loren with a Herve Leger-inspired mini?

It seems to me that by limiting luggage allowances, these airlines also limit style options. That is, unless you know the tricks of the trade.

Being an American student in London, I’ve taken every travel opportunity available to me. Whether going to Oslo on a whim, or Florence for a weekend, travelling light has become my forte.

In order to minimize luggage while maximizing style, my number one advice is ACCESSORIZE, ACCESSORIZE, ACCESSORIZE! If you stick to packing only the basics when it comes to clothing (ie, one LBD, a few easy tops, and your most versatile jeans), accessories can be your best friend.

For instance, while I was in Cannes, I relied on this Sara Berman headband to dress up my most reliant LBD. If I was feeling daring, I’d add this yellow clutch, also from Sara Berman, and these show stopping heels to add the colour of the moment – canary yellow - to my outfit. Easy peasy.

To dress down a little black dress, add a casual denim jacket, like this one from Topshop, and throw on some bangles and gladiator sandals to make your evening outfit perfectly appropriate for an afternoon of shopping along the Cote Azure.

Even though my trip to Cannes was a bit too early for many celebrity sightings, having arrived the day the festival opened and leaving a few days later, I was still able to sneak into my fair share of trendy parties (most of which were mostly comprised of Parisian natives in town for the festival- a Francophile’s dream!). And thanks to some creative accessorizing and my trusty LBD, my limited luggage didn’t leave me out in the style cold.

The Return of Snail Mail

I’m a lazy friend. There, I said it. I love my friends to death, but am positively rubbish when it comes to picking up the phone, sending a text, or pinging over an email just to say ‘hello’, which is terrible considering how many hundreds of emails I send each day for work.

Consequently, all my pals are fantastic communicators, which is lucky, because otherwise, who would organise those fab weekends away, raucous dinner parties and lavish lunches?

This weekend I made a solemn vow to be a more proactive friend, after returning home from a blissful weekend spent with the fam’ in Wilts to find a little package on the doormat.

I peered at it as though it was an alien (I mean, the last time I saw snail mail was in the early nineties – slight exaggeration, perhaps), before tearing it open (envelope glue and manicures are the worst of enemies – must invest in a letter opener...) to reveal a Clueless DVD.

I knew it was from my dear friend A as soon as I opened the card, which covered myself and the rug in a cloud of heart-shaped sequins (think of A and you think of sparkles, unicorns and all things girlie). It was such a lovely thought, a few weeks after we’d been talking about the film (she’d read my blog) and rather bizarrely, neither of us had it in our DVD collections.

There and then I vowed to stock up on gorgeous stationery, bubble wrap and stamps – I was going to bring back snail mail once and for all. Somehow the twinkling of a text doesn’t live up to a mysterious brown paper package with a handwritten address. If I were A, I’d probably start singing ‘Brown paper packages, tied up with string’ at this point.

And frankly there’s no excuse when there’s such a gorgeous range of greeting cards available at Hello Lucky. Fabulously kitsch, their designs are perfect for those ‘just because’ occasions. I’ll be sending these and these. For those who simply can’t tear themselves away from Twitter, I have the perfect suggestion. Instead, tweet in letter form with Hello Lucky’s sweet personalised birdie stationery.

MOTB: The Final Few Days

Monday before the wedding...

Spoken to caterers – well, tried but ended up leaving several frantic messages on answer phone
Spoken to marquee people who are also trying to speak to caterers who are on answer phone
Spoken to photographer – he’s fine
Dresses are all hanging up in two different rooms
One pair of shoes still has not arrived…
My Gok Wan body arrived but I have to send it back as the dieting worked and it’s much too big for me, so its back to good old M&S as there is no time to get another GW
My Pashmina have just informed me that the final two pashminas have landed and are on their way
Just had an e-mail saying that the marquee people have now spoken to the caterers
Must remember to tell the caterers that the band needs to eat!
Must print off the list of duties for the ushers
The farmer just knocked on the door to say that we can use the bottom of his field for parking as well!
Didn’t allow the team of cleaners to clean the room where the wedding dress is housed, as a spill of bleach could be terminal – for me if not them, or the dress!
Finished the raspberry vodka – moved on to brother-in-law’s damson gin now!

My Return to Glory...

I’ve always had a bit of a love-hate relationship with beauty salons. It’s just the dimmed lights, the plinky-plonk piped music, the inevitably hushed tones of the beauty therapist. And yet, on the other hand, I love the end result: the buffed, polished version of me that leaves water feature and oil-burner behind and swans off into the afternoon.

Since having children, my relationship has become even more ambivalent: I, and consequently the poor hapless therapist, walk a thin line between a) wanting to make the most of a bit of ‘me’ time and b) wanting them to get the hell on with it so that I can race home to the kids/ laundry/ dinner.

And of course, there’s still that infernal music. Not to mention the fact that my husband’s erratic hours and frequent work trips make appointment-making a nightmare and that, unlike the fabulous High Maintenance Mummy, I don’t have an au pair.

So to be honest, I’d more or less given up, resorting to haphazard forays into DIY but more often, relying on the poor eyesight of others to render me presentable.

Well, people, you can put your contact lenses back in… because my life has been totally transformed by the discovery of Return to Glory - a company who send the beautician to you, with appointments available right up until 10pm.

My fabulous therapist Michelle arrived at 7.30pm after I’d put the kids to bed and, within minutes, had set up a massage table and warmed the wax. Two hours later, I was a new woman, with shapely brows, silky-smooth legs, pedicured feet and well-groomed hands (polished with OPI’s creamy Mod About You). No dimmed lights, no toilet-trip-inducing waterfall soundtrack, just the comfort of my own living room while my children slept downstairs.

Admittedly, there are a lot of good ‘glows’ that can make you look a million bucks. The detox glow, the new love glow, the holiday glow… but the glow that you get from feeling like a good, putting-the-kids-first mother combined with an indulgent, still-got-to-treat-myself woman? There’s no facial in the world that can emulate that one. Combine it with a facial and whoa! Watch out.

Faking It

We’ve all been there…that awful moment when you realise those legs that you’ve been hiding behind tights and trousers all winter may have to see the light of day. Your summer holiday is not for a while and so you have two choices; grin and bear it…or fake it.

I prefer to reach for the fake tan (not the sunbeds). But not last year’s product – unless you’re a year-round user, the product has probably separated in its tube and will definitely not go on streak-free.

But do you pick the gradual build moisturiser, the spray on colour, the traditional tan-in-a-tube or do you just go and get a spray tan? I've tried every possible option so I thought I’d share my knowledge in case anyone reading is in a similar ‘pale skinned dilemma'.

Gradual build moisturisers were made uber-popular when Johnsons launched their holiday skin product. One that many of my friends use but I find that the colour is actually a little too orange for my pink-toned skin.

Plus I always make the mistake of thinking that as it’s a moisturiser the exfoliation preparation isn’t as necessary which always results in a leopard print-like design on my legs! I’d recommend this option for those with a tan already, as it gives a lovely, glowy finish.

The sprays always scare me as I envisage myself just coating my entire bathroom with it, so this year, I'm opting for Lancaster’s Shimmering Bronze Creamy Gel For Legs. However, Clinique have just brought out Body Airbrush Spray which is a really fine mist which works on all angles, including hard-to-reach areas.

Spray tans remind me of that episode of Friends when Ross accidentally gets too many coats on one side, but as long as you go to a great salon two days before the event, and moisturise regularly, you can avoid the two-toned tango effect.

Hope that helps. I'm off to get exfoliating and fake tanning, just in case the weather stays nice for the Bank Holiday...

The Last Detail...

P&P has had a busy time of it recently…not only have I written what seems like endless piles of wedding invitations (sadly Green Fingers’ handwriting is not ‘invitation friendly’), but GF and I have just moved house!

A very hectic but exciting time and I’ve been trying to split my time between wedding planning and nesting. I think I can confidently say that our home is now looking lived in and homely, so I can now get back to the important task of getting married!

As any bride knows, flowers are hugely important to the wedding day. Whilst discussing colours, arrangements and bouquets with my florist, my mind wandered off into the world of table decoration.

It may surprise you to hear, but I hadn’t thought about these added and very important details and I felt the colour drain from my face - what was the point in amazing flowers if the table décor (or lack thereof) let the side down – panic!

Rushing home, I got straight onto my trusty laptop and having made a couple of SheerLuxe searches I finally struck gold, when an online shop, aptly named The Last Detail popped up.

So much choice I didn’t know where to begin – but the helpful selection of colour themes really helped. My basket filled up quickly I must say…all tasteful and elegant I assure you!

With ideas such as rose petals to scatter over the table to elegant placecard holders, the world is your oyster.

And for those of you trusted with the task of organising the Hen Weekend (hint, hint!), there’s a brilliant section dedicated to making it one to remember, with games, accessories and gifts.

Ladies That Lunch...

Yesterday I played amongst the ladies that lunch. Katherine (SL’s Commerical Manager) and I hit Spirit of Summer at Olympia. No prizes for working out that it’s the summer version of Spirit of Christmas – the vast shopping fair.

Thankfully Spirit of Summer isn’t quite so vast. Probably something do with the current climate especially as a lot of the tiny exhibitors you see at Christmas weren’t there. A good thing though if you ask me because it meant less to see (the choice at Christmas is somewhat overwhelming).

The crowds of ladies that lunch were out in full force – I bumped into the odd friend of my mother’s and friends of mine who are either about to pop or with baby in buggy.

There’s a lot more space this time, a great ‘summer’ lounge area with big white sofas and parasols, master classes from Paula Pryke (the florist) and Tom Aikens amongst others.

But most of all it’s a great opportunity to see and meet some of the retailers that stick to selling online and doing the shopping fair circuit, and who don’t have a store of their own.

A few exhibitors in particular caught my eye. If you’re popping down yourself over the next few days, I’d recommend the Barbara Coupe, Cape Henley, Susie Watson Designs, Hush (pictured, and always a favourite), Little Linens and Runaway Coast stands. (If you can’t make it, they all sell online.)

And, if you’re peckish, Debbie & Andrews Sausages at x2 for £5 are definitely your best buy. The Pork & Apple and Sicilian are to die for.

As well as some sausages I also treated myself to a couple of these lanterns from Garden Gadgets.

Spirit of Summer is running this Friday, Saturday & Sunday and is well worth a visit. Click here for more info.

Bridesmaid Bargain...

The countdown is officially on in our family. The first of four daughters is getting married in nine days time. Another wedding I hear you say? Well yes, but in a family of six and only one man (yes, my poor father) this is, quite possibly, the biggest event in our immediate family history!

We’re almost there. The dress, flowers, caterers, even the table plans have been done (and with only one argument) but the bridesmaids (me included) are still shoeless.

Shopping for shoes is not something I usually struggle with but trying to get four bridesmaids, a bride and a mother of the bride to agree on a pair makes it somewhat of a struggle.

In fact so much of a struggle that we’ve agreed to disagree and as the dresses are long, the decision is we can wear what we like! Hooray!

First port of call for me was LK Bennett. No satin, bridesmaidesque kitten heels thank you very much! No, I’ve gone for the Idina platform, patent, peep toes in a luxe taupe that will see me through the summer as well as the special day.

A bit over budget maybe, but cost per wear makes them a bit of a bridesmaid bargain!

Chocolate Fondant

Serves 8-10
Prep time - 5 mins
Cooking time - 30 mins

An utterly delicious pud and completely foolproof to make. Additional options for this recipe are a slug of brandy or a small handful of chopped walnuts but I prefer it completely plain.

Ingredients

350g Good Quality Dark Chocolate
250g Caster Sugar
125g Butter
6 Eggs, beaten
Half Dessert Spoon Plain Flour

In a large pan gently melt the chocolate, sugar and butter.

Remove the pan from the heat and slowly mix the beaten eggs in followed by the flour. Make sure that everything is very well incorporated.

Take a large oven tray and pour half an inch of water into the bottom. Grease and line a 7” cake tin with baking paper and pour the mixture into this. Carefully place the cake tin into the oven tray and bake for 25-30 minutes at 150C (300F, Gas Mark 2) but do check regularly as ovens vary so much.

The finished product should have a lovely brownie exterior and luscious melting centre. Serve with good quality vanilla ice cream or whipped double cream, or both!

MOTB: 8 Days to Go

OK, now I’m beginning to panic. 8 days to go – today I have to pick up the last bridesmaid’s dress after they were altered by a lovely lady called Caroline Arthur who actually makes wedding dresses as well as alterations, so do check out her portfolio.

I’ve finally sorted out Granny of the Bride’s hat. She was initially planning on hiring one because she didn’t want to spend a lot of money on a hat at her great age, but quickly decided it was a waste of money to hire …HELP! I thought I’d found a hat that she’d like but that wasn’t right either.

Eventually we went back to the hire shop with outfit in tow and she found the most wonderful hat that she wishes she could buy!

As I write this we have a house full of window cleaners. Yesterday they gave the outside paintwork a facelift, the inside windows get cleaned today and the outside next week.

On Monday a team of domestic cleaners arrive for the day, the gardener seems to have moved in and there’s nowhere for me to hide!

By the time I got around to trying to book online grocery shopping last night it was too late so I have to fit in a trip to Waitrose as well.

For the wedding I have made large quantities of raspberry vodka (buy at The Drink Shop if you’re not kitchen-friendly) - so pretty but the quantity may not be as great by the big day as I may have to have a restorative shot, or three…

Bonnie Baby Bertie...

It’s really quite extraordinary how many of our friends have had boys (baby boys). Well, all of them actually. I could count the recent baby boys on two hands. There would be no girls on either. Ok so it’s a 50 / 50 shot but it’s a little freaky none the less. No doubt when we get there (not yet if my mother's reading) we’ll have an army of girls (we both want four).

So the latest friend to give birth did so last week (to a boy, obviously) and I’ve been so busy rushing around that I completely forgot to get him a pressie – we’re meeting the little chap (Bertie – love it) the day after tomorrow.

I had a look around and ended up on the Bonnie Baby website. So they’ve been around but I still adore the ‘Apple of Daddy’s Eye’ cashmere jumper that we've all seen on Jamie & Jools Oliver’s brood. I’ve already given one to my nephew Oscar but I couldn’t resist ordering another for baby Bertie too. Especially as it’s being discontinued.

A big thanks to the girls at Bonnie Baby for getting it to me so quickly. And if you’re interested in ordering one too (before they run out of stock and never make another), they’re now on sale at a reasonable £32.20.

Having Kittens

Ask anyone who knows me – I’ve never been a ‘pet person’. I’m the sort that screams and crosses over the road if I see a dog walker, and I have been known to write off prospective boyfriends based solely on the fact they own a yappy pooch who’s fond of humping legs.

Since meeting Georgie's adorable little dog Mouse, however, I’m a convert. Nothing beats coming into the office with a little blonde dog running up to greet you, warming your lap in the colder months and offering endless entertainment.

That was it – I needed one of my own. (Except I’m not such a convert that I was going to suffer daily walks in the wind and rain, so I settled on a cat – not all bad I considered, when the accessories are so utterly fabulous).

After weeks and weeks of pestering H to accompany me on my kitten quest, he finally caved, and off to Battersea Dogs & Cats Home we went.

My dreams of fluffy kittens and sweet little puppies were shattered once I entered the kennels and cattery – huge, barking dogs and rather odorous cats (who, on first inspection seemed to be rather chilled out, but were deemed ‘sinister’ by H).

It must be said, it was heartbreaking to see the poor little blighters without mummies and daddies, but I began to realise that I might not be the Mummy they were looking for, feeling more and more like Cruella de Ville as I stood there in my maxi dress and oversized sunglasses.

Kittens, kittens, where were the kittens? A poster on the wall said ‘Speak to a member of staff if you wish to see the kittens’. Aha! Unbeknown to me, mentioning the word ‘kitten’ in a rescue home is practically equivalent to turning up in a kitten fur coat and spraying flea spray at all the animals.

I mean, it’s not like I was brandishing a Louis Vuitton pet carrier and asking how long the kitten would stay cute for – I just wanted to have a look, maybe play with them, maybe pop one in my bag and run out...

Apparently, an interview was needed to establish whether we were kitten killers or not, and so, after sitting in the waiting room for an hour, we were called in for our Spanish inquisition. The room was about a metre squared and, horror of horrors, along with the interviewer, there was a dog. And not the cute, friendly, Mouse kind – the big, barking kind. ‘This is a test’, I told myself. ‘Look like you’re a pet person’, and forced a smile and a trepid stroke.

Everything was fine until halfway through, the most disgusting pong began to emanate through the tiny tiny room. The dog was peeing. And stomping it around the room. The interviewer laughed as though it was completely adorable – I snatched my new, white LK Bennett Lorenal off the floor, and gathered my new Cos maxi dress up.

I started trying to get to the point of the interview without mentioned the word ‘kitten’ when H asked why the dog was bleeding everywhere. ‘Oh, she’s just in season’, the interviewer replied cheerily. That was the last straw. I was never going to be a pet person.

And with that, I scooped up my Lorenal and ran out of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home before you could say ‘Miaow.’

A Bigger Splash

Have you noticed a kind of low rumbling noise every time you step outside lately? It happens every year about this time and, if you listen very carefully, you can make out the odd phrase: ‘We’re going to get some use out of this damned thing this year.’ Or: ‘I’m not spending a fortune on chemicals just to have you lot complain it’s too cold.’

Yes, it’s the grand unveiling of the swimming pools as, all over the country, we attempt to justify the extravagance by forcing our children into the icy water while we shout encouragingly … from the side.

It’s the equivalent of taking canaries down mines to check for lethal gas leaks. We chuck the kids into the pool from the beginning of May onwards and, when they stop turning blue, we know it’s safe for us to go in.

But there has to be an inducement – that’s only fair. So I’ve rounded up a few of the aquatic carrots I’ve dangled in front of my swimming donkeys to lure them in. So far, so good. And feeling is gradually returning to their extremities. I think.

Whilst running along the beach (or garden) with your hair tied back in hundreds of mini braids might be a good way to protect your locks against sun damage, quite frankly, that sort of behaviour should be left to Bo Derek in the 70s. Instead, protect hair from the effects of chlorine with Fekkai's Coiff Defense Spray.

Boden has always been my go-to for great kids swimwear. The Boys Bathers are hardwearing enough to withstand any wear and tear, and with their cool prints, are sure to pass the street cred test.

All you need apart from that is some nice warm towels – and a thick fleece for yourself while you stand by and watch – at a safe distance.

The Great Outdoors

What a nice surprise it was last weekend to open the papers and see something that really made me smile. On the first page of the Daily Mail was a picture of a glorious lavender field with the most adorable child frolicking amongst the purple haze.

It was rather a mish mash of good and bad news last April.

The newspapers constantly reporting on the gloomy recession and tough times ahead – bad news; but they also informed us that we were currently experiencing the hottest April this century – hoorah!

The sun is shining which is perhaps a reminder to us all that nature itself has a hand in our happiness.

So with that in mind I’m on a mission to change my ways and start appreciating the more simple things in life. Gardening; I think being the perfect place to start.

Well, it would have been if I had a garden, but unfortunately my third floor flat only allows space for some small window boxes. Nothing wrong with that though, and I’ve found the perfect ones to sit on our ledge. Furthermore, you can even send friends Personalised Spring Plant Boxes, and share the fun!

Attempting not to turn into my mother just yet though - she wakes up early every morning and shrieks with excitement as a new shoot appears from the soil in her vegetable patch...

With the weather looking a little more hospitable, a luxurious picnic in the park with fabulous food and wine purchased from Daylesford was just what the doctor ordered. With Hyde Park at my doorstep, my book – The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox (highly recommended!) - and the arms of my fiancé, I had no cares in the world. Maybe it’s true what they say - the best things in life really are free.

The Burgeoning Belly

A little piece of advice for first-time mums, as well as those with their first time still ahead of them: enjoy and relish every single moment of your pregnancy. Lap up all the attention that’s lavished on you, go to antenatal yoga classes, and lie, for hours on end, rubbing stretch-mark oil into your burgeoning belly while imagining a golden light surrounding your baby. Buy every single pregnancy magazine on the market and spend whole afternoons cocooned on your sofa reading them from cover to cover as you ‘ooh’over ‘amazing birth stories’ and coo over cute layettes.

Because trust me, by the time you’ve already got a child or two underfoot, you simply won’t have time to so much as register the fact that you’re pregnant.

And the reverence with which you were treated by friends and family first time around? You’ll be lucky if anyone so much as offers you a cup of tea. Once you’ve clocked up a bump or two, You + Pregnancy = Old news.

So, with baby number 3 on the way and absolutely zero hours in the day to lavish on myself, I’ve decided to go for less time-consuming ways of making myself feel fabulous, and this time, I’m starting from the inside - and I don’t just mean the fact that I’m going easy on the ginger cakes that I guzzled in unladylike quantities when I was pregnant with Phoenix (I justified my gargantuan weight gain on the basis that ginger is a known quease-queller) in favour of punnet upon punnet of the raspberries I’m having such voracious cravings for.

No, when I say that I’m starting from the inside, I mean that there is no way that I will make the mistake of buying the utterly hideous maternity underwear that I bought in my first pregnancy. I just couldn’t see the point of spending much money on something that wouldn’t be visible to most, not when there was so much to buy for the baby. Big mistake!

Nine months (longer, in fact) is a long time to be wearing ugly underwear, especially when your body is changing so much (and not always in ways that you’re ecstatic about) – so this time, I’ve made Amoralia my first port of call – their range of maternity lingerie is more beautiful and glamorous (the Nougatines are to die for) even than the things I was wearing when I was a single girl with a (di)vested interest in the va va voom factor of my smalls. And now that my expanding curves are so beautifully garbed, would it not be okay to expand them just a teeny bit more with a few extra slices of ginger cake?

My Holiday Suitcase

My husband Andrew, son Jake and I have just treated ourselves to our dream holiday to the Maldives. It’s somewhere we’ve wanted to go to for years and this year, after months of grey skies and rain, we felt it was time to pack our suitcases and race off to the Indian Ocean.

As one of the holiday playgrounds of the rich and famous, it was a task and a half deciding what to pack for such tropical climes. Apart from the usual factor 20 and handful of carefully selected books, all thoughts turn to what to pack to wear.

This season it’s all about ultra-luxe styling and for that reason, By Malene Birger’s Waterfall Kaftan with its long length and floaty design was perfect for walks around the Six Senses Soneva Fushi resort.

The Maldives is not a place for a heels (which have always been a staple item for me) - with its sand-covered floors, flat gladiator sandals are a must. Kaftans, flat sandals, oversized sunglasses and of course multiple pieces of chunky gold jewellery in tow, I was ready for some glamorous poolside lazing.

After ten days of blissful sunshine and of course a few days of tropical rain thrown in for good measure, we’re back to reality, but are back to glorious sunshine, so what better time to unpack the holiday wardrobe and re-work it for the summer season that’s almost upon us.

It Must Be Love, Love, Love

I’m going to be totally frank. I find weddings a bit of a nightmare. Yes, yes, I know I always have a wonderfully champagney and fun time when I'm there, but the planning is a nightmare. What to wear, How am I going to get there, Will someone else be wearing my dress, Where am I going to stay.... and the worst: What the hell shall I get them for a wedding present?!

I'm one of those people who hates to be predictable and buy 'from the list'. Judge me if you want and call me a pain but I just don't like being told what to buy for someone. I don't think 4 soft white hand towels really says, 'I've put a lot of personal thought into this'.

So when I found out about Jan Constantine’s fabulous cushions, I thought all my prayers had been answers. She’s the creator of those gorgeous embroidered ‘Love’ cushions in tasteful and colourful designs.

I think it’s such a fabulous gift and a great reminder what the day is all about.

Now I just need to find an outfit…

Leek & Bacon Soup

Serves 6
Prep time - 10 mins
Cooking time - approx 1 hour

This is a delicious thick and hearty soup. Perfect for a comforting lunch. It can be liquidised for a smooth soup or served with the leek and bacon chunks in tact.

Ingredients

60g Butter
2 tbsp Sunflower Oil
2 Medium Onions, skinned and chopped
120g Smoked Bacon, chopped
6 Large Leeks, washed, trimmed and finely sliced
4 Medium Potatoes, peeled and chopped
2 x 400g Tins of Chopped Tomatoes
800ml Good Quality Chicken or Vegetable Stock
Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper

Heat the butter and oil in a saucepan.

Add the onions and sauté for a few minutes until they're soft.

Add the bacon and cook for a few more minutes and then add the leeks and potatoes.

Cook this for about 5 minutes and then add the tomatoes. Stir in the stock, season and bring to boiling point. Simmer very gently with the pan uncovered for 30-40 minutes until the potatoes are almost falling apart.

Check seasoning and serve with crispy wholegrain bread. If you prefer a smooth soup allow to cool, liquidize and then reheat to serve.

Easy Entertaining...

My husband’s a far better cook than me and he knows it. I quote, "Hon, you’re good at lots of things but cooking’s just not your strong point..."

I love entertaining but I’m no Nigella. In my book, fine wine (and plenty of it) comes before fine food on the priorities list; keep their glass topped up and hopefully they won’t notice the M&S containers flying around the kitchen...

Don't get me wrong - I love a decadently prepared feast, but Satudays spent slaving away in the kitchen is not really my style. My Saturday’s are usually spent slaving away over a computer in the office (sad but true).

But this weekend, having penned a Sunday lunch with friends in the diary and playing the role of golf widow for the morning, I decided to slip into my (unworn) apron and start cooking up a storm.

Now I love the mouthwatering pictures in Rachel Allen Food for Living, and the idea of whipping up Hummingbird’s cupcakes but it’s the Australian Women’s Weekly collection (remember that 80s children’s birthday cake book) that really make it (yes even for me) easy.

With the array of creative cook books on the market, they might sound a bit dated but the recipes are good - to date my Phad Thai, Chilli Prawn & Chicken Stuffed with Smoked Salmon and Goats Cheese, have all got the thumbs up so... I decided to risk it and ‘bake’ blind.

Spring (almost summer – wasn’t the weather last week bliss?) in the air, we fancied lamb but I don’t do Roast Lamb (can’t bear that film it leaves in your mouth) so opted for Lamb Tagine with Citrus Couscous instead.

Although it involved me using our pestle & mortar - a first - it was remarkably straightforward. There were second helpings and no left overs. And in my kitchen that’s always a good sign...

Risk-Taking: Fashion Friend or Foe?

Mischa Barton, Mary-Kate Olsen, and on rare occasions, Kate Moss, have all been criticised at one point or another for their lack of fashion acuity. However, rather than chastise their wardrobe faux pas, I suggest we embrace their innovation and applaud their valour. What these fashion crusaders have in common is a style ideology that values wearing something memorable over wearing something forgettable.

Even though most of us play it safe in the hope that we won’t look back and think, ‘What on earth was I thinking?’, fashion relies on these charlatans to push the envelope and fashion forward.

Perhaps my favourite ‘statement-making’ stylista is Mary-Kate Olsen. Sure she’s achieved her fair share of fashion errors, but Mary-Kate’s standout style has awarded her the respect of A-list designers such as Zac Posen and Karl Lagerfield, who have both cited Mary-Kate as a muse.

Her unique style has led to the launch of two successful lines, both of which she founded with her subtle sister, Ashley. This courageous dress is just one of the great designs by the duo’s more contemporary brand, Elizabeth and James (their other line, The Row, is much more basic and follows Ashley’s understated style ideology).

Mischa Barton is another style zealot I find myself defending. Even though her cellulite might be just as notorious as her lack of fashion judgment, I think she deserves accolades not only for defending her thigh dimples but also for her outfit choices.

It seems as though every time I see Ms Barton she is boasting some sort of ensemble that would garner praise if worn while strutting down the runway, but garners laughs when worn while walking down the high street. These high shine leggings, for example, would definitely be on Mischa’s radar and would be paired with unexpected cowboy boots and a less than figure flattering blouse.

For those of us seeking to push past the ordinary and into something extraordinary, but wanting to exert extreme caution, this frill jacket is brilliant. Different enough to demand attention but restrained enough to warrant praise, this is a perfect piece for a statement-making outfit that will only conjure the desired attention.

Another great way to embrace bravery this Spring is with a colourful bag, complete with daring details. This Lanvin treasure is simply chic, and the pop of colour will definitely get you noticed.

Word to the wardrobe-wise - if you’re looking to splurge, however, I’d spend my savings on pieces with more longevity and less censure potential. I know that the faux snakeskin pedal pushers that I rocked a while back still haunt me. And don’t get me started on my 90s make-up ideology that your eye shadow should always match your tank top, which definitely would have been midriff bearing and rhinestone covered.

Rather than chastise the faux pas of fashion cavaliers, I say embrace a more accepting fashion philosophy that applauds constant bravery and stylish courage. And sure, maybe I’m just trying to justify my own fashion regrets, but when it comes to style I’d scream “Dare to be Different!” rather than whisper “Fine with the Familiar.”

MOTB: Under Four Weeks to Go!

The Bride was at another wedding this weekend but that didn’t mean that the rest of us had time off – except for the FOTB who felt the need to go sailing ‘to get away from it all’!

Two of the bridesmaids came with me for the final fittings of their dresses with one doubling up for the one on the other side of the world who we just have to pray will still be the same size as when she left.

After this, one BM and I went into Kingston, looking for shoes and a general retail experience. We popped into Space NK and had the most wonderful experience. Our assistant Cara took on the old hag otherwise known as the MOTB and somehow transformed me into someone who looked human without ever implying that I was almost a lost cause – she got 100% for customer service.

After trying some products by Chantacaille, which were lovely, she then introduced me to this wonderful product By Terry - a highlighting primer serum. Apparently it contains crushed pearls amongst other exotic ingredients – whatever they are, they certainly made a difference to the look of my skin.

She followed this with a plumping fluid foundation and a sheer liquid blush; all By Terry, a product I have never worn before but may now become an addict.

To celebrate my new look I went next door with a bottle of the chosen bubbly as my neighbours have been helping us with choosing the champagne for the big day. A real chore as you can imagine...

What has been surprising is how many we’ve really disliked, price being no indicator of enjoyment. However, eventually there was one that beat all others in both taste and price and I found it all on my own! We’ve looked everywhere from serious wine merchants, to supermarkets and the winner was found in good old Waitrose – the garage is now stacked with cases of Breton Brut Champers.

As I write this I’m waiting for the wine to arrive from the Heritage Wine Company and recovering from what started out as champagne tasting and turned into a delicious supper with copious amounts of red wine – what am I going to do after 16th May!?