Partywear

SHOP THE LOOK: Jacket - DVF (available at ANNA), Cami - Mes Demoiselles, Trousers - By Second Female, Bag - DVF

It's that time of year again and with it comes party season!

I love fur anytime but especially during the festive season, this jacket by DVF is perfect to glam up most outfits and to keep out the cold on winter evenings. Velvet is everywhere at the moment and is fab for the party season! My fave velvet number is Second Female's wide leg trousers, they're a great cut (I'll also wear them in the day styled with white trainers and a tee). I've teamed them with Mes Demoiselles silk cami... I always find a silk cami so handy for evening wear styling. Finish the look with this chain strapped silk pouch bag by DVF.

SHOP THE LOOK: Clothing as before, SHOES - Lucy Choi

SHOP THE LOOK: DRESS - Rixo (available at ANNA)

This Rixo dress is one of my favourites, the fit is amazing and I love the open back. The black is broken up by colourful embroidery... very on trend. I've teamed it with Isabel Marant Etoile Dyna boots, but it equally looks fab with a stiletto heel for dresser occasions, try Lucy Choi's Bouvier heel.

Crazy time to do a party wear photoshoot, just as storm Angus is building momentum... excuse the flurry of leaves and windswept hair!

SHOP THE LOOK: Clothing as before, BOOTS - Isabel Marant Etoile

Petersham Nurseries

Last weekend was perfect... The sun was shining so RP and I decided on a little jaunt to Richmond for a walk and then shopping and lunch at Petersham Nurseries.  We are doing some work on our house so I'm on the lookout for interesting pieces... and there are plenty of yummy things at Petersham.

RP doesn't like shopping AT ALL so the lure of Petersham Cafe and the promise of a wonderful meal was exactly what I needed to keep him interested in all the 'bric a brac' (his words not mine!)

It's the perfect place for wishing and dreaming... You just need quite a full wallet (for the one-off furniture pieces) and an empty stomach (for the wonderful food)!
Enjoy Lunch.......

Well worth a visit.

Super fast food by Jason Vale

What can I say ....... My favourite and the only 'Juice Master' has written a COOKBOOK!! 

Jason is not only one of the funniest guys I've ever met, he's a walking (jumping) juice bean and now also a brilliant healthy chef.  Just when we were all thinking of going back to Nigella and full fat, good old Jas comes up with an absolute gem!

I've tried a few of the recipes and they were all super tasty. I urge you all to have a go.....oh but word of warning, Jas has been a bit tight on the prep time...this mint 'n' rocket hummous, 2 mins prep time!! Do me a favour, took me 2 mins to open the butter beans tin!!

Mint 'n' rocket hummous. Great anytime with anyone!  My family get through boxes of these Kale crackers now they have a healthy dip to go with.

Whizz it up in the Nutri Bullet, I added a little bit of water to loosen it, go steady though.

Prawn Thai green curry.....really really quick, easy, healthy supper.  Serve with brown rice

Pecan Power Granola Balls... OK so these are meant to be bars but I decided they worked better for me as balls. Quite frankly just eat these whenever you feel like a energy boost or just as a sweet treat.

Also, I did all this in my temporary kitchen, and it was quick and easy!

Styling Primrose Park AW16

SHOP MY OUTFIT: Top - Primrose Park, Gilet - Gushlow and Cole, Jeans - Frame, Boots - Isabel Marant (available at ANNA)

Primrose Park is my own label that I wholesale to other stores and of course I sell it in ANNA.  I thought I'd take this opportunity to share a few of my favourite styling ideas and how I'll be wearing the collection this Autumn.

I love shearling so this fab pale pink gilet will be in my wardrobe and it compliments my 'Falling Leaves' print button shirt. Team with skinny jeans and Isabel Marant Dicker boots... perfect!

SHOP MY OUTFIT: Top - Primrose Park, Shirt - Current Elliott, Jeans - Frame

I've styled the Primrose Park Mandy top with a camo jacket/shirt, a client of mine informed me that this is a 'shacket'!  Well whatever it looks great with this top!

SHOP MY OUTFIT: Dress - Primrose Park, Gilet - Gushlow and Cole (available at ANNA), Hat - Rag and Bone

Another Gushlow and Cole gilet teamed up with this very easy day dress... I don't usually wear hats but I can't resist this one by Rag and Bone.

SHOP MY OUTFIT: Top - Primrose Park, Jeans - Frame

This is my favourite print from the collection and this shirt is our best selling shape, also a snip at £99!

SHOP ALL PRIMROSE PARK > 

Buyers Diary

I've been buying again in Paris, the seasons seem to be getting closer and closer... I remember when I used to take the summer off!  

I'm buying collections for SS17 and yet again I'm excited about what lovely things we will have coming in.

Below is the Joseph collection, sold in my Burnham Market and Saffron Walden stores. 

One of my absolute favourites, Sophie Anderson... everyone should own at least one of these yummy bags... stand out on the beach!

Rag and Bone's collection was cool and directional, love these colours together.

We always sell the boots from Rag and Bone

These bags are Elizabeth and James – fabulous colours, textures and shapes.

New to ANNA, E&J sunglasses, I love these!

Uber cool LA label WATER, This is a sneaky look at their campaign images...

At last.......food!

Always my favourite, Gucci!  I think the Men's collection gets better and better, not sure it's just the men buying this!!

Back in London and off to a lovely shoe agency.  I picked up this selection from Sam Edelman.

New collection, Zadig and Voltaire... beautiful.  Sold in three of my stores and online.  I love their furs!

Shhhhsh, I'm trying to get hold of this lovely label, Ulla Johnson from LA.....fingers crossed!

SUMMER IN THE CITY

I love London in the summer, there is always so much going on! Here is what's on my to do list this summer…

Georgia O’keeffe, Tate Modern

As a flower lover I am excited to see the new Georgia O’keeffe exhibition at the Tate, it’s a rare chance to see her paintings outside the US. The exhibition re-examines her entire career, her development, her trajectory west, and the profound influence she had on 20th century modernism. 
While you’re there… nip across to the to the new Tate Modern building and up to the 10th floor for the 360 views of the London skyline!

Petersham Nurseries, Richmond

Continuing in my love of all things floral… I love a visit to Petersham Nurseries, a tranquil oasis away from the hustle and bustle. This internationally prized garden centre is great for all my plant needs and I can always pick up a few bits in the gift and antique shop. Follow this up with lunch in the beautiful greenhouse restaurant and you have the perfect day out!
While you’re there… cross over to richmond park for a spot of deer watching.

ArcelorMittal Orbit Slide, Olympic Park

This is one I’ll be going on with the kids! The worlds longest tunnel slide passing through the UK’s tallest artwork is not for the faint of heart. The slide is the creation of Carsten Holler at the invitation of Sir Anish Kapoor, designer of the ArcelorMittal Orbit sculpture.
While you’re there… pop down to Beach East (the UK’s largest urban beach) for some seaside frolics!

Pride and Prejudice, Regents Park Open Air Theatre

As a Regents Park local to me, the open air cinema is always a good shout! Pride and Prejudice is the ultimate romantic comedy, perfect for a summer park setting! I’ll be dragging my girlfriends along!
While you're there... head to my local haunt, Oka, for some pre-show sushi!

Parlour, Kensal Rise

We went to Parlour for our staff Christmas party and the food was divine! Unfortunately our party was too big for the much talked about chefs table (max 8), so thats on my to do list this summer! It’s described as a ‘dinner and a show’, an interactive foodie adventure looked after exclusively by the chef!
While you're there... pick up some vintage furniture at Retrouvius, a treasure trove of reclaimed goodies! I have got a lot of pieces from there over the years.

Summer Reads 2016

Time for summer reads again....
I've just returned from a working trip to India, very lovely but extremely hot in Delhi so while the samples were being finished I managed to sneak off to The Ananda in the Himalayas, an absolute must... I digress I'll tell more next blog post... back to books. So while I was there I read a fabulous book, 'Where The River Parts' by Radhika Swarup. A novel based in India so very topical but enjoyable anywhere I'm sure! A moving and perceptive story of love seeped in history, packed with insight compassion and piercing detail! A very quick page turner so make sure you take more than just this book on your travels!

If you prefer a lighthearted novel to take with you to the beach then this is the one for you.  A heart warming novel that I was given by my lovely friend Vicky.  'A Man Called Ove' by Frederick Backman.  Charming... you'll laugh and you'll cry, a joy from start to finish!  Be sure to take your tissues!

Now I feel slightly bereft as I've just finished the final book of The Neapolitan Novels, 'The Story of the Lost Child' by Elena Ferrante. I thoroughly recommend this series.  Book one is a gentle book setting the scene for the rest of the books, persevere with the first as book two, three and finally four are superb.  A fabulous portrait of friendship and life in Naples during the 60s and 70s.

And finally an absolute classic, 'The Catcher in the Rye'  By J.D. Salinger.  If you haven't read this already it's a must but also if you read it when you were younger then I urge you to pick it up again. I hope, like me, you find it better second time round!  Short and punchy and written in such a style that is still edgy even today and remains on some banned book lists!