Mother's Day Gift Guide 2015


This Sunday is Mother's Day and if you were thinking this was just another Hallmark centric, schmultsy, meaningless day, I suggest you take a minute to watch this…

Yup.  Soooo, now we are on the same page, we can commence the appreciation…!

Now, if there’s one day of the year that beautiful flowers are essential (…aside from Valentine’s Day… Your Birthday…. Tuesdays….) it’s, of course, Mother’s Day!

This year Roses Only are gloriously offering TLC readers and followers a 15% discount on all their stunning bouquets, with next day delivery throughout the UK and same day delivery within London.  Now there’s no excuse for any last minute panics or petrol station bought carnations!  Give them a call on 0208 772 6699 and use the code MD2015.  Alternatively, these pressies (hover over each product for direct links) would also make any Mummy smile…

All WE Want For Christmas 2014

Sometimes (not where chocolate is involved) sharing is caring... Why not splash out this Christmas on something for your home which both you and your loved ones (or occasional unwanted family members) can all enjoy?...

Hover over the items for direct links - Enjoy! 

‘Cinder Embers’ by Mister Finch at Anthropologie

I was recently invited to Anthropologie’s King’s Road gallery for a preview of 'Cinder Embers,' the celebrated British textile artist Mister Finch’s solo exhibition and book launch.  

I also managed to fit in one or three tea cups of Sipsmith/Champagne Cocktails (above) and some suuuuperb selfies with the artist himself (below).  Welllll,  it would have been terribly rude not to...

With a background in fashion, this dapper, self-taught artist from t'up North, now sews and creates original sculptures from recycled material, breathing new life and adventure into old velvet curtains, threadbare wedding dresses, vintage aprons, etc.  Not only does this make Mister Finch’s ‘storytelling creatures’ beautifully ethical, but utterly charming and magical. 

For this particular exhibtion, Mister Finch has taken inspiration from beyond his usual influences of nature and folklore, and instead draws on the story of the celebrated Parisian taxidermy shop Deyrolle. The iconic, famed store burned to the ground in 2008 and the charred remains of the stuffed animals were subsequently captured in haunting detail by investigative photographer Laurent Bochet. 

Fifteen soft and mysterious sculptures, including a regal crowned swan and a seven foot sly fox, will be displayed in Chelsea’s Anthropologie until January 4th.  If you can’t make it down, do buy Mister Finch’s fantastical debut book, ‘Living in a Fairy Tale World’ (RRP.£30.00), which features stunning imagery of his extraordinary one-of-a-kind creatures – the perfect coffee table addition (click on image below).

'Inside Rolls Royce' - A trip to the Goodwood Factory

I cannot tell you just how excited I was (and just HOW jealous my poor father was!) to be invited to explore the Rolls-Royce factory in Goodwood, ahead of their exciting exhibition, ‘Inside Rolls-Royce,’ that opens to the public at the Saatchi Gallery tomorrow.  

An epically sprawling, yet peaceful structure designed in 2003 by Nicholas Grimshaw (who also designed the Eden Project), the factory is a brilliant, natural extension of it’s environment, invisible from the road and air, with a roof made of living plants and plenty of natural light pouring into each and every room.  

 

Upon entering the building, you are immediately met with co-founder Henry Royce’s moto displayed across the entrance; 'Take the best that exists and make it better: when it does not exist, design it,' - advice still very much adhered by the current designers and engineers at Goodwood. 

After a quick lunch and presentation from Marc Mielau (right), the Head of Marketing at Rolls-Royce, where we heard lots more about the upcoming exhibition but also about the luxury car company’s history, we set off in our beige Rolls-Royce attire (less Burberry, more biology GCSE lab coat!) to commence le grand tour.  

With 1500 employees, 20 Rolls-Royce cars are made each day in what I saw to be the most immaculate of factories.  On utterly pristine white floors (no grease or oil in sight!) each Ghost and Wraith (the more girl friendly of all the designs) go through 16 stations for 45 minutes a time, and the Phantoms (enormous!!) have 11 stations, each lasting for 2 hours a time.   It seemed an almost surgical process, as I witnessed incredible amounts of precision and care taken at each stop along the long assembly line.

Below (L-R):  What goes on (factory) tour... With Kit Lee, Ella Catliff and Charlie May.

With so much to see, and such little time, our more than wonderful guide June thankfully knew her audience, so we spent less time having the inner workings of all the car engines explained to us, and FAR more time spent in the design arena...

With cars well known for their heritage, as well as their sleek and ever-evolving design, detail is everything at Rolls-Royce.  Forever pushing boundaries, there is no challenge too small for this company to tackle for their clients and it was fascinating hearing some of the more particular bespoke requests!  

From hand painted stripes on cars (performed in the factory using squirrel haired brushes by a single artisan and his steady hand – WOW! Imagine THAT pressure?!) and customized, non traditional paint jobs (once to match a lady’s much-loved red setter dog, another her pink Chanel lipstick - above!) to hand stitched embroidery, in-built microwaves (for hand towels, duh!), champagne chillers (naturally!), detailed wood, diamond (yup!) and mother of pearl door (below left) designs and twinkly lit, fibre-optic star light head liners (below right). This factory really can, rather effortlessly, make your every fantasy car wish come true!

Above:  Large, super soft and colourful leather hides hang, ready to be stretched, then traced and eventually lazer cut in particular patterns for various car seats.  

I did not find it particularly surprising, given the absolute treasures inside, to find that as our tour finished there was a giant rainbow outside, its end landing at the exact foot of the factory...

After the tour I was allowed to take a Rolls-Royce out for a wee test drive… It's a tough job buuuut...

Below (L-R):  My (brave) passengers/Charlie's Angels for the afternoon; Camila Carril and Sarah Mikaela.

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Driving through the beautiful countryside roads of Sussex in quite possibly the PIMPEST car possible was pretty extraordinary!  I was a little nervous at first, although smaller and sportier than the Ghost and the Phantom, the Wraith is still considerably bigger (and just a taaaad more expensive) than the lil’bumper car I roll around town in!  Soon, I was completely in the swing of things and only wished the drive had lasted longer (or my family, who were terribly worried for the CAR’s safety) had seen me! 

After such an amazing afternoon, I am really looking forward to attending the ‘Inside Rolls-Royce’ exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery later this week, ahead of its world tour.  With complimentary entry, the public can expect a multi-sensory journey, spread across nine rooms, giving an amazing insight into the world-renowned engineering, design, craftsmanship and remarkable lengths required to create the world’s pinnacle super-luxury car.  I am particularly excited to visit the room where you can, for a brief time, transform into the iconic Spirit of Ecstasy (the ethereal statuette that adorns the front of every Rolls-Royce) on a video wall in a beautiful light particle animation.

‘Inside Rolls Royce’ at the Saatchi Gallery: 13 November until 16 November.

Caroline Diani's Santa Barbara Home

Caroline Diani, of DIANI Boutique, was born in Kenya (where our fathers, both keen rugby players, became great friends), was raised in England and now lives in Santa Barbara’s Mission Canyon.  Married last year, in Monique Lullier, to her actor/musican/photographer husband Jeffrey Doornbos, an original member of The Blue Man Group, the couple’s house is nothing if not stunning.  Their understated elegance, effortless blend of driftwood, white walls and African touches, is a dose of Pinterest heaven.  

“I was born in Kenya, grew up in England and live in Santa Barbara. I travel often. I’m a buyer for my boutiques and web store.  My inspiration for trends comes from observing people in the cafes and on the streets of LA, Paris, and NYC. I’m a wannabe vegan. I’m a die-hard fashionista. I’m crazy about my dogs. Routine drives me nuts. Painting and drawing makes me smile. I’m a photography addict. My happy place is on my paddleboard. I heart chocolate covered almonds, and tequila.” 

I, on the other hand, heart Caroline and her house... Oh ok, and tequila.

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All photographs courtesy of the talented Lee Lacyd.

Hello There: Rosie & Twine

 

I was very spoiled on my birthday this year, when a fresh faced Rosie dropped by my home with this gorrrrgeous jam jar bouquet.  Rosie has started 'Rosie & Twine,' a subscription flower company in SW London which delivers beautiful, fresh, British flowers weekly, fortnightly or monthly to your door. Errrrrm… Sign me up (daily?!)  

Each bouquet sold also sees £1 donated to the Friends Of The Honey Bee campaign, providing a better future and further bio-diversity to support bees all across Britain.   

 

The service is currently available in  the following postcodes:
SW1, SW3, SW4, SW5, SW6, SW7, SW8, SW10, SW11, SW12, SW18 and SW19 and as a launch treat for us all, Rosie is offering a 20% discount code off subscriptions to celebrate: OPENFORBIZ. 

 

'Inspire: The Art of Living with Nature' Book Launch

I recently attended the launch of Willow Crossley’s latest book, ‘Inspire; The Art of Living with Nature’ at the beautiful King’s Road branch of Anthropologie. Divided into five key chapters (Woodland, Flora, Fauna, Edibles and Beach) Willow shares fifty ideas on how to incorporate shop bought and foraged treasures in decorating your home. 

The ever-enchanting Willow had created a magical, mossy woodland display consisting of hollowed-out red, white and savoy cabbages filled with pansies, primulas and hyacinths, and whilst she dutifully signed copies of her book for friends and family, we were all spoilt with pink bubbles and organic nibbles from Dayelsford. 

Above:  Willow Crossley wearing her Whistles shirt with the Melissa Skirt from Girls From Savoy(RRP. £87.29) and Zara High Heel Ankle Boot Sandals (RRP. £49.99)  

'Inspire: The Art of Living with Nature' available at Anthropologie HERE (RRP. £16.99)

Kelly Hoppen's 'Design Masterclass' Book Launch

Last week I went to the Perrier-Jouët and chocolate macaroon filled launch of Kelly Hoppen’s latest interiors book, ‘Design Masterclass: How to Achieve the Home of Your Dreams,’ at  Belgraves Hotel.  As one of the world’s leading contemporary interior designers, a talent for which she was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), Kelly Hoppen is world-renowned for her minimalist yet luxuriously elegant interiors. The latest member of BBC2’s ‘Dragon’s Den’ panel, Kelly is responsible for designing some of the world’s most lavish houses, apartments and yachts; she operates the celebrated Kelly Hoppen Design School; and she has created a successful range of furniture and home accessories.  ‘Design Masterclass’ is a professional guide to home decorating, beautifully peppered with inspiring images of some of her latest projects.  

Above (L-R): Kelly Hoppen with Sienna Miller (in Burberry), Victoria Beckham (in Celine).
Below (L-R):  Kelly Squared with Kelly Hoppen and with my old school pal Sienna Miller.

Below:  Wearing a Kate Spade New York Pink Cape, Leather-Look River Island Skinny Trousers (available HERE - RRP. £35.00), Rag & Bone Harrow Boots in Clay (RRP. £395.00) with a Soru Jewellery Double Green Opal Ring (available HERE - RRP. £120.00) and a Torula BagsBond Street Black Canvas and Leather Clutch (available HERE - RRP. £145.00).

Kelly Hoppen will be signing copies of her latest book and discussing her incredible career at Waterstones on the King’s Road this Thursday, 28th November 2013, from 7.00pm.
'Design Masterclass' is available at Waterstones HERE, RRP. £40.00 £30.10

Valentines Day Gift Guide 2013 - For Him

“You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.”  Dr. Seuss

Martha Freud's Exhibition

As part of the London Design Festival I recently went to Covent Garden’s Hospital Club, for a private viewing of Martha Freud’s latest exquisite design exhibition, ‘Light Impressions’.  The stunning imprinted porcelain work results from Martha’s continued fascination with nature and the beauty of short-lived organisms.  In particular I loved the contrast between the illuminated sprat fish staged amongst the more romantic and ethereal ceramic flowered light fixtures which I have long adored.  The beautiful and talented Martha, the Great-Granddaughter to Sigmund and Granddaughter of Clement, who is expecting a baby with partner Adam Smith (below right, and below left with brother Jack) said, “it will be interesting to see how the little one influences my work… I feel I still have a lot to explore in my quest to harness an element of nature’s beauty.”