Categories
Lifestyle Social Travel

Cecconi lunch for PORTO MONTENEGRO

Sometimes an unexpectedly lovely day appears in the midst of my week’s workload.

Today’s lovely day included my lunch invite to one of my favourite Italian restaurants, Cecconis, where I joined the charming Oliver Corlette – MD of Porto Montenegro, who was hosting the lunch party with Natalie Lewis of the PR Co. The lunch was to meet the small group of cool Boutique brands who will be taking their fashions and accessories to Montenegro this Summer in the guise of pop-up shops to to add some Notting hill Gate “cool” to the existing current retailers. Fashion brands will consist of London based swimwear designer Heidi Klein, Dublin designer Zo? Jordan’s fashion brand Irwin & Jordan, London concept store Wolf & Badger and Florentine Jewellery designer Carolina Bucci.

Porto Montenegro is a luxury superyacht marina development in Tivat, Montenegro. The project’s plan includes a state-of-the-art 630-berth marina with 130 berths for superyachts, luxury apartments, hotels, spas, casino, shopping areas and restaurants. The project is the vision of a group of international investors, led by Peter Munk of Toronto, Canada, founder and chairman of Barrick Gold, the world’s largest gold producer

After hearing all about this exciting new holiday destination over a delicious lunch and great company, I cant wait to go and see the new Marina for myself. Having visited Montenegro and Steti Stefan 5 years ago, I’m sure it was very different to how it is now.

Will keep you posted on this blog with pix when I get there……looking forward…….

Share this post
Categories
Fashion

BBC RADIO SOMERSET

Mulberry results- out today- have been astonishing in their meteoric rise from last year. Wishing I had shares!

Mulberry has become one of the most successful British fashion brands.
Is it due to clever marketing? The link with Alexa Chung and the sucess of the “Alexa” bags? Or is it simply that British luxury market is enjoying a world wide popularity surge especially in the Far East…..

Listen in to BBC Radio Somerset with Les Sheehan and myself discussing this at 5.45pm this evening

Share this post
Categories
Celebrity styling Fashion Music

styling the new girl band VANQUISH for their debut

The question I get asked all the time is what makes a good stylist? In my opinion, after 30 years of styling, it’s being able to translate the client’s brief into reality efficiently, on a budget, and in a short time period, whilst making the artist look and feel wonderful for both their own esteem and public perception.

So when asked to create an image and look, at very short notice, for the new girl band VANQUISH, I talked to the girls themselves about their look and also their manager and their video director and listened carefully to all their wishes….to make sure there could be no mistakes

I observed their individual personalities,
watched them perform,
considered their target age audience for what looks would be aspirational
selected styles/colours/looks to fit each personality,bodyshape,and colouring
and most importantly made sure the artistes were happy and comfortable in the 3 sets of performance outfits my assistant stylist Sophie selected to my brief

With a selection of High st clothing ranging from New Look to Zara, Topshop, Primark and more all in one very long day, the girls had 3 sets of outfits together ready to perform on the main stage at the British Grand Prix last Saturday, the VIP tent on Sunday and for their new Video to be filmed across Monday and Tuesday

Here are some of the results
everyone seemed very happy, especially the girls.

Share this post
Categories
TV & Radio

A busy weekend! incl LBC radio at 5.30pm with Richard Arnold

Will be chatting to Richard Arnold on LBC radio at 5.30pm on the subject of young kids growing up too quickly- wearing heels and unsuitable clothes like Suri Cruise. This has come from the pix of Courtney Cox’s daughter being photographed in the Daily Mail also wearing heels- but in my opinion much more child friendly ones than Suri as they were a low-wedge and really much more of a chunky soled sandal. She looked like a proper happy well-balanced little girl unlike Suri who looks so wrong in everything she wears…. what on earth will become of her?

Also really looking forward to seeing George Benson live at Kenwood- the performance did clash with an offer of a Take That ticket in Royal Box at Wembley- gutted! but …..must always stick with original plan- especially when it’s a rare opportunity to spend fun time at music gigs with my son.

Share this post
Categories
Health & Fitness

Triyoga Chelsea opening

Went to the opening day of 3rd Triyoga on the Kings Road Chelsea. It is the most amazing six and half thousand square feet space designed by Jane Kersel.

Started off with the centre’s inaugural yoga class- Anusara style with Bridget Woods Kramer.
The studio was so light and airy with coloured light reflecting through the stained glass windows on the very white floor. Would loooove to have this as my living space!

Then had a treatment with Pavel Wiacek. Decided to have a Metamorphic technique therapy which can be helpful when you are at major turning points of your life. It apparently can open up energy channels or opportunities for new beginnings changes. Although the treatment was very subtle and felt like gentle butterfly massage strokes on feet, hands and head it can be quite powerful and will go on working beyond the treatment room. Will keep you posted!

Such a lovely relaxing way to end a rubbish week where my email was hacked into, I got locked out of my house and my car paintwork was damaged!

Definitely new beginnings now….. Onwards with positivity!

Share this post
Categories
Fashion TV & Radio

BOB MACKIE Wearable Art for QVC

It’s QVC TV Bob Mackie Wearable Art time of the month again!
Looking forward to my shows this week on Thursday and Friday

Thursday at 10am and 5pm
and
Friday at 9am, 2pm and 9pm

I have already seen the fantastic June styles that I will be offering to you over the next 2 days and am loving them. I will try a few on later today and get them snapped and uploaded, so that you can have a quick preview of what will be on offer so that you get ordering!


As seen on the 5pm show…

Looking forward to 9am, 2pm and 9pm Friday…

Before the Friday 9am QVC TV Bob Mackie wearable art show- loving this new orange cardi! It will be featured on the 2pm show.

9pm show: Wearing a black 3/4 sleeve Bob Mackie tshirt with Bob Mackie silk trousers and a waistcoat of my own accessorised with a Butler and Wilson brooch.

Share this post
Categories
Music

Isle of Wight Festival 2011

At the Isle of Wight festival with Rory- my photographer son- great company for me- maybe not so cool for him to be with mum…?!

Got to festival early so browsed shops- hats, hats and more hats of all sorts- and "festival looks" such as tutus and "one-sies"


Some hat wearing examples I spotted

And I’m especially loving this look!

Grass skirts and Hawaiian shirts

To
Men in kilts, diamante handbags sporrans….. should always be careful how they sit…..

So civilised in the VIP tent- a bit like turning left on a flight!

My favourite bands of Friday were Imelda May who had the audience in the Big Top rocking

And
The Kaiser Chiefs – Ruby Ruby Ruby fantastic…….

And the rain came- it didn’t dampen the atmosphere or enthusiasm but did change the style stakes…..

Tomorrow the acts I am most looking forward to are:
Mike and the Mechanics, Seasick Steve, Iggy and the Stooges, Pulp, Foo Fighters and ……. Tom Jones!

DAY 2

Fantastic weather today…

Lying in sun first on grass listening to the band Hurts- I hadn’t heard of them before- but what would I know? Oldy that I am… They were great- loved them.

Then went to meet Mike Rutherford (Mike and the Mechanics) and his wife Angie at the garden stage

to watch their son Harry’s band Stereo Son – Angie was telling me that Harry has produced N-Dubz and Mike and the Mechanics and I think I may have heard her say Eric Clapton too. He’s definitely someone to watch out for.

Then rushed back to main stage to watch Mike and the Mechanics
And Seasick Steve… If you’ve not heard him- think Memphis Blues

Spotted him later watching Tom Jones with Kate Moss in the Big Top tent

Kate Moss with her Hen Weekend girlfriends were dancing on stage with him at one point in his act too.
KM1 and KM2 were buggies designated to ferry the Kate Moss posse around from bar to stage to stage and back again!

Just had to take some random pix of another hat and some pirates

Feathers trend big- on hats and as earrings

As mentioned before you always see fairies at festivals

And, well what can I say? …good legs?

Had to see Iggy Pop as he’s a legend

Then – as I always listen to my son!- I went back to the Big Top tent to watch Chase and Status… Amazing… so good… I’m way too old to love listening to them just as music but experiencing them live was something completely different. Have never seen soooo many people in the Big Top Tent and around it. Like one huge Mosh pit

stood watching with a crowd just near the stage at the tent door getting wafts of steaming bodies from within.

Stayed there for Tom Jones

and then returned to the main stage for Foo Fighters. Sadly missed Pulp- would have enjoyed them.

DAY 3

And the rains came…

Drier in the VIP tent though….. did remind me somewhat of a refugee camp full of soaking wet people rescued though into the warm embrace of alcohol, and hot yummy Jamie Oliver food

Wet weather style of all sorts…

Girlband PARADE were in the VIP enclosure when their video was playing on the screen and danced around in front of it in the rain

Sunday: bleak grey and raining – not normal rain but that sort that comes in horizontally and completely soaks.

Not only raining but cold and windy too.

Favourite acts of the day were Jeff Beck – as my son said – a legend- who played fantastic John Mayall/Eric Clapton style bluesy-rock.

And then Plan B who I stood out in the rain to watch. Ben Drew is so talented and diverse in what he can do from rap to hip-hop to reggae to soul.

Absolutely loved the beat-box guy Faith SFX who warmed up for Plan B and then duetted with him, so cool……

By the time the Script came on we were so wet and cold that we went home but I can only say "all respect" to those who stayed the course to watch the closing act Kasabian.

A great weekend and looking forward to next year!

Share this post
Categories
Beauty

A bespoke SHARON PRESTON facial at the opening of her new HARLEY STREET SKINCARE CLINIC

I was invited to test drive a Sharon Preston facial at the opening of her new Harley Street skincare clinic at No 1 Harley Street.

Sharon is a senior international examiner for CIBTAC (where she is known as "the worldwide quality controller" for newly qualifying beauty therapists and has worked with all leading skincare brands,

Her hallmark treatment is the Sharon Preston Atelier (2hr) Facial.
I had a fantastic 1hr "taster"

After a skin diagnosis, using Skinceutical products that worked for my specific skin type, Sharon gave me a firm but relaxing face, neck and decolletage massage that stimulated and lifted whilst helping to drain toxins. My massage products had Vit C incorporated and Sharon used a Vit B face mask to finish off to re-hydrate. I can definitely say that the actual face massage felt to be one of the best I’ve had.

Sharon’s facials are great for clients with all types of skin from acne to ageing, and dull to distressed

Sharon said:
"My facial offers all my years of experience of working internationally with all skin types around the world, no one’s skin is the same, I make sure you get the exact treatment specific to your skins needs to ensure healthy, glowing skin and a skincare regime that works just for you."

Prices start from £90 for a basic facial and up to £230 for the Atelier. Call Sharon on 07792 121401 to book your appointment.
Sharon will be in residence initially every Tuesday, from 8am-5pm.

Share this post