We have just returned from an impromptu few days escape to Somerset. To say it is 45mins away across the border, it feels like another era. Our sleepy sanctuary, the OH’s parents country abode, is in the village of Montacute – it couldn’t be any more British if it tried.…
Object of desire: Love Brand & Co. swimming trunks
When we discovered Country Bebe was on his way, and that ‘it’ was a he – my immediate thought was this: Daddys and their mini mes in matching trunks. Surely the best reason to have a boy? The launch of Love Brand & Co. brings me a step closer to…
A round-up of sunscreens
As a beauty editor, every spring would herald a deluge of new sunscreens to roadtest. Every time I headed off to exotic climes I would grab a couple from the stash and dutifully put them through their paces. Over the years there are some that have impressed me so much…
Clarks SS12 collection: an unexpected find
I am writing this post in stunned silence. My feet haven’t graced a pair of Clarks shoes since my Black patent Magic Steps. Come on, you must remember. The ones with the key in the sole? It was the first TV advert I remember watching and thinking THEY MUST BE…
Object of desire: Rifle Paper Co.
I am a total sucker for stationery. Of course I have the obligatory Smythson correspondence cards but it’s personalised stationery that really floats my boat. Perhaps the pinnacle of personalised stationery is the wedding invite. We had ours done at Mount Street Printers in Mayfair and their service and surprisingly,…
Country Bebe roadtests reusable gNappies
When you’re pregnant (for the first time at least) you have lots of Good Intentions. 1/ I will not co-sleep with my baby 2/ I will only let organic, home-cooked food pass their lips 3/ I will use only re-usable nappies. Well, lets just say, at 4am I would have…
Object of Desire: Aspinal of London
I will admit, I am more than a teeny bit in love with Aspinal of London. I remember defecting from my ardent Smythson habit back in 2009 after one too many ‘Pretty Woman’ moments in Smythson’s Bond Street store. It’s a diary people, how elitist can a shop girl…
A blustery week in Devon
So, it has been a seriously stormy week in Devon. In fact, last Friday the wind records reached the highest in 5 years. How do we know this? Because this happened: We woke up one morning and our 80ft, 6ft high boundary wall had fallen flat overnight, taking a beautiful…
National Garden Scheme open day: Sidbury Manor
In search of some inspiration for our new seaside garden we decide to aim high and take the rare chance to glimpse the 2,200 acres of the local ‘Big House’, Sidbury Manor. The opportunity to snoop amongst the azaleas was thanks to the National Garden Scheme, opening the private residence’s…
Baby-friendly cleaning with Method
A lot of things change when you have a baby: 1/ your beauty regime becomes less a process of perfection and more ‘have I brushed my teeth today?’ 2/ when once you enjoyed leisurely 3-course meals, a sandwich inhaled whilst you balance a colicky baby on your knee becomes the…
Object of desire: Roost Living
I did a shoot and interview with Laura Binns, owner of online interiors boutique Roost Living, at her stunning Dartmouth Park house early last year. Her family home acts as the perfect canvas for her style finds, ergo stock and I found myself drifting off to covert every cushion, lamp…
Snapshot: the bedside table
I thought it would be fun to do a series of snapshots to show you little corners of my new home as they appear from the rubble, plus all my favourite beauty must-haves and style finds, in context. Here’s my bedside table this morning. It’s the first proper one I’ve…