WAREHOUSE DRESSES

Warehouse is having a bit of a moment right now. The British high street retailer had a rebrand last year to celebrate its 40th anniversary with a new logo, fresh retail concept and streamlined aesthetic under new design director and queen of print Emma Cook focusing on sleek workwear, contemporary styling and cool separates for city life. Since Topshop seems to be chasing the tweens, Warehouse is slotting nicely into that 20s-40s mid-market (at a more accessible price point than Reiss or Whistles) and it's better than ever. Now January payday is finally here - hallelujah - I've been checking out what's new for spring and have my eye on these six gorgeous dresses from the chic SS17 collection.

ANDRA MARI, BILBAO

Last summer when we arrived in Bilbao, we checked into the beautiful Hotel Miro, spent the morning wandering around the city centre then jumped into a taxi to go for lunch at the Michelin-starred restaurant Andra Mari for an eight course tasting menu.  What a welcome to the Basque region.

FRIDAY'S FFFFOUND: HAUTE COUTURE

I loved the Chanel Haute Couture Spring 2017 collection shown in Paris this week: the sparkling gowns, high waists, emphasised hips, feather details, bold brows and slicked back hair. Dreamy.

THE RED SHOES

Last month I attended the press night of Matthew Bourne's world premiere adaptation of The Red Shoes at Sadler's Wells, at the beginning of a six week run before it embarks on a national tour. Much like the movie of the moment La La Land, the ballet is reminiscent of old Hollywood glamour - it's colourful, enchanting and you'll want to see it again and again.

MANCHESTER WEEKEND

In November we went up to Manchester for a long weekend for our friends' wedding.  As a Smiths obsessive and live music lover, I've been to dozens of gigs there - including a weekend in 2006 doing the Smiths tour during the day (visiting Salford Lads Club, the cemetery gates, the old house etc) and seeing Morrissey play for three nights on the trot in three different venues - but I hadn't been for years.  It was great to go back and spend a couple of days wandering around the hipster Northern Quarter and checking out cool indies, vintage stores and new bars.  We stayed at The Principal, a fantastic five star hotel in a massive Grade II listed red brick building on Oxford Street.

wearing Suncoo printed dress and La Redoute wide brim floppy hat

VAN CLEEF & ARPELS

So First from luxury French jewellery house Van Cleef & Arpels is a beautiful floriental, gourmand fragrance. I'm addicted. Created by perfumer Nathalie Lorson, it's a fresh new reinterpretation of First, the debut perfume launched in 1976, to celebrate its 40th anniversary.

FRIDAY'S FFFFOUND: VOGUE PASTELS

Vogue, February 1931 (follow my Pinterest for beautiful vintage covers and editorials)

HOTEL MIRO, BILBAO

To celebrate my Dad's birthday and Father's Day, last summer we went to Bilbao in the Basque region of northern Spain for a long weekend, staying at the chic Hotel Miró in the centre of the city directly opposite the Guggenheim Museum.  As you'd expect from a Design Hotels property, the hotel is cool and contemporary, with sleek, gender-neutral decor by Spanish fashion designer Antonio Miró.

BUSABA

The modern Thai restaurant Busaba Eathai is one of my favourite chains for a quick and easy, cheap and cheerful dinner.  Launched back in 1999 by celebrated restaurateur Alan Yau (also behind Yauatcha, Hakkasan and Wagamama), there are now 16 locations in London, Liverpool, Manchester and St Albans.  I recently went to the latest branch in Fitzrovia just around the corner from Oxford Circus for a casual midweek dinner with a pal.

LA SOIREE

We recently attended the opening night of the new show from the acclaimed La Soirée cabaret theatre group at the pop-up spiegeltent smack bang in the middle of Leicester Square during the festive period.