Gerber Gems

Supermodel du jour Kaia Gerber covers the October 2018 issue of Vogue Paris in an 80s-inspired maximalist shoot putting statement jewellery and bold makeup centre stage.  J'adore.

Dermalogica

Apart from the past couple of weeks, thanks to a combination of stress, hormones and change in temperature, my skin has been pretty happy with me sticking to a proper regime of complementary products, all from the same brand.  Like most bloggers, I'm lucky to be sent lots of makeup and skincare, so I have a rather scattered approach to my routine, trying new products all the time. But a few months ago, Dermalogica invited me to join its Skinfluencer ambassador program, and being brand-loyal is working...

Blue Topaz

I once read that you should match your jewellery to the colour of your eyes. As blue is my favourite colour, I'm happy to get on board with these topaz pieces kindly sent by luxury online jeweller Blue Nile.

Hostal de la Gavina

For Julien's birthday last September, I booked a weekend on the Costa Brava in northeastern Spain to make the most of the last of summer, staying at the incredible five star hotel Hostal de la Gavina for an indulgent, sunny couple of days' R&R.

Scheherazade

I'm fascinated by orientalism in 19th century art, architecture and music, particularly the works of Russian composers in the late 1800s.  Whilst I appreciate that orientalism throws up issues of appropriation, prejudice and cultural hegemony from Imperialist Europe, taking the body of work at face value, I love the lyrical, thematic storytelling which conjures up opulent harems, travelling caravans on the Silk Road, and voyages of discovery.

Secret Cinema's Romeo + Juliet

Last month, I had one of those dreamy summer days you know you'll be thinking of for years to come.  It was a busy, sunny Saturday which flew by in a blur, starting with brunch with a friend which ran late into the afternoon, followed by a quick dash home to rummage through my fancy dress box to cobble together a Secret Cinema outfit before heading to the secret location, piling on jewellery, painting on OTT makeup and applying fake tattoos in the back of an Uber.

Quilon

Housed in the five star Taj 51 Buckingham Gate in Kensington, Quilon serves up Michelin-starred, contemporary Indian cooking by Sriram Aylur.  If you're looking for an excellent Indian restaurant in London, this is one for you.

Roman Holiday

A photo diary from four sunny days in the Eternal City last summer. 

5 Pairs Of Statement Earrings You Need Right Now

I'm a sucker for a pair of outfit-making statement earrings.  Especially statement studs, as I invariably end up taking big heavy earrings out half way through the day or evening as my ears hurt, so prefer large studs, or lightweight tassel or drop earrings.  Here are five pairs of brilliant, bright J.Crew earrings I'm heading over to Regent Street to peruse later today: multi-coloured pear, rectangle and oval shaped-stones and clusters of mixed colourful crystals and pearls.  Obsessed!

green & pink oval-shaped stone drop earrings

Engagement Party

Two weekends ago, Julien and I finally got round to celebrating our engagement with 40 of our nearest and dearest at one of our favourite places in Fitzrovia: Villandry on Great Portland Street.

Piedmont, Italy

Last summer, my brother and I surprised our Dad by booking flights to Italy and a villa in Piedmont for a relaxing long weekend to celebrate his 60th birthday.  It was my nephew's first holiday and we chose a villa in a charming, quiet little town called Trisobbio with the intention of doing little else than reading and chilling by the pool, pottering and going for lunch in nearby towns, and cooking dinners at the villa at night.

Don Giovanni

A few weeks ago, I attended a performance of Kasper Holten’s rather unusual revival of Don Giovanni at one of my favourite places in London: the Royal Opera House.

Miraflores, Lima

I'm casting my mind back to last spring for the final post about our trip to Peru, when we travelled from Lima to Lake Titicaca, Puno, Cusco, Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, Puerto Maldonado, and back to Lima.  It was - like all our long-haul trips - a jam-packed itinerary with lots of 6am starts, hotels and internal flights.  Our penultimate stop was two days in the Peruvian Amazon, which was unlike anything I'd experienced before: spotting wild animals, sleeping in a rustic wooden lodge in the jungle, hiking through the humid rainforest and being bitten alive by mosquitoes.  It was a fantastic, unique experience (apart from the bites), but I was also glad to return to city life...  For our last three days, we continued exploring the capital, staying in the colourful, coastal district of Miraflores.

Purple Crystal

I've always had a soft spot for coloured crystal and glass, and have a few vases, jugs and votives in calming blues and greens.  The latest addition to my collection is this ribbed posy vase from Dartington Crystal in a pretty amethyst purple shade.

Balance

Love this quote from the author of Yoga Girl, Rachel Brathen

Hollywood Flawless Filter

The makeup product you didn't know you needed: Charlotte Tilbury's Hollywood Flawless Filter.

Charlotte Tilbury, makeup maestro and recent MBE, launched a brand new product category this spring, at a gorgeous event at The Arts Club I was lucky enough to attend, and I've been using it every day since.  The Hollywood Flawless Filter is a customisable complexion booster, face primer and highlighter all-in-one, available in 7 shades.  Inspired by perfecting social media filters, the peachy cream leaves your skin glowy, dewy and radiant, and I'm obsessed.  Dubbed "J Lo glow in a bottle", you can wear it by itself, underneath, over or mixed with foundation, and as a highlighter - I wear mine (in shade 2) over foundation, under blusher and bronzer, and it really does give skin a soft-focus finish.  Have you tried it yet?

Hollywood Flawless Filter, in shades 1-7

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Monet & Architecture

The impressionist artist Claude Monet (1840-1926) is best known for his brilliant landscape paintings of the French countryside and coastline, and peaceful scenes from his Giverny garden - including the stunning waterlilies series - but there's an excellent landmark exhibition at the National Gallery focusing on his work featuring architecture as a way to add structure to his art.

Chelsea Flower Show

There's no better way to celebrate the start of the British summer than visiting the Chelsea Flower Show.  I spent a lovely afternoon there with my mama, followed by wandering through the pretty Chelsea in Bloom streets at dusk, and dinner at The Ivy Chelsea Garden.

Dive in

Jerry Hall, shot by Norman Parkinson in 1975

Polo in the Park

Last weekend, I spent a lovely sunny day at Polo in the Park, catching up with a friend, sipping champagne, eating Patty & Bun burgers, and watching hot men on horses.  The perfect Sunday afternoon!

10 Astley Clarke Sale Picks

British fine jewellery brand Astley Clarke has just launched its summer sale featuring lots of beautiful pieces: delicate stacking rings, grown up friendship bracelets, diamond studs and statement necklaces...  Here are my ten favourites - what do you have your eye on?

Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica Lodge, Peru

I'm outdoors-y, but also a bit of a scaredy cat when it comes to insects and spiders (in fact, my friends would laugh at "bit of") - however, the Peruvian Amazon is one of the world's most biologically diverse regions and we couldn't go to Peru and not go to the Amazon, so I tried not to think about tarantulas, added another couple of internal flights to our itinerary and travelled to the gateway to the jungle, Puerto Maldonado.  After a short car journey from the teeny tiny airport and a 45 minute speedboat trip down the huge, glassy Madre de Dios river, we pulled up to the luxury eco lodge Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica, which we called home for two days.

Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Filters

The latest addition to my ever-growing Charlotte Tilbury collection is six very exciting products from the new limited edition beauty filters range.

Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award

Earlier this month, I had the absolute pleasure of joining a room of inspiring women at the annual Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Awards in the beautiful Claridge's ballroom.

wearing blue lace Warehouse dress

Oscar de la Renta Bella Blanca

The new fragrance from Oscar de la Renta is a beautiful, grown up floral concoction called Bella Blanca.

Black & White & Blue

Since returning from Japan exactly one month ago today, I've been so happy to be back in sunny London - I normally get a mean case of the post-holiday blues, but this gorgeous weather's made it so much easier. Here’s to spring temperatures, light evenings, and months of bare legs and going coat-free!

Tambo del Inka & The Sacred Valley

The seventh stop on our jam-packed Peru trip followed two days at Machu Picchu - we left Aguas Calientes and hopped on a glass-roofed vistadome train for two hours of panoramic views of cloudy forests and beautiful mountain scenery, and arrived at the village of Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley.

Oh, Anja

This golden, summery editorial featuring Polish super Anja Rubik, shot by Lachlan Bailey and styled by Geraldine Saglio for the April issue of Vogue Paris has me dreaming of my next holiday.  Get thee to a beach...

Devonshire Club

Let me introduce you to your new favourite brunch place...



The Devonshire Club is a stylish new members' club in the heart of the city, spread over five floors across two Grade II-listed buildings in Devonshire Square, just two minutes from Liverpool Street.  It's a beautifully-designed space with co-working offices upstairs, 68 smart hotel rooms and suites, three bars, a library, a restaurant and a gorgeous brasserie overlooking a private garden.  Designed by London-based interior design group March and White, the sophisticated decor has a retro feel, with chic mid-century furniture, red leather booths, patterned upholstery, wingback armchairs, gold lamps, antique mirror panels, and a glossy marble seafood counter.



The menu features modern British and European dishes with fresh shellfish available from the seafood bar.  At the weekends, relaxed bottomless brunches are available with free-flowing bloody Marys, prosecco or champagne - we opted for the latter for an oh-so indulgent Saturday afternoon - alongside classic brunch dishes like eggs, omelettes, bircher muesli, French toast, fresh fruit and full monty English breakfasts.

We ordered the small but perfectly formed eggs royale: smoked salmon and perfectly poached eggs sat on a toasted English muffin and drizzled with a light Hollandaise sauce and chopped chives.  The second savoury dish we shared was a grander affair: an at-table trolley service is available on Saturdays and Sundays - our waiter wheeled a polished silver trolley to our table and sliced tender, perfectly-cooked beef short rib in front of us, served with a pot of truffle macaroni cheese as a side.  Very naughty, but very tasty.  We finished by sharing a bowl of seasonal berries and grapes with natural yoghurt and honey, and one more glass of fizz for the road...  Great food, Instagrammable interiors, friendly service and a relaxed ambience - get yourself to Liverpool Street, pronto.

Devonshire Club, 4 & 5 Devonshire Square, London EC2M 4YD

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8 Oasis Dresses You Need Right Now

I haven't been into Oasis in ages, but after browsing the new collection online I added no less than 8 gorgeous dresses to my basket.  Warning: if you don't like polka dots and ditsy floral prints, feminine ruffles and pretty lace, or flattering wrap dresses and tea dresses, look away now.

Long Lace Tea Dress

Okayama Sakura Carnival

I have had the best first 36 hours in Japan.  Admittedly, the late night packing, 11.5 hour flight and 7 hours' sleep across two nights was pretty monstrous - but when we arrived, we fired up on coffee and walked for an absolutely ludicrous 28,000 jetlagged, increasingly weary steps, because: when in Rome.  I've wanted to go to Japan forever, but Japan during cherry blossom season?  You march on through that jetlag...

Cherry Blossom

Today, we're heading to Japan for 16 days of city-hopping, cherry blossom, and eating as much sushi as humanly possible, and I. AM. SO. EXCITED. Follow our trip on my Instagram, and see you in a few weeks!

Caudalie Skincare

I've been trying some very exciting products lately, from French skincare brand Caudalie.  If any of these seven hero products take your fancy, they'll be available on Latest in Beauty next week, so you can try them too for a fraction of the price.

PF Chang's Asian Table

Leicester Square is a funny part of London - there are plenty of nice places in Covent Garden and Soho, but in between is a bit of a touristy no man's land - however, I was pleasantly surprised to discover new restaurant P.F. Chang's Asian Table last week.

Narciso Rodriguez Fleur Musc

To celebrate National Fragrance Day, which falls on 21 March each year, I'm giving away a bottle of my new favourite perfume over on my Twitter: the Fleur Musc eau de parfum by Narciso Rodriguez.

Victorian Giants

Victorian Giants, the new exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery, celebrates the birth of art photography in the Victorian era, featuring the works of four groundbreaking artists: Julia Margaret Cameron, Lewis Carroll, Clementina Hawarden, and Oscar Rejlander.

Isabella Grace Maude, 5 Princes Gardens by Clementina Hawarden