Wednesday 29 February 2012

36-28-32

Today I had my fitting for Cotswold Style's April fashion feature - cue lots of breathing in and wishing I'd worked a little harder in Legs, Bums and Tums and Yoga the night before. As a monthly columnist (FYI it's called Glosse Posse Spy, please check it out) for the magazine, I've been invited to be in the shoot for the launch of an exciting bespoke tailor.
Suit the City is an exclusive bespoke service to ensure you have super, city slicker savvy suits for the boardroom and which you can rock with your 7 for All Mankind jeans during your downtime. Excitingly, they're launching a Suit the Country range and as of the 1st of April they're taking their sharp tailoring know-how to tweeds. 
Today I was measured up for a waistcoat and skirt combination so I'm actually going to be quite well turned out for racing in the next few months. The shoot is in a couple of weeks so will keep you informed.
In the meantime it will be several more Legs Bums and Tums classes for me so I don't show several double chins in the shoot. And lunge.


Credit where credit's due: Suit the City

Saturday 18 February 2012

All the Small Things

When you're wrapped up in the troubles of the day-to-day; stressed about the deadline or the 
mid-twenties-crisis of "What-am-I-doing-with-my-life?", it's very easy to forsake the little things which make everything OK.
From that little memory that causes a smile, to an actual gentleman holding the door for you (these were distinctly lacking at the Chieveley Services on the M4 last night), it's these things that we must be aware of and thankful for. 
There's lots going on at the moment, but a perfect stranger lending me 30p to take my much needed post work Jack Daniels to a double; a memento which reminds me just how proud my parents are of me; the Rolling Stones' Gimme Shelter and an unexpected parcel of chocolates from C R-B offered some sunshine on an otherwise grey week. 
I'm often in need of a little perspective as I get caught up in This Is My Life, but it's these little moments – not major, important, world-altering occasions – that go a long way to shaking off the woes of the world.
A few small things that help the earth spin!

3 Hungry Boys: This was the perfect antidote to the Sunday Night Blues. Great concept, they looked like they were having a great time AND they're great looking. P.E.R.F.E.C.T. television. Re-runs please.
I adore carousels. The sight and sound of these whimsical rides is enough to forget sore feet and slight hangovers  - as happened in Paris when I persuaded the girls that we HAD to stop and have a ride. 
Even though I'd like to say Daisy Lowe stole MY bangs and rockstar hair...
California Dreamin'
Because rockin' a white shirt and jeans makes getting dressed f***ing easy
Because driving - even a slow old tank like mine - is THE best
Dancing your face off. Whenever, wherever

Credit where credit's due: I'm sorry, none of these images are mine and they're rounded up from my numerous 'Inspiration' folders - it's like my own personal Pintrest. Sorry to not give the shout out.

Wednesday 15 February 2012

Doesn't have to be Valentines Day to be Romantic

I know, I know. I'm not only a day late but also massively neglectful of The Blog
In a nod to yesterday's significance (my flowers/cards/teddies/invites to supper etc must've got lost in the post) here's Ole Blue Eyes crooning one hell of a tune. 
Thank you Sinatra.



Credit where credit's due: YouTube

Friday 10 February 2012

The Bigger Picture

 "We exist to inspire understanding of the world through quality photojournalism."

The World Press Photo contest has been splashed across headlines today and every one of the images – whether they be Cartier-Bresson-esque shots of the World Swimming Championships or heart rendering war torn photographs – are incredibly inspiring and prove the old adage "A picture tells a thousand words" to be true.

The World Press Photo of the Year, by Samuel Aranda. A woman holds a wounded relative in her arms during clashes in Sanaa, Yemen

Iranian actress, Mellica Mehraban by Laerke Posselt
On Revolution Road by Yuri Kozyrev
Maria, an addict and sex worker between clients in the Ukraine by Brent Stirton
Never Let Go by Alejandro Kirchuk. This was a story that showed Marcos looking after his wife of 65 years, Monica. Tragically Monica suffers from Alzheimer's but Marcos looks after her full time: "Tell me where she is going to better than here. I treat her like a princess, here she has everything" For me, it's the most moving collection.
World Swimming Championships by Adam Petty Love, love, LOVE this! Check out the rest of the story here

More to get inspired by after the jump


Wednesday 8 February 2012

Bar Tab

Out of all the things that us country dwellers are wrongly accused of, the idea that we have quiet, provincial, early-to-bed-before-10-and-alone evenings is the thing that gets me the most.
Just because I live In The Sticks doesn't mean that I don't like to wear impossibly high heels (and I never take the easy option and wear flats as the evening wears on); it doesn't mean that I don't like to drink Jack Daniels until the wee hours and it doesn't mean that I don't appreciate a location that is a little more than 'spit 'n' sawdust'.
The Wheatsheaf at Northleach fulfills all the requirements of a Gloucestershire Place To Be. It's aesthetics are second to none with the interior like a paint chart for Farrow & Ball and crackling fires glowing in the hearth. It's saved from any twee tendencies with the use of stunning almost industrial lighting inside and out (which I fell in love with whilst having an illicit cigarette – NB:Sorry Mum) and some rocking art on the walls. Tatler have just given it a rave review in their gorgeous travel bible: "This is a secret Tardis of coolness in the Cotswolds."
The food is yummy – my favourite was a naughty, garlic-y riot of snails and mushrooms on toast which I'm hoping will slither its way back onto the menu soon – and the bar is grand too. Sommelier, Angela Kaiser is working with a great friend of mine (Alex Pack at Liberty Wines) to keep us fueled with interesting wines from across the globe, whilst the bar serves the best Bloody Marys in the county (they even host an annual competition). The private dining room is perfect for parties and just because there are antlers on the walls doesn't mean any Hooray Henrys are swinging from the rafters – they wouldn't like the Dub Step that pounds out of the iPod in there anyway.
And it has rooms too. Slightly saucy rooms at that. When the place threw a post re-furb party back in the summer, we could run riot checking out the interiors. Firstly, like the bar and dining room, their stunning.   But is it just me, or are they a little naughty with wet rooms opening into the bedrooms and roll top baths facing the king sizes? No? Maybe I am a little provincial then.
I was in there for lunch at the weekend with C R-B and her Plus One and The Housemate, enjoying a risotto and several glasses of Le Fume Blanc. With a stunning location and good company, I couldn't see myself moving anytime soon and as the snow began to fall outside, I couldn't really think of a better place to be stranded. 
And then I saw my bar tab...





Credit where credit's due: The Wheatsheaf

Tuesday 7 February 2012

Column Inches

Morning All

There's exciting news in the pipeline, but in the meantime, I'm once again shamelessly plugging my latest offering: my Glosse Posse Spy column

Take a sneak peak here:
Credit where credit's due: Cotswold Style

Monday 6 February 2012

Sod's Law

So in light of a (well deserved though I say so myself) pay rise, I was looking forward to blowing a little of the hard-earned readies on some particularly frivolous shoes or jewellery.

Instead, I've just had to shell out the equivalent of a flight somewhere warm on a pair of tyres. Devastating blow to both my wardrobe and my bank balance. 

On the up-side, had quite an adventurous weekend - will fill you in with my escapades later

So 'til next month, so long Boutique 9 pumps from Shopbop.com


Must. Have.
Incidentally, Shopbop.com have just released their look book for lingerie - I've heard that if you buy the Only Hearts set, they throw the model's body in too so you can really look the part.

Credit where credit's due: Shopbop.com 

Wednesday 1 February 2012

A Very Stylist Affair

Vogue is likened to a Bible; Tatler is the gossipy guilty pleasure; Elle is celeb' crush central and Vanity Fair has the edge when you want to be intellectual and read an essay from the late Christopher Hitchens (actually that was brilliant so read it here).

But my absolute favourite is Stylist. It is (excuse my French) fucking brilliant. 
I love the interviews – hellooooo Claudia and Michael Fassbender; I love their business columns (take a look at the Stylist Network aqui). I adore their regular Style List – especially this week's which features a gorgeous Etro dress and a rockin' necklace from Matches. Me encanta their Spring shoe edit mainly for the reason that it features my MUST HAVE shoes from Valentino. 
I love their 'Places' articles – this issue they're covering the Coral Reef in Barbados. I've been, for work, and it's fabulous and as soon as I read their take on it, I wanted to reach for my passport and head to Heathrow. 
I'm not even a cook but I love their foodie features (I was sold by the promise of whisky custard cupcakes. I know, right?! Recipe here) and their Debates are not dumbed down but nor are they dictatorial. 
I love the format, the font, the style. I even love the paper it's printed on!

Working in magazines myself I'm very aware of not only the content – which is great – but also the look and feel of the publication. And so this is less a blog about a magazine; it's more of a love letter to Stylist. 
And with Valentine's Day just around the corner, that's pretty stylish timing.







Credit where credit's due: StylistBrownsMatches