The Latest Luxe Craze...
Saturday 2nd August 2008

Reading an FT report on luxury the other day I was intrigued to hear about the latest craze to hit Japan. (We’re not talking high street hello kitty here, we’re talking uber luxe.) Apparently for those in the know, the days of head to toe Vuitton are long gone and in its...

Every Cloud Has A Silver Lining...
Monday 21st July 2008

As I sat in Starbucks with my little sister last week I thought the couple sat on the table next to us who had no food, no drink and who were messing around with an extra chair – hanging a coat over, then poking the inside of it – seemed strange....

The Perfect Little Party...
Tuesday 8th July 2008

I have to give it to my sister in law, when it comes to organising and entertaining, she does everything absolutely beautifully; her wedding was nothing short of a military operation – five days (she's from the US) of parties organised and executed with serious style. When it comes to her kids,...

Antique Dining...
Monday 23rd June 2008

Now unless the 4 C’s come in to the equation (ie colour, cut, carat, clarity – you got it diamonds), I’ve always thought that antiques don’t really float my boat. At worst they conjure up images of an old Aunt’s home that was musty to say the least; at best...

A Few Sites To Check Out...
Friday 6th June 2008

Out and about this week I’ve come across some fabulous new businesses that we’ll be adding to the site shortly. I did a seminar at Pulse (a trade show for wholesales businesses) on Monday about ecommerce and afterwards snaked my way up and down the rows of exhibitors – exhibitors hoping...

New York Trends...
Tuesday 3rd June 2008

I was in New York last week (so much fun) and whilst there I wandered into the odd(!) shop because quite frankly, it would have been rude not to! Being a makeup junkie I love nothing more than the beauty halls of Bloomingdales and Macy’s and checking out all the latest...

Coffee, Cake & A Good Gossip...
Friday 23rd May 2008

After coffee and cakes at Sketch this morning I was left feeling rather traumatised. Not at the coffee and cakes or Sketch (I could camp out there all day) but at the ‘home truths’ (on Hollywood’s rich and famous) that the glam gal from New York I was meeting with seemed...

Let The Wedding Season Begin...
Monday 12th May 2008

For me, this weekend marked the kick off to the summer wedding season and if they’re all as fabulous as Saturday’s then I’m in for some good times. Glorious sun, delicious food, pink champagne (lots of it) and a bride and groom that are a match made in heaven. Groans and moans...

Accepting The Inevitable...
Tuesday 29th April 2008

Apparently my mother-in-law’s wisest words to her son were ‘to look at the mother first’. Yes it’s inevitable, as we get older, we’re all destined to end up like our mothers whether we like it or not... Thankfully for me (and the genes are strong) my mother’s in pretty good shape...

The Hunt Is On...
Thursday 17th April 2008

If money were no object I’d be a living breathing coat hanger for Philip Lim, and Miu Miu and if the red carpet was a popular pit stop then Lanvin and Marchesa too. But looking stylish isn’t all that difficult when all you need do is flash your black amex to...

My New Best Friend...
Monday 31st March 2008

Whilst March was as wintery as ever, I couldn’t see in the start of April (officially Spring) whilst still sporting my black croc number from what’s officially, now last season. So better late than never, I’ve finally found the new season bag I’ve been hunting for and popped the croc...

A Useful Piece Of Kit...
Monday 17th March 2008

When my husband and I got married we did our wedding list at Wedding Presents Direct – a wedding list company I’d highly recommend. Not only are the girls absolutely lovely (and full of advice – like how many gravy boats you’ll really need), not only do you get plied with...

Full Marks Hubby...
Thursday 6th March 2008

Hubby came up trumps on the wedding anniversary last year. After years of returned presents he’s finally learnt that when it comes to shopping for his nearest and dearest, his best bet is to ask or get a gift voucher. You can imagine my surprise when I woke up to breakfast in...

I'm Not A Carry A Bag: The New Alternative
Monday 25th February 2008

I’ve confessed before to being one of the masses that queued for one of Anya’s 'I’m Not A Carry A Bag' bags but if the truth be known – as much as an alternative to a piece of orange plastic should be something we all own – mine is now sitting...

Fashion Week New Names...
Tuesday 12th February 2008

With fashion week in full swing (yes it’s that time again already) I’ve been having a hunt around to see what inspires. A couple of new names really stick out. Irwin & Jordan is one of them – we featured them in a Luxe Mail but if you missed it...

Wining & Dining This Valentine's...
Tuesday 29th January 2008

Now I love to be wined and dined as much as the next girl but with Valentine’s still a good couple of week’s away I was pretty surprised when my husband dropped me an email to say he’d booked The Painted Heron for 14th. The Painted Heron is my absolutely favourite (well,...

Arm Candy for the Uber Wealthy...
Monday 14th January 2008

The very idea of owning let alone wearing anything snakeskin has always made me feel somewhat queasy to say the least – my phobia’s so great that the very mention of them makes me lift my feet up off the floor... On a recent trip to Como I stumbled upon some...

Avoiding Leftovers...
Friday 4th January 2008

Whilst I have to confess that our tree looked as vulgar as ever this Christmas (an obscene abundance of presents) I did notice a difference in the volumes of wastage we generated and our attitudes to it. Not only were we more conscious than we have been in previous years about...

Mulled Wine & Christmas Candles...
Thursday 6th December 2007

Smell evokes the deepest of emotions and at this time of year nothing get’s you in the festive spirit quite like smell. Mulled wine at a drinks party; pine needles as you come in from the cold; the warming smell of mince pies – or if your household is anything...

The Quest for Eco Living...
Monday 26th November 2007

The latest must-have in the quest for eco living? No it’s not fashion or food or anything quite as enticing; the latest must have for an organic and eco friendly lifestyle is natural cleaning products. Sexy. Made from the finest quality natural ingredients these new ranges of healthy household items get through...

Guilt In The Sun...
Sunday 11th November 2007

After ten days of winter sun (my first holiday since SheerLuxe launched in February and a much needed break) I returned home to a barrage of over a thousand emails and more than just an inkling of guilt... Guilt not at the vast quantities of the dreamy and delicious seafood I’d devoured...

Get Set, Get Glamorous...
Wednesday 17th October 2007

When, on a hot sweaty day back in July I set off to the Per Una Christmas Eveningwear press day, I hadn’t envisaged what would be ahead. For a long while Per Una was the only profitable arm of Marks & Spencer’s offerings for womens fashion and whilst I’ve always understood...

It's For Life...
Sunday 23rd September 2007

I’ve just got back home (well not quite just, but I have only just conjured up the energy to tear myself away from the sofa and my puppy and sit down at my computer) from my ninth wedding of the year. And fantastic fun as it was I’m delighted to say that...

An Inspiration To Us All...
Tuesday 11th September 2007

The retail world and the beauty industry has lost a true great. Anita Roddick was an inspiration. She was a tireless pioneer of animal rights and she proved that beauty could be fabulous without being tested on animals. Ahead of her time, Anita was into all things green long before it had even...

Award Winning Denim...
Thursday 6th September 2007

I spend as much time as I can reading and consuming blogs; not only are they hugely entertaining but they’re also vastly informative. By now I’m hoping you’ve read our Domestic Goddess feature that’s written by Cherry aka the UK’s answer to Martha Stewart. Cherry is passionate about all things dedicated...

Try Green Living This Fortnight...
Sunday 2nd September 2007

If you’re into green living then you’ll know it’s the Soil Association’s Organic Fortnight from 1st-16th September. This year they’re calling on the nation to 'Wake up to an Organic Breakfast'. Retailers, brands and restaurants are promoting their organic breakfast items, encouraging everyone to try an organic breakfast during the Fortnight. At Abel...

My little Mouse...
Thursday 23rd August 2007

For those of you that have been following my pooch hunt I thought you might be interested to know that I’ve finally got one! Yes little Mouse (as named by her breeder but it’s so divine we didn’t think for a second about changing it) is an absolute honey. I say that, after...

Miller Sisters Making Their Mark...
Monday 6th August 2007

So they’re both blonde, beautiful, successful and they’ve both got great names. If you read Sunday Times Style (if you didn’t then why not?!) or ES magazine over the weekend then you’ll know who I’m talking about because you won’t have failed to notice the beautiful Miller sisters gracing the front covers. Not...

My Perfect Pup...
Monday 16th July 2007

You might know by now that I’m mad about pooches. At a recent family lunch party I spent more time in the dog pen with the Spaniel puppies then I did catching up with cousins. When it came to leaving, I popped a pup in my bag just to test the...

An Alternative Take On Picnicking...
Wednesday 4th July 2007

I’ve never quite understood why people always go away for their summer holidays in July and August (by people I’m referring to those that don’t have children). Why you’d want to hit the airport and share the beach with all your fellow Brits is totally beyond me. During the summer months I’m...

My Kind of Luxury...
Friday 8th June 2007

Rumour has it David Beckham wears a new pair of boxer shorts every day. At a dinner party last night, a girlfriend said she’d love that (clean panties in her case that is, not boxers) if money was no object. For me it would be a chauffeur all day every...

The Madness of Celebrity...
Monday 21st May 2007

The other morning I was flicking through a magazine and I literally choked on my Diet Coke when I read that Danielle Steel was launching her own fragrance. I mean come on, first Cliff Richard, then Jade Goody and now Danielle Steel. I can’t decide which is worse....

Moss for Topshop - it's on my mind...
Monday 30th April 2007

I’m sorry to say that I’m being a bit indecisive. At least I think I am. I just can’t quite make up my mind about Kate Moss’ collection for Topshop and whether I rate it or not, let alone whether I agree with it or not. What is it about...

The Chance to Fly in Real Style...
Wednesday 28th March 2007

My two greatest fears in life are snakes and planes so when the film Snakes on A Plane came out I wasn’t one of the ones queuing to see it. The trailer itself was enough to make me cower in fear. I’m so terrified of snakes in fact that I spent my...

Brain Food...
Wednesday 7th March 2007

Why is it that when faced with the munchies on a long car journey, whilst out shopping or during the day at work, it’s always crisps and chocolate that are at arms length? It’s no wonder that this country has got a serious obesity problem when the only snacks that you...

Fairtrade Fortnight. Are you doing your bit?
Monday 26th February 2007

Fairtrade seems to be the word on everyone’s lips at the moment and we keep being told that various retailers from Topshop to Anyahindmarch are supporting the issue. The now annual Fairtrade Fortnight starts today (26th February to 11th March) and if you keep hearing the word ‘fairtrade’ but don’t...

Here we are at last...
Monday 12th February 2007

So finally we’ve made it, it’s been quite a journey so far: a lot of late nights, very few weekends, an extremely dedicated web programmer, an even more patient husband and generally a lot of support and encouragement along the way. Since we started, nearly 15 months ago, the enthusiasm for...

For the man who has it all...
Monday 4th December 2006

The distinguished gentleman tends to have it all, which makes present buying at Christmas, when one has a list as long as one's arm of in-laws, second cousins and step aunts to buy presents for too, rather tricky and time consuming to get right. So, to whom does one turn...

Precious skin...
Thursday 30th November 2006

If you aren't sensible enough to have realised it already, your skin is precious and it needs looking after. Not just because it's our bodies largest organ but because it's all we have and however much botox you may plan on having, it's never quite the same as naturally healthy skin....

A hamper to remember...
Tuesday 28th November 2006

There are some people for whom buying a Christmas present is virtually impossible. They're either one of those people who just buy what they want as and when they want it (ie.men) or they're just so d*mn fussy that you daren't buy them anything for fear of getting it wrong....

The perfect party dress...
Friday 24th November 2006

Those Christmas parties are filling up the diary and the worry and dilemma of what to wear just won't seem to go away. But there's nothing better to get you in the party mood than a new dress. You don't need me to tell you that we should all have a couple...

Knitting needles to the ready...
Thursday 16th November 2006

In the last couple of years, knitting has made a come back. Even fashion icon Sarah Jessica Parker, who was photographed knitting a little jumper for her son on set in between filming , has embraced the trend. But I for one am no knitter - I haven't got the patience nor...

Doctor Doctor...
Tuesday 14th November 2006

We've got Dr Brandt, Dr Hauschka, Dr Sebagh and NV Perricone MD to name but a few of the doctors, dermatologists and cosmetic surgeons who have bought out their own skincare brands of late. The latest is Steven Victor MD, a well respected Manhattenite dermatologist whose brand, I am told, is not...

Style that doesn't scrimp on comfort...
Thursday 9th November 2006

There seems to be a mad rush of retailers desperately trying to get their ecommerce facilities up and running on their websites in time to benefit from Christmas trading. It's not really surprising considering that most of them do about a third of their annual sales over the festive period. Not that...

Your space...
Tuesday 7th November 2006

My space, your space, the only space that one can really call one's own is one's bedroom. Everywhere else seems overrun with everyone else's clutter. Your bedroom should be your sanctuary - a place that's calm and peaceful - in short, your haven. Create this serene ambiance by keeping the decor...

Feed your footwear fetish...
Thursday 2nd November 2006

Now listen up, J-I-M-M-Y C-H-O-O has opened its very own eboutique! Tamara Mellon and her team have wised up to the benefit that ecommerce can make to their bottom line and in doing so, have set the standard for the kind of global luxury retailers that can now sell their wares,...

Oh my goodness, it's cake...
Tuesday 31st October 2006

What could be better than delicious hand-made fairy cakes with mouth-watering icing, beautifully packaged and delivered direct to your door? The answer: not a lot. For Goodness Cake have come up with a wonderfully novel idea - not that flowers and champagne aren't lovely (and always gratefully accepted!!!) but these pretty...

A new destination for jewellery...
Thursday 26th October 2006

It is to Natalie Massenet that we owe our thanks for single handedly pioneering the creation of the online boutique. When she set up Net-a-porter.com in 2000 people thought she was mad - who in their right mind would want to spend huge amounts of money on luxury goods without...

Let their imaginations run wild...
Tuesday 24th October 2006

I remember when I was about five years old putting on a play in a friend's playroom in Wales and charging our parents £1 a ticket to come and watch and another 50p for a program. Thank goodness for J R Rowling and Harry Potter, without which, computer games might have...

Lingerie to lust after...
Thursday 21st September 2006

There's nothing to make one feel better than brand new lingerie and if you love lingerie then you'll love everything about Lady Barbarella.com - an online store full of luxuriously tantalising lingerie in sumptuous fabrics and a delicious palette of colours that'll make any woman feel sexy. Browse the store by item...

Even your pantry need be chic...
Tuesday 19th September 2006

I never though I'd be the kind of person to get excited about anything utility, especially not a dustpan and brush (!) but I have to say that I've recently found myself having such feelings about such products! It all happened when I discovered The Linen Works.com - a wonderful...

The most magic of mushrooms...
Thursday 14th September 2006

I just love mushrooms. Be it in a salad, a risotto, a Thai or a curry - on a restaurant menu I'm always drawn to them. But cooking with bog standard mushrooms from the supermarket never seems to have the same effect (probably also due to the fact that I'm...

Give a dog a lifestyle...
Tuesday 12th September 2006

I'm absolutely mad about dogs (so much so that my screen saver is of a Shitzu and a Westie that aren't even mine!) and it seems I'm not alone. I was stunned to read the other day that pet accessories and general pet paraphernalia is one of the fastest growing...

It's all in a name...
Thursday 7th September 2006

Babington House isn't just one of the most fabulous hotels in the English countryside, but it's also home to the original Cowshed Spa. From the Cowshed Spa comes a health and beauty range that I adore for its quirkiness - think Cowshed products and you think mad cow (!) -...

Put your round toe forward...
Tuesday 5th September 2006

I'm a disciple of the Imelda Marcos school of thought - a woman can never have too many shoes. In fact, someone once said that a great pair of party shoes has a shelf life of about seven outings, and I must say I'm inclined to agree - after seven outings...

Self tan with a difference...
Thursday 31st August 2006

According to Trinny and Susannah, women shouldn't wear self tan - however, I'm afraid I don't agree. Granted, there's a fine line between the tangoed look, as sported by many a WAG, and the natural look, but for those of us that are naturally rather pale, pasty and dull in skin...

Snug as a bug in a rug...
Tuesday 29th August 2006

After a bath before bedtime or a trip to the beach, there's nothing more angelic than little ones, wrapped in the softest and snuggliest of towelling robes, towelling clothes and ponchos, to keep them feeling warm, comforted and cosy, and looking divine. For a really special robe, head to Aspen and Brown....

Shop till you drop this bank hols...
Friday 25th August 2006

Here are a few offers to help you on your way. Boden's new autumn collection is online and they're offering 10% off as well as free returns. On all Links of London online orders over £120, before 1st September 2006, you'll receive a free 'Charming, The Magic of Charm Jewellery' book. Money...

Grey needn
Thursday 24th August 2006

It can be pretty hard to focus on one's winter wardrobe in August but somehow at the moment, it isn't. The last few days have been grey and miserable. I felt thoroughly fed up when I got home last night, until that was, I noticed the new Autumn / Winter Toast...

Roses are right...
Tuesday 22nd August 2006

If you ask me, roses can be both the most fabulous and the most disappointing of flowers - and there's a pretty big difference between what is and what isn't a beautiful rose. Romantic as they can be, if you don't buy them well, they run the risk of looking...

Spread a little happiness...
Friday 18th August 2006

I think I can safely say that I'm one of the most difficult people to buy a present for - for birthdays my girlfriends always join up to buy each other something special but when it came to my turn last year, one of them secretly asked me for a list...

Romance on the open road...
Wednesday 16th August 2006

Oliver Sweeney's story is an endearing one. He had a humble upbringing in Leicester from where he moved to London securing a job as a shop-boy in a gentleman's cobblers in the West End. Rising through the ranks, Oliver went on to become a specialist in the luxury footwear and...

Join in the yellow gold fever...
Friday 11th August 2006

Growing up, I was convinced that yellow gold jewellery was utterly passé and that I'd be wearing silver for all time. But oh how the past season has proved me wrong (!) with yellow gold flooding the accessories market - from horns and shark tooths to discs and coins....its all been...

How maternity clothes have Blossomed...
Tuesday 8th August 2006

I have distinct memories of my mother pregnant with my little brother, dressed in what could only be described as a floral catastrophe - making her look like she was nine months pregnant when she was only four! These unflattering creations usually came from somewhere like Laura Ashley or some rather...

The delights of Daylesford Organic will make your mouth water...
Tuesday 8th August 2006

For food that is fresh, seasonal, sustainable and organic, I really recommend you visit Daylesford Organic.com. There are vegetables fresh from their kitchen gardens, award winning handmade cheeses from their organic creamery; breads, cakes, pastries and biscuits from their organic bakery; fresh foods from their chefs in the kitchens; and...

Your key piece this summer...
Tuesday 8th August 2006

Kaftans are an absolute must for your summer capsule wardrobe. From the city to the beach, St Tropez to St Barts, there's nothing better to throw over your bikini when you're off for lunch, or teamed, Ã la Liz, with white trousers for an evening of cocktails and candlelight. It's to...

Luggage to be seen with...
Wednesday 26th July 2006

Quality luggage is a good investment, not only will it last you for years, but it often actually gets better with age (especially if its got Louis Vuitton on the label!), and no one wants to be greeted by their host and hostess for the weekend with a plethora of old...

Wrinkle free tanning...well, almost.
Tuesday 25th July 2006

Whilst the notion of anti-aging sun care might seem like a contradiction in terms and there are lots of new products around claiming to have such formulas, it's simple, protect yourself from the harmful effects of the sun, and you will slow down the effects of aging. One sure way to get...

Picnic paraphernalia that wont let the side down...
Tuesday 25th July 2006

For me, you really can't beat an English summer's day, a long leisurely picnic and a nice bottle of rosé. But if there's one thing you should do, it's make sure you have decent picnic paraphernalia. Mouldy old rugs with a bit of last year's egg mayonnaise stuck to them won't do....