EACH year, for the past few, I have been fortunate enough to be invited to the Aspen Institute for a conference on energy and the environment.
Friday, 20 November 2015
Restaurant review: Ashcroft Pine Creek Cookhouse, Aspen, Colorado
EACH year, for the past few, I have been fortunate enough to be invited to the Aspen Institute for a conference on energy and the environment.
Join the river city people: Exciting new regeneration along the Thames
Once the banks of the River Thames were home to warehouses, industrial sites, working power stations and even cement factories – but now it provides some of the most chic addresses in the capital.
A parasite could SAVE female fertility: Would YOU take a chance on a worm?
A WORM could be the key to saving thousands of women's fertility, it's been revealed.
Do YOU know your neighbour? Study reveals over HALF of Brits too timid to reach out
AMANDA HOLDEN participated in a social experiment to help Brits learn to love their neighbours.
Are walnuts the key to preventing a FATAL heart attack?
WHO knew nuts would save lives - but it would seem the tree-grown snacks could actually prevent a heart attack.
Love a weekend lie-in? It may lead to DIABETES, warns study
RESEARCHERS have found people who get up at odd times have more fat in their blood.
Facebook wants to help YOU get over your ex
FACEBOOK is hard at work on a way to ease the heartache of breaking up.
Fury as 'scaremongering' NHS boss suggests junior doctors NOT ready for terror attack
AN NHS boss has sparked fury after asking junior doctors to confirm they would be ready in the event of a terror attack.
Top 10 facts about 68
SIXTY eight years ago today, on November 20, 1947, the Princess Elizabeth married Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten at Westminster Abbey.
The Official Preppy Handbook: 14 fashion lessons that are still relevant 35 years later....
1. "Everything matches - some Preppies go as far as to change their watchbands every day."
So true - the only change now is that said watch now is made by Apple and you have to choose which Hermes band you'll wear from one day to the next. In 1980, the idea of wearing a "computer" on your wrist wasn't exactly a "thing." What on earth would old school preps say about Twitter and Instagram? Or Snapchat even? I digress.
2. "Preppy clothes are built to last, since they certainly won't go out of style."
Two words - Ralph Lauren. Need I say more? I have sweaters that are 30 years old that have been handed down to be by my mother. Preppy clothes are eternal. Buy quality, not quantity - a lesson that never goes out of style.
3."Primary colors and brilliant pastels are worn indiscriminately by men and women alike, in preposterous combinations."
And what's wrong with that? Absolutely nothing!
4. "Preps love prints-their own particular favorite prints."
Need I mention J. Crew's love for critter pants? Yeah, still going after 35 years and counting. Who doesn't love a whale, sailboat or lobster embroidered on fabrics? Wardrobe staple!
5. "Most preppies are so proud of their monogram that they put them on virtually everything in sight."
I need only mention one company here - LL Bean. Boat bags with monograms are every preppie's bag of choice. Time for me to admit I have a dozen of them. Yes, I have a problem.
6. "There is one sartorial goal for Preppy women: to look like Mummy."
Well, this is more personal and to each their own. But, it is 100% true for me. Mum knows best and always has. Everyday I aspire to be as fabulous as she was/is.
7. "Get completely dressed for a party and then take off one piece of jewelry."
Just a brilliant tip no matter the date or time. Oh Preppy Handbook, what did I ever do without you?
Now for some Official Preppy Handbook Closet essentials:
8. "Sperry Top-Siders. They have been in Prep closets since sailing lessons started in sixth grade."
Says it all, and yes, Sperry Top-Siders remain a closet essential.
9. "Diane von Furstenberg Wrap Dress. Never mind that the print gives it away as four years old. Flattering on all body types, wearable for work or dress-up, comfortable- it's practically perfect."
And 35 years later - it's still the most flattering dress in all the land.
10. "Pearls. Everyone has them, and they're usually real (grandmother's). A single strand, of a modest length, with a simple clasp."
I went to a college where we never removed our pearls - even worked out in them. Still my most prized possession in the jewelry box (although worn a lot less in London these days).
11. "Coach Bag. Good materials, good workmanship, classic design. Navy blue or winter best colors: last for years."
You obviously know I love this brand - hell, I designed a bag for them. Ahem. The FFG Coach bag.
12. "The camel's hair coat is the quintessential Prep winter coat for woman."
If you don't own a camel hair coat.... well, you just need to have one. Now. What are you waiting for? Ralph Lauren's waiting to help. Go.
13. "The virtues of Pink and Green. The wearing of pink and green is the surest and quickest way to group identification within the Prep set."
Pink and green is a fashion combination that the Prep set defined and the rest of the world has adopted. It's not the easiest combination to pull off, but is always worth a try as the style points are endless.
14. "In casual wear, it is considered very spirited, very fun loving to wear one offbeat, loud item - usually the pants."
It's 2015 and fashion favors the bold and their fabulous printed wide leg or palazzo pants!
Now, go forth and consider yourselves well versed in modern prepped, influenced by the folks that started it all... officially!
Now, go forth and consider yourselves well versed in modern prepped, influenced by the folks that started it all... officially!
Credit: Lisa Birnbach’s The Official Preppy Handbook
For an updated version of The Official Preppy Handbook, check out True Prep.
For an updated version of The Official Preppy Handbook, check out True Prep.
"What a girl wants" for Christmas day 7: A pick me up... aka Coffee on demand
This is, hands down, the best appliance that has come into my life in 2015. In fact, I might even go as far to say that it's the reason I seem to have house guests returning again and again. Yes, it may be small and seem simple, but this Nespresso coffee machine is life changing. This little guy, that's not much bigger than a shoebox, can make espressos, lattes, cappuccinos and more with the touch of a bottom. It is truly an idiot proof coffee maker. There's even a subscription service to make sure you never run out of coffee capsules at your house. And, of course, now that we know that coffee is actually good for you - why wouldn't you gift one of these to everyone you know this Christmas? I can promise you this - it will be the winning gift. Truly, the best.
Thursday, 19 November 2015
The Return of the Platform
ACNE jacket
CLUB MONACO knit
ZARA culottes
BALENCIAGA bag
NINE WEST shoes
CLUB MONACO knit
ZARA culottes
BALENCIAGA bag
NINE WEST shoes
I’ve teamed up with Nine West for their global #PumpRockers campaign, to show how a great pair of pumps can take you from day to night and become that 24h shoe. Now before you doubt how a 5-inch platform can work as a casual shoe, let’s state the obvious: I live in my heels, but that you already knew. In order to take the shoe through a series of outfits that illustrates daytime, weekend and party, I wanted something simple, not to be mistaken for boring. The 'Carnation' platform comes in velvet, which is an ideal update for the autumnal festive fashion that we now seem to be entering full force.
In the sea of pointy toes and stiletto heels that I so faithfully have been prioritizing, I wonder if the platform has ever really been ‘gone’ or just been excluded from my shoedrobe. So I decided to give it a go and found that I’ve been missing the shoe that is undoubtedly more fun, not to mention I’m full-heartedly enjoying those extra inches a stiletto can’t reach. Now that is definitely something worth exploring your shoes options for.
In collaboration with Nine West
Photos by Mikko Puttonen
Photos by Mikko Puttonen
Increased exercise boosts key protein that stops dementia
INCREASED exercise helps boost a protein in the brain that protects against dementia, new research has found.
Sky Q feels like the future of television, but a premium price tag could turn people off
SKY this week unveiled a brand-new satellite television service, redesigned hardware and an overhauled user interface that brings the broadcaster up to speed with rivals like Amazon, Roku and Apple.
In need of some Christmas gift-spiration? These top picks will please ALL food-lovers
SPREAD the festive cheer with these tummy-rumbling treats
Army unveils real-life Star Wars lightsaber that slices through padlocks in seconds
MILITARY officials unveil a new Star Wars inspired weapon that burns at 4,000 degrees and slices through steel in seconds.
Obese women face TWICE the risk of their baby dying in infancy
A WEIGHTY ISSUE: Experts have advised weight counselling before conception could be key.
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