Beyonce 'will still collect her $1m fee if she fails to perform at Coachella because of her Pregnancy

Beyonce could easily make a million dollars without performing at Coachella ... TMZ has learned.
Bey has not told the folks who produce the festival whether she'll be able to headline during the April event and sources connected with the festival, along with several huge 2016 performers, say Beyonce was set to make north of $1 mil for her two-night performance.

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Wrap up your style in sandals by Giuseppe Zanotti x Jennifer Lopez

Italian brand Giuseppe Zanotti has long been on the radar for its beautifully crafted shoes and is often seen on the feet of the rich and famous from Beyonce to Gigi Hadid.
Now, Giuseppe Zanotti has had arguably its biggest endorsement yet, because Jennifer Lopez has launched a collection with the brand.
Last night saw the superstar launch the line at an event and she had ensured she looked fabulous for the occasion. From her sleek white dress to of course shoes from the line, she looked as stunning as ever.

We love the satin sandals with their on-trend ankle wrap finish and if you do too, click right to pre-order them now.

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One to watch: Stella Jean x Marina Rinaldi

I've been following the path of fashion designer Stella Jean since she was first spotlighted by Vogue in 2011. I'm not alone. Stella Jean has risen to a level of fame that has many predicting a bright and long future ahead in this industry. Knowing this, you'll find it easy to imagine that I nearly lost the power of speech when Marina Rinaldi whispered a little secret in my ear... a collaboration was emerging!

On Friday, this collaboration was released for public consumption during Milan Fashion Week. Twenty models filled the first floor of a renovated location in Milan and showcased what will surely be one of the most in demand collections come spring summer arrivals. And, in true Marina Rinaldi style, the presentation was both an honoring of their designer collaboration and the cultural influences surrounding the collection. Models displayed the final product of the Stella Jean x Marina Rinaldi collection on the first floor, while dancers performed around a forest of Stella Jean flower topped trees on the ground floor. It was truly a "crossover" event in fashion. Guests were served cocktails and asked to roam the space as observers, to take in the cultural explosion found in the performance art as well as the clothes themselves. All the while, Stella Jean could be found in the wings greeting guests and journalists as they entered the space. 

For those of you that are print addicts, when it comes to fashion, this is a collection not to be missed. Trust me when I say the photography does not do these garments justice. These pieces come alive in person. They are vibrant, beautiful and speak in a language only true fashion addicts will appreciate. However, that's not to say they won't be admired by all. I can't emphasis enough to you, dear reader, how rare a collaboration of this magnitude truly is. When this hits stores, you better have the credit card waiting. I predict a sell out! I'll be first in line in the London store to try on and share the images with you as soon as the collection hits UK soil! Watch this space!

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10 pearls of business wisdom for any budding entrepreneur

I've spent a lot of time this month talking about getting started in chasing a dream with the help of Currys PC World and the best technology available to us today. Call it the seven year wisdom share? The ups and downs haven't made me an expert, by any means, but they have definitely given me a few pointers to pass on for anyone who's trying to chase a a dream, while still managing the day to day business of life. It's not easy, but my goodness is it rewarding. So, for those of you stepping out into the great unknown, here are my top tens pearls of wisdom for doing so.

1. Study business

If there is just one thing I could have gone back and done differently with my life, it would be this - I would have taken every business course I could fit in at University. I was a liberal arts major. I had fun learning art history and the art of writing a well composed essay. But, I didn't listen to anything my economics teacher was trying to tell me. I just crammed for tests, aced the class, and let the knowledge fall right out of my head. Big mistake! If you are going to run your own business, and yes, a blog is a business, you need to know what you are doing. If you are young enough, add some business management classes to your schedule next semester. If you are old, and not so wise, like myself, enroll yourself in an adult education class on business management. It is never too late and this is valuable information you're seeking. You are investing in your future, no matter what your age. Get out there and get informed!

2. Learn to code.

Alright, so perhaps there are two things I regret in life. If only I had known I would be a blogger by profession! Learning to code... well, there's nothing I'd recommend more. Well, that and having a great piece of equipment, like a top of the range laptop, to learn to code on (check out my video on what I'm using right now on YouTube... it's all about the right technology). There are tons of classes out there at the moment that will teach you how to code in a day and will build on your skill level over time. Do it! This is an invaluable resource. You don't want to be in a position of relying on someone else to fix anything on the site. You're the maker... be the fixer! We are capable of anything in this world and coding is not rocket science, but it is an acquired skill and one that the world is finding more and more desirable on a CV, let alone for running a blog. 

3. Back up and use the best technology available to you.

Oh the stories I could tell you about not backing up my blog, my computer, my phone etc. You would tear up, I kid you not. The tears that have been shed. Back up everything, at least once a week. If you're totally paranoid, do it at the end of everyday. There is no telling what can happen. Stolen, lost, or hacked technology can mostly be fixed if you're smart in keeping it all filed. A little organization goes a long way when it comes to backing up! At the moment I use WD Passport portable hard drive by the half dozen to keep everything in my life on record! 

And I've said it once, but I'll say it again. One of the most important parts of any business today, besides a great entrepreneur behind it, is a reliable family of technology. My laptop is truly my business partner. It allows me to work from anywhere in the world, whether that be 30,000 feet in the sky or sitting in the middle of nowhere on a mountaintop in Switzerland. I've used HP Laptops for years and these days technology has come a long way. At present I work with a hybrid, the HP x360 - a laptop and tablet creation - which allows me to work even more efficiently with design applications and in presentations. Never underestimate the power of a great piece of technology in business. 

4. Be Grateful. Say Thank you.

When I first started FFG, I wrote a thank you letter to every single person I had breakfast, lunch or dinner with. If they as much as bought me coffee, I would send a hand written note thanking them for their time and their attention. I was grateful to be seen. I was over the moon to be recognized. I was just working gratitude to a level that was unprecedented. I believe in the power of being grateful. It is an energy that you put out into the universe that can't help but be rewarded. Sure, there are tough times. But, each day that this is my job, I wake up and say "thank you." I don't know what else could have been planned for me, but I'm grateful to be here. And, this may sound cheesy, but I actually keep a Microsoft Office Excel spreadsheet on my computer, even to this day, of people that I still need to thank - whether in a big or small way. They are on a list of people that I think will constantly deserve my gratitude. 

And here's another little trick. Write yourself a letter thanking yourself for all your hard work. Write it when you are feeling your most grateful. Leave it with a trusted friend or parent - someone you speak to regularly - and ask them to do this: In the future, if you ever come across as frustrated or upset, this letter should be put in the post back to you. Let it act as a reminder that there are good and bad days, and that's expected. But, you should be grateful for each and every one coming to you. Hey, I'm an eternal optimist!

5. Be nice.

I can't stress this enough, people. There are too many divas in the world. Don't add to the number. Be the nice one. What harm will it do? Everyone has a job to do and you being difficult just makes anyone's job that much harder. And trust me, that grief will follow you... and everyone in this industry talks. Keep a smile on your face and trust in the fact that doing so is highly contagious. 

6. Demand attention, don't ask for it.

Ok, you're going to think this means something else, so let me try and be as clear as possible. Do not hound people with emails if you want to work with certain companies or brands. Fill their google alerts instead. Write about a brand or company you love so much that you can't be ignored. One of my favorite brands had over 45 blogposts written about my undying love for them before they reached out. But they reached out to me. There's only so long you can ignore someone when they are waxing lyrical about your brand, without asking for anything in return. Write about things because you love them and you will find that the rest takes care of itself. Just don't give up! Write until your fingers bleed, if that's what it takes. 

7. Ignore the haters. 

People will be mean. This is a fact. There's no getting around it. There will be people who love you and people who loathe you, and both will most likely have something to share that isn't nice all the time. You have to develop some serious rhino skin, so it's best you work on that from the start. If you anticipate it, you won't be on the floor in a flood of tears when it hits. Yes, I was on the floor in a flood of tears so many times in the beginning. Just remember this - haters are only writing to you what they feel about themselves. Don't let it change you. Let it be the fuel for your fire! And every mean comment just means you're one step closer to greatness! 

8. Be true to you. Be an original.

This is super important to success in any industry - being an original. Copying others will only get you so far. Sure, be inspired by people and celebrate others in the industry, but try to stay true to your own creative path. You want to stick out from the crowd, not get lost in the middle of it!

9. Say yes to everything.

In the beginning, say yes to everything you possibly can. You never know when a coffee, a quick hello at an event or a lovely lunch with another person in the industry can lead to something bigger. Just say yes. Your biggest power player in chasing your dream will be the network of people around it. Build it with a drive like you've never had before.

10. For goodness sake - listen!

All too often we are more interested in sharing our own stories here, there and everywhere. It's how we all get to know each other, right? Well, of course share away and share big. Share your story and share the tales of the hard work you've put in, when asked. But, anytime you can, listen to absolutely everything that's going on around you. Listen to others about what's happening in the industry around you. Listen to people tell tales of those that have come before you and the mistakes they have made along the way... so you know what not to do! Start a notes section on your phone if you have to, observe and record! Listening in this industry is tough as there is so much noise, but it's worth developing this skill and sticking to it.

At the end of the day, however, your biggest hurdle that lies ahead is just in getting started. No excuses! Do it!

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Rationalising "goodbye"... the good, the bad, the ugly and the selfish

If I could make it fifteen minutes without bursting into tears at the moment, I'd be a happy camper. July 2016 has officially become the month of hard goodbyes. There are the goodbyes that make you happy, happy for new beginnings for some, and the goodbyes that are seemingly the last and final words exchanged between two people. Each is hard in its own way, and none are altogether welcome, but somehow I've managed to pull it all into perspective. 

Today, I tried my damnedest to keep myself together as I said goodbye to someone who has become my best friend over the past seven years. She's no shrinking violet and we've made no effort to disguise our ridiculous sister-wife love for each other over the years, parading ourselves across instagram, the blog and snapchat. Some of my happiest London memories, since moving here 14 years ago, have been spent alongside one Laetitia Wajnapel (known to many as Mademoiselle Robot). And today I had to hug her and try not to smear my mascara over the side of her cheek as tears freely streamed down my face. Lil' Letty is moving to Los Angeles to pursue a dream of living and working in one of her favorite places on earth. After visiting Los Angeles a few times with The Robot, I've seen first hand how she blossoms in such an amazing city. This goodbye, as hard as it was, is most definitely a goodbye that fills my heart with joy. I went home and cried a little more, mostly because I was feeling sorry for myself. I was sad to have my "shoulder to cry on" move so bloody far away. This was a selfish goodbye - as are most. But, it is the goodbye that I consider the "good." She's gone for now, but certainly not forever. So how I do say this goodbye? Well, there isn't an easy way to say it and there never is. But, I go home and think to myself that I'm sad because I'm losing a friend and that truly there is only happiness to be found in a best friend finding happiness elsewhere. And there's always a silver lining - I now have a place to shack up in LA whenever I need one. 

Now onto the bad...

For me, the bad goodbyes are usually the ones that could be the last goodbyes. As I get older, and as I see my parents get older, I start to see that saying "the last goodbye" is something that never gets easier, but does tend to get more regular. Whenever I go home, I see relatives when I can. I see them getting older and more fragile and more often than not, the discussion of "this may be the last time you see them..." becomes routine. I say goodbye and tears come and I try to understand why it is that some people come into our lives and make such a dent in our hearts and then leave. Then I realize I'm once again being selfish. How lucky am I to have had them in my life at all, even for just a moment? How do I say this goodbye? I step back and thank the universe for bringing them into my life at all. I realize that I'm blessed to have an opportunity to say goodbye, or to at least recognize how special this last moment may be for both parties. I say goodbye hoping it's not our last, just the last here in this time and place. 

And so we reach the ugly...

My ugliest goodbyes have always been with my pets. There is a certain cruelty in having to say goodbye to an animal and not being able to explain to that kind heart why it is you are parting. For any human being that has ever had to look into a dog's eyes while putting them to sleep, you will know that nothing can prepare you for this moment. You haven't had a chance to chat about the forthcoming event. You haven't been able to explain that the pain will get worse, the quality of life will dissipate and that you are doing what you have to do because of the love you have for this little being. All you see are two loving eyes looking back at you and the tears that come with this are most definitely described as ugly, harsh and heartbreaking. And you know what? This goodbye is selfish too. You feel bad because you can't really say goodbye, not a goodbye they'll understand anyway. You feel selfish because you have played God and taken a life, because you didn't want your pet to suffer. You feel selfish because you want that animal there with you now and instead it's gone forever.  

In my experience in saying the many goodbyes I have over the past 36 years, I can definitely say that not one has been easy. If something is worthwhile saying goodbye to of course it will be hard and it will tug at the heart strings. But most of the time goodbyes come with a spoonful of perspective, a moment to reflect and to appreciate everything that you have been given in this life and how lucky you are to have something so precious that it can be missed at all. 

As Dr. Suess is famous for saying, "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened." Goodbyes may be ugly, but the experience is what makes life beautiful. Enough sentiment. Pass me a glass of wine and a tissue. 

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Exploring The Royal Exchange, London

When was the last time you played tourist in your own home town? Over the past couple of months I have had the great opportunity to truly explore my surroundings in London. I've visited neighbourhoods, treasured shopping streets and cherished British events, all in an effort to experience and share the creme de la creme of London life. Today, I bring you a lunchtime look at, perhaps one of my favorite London locations, The Royal Exchange. 

I feel it's only appropriate to start with a little background here, as the Royal Exchange could fill an encyclopedia with its role in British history. The Royal Exchange begins its life in 1566, is officially opened by the Queen of England in 1571 and even sees a proclamation of a King on its hallowed steps in 1901. And that's just the Royal history. It's survived World Wars, has even lived through city traders shouting through the great hall and now finds itself reinvented as a place where the population of the city enjoys the luxurious side of its surroundings. Yes, the Royal Exchange has been beautifully transformed to house dozens of luxury shops, a handful of outstanding bars and, what has become, one of my favourite burgers in the city. There is so much to see and do here that I found it only appropriate to put together a guide for locals and tourists alike. One could, quite conceivably, spend every lunchtime at The Royal Exchange and find something new to experience daily. 

With all that in mind, here's my top eight experiences at The Royal Exchange in London. In no particular order, these are all moments that can be fit into a lunch hour or drawn out over a longer period of time, depending on your need for luxurious pampering. 

1. Coffee and Cocktails!

You know how I said I wasn't ranking in order of importance? Well, in my opinion, a great cocktail option should always come first on any city guide. Coffee connoisseurs and the cocktail crazed amongst us will equally love this announcement. The famed coffee house, The Grind, have recently opened at The Royal Exchange, and they are not only fueling the city with some powerful espressos, they're also offering a cocktail menu after noon. My advice? Go for the Espresso Martini. Not only is it simple sensational, it's also on offer for half price this week in the Exchange. Oh, and if you're an interiors addict, you will obsess over this insanely perfect interior design.

2. Get lost in fragrance, complete with a complimentary hand & arm massage

I've made no secret of the fact that I am a Jo Malone addict. I could spend all day in these shops across London. But, The Royal Exchange has opened my eyes to a 20 minute experience that has me wishing my offices were within walking distance of this location. For 20 minutes I sat upstairs, in a private room, with a Jo Malone fragrance expert who gave me a hand and arm massage that quite honestly transformed my entire outlook on the day. It also convinced me that I needed to invest in two Jo Malone fragrances. While the experience itself is completely free (and bookable by telephone), I doubt any soul will be able to exit without a fragrance purchase in hand. These ladies are experts at matching you with your dream scent and the massage is just the cherry on this sweet smelling cake. Get in there for a lunch break and I promise your afternoon will be completely transformed, no matter the circumstances that await you back at the office.

3. Nothing says lovin' like a little blue box!

This may be my American side coming through, but I must admit that a little blue box solves all problems. Truly, the Tiffany blue is a thing of legend. It's managed to get many a man out of the bad books and continues to act as a luxury layer for men and women alike, whether on the hunt for diamonds or a fine watch. Tiffany's at The Royal Exchange, located on the ground floor, offers a unique buying experience for anyone looking for either a quick purchase or a long term investment... can you say engagement ring? The salespeople here have seen it all and are prepared to help you with just about any situation you bring to the glass cabinets. In your lunch hour, mountains can pretty much be moved here to insure you leave a happy customer. After 20 minutes I was convinced I needed every piece of the T Collection and most certainly needed an East West watch. Mr. FFG is in trouble. 

4. A blissful burger with a view

I take burgers as seriously as most women take diamonds. It's just a thing. I can't help myself. So when I say that it's worth stopping into the Grand Cafe at The Royal Exchange to try the cheeseburger, you need to take this recommendation seriously. This is a mean bit of meat and it comes with one heck of a good view overlooking the main hall. Bite by bite you can organize your plan of attack on the luxury stores below. It's all about shopping with a focus, and you need energy to do that properly, right? If you are looking for great concentration, perhaps you should leave your cocktail experience to the later hours in the day with the Grand Cafe. Their Wimbledon concoctions are deliciously deadly.

6. Sample award winning chocolates

A word about Paul A. Young - if you are on a diet, stay clear. Truly, this is the place where diets go to commit suicide. One step inside and the scent alone will be Weight Watchers' worst nightmare. Of course Paul A. Young isn't your average chocolatier. Oh no. This man has won multiple awards for his inventions in chocolate. While his salted caramel is perhaps the most famous of his works of art, his more daring combinations are positively inspired. Who would have ever thought you could bite into a chocolate that is inspired by a Pimms cup? Or how about peanut butter and jelly? There's even something for Marmite enthusiasts. But, for the purpose of quick fixes, I'll say there are three things you can do in 20 minutes or less with Paul A. Young. First up, you can stock a box of goodies for a loved one, taking great advice from members of staff on what people the world over love in a box of chocolates. Second, you can grab one of the best ice creams in the city - that is if you love rich and wonderful chocolate. I doubt I'll hear anyone arguing that. Last, but certainly not least, you can enjoy a bubbling hot hot chocolate so rich it's like drinking an actual bar of chocolate. Willy Wonka, eat your heart out.

7. Show love for Lulu

"Put on your pearls, girls," and get thee to Lulu Guinness. Men - you can't go wrong with a Lulu Guinness purchase as a gift for the special lady in your life, and ladies, be careful when you enter this shop as your American Express will hurt by the end of the experience. Of course Lulu Guinness is perhaps most well known for her statement red lips, that come in the form of everything from a  clutch to a closure on a larger tote. There's also luggage on offer, great smaller accessories and a team of women on hand to make sure you don't leave the shop empty handed. This is a classic and well-loved British brand that deserves every bit of recognition it receives. Whether you are looking for a last minute red carpet accessory or a weekend bag for a quick getaway, Lulu Guinness is the perfect lunchtime fashion filler. 

8. Keeping it personal

I have always thought that the best gift to give anyone, to show true thought with the object in hand, is with an element of personalization. Somehow personalizing an item meant you took time and effort to purchase such a piece well in advance of the main event. Well, Smythson at The Royal Exchange have offered up that service for people who are more last minute in their approach to gifting. You can rush into Smythson, on your lunch hour, and pick out a leather wallet, notebook, passport holder and more, and have the items personalized there, on the spot. Your only tough spot might be in making a decision on what to buy as there is so much on offer. The Panama wall alone is quite daunting, albeit colorful. But, staff are on hand to help with any task you lay before them. I've yet to meet a living soul that didn't adore everything that Smythson has to offer - it's a win-win. 

Of course this is all just scratching the service. There's much more to discover at The Royal Exchange. View their entire store listing to see what else is on offer and get shopping!

Fashion Foie Gras worked in collaboration with The Royal Exchange.

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