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white jeans-1

Let’s start at the very beginning, a very good place to start. Oh Julie, you are, as always, so right.
Packing.
There is a short list of things that I decided many years ago were essential, whatever the holiday destination. From work trip to country weekend to beach, there are a couple of things that I always find I need, or rather, that I feel a bit panicky without. These things, since you ask so nicely, are as follows: some kind of massive pashmina, (this is in fact my comfort blanket, airline pillow, extra jumper and cuddly toy all rolled into one). (Although I actually quite object to wearing one in the evening as it makes me feel slightly like I’m in too flimsy an outfit at a wedding. In Surrey.) Lavender oil, (to make my pillow smell like home) (I’ve gone a bit pillow-centric here, but bear with me) a gallon of moisturiser and a pair of jeans (or, if you’re feeling fashion today, a jean). You can travel in them, they knock the edge off your oh I’m not sure now new holiday top and if your beach based Easter break that was supposed to get you away from the biting, trying to hurt you cold in England, turns out to be not that warm either they will keep you cosy while you saunter casually up to the bar and order yourself a another medicinal whiskey.
How then, what with these strict rules and everything, did it come to pass that I ended up in the Canaries with no jeans? Error.
But in every mistake lies an opportunity and all that and this, I felt, was just the time to indulge the white jean fetish that has been gently growing inside me for about four years. (I am not one of life’s fast learners).
The issue I have with white jeans is that they also look a little bit Euro Sloan. Or, when worn in combination with any cashmere item, a little bit Yummy Mummy. I do not pass judgement on these looks and yet, they are not the ones I aspire to. Despite this, my yearning for a pair was growing as they would, I fancied, turn me into a cool French girl in a band a la Charlotte Gainsbourg. Now that is a look I can aspire to. Please.
Well, as with so many questions, Zara was the answer. I’m in the middle of nowhere currently and the shopping opportunities are few but if I know anything I know that there’s always a Zara. So quick shopping trip done and white jeans in hand, or rather, on slightly goose pimply legs and I’m gonna tell you what I’ve learned.
Number one, go up a size. White jeans should not be skin tight. This, from a girl who lives in skinninest skinnies.
Number two, roll them up a bit. Simples, but makes all the difference.
Number three, know that you do indeed now look a little bit Euro-sloany and a little bit Yummy Mummyish and not at all really like you edit French Vogue, but stop caring. Just stop.

Walk your warm legs to the bar and get the whiskies in.

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Aha! Finally, there you are has its own page on Facebook. Who’d a thunk it?

Click the image above, click here or click the fancy new link on the menu to your left to take you there, you know you want to.
It has been pointed out that the ‘follow’ button on this site is not utterly reliable so go ahead and ‘like’ on Facebook to be notified of updates, plus some extras, just for you.

  • Hanro(s)-1
  • Hanro(s)-2

In this weather, a girl needs a vest.
Yes, indeed, I’m turning into my mother. A terrifying prospect, but true nonetheless.
The thing is, Hanro vests don’t feel too sensible. I wear them all year round, under in the Winter, outer in the summer. What I love is that they don’t change shape, I’ve got ones I’ve had for five years or even more and they are exactly the same as when I bought them.
I got some new ones today and I am SNUG.
(And yes, OK, a little bit SMUG).


Eau Dynamisante smells like summer.
Honestly, that’s a lot. It might even be enough, but wait, there’s more.
Eau Dynamisante smells like being fifteen.
Yep, true story. And really, a beauty product that makes you feel fifteen has, essentially, hit pay dirt. Am I going to buy this forever? Well yes. Yes I am.
When I actually was fifteen, I was sent (for reasons not entirely clear but I’m sure terribly well intentioned and educational) to stay with a family that I didn’t know in France…somewhere, for three or four weeks. Now this was a time of great discovery on many levels, you can imagine, but one of the key discoveries I made on that trip was how to sneak into the mothers bathroom and access the beauty products of a real live genuine French Woman. (I know, you’d have loved me in your house wouldn’t you?)
Now, whether the patient and kind mother of this family noticed that I smelt of her scent and that all her moisturisers had disappeared alarmingly quickly, I really don’t know. But she was kind enough not to say anything and when I left she gave me a little gift of, guess what?
My own bottle of Eau Dynamisante to take back to suburbia so that I could swan around like the true sophisticate I knew myself to be.


Meet Posy, I’ve known her since I was nine and, though she no longer sleeps in my room, she’s still a loyal friend.
Today for example, she sat patiently while I faffed around working out some lighting, never moaning or complaining that she needed a break or that her legs had gone numb. Despite always having had ‘difficult’ hair, (I can so understand, I think she suffers from an over zealous toner) she endures my lens patiently, and would never whinge about retouching.
Thanks P, you’re a real pal.


Ever since my friend Leslie bought me a bottle of this stuff a couple of years ago I have just been obsessed. I know, I know, it’s a classic, I’m the last person on the planet to know about it yadda yadda but it smells soooo good. And it’s not at all greasy the way some oils are. And it makes even my scruffy bathroom feel like a hamman. And I love it. So it’s an essential. I thank you.


I am a big cafe fan (honestly? This is a little bit of an understatement). What I really like is somewhere that feels homely, but isn’t my home. Anyone who doesn’t use an official office knows that having meeting places that you know well to discuss work, or not, is just vital. That’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it. This was a new one on me and it certainly channelled the mismatched home vibe I love, right down to having the clean washing piled up on the sofa!


So, having established a firm commitment to a good piece of of metallic footwear, I’d like to introduce to you a very happy vintage find. Pristine condition 80′s Bally loafers in..yes, you got it, silver. Joy is mine.
Have a lovely weekend!


So, as discussed, I’m having a little love in moment with my iPad. Yes, hello shiny new toy. But what’s with the cases man? God, it’s enough to make you write man in the middle of a sentence.
Really, they’re all dead geeky and tech or otherwise they cost, frankly, the same as the thing itself which is just silliness. Also, am I the only person around here who doesn’t particularly want to advertise the £600 toy I have stashed in my bag? Honestly?
So..what to do.
Well, to be really honest with you I’m feeling a little smug with my answer here, are you ready? A little trawling around on some vintage sites lead me to the perfect answer, a blend of old school and brave new world. A space for my iPad, stylus, some business cards and, oh yes, a calendar from 1976.
Now you really should never leave home without one of those.

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