Victoria Secret Angels are to Valentine’s Day what Reindeer are to Christmas…
Supermodels Lily Aldridge, Doutzen Kroes, Lindsay Ellingson, Candice Swanepoel and Erin Heatherton share their thoughts on LOVE in this Victoria Secret Valentine's Day video.
Many cynics would have us believe that Valentine’s Day is just another sugar-coated celebration designed by Hallmark in an annual bid to make sweethearts spend their life savings… Bar-Hearts-Bug! In fact, it is a historical celebration of Saint Valentine’s romantic martyrdom (a 3rd Century Roman priest who, after Emperor Claudius II had outlawed marriage, continued to unite young lovers and was eventually executed for doing so...) Now, around ONE BILLION Valentine’s Day cards are sent worldwide each year.
So if you innocently, by mistake, just so happen, to leave this page open on your boyfriend or husband's laptop, no one will judge... You're merely honouring a Saint.
"Without Valentine's Day, February would be... well, January."
Above: Breakthrough Fiji Bracelet (15% from this piece goes to Breakthrough Breast Cancer) £115.00 from Monica Vinader, Sexy Panties and Naughty Knickers Monroe Soft Bra, £29.17 at Austique, 1 Dozen Long Stemmed Ecuadorian Valentine's Roses, £69.00 at Only Roses, Tainted Love Set (includes their bestselling lip gloss, a multiple colourstick and a popping pink nailpolish) £44 at Nars, Chloe eau de parfum 50ml, £52.00 at Selfridges
"I fell in love with her courage, her sincerity, and her flaming self-respect, and it's these things I'd believe in even if the whole world indulged in wild suspicions that she wasn't all she should be. I love her and that's the beginning of everything."
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Left: Je t’aime Cushion, £69.50 at Jan Constantine and
Red Love Cushion, £66.50 Jan Constantine
Above: Rosa Mundi Limited Edition Scented Candle, £40 at Diptyque, Love Letters Book, £125 at Smythson, Hummingbird Love Cupcakes, £2.50 each at Hummingbird Bakery, Rose Pebble Soap, £16.00 at Daylesford Organic, Rose Duo Gift Set, £38.00 at REN
Left: Personalised Love Biscuits, £39.50 at Biscuiteers. 8 hand made, personalised , iced chocolate biscuits delivered in a Hearts Tin
"All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt." Charles M. Schulz
Above: Engraved Marano Clutch, £350.00 at Anya Hindmarch.
You can have the clasp of this glittery Anya Hindmarch clutch engraved - a truly memorable gift. Each Marano charmingly has a little dance card tucked into its pocket!
Above: Heart-Shaped Chopping Board, £34.99 at notonthehightstreet.com, Love Love Tea, £4.95 at Harvey Nichols, Blush Sarong (10% from this sarong goes to Coral Conservation) £45.00 from Sophia Rogge, Moët & Chandon ‘Your Love’ Rosé Champagne (includes a gold pen to write a Valentine’s message onto its pink bottle) £47.50 at The Champagne Company, Nice Dream Last Night Mug, £15.95 at Emma Bridgewater
"Love is everything it's cracked up to be... It really is worth fighting for, being brave for, risking everything for. And the trouble is, if you don't risk everything, you risk even more."
Erica Jong
Left: Cashmere Bed Socks, £32.00 at The White Company
"If love is blind, why is lingerie so popular?"
Above: Scarlet Cashmere Wristwarmers, £19 (in sale) at Brora, Naughty Cow Travel Kit (includes Lippy Cow Lip Balm, Knackered Cow Bath & Shower Gel, Wild Cow Body Lotion, Wild, Horny or Lazy Cow Satin Knickers) £26 at Cowshed, Flamingo Kiss Stripe Tee, £28.00 at Urban Outfitters, 'Rien Que Toi, Moi, Nous' Ring ('Nothing But You, Me, Us') £85.00 at Laura Lee Jewellery, Laurie Silk Chiffon Briefs, £25 (in sale) at Agent Provocateur, Vintage Red Lips Clutch, £295.00 at Lulu Guinness
And remember boys... Nothing says LOVE quite like LOUBOUTINS
Above: Some of the SS'12 Christian Louboutin collection - Swooooon!
It’s that time of the year where we ask ourselves: Who is the Vanity Fairest of them all?
The annual March Hollywood issue of Vanity Fair is now available and features the ‘fresh stars of 2012’ on its cover, photographed by Mario Testino.
Chosen for their impact on film in the last year, the lineup of 11 actresses includes two Oscar nominees, Rooney Mara (The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo) and Jessica Chastain (The Help) alongside Mia Wasikowska, Jessica Lawrence, Elizabeth Olsen, Adepero Oduye, Shailene Woodley, Paula Patton, Felicity Jones, Lily Collins and Brit Marling.
“This group has solid acting credentials. Some have already taken on great roles, and I think that all of these girls are on the go-to list for every film currently being cast,” explained Vanity Fair features editor Jane Sarkin.
Madonna chose to wear customised Markus Lupfer’s S/S’12 Intarsia Jumpers for the cover of her new single ‘Give Me All Your Luvin.’ The designer joked, “It's a star for a star!"
Madonna will debut the song, which features Nicki Minaj and MIA, during American idol on the 2nd February.
Left: This super soft and super pouty Markus Lupfer 'Oversized Smacker Lip Tee' is available just in time for Valentines Day....
RRP. £70.83 at Austique.
3 Guys. 2 Cameras. 44 Days. 11 Countries. 18 flights. 38,000 miles.
Just. So. Awesome.
Inspired by Russian fable and fairytale, the country’s rich colours and historical opulence, Annoushka Ducas launched her fine jewellery range in 2009.
Annoushka Doucas explains, “I have tried to remove the feeling of reverence that so often surrounds the whole experience of buying and wearing fine jewellery, I want our pieces to be worn every day; to encourage women to wear their huge, glamorous cocktail rings to a party, but also to dress up their jeans.”
I love her delicate Love Diamond Collection – in particular, the horseshoe necklace (which I have long been coveting like a little magpie) and the matching bracelet...
I was recently invited to Lomax Victoria to experience ‘The Lomax Way’ - a combination of bespoke fitness, tailored nutrition and holistic wellbeing...
Step One: Podular Training
Founder and personal trainer Jonny Lomax’s concept of Podular Training consists of you exercising (either alone, with a trainer, or in a class) in one of their eight fully equipped personal fitness pods, each offering several different work out options, including spinning and circuit training. With no monthly fees or contracts – the pay-as-you-go rates for Podular Training range from £20 - £65 (or if bought in bulk, £10 - £55.)
Daunted by my 40 minute personal training session with Jonny, I felt obliged to mention that not only am I NOT a gym-bunny (worse, I haven’t moved quicker than a strut in over a decade) but I am also seriously mal-coordinated and that this whole ordeal could be really rather embarrassing. After some confidence boosting and a motivational pep talk, I was soon spinning away and circuit training (“Sets” and “Reps” - evil, evil little words!)
Apparently I am not as unfit as I think and I even began to enjoy my 'Gazelle Jumps' (soon renamed 'Giselle Jumps') as I eagerly hopped up and down onto a high box without any complaints or squeaks... Unlike my turn with the weights... Unfortunately my frequently used excuse of ‘not being built for lifting’ did not get me out of that particular exercise!
Apparently if I were to do this twice a week, the results would come fast and furiously – and after 2 days of various muscles I never knew that I had mercilessly aching, I felt bouncy, energetic and ready to do it all again.
Step Two: Nutritional Consultation
If I had previously felt apprehensive in revealing my lack of natural athleticism to Jonny, that was nothing compared to the anxiety I felt over my meeting with Zoe Copesy, the nutritionist at Lomax.
However, sitting in the Lomax cafe with Zoe (left, a gorgeous, glowing example of what she preaches) whilst we sipped on Vita Coco and munched protein Bounce Balls, she showed no judgment whatsoever over my daily diet (ummm... chocolate, Cheerios and cupcakes) but instead gave me some brilliant, accessible, advice on how I can fit better eating habits around my lifestyle. I was then given a freshly prepared foodbox from the Lomax café, based upon my own health goals and protein, carbohydrate and fat requirements.
Step Three: Wellbeing
At Lomax, professionals from around the world aim to help you achieve a physical and emotional balance, offering physiotherapy, osteopathy, massage, holistic facials, acupuncture, homoeopathy and meditation.
I was spoiled with a relaxing massage, combined with metatronic healing, leaving me feeling more refreshed and balanced than I had felt in weeks – I believe I could also benefit from two of these sessions a week!
Thank you to all at Lomax Victoria!
I am now very excited to see the new Lomax Chelsea venue which opens in February at 293 Fulham Road... With even more fully equipped pods and an expanded class roster they will also be offering sit in/take away nutritionally balanced meals and snacks, a juice bar and delicious Monmouth coffee. There will be 5 treatment rooms and also a studio for pilates, yoga and barre classes. If you pre-register with them at Lomax Victoria now, you will receive 50% off all services during your first month in Chelsea… Sign. Me. Up.
Move over Simon Cowell, Alice Temperley is now searching for Britain’s Next Big Thing…
Each season, the celebrated British designer of all things ethereal, will invite an emerging creative (model/musician/artist/actor) to showcase their talent alongside the latest, and more contemporary Temperely range, Alice By Temperley, collection in a short film which will be shown on their website.
Alice explains, "I am always on the lookout for new talent and love being inspired by unique skills and meeting artisans with passion for their craft… It was appropriate to dedicate space and time to promote emerging talent through the platforms and audiences we have available to us, supporting the future icons."
In conjunction with the launch of the label’s pre A/W’12 collection, the project kicks off with unsigned singer/songwriter, Isabel, whom Alice heard at an impromptu gig at the Glastonbury Cider Bus last summer. Isabel performs her song "Kiss Me Madder" in a romantic music video (below) directed by two of the designer’s siblings, Henry and Matilda, shot in East London, the Golborne Road and the Somerset countryside.
Isabel models some of the pre A/W’12 Alice by Temperley collection in the video and unsurprisingly I’ve fallen for many of the clothes - some of my favourites are below…
If you think you know/are the next (*drum role) Temperley Talent, or are an upcoming artist wishing to display your work in an area of the London or Los Angeles Temperley boutiques, submit your work for consideration by emailing talent@temperleylondon.com
