Me, have a style icon - that will be the Day!

Looking at the fashion trends for A/W13 I'm feeling slightly nostalgic. The trends are exuding the sophisticated style I can remember from my youth, not in my wardrobe you must understand, but from the old films I used to watch during my school holidays.

Whilst my children have their XBoxes, and One Direction fan forums to keep boredom at bay I only had three TV channels. Not that it mattered because every afternoon usually on BBC2, there was an old film to watch, rich with that old Hollywood glamour that somehow seems so elusive these days.

A/W13 brings longer line skirts both fitted and full, edge to edge swing coats and 'grown up' blouses, very reminiscent of those films. It's a grown up glamour with a flavour of Hollywood and its screen sirens and I have to say that I'm planning to make the most of it!

Of course Audrey Hepburn, that most ubiquitous of style icons is up there towards the pinnacle of my icon list, Breakfast At Tiffany's, Roman Holiday and My Fair Lady, although perhaps the credit for the later should go to Cecil Beaton who's costume and set design was simply sublime.


Let's not forget Grace Kelly pre and post Princess, who's casual elegance was a dream. That Long Island glamour, courtesy of the film High Society - unforgettable. Not many women get to have a handbag named after them, yet the synonymous Hermes 'Kelly' bag still stands the test of time, as the waiting list of A Lister's, gives testament.

How To Marry A Millionaire, whilst sadly not being a 'self help' thesis on the subject, must have had the most wonderful costume department, dressing Marilyn Monroe, Betty Grable and Lauren Bacall in some of the most fabulous outfits and you can clearly see the influences this era has had on AW/13 trends.

But for me, whether it is pure nostalgia, Doris Day is just the epitome of a style icon. Sitting there in the summer holidays I was simply enthralled by her grace, even when playing the fool, which she frequently did, and of cause her fabulous clothes. That Touch Of Mink, The Pyjama Game, Pillow Talk etc etc. Her clothes were simply stunning. It is also to her credit that in later years, she locked away all her fur coats so that they could never perpetuate the glamour that was at that time associated with fur. A classy lady!


Today's celebrities perhaps don't have the same glamour as that bygone age. Could this be due to they're not being 'owned' by the 'big studio's and therefore they have more scope to experiment with fashion and as such make
more mistakes? Their earlier counterparts were styled in house by studio designers to ensure they properly promoted the studio and this may be the difference. Certainly it worked in turns of style longevity.

Nicole Kidman, like most celebrities has had inevitable disasters on the red carpet, but has since developed her own style and is always very elegant. Likewise, Ms Victoria Beckham has become more stylish and glamorous over the years, perhaps because she is happier in her own skin and more relaxed. Now her elegant style is a million miles away from her 'World Cup' 'WAG' days. And whilst I'm not a great fan of her Cavalli 'less is more' phase  it did provide for stunning photo opportunities. Now her style is enduring and

timeless, and who wouldn't want a trolley dash round VB's dressing room. (If only her clothes had a good deal of stretch in them!)

But undoubtedly, if I could emulate just one of these style icons it would have to be Doris - If only for one Day!

Want = Need. Agreed?

Only a couple of days ago someone accused me of being superficial - How very dare they!

Their assumption was based on the fact that I like stuff, not just any stuff it has to 'float my boat' as it were, but I must confess style and design is something I'm passionate about. Does this make me a bad  person?

To be clear, it's not that I judge someone by what they are wearing or driving or their wallpaper etc (although  I did tell my 'other half' that the relationship was doomed unless he ditched his sofa). I wouldn't think badly of someone with no interest in beautiful things, in fact I'd envy and pity them in equal measure for the fact that they've never experienced that stomach churning longing for an object of desire.

The person in question was coming from an ecological view point and that people buy from greed rather than need. And this got me thinking.

Now I must concede that no one needs a covetable www.culinaryconcepts.co.uk champagne cooler or a Willy Mia & Fred egg cup, both of which are on my 'wish list'. But surely it's the way we spend our money that is important. I'm not a prolific purchaser, I'm more a diviner of desirables, darting this way and that like a spaniel routing out game.  I prefer to wait until I see something that really sets my heart a flutter. As William Morris once said ' Have nothing in your house that you don't know to be useful or believe to be beautiful'. (Bad news for Mr H at Home)

It's not all about the 'thrill of the till,' I'm not adverse to a bit of 'up cycling'. One of my favourite pieces of furniture is a table I made out of a discarded old pub pedestal and a junk shop table top - total cost £15.

We are lucky in Britain that we have some of the best designers and manufacturers in the world as well as fabulous local artisans and I  believe that these are the  companies we should patronise.

In the Midlands for instance www.dainesandhathaway.com is a company based in Walsall manufacturing high end luxury leather goods befitting the heritage of the leather industry in Walsall. If I was able to financially justify buying such  beautifully crafted pieces surely I should  look to Walsall rather than Spanish or Italian brands.

My 'must have' egg cups are available on line but also locally at www.facebook.com/thekitchenshoplichfield along with a jaw dropping array of other desirables, together with excellent service by knowledgeable staff. I'd be mad to go anywhere else.

www.curboroughhallfarmshop.co.uk and www.packingtonfreerange.co.uk are excellent local suppliers offering top quality produce with little carbon footprint and local cafes and restaurants have identified that customers want fresh, local, traceable food. www.thesparkcafebar.co.uk  offers an excellent menu using this mantra.

So how can we ensure that  our desire for design is also a desire to support our local economy and ecology?

• Buy locally where possible and only buy what you love and will always love. 
• Buy produce in season to reduce carbon footprint. 
• Ask local supermarkets to stock local produce (customers are king) 
• Save on waste and use a 'bag for life'. 

I saw a bag for life recently which said 'I'm taking this old bag shopping' - enough said!!

Does Size matter?

It's an age old query that many of  us have asked at one time or another and certainly there are those who, shy of the whole size issue, would argue that quality is the most important thing and who am I to undermine such notions. Certainly as a person who is eager to appreciate both having AND eating my cake, size AND quality would be my preference any day of the week!

But it's scale rather than size that is really at issue. What good is a huge room that is too big and lofty to be comfortable. Better a smaller well proportioned room, that can feel homely and snug and can be used more successfully in terms of day to day living.

But scale and proportion are important considerations when planning a room scheme and can be used to trick the eye in making a space appear bigger and to create visual impact. Think Alice with her 'drink me' potion.

Take lighting for example. A large statement light in a stair well or over a dining table can really add a wow factor. My advice is to choose a size to fit the space and then go one or even two sizes bigger - Trust me!

I have a large pendant light hanging over a coffee table which sets off the room and centralises the space. My Dad, not known for his grace or poise hits his head off it every time he gets off the sofa but this just makes me love it and him all the more! Check out www.johnlewis.co.uk or I am always really impressed with the quality and value of the lighting at www.bhs.co.uk

The same sizing up technique can work in the garden. Two large planters can look far better than a terrace full of smaller one's.


www.achica.co.uk showcase lots of garden requisites. So 'bag yourself a big un'. Or perhaps that should read urn!                

Likewise fashion is flexing it's not inconsiderable muscles in the size stakes with both jewellery and handbags making a real statement.

A/W2013 couture collections showcased large statement jewellery really making a big impact.  As usual www.topshop.co.uk are leading the way on the high street with a diverse mix to set off the simplest of dresses. This stunning piece would look equally at home with jeans and a simple white shirt as it would with something more glamorous for evening wear and is available now online for just £20.



Does size matter? - Well it's a great big  YES from me!

Basket Case

I have quite a thing for baskets. I find it almost impossible to walk past one in a shop without at the very least stroking it. Baskets have been around practically since civilisation began, perhaps that is where this primal urge of mine comes from. However urges aside, baskets are sustainable, versatile and environmentally friendly, so what's not to like?

I have a basket in the bathroom in which I store toilet rolls and display my 'show' towels. Now I realise that any heterosexual men reading this will be perplexed by the notion of towels that are not actually for use but there mealy  for decorative affect, but most women and indeed gay men embrace
the concept.

I have large baskets, almost of Phileas Fogg proportions, for logs for the open fire, medium baskets for smaller logs for the wood burner and small baskets for storing kindling. A little over the top?  Perhaps.

I even have a wicker tray which I find to my frustration is not particularly functional, due to the woven nature of the material making it an undulating surface on which to carry and serve hot beverages. The same is true of the set of eight platters that whilst bringing a tactile, rustic quality to a table setting, means that guests have to endure a very rocky dining experience, which is not entirely due to my lack of  culinary skill. Again for any heterosexual men, I appreciate that the idea of a decorative plate laid on a table purely to hold a slightly smaller food plate will be alien to you.

Yet despite my foibles, baskets are an easy and relatively inexpensive way to bring texture and warmth into a room whatever your style. A chunky distressed basket against a white wall or high gloss kitchen can look amazing, and no Aga in sight!

Use a shallow basket to serve crusty bread, display a couple of wicker hearts on a dresser or door knob, and of course show off your 'show' towels to their best advantage. Just get ready to bite your tongue if they look so good someone dares to actually use them!