"Is it still raining? I hadn't noticed..." THE worst line in film history but very much resonating today! I'm ignoring this foul and dreary weather whilst hibernating with the March edition of Vogue, some Camomile tea (mug by Emma Bridgewater, for similar: HERE) and some hot toast with oooooodles of honey. Richard Curtis would be jolly proud.
Queen Elizabeth II Marks 60th Coronation Anniversary
Today marked the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation and this was celebrated in a service at London’s Westminster Abbey this morning.
In 1952, the then Princess Elizabeth, whilst on holiday in Kenya, received the news of her father George VI’s death and subsequently flew home a Queen. 16 months later she was crowned at the age of 27, with the service broadcast live to the nation. Only Queen Victoria, who was Queen from 1837 to 1901, has reigned longer than Elizabeth II.
The Dean told the congregation, “we gather to give thanks to almighty God for the faithful ministry and dutiful service the queen continues to offer God and the people of this nation, the overseas territories and the realms, and as head of the Commonwealth.”
Further events are being organized to celebrate the queen’s 60 years, including a four-day Coronation Festival in the gardens of Buckingham Palace (July 11 to July 14) and an exhibition of coronation outfits. 'Long Live The Queen!'
Emma Bridgewater Celebrating The Jubilee
Looking for a memento of this weekend’s Jubilee celebrations? Emma Bridgewater is offering a 15% discount off her gorgeous and decorative Jubilee range. Co-owners, Matthew Rice and Emma Bridgewater will be selling an estimated 200,000 Diamond Jubilee items and it is easy to see why. All handcrafted in Britain, colourful and jolly, these every day items can be treasured for years to come.
Matthew Rice said: “Emma and I are both fiercely patriotic and have created commemorative ware for every Royal occasion for the past 25 years. However, we have never seen demand such as that which we’re experiencing for our Jubilee range."
Right: The Marylebone High Street shop window.
Below: My favourite pieces from the range...
Above Clockwise: Tea Caddy £10.00, Egg Cup £9.95, Teatowel £10.00, 1/2 Pint Mug £24.95, Bisuit Tin £13.00, Diamond Jubilee Crown Jar £100.00
Below: Some other Jubilee goodies which have caught my eye this week…
This limited-edition Marmite, Ma’amite, is available at all Sainsbury's supermarkets across the country.
Love it or hate it? Love it.
World Exclusive Jeroboam 3 litre bottle of Pimms
RRP. £150 at Selfridges.
Pimms o'clock. Bound to get any party started! Only 150 of these commemorative three litre Pimm's bottles have been made.
Jubilee Corgi Ankle Socks
RRP. £3.50 at Topshop.
Adorable! I bought these. Couldn't resist.
Above: Prêt-à-Portea – The Royal Collection. A Royal Treat! Available until June 9th, biscuits, fancies and choux buns have been transformed to resemble the most memorable hats worn by the Royal Family - including Princess Beatrice's, now infamous, Philip Tracey facinator (a delicious praline profiterole!)
£36.50 pp or £46.50 including a glass of Laurent Perrier Champagne at The Berkeley.
Have a WONDERFUL Jubileeeeee....
Valentines Day Lust List
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!