Very dolce, but no Gabbana
The red dress I’m wearing here (by a former Estonian beauty queen Diana Arno) could easily be mistaken for a Dolce & Gabbana creation. I generally don’t like items that are obviously ‘inspired by’ someone else’s work*, but after the recent pronouncements by ..
Sage
I develop strangely obsessive relationships with herbs and go through phases where I compulsively use the one that happens to be my favourite at that moment. I believe it started with basil many years ago and I have now covered most of the widely known herbs..
5 Products for Shorter Hair
Some of you may have noticed that I’ve cut my hair recently. I’ve been planning this for a long time, but was not entirely sure about the style and length. Now it’s done and I’m pretty happy with the result. The stylist tried to warn me gently that this was ..
We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
One of my first memories of myself is me reading on the veranda at my grandparents’ place – I must have been four, possibly five. As long as I can remember, I have been one of the Reading Girls. You know the type: precocious, slightly awkward, unseen by boys..
Summer Cashmere
I will not hear a word against cashmere. I don’t care if it has a bit of a ladies-who-lunch image problem, I think it’s wonderful. It is warm, it is soft, it doesn’t add bulk and layers easily, it looks luxurious and feels lovely. If you live in the north, c..
Alexandra David-Néel
Let it never be said that nothing good has ever come from drinking very expensive tea. If I had not been exploring the shelves of Mariage Freres the other day, I would probably never have learned about Alexandra David-Néel, a fascinating woman after whom Mar..
Hermès Le Jardin de Monsieur Li
For a person who doesn’t think of herself as a huge fan of Hermès fragrances, I certainly own quite a few of them – around 10. This is more than I have from Chanel or Guerlain, two houses that I would definitely consider closer to my heart than Hermès. But i..
The Solitude of Flowers
I like flowers and as with most things I like, the more of them the better. Big bunches of blooms are irresistible to me and I enjoy flower markets almost as much as I enjoy libraries (For me, if there is heaven, it’ll be a library with high quality tea and ..
3 Variations on Gin & Tonic
I always panic when people ask me about my favourite book or perfume or colour or food. What do you like best? Do you prefer heels or flats? Chocolate or vanilla? Lipstick or gloss? I don’t know! Everything!? And what about lip stains, anyway? But there is o..
Sheer Black Tights
I’m afraid this is going to be one of those ‘solution’ posts most people think solves nothing. I’m sticking to my guns, however, as this has been a hard-won victory. I’m not a very vengeful person by nature, but I have a strong sense of justice: as child, I ..