New Sneakers: Raf Simons for Adidas
I’ve wanted a pair of Adidas Stan Smith sneakers for ages – all the cool girls I know own a pair and I’ve felt left out. That’s not the only reason, though. First, I like iconic objects, in fashion, design, everything. Second, it’s become difficult to imagin..
On The Difference in Disposition (Inspired by Online Commenters)
I googled my name yesterday. Yes, I know, what was I thinking? But I had a good excuse: I was looking for an article in a professional magazine for communicators where I talked about my job. Unfortunately, that story wasn’t available online, but I found some..
Pretty Iconic by Sali Hughes
Writing a good beauty book is difficult. I’m very much in favour of talking about skincare, makeup, perfume and style in every possible medium, on every level of seriousness/lack of it. But I often feel it works better in magazines and on social media than i..
Autumn Fragrance Update: 5 Newbies
The autumn has arrived in Brussels – it was properly chilly yesterday and while I’m very firm in my belief that warm weather is preferable to cold, I do enjoy getting out my more autumnal fragrances. I don’t have much new to report to those who have been rea..
Radical Ruffles
I often have a problem wearing things I find traditionally, softly feminine: kitten heels, rhinestones, polite pink, ruffles. I say this knowing full well that many things I do wear could easily be classified as traditionally feminine – there is nothing obje..
3 Youtubers Whose Skincare Advice I Trust
Every evening (and by “evening” I mean 2am, when I’ve finally finished reading) I go to the bathroom and do my cleanse-second cleanse-acid toner-essence-eye cream-serum-oil-nightcream thing. During that time, I like to watch/listen to beauty Youtubers, the t..
Tom Dixon Oil: Scented Candle as Decoration
As a general rule, I like beautiful things better than I like ugly things. I’m somewhat puzzled by stuff that looks completely hideous: why make these things? Who buys them? Anyway, I shouldn’t get agitated. There are exceptions – I have only once bought a p..
Autumn Is For Big Books: 14 Fat Suggestions
Some people might say I’m not really in tune with nature, but this is, like, wrong. I totally am! My reading list is very much in sync with the weather and seasons. Autumn for example is the time to read big books – tomes on history, ponderous classics, mood..
(French) Onion Soup with Apple Cider
I have wanted to make this soup since mid-August, but have resisted, as the weather hasn’t been right. Is this normal behaviour? Possibly not, but I feel very strongly that onion soup is an early autumn dish, especially when it involves some apple booze. It ..
5 Office Outfits
Last week, The Guardian’s Jess Cartner-Morley wrote a pertinent column about modern power dressing. She made a point about the sheath dress being over and I’m afraid she’s right. Obviously, you can still wear a sheath dress. You are a grown-up woman and can ..