What is in a name, that which we call a Rose...

So the festival of love that is Valentine's Day is nearly upon us, and while I generally try to avoid it like the plague (crass, vile Hallmark holiday that it is...) this year it would appear there are just too many lovely gift ideas around for me to...read more

Decléor's Paradise Escape at Macdonald Hotels & Resorts

An indulgent new treatment has been launched at Macdonald Hotels & Resorts, the largest privately owned hotel group in the UK. The ‘Paradise Escape’ signature treatment has been launched nationwide across the group's 24 Spa Harmony & Serenity locatio...read more

London's Best Cinemas

Cinemas have been charming us with their crackly screens and red velvet recliners since time immemorial. I can’t remember a time when cinemas didn’t excite me. However, I’ve got no time for the picture houses where ‘comfy sofas’ have replaced flip-do...read more

Teenage drama DNA at Kingston’s Rose Theatre

Last night I took my teenage daughter to see DNA (written by Dennis Kelly and performed by Hull Truck) at Kingston’s Rose Theatre. Whilst I had often passed this modern theatre – for it is in a picturesque location just past the old town square and n...read more

American Superbowl adverts go dog crazy

Whilst we were absorbed on this side of the Atlantic with the Six Nations rugby and the football, over in the USA they were all glued to the Superbowl. And in those famous commercial breaks (with each ad costing around $3m to reach the estimated 1...read more

Beat the Winter Blues with Good Mood Foods...

If you’ve ever had the Winter blues aka Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), it’s no laughing matter and this is the time of year that the gloominess hits many of us hard. Regardless of whether it’s a seasonal feeling or a longer term issue, diet an...read more

New Waterstones Book group

My friend Clementine Sauvignon has recently developed a penchant for London’s lesbian scene, and I have been escorting her, apparently as some kind of wing man. Or woman. On Thursday night we went to the launch of a new gay and lesbian book group ...read more

Luxe Accessories from Liliyang

The latest development in the world of luxury accessories is the stunning new collection from recently launched brand Liliyang. Created by China-born, Lily Yang Li and British Goldsmiths Graduate Lucy Dyer, the brand is inspired by their respective...read more

Winter Hair Heroes

So much for looking forward to spring – with snow on the ground and the mercury hovering around zero it seems a long way off right now. The combination of cold weather, wintry winds and central heating is sure to play havoc with your hair, so I’ve pu...read more

Watching the rugby at The Rising Sun in Hampton

After a bracing walk in Bushy Park, Twickenham (the location of the famous viral video of Benton the naughty dog chasing deer) what better than a drink in a warm dog and child friendly pub. The Rising Sun in Hampton has recently been refurbished ...read more

Getting some HeadSpace with meditation at The Outlook in Hyde Park

When I signed up for a 1.5 hour meditation session (£30) on a Saturday morning in Hyde Park it seemed like a good idea. But getting up early and travelling into London I was less sure of the wisdom of my decision. However, I emerged from Knightsbridg...read more

Shopping at Pet Kingdom and Pet Spa at Harrods

Alfie has already outgrown the red jumper we bought when he arrived and the dog walkers had mentioned that he was a bit shivery (even for a Chihuahua) when out and about. So as it is a bit far to get to the fabulous dog boutiques over in Essex which ...read more

Valentine's Vintage comes to Balham

Sunday 12th February sees the return of The Vintage Event at Balham Bowls club. As it is that time of year they are going all out to make it a Valentine's vintage and wedding extravaganza. As well as all of this you can also expect to see: ‘Mother...read more

Cameron Diaz, Reese Witherspoon and Gwyneth Paltrow go on a dinner date in London!

Three glamorous girls straight out of Hollywood were partying in London last night - and Cameron Diaz, Reese Witherspoon and Gwyneth Paltrow kicked off their evening with an intimate meal with Brit' pal Stella McCartney at The Arts Club in Mayfair....read more

David Beckham mania hits Regent Street

He's the most famous footballer of our time and by goodness is he gorgeous - and it was a combination of these two things that brought hundreds and hundreds of fans to Regent Street yesterday, to see David Beckham launch his new bodywear range at H...read more

Franco Manca- The Pizza Gem of Brixton

I love trying out new places to eat and one evening after work a couple of girls suggested going to pizza in Brixton. One of them said it was the best pizza in the UK and seeing as she is Italian, I thought they must be pretty good. This was a while ...read more

Camden Town gets ‘Appy’ with Wayne Hemingway

Leading fashion designer helps create 21st century guide book for one of London’s most famous landmarks Camden Town, the district at the heart of London’s creative community, has launched a new interactive smartphone app that will provide visitor...read more

Top five perfect dating spots in London... or not

'It's a lovely little wine bar, it's not very well known, but that's what makes it so special. It should just be round this corner. Here we are... oh. Ah.' 'It's shut.' 'Yes, I think it might be', I say as a I try yanking open the door to a bar...read more

Food as Medicine | Stay Fighting Fit this Winter...

This post focuses on how to stay fighting fit this winter when challenges to immunity are everywhere; on every surface, in the air and in our food and drink and the immune system is our body’s natural defense against them. When immunity is comprom...read more

Fashion Find of the Week

I always find it a little bit tricky to find workwear that's the right mix of smart/casual. In my line of work the 'uniform' is pretty laid-back, but I'm constantly on the look out for smart tops I can team with skinny jeans and boots to look a littl...read more