Brace yourselves. Alex and I have a confession to make. We have both found The One. Not that One. The other one. Exercise. We feel stronger, healthier, more balanced and sleep better. What's not to love? …
women
As much as we love the high street is for a quick fix, as we get older we like to make sartorial investments. Our secret weapon on such occasions is a boutique where the owners' taste tallies so perfectly with your own that it's as though they've edited the collections just for you. A boutique like Iris, for instance. It now has eight gorgeous branches across London (and a burgeoning website), selling exactly what we want to wear. Co-owner Annie Pollet tells us about building a business, having an eye for a great brand and somehow managing family life on top of that. …
Last year, I turned 40. (40! How did that happen? I don't have a problem with the age itself (it doesn't feel like particularly big deal these days - just me?) but where did those years go? I swear I was 27 about five years ago.) I've been meaning to write this for a while - the life lessons I've learned in 40 years, what I know now to be true (for me), and the opening of a new year seems as good a time as any. …
…I am a woman conflicted. This sounds far more dramatic than it actually is – but I am. Why? The age-old work/family debate, am-I-doing-the-right-thing angst has me lying awake at night.…
I am, as you know, a big fan of a basket. You’d do well not to trip over one in pretty much any room of my house. When Elizabeth de Vise emailed me about Artisanne, the company she set up with her sister, producing ethical, beautiful baskets which also empower local women, she had me at ‘baskets’.…
So, you’ve got this idea for a business with one of your best friends? Sounds good, right? And, according to Sarah Slade and Naomi Reilly, the founders of luxe candle brand Seven Seventeen, it really is. Oh, and all about timing, hard graft, late night phone calls and DIY delivery. …
Work incredibly hard. Be prepared to compromise. Be ever-vigilant for tipping points. Never really switch off (when it’s your business, that’s a luxury). The seriously impressive – and very inspiring – Clare Hornby, founder of ME + EM (beautifully made, wearable, flattering clothes) shares her road to building this quietly brilliant brand.…
A beauty editor for ten years, Philippa Pearne knows a thing (or five hundred) about looking good. She reveals the key to amazing skin, “the best mascara ever invented”, and the one secret to true confidence.…
Hello, we’re Natasha and Alex and we are obsessed with sleep. Show us a mother of small (or smallish) children who isn’t. I’ve yet to meet one. In fact, I’ve discussed at both a school drop-off and pick-up this week. We just – literally – cannot get enough; even if you are blessed with good sleepers, somehow you’re always left wanting more. Which is why we’re dedicating this week to the pursuit of sleep.…
Can we have it all (or even, just get it all done) if we get up earlier? Is the secret to happiness keeping at least a foot in the door of your chosen career whilst bringing up young children?…