The Edun Project

Ever since seeing one of Philip Treacy's feathered creations strutting down Matthew Williamson's catwalk - I've been hooked on butterflies. There's something so mesmerizing about them. The way they flit around looking beautiful, without a care in the world.

Edun's first ever campaign - shot by Ryan McGinley for spring/summer 2012 - is a butterfly lovers dream come true...

www.eu.edun.com

Mary Katrantzou for Topshop

Oooh I'm excited about Mary K's new line for Topshop. Almost as much as Marni in March for H&M.

Launching on February 17th in time for London Fashion week means there's only seven days to go. I'm mentally in line already...

Magic Garden

Every year, until I was about nine years old, I would write to Father Christmas asking him to bring me the two same things. The first were long, white, lacy socks from Woolworths. The second was a Magic Garden.

You'll be pleased to know I've grown out of the longing for the socks but you can give me a garden any day.

If you haven't yet come across a Magic Garden - you have one big treat in store. They are still completely captivating to me twenty years on.

All you have to do is add the magic sachet of liquid to the dish housing the cardboard garden and watch...

Right in front of your eyes the naked bit of card transforms into a magical garden full of delicate, tiny crystal flowers and snow.

Paul Daniels eat your heart out.

I now know why I love these apartments in Phuket so much. A real, life size Magic House...

The New Small Cub

I've been attempting to write a post for about a week now but such is the extent of my baby brain, I haven't got further than one line. And even that didn't make any sense. So here goes, attempt number six...

If you've read any of my previous posts you have probably gathered that I have just had another baby. We've had another divine - if I do say so myself - little boy, called Rafferty Lyon. So we now have two Cubs. One each of the Wolf and the Lyon variety. He is so heavenly and couldn't be more chilled out if he tried. Definitely taking after Chaz so far. Cub Senior adores his new friend. Most of my energy is spent trying to shower them both with equal amounts of love and attention, the rest goes on trying to sensitively stop Cub Senior squashing Cub Junior with one of his half hourly squeeeeezes or ensuring that he can still breathe after one of his 'special kisses' - basically a sloppy lick.

Smallest new Cub

I always presumed with a second baby people wouldn't be as interested as they were first time round. Flowers and presents would be slightly thinner on the ground and there wouldn't be so many people wanting to help out. I couldn't have been more wrong and we have been inundated with more teddies, bouquets and help than I know what to do with. I feel a bit like Lady Muck sitting around being waited on hand and foot, not allowed to lift a finger.

Obviously I've loved them all but there have been two presents that have been completely magical. The first was a huge parcel of home cooked delights from the Food Stork sent by our divine friend Hattie. A hamper filled with healthy, delicious feasts, a box of brownies cooked by the Gods and banana and poppy seed cake, also sent from above. The last thing in the world I feel like doing at the moment is thinking about cooking, let alone actually doing it. Definitely in the top ten most thoughtful presents ever list.

Also up there is the heavenly bracelet sent over from our Singapore based besties. It's a gold coin charm sensation with the Cubs names and birthdays engraved on each side and threaded onto a gorgeous piece of Liberty Lawn fabric. Definitely never coming off.

If you're feeling jealous you can get one too at www.mercimaman.co.uk

Test Tube Creation

I am completely obsessed with this chandelier. The Maria S.C (named after the legendary Marie Curie)

is made by Polish designer Pani Jurek using simple science lab, glass test tubes. Fill the tubes with whatever takes your fancy - coloured water, candles, spray painted twigs - I'm especially loving the wild flower creation.

www.etsy.com/shop/PaniJurek

House Update

The aim was to have most of the house done by now. Christmas and the new baby being the deadlines. And I think, more or less, we're there. There are a few more rooms that we'll do when we've lived here for a year or two; turning the attic into Chaz's office, making our bathroom a dressing room and some more major wallpapering...

But for now we can wash out our paintbrushes, hang up the dust sheets and enjoy.

Obviously there have been moments when I've wanted to fling myself off the nearest tall building but on the whole I have loved everything about doing up the house. Having, more or less, a blank canvas, with only imagination to restrict me, has been an incredible experience. I've worried that i've gone too far sometimes with wallpapers. On certain days the green, Sanderson sensation on the upstairs landing can feel a bit like being in a jungle. And the Hague blue in our bedroom can make me feel slightly Morticia Adams-esque. But I feel it's better than playing safe. We can do sensible and neutral in fifty years time. And, if we really don't like something, change is it's only another coat of paint away.

My favourite rooms are the ones painted by Fifi McAlpine. I still can't walk past either one without going in and marvelling at her how beautiful they are. They're like stepping into huge pieces of art.

We painted the sitting room in Farrow and Ball 'Pigeon' which rather disarmingly completely changes colour at different times of the day.

My new obsession - an antique Indian chest from Bluedog & Saught in Woodstock.

The Sanderson jungle

Our Hague Blue bedroom

Heavenly Feathers

There's something about a feather that I just can't resist. Throw in a bit of gold and some jewels to the mix and I'm anyone's.

I'm finding these Jeeyun Ha design earrings especially visionary today. Perfect for a bit of friday retail...

www.net-a-porter.com/Shop/Designers/Jeeyun_Ha_Designs

John Dilnot

In my ongoing hunt for new, not-going-to-break-the-bank artists, I've recently come across English artist, John Dilnot. I love the innocence and brightness of his works and am thinking that the screen prints of caterpillars and beetles could be perfect in the new little chick's bedroom.

Beetles signed and numbered edition of 200 on watercolour paper
paper size 28x37cm

£110.00

NATURAL HISTORY

box detail 30x31x26 cm

OVER THE THAMES

2011 15x12x7cm

£360

Little Brown Birds signed and numbered edition of 200 on watercolour paper
paper size 28x37cm

£110

Garden Pests signed and numbered edition of 200 on watercolour paper
paper size 28x37cm

£110

IN THE WASH 2011 15x12x7cm

£360

Caterpillars signed and numbered edition of 450 on watercolour paper
paper size 24x33cm

£70

Above are some of my favourites of John's screen prints and boxes

www.johndilnot.com