As featured in UK Elle magazine, March 2011

{images & words via Elle}
on banning technology from her home: “I can literally just sit and not do anything for hours and hours and hours and if there is something completely mind-numbing to do, like surfing the internet or watching crappy TV, I’ll do it and then I’ll feel s**t about myself. So I try and get rid of it. A lot of my friends don’t have TVs, either. It might be spreading. But what’s nice is that when I do see it, it’s such a treat. I did a photoshoot in Cornwall recently and a friend of mine was on the shoot and we literally just sat in my room watching Strictly Come Dancing. We were like, “This is amazing.” We were talking about it weeks afterwards.”
on missing out on certain aspects of life: “I had an amazing time, it was extraordinary, but the difference was between my age and my experience. I’d experienced a lot, work-wise, but as far as normal progression… I’d never sat in pubs with friends, I’d never been out clubbing. Any of the things you normally do at uni, I’d bypassed. So on one level I was very grown-up and on another level with the whole social thing, I was really far behind.”
on being socially inept: “Going into a room full of people at a party I find one of the most terrifying things in the entire world. I normally last about 10 minutes. I’m a complete failure. I went to one the other day. Standing in the corner, couldn’t find anything to say, just ran out. Awful. My friends are like, “What are you – an idiot? What’s the matter with you?” I just can’t. I get completely paralysed with shyness, just totally paralysed.”
on clearing up her acne: “I had really bad skin for ages and went to so many different people to try and figure out what it was, and eventually a friend said, “Why don’t you just try using soap and water?” So I did and it cleared up. And I stopped wearing as much make-up. Because you know what it’s like, if you get spots you try and cover it, so I was just slapping it on and feeling so horrible about myself. And my friend was just like, “Stop.” So I stopped and it was amazing.”

I feel like Mila Kunis has quietly crept up on us. Having never watched That 70s Show, I previously knew her as the voice of Meg on Family Guy and the (now ex) wife of Macauley Culkin, but now we’re seeing her as far more than just a whiney cartoon character and the spouse of someone who was clearly batting out of his league. It was after her role in Forgetting Sarah Marshall and the press rounds that went hand-in-hand, that her style credentials quickly became apparent. The girl never puts a fashion foot wrong on the red carpet. And they’re not just safe (albeit chic) Rachel Zoe options… she’s always experimenting with different patterns, hemlines and fabrics. So, to sum up: she’s stunning, incredibly talented and well-respected at her craft, friends with Ashton Kutcher, and every designer and their wife is falling over themselves to dress her. How do you say “smug off” in Ukrainian?
If you can’t beat her (which is doubtful unless you’re Natalie Portman), then you may as well join her:

{1. Topshop cream chiffon sleeveless blouse – £33 / 2. Linea leather skirt – £120 / 3. Bertie peep toe heels – £85 / 4. Essie licorice nail polish – £8.95}

{1. La Redoute white shirt – £9 / 2. ASOS leather sandals – £25 / 3. Dorothy Perkins denim shorts – £23 / 4. Diesel Charactery bag – £85}

{1. Dorothy Perkins nude patent heels – £30 / 2. Warehouse multi bangles – £11 / 3. Accessorize gold chandelier earrings – £10 / 4. French Connection Sacha maxi dress – £65}

I’ve got to be honest… on the style front, it’s not all been plain sailing for Sarah Jessica Parker. As much as she can look incredible, there have been a few occasions where she looks like she’s just thrown on everything she owns. In the dark. But when it comes to her interior taste, she’s got it nailed. Parker’s weekend home in Bridgehampton, New York, is an extremely stylish haven that is clearly designed for both relaxation and entertainment.
Designed by Eric Hughes, the 19th century farmhouse is a place where Parker, her husband Matthew Broderick and son James Wilke can escape the bustle of Manhattan, and from the beginning she knew exactly the feel she was striving for: “It was important that the house not be too precious. We didn’t want anything stuffy or showy. We wanted colour and light, and comfort, comfort, comfort.” For Hughes, it was important that the beauty of the house was evident: “I wanted to let the architecture speak for itself, and then fill the rooms with punches of colour and simple pieces with lots of character.” He wasn’t afraid to mix high style with pieces from IKEA and local thrift stores, which prevents it looking too ostentatious.
I must say, I think that Parker and Hughes have achieved an impressive balance with this decor; the white walls make the most of the light that floods through the windows, and the colourful accents add not only interest, but a laid-back overall impression. Yep, I would quite happily move in, should SJP ask me. But only if I had access to the Manolos.

{images via Elle Decor}

{La Mela screenprint / Sweetpea & Willow Frascati dressing table / IKEA side table / OKA camargue chair / Sweetpea & Willow French sofa chair}

King Colin once again did Britain proud by picking up ‘Outstanding Male Performance’ at the 17th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on Sunday night. Surely he’s got to be a shoe-in for the Oscars? Only time will tell (27 days… but who’s counting?). Natalie Portman also continued the trend of reigning supreme, taking home an award for her role in Black Swan. On the fashion front, it was very much a case of pale and interesting, with nudes and whites seemingly the popular choice. Portman is cruising gracefully through the minefield of maternity chic (I’m guessing Jolie had a quiet word), donning an Azzaro gown, and Lea Michele proved that sometimes less is more with a stunningly simple Oscar de la Renta. However my favourites were Julia Stiles (this is the best she’s ever looked on the red carpet), Rosario Dawson (loved the pairing of lemon yellow J. Mendel and bright green Susie Fox Jewelry earrings), Claire Danes (from her hair to the belt, the whole look was flawless)… and my best dressed of the night: Mila Kunis. She was quite simply in a league of her own:

{images via prphotos}
For the low-down on 2012’s SAG Awards red carpet, see here.

What do we know about Ben Fogle? He’s terribly well-spoken, has floppy blonde hair, met his wife Marina whilst walking his black labrador, Inca, and isn’t content unless he’s pushing his body and mind to its limits on various treks, challenges and expeditions. I know the feeling (ahem). So it was fascinating to learn a little bit more about the intrepid adventurer by taking a glimpse inside the West London home he shares with his wife and son, Ludo, in this month’s LivingEtc.

What strikes me is how incredibly homely and welcoming it is, especially the kitchen-diner which is flooded with light thanks to a glass extention that the pair added in. It’s not surprising that according to Fogle it’s thoughts of home that keep him going when in some far-flung destination: “Imagining myself walking into the house, coming through to the kitchen, seeing Marina and Ludo, has become one of my key coping mechanisms in a tough environment.” Evidence of his adventures – included vibrant maps and a polar sledge – pop up in each room, and patchwork textiles, retro prints and Union Jack cushions give their dwelling a warm and cosy vibe. If I were Fogle, I’d never want to leave…

{images via LivingEtc}

{Smeg fridge / Tea Revives You poster / Newgate clock / large gold letters / Squint sofa}