Valentine's Gift For Her Fit for a Queen

If you're looking to pamper your princess for Valentine's day, there couldn't be a more perfect way than with a gift voucher from Cherry Picked Styling. Ther perfect Valentine's gift for her.  We'll make your better half look and feel like a queen.  And with our special, 20% discount offer it's bound to get you both in a romantic mood.

This means that prices start at just £152 (normally £190).

For more information on the service and to see images from previous makeovers, go to my Personal Styling page.

Watch the whole Chanel Spring Haute Couture Show

I have a little treat for you ladies

If you just aren't considered worthy enough for a front seat at the Chanel spring show, never fear, just click here to watch the video.

Enjoy!

Spring's looking peachy with Gaultier

Judging by the Gaultier collection this week, it's looking pretty peachy.  However, we may well be struggling with a Franco-Anglo identity crisis as the shops will soon be sprouting British Punk and Burlesque retro (the French Can-Can) according to Hilary Alexander in The Telegraph.

We love you Jean-Paul Gaultier

10 reasons to go shopping in Paris

I've been busy drawing images for my book in which I spend a year living in Paris - the romance capital of the world.  Feeling a little whimsical, I thought i'd tell you about some of my favourite things to do. From shopping to dining, Parisiens do it all with a touch of class and though sometimes tiring if living there full time , for a weekend break, you couldn't ask for more.  So if you're looking for some girly fun, here are some of my reasons to hop on the Eurostar and stop the night. 

1. You'll find cute bits and bobs for the kitchen www.lachaiselongue.fr

2. You can check out the most feminine furniture you'll ever find

3. You can flirt with fabulous French waiters in gorgeously glam bars.  I challenge you to find somewhere more glamorous than the Cristal Room

4. You can stuff yourself with gorgeous smelly cheese for an entire weekend without feeling guilty

5. Hire a bike and see the city like a true Parisien (and ring your bell at any sexy French boys)

6. Find stunning French antiques in the flea markets

7. Stuff yourself silly on macaroons and pastries in perfect patisseries

8. Indulge yourself at Angelina's with the most amazing hot chocolate you will ever find (rue de rivoli)

9. I defy anyone to find a better brunch anywhere than the one laid on by the Bottle Shop at 5 rue trousseau in Paris near the Bastille.  The most zingy hollandaise sauce is served on their eggs benedict with an english muffin and gorgeous sauteed potatoes and all at very reasonable prices.  But get there early to get a table.

10. For an intelligent hour, Scour the Shakespeare and Co. bookshop.  If you're really lucky, you might even get to meet a famous author.

To all the fashionable writers out there - the Bridport Prize 2011 is Open

International Creative Writing Competition for Poems, Short Stories and Flash Fiction

The Bridport Prize 2011 website is now open for entries!

The Bridport Prize is the richest open writing competition in the English language - with £5000 first prize for a short story (of up to 5000 words); and £5000 first prize for a poem (of up to 42 lines).

The new category of Flash Fiction attracts £1,000 to be won for the best short, short story of under 250 words.

The Bridport is also known as a tremendous literary stepping stone - the first step n the careers of writers such as: Kate Atkinson, Tobias Hill, Carol Ann Duffy and Helen Dunmore.  Anyone can enter - so long as the work is previously unpublished. It costs £7 per story, £6 per poem or £5 per flash fiction and the closing date is 30th June 2011

Each year the prize is judged by well known writers - this year we are delighted to announce that Carol Ann Duffy will be judging the poetry, and AL Kennedy, the short stories and flash fiction

The 2010 anthology of winning entries is available for just £12 or £15 overseas (including postage and packing). The 2009 and 2008 anthologies are available in limited numbers for £7 and £5 (£10 and £8 overseas)

Enter online at: www.bridportprize.org.uk

Or download an entry form: www.bridportprize.org.uk/entryform.pdf
Or email for a pdf entry form: frances@bridportprize.org.uk
Or send an SAE for an entry form to be posted to you

The Bridport Prize
PO Box 6910
Dorset
DT6 9BQ
UK

My latest discovery is an East London joint

Listen up ladies. If you're a bit put off by the stuffiness of libraries or the pretentiousness of some of the cultural institutions and art galleries.  If you think the idea of going to a book club is a bit old hat and one dimensional but you miss intellectual stimulation, it sounds like i've found the place for you!

Just behind Great Eastern Street in the Shoreditch end of London, you'll find nestled a groovy place called The Book Club.  My only worry is that I may never leave!

I've already pencilled in the Life Drawing and Speed Dating events and am looking forward to the next round of literary fodder and I'll be there swinging my pants on Friday to Secret Sundaze's very own James Priestly.  So, what are you waiting for? Get your glad rags on and get along...

The Book Club fuses lively, creative events and late night drinking seven days a week with an alternative menu of brain-teasing and mind-expanding thought for food in the form of workshops, talks, cultural showcases, parties, ping pong, pool and the best in new music.

It's that planning time of year again...

Since all the hustle and bustle of Christmas and New Year are over and we're all starting to knuckle down and plan ahead, it seemed appropriate to plug the free calendar my lovely friends and the fabulously fashionable greeting card company ilovestrangefruit have made available to download.  Click here to get your free calendar and have it printed and on your desk in seconds.