The world's most glamorous garden?

Berkeley Square always looks magical at Christmas (as in this prize winning photograph, courtesy of National Geographic). Considered to be the very heart of Mayfair, Berkeley Square is also the hub of London society. Formerly quintessentially English, now Quintessentially cosmopolitan, Mayfair has long been a playground for the rich and famous.



Back in the day when the gorgeously gnarled, elephantine trees were almost as fat as they are now, but just as valuable, Nick Drake wrote his haunting song (released posthumously in 2004):

Mayfair strange in the morning light,
Mayfair strange in the summer night,
Mayfair strangest in the afternoon.
Mayfair stretching far above,
full of fame but lacking love,
Could it be we see the Mayfair moon?

Mayfair strange across the park,
In the day or in the dark,
There's no need to walk or even run.
Mayfair faces clean and nice,
But beauty here is cold as ice,
Could it be we see the Mayfair sun?

Mayfair strange at every hour,
Hidden frowns with mystic power,
Starry heights and golden throne,
Down below you're on you're own.

Mayfair strange for passers-by,
Sights of wonder for the eye,
Could it be they'll pass by again?
Mayfair calling far and near,
For even trees are wealthy here,
Could it be we hear the Mayfair rain?

A curious fact is that Nick Drake performed in a band called the Perfumed Gardeners with his schoolmates in the mid-1960s - doubly fitting, since Berkeley Square is currently home to a unique garden ‘installation’ by Tony Heywood and Alison Condie.






Heywood’s latest work, Glamourland (on show until 20th January), is aptly located - in an enclave bursting with bejewelled, manicured and silicon enhanced souls – as well as Britain’s most expensive tree: a Victorian Plane (one of 31, all of which are at least 200 years old) opposite Berkeley Square House, which was valued at £750,000 in 2008.

But glamour doesn’t have to cost the earth. If you’re feeling in need of some added glitz, why not try out a trio of Colorsport lipstains from ShopCurious – also a great idea for a curiously cheap and chic Christmas gift.

Will you?

Affordable little luxuries

I’ve already mentioned the ‘lipstick factor’ – the theory that when times get tough, many seek comfort in small purchases. Now here’s my list of affordable little luxuries from ShopCurious ... At £15.00 or less, these are perfect Christmas gift ideas, but also great to simply brighten up the gloomy winter days:


This mini coffret with cushion and room spray (right) by Catherine Masson contains a scented parcel for your wardrobe, together with a leafy green fragranced refreshing room spray.

Ideal as an unusual gift to take along to your neighbours’ Christmas drinks party.





Give this lipstick pouch with pen as a quirky stocking filler that’s useful too, or cash in on the ‘lipstick factor’ by buying three individual colour Colorsport lipstains for the special Christmas offer price of only £13.50 – (a veritable bargain as the rrp of each lipstick is currently £5.25).






These scented wardrobe sachets with a cute white flower smell divine. They’re already packed in a stylish black and gold gift box that arrives ready to pop under the tree. Alternatively, spice up your home with these sachets topped with a seasonal Christmas red rose.








If there’s someone special in your life, why not treat them to a luxurious First Kiss lined notebook, or if they’re ‘just a good friend’ how about a Green Bridge journal?







Your best friend might like some jewellery. How about an Aventure retro bangle (left) – available in a variety of unique designs. Or for a fashion conscious male friend, what about a leather and shell men’s bracelet? Then you can borrow it to wear around your ankle - perfect for beach holidays!







Finally, why not dress up your festive table with a pair of luxury rose bud napkin rings, adorned with ripe blue berries and pretty foliage. They’d also make a unique token of appreciation for your host if you’re not dining at home this Christmas.





I have a curious feeling that you’re itching to treat yourself to a little something right now…

Are you?

Cabinet of curiosities

I was so glad I finally found time to visit Jethro Macey's Spyhole Wall at the Design Museum on Sunday. It was also a fabulously sunny day and seeing Tower Bridge, the Gherkin and the colourful boats on the river made me feel so happy be in London - of course, it could also have had something to do with the uplifiting effect of that all too rare sight, a beautiful clear blue sky...






Jethro's installation is in the foyer of the Design Museum. It's described as a showcase for 'private collections that have been gathered from various individuals'. The collections are based on personal intrigue (ie curiosity) and the eclectic mix of exhibits can be observed as single objects within a collection, or as a whole.





Some of the collections on show are objects that have little monetary value, but represent an aspect of daily life that might otherwise go unnoticed. The Spyhole Wall is also inspired by the curiosity cabinet of the Renaissance, in which treasured and intriguing objects are displayed for others to enjoy.

Some of the quirky collections shown here include miniatures of the Statue of Liberty, religious relics, old shopping lists and yoyos. Apparently there's even an unusual collection of wishbones - although someone must have been sitting in front of that spyhole as I couldn't find it.


In any case, collecting wishbones does sound a tad scarily near the place where curious art meets strangely disturbed personality disorder. Did I mention that through one of the peep holes you can spy my mother's collection of old lipsticks? Not sure why she hoards so many half used up cosmetics, but she kindly supplied a rather sticky-bottomed pale blue nylon make-up bag full of them.



They range from a couple of collectable late 1950s lipsticks and '60s Mary Quant to special offer freebies from designer brands. There are also a couple of original Colorsport lipstains - in her favourite colour, Sweet Apricot.



She was introduced to the brand by my late Auntie Gloria, who loved old fashioned movie stars like Doris Day. Gloria's favourite colour was Coral, which is the one that I now wear. By the way, the original 12 hour lipstains by Colorsport are also available at ShopCurious - and I can personally vouch for their staying power!

As far as I recall, my mother's worn lipstick every day. It's interesting that no matter how hard times get, lipstick is one of those little luxuries that few women who take pride in their appearance are prepared to give up. I hope this doesn't just apply to women of a certain age, because I think it's great when girls favour glamour over grunge.

Do you?

Hot lips

Girls, it doesn't really matter whether you're braving out the depressingly damp weather in the UK for your hols, or searching for sunshine elsewhere, so long as you look glam and have fun. Here's Diana Dors looking curiously chic in Cannes - a rather stylish place to hang out. And Marilyn Monroe, romping amidst the waves, definitely appears to be enjoying herself.



The 1950s was a very glamorous era, when the fashion was for ladies to look like film stars at all times. Hollywood sirens of the day probably knew about the original colour change longstay lipstick called Magic Lips - a secret formula lipstain that changes colour according to your individual pH level. It's been available to the public now for over 20 years, but how it exactly works remains a mystery. If you're curious to discover what hot colour they'll make your lips, I suggest you invest in a set of 8 colour matching lipsticks from ShopCurious, where they're available at a very special price.


Believe me, this rather eclectic mix of colours will turn into hot shades of pink, red, peach or plum when applied to your lips - and will make them curiously kissable too - what fun!



We've got another magic pair of lips as well, in the form of this unusual red lips bag by Timmy Woods of Beverly Hills. At the moment ShopCurious is the exclusive UK stockist of this uniquely pouty party piece, which was carried by Carrie (excuse the cheesy pun) in an episode of Sex and the City.




Talking of movie stars, I think that Sex and the City's Samantha could also do with a red lips bag - when she's on holiday in the film she looks ever glamorous in her vintage style swimsuit, but she could definitely do with a bit of cheering up.

Smile and say cheese...
Will you?

The ultimate recession proof lipstick

I read in an article that City economists follow lipstick sales to monitor potential upturns or downturns in the nation's fiscal wellbeing. Curiously, when things get tight, apparently (according to the Mail on Sunday) women spurn expensive designer dresses in favour of more modest retail therapy, which has resulted in increased lipstick sales in US department stores over the past few months - a time when other areas of department store spending have experienced significant falls.

Nicola White, 23 who works at House of Fraser department store in London's Oxford Street explained that although she was watching her finances, she still wanted to indulge herself: "Buying an inexpensive treat like a lipstick gives me instant satisfaction and lifts an outfit without my having to purchase a new pair of shoes or a bag which can be expensive".

We've come up with an even better solution to those cravings for luscious lippy - it's called Colorsport lipstain. It's so damned inexpensive that you can afford to buy a few at a go and still have change to spare to go towards that stylish bag or those smart new shoes. Even better, there's no need for frequent money wasting applications as this lipstick lasts for up to 12 hours.

This strikes me as the original sort of stuff that glamorous Hollywood filmstars have been wearing for years... And I can also personally vouch for this lipstick - the colours are fabulous and it really does work. But best of all it's curiously cheap and chic. Will you?