Coat – ASOS White, Cashmere Dress – Arelalizza, Shoes – Zara, Bag – Warehouse, Cuffs – H&M;

As acting president of the Meh! club I don’t even have to tell you what I feel about Valentine’s day, but if you’re really eager to find out dial 080C-YNI-CISM and my secretary will be happy to fill you in on that while chewing loudly on stale gum. At no stage during school was I ever Glen Coco of the class and when I was finally rid of my braces and the dandelion weed under my armpits I then promptly acquired a geek boyfriend who brought me flowers every single day and 6 years later I ended up marrying him. So this card design collaboration with Beyond Retro (along with Bip Ling, Mademoiselle Robot and Fashion Editor At Large) is really for some kitsch fun, and of course a little contribution to the

British Heart Foundation (£1 of all sales will be donated). So next time you’re in don’t forget to pick one up – I sent one to my baby brother last week and he claims he’s still picking up glitter hearts from his keyboard, everytime loving me just a tiny bit less…

BTW, could anyone recommend a tailor in London? The Aquascutum coat I picked up is all great except the 80’s power shoulders. I got rid of the pads but it still makes me look like I attacked the wrong end my my mummy’s closet. Help!

Mary Katrantzou for Topshop; Images via  Topshop

I know this news is already spreading like wildfire across the interwebz but just wanted to do a bit of heads-up from my end. Long-time readers will know I go KAKA for Mary Katrantzou so this is one designer x high street collaboration worth hollering. It’s so soon too – 17th of February – first day of LFW for the relevant bunch, and prices start from £40 but the dresses are on triple digits… not so horrific when compared to her usual five-digit frocks. Will be looking forward to some wrestling in stores next week, I bring the mat, you can bring the oil?

ASOS SS12 Pressday; November 2011

One of my readers pointed out a few days ago that my photos just seem ALTOGETHER PASTEL these days. In my defence, I really think I’m going through a hardcore pastel phase here, please help. (A)S.O.S! (har har get it… ASOS…SOS) (I am SO lame). I also seem to be growing a milk tooth and have My Little Pony nightmares occasionally. (I brush and brush their tail hair but it keeps giving me static shocks and I eventually turn into a lightening bolt to live a rather exciting life solely dedicated to causing headaches to poor Harry Potter) Husband, I want our entire flat to be painted dusty pink! As always I’ve had to put a cork on this post ever since the press day back in November, but it only really makes sense as most of these will be tricking into ASOS March-ish and that’s in the next few weeks. Personally loving the vintage-inspired Salon collection but my favourite pieces are the Sophia Kokosalaki Kore collaboration black lace-inset dress and the folk embroidery smock. AND DID I MENTION THE GLITTERY T-SHIRTS? Here we go again, someone get the keys to the restraint vest.

December 2011; HOTEL DE LA TREMOILLE, 14 rue de la Trémoille – 75008 Paris, Tel. : +33 (0)1 56 52 14 00, reservation@hotel-tremoille.com

The 7:30am Eurostar train smells of musk, newspapers and coffee, the second class cabin seats are bustling with men in suits, lodged expertly in positions that ensure least creasing on their trousers. I stand out in my plaid shirt and dark skinny Levi’s, knitting needles in each sleeve and balancing a coffee formula with a little too much milk. The bloke next to me glances occasionally at the snood factory, and flutters open his newspaper to wave off the fluff. It’s a food-trip to Paris for work, and I’m to meet Sophie at 11 o’ clock for brunch at the Rose Bakery on Rue des Martyrs. The train pulls into a foggy opening of Gare du Nord and the doors slide open to spill out the passengers and L‘Eau du businessmen; the morning wind is scratchy but there’s a glow of orange on the roofs. The taxi driver attempts slurred English and ends up ranting in French, and I say ‘Wee, wee, wee’ throughout the ride to the hotel, I think I might’ve said yes to ‘I think I’ll have a Jambon sandwich today’ but I’m not too sure. We weave past Champs Élysées, a strikingly clear view of the Eiffel and the glitter-clad Avenue Montaigne, and I wonder if I’d also accidentally agreed to a mini taxi-tour of Paris and fumble at my phone (comme dictionary), but apparently that’s the supreme location of Hôtel de la Trémoille. My bag is hailed away, straight from the taxi boot to the porter’s desk, and I’m received in a Haussmanninan foyer, complete with wrought-iron doors and rich velvet drapes.

The diffused lights from the enclosed balcony illuminates the room to a dawn-like glow, and as the receptionist flicks the lightswitch on I realise it’s massive, hardly the size of a standard room. There are two doors to the room, but one is a privacy hatch, accessible from the inside so that the breakfast deliverer isn’t assaulted with a door-full of bedhead and morning breath. The bathroom is colourful with Molton Brown liquid and I momentarily confuse myself C (Chaud = Hot) tap as the English short for Cold, and dip my hands into scalding hot water. And what do you know, a box of Ladurée macarons as a welcome gift on the bed. I rush out to meet Sophie but glad that at the end of the day I can come back to this.

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Hôtel de la Trémoille is offering a Valentine’s package until the end of February, including an evening of Maison Kaviari’s l’en-K de Caviar© with a bubbly to share with a significant other, and a tailored culinary walk with guides around the area. Check their official website for more information.

Thank you Hôtel de la Trémoille for the hospitality & Mango PR for the organization.