SUCH A MUG...

...for a monogrammed... well anything really. I know Anthropologie have touted initialed ceramics for eons, but I do like these new offerings from Cox and Cox too. Very nice fonts and big enough for an extra large cup of tea (just how I like it).

ANOTHER SUGAR FIX

After the success of my chocolate brownies and mint ice cream, I think I might have a go at this jaw-achingly (and jean-bustingly) good recipe for brownies, ginger ice cream and salted caramel sauce by the incredible Tartlette. Actually, if I'm honest, I'm being completely lazy. We have a jar of insanely good salted caramel sauce, made by a friend, that is crying out to be eaten in our fridge (I have been known to sneak into the kitchen at night to dip a teaspoon into the jar a la Nigella - shush!), so this is the perfect excuse to whip up a batch of ice cream to go with. I might even scrap the brownie bit - a girl can have too much of a good thing after all...

HEAD IN THE CLOUDS

Gulp. I snapped this up today from a very special Outnet editor's sale. It was a snip. I couldn't resist. Stella McCartney at 80% off! My head is happily in the clouds.

A STITCH UP

I love this cross stitch by Chez Sucre Chez. The mix of a vintagey tapestry, with a modern message (these are Smiths lyrics), really appeals to me. One of my New York pals even has cross stitch porn on her walls! If that's slightly too unsavoury for your palate, stick to this sweeter sentiment.

MAD FOR IT

Oh my god.
It has finally arrived.
Season Four of Mad Men airs in the UK tonight.
I am almost embarrassed by how excited I am about this monumentus evening. I'm an early adopter of MM - from the moment it was aired very, very late at night on a very, very obscure TV channel - I was hooked. I love the clothes, of course, who doesn't? And as a girl with curves and a Grace Kelly obsession, I worship both Joan and Betty. But I also love the slow, melancholic plot, the episodes where nothing and everything happens. I love the glossy facade and the crumbling distopia. I love Don for his angst, flaws and lack of repent as much as his chiseled jaw. I love the fascinating glimpse into history, when women were drugged for childbirth, men were the masters of the house (and could call your shrink to see what you'd talked about) and you really did have to choose to be Jackie or Marilyn. I'm pretty mad for it all. So you know where I'll be at 10pm this evening.

TABLE MANNERS

Elegant things for you dining table from Anthropologie. When I see this stuff I want to check out all my pretty, brightly coloured crockery and go all simple and chic.

CARDI GIRL

How do you breathe new life into your breezy summer dresses and cute khaki shorts? The answer is a chunky cardi. Wear it now the temperature has dropped, in lieu of a coat. I love the mix of a flimsy dress or slinky little silk camisole with a thick, snuggly sweater. As it gets colder, just add more layers (think thick tights, an oversize scarf etc). It's the answer to all your sartorial woes!

BRIGHT YOUNG THINGS

I'm probably the last one to fall in love with Kate Spade's colour-saturated Fall campaign, but I thought I'd share it anyway. Love the kitschy styling!

FLY ME TO THE MOON

Trying to find a way to incorporate balloons into our wedding. I love how they are so playful and fun, but I'm sure there's a more sophisticated use for these than just a cartoon-bright cluster. Could we use them like paper lanterns, tie to the roof of our marquee? Or bulk buy but in muted shades or a quirky shape to be original? Talking of original, my new stylish pal, set designer Robert Storey told me of a recent pop-up restaurant he created with friends where guests climbed ladders to their chairs and their dessert - meringues - floated up on helium balloons. Now how cool would that be??

BIRTHDAY BOY

Happy Birthday to my little brother Andy. He's the brilliant one in our family. He knows everything about everything and doesn't make me feel stupid when I seek out even the most basic information from the hallows of his quite amazing mind. He knows as much about history and politics as he does pop culture - hell, he even knew that Burkina Faso was West Africa's only landlocked country in a recent game of Trivial Pursuit! He's also hilariously funny, a complete family man (just like Tony Soprano!), a cat lover and an inspired dancer. He's also my biggest cheerleader - and I his. Tomorrow, although he has requested "just a few kind words" (yeah, right) we will celebrate his big day with a pot of tea, a homemade Victoria sponge, a walk by the sea and probably a sing song. Love you Andy xxx