When I ran my retail business, I had cause to travel to Paris on a regular basis and no matter how many visits I made, I never tired of the city, it’s people, its architecture, its cafes and its stylish shops, the latest being Merci.

Conceived and clearly cherished by Marie-France Cohen, Merci is a 1,500sq m light-filled shop set in a former wallpaper factory.   The space is filled with flowers, books, both old and new, flee-market finds and one-off objects made especially for the store by a host of designers, artists and creative people, keen to collaborate and give something back through this entirely philanthropic project, with all monies going to charities connected with children.  Marie-France Cohen set up and recently sold the chic children’s wear brand Bonpoint and is saying thank you, for all it has given her.  Her success will benefit children in the poorest countries and at the same time give us an opportunity to see  what creative minds can achieve free of financial constraints;  a welcome change in a world of mass market, global brands.

the courtyard of the beautiful building that houses merci.

the secondhand book corner where one can browse freely whilst sipping freshly brewed coffee.

love the knitting and needles but want the bag even more.

have been to many Indian weddings in the UK and whilst they have their own charm (my sister-in-law arrived at her ceremony in Windsor on a Indian-style scooter) nothing quite compares to the magic of an Indian wedding in India, as we discovered during our visit last month.  Each of the six ceremonies we attended during the five-day affair was unique, but two things remained a constant – rows of jasmine and marigolds filled the air with a spell bounding scent and everyone from giggling children to great-grandparents were welcomed and this made for a loving, relaxed atmosphere even at the most lavish of events.

my sister-in-law

posing with my husband at the henna cermony

my daughter and niece have their hands decorated by henna artists

a free morning is spent strolling to the local shops, where my son is delighted to be greeted by a cow.

my son sharing in deep conversation with his new friend.

In the final part of the wedding ceremony, the bride throws rice behind her to signify leaving her parents home and beginning a new life as a wife.

International Women’s Day

Sunday was international women’s day and I was privileged to spend it at a workshop that took place at the Brahma Kumaris centre in West London. The sun was shining, but nowhere more so than in the auditorium where over 200 women came together to celebrate the day.

This is one of many regular events held at the Brahma Kumaris and if you can’t get to West London, there are venues all over the UK.

Earlier in the week, I was invited to a neighbor’s house for supper, along with other girlfriends from our street. There I sat amongst these talented, intelligent, loving women, all of whom were living their lives to suit their values and it made me appreciate just how far women had come and how much we have to celebrate.

I was humbled to be in the company of some remarkable women and to be interviewed by Jayne, as part of a panel discussion.

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