My morning started with a much needed and extremely productive workout with my trainer and client – Steve from Senkai.  We talked business between punches and lunges.  Showered and ready for the day ahead, I spent the morning focused on necessary tasks and not should/could do details.  It made me realise how true it is that projects take the time we allocate to them and if we choose to focus and have only a finite amount of time, chances are we will get the job done.   Then off to London Bridge for coffee with Shaa Wasmund of Smarta.  For those of you unfamiliar with Smarta, I can tell you it provides an excellent resource to those in business.  Since I am a visual person, I enjoy the video soundbites and you will find my friend Millie Kendall on there sharing her own words of wisdom.  Do take a look – www.smarta.com.  Oh, and Shaa recommends Seth Godin’s site/blog so check that out too.  My personal favorite is TED.com – insightful and inspiring.

I have seen much of Debi Treloar’s photographic work over the years and thought she only lives on the next street, we had never actually met – until yesterday. Debi was over to shoot my home for a decorating book due out next year.  She worked quietly and calmly and remained focused on ensuring my home was seen in the best possible light.  So the next time you see my home in a magazine or book, know that it is not me, but talented people like Debi who come in and work their magic to bring out its full potential. To see more of Debi’s work visit www.debitreloar.com

As if proof were every needed, last week, I was once again struck by what a small world we live in. On Sunday morning, the husband and I took the children to see the Elephants Green Park.  We found a great parking spot, the sun was shining and as an added bonus we saw the rehearsals for the Queens Birthday parade, which was just like the real thing except the Duke of York stood in for the old dear, so that meant fewer crowds, so even better.  The children were mesmerised and as we walked along Buckingham Palace watching the parade and taking with excitement about having seen real Elephants in India.  Later that week,I attended a launch party at which I got talking to a lady who just happened to be the person responsible for bringing the elephants to London and who will soon be taking the same message and magic to Thailand. Then I met a lady who had sold my books in her store in LA and then I met another friend of a friend – Meg Mathews. Meg was warm and open and shared her own passion for design. Here is one of her wallpaper designs – available exclusivey at Liberty.

Here is an idea you might want to try or as in my case, you might want to let your children try.  This wide framed mirror in my kitchen lends itself perfectly to having old pictures and cards stuck onto it. These old memories tend to end up in boxes so better to enjoy them in a contained area.

I treated myself to my first Ochre lamp when my business reached a certain milestone.  That was 12 years ago and the Cherub lamp gives me as much pleasure today as it did then.  To add understated, timless elegance to any interior see www.ochre.net