I have been blessed to have many professionally shot photo’s of my children, but the one that makes me smile from my heart is this one, taken by my husband. Whilst rather dishevelled, their smiles are pure happiness and the love for each other and for the moment is so evident to see.  It reminds me that there is only this moment and we can choose joy, just like children  instinctively do.

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.

I was recently introduced to Senkai, who are now my newest clients and just happen to be the most passionate, dedicated team of personal trainers on the planet.  In the name of research, I booked myself onto their boot camp in Bordeaux – France.  I wondered how the children would cope, but not only did they positively encourage me to go, they even suggested, I take the husband!  And so it was, with children packed off to best friends, we packed ourselves off to France.

The weeklong boot camp was everything I had hoped and more and even thought it rained constantly, nothing could dampen our spirits as we got out in the fresh country air and tried something new each day, which took us beyond our known limits.   We returned home lighter and fitter, but beyond that and of far more value was the lesson it taught me – that to give 4 of the 168 hours available in a week, to exercise is time well spend and of vital importance.

Senkai boot camps can be booked by a group of friends or college who want a tailor made service or you can join their next retreat in September.   For further details click here

Senkai’s tips for a fitter, healthier you

1. Split your workout routine into 65% cardio and 35% weight training / core and abdominal work.

2. Running or power walking is one of the best forms of exercise you can do and it does not require a gym – just step out of your front door and get moving.

3. Train early in the morning and on an empty stomach as that way you burn body fat rather than the food you have just consumed. If you want to train later in the day, make sure you leave a two-hour gap between eating.

4. You can lose weight by eating well, but to change your shape requires targeted training. And the other positive by-product of this is that it helps preventosteoporosis and arthritis – especially important to women.

5. Eat five to six small evenly spaced out meals a day as the more Regularly you eat the higher your metabolic rate will be and so you end up burning more calories. Each meal needs to consist of protein, carbohydrates and good fat.

6. Eat fish and lean meat and red meatonly once a week cut out bread (I can’t do this one) and limit dairy. Drink 2 litres of water per day.

Shame that this iconic poster has been re-worked to death.  I truly am bored of it now.

My sister is about to be married and it got me thinking about perfect wedding venues.  If I were to do it all again, I would choose the Olde Bell in Hurley; this heavenly hotel is the height of understated elegance and old world charm.  If marriage is not on the agenda, visit here for the outdoor eating area, for hearty, healthy and abundant food and a wild, open country garden.  Only a 40 minute drive from London, this is the perfect place to relax, recover and discover what style and substance is really all about.   for further information see – www.theoldebell.co.uk

I have just been given a copy of New London Style.  It’s interesting that not only does London have a unique eclectic style, but that each area/postcode has a distinctive design code of its own; a reflection of the people who live in it.  Anyway, it’s good for peeping into the homes of some of London’s well-known style guru’s such as Mathew Williamson and Erin O’Connor and many more.

When it comes to choosing presents for children, take it from me, you can’t go wrong with a book and all the better if it is one that is part-created by the recipent.  The wildly successful series of books on doodle by Taro Gomi for Thames & Hudson with their quirky drawings and intelligent, stylish imagery are perfect for doodlers and daydreamers of all ages – including me!

These charming books are deeply engaging and make wonderful keepsakes which capture random thoughts at a moment in time.  The latest book in the series is called Doodle Numbers and is available now for just £9.99.

I love this time of year when we traditionally have a spring clean, but that need not mean throwing out the old and bringing in the new; it is more a case seeing things with new eyes and then occurs the transformation. Here are my tips for reusing and renewing. Happy Cleaning.

•It’s retail-not therapy, so do without the shopping buzz that last¹s little longer than the journey home  •Pack away and bring things out from time to time to experience a newness without having to buy them•Seek junk store finds and personalise with your own style. •Don’t rush, better to save for the one thing that moves you  •Recycle everything-magazines are ideal for wrapping presents and wine bottles in a cluster make stunning candle holders •Cosy up in blankets rather than subject your skin to dry heat •Don’t save it for special occasions, either give it away or make use of it – there is only now •Turn off lights and use low energy alternatives when possible •Buy local produce and not only do you save energy, but you build a sense of community around you •Grow your own vegetables, if only in the smallest patch or find a local allotment and do yourself good with fresh food and fresh air.

The Secret had nothing on Alice in Wonderland; love this quote.
“There is no use trying,” said Alice; “one can’t believe impossible things.”
“I dare say you haven’t had much practice,” said the Queen. “When I was your age, I always did it for half an hour a day. Why, sometimes, I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast”.

Lewis Carroll