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

As I finished my blog on knowledge, my assistant, Emma guided me to a site called runninginheels.com, which manages to put fashion, beauty, interiors and politics in one place – don’t know how they do it but it works, so if you want a quick fix of culture, news and fashion, this could be a good place to start. x

I thought that with age came the luxury of being able to say no to that which did not please, but my own children and a phone conversation with an extraordinary women are proof if any were needed, that it’s time to change.  This women makes compelling factual documentaries and at the same time is a lover of art and all things creative.  How rich her life must be to embrace the two with equal zest.  I have decided that even thought I do not relish current affairs (there I said it) and I choose to catch up by simply reading my subscription of This Week, I shall go that bit further – and on the plus, as well as learning, growing and becoming a more responsible person, I may just protect my mind in old age, so I recognise the difference between yes and no and that has to be a good thing.

Thank you to Scotland on Sunday for this article on my home/work.  You can’t easily get the paper in London, which is a shame, since the style and content is superb and I don’t say that because I am in it!

The sun is shining and my thoughts are on the garden and to building a summer house as pretty as this.

Whenever I need a bit of prespective, I transport myself back to a family holiday in Namibia and as this image of my son and I so richly illustrates, there is something bigger than we can ever understand, but we just need to trust in life and the path it takes us on.  It is a wonderful world. 

I was privileged to meet with Marcia Kilgore for a mentoring session last week and who better given she has created three exceptional companies – Bliss, Fitflop and Soap and Glory. She shared her knowledge and insights with ease and honesty in the same way she does with her brands.  Here is a women who is truly passionate about creating products that offer real solutions whilst proving you can still have fun in the process.  By the way, I am delighted to own a pair of fitflops and I can confirm, they are supremely comfortable,look and feel good and the icing on the cake, they make me stand tall and boost my every walking moment in terms of fitness; it is no wonder over 4 million pairs have sold to date and to get your pair, visit www.fitflop.com.

Whilst I can search out the visually inspiring, I have no talent for painting.  How I wish I could paint and play the piano like my daughter does so effortlessly.  Whilst I can only appreciate all things beautiful, I am fortunate to be surrounded by many who can create and that brings me to Chloe Butcher, who I have been working with recently.  Chloe is a renowned make-up artists with a celebrity client list, but beyond that she is so much more.  She writes beautiful poetry and accompanies them with paintings, inspired by her two daughters. See more of Chloe’s work on her site.  chloebutcher.com.