The Outfit

We're all people on the go. Our agendas are over flowing. Our schedules are as hectic as Cara Delevigne's Fashion Week diary. In short, we need an outfit that will take us from sharing a Marlboro Light with Kate Moss to cocktails with a potential suitor to a power lunch with an important client. 

This is such an outfit. Sartorial worry over. Clickity click your way to Stanwells, here.

IRO Beige Leather Jacket

IRO Knitted T-shirt

IRO Phil Printed Pants

PS: A little love note to IRO: How can one brand just get it oh so right? All the time. They're like the boffins of the fashion class. Only cooler. 

Bespoke Fairy Tales

The Phone Book Interviews

Once upon a time in not-so-gritty Chelsea, there lived two blonde girls-about-town. They had flawless skin, charming personalities and bottoms the envy of London. They were also exceptionally bright so that they didn't have to rely on their jealousy-inducing bums and forged grand schemes and entrepreneurial ideas instead. One such light bulb moment was their company, Hunter & Sand, a bespoke finishing service. 
Drawing on their past lives organising high end events, writing for International glossies and working all around the globe, they created their own exciting business. As with all stories, a green-eyed baddie was often lurking but they were able to slay them by being wild and fun and incredibly nice. 
Naturally these fairy tale ladies survive this less than fairy tale world with a cocktail (at the weekends-ish), a fluffy side kick called Maud and a lot of drive and ambition. 
Meet my great friends, the gorgeous Michelle Hunter & Alex Sandbach, the two latest Phone Book Interviewees.

Job Titles: Company Directors and Designers

Sum up Hunter & Sand: We specialise in the top layer of interior design through our bespoke finishing service, working with private and rental properties internationally.

We also offer a fabulous gifting service that has grown from our experience in guest gifting. We relish the opportunity to help our clients  find distinctive and original presents.

We do this job because... We take huge enjoyment in finishing a beautiful room and we share a love of attention to detail and interiors!

We couldn't get through the working week without… Fresh vegetable juices made by the ‘juice man’ in South Ken, Elle Décor and Maud – the third and furry member of Hunter & Sand’s team.

What inspires you? So much, but right now the eclectic cool of Andrew martin.

How has your past affected your future? Both growing up with bright, entrepreneurial Mothers has certainly had an impact on our career paths. Meeting three years ago, becoming great friends and starting Hunter & Sand together.

What's the soundtrack to your working week? Changes depending on our mood but Fridays tend to feature a bit of country!

Best Watering Hole in London? Duke’s for martinis, Blue Bar for champagne and Quo Vadis for cocktails.

Where's best in the country? Homemade bloody marys in the garden on a Sunday in the summer.

Words of wisdom? "In the most successful spaces you don’t see everything at once. The more time you spend in them, the more you discover. They open like flowers." Vincente Wolf

What advice would you give to someone starting up their own company? The first year is always the hardest but working for yourself and watching your company grow is the most gratifying experience.

Which moments are most rewarding? Winning any pitch, however big or small and a happy client.
How have your 'past lives' e.g. working in Mustique, writing in Boston etc contributed to your new career? Both of our ‘past lives’ have involved working under high expectations which have helped us to develop an acute attention to detail whilst also acquiring an appreciation of all things luxury!

What essentials do you carry in your handbag? Tape measure, patent studded Anya Hindmarch makeup bags, Blistex, almonds and our iPhones.

What is your greatest extravagance? BioEffect EGF Serum Facial at Santi Spa, South Ken.

What is your favourite journey? The flight home for Christmas.

The Head's Up: Look – Rugs and Cushions from Madeline Weinrib, NYC

Go – To the ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’ ballet at The Royal Opera House

Stay - In the Playroom at Babington House

The Plug: Browse our website, www.hunterandsand.com and call us to find out what we can really do for you!

The delicious Maud. Every desk should have one. XX

Making Tracks

Good morning. Welcome to Hump Day. This is to help you get over it. 

Jake Bugg's Seen It All

Going Camo

Today I am recovering from an incredibly Baltic Arena Gold Cup at The Berkshire. The pinnacle of arena polo during the UK winter, it's a great excuse to catch up with people who are perhaps in transit from their pre Christmas stint in Argentina before they go on to another warmer, glossier part of the globe. It was so cold, most of us were left with frost bitten toes which only thawed two bloody maries later when watching the rugby.

Sartorially, the order of the day was warmth and layers over looking like a centre spread from Vogue but as ever, an effort was called for. 

Here's my first outfit post, complete with a gorgeous camo Kate Moss-esque jacket from Stanwells tell me what you think!

The Threads: Barbour Gold Label by Temperley jacket; Muubaa Biker jacket, find similar here; cashmere jumper; Zara jeans; Dune rocker boots find similar here & vintage belt

 Thank you to the fabulous Charliie Blower for being handy with the camera. 

Easy On The Salt

Apparently it's National Margarita Day. And guess what my favourite cocktail is?  Apparently I drink enough Triple Sec for there to be a national holiday. 

Worrying. 

They taste like holidays in a tall glass and take moments to make with very little shaking and mixing and requiring half of Oddbins to produce.

So in the spirit of all things Tequila, reach for your lime and Patron and rustle up a cocktail. It is Friday after all. 

Have a great weekend. X

3 parts Tequila Blanco - I'd go with Patron

2 parts Triple Sec

1 part lime juice

Salt the rim of your traditional coupette glass (use a slice of lime to dampen the edge to ensure the salt sticks)

Mix together your ingredients

Strain into your glass

Drink

Repeat

Credit where credit's due: Pic from the BBC

Arena Gold Cup Outfit Inspo

This weekend it's The Arena Gold Cup so I'm off to Berkshire for The Day Job. It's usually arctic-ly cold where the only warmth can be gleaned from loudly cheering on the teams before retiring to the Clubhouse. I need some sartorial inspiration so I look chic but not chilly. 

There's always a great party afterwards run by a greater guy called Roy Prisk – get your tickets here

Credit where credit's due: They All Hate Us & Google images

Good Relations

The Phone Book Interviews

What's the best thing about a passport? Is it simply the ticket to somewhere exotic and away from the humdrum? Is it the document of freedom? Is it the annoying wallet of information you turn the house upside down for after putting it in a safe place?

The passport, I think, is the key to possibility. With that in your hand – horrendous photo obligatory as only assholes pose for passport snaps – you never know who you're going to meet and who you'll click with on your travels.

One such person I was fortunate to meet across the pond is Kelly Downey. She's basically the pin up for what all PR women should look and work like. As well as helping me with editorial copy and info for The Day Job she can also be relied upon for a little pick me up mid-afternoon email as our Gloucestershire/Palm Beach, Florida working days align. 

She kindly agreed to put fingers to key pad as one of my Phone Book Interviews.

Job Title: Director of Palm Beach for Shamin Abas Public Relations

Job Description:  SAPR is a dynamic boutique PR agency with roots in Palm Beach, New York City and the Hamptons. We manage a variety of clients across the luxury lifestyle industry, with a particular focus on fashion, beauty, high-profile business CEOs and the niche sport of polo. Clients include shoe designer Sam Edelman, legendary supermodel Veronica Webb, polo player Nic Roldan, blinc cosmetics and advertising powerhouse Zimmerman Advertising, among others. We additionally handle the PR, sponsorships, event planning and execution for the Bridgehampton Polo Club, Greenwich Polo Club and the High Goal All-Star Polo Challenge. 

The Big Break:  I worked for many years as a news reporter and producer for CBS affiliates in Michigan and Florida. After spending one too many Friday nights chasing an ambulance, I moved to the PR world – and never looked back! 

I do this job for... The fun of it!  (Okay, also for the paycheck.) But, there are very few people who wake up excited for what the day might bring. I’m one of those people! 

I couldn't get through the working week without... My fabulous team! That, and coffee – lots of it.  Late night events = a major caffeine habit.

Who inspires you? My mother has inspired me since day one. Her work ethic is what pushes me every day to succeed. Shamin Abas has taught me everything I know about the industry and I always strive to represent her company positively. And Beyonce. Have you SEEN her recent documentary? It brought tears to my eyeballs.

Which moments are most rewarding? Landing a dream story for one of my clients.

What attributes are vital for success? Being fearless. You need to have the ability to tell a client no. Because they aren’t always right. 

What essentials do you carry in your handbag? I currently have 83 lip glosses or lip sticks in my bag. I’m a goo hoarder. Okay, kidding, but I do probably have about a dozen. I’m also always stocked with business cards. You never know who you’re going to meet out and about. 

Describe Palm Beach in 3 words: Sun. Luxury. Fabulous.

Best bar in Palm Beach? Buccan for the food and atmosphere. Cuchina for late night shenanigans.

And in Wellington? The Players Club is the only place to be during polo season – especially on Sunday nights after the match. The after party at International Polo Club moves to The Players Club and spills over well into wee hours of the morning. Always fantastic people watching as you get to see top polo players and some of the most elite equestrian riders in the world getting a little naughty.

Words of wisdom?  “When I leave this world, I’ll leave no regrets.”

Best professional advice? Learn to say no. 

The most unusual adventure you've had recently? We recently hosted the first ever equestrian event on Palm Beach at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Club. The crew from Extra was on hand, along with writers from the Wall Street Journal and all of the South Florida press. It was a challenge to juggle interviews with Mr. Trump, Melania Trump, singer Casadee Pope, Georgina Bloomberg, and all of the top riders – all set against the dramatic backdrop of a show jumping ring on the Intracoastal.  We managed to survive – trying to look as glamorous as possible – in the near 90-degree heat. [All sounds too Jilly Cooper for  words to me!]

The last time you were shy or scared? I was recently petrified to do the maid-of-honor speech at my best friend’s wedding. It wasn’t that I was scared to speak in front of a crowd, I just wanted to do her justice. Of course, a few glasses of champagne helped with that…it usually does!

The Head's Up: Continuing to grow with the company, adding to our stellar list of clientele and expanding polo’s footprint in the States. 

The Plug: Our upcoming High Goal All-Star Polo Challenge, captained by Facundo Pieres and Nic Roldan. Hello! Hanging around some extremely good-looking polo players is just part of the job...! 

The beautiful SAPR offices, The Fish Bowl

Sunday Browsing

I'm currently having a Sunday browse of the street style pictures from the global fashion weeks; lazily easing myself into the day from my incredibly indulgent seat in bed with a little fashion reverie. The only thing which would complete this cosy picture would be a tall black coffee. 

Starbucks, do you deliver? 

WHERE is this jacket from? Someone PLEASE tell me!

Credit where credit's due: Refinery 29, Vogue & Stylist