wild bluebell malone

I am a huge fan of JO MALONE scents, but I am also a bit.. fanatical. I've been known to put myself at risk of missing flights at Heathrow because - this is the only duty free purchase I ever make - I couldn't decide which scent of cologne to buy. My friend Maryann thought I was brave for choosing a scent for her in London (Blue Cacao, in her case) because they didn't have any shops in Tranquility, NJ, and when she ran out she took a friend on the long trip to NYC, simply to replenish her stash at the flagshop store there. My brother called me all excited that they opened one in the West Village.

Everyone, it seems, is a Jo Malone junkie.

And now Jo Malone has launched a new one, called Wild Bluebell.

The thing about bluebells is, they only blossom for a brief period, in the spring. They seem to be a uniquely English thing. They need the right conditions: an ancient forest, for starts. If you've ever experienced one, it is HEAVEN. And the Jo Malone scents are pure magic.

The thing about reading about scent is a lot like reading a menu, a food review, or a recipe, and trying to imagine what it tastes, or in this case, smells, like. Check this out:

'Fresh bluebell and clove form the top notes of this light floral fragrance. Lily of the valley, eglantine and jasmine are found at the heart with white amber and musk at the base of the scent.'

I could EAT THIS SCENT RIGHT NOW.









The photos from the campaign are shot by the Vogue photographer, Tim Walker, and I've had the audacity to mix in some shots that my husband took of me, in a bluebell meadow, a year or two back. Please bear with me: my LFW Day One was very long, and very wonderful, and I'm so excited about going thru my photos and showing you the shows I saw, the people I shot.. but I can't. We're going to watch a bit of a DVD and then I'm soaking my weary bones in a Jo Malone bubble bath of Lime Basil & Mandarin, my special blend with almond oil and sea salt. Victora Beckham, incidentally, chose that scent, along with Grapefruit, to light as candles at the New York City Library on Sunday for NY fashion week, for her S/S 2012 presentation. I figure, if it's good enough for Posh Spice, it's good enough for these weary old bones.

Hope you're all having a lovely Friday night.

what's in your bag

Blackberry, Jo Malone Honeysuckle & Jasmine, fake fur scarf from Zara for warmth (in JUNE!!), vintage (i.e. I've worn them to bits) suede heels for once I get there (I wear flats for speed), Maybelline waterproof mascara, pink leather diary with gold pencil for jotting down who I'm shooting, film (& camera, but I was using that to shoot this shot, DUH), 'you've been dotted' card, two glitter bead/sequin purses from Accessorize: one with all the real stuff, the other is actually empty - I just like it - also it's a red herring for pick pocketers.
Sunglasses 'vintage' Ray Bans as in I've had them forever (see shoes), silver watch my husband bought me long ago & cost a fortune but I love it (and him), notebook & pen to jot down notes & write my current screenplay. Oh and 'keychain' is my special good luck laundry pin from a fish & tackle shop in Maine.
What's in YOUR bag?

walk tall and carry a bit stick

My friend Christine is job hunting and has asked my fashion advice, which is sweet considering I haven't held down a day job in a coon's age. But I do go for the odd business meeting, and I think it's a timely question. How does one dress for success without spending a month's wages?

When it comes to meeting strangers that might be one day paying you, this is a definitely Better Safe than Sorry situation. (Apart, of course, from the World's Oldest Profession, in which case, the sky's the limit, girls, and Less is Definitely More). I'm absolutely convinced one can go into any of the good low range shops (or, online if you're not near a big city or branch) and look fabulous.

Take for example Johanna, above, a graduate student in international relations. When I ran into her on Bond Street, she'd just come from a job interview. This, to me, is the perfect summer interview outfit. I'm sure she left her potential future bosses with the impression of an attractive, articulate, intelligent, well groomed, lovely young lady that they'd feel was an asset to their company. I have no idea if her dress was from Prada or Topshop - and neither would they. This is one situation where we want them to remember us, not our dress.



One exception, of course, is the shoes. With shoes, I feel, one can go a bit doo la lah. I remember a story about Kate Hepburn. She was breaking a lot of glass ceilings behind the scenes with the studio execs in those days. Legend has it, when she had a big showdown coming these men, she'd wear her very highest heels. And she was tall to begin with. Those poor guys didn't stand a chance. While I love the look of Johanna's pretty black ballet pumps with the bows, and they're great for getting to the appointment on time (far more important than the outfit!), I like to think that hiding inside her Louis Vuitton handbag were a nice pair of Louboutins, (above), for her to slip into just prior, or one of the more affordable, but still spectacular, variations found in most shops this season, like the Shelley court shoes for £55 from Topshop, below.

Oh, and wear your good luck underwear, or whatever you're superstitious about. My favourite good luck talisman is a small, magic rock (I've got lots of extra ones, for backup, as I've learned it can really freak you out when you lose one) and a purse sized bottle of Jo Malone in Honeysuckle and Jasmine, or French Lime Blossom. If you can't afford good scent, stop off in a department store twenty minutes prior, and apply liberally. Remember girls: if you smell good, you feel great, and it shows.

So walk tall, carry a big stick, smell like an English rose, and knock 'em dead. That's my advice. But if anyone has any other suggestions for Christine, please do let us know!