Here is this morning’s radio show for those interested in hearing more…
My interview begins at 26 mins 36 seconds.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0104k9h
BBC World Service – Weekend programme – BRCA awareness
Just don’t mention the word: diet
Vicki Edgson consulting at home
Today is Friday 9th November. In 7 weeks time, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and the season of over-indulging will be all over.
But today I’m not so concerned about the vast amounts of turkey, cranberry sauce and Christmas pudding. What I want to know is how I can easily and effortlessly lose my excess half stone over the next 7 weeks. Utterly self-inflicted from numerous restaurant reviews, the pounds have crept on and joined together to form One. Whole. Half. Stone. Oh and one small issue. I don’t want to diet.
Conveniently enough there’s a woman I keep reading out in the press. Her name is Vicki Edgson and, from what I keep reading, she’s the one to help me. Not only is she probably the UK’s leading weight loss expert, she has extensive knowledge of hormones (or lack of them) and how they can affect your diet. On top of all this, she is a massive foodie. So I am pretty sure she won’t make me live on dry crackers.
I dropped in to meet Vicki at her home near Paddington. She is definite and speaks with conviction. And that’s what I need. I want someone to tell me what to do, someone I can’t argue with.
A quick brief allows Vicki to understand that I don’t drink too much, I exercise well and I am pretty knowledgeable in terms of good and bad foods. Focusing on my lack of ovaries and my slightly frenetic way of working in every hour available, I sense Vicki is drilling down into potential issues. She hones in on how and when I eat. Do I always eat sitting down? No. Do I chew properly? Probably not. Am I eating more than recommended portion sizes? Definitely.
my soups from Raoul’s ready for Liquid Day
It turns out that my poor body can’t break down the food nor understand when I am full due to my eating-on-the-constant-run habits. We discussed ways I could change the manner in which I bolt food and she suggested menu ideas as well as practical advice to avoid over-snacking mid-afternoon. One idea is for me to consume only liquids for a day each week. Vicki calls these her Liquid Days and says that they give your digestive system a well-earned break. With fasting and the effects of fasting on every dieter’s lips at the moment, I just know I wouldn’t be able to manage that. But the Liquid Days appeal.
One of Vicki Edgson’s books
The plan is to consume a couple of homemade vegetable juices, some soups and to drink endless herbal tea. I’ve scheduled my first of these for Sunday –a day when I’m not reviewing a recently opened restaurant nor running around frantically with notebook and Dictaphone in hand.
Vowing to buy Vicki’s book Honestly Healthy and to turn these scribble notes into an effective seven week challenge, I walked away feeling ready, excited and determined. You (my readers) are my witnesses, I shall shed these pounds before the fat man in the red suit comes.
Vicki Edgson: www.vickiedgson.com Appointments: 020 7727-4376
Mercy Delta: What Katie did next. and next. and next.
Katie Lightfoot, Mercy Delta
Despite her unbelievable retail success to date, it’s impossible to hate Katie. She is just the sort of girl you want to hang out with. But the issue is she has no time to hang out. The girl’s feet hardly touch the ground. So, it was really no surprise to me to hear that Katie Lightfoot (fashion agent and founder of Mercy Delta, the luxurious handmade scarf brand) is now launching the Mercy Delta blouse collection in time for S/S13.
I interviewed Katie for West London Living. Here are the highlights:
Have you always lived in West London? No. I was born in Derbyshire and have moved to various places in the UK. Weirdly, my parents lived in Bayswater 30 years ago – just around the corner from where I am now. I love it here, but I’m a country girl at heart.
Where do you like to eat and drink locally? I loved Ark, an Italian restaurant in Notting Hill, but it has recently shut down! The Mall Tavern on Kensington Mall is great for roasts and comfort food. And for a fab cocktail once in a while, E&O is still the place. But my favourite place of all to eat is under a tree in Hyde Park: prosecco in plastic cups and some tasty cheese.
As a designer, do you feel inspired by your local area? I love watching the seasons change. Floral and architecture feature heavily in my designs. Plants obviously change with the seasons, but so do buildings as different light catches them. With the park and so much glorious Georgian and Victorian housing stock, I’m surrounded by inspiration.
Katie with Alex Jones & Tina Hobley, fans of Mercy Delta
Where would we find you chilling out? In the park, on a Boris bike!
Do you shop at the weekend? Oooh yes! Space NK is rather dangerous, being so close by, Portobello (but not at the weekend when it’s heaving), Kensington Church St (if I’m feeling flush) and Trilogy stores is perfect for jeans (and because I love the people who work there!).
Who in West London wears your scarves? Tina Hobley, Holly Willoughby, Alex Jones, Denise Van Outen, Fearne Cotton, and Jameela Jamil have been spotted wearing Mercy Delta. But what thrills me is when I see a stranger looking great in one of my pieces. I have to fight the urge to go up to them and say thank you!
Who would you love to see in Mercy Delta? Duchess Kate, of course! She is just another neighbour, after all.
Who is your hero? I’m completely clear on this one: Scarlet O’ Hara. “Tomorrow’s another day”
What’s the first thing you do when you get home? Kick off the heels and climb into some loungewear. After 12 years in fashionable shoes, my feet are destroyed.
What’s the best advice you’ve been given? “No”, is a door opening, a response, something to build on… That’s where it starts and “yes” will follow after some more work.
Tell us a secret about West London…. Whatever you may hear from the Hoxton types – it is STILL cooler than East London. Fact.
wool silk Orient Stag by Mercy Delta
COMPETITION: Katie has very generously given away one of her divine, wool silk scarves, Orient Stag, worth £135 for one of my readers to win. All you have to do is sign up to my blog (top right of homepage), follow me on Twitter and RT the picture of this stunning scarf on Friday 23rd November. The lucky winner will be selected randomly on Saturday 24th November 2012.
visit www.mercydelta.com to see the full selection this season’s screen-printed-by-hand scarves.
Rachel Trevor-Morgan: Hats off to the Queen’s milliner
Rachel Trevor-Morgan in one of her fabulous hats
Rachel Trevor-Morgan has been one of the Queen’s milliners since 2006, designing over 65 hats for Her Majesty. I first met Rachel when she came to one of my Meeting of Minds dinner parties shortly after Her Majesty had appointed her. Now, as a blogger, I could hardly wait to visit her atelier in St James’, try on a hat or two and quiz her as to how she turns heads.
HM the Queen celebrating her Diamond Jubillee in one of Rachel Trevor-Morgan’s hats
Your address is Crown Passage, SW1. Did you move to these premises before or after the Queen was one of your clients? I was here before but I had set my sights high!
Can you remember the first hat you ever wore? I remember begging my mother to buy me a hat – a straw hat with cherries! I was given the choice of us all going to the cinema or buying the hat…..needless to say the hat won.
How old were you when you designed your first hat? I think around 17. I used to make a lot of my own clothes and was always adapting vintage clothes to create something different. I remember making a black velvet hat with coloured velvet roses, based on a Beefeaters hat.
I am in love… with this hat!
How does wearing a hat make you feel? Confident, it makes you stand out and feel wonderful.
Who or what inspires your designs? Many different things. I get a lot of inspiration from couture hats from the 1940s and 50s and the era when everyone wore them and dressed up to go out of the front door. I have been making hats for over 22 years now so my clients also influence my designs; after all I am designing forthem.
Rachel Trevor-Morgan hats in St James’
Which is your favourite hat? It changes from week to week. Currently it is a delicate dusty pink petal pillbox with a black spot face veil and a taffeta bow.
Who would you love to design a hat for? Samantha Cameron.
How do you unwind after work? I have 3 children so things are pretty busy when I get home. Once a week I go to a ballet class which I love. Otherwise nothing beats a glass of good wine and a good meal.
Where do you love to eat out? We have a local bistro in Pimlico called Grumbles, a relaxed atmosphere and great food. A new discovery is Cecconi’s Italian restaurant in Mayfair …delicious.
the sewing machine which makes HM the Queen’s hats
what is the best advice you have been given? To believe in yourself and take opportunities when they present themselves.
Where do you shop? All over the place, I have my high street basics and enjoy picking up interesting pieces in vintage shops. I love quality and like things to last. I also have some beautiful couture pieces that have been made for me.
What is your biggest extravagance? Shoes.
Where do you call home? London, I have lived here for over 25 years and it keeps me energised. We also have a cottage in mid Wales where I go to unwind and switch off, as much as I love London, I need Wales.
What are you currently working on? I have just finished my new collection for Spring / Summer 2013 and am working on my new Bridal collection and orders.
perfectly fitting address for the Queen’s milliner
How often do you wear a hat? I will always wear a hat at the hint of an occasion and, in the winter, I wear one for warmth.
Which has been your greatest hat moment? Designing hats for HM The Queen – it doesn’t get much better.
Rachel Trevor-Morgan 18 Crown Passage, King Street SW1 020 7839 8927
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