Sherlock Holmes

I have to admit, I was rather skeptical of Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes (given some of the reviews, who could blame me), but actually, while it was certainly utterly ridiculous, it was ridiculous in a fun sort of way. I'm not entirely sure whether it was a Holmesian pastiche, a parody or quite simply a new genre of comedy-caper-meets-hammy-crime-with-bone-crunching-violence (this is the director that brought us Snatch and Lock, Stock... let's not forget), but I'll leave the decision to people more adept at coining a pithy phrase. Anyway, down to business... Holmes (Robert Downey Jr doing mad professor with A.D.D act) and Watson (Jude Law looking dapper and doing discerning with sly wit) become embroiled in/take up the case of Lord Blackwood, a dark arts practitioner who, after being hanged for killing a quintet of girls in ritualistic sacrifices, mysteriously continues to wreak havoc on London, Parliament and THE WORLD... Ahhh ha ha ha! Can our dastardly duo unravel the mystery that links a devilish sect, government officials and a sexy lass from Holmes' past (Rachel McAdams)? Hell yes, but 'how' is the question?! 'How' indeed is lots of fun - rushing from cemetery to dockyard to Piccadilly to park, no stone of Victorian London is left unturned: the vistas are more panto than realistic, which matches the dialogue - quips and retorts rather than conversation. It's fabulously OTT, and while a slither of subtlety wouldn't have gone amiss, the denouement, while cascading down apace at the end, is convincingly played out (convincing as in it makes sense, not as in wobbling about atop an under-construction Tower Bridge is convincing). It's hilarious. i've no idea if this was the intention, but it's a Christmas blockbuster that definitely ticks some boxes.

Wall stickers: problem solved

Wall stickers are a fast growing trend in the interiors world but if you have ever tried to apply one of the more intricate designs you will know that their vinyl stickiness can act against you! French textiles producer Lelievre (0207 352 4798) has come up with its own take on the trend and produced some super luxurious satin embroidered motifs that avoid the tearing issues of their vinyl cousins. Like all wall stickers they can be placed individually or in groups on walls, furniture, glass or objects.
‘Mereva’ wall motif, £70.70, available in olive, violet, grey, fuchsia or black.

Liberty: it's love

I’ve loved the revived enthusiasm for Liberty print in the last few years and the use of Tana lawn by many high street brands and designers, writes Liz Thody, Easy Living's fashion director. My favourites were Gap’s dirndl skirts and Cacharel’s collection last Spring. I have always had a real affection for Liberty print, probably stemming from the smocked dresses which were a staple of my childhood. When my girls were small I jumped at the opportunity to dress them in Liberty print, making dresses and pyjamas and snapping up adorable Rachel Riley nightdresses for them.
Regrettably, Liberty is one of the sole surviving department stores where you can still to buy fabric by the metre in London and I adore idling away time in the Tana lawn department. As well as the house patterns which are ongoing, I get very excited about the newer designs which are often in much more unexpected colour ways and whilst still beautiful, take Tana lawn into the 21st century.
Walking up Carnaby Street this week, I noticed that Liberty had created a shop entirely dedicated to Liberty print. The outside of the building is papered from top to bottom in a classic Liberty print and inside there is some wonderful merchandise. Top of my wish list are the paisley Wellingtons and Liberty print teapots. A great place for a last minute present!
All the Tana lawn fabrics and Liberty print merchandise are available on www.liberty.co.uk

What bag are you carrying today?

Commissioning Editor Hannah Shuckburgh with her trusty Nicole Farhi.

Executive Fashion Editor Francesca Zedda with her four-tone Anya Hindmarch.

Editor's Assistant Charlotte Jolly with her classic Longchamp.

Senior Editor Natasha Poliszczuk with her metallic leather bag from Mulberry.

Art Editor Amy Reiter with her practical Jocasi satchel.

Designer Sarah Silver's snakeskin bag, picked up in Italy.

Editorial Intern Tory Kingdon's quilted, black patent-leather design from Jaeger.

Picture Editor Zoe Gahan sporting her beloved tote from Mimi Berry.

Senior Sub-Editor Donna Willingham with her bottle-green Mulberry bag.

Fashion Assistant Lynda Bell with her brand-new tote from Bottega Veneta.

Deputy Health and Beauty Editor Evie Leatham and her Mulberry bag - "it only gets better with age."

Culture Editor Beatrice Hodgkin and her cloth carry-all from Margaret Howell.

The friendship spirit

Despite a nascent cold (quicksmart to the medicine cabinet for vitamin c and echinacea...), I am feeling remarkably jolly and festive. This could be because snow is forecast for later this week (yay! Even the merest flurry is enough to send me into paroxysms of delight); or because Bond Street (where EL's offices are situated) has been transformed into a vision of Christmas gorgeousness (check out Beatrice's posting - aptly entitled 'Christmas JOY!' - to witness Tiffany's festive windows); or perhaps it's because I had my University girlfriends over for lunch yesterday. Between the seven of us we have clocked up three weddings, two babies, one doctorate, various hoppings around the country, and some quite impressive jobs. Now one of our members is about to hop somewhere rather more far-flung, Nairobi, to do Good Works (of the charitable, rather than the Biblical, ilk) - and we gathered to send her off in style.

Sitting there, surrounded by these warm, funny, clever women, I felt a rush of appreciation for all of my friends: the recent spell of nasty illness I've experienced has emphasised how entirely brilliant they are. So I loved reading the celebration of friendship in the January issue of EL: uplifting, thought-provoking and, yes, joyful.

Wishing for a Green Christmas?

Amid the hustle and bustle of commercial Oxford Street, sits the new flagship store of ethical fashion retailer Ascension (formerly Adili), in quiet and calm St Christophers Place. From a fashion point of view, it stocks own label Ascension, offering everything from gorgeous knits so slinky silks for Christmas, as well as well known designers Bllack by Noir, Fin, PeopleTree and Edun, with more designer collaborations being added. As well as clothing, there are great accessories on offer from new brand NV London Calcutta (check out the star / heart printed carry-all) and vegan accessories from Matt & Nat, whose ‘21 water bottle initiative’ tells you how many bottles were recycled, to make each bag.

There is also such a lovely choice of jewellery, my favourite came from Fifi Bijoux and La Jewellery. Homewear is also catered for with a array of bed linen, bathroom accessories and sweet ornaments to decorate your home as well as your wardrobe!! And for a last minute Christmas inspiration for an eco-fan, check out their books section, for cookbooks, kids books and fashion shopping books.

A great place to shop, and feel guilt-free at the same!

Tricky-to-buy-for males

Only 14 days until Christmas. Which means only 13 shopping days. I'd been freaking out about what to buy for several of the more random, tricky-to-buy-for men in my life (by whom I mean not nearest and dearest), until I chanced upon this new series of books The Random Book of... (insert either Robert, Andrew, Christopher, David, James, John, Matthew, Michael, Paul or Richard). Totting up at a very reasonable £9.99 (or less if you shop online - though obviously it is MUCH better to buy from an independent bookseller) it makes for a rather fabulous present, or stocking filler. Each book talks about the various "Roberts" (or whichever name you've chosen) in history and their exploits and adventures. The entries are witty, curious and completely fascinating. To whet your appetite and give an idea of what's in each book, do you know which...


Matthew has his DNA safely stored in space in case the Earth goes belly-up?
Richard invented one of the world’s most popular children’s toys by accident and then ran away to join a religious cult?
Andrew was the first to have jumped with a frameless parachute, invented the air vent, and was killed by a beam while building a hot-air balloon?
Paul picked up an 18-stone man with his mouth and ripped out five front teeth?
James was a band originally called Venereal and the Diseases?
David was later revealed to be gay, along with his wife?
Robert bought London Bridge and shipped it brick by brick to Arizona?
Christopher was stupid enough to attend a drugs trial with a stash of cocaine in his pocket?
John led 10,000 officers, wrote a bestseller and appeared, with his dog, in TV ads for patio awning?



As a raging egomaniac myself, I am waiting with baited breath for the girls series (presumably to come). Though I'm not sure the name Beatrice is quite popular enough to merit a book of its own (darn it).

For the younger men (much younger that is, really), I've completely fallen in love with the idea of giving these chocolate spacemen from Artisan du Chocolat (made to celebrate The International year of Astronomy don't you know). Aren't they just so cool?! Artisan du Chocolat also make chocolate bird houses and chocolate snowglobes, which are equally as fabulous and a good way of giving chocolate without it seeming like you were stuck for ideas!