When you think of the California wine region, you instantly think of Napa Valley, we have seen it in the movies and on TV and it’s the name that instantly springs to mind.  But after research and advice from other friends that had been to California, we decided to leave Napa Valley off of our itinerary and head to lesser known Sonoma, and that was one of the best decisions we made.

Sonoma is located around a 90 minute drive North of San Francisco and is a small town surrounded by some of the most beautiful vineyards.  After a short and scenic drive we arrived in Sonoma town square to be greeted by the friendliest locals in the information centre who advised us on a suitable motel (yes we went for the classic American Motel!) and vineyards to visit.  We dumped our bags in our motel and headed to our first vineyard of the day, Benziger Family Winery.

Benziger is a family run winery and a welcome alternative to the more commercial wineries that are typically found in the Napa Valley region.  Our visit to the vineyard started with a tour of the vines during which we learnt about the unique biodynamic and organic farming techniques used by the family, it was eye opening to see what goes in to making that very nice bottle of white that we only typically see as the finished article.  Following this we were given a tour of the wine caves where we saw barrels and barrels of wine (I would quite like a wine cave at home!) before heading in to the tasting room to enjoy the finished article.   The wine was absolutely wonderful, and after enjoying the 4 different tastings we decided to buy a few bottles to bring home to the UK, ignoring the fact we were on day four of our holiday and had no room in our cases, it was too good an opportunity to miss!

From Benziger we headed to Imagery, the sister winery to Benziger which was just a 15 minute drive away.  As time was tight (!) we decided to head straight to the tasting room where the wonderful staff allowed us to try a selection of delicious wines along with cheese and crackers given to us by fellow visitors, the Americans really are a friendly bunch!  Here we tasted the most fabulous Viognier which we couldn’t resist, buying another two bottles to bring back to the UK with us, if you had tasted this Viognier you would understand why we couldn’t leave without it!  And to add to the appeal, Imagery commission local artists to create unique labels for each of their wines meaning you aren’t just buying a bottle of wine but a beautiful work of art as well, I promise I’m not just saying this to justify our purchases…

From Imagery we headed back in to Sonoma Square and one last tasting room to round off the day.  We finished in Hawkes tasting room where we enjoyed a tasting of another four wines sitting outside in the Californis sun, bliss. And to top the day off I finally found a Chardonnay that I liked, something I didn’t think was possible, so of course we had to come away with a bottle of that as well.

I can’t recommend a visit to Sonoma enough.  If you are heading to California and want to experience the wine region then please do try Sonoma, the people, wine, scenery and food (now food is a whole other blog post!) won’t disappoint, I promise.

Now, if only I could get Benziger and Imagery to start shipping to the UK…

Having been around since 1916, Bentley’s Oyster Bar & Grill has certainly stood the test of time. It’s not a cheap dinner that’s for sure, but I guess you get what you pay for – great food and great service; I’m not sure I have been somewhere where the waiter pays you so much attention (perhaps The Ledbury – but that’s for another blog post, another day)!

I ate in the restaurant area upstairs, or The Grill as its otherwise known, which at the time of booking seemed like it would be the best option. Having got there through, I realised I was mistaken [sad face]. Having never been there before, I wasn’t aware that there was a much more informal affair in the bar area on the ground floor, complete with a piano and in-house entertainment! The crowd was young and the atmosphere much more lively. In contrast, the restaurant area – was for me at least – quite stuffy and dare I say, rigid. I felt out of place for not wearing some form of dinner dress! I’m also not sure it helped that the guests who were sat next to me were about 65 (or older)! That age might I add, appearing to be the typical age of the clientele present at The Grill at the time.

Atmosphere aside, I can’t condemn the food – it literally was divine. And that’s a big say for someone who always opts for the meat option when out and about tantalising my taste buds!

 I ate Oysters as a pre-starter (and yes I know that’s pretty greedy, but when in Rome…), and kept it simple with just lemon juice and shallot vinegar – for me, the simpler the better. I then had stuffed baby squid with chorizo, organic feta & mussels, which was amazing. I would eat this every day for the rest of my life if I could! For mains, I ate roast fillet of sea bass with fennel, apple & brown shrimp butter – equally, another fantastic dish. My starter was however, the winner hands down. I never got round to trying the dessert – which for me was a first – as I was totally content.

Would I go their again, probably yes, but surprisingly I’m not sure it would be my first choice (even if tempted by the bar area). There is an array of great fish ‘institutions’ in town and I’m not sure Bentley’s tops the list, but it’s certainly near the top.

Beyonce

Inspired by Beyonce we have decided to have a look at some of the most creative and outrageous concert costumes worn by your favourite celebrities…

Of course Lady Gaga, known just as much for her fashion as she is for her music, had to feature on this list, in fact it was actually quite tricky picking out her most creative outfit as she’s had quite a few…but we decided to settle on her Perspex bubble dress. This outfit – essentially a leotard with lots of plastic balls stuck to it – was inspired by Hussein Chalayan’s Spring Summer ’07 bubble dress, about which Gaga said she didn’t have enough money to buy the real one so she decided to recreate it instead!

Katy Perry never fails to entertain us with her wacky style and has been known to have up to 16 outfit changes in one show and by far one of her most imaginative costumes has to be her Christmas tree dress! Getting in the full festive spirit Katy wore this when she performed at the Jingle Bell Ball back in 2008! It was even decorated with tinsel and baubles! Amazing!

Pink decided to flash the flesh in this sheer cat suit when she performed at the Grammy’s in 2010. With only a few white ribbons and sprinkling of sparkles to cover her modesty the singer definitely wowed the audience.

And finally someone obviously forgot to tell Justin Bieber he wasn’t a Victoria’s Secret Angel at one of his shows in California last year after he decided to be lowered into the venue over his audience with the aid of these massive futuristic wings!

SS12 was all about bold prints with designer/high street collaborations advocating matching two pieces and clashing patterns-cast your mind back to Marni for H and M and Mary Kantrantzou for Topshop. On the catwalks, Louis Vuitton played with delicate pastels whilst Stella McCartney displayed her designs on silky pyjama styles. Although the understated fashionista remained sceptical; valiant fashion followers welcomed the innovative trends.

Proving that this is not a has-been fashion fad, the SS13 selections at LFW were besieged with further statement motifs and with excitement growing for Celia Birkwell’s impending partnership with Uniqlo, print fever is certain to regain its dominance. This is a trend everyone can embrace with tailored one pieces and printed trousers leading the way. As top designers make daring trends accessible via the high street, no one need shy away.

This season, Kantrantzou’s trademark photographic prints have moved in influence from soft romanticism to flamboyant geometry. Her exquisite pieces have gained worldwide adoration and since the success of her Topshop capsule collection last February, the brand has received mainstream recognition.

LFW also saw the reincarnation of timeless stripes, checks and polka dots. Monochrome is breaking the rules as the focal theme, with contrasting black and white set to dictate our wardrobes for the imminent warmer months. A distinct change from the pastel and metallic colour themes from previous years, Marc Jacobs perfected the look; adorning his models in floor length dresses and oversized jackets.

Whether you like classic fashion or stand-out pieces, the two go hand in hand this season, but if a loud one piece is not quite your thing, why not dilute your look.

Teaming a pair of printed trousers with a plain top or blazer is a safe way to indulge in the ‘it’ trend. Whether your preference be paisley cigarette pants or floral skinnies, add in a tucked in shirt with a fitted jacket for a polished look.

So with Olivia Palermo for inspiration, get acquainted with your inner print-lover as the winter wardrobe goes into hibernation for another year.

What’s your best piece of coverage?

A feature in Heat magazine that led to a massive increase in sales for my client

What’s your best PR Campaign?

A jewellery launch I was in charge of. It was a fun event and we got some great coverage from it

What couldn’t you live without?

Chocolate- if I have it I eat it and if I don’t have it you can guarantee I’ll be thinking about it!

What’s in your wardrobe?

Lots of clothes – mostly black.

What in your opinion is the biggest fashion faux pas?

Black tights with a brightly coloured dress- I have seen this so many times and it is not a good look! Crocs also. I don’t know what is worse!

What is your Favourite thing about fashion and lifestyle PR?

The fact that I am working with brands and people that I love. I like the random nature of PR and the fact that no day is ever the same plus the buzz you get from doing something great is amazing

What’s your favourite London haunt?

As a new resident of London I am yet to discover this. Suggestions welcome…

 What’s your favourite work out song?

I’m ashamed to say this but it will have to be a One Direction song. The cheesiness keeps me motivated!

What did you want to be when you were younger?

A vet

What makes you unique?

I was once in a Johnson’s baby advert- seriously embarrassing

Describe yourself in 3 words

Bubbly, random and caring

Who’s your fashion icon?

Olivia Palermo- she looks amazing in everything

What are your 3 desert island items?

My duvet, chocolate and the Desperate Housewives box set

An intimate setting, you will find a horseshoe bar curving round a sleek state-of-the-art kitchen, suited to seat just 19 people. With two dinner slots – 6pm and 8pm – the hidden food paradise is just half full in its first sitting, making for a cosy and romantic experience. Dinners are joined by the second sitting when they start their 8^th course of a 12 course tasting menu.

Knappett, who despite his talent to create mouth-watering delightful dishes, comes across as endearingly shy. He explains, almost nervously, each dish as it’s placed in front of you; awaiting the subtle sounds of approval as one tastes the

food. If you get excited about food, then this dining experience will certainly tick all the boxes – not only do each of the 12 plates explode with flavour, but you get to chat to the chef and learn about the food you’re eating.

My two favourite dishes were:

• The homemade pasta and fresh garlic puree – hand-picked by his best friend down in Cornwall – with a flavour so potent and enjoyable, all I could say was “thank god I’m not going out after this; can I have some more”.
• The Venison, simply cooked to perfection. The meat just melted in my mouth. And the accompaniment of pickled beetroot and homemade flack seed crackers was simple but divine.

Although you get 12 courses, the portion sizes are small – I could have eaten two of each dish, and still come out wanting more! And, the experience certainly doesn’t come cheap. At £80 a head, without alcohol, it’s certainly a tasty treat after payday, or for a special occasion.

And so it begins….goodbye Ann Summers, see you in a week. Not knowing what to expect I climb the stairs of Hammer House (only to then realise there is a rather nice lift that could have saved me the tough climb) and enter the buzzing offices to be greeted by the lovely Hollie and PHA Team.

Having been given the ‘grand tour’ and introductions, secretly thinking ‘I am never going to remember everyone’s names’, I am given my first task….

THE BLOG – With the PHA team being social media fanatics, what better way to start my experience than to write a blog for the website, the first blog I have done in my ENTIRE life, so no pressure?!

Having that morning been sent this picture from my best friend of the rather amazing David Beckham, I found it pretty hard to think of any other subject to focus my blog on, so combining my love of Fashion and the link with Mr Beckham, I chose to blog about Victoria Beckham’s new ‘Icon’ range.

http://www.pha-media.com/fashion-lifestyle-blog/2013/02/05/victoria-beckham-icon/

First task… “check!”…. and loved it. I can certainly see why anyone in Fashion & Lifestyle PR LOVE their job!

Having scoffed a few caramel digestives and flapjacks, washed down with a cup of tea, I am onto my next task which relates to the one and only Ann Summers, my ‘bread and butter’ so this shouldn’t be too difficult. Gathering research on rather interesting subjects relating to an up and coming TV documentary, I easily spend a couple of hours searching and collating the information I have found. Research proves to be an enjoyable task and I get a real insight into the various methods the team uses to source specific information and luckily for me, as a real gossip junkie, browsing celebrity news and ‘kiss-n-tell’s’ qualifies as “research”.

I also experienced my first  group brainstorming session, where various members of the team, all working with different clients come together and help come up with ideas  based on one client’s needs. This time it is Ann Summers, so you can imagine a few outrageous ideas and laughs came spilling from the meeting room. Having been involved in this, I could see how extremely talented the girls are, why they are in this industry and why PHA are such a successful PR company! This is where I got a real sense of team work and saw how important it is in this industry to have such a good and supportive relationship with those you work with.

To add to my week at PHA I have met with clients, put together press releases and interesting case studies, to name a few, and was close to meeting Simon Pegg! I have also witnessed some challenging situations with clients and seen how these are carefully considered and dealt with in a professional manner.

One of the most difficult tasks I have been faced with every day this week has been the torture of walking past all of the great stores on Oxford Street without venturing in and spending a fortune on the new monochrome pieces, gorgeous bags and shoes….. and then onto Wardour Street to be taunted by the fabulous eateries and cream cakes staring at me through the glass windows.  I have on the other hand become a great window shopper!

Hollie (and the team) have involved me in some great tasks this week, taking time out of their busy schedules to offer me some invaluable advice and insight into the world of PR, the variety of the job and how no day is ever the same. Whilst this means you can be faced some real challenges and difficult client requests, it only adds to the appeal of the job. I am hoping I can use what I have learnt this week and transfer it into my role as Assistant PA to Jacqueline Gold and work alongside PHA to deliver the best possible PR related support.

A BIG thanks to the lovely PHA team!!

Added to my ever growing fashion wish-list, the dresses are revamped versions of seven of the most iconic dresses from Victoria’s collections archive. Due to be launched online, the new line is set to tie in with the eagerly- awaited re-launch of victoriabackham.com, with the first tightly edited piece being a reworked version of a dress from the spring 2012 collection.

Of the vast array of dresses that Victoria has designed, I can’t say this would be my first choice of her iconic dresses to edit, would it be yours? I would personally like to see a rework of the grey strapless dress that she wore to last year’s Vanity Fair Oscars party!

“Together with my personal edit of the spring/summer 2013 collections, I wanted to be able to offer an exclusive product on the site that was in keeping with the signature aesthetic that’s very special to me,” said Beckham.

“I introduced Icon in response to requests for designs from as far back as my first collection from customers, and I wanted to find a way to offer them key dresses from the archive, but in newly-reworked colours and fabrics.”

The collection is due to evolve with new styles added throughout the year, although with prices starting at £1,000 I perhaps should have started saving sooner.

In addition to the Icon collection, her new site will offer accessories, eyewear, denim and the newest line’ Victoria, Victoria Beckham’, which she will showcase at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week this month.

Whilst it does seem rather early on in her fashion career to be bringing out what most would see as a ‘greatest hits’ collection, I am sure this will be better received than a’ greatest hits’ from her music career!

Ann Summers created the video to highlight the fabulous procedure, aimed at real women, and designed to give confidence to those who are insecure about their bum shape.

Dr J. James, who stumbled upon the procedure during a routine operation, said ‘In the age of ‘Kim Kardashian’ bum envy it’s fantastic that there is finally a solution out there for the millions of women who dream of a curvier derriere. The beauty of this procedure is it’s not expensive and you can be in and out on the same day’.

To learn more about the procedure you can check out the following video ‘Diary of a Bum Lift’:

Venturing from SW3 to St James Street London, Proudlock browsed the designer’s collection, which has already been referred to as ‘Germany’s answer to Tom Ford’.

Having put crucifix earrings and Hawaiin shirts back on the fashion map, Proudlock was like a kid in a candy store, trying on various pieces from the collection which includes eveningwear, tailored suits, shirts, coats, casual knitwear, denim and shoes. Each item is handmade with extraordinary attention to detail using a selection of the finest materials.

Proudlock got suited-up in the decadent store ahead of a busy party season and wore the Patrick Hellmann Collection suit on the show in the season finale.