2024 - 2025 GIFTS: ACCEPTED, DECLINED & RETURNED
A generous gift from denim brand DL1961
I'm a loyalist. And Votary are very generous.
The Isabel in PInk, from If Only If. I worked with the brand in 2022. I love Emily the founder, and when they ran a pop up in Notting Hill in Feb 2025 I was lucky enough to receive this.
Just the best packaging. I love seeing the growth of this brand.
Baz & Co - because once it's been opened on set (for The FairGround) it obviously goes to a good home...my husband. He only uses Baz&Co. It's the standard family gift in my family.
I was invited to a Me&Em dinner at The River Cafe. I vetted the fabrics and found this silk shirt, which was stunning. (We were all asked to wear an item). I knew I had to choose something that would fill a gap in my wardrobe. - this was it. This link is slightly different to above image.
Lucy Simmons x The FairGround necklaces. Since we co-created 3 necklaces, Lucy kindly gave me one of each style. The Chunky 'Opposites Attract' is my favourite
Pure Earth Collection bikini - I tested this for Emma, her first collection of adult swimwear that is entirely plastic-free. It's quite interesting road testing, and giving honest feedback. Part of the job I love, since I won't ever launch my own fashion line! Bag was also a gift from The Jacksons. 100% jute, handmade. Great for sharing with my eldest - it turns out.
Jones Road, Miracle Balm - we used it on set for a recent shoot and it was truly miraculous (I used the clear tone, miracle balm, and we worked it into a great base layer instead of foundation)
Very generous offer of an item from Herd SS25
MONDO CORSINI, shirt, from SS25 - a total winner and a forever item. You can't see the fabric but it was super soft.
A gift from Jigsaw via Lisa Armstrong as part of her editorial curation for the brand.
Top Up of Ergothioneine Serum by Victoria Health and other DoSe products. I am also a paying customer at Victoria Health.
2025: Labeca London. Accepted as a gift for recent holidays.
Silver Socks - from Victoria Health. The first real solution to my Raynaud's Syndrome I've had the pleasure of sampling.
The Oversize - by Navygrey. I was a member of their panel talk at Meadow, in January, and accepted this for my time and travel. (My husband has since SHRUNK this in the wash!!)
De Mamiel Cleansing Balm: as part of my article for The Telegraph, in March. And because I love this brand.
A gift from HUSH. Open to working with them but would be keen to meet rather than accept gifts.
Kanyen RF Facial Device, Ante Beauty, £399. Accepted as part of a 4 week trial for editorial purposes. I have continued to use. Very good results but you must remain loyal!
Cosmetics a la Carte, a product I have loved since 2019. Included as part of editorial story (Telegraph 2024), £48.
Westman Atelier, Peau de Peche, £53 CG Consultancy kindly gifted me a collection of products for my Telegraph April 2024 piece. This was a game-changer.
A Gifting Suite from brand DL 1961 (denim). I can't actually shut my denim drawer.... so I don't need any more jeans right now and I'm not writing relevant editorial on this at present.
Made of More, Night Souffle, £85 When the PR offered more products, I was very happy to accept this in particular which I now mix with an oil twice a week and slather on my skin at night. I love this so much I included in my latest beauty article.
Reformation Gifting - I just did not feel I needed to accept this kind offer.
Livotte London, £78. I love the girls behind this brand and they participated in VCHRISTMAS. I knew the tank would be cut in a flattering, interesting way, good enough to wear with smart trousers, and a blazer.
An item from the Serena Bute collection. Beautiful but just not required in my wardrobe at present.
MONC Eyewear, £260, Belleville I visited the store on Chiltern Street and was blown away, not just by the efforts to make a better pair of sunglasses, but the sustainable store fit too. I duly included the brand in my March newsletter and the brand kindly gave me a pair of these Bellville sunglasses. Thank you.
Eye Chain Bracelet - Sonia Petroff. I was interested to read more on the Postive Luxury certification which Sonia has attained. Mostly I just really love an Evil Eye - it felt bad karma to decline! Bring on the luck!
Tank Top, Navygrey. I literally do not have this piece in my wardrobe! It is gorgeous, great layering. Lovely on its own. I hosted a Navygrey event and this was a thank you gift.
Do we think I have an obsession with Navygrey!? I didn't believe the hype to be honest, but I can honestly say if you don't own a Breton, you SHOULD believe the hype on this one. (I accepted a Small).
Swimwear from Osale. I do not need any swimwear, and I'm trying to wear everything I own this summer. I wish them well.
Jossie nightdress, If Only If; I absolutely love this brand. I worked with them on a collaboration in 2022 and know this style suits me. I love that they have shifted to linen styles too. Thank you!
The serum I heroed all summer, having tested it for 6 weeks prior to writing my 'Pressure to get Botox' article for The Telegraph. Ergothioneine is a product well worth trying, if you need a boost post summer - and I'm grateful to Victoria Health for restocking my supply as a thank you.
Keen to know what Livaeco® felt like, this is Joanie x Celia Birtwell collaboration and I fell for the print, and the neat fit, complete with pussy-bow detail.
At £15 this oil is almost too good to be true. I used it as an extra dose of moisture during the summer. It is also lovely in winter when skin can feel chapped or dry.
This looks hard to wear but it really isn't. When the founder of Lavender Hill Clothing offered me the chance to keep hold of it, I knew the fabric, the fit and the nifty label position on the hem meant it was an item I would wear over and over, and talk about. It's a game changer.
Hush Gifting - I was invited to choose from the new collection but didn't need anything new. Thank you for the offer.
THAT dress from Mondo Corsini - this was given to me (and accepted) after it brought the brand a much larger dose of press coverage than either of us had anticipated. I also don't own a dress in this colour, nor one-shouldered so it felt a fresh addition. I really have worn it over and over.
My husband and I are huge fans of Mother Root - and I highly recommend it as a gift for a weekend stay, or to anyone who prefers not to drink alcohol but wants a ginger kick. From £27.95
If we could avoid hair tantrums we'd all find the mornings easier.... so I did accept this generous offer, in a bid to test it on the children. They love it. (We still can't escape the tantrums though!)
Louise Roe kindly sent me The Happy Hamper and my favourite item was this ceramic dish - great for soap, olives, peanuts or a winter pudding. Sharland England, run by Louise, is a treasure trove of gifts, not just larger furniture items.