Christmas - chaos or conscious?

SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS 

Christmas is fast approaching. And whether we are in the camp of having wrapped and labelled or our gifts, or frankly, in a mild state of panic and anguish, the Spirit of Christmas Fair is on hand to delight and prepare us for the festive period.

I have made a conscious decision to have a more mindful and meaningful Christmas. Carefully chosen gifts with a real message. With more than a nod to sustainability and eco-conscious. And what better place to focus this energy than the iconic Spirit of Christmas Fair. Celebrating a momentous 25th anniversary this November (2–8), as the UK’s longest running Christmas Fair. On offer is an unparalleled collection of over 600 small, vetted independent businesses. For a quarter of a century, the Fair has firmly prided itself on offering shoppers’ true originality, featuring curated products and present ideas unseen anywhere else.

This milestone anniversary coincides with an exciting new chapter for Olympia London which has just completed its landmark £1.3 billion transformation. The historic 140-year-old destination has evolved into one of the capital's most vibrant hubs, making it the ultimate backdrop for visitors to discover and celebrate the season after visiting the Fair.

The Fair echoes my more recently found ethos of celebrating individual craftsmanship and authenticity. Many hours can be spent getting stuck down multiple rabbit holes with online shopping, getting nowhere fast, whereas Spirit gives visitors the ability to be inspired, reigniting the joy of in-person browsing. The Fair offers the rare chance to give a present with a very real and rewarding backstory, where you can meet the actual maker or seller and find something that is simply unavailable on the high street.

With fashion, gifts, health, wellbeing, pets, home and baby and incorporating artisan food and drinks, what better opportunity to browse these stalls at your leisure. However tricky, there is no one that the Fair cannot provide a Christmas present for, and our previous visits are an absolute testament to this. Parents who have everything, husbands, wives, siblings, nieces and nephews. There is something for everyone. Even the not so little one at my feet, delighting in all things Spirit.

The success of the Fair over the years is partly down to the carefully chosen exhibitor line up which last year saw over 700 new applicants and just 112 accepted. Showing the quality of the vetting process and the successful participants. This year, nearly one third of all stalls will be displaying new brands. As well as the undeniable buzz of buying in a festive atmosphere, there are also three Louis Roederer Champagne Bars, and a previously sold-out restaurant run by Chef Kate Austen, returning for the second year, serving all day dining and cream teas. Other chances to press pause momentarily on shopping are offered by the popular workshops and live music which are included in the ticket price.

Spirit of Christmas Fair is the only major Christmas Fair to host sustainability awards which launched last year. The aim is to celebrate independent brands leading the way in eco-conscious design, ethical production, and sustainable gifting. And this is perfectly inline with how I feel about Christmas this year - music to my ears - literally. Not just thoughtless throwaway presents, but presents with a purpose and ticking the sustainability box in a real way.

So however you choose to celebrate Christmas this year, give a thought to how the gifts will arrive under the tree. With so many wonderful things to see and do on offer, I hope to see you at Spirit to get into the true feeling of the season! The Spirit of Christmas indeed.

Feel the spirit…

 … of Christmas.

There is nothing like hearing a beautiful carol drifting through the air as you munch on a mince pie and sip some warming mulled wine. And why not get into the Spirit of Christmas at the aptly named Fair at Olympia this year? Indulge in Christmas inspiration from over 600 independent brands from 4 to 10 November 2024, and truly immerse yourself in the Christmas spirit.

Discover a wide range of carefully curated gifts from small businesses and designer-makers. Each entrepreneur has picked for their originality and quality. Collectively, they have been brought together under one roof for this fabulous seven-day event.

Shoppers can browse from a wonderful collection of beautiful presents to satisfy all your gifting needs including: ladies’ fashion, homeware, Christmas decorations and children’s clothes as well as the finest food and drink from award-winning artisans and producers. There is something here for everyone.

Some of my favourite goodies from the fair in previous years have included candles and all things centred on wellbeing from The Universal Soul Company. The aura and parfum that emanates from one wick is all that is good and positive in this world. The feel-good mist is just the ticket to settle you down in these crazy times, transporting you to another time and place. All that is good in fudge can be found at The Fudge Kitchen. I met “The Fudge Man” at the show a couple of years ago and managed to find their lovely shop in Windsor when I happened to be visiting. Nothing but the finest in quality fudge with original and delicious flavours. And such amazing customer service too.

Dining options are aplenty at the fair. Following on from the sell-out success of 2023, acclaimed Spanish chef, José Pizarro returns with his specially crafted tapas menu that showcases his signature dishes alongside exclusive creations designed for the show. Following the high demand for tapas in 2023, this menu will now be available all day, and not just at lunch time, so that shoppers can stop for a delicious bite at any time throughout the day.

Above all, the fair has perfectly encapsulated the feel of the fair in the name. This event is a true festive celebration and is all about the Spirit of Christmas. Every step that you take through the halls leads you to another exciting Christmas find, another gift that could be bought, another delight to behold. Each way that you turn, another glimpse of the ingredients to create a perfect Christmas. And what better way to get into the festive spirit than to come along and join in all the fun. Christmas is coming!

Christmas Spirit

Forgive this mention of the C-word so early into the season (of Autumn), but as they say, Christmas is just around the corner. My youngest asked me to count the weeks until the big day the other evening and I duly counted through my phone calendar. 13 weeks and counting!!!

Our annual trip to the Spirit of Christmas Fair is looming and the two girls aged ten and seven will be joining me. I do feel that children add an extra sparkle to the festivities. Whether they look through a lens with awe and wonder, or get up to general high jinks and mischief, display impatience and/or genuine joy at anything and everything Christmas, the holiday season is not complete without them. Seeing Christmas through the eyes of our two girls must be something truly magical.

The Spirit fair was first launched in 2001. Now based at Olympia London, there are over 700 brands to shop from, Spirit of Christmas is your go-to seasonal shopping destination. Unrivalled shopping and a wealth of festive inspiration, Spirit is Christmas joy in a bottle.

2023 sees the return of workshops. Offering inspiration and hands-on experience, visitors can enjoy a range of complimentary interactive sessions covering a broad range of Christmas ideas and gifts. The new official restaurant partner is acclaimed Spanish chef,  José Pizarro, with a tapas menu that showcases his signature dishes

Some of my favourite brands never fail to return time and time again. The Universal Soul Company rounded by Sara Griffiths is one of these. Sara Griffiths is the real deal. Hailing from QVC fame (those jobs are highly sought after and very competitive), the USC is a place for healing and positivity. One pump of the soul mist, and there I am, back on the mat, feeling all lightness and calm. From handbag sized sprays to luxury diffusers, you will leave Sara’s stand floating on a cloud.

Whatever your feelings are about Christmas, Spirit is sure to put a smile on your face. This year, the fair runs from 30 October to 5 November. We must just bump into you among the gifts and cheer. This year, Christmas starts at Spirit!

Long time no see

 I’ve been quiet on this blog for a while.

There are a number of reasons for this, some of which I won’t go into. Sometimes a social media cull and pause is exactly what you need. To remind you of the reason you first started writing, and to renew your intentions, drive and purpose.

I started writing to tell people about poor customer service experiences I had encountered while going about my daily life. At one point, I had racked up enough goodwill payments from Santander that I had enough to pay for a Mulberry bag on a Bicester trip. There was also that time that British Airways refused to sit my husband and I together on the return leg of our tour of China. Mr Cross looked at me, and asked if I was going to do my thing. I nodded so he said he would stand aside. Thirty minutes of English, Cantonese and Mandarin, with my negotiation skills that had been honed in private practice. The result: two club class tickets for the 11-hour flight back to Heathrow.

This post is two-fold. One, to go full circle back to my consumer complaints issues. And two, to highlight what someone said to me that struck a chord in relation to mental health matters.

I will start with the mental health issue. We are undergoing a programme of house renovation works, which is a more extensive process than you might think. Finding a person or company who looks half decent is one thing. But actually getting them to agree a time and then actually turn up is completely another.

When a supplier does turn up as agreed, the fact that this is novel and refreshing is both a good and bad thing. When did service standards get so sloppy so that you are pleasantly surprised that they arrive at the pre-arranged time?

So when one gentleman was actually early, what a shock! And then, the conversation turned to mental health. I am open about being bipolar, because I feel that we should encourage these chats. The man’s brother took his own life. No one had any idea of the predicament he was in. The phrase “the life and soul of the party” is banded around all too much. He was the guy that was always ready with a joke, cheering up everyone else, and carrying everyone else’s burden. But this was just a mask. He was alone, and felt he had nobody to turn to.

Returning to the customer service complaint, I asked to speak to a girl’s line manager as having explained that a bipolar episode was the reason a voucher had expired, the girl told me to get lost. This kind of behaviour is exhibited all to often at all levels of society. Whether it be that mental health is not a real thing, because it isn’t a broken leg, or because honestly “what have you got to be unhappy about?” This just shows the level of ignorance and lack of understanding and how despite politicians ranting on about how mental health matters, these words are meaningless without sincerity and true intent.

If there was one thing I would change about the world, it would be to imagine the consequences of one’s words on another if that person were at the complete pit of darkness stage in their lives. That there was no hope left, and a struggle to find anything worth living for. You never know what someone is going through. One smile, one laugh, one kind word, it might be only a small gesture from you, but it could mean the world to someone else. If you can be anything at all, be mindful.

Getting into the Spirit of Christmas...(Fair)

Apologies to the Spirit of Christmas Fair and stallholders for the late posting of this blogpost. Christmas got the better of us and the Cross Clan and extended family have been beset with ill health. So in the Spirit of Christmas, please extend your goodwill to this humble blogger... and wishing you a happy new year!

I was so excited to receive my invitation plus one - meaning taking along my usual shopping sidekick extraordinaire and long-suffering partner-in-crime, MIL to the Spirit of Christmas Fair at Olympia. Not put off by the transport troubles that meant that it took us four different trains to get there, we actually arrived about 15 minutes early and were ushered in out of the cold by security as we flashed our press passes.

Supershopper is one label I have been given in the past (among others... another I am fond of is a rotweiler with lipstick and heels...) and I hadn't even allowed myself to take my coat off before I spotted the most must-have cashmere jumper about five metres from the entrance. Cream with fluorescent stripes, I knew the minute I tried it on that the good old Amex would be taking a bashing. And it came with pockets too. In the boyfriend fit, style perfect for those sneaky autumn/winter evenings and for pottering about town. Given the recent torrential rain, I have me snug and smug in my new purchase. Courtesy of No. 42 West Street which hails from Hampshire and multi-talented enterpreneur that is Melita Glaister (pictured with me below, with said jumper). Melita was a modest yet confident hands-on company director that served me with pride.

Opposite purchase number one was a must-buy-something fun things for under tens stall. Quirky stationery, rucksacks and ornaments. I picked up an owl rucksack and a blue unicorn bag (a bit smaller than the owl one) so the girls had one each.

On the next stall that sparked my interest, I came across a huge smile that belonged to Joanne Thompson, who is an effervescent and genuinely friendly lady who I warmed to immediately. She is co-owner in the business Holly Zang, and her line in children's clothes is truly exquisite. The company was spotted by Vogue on Twitter a couple of years ago, and since then, the company have taken flight. I still regret not buying the ballet shoes cashmere jumper for my eldest (I might get nightmares about this one).

Is anyone trying Dry January? Not that it’s any of my business, but the forward thinking Seedlip have created a unique trio of non-alcoholic spirits with a complex blend of flavours.  I have since purchased further bottles from high street retailers and enjoyes them immensely. MIL approves too. 

The 2018 (I cannot quite bring myself to say “last year’s”) incarnation of the Spirit of Christmas Fair is much improved with a much broader variety of stalls to browse. Overall, a jolly good day out. Plenty to see, plenty to buy. Roll on this Christmas. As the snow falls on February Eve...

Getting my yogini on...

I didn’t know the term yogi or yogini before I met Hannah. I thought Yogi was a bear who lived in Jellystone Park! And yogini. That just sounds like bikini. Which given this weather makes me think of the beach...

Anyway, I first got in touch with Hannah when I noticed new temporary signage going up in town announcing an exciting new studio space opening soon. There was an email address posted in the window. And that’s how I met Hannah, because I got in touch to find out more. Hannah is a brilliant, confident, enthusiastic and caring studio owner. She is open to ideas about the development of her studio, and also has a very clear sense of vision about the direction of her new venture. And what a lovely new business to have in town. So very different from everything else on the high street. 

Not long after emailing in, on a sunny Saturday, A Fine Balance  launch day was upon us and there was an exciting buzz in the town centre. A modern and inviting studio flinging open its doors so that we could start our own yogini adventures.

A Fine Balance offers a broad range of classes, class times and memberships. I took up the special introductory offer of £15 for two weeks’ unlimited classes. A great way to road test the studio and to see how you get on with the classes and teachers. With such a great choice of times and sessions, there is sure to be something to please even the most discerning of yoginis. And for me, who has enjoyed many a yoga summer school with my mum from a young age, the flexibility and quality of lessons allows me to slot the studio into my timetable with complete ease.

I regularly attend barre (thanks Kate and Marcos for giving me back my ballet legs), and yoga flow is a lovely way to go through sequences with a more relaxed and calm feeling towards the end of the week. I used to make excuses or find myself pulling out of other exercise classes last-minute, or early in the evening the day before. This just doesn’t happen with yoga at the studio. Somehow, the sense of well-being that I know will come both during and at the end of a session overrides this.

On a personal note, I am in recovery for a bipolar episode that knocked me for six last summer. The road to recovery is long and challenging. With the support of family and friends, medical teams, and my healthy lifestyle support from A Fine Balance, I am dealing with medication changes and adjustments with a smile on my face and a positive outlook that makes me feel happy and content. Life can be tricky. For everyone. Yoga calms my mind, brushes away the daily rubbish that I do not need, and allows me to focus on myself. Yoga is not just about the physical. It’s about the mind too. 

So thank you to Hannah and A Fine Balance for the healing both inside and out. May the studio live long and prosper. Because we all could do with getting our yogini on. Namaste.

There ain’t no Mumma like a St Joe’s Mumma...

Have you ever dreamt of starting your own business and working for yourself? I know I have, but have never been brave enough, nor felt that anyone would be interested in my goods/services.

This post highlights three St Joseph’s mums that have not only had the guts to set up on their own, but also then managed to make a success of themselves. I have had the pleasure of getting to know these ladies, all kind-hearted, decent and bright people that have found their niche in their respective markets, while also doing a fine job of raising well-behaved children and looking after their families. So huge props to them - ladies - I couldn’t do it myself!

Hot Plates

Claire Pope shows her artistic flair in her customised crockery. Whether it be a personalised Santa plate complete with a spot for mince pies and a cheeky shot glass, named egg cups or (rumour has it) personalised Santa sacks (yes please Claire!!!) pop on over to Hot Plates to see what’s on offer. Mrs Pope’s talent is such that you can request a theme or character, and she can design something tailored to suit you.

Happy Hire Company

Anita Headley brings back the happiness of a good old-fashioned seaside holiday to my heart. This lady has not one, not two, but three beautiful beach huts in the wonderfully unspoilt Walton-on-the-Naze. I can personally vouch for Anita’s great taste in interior design having spent a lovely day in Forget-Me-Not. Her attention to detail is incredible and the care and love put into designing, decorating and styling the huts is really to be admired. Why not book your beach hut day to remember and take advantage of this fabulous sunshine?

The Little Dressing Room 

Nichola Brickell is a girl with style. And she wants the little ladies to have pretty things to wear too. Upminster and Hornchurch are screaming out for more quality and unique clothing for young girls so I was delighted to hear of Nichola’s venture. As a happy client myself, you can tell that Nichola has an eye for quality in her selection of this season’s key pieces. I now need her to stock in adult sizes too!

So why not check out these sites and partake in some of what’s available from great Essex enterprises. Come rain or shine, these business will have something to make you smile. Guaranteed.

Ideal Home Snow 2018

A snowy start to the show! A quick check online to confirm that TFL were able to cope with a light dusting, and I was out the door.  Mother-in-law (MIL) (aka shopping partner-in-crime, aka companion-in-credit-card-bashing) and I set out from Upminster to the now established venue of Olympia. The journey has become marginally annoying, now that we need to change at Earl’s Court and wait for an Olympia-specific train, rather than merely alighting at the former venue. But that’s progress for you (or so they say), and no doubt a property developer is doing rather well out of the move.

As free ticket holders (thank you press office), we were directed to enter through entrance three, which was not only the furthest entrance from the tube exit, the least attractive entrance point (compared to the main entrance complete with faux grass sign and piper) and also happened to be the glass doors that served as a staff and exhibitor entry gate. The queue which led right out beyond the foyer into the cold, windy and sleety street was crowded with people who seemed to delight in incessant moaning about the weather, while other guests were more jovial in spirit, joking as to the black market into staff passes so we could also queue jump and be let in early.

The first stall that caught my attention was Vallente of London. The open and friendly attitude of Andy Goss, with none of the hard sell so typical of those in the luxury goods market meant that we could spend time getting to know the products before making a relaxed and happy decision. As it was, MIL and I both purchased a great giftset that included a choice of two main products (we both chose a candle (RRP £20) and a hand and body lotion (RRP £18) with a bonus pot of hand cream. The bundle price was good value at £25.

I was initially interested in the products as I was looking for a rich cream to rehydrate my daughter’s skin. She is about to turn two and suffered from a rather nasty bout of chicken pox. I applied the moisturiser after her bath and the skin was immediately supple, soft and smooth. The effects lasted overnight and well into the morning, as I can now happily attest.

A shiny stall that caught my eye was funky big metal london led by designer James McGrath, who first started out in the true meaning of a start up cottage industry in his mother’s garden shed. Happily (for James’ mother) production now takes place in Elephant & Castle. James still plays a key role in design and overseeing production and is also committed to social responsibility and environmental protection, which now increasingly can play a key role in a customer’s decision to make a purchase. 

After scanning the stall with a beady eye, I happened across these cactus earrings, a complete steal at £10.

Being British-born Chinese, I have a soft spot for jade, used to commemorate and celebrate key milestones. I had always intended to buy “birth jade” for my two daughters and returned to Helen Fung’s Happy Dragon to purchase pink and purple matching pendants (£38 each) having first met Helen at the show some four years ago. Obviously a happy repeat customer, albeit with a sizeable interval in between!

The feel of the IHS has changed a great deal. Smaller home grown businesses have been pushed out in favour of large nationwide corporations that dominate the mass expanse of the main exhibition floor. A few token stands are left around the edges of the ground floor for oddly placed scented candle stalls, as though they have been left out in the cold. Whether this is for better or worse is neither here nor there. If you are after a fun day out with lots to see without a specific large-scale purchase in mind, then you’re in the right place. All in all, the IHS is still worth coming to, it’s just that you often come home with a miscellany of items you had no idea you needed, but with a smile on your face, which is a sure sign of a great day out. IHS, ‘til the next time...

Bipolar with babies

I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at school in the sixth form after suffering difficulties when my parents separated. My parents are now back together. To say that the time was challenging was a bit of an understatement, but I scraped through my A-levels and got a place at the University of Leicester to study Law with French Law and Language with a year in Lyon studying for a French law diploma.

I never viewed my condition as a disability - rather as a small illness allowing me to recognise my limitations while still living a happy and full life. With an IQ of 163 and a training contract with a top ten US law firm, I certainly did not let bipolar hold me back.

At the back of my mind I always knew I would need to be careful with pregnancy - a consultant did warn me that this would be a true test of how severe my condition actually was. Due to the huge amount of support from an amazingly understanding husband, parents and siblings, in-laws, close friends and superb guidance from the Havering perinatal service, we have two beautiful daughters, and we are doing well.

It doesn't mean I don't have bad days. A poor night's sleep can rapidly change an everyday situation into a scene of desperation. Baskets of washing piling up with no respite, challenging discussions with the toddler in the supermarket while the baby is kicking off, with a leaking nappy and a top covered in sick. Some of the vomit has been transferred to your shoulder, but you only realise too late that you have been walking around with a "designer stain" for most of the day. In a typically British self-deprecating fashion, I lament about how I haven't really done very much in a day, despite having gotten up, showered, dressed, dressed the two girls, fed them, done teeth, finished homework, put on a wash, prepared hubby's office coffee, fed myself, straightened up the living room, tidied away some toys, opened the morning post, put the junk into recycling... all before 9am.

A combination of the legal training, the Chinese background and the British stiff upper lip prevent me from sharing my woes on Facebook. I did start trying to share some of my moans, but was put off by the small number of likes this attracted and decided that this was probably not want my friends wanted to hear, no matter how cathartic I found it. Instead I post cute pictures of the girls, and big smiles. But as a good friend once said, on Facebook we tell lies to our friends, and on Twitter we tell the truth to strangers. Although some of this rings true, the reality is that I am the same person to all I meet. I once took an in-depth personality analysis test at work. The results were startling. The two graphs comparing my behaviour at home and at the office were close on identical. The analyst said she had never seen anything like it.

If I were to offer any advice to other mums who might be going through tough times, I would just keep it simple by saying that rest is key. If you look after yourself you can look after others so much better. You can only do your best. And even when you don't feel your best, the fact that you worry about that is proof enough that you are doing great. Everyone has their opinion on how best to do something, and we come from all walks of life with different backgrounds, cultures and experiences. We must always do what works best for us. We might make mistakes and fall down. But we sure as hell get back up again, and try and try again. Because we can. Because we care. Just because.

And we are awesome. So just tell yourself that. Every day. Because that awesome carries across to the little ones too. Because awesome breeds awesome.

Last Christmas... at Earl's Court

A jaunt to Earl's Court to visit the Ideal Home Show at Christmas courtesy of MoneySavingExpert was how Mrs Cross Senior and Mrs Cross Junior spent their Sunday. Full of hopes of returning with goodies, and strict instructions not to return with "Christmas tat" nor some dodgy and expensive drinking chocolate (or similar), we started the day with high expectations.

First stop, festive attire! What is Christmas without a jumper to celebrate the spirit of the season? Tillypop stocks unique knitted children's Christmas jumpers, dresses and pyjamas. Designer, Emma is not only a supermum entrepreneur, but also a chartered accountant (CIPFA) by day. I could not resist this Christmas pudding jumper for Baby Cross.

Another boutique with good quality childrenswear was Eeny Meenie. Owner Carla is due to open a store in Ongar. Check out her website for further updates. Eeny Meenie stocks lots of top quality brands including Petit Bateau, Bebe Baby and Jessie and James. This particular number had to come home with me for the bubs.

Family-run businesses make me feel warm and cosy, and I was filled with admiration for father-daughter team of Peter and Primrose Pease who created Angel Share. The name comes from the distillation of whiskey in which the angel's share is the part of the alcohol which evaporates as part of the process. In the same vein, 5% of the profits from the company is reinvested into microfinance loans in developing countries - the angel's share. I picked up this photo frame as my investment back into world goodness, and also because we are short of a frame or two at home.

I wanted to bring home a toy for Penelope and remembered having bought some wooden fruit that could be sliced along their velcro joints for my nieces. My description does not do the product justice! See Trade Toys for more information. The company generally supplies nurseries amd schools and came along to the show to offer the ordinary public their trade prices.

And to finish up with a quirky gadget from the Orient, I took the liberty of purchasing a tea cloud from Taste Taiwan Design. A floating white cloud to infuse your tea leaves. Stylish and clean-cut designs with practicality as a clear focus. Appealing bright colours, interesting solutions to common problems, and overall feel-good aesthetic and ethos. Thank you! A perfect end to.. no, not a perfect day. A manic one, dodging a thousand other shoppers who chose to wander among the stalls for the last time at Earl's Court. The site is due to be bulldozed to make way for what some might term progress. The next time we visit the show, the venue will transfer to Olympia. So long, and thanks for the good times.

Life is a picnic

Popped in to the Indoor Picnic boutique today and came across Anna's handmade Liberty fabric jewellery. Beautiful pieces which are versatile, making excellent gifts for friends and family alike. Or just to indulge yourself in a little treat.

The Indoor Picnic boutique is back in the original spot in the Antiques Centre on Ely Street - open Tuesday to Saturday. Do pop in and say hello to the talented Ms Barnett and enjoy browsing and buying!

Cross my palm with a silver charm...

Anna Barnett is a wonderful and talented lady, owner of Indoor Picnic. I had the pleasure of being a schoolchum of Anna's back in Shakespeare Country where Anna's boutique is located, within the Antiques Centre.

Anna not only sells vintage crockery, but she also makes her own jewellery, using silversmithing techniques by casing oddments of china in silver with stunning results, and also with her handmade Liberty fabric pieces.

The whole shop is a trove for gifts either for a little treat for yourself (and why not?) or with the season for giving just round the corner, finding that perfect present for those friends and family that are difficult to buy for. You are sure to find something to make someone smile.

Just a little kick...

Hooray for exciting new discoveries! This one came at work when an email went round the fifth floor at Thomson Reuters Towers saying that there were pots of chilli jam in the kitchen for our delectation. However, horror of horrors, I was tucked up in the dining room working on my laptop when the message came in.

Mr Cross and I are big fans of chilli jam, so I was keen to find out where this jam came from and how I might go about sampling some. Chill& is a family business, which came about as my friend's mum started making the jam for friends, who came back begging for more. This evening, I sampled the chilli and pepper jam with some pâté and toast. Simply delicious, with just the right amount of kick that gives heat without overpowering the flavour of the jam.

Jams and preserves in four flavours. Chilli and pepper jam, chilli and kiwi jam, chilli and lime marmalade and chilli and chocolate spread. Makes for a nice chilli Christmas hamper if you ask me! If you would like more information, do drop them a line through info@chilliand.co.uk.

Catch the Chilli& team at Highams Park Station farmers' market on the last Sunday of every month. In December, the team will be at the market on the last Sunday before Christmas (Sunday 21 December) so you can be sure to get a few last minute presents!

Showcasing Shottery style!

At the age of 13, Mrs Cross (then Miss J-Lu) sat in a small room in Kendrick School, Reading, taking the 13+ in the presence of her own personal invigilator for a grammar school in Shakespeare Country. About six weeks later, the famille Lu moved into Lu Towers in Shottery, walking distance from said school. Stratford Girls' Grammar is where Mrs Cross spent many happy years - funny memories include playing an elaborate game of hide and seek/treasure hunt called "Safari Man" in the Manor gardens. The balcony of the Manor is rumoured to have inspired Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.

Needless to say, there is a wealth of talent to be found at Shottery, and now my intake have all hit the magic 30-year-old birthdays and beyond, I had the chance to catch up with a few of my classmates to find out how they have been getting on and developing their careers. Among the Shottery collective, there are those that have gone into fashion and style, and with some great success. This blogpost highlights three fantastic ladies of the class of 2000; they are pretty modest about their skills though, so I felt it only right to sound some fanfare about them - and justly so!

Let me first introduce Anna Barnett, who owns Indoor Picnic based in the Antiques Centre (who doesn't reminisce about the sandwich board man-about-town...). Anna opened her shop in September 2011, where she sells her own "Love Scooney" products, alongside an array of antique and vintage china, retro-style fair-trade aprons by Sterck, mid-century refurbished furniture, and other lovely homeware and gifts. Anna has also ventured into silversmithing, encasing oddments of China in silver, producing unique pieces ranging from rings, pendants, bangles, cufflinks and more.

Next on the fashion parade is Kate Hawkridge of St Martin's College fame, who is an established graphic/textile print designer, working with household names such as Debenhams, New Look, Primark, Tesco and others while also working freelance for streetwear brands. This dual aspect to her business allows Kate to balance being commerical and cost-effective in design, while also maintaining her own original and graphic style. Kate also has her own Clumsy brand, selling unique homeware and accessories designed and made in England.

And finally, drumroll please for Bethany Jane Davies, who is a vintage make-up artist and hair stylist, creating fabulous looks from the 20s to the 60s. Bethany's team are able to create bespoke retro hair and make-up looks for private and corporate events, re-enactments, weddings, film sets and photo shoots. The pop-up salon can be hired wherever authentic vintage styling is desired.














I have often wondered what it might be like to run my own business, but the scaredy-cat inside me is just one of the many barriers that prevents me from doing so. Hats off and respect with a capital R to those that are able to set up on their own and make something of it. Shottery Style girls - we salute you!

*Bethany's photographs were taken by Madame Boudoir Photography Studio

Earl's Court - the perfect recovery to a sleepless night...

The blog is back! Yet again! My excuse for the sabbatical his time is Baby Cross, moving house, and Baby Cross again. How many nappy changes does one baby girl need? The right answer is too many! Still she is a lovely little girl and the way she nearly shuts her eyes when she smiles (just like Mummy...) just melts the heart.

Baby Cross is teething, cue sleepless nights for Mummy and Daddy Cross. The best method for recovery is to park baby with Grandad Cross and escape for a day out with partner-in-crime, Granny Cross to the Ideal Home Show.

There are often lots of opportunities to obtain or win free tickets to the show so keep an eye out on the ever excellent MoneySavingExpert for these freebies. Granny Cross and I were lucky enough to partake, though it is very much a fastest finger first affair, so do act quickly.

The show is going into its final weekend, closing on Sunday 30 March, and there are deals to be had. An outing to the Ideal Home Show is bound to conclude in copious unlikely purchases. One year, I returned with an order for an electric garage door, much to the admiration of my next-door neighbour. This year, Granny Cross and I intended on being more scrupulous and discerning purchasers, though whether we succeeded in this venture or not remains to be seen.

Often, IHS is a way of meeting entrepreneurs from far and wide who are more than happy to chat and persuade you to part with your hard-earned cash. Helen Fung from Happy Dragon, (who sources all her products from China) helped me to choose a linked purple jade necklace with silver joinery and fastenings. A piece of jade jewellery is bought to celebrate and mark important landmarks in your life such as marriage and the birth of a child. And corresponding lack of sleep...

A little while later, we came across a decent chap called Dermot Barry, who sold us a beautiful merino wool throw which can be used as a luxurious baby's blanket - warm in the winter and cool in the summer. The throw combines practicality, beauty and quality. And made to last.

Thinking again of Baby Cross, I bought a handmade hat and dungarees outfit from Seesaw, which makes designer children's clothing in Kent. Lovely pieces that are reversible, and more importantly, machine-washable.

Granny Cross was having thoughts about the other grandchildren and was hoping to spruce up their room in Senior Cross Towers. Walltastic has some fantastic wall murals and sticker sets that will instantly brighten up a child's room.

I must also use this opportunity to step away from show exhibitors to highlight the great work of Carren Lu at Artistic Touch. As a client of Carren's myself, I was thrilled with her work on our wedding stationery including a hand-painted seating plan, as well as a wonderful old-fashioned style Winnie the Pooh mural for the nursery.

Back to Earl's Court, and over on the ecolightings stand, we picked up an excellent tip from Tiger Kang on washing crystal chandeliers with white vinegar. He advised that this was in preference to trying out all-singing and all-dancing crystal cleaners which often proved to be expensive and disappointing in their results.

Stopping off for an ice cream, we came across Salcombe Dairy with its delicious choice of scrumptious and sophisticated flavours. In its waffle cone, I greedily scoffed a scoop of honeycomb crunch and choc choc flake.

Needing a present for Mr Cross to get me out of trouble for a hard day's shopping, I rushed over to Val Elvis at Celtic Spirit Co to sample a 12-year-old whiskey. I myself am not a whiskey drinker - my husband has an extensive collection, but somehow I could appreciate the silky smoothness of the the tipple and merrily purchased a bottle.

Finally, the Edinburgh Natural Skincare Company do skin products in genuine Kilner jars with ingredients tested by chemists to ensure maximum efficacy. Their geranium cream was a firm favourite, so much so that one pot had to come home with me. The skin is still soft hours after application, as I can well testify.

Overall, the Ideal Home Show offers a fun day out with shopping options galore. As we boarded the tube to go home, many a happy customer joined us with bags in hand. Exhausting, yes, and maybe not the ideal antidote to a sleepless night, but a worthwhile and satisfying one all the same.

A lady can learn a lot in three years...

Dear audience of web version suitable for the 22nd century

On reviewing my blogs over the last three years, I decided to repost a blog post I published over three years ago when I first had the luck of meeting Yevgeny at Margaret Court in Tiddington. Margaret Court is named after Auntie Margaret who is the wife of Uncle Bob. Uncle Bob is a true gentleman and when I once aided his political campaign to lead the Lib Dems out of their plight in the local area, he only did it because he wanted to make a difference, and not to fuel ambition. I myself would never be a good poltician as Nick Clegg's wife might believe as law and politics do not mix very well. Peaceful co-existence is not the phrase that comes to mind! Rather a battle of wills.

However, in a war of attrition, I think I would beat the best of them - my favourite British policy is "wait-and-see" which has stood the test of time. Those who do not learn the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them as my wise history teacher, Mrs Willis once remarked. She also said something about the great mass of filthy unwashed, which had me in hysterics, as it sounded much like London on a very hot day!

Anyway I am rambling now and repost my thoughts to you below.

This one's for you Yevgeny!

********

During a lovely weekend stay back in Stratford-upon-Avon at Lu headquarters, Uncle Bob and Auntie Margaret invited us to be their guests at a piano recital of the young and rather promising Russian pianist, Yevgeny Sudbin. Already hailed as one of the most talented musicians of the 21st century, my expectations were high. And I was not disapppointed.

Everyone loves Chopin. And particular Sudbin's interpretations of the mazurkas and ballades. His technique is rather impeccable and his manner is vibrant and energetic, though under a degree of considerable control. It was unfortunate that it appeared as though the piano did not meet with Sudbin's standards, remarking politely later at tea that the piano "had once been very good". Note to the Civic Hall that perhaps they might consider an upgrade...

I am a bit of a groupie, so while I was waiting for him to unwrap my CD before signing it, we had a little chat about this and that. He doesn't like Alitalia, flew with BA recently from Holland but was unaffected by the strikes, enjoys yoga and would like to find more time for the gym, but can't and generally seems like a very amiable chap. When I asked him to write "practice makes perfect" in my CD, he said in a bemused fashion "Well it doesn't always".

Sudbin appeared a little tired while we bantered. In the middle of a world tour, off to the states next, this 30-year-old wonder seemed weary, though not wary. He indulged me in my funny questions and attempts at banter, and actually I think he did rather well.

You can catch Sudbin at the Queen Elizabeth Hall on 25 March playing the same programme as heard in Stratford upon Avon, or at the Royal Festival Hall on 15 April when he performs Shostakovich's second piano concerto with the Philarmonia Orchestra.

Tune in next time for more cultural chit-chat. Until the next time...

High flying adored

It's been a long time since I blogged, and now I am back. You will be relieved to know that I am not going to lead a hate campaign against a certain Spanish bank that must-not-be-named, nor will I mention a very awful supermarket that rhymes with UNESCO, instead I am flying the flag for saving the pennies and revealing my patriotic side in this glorious Jubilee year.

First off, saving the pennies. What is the one luxury that you cannot possibly live without? When the chips are down and the banks are printing more money just to make the world go round, I would say the one material thing I could not go without is a good holiday. Buyer beware, or caveat emptor as we lawyers might say. A cheap holiday may leave you with a whole lot more than you bargained for.

Take for example a flight with a low-cost carrier. More often than not, these airlines employ a "stealth pricing strategy" involving added charges for hold baggage, seats together, so-called priority boarding (have you ever seen us Chinese queuing???) and don't even get me started on expensive food. The cruellest and most evil thing anyone can do on a plane is to order one of those overpriced ham and cheese toasties, or a bacon sarnie and smile sweetly as the scent wafts gently down the aisle of the aircraft. Enough said.

Anyway, by the time you have paid for all these added extras, you may as well have gone with a regular airline, got your free paper, drunk your bubbles, thank you very much, and not had to wear a jacket that doubles up as a suitcase. Besides, the flight times with these more traditional fleets generally tends to be more civilised so travelling is just less stressful.

On our recent trip to China, Mr Cross insisted we pay for Premium Economy as he is six foot tall and played American Football at university (it's called college football for those in the know, and it's called a lid and not a helmet in case you were wondering!). On the return journey, I was so exhausted and stressed out from the 16-day tour, that I made up my mind that I was going to get us a complimentary upgrade to Club. If you don't know me, as many of you don't, you will soon learn that when I decide to do something, I don't do it by halves. All or nothing as the croupier might shout.

The short version of the story is that it took me 30 minutes of refusing to budge from the check-in desk, my best Sportmax coat, a lot of charm and patience, and a combination of English, fluent Cantonese and conversational Mandarin, and sheer dogged determination, and after that half hour, I emerged floating in a bubble, not quite believing I had done it, but I had. And no, it didn't cost me the 11,000RMB per person I was quoted from the outset. It cost me some time, possibly one grey hair (Mr Cross can pull it out at a later date), and a few glares from some staff and fellow passengers, and all I can say is that for the 13-hour flight back to Terminal 5, it was the best deal I have struck thus far. Well I don't count my marriage contract - there are some that may say that Mr Cross has done a deal with a little red devil.

Call me what you like, but just remember this: DON'T CALL ME JANE!!!

Vintage at Southbank

It was a fun Friday lunchtime today when Lady Cross and her pals found themselves wandering around the wonderful stalls at Vintage at Southbank.

There are some amazing finds, fabulous frocks and wonderful people, all of whom are friendly and willing to sell. Here is a quick preview of some of the best.

My favourite jewellery stall was bobbin & bow, with this hummingbird necklace being a choice pick. The jeweller was inspired by her grandmother, who was also a designer. All the pieces are handmade and extremely wearable as well as being beautiful.

In terms of big-hearted personalities, one big hit with the girls was Galina Sherri. She is a stylist extraordinaire and has record-label musicians on her books. Her amazing emporium of goodies included a pair of open-toe Ferragamos (sadly size 4.5), mother-of-pearl antique cuffs and a gorgeous array of clothes to suit any discerning vintage buff.

And when it's time to stop for tea, when who better to call than Mrs Stokes. Lovely tea sets at affordable prices, including great names such as Royal Albert and Webster. But that's not all. Mrs Stokes offers a china hire service, haberdashery, cake-plates and stands and even tea parties.

After all, a nice cup of English breakfast always tastes better in fine china. Why not make it vintage?

Lady Cross seals the deal

Hi all

I thought I would share with you a quick hint about how to save money when making purchases, by sharing a recent shopping experience with you. I am not sure whether it is because of my non-practising lawyer status, or because of my Chinese heritage, but when purchasing items, I always remember the number one rule of negotiation - never accept a first offer.

Take for example the approach I took to buying a piece of jewellery for a close relative's special birthday. The piece that I picked out was not in the sale, and was priced at over £200. I sent a polite e-mail to customer services asking if they could offer me a discount code as I was buying a present for a 60th birthday. I pointed out that the item I wished to buy was not reduced, was retailing at a couple of hundred, and I would really appreciate any help they could offer me in relation to a special deal. A couple of days later, a very friendly and happy e-mail from a customer services adviser from H Samuel offered me an online code with a 15% discount. I also benefitted from cashback from my favourite cashback site Quidco (have you seen their latest advert on TV?).

I spoke to a friend at work about my success and she said she felt she could not bring herself to ask such a thing of a salesperson. I do have sympathy with that. If you feel uncomfortable about asking, then just don't. And to be honest, if you have that kind of vibe as you nervously ask Mr-Shiny-Shoes-in-a-Suit for a deal (while avoiding eye contact), the chances are that you will probably not strike gold. My friend agreed however that the worst response she could receive was a no. Which is true. And it is their prerogative to say no after all, so be prepared for that.

The key thing is to be polite, firm and non-abusive (non-abusive is important). After all, the staff are there to serve you and they probably make commission from your sale, so if they can help you commit to the sale with an incentive, then it is win-win situation - the best outcome in a negotiation scenario.

I know at times, customer service can be frustrating (you know my history with Santander), but at the end of the day, these people we encounter are not personally responsible for the bad experiences you have had. To be fair, sometimes they add to your irritation by being rude when you complain, which only exacerbates the situation, but generally I like to think that people are not horrible and do not have anything better to do then make your life a misery. Or has my foray from the steely legal sphere into the world of legal publishing left me soft and less cynical?

I'll let you be the judge of that.

Wedding touch

Hello!

In the spirit of Royal Wedding madness, I am going to introduce you to Wedding Touch, a business venture of our friend Carren, who helped us on our special day. Check out her portfolio at http://www.theweddingtouch.blogspot.com/ which includes some pictures from our wedding.

Place cards, menus, table plans - all tailored to your specific wishes. My sister got our guests to sign their table menu which is a lovely wedding keepsake from the day. The table plan is beautifully framed and has pride of place in the study. I am particularly pleased about the table plan as each table was named after a Shakespeare play (well - our wedding was in Stratford upon Avon!) and Carren found old-fashioned pictures from each play and used them as watermark backgrounds for each table, with the guests names printed on top. The big "Jane-May and Graham" in the centre was handpainted.

Carren's magical touch in attention to detail, and quality and beauty of design was the icing on the cake (!) and providing the perfect finishing touch to our wedding day.

Have fun this Royal Wedding bank holiday weekend guys and gals - enjoy the sunshine! And maybe even enjoy planning your own wedding with Wedding Touch!