This week, we have the super lovely Denim Guru – Donna Ida of Donna Ida Denim, who has shared her secrets around the world… www.donnaida.com

THE PLACE TO Eat:

-I recently went to Dinner with Heston Blumenthal and it was amazing!!  Such fantastic food.  Heston’s food is always amazing but if you have a chance to go to Dinner you must – and order the Meat Fruit to start with and the Tipsy Cake for dessert – I’ll leave the main for you to decide.

-A restaurant I have been going to for years and never ever ever lets me down is Daphne’s in Chelsea.  The food is perfectly comforting.  I always have the meatballs with a side of spinach and for dessert the pineapple and mango carpaccio.

-I’m heading to NY soon and dreaming of hot chocolate with chilli at Mariebelle.  I stumbled across this shop a few years ago and it’s one of those places that has really stuck in my mind.  The little tea room in the back is the most fantastic chocolate grotto and is a must for every chocoholic visiting NY.

 

THE PLACE TO Shop:

Most of my clothes are from Donna Ida, but if I need a dress or something different I head to Net-a-Porter.  Their service and delivery is lightning quick.  I tend to shop when I’m travelling as don’t have time in London, so when I’m in NY I’ll have a look around Intermix, Barney’s, Saks (for the ridiculously big shoe department), and Bergdorfs.  When I go to LA I’ll always check out all the fun bits and pieces at Kitson and I love visiting Ron Herman and Maxfield in LA too.  Both are a must.  When I’m in Paris I always go to Miu Miu – my shoe size is a 35 and they always miraculously (and unfortunately) seem to have my size.

 

THE PLACE TO Chill:

My idea of bliss is sun, a beach, a lounger, and a hundred books.  For a whole week.  I love Barbados for a guaranteed relaxing break.  Sandy Lane is great or we stay at Landfall, which is a fully staffed private house.  Heaven!

 

THE PLACE TO Party:

I’m more of a cocktail at the bar girl then a…..party girl.  For me, crazy is order a third cocktail.  I love the Arts Club on Dover Street and the bar at Morton’s Club in Berkeley Square.  One place that would bring out the party spirit in me is Soho House in LA though – amazing!  They have a great photo booth and dinner amongst the olive trees high above LA is really something else.

 

THE PLACE TO Pamper:

I had a facial a few months ago with Philippa at Sarah Chapman.  She’s at 106 Draycott Avenue above the Donna Ida Chelsea boutique.  The facial was so good I couldn’t stop thinking about it for weeks afterwards – seriously!  The woman has amazing hands and a bedside manner that should be bottled.  I’m also a big fan of a massage and the spa at the One & Only Ocean Club in the Bahamas is amazing.  Unbelievably good and super relaxing!  They have a whole host of treatments – book yourself in for a whole morning.