Vogue by the Fire

Hey all!

Hope you all had a crazy good Christmas! I certainly did, and I got absolutely showered in gifts by the boyfriend. So much so I was nicknamed The Spoilt Brat on Christmas Day and a touch embarrassed at the huge pile of wrapping paper I’d accumulated.

So...one of Jane’s 5 star crimbo outfits...




I came downstairs on Christmas Eve and found an adorable lil’ festive fairy tending to the log fire – Jane once again dared to break the rules enforced by the fashion police for ladies over 40. Skirts that sit above the knee are often frowned upon once you reach a certain age, but correct me if I’m wrong, if you have the legs to pull shorter lengths off, why the hell should they be forgotten?

Jane rocks around the Christmas tree in this fabulous tartan mini skirt with pleat detailing, her new Stefanel booties and Blu Sand jumper from Milan. I also delighted at her teeth-grittingly cute headband which sets of the red accessories perfecto.

Snow Angels

How excited am I about all this snow in the UK? SO excited. Even with the (usual) mean dusting that Bristol was handed out, I still couldn’t resist leaping about like a crazed child and writing inane nothings in the unspoilt bits - then moaning when my fingers got cold. I also jumped at the opportunity to play outfit-swap with Mummy Jane.




She donned my treasured Karen Millen military coat, while I totally kitted myself out in her Burberry trench and scarf. I’m kind of upset that the Burberry print has this awful association with the chavs of this world, but I’m convincing myself that as long as I don’t reach for the oversized gold earrings and Reebok Classics, I can pull it off.

Meanwhile, you should wear more royal blue Ma, it suits you! God, I bloody love that coat.

PS Happy Christmas Eve Eve! Eeeeeeeeeee! Wow, I need to calm down.

Milano - Buen Natale!

While some of us have to make do with facing Christmas shopping stress in our local town centres with the masses of dawdling pensioners and pushchairs that make you wish you knew how to drive a steam-roller, Jane escaped to Milan for a couple of days to get her lists checked off and oh, managed to pop by the La Scala Theatre, Duomo di Milano, and Prada while she was at it. Lucky Mummy....grumble grumble...

My favourite purchase of hers are these Stefanel ankle boots, and I'm totally checking the heel. She ended up getting them in brown suede with a peep toe, and a black leather pair, perfect for flaunting around Milan in your Miu Miu coat if you ask me.

I'm also loving the the black cowl neck jumper which apparently was a bargain at 39 Euros from Blu Sand (just as well really after that boot splurge!). From home, Jane brought out her Just Cavalli black dress which has the length and detailing to go from day to night, and she wore it with her black Russell & Bromley boots in the cold Italian weather.

Meanwhile, back in dreary England, I've arrived in the South West ready for the crimbo celebrations and yes, Jane's wardrobe is officially not safe. Haha. Guard your Gucci's Mother!

Chocolate Jane

Being the last day at work today before Christmas (YA-FREAKIN’-HOO!) there are copious amounts of treats and naughties scattered around the office tempting me into early submission to the threat of crimbo weight-gain. I’ve resisted rather well so far, but here to remind me that the chocolate coins, logs, snowmen and oranges are here to remain for at least another couple of weeks, is Jane in her salute to shades of cocoa.



The skirt is a Plein Sud Jeans number, the cardigan is Brora, the shoes are Karen Millen and that incredible belt is Jigsaw. A good Christmas Day outfit I’m thinking...an alternative to the dreaded festive jumper and cliché red and greens. Although, Santa - I'll let you off mate. Right, back to my chocolate digestives…NOM NOM NOM.

Plum Perfect

I love purple. I don’t wear it enough. Jane totally works the lilac look with that 100% silk, Rangoon, Indo-Chine Francaise skirt and Brora tank top, while the chocolate Brora cardigan brings together/marries/makes love to those brown Wolford opaque tights and Jane Brown bar strap shoes with pink detailing in way that makes me want to reach for the raspberry truffles like they’re my last meal. Which reminds me, I’m going to treat myself to some Eden chocolates from Thornton’s when I get home. If you don’t know what I’m talking about then you haven’t LIVED!


Also, Jane is in the fabulous city of Milan at the moment, so hopefully she a) has bought me a present(s), and b) will have some awesome photos to show you all soon. Excited!

PS. Happy Christmas Eve Eve Eve Eve Eve Eve Eve X

Check it Out

…I’m sorry. I realise that title is major Dad joke rubbish but I couldn’t help myself. It’s my last week at work before the holidays and I’m SO Christmassy I might just turn into a Yule log at any given moment. YAY.


Jane is modelling her super smart, blue Karen Millen checked dress with another Brora cashmere cardigan and THAT Prada belt. There’s also a headband under those goldielock ringlets of Mummy’s, but the photo doesn’t do it justice much. But the point is, headbands aren’t just for school girls, they’re ever so cute if you choose wisely. ASOS have a fabulous range at the moment, get excited for them!

Inspired by Cinders

Showing a definite loyalty to the house of Marithe Francois Girbaud, Jane chose the pale green version of the dress she wore for her Artizan visit and updated it for winter with a cream Brora tank top and cashmere cardigan.


There’s something wonderfully Cinderella-before-the-ball about the layered hemline on that dress –although obviously Ma looks far too good to be scrubbing floors – and I’m sure nearly any woman would make it work on their figure. It’s cute without being matron-y and totally works for casualwear.

Check out these Topshop beauties which will achieve a similar look – make like Jane and team with neutral jersey tops and cardigans.

Daisy Hook and Eye Dress.

Silk Zip Swing Dress.

Super Gran

I love crazy love this. A 75 year old Grandmother wins TV talent competition in Spain for her Salsa dancing. I've said it once and I'll say it again, age is just a number girls.

Love for Camel

I’m psyched Jane got this coat out to show y’all – this gorgeous camel-coloured Miu Miu with a shearling lining has played a starring role in Mamma’s wardrobe for years and years and looks incredible with those Russell & Bromley ankle boots. It’s also durable, with one particular New Years Eve springing to mind…yes Mother, I’m talking about the one with the champagne, and the candle wax on your Miu Miu - when you came home calling everyone Kirsty? Brilliant!



Hang on, since when did that bay leaf bush by the front door get so ma-hoooooosive?? That’s actually ridiculous. I remember sitting in its pot trying to catch ants…anyway, I couldn’t help but be reminded of a similar look put together by Harper’s Bazaar as part of an article celebrating the camel coat. It’s all about mixing luxurious textures with neutral shades and wearing some updated accessories like gloves or tights to bring the look into modern day. I would have tried adding a chunky belt with Jane’s coat, maybe.

Painting the Town Red

Ok, so as we know, Jane loves Karen Millen a fair bit and thus it’ll come as no surprise that her latest hunt for a cocktail dress to wear to the Being Human wrap party resulted in her purchase of this rock ‘n’ roll scarlet KM bow dress.

She had a bit of a shoe dilemma, of which she papped for us to see – we’ve all been there – “just what shoes do I wear…I haven’t got anything…there are no shoes in my life…I’m going to have to buy a new pair…oh wait, those ones look bloody brilliant, panic over”. Eventually settling on the matching red Russell & Bromley patents (which have been featured on here relentlessly), Jane showed up to the party and stole the show.

Rabbit Food

Another look at what helps keep Jane in such incredible shape today – her diet. Now I realise some of this may seem rather generic and obvious and like we’ve just copied it out of a book, but I can 100% promise you this really is what Jane eats. Fact. Anyone who knows us will testify for this, I for one have spent enough nights watching her spoon watercress down her throat to know the truth. So, I officially name this the She’s No Plain Jane Diet – that phrase “you are what you eat” rings true here - creams will only do so much and we can see that Jane’s years of obsessively healthy eating have given the hands of the clock one hell of a middle finger.

Breakfast: One large cup of coffee, half and half with hot skimmed milk. One zinc and vitamin c capsule, followed by a kiwi and a bowl of Waitrose muesli made with lots of seeds, plus unsweetened soya milk, a sliced banana and a handful of blueberries.

Jane explains, “soya is good for ladies of a certain age who like me, do not take HRT. If I am working, I will try and eat this before I leave, but as I sometimes have to leave before 6.30 a.m. then I have brown toast with fresh grilled tomatoes from the caterers on set, though I always have the kiwi. Another occasional breakfast is 2 boiled eggs and marmite on brown toast with green tea.”

Mid-morning snack: Green tea, and a raw carrot. Jane adores green tea, and “drinks lots throughout the day, and I carry the tea bags in my handbag so that I am never without. When I work I take raw carrots, fruit and crispbreads to nibble on, so that I am not tempted to eat any rubbish when I am cold and hungry on location.”

Lunch: Raw vegetables with a bit of edam cheese, or heated up fresh tomato juice with some Tabasco in it, to drink like soup. “At work I choose fish, lean chicken or the veggie option with a salad or the vegetables from the caterers. No potatoes, unless there is a jacket one.... I like the skin! And I don’t really eat pudding.”

If Jane is out lunching with friends, she usually chooses a light starter, then fish or game with vegetables or salad.

Mid afternoon snack: Green tea, nuts, and some cheese.

Dinner: A whole bag of kale quickly stir fried in nut oil and seeds. While this is cooking Jane microwaves some Edam cheese and fresh tomatoes on a plate and piles the kale on top. She says, “I love to save my hunger for the evening meal, and eat it slowly as always. I drink either water, tomato juice or a glass of wine with this. Later I will have fruit, more green tea and snack on nuts.

“At weekends I cook for [Dad] Roger and I, and will sometimes have a rare steak. That kind of protein is very good for you in moderation. We always have a bottle of wine too.”

So there you have it folks, doesn’t it just make you feel sick? Personally I’ve tried to adopt some of these foodie routines into my life but I nearly always epically fail at the no pudding bit. I love chocolate, ice cream and butter popcorn far, far too much. One day I might pull my socks up and follow her example, but I’m a student right now and therefore submit to the pizza. However, the She’s No Plain Jane diet is certainly a miracle worker after a couple of heavy days on a junk food/alcohol binge that’s left your body retching for the antioxidants. Plus, if you really can stick to the regime, Jane is living proof you’ll cheat your age, shed pounds and nearly never get ill.

Get Yo Hair 'Did

Another member of Jane’s entourage to blow up the posts – Rob, her hair stylist has been attending to Ma’s tresses since before I was even a thought. He’s a partner in the Artizan George Street salon in Bath and you’re going to have to excuse me while I just have a bit of a rave about this awesome joint.


I know I don’t speak for everyone when I say this, but some girls like Jane and I don’t just go the hairdressers to get neatened up a bit, they go for the experience – the added extras aside from a freakin’ hawwt cut and colour. I’m talking intelligent conversation, funky atmosphere, stylists that actually listen and remember your preferences, professional head massages and hot chocolate on tap. Artizan rocks all of the above and doesn’t even mind when you take a handful, rather than just one, of their free mints. I. Just. Love. It. So, if you’ll be in Bath at any point, try it out, and tell Rob I said hello. But otherwise, do get yourself a good hair salon because aside from the service, your hair is something you wear everyday: spend wisely.

Jane is flaunting a denim Marithe Francois Girbaud dress teamed with a Primark t-shirt and red Russell & Bromley shoes. Lengthly lolz at Rob and Jane’s accidental His and Her’s outfit clashing...brilliant!

Chic in the Cold

A good quality, warm and stylish coat I believe should be present in every woman’s wardrobe – as an alternative to the North Face garments if one can possibly help it unless Arctic hikes are a planned necessity. Think long, thick and sumptuous fabrics like moleskin or jacquard, with beautiful trims, bling buttons or/and flattering pleats – I don’t want to sound boring with all the Karen Millen plugs on here, but they have some seriously rocking pieces at the moment (see below with some cheaper alternatives).

Jane is modelling a black Sass & Bide coat with her Russell & Bromley handbag and boots looking like a supreme excuse to welcome winter in. Glam outerwear like this, and I include the trenches out there, are so brilliantly feminine - yes they keep us warm, but they also give us mini waists, make our legs look like matchsticks and if you really wanted to surprise a lucky fellow and wear nothing but Agent Provocateur on underneath, it’s sure as hell your prerogative honey.

Fit¹

“adjective (fitter, fittest) 1 of a suitable quality, standard, or type to meet the required purpose. 2 in good health, especially through regular physical exercise. 3 (fit to do) informal on the point of doing. 4 Brit. informal sexually attractive. 5 Jane"

Lolz ok so I added in that last one myself. But when Mummy Jane works it out at her local Pilates class at home in Bristol, I think she totally encompasses all of the above, dontcha agree?...and now for a few examples of how to stay in firm and fabulous shape from the comfort of your own living room! These positions will tone and condition your body if practised often, try and hold for as long as is comfortable, breathing regularly and deeply.

And something to aim for...Mamma owns those classes! Ouch.

Jane is sporting some hawwwt Primark shorts (after a raid of my wardrobe) and a Lycra body suit from a local dance shop looking every inch the Fame filmstar. High fives in their masses!

Nosey Peek: Jane’s Bathroom

May I just start by saying...Happy Advent! I hope you love Christmas as much as I do...I'm still that kid that gets up at 3am on Christmas day and throws up with the excitement...anyway. There have been a few enquiries into Jane’s beauty regime of late: just how does she manage to look so damn good? Mummy Jane and I are great believers in most beauty secrets being related to what you eat/drink and your general lifestyle, but there are also a few products and treatments she swears by. I had an awesome snoop around her en suite…

On her pretty lil’ face she uses Lancôme’s Renergie Morpholift with SP15 because hell, the sun on your face is not always your friend ladies. Not that us UK homegirls need to worry about that too much these days, hey? Jane also raves about Jan Marini’s Bioglycolic facial cleanser and moisturisers which fade pigmentation marks and reduce pores.

Yussss, I know those Mason Pearson hairbrushes are expensive but, O-M-G are they good. They will literally last a lifetime (I still have mine from when I was about 6) and they leave your hair feeling serious amazeballs.

Click on the pretty pic above for product details, and check back here for more Nosey Peeks fo' sho!