On a recent trip to Luang Prabang in Laos, I discovered this elephants head covered in fantastic mirrored glass. I couldn't help but be reminded of British artist, Damien Hirst' diamond encrusted skull.

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Here in Vietnam we just celebrated the Lunar New Year, bringing in the year of the Tiger. Happy New Year to all!

A year on since the CAS1 collection was started and I have made no major changes; only to improve by supporting the wooden slats with a discreet centre rail and a move from Oak slats to sustainably sourced Teak slats.
The teak slats make for a hardier outdoor timber and will ensure the longevity of the product.
It has been a pleasure to see how well this collection has been received and to see it grow.

I travelled home for Christmas to launch the new CAS1 or (CAST) product with Heal’s at Charles Dickens house which is now a museum at 48 Doughty Street, London. A truly memorable evening with the whole house adorned top to bottom with the special Heal’s bicentenary design pieces. To complete the very “British” winter soiree, we were serenaded by the Monteverdi Vespers Skolia choir who sang Christmas carols- doesn’t get more festive, all this whilst nibbling on very British canapés of miniature bubble and squeak and toad in the hole!
I spent a very enjoyable part of the evening chatting and comparing notes with Simon Pengelly who had designed a simple and delightful drinks table, “Tipple”.

In the full knowledge that Christmas is a time for over indulgence and consumption of the gastronomic kind, I decided to show ‘stomach’ (my childhood nick name!) who’s boss by going on a 5mile run every other day.
An excellent plan however, over the summer my parents retired and moved house; all my winter clothes were boxed, bagged and somewhere that perhaps only Santa’s elves could find. As the temperature was plummeting by the minute, and the snow was falling outside at a rate that was making the bookies sweat, I knew I had to find a sweat-shirt or something! My mother, forever practical, uncovered my old, and rather small, Cub Scout jumper, complete with badges! Incredibly, I was able to “shoe-horn” myself into it, making the perfect running top- warm and breathable due to it’s slightly short midriff!

I never ran so fast!