MULBERRY HANDBAG TRENDS FOR SS 2015

Yellow Mulberry handbag
A new shape for Mulberry, we're loving this soft and easy structure.

White and brown Mulberry Lily bag
Mulberry's Lily bag gets a SS15 colour makeover.

From the Kensington bag in rich blue calf hair to mixed material Bayswaters, textured bags are going nowhere.

White Mulberry Tessie crossbody bag
Mulberry's new cheaper Tessie satchel is here to stay for SS15.

Red Mulberry clutch bag
We love it when Mulberry does red. Especially in the form of sleek clutch bags.

Mulberry's favourite colour of the season? Hot tangerine, on tote bags, shoulder bags, crossbody bags and zip pouches.

A new take on slate grey, Mulberry's SS15 shade is light and chic, ready to go with everything you've ever owned.

The lightweight Blossom tote is picking up where the Dorset tote left off, in bright block colours with contrasting tassels.

If you love a good work bag, Mulberry's the place to shop next spring with plenty of shapes that can easily handle your tablet, folders and everyday essentials.

MOSCHINO SPRING/SUMMER 2015 READY-TO-WEAR

Moschino  is an Italian luxury fashion house, specilialized ready-to-wear, leather and fashion accessories, shoes, luggage, perfume etc., founded in 1983 by Franco Moschino.

The brand was originally created in 1983 by the late Franco Moschino (1950–1994). Moschino and his fashion label became famous for his innovative, colorful – sometimes eccentric – designs, for his criticisms of the fashion industry and for his social awareness campaigns in the early 1990s. After Moschino's untimely death, Rossella Jardini, his former assistant, became creative director. The brand has been part of the Aeffe fashion group since 1999.

Rossella Jardini was Moschino’s Creative Director from 1994 to October 2013. Responsible for the brand image and style, Jardini fulfilled the role of “creative witness”, keeping the stylistic and philosophical approach alive following the death of Franco Moschino (on 18 September 1994), with whom she collaborated from 1981. In October 2013, Jeremy Scott became Moschino's creative director, showing his first Moschino collection in Fall 2014.

In 2006, Moschino designed the outfits for the opening ceremony of the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin. Moschino also designed outfits for Kylie Minogue's 2005 Showgirl - The Greatest Hits Tour and Madonna's 2008 Sticky & Sweet Tour.

A BOXED Barbie doll (dressed in fuchsia Moschino, of course) on every seat along with a bubblegum pink Disney-style hand mirror that happens to double up as an i-Phone case (the follow-up to last season's rubberised McDonald's carton of fries): in his second season at the helm of Moschino, Jeremy Scott shows no signs of toning it down. And really, why should he? The fact is his clothes and accessories are selling like hot cakes, so who can blame him if his taste for pop culture and kitsch is a formula that’s working.

Aqua’s Barbie Girl played out over the sound system – in case his audience was left in any doubt as to where his head was at - and a real life-size Barbie opened the show – in the exact same outfit as the plastic Barbie in the box. More rea- life Barbie dolls followed; every one styled in curled blonde wig. There’s Business Woman Barbie dressed in a sparkling pink skirt suit; Roller Skating Barbie, yes she zoomed out on white roller skates - much to the crowd's delight; Work Out Barbie, dressed in a pink tracksuit and carrying hand weights; Cowgirl Barbie, in sequined blue jeans, boots and knotted shirt; 

There were other non-pink looks too, like a white terry cloth biker jacket, a riff on a Chanel skirt suit decorated entirely in monochrome sequins, a gold trench coat, sheer black blouses printed in gold chains and many plastic-fantastic handbags – some, seemingly made from blow-up pool toys.

It was madcap, colourful and wild and in essence, everything this house stands for. The finale of dresses – and one white pearlised tuxedo, every look, fit for a beauty queen finale - was like a five-year-old’s dream. And perhaps too, several others in this show space tonight: there wasn’t one face without a smile.

ERIN FETHERSTON SPRING/SUMMER 2015 READY-TO-WEAR

Erin Fetherston is an American designer from San Francisco, California . She graduated from UC Berkeley before attending Parson's School of Design in Paris.

In January 2005, she first presented her eponymous label during the Paris Haute Couture Shows. From its debut, the collection established Fetherston’s signature feminine, whimsical and romantic sensibility, earning the brand a devoted following of press and celebrities. In 2007, Fetherston moved to New York City where she has since shown her ready-to-wear collection during New York City Fashion Wee

Fetherston is also known for her multi-media projects, creating short films and photographic works in tandem with photographer Ellen Von Unwerth featuring Kirsten Dunst, Zooey Deschanel and Karen Elson.

Among her honors, Fetherston was a recipient of the 2007 Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation Award, a finalist for the 2007 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, and in 2009 was inducted as a member of the CFDA.

In November 2007, her limited-time discount line debuted at the nationwide retailer Target. In April 2010, Fetherston was named as guest designer and creative consultant for the irreverent lifestyle brand Juicy Couture.

Fetherston debuted her contemporary offering 'ERIN' in 2011. The collection can be found at Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale's, Barneys Japan, Harvey Nichols Hong Kong, and United Arrows as well as specialty boutiques worldwide.

In May 2013, Fetherston married musician Gabe Saporta.

SS 2015 BEAUTY

WORTH SHARING; THINGS YOU SHOULD NEVER SAY TO YOUR KIDS

You probably wouldn't use old-school phrases like "Wait until your father gets home" or "I wish you were more like your sister" with your kids. But there are lots of less obvious ones that you should avoid, for their sake and yours.

Great Job

Research has shown that tossing out a generic phrase like "Good girl" or "Way to go" every time your child masters a skill makes her dependent on your affirmation rather than her own motivation, says Parents advisor Jenn Berman, Psy.D., author of The A to Z Guide to Raising Happy, Confident Kids. Save the kudos for when they're truly warranted, and be as specific as you can. Instead of "Super game," say, "That was a nice assist. I like how you looked for your teammate."

Practice makes perfect

It's true that the more time your child devotes, the sharper his skills will become. However, this adage can ramp up the pressure he feels to win or excel. "It sends the message that if you make mistakes, you didn't train hard enough," says Joel Fish, Ph.D., author of 101 Ways to Be a Terrific Sports Parent. "I've seen kids beat themselves up, wondering, 'What's wrong with me? I practice, practice, practice, and I'm still not the best.'" Instead, encourage your child to work hard because he'll improve and feel proud of his progress.

You're okay

When your child scrapes his knee and bursts into tears, your instinct may be to reassure him that he's not badly hurt. But telling him he's fine may only make him feel worse. "Your kid is crying because he's not okay," says Dr. Berman. Your job is to help him understand and deal with his emotions, not discount them. Try giving him a hug and acknowledging what he's feeling by saying something like, "That was a scary fall." Then ask whether he'd like a bandage or a kiss (or both).

Hurry up

Your child dawdles over her breakfast, insists on tying her own sneakers (even though she hasn't quite mastered the technique yet), and is on pace to be late for school -- again. But pushing her to get a move on creates additional stress, says Linda Acredolo, Ph.D., coauthor of Baby Minds. Soften your tone slightly by saying, "Let's hurry," which sends the message that the two of you are on the same team. You can also turn the act of getting ready into a game: "Why don't we race to see who can get her pants on first?"

I'm on a diet

Watching your weight? Keep it to yourself. If your child sees you stepping on the scale every day and hears you talk about being "fat," she may develop an unhealthy body image, says Marc S. Jacobson, M.D., professor of pediatrics and epidemiology at Nassau University Medical Center, in East Meadow, New York. It's better to say, "I'm eating healthy because I like the way it makes me feel." Take the same tack with working out. "I need to exercise" can sound like a complaint, but "It's beautiful outside -- I'm going to take a walk" may inspire her to join you.

We can't afford that

It's easy to use this default response when your child begs you for the latest toy. But doing so sends the message that you're not in control of your finances, which can be scary for kids, says Jayne Pearl, the author of Kids and Money. Grade-schoolers may also call you on this claim if you turn around and make an expensive household purchase. Choose an alternative way to convey the same idea, such as, "We're not going to buy that because we're saving our money for more important things." If she insists on discussing it further, you have a perfect window to start a conversation about how to budget and manage money.

Don't talk to strangers

This is a tough concept for a young child to grasp. Even if a person is unfamiliar, she may not think of him as a stranger if he's nice to her. Plus, kids may take this rule the wrong way and resist the help of police officers or firefighters whom they don't know, says Nancy McBride, executive director for the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, Florida Regional Office, in Lake Park. Instead of warning her about strangers, bring up scenarios ("What would you do if a man you don't know offers you candy and a ride home?"), have her explain what she'd do, then guide her to the proper course of action. Since the vast majority of child-abduction cases involve someone a kid already knows, you might also adopt McBride's favorite safety mantra: "If anyone makes you feel sad, scared, or confused, you need to tell me right away."

Be careful

Saying this while your child is balancing on the monkey bars at the playground actually makes it more likely that he'll fall. "Your words distract him from what he's doing, so he loses focus," says Deborah Carlisle Solomon, author of Baby Knows Best. If you're feeling anxious, move close to spot him in case he takes a tumble, being as still and quiet as you can.

No dessert unless you finish your dinner

Using this expression increases a child's perceived value of the treat and diminishes his enjoyment of the meal itself -- the opposite of what you want to accomplish, says Parents advisor David Ludwig, M.D., Ph.D., director of the New Balance Foundation Obesity Prevention Center at Boston Children's Hospital and author of Ending the Food Fight. Tweak your message along these lines: "First we eat our meal and then we have dessert." The wording change, though subtle, has a far more positive impact on your child.

Let me help

When your child is struggling to build a block tower or finish a puzzle, it's natural to want to give him a hand. Don't. "If you jump in too soon, that can undermine your child's independence because he'll always be looking to others for answers," says Myrna Shure, Ph.D., professor emeritus of psychology at Drexel University in Philadelphia and author of Raising a Thinking Child. Instead, ask guiding questions to help him solve the problem: "Do you think the big piece or the little one should go at the bottom? Why do you think that? Let's give it a try."

Originally published in the April 2014 issue of Parents magazine

SMALL BEDROOM INTERIOR DESING

If you're stuck with a small bedroom, it may seem like there's just not enough space for all of your furniture. Since a bed is a must-have item  and is usually on the large side, it takes up the bulk of the space in room and you're left scrambling to find a spot for the other pieces in your bedroom set. There are ways to arrange your bedroom furniture so you can comfortably move around the space and fit all the necessary pieces , it just requires some careful planning.

Place a Double Bed in Center of Wall 

In a bedroom, the bed should always take center stage, and there are usually several ways to place a bed so it becomes the focal point of the room. However, in a small master bedroom, your options are usually limited because you have to leave enough room on either side of the bed to get in and out of it comfortably. Placing your bed in the center of the room's most visible wall is usually the best arrangement. The most visible wall is usually opposite the door, but the wall that runs perpendicular to the door on the left side may be a better option depending on the size of your bedroom. If the room is large enough, you can place small nightstands on either side of the bed and a dresser on the wall opposite the foot of the bed.

Place Twin Bed in Corner

When you're arranging furniture in a bedroom for a child or teen, you may be dealing with a twin bed instead of a double. Since the bed is slimmer, you have more options when placing it in the room. Centering it on the most visible wall as you would with a larger bed is an effective option, but it may not be the best use of space in a small room. Instead, try placing your twin bed in a corner of the room so the head of the bed and its side are up against perpendicular walls. This type of arrangement frees up the center of the room to make the space feel larger and leaves two entire walls -- and most of a third -- free for other furniture like a dresser, desk or bookcase.

Place Storage Furniture in Closet 

When your bedroom is small, large storage pieces can take up valuable floor space that could be used for other items or left open to give the room a more spacious feel. Instead of keeping a large armoire, tall chest of drawers or wide dresser in your actual bedroom, place it in your closet where it is out of the way. You may need to rearrange your closet to accommodate the large furniture item, but this type of layout can actually make it easier to get ready in the morning since all of your clothing is in one spot.

Use Multipurpose Pieces

When you're dealing with an extremely small bedroom, you may only have one arrangement option that fits in the space, and there still may not be enough room for your bed and other furniture items that you need. If that's the case, look for furniture that can do double-duty so you can maximize the space that is available. A headboard that features storage like bookshelves or cubbyholes may make bedside tables unnecessary. A bench for the foot of your bed can include storage under the seat so you may not need a larger dresser or armoire. You may even want to consider a futon or sofa bed instead of a traditional bed in a studio or one-bedroom apartment, so your bedroom can double as a living room.

COOKING ON THE WEEKENDS

St. Tropez Summer Salad

The salad is so pleasant in look and taste that will please even the toughest guest. A single complex bite will bring the bohemian and sunny spirit to the table.

4 servings

Ingredients

4 fresh heirloom tomatoes

¼ baby fennel bulb, cut to thin ribbons

¼ green pepper, cut to thin slices

¼ red onion, cut to thin slices

5 fingering potatoes

1 Kirby cucumber, peeled and cut to thin pieces, lengthwise

8 nicoise olives

1 egg, hard-boiled

4 fillets of anchovies, in pure olive oil

1 spring parsley for garnish

Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Freshly squeezed lemon juice

FOR THE HERB OLIVE OIL

1-cup Partanna extra virgin olive oil

1 sprig fresh rosemary

1 sprig fresh basil

2 bay leaves

2 whole black pepper corn

1 garlic clove, thinly sliced

Preparation

To make the herb olive oil in a small glass jar, add one cup extra virgin olive oil and mix it with the fresh basil, rosemary, bay leaves, black pepper corn, and thinly sliced garlic clove. The herb olive oil can be prepared the night before.

Boiled the fingering potatoes and let them cool. Hard boil the egg, peel and cut it to 4 pieces.

Cut the top of the heirloom tomatoes and scoop out the inside. Stuff each tomato with slices of baby fennel, cucumbers, green peppers, red onions, small bite-sized pieces of fingering potatoes, and top it with a nicoise olive and rolled anchovies. Repeat the same with the rest of the tomatoes.

Serve it in the individual plate with a quarter piece of hard-boiled egg on the side. Drizzle it with the infused oil and freshly squeezed lemon juice and the St. Tropez dolls are ready to be served.

Endive Salad with Figs, Gorgonzola, and 

Toasted Almonds

A kaleidoscope for your senses

4 servings

Ingredients

1 bulb Endive

½ bulb Radicchio

5 stalks fresh asparagus 

4 fresh Figs

2 tablespoons Toasted Almonds

Gorgonzola 

Honey-Truffle Vinaigrette

Preparation

Cut the enduce and radicchio to ¼" thin pieces. Shave the asparagus thinly.

Place them in a salad bowl. Gently toss them with the honey-truffle vinaigrette.

Sprinkle on top the toasted almonds and the fresh figs, cut in quarters

Grilled Eggplant Dip

Eggplant dip cooked to perfection. The result is innocent addiction that knows no boundaries.

4 servings

Ingredients

Servings – 2 jars

1 medium size eggplant

1 plum tomato

2 garlic clove

1 tablespoon finely hopped parsley

Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Preparation

Preheat oven to 400F.

Place the eggplant, tomato and the two garlic cloves to a baking pan and bake for 40 minutes until soft.

Once cooked, cut the eggplant lengthwise in half and scoop out the inside. Pull the skin off of the

tomatoes and the garlic cloves. Shred the tomato through a metal grater. In a mortar mix the garlic with salt and black pepper. Mix well until gets a pasty texture.

To make the eggplant dip place all the ingredients — eggplant, tomatoes and garlic paste — in a medium-sized bowl and start stirring until it gets a smooth and homogeneous texture, about 10 min.

Season with finely chopped parsley and served with toasted bread.

Tip: When you're buying an eggplant, try to choose based on the shiny color. Your eggplant should have no dark spots, and it should not be too firm in touch, or too soft. Touch the meat of the eggplant to determine whether it's ripe and ready to be cooked.

Caramelized Carrots

Pan-roasted carrots, coated with honey and lightly caramelized

4 servings

Ingredients

4 Servings

1 lb different color baby carrots

2 tablespoons honey

2 tablespoons Partanna extra virgin olive oil

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preparation

Clean and peel the carrots.

In a large sauté pan over medium heat sauté the carrots with 2 tablespoons olive oil until browns yell on all sides. Add ¼ cup water and let it simmer. Just before it evaporates add the honey and mix well. Make sure carrots are evenly coated. Cook them for another 2 minutes or until water is completely gone.

Tomato Gazpacho

4 servings

Ingredients

6 medium-sized red tomatoes

1 carrot

½ green pepper

½ cucumber, peeled

½ small onion

1 garlic clove

¼ cup Partanna extra virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons apple vinegar

Preparation

Run the dull part of the knife over the whole tomato and pill the skin off. Peel the skin off of the carrot and the cucumber.

Blend all ingredients in a blender for 3 minutes and then add ¼ cup Partanna extra virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons apple vinegar, and pinch of salt. Fill it up with 1 ½ cup iced cold water and blend it for 5 minutes. Transfer the mixture to a container, seal it and leave it in a refrigerator to chill for 6 hours before serving.