See you there soon, thank you.

Dear friend,

I hope this letter finds you well and, like me, in fine spirits.

Writing these words makes me think back to how it all started for me. You see, back when I opened my first store in Glasgow, I made it my business to know my customers by name and to see to their every need.

These days, it’s impossible to know all my customers personally, but I’m proud to say that, from Manchester to Manhattan, Hong Kong to Las Vegas, the name ‘Ted Baker’ still remains synonymous with unparalleled customer service and – of course – stylish clothing with a clear focus on quality and unwavering attention to detail.

That’s why I am proud to take this opportunity to invite you to join me at the opening of my splendid new store in Bicester Village from the 22– 25 September 2011.

While you will, of course, be able to shop my autumn/winter collection which offers an explosion of playful detailing, tactile fabrics, and vivid colours, you’ll also have the chance to soak up my new store’s sumptuous new interior, enjoy a quick game of crazy golf, and take part in my marvelous competition to win a £250 shopping spree and exclusive trip to Waddesdon Manor.

And if that wasn’t enough, we’ll have complimentary gifts to give away and some delicious nibbles and refreshments, thanks to my good friends at Mary’s Tea Parties and The Travelling Gin Company.

Some say that looking after my customers like this is unnecessary. I say that this is how we do things at Ted Baker – always have, always will.

I look forward to seeing you there.

With my very best wishes,

Ted

Early summer is an incredibly exciting time for us here at Le Manoir. Raymond has been busy working closely with Gary Jones Executive Head Chef, Anne Marie Owens Head Gardner and Jo Campbell Head Vegetable Gardener to re-view the planting schedules for the year ahead.
Le Manoir‘s magnificent two acre vegetable and herb garden produces over 90 types of vegetables, many of which Raymond discovered within his mother’s garden. Together with 70 types of herb, this garden supplies the restaurant’s kitchen with its daily needs for eight months of the year and as spring is with us, we are now beginning to reap the rewards. Raymond and the kitchen brigade are constantly developing Le Manoir menus, with the seasons at the forefront of their minds;  this season enjoy ‘Grilled wild hand-line caught Cornish MSC Mackerel, honey, soy and ginger” or Assiette of Pyrenees Lamb, peas, broad beans, baby onions.

Having caught up with our Head Gardner, Anne Marie Owens and her Head Vegetable Gardener Jo Campbell, their recommendations for budding gardeners would be to wait until the end the month before planting your vegetable plot.  You should consider sowing your pepper and aubergine seeds but remember to keep them warm in a heated greenhouse.

All of Le Manoir poly tunnels are now washed and prepared for the year ahead.  Arriving now are our seed orders, from French heritage varieties to new Asian vegetables, all of which we are trialling this year.

Escape from the stresses of everyday life and enjoy a Midweek Break with us from £680.00 per room per night and take time to rediscover the gardens for yourselves.

Click Here for website offer

However, investing in classic looks does repay you in the end, through the cut, fabric and just the way a designer frock makes you feel, and therefore move. Confidence in the way you look is worth its weight in gold. The cost/cut compromise doesn’t need to be made at Bicester Village judging by the beauties I found up there.

My all time favourite is my Joan Holloway moment I had in Prada in the beautifully cut and sumptuous fabric of a raspberry beauty. I fear a diet post baby and some sturdy underwear would be called for, but the shape and length and cap sleeves would serve well for seasonal events that require a more modest dress code.

The zing of colours was seen all over the catwalk this season and has filtered down to the high street. Balance conservative shapes with outrageous tones, such as this skirt suit I found in Fendi or the rich plums and purples in Hobbs.

Fashion being a contrary mistress, the other big trend to counteract the rainbow colours, is softer florals, and there was a riot of flowers out to bloom on my visit. The floral shift and chic blazer I saw in the window of Dolce and Gabbana would work well on a mature lady, as would the wide skirt coat from Hobbs , whilst the fab monochrome frenzy of chiffon again from Dolce is a really fun look for a girl much taller and slimmer than my good self, but you couldn’t fail to be in a good mood wearing it, and ditto with the super cute multi coloured chiffon disc mini dress from DVF. Layering different floral patterns was done to great effect at D&G, and would quickly create a more zany, individual look. Try layering a floral jacket over a different floral dress.

Don’t be afraid to go long,  overseas weddings, garden parties and a day at the races provide you with a chance to show your style stripes, and by opting for something longer, in a delicate fabric you can create a striking silhouette as the fabric billows around your ankles, perfectly demonstrated in this lemon chiffon dress from Alexander MQueen and the tangerine and gold embellished kaftan from Temperley or the Grecian goddess look in red from Amanda Wakeley. Dresses so evocative, you could wish yourself away to a sunny beach by just wearing them.

People all around the world will celebrate Mother’s Day in their own unique ways, and they certainly don’t always replicate practices of the Western world. The strong traditions of Thailand see Mother’s day celebrated on the 12th August, Her Royal Majesty Queens Sirikit’s birthday. Caring and nurturing the entire kingdom, Queen Sirikit is a true inspiration for all mothers in Thailand. Paralleling our own traditions of presenting our own mothers with an array of gifts such as, chocolates, cards and flowers, the Thai people pamper Her Royal Majesty with offerings of white jasmine flowers (a symbol of maternal love), as a token of their appreciation.

This weekend, Busaba Eathai is honouring Her Royal Majesty, Queen Sirikit by providing all mothers with a complimentary Guava Bellini, bursting with flavours from Thailand. Guava Bellini’s are made from guava, strawberry and prosecco, a refreshing mix of fruit and bubbles is your mother’s gift when ordered with any main dish from the menu. This limited offer is exclusive to those dining with their mothers, ensuring her day is fabulously spent in Bicester Village.

The weather this morning may have been typically British and somewhat dull but the sight of the neon pink telephone box that flags the entrance to the latest pop-up boutique to grace the walkways of Bicester Village was a cheery sight.

Yes today was D-day, or BDC day as the team have been calling it; the much anticipated launch of the British Designer Collective, a joint venture with the British Fashion Council and an emporium of Britain’s most talented designers this century has seen

As we eagerly awaited the arrival of the very lovely Thandie Newton and the British Fashion Council’s Harold Tillman we drank champagne, mingled with press and our favourite fashion bloggers, and chatted with some of the hottest names in fashion who are featured in the boutique; Alice Stone, the creative force behind Lily and Lionel whose scarves are favoured by A-listers, design duo  Felder Felder, London Fashion Week favourite Jean-Pierre Braganza, Holly Fulton whose geometric patterned designs has the fash pack bewitched – It was wonderful to have them all here.

During her speech, Thandie Newton, dressed in a primrose yellow dress by Jonathan Saunders and Georgina Goodman heels from the boutique’s collections, described the British Designer Collective as a “Disneyland for Cinderella’s”. As we swooned over rail upon of rail of design must-have’s it was easy to see why. Quirky accessories from Elvis & Kresse and luxurious scarves from Jane Carr sat alongside androgynous ready-to-wear from Todd Lynn, sequined knitwear from Markus Lupfer, designs by London cult label Preen, print dresses from Emma Cook, Richard Nicoll’s tailoring, Goat, whose designs are favoured by Victoria Beckham and incredible pieces from Felicity Brown, tipped as London’s next big thing at Fashion East.

Gushing over row upon row of the most amazing shoes from Lara Bohinc, Georgina Goodman and Marios Schwab, and glimpsing into the glass cases of Fiona Paxton’s beautiful hand-beaded jewellery and eclectic costume jewellery by Mawi it was clear to everyone there that this 2011 British Designer Collective pop up boutique had an energy symbiotic of the mood du jour, offering luxury at affordable prices by some of London’s most sought-after, new generation of designers.

As with all pop-ups, time is limited. So, if you’re a savvy shopper looking to pick up previous seasons’ collections from the freshest brands in British fashion then make a note in your diary to visit the British Designer Collective boutique before the beginning of May…as Liberty London Girl tweeted as she left the launch “Run, don’t walk to Bicester Village for the BFC British Designer Collective”

The starting point seems to be the 70’s for a lot of designers, whether the soft Linda McCartney inspired collection by Stella, or the more lurid and sexy Studio 54 inspired collections, there is genuinely a smorgasbord of looks to suit all shapes, sizes and ages.  Tailored wide leg trousers with high waists flatter female figures and give the illusion of longer legs, silk blouses are incredibly feminine, soft denim skirts to the calf sound tricky but with buttons down the front open to the knee they are surprisingly sexy, evening wear in draped colourful jersey, all in one’s and wrap dresses, and fabulous accessories – mini bags in rainbow colours, oversized shades  and floppy brimmed hats. It’s a true revival of an era, but brought bang up to date to suit our times.
Denim is back (did it ever really go away?), but now it’s all about coloured denim, soft pink flares, skinny mint jeans, white cropped….don’t limit it to casual wear, beautifully tailored denim by the likes of G-Star, Seven for all Mankind and Diesel Black Gold could now be worn for smart events, or even as eveningwear. Worn with clean white shirts, crisp good quality t-shirts, denim looks ultra modern.

You don’t have to look far to realise that colour is definitely the new black, and by just injecting some rainbow hue’s into your wardrobe, you will automatically note a freshness and relevance to your look. Go for mad clashing colours,  chartreuse and violet, turquoise and magenta or hot pink and ruby red. Feeling extra brave?

Take crazy clashing floral patterns and layer them up, you’ll look like an eccentric elegant English garden in bloom. Yup, it’s true, the sun has got his hat on and we’re all coming out to play with fashion.

Enjoy 5-star grandeur at the Randolph Hotel, Oxford. Steeped in history, this hotel offers nothing but the best. Their Valentine’s offer includes a classic double room with a full English breakfast, a box of luxury chocolates, chilled champagne and a single red rose for only £249. Guests may also enjoy a Valentine’s 4 course dinner in the 2AA Rosette Randolph Restaurant for the supplementary charge of £49.95.

For a more intimate setting, visit the Feathered Nest Inn located in the heart of the Cotswolds. Curl up in front of the log fire with a glass of pink bubbly before a romantic candle-lit dinner all for just £85 for two. From the 8th-10th of February, this delightful Country Inn is also offering couples a three course dinner with a bottle of champagne, one night’s accommodation and breakfast served in the Garden Room from £200.

Nestled away in one of Oxfordshire’s most romantic towns, Woodstock, Hope House is offering a two night stay, B&B and Champagne, as well as a pair of Blenheim Palace tickets for £895. Explore the town and Palace during the day, then return to enjoy an evening of luxury in your hotel suite.

Finally, for those who simply want to be whisked away for a day, Warwick castle couldn’t be more perfect. Escape into the romantic world of William Shakespeare, as characters read out sonnets and plays while you explore the castle and grounds. VIP premium tickets are available for just £60, including entry to the castle, two glasses of champagne per person, a selection of canapés and a luxury box of chocolates, all served in the Castle’s State Dining Room.

On 3rd February Chinese communities around the world will begin to celebrate the start of their New Year.

Based on the lunar and solar calendars, unlike in Britain, the Chinese New Year date varies from year to year with each year of the Chinese calendar being represented by one of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac. This year, 2011 it is the rabbit (or hare). The Rabbit is the fourth sign of the lunar and symbolises traits such as calmness, creativity, grace, sensitivity and compassion with friends and family being important.

Bicester Village wishes all its Chinese customers a very Happy New Year.

Busaba Eathai is joining in the celebrations by offerings all its customers a special set menu, valid from Tuesday 1st to 13th February 2011.