http://img.featherandblack.com/Blog.iceFeather and Black offer professional advice on bedroom styling and quality bedroom furnitureen-gbThu, 17 May 2012 04:38:15Thu, 17 May 2012 04:38:15http://img.featherandblack.com/Blog/May-2012/Adam-Swiss-Cycle-Slam-Days-3-$4-4.iceWhat a change after two days of clear blue skies and 30°c heat. Saturday was torrential rain and 5°c. I fell off my bike after2 miles and couldn’t have been more wet if I have been dipped in a bath. That evening, once we had finished for the day it took two hours to stop shaking. This was one of the hardest days…a combination of the wet and cold. On paper this was expected to be the toughest day, but the end was in sight. After a 158km big climb we finally left Switzerland and arrived in France, briefly travelling through Luxemburg and Germany. My clothes / shoes were still wet from the day before, and all I looked forward to was a day without lycra, pasta and sudocream. The exhilaration of the end overtook the pain of saddle sores, scabs and mild bronchitis. Richard Branson joined us for dinner, and I was honoured to give the toast on behalf of all the riders. It’s safe to say that Cycle Slam is one of the most fulfilling events I have completed in my life to date. If anyone sees me anywhere near a bike in the next 6 months they have my personal permission to shoot me. Adam Image From Rob Cox Photography www.robcoxphotography.comWed, 16 May 2012 04:00:00http://img.featherandblack.com/Blog/May-2012/Adam-Swiss-Cycle-Slam-Days-3-$4-4.icehttp://img.featherandblack.com/Blog/May-2012/It's-All-White.iceFor us white bed linen is calm, ethereal, and entirely romantic. It creates an effortlessly classic and sophisticated look. It doesn’t have to be boring either, choose from high thread count luxe, beautiful textures or delicate jacquard weaves to create a beautiful bed to sink into. The stylish way to create the covetable ‘all white’ bed is to add texture through your accessories, think cashmere throws , indulgent silks and a high thread count cotton bed linen for a tactile and sumptuous style. I have put together some ideas for you to try. . The Vienna Bed Linen . Opulent and indulgent, the Vienna white bed linen will envelop you in luxury as you sink into the 600 thread count fabric. The Vienna looks beautiful teamed with creamy accessories for a classic and elegant look, and for hotel luxe we love the Vienna on the Fulham bed. The White Waffle. Choosing a textured bed linen like our waffle adds a contemporary twist to white. Soft and subtle it is perfect in any bedroom. The Frances Leave unironed for the ultimate in shabby – chic style. The Frances linen is effortlessly elegant and the epitome of vintage. The mix of linen & cotton means that it is both stylish and super soft (the perfect combination.) For summer we love white teamed with dusky coral pink and sky blue cushions , it is a sophisticated take on the pastel trend. Palm White. A high thread count and subtle jacquard weave, Palm white bed linen fits with any bedroom interior. The palm design offers a beautiful contrast when sunlight hits the linen. We love it styled with our rustic Cannes collection for a simple countryside look. White is effortlessly beautiful, perfect for any bedroom. There is so much choice - white can be a blank canvas for you to create the look you like best. Love Holly x P.S Perfect to match your white look is a white lamp .Here are a few you might like....Tue, 15 May 2012 11:00:00http://img.featherandblack.com/Blog/May-2012/It's-All-White.icehttp://img.featherandblack.com/Blog/May-2012/Adam-Swiss-Cycle-Slam-Day-2.iceTwo down/ two to go. Stiff, sore, sleep deprived and sunburnt...and ever so slightly hungover. There was rain today and a lot cooler and only 90kms to do - which feels easier given the 135km yesterday. AdamMon, 14 May 2012 09:00:00http://img.featherandblack.com/Blog/May-2012/Adam-Swiss-Cycle-Slam-Day-2.icehttp://img.featherandblack.com/Blog/May-2012/Adam's-Swiss-Cycle-Slam-Day-1.iceA nightmare day. We've climbed two huge Alpine passes and I have now realised that scaling Goodwood Hill on the odd few occasions wasn't that great of a preparation for the Alps. The climbs were both at 15 degrees - so for every 6 feet forward, it's 1 foot up - not a lot of fun. I did manage to get the bike up to 40 mph on the way down. On the flip side the scenery was stunning. There is not a cloud in the sky and it's 30 degrees. Fingers crossed for tomorrow. AdamThu, 10 May 2012 05:00:00http://img.featherandblack.com/Blog/May-2012/Adam's-Swiss-Cycle-Slam-Day-1.icehttp://img.featherandblack.com/Blog/May-2012/Adam's-Swiss-Cycle-Slam-The-Arrival.iceFrom April 23 rd , Lawrence Dallagio and Freddie Flintoff have undertaken the ride of their lives hoping to cycle the 2872 km across Europe from the original birth place of the Olympic Games to this year’s venue London. Riding to raise money for the Dallagio Foundation which supports Cancer Research UK and Great Ormond Street Hospital, the AF Foundation & Virgin Unite I am one of the many riders joining them on their journey and it all starts tomorrow for me at stage 4. So, today we arrived in St Moritz and most of the bravado has gone. There has only been one heart attack on the 'Cycle Slam' so far and given the distance, and climbs being attempted over the next four days - all of the new riders are a little nervous. There is a rumour going round that the pass we are supposed to tackle early tomorrow is closed, and so our 80km day is now 150km…we all hope that the rumour doesn't prove correct. The money raised so far is approaching £1.6m, there have been 583 punctures so far and 975,967 meters climbed. Have a look at http://www.dallaglioflintoff2012.com/ to keep a track of our progress. And keep an eye out for my daily blog updates. AdamWed, 09 May 2012 05:00:00http://img.featherandblack.com/Blog/May-2012/Adam's-Swiss-Cycle-Slam-The-Arrival.icehttp://img.featherandblack.com/Blog/May-2012/Best-Of-British-Food-Asparagus.iceOver the last few weeks we have been rushing to the vegetable aisle of the supermarket impatiently waiting for the appearance of this season’s British asparagus. Finally, the new spears are here, beautifully British and a vibrant green colour - we couldn’t be happier. I have been enjoying lots of asparagus this week and thought I would share some recipe ideas with you for you to try. I don’t know why, I am no chef, but asparagus and egg is the most beautiful partnership, it’s the Wills & Kate of the food world, a perfect pairing. This is really simple my favourite way to enjoy asparagus-. The trick ( so I am told) is to wrap the asparagus in pancetta before it is cooked so it stays in the right place. Then it’s as simple as baking it in the oven with some butter. Poaching your egg et voila…serve on a pretty plate (it makes every meal look more delicious!) Classic and lovely if you enjoy creamy, rich sauces. The asparagus acts as the soldier to your egg. If you don’t fancy Quail egg, this works with ordinary eggs too, and is just as delicious. Let me know how you enjoy yours. Love Holly xFri, 04 May 2012 05:00:00http://img.featherandblack.com/Blog/May-2012/Best-Of-British-Food-Asparagus.icehttp://img.featherandblack.com/Blog/May-2012/Inspired-Style$3$3$3May.iceThis month we are getting very excited for the upcoming Jubilee celebrations. Here is our lovely list of beautiful British inspired things we love for May… This is no ordinary afternoon tea, from the 29 th May to the 9 th June; you can celebrate the Queens Diamond Jubilee in majestic style. The cakes are created to resemble the most memorable hats worn by the Royal Family. I am most excited about nibbling on Princess Beatrice’s extravagant hat that she wore to the Royal Wedding last year. Combining my love of fashion, with cake and the royals sounds like my idea of heaven. This is our must read for May. An award winning romance it is described as a trilogy which will ‘Obsess you, possess you and stay with you forever.’ I have heard it’s quite racy, but there is a queue in the office to borrow the book. I cannot wait to get stuck into it… I was lucky enough to enjoy a glass of Ridgeview’s Limited Edition Victoria Wine at dinner over the weekend, and it was delicious. Located in the South Downs of England this British wine is perfect for jubilee street parties and enjoying throughout the summer. I am feeling very patriotic this May and I love the beautiful British Brand Erdem. This floral print clash is modern elegance at its best and is perfectly ladylike. I need this skirt and blouse in my wardrobe! Create a Diamond Jubilee Time capsule, include memories of the year, pictures of you celebrated, little treasures and then have fun burying it! It’s a lovely activity to do as a family or as a community. Hopefully May will be a sunny month, after all the rain from April! Love Holly xTue, 01 May 2012 04:00:00http://img.featherandblack.com/Blog/May-2012/Inspired-Style$3$3$3May.icehttp://img.featherandblack.com/Blog/April-2012/In-Bed-With$3$3$3Beckham.iceWe have all just crowded around the computer screen to swoon over these pictures taken by our Cheltenham store – look who’s jumped into our beautiful Tosca bed . The lookalike loved the Tosca design and especially the golden balls on the bed! We are all very jealous of Cheltenham store manager Suzanne who got to snuggle up with him... If only it was the real David Beckham…sigh Have a lovely weekend! Love Holly xFri, 27 Apr 2012 04:00:00http://img.featherandblack.com/Blog/April-2012/In-Bed-With$3$3$3Beckham.icehttp://img.featherandblack.com/Blog/April-2012/Rain-Drops-Keep-Falling-On-My-Head.iceWe Brits are quite used to the rain and have grown up expecting April Showers, yet when it rains all I want to do is get back into my bed, curl up in the duvet tightly with a cup of tea and just a stack of magazines for company. If we did this on every rainy day here in England I don’t think anything would get done, so I will just have to embrace the weather tighten my trench coat and accessories every outfit with an umbrella. I have put together a quick style guide to wear while splashing in the puddles… I hope the sun shines this weekend but if not at least we all have an excuse to look beautiful in the rain or snuggle up and have a duvet day… Love Holly xThu, 26 Apr 2012 02:00:00http://img.featherandblack.com/Blog/April-2012/Rain-Drops-Keep-Falling-On-My-Head.icehttp://img.featherandblack.com/Blog/April-2012/Marathon-Miles.iceThe running season is most definitely in full swing with the Brighton Marathon last weekend and the London Marathon just days away, thousands of people will be taking on the 26.2 mile challenge. After months of training and hard work, it all comes down to that one day! Some can never imagine running a marathon or the reasons why people want to do it. It would be difficult for me to put a finger on the exact moment which I felt inspired to transform into this state of insanity where I enjoy running for several hours at a time- yet I am addicted to running Marathons. The weather in Brighton on Marathon day was beautifully sunny but yet not too hot for running. As I stood at the start line I was thankful for the weather and the possibility of getting a sun tan! Amongst the nerves and emotions I was eager to start running and looking forward to seeing my friends (including Nicola and Holly from the Feather & Black team) and family waiting for me around the course. The countdown began 10..9..8..7..6..5..4..3..2..1, with everyone counting down it strangely felt a little like New Years Eve. With my pop music pumping I started on a high knowing it was all downhill from here! This year I ran in aid for St Barnabas Hospice a local charity close to my heart; this was a great motivator throughout my run with the cheering teams spurring me on. Despite my initial anxiety of previous injuries haunting me whilst running and numerous self-pep talks ‘COME ON STEPH’, I was feeling good! There were many moments when I wanted to stop running and walk, I kept thinking at 16 miles I’ll walk for a while…16 miles passed, and then 18… 18 passed…and before long I reached 20 miles. It was then that I realised I was on target to finish with a great time and I decided to run the whole thing! I crossed the line with a big cheesy grin and my thumbs up knowing I had beaten my time of last year and had done my charity proud. My final time was 4 hours and 57 minutes and I raised £300 for St Baranabas Hospice. I would recommend the marathon experience to anyone, it’s a fantastic achievement and once you get past the pain it is truly an enjoyable sport… Good luck to all London Marathon runners on Sunday! Steph xxFri, 20 Apr 2012 10:00:00http://img.featherandblack.com/Blog/April-2012/Marathon-Miles.ice