Stately Rides: Part 1

About a year ago, my husband mentioned a company that a childhood friend had started. It's called Stately Rides, and it gathers a small group of people together and gives you on a horse riding tour of some of the most beautiful countryside in Gloucestershire while staying in a beautiful private home each night. I knew immediately that I would have to go on this trip and I knew when and with whom. Each summer our family friend Regena comes to stay with us with the simple goal of riding horses incessantly with my daughter Coco and me. So then and there I floated the idea of Stately Rides, and the three of us were all in.

All year I looked forward to our three days of riding and visiting amazing homes, and the trip itself exceeded my expectations. We arrived on the first afternoon at Wormington Grange, a very grand house indeed. But instead of formal staff and stuffy surroundings we were invited to sit round the kitchen table and have tea served by the owner John Evetts and his partner Annie. They were both gracious and down to earth hosts, making us feel at home right away. John told us about inheriting the house in 1978 from his parents who had let it fall nearly to ruin, and restoring the entire house, grounds, and stable buildings. He did much of the work with his own two hands. "I have spent nearly every penny and spare minute I have ever had on the project," he told us. We had a chatty evening over a home cooked meal made by Annie in the formal dining room, and then went off to bed early to prepare ourselves for the six hours of riding ahead of us the next day.

What I enjoyed most about the riding was the new view. I spend hours each week exercising the horses on our farm and while it's my favorite place on Earth to ride, it was exciting to have some novel scenery. I also loved spending an entire day riding - for me, there is no better way to enjoy nature and the seasons than on a horse. Unfortunately my knees and ass didn't feel the same way - despite having a  lamb's fleece "seat saver" on my saddle, popping Advil every three hours and wearing padded bike shorts under my jodhpurs. A hot bath and a glass of champagne never felt so good.

Arriving a Wormington Grange on Friday afternooon in time for tea.

A rose-lined wall at Wormington Grange.

Entering through the servants entrance. Love it.

Coco (still in her school uniform) making a fast new friend in the library.

There were many wonderful and eccentric portraits in the stairway leading to the bedrooms, but this was my favorite. I love the simplicity.

A detail of the 70's Alice in Wonderland fabric curtains in one of the children's rooms.

Another friend we made in the kitchen.

Before breakfast on Saturday morning, we took a walk to see the immaculately maintained grounds. 

A charming fellow we met at the stables. I kept teasing Coco, the best rider out of all of us, that this was going to be her horse for the weekend. 

Coco and Regena amongst the giant trees.

Setting off from Wormington Grange on Otto, Widgeon and Star.

We rode up into the hills after seeing this incredible field of poppies, and we could still see it from miles and miles away.

A local passerby.

I love this handsome boy, spotted high up in the hills of Gloucestershire.

Miss Coco B catching her breath on Otto. Coco and I switched horses every now and then, so as not to get too sore from sitting in the same saddle all day.

Our group selfie (and my crooked teeth!). 

I never cease to be amazed by the beauty of sheep in the English countryside.


I was charmed by this painting hanging above the fireplace at the pub where we had lunch in Snowshill.

Still smiling at the end of our first 6 hour ride (just).

Our well-deserved treat at tea-time


COME BACK TOMORROW TO SEE PART TWO!

It's The Moment For: Sailor Chic

I particularly liked the recent Chloe resort show. The clothes were done in beautiful colors, and they were inspiring in shape and proportion yet were realistic and wearable. I especially loved a nautical-influenced navy and white sweater, and it got me thinking about sailor clothes. The sailor theme is one of those trends that never seems to go away. In recent years, Chanel and The Row have both shown collections based around navy and white striped sailor shapes, and it-girls like Alexa Chung and Kate Middleton seem to have a continuous fascination with the same theme. I am an admirer of the more subtle nautical look myself - I like a trend that fits into my life, rather than trying to fit my life into a trend - but I do love the more literal variations on other people who have the confidence to carry them off. Probably most bold was Princess Diana, who wore an 80's extreme version that rivalled a Disney costume. In personal style, as in most things, there is a time and a place for everything.

My favourite look from Chloe resort, which showed it New York last week.

Jean Harlow, 1932. I like how simple her sailor get-up is.

Nautical chic comes in all shapes and sizes.

Susanna Wassaman sailing in Newport Harbour, 1974.

Alexa Chung loves to find a theme and stick with it. This is part of what makes her style so recognizable. Peter pan collars, leopard print, and sailor-collared dresses have all become an essential part of her look.

Princess Diana, 1989, in all her kitschy nautical glory.

The Duchess of Cambridge following in Diana's footsteps in a more discreet and refined Alexander McQueen version of the sailor look.

I love how Alexa uses the roughness of black leather to tone down the sweetness of the sailor dress.

Coco Chanel getting an early start on nautical inspiration. Is there anything chic that she isn't the genesis of?

Jerry Hall, 1980. Another over-the-top 80's moment.

I love these Pierre Hardy stripe-y sandals. They'd be so chic with just a simple white dress.

Coco again.

Coco's influence continues today in a recent Chanel collection inspired by sailing.

I think I'll get one of these hats. Not sure where I'm wearing it, but I love it.

Couldn't help showing you one more of 80's Princess Di. So bold and fabulous.

One of my favourite collections from The Row was a modern version of a retro nautical vibe. Every piece was a classic. 

I ♥ Your Style: Rachel Chandler Guinness

While I'm on the subject of weddings, can we all just take a moment to be obsessed with Rachel Chandler Guinness? I first saw her about three years ago at a fashion show. It was Tara Subkoff's second Imitation of Christ show after attempting to take back the label she founded, and all the cool girls were there - Chloe Sevigny, Jen Brill, Liz Goldwyn - but it was Rachel I noticed most. What caught my eye were her Belgian shoes. I grew up around Belgian shoes - the WASPy, old school half loafer / half orthopaedic shoe that you could only buy at their tiny, inconspicuous boutique on East 56th Street. Everyone in Palm Beach wore them. My dad still wears them! I had been through the Belgian shoe phase myself for a brief, channeling-my-grandmother moment in high school but had long since moved on. But there was Rachel wearing them in an entirely new context. She had peroxide blonde hair and wore her black Belgians with skin tight black jeans and a fitted, wool fisherman's sweater. She looked so cool.

I never saw Rachel again until her wedding was given a one-page in Vogue. It looked cool, but I wasn't drooling until I saw the rest of the pictures on Vogue.com! They are amazing. Her wedding style was 100% English, but it was at once traditional yet up-to-the-minute, romantic yet refined. I love the hand painted tent, the flower leis, the wobbling homemade cake, and especially Rachel's custom Haider Ackermann gown. The girl has seriously good style.

A friend's house where Rachel and Tom had their reception. 

A self-portrait of Rachel's Belgian shoes

I love how Rachel's style is simple and classic, but dead sexy

Because the wedding was held on Easter weekend, someone had the hilarious idea to appear as a bunny at the wedding.

Love her Balmain embroidered vest.

The tent would have been beautiful in any case, but I just love how they hand-painted the ceiling and walls. 

The dress!