Pippa Middleton becomes a contributing editor for ‘Vanity Fair’
Pippa Middleton is most definitely someone who could be described as polarising. Some resent and mock her. Others admire her for having panache and being enterprising. Miss Middleton, the sister of the Duchess of Cambridge, to the surprise of some, has recently added another string to her bow and become a contributing editor to Vanity Fair.
The worrying similarities in developments in the cases of Oscar Pistorious and Rebekah Brooks could be very bad for justice
Two cases. Two countries. Two worrying trends. The cases against Oscar Pistorious and Rebekah Brooks might at first glance appear to have little in common but in reality they’re developing a lot of similarities.
The Steeple Times suggests five of the best deals to accompany the RHS Chelsea Flower Show
‘The Season’ is nearly upon us and we at The Steeple Times especially look forward to a number of events. Our favourite has to be Masterpiece (26th June to 3rd July) but we also love the RHS Chelsea Flower Show (21st to 25th May). Below, we suggest a few other ideas for readers visiting the show (more…)
The sale of a $125 million penthouse on the top three floors of The Pierre
In London this week, the Evening Standard announced that a 50,000 square foot Grade I listed Regency house, 18 Carlton House Terrace, SW1 has gone on the market at £250,000,000. If it achieves this figure, it will become the most expensive single home to be sold in the UK ever.
The Steeple Times asks high jewellery expert Francesco Paolillo: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
My guiding forces are the everyday challenges that I face and my family of course.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
Nothing comes to mind. I don’t have a motto.
Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2013?
I don’t really know who Kerry Katona is but for me the political situation in Italy is unfortunate.
Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?
I miss living in New York and walking in Central Park.
What might you swap all your wealth for?
I would give up everything I have to spend one more day with my father.
Donald Trump was once a case of: “If you owe the bank a thousand, they close you down; but if you owe the bank a billion, you own the bank”. What’s your view on the banking crisis?
My view on the banking crisis is that we are all responsible for it.
What phrase or word do you most loathe?
The word “manager”. I think it is overused.
In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?
I do not support any causes at the moment.
The judge in Law Abiding Citizen states: “I can pretty much do whatever I want” before being blown up whilst answering her mobile phone. What’s your view on the appropriate use of such devices?
These devices are essential to our lives. They should simply be used politely.
If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?
Tony and Cherie Blair and Gordon Brown. I would also have George Soros and Nicole Kidman.
If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?
I would have a steak in Tuscany with a bottle of Brunello di Montalcino. A friend would come with me.
What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?
When I fancy it.
A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?
I would be most likely to go for a martini.
Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?
My own, because I know how to enjoy myself.
Who is the most positive person you know?
Me: I trust myself.
What’s your most guilty pleasure?
Women.
If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?
No tattoo can sum me up.
If you were a car, what marque would you be?
A Porsche.
Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.
I have won several trophies for BMX bike riding.
What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?
A group picture of me with some good friends.
Francesco Paolillo is a high jewellery expert based in Knightsbridge, London.
Follow him on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/fppaolo
The Steeple Times asks singer-songwriter Jersey Budd: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
Music, love and happiness.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
“Learn your lines and turn up”.
Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2013?
I’d still say Kerry Katona. She will always be unacceptable and the little fella from North Korea is also unacceptable.
Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?
My lovely nan, Madge Spreckley.
What might you swap all your wealth for?
I’d swap anything to be wealthy.
Donald Trump was once a case of: “If you owe the bank a thousand, they close you down; but if you owe the bank a billion, you own the bank”. What’s your view on the banking crisis?
Keep all your money under the mattress and never trust anyone in a pin-striped suit.
What phrase or word do you most loathe?
‘LOL’: There is no need for it in society.
In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?
I support a load of charities and will always continue to do so. It’s amazing as an artist to do all I can for them. I’m involved with Support Our Forces, Wishes For Kids, Teenage Cancer Trust and two local charities close to my heart The Joe Humphries Memorial Trust and ADAPT.
The judge in Law Abiding Citizen states: “I can pretty much do whatever I want” before being blown up whilst answering her mobile phone. What’s your view on the appropriate use of such devices?
They are incredibly handy but I love the old days of sending letters and postcards. I think there is no romance in sending a text. But they should never be used to blow anyone up.
If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?
My fiancée, Elvis, John Lennon, Bob Dylan, Chaz and Dave, Muhammed Ali and Einstein.
If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?
I’d have a bacon sandwich and I’d eat it on the run.
What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?
Anytime is acceptable. You have to listen to your palate.
A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?
A cup of tea.
Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?
The Dancing Landlord parties at the Bulls Head in Countesthorpe, Leicester.
Who is the most positive person you know?
Kayleigh Ball, my fiancée.
What’s your most guilty pleasure?
Take That.
If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?
A lamp.
If you were a car, what marque would you be?
A Toyota Corolla 1.6CD in navy blue.
Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.
I once won a fancy dressed competition at primary school dressed as Mr Blobby.
What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?
Car keys, a picture of me and the missus, a clock, a silver Buddha and several silver mushrooms.
Jersey Budd is a singer-songwriter who launched his first album in 2008. His new EP, Down To The Wire, is out on 20th May 2013.
View Jersey Budd’s official website at: http://www.jerseybudd.com
Follow him on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/jerseybudd
This Palm Beach based “Queen of Prep” was the daughter of a Standard Oil heiress who began her career selling orange juice on Worth Avenue. Customers loved Pulitzer’s bright dresses and seizing on this, she began to sell them. Soon, her creations became the favourites of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Caroline Kennedy and members of the Rockefeller, Vanderbilt and Whitney families. Sales reached $15 million a year in the 1960s and 1970s and net sales in 2010, by which time the company was owned by Oxford Industries, were $122.6 million. Lily Pulitzer’s designs remain as “must-have” items in the wardrobes of wealthy socialites and jetsetters and “The Lilly” is a household name. When told a specific print could not be used for an exhibition of her works because it was expensive, she answered simply: “A budget… How embarrassing”.
The Right Honourable The Baroness Thatcher of Kesteven LG, OM, PC, FRS; Margaret Thatcher (1925 – 2013)
She cleared our rat-infested streets and she beat the unions. She taught people that “anything was possible” and redefined the role of the state in our lives. Britain’s first female Prime Minister stood firm in the Falklands and she came of age there. “No surrender” was her guiding force both in that war and in Europe and to this groundbreaking pioneer “rights” were inextricably linked with “responsibilities”.
Our reaction to the BBC Lab UK’s Great British class calculator
Yesterday, Twitter and Facebook were abuzz with talk of a new class calculator created by the BBC Lab UK and a pair of academics that claimed it could grade the position of each and every one of us in society.
Gone, they say, are the 20th century definitions of working, middle and upper classes and the restrictive Downton Abbey type pigeonholing of individuals by birth and social standing. In their place, modern Britons, they suggest, are identifiable by an astonishing seven categories that range from the “elite” to the “precariat”.
The Steeple Times asks shipbroker Eugene Carokis: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
Gordon Gekko.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
Don’t waste time being unhappy.