Archive for the ‘Alex’ Category

Hi All,

Just thought I ought to reassure you all, I am still here. Promise. It’s just been one of those weeks. One of those quite-a-few weeks to be precise. I have great plans to write properly, but just in case time flies without me, here’s a very quick update on what’s been going on…

Firstly and mostly I did finish my huge bike ride. Actually I’ve found stopping harder than the actual doing of it. I could have carried on forever (except we ran out of U.K. of course).

John and Lloyd, rather wet.

I’m behind the camera of course. I was unofficial photographer and film crew (you just wait, ‘LeJog, the movie’ will be out soon)

Anyway, I finished the cycle (1670.2 kilometers), taxied to Inverness airport, flight to Gatwick, taxi home, pick up the kids from friend’s houses, got babysitter, changed, 176 bus into town, ran into the awards ceremony within seconds from us getting best web-site award. Very nice too. We didn’t get designer of the year this time, but I’m not bitter. Besides, they are heavy things, and we ought to share them out a bit.

Emma and Susie looking glam. me looking knacked.

Back to work for a few days. I think discombobulated is the word, if it is a real word, but exciting projects ahead; Astley Clark, Burts bees, British Bee Keepers, those people that make the nice water-rolly thing to purify water, oh, I don’t know, lots and lots more….

But it is summer, and I’ve never been much of a jetsetter, so I wizzed off to my friend’s posh party in Majorca for the week-end. We stayed in the super l’Hermitage near Alaro, and partied ’till dawn (everybody else seemed to last longer than me and Denise!). I had supper with the lovely Kirsty Wark and family. Very nice they were too, I gave her a replacement necklace because hers got nicked recently! Eyes out for a rogue bee on newsnight…

Poolside party in Majorca

The view from my room

Not bad eh? I feel like I need a rest….

More soon,

Alex

Dear All,
We’re off! LeJog as it’s inappropriately called starts tomorrow morning for us three cyclists.
We’ll be blogging our way along so do keep in touch at http://eyecycle.fightforsight.org.uk/blog/
Any messages much appreciated, ridicule or support, beggars can’t be choosers……
Many thanks for all your support and donations….

Here we go.

Alex

Don’t forget to join us if you can. All details on the website

Cheers me dears.......

Forgot to say, we’ve been shortlisted for UK Jewellery Designer of the Year again, and Web-site of the Year. Don’t get too excited, we were shortlisted for Fashion Exporter of the year again but didn’t win it. We did get a fab lunch with Joanna Lumley and Princess Anne and very nice they were too. These awards announced in July….. we’ll let you know (only if we win!!!)

I’ve so much to write about I don’t know where to start! We went to the Cricket, Connie cooked at Moro(!), I had a great trip to Japan, I picked up my new bike (fantastic!!!), a great meeting to design our new look, Tasha’s 21st birthday party, loads of great cycle training, and funny story from April’s sister.

Anyway, what shall I do right now….. First the cutest…. my gorgeous middle daughter really likes cooking and wants to be a chef, so I asked my mate Sam at London’s BEST restaurant Moro if he would show her round the kitchens. Dear old Sam was fantastic. Connie and I went in at 12 on a mid-week lunchtime and she was whisked away. When I returned she was hard at work, dressing salads and making flatbread! We had a delicious lunch and Connie was allowed to join us, we ate the bread she’d made. We love Moro, and big thanks to Sam.

Connie and Sam cooking in Moro

What next… Oh yes, very funny. April’s sister was reading a racy novel on the tube the other day. She photocopied it for me… take a look for yourselves. I think I can retire now!

Hey! How brilliant is that?

More soon,

Alex

Hmmm. I’m a bit jealous. Mayo took a couple of weeks off to go back to Japan. Still, mustn’t grumble, I’m going to Tokyo and Osaka again in a few weeks! Look how great she looks!

‘Hello everyone! hope everything is ok and not crazy tooooo busy there.
I’m having very very good and busy time in japan.
just had wedding yesterday which was fantastic and had great time with old friends. ‘

Mayo back home in Japan

Hi All,

Just a quickie; It’s been a busy old week!…..

1/ I bought an Ice Cream Van (this I will explain in full later, but listen out for the chimes of the AM Ice Cream van in your area soon!)

2/ We were shortlisted for UK Fashion Exporter of the Year so had lunch with Princess Anne and Saint Joanna of Lumley. Practically my new best friends. Luverly they are too.

3/ We’ve been shortlisted for Jewellery Designer of the Year (Third Year running!) Big congrats to everyone here

4/ Also shortlisted for UK e-tailer of the year….

5/ Just done a super thing with Sienna Miller. Very nice project, good cause etc. so will post details when we get some pics.

6/ Emma finally turned up after being stranded in the ash cloud in Spain. (can’t feel too sorry for her, she was in Seville!)

7/ What else….. ? Can’t think. Lunch in Sakura with my brother today (yum). It’s Friday and might bunk off early and get an hour in the garden before going out for supper with me ol’ mates Liz and Grant… Big training for my bike ride this w/e. Still got sore legs from ‘Hill Training’ on Thurs. Ah well…

Went to the coolest party in town last night! At the Sir John Soane museum Lovely Emily at Penhaligon’s invited us to the Sarcophagus Party, which they’ve resuscitated after ages, since the days when Sir John was alive and kicking. It was brilliant! Champers, beer and oysters, gin, more gin, dancing, magicians, an amazing silhouette artist and all sorts. Lots of old mates were there, lots of arty people etc. Great fun. Loads of people were in 18th century dress. And all lit by candles. I wish my phone took better pics in the dark! Here’s a couple anyway… don’t forget to check the museum out, they’ve lots of exciting plans afoot…

Hi All,

A little update from me about what I’ve been up to…. Except I can’t ever remember so I have to check the photos on my iphone (that’s slightly worrying isn’t it?)…

Ah yes. Here we are. Lots to report. Some worky stuff, lots not;

A brilliant cycle ride when we took over the marathon route and cycled it in super fast speed. It did require a 5AM start, but it was a really fun morning. Dave Baum made this great little film of it (here)

Life at AMHQ continues as usual. Emma’s mum made the most delicious lemon drizzle cake (or was it maderia, who cares, it was great).

Emma's mums cake

Mayo finished the carry case for the samples before she flew off to Japan for her holls. She made it from tweed which Rosie got from her hometown up north. (Penrith I think, isn’t that the town in Withnail and I?). I’ll be the best accessorized Brit on my trip to Japan in June. Thanks Mayo! And thanks Rosie!

Mayo with the bag!Mayo's bag

Funny pic of derring-do war correspondant Jeremy Bowen trying to cook a sausage round at Peter’s house. We’ve had a few too many wet and cold barbies this year. Come on sunshine, we need you!

Jeremy smoking

Us hard core cyclists did the South Croydon Loop last week-end. About 40 miles, proper countryside so lovely, but bloody freezing! And I’m starting to get annoyed by London’s potholed roads. Up at 6, back for breakfast (why do we do it?) In the photo; Den, Lloyd, Susie, Robin and Jeremy. Robin and Susie were by far the fittest.

Us lot in somewhere south of Croydon!

Then we voted (great British democracy at work)

Then it was Susie’s birthday so more cake (yum)

Susie's birthday

Then my mum’s birthday so more cake (yum again)

My Mums birthday!

Then we cycled the Suffolk Sunrise 100. A lovely 100k ride in the beautiful Suffolk countryside. It was absolutely brilliant. I loved it (except Denise had a crash and was amulanced off!). The second half we really pushed it, very fast indeed and really fun. I did a little film (very bad but my first attempt) to try to sum it up. Alex Suffolk Sunrise 100 - the movie!

Lloyd looking rather camp and my brother-in-law Elio

I think Susie is putting together some new photos of our posh Goldcrest collection for the web-site. It’s all looking amazing. Really exciting! And lots more to come!

Forest Jewel ring

OK. That’s it from me. Must try and make Bike No. 3 for our charity cycle. The others are going really well. I love the Auction thing. Check out the web-site if you haven’t already. It’s great fun to see what’s going on and who’s bidding etc.

Do think about making a donation to our charity…. it’s really important research to prevent blindness,

Thanks.

Back soon!

Alex

How funny, one of the bike necklaces I made was my daughter’s 1970’s Raleigh Jeep, and Emma said that’s exactly the bike she learned to cycle on back in 1988! Here’s a pic to prove it. Ahhhh, wasn’t she sweet? (she still is of course) Who would have thought she’d grow up to be top PR manager? By the way,  Emma’s Dad David is going to join us on our way during our big charity bike ride!

Emma on her bike in 1988

Hi All,

Very exciting news from me, we’re launching our latest charity venture; ‘EyeCycle’. We’re trying to raise money for research into preventing blindness (particularly in kids), so I’m doing a HUGE sponsored cycle ride (do make a donation here!) from 1st to 14th July, and I have made some gorgeous pieces of jewellery to auction off. Here’s a pic, but do visit the EyeCycle web-site, and follow us on our journey. If anyone can spare a few quid I would really appreciate a little donation. Here’s our Just Giving page. Leave a message, and you’ll probably get a nice place in heaven specially reserved. (Can’t guarantee that of course)

CLICK HERE TO BID ON THE JEWELLERY

Alex's bike necklace

Alex Monroe, Lloyd Hutchinson, John Greenwood.

Look at us! What are the chances of our cycling over 1000 miles unscathed. Heeeeeelp!

Oh yes, one more thing, the trunk show in Chancery Lane was a great success, almost too much so. People rang beforehand to reserve pieces, the first lady bought four items and it got busier from there! Good fun, great shop and a fab area which I hadn’t explored before.

Ede and Ravenscroft trunk show

Thanks to all!

Alex