THESE BRIGHT YOUNG THINGS

When the lovely folk at Jersey Pearl gifted me the gorgeous 2-metre strand necklace from their Twenties collection (worn above with faux pearl and diamanté necklace from Martine Webster), I knew within a second the perfect occasion for their début: A prohibition-era themed country party. Our 'speakeasy' was a spectacular barn, and everyone seized the occasion in costume - I've gotten so into the fancy dress party trend now that I always get a little disappointed if there isn't one. 

I've read and re-read Evelyn Waugh's Vile Bodies and the Fitzgerald novels enough times to develop a serious desire to host my own Bright Young Things party for many moons now, and Ned & Jamie's prohibition soirée (wrong continent, right epoch) was the best opportunity I've had to indulge in my Gatsby's party dream, complete with genuine classic car. 

There is something so inherently sophisticated about wearing pearls, especially real pearls (they're my first!). My Jersey Pearls have a sublime lustre to them and are beautifully strung and knotted in silk. I'm bewitched. 

www.jerseypearl.com

On The Long Island Railroad

JONES BEACH, LONG ISLAND, NY

Dress is an old favourite picked up in NYC three summers ago.

Please note that what appears to be a pair of waist-high sludge-green knickers is actually a rather pricey BCBG Max Azria swimsuit. At the time of purchase I was very tanned and it matched my coral lipstick.

During our stay in New York, my family and I had booked tickets to see Sting perform with the London Royal Philharmonic at somewhere called 'Jones Beach Theater' on Long Island. So we travelled on the L.I.R.R. (Long Island Rail Road), immortalised for me and my brother in The Great Gatsby of course, watching skyscrapers morph into low concrete garages, parking lots and eventually, spacious wetland.

Upon arriving at the theatre, realising we were hours early, and the whole venue being deserted, there was nothing to do but grin, bear it, and do handstands for the next three hours...

P.S. Now I know some Americans get a bit funny about using the old naughty 'toilet' word, but 'Comfort Stations?' I found that beyond bizarre!