bloomingblog: Island Style, India Hicks and ME!

Raise your hand if you got up before 5am to watch the wedding of Lady Diana Spencer to

HRH Prince Charles? I did, I did!

And in that wedding party, was the uber-cool, one-and-only India Hicks, (named India because her grandfather was the last Viceroy of that very country) who just happens to be Prince Charles' cousin and who is also her godfather (not the Marlon Brando version!).

India's the pretty girl with her arms behind her head. She just chopped off all her hair the morning of Diana's wedding…and she hated it!

Now all grown up, and annoyingly talented, gorgeous and super funny, I had the AMAZING fortune to hang out with her a little in Boston. India was here to promote her new book,

India Hicks, Island Style.

If you're a frustrated Island Girl like me, who finds any chance to scurry off to an a small spot surrounded by water and sand (even if that island's only in my head), then this book is for you! India takes us into her home, appropriately named Hibiscus Hill, where she shares her design aesthetic while simultaneously embracing and dismantling her famous father, David Hick's, signature bold statements in colors and tablescaping.

Gorgeous flowers greeted us at the Boston Design Center's event...

…and set the tone for this island-themed affair

So here India was, in my city, sharing stories about when she went to photography school, all the while accompanied by her adorable son, Wesley, who happens to go to prep school in Massachusetts. India was joking that he was underage drinking in the bar.

And at that point, she had me at "hello".

We could be twins except she probably weighs about 100 pounds less than me - ha ha!

Another reason India came to Boston was to promote her new line, which as you can imagine, is as cool as she is. I went to hear about India's new company, just for fun. I told myself, "don't sign anything", "don't add something to your already full plate", blah, blah, blah. Well after my third drink, and laughing hysterically with India, all my resolve was toast. I was in, full bore, all because of this crazy British Bahamian island girl.

I became a "style ambassador" which basically means that on top of everything else I do, I have the true (and I mean it) pleasure of sharing India's new line with anyone who want to see it and buy some goodies. The lifestyle brand encompasses India's London-to-Harbour Island vibe of jet set meets island relaxation. Think fresh fragrances, thoughtful gifts, chic totes (that work from the beach to the streets of New York) and super soft scarves.

The beautiful Mayfair Bag, like all of India Hicks' bags, are made at the SAME facility where all the Ralph Lauren bags are made. India wanted the quality to be just right and it is! The bag has a subtle pattern on the white exterior that's a cheeky nod to her island home (and its creatures), and it's a fabulous everyday bag or the perfect bridesmaid gift! Add one of India's tassels and you're stylin'. Click on the link and you'll see all sorts of goodies!

For the candle lover, this Black Hibiscus Candle has the dreamy combo of "tea and oranges: England in the tropics, captured by the suggestion of sea air, oranges and Earl Grey tea".

Couldn't have written it better myself! :)

Jasper, India's dog, is seen wearing the Siren Scarf in Flamingo. Don't those words just make you want to buy it? Flamingo is such a fun word, and bird, and obviously the mermaid in me can't resist anything with "siren" in it, even if the pattern is of India's lucky scarab beetle. And if beetles aren't your thing, rest assured that as cool as it is on the scarf, it also just becomes a subtle pattern when worn. This scarf is sooo soft and comes in a bunch of colors. My daughter and I each grabbed one when we saw India at the Design Center and we LOVE them!

Love Tokens are what India calls her collection of these super cute charms that can be worn as a necklace on a chain or a cord, or around your wrist, the way I like to wear mine. They are fashioned after a cog in a clock and come in silver and gold. The name comes from the fact that in Britain, the practice of engraving a small coin as a token to give to friends and loved ones goes back for over 400 years. There are too many to choose from with so many fun sayings, so be like me and keep collecting!

India's Wild Spiderlily Eau de Parfum has the scent of island dreams and that's just about right since the wild spider lily grows all over the Bahamas. The scent also comes in a rollerball application which is pretty cool, and my preferred way to wear it. I'm SO glam! All of India's fragrances are made in the same facility in Grasse, France where the most extraordinary perfumes originate, so you know it's top shelf!

So, yes, I got to hang with the coolest lady I've met in a VERY long time. And I'm proud to help her build her brand! She has even more goodies in the pipeline too, so don't be afraid to keep checking them out.

A college grad needing a proper work bag? Check.

Bridesmaid thank you gifts? Check.

Teacher Thank you gifts? Check.

Just Because Gift? Of course!

NO pressure, BUT, if you see something on the website that you like, shop away using this link, India Hicks, or the ones above! And if you're in the Boston area, or heck, even in New England from Nantucket to Maine, let me know and I'll travel and we can plan an India Get Together! Her products are amazing, and I sort of feel voyeuristic and slightly cooler sharing something that she loves enough to put her name on.

I can feel the island breezes already and the rum drinks are getting ready!

Cheers!