Hello Ladies

Have we just spotted snowdrops?! We hope so… Spring is in the air and hopefully we can wave goodbye to opaque tights, hats and gloves very soon… a little blue sky encourages us to try something new.

The latest magazines and fashion blogs are showcasing print 50's prom dresses, lace shifts (we likey!), mirrored metallics worn with matt neutrals, midi below-the-knee skirts and envelope clutches; big enough for ipads, lippy and love letters. It's time to ditch the blue jeans for now and invest in some snakeskin, bold & sherbet colours or florals. Try it, and add a spring to your step. London Fashion Week is in full swing, so follow the magazines and stylists on Twitter for up to date fashion tips from the catwalk.

Last week sugargroup met up with a very exciting and interesting designer. She has never been to a sugargroup, but always keeps in touch, and told us that she enjoys our newsletters and meeting up with other sugars. So, all that was left was to ask her why she didn't come along to any of our events. "To be honest" she replied "anything to do with networking scares me. I hate the word, it just reminds me of that 90's hardcore "working-the-room" type thing. Just hideous!" We agreed with her, and know that many of you also don't care for the "N" word. We strive to make our events or "get together" as we like to call them, as relaxed as possible; no pressure, no badges, no elevator speeches, just an opportunity to meet great women somewhere lovely… so we were a little miffed to read about the latest trend coming to a gym near you hot from the US of A to SWEATWORK! Across the pond it has taken off, with networking being done on the treadmill or in the middle of a down dog.  They even take bookings for "gym-floor" meetings.

Fitness First of Baker St have caught on to this trend and have seen members invite clients to workout first and then follow up with a meeting in the juice bar! Um, it looks like it might be here to stay, so why not combine both? Next time you see that person you want to get to know better at Zumba; say hello and introduce yourself.  If they rush out the door in a cloud of sweat, you know it's not for them. Don't lose faith, you can always entice them to breakfast at the Wolesley or your fave cafe for latte and carrot cake!

TIPS FOR THE NEW NETWORKING WITHOUT THE SWEAT ACCORDING TO GRAZIA MAGAZINE

• When you find yourself in the lift with your boss – Compliment her shoes!
• Sugar says : Don't we do that already girls, as we love a great shoe?!
• When making tea in the company kitchen – Don't write anyone off, the receptionist could easily be friendly with the boss.
• Sugar says: Um I bet she is, lucky girl!
• Recognise a client in Starbucks – Don't say "How's work going?" say "How was your morning?"
• Sugar says: As long as they don't comment on the grande latte and almond croissant in your hand, they can chat away til the cows come home!!!!

What's going on……….

Wednesday 22nd February – East End

For those of you who have been to the lunchtime meet ups at the Hoxton Apprentice know how much fun they can be. The Hoxton Host; Lady Val is a scream and brings some great women together. Wednesday evening a little different with a more intimate group; but the usual great food, wine, laughter and the exchange of super stylish business cards in the heart of Hoxton. If you would like more info on these events, please let us know at info@sugargroup.co.uk

Friday 24th February – By the sea

We are Mixing it up in Hastings and St Leonard's. It's Friday afternoon after all so get that Friday feeling back, by coming along to The Mix.

It's our second one at the gorgeous Pier 9 at Zanzibar hotel and we kick off at 4pm. We co-host this event with super accountants Ashdown Hurrey, Creative Design from Rockett Creative, Print from Martel and We love Hastings. If you have never "networked" before, & would like to meet other business people over a casual drink in great surroundings – give The Mix a go. Cost if £10.00 per person and you can book your spot at sugargroup.co.uk/events

All are welcome and the tenner includes drinks and a bag of walkers!

Supported by:

Save the date – 15th March – Eastbourne

We have held two great sugargroups in Eastbourne; one at Chin Chin with song, salsa, tapas and giggles, and the second at Deliciously Gorgeous for wine, women, words and chocs. Our third Eastbourne event takes us to the newly refurbished Wills, and is co-hosted by Plummer Parsons. Do come along and meet some great ladies and enjoy music, great food and wine and chats from our hosts.

14th – 15th April Hi Life at Herstmonceux Castle

Hi Life is a new lifestyle show held at Herstmonceux Castle organised by the Events Office.  Exhibitor space for the weekend is £250.00.  It will showcase fashion, interiors, garden, home and everything in between.  On the night of the 13th April there will be a classical concert and supper too.  For further information or to book an exhibitor stand, please contact Terri Lock at Hi Life on 07917 826040.  Mention sugargroup for your discount.

FRIENDS OF SUGARGROUP

Do remember to take a look at some of our sugar friends… they are things and places we love… from places to stay such as Zanzibar and Kester House to things to wear from Handwritten, keeping fit with Glow Yoga at Good Vibes and a tent for the perfect party – it's always the Arabian Tent Company.

Sugar has been very busy indeed. We attended the National Everywoman Conference in London and we were entertained by guest speakers, met some fabulous women in business and enjoyed a chatty lunch!

The morning kicked off with networking over coffee and then we listened to Maria Kempinska MBE the founder of Jongleurs. To hear her ups and downs, her fight to be taken seriously and her sheer determination was enjoyable, inspiring and she made us giggle too. It was then over to the panel with Marie Claire's editor Trish Halpin (gorgeous shoes!), Blink Brow Bar Founder Vanita Parti (even better eyebrows!), the Queen of Trash Emma Elston of UK Container Maintenance and Anita Lowe, Event organiser extraordinaire from Venues Events Management. It was refreshing to hear how these women made it, their struggles and what makes them get up in the morning.

Even more interesting; one has a business plan for the next 5 years and the other; no plan at all!  She just relies on gut instinct. Wow!

To top off the event, inspirational author and speaker Annie Ashdown from the Confidence Centre took to the stage. We loved her. Just the type of stuff you want to hear. Her motto: Be you and only you, and if others don't like it, well they can blah blah blah. You get the picture. Annie wants to work with Simon Cowell, she is determined. The contracts are already with his lawyers. This woman is adorable.

We met with another great sugarlady; Katherine Hudson from the Arabian Tent Company and House of Hud.
In breezed Katherine; all bitter orange tweed and endless legs. She is a delight to listen to and was in possession of a House of Hud bag for us!  We love it and very soon, House of Hud products will be available at sugarshop! Check out more about Katherine and her company at www.arabiantents.com If you have a celebration coming up or a wedding; why not take a peek?  Katherine and her team will create the perfect event from you, whatever the occasion. Themes include afternoon tea, William Morris, Arabian and Raj to name a few. Bored with the same old marquee, Arabian tents are unique and will certainly get any party started!

Launches and events

Sugargroup are proud to support the Curves in Couture Fashion Show at the Tabernacle, Notting Hill on 17th November.
In conjunction with Models of Diversity; this British Fashion Council sponsored event celebrates real women in fashion.  If you are interested in coming along, do get in touch at info@sugargroup.co.uk

We are launching in Eastbourne on November 9th.
If you haven't booked your ticket yet then please do by visiting out website www.sugargroup.co.uk and clicking on events.

In addition, Front Row Hollywood Glamour comes to the seaside with a great fashion show on November 12th.
Tickets are 8.00 pounds each and it will be fun fun fun!

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The Launch of The Mix. The time has come ladies; we have seen a few of the male species sneaking into sugargroups……they have even asked us to arrange sugargroups just for them. Um, so without further ado, our events for Men and Women shall be launching soon. They shall be on alternate months and shall be relaxed, fun, and the perfect mix of business and pleasure. Check out our website for more info.

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Dates for the Diary

Brighton – @ She Said Boutique December 5th
Christmas drinks, fun and laughter at this exotic and erotic boutique, gallery, bridal lingerie store and many other things.

Tunbridge Wells – @ Space NK Date TBA
Back to one of our favourite places – we cannot wait for the Space NK girls to make us up!

I was recently contacted to give comments on Necker Island; Richard Branson's private Caribbean retreat which was damaged by fire on Monday.  "Do you have anything to say about Necker?" I was asked. "Um, er anything to say? Well, um it's 74 acres of beauty with an infiniti pool, sugar cane beaches, veuve cliquot yellow label on tap oooh and hammocks; lots of hammocks and Balinese day beds for crashing in…yes, that bit, put that bit in, and the Buddha, that Buddha it was a present from Robert de Niro"  I had lost the knack, it's been a long time since journalists fired questions at me about Necker.

"Oh, any scandal? Who went? What did they get up to? Any Necker secrets?"

"Oh yes" I replied "Many, but they are secrets, so thank you and goodbye".  Ah ha, no I thought the knack is back.

And that was that.  I did not divulge, I never will.  For as quoted in today's Telegraph, what happens on Necker stays on Necker.  I haven't worked for Sir Dicky for years, but I am as loyal as the day is long.  Those secrets shall remain so….

Throughout my time as Managing Director of Necker Island; I have visited more times than I have had hot dinners.  I have helicoptered in with a helicopter pilot who's skills are put to the test for all movie stunts and promotional filming, sailed in style on a catamaran, luxury yacht with delicious French crew, motor cruiser and the famous "cigar" speed boat.  This makes the hair a mess and the eyes water, so thank god, Robert de Niro wasn't waiting for me!  Whatever mode of transport, arrival at Necker takes the breath away.

The island is a 74 acre haven full of rugged coastline, sandy beaches, nature trails, captivating breezes and of course, accommodation simple yet stunning, all pulled together with a Balinese feel.  The Great House (my lovely Great House) that I often went from room to room, bouncing from bed to bed, testing this and that, running taps, checking soaps, outside showers, flowers, mossy nets and views, is no longer. Gone.  Just like that.  Well not quite,  Kate Winslet saved the day plus fireman lifted 90 year old Eve; Richard's mother to safety. There was no way she was going down with this ship.  No, no, no, been there and done that.

Luckily, I have some amazing photos of my many trips to paradise, but most importantly, I have memories, wonderful memories that I share with my children often and hope one day they shall be interested!  The birthday party I arranged for George Michael for example.  The room plans, the cake, the travel arrangements, the music….."George who?" the children ask.   "George Michael of WHAM" I reply.  "Mummy was in love with him and still is a bit".  "Has he sung a duet with FLO-RIDA?" asked the son "Or Chipmunk?  I think I've heard of him".

After George's birthday, which he enjoyed very much, the biggest bouquet of flowers arrived at my desk.  "Thank you Geraldine for a wonderful time, All my love George".  The fact that George wasn't the slightest bit interested in me made no difference, I was smitten.  I even met him afterwards for tea at his home, but couldn't say a word.  Not even pass the milk please George.  My Earl Grey tasted terrible without milk, but I sipped politely making eyes at George and polite conversation.

Next came the cream of Hollywood.  The boat arrived and we stood on the dock eager to meet and greet.  Harrison Ford first (big pudgy, slight let down), Annette Benning next (so elegant), Demi Moore (ooh at least a size 0 minus 3) and Bruce Willis (sooooo sexy, I was speechless with him too!).  Oprah's birthday followed by Eddie Murphy and entourage.  Then there were the "normal" folk, the ones like us.  Well a bit like us, just richer.  Those who had done good and no longer wanted Marbella.  The banker, the movie maker and the rag trader.  There was one who arrived in his own helicopter and bought the island next door.  Another who paid in cash won on slot machines on cruise ships.  We then decided to operate it as a hotel for a week, getting ten couples together who didn't know one another, put them under one huge Great House roof and to hell with the consequences.  "It will be a great idea" said Richard.  It was, and it still is.

My fondest and most cherished memory was of my engagement.  After many trips of going to the island with Richard, his lovely wife Joan and family, journalists, travel agents, clients and staff, I asked Richard if I could take a bloke I actually quite liked!  Richard being a bit of a hippy and into Big Love thought it would be a great idea and allowed me to take my then boyfriend on a trip to meet the interior designers down on the island.  How could the bloke refuse?  Let's be honest, I could have asked George Clooney.  After an amazing dinner, two bottles of fizz later and after everyone had gone off to bed; we retired to Richard's favourite place; the hammock.  We both climbed in with sea breeze cocktails in hand….
By this time I was rather squiffy and singing along to Annie Lennox "No more I love you's" (Rather inappropriate in hindsight), when he popped the question – "Yes, yes" I replied and cried and he dropped the ring.  He found it and put it on my finger.  I was seeing double and could make out a large silver and black piece on my fourth finger.  "I love it" I cried "I love it!"

"You do" he beamed "Well, you are so picky, I simply didn't know what you wanted so I picked this up for a fiver from H Samuel, and thought you could choose something when we got home".

The following morning I sobered up, took a look at the ring and cried once more, then we all received the news that a hurricane was heading our way and we couldn't move.  For four whole days and nights we sat in the managers' safe house drinking tea and eating pringles watching hours of footage of their trip to the Galapagos Islands.   I knew then that marriage would be a piece of cake.
 
Richard, when you rebuild something just as beautiful, do remember to take me along for the ride……..