Here at Isabella Oliver, we’re divided over Blackberrys and iPhones. We have serious fans in both camps. Vanessa, Geoff and I (Baukjen) are iPhone fans but can’t really judge fairly as we’ve never had a Blackberry.

Here are some of my favourite iPhone apps:

Games:
Scrabble – a new one for me, lots of fun but find the music a bit irritating
Airport Mania – I had downloaded it for the kids but have become quite addicted myself
FlingFree – quite a challenge but fun

Lifestyle:
Jamie Oliver – love his “principles of superb salads” video
Amazon
What’s App – instant messaging with other iPhoners. Only problem, the app needs your friends and family to sign up too as otherwise it’s a bit pointless
World Cup Football 2010 – I am still on the lookout for this. If anyone knows of one, please email us at BaukjenAndVanessa@IsabellaOliver.com (thank you!)

Fashion:
Who What Wear – it’s updated all the time so there’s lots of new things to read and look at
ShopStyle – love to browse through the fashion pages

If you have any that you think I should look at, please email me at BaukjenAndVanessa@IsabellaOliver.com

On winning the Iconic brand, P&B Editor Ellie Hughes says “We love it because, whether it’s a dress, top, skirt or trench, if its IO, you won’t mistake it for anything else. Its strong shapes put showcasing your bump above showcasing the latest trend (although each season’s perfectly chosen block colours show that designers Vanessa and Baukjen are well ahead of the fashion curve. Founded six years ago, the label started with beautifully cut, bump-flattering wrap tops and dresses, and is now so popular there’s a non-maternity range for devoted customers. If you buy one investment piece this pregnancy, go for an Isabella Oliver: A true icon”.

On winning the Best Partywear award, P&B’s shopping editor Judith says “We love it because designers Vanessa and Baukjen once again triumph with a stunning, effortlessly wearable A/W collection. Evening dresses with signature wrapping and ruching detail feature heavily – perfect for flattering your growing shape throughout pregnancy.”

Thank you, we are delighted!

It looks absolutely fantastic. We were there before the lunch rush started, so it looks empty in the pictures I took but as we had lunch, it soon filled up. The kids had pizzas and we enjoyed calamari. The staff were very friendly and welcoming, I think this place is going to be very popular.

Jimmy Choo’s Project PEP collection launched last night at Selfridges with the Elton John Aids Foundation. We went to the launch with Hannah Moore and her friend Mia. The collection looked fabulous and many people were purchasing pieces. The location was beautifully set up with a fantastic atmosphere, great cocktails and fantastic music (Jo Wiley was on the decks at one point). It was a great launch for a fantastic project and we wish Jimmy Choo all the best with the PEP collection. We received two Jimmy Choo Project PEP tote bags with badges. We’re giving one away to a team member here at Isabella Oliver and one to a Facebook fan. For your chance to win one, please visit our Isabella Oliver 365 fan page or our Isabella Oliver Maternity fan page and enter your name (as a comment) before Friday 6th November. We’ll announce on Facebook on Friday 6th November who has won.

A bit more about Project PEP:
Jimmy Choo will be donating 25% of the net sales from Project PEP. With this funding, the Elton John AIDS Foundation can directly support the Simelela Rape Centre in Cape Town that was set up with the mission to administer victims of abuse with the HIV preventative PEP medication (Post Exposure Prophylaxis) and provide support for medical, counselling and legal support. The Project PEP collection is available in Jimmy Choo stores worldwide and online by clicking here

Here's a picture of Jo, Holly and Lucy as they were about to leave the office and start the weekend. They were laughing about how they will look walking down the high street all with their Isabella Oliver the tote bag. They happily said yes to us taking a picture and putting it on the blog. Happy weekend!

a while ago I set up a googlemail email address, used it a few times and then forgot about it. Today a friend emailed me on my Isabella Oliver email address and I saw that my googlemail address was cc-ed. As I'd forgotten all about this email address, I thought I should log in to see what emails were in there. However I didnt manage to get in. First I couldnt remember whether my username was a name or an email address so I tried both. Then it became apparent that my password was wrong. So then I got a security question "What is your favourite food". Obviously I've given the answer to this when I set it up but I totally can not remember what on earth I said it was as I change my mind on things like this all the time... spinach, chicken soup, pesto, roast chicken... the options are endless.. No idea what to do now.

Q.The week can sometimes take its toll, is there anywhere you like to go to unwind?
Baukjen: To the bath. Candles on, a good magazine or book and 15 minutes of peace.
Vanessa: I love to visit the country to ride my horse. It keeps me sane, in shape, and challenged… in a different way.

Q.You suddenly become peckish – where do you head to for a spot of lunch?
Baukjen: We don’t often go out at lunch during the work days, but if I could it would be to a sushi place. Vanessa sometimes brings in sushi for us and it’s always a treat. At the weekend it has to be child-friendly food places.
Vanessa: We try to keep it as healthy as possible at work when we can, and when it isn’t a birthday or pasta Friday! We don’t get out for lunch, so Baukjen and Geoff bring in amazing, home-cooked soups and I will bring in salads or sushi - which I pick up on my way into the office. I’m in the country most weekends with my family, so I love to have family lunches in the local country pubs.

Q. What would you consider to be a ‘perfect day’ in London?
Baukjen: An autumn or spring Sunday. Starting off with a walk with the kids while most of London still sleeps, followed by Sunday lunch with the kids and friends, then a good film with the kids. After they’ve gone to bed, dinner with Geoff with the fireplace on and a glass of wine. Answering this question has put me off carrying on working and it’s only Wednesday!!
Vanessa: Any day that isn’t raining, grey or damp. A blue sky is usually enough to make it a perfect day for me, and if it’s warm – well - I’m in heaven…I’m quite easy to please these days! I have been here 8 years and I’m still not used to this English weather! When the sun is shining though, London is a great place to be.

X Factor (the UK approx equivalent of American Idol): everyone has their favourites. However there is one person in the show that has special attention and that's Danyl Johnson. He is a friend of one of the team members here and she has found it really upsetting to hear some of the negative comments by the judges. For the record, he is apparently a great guy and friend.

Project Runway: we're a few weeks behind on the US. The paper challenge recently.... what creativity.

30 Rock: Vanessa loves this. So much, that every time she tries to explain a certain scene she loved, she laughs so much she can't finish the story. So we're not much wiser but we're planning to buy the dvd of the first series so we can see what has Vanessa in stitches.

Brothers & Sisters: Baukjen loves. Laughter, tears, arguments, making up... love it.

Strictly come Dancing: the UK version of "Dancing with the Stars". There are a few massive fans but as it's on at the same time as x-factor not everyone gets to see.

Jamie's America: unfortunately the show has finished but did we enjoy it!

Rachel Zoe Project: a fun behind the scenes and we're loving all involved.

I'm sure we've missed a few but these are the most frequently talked about here at Isabella Oliver for easy entertainment.

After the high tea, Geoff and I walked over to L'atelier des Chefs where we did a cooking course with a group and then all sat down to eat it. I was still full from the high tea so didn’t eat very much but it was a lot of fun and it was a really nice group. The chef was the very tall Andre who was very patient with me when I couldn’t get to grips with how chefs cut vegetables. After we walked to Soho where we had drinks at a new club called “The Quintessentially Soho Club”. It’s a not-for-profit pop-up club that is running until Christmas and is raising money for The House of St. Barnabas (the building). It looked absolutely amazing and the atmosphere was great. They’ve done a great job (the interior designer is Russell Sage). After, we walked over to Soho House where we celebrated at midnight. The following day was spent with the family. All in all a fantastic birthday. Big thanks to Geoff, Vanessa, everyone here at Isabella Oliver and friends and family!