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Daily Mail
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Meghan Markle's best friends pose up a storm at intimate Montecito dinner for female founders - but Duchess of Sussex is nowhere to be seen
Meghan Markle's besties posed up a storm at a luxury dinner for female founders - but the Duchess of Sussex was nowhere to be seen. Abigail Spencer and Delfina Blaquier - both of whom appeared on their longtime friend's Netflix series With Love, Meghan - were among the 'Montecito Girls' in attendance at the intimate gathering hosted by shoe designer Jamie Haller. The influencers shared a series of snaps and photos from the stunning event commemorating the opening of the Californian brand's first store. Flowers, personalised name-cards and curated menus all channeled a very As Ever aesthetic - but Meghan herself didn't appear to be present, possibly busy with the launch of her upcoming site restock. Food from trendy Italian restaurant Ospi coated the tales, including pizzas, pastas and al fresco antipasti perfect for the summer evening, while local vineyard Coquelicot Wines provided drinks. Complementing the porch set-up, candles adorned the setting while guests - which included fashion company owners from the area, such as Clare Vivier, Janessa Leoné, Emily Current and Meritt Elliott - enjoyed conversing. Social media posts from the night also featured a speech made by Jamie, as supporters gushed of their pride of her entrepreneurial drive. Meghan's former Suits co-star Abigail, 43, has been pals with the Duchess after they first met in 2007 at an audition; but they became closer once they became co-stars on the legal drama. The influencers shared a series of snaps and photos from the stunning event commemorating the opening of the Californian brand's first store The Duchess played Rachel Zane - a paralegal who later became an attorney - in the series and Abigail was cast as lawyer Dana Scott. Elsewhere Delfina Figueras, 44, bonded with Meghan as she is the socialite wife of Harry's polo-playing chum Nacho Figueras. Both she and Delfina took a myriad of selfies and videos from the event, boasting of a 'good start to a good night'. While Abigail sported a double denim ensemble, and accentuated her raven tresses with a bold red lip, Delfina contrasted her blonde locks with a black monochrome look. The duo huddled up close in snaps from the day - but Meghan may have likely been absent as she's busy following her release date for her new set of As Ever products, which is just days away. The Duchess took to Instagram on Monday evening to tease the 'delicious surprises' that will be in store during the second launch of her lifestyle brand. And she revealed that the products - which will also include previous 'favourites' - will be back even sooner than previously thought, with the restock going live on Friday, June 30 at 8am. She wrote on her As Ever Instagram account: 'Oh yes, honey…sweet things await. Mark your calendars for June 20 at 8 a.m. PT - we're bringing back your favorites, plus some delicious surprises you won't want to miss!' She added a picture of a stock of pancakes, topped with sweet raspberries and a generous drizzle of honey. As implied by the caption, Meghan's honey will be set to make a return - and it's likely her famous jam will also be up for grabs. In a newsletter to fans, she added: 'First off, a sincere thank you for making the debut of As ever absolutely extraordinary. We had a feeling there would be excitement, but to see everything sell out in less than an hour was an amazing surprise. 'We are pleased to share that on June 20th, we're going live with the products you love – plus, some new delicious surprises.' And posting on her personal Instagram account, she said 'so much love has gone into this'. After reports she had decided to 'pause' restocking the line, Meghan earlier this month revealed that As Ever would indeed be making a return. Alongside a snapshot of bowls of strawberries, raspberries and blueberries resting on a kitchen countertop, she wrote: 'To all who've been wondering and waiting, thank you! 'Your favorites are returning, plus a few NEW things we can't wait to show you. Coming this month... get excited!' The original As Ever range went on sale in March and products sold out within half an hour of going live. Meghan's first line of products included raspberry spread, honey, herbal tea and ready made crepe mix - all of which received a less than stellar review by Daily Mail's FEMAIL team. The shock announcement of an initial restock came shortly after she released a bonus episode of her podcast, Confessions of a Female Founder where Meghan told of the difficulties of building her firm and 'tears' she has shed behind the scenes to Beyonce's mother Tina Knowles. She said of the April launch of As Ever goods including jam that a 'scarcity mentality at the beginning might be a hook for people,' comparing it to 'a sneaker drop'. But Meghan feared it might be 'annoying' for customers, adding: 'I don't want you to eat that jam once every six months. I want that to be on your shelf all the time.' The Duchess said: 'So for me at the moment, with As Ever, it was great. We planned for a year we get and then everything sells out in 45 minutes. 'Yes, amazing, great news. Then what do you do? And then you say 'Ok, we planned as best as we could. Are we going to replenish and sell out again in an hour? Or is that annoying as a customer? 'I'm looking at it saying "Just pause. That happened. Let's wait until we are completely stable and we have everything we need."' Just a few weeks prior, the mother-of two had hinted that she might never restock her jam in an interview with a US business magazine which said she was planning to 'step back to assess' her brand. In the interview - given to coincide with the final episode of Confessions of a Female Founder - the Fast Company said Meghan wanted to 'step back, gather data from the launch, and figure out exactly what As Ever could be.' Her previous store sold out in 45 minutes and contained homely items as well as her long-awaited pots of jam. Addressing her first online shop, Meghan said Netflix agreed that rather than market her products under their brand, it would make sense for her to have her own store. Meghan also reportedly plans to add hotels and restaurants to her As Ever lifestyle brand. The Duchess is said to be trademarking her brand As Ever for 'hospitality services', The Sun first reported. This will allegedly include places to stay, as well as temporary lodgings and 'provision of food and drink', the newspaper revealed last week. Meghan could dish up a selection of her own edible creations, incorporating recipes she featured on her recent Netflix eight-part cooking show With Love, Meghan. Brand experts have claimed hotels and restaurants fit in nicely with the Duchess' business brand. Her lifestyle brand's website states: 'As Ever is more than a brand - it's a love language. 'Created by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, As Ever welcomes you to a collection of products, each inspired by her long-lasting love of cooking, entertaining and hostessing.' Meghan's representatives previously declined to comment when approached by MailOnline.
Daily Mail
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Lauren Sanchez stuns in ab-flashing co-ord as she joins Katy Perry, Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner for day two of her Paris bachelorette party
Bride-to-be was surrounded by her A-list pals as she kicked off day two of her bachelorette celebrations in Paris. Lauren, 55, ensured all eyes would be on her as she headed into L Avenue restaurant in Paris dressed in a striking floral co-ord. Her skimpy crop top ensured her abs were on display while her mini skirt offered a look at her toned pins. Lauren added to the look with a diamond heart necklace and aviator sunglasses. Following on behind was Katy Perry, 40, who opted to go braless in a figure-hugging bandeau dress with sash detailing that cinched in her slender waist. She was seen exiting the car alongside Kim Kardashian, 44, who opted for skintight black trousers and a crop top. Injecting some colour to the look, she layered up in leopard print heels and wrapped a brown Louis Vuitton stole across her. Her mother Kris Jenner was also seen making her way into the venue, looking chic in a structured grey jacket that she paired with a matching skirt and chunky heels. Having been on the other side of France for Cannes Film Festival the night before, Eva Longoria jetted into Paris to celebrate with her friend. She looked effortlessly chic on the outing, pairing a mocha satin blouse with nude trousers that skimmed over peep-toe heels. can exclusively reveal that glamorous journalist Lauren has a full weekend of celebrations planned and kicked off her pre-wedding festivities with a luxury dinner. The group were in high spirits, especially Kim who this week gave evidence at the trial of 10 people accused in connection with the 2016 robbery in Paris. A source close to Kim told 'Spending girl time at Lauren's bachelorette was a great way to end the week after testifying. She's glad it's over but thankful she was asked to testify as part of the trial.' Lauren and her famous friends enjoyed dinner at the historic Lafayette's Paris restaurant in Paris, which offers refined French dishes with a modern twist. A source at Lafayette confirmed Lauren hosted an 'excellent party'. They shared: 'We recognised a lot of big names, including Kim Kardashian and Katy Perry,' he said. 'They were all delightful, and a pleasure to have here.' He said the menu included a €28 Casear salad and €22 Norwegian smoked salmon to start, followed by roast chicken with herbs and French fries, at €105 per head, with a mushroom rigatoni pasta costing €31 per head. English Channel sole was available at €78, as well as rib-eye steak (€46) caviar on warm potatoes (€75), and truffle on macaroni and cheese (€38). Deserts included crème caramel at €12 each, and Rum Barba at €20. Mory Sacko, 32, is the star chief chef at Lafayette's, and he concentrates on French dishes with an American and African twist. Asked what the ladies had to drink, the source said: 'Mainly water and soft drinks, although there was a bit of champagne drunk too.' Taking to social media to document her night, Lauren — who recently enjoyed a controversial trip into space with Katy — was pictured beaming while surrounded by her pals in the city of love. 'Forever starts with friendship, surrounded by the women who've lifted me up, illuminated my path in dark times, and shaped my heart along the way,' she wrote in the caption. Among the other friends who joined her was October Gonzalez, the wife of her football player ex Tony Gonzalez, with whom Lauren shares son Nikko, 24. Lauren is on friendly terms with October, as the pair are often seen socializing with one another on a regular basis. Not only has Lauren been on vacation with her former partner Tony and October, she regularly attends events with the 44-year-old and they even spent Thanksgiving together last year. Tony and Lauren separated shortly after Nikko's birth in February 2001. Lauren was also joined by businesswoman Elsa Collins, Natasha Poonawalla, Lydia Kives, Charissa Thompson, and Veronica Smiley Grazer. Lauren and Jeff, 61, are expected to walk down the aisle next month, and the unusual venue for the ceremony is raising some eyebrows. The couple, who have reportedly booked Elton John and Lady Gaga to perform, could say their 'I dos' on a Venetian island in an open-air theater. The billionaire, his bride and some 200 guests have reportedly already booked rooms at the best hotels. Jeff's mega yacht is also expected to be a part of the festivities, although neither the future bride or groom would confirm. Guests are expected to include: several members of the Kardashian/Jenner family, Perry and her fiancé Orlando Bloom, Leonardo DiCaprio, as well as Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner, and along with model Karlee Kloss and her husband Joshua Kushner. President Donald Trump has also reportedly been invited to the nuptials. Officials from the city of Venice have said they lobbied Jeff and Lauren to hold the wedding there. Morris Ceron, the director general of the Venice council told the London Times he personally approached the Amazon founder about choosing the ancient city for the wedding. Lauren and Jeff went public with their relationship in 2019. The pair got engaged in May 2023, after Jeff popped the question on board his $500million superyacht. Their engagement followed the couple having an affair, which Jeff has admitted to, leading to his divorce from wife of 25 years, Mackenzie Scott in 2019 and Lauren's split from husband Patrick Whitesell, who she married in 2005, and shares a son and daughter with. Lauren also shares a son with former flame once-NFL tight end Tony, Nikko, who was born in 2001. Four years after their affair was revealed to the world by the National Enquirer, Jeff asked Lauren to marry him, with a pear diamond estimated to be worth at least $2 million. Since then, the couple have flaunted their love around the world, holiday aboard Jeff's megayacht. As well as their luxury yacht trips, the couple take holidays to five-star resorts, private jet flights, and beach side getaways. They dine in the sought-after restaurants, attend elite parties, and mingle with some of Jeff's celebrity friends.
