Emotional ties with Lisa Stansfield

The soul star reveals her love of all things kitsch.

It was such a privilege to have this photograph taken a couple of years ago at the famous Parisian Harcourt studio - they usually only photograph French women. When I look at it I think, 'I'd like to know that lady, because it's certainly not me.'

When my first album Affection achieved success in 1989, my husband Ian and I went to New York and bought everyone in the family a gift to celebrate. I chose these pearl earrings for my mum Marion from Tiffany and I've worn them ever since she died eight years ago. They keep me close to her.

Tann Rokka's Kisu fragrance is exotic but elegant - perfect for night-time.

My grandma's vase reminds me of visiting her most Fridays near my home in Rochdale. She was a massive influence in my life - we used to sit in her kitchen, surrounded by the smell of baking, and 'sing' our prayers (which weren't really prayers but lovely little songs).

I used to eye up this glass lobster at an antique dealer friend's house until one day he gave it to me. It makes me laugh - and cheers me up when I'm cooking.

This toy frog used to belong to my sister Suzanne - she gave it to me when I was trying to have a baby with Ian because we'd read that frogs were a sign of fertility. Sadly it didn't work, but now I wouldn't part with it.

I like to tinkle at my piano when I'm working out a new song - I just put my fingers down and see what comes out. I love music now more than at the times when I was so busy that I'd forget why I got into it in the first place.

I bought this magnifying glass from a stall on Portobello Road. It hangs around my neck all the time - a reluctant admission of my age [48] and that my eyes are starting to fail.

Article taken from The Daily Mail