Easy Elegance.

I have always loved Atlanta Bartlett's books. She is an interior designed and a damn good one at that. Her books are always full of such dreamy pictures! She released a new book this year called "Easy Elegance". I am totally swooning all over the pages! I only hope my own house will be half as beautiful.




Easy Elegance is available from Rylands, Peter and Small. They also have a bunch of other beautiful books. They choose the best photographers.

Summer lovin', had me a blast.

The summer sun is setting :(
It is nearly September and the summer holidays are quickly coming to an end. Where did it go?! This weekend is the last bank holiday of the year so here's a few ideas if you haven't made any plans yet.

♥ have a picnic
♥ go to a theme park
♥ have a neighbourhood water fight
♥ laze around in the sun and read all day
♥ try making some homemade ice cream
♥ have a barbeque
♥ find a lake and have a swim
♥ there's probably a free gig going on somewhere; find it
♥ bake cookies and drop them off at all your friends' houses
♥ go to a funfair
♥ visit your grandparents and make their day
♥ pick berries and make a pot of jam
♥ play a game of rounders
♥ take a trip to the seaside
♥ help out at the local animal shelter
♥ go hiking and then camp under a sea of stars
♥ explore a part of the city you've never been to before with your lover
♥ ride horses and lie in fields
♥ go on a long long drive with the windows down and your favourite songs playing
♥ open a kissing booth and donate the proceeds to charity
♥ stay out and dance alllll night
♥ have a go at mini golfing
♥ fall in love with a stranger
♥ have an outdoor dinner party by lantern light
♥ start a dance off in the middle of your city
♥ mess around at a childrens playground
♥ buy a box of Quality Street and share them out with people at a bus stop
♥ tennis for two, then tea & cake for two

High street lust #12.

On Sunday Amy went to feed the ducks at her local park. Afterwards she sat under a tree reading books about Jack the Ripper and Malcolm X. For dinner she stopped by a fish & chip shop and gave away the change to a man sleeping at the bus stop.


English summers are so fickle! The weather forecast promises sunshine but all you get is dreary skies. That's why the floral print dress (£30) really lifts my spirits.

All you'll need are some cute heart-shaped stud earrings (£3 for 3 pairs), a sweet cluster ring (£4), a watch pendant (£15) and some shiny bow flats (£20). Of course, you are never sure when it'll rain so you'd better throw on a cute boyfriend fit cardigan (£20) and bring a metallic umbrella (£8) wherever you go. Keep your head warm with a knit beret (£6). Throw all these things inside a big pocket front bag (£12) and that's you sorted.

Love is like a battlefield, a battlefield!

Top - HK
Jeans - Gap
Bag - Cancer Research
Jacket - Topshop
Shoes - Miss Selfridge
Went out for dinner last night. The initial plan was tapas, but the place was full (you can't book beforehand) so we went to a posh-ish type restaurant with the biggest lampshades in the world. Didn't really enjoy my rarebreed pork but I did love the dessert selection! Sadly, these heels gave me blisters. Should wear socks/tights next time. Also, on the way back from the train station, I was hassled by some jerks, so an old man kept me company and walked me down the street. We discussed the disrepectful youth of today.


I hate those awkward moments at the end of a date when you're saying goodbye. To kiss or not to kiss?!

Gossip girl here.

Polo shirt - Tommy Hilfiger
Blazer - Ralph Lauren (mum's)
Tights - HK
Shoes - Topshop
Skirt - American Apparel
Watch - Rotary
The lighting is so bad. Imagine everything is a shade darker. Anyway, continuing with my school theme from Tuesday, I wore my mum's new RL blazer on Wednesday. I looked so much like a school girl that a stranger actually asked what school I go to. It was a fairly warm Wednesday but I couldn't take my (too big) blazer off because it looked like I was going to play netball.


Methinks I should stop wearing these polo shirts to work. Or at least pair it with some smarter trousers?

The foundations.

Lately, I am totally loving the Bodas underwear range. I was introduced to it via Alexa Chung's twitter (a fellow flat chester). I am enchanted by the dreamy, laidback pictures of their products and I adore how nude/blush pink (my current favourite colour) appears so often in their products.



They also have a sweet range of pyjamas (including a lovely nightdress ♥), maternity wear and cotton T-shirts. Their prices are quite decent, so check the website out.

Choosing sunglasses for your face shape.

I was lucky that the sun was shining. Look at the blue sky!
Lately, I have had such an urge to buy a new pair of sunglasses, but I think I have a face that doesn't suit anything! I just look like a bug with giant eyes. If you're having as much trouble as me, here's a few pointers:

Oval-shaped face: the length of your head is longer than the width and everything is in proportion. You're lucky, because pretty much anything suits you! Try something oversized.

Round-shaped face: width and length are pretty much the same. Buy frames that are angular and narrow to help lengthen your face. Frames with browbars are meant to pull your face up too. Try aviators.

Square-shaped face: similar to round faces, but your jaw and cheekbones are more strongly defined. Choose sunglasses with rounded edges and curves to soften the lines. Try warriors.

Oblong-shaped face: similar to oval, but with a squarer jawline. Choose larger frames which will help shorten the face. Oversized sunglasses look great on you. Choose something with curves. Try visors.

Heart-shaped face: small (pointy?) chin, wide forehead and high cheekbones. They are hard to find, but see if you can get some frames that aren't too wide on the bottom. Try predators.

Diamond-shaped face: small forehead, high cheekbones and small chin. Oval frames will soften the contours of your face. Narrower frames also work to balance out your cheekbones. Try new wayfarers.

Bottom line = choose a pair that balances out your face and keeps everything in proportion. And, no, I am not affiliated with Ray-Ban or the Sunglasses Shop. I just love Ray-Ban!

C'mon and getcha armour.

Polo shirt - Tommy Hilfiger
Cardigan - H&M
Skirt - American Apparel
Tights - Marks and Spencer
Shoes - River Island
Bag - Mulberry
Bow tie - brother's
Sorry for the poor lighting, you can hardly see my cardian. This is what I wore to work yesterday. I looked like a school girl (I think it's the skirt, which is way overpriced btw, should have just got a £5 netball one). One colleague also said I looked like a waitress. My shoes didn't match but I didn't care since they are comfortable. Work is starting to drain all the energy out of me. I already can't be bothered. Got 40 or so years left of this!


Kind of annoyed that they haven't paid me yet like they promised. Also doing overtime so I can get a day off in lieu but it's going to mess up and they'll underpay me since I'm not on the system yet so my extra hours aren't being recorded. Frustration!!!

High street lust #11.

Anjelika winked at the cute boy as she handed him two cold beers. She only had 20 minutes left until the end of her bar shift and then she would hit the rock club's dancefloor with her BFF Daisy like nobody's business.


Since the summer sales are still on, this week's lust focuses on discounted items. I've built the outfit around an animal print belted skirt (£15, was £30) and went for a sweaty summer night cannibal look.

Match it with a crackle black print vest (£10, was £22) and mini suede eyelet wedges (£20, was £45). Slip on an amazing pearl bead necklace (£10, was £40) but go light with some simple gold domed studs (£2, was £5) and engraved clamp bangle (£5, was £12). The black studded X cross bag (£10, was £18) can hold all your basics. Inject some 'cool' by wearing the metallic batwing bomber jacket (£10, was £35) and some gold frame visor sunglasses (£7, was £14).

20 cigarettes and six pack to relax me.

Poloshirt - Topshop
Skirt - American Apparel
Cardigan - H&M
Belt - Miss Selfridge
Shoes - Topshop
Tights - HK
Watch - Rotary
Glasses - Afflecks
Hair clip - Claire's
This outfit is what I wore to work last Friday. My boss for the day asked me if I had "had some dressing lessons." I'm not sure whether he meant, "Oh DEAR, call the fashion police," or "You're a bit cool, but inappropriate for work." I adore my Topshop shoes, but they somehow make casual outfits look smart whilst dumbing down smart outfits.


I really like Just Jack's latest single "The Day I Died". It's cheery but sad at the same time. Also, I think he reminds me of a certain someone. Sigh.

Living life at 100 miles an hour.

Top - Topshop
Skirt - American Apparel
Tights - HK
Shoes - Topshop
Zip up jacket - Oasis
On Thursday night after work, I went to an outdoor cinema. I couldn't be bothered putting on a new outfit, so I just changed out of my work shoes and threw on a jacket. I'm glad I did because it got rather chilly at night! Next time I go, I will bring a blanket and maybe an extra layer or two to throw on.


The film I saw was The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas. It was quite good, even though you knew it would be doomed from the start :(

A pea in the pod.

I make no secret of liking Nicole Richie; she is funny and has a great sense of style (even if it was honed by Rachel Zoe). She's grown up a lot since The Simple Life days and I love how she prefers to give Harlow organic toys and foods. As well as getting involved with charities, recently Nicole designed a maternity range for A Pea in the Pod. Here are some lovely promo shots of her.




I'm excited to see her clothes and shoe range next year! I hope her second child is a boy.

Bag me, baby, I'm yours.

Last week I talked about my shoe wardrobe so this week I'm going to talk about my handbags. I had huge handbag lust during 2006-2008. It's died down a bit now. Mainly because my wishes have been fulfilled...

The one and only: this handbag is your 'go to' for everyday life (shopping, lunch with friends etc). It should probably be in black, tan or off-white and should be large enough to carry around your phone, purse, keys, make up and anything else you like to have with you. How much you pay for this depends on how fickle you are. If you LOVE it and will use it for years to come then feel free to spend hundreds on it. Otherwise there is a plethora of options on the high street. Personally, I am eyeing up a Miu Miu bag.

The eco tote: everyone is going green these days and so should you! Get a canvas bag that you can fold up and put inside your everyday handbag so you can say 'no' when the sales assistant asks if you want a plastic carrier bag. They are available in some cute colours and chic prints these days so there is something for everyone.

The structured tote: ideal for the office or when you want to look smart (interviews!), but it all depends on where you work. Ideally they should be A4-size so documents can fit inside without getting creased. The Mulberry 'Bayswater' is a good designer classic.

The weekend bag: also known as the travel bag. It's fairly big but not so big that you can't take it onboard a plane. It should be able to fit in two changes of clothing, your toiletries, a pair of shoes and a few little extras. There are so many colourful choices these days. Since it gets thrown around at train stations, I use a bag I bought from Primark for £6.

The holiday bag: should be fairly discreet and very secure since most tourist places are a treasure trove for local pickpockets. Therefore, make sure your bag has zips! I prefer using messenger bags on holiday so my hands are free to take photos.

The clutch: is only a necessary staple if you go to events requiring the use of a clutch. Make sure it's big enough for your basics. If you wear fairly simple dresses, make the clutch your eye-catching item, but if your dresses are very detailed, make your clutch more subtle.

The dream: is the super expensive handbag at the top of your wishlist! For me, this was the Chanel classic flap. It's so simple but beautiful and really perks up any outfit. I'm still paying my mother off for this lovely thing. If your wishlist bag is trendy, you can usually buy a 'copy' on the high street. If not, just put aside a little money each month and you'll be able to afford the dream before you know it.

So really, you only need seven bags but, if you are like me, you sometimes can't resist that leather beauty calling out to you.

High street lust #10.

Is anyone going to a music festival this year? I wish I were going to Leeds or Reading (yeah, mainstream, I know). I'd shop in the sales and pick up this lovely rose print tunic (£12, was £18) to wear as a light dress.

Then I'd break up the pattern with a tan stud skinny belt (£6, was £10) and pair it with some dark wash skinny jeans (£15, was £25) for an easy rock chic look. Keep your hands bag-free by putting your money, phone and lipstick in your pockets.

Accessorise with some gold tone cutout earrings (£1, was £5), a marble bangle (£5, was £12), some awesome animal print heart sunglasses £7, was £10) and some grey canvas jazz pumps (£12, was £20) to dance the night away. Keep warm with an ivory self check sparkle scarf (£7, was £12) or a cream crop stitch cardigan (£15, was £20).

Catch a leopard by the toe.

Vest top - HK
Cardigan - Primark
Jeans - Gap
Flip flops - Accessorize
Handbag - Louis Vuitton
Sunglasses - Prada
Hat - Topman
Watch - Rotary
Today my dad and I went to eat dim sum with one of his old uni colleagues and his family. They were half an hour late... Afterwards we went to the hardware store. I looked a bit out of place. Today was much warmer than I anticipated. I look like some wannabe festival goer. I am loving my new watch though! Some family friends bought me one as a graduation present but I didn't like it so I exchanged it. I am also loving this hat. I was considering returning it but think I'll keep it now.

For these photos I used my mum's new Panasonic compact camera. I really like it! I had way too much fun posing for these. I did, however, manage to drop the *new* camera on the floor (I guess the tripod wasn't stable) and now it has some deep scratches. It's only two days old. Oops.


Need to shower and then do some homework. Hope everyone has had a good weekend!

Impatience is a virtue.

I am so in love with the advert for the new Samsung Jet phone. Well, the second half at least! You see a bunch of well-dressed ladies and strapping young lads tearing through the streets, jumping into swimming pools fully clothed, fooling around on the grass, kissing, partying etc. It's mad. I just love the clothes! I hear it's directed by the same person who did Skins, but I just LOVE THE CLOTHES. Perhaps I fantasise about having that gorgeous glamourous crazy life too.



Yeah, I realise I have the same screenshot twice but I can't be bothered to change it now. My pathetic screencaps don't do this advert justice, so see the full thing here. There is also a viral advert which is rather... odd.

A girl can never have enough shoes.

My shoe roadkill.
I used to be more of a handbag person, but I do love shoes. I *adore* perusing shoe websites but I just don't have the opportunity to wear such works of art on a daily, or even weekly, basis. Even so, I still manage to have 40+ pairs of shoes stored away. I think I have the 'basic wardrobe' but sometimes I can't resist a pair of beauties. Here's my bare bones...

Black flats: black goes with anything so it's good to have at least one smart pair and a casual pair. {2 pairs}

White flats: white (or off-white, ivory, light beige) also goes with everything, but some people just don't like wearing lighter colours. My collection of white shoes has been growing a lot over the past few months because white shoes are just plain awesome. {2 pairs}

Coloured flats: pumps in fun colours like red or pink are good. They are just harder to match. Then again, I also like having a sudden pop of colour at the bottom of a neutral coloured outfit. Brown and navy flats are also good to have. {3 pairs}

Basic heels: black, off-white and nude are my must haves. Nude coloured heels (think pinky-peach) make your legs look miles long and actually match a lot of different style dresses. By 'basic' I mean a simple pump heel, with a round, almond or pointed toe depending on your taste. {3 pairs}

Dressy heels: are more of a requirement if you like going clubbing etc. Saying that, crazy strap heels can look very cool on a day-to-day outfit. You probably want at least a pair in black, silver/gold and one crazy looking pair with a super high heel. {3 pairs}

Boots: a single pair of black or brown boots is enough for me. I just don't have the chance to wear them and I just don't like boots as much as I used to. Long boots don't look good on me and short boots are a bit too casual for my 'pretty' style. {1 pair}

Shoe boot/oxfords: a recent trend, but they can look good dressed up or down so are quite versatile. Brown or black or two-tone are good choices. {1 pair}

Sandals: as with boots, I don't have much of an opportunity to wear sandals. I have some 'pretty' ones for dinner on holiday and some Birkenstocks for easy sight-seeing days. {2 pairs}

Trainers: I make a point of not wearing sporty shoes since I go for a more feminine look these days, but trainers are great for dog walking, holiday sight-seeing, gymwear or unexpected outdoor activities. My favourites are my Onitsuka's (so comfortable!) but I also have a range of Converse All-Stars. {2 pairs}

So in total, that is 19 pairs of shoes in my basic wardrobe. Obviously, the number of shoes you have depends on your activities, your budget and lifestyle. How many pairs of shoes do you have?

High street lust #9.

Am totally loving the cotton frill mac (£80) from Warehouse. The check pattern on it is forever chic and the fact it's cotton makes me think it must be super comfy!

Since I am working now, this week's lust focuses on workwear. I'd start off with the lace insert yoke top (£35) and pair it with a wrap tulip skirt (£40). Structured shoulders are so incredibly in for A/W 2009 (Balmainia!) so the ruched volume sleeve cardigan (£35) is a perfect addition.

Finish off with a slouchy moc croc bag (£35), a graphic jacquard peacock scarf (£18) and some graduated multi hoop earrings (£8) and you're good to go. For a splash of colour, add a 'mismatched' waistbelt like the clean asymmetric front belt (£22) or some crazy coloured tights, if your workplace allows it!

I'm gonna go ape s**t on you!

T-shirt - Gap
Zip up jacket - Adidas
Skirt - Urban Outfitters
Tights - Marks and Spencers
Shoes - Converse
Bag - Topshop
Gosh, I feel like I haven't stopped moving all weekend! 'GO APE' was quite fun but it's a bit tiring and my hands are full of blisters and my body full of insect bites and splinters (making sure you land forwards on the zipwire is a bit tough). The above outfit is what I changed into afterwards, since my jeans and poloneck were covered in woodchip debris.


I already can't wait until next weekend! Can't wait to have a nice long lie in. You'll have to pay me to leave the house. Hope everyone had a good weekend :)

What can you do with a drunken sailor?

T-shirt - Gap
Skirt - American Apparel
Tights - Marks and Spencers
Shoes - New Look
Coat - Topshop
Hair accessory - Claire's
So... do you like my new coat?! I saw this online and immediately knew I had to have it. I am a sucker for sailor-esque clothes. I hate buying online so I checked three stores in person before typing in my details at Topshop.com. It arrived on Thursday and I must admit, I was a bit disappointed by the thin material and the colour (it's more of a washed out red). It's also a bit big so hopefully they have a size 6 instore which I can exchange it with.

Went out for a delicious meal for my friend's birthday on Friday (I had confit duck leg [strawberry sauce!] with dauphinoise potatoes and butternut squash, yum) and on Saturday I drove 35+ miles to another friend's house for drinks and Wii games. Didn't take any outfit photos for either occasion though, whoops. Today I'm going to a thing called 'GO APE'. It's like a fun version of an assault course?!

Dance like noone is watching.

If you're a Youtube enthusiast, then you may have watched James and Julia's first wedding dance back in 2007. What was so special about it? They choreographed it to 'I've Had The Time of My Life' from Dirty Dancing. They posted it on Youtube for friends and family who couldn't be there and became an overnight hit.

Since then, many newlywed couples have put a spin on the traditional first dance (check out Youtube). Recently, a couple and their bridal party decided to bend the rules and jiggy their way down the altar...


Here is the link, incase you can't see it. This all looks super fun, but I'm not sure if I would enjoy all that attention!