Happy Friday, friends! Hope you’ve all had a good week, and are looking forward to a bit of R&R this weekend. I don’t know about you, but I’m relieved to get back to a bit of peace and normality after the shocking events earlier this week (see here). I very much hope that the amazing police officers on duty get some extremely well-deserved down-time after their incredible efforts. I’m happy to say that I officially have zero plans for the next two days, since the following five weekends go something like this: wedding, wedding, holiday, holiday, my mum’s 60th birthday. Phew! Looking forward to every single one, though. Especially the holiday part, I have to say… the South of France is calling!
I don’t know if you’ve heard about ‘The Notebook Doodles’ or not, but allow me to introduce you. If you’re a frequent pinner on Pinterest then you’ll often come across the likes of the stunning and inspirational quotes below. The photographs, the handwriting and often some of the quotes are all created by the blogger behind this site (who is something of an enigma… they reveal no personal details besides the fact they’re in their early 20s), and as well as the doodles that they release on their blog, they’re also available for commissions. Erm, how talented are they?! These thoughts are really succinct and motivating, and so beautifully presented. Take a look at the website when you get a sec, you’ll be hooked. When you have one of those weeks when you find it hard to stay focussed and keep your goal in mind, sometimes a rousing pick-me-up (the first quote in particular) is just what you we need:

{images via the notebook doodles}
For my look of the week it was a bit of a no-brainer – the award goes to Jordana Brewster (actress from the Fast & the Furious movies, went out with that Yankees player, aaand that’s all I got) who kills it with some of my favourite trends: mint (see here for past gushings), pleats (see here), shoes with scalloped edges (see here) and just her subtle and relaxed styling in general. I mean, she looked far better than Kruger at the InStyle Summer Soiree… this is serious stuff*. As for my room of the week, yes yes, I know I’m cheating, but this sunny outside space was so appealing I had to share it with you. That table is ridiculous. It makes me want to get all ‘Kirstie Allsopp’ with mosaicking.
*relatively speaking, obv.

{images via prphotos & Elle Decor}
I hope you have a fabulous weekend whatever you’re doing and wherever you may be…

Sorry for the rather sombre tone yesterday – I just wouldn’t have been true to myself had I been all perky about polka dots. Anyway, I’m feeling a lot more positive today after the amazing community spirit that manifested after the horrific night of violence on Monday in my local area. Truly heart-warming, and all faith in humanity is restored. So today I’m bringing you a new style crush of mine: Zanna Roberts Rassi. Not only is her name awesome, but she also has a sense of style that I would give my right arm for. She’s British and works as Senior Fashion Editor at US Marie Claire in NYC (ergo no scary Anna Wintour, although I don’t imagine Joanna Coles is a walk in the park). Dream job, dream wardrobe. She kinda reminds me of a prettier Uma Thurman, and is queen of using neutrals to achieve a classic yet edgy look when paired with statement prints or a leather jacket. She manages to make harem pants look good, for crying out loud! And it’s so effortless, à la Palermo and Kruger, always ensuring she’s wearing the clothes, not the other way around. She also channels that look that only ‘ladies in fashion’ can pull off… it’s what I like to call, “oh, this old thing?”:

{images via Garance Doré, Fashionologie and Citizen Couture}
Ooh and I found wedding pictures *squeals with excitement*… true to form, Zanna didn’t go for the style of dress that the world and his wife go for, oh no no no. Check it out. It’s Marchesa (LOVE… actually my favourite designer) and is the perfect look for a chic city wedding. Amaze.

{images via 100 Layer Cake}
Hot, intimidating fashion girls roam in packs. Fact. Zanna is no different, as she’s seen strutting along (“Strut? Do I strut? Am I a strutter?” – sorry, couldn’t resist) with fellow pack members in tow. Man, do I wanna be in her gang.

{images via pinterest}
What are your thoughts on Zanna’s style? Crush-worthy?

It’s been a while since we’ve had a decent red carpet situation, and at the ‘Teen Choice Awards’ last night the younger generation of Hollywood donned some frocks that, at their age, they really shouldn’t have access to (back in the good old days you had a Tammy Girl dress and would be thrilled with it). But they did rock them, it has to be said. They even showed up some red carpet veterans such as Fergie and Tyra Banks, who looked mildly ridiculous in their attempts to be down-with-the-kids. Other stars clinging on to their “yoof” included Bilson and Lively (turned up, looked amazing, job done), and Deeley and Diaz (working the pins and golden tans). The board was swept by Bieber and Gomez, a.k.a. Hollywood’s Prom King & Queen, and the lovely Taylor Swift. Seriously, no one else needn’t have bothered turning up (slight exaggeration – Kris Jenner Kardashian Jenner needed to parade her cash cows in front of the paps). Take a look here at the winners; at least justice was done in the form of my beloved Gossip Girl getting a nod. My favourite winner was Justin Bieber who was given the ‘Choice Twit’ award… I think they were trying to be all clever and Twitter-related, but ended up being unwittingly right on the money.

{images via prphotos}
Who was the red carpet winner for you?

It’s the end of the week, my friends! Do you have any plans? Not only do I have a weekend of meeting up with friends for brunches and lunches and picnics (oh my!), but from today I’m happily moving on from my current job to pastures new. Once those pastures are identified I can update you, but for the time being it’s all a little unknown… and I actually like the sound of that. Without sounding too ‘New Age’, things have a funny way of working out for the best. Whatever happens I very much hope that I can use my creative side in my next role, as there’s only so much true creativeness you can bring to corporate events. I would love to write more too! We shall see what happens. Onwards and upwards.
Before I get too deep, I will swiftly move on to my Friday post. Now, if you’ve got an interest in the latest interior trends, then you can’t have helped but notice the leather Moroccan pouffes that are appearing in all manner of rooms like a home decor version of ‘Where’s Wally?’. They are incredibly versatile and can be used as extra seating, as coffee tables with trays placed on them, or just simply as decoration. I have a soft spot for the metallic ones, I have to say… I’m wondering if my boyfriend would notice if I slipped one into our sitting room as a foot rest. Far chicer than bean bags that were all the rage in the 90s; I had a particularly special ‘My Little Pony’ number. Yep, I just said that out loud. They kinda remind me of giant macaroons (just me?), adding pops of colour and an exotic edge. I have a feeling this could be a bit of a Marmite trend – do you love them or hate them? And is it pouffe or pouf?!

{images via pinterest}

{1. Graham & Green / 2. Bohemia / 3. Bohemia / 4. Yellow Sunrise}
Now, I won’t harp on this, but you may have noticed the oh-so-subtle addition to my left side bar. That’s right, it’s Cosmo Blog Awards time again, and if you happened to click on this link, and if you happened to nominate {what you fancy} in the ‘Lifestyle’ category, then it would equal one extremely chuffed blogger.
Just sayin’ 😉
My look of the week is awarded to Leslie Mann, who is grouped alongside Kristen Wiig in the ‘would be my best friend if I met her’ category. Adore her. Anyway, I also love a bit of Marchesa, and this dress has just the right amount of sparkle and is perfectly complimented by a red lip and an up-do. My room of choice goes to a mint living room that gives off a very refined yet relaxing vibe. The pops of fuchsia and dark wood completely make it:

{images via prphotos & decorpad}
I hope you have a beautiful weekend whatever you’re doing and wherever you may be…

Hurray for weekends, especially when they involve escaping to the country. I’m a country girl at heart (I spent my teenage years mucking out stables – I know, it was all glamour back then) and I jump at any opportunity to enjoy some time out of busy London life. I’m really looking forward to sitting in my mum’s sunny English country garden, as well as catching up with friends back home and their adorable children. Oh and there’s another Royal wedding! Perhaps not on the same scale as this one, but there’ll be photos of Zara’s dress and general style, as well as guests’ outfits, and that’s good enough for me. I’m easily pleased.
Speaking of weddings, there seems to be a new “it” accessory, and it comes in the form of a humble glass jar. The aqua-coloured mason jars are more of an American thing (not even sure if you can buy them here in the UK, sadly), but jars in general are being used for everything, from lighting to flowers to favours. And it doesn’t stop at weddings… they’re a way of storing and displaying items that’s far more appealing than throwing them haphazardly into a random drawer never to be seen again, or in a grimy Tupperware box. The brighter the contents, the more attractive the clear jars look – especially when there’s cake involved. There’s something about that final image that makes me incredibly happy. What do you think? Does this inspire you to get creative with jars?

My look of the week goes to one of my favourite style crushes, Mila Kunis, wearing one of my favourite labels, Elie Saab. Mila’s been hitting the promo circuit pretty hard with JT (I definitely want to catch Friends With Benefits) and, as always, has been looking flawless. The Grecian-inspired look she went for at the Moscow premiere is perfection on her, as was the white Louis Vuitton dress she donned on the same trip. For my room of the week, I couldn’t resist this bright bedroom, filled with light, fresh flowers and an abundance of patterns. Simply beautiful:

{images via prphotos, Real Simple & Pinterest}
I hope you have a perfect weekend whatever you’re doing and wherever you may be…