Hank Azaria – known to most as the voice of many a Simpsons character, known to me as Phoebe’s David in Friends – has opened up his 1930s Bel Air home to Architectural Digest, and it’s a beaute. Forget all the grandeur and pretentiousness that define most of the mansions in this affluent area, Azaria has created a really comfortable and organic space. He enlisted the help of designer Trip Haenisch to design the perfect family home for himself, his partner Katie Wright, and their two-year-old son, Hal. The process involved firstly lightening oppressive dark wood floors, then putting their personal and kid-friendly stamp on the house. To me, it combines elegance, masculinity and playfulness all in one… no mean feat! I love the natural colour and textures, along with that amazing outdoor lounge area next to the pool – an ideal setting for a lazy afternoon reading and napping. Oh and the Hermès blanket on the four-poster bed? That needs to be mine.

{images via Architectural Digest}
Tell me, dear readers, what do you think of Hank’s home?

We’ve had a reprieve, my friends! The sun is out, and the fact that it’s in time for the end of the week is surely no coincidence. It’s been a strange week… although it’s currently events down-time and feels a bit like corporate summer holiday, the rain has said otherwise. Ah well, TGIF! Tonight I’m hosting my friends for a night in, which involves putting on a DVD, then promptly ignoring it in favour of catching up with all the latest news. And eating picnic food (as cooking an actual meal would involve missing out on good gossip whilst in the kitchen). The rest of the weekend will be spent travelling around visiting friends and family, but after a good rest last weekend I’m raring to go.
Fancy a bit of art to round up the week? Good, because I have a corker. It was during my rounds on the blogosphere that I came across the name ‘Leigh Viner’. I’ve totally fallen for her prints (as well as her photography) – there’s a real romance to them, with her use of colour, abstract lines and study of femininity. And, of course, there’s the fashion. The top two designs in particular have become favourites of mine, and they’re definitely on my wish list for the future. I imagine them framed in a bathroom, along with a vintage chandelier, a claw-foot bath and a Venetian mirror. Or in a dressing room surrounded by Marchesa, Elie Saab and sky-high Loubs. Ha! Maybe not. What do you think of Leigh’s artwork? Do you have a favourite from my picks below? If you fancied treating yourself (go on, it’s Friday), then head over to etsy where there are even more designs to choose from:

{all prints available at etsy}
My favourite look this week came from a party that was full of favourite looks: a Miu Miu party celebrating Lucrecia Martel’s new film (she’s an Argentine film maker… no, I didn’t know either). Diane Kruger, Camilla Belle, Hailee Steinfeld, Katie Cassidy and Emma Roberts all looked stunning, but for me it was TV presenter Cat Deeley who stood out in an embellished mini-dress with t-bar sandals. Deeley is very consistent in her fashion choices, especially when she embraces her new ‘California Girl’ status. As for my room of the week, I’m a big fan of Emily Henderson’s style and the mish-mash of patterns and textures in this living room that she designed give it a really homely, personal feel. To be honest, it had me at ‘gallery wall’:

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

The sun is shining here in London and it’s Friday – doesn’t get old, does it. Hope you’ve all had good weeks and are looking forward to kicking back and enjoying the weekend! Even though this has been another 4-day week in the office for me (god bless events down-time), these past few days have really taken it out of me and I’m more than ready for a weekend completely devoid of major activity or travel… apart from an anniversary dinner (3yrs!) with my boyfriend on Saturday night. I have no idea where we’re going and I can’t wait. I have zero plans for the rest of the time and that’s exactly how I like it!
I believe it was The Man Repeller (if you don’t know who she is, then please familiarise yourself – you won’t regret it) who first coined the term ‘arm party’ (correct me if I’m wrong) and now it’s turned into a mini revolution. An arm party refers to stacked bracelets… no particular order, just piled on as far up towards your elbow as possible. My favourite type of arm party involves a big ol’ hulking man-watch – preferably Marc Jacobs or Michael Kors but I’m not fussy – and a combo of bangles, chunky chains and statement pieces. The beauty of this concept is that you can’t do it wrong! You throw them on, you look cool. Fact. And this kind of party isn’t reserved for just your arms… oh no, the neck party is also bang on trend with all the statement necklaces around at the moment. You might want to steer clear of an ankle party though, unless you’re Lindsey Lohan and you have no choice. Here’s the look in action:

{images via pinterest}
Want to organise one of these shindigs? Then look no further, my friends, here’s one I made earlier:

{1. Marc Jacobs rose gold watch – £200 / 2. USC Timmi Swizzle bracelet – £7 / 3. ASOS circle links bracelets – £6 / 4. Evans bead bangle – £12 / 5. Whistles medlon chain bracelet – £18 / 6. Republic twisted bracelet – £5.99 / 7. Dorothy Perkins beaded deco stretch – £15}
My favourite look of the week goes to supermodel Karolina Kurkova, who shone in this fuchsia pink satin Sophie Theallet Resort 2012 gown at a Film & Music Festival in Ischia, Italy. The navy sash is colour-block perfection, and the look is made even better by the simple hair, matching pink lips and a Chanel cuff. Love. It. All. And the room of the week goes to one that I just pinned to my ‘At Home’ Pinterest board (for all my boards, see here) – I’m more than a little taken by that velvet bench at the end of the table and the mismatched chairs (which I posted about earlier in the week – see here). I’m also smitten by the contrast between the white and steel elements… and open shelves! I actually want to copy this kitchen down to the last detail, it’s that good:

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

If Kate is as faithful to Wills as she is to her footwear provider, then we can expect a long and happy marriage. Kate’s nude L.K. Bennett pumps have been seemingly welded to her feet ever since she removed the Alexander McQueens that she wore at her wedding (*sigh*, still not over that day)… and of course there were the black patent wedges that she wore the following morning. The nude pumps are unsurprisingly sold out (unless you want to pay triple the price on ebay – damn those wily wheeler dealers), but the wedges are still in stock. It’s a match made in heaven; both Kate and L.K. are as quintessentially English as tea and scones, and the ladylike silhouettes and understated accessories are the perfect solution to a summer of weddings, garden parties and polo matches. Not that I’ve been to any polo matches… I’m sure the invites have just been lost in the post. Anyway, here are my picks from L.K.Bennett’s beautiful collection – what do you think of the shop which gets the royal seal of approval?

{all products available at L.K.Bennett}

We made it to Friday! Hope you’ve had a good week. It’s been a busy one for me, one way or another – on Wednesday night I went to see Take That in concert, which was pretty damn uh-may-zing. The boys (or men… it’s not the Smash Hit Poll Winners Party any more!) showed what incredible performers they all are, and the atmosphere in Wembley stadium was beyond electric, especially when they played ‘Never Forget’ – it gave me goosebumps. After all these years, they’ve still got it! This weekend there’s no rest for the wicked, as I’m off to Nottingham for my friend Lucy’s hen do. I love spending time with my school friends… it may be 12 years since we left senior school, but we’re still as close as we ever were. Sensing what will surely go on this weekend, I have taken Monday off work. Not just a hat rack, my friend.
Now, did your jaw drop just a little bit when you saw Elie Saab’s Fall 2011 Couture Collection? Along with Marchesa and Chanel, I know for certain that Elie is going to produce something very special. These gowns were grouped in colour, graduating from light to dark, which gave an almost “ombre” effect as they were paraded up and down the catwalk. I can already imagine Hollywood’s A-list looking radiant in these ready-to-wear dresses – the question is, who will be the first? (My money’s on Rosie H-W in one of the gowns featuring a sizeable slit… just a hunch).

{images via fashionologie}
Onto ‘Look of the Week’, and I’ve gone for our own Emma Watson, because I’m partial to a ruffle and it’s the end of an era (so I hear – I can’t say I’m a Potter enthusiast). The dress is beautiful and as esquisite as her last Lopez number, the pumps are Chanel, and, well, the hair is a little Julia Roberts circa Hook, but we’ll let that go. At least she had the guts to crop her hair, which is more than can be said for me and my 1995 haircut. And my favourite room of the week has every element that makes me go weak at the knees – a pink/grey combo, a chandelier, window shutters, subways and an ornate floor. Done and done.

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