shopping edit #1 ~ summer blues

Okay, this post was meant to happen about a year ago. But I think I just completely underestimated the effect that a small person has on your life. When Cam arrived last June, for the first few months it was all about him, naturally. And it was amazing and tiring and wonderful and overwhelming, in equal measures. Then, once we started to figure out what we were doing a bit more rather than – what felt like – feeling around in the dark, and he fitted into our lives rather than the other way around, we miraculously had some time to ourselves again outside of our working lives and, of course, Cam. And you know what? I didn’t want to be a #girlboss right that second. I didn’t want to hustle. I wanted to sit in a quiet room at the end of the day, spend time with Tom, and scroll aimlessly through Pinterest or watch reality shows. I’ve maybe done that a bit longer than I expected to, but I feel that fire again to blog, create and immerse myself in the community that I’ve grown to love so much.
So, I’m back. I don’t know how many times a week or month I’ll be blogging – I think a hard-and-fast schedule is probably a bad idea – but I want to share all the interiors gorgeousness that goes around my head day in day out, as well as the progress we’ve been making on our house. It may be a relatively unappealing 70s terraced house from the outside, but you shouldn’t judge a book etc etc. The bathroom, Cam’s nursery and the garden have been the main projects around here lately, and there’ll be before and after shots coming soon.
One of the frequent features I’ll be posting is shopping edits – basically I’ll spend hours trawling shopping sites, so you don’t have to. It’ll all be in one place under a particular theme, whether that’s the best bits from a certain retailer, or, say, ‘brass and marble’. Today, it’s all about summer blues. Enjoy.

Shopping Edit - Summer Blues via {what you fancy} blog

Mykonos Pom Pom Shopper – £34 // My love of pom poms – on everything – shows no signs of abating. And this bargain of a bag from my current obsession, Yonder Living, is perfect for that trip to the beach or an impromptu picnic in the park.
Iris Tassel Earrings – £55 // One day I’ll be more of a grown-up and wear earrings, and when I do, I want a pair like this. Some of the seriously stylish ladies I follow on Insta – Erica Davies and Alex Stedman, for starters – have been hanging tassels off their lobes left, right and centre, and I want to join their gang.
Mudcloth Pillow Cover – £39.34 // These mudcloth prints have been adorning modern boho interiors for a while now and I still can’t get enough. You usually see this pattern in black and white, but this blue alternative is a fresher take on the trend.
Summer Days Rug – £125 // Give me a preppy stripe and I’m happy.
Kite Top With Bow Sleeves – £65 // The high street is awash with off-the-shoulder Bardot tops, but I like this slightly different spin on the style. Note the buttons down the back and the bows on the sleeves – so pretty.
Ribe Pendant Lamp – £125 // These Scandi-style pendants are just the kind of orbs I’d want hanging over an island or over a bedside table. And I love that their handmade nature means you can see small air bubbles in the glass.
Morning Noon Night Book – £30 // Following on from the coffee table staple, Eat Drink Nap, this stylish behind-the-scenes look at Soho Houses is another must-own.
Acapulco Chair – £67.50 // Tesco knows what’s up. And what’s up is the chair of the summer. I have two in my garden and not only do they look the business, they’re also ridiculously comfy.
Any favourite pieces?

who are you wearing?

Last night it was the turn of the Screen Actors Guild Awards (with the amount of botox present, oh the irony of it being called the SAG Awards…) to come to Hollywood. Leo won again. Idris Elba made the UK very proud. And Nicole Kidman showed that she shouldn’t have the final say in which dress to wear – eesh. So, who earned their style stripes on the red carpet? Let’s take a look at my winners…
 
Best Dressed @ the SAG Awards via {what you fancy}
 
Alicia Vikander in Louis Vuitton
Can this girl do no wrong this awards season? Not only did she swipe the award for Best Supporting Actress, she looked incredible while doing it. Almost like a sparkly liquorice allsort, this look probably wouldn’t have worked on, well, most other people, but with the unfussy hair situation and that cool-but-not-arrogant way about her, she nailed it. Can’t wait to see her Oscars frock.
 
Helen Mirren in Jenny Packham
Another great British ambassador of the night. This is how you do it. Pure movie star.
 
Rachel McAdams in Elie Saab
Elie Saab is one of my very favourite designers, and this is a prime example of why. There’s a lot going on but it’s so very elegant… I especially love the top half and the little sleeves. I’m also a big fan of Rachel’s tousled hair and natural make-up.
 
Emilia Clarke in Dior
Fuchsia can often be way over the top and ‘Barbie goes to Prom’ (yes, Vergara, I’m talking to you), but in the right style of dress it can be killer. The hair, the jewellery, the deep V… Dragon Lady slayed it.
 
Did anyone stand out for you?
 

who are you wearing?

It’s award season! Life has meaning again! Through the apocalyptic-esque darkness of a Monday morning in early January came the Golden Globes red carpet run-downs. It really does make me so happy. Now, since I’m in an optimistic mood seemingly for the first time in 2016 (the sun came out today and everything) I’m only going to post my winning looks. Ladies, you’ve been spared the scathing remarks this time. Next time (Screen Actors Guild Awards, 30 Jan), you might not be so lucky… I’ll see what kind of mood I’m in.

Anywho, to the gowns! The list is short since Kate Hudson, Cate Blanchett, Jennifer Lawrence et al just didn’t bring their A-game for me. I feel like I’ve seen it all before (especially Kate Winslet who needs to spring for a new stylist sharp-ish). But it’s okay, they have time. So, here are the stars who sartorially did the business…

Best Dressed @ the Golden Globes 2016 v1

Rosie Huntington Whiteley in Atelier Versace
Newly-engaged RHW won the red carpet. No contest. She’s basically been dipped in gold, rolled in unicorn sparkles and paraded in front of the paps to make every woman on the planet feel like even on the most attractive day of their life, they’ll probably reach about 5% of this level of hotness.

Kirsten Dunst in Valentino
The artist formally known as Drunkst slayed it in this ensemble. There’s a lot ‘up front’, granted, but the flawless make-up and the rest of the gown kept it classy. Solid effort.

Jaimie Alexander in Genny
Even more beautiful on camera than in pics – and I’m talking about Jaimie and the frock. Adore the colour, love that it’s a bit different, and the Lorraine Schwartz emerald earrings were an inspired choice. Ladies of reality TV, this is how you flash the flesh.

Alicia Vikander in Louis Vuitton
A controversial choice, but huge props to Alicia for taking a chance, which 80% of the Globes line-up didn’t do. It feels quite ‘tennis chic’ to me, and it really pops against her tan and simple-but-chic hair. And give me a crisp pleat any day.

Best Dressed @ the Golden Globes 2016 v2

Olivia Palermo in Delpozo
It seems like the whole internet hates this look. Yet I loved it from the first time I saw it. I don’t know if it’s the preppy colour combo or the necklace or the way OP is just owning it, but it’s a winner for me. And the shoes. I’m dying over the shoes.

Jenna Dewan-Tatum in Zuhair Murad
After her turn on Lip Synch Battle with Channing, this broad can do no wrong. And she proved it once again in this exquisite dress. Midnight blue is always a favourite for me, but this was streets ahead of Winslet and Moore who went for the same hue.

Amber Heard in Gucci
Depp’s missus was born in the wrong era, she’s a 50s screen siren through and through. On anyone else, I’m not sure the foofy neckline and simples lines of this Gucci number would have worked. But I’m digging this look, a lot.

Lily James in Marchesa
She’s a funny one, Lily James. In photos she looks like a smouldering goddess, then in interviews she shows she’s just as much of a dork as the rest of us. This dress is beyond gorgeous. Yes, it’s a tad bridal, but it’s Marchesa, so it’s allowed to be.

Also, this happened. And the man-fancying population stood in unison and slow clapped those absurdly strong genes.

Brad Pitt and Ryan Gosling @ Golden Globes 2016

Tell me, what did you think of this year’s GG offerings?
 

the october edit

Autumn’s well and truly into its innings. Although, apart from the trees starting to turn, you wouldn’t know it… we’ve been treated to beaming sunshine and temperatures that keep our patio in business. But – and I don’t want to sound ungrateful – who’s secretly hoping it turns a bit chillier soon so we can dig out coats, boots and scarves? So, to celebrate the official cosy season, the return of decent telly and new collections in stores, here’s a round-up of everything I’m currently coveting…
 
the october edit via {what you fancy}
 
Houndstooth chair // Oliver Bonas is really having an interiors moment. Seriously, they’re on fire when it comes to soft furnishings. This particular little number, called Le Cocktail Chair (mais, oui), would look so chic on a herringbone floor in a Parisian apartment in the Marais. Or, y’know, in a regular house.
 
Adventures pocket notebooks // BerinMade designed our wedding invitations (and my blog header!), so I love seeing Erin’s business go from strength to strength. If you’re a stationery fiend like me then I’d urge you to head over to her website for cards, notebooks and prints that nail every trend. I especially love the colours in these notebooks. They had me at navy.
 
Breton pompom blanket // Yonder Living is one of my favourite new online finds and I’ve been drooling over their blankets for months. Maybe now the mercury’s dropping, I’ll treat myself to this stripy pompom beauty. Call it an early Christmas present.
 
Cities sweatshirt // I honestly think Brits are happiest safely back inside a jumper. Well, I am anyway. And this one is definitely ticking all the boxes for me.
 
After You // I’m assuming you’ve read the first one, right? If not, please do so immediately, if not sooner. The sequel is sure to be just as heartbreakingly beautiful.
 
Drinks trolley // Gold, marble, metal. Oliver Bonas has come over all West Elm on us, and we ain’t complaining.
 
Origins serum // When winter hits, bitter winds and cranked-up heating does nothing for that glowy complexion we all try to maintain year round. Thankfully, the lovely people at Origins have created this new cult serum to stick two fingers up to dreary dry skin.
 
Horse print // As much as I’m a fan of abstract art, sometimes the crispness of black and white photography wins out. I adore this shot. I’ll always be a pony-mad teenager at heart.
 
Tell me, does anything here strike your fancy?
 

the march edit

1st March. Finally. I don’t know about you guys, but my year officially starts right here. Jan and Feb don’t even deserve a mention, as far as I’m concerned. But we made it… the evenings are getting lighter, and very soon that special day will arrive when temperatures reach a whopping 15 degrees, and the world and his wife agree it’s definitely BBQ weather. Bring it on. To celebrate, I thought I’d bring you a round up of all the things I have my eye on this month – something that I’m going to make a monthly feature. Enjoy. It’s good to be back.
 
march-edit
 
Maje cardigan // Yes, the price tag made me wince. But it’s Maje. Ergo, it’s fine. And coats are going to be redundant soon, with any luck, so it’s just plain practical.
 
Burberry BB cream // This stuff is getting rave reviews everywhere. Apparently one application of this wonder product and it turns you into a glowy Rosie H-W doppelganger. I’m in.
 
Kilim cushion // Turns out I like my cushions like I like my cardies. Who knew? While the shops are serving up zig-zags and geometrics like they’re some kind of new trend (*cough* 2012), I’m drooling over all things kilim.
 
Neom candle // This smells incredible. I have it burning away right now, and I can vouch for the fact it does exactly what its name promises.
 
French Connection T-shirt // Hurrah! We can start talking about T-shirts like they’re not some kind of mystical creature again. This one plus some denim cut-offs and you’re sorted. Might want to wait for the 15-degreer, though.
 
Salted caramel truffles // Packaging wins me over. I’m that fickle. I’m sure the truffles taste great, too.
 
Copper pendant // This pic doesn’t do this pendant justice… when the light shines through it, it’s kitchen island perfection. And one day it will be mine.
 
The Miniaturist // I’m off on holiday in 2 weeks to Marrakech and I intend on ploughing through as many books as possible. I’ve heard good things about this one – has anyone read it? – so it’s already packed and ready to hit the sunlounger.
 
Tell me, what’s on your lust list this month?