So, I’m back for a one-off post… because guess who got in touch with me? Pinterest. Only my favourite ever website. The website that showed me that there’s a whole community, nay, movement, that loves pinning and stalking dreamy pictures as much as I do. It’s my virtual happy place. A glass of red, a whole evening free of any kind of admin or decent telly, and a spot of Pinterest, and you won’t find me more content. If you’re not sure what it’s all about, in a nutshell it’s an online pinboard and tool for collecting, organising and sharing beautiful ideas and images from all over the web. An online scrapbook, really.

Pinterest has changed me in so many ways, and I’m not even being dramatic. I now have a passion for tinkering around the kitchen… cooking, if you will. Whereas, pre-Pinterest recipe ideas, I felt adventurous if I added herbs to a spag bol. I’m bolder with my fashion choices… I’ve actually got items in my wardrobe that aren’t a shade of black, which would have been unheard of a few years ago. My home has never looked prettier – it used to be all cottage-shabby-“chic”, but now I’ve embraced a classic modern look, geometric prints, and a metallic infusion. Put plainly, I have an obsession with gold. I’ve discovered beauty blogs that have completely changed my skincare regime for the better, I’ve found daily inspirational quotes that I now live by, and which have shifted my outlook on life, and – this has been a biggie – because of Pinterest, my readership has risen massively. As in, a huge proportion of my traffic comes from the site… hopefully, because people trust my taste and style, and believe it’ll translate on my blog.
 

Or something.
 

One of my favourite boards out the 28 I lovingly tend to, is the one entitled Made Me Smile. Basically it’s a collection of things that make my heart squeeze and sing… the things that make me happy. They don’t really fit in anywhere else, so they get a board of their own. Why not go take a look? If you like every single one of the pins, then you never know… we could be sisters from another mister. It’s possible.

And if you haven’t signed up to Pinterest already, you’re truly missing out, my friends. It’s a whole new world out there. With Facebook filled with kids-supposedly-doing-the-funniest-things and people moaning about the weather, I can’t think of a better place to escape to for peace, quiet and a plethora of beautiful things.
 

While we’re at it, take a peak at the shamazeballs boards of Jenny and Beth – all in the name of pinning the love forward.
 

I’ll be back soon… thanks for sticking with me, lots of love xx
 

I’m a huge fan of a gift list, but like the never-ending Halloween celebrations, I’ve felt a bit inundated this season. So instead of telling you that your mum would probably quite fancy some Cath Kidston hand cream and your brother could probably do with a comedy moustache mug, I’m going to post an addition to my ‘Currently Craving’ series (previously seen here, here, here, here & here). These are items that I’m lusting after, and if you happen to have the same taste as me (geometric prints, why can’t I quit you?) then boom! I hope I’ve given you some ideas of how to spend that Christmas cheque from Great Aunt Doris in the New Year. Also, apologies for the erratic blogging schedule at the moment, I’ll be able to update you on behind-the-scenes-goings-on very soon. Exciting times, my friends.

{1. Oliver Bonas Kelly clutch – £29 / 2. Oliver Bonas Miss Etoile ceramic gold striped plate – £15 / 3. CoupleHome ikat cushion cover – £16 / 4. SheInside geometric sweater – $43.28 / 5. J.Crew Wild Side wide bangle – £56.27 / 6. John Lewis Biggins drinks trolley – £599 / 7. Tory Burch leather riding boots – £425 / 8. Plumo Supernova wrap – £75 / 9. Design Darling aqua trellis tray – $40 / 10. Anthropologie New York Times 36 Hours: 150 Weekends in Europe – £24.99}

Every so often you receive an email that immediately brightens your day, for example Kate Spade announcing their ‘Friends & Family Sale’ on pay day. Or when online fashion giants Boohoo.com send you a message to say that they’d like to write a post for your humble blog. Seriously, throw in a jolly fat man and some elves and you’ve got Christmas! Without further ado, I’ll pass you over to Rachael from Boohoo to talk about one of the season’s hottest trends:

{images via camille over the rainbow, fashion gone rouge & pinterest}
“There is no shortage of the colour ‘oxblood’ this season. It is everywhere this A/W taking over anything from boots to festive dresses, and it will quickly become your favourite neutral, offering a more exciting alternative to greys and blacks. The gory name is short for oxygenated blood, the colour blood turns when it is exposed to air; it is a very festive hue somewhere between burgundy and reddish-brown. The rich, deep, sultry tones give red an edgy and sophisticated twist, tying in perfectly with the luxe, jewel-tone trends at the moment. Don’t go overboard with the colour, less is definitely more. This colour should be worn with other neutral tones to give maximum impact.”
Here are some of Rachael’s oxblood picks from Boohoo.com:

{1. Nail varnish – £4 / 2. Box pleat skater skirt – £12 / 3. Chelsea boot – £30 / 4. Gold detail belt – £12 / 5. Wrap front dress – £20 / 6. Quilted shoulder bag – £30 / 7. Skinny jeans – £20 / 8. Slipper shoe – £18 / 9. Bow gloves – £10}
Thank you Rachael! Now, tell me lovely readers, what do you think of this über-trend?

It’s the last series of Gossip Girl. I understand that to many this information will elicit no more than an indifferent “meh”, but to me this is a big, deal. It’s one of those shows where you have had to be there from the beginning, and six seasons later I’ve been through a whole lot with these Upper East Siders. So I may not have much in common with them – for starters I don’t go to fancy benefits wearing ballgowns every day of the week – but I care about the same things. Family, friendship, love, NYC, Chanel. Every episode is like an adult version of Scooby Doo (such is the often ridiculous nature of the storylines), and that’s why I love it. And at the centre of everything is Blair Waldorf. She gets the best lines, the best clothes, and, let’s face it, the best boys. And to celebrate her all-round Blair-ness, I’ve put together some of my favourite quotes… so if you’re a GG fanatic like me, then enjoy. If not, maybe come back tomorrow. xoxo.







{images via pinterest}

One of the biggest trends for A/W is capped toe courts, which look incredibly ladylike to me. I feel like I’d want to pair them with some lace gloves and drink tea from vintage china. A metallic finish seems to be a very popular choice (Dune’s oxblood Balmorals are exquisite, I’m just not sure they’re £99 exquisite), but any colour goes. Even neon is getting in on the act. This trend is going to grow and grow on the high street, and it’s already cap-tivated me. D’you see what… yep, I think you got it.

{images via this is glamorous, pink peonies, wit & delight, atlantic-pacific & pinterest}

{1. Dune Balmoral court shoe – £99 // 2. Topshop Gabbi courts – £50 // 3. Dune Belby court – £45 // 4. Boohoo.com Kimbra heels – £20 // 5. L.K. Bennett Bruton court – £145 // 6. Dorothy Perkins nude courts – £20}