pearly queen

Whilst browsing at a street fair a few weeks ago, I bought a beautiful antique magnifying glass. It was certainly not something I was in the market for (unless I am subconsciously trying to channel a French detective), but the reason I was so drawn to it was its intricate mother of pearl handle. I love its iridescent quality… it’s so timeless and elegant. Here is a selection of other shimmery items that I would love to add to my ‘it’s-mother-of-pearl-and-therefore-I-must-have-it’ collection. Catchy.

{1. Huttons mother of pearl frame – £16.95 / 2. ASOS PREMIUM boyfriend watch – £30 / 3. John Lewis mother of pearl mortice door knobs – £30 for 2 / 4. Zara Home Zafit tray – £29.99 / 5. 1928 New York stretch bracelet – £29 / 6. Graham & Green bedroom cabinet – £375 / 7. John Lewis mother of pearl box – £40 / 8. Oasis mother of pearl bangle – £16}

rue highlights: july/august

The lead-up to the 6th issue of Rue magazine has been the most highly anticipated release since the final Haz-Po film (I’m kidding, kinda…). Interior enthusiasts have been tweeting about nothing else! Well, the wait was worth it, as the latest edition has a truly international flavour – stories and images are gathered from Sweden to Hong Kong, and from Mexico City to Amsterdam. Please kick back and enjoy it if you haven’t done so already… below are the pictures that jumped out of the pages at me. Especially that mirrored dressing table. Love.

{images via Rue magazine}
What did you think of the latest Rue?

trend alert | statement necklaces

Welcome to a new week! I hope you’re feeling more rested and energised than I am… I had a fun, hectic couple of days, but the result is a distinct lack of energy today! Onto today’s post and a trend that can provide the focal point to an entire outfit: statement necklaces. They have the same effect as a great bag; however dressed down you are, don one of these stand-out accessories and it immediately makes you look far more put together. Olivia Palermo, Queen of the Accessory, has a penchant for embellished collars paired with a plain top or understated dress, and this really is the best way to do it. Combining an all-singing-all-dancing statement necklace with an already busy outfit is just sensory overload. What do you think of this trend? Are you willing to go bold?

{1. Kate Spade Pearl Street necklace – $448 / 2. Accessorize ruffle flower necklace – £5.40 / 3. Made glass stone necklace – £52 / 4. John Lewis three strand necklace – £35 / 5. Coast mink sequin necklace – £19 / 6. Belier chain necklace – £62 / 7. Accessorize tribal statement necklace – £20 / 8. Accessorize lace collar necklace – £20}

fancy friday

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…

packing guide: seaside holiday

Not only is it constantly raining at the moment, when I check the coming week’s weather on my iPhone the outlook is just as bleak. I don’t remember a July as miserable as this for a long time… I can only dream of foreign escapes and blue skies! To brighten up your day (if you’re in the UK or someplace else rainy – if you’re basking in sunshine then enjoy it for us!) I thought I’d start a mini-series of posts featuring different types of holiday (gives me an excuse to ogle images of amazing scenery, not gonna lie) and a packing list to go with it. Since my holiday destination this year is most likely to be a villa in the south of France with family at the end of the summer, where better place to start?

{images via pinterest}

{1. Dorothy Perkins peach vest – £20 / 2. Carvela embellished sandals – £85 / 3. Republic stripy maxi dress – £29.99 / 4. Topshop tortoiseshell sunglasses – £16 / 5. Topshop scalloped hotpants – £30 / 6. Miss Selfridge swing dress – £48 / 7. Topshop ruffle trim bikini – £28.50 / 8. Essie nail polish in Sand Tropez – £8.50 / 9. L.K.Bennett Delanna wedge sandals – £70 / 10. Boohoo triple bangle set – £8 / 11. Jimmy Choo luggage tag – £95 / 12. Jigsaw weave trilby – £22 / 13. Warehouse embellished kaftan – £12 / 14. Episode canvas bag – £35 / 15. French Connection jersey dress – £16}
At the risk of sounding like a hairdresser, where are you off on hols this year?