En route to the wedding last weekend I ducked into Accessorize to buy a new clutch bag, since a stock-take of my others had suggested that they had seen one too many renditions of ‘Oops upside your head’. The shop was one of the tiny varieties you get at train stations with minimal items on display, and just as I was leaving due to the couldn’t-swing-a-cat conditions I spotted this number. Perfect. Obviously the colour (or lack of) dictates it will go with anything, but I also liked its zip detail and envelope shape. Envelope clutches are currently hot in the bag world, and as shown below can look chic in all sizes:

{images via pinterest}
Here are some examples that won’t break the bank… as well as one, shall we say, first class (see what I did there) option:

{1. ASOS portfolio envelope clutch – £20 / 2. Marc B envelope clutch bag – £40 / 3. ASOS pyramid metal tip clutch – £18 / 4. Dorothy Perkins animal clutch bag – £25 / 5. Evans raspberry croc bag – £10 / 6. Jimmy Choo envelope clutch – £349 / 7. ASOS portfolio clutch – £55}

Good morning! Hope you all had lovely weekends. I’m back from the fabulous wedding (congrats to Mark and Suzanne – enjoy Borneo!), and I have to say that it included two of the best details I’ve ever seen at a wedding; one of the readings was 500 Miles by The Proclaimers (think of the words… so perfect for the occasion) and after the ceremony the newlyweds walked back up the aisle to this song. An inspired choice.
Now, I’ve been a fan of tan accessories ever since my beloved Mulberry Bayswater came into my life. The shade goes with everything, especially teamed with neutral colours, and has the power to smarten up otherwise casual outfits. The high street is currently awash with tan bags, shoes and belts, and even if you load up on all three at once you still don’t run the risk of looking too matchy-matchy – as Lauren Conrad demonstrates below. Olivia Palermo is also partial to making a statement with tan accessories, from the giant Zara shopper to one of her many Birkins. How about you? Will you be getting tan this summer?

{images via pinterest}

{1. Dorothy Perkins chain padlock bag – £40 / 2. Topshop two row hole belt – £32 / 3. Dorothy Perkins tan loafer court shoes – £18 / 4. Steve Madden Alice sandal – £88 / 5. Monsoon South Beach satchel – £70 / 6. French Connection lattice belt – £28 / 7. Warehouse fold over shopper – £36 / 8. Dorothy Perkins tan strap wedges – £42 / 9. Topshop stand out skinny belt – £22}

Friday at last, my friends… so happy. And this weekend I’m really excited to be heading to Gloucester, to the wedding of a very good friend whom I used to work with. My boyfriend and I are West Country-bound this evening – sushi for dinner at the station, a train ride, a stack of magazines and maybe a cheeky glass of white… it’s the simple pleasures in life! Sometimes the glamour in my life is overwhelming. Ahem.

So this week I got around to something that I have been meaning to do for aaaages. Pinterest. Finally I created my own boards, and if you think that just looking through the site is addictive, then having your own boards to tend to takes it to another level. The concept of Pinterest is a genius one, and if you’ve yet to visit it then it’s basically the online version of cutting and sticking pictures that inspire you, or you just plain fall in love with, into a scrapbook. Below are the eight boards I’ve created so far… I’ve only just starting pinning, so I’m sure they will grow and many more board ideas will spring to mind!
Are you a fan of Pinterest? What kind of images inspire you the most?

{click HERE to see my Pinterest boards}
To round off the week, my favourite look belongs to Rose Byrne, star of the movie Bridesmaids (which I’ve heard SO many good things about – need to see it asap). There were a lot of overly fussy looks on the red carpet this week (I think that Lively needs to tone it down a smidge – haha, as if she needs fashion guidance), but this Christian Cota dress appealed to me in its shape and simplicity, and it fits her to perfection. Finally, I’m finding myself (re)obsessed with chevron patterns, so this bathroom was the obvious choice for me. Loving the calming paint choice as well:

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

You don’t have to wait till Christmas and New Year’s Eve to bust out the sequins, especially since summer brings with it many many opportunities to get all dressed up and sparkly. Be brave and go for a shimmery top or shorts, or embrace it subtly with sequinned bags or shoes. It’s such a fun and feminine effect, but beware of sequin overkill which will take you from chic to showy (think Pat Butcher). Are you a fan of this look for summer?

{1. J.Crew sequinned t-shirt – £120 / 2. Miss Selfridge sequin clutch – £25 / 3. Alice + Olivia embellished top – £132 / 4. Dune embellished cuff sandal – £35 / 5. Reiss Sylvie sequin playsuit – £169 / 6. Reiss Millie sequin cami – £110 / 7. Miss Selfridge sequin poncho – £75}

Right, seriously, where has summer gone?? It showed early promise for about two months, then suddenly as soon as June hits, we regress into cold, wind and showers. I am talking specifically about the UK, and London in particular; for all those in balmier climes, who have now well and truly banished coats and cardigans until September, then please enjoy on behalf of us Brits. I’m not angry, London… I’m just disappointed.
On the subject of summer, here is some straw-filled inspiration and a taster of the woven beauties on the high street this season. Remember the days when your mum used to insist you wear a hat on the beach to shield you from the rays? Well, sensible is now fashionable! Whether you opt for the fedora, boater, cowboy or floppy hat, be it at the beach or just out for a stroll in the midday sun, they all look super-chic. And straw bags are equally versatile and effortlessly “oh, I’ve just come back from La Croisette.” Kruger’s been seen carrying one, and to be honest that’s good enough for me:

{images via pinterest & we heart it}

{1. Monsoon Palm Beach straw bag – £35 / 2. Monsoon Aztec straw bag – £35 / 3. Dorothy Perkins navy straw saddle satchel – £28 / 4. Topshop silver metallic bag – £36 / 5. French Connection Paschar shopper – £77 / 6. Ted Baker Tonga handbag – £59 / 7. Oasis straw bowler bag – £35 / 8. Miss Selfridge straw basket – £35 / 9. Ri2k large straw tote bag – £59 / 10. French Connection Dina body bag – £57}


{1. A/wear corsage trim trilby – £12 / 2. Reiss Rowan boater hat – £39 / 3. Jigsaw Portofino straw hat – £39 / 4. Reiss Kenway straw hat – £45 / 5. Miss Selfridge Ditzy straw trilby – £15 / 6. Jigsaw cowboy straw hat – £65 / 7. Topshop ribbon floppy hat – £25 / 8. French Connection salt & pepper trilby – £37 / 9. Timney straw sun hat – £25 / 10. Oliver Bonas straw boater hat – £18}