Hurrah! How good does it feel that this is the last 5-day week for 3 whole weeks? Pretty darn good. Lots of exciting things coming up, from family get-togethers, to weddings (Royal and otherwise), to even – fingers crossed – a holiday. Getting away from a busy London and an even busier 9-5 without any kind of technology, and just my boyfriend and chick lit for company sounds so appealing. This weekend is a fairly low-key one, with next to no plans – sometimes it’s nice just to see where the weekend takes you and nothing set in stone. Perhaps a long walk or a farmer’s market… who knows. Delicious ambiguity. Thanks so much to everyone who entered my British designer jewellery giveaway and for your lovely comments… I will be announcing the two lucky winners in a short while, so stay tuned! In the meantime, here’s what has made me sit up and take notice this week:
I’ve gotta say, I love the buzz that’s really building up over here ahead of the Royal Wedding. Similar to when England plays in a major sporting tournament, the whole country is unified and there’s a real sense of national pride. Although (and I hope I’m not generalising) it’s probably the female population that are slightly more excited – mostly about the unveiling of The Dress – it’s definitely gearing up to be a memorable bank holiday weekend. I have arranged a Champagne Breakfast and will hunt down some suitably patriotic bunting to decorate my living room (any excuse)… and I’m also very much enjoying the number of prints and letterpress stationery that have cropped up on notonthehighstreet.com. I’m especially drawn to no.3… something to do with the bunting, no doubt:

{1. Manimoo Royal Wedding canvas / 2. Bear Graphics typographic coordinate wedding art / 3. Sweet Home London Royal Wedding print / 4. Yield Ink Right Royal Knees Up invitation / 5. Cherry Pete Wills canvas / 6. Letterfest Royal Venue print}

So I’m guessing the team at Jimmy Choo got the ‘colour is a BIG trend this season’ memo. Vivid, acid tones and their typically lust-worthy accessories are the order of the day over at JC – not to mention ludicrously toned legs. Maybe that’s what I’ll be spending my weekend doing… squats and lunges:

{images via Jimmy Choo}
So the Black Swan ballet trend is on its way out, and all that’s left is feathers. Literally. Last seen adorning Dream Catchers above your bed, feathers are now making a big statement on the jewellery of A-listers. The high streets have caught on too, as well as certain designers who are charging £685 for the look. £685… what are they, famous feathers?

{necklaces from: 1. Dorothy Perkins / 2. Warehouse / 3. Republic / 4. Erickson Beamon}
A lot of style blogs incorporate cooking posts within their content, and as much as I like food, a lot, it’s not something that’s going to hit {what you fancy} any time soon I’m afraid. I’m not the most prolific of chefs (as my boyfriend will attest to), although I do enjoy watching shows like Masterchef and drooling. It’s one of my post-30 aims to be more adventurous with recipes (I can’t ride off the back of my Thai red prawn curry success forever), especially since such delicacies as Margarita and Gin & Tonic Sorbet exist in the world. That’s right. Erika over at The Ivory Hut is a culinary genius… Happy Hour, indeed:

{images via The Ivory Hut}

{images via prphotos & Design of House}
This week’s best dressed award goes to the perpetually stylish Camilla Belle. I don’t think I’ve seen any films she’s been in, but her appearances on the red carpet are always a treat. And her hair’s is so shiny, perhaps she shares tips with Kate Middleton. And following on from my post yesterday about colourful living rooms, here’s one that has just the right level of brightness without being garish. I love that striped chair.
I hope you have a fantastic weekend whatever you’re doing and wherever you may be…

Everybody likes a good nosy around other people’s things, right? As my blog has proven, I have a penchant for skulking around the interiors of famous individuals (as seen here, here & here), but thanks to the ingenious website, The Coveteur – not to be confused with The Coveted, which was easily done until its founders bowed to pressure and changed its name from the very same thing – you get to uncover the secrets of many a fashionista’s most prized possession… their closet. As with most great ideas, the premise is a simple one: take a designer (Erin Kleinberg), a stylist (Stephanie Mark) and a talented photographer (Jake Rosenberg), and let them loose in the enviable wardrobes of fashion’s big hitters. The result is beyond ridiculous. I mean, just look. We’re talking Gucci and Pucci and Prada (oh my!), with a side order of Mulberry, Jason Wu and vintage Chanel. With some classic high street pieces thrown in for good measure. These are their actual closets in their actual homes, so you get to house snoop and wardrobe snoop all in one. No need to thank me… just take a look at my personal favourites, then head over and continue the covetousness (it’s a word… I checked):

{click here for details of the individuals items}

{click here for details of the individual items}

{click here for details of the individual items}

{click here for details of the individual items}
Remember that my jewellery giveaway finishes tomorrow, so get entering!

My beloved style blog, {what you fancy}, is 100 posts old! Although this may not be a major milestone in most people’s books, I felt like I wanted to mark the occasion by treating you all to a jewellery giveaway. For it’s been your loyal (and much appreciated) support that has meant that this blog has been growing from strength to strength since the end of 2010. I’ve loved everything about the process; from coming up with a concept, to spending hours researching posts, following other blogs and Twitter accounts, discovering like-minded people (turns out there’s an absolute army of home decor/fashion/celebrity-obsessed folks out there!), making new friends and connecting with old ones, receiving such kind comments and emails, and basically having a creative outlet that I’ve been craving for years. So thank you. Please continue to follow {what you fancy}, and in the not too distant future, I promise that {weddings you fancy} will be following suit!

So onto the prizes! With the help of the lovely Nicky (my new-found cousin – the blogosphere is like an online ‘Surprise, Surprise’) at From Britain With Love, I am bringing you not one, but two, exciting giveaways. The first is a pair of elegant Swarovski crystal earrings from Alyssa Smith, and the second is a gorgeous vintage button charm bracelet from Mrs Gibson’s Atelier… as shown below:

So, how do you go about entering? Follow the instructions below (IMPORTANT: you need to do both steps 1 AND 2)… one entry per person, please, and bear in mind that your entry will be for either of the prizes. Your last chance to enter is next Thursday and I will be selecting the winners from a random number generator, and announcing the names next Friday. I would be so grateful if you could spread the word on Facebook, Twitter or on your blog – thank you so much! And good luck!

NB: The ‘Like’ button for this blog is under the ‘Search’ function, at the top right of the page.
Here is a little more about Alyssa Smith and Mrs Gibson’s Atelier (huge thanks to both for donating such lovely prizes!):

Alyssa Smith is a Hertfordshire-based jewellery designer, and at just 24 years old her business has flourished and her bold silver designs have been spotted on the likes of Sienna Miller, and in the pages of Vogue and Marie Claire. As well as the beautiful jewellery featured on her website, which are influenced by, “nature, organic forms and magical fairy tale themes”, Alyssa also takes on commissions for unique bespoke pieces.

Inspired by flea markets, antique fairs and charity shops, Sam Gibson of Mrs Gibson’s Atelier works with vintage materials to bring real character and whimsy to her one of a kind jewellery pieces. Sam’s original creations have featured in magazines such as Woman & Home and You & Your Wedding, and can also be found on Folksy, Not Mass Produced, Da Wanda and Etsy. Sam is also open to undertaking commissions.
Both true British success stories!

Happy Friday to everyone, and what a gorgeous week it’s been! It’s the beginning of April, yet it feels like June… there’s nothing like an abundance of sunshine to put a smile on your face. Although I have to say, as lovely as it is, it’s completely blind-sided me wardrobe-wise… I’ve been commuting to work in winter knits and my thick woollen coat, whilst the rest of the female population of London is prancing around in bright and breezy dresses, with their pedicures proudly on display. (Note to self: book a pedicure, Hobbit feet aren’t a good look). As for this weekend I am very much looking forward to a girlie dinner tonight to reunite a group of us that have been without one member for far too long whilst she was having a merry old time in Oz… thanks so much for bringing back the sunshine with you, B! Then I forsee lazy mornings, a proper return to some sort of fitness regime (as evidently the summer and bikini season is now scarily close), and of course absorbing as much vitamin D as possible.

I have a very exciting post following shortly to end the week on a high note… but in the meantime, feast your eyes on these stylish goodies that have caught my attention this week:

{images via Shabby Chic}
Everyone has their heroes, and Rachel Ashwell is definitely up there for me. I’ve always been drawn to the Shabby Chic look (as long as it’s not so shabby it’s verging on derelict), and Rachel has only gone and created my idea of heaven: a Shabby Chic Bed & Breakfast, named The Prairie. Sadly it would involve a hop and a skip across the pond to Texas, but with oversized mirrors, Wisteria in vases and the comfiest of beds to greet me, it’s so incredibly tempting.

One mystery that men will never be able to get their heads around, is the need for women to have such big bags. A cursory glance over the contents of my bag today reveals an umbrella (what? These blue skies might be lulling us into a false sense of security…), 3 tubes of hand cream (it’s been a harsh winter), my passport (you never know), an inhaler (for exercise-induced asthma – suffice to say it’s been a while since I’ve used it… at a guess I’d say 2004), heels for pulling on later (the cobbles of Covent Garden are a potential death-trap if you wear them all day), an array of make-up (our office has no A/C, and the current application will have slid off my face by 5.30pm), sunglasses (standard), masking tape (I work in events, don’t ask), iPod and wallet. How would I fit all these necessities into a tiny clutch?? Therefore I gave Jolie a woman-nod of approval when I saw her toting around the ridiculously beautiful and roomy Chloé Aurore this week. It may not hold masking tape, but she has about 14 kids so I’m sure it carries countless odds and ends to keep them entertained.

I think I’m more of a print than a pattern girl, and I really like the clean lines and quirkiness of a chevron print. It seems to be having a bit of a ‘moment’ right now, and is popping up on cushions, wall art and rugs, amongst others. I also love the print on invitations and stationery too, especially in the rainbow of colours shown above.

Regular denim has had its day, it’s time to switch it up! Candy-coloured jeans seem to be everywhere, and it does make a refreshing change to the usual blues, blacks and greys. Don a pair and you’ll feel like you’re cruising down South Beach instead of Staines.

This week’s ‘Look of the Week’ award goes to Naomi Watts who looks stunning in a daintily printed Chanel dress, nude Jimmy Choos, loose waves and minimal make-up. My favourite room comes from the second issue of High Gloss, which I contentedly poured over yesterday – this dining area was created by interior designer, Mary McGee, who happens to also live in this 1940s bungalow that overlooks a canyon in Beverly Hills. Check out the rest of the house, it’s so feminine and elegant.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend whatever you’re doing and wherever you may be…

Lisa Stickley’s bags may be on the arms of A-list stars such as Angelina Jolie, SJP and Kirsten Dunst, but now she can brag about something even more impressive… a 3-page spread in this month’s House Beautiful magazine. All of the contents of her south London home tell a story, and the vintage feel is down to the fact that, according to Lisa, “I often think I was born in the wrong era. I’m drawn towards the thirties and forties.” It’s a gorgeously cosy space, and one that Lisa is very proud to call her own. I particularly love the 1930s storage unit in her kitchen:

{images via House Beautiful}
Lisa’s design business is booming, which is testimony to her drive and passion for what she does – her team now consists of 10 people, and her nostalgic prints are praised the world over. Stand out items for me are her bright polka dot bedding, anything featuring the cheery daisy design and, always a sucker for a Royal Wedding tribute (as seen here, here and here), the limited edition ‘William & Kate’ mug. Since her shop is a mere 10 minute bus ride away from my flat, I’m going to head over and treat myself to that very keepsake. If Lisa continues the way she is, I have a feeling it’s going to be worth a bob or two in the future…

{all items available at Lisa Stickley London}