As we have now officially moved into spring (ha! So long, winter!), the pesky in-between-seasons weather is going to send hoards of females into the following daily dilemma – do you wear a coat to work? It’s a toughie… the BBC weather page says fair, the view from your window says blustery and overcast. No one likes to be caught short, so the solution consists of two words: trench coat.
This classic wardrobe staple has always conjured up images of Audrey Hepburn searching for poor Cat – which Blair later re-enacted on GG – and Kate Moss doing what Kate Moss does best (modelling, just to be clear) for Burberry. And now Emma Watson has taken the baton and carries the look off just as effortlessly. But fear not, if your budget doesn’t quite stretch to Burberry (especially if it has leather trimmings), there are plenty of high street trenches that can help you emulate Holly Golightly and stave off those April showers.

{images via pinterest & Burberry}

{1. Miss Selfridge stone twill trench coat – £65 / 2. French Connection Miss Magic belted trench coat – £165 / 3. Mint Velvet stone trench coat – £125 / 4. Debenhams petite black ribbed trench coat – £25.50 / 5. Joules Evelyn trench coat – £149 / 6. Kookai double breasted trench coat – £88}

{1. Burberry Brit beige cotton trench coat – £450 / 2. Junya Watanabe wool and chiffon trench coat – £985 / 3. Tibi pleated bow-front cotton-twill trench coat – £535 / 4. Miu Miu pleated twill trench coat – £765 / 5. Burberry Prorsum leather-trimmed twill trench coat – £1,895 / 6. Lanvin embellished taffeta trench coat – £2,340}

Since starting this style blog I find myself constantly discovering new websites full of beautiful things that I never tire of posting about. Because a number of the blogs that I visit for inspiration are from across the pond, they tend to feature a lot of American products that aren’t always available over here… and as lustworthy as they are (we can still window shop, right?), there’s nothing like a bit of home-grown talent to drool over. One of my favourite websites full of the aforementioned beautiful things is From Britain With Love (previously featured here). You can just tell that it was born of complete passion for locally sourced and unique products from every corner of the UK… and in an utterly random twist of fate I discovered that its editor, Nicky Sherwood, is my sort-of cousin. Small world!
So, all in the name of research (I know, I spoil you) I spent a blissful hour or two checking out the online directory and the designer’s websites, and I present to you: biscuits that are quite possibly too pretty to eat (but no one likes to be wasteful), handmade and personalised gifts that make you want to spell out you and your family’s names all through the house, a stunning set of bags that I want to order in every colour (although I’d go for the denim blue Drayton if I had to choose), and finally some stylish Welsh crafts that actually have me wishing that winter would hang around a bit longer so I can get cosy in their soft woollen blankets. Enjoy… and let me know what you think:

{all products available at Biscuiteers}

{all products available at Jonny’s Sister}

{all products available at Milo & Saint}

{all products available at Damson and Slate}

Good morning! I hope you all had a lovely weekend. I’m slowly but surely recovering from an amazing wedding – huge congrats to Joe and Jo! So, onto today’s post and I’ve been increasingly noticing a trend that is synonymous with Chloé and Stella McCartney… scalloped edges. It brings a subtly chic touch to garments, and I’ve found that it’s not just a look for fashion; it also works incredibly well in the world of interiors, stationery and party accessories. So feast your eyes on these delicious scallops and tell me, dear readers… will you be tucking into this trend?

{images via pinterest}

{1. Topshop knitted pink stripe top – £40 / 2. See by Chloé scalloped jersey dress – £195 / 3. New Look floral bow bag – £19.99 / 4. Monsoon Jamila scarf – £70 / 5. Warehouse scallop edge coat – £100 / 6. Topshop peach scalloped cropped jeans – £40 / 7. Dune Pizazz bracelet – £30 / 8. New Look cut out shoe boot – £24.99 / 9. Dorothy Perkins scallop neck top – £14 / 10. Azzaro brushed-silk dress – £1,880 / 11. Temperley London georgette dress – £640 / 12. Marc Jacobs scalloped dress – £1,370 / 13. Dorothy Perkins cream scalloped beaded dress – £21 / 14. Miss Selfridge scallop sequin cardigan – £40 / 15. KG by Kurt Geiger Hermione platform shoes – £150}

The sun is out and it’s Friday! What’s better than that. Notice no question mark, because the answer is nothing. After a super-busy work week I can’t wait to start the wedding season (I’m at that age when every weekend involves a wedding, a hen do, a thirtieth birthday, an engagement party or something involving a new baby) with the nuptials of a very good friend, who I met at university but our friendship survived the transition to London, and ten years later it’s so exciting to see him tie the knot. A group of uni-turned-London-turned-lifelong-friends and I are travelling down from the Big Smoke to the south coast (very Four Weddings & A Funeral) to meet up in a country pub then on to the ceremony. I expect there’ll be lots of Champagne, lots of dancing to 500 Miles and Build Me Up Buttercup, and lots of laughter. Not to mention scouting out all those little details that will inspire content for {weddings you fancy}. Can’t wait. In the meantime, here’s what has recently caught my eye:

If I hadn’t made it patently obvious already, I’m head-over-heels for chandeliers. I think the only reason I want a home to call my own, rather than renting, is so I can fill it with my choice of fixtures and fittings… which in my case means vintage chandeliers. Either blended with fellow shabby chic touches or creating juxtaposition (ooh, get me!) alongside ultra-modern surroundings, they’re going to stay top of my wish list (plus a clawfoot bath) until that elusive house is mine to decorate.

Karen Millen may be grouped in with the rest of the Great British “high street”, but like French Connection, it’s not a supermarket sweep kind of place such as H&M where someone on an average salary can emerge with an armful of purchases and a purse that’s not too much lighter. The clothes are beautiful and achingly on trend at the moment but, a) they seem to be made solely for ladies no larger than a size 10, and b) their prices have the ability to make you wince and head straight for Topshop. That being said, can’t hurt to look, non?! And this sparkly number in particular caught my eye, as it’s just crying out to be worn with skinny, slightly beaten-up jeans and mega-high heels. The kind of top that can turn even the most casual of outfits into a night on the town. When’s pay day again?

I love the Keep Calm Gallery – it takes all my strength not to order everything from their website and find a place for them on my walls. One of their newest prints tells every girl what they want to hear, and I’m inclined to say, “why thank you… right back at ya”.

This collection was inspired by a necklace that jumped out at me (not literally) from a jewellery shop window… and I’ve been on the hunt ever since for similar pieces that don’t end in 3 zeros. These ones in particular are a little more than I’d spend on jewellery (or rent), but they were too pretty not to share. I don’t think I’ve ever owned a coral item of clothing, besides a t-shirt back in 1995, but it’s a colour that I would definitely accessorise with. What do you think? {1,2,3,4,5}

It doesn’t matter if they’re cows called Mary who have always dreamed of being a horse (Müller Corner commercial), cats with opposable thumbs or dogs who can talk… for some reason, animals with non-animal traits make me crease up. And even though I’ve seen Mary the cow galloping down the beach a hundred times, it makes no difference… uncontrollable laughter every time. This probably doesn’t say much for my intelligence levels, but whatever, it’s the simple things in life that amuse me. Anyway, dogs in clothes have the same effect. Especially when it looks like they have extra limbs (dogs in spider Halloween costumes = genius), like this little chap who’s ready to celebrate St Paddy’s Day next Thursday. I think it’s the expressions on their faces – totally oblivious to how comically random they look. I seriously can’t stop laughing at it. I think there’s something wrong with me.

Now, J-Hud, that’s better. I knew you had it in you! After dressing in the dark for the Oscars (as seen here), she’s gone back to chic basics at Michael Kors’ 30th anniversary dinner in Paris this week. Her hair looks gorgeous in loose waves, and the navy gown with a nude panel to add interest is simple yet stunning. The best advert for Weight Watchers I’ve ever seen. Finally, I love this living room with piles of magazines in Perspex and pops of colour against the white… and that lamp is the perfect finishing touch.
I hope you have a fantastic weekend whatever you’re doing and wherever you may be…

First came the more conservative commemorative plates, then came the slightly out-there circus-style posters, and now… the nail polish named, ‘No More Waity Katie’ (oh, the poor girl, she’s never going to shake that off). Put Kate’s name on it and watch the cash roll in – nice move, Butter London. See what you did there. What baffles me, though, is that I’ve never seen our new Princess in anything remotely sparkly like this chosen shade, other than that hot-pants ensemble she wore whilst roller skating when she and Wills were on a break. But hey, it’s Royal Wedding-related and oddly depicts the couple as pigeons. Count me in.