Since I don’t have the means to dress designer from head to toe (the nearest I usually get to designer is the ‘Spotlight’ range at Warehouse), sometimes one accessory will make you feel like you’re one of them. Y’know, those fancy ladies who lunch on the Kings Road and re-model their numerous properties in lieu of a job. I own a Mulberry (adopted from eBay), two pairs of Jimmy Choos (one pair eBay-adopted, the other “borrowed” from my mum) and a Chanel 2.55 (adopted from China by my best friend… but unless you actually worked for Chanel you would never tell, it’s amazing), and whenever I don any of those items they have some kind of magical power to make me feel a little bit special. Now, if a Hermès Birkin didn’t cost the equivalent to 10 months rent, then I’m sure one of those beauties would have the same effect. I’ve been noticing Hermès everywhere lately, like some kind of subliminal message that I should be buying investing in one of their products. Sadly I don’t think my bank manager nor landlady would agree. Here are my top 4 dream Hermès purchases:

{images via pinterest}
The blanket retails at £850. I know. That’s one expensive Snuggie. BUT if I did win the lottery, I would definitely get one, just because I could. Speaking of ‘could’, the bottom two items are what my money will be most likely be spent on to indulge my weakness for Hermès:

{Emmakisstina Hermès print / Vanilla Paris Bertie bag}

Even though the flat I share with my boyfriend in London is filled to bursting point with household odds and ends (useful stuff = his, useless but pretty stuff = mine), this doesn’t stop me cruising home decor sites in the manner of stalking people on Facebook. Which I don’t do. Unless you’ve had a wedding. I do stalk weddings. Anyway, I digress… I guess what I’m subconsciously doing is building a wish list for the future and my ‘happy place’ is daydream-decorating our next home. Here are a few items that I would LOVE to find room for, especially that vintage bar cart… isn’t it just typical that it’s the most expensive of the lot?!

{1. Graham & Green buttoned velvet chair – £375 / 2. Kate Spade monogram notecard – $26 / 3. Anthropologie mercury glass candle – £22 / 4. Oliver Bonas Mirabelle 12-drawer chest – £275 / 5. The Contemporary Home Champagne print – £15 / 6. Fears and Kahn bar cart – £895 / 7. Idyll Home pompom duvet cover & pillowcase – £110 & £19 / 8. Oliver Bonas Papillon blanket box – £65 to £235 / 9. Anthropologie Flame Leaf Bowl – £14 / 10. Idyll Home Tweedmill Merino blanket – £64 / 11. Sweetpea & Willow Adele side table – £375}

Happy Friday, friends! Hope you’ve all had a good week, and are looking forward to a bit of R&R this weekend. I don’t know about you, but I’m relieved to get back to a bit of peace and normality after the shocking events earlier this week (see here). I very much hope that the amazing police officers on duty get some extremely well-deserved down-time after their incredible efforts. I’m happy to say that I officially have zero plans for the next two days, since the following five weekends go something like this: wedding, wedding, holiday, holiday, my mum’s 60th birthday. Phew! Looking forward to every single one, though. Especially the holiday part, I have to say… the South of France is calling!
I don’t know if you’ve heard about ‘The Notebook Doodles’ or not, but allow me to introduce you. If you’re a frequent pinner on Pinterest then you’ll often come across the likes of the stunning and inspirational quotes below. The photographs, the handwriting and often some of the quotes are all created by the blogger behind this site (who is something of an enigma… they reveal no personal details besides the fact they’re in their early 20s), and as well as the doodles that they release on their blog, they’re also available for commissions. Erm, how talented are they?! These thoughts are really succinct and motivating, and so beautifully presented. Take a look at the website when you get a sec, you’ll be hooked. When you have one of those weeks when you find it hard to stay focussed and keep your goal in mind, sometimes a rousing pick-me-up (the first quote in particular) is just what you we need:

{images via the notebook doodles}
For my look of the week it was a bit of a no-brainer – the award goes to Jordana Brewster (actress from the Fast & the Furious movies, went out with that Yankees player, aaand that’s all I got) who kills it with some of my favourite trends: mint (see here for past gushings), pleats (see here), shoes with scalloped edges (see here) and just her subtle and relaxed styling in general. I mean, she looked far better than Kruger at the InStyle Summer Soiree… this is serious stuff*. As for my room of the week, yes yes, I know I’m cheating, but this sunny outside space was so appealing I had to share it with you. That table is ridiculous. It makes me want to get all ‘Kirstie Allsopp’ with mosaicking.
*relatively speaking, obv.

{images via prphotos & Elle Decor}
I hope you have a fabulous weekend whatever you’re doing and wherever you may be…

One of my favourite finishes on furniture is nailhead trim. Back in the day, it was used on beaten-up leather chairs to give a feeling of old-school luxury, but nowadays it’s used far more creatively, for example as intricate patterns on headboards, or added to the borders of pin boards. I’m a massive fan of this look, I think it looks so elegant and, well, orderly (which is probably why I like it so much). It’s fairly easy to DIY with the right kit – although possibly best if I steer clear for the time being, otherwise every surface of my flat would get the nailhead treatment…

{images via Green Street, Pearl Street Interiors, the Decorista & Pinterest}
What do you think of this look?

It’s the end of the week, my friends! Do you have any plans? Not only do I have a weekend of meeting up with friends for brunches and lunches and picnics (oh my!), but from today I’m happily moving on from my current job to pastures new. Once those pastures are identified I can update you, but for the time being it’s all a little unknown… and I actually like the sound of that. Without sounding too ‘New Age’, things have a funny way of working out for the best. Whatever happens I very much hope that I can use my creative side in my next role, as there’s only so much true creativeness you can bring to corporate events. I would love to write more too! We shall see what happens. Onwards and upwards.
Before I get too deep, I will swiftly move on to my Friday post. Now, if you’ve got an interest in the latest interior trends, then you can’t have helped but notice the leather Moroccan pouffes that are appearing in all manner of rooms like a home decor version of ‘Where’s Wally?’. They are incredibly versatile and can be used as extra seating, as coffee tables with trays placed on them, or just simply as decoration. I have a soft spot for the metallic ones, I have to say… I’m wondering if my boyfriend would notice if I slipped one into our sitting room as a foot rest. Far chicer than bean bags that were all the rage in the 90s; I had a particularly special ‘My Little Pony’ number. Yep, I just said that out loud. They kinda remind me of giant macaroons (just me?), adding pops of colour and an exotic edge. I have a feeling this could be a bit of a Marmite trend – do you love them or hate them? And is it pouffe or pouf?!

{images via pinterest}

{1. Graham & Green / 2. Bohemia / 3. Bohemia / 4. Yellow Sunrise}
Now, I won’t harp on this, but you may have noticed the oh-so-subtle addition to my left side bar. That’s right, it’s Cosmo Blog Awards time again, and if you happened to click on this link, and if you happened to nominate {what you fancy} in the ‘Lifestyle’ category, then it would equal one extremely chuffed blogger.
Just sayin’ 😉
My look of the week is awarded to Leslie Mann, who is grouped alongside Kristen Wiig in the ‘would be my best friend if I met her’ category. Adore her. Anyway, I also love a bit of Marchesa, and this dress has just the right amount of sparkle and is perfectly complimented by a red lip and an up-do. My room of choice goes to a mint living room that gives off a very refined yet relaxing vibe. The pops of fuchsia and dark wood completely make it:

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