Here’s a sentence I didn’t think I’d ever say: I’ve fallen in love with a deckchair featuring pigeons and jelly. These bold, quirky and downright adorable designs are the handiwork of Juliet Thornback and Delia Peel – known collectively as Thornback & Peel – who were inspired by 19th-century engravings and geometric patterns. I don’t know about you, but I think they have a slight Monty Python feel about them, which endears me to them all the more. They also have a fresh, clean finish, with the consistent use of bright colours on stark white backgrounds. And can we please discuss how amazing the jelly and icecream wallpaper is? I’d love to use it in a bathroom for sheer randomness. Oh, and there’s a Royal Wedding-inspired tea towel… you know I have my eye on that little beauty:

{all products available at thornback & peel}

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…

Sometimes the thought of having my own home to decorate overwhelmes me because I love so many different styles: coastal, shabby chic, white minimalist and country, to name just a few. But when I was glancing through the Elle Decor website, it reminded me of just how much I love rooms that are simply a riot of colours… especially jewel tones. Here are a selection of living areas that made me take a mental note for future home ideas (statement rugs, a rainbow of scatter cushions and bright flowers in clear vases to add the finishing touch), and some high street buys that will ensure the sun always shines inside regardless of the weather outside. Our first taste of summer was fleeting to say the least… I should never have got my toes out, I jinxed it!
And don’t forget, TODAY is your last chance to enter my prize giveaway – leave a comment on the post to be in with a chance of winning some gorgeous British designer jewellery! Good luck!

{images via Elle Decor}

{John Lewis Bump Chair / John Lewis Union Jack cushion / Laura Ashley Suzanne lamp / Dunelm Mill Sundae Bloom canvas print / Pepper & Brown turquoise mini vase / Oliver Bonas Kartell Stone stool / John Lewis Estella Domino rug}

Good morning! I hope you all had lovely weekends… hopefully basking in the same glorious sunshine that London has been enjoying. I definitely soaked up the rays, dined al fresco and brought dresses out of my closet that haven’t seen the light of day since last August. Add my Ray Ban aviators and the smell of suncream on my skin, and you’re talking one happy girl.
If the thought of facing a Monday morning after spending the weekend chilling out seems pretty grim, then I have some images for you that might just trick your mind into remaining stress-free. Bathtubs. And more specifically, free-standing bathtubs. I dream of the day I can own such a bath (and a chandelier… there has to be a chandelier involved), as spending time in the tub does take up a large proportion of my week. We’re talking on average four hour-long sessions, which looking at it in black and white, probably isn’t that normal. If ever I need to get rid of any tension or unwind after a long day then hook me up with a hot bubble bath, a glass of wine, a magazine and some soothing music, and I come out a different person… as well as being severely wrinkled. Tell me, are you a bath person?

{images via pinterest, Elle Decor & Ideal Home}
And remember, you have till Thursday to enter my fab jewellery giveaway!

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…