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}

Browsing through the current edition of Rue magazine, one interior in particular made me stop and take notice. The house in question belongs to Bailey McCarthy – author of delicious design blog Peppermint Bliss – and her husband, Peter. After they bought this late 19th century Victorian home in a leafy suburb of Chicago, the couple went about lovingly restoring it from a bad renovation job that screamed bachelor, to its former glory.
I really admire how the couple’s eclectic tastes have been poured into this home – this is definitely no cookie-cutter residence. From the rich jewel tones of the buttoned sofas, to the quirky wallpaper prints and touches of luxury English estate, I see something new every time I revisit it. I feel like I know the pair’s personalities just by seeing inside their home – and isn’t that what putting your stamp on a property is all about? And seriously, those dogs in the bathroom… possibly the cutest thing you’ve ever seen??

{images via rue}

{Niki Jones bone inlay chest of drawers / French Bedroom Company Venetian dressing table mirror / Sweetpea & Willow 3-seater Chesterfield / Graham & Green black croc leather trunks}

Happy Friday everyone! I hope you have some lovely things planned, especially since it’s supposed to reach the balmy heights of 19 degrees here in the UK. That’s got ‘walk along the Thames followed by lunch in a pub garden’ written all over it. I am very thankful for the fact that I will be at home this weekend and able to do something like that, instead of running around a hotel from 6am to midnight. Whoever said that working in events was glamourous has never done it… the state of my feet is testament to that. Sorry, overshare. Moving swiftly on, here are some bits and bobs that caught my eye this past week:

{D-Ring Wrap Wedge / Bow Blouse / Oversized Tillie}
I really need to stop looking at the Mulberry website. It’s really not helping anyone. I received the weekly newsletter this week informing me about all the beautiful new items in stock, and quite frankly it would have been rude not to take a look. The oversized Tillie is the prettiest thing since, well, the regular-sized Tillie… and I love the ruffles on the cornflower blue blouse. And the shoes? Don’t get me started. I can’t take it.

{Vanessa Bruno / Diane von Furstenberg / Alexander McQueen / Marc by Marc Jacobs}
Laptops aren’t the most attractive of creatures, unless you have a super-swanky notebook. Which I don’t. My laptop is prehistoric and I actually give it a little pat of thanks every time it starts up, out of sheer gratitude that it’s still alive. For Girls About Town who don’t particularly want to lug their equipment round in a masculine, bulky laptop case, then above are some alternatives, brought to you by designers who know a thing or two about style.

When people say the name Elizabeth Taylor, what do you think of? Perhaps her eight marriages, her vast jewellery collection, Cleopatra, Charlotte’s dog in SATC…? For me, her name conjures up images of the film National Velvet. For those who haven’t seen or heard of it, it’s the story of a horse-mad Velvet Brown (a 12-year-old Taylor), who wins a horse in a raffle and trains it to race in the Grand National. The horse wins the race, with Velvet as the jockey. Not the most realistic of stories, granted, but as a teenager besotted with ponies I lapped up every second. To this day it remains one of my favourite films, and in turn, I will always fondly remember Elizabeth Taylor as one of Hollywood’s true greats.

{1. Astley Clarke candy rings / 2. Accessorize vintage stacking rings / 3. Lucas Jack round stacking rings}
Usually I lean towards unfussy pieces of jewellery, but lately I’ve been lusting after a “stackable” ring… and these three in particular would make a stylish statement either with a simple outfit, or working the colour-blocking trend.

{images via prphotos & pinterest}
To round off the week we have Cameron Diaz in a very classic look, with amazing Lanvin shoes at the end of those perfect pins, promoting her new film, Bad Teacher (the one that she stars in with her ex, JT)… and a bedroom with a nautical feel that is right up my street. It’s a theme that runs through my flat, from the wooden boat on my mantlepiece, to the numerous pictures of beach scenes. Ahh, summer is so close now, and I love the randomness of hearing seagulls in Covent Garden, which transports me instantly to the coast.
I hope you have a beautiful weekend whatever you’re doing and wherever you may be…

As I’m sure you’re all aware, this Sunday is Mother’s Day, which is the perfect opportunity to say thank you for everything that your mums do for you. Rather than the “gift” of a bag of laundry or a tableful of friends to feed, splash out on something special to let her know how appreciated she is. Here are a few ideas that will give you the edge in the race for the title of ‘favourite child’… and remind your mum that nothing she does for you goes unnoticed. In all seriousness, mothers deserve to be spoilt this weekend, because if they’re anything like mine, they truly are superheroes. And I couldn’t be more grateful.

{1. Kew Gardens Tuberose candle – £18 / 2. Philippe Audibert drop earrings – £80 / 3. Emma Bridgewater ‘thank you’ mug – £17.95 / 4. Graham & Green animal motif toiletry bag – £18 / 5. Jan Constantine mini cushion – £48.50 / 6. Rococo chocolates ganache box – £15 / 7. Penhaligon’s Ellenisia eau de perfum – £62 / 8. Oliver Bonas white bone frame – £22.50 / 9. homehomehome necklace hooks – £6.95 / 10. Mulberry Daria French purse – £230 / 11. Kate Spade iPhone 4 cover – $35 / 12. Alphabet Bags Lovely tote – £10 / 13. Antik Batik cotton scarf – £40 / 14. Portmeirion Dawn Chorus Teacup & Saucer – £13.50 / 15. Cath Kidston Winter Meadow tote – £45 / 16. John Lewis framed print – £40 / 17. dotcomgiftshop metal sign – £4.95}

Ahh, it feels good to be blogging again. Apologies for the momentary silence… {what you fancy} had a tustle with my events job, and sadly the latter came out on top. But with the event done and dusted, I am back to doing what I love.
Today I’m bringing you the latest homeware range from Zara. The high street favourite has always delivered gorgeous and very classic pieces for the home, but this season it has gone one better and has not one, but four different themes: Country, Ethnic, White and Chic. As I have promised you before, I only post about items that I’m passionate about… and ‘Chic’ didn’t quite make the cut. Take a look, you may well disagree. So here are the looks that have caught my eye and, I fear, will have me loitering around my local Zara Home store longer than is socially acceptable:

{1. Aline blanket / 2. Acacia photo frame / 3. Bernard servers / 4. Asmita cushion}

{1. Aeminium lantern / 2. Orlando cushion / 3. Sofia blanket / 4. Jimena jug}

{1. Rumbo rug / 2. Anna water tumbler / 3. Voyage blanket / 4. Antique cushion}