For the past few years designer Tory Burch hasn’t really been on my radar, as much as old favourites like Marchesa, Elie Saab and Mulberry. But lately, she’s been hitting it out of the proverbial park and featuring items in her collection that are bang on my taste. Take those brown riding boots, for example. Couldn’t be more in love if I tried. And that shearling vest is perfect for the approaching season… well, it would have been fine for summer too, but I’m bored with moaning about rotten English weather. I also need more leopard in my life – subtly, of course, I’m not about to turn into Bet Lynch (Google, if not familiar). Tell me, lovely readers, whose collections are you currently lusting after?

{1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10}

The ‘it’ print at the moment is the ‘trellis’, an intricate and bold pattern that creates a real feature in any room. In the past the design incorporated flowers and vines, however today it’s been deconstructed to consist of plain colour on a plain background, with very geometric lines. To go the wallpaper route, you’ve certainly got to be brave, as it’s not a shy and retiring backdrop – solid white furniture can go especially well, or play up the garden theme with artwork featuring birds or florals. Of course if you think all those lines will give you a headache, add interest by opting for a rug, cushion or chair that incorporates the design. What do you think of the trellis – yay or nay?

{images via pinterest}

Hi everyone, hope you (in the UK) enjoyed the 3-day weekend! Apologies for the lack of post yesterday, but it was a choice between working or cruising MTV and E!, and sadly the latter won out. I say “sadly”, I love days like that.
Onto today’s post and the subject of effortless style. It’s the holy grail for women everywhere, right? Some people have style, sure, but it just screams ‘try hard’ and it kinda defeats the point. Not so with Lucy Laucht, a Brit who moved to New York with just a few suitcases and no job to go to (she’s my hero), and now has an enviable career creating online campaigns for brands such as Vogue, as well as writing her own style blog. I tend to find with these ‘take pictures of yourself’ fashion blogs that although there are a lot of outfits I do lust after, there is also a decent amount that are just, well, meh. This isn’t the case with Lucy – she gets it right seemingly every time. She mixes vintage with preppy with polished with a penchant for Zara (in particular the oversized bag), and it just works. Also, her can’t-live-without item is her tan Mulberry Bayswater, which in some cultures means we’re best friends. Take a look and let me know your thoughts:

{images via Lucy Laucht}

Happy Friday everyone! Hope you’re looking forward to the weekend (3 days in the UK thanks to the Bank Holiday!) – do you have anything fun lined up? I’m off to wedding #2 tomorrow, this time in the very grand surroundings of Hampton Court Palace… a bit of a change from the Yorkshire farm of last weekend, which was amazing in itself. Really looking forward to seeing friends and re-living uni days. Although better behaved, of course, it being a royal palace and everything.
Today I have a little end of the week treat for you. Who doesn’t like to unwind after a hard week of work with a well-deserved cocktail during Happy Hour. That wasn’t a question. I’ve been noticing that cupcakes are becoming ever more creative, encompassing every flavour under the sun, thanks to my friend Pinterest. So next time you have friends over, how about coordinating cocktails and cupcakes, and being forever known as the ‘Hostess with the Mostess’. I just dribbled on my keyboard a little bit.

{Recipes: Skinny Margarita & Margarita cupcakes}

{Recipes: Spiked Blueberry Lemonade & blueberry cupcakes}

{Recipes: Peach Sangria & peach cupcakes}

{Recipes: Smores Martini & marshmallow cupcakes}

{Recipes: Grapefruit Mojito & grapefruit cupcakes}
Diane Kruger, how on earth do you do it? On anyone else the sequins, feathers and embroidered details on this Prabal Gurung creation would equal a big old mess, but of course Kruger pulls it off with aplomb. I love that word, ‘aplomb’. Anyway, she doesn’t even try! Minimal effort, immaculate result… look and learn, ladies. For my room of the week, I do like a bit of monochrome preppiness and since this living room comes complete with Hermès blanket (as lusted after here), no other contender came close:

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

Since today has been the epitome of the truly lackluster summer we’ve had in the UK, I thought it called for a splash of colour. Enter interior designer Anna Spiro. Anna runs the interior design store Black & Spiro in Brisbane, Australia, and it’s a riot of bright hues and sumptuous fabrics. In short, it’s a little piece of sunshine (something that Aussies know a thing or two about). Her shop and room designs are filled with unique pieces from around the globe, with ikat, chevrons and florals mixed together to create a busy but not overwhelming effect. And piles of coffee table books and gallery walls are always a winner with me. Anna’s bio states that she hopes she, “can inspire you to live a bright and colourful life surrounded by the things you love.” As grey clouds reside over London, I couldn’t agree more.

{images via Absolutely Beautiful Things}