Sorry for the rather sombre tone yesterday – I just wouldn’t have been true to myself had I been all perky about polka dots. Anyway, I’m feeling a lot more positive today after the amazing community spirit that manifested after the horrific night of violence on Monday in my local area. Truly heart-warming, and all faith in humanity is restored. So today I’m bringing you a new style crush of mine: Zanna Roberts Rassi. Not only is her name awesome, but she also has a sense of style that I would give my right arm for. She’s British and works as Senior Fashion Editor at US Marie Claire in NYC (ergo no scary Anna Wintour, although I don’t imagine Joanna Coles is a walk in the park). Dream job, dream wardrobe. She kinda reminds me of a prettier Uma Thurman, and is queen of using neutrals to achieve a classic yet edgy look when paired with statement prints or a leather jacket. She manages to make harem pants look good, for crying out loud! And it’s so effortless, à la Palermo and Kruger, always ensuring she’s wearing the clothes, not the other way around. She also channels that look that only ‘ladies in fashion’ can pull off… it’s what I like to call, “oh, this old thing?”:

{images via Garance Doré, Fashionologie and Citizen Couture}
Ooh and I found wedding pictures *squeals with excitement*… true to form, Zanna didn’t go for the style of dress that the world and his wife go for, oh no no no. Check it out. It’s Marchesa (LOVE… actually my favourite designer) and is the perfect look for a chic city wedding. Amaze.

{images via 100 Layer Cake}
Hot, intimidating fashion girls roam in packs. Fact. Zanna is no different, as she’s seen strutting along (“Strut? Do I strut? Am I a strutter?” – sorry, couldn’t resist) with fellow pack members in tow. Man, do I wanna be in her gang.

{images via pinterest}
What are your thoughts on Zanna’s style? Crush-worthy?

I’m afraid that today’s post will be slightly different to usual as, to be honest, the only topic on my mind right now are the mindless riots that have been happening for the past 3 nights in our beautiful capital. The original trigger (read: excuse) for the violence is long forgotten and now thugs, who in a lot of cases are barely in their teens, are just using this mass lawlessness as an opportunity to score a free TV or a pair of designer trainers and then brag about it across social media. I just can’t believe their complete lack of consideration for people’s lives and livelihoods that have been ruined by their looting, vandalism and arson attacks. Utterly senseless and heart-breaking. And now it’s spreading around the country and our brave police force are stretched to their limits. I just hope and pray that the violence ends as swiftly as it started, and that our beloved cities unite to show that these criminals can’t and won’t win.

{images via Seagull’s Hut, flickr & Mark Norman Francis}
If you would like to and are able to help, then follow @riotcleanup on Twitter to find out where and when the clear-ups are taking place xx

It’s been a while since we’ve had a decent red carpet situation, and at the ‘Teen Choice Awards’ last night the younger generation of Hollywood donned some frocks that, at their age, they really shouldn’t have access to (back in the good old days you had a Tammy Girl dress and would be thrilled with it). But they did rock them, it has to be said. They even showed up some red carpet veterans such as Fergie and Tyra Banks, who looked mildly ridiculous in their attempts to be down-with-the-kids. Other stars clinging on to their “yoof” included Bilson and Lively (turned up, looked amazing, job done), and Deeley and Diaz (working the pins and golden tans). The board was swept by Bieber and Gomez, a.k.a. Hollywood’s Prom King & Queen, and the lovely Taylor Swift. Seriously, no one else needn’t have bothered turning up (slight exaggeration – Kris Jenner Kardashian Jenner needed to parade her cash cows in front of the paps). Take a look here at the winners; at least justice was done in the form of my beloved Gossip Girl getting a nod. My favourite winner was Justin Bieber who was given the ‘Choice Twit’ award… I think they were trying to be all clever and Twitter-related, but ended up being unwittingly right on the money.

{images via prphotos}
Who was the red carpet winner for you?

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…

I know I can get a little enamoured with American house tours (in the past week I’ve posted this and this), but to be fair, as far as the celebrity houses go, Barbara Windsor, Bruce Forsyth et al don’t seem to be as forthcoming as their American counterparts in opening up their homes to judgement admiration from the general public. Selfish. But when it comes to products, I do try to stick as much as possible to showcasing local produce… items that are fundamentally native to the British Isles. Browsing through the latest copy of Country Living (whilst sitting in an English country garden, drinking elderflower pressé – could I be more of a cliché?!), I was bookmarking pages like there’s no tomorrow, keeping note of designers, makers and sellers that I haven’t come across before. So here are three examples of companies flying the flag for British design and retail.
Firstly, the adorably named Woop Studios. Founded by Miraphora, Eduardo, Harriet and Mark (a.k.a. the “Woopies” – erm, I think I love them), who were united by their love of graphic design, Woop have put a whole new spin on collective nouns. We all know the common ones (a pride of lions etc.), but here we’re introduced to the more unusual and downright charming of the terms. A bloat of hippopotamuses, anyone? The prints are all things bright and beautiful and, hey, it’s an education as well as decoration, which should appeal to all those competitive mothers out there. AND they partner with charitable organisations worldwide to assist in raising funds. Which practically makes them Angelina Jolie.

{all products available at Woop Studios}
Jane Booth’s ceramic collections are so pretty, they’re as mouthwatering as pastel macaroons (which incidentally are one of the things that inspire her, and it shows). She has five different collections, but my favourite is the ‘Confection’ range, as seen below. The colours combine effortlessly on terracotta clay, and I adore the rustic charm of her pieces and the dainty floral design. Very shabby chic. With pottery this beautiful, it’s just begging for open shelving and fresh flowers.

{all products available at Jane Booth Ceramics}
Idyll Home specialises in unique and eclectic homewear sourced from around the world. They had me at “unique”. This Shropshire-based business don’t sell anything that they don’t love (which is maybe why I like them so much, since I don’t post about anything I don’t love), and I came away from the website with an extensive wish list and a renewed love of pompoms. Go to the ‘Bed & Bath’ section and you’ll see what I mean. Graham & Green better watch their backs, they have serious competition for my affections!

{all products available at Idyll Home}
What do you think of my British selection?