En route to the wedding last weekend I ducked into Accessorize to buy a new clutch bag, since a stock-take of my others had suggested that they had seen one too many renditions of ‘Oops upside your head’. The shop was one of the tiny varieties you get at train stations with minimal items on display, and just as I was leaving due to the couldn’t-swing-a-cat conditions I spotted this number. Perfect. Obviously the colour (or lack of) dictates it will go with anything, but I also liked its zip detail and envelope shape. Envelope clutches are currently hot in the bag world, and as shown below can look chic in all sizes:

{images via pinterest}
Here are some examples that won’t break the bank… as well as one, shall we say, first class (see what I did there) option:

{1. ASOS portfolio envelope clutch – £20 / 2. Marc B envelope clutch bag – £40 / 3. ASOS pyramid metal tip clutch – £18 / 4. Dorothy Perkins animal clutch bag – £25 / 5. Evans raspberry croc bag – £10 / 6. Jimmy Choo envelope clutch – £349 / 7. ASOS portfolio clutch – £55}

Now, I understand that the ‘Keep Calm & Carry On’ prints may have had their time in the limelight. Saying that though, mine is still proudly on display in my kitchen (it continues to give me a daily boost), and you just have to glance across to the left for one of the alternative messages. Although one of my favourite online stores goes by the name ‘The Keep Calm Gallery’, it is so much more than variations on a theme. The site features a number of poster designs, greetings cards and tea towels, all adorned with nostalgic and heartfelt typography, as well as charmingly British illustrations. The brains behind this flourishing business are couple Lucas Lepola and Hayley Thwaites (recently married and currently on honeymoon – congrats!); their venture was launched in university halls and over three years later the combination of their design and business backgrounds and their immense dedication has proved to be a winning formula. Here are my favourite pieces in their collection:

{all products available at Keep Calm Gallery}
What do you think of KCG’s designs?

Good morning! Hope you all had lovely weekends. I’m back from the fabulous wedding (congrats to Mark and Suzanne – enjoy Borneo!), and I have to say that it included two of the best details I’ve ever seen at a wedding; one of the readings was 500 Miles by The Proclaimers (think of the words… so perfect for the occasion) and after the ceremony the newlyweds walked back up the aisle to this song. An inspired choice.
Now, I’ve been a fan of tan accessories ever since my beloved Mulberry Bayswater came into my life. The shade goes with everything, especially teamed with neutral colours, and has the power to smarten up otherwise casual outfits. The high street is currently awash with tan bags, shoes and belts, and even if you load up on all three at once you still don’t run the risk of looking too matchy-matchy – as Lauren Conrad demonstrates below. Olivia Palermo is also partial to making a statement with tan accessories, from the giant Zara shopper to one of her many Birkins. How about you? Will you be getting tan this summer?

{images via pinterest}

{1. Dorothy Perkins chain padlock bag – £40 / 2. Topshop two row hole belt – £32 / 3. Dorothy Perkins tan loafer court shoes – £18 / 4. Steve Madden Alice sandal – £88 / 5. Monsoon South Beach satchel – £70 / 6. French Connection lattice belt – £28 / 7. Warehouse fold over shopper – £36 / 8. Dorothy Perkins tan strap wedges – £42 / 9. Topshop stand out skinny belt – £22}

Friday at last, my friends… so happy. And this weekend I’m really excited to be heading to Gloucester, to the wedding of a very good friend whom I used to work with. My boyfriend and I are West Country-bound this evening – sushi for dinner at the station, a train ride, a stack of magazines and maybe a cheeky glass of white… it’s the simple pleasures in life! Sometimes the glamour in my life is overwhelming. Ahem.

So this week I got around to something that I have been meaning to do for aaaages. Pinterest. Finally I created my own boards, and if you think that just looking through the site is addictive, then having your own boards to tend to takes it to another level. The concept of Pinterest is a genius one, and if you’ve yet to visit it then it’s basically the online version of cutting and sticking pictures that inspire you, or you just plain fall in love with, into a scrapbook. Below are the eight boards I’ve created so far… I’ve only just starting pinning, so I’m sure they will grow and many more board ideas will spring to mind!
Are you a fan of Pinterest? What kind of images inspire you the most?

{click HERE to see my Pinterest boards}
To round off the week, my favourite look belongs to Rose Byrne, star of the movie Bridesmaids (which I’ve heard SO many good things about – need to see it asap). There were a lot of overly fussy looks on the red carpet this week (I think that Lively needs to tone it down a smidge – haha, as if she needs fashion guidance), but this Christian Cota dress appealed to me in its shape and simplicity, and it fits her to perfection. Finally, I’m finding myself (re)obsessed with chevron patterns, so this bathroom was the obvious choice for me. Loving the calming paint choice as well:

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

I heart the blogosphere, I really do. I’m forever discovering amazing websites during my online travels, as was the case when I stumbled upon the work of photographer, Jamie Beck. She shoots beauty, fashion, lifestyle, travel and food, and her eye for detail and subtleties is breath-taking. Jamie recently shot the CFDA Fashion Awards in NYC (as seen here) and it’s fascinating to see all the candid moments that just aren’t shown on the pages of celeb mags. Anna Wintour cracking a smile… who knew?!
Anyway, after spending an inordinate amount of time on Jamie’s website I found this ‘at home’ shoot with fashion designer Katie Ermilio, at her Upper West Side apartment. And fell a little bit in (apartment) love. Katie is the granddaughter of Grace Kelly’s personal clothier, and has worked at Vogue and Women’s Wear Daily, so it’s safe to say she knows a thing or two about style… and boy, does it show. The interior of her home is unfussy, achingly chic and really tells a story about herself and her passions. As much as I do adore bright statement decor, sometimes I am won over to the nth degree with understated and feminine palettes such as this:

{images via From Me To You}
What do you think of this interior?