I’ve always been a fan of Taylors; Taylor from Hanson (whom I once impersonated in a Sixth Form play, but let’s not go into how scarily similar I looked), Taylor Lautner who is pretty nifty in the Twilights, Taylor Swift who can hold a decent tune, Taylor Momsen who is… well, not on my list. So when Mulberry announced that their latest addition is called the “Taylor” I knew we were in for a treat (much like MmmBop and when Jacob takes off his shirt). She’s not cheap, in fact she’s very ladylike and certainly more refined than her cousin, Alexa. Whereas Alexa would feel quite at home in a mosh pit, Taylor would probably be far more comfortable having afternoon tea at the Wolseley. She’s available in four colours (the bright green is the stand-out for me), three sizes, and with the option of matte leather or strokeable luxe Ostrich. Oh, she’s a looker alright. Expect to see her on the arm of Fearne Cotton any day now…

{available at Mulberry}

As featured in UK Elle Magazine, June 2011

{words & images via Elle}
on her past relationship with Justin Timberlake: “I think people’s mentality is, “It didn’t work out!” But like, what didn’t work out? What’s supposed to happen? I think a lot of people are married to people that they’re not romantic with any more. I just didn’t ever marry anybody that I then had to get divorced from. We break up. We move on. All I want from him is his happines. And all he wants is my happiness. His isn’t reliant on me, and mine isn’t on him. It was at one point; we had that moment.”
on loving being 38: “I know what works for me, and I know what doesn’t, and that is a huge relief. By the time you’re in your mid-thirties, you’ve gained some knowledge – you’re like, “Oh yeah, I totally get it” and then, in your late thirties, you start applying what you’ve learned, and your life just opens up.”
on her hardcore health regime: “I love it. I have never, ever watched what I eat in my life, but I do now. I’m off the fried foods. I’m very thoughtful about what I eat. If you’re gonna do heavy lifting, and you want to stay small, you have to watch what you eat. You have to give your body the right nutrients and really think about what’s best for it.”
on the pressure to get married: “People are always asking me, “Do you want to get married? Do you want to have children?” My family doesn’t ask me that. They don’t put that on me. They never have. They know that if I want to get married, I’ll do it. They don’t think I’m out there stranded, without what I want. They see me active in my life, balancing everything that’s important to me, and if that’s part of what I want, at any point in my life – and who knows, it might be in the future – then that’ll be that.”
on learning to love change: “Life is not a happy ending. You never arrive at a point where nothing ever changes or happens again. I’m a visual person, so when I think of a challenge or change, I’ll envisage myself in the ocean, and I’ll see waves coming at me, and know that if I dive under the wave, I’ll shoot out the other side. There are so many rewards waiting there; you just have to go for it.”

When I look for items for my home, I tend to shy away from things that look new. Even if I buy them new, I prefer them to have a weathered, vintage look, for the simple reason that it gives a home a more lived-in and quirky feel than it would filled only with pieces that scream brand new and soulless. Kirstie’s Homemade Home, eat your heart out. One online boutique that I’ve recently discovered, embodies this sentiment: Rose & Grey. From rustic crates to retro storage trunks that could double as a decorative coffee table, all the items for sale are a little bit special. Grab a cup of tea and get ready for some serious browsing… to give you a preview of their gorgeous range, here are some of their homeware and furniture that I’d love to find a home for:

{1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14}

After such a wonderful, chilled out weekend and a plethora of bank holidays, I’m not quite sure how I’m going to go back to the 5-day week routine. Grin and bear it perhaps?! Also the new series of the Apprentice – one of my absolute favourite TV shows – starts tomorrow night, so there’s always something to be positive about!
Onto today’s post and one trend that I couldn’t help but notice is gathering speed is that of preppy chic. Maybe it’s the ‘Kate Effect’, or the popularity of Glee and collegiate clothing stores such as Abercrombie and Jack Wills, but swotty attire is most definitely making its mark. 3.1 Phillip Lim, Proenza Schouler and DKNY paraded this look on the S/S11 catwalks, and the high street has fallen in line. It’s not just pashminas and pearls anymore – think nautical stripes, Oxford brogues and mongrammed blazers, and imagine you’re en route to either Henley or the Hamptons, depending on where you ‘summer’. Whatever your sloaney style, carry it off with an air of confidence, because one must always look fabulous… mustn’t one:

{images via Pinterest}

{1. French Connection Sydney v-neck jumper – £52 / 2. Jigsaw stripe ribbon straw trilby – £46 / 3. Belle and Mimi lace-up brogues – £50 / 4. Ralph Lauren white polo-dress – £158 / 5. Peacocks belted bootcut jeans – £25 / 6. Jack Wills Oldbury classic shirt – £59 / 7. Fiorelli Strawberry Lane handbag tote – £55.20 / 8. Paul’s Boutique logo blazer – £56 / 9. Jigsaw winter cotton checked scarf – £22 / 10. Jack Wills Cottersmore Breton Crew jumper – £69 / 11. L.K. Bennett Abelia leather loafers – £125 / 12. Ray-Ban wayfarers sunglasses – £115 / 13. French Connection tabby knits pleat skirt – £67 / 14. Jane Shilton topaz bag – £59 / 15. Pieces Maya stripe clutch – £28}

Happy Friday everyone! Even though it’s only been four days, this week seems to have gone on forever. But we got there and now it’s time to wind down and look forward to the weekend. Tonight I am seeing my old work crew for dinner at one of my favourite restaurants in central London (see here – worth a trip for the colourful interior alone)… then the following couple of days will be spent with a fresh batch of magazines, maybe a gym visit or two, relaxing in my spring-cleaned formally jungle-esque garden and just enjoying time at home before my trip to the States in a couple of weeks to run an event. I’d like to catch the new Kate Hudson movie, Something Borrowed, as well. Surely there’ll be a wedding involved with a title like that (otherwise that’s false advertising and I’ll demand my money back), and some kind of romantic mix-up. Sounds like a winner (haha, anyone else have the same high-brow taste in films as me?). Do you have any exciting plans?
As is now customary for a Friday, here is my weekly round-up of the trends and looks that have caught my eye:
This Chloé bag may just be the most beautiful thing that I’ve ever seen. I may not have a spare £1,325 to throw at it, but it’s not going to stop me staring. Net-a-Porter then helpfully suggested other things that I might like, and before I knew it I had a list of pink items that I would give my right arm for. Thanks N-a-P, very helpful:

{1. Chloé Marcie perforated leather tote / 2. Christian Louboutin ballerina flats / 3. Marie-Hélène de Taillac gold sapphire ring / 4. Marc by Marc Jacobs rose gold watch / 5. Emilio de la Morena silk-organza dress / 6. Valentino lace and wool-blend cardigan}
For the Royal Wedding (did I mention I watched it?!) I decorated my living room with some bunting and a commemorative tea towel acting as a flag (to add some class). The tea towel has since been removed, but the bunting is still adorning my fireplace and I’ve got no intention of removing it. It’s not even the pretty vintage variety, it’s Union Jack bunting from Clinton Cards (for non-Brits who may not know this store, it’s where you buy greeting cards for people you don’t particularly like) for Pete’s sake… but it’s still staying put. I adore bunting in whatever guise it comes in, but next time there’s an occasion for it I’d be tempted to make some myself for that home-made look:

{images via Pinterest}
My office is smack-bang in the middle of some of the best shopping in London. I have spent many a happy lunch hour in Mulberry, letting my Bayswater visit her relatives and stroking the bags, before being told politely to either buy something or leave. Dune is another shop that I pass daily on the way to grabbing some food, and I don’t know if this has always been the case (or I’m just behind the times), but Dune… got… good. Really good. These items are top of my ‘most wanted’ list… e.g. the wedge sandals have scalloped-edge bows. I rest my case:

{all products available at Dune}
Look, I’m weaning myself off the Royal Wedding slowly, ok? I can’t just go cold turkey. So here’s a picture of that scamp Prince Harry, with a puppy. Both neck and neck on the cuteness scale. (Next week: Pippa Middleton with a lion cub):

As for my stand-out fashion moment of the week, obviously there were many amazing gowns at the Met Costume Institute Gala, but aside from that, this look from one of my constant style crushes, Diane Kruger, at the Istanbul Edition Hotel Launch, just completely works for me. She doesn’t even look like she really tries – she just throws on a Roberto Cavalli number and looks incredible. It helps that Joshua Jackson is the perfect accessory. Not that I think men are accessories… oh, you know what I mean. And for my room of the week, I just really loved the colour combination in this bedroom – the mint walls are so calming, but the orange accents really packs a punch:

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