Cast your mind back to last week and you’ll remember that I introduced you to the online boutique of uber-talented designer Atlanta Bartlett, called Pale & Interesting. Now it’s the turn of the locations agency that she runs with her husband, Beach Studios. I couldn’t pick a favourite, so as with my previous post featuring shoot locations (as seen here), here are the rooms that made me sigh with happiness; subway tiles, stacks of books in the fireplace, stripped wooden floorboards, gallery walls and old leather armchairs… all of these looks are pure interior eye candy to me. Feast your eyes on these beauties and let me know what you think. Do you prefer white walls or statement wallpaper? A home full of odds and ends or a minimalist approach?

{images via Beach Studios}

Hurrah, the fashion event of the year! Much like the Oscars but with the emphasis fully on the gowns and no one pretending they’re into the films when the only movie they’ve seen in the past year was Gnomeo & Juliet. Every A-list fashionista worth their salt seems to totter out of the woodwork in sky-high Loubs to attend the MET Costume Institute Gala, and this year’s line-up was a corker. After the triumph of The Dress (day four, still missing the wedding), the gala honoured late designer Alexander McQueen with an exhibition dedicated entirely to his designs. Unsurprisingly there was many a dedication on the red carpet too, as showcased by Gisele “it’s easy to look this good after having a baby” Bundchen and Salma Hayek. Here are my picks from the gazillions of stars in attendance… but no Posh? It’s like Christmas with no Santa. She better have a good excuse.

{images via prphotos}
Were there any stand-outs for you?

After all the excitement of Friday’s events and another blissful 4-day weekend (how are we going to go back to the regular 2-day ones now?!), it’s back to business with a look that is perfect for the upcoming wedding season. That’s right, not ready to let go quite yet. This particular trend is huge for spring and summer, and provides an incredibly ladylike yet flirty silhouette. I particularly like pleats in sheer, flowy fabrics, especially in warmer climates – and yes, I’m including the UK in that, for once! For the more trend-conscious amongst you, opt for a pleated midi skirt with a platform heel and a skinny belt. But you know what, go with whatever you feel most comfortable in; think SJP in Halston (there are plenty of great copies on the high street, such as the blue tiered dress from Miss Selfridge) or Olivia Palermo in Topshop. Being so versatile, there’s a pretty pleat for everyone:

{images via Pinterest & we heart it}

{1. Topshop Peter Pan pleat dress – £45 / 2. Dorothy Perkins pleat ruffle dress – £25 / 3. Miss Selfridge blue pleated tier dress – £42 / 4. Jaeger pleat frill dress – £250 / 5. French Connection Shelbys summer maxi dress – £155 / 6. Pied a Terre colour block dress – £78 / 7. Dorothy Perkins one shoulder pleat dress – £25 / 8. Warehouse pleated glamazon maxi dress – £90 / 9. Topshop cream embellished pleat dress – £70 / 10. Wallis green leaf print dress – £30}

{1. Miss Selfridge nude pleated skirt – £22 / 2. Alexander Wang mini skirt – £185 / 3. Therapy vintage floral skirt – £40 / 4. Monsoon Pamela pleated skirt – £50 / 5. Rare short pleated skirt – £32 / 6. Pied a Terre pleated skirt – £48 / 7. J by Jasper Conran pleat skirt – £45}

How is every one today? Feeling slightly worse for wear after celebrating an incredible day of history? I don’t blame you.
I wanted to wait until today to write a few words about the fairy tale that unfolded, as yesterday I would have been in full-out gush mode. To be honest, the wedding totally exceeded any expectations that I had. I was about a month old when Charles and Diana had their special day, and this is certainly the biggest Royal occasion that I’ve experienced in my lifetime… and it definitely didn’t disappoint.

Speculation leading up to this occasion has largely centred on the bride-to-be and her dress; what designer would Kate go for? What would the design be like? Would it have sleeves? As it turned out the answers were Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen (called it!), lace appliqué gown with an ivory satin v-neck bodice and a 9ft train, and yes. In my opinion it was absolute perfection. One commentator remarked that as nice as it was, it wasn’t a “show-stopper”. I disagree… I think it was show-stopping in its simplicity. Too many bells and whistles would have made it garish and outdated. It had all the style of its lookalike, the wedding dress of Princess Grace of Monaco, as did the wearer. So here’s the breakdown of her look:

Kate wore it beautifully, and her calmness and serenity (when underneath she must have been freaking out) were awe-inspiring. My favourite part though? That beaming smile! She was absolutely the cat that got the cream, but there wasn’t a hint of smugness… she was just a girl (standing in front of a boy – haha, I kid) who was bursting with joy to be marrying her soul mate. Who, y’know, just happens to be heir to the throne. No biggie.

In no particular order, this is what I loved about Wills’ and Kate’s big day:

Lip-readers have reported that William said the following to Kate and her father when they reached the altar: “I just thought it would be a small family affair”. Heart him.

They’re so blatantly head over heels. Warmed my cockles.

C’mon kids, you know it makes sense. Harry who looked so handsome yesterday, his cheeky face beaming with pride at his brother, and Pippa (albeit a tad enthusiastic with the Fake Bake) who was verging on upstaging her sister by being the talk of Twitter, would make quite the hot new couple. Chelsy, who?

These three ladies killed it. That is all.

Brilliant. You know that little Grace van Cutsem (William’s god-daughter) was thinking, “I was promised jelly and ice cream, I didn’t sign up for this”. On to the couple though, and the money shot. When they came out onto the balcony, I love how Kate looked genuinely overwhelmed by the thousands that had gathered for The Kiss, mouthing, “Oh wow”. The newlyweds looked so at ease with each other and, well, two kisses. They knew their audience.

David looked dashing, obvs, and Posh looked, well, posh. I think she could have gone for something a little more exciting, but it wasn’t an unmitigated disaster. Bet she said to him afterwards, “Tay-vid, we need to have ours again… they had trees, Tay-vid, TREES!”

This was a stroke of genius. By this point of the day we were firmly on Team Cambridge, but this touch (must have been the work of Harry) sent me over the delirious edge. At first I honestly didn’t really believe what I was seeing. It was like they were a couple who’d had a small country wedding and were heading off to the local pub for a cider-soaked reception. Which is what both Wills and Kate truly wanted – and have spoken openly about this – so this was the part of the day that they got to live out their wedding fantasy.

Oh Bea, why didn’t someone tell you?? Just because it’s Philip Treacy doesn’t make it right.

Another McQueen dress for Kate, and Pippa in Alice Temperley. The stylish sisters finished the day as they started it, looking utterly exquisite.
Ok, I think I’ve gone on long enough. So, over to you! What did you think? Were you as charmed as I was? Or are you glad it’s all over?!

Today has been the most amazing day. For those of you who watched The Wedding (did anyone not??), you’ll know what I mean… it was absolutely magical, and at this moment I feel so proud to be British (and still a little speechless, gotta say!). I think that even those who believe that the Royal Family has no place in today’s society, couldn’t have helped but be touched by the proceedings. Tomorrow I’m going to write a full report – including the all-important fashion moments! – but for now here are some images I found from Pinterest and a message for the newlyweds:

{images via Pinterest}
As I clear away the strawberries, scones and Champagne that I shared with my lovely friends whilst watching the wedding, I will leave you with my looks of the week; Lauren Conrad looks unbelievably chic in her own line and nude Loubs (love her hair, she does the up-do so well), and a room that I could quite happily sit in and while away the hours on my laptop. One day I hope to have such a room, but for now my comfy couch will do just fine:

I hope you have a perfect weekend whatever you’re doing and wherever you may be…