I really don’t know what I did before the invention of Oliver Bonas. Where did I go to buy friend’s presents I knew for certain they’d like? Where did I buy friend’s baby’s presents that didn’t involve venturing into the hell that is Mothercare? And where did I go when my boyfriend went to GAME? (I am now dropped off chez Bonas in the manner of a toddler being left at crèche).
Anyway, the shop is a marvel, and one of its many qualities is that it stocks the PiP studio range… which features bowls, plates and tea sets that are way too pretty to be hidden in a cupboard. The website of this Dutch company is the epitome of Shabby Chic and embodies all that is spring with an abundance of flowers and birds. Give it a go and try telling yourself you don’t need one of those large yoghurt bowls in your life:

{images via PiP studio}

{1. PiP birds in paradise khaki / 2. PiP patch quilt / 3. PiP birds in paradise green / 4. PiP fancy woven washcloth / 5. PiP mumbai express overnighter / 6. PiP yearround notebook / 7. PiP under plate / 8. PiP yoghurt bowl / 9. PiP mug ribbon rose senseo / 10. PiP jug large / 11. PiP love birds cup and saucer / 12. PiP cushion folklore / 13. PiP table runner shabby chic}

As we have now officially moved into spring (ha! So long, winter!), the pesky in-between-seasons weather is going to send hoards of females into the following daily dilemma – do you wear a coat to work? It’s a toughie… the BBC weather page says fair, the view from your window says blustery and overcast. No one likes to be caught short, so the solution consists of two words: trench coat.
This classic wardrobe staple has always conjured up images of Audrey Hepburn searching for poor Cat – which Blair later re-enacted on GG – and Kate Moss doing what Kate Moss does best (modelling, just to be clear) for Burberry. And now Emma Watson has taken the baton and carries the look off just as effortlessly. But fear not, if your budget doesn’t quite stretch to Burberry (especially if it has leather trimmings), there are plenty of high street trenches that can help you emulate Holly Golightly and stave off those April showers.

{images via pinterest & Burberry}

{1. Miss Selfridge stone twill trench coat – £65 / 2. French Connection Miss Magic belted trench coat – £165 / 3. Mint Velvet stone trench coat – £125 / 4. Debenhams petite black ribbed trench coat – £25.50 / 5. Joules Evelyn trench coat – £149 / 6. Kookai double breasted trench coat – £88}

{1. Burberry Brit beige cotton trench coat – £450 / 2. Junya Watanabe wool and chiffon trench coat – £985 / 3. Tibi pleated bow-front cotton-twill trench coat – £535 / 4. Miu Miu pleated twill trench coat – £765 / 5. Burberry Prorsum leather-trimmed twill trench coat – £1,895 / 6. Lanvin embellished taffeta trench coat – £2,340}

Once in a while you get an email that just puts the biggest smile on your face and a bounce in your step for the whole day. When I received a message from Hayley – a friend whom I met when we worked together at our very first jobs at a sports shop – it did just that. Hayley had read my post ‘at home with bluebellgray’ and had been inspired to colour code her bookshelf (she’s a girl after my own heart) and sent me a picture of the result. It’s such a simple concept, but it turns the display of books into a real feature. By the way, loving the fact that David Beckham’s biography stands out!
If you come across anything on {what you fancy} that inspires you, let me know through email, Facebook or Twitter, so that I can post more of the same. And, I gotta tell you… it absolutely makes my day.

Thank you so much, Hayley 🙂

In lieu of a usual post today, I will be joining many other bloggers in a Day of Silence (I only found out about it this morning, so I appreciate I’m a day late and this isn’t silence as such) as a mark of respect for the tragedy happening at this moment in Japan. The images that we’re seeing daily are utterly heart-breaking, and if you’re wondering how you can help, then contributing to the campaign, For Japan With Love, to raise money for “shelter boxes” (which include a tent, blankets, water storage and purification equipment, cooking utensils, a stove, and basic tools, among other items) would be hugely appreciated. When it started out, the goal was to raise $5,500, and the total currently stands at $26,500… which is fantastic. Trite but true: every little helps.

Have a lovely weekend, everyone.

“More?” you ask… yes, absolutely (oh, I’m not finished yet). This little money-spinner is gathering momentum as it rumbles towards 29th April, and yet more Royal Wedding goodness is hitting our stores. I love this cartoon-like print of Wills & Kate (with his grandmother’s Corgis at their feet – brilliant!)… and I could certainly find a home for that Jan Constantine-esque cushion too. If I know the happy couple as well as I think I do (y’know, from reading Hello magazine and watching the E! True Hollywood Story), then I reckon they’d be fully on board with all these Royal Wedding keepsakes. The Queen, on the other hand, has taken to pursing her lips and muttering the word “circus” under her breath*.

{1. 2D Scrumptious Royal Wedding print / 2. JoJoJewellery Royal Wedding button / 3. Sweet William Designs Royal Wedding mug / 4. Claryce Design set of 6 souvenir postcards / 5. The London Gift Company Royal Wedding cushion / 6. Yield Ink Royal Wedding letterpress print}
*this is just conjecture. Please don’t send me to the Tower.