{images via pinterest}
This week has had its ups and downs, but very much looking forward to an anniversary dinner with my boyfriend at an amazing Malaysian restaurant, planning an exotic faraway holiday to sunnier climes, and just generally hibernating in our cosy home until March shows itself. I hope you have a beautiful weekend whatever you’re up to.

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As featured in UK Elle magazine, March 2011

{images & words via Elle}
on banning technology from her home: “I can literally just sit and not do anything for hours and hours and hours and if there is something completely mind-numbing to do, like surfing the internet or watching crappy TV, I’ll do it and then I’ll feel s**t about myself. So I try and get rid of it. A lot of my friends don’t have TVs, either. It might be spreading. But what’s nice is that when I do see it, it’s such a treat. I did a photoshoot in Cornwall recently and a friend of mine was on the shoot and we literally just sat in my room watching Strictly Come Dancing. We were like, “This is amazing.” We were talking about it weeks afterwards.”
on missing out on certain aspects of life: “I had an amazing time, it was extraordinary, but the difference was between my age and my experience. I’d experienced a lot, work-wise, but as far as normal progression… I’d never sat in pubs with friends, I’d never been out clubbing. Any of the things you normally do at uni, I’d bypassed. So on one level I was very grown-up and on another level with the whole social thing, I was really far behind.”
on being socially inept: “Going into a room full of people at a party I find one of the most terrifying things in the entire world. I normally last about 10 minutes. I’m a complete failure. I went to one the other day. Standing in the corner, couldn’t find anything to say, just ran out. Awful. My friends are like, “What are you – an idiot? What’s the matter with you?” I just can’t. I get completely paralysed with shyness, just totally paralysed.”
on clearing up her acne: “I had really bad skin for ages and went to so many different people to try and figure out what it was, and eventually a friend said, “Why don’t you just try using soap and water?” So I did and it cleared up. And I stopped wearing as much make-up. Because you know what it’s like, if you get spots you try and cover it, so I was just slapping it on and feeling so horrible about myself. And my friend was just like, “Stop.” So I stopped and it was amazing.”

With my beloved ‘Daisy’ by Marc Jacobs dispensing its final sprays, I’ve been pondering what is usually unthinkable in my world… change. Thankfully this needn’t be too much of a change, with Marc Jacobs thoughtfully bringing out a fragrance in the same family: ‘Daisy Eau So Fresh’. It could definitely be a winner, especially since the bottle is so pretty (yes, perfume manufacturers, girls are seduced by packaging). However, there are other new and exciting perfumes currently hitting the market, such as Jimmy Choo’s first foray into the world of scents. If the fact that I have spent the past week rubbing the Jimmy Choo perfume strip from various magazines on my wrists is anything to go by, then it’s safe to say I’m a fan. If you’re looking for a new perfume, then why not go for one of these, and come up smelling like roses (or geraniums… or apple blossoms…):

Will you be trying a new scent this spring?

There is something so magically exotic about Niki Jones’ homewares range, from the bone inlay furniture inspired by techniques used in Rajasthan, to her collection of cushions inspired by traditional Uzbek textiles from north Afghanistan.
Niki trained at both the Scottish College of Textiles and the Royal College of Art in London, prior to working as textile designer and style coordinator at Habitat. She then moved to traditional ceramics specialists Wedgwood as design director, before deciding to start her own company because, “I couldn’t find what I wanted to buy online – well designed and well crafted pieces for my home that were a bit special.” Niki’s beautifully unique products keep traditional craft skills alive, supporting developing countries in the process.
Niki has somewhat of a cult following, and it’s not surprising. The jewel colour palette and the love that has clearly been put into every piece make the collection hugely appealing – they’re perfect items for anyone looking for a one-of-a-kind addition to their home. For me, the mother of pearl bedside table is a clear favourite… although I desperately want to give those owls a home too. Which pieces stand out to you?

{images via Niki Jones}

{1. Bela chest / 2. Dara cushion cover / 3. Twitwooshkas / 4. Silhouette chair / 5. Silk quilt / 6. Vintage vessel / 7. Bone inlay mirror / 8. Mother of pearl bedside cabinet / 9. Zillij rug}

I feel like Mila Kunis has quietly crept up on us. Having never watched That 70s Show, I previously knew her as the voice of Meg on Family Guy and the (now ex) wife of Macauley Culkin, but now we’re seeing her as far more than just a whiney cartoon character and the spouse of someone who was clearly batting out of his league. It was after her role in Forgetting Sarah Marshall and the press rounds that went hand-in-hand, that her style credentials quickly became apparent. The girl never puts a fashion foot wrong on the red carpet. And they’re not just safe (albeit chic) Rachel Zoe options… she’s always experimenting with different patterns, hemlines and fabrics. So, to sum up: she’s stunning, incredibly talented and well-respected at her craft, friends with Ashton Kutcher, and every designer and their wife is falling over themselves to dress her. How do you say “smug off” in Ukrainian?
If you can’t beat her (which is doubtful unless you’re Natalie Portman), then you may as well join her:

{1. Topshop cream chiffon sleeveless blouse – £33 / 2. Linea leather skirt – £120 / 3. Bertie peep toe heels – £85 / 4. Essie licorice nail polish – £8.95}

{1. La Redoute white shirt – £9 / 2. ASOS leather sandals – £25 / 3. Dorothy Perkins denim shorts – £23 / 4. Diesel Charactery bag – £85}

{1. Dorothy Perkins nude patent heels – £30 / 2. Warehouse multi bangles – £11 / 3. Accessorize gold chandelier earrings – £10 / 4. French Connection Sacha maxi dress – £65}