What is a Weekend? Inspired by Downton

...this is a weekend, the sky is blue and the sun is shining, no plans but to relax, go for a walk through the autumn leaves in the fresh albeit a little cold air, catch up on sleep, read a book, watch a film or two and of course finish off with an hour of  Downton Abbey on Sunday night. Sadly though it's also the final episode tomorrow night...sob sob! I can't believe it's the end, have there really been 7 episodes already?!  Those cosy Sunday evenings with my blanket and Downton have been the highlight of my week and certainly distracted from those Sunday night blues. Humph (sad face). 

Anyway, thought I'd leave you these. I've been collating a board on Pinterest of my Downton finds and thought I'd share some of them here. The first one is my favourite, its absolutely beautiful but unfortunately I can't find the source for it. 

I also found this wonderful post  (and photos) by Danni of 'Oh Hello Friend' on her visit to Downton Abbey (aka Highclere Castle, Edinburgh).

Hope you enjoy them. So, what is a weekend to you? I'd love to know what your idea of a perfect weekend is. Oh, and let me know your thoughts on the final episode!

Images 1 / 2 (unknown) / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7-10

A Taste of Creative Mischief

Well leading on very nicely from my last post and much to my joy, Holly has given us the task of creating a mood board for our blog. I set this blog up 12 months ago and did it very quickly, tinkering along the way making changes as I learnt new things, however, I never sat down and actually thought about what personality I wanted my blog to have so this exercise has been great for me.

The result, something of elegant sophistication with a touch of fun and mischief, a bit like one of my favourite style icons Audrey Hepburn. So classic and stylish but I love her cheeky mischievous side.  The colours would be crisp black and white with muted greys and dusky pinks and pops of bright colours. I want it to look edible and sweet with bit of glitter and sparkle. It needs to have a modern editorial style but also be natural and friendly with a handmade touch. I will cover contemporary design styles alongside emotive photography and hand crafts such as stationery and paper goods. Typography, particularly hand lettering is a big passion of mine at the moment so that will feature heavily. 

I've taken inspiration from some of my favourite blogs; Besotted Brand, Breanna Rose, Blog Milk,  Lobster and Swan, Elephantine, Sania Pell and of course......Pinterest!

I'm really quite chuffed with the feel of this board and can't wait until I have the time to start implementing it in my blog. What do you think? Anything you'd like to add?

Interior & Type love: Camberwell Beauty Wallpaper

Butterflies are one of my biggest loves in life so you can imagine how completely in awe I am of this new range of wallpaper from Mini Moderns. The new Spring Heart Home Magazine came out today and I just happened to turn the first page and there it was, the most beautiful mix of calligraphy and butterfly AND it's available for my walls. OMG! Swoon!

The wallpaper print is inspired by the rare species of butterfly the Camberwell Beauty and is the first in new range 'The Buddha of Suburbia Collection' launching in 2012 by Mini Moderns (based in Camberwell!). The decadent design reflects the Biba and Bowie era of the 1970s in a more modern, urban London. 

All images taken from Mini Moderns. Butterfly image from here.

Colour Love: Sundaes on Sunday with Louis Vuitton

I spent my Friday night in, catching up and reading this months magazines and have to say I am totally IN LOVE with the Spring Summer 2012 ad campaign for Louis Vuitton's range by Marc Jacobs. It's shot by Steven Meisel and directed by Marc Jacobs himself. Icecream parlouresque, it's so pretty, pink and retro, filled with pastels and candy. All my favourite ingredients!

All images from WWD

Watch the behind the scenes video of the shoot with Marc Jacobs

Book Love : Good enough to eat!

As you can see I haven't been very active on my blog lately, mainly down to being completely snowed under with work. I can't complain though because I am working on some really lovely little projects and I am reminded just how much I enjoy the job I do. 

Another great thing about being so busy is that I am doing lots of mood boards and hunting around for inspiration which means I come across lots of lovely and exciting things.  I will be taking advantage of my first free weekend in months and dedicating some much needed time to my poor neglected blog by posting lots of delightful things I have found. So watch this space!

Today I found this good enough to eat book, Eat Me: Appetite for design by Victionary (it's been out since September, how did I miss it?!!!). It looks like a wafer biscuit, with a bite taken out,  and is filled with loads of tasty ways of using food in design. It includes a showcase of case studies from product designers, packaging and branding experts, entrepreneurs and artists. 

"EAT ME takes out a slice of modern life where food has been taken as the medium to promote social interactions and ginger up every day life"

All images are courtesy of Victionary and Dezeen Magazine

As a avid lover of books, design AND food, I can't wait to get my hands on a copy of this book. Sadly it doesn't seem to be available anywhere in the UK BUT, woo hoo! I just discovered that Dezeen Magazine are offering a giveaway of 5 copies to their readers. If anyone knows anywhere I can get a copy please let me know, just in case I'm not one of the lucky 5 Dezeen readers :-)

Dog Love: And on the subject of pets...

how cute is he? I couldn't agree more with his statement of happiness.....a puppy is always top of my list for Father Christmas! x

Image thanks to Kelly of Fabulous K's 'Notes of Fabulous'

Cupcake Love: Mings Divine Cupcakes

Ming Makes Cupcakes

Hello friends, I've been a bit quite on the old blog posts lately, I'm sorry (I've been on a lovely holiday to Barbados with my boy). Anyway, to get back into the swing of things I thought I'd share something yummy with you which I just found in the depths of my email. 

The blogosphere is well and truly soaked up in the excitement of advent calendars, Christmas gifts and cards at the moment so maybe this will bring a taste of something a little different. If like me you are not a fan of traditional Christmas cake maybe one of these divine cupcakes from Ming will tickle your fancy instead, and if you don't have a very sweet tooth, she even has savoury ones too such as Parsnip and Beetroot (eeewwww). 

Aren't they amazing! Check them all out here, there are a mere 33 flavours. 

She has also made cookies and savouries too!

House Love: Dreamy Home

How gorgeous is this London apartment? It's got my name all over it! Organised clutter at it's best, mixed in with fab colours and rustic furnishings. I saw it on Shoot Factory.

Book Love: Signed by Pia

One of my first posts on here was a review of the beautiful book 'My Heart Wanders' by Pia Jane Bijkerk. Well Pia has just announced that for November only she will be sending signed copies of her book to anywhere in the world. So for those of you who fell in love with the book via my post, visit Pia's online book boutique and get your copy. She is also signing her other books, Amsterdam: Made by Hand and Paris: Made by Hand as well. Thank you Pia, just in time for Christmas!!

Packaging Love: Freak!

Last week saw the launch of the new fragrance 'Freak' by cosmetic brand Illamasqua. They are the first brand to use the revolutionary technology of 'sensory cohesion' to draw in it's online prey (where the product can't be sampled) by it's unique packaging. This beautiful art deco styled fragrance bottle has being doing the rounds on the packaging blogs over the last couple of weeks but with ingredients such as Opium Flower, Poison Hemlock and aromas of Frankincense, I thought it the perfect end to October (Halloween). I absolutely LOVE it, especially the little silver snail!

I only recently came across the magical and haunting cosmetic brand (don't know where I've been!), the brainchild of brand strategy and design agency Propaganda. Four years old it recently became listed on the The Coolbrands List  for 2011/12. The influences behind the branding and products are the 1920s club scene and theatre, the aim, to connect emotionally with the consumer. Self expression is the key. 

You can read more about the fragrance at Propaganda or on the Illamasqua website.

Here is a taster of some more Illamasqua delights....

All images are taken from Propaganda.co.uk or Illamasqua.com

Le Chien et Moi, doggy chic!

Images 1, 2, 4 & 5 borrowed from Fabulous Places

On a girls shopping trip to Nottingham at the weekend I discovered probably the most amazing shop I have ever been to. Not only is it a lovely shop, but it's owned by a dog! (an extremely cute Basset Hound called 'Mulberry'). 

On entering the shop the dog bumbled over to greet us and promptly lay down on the floor to have it's tummy tickled. While wandering round the shop I felt a pawing on my leg and turned round to find the little dog sitting by my feet looking up at me and asking for some fuss. She obviously spotted a visitor with a HUGE love for dogs! 

Anyway, enough about the dog...The shop is called Le Chien et Moi. Designed like an old pharmacy and lined with vintage bookcases and tables it is filled with unusual and unique items. Vintage, recycled, handmade, whether for yourself, your house or a gift for someone else, you will definitely find it here along with lashings of nostalgia. I definitely recommend you take the time to visit if you are in Nottingham (it is a little bit off the beaten track) and make sure you are not in a hurry as you won't want to leave. If you aren't able to visit the shop, their rustic and tactile website is equally as interesting and cleverly designed by design agency Seismik.

Just a few doors up the hill from Le Chien is The Worm That Turned (great name and lovely logo which will be featuring in my Autumn mood board) a garden designers paradise. I'm not that in to gardening but I could be turned (no pun intended) if I spent long enough in this shop. 

Image taken from Three Sixty Six

Time to do some work and stop dreaming about shopping!!  

Oh WOW necklace!

Just shutting down for the day but had to quickly share this absolutely fabulous necklace just posted on Style Me Pretty. Photography by Aruna B. Photography. Oh my, I really, REALLY want it!

Image from Style Me Pretty
Photography by Aruna B.

Falling in love with a book

I recently came across the world of Pia Jane Bijkerk and what a wonderful world that is. I just had to order her gorgeous book My Heart Wanders. There was only one left in stock on Amazon so I took that as my sign that it was meant for me. When I returned from my weekend away it was waiting for me on the doorstep. I knew what was inside the parcel and couldn't open it quick enough. Well, it had me at hello! I wasn't expecting such a big hardback book but I am so glad that it is. Each page is absolutely beautiful and so captivating. As a memoir of Pia's travels through Paris, Amsterdam and Sydney, it is filled with details, inspiration, love and plenty of emotion.  It has touched my wandering heart and one day soon I will certainly be following it..........

BODIE and FOU Catalogue launch

The first explosion of excitement I am sharing with you is that the gorgeous and chic online french boutique BODIE and FOU have announced the launch of their first ever mail order catalogue which is out tomorrow. I find so much inspiration in their (sisters Elodie and Karine) modern styling for the home and beautiful, unique gifts. I've just signed up and can't wait for it be delivered to my door. I'll report back and share some pics soon..... xx

Image from BODIE and FOU: Le Blog