Aztec Prints…

Just after the last of the summer sales, floral prints, bright patterns and crisp summer cuts are replaced by chunky knitted neutrals, dark and thick woollens and sleek black leathers. As much as I look forward to this seasonal transition, I can’t help but mourn the loss of the vibrancy of summer. But this winter seems to be a little different. Although the shelves are bursting with the usual (rather bland) winter colours, there also seems to be a lot of pattern about, particularly of the Aztec variety. It’s a print that I think transcends the seasons and a few of these cardis have already made their way on to my Christmas list.

Are you loving Aztec prints as much as me? 

French Connection Home…

You’ll recognise me on the bus in the mornings as the woman with her nose pressed up against the window (well not actually pressed against the glass, it’s a London bus and I don’t have a death wish) scanning the items on display in the fancy shops in Regent Street. French Connection is one of my favourite stores to ogle at but shockingly I never knew that they had a home department until I spotted their sale sign last week. I took to the internet to browse through their full range and here are a few of my favourites…

Lamp; Rocking Chair; Matches; Throw; Candles; Zinc Jug; Tripod Table; Pillow; Mesh Bowl; Organic Bowl

Just because…

Sometimes I just like to post something that doesn’t fall into any particular category of usefulness. Just something that makes me smile. For me, hearts are right up there with flamingos, owls and dogs in bow ties. 

P.S I recently found some heart shaped post-it notes in the back of a cupboard at work and started using them – you wouldn’t believe the stir it caused, now everyone wants them… perhaps we need to get out more?

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Dreaming of Skeppsholmen…

We’re not fancy travellers. We almost always travel on a tight budget which means our flights are usually of the low-cost elbow-your-way-on-board variety and our hotels tend to be simple and functional and further away from tourist hot-spots. This is why I feel like we totally lucked out on our Stockholm trip. We managed to get an excellent deal on the design Hotel Skeppsholmen, located on the beautiful island of… well… Skeppsholmen! When we arrived, we decided to walk from Stockholm city station to the hotel and when I saw how quiet, picturesque and secluded Skeppsholmen was, I was convinced Jordan had somehow managed to get us lost. For those 4 days, it was our little paradise. Our mornings started with a stroll around the island, watching the boats and the surrounding city wake up, and our evenings were spent walking off the massive dinners in the crisp autumn air against the backdrop of the twinkling lights of the city. If you are planning a trip to Stockholm, I really recommend a wander around Skeppsholmen.

I miss it already!

All images via Wishful Thinking

If I were a minimalist…

Minimalist is not a word I feel altogether comfortable with. I know stress experts are constantly telling us to ‘de-clutter’, ‘downsize’, ‘let go’. These words make me run for the hills. I’m definitely not a hoarder but I do like the comfort and warmth of multiple layers. When it comes to cleaning and finding extra space, there is no doubt that my love of clutter adds to my stress levels – I guess this is why I can’t help but admire the discipline of Scandinavian design. The house I am posting about today is not exactly Scandinavian, (it’s in Amagansett, NY), but it’s not surprising that the owner is from Finland. The house was originally modelled on a potato barn but when the owners bought it, it was in such a state of neglect that the only things worth saving were some pieces of timber and the patio stones. With the help of a team of young architects, they brain-stormed and toiled to create a thing of pure beauty.

What do you think?

Images via

The warm and fuzzies...

I can’t take full credit for this little Friday number I put together, it was originally inspired by an outfit I fell in love with on Pinterest. I've been debating faux fur for a while now, and let’s be honest, it can look a little tacky, but I never write anything off until I have really mulled it over in my mind, and after seeing it pop up on blogs and fashion magazines I began to rethink my stance. In small doses (I'm talking gilets, fur-lined hoods and even shoes) it can look bold and well… for lack of a better word, Fabulous. But I am still of the belief that in large doses, fur can look not only tacky, but it is also incredibly ageing. With this in mind, I put together an outfit that is both simple and young. 

How do you feel about faux fur? Would you wear something like this little fur gilet?

LnA v neck shirt
$105 - donnaida.com

Alice Olivia fur vest
aliceandolivia.com

Miss Selfridge skinny leg jeans
missselfridge.com

Steve madden booties
swell.com

Brunello cucinelli
marissacollections.com

Alexis Bittar agate ring
alexisbittar.com

Alexander McQueen bracelets jewelry
$310 - cultstatus.com.au

River island
asos.com

Stella mccartney
forwardforward.com

Pieces leather belt
$39 - pieces.com

Butter london nail polish
nordstrom.com

Here’s where we will eat…

Apologies for not posting yesterday, I could lie and blame it on the pesky time change but I am in an honest mood so I have to fess up and say that I didn’t post yesterday because I was exceptionally lazy, unmotivated and cranky and didn’t quite trust myself in front of the keyboard! So I am crawling out of my funk and have been considerably cheered up by this gorgeous little bakery I found. Ratton, located in Largo Duque do Cadaval, in Lisbon’s historical area, the bakery is the perfect place to hang out and catch a bite to eat before hopping on a train from Rossio Station (right next door). I generally love hanging out in bakeries, there is just something so soothing about the smell of flour and freshly baked bread, and it’s a huge bonus when the bakery looks as inviting as Ratton. It was the mixture of different finishes that really caught my eye – all that natural timber, with the sleek floors and chalkboard noticeboards. Simple beauty at it’s best!

Images via