February in Pictures

Counteracting a stressful month and the dreariness of February with as much colour, cheer and sparkle as I could lay my hands on. Reminding myself to seek moments of calm and find balance. New glittery Miu Miu heels from my friend Notting Hill Girl. More afternoon tea dates than I could count; Sketch, Laduree and grand old London hotels. Dressing up my pages of Lula magazine (ie. how I want to look come spring). Brown paper packages tied up with string. Vivetta‘s sweet clothes are chic with a wink (after all, what’s the fun in taking fashion too seriously?).

Leaving a trail of glitter wherever I go with these Pretty Ballerinas flats from Zalando. Confused seasons: fallen autumn leaves and early spring blooms at the same time. Bike rides through the cobbled streets of Cambridge. Madly in love with the fact that my city looks like Hogwarts. Lunchtime walks from Westminster along the Thames. Taking in my favourite shows at London Fashion Week. Hanging out with my favourite blog pals at The Apartment. Hibernating indoors on snowy weekends. Buying myself flowers at the market each week.

Celebrating love; Valentine’s Day and an anniversary with the Clever Boyfriend. Love letters and roses and pink lipstick. Rainy weekends in opulent country manor houses with my family. New beauty treats. Saying farewell to my twenties and welcoming in a new decade. Pink balloons and Miu Miu party shoes. Putting on my new Valentino party dress for a frou frou tea party at darling Cocomaya with my girlfriends to celebrate my birthday. New Chanel brooches to add to my collection. Being spoiled with wonderful gifts from my favourite people.

I hope you all had a wonderful February. Here’s to a joyful new season!

Love, Miss B xx

January in Pictures

Ringing in the new year with cocktails, sparkles and friends. Saying goodbye to the festive season. New beginnings and plans for a sparkly, rose-tinted year. After after-work hometime a little more glamorous with big band tunes and cocktail jewels. Pink lace and fairyfloss sunsets to brighten the dull days of January. Weekend hibernating in style with Markus Lupfer silk pyjamas, a pile of magazines and Laduree violet tea. The warm glow of Cambridge’s market square at twilight. Editing my wardrobe and re-stocking my underwear drawers with beautifully coquetteish lingerie at Fifi Chachnil, Stella McCartney and Agent Provocateur. Pink roses and dreams of Paris. A house filled with the smell of baking on weekends.

The sugary pastel houses of Notting Hill. Treasure-hunting for teacups, vintage prints and jewels on Portobello Road. Golden light over the Thames on my way to work. Never tiring of the sound of Big Ben chiming overhead when I’m in my London office. Weekend bike rides and pottering in vintage bookstores. Darling pink dresses and leopard print heels. Pink Prada pumps on grey days. Rose macarons and Laduree tea dates.

Leaving behind a snowy England and jetting off to Marrakech for a long weekend of sunshine, mint tea, exploring of souks, Arabian adventures and the colours, sounds and smells of the exotic. Yves Saint Laurent’s ‘love’ gallery in the beautiful Jardin Majorelle. Falling snowflakes and frosted trees outside my window as I work. Treating myself to massages at Neal’s Yard Remedies and weekly bunches of pink roses (small pleasures to cure a stressful month in my day job). Making January wishlists. Pavlova, episodes of Kath and Kim (to make me giggle out loud) and souvenirs from my homeland in celebration of Australia Day.

I hope you’ve all had a wonderful January?

Love, Miss B xx

P.S. Those of you who follow me on Instagram (and regular readers of my ‘month in pictures’) may notice I’ve changed my signature filter. New Year = time for a fresh look! I hope you like it, and as always, I welcome any suggestions you have for things you want to see more (or less) of on the blog or elsewhere this year.

Leopard Print and High Heels at The Bookshop

Here in England, the weather has been positively balmy considering we’re in the depths of winter. Although a snowstorm is forecast for tomorrow (I have my fingers crossed for a snow day!), it’s been so mild I could just about get away without tights (a winter miracle in this country) for those days when I’m cycling around town.

Although my default mode come winter is to hibernate indoors as luxuriously as I can, I do occasionally peel myself away for various dates with friends, walks or trips to the cosiest cafes and bookshops I can find. This little gem called The Haunted Bookshop (it is really this tiny) is one of my favourite Cambridge spots and is just made for wintery afternoons spend rummaging through dusty shelves for a vintage literary treasure.

Of course, it is entirely unnecessary to dress up for lazy weekend pursuits, but in my book that’s what makes it even more special. I always get a slightly smug satisfaction out of shopping for groceries, doing my laundry, having weekend brunch (or other such ordinary activities) in lipstick and high heels and jewels when everyone else is in their casual weekend uniform (not that there is anything wrong with that!).

And if you ask me, trips to tiny booshops should always me made in 60s-style dresses and leopard print heels.

Wearing: Vivetta dress (from Audrey Grace Boutique), Lulu Guinness book clutch, Kurt Geiger leopard ponyskin heels (from last season, but similar style here), Michael Kors watch, Jersey Pearl bracelet, Topshop leopard print coat (not seen, but similar style here).

Do you like to dress up for your favourite lazy weekend activities?

Love, Miss B xx

Thank you Sarah for helping with these photos!