April in Pictures

Combating rainy spring days the best way I know how: with cheering colours and treats to make me smile. Cornflower blue Hunter wellingtons and yellow tulips on a grey day. Cupcakes from Primrose Bakery and the pastel-coloured houses of Primrose Hill. Walks on Hampstead Heath for the best views over London with my friends Dearne, Amanda and Jessie. The wonderfully clever pop-up Chanel flower stall in Covent Garden. Playing in Regents Park with Sasha and her sausage dog. Favourite Charlotte Olympia kitty heels and petal pink makeup. Diptyque‘s jonquil-scented candle making my whole house smell like spring. Afternoon tea dates for one (dining solo somehow feels so decadently indulgent and grown-up) at Laduree. Revealing just what I tote around inside my handbag each day (here and here). Sparkling every day.

Leaving snowy England for the welcome heat of Thailand (en route to Australia). Immersing myself in the cacophony of exotic sounds, smells and colours in Bangkok. Longboat rides on the Chao Phraya river in Bangkok beneath violet sunsets. Fresh coconut juice and the best Thai food of my life. Beauty at the Bangkok flower market. Exotic flowers lining every street. Midnight views over the city from the glittering Hotel Muse rooftop speakeasy bar. Larger-than-life Buddhas at the Grand Palace. Getting happily lost in the Chatuchak markets. Vintage 50s souvenirs from the retro Ratchada-Ladphrao night market. Tuk tuk rides through the palm-lined backstreets. Oysters and Taittinger with my friend Aimee. Shoe heaven and darling designer finds at MeReRa.

Flying back to my homeland for the first time in two years. Flawless blue skies and turquoise oceans. Beautiful Sydney Harbour. Dates with my favourite Australian people. Standing beneath the Sydney Opera House as the sun sets and the sky explodes in a display of fireworks. Strolls around the sloping, leafy streets of Paddington and dreaming of living in one of those gorgeous Federation-era townhouses. Messina gelato dates with my Sydney BFFs Tania and Hannah. Brunch beside the little boats at Elizabeth Bay with Rebecca. Shopping sprees at Zimmerman, Camilla & Marc, Lover and Manning Cartell. The feeling of being back beside the ocean with white sand beneath my feet and the salty air in my hair.

Playing tourist in my old home city of Adelaide. Trips to the Art Gallery. Strolls on leafy North Terrace. The best coffee in the world and al fresco dining on Rundle Street. Cellar door-hopping in wine country. Spending every evening walking along the beach. Cibo orange blossom gelato and Haighs chocolates. Foodie heaven at the Adelaide Central Markets. Tropical sunsets in Queensland. The smell of sunscreen and sweet frangipanis. Sandcastles and surfers on Noosa Beach. Walks in the majestic Glasshouse Mountains. Feeling on top of the world up above the treetops. Girl talk and Brisbane riverside walks with my big sister. Flying back to England just in time for Spring’s arrival. Soothing my jetlag with fresh blooms and small luxuries.

I hope you’ve all been having a wonderful month!

Love, Miss B xx

Inside my Bag: Illustrated Edition

It seems to be a universal truth amongst women that we love having a peek inside other women’s wardrobes, beauty cabinets and handbags.* It is nothing short of nosiness, but I love getting to see what other women use, how they organise things, and exactly what it is they tote around with them each day. Perhaps it’s just me, but I always think you can tell a lot about a woman from her handbag (and the state of its contents).

So in the spirit of our sartorial nosiness, here are a few things you’ll currently find tucked inside my handbag, as illustrated by the super talented and lovely Kristina Hultkrantz (you may recognise her work from the pages of Matchbook Magazine) who so kindly sent me this drawing (isn’t it just darling?); my beloved blush Mulberry Lily bag and bow heels, my signature long pearls and Chanel brooches (there is always an assortment of spare jewellery in my bag, just in case…), a golden Anya Hindmarch lucky sixpence coin purse, Anna Sui mirror, Chanel lipstick (there are always at least 4 lipsticks in there at any time, because a girl never knows when a red lip may suddenly be required) and nailpolish, my business cards and a collection of miscellaneous lucky charms, tokens and little things I collect throughout the day (magpie tendencies).

Not pictured, but always present; Chloe sunglasses, Miu Miu bow purse, Moleskine notebook and a pen for jotting down ideas as they strike, gum and orange blossom pastilles, Clarins concealer pen for touchups, ipod, hairclips and a Marc Jacobs Daisy perfume rollerball.

I’d love to know what you carry around inside your bag each day?

Love, Miss B xx

* Please tell me it’s not just me?

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