January Loves

Buying: I still have a thing for floral pants, and these perfect Rag & Bone pants – which will take me through to Spring, Summer and beyond – are set to be my next investment piece.

Beauty note: In England at least, January is notoriously the greyest month; nothing very exciting happens, the temperatures hover around zero, and everyone is too busy attempting to stick to their resolutions to have much fun. I’ve been making a point of countering the dull skies as best as I can, if only in the beauty stakes. A healthy dap of illuminator on the cheekbones (I would be lost without Benefit High Beam) and a pop of pink lipstick and I’m instantly more radiant (even if the skies are not).

For the home: I love a month-long New Year organising session! I’ve been sorting out my wardrobe, de-cluttering my space & making a concerted effort to be more organised. My endless ‘to do’ lists are a lot prettier with this Rifle Paper notepad.

Sparkling: I just adore whimsical golden charms, and this Kate Spade bracelet is too darling for words!

Wearing: Leopard print pumps seem to possess that elusive magic wardrobe power: the ability to work with almost any outfit. Mine (seen here) are from Kurt Geiger, but as they’re proving to be such a wardrobe staple I’m thinking of upgrading to one of these perfect versions from J. Crew or Christian Louboutin (swoon!).

On my wishlist: It’s my birthday in a few weeks, so I’m thinking of buying myself this classic + chic blush pink quilted Miu Miu clutch as a present to myself (one should always buy themselves a birthday present, in my book!)

Small pleasures: I like my underwear to be decadently beautiful, and I’ve been partaking in a big re-stocking of my lingerie drawer; out with anything that is tired, uncomfortable or unflattering and in with a big pile of beautiful new Elle McPherson, Stella McCartney and Agent Provocateur sale finds. I love these sweet Stella McCartney days of the week knickers from here or here

Watching: Grace Kelly and Cary Grant in How to Catch a Thief and dreaming of diamonds and the French Riviera circa 1955 (oh, if only life could always look this chic!)

Listening to: Let’s face it: getting out of bed when it’s still dark and cold outside can feel like one hefty challenge each day (or is that just me?). But daily playlists of Motown whilst I’m getting ready help me feel a lot perkier each morning!

Play: In preparation for my second trip to Morocco this weekend, I’ve been swotting up on my Wallpaper Guide to Marrakech. I am absurdly excited for a few days of sunshine, camel rides, wonderful food, the exotic smells and colours and the hubbub of the souks!

What are you most enjoying this month?

Love, Miss B xx

London Fashion Week: Jonathan Saunders

I’m not quite sure how it is already that time again, but Fashion Month is just around the corner. And looking through the schedule for London Fashion Week, I’m positively tingling with the excitment at seeing what my favourite British designers will be showing this season. Because I can’t exist solely in a fashion bubble (I do have the rather serious day job which makes it tricky to disappear for an entire week), I’ll only be attending my favourite shows this time, but one I simply won’t miss is Jonathan Saunders.

Jonathan really is one of the brightest stars on the British design scene at the moment, and I’m not alone in thinking that; the entire fashion press seem to be having a love affair with his style. I’ve been fortunate enough to see his last three shows in person, and each time his remarkable talent for print and grown-up sexiness is akin to breath of fresh air. I’m yet to own a piece of his, but I’m dreaming about having one of those utterly gorgeous floral print dresses (and the custom Christian Louboutin heels to match) in my wardrobe. Win a trip to London Fashion Week + VIP tickets to Jonathan Saunders’ show with Motilo!

Because of my love for Jonathan Saunders, I wanted to share this special competition with you all: my friends at Motilo are giving away a VIP trip for two to London Fashion Week (1st prize includes travel, accommodation, tickets to Jonathan Saunders’ show for you and a friend and £1000 to spend, and there are six runner-up prizes of 1 x £500 and 5 x £100). And if you’re not one of the lucky winners, you can still watch the live stream of Jonathan Saunders’ show on the day. Find all the details and enter here. Good luck!Images: Jonathan Saunders Spring/Summer ’12 (top), Autumn/Winter ’12 (middle), Autumn/Winter ’11 (bottom). All photos taken by me at London Fashion Week.

Love, Miss B xx

* Sponsored content in partnership with Motilo *

Christian Louboutin’s Illustrated Artistry

Fact: I’m a shoe girl. From the moment I slipped on my first pair of ballet shoes (and felt like a sugar plum fairy) to the first pair of Marc Jacobs shoes I saved and saved and saved for, I’ve believed in the transformative powers a good pair of shoes can posses. But I’m not talking about the sort of footwear I wear every day to run around town (though they certainly have their merits), but the kind of shoes they are so beautiful, you dream about them on your way to work and buy them even if you can’t really walk in them just so you can sit them on your bookshelf, atop mantlepieces and within bell jars for all the world to see (and, on very special occasions, slip them on for your own Cinderella moment at a wonderful party).

And no one creates shoe art quite like Monsieur Christian Louboutin. Since the moment I saw a flash of that red sole on a chic Madamoiselle in Paris many years ago, I’ve been having a love affair with his creations. For here is a man who understands that sometimes, a woman just needs a silk bow on her slippers or a pair of high heels adorned with a thousand crystals to make her feel ever so slightly more wonderful.

In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the brand, Christian Louboutin has designed a capsule collection (twenty styles of shoes and six bags) which pays tribute to his most iconic styles in that time. He so kindly sent me his own illustrations of some of his favourites from the collection (I did squeal a little when I opened them), so I just had to share them here with you all. So until I can afford a whole shoe wardrobe filled with his designs, I shall quite happily settle for his framed illustrations upon my walls.

Thank you Mr Louboutin for the wonderful illustrations (the most perfect birthday present a shoe girl could ask for!)

I’d love to hear about your favourite shoe stories!

Love, Miss B xx

The Christian Louboutin capsule collection will be available from an exclusive Selfridges pop-up store from 27th February, and from Louboutin stores worldwide from March. Sign up to the Louboutin Facebook page for more updates and general shoe-related loveliness.