December Loves

1. Wearing: I’m currently feeling festive in daily combinations of sparkles, lace and snuggly knits. I’ve just added this Alice by Temperley lace dress (which after months of wanting, I finally nabbed on sale at MyWardrobe.com) to my wardrobe and have been wearing it with opaque tights and heels and tuxedo jackets until the return of summer means it is warm enough to wear it on it’s own.

2. Buying: I can’t get enough of Lulu Frost’s spectacular jewels at the moment, and have just added this necklace (in the white version) from her latest collection for J. Crew to my jewellery drawer.

3. On my wishlist: I simply adore my Charlotte Olympia Kitty heels, so much so that I’m contemplating a pair of the flats too. I can’t justify a second pair in black, but this burgundy velvet pair is too perfect for words and would add a dash of fun to everyday outfits.

4. Small pleasures: Things are hectic this week to say the least, so I’m so looking forward to a week of lie-ins and decadent laziness between Christmas and New Year. Whenever I put on a silk sleep mask (this version is so Holly Golightly-cute!), it means I’m serious about a looong sleep and not to be disturbed!

5. Sparkling: These tiny golden star earrings are festive, whimsical and fun, but cost less than a Christmas pudding. Yes please!

6. For my home: In lieu of a real Christmas tree, I’m burning Diptyque’s limited edition holiday spruce candle - which smells exactly like the real thing – each evening. It’s festivity in a (beautiful) jar!

7. Beauty note: Come December, only dark red or glittery nails will do (or, better yet, a combination of both of these). I’ve been wearing Deborah Lippmann‘s burgundy ‘Good Girl Gone Bad’ glitter polish constantly.

8. Play: Indulging in my favourite festive tradition and watching the English National Ballet’s performance of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker at the London Coliseum. Quite simply the loveliest way to spend a December evening!

9. Listening to: My Rat Pack Christmas album is on nightly rotation (apologies to all my neighbours); Frank, Dean and Sammy Davis are getting me in the festive mood…

10. Watching: This weekend we’re getting together with some friends for an all-day Christmas movie marathon (with a lunchtime trip to the outdoor ice rink thrown in for good measure). It’s all about The Holiday, A Muppet Christmas Carol, It’s a Wonderful Life, Scrooged, Elf, Love Actually and Miracle on 34th Street.

I’d love to hear what you’re all enjoying this month! Happy December lovelies.

Love, Miss B xx

November in Pictures

Falling more and more in love with New York each time I visit. Old-world romance at the New York Public library. Pretending to be Eloise at the Plaza. Bouchon pumpkin pie macarons, chai lattes and ice skating at the Rockefeller Centre. Mast Brothers chocolate bars. Hopping from one teeny tiny Williamsburg eatery to the next; each more homely and wonderful than the last. Rowing on Central Park Lake. Stopping to listen to the sounds of a jazz band floating on the breeze at sunset. Gallery-hopping and peering in the windows of mansions on Upper East Side strolls. Collecting treasures at my favourite American stores: J. Crew, Anthropologie, Bergdorf’s. C. Wonder, Catbird and more. Jumping in giant piles autumn leaves. Pumpkin pie, apple cider and s’mores. Cat sweaters and haunted fun in Sleepy Hollow with Nicolette. The glorious view of the Manhattan skyline from Williamsburg.

Flying back to a wintery England. Cambridge looking like a postcard from another era under foggy grey skies. Preppy collegiate students in tweed blazers riding their bikes through the cobblestoned streets. Champagne truffles, pearls and gorgeous lingerie beneath wintery layers. Hot chocolate and good books for cosy evenings indoors. Jazz tunes at cocktail hour and a house that smells of Diptyque candles. My favourite Anthropologie owl vase and glittery brooches brightening my desk. Homemade smoothies and Lula at breakfast time. Twinkly jewels, cashmere jumpers and gorgeous perfume on cold days.

Glittery ballet flats and big bunches of cheering pink roses. Lunchtime walks along the Thames. Winter sparkle and burgundy lipstick. A family of gnomes at the Mulberry HQ (surely the funnest fashion office in the world). Feeling like I’m at Hogwarts with dinner dates in the Kings College great hall with my sweetheart. Glittery manicures and cocktail rings. Afternoon tea, inspiring talks, sparkly shoes and dancing until the small hours with London’s most beautiful and glamorous at the secret pop-up Miu Miu member’s club at the grand Cafe Royal. London all dressed up for Christmas.

I hope you all had a wonderful November!

Love, Miss B xx

November Loves

1. Play: Twirling around outdoor ice rinks beneath the glittering London sky (in my head this is with an elegant ease; in reality, I suspect, far less so…)

2. On my wishlist: I think it’s about time I finally give in and buy myself this beautiful Miu Miu necklace (that has been on my wishlist for months and months)

3. For my home: Burning scented candles each evening to make coming in from the cold feel like a luxurious affair. And just because I have a thing for woodland creatures, this squirrel match holder/strike must come and live with me.

4. Buying: Come wintertime and the festive season, I do love a snuggly, fun knit. I’ve already added three fluffy sweaters to my wardrobe this season (which I have been wearing with everything from dresses and skirts to tailored shorts and sharp trousers; always accompanied by a smattering of jewels and the collar of a blouse peeking out at the neckline), and have just added this perfect navy jewel-adorned number from Topshop to the mix.

5. Watching: There are few mythical men I adore more than James Bond, and a Skyfall movie date with the Clever Boyfriend (who I have virtually bullied into becoming a Bond fan too…) has sparked a month-long James Bond marathon in our household.

6. Small pleasures: Chilly evenings spent luxuriously hibernating indoors with a cup of tea and a stack of books (I’m currently re-reading this beautiful edition of The Great Gatsby, amongst others). I am so rock ‘n’ roll…

7. Sparkling: Glittering cocktail rings with rich burgundy manicures. This star ring by Kenneth Jay Lane is pretty much perfect!

8. Wearing: I’m currently wearing embellished collars with everything (blouses with a crystal-studded collar, dresses with a sparkly peter pan collar, jumpers with a bejwelled neckline). I love this adorable (and budget-friendly) detachable version that can be popped over everything this winter.

9. Beauty note: A deep red pout (I’m currently favouring Chanel Rouge Allure no. 71 in Fatale and MAC lipstick in Ruby Woo) paired with rich burgundy nails (Chanel’s classic Rouge Noir or the sparkling limited-edition Malice or Orly On The List are current favourites) add a hint of glamour on cold days.

10. Listening to: Evenings in are turned suddenly more luxurious with a steady stream of moody jazz and big band standards. It’s all about Ella (Fitzgerald), Frank (Sinatra) and Nina (Simone) at cocktail hour…

I would love to hear some of your current favourite things!

Love, Miss B xx