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!

December in Pictures

Indulging in all my favourite wintery pursuits: nights at the ballet, ice skating and getting delightfully festive. Donning sparkles for a trip to The Nutcracker. Listening to the Rat Pack Christmas album on repeat. Westminster looking majestic after dark. Girl dates at Laduree. Playing in the Cambridge snow. Trips to my favourite Cambridge bookshop with this darling Lulu Guinness book clutch. Peeking in twinkly Christmas windows. London all dressed up for the holidays. Trips to Liberty for Christmas decorations, flowers and small pleasures. Hot chocolate and ice skating (and falling!) at the outdoor rink. Christmas movie marathons and mulled wine.

Window shopping in the beautifully glittering Burlington Arcade on Piccadilly. Suffering from a glitter nail polish addiction. Burning Diptyque’s Christmas spruce candle each night. Buying cheery bright flowers for my home. Valentino studs and sugary pastel lace loveliness on a trip to Bicester Village. My favourite festive party shoes (golden-heeled Chanel mary janes). Pink blooms and vintage Chanel parfum bottles on my windowsill. Sparkly jewels and snuggly sweaters.

Cambridge looking hauntingly beautiful as the church bells echo over the moonlight cobbled streets. Getting goosebumps sitting beside the choir at Christmas Eve Carols from Kings College. Christmas tree shopping and decking the halls (well, at least my tiny flat) with baubles and garlands. Chiswick brunch dates: earl grey tea icecream at Jamie Oliver’s Union Jacks and afternoon tea beside the fire at High Road House. Father Christmas gingerbread men from The Biscuiteers. Spending Christmas with my family in Chiswick. My Uncle’s magnificent feasts. Walks along the Thames to see the the mansions all dressed up for the season. Board game marathons. Presents. Family trips to the theatre. New Year’s Eve fireworks over the Thames. Celebrations.

I hope you all had a wonderful an festive December!

Love, Miss B xx

October in Pictures

Jumping in piles of crunchy leaves and all my other favourite autumnal pursuits. The arrival of autumn bringing out my Cambridge-centric preppy wardrobe. Bike rides and second hand bookstores. Buying big bunches of roses at the flower market. My first little orange Hermes box in the form of this vintage ‘H’ cuff from Vestiare Collective. Cambridge looking especially beautiful as the leaves change colour. Cosy evenings indoors as the nights grow longer.

Dressing up for black tie dinners and theatre dates. Tim Walker’s marvellous London exhibition. My favourite view view of the Thames from the terrace at the Houses of Parliament. Dandy embroidered slippers at Penelope Chilvers. Appearing in a new London campaign for Michael Kors. Tea, cake and excellent people-watching in the teeny covered arcades of Brixton Village. Sparkly Miu Miu ballet flats that I wish were in my wardrobe.

Flying to New York for adventures with my NY BFF Nicolette (see my New York adventures from last year here). Yellow taxis, Broadway and the bright lights of Times Square. Pumpkins and Halloween decorations on every block. Halloween parties in Chelsea. Laduree macarons and picnics in Central Park. Rowboats on Central Park Lake. Walks all over the Upper East Side. Window shopping on Madison Avenue. Riding out Hurricane Sandy in the most positive way we knew how: with candles, cocktails, card games and Audrey in How to Steal a Million.

I hope you all had a wonderful October! (And to all of you on the East Coast, I hope you and your loved ones are safe and sound after the Hurricane).

Love, Miss B xx