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?

London: Tim Walker’s Fashion Fairytale

Yesterday morning, I had a breakfast date with Mulberry and Tim Walker to celebrate the launch of Tim’s Story Teller exhibition at Somerset House. It has been a whirlwind of a week (in a wonderful way), and I couldn’t think of a lovelier way to start a busy day in Parliament than by escaping into the fantasy worlds of my favourite English brand and my favourite photographer.

For those not immediately familiar with his work (though I’m certain you all will have seen his work within the covers of Vogue), Tim is a fashion photographer unlike any other. Unsatisfied by the easy aesthetic appeal of a beautiful girl in a beautiful dress, Tim creates fantastical fairytales driven by the most elaborate narratives. Imagine if your wildest childhood daydreams of gargantuan dolls and animated woodland creatures became a reality, throw in a sprinkling of couture, and you’re on the right page.

If you find yourself in London between now and January, I can’t recommend a visit to the exhibition enough. I don’t want to give everything away, suffice to say the exhibition is a showcase of many of Tim’s most beautiful portraits and editorials, all brought to life by many of his most extravagant props (of the grandest proportions) that will make you squeal with delight. I had only intended to stop by the exhibition for the briefest period (given the fact I was meant to be in about six places at once), but I was so caught up in the view of the world as seen through Tim’s extraordinary lens that, like Alice in her Wonderland, I fell down that rabbit hole and wasn’t sure when I wanted to return to reality.

Eventually, return to reality I did. I bid one last ‘cheerio’ to the human-sized bumble bee playing a double bass (obviously) and skipped back to Westminster, inspired by Tim to keep that lens through which I view the world permanently rose-tinted.

I’d love to hear about any wonderful exhibitions you’ve been visiting lately!

Love, Miss B xx

Story Teller, the exhibition is supported by Mulberry and is on at Somerset House, London from today until 27th January 2013 (daily between 10:00-18:00) and admission is free. Somerset House will also be screening a number of classic films, curated by Tim, throughout the duration of the exhibition. The Story Teller book is available on Amazon here.

At The Ice Cream Parlour

Autumn really has arrived here in Cambridge. Suddenly the nights are longer, the days crisp, and the leaves turning to gold upon the trees that line the River Cam. But I’m not quite ready to say goodbye to the memory of summer just yet, so here is a little dose of sunshine from a couple of weeks back when the sun was blazing here in Cambridge.

It had been a particularly long week at work, and so an afternoon bike ride was in order (there are few stresses that a ride through the cobbled streets of Cambridge, golden in the evening sunset, cannot cure). Although I had planned to meet my friend S for dinner, somehow we ended up at Bennetts, the best ice cream parlour in Cambridge instead (where I was perfectly camouflaged against the ice cream pastels in this fairytale print dress). Although I don’t advocate the practice of forgoing proper food in favour of sugar as a general rule, sometimes there is something so fun about acting like a child and eating dessert for dinner, just because you can and it’s fun.

And that right there is my favourite thing about being a grown up: you can do what you like without having to answer to anyone. Now excuse me while I put on my pink Prada heels, crank up The Supremes and turn my housework into my own private dance party…

Wearing: Kelsey Genna fairytale dress from Audrey Grace boutique, Mulberry Lily bag, Michael Kors watch, bracelets c/- Jersey Pearl and Poshlocket, vintage pink sunglasses.

Eating cake for breakfast or buying really beautiful, impractical heels (just because you can); what are your favourite things about being a grown up?

Love, Miss B xx

Thank you Sarah for helping with these pictures