How to Dress for a Confused Summer

It seems that while the rest of the Northern Hemisphere is experiencing a heatwave, the English summer is currently on vacation in the South of France. Since I refuse to let the grey skies get me down, I’ve taken to pretending that it’s actually September and am thus doing a weird sartorial tango that flits somewhere between breezy summer whites and preppy autumnal layers.

I’ve mostly been in denial about the rainy skies and have been gadding about in florals and pastels galore, but some days practicality reigns supreme (yes, even for me!). I actually took these shots for my Jimmy Choo campaign back in May (the sky was grey that day too), but variations on this same look have been on high rotation for all manner of weekend errands, coffee dates, trips to the bookstore and bike rides since then on days when only a jacket, rather than a bottle of SPF, will do.

My motto for confused weather? Breton stripes, fun heels sunglasses and a blazer and you’re good to go! Wearing: Vintage Ralph Lauren blazer, Current/Elliott boyfriend jeans (old, but similar style here), Chanel bag, Boden top, Michael Kors watch, Mimco bow cuff and necklace, Jimmy Choo heels (on loan) and sunglasses (c/o).

I hope the sun is shining in your part of the world! And rain or shine, I’d love to know what you’re wearing this summer?

Love, Miss B xx

May Loves

Starting this month, I’ve decided to introduce a new monthly feature of the little things that I’m adoring, buying, doing and dreaming about each month. I’d love to know what you think!

Just a few of my favourite things this month:

1. Play: Riding my Pashley through tiny cobbled laneways at sunset (and thinking about trading in my classic black Princess for this adorably fun blue Poppy).
2. Buying: Retiring all my old ballet pumps and buying the perfect new versions in the form of these blush pink Kurt Geigers and these black Miu Mius (always with a bow on the toes, of course).
3. Wearing: My perennial hunt for the perfect Breton stripes continues for Spring, most recently leading me to impeccable versions by Chinti and Parker and Boden.
4. Beauty note: Three of my favourite things in one bottle; Chanel. Pink. Sparkly. Needless to say, I had to have the new polish shade of Frisson the instant I saw it.
5. Small luxuries: Orange blossom macarons from Laduree are my gourmand weakness, and make me smile out loud (side note: I also have the matching candle, also from Laduree, on my bedside table at the moment. The smell is bliss to fall asleep to).
6. Sparkling: This adorable little white gold and diamond heart necklace from Anjolee is the latest addition to my jewellery drawer and adds a darling little touch to every outfit.
7. On my wish list: These glittery Miu Miu sunglasses have been on my wish list for months and months (I can’t decide between the silver, pink or red versions) now, so it’s probably about time I relent and make them mine.
8. Listening to: Brigitte Bardot’s Moi Je Joue is the most infectious song for sunny spring bike rides, and makes me feel as thought I’m in a 60s French film.
9. Watching: Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire in Funny Face (Paris in the late 50s, need I say more) = guaranteed smiles.
10. For my home: Buying armfuls of English bluebells at the farmer’s market to dot about my house in jam jar vases.

Which pleasures are currently making you smile this month?

Love, Miss B xx

Riding on Pashleys with Flowers

Whichever way I look at it, this has been a hectic few weeks (sincere apologies for the slowdown on this blog as a result). Even though I had zero wiggle room in my (already exploding) schedule, I decided there was a definite need for a little detour. So on Friday night, I called up my best friend for a mini-girl date (an hour was all we could both manage), hopped on my Pashley and cycled over to her side of town*. I had slipped on my new Mulberry heels and bag (it’s almost impossible to frown when you have bows on your toes and a blush pink handbag), put on a new favourite dress that Wheels & Dollbaby so kindly sent me (I always love sartorial displays of affection for Australia and this dress, in that shape I love to much, is simply perfect for twirls and bicycle rides and picnics under trees), and added this Moschino heart print silk scarf (that’s usually a watch) that my trans-atlantic soul sister sent me for extra smile points.

Such an outfit seemed to call for flower-buying and making silly jokes over coffee and cycle rides with my Brigette Bardot in my ears. And just like that, I was immeasurably less stressed and my spirits had lifted.

Proof that we can’t avoid hectic moments, but that there is always time for evening bicycle rides with friends and flowers and shoes that make us smile and dresses that make us want to twirl. Wearing: Wheels & Dollbaby dress, Mulberry Lily bag, Mulberry bow heels, Asos metallic belt, Michael Kors watch, Moschino scarf (worn on wrist), Mimco necklace.