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

Glittering Festivities

Here in England, I’ve been in fully-fledged festive mode for the past week. Despite long hours in the office each day, I’ve been cramming in nightly playings of all my favourite festive tunes (Frank, Bing and Dean), having cosy Christmas movie marathons (It’s a Wonderful Life, Home Alone, Love Actually, A Muppet Christmas Carol…), ice skating (badly) at the outdoor rink, wearing glitter and sparkles with everything, and generally making the most of this wonderful time of the year.

Last weekend, I met up with some of my favourite blog friends for an all-day festive girl date. We began with shopping and the Christmas windows at Liberty (my favourite London department store), black cab rides in the rain, walks through the West End (amidst, inexplicably, thousands of chaps dressed as Santa), afternoon cocktails overlooking Trafalgar Square, dinner at the National Gallery and my very favourite Christmas tradition, the English National Ballet’s performance of The Nutcracker. As well as those festive rituals I already treasure each year, I love the English Christmas traditions I’m now making my own; the novelty Christmas jumper (which is simultaneously fun and hideously bad taste) – this bedazzled version is my 2012 version, mulled wine, and hearing the glorious choir sing carols from Kings College in Cambridge.

Now, I’m tucked inside my family’s place in London for a few nights of cosy laziness, too much of my Uncle’s good food, walks along the Thames and board game marathons until midnight.

And with that, I wish you all a very happy festive season (whatever you celebrate).

Wearing: Topshop crystal-embellished jumper, Uniqlo oxford shirt, Witchery skirt (old), Chanel shoes, 2.55 bag and crystal ring, Mimco necklace and clear bangle, Michael Kors Paris watch, Lulu Frost for J. Crew bracelet, bow hair clip from Tokyo, Chanel ‘Malice’ nail polish, Mac ‘Ruby Woo’ lipstick, the smile of an excited child at Christmas.

Love, Miss B xx