1. Play: I am super excited to be making my first trip to New Orleans at the end of this month (before a week in New York). I am looking forward to Halloween adventures, Southern food and exploring a new corner of America with my BFF Nicolette and her significant other (see my adventures from last Halloween in New York here).
2. Listening to: In preparation for New Orleans, I’m listening to Louis Armstrong, Harry Connick Jnr. and all the NOLA jazz legends (the perfect accompaniment to grey, autumnal evenings). In my imagination, Bourbon Street still bursts with smoky jazz bars and blues bands around every corner…
3. On my wish list: Those who know me know that I’m never seen without a necklace (or three), and a knockout crystal statement piece is my weakness. This collar by Shourouk is wildly extravagant, but oh so desirable!
4. Wearing: October has ushered in its chilly mornings and dark evenings and it is officially sweater weather! But as I can’t quite bear to unpack my industrial-strength coats from storage just yet, I’ve been stockpiling cashmere and wearing my favourite sweaters everyday. I like witty knits teamed with Oxford shirts and preppy blazers, or the softest cashmere jumpers worn with girlish dresses and feminine silk blouses. (My favourites are J. Crew‘s cashmere ‘Tippi’ style in ice blue or blush pink, Iris & Ink‘s fluffy angora knits in the palest marshmallow pink or cream, or Chinti & Parker‘s fun jumpers)
5. Sparkling: Part jewellery, part beauty product; this golden fox ring from ASOS (I also got the owl brooch because I have a thing for woodland animal motifs) is darling as a cocktail ring in its own right, but also opens to reveal a tiny pot of lip balm. Adorable!
6. Beauty note: Jo Malone‘s Rosewater & Vanilla Intense parfum is my new fragrance obsession. I’ve been wearing it daily and it feels so perfect for dark, cosy autumn days. It smells of the finest turkish delight and rose petals and champagne cocktails and is on the right side of luxurious gourmand sweetness( rather than the sickly saccharine scents of your youth).
7. For the home: In my book, it isn’t a good evening at home without the glow of a beautifully-scented candle. This new Noisetier scent from Diptyque smells of hazelnuts and autumn leaves and everything cosy.
8. Buying: After months and months on my wishlist and a fully-fledged addiction to the brand, I finally bought this gorgeous RED Valentino dress (also available here, and as a top here). The dark floral print will be so perfect dressed up or down all autumn and winter long.
9. Watching: Rainy evenings call for box sets of my favourite tv shows. My current guilty pleasure is watching back-to-back episodes of Scandal and fondly reminiscing over my time in Washington (in my next life, I want to come back as Olivia Pope).
10. Small luxuries: Blackberry picking, jumping in piles of golden leaves, mugs of steaming hot chocolate, and indulging in all my favourite autumn pursuits.
I hope you’re all having a wonderful month!
Love, Miss B xx
Gorgeous as always, Briony.
I think it is time for me to be thinking about travel again so I can experience a Winter in Europe and the UK!
Thank you so much! And there is something so wonderful about a european winter!
B xx
Your monthly favorite roundups are always brilliant. I’m especially loving your description of Jo Malone’s scent. I can’t wait to check it out in person. Have a lovely time in New Orleans!
Oh, thank you so much! And please do smell the Jo Malone; it is so delicious!
B xx
A trip to New Orleans sounds amazing!! It’s definitely on my must-vist list ! Have Fun!! 🙂
xo andrea
New Orleans had been on my list for so long, and I can safely say that it was just wonderful!
B xx
That Valentino dress is so so pretty. I die for their shoes and handbags. That Diptique candle sounds lovely. I’ve been looking for a new one and I may just add that to my collection.
Adela x
Misspinkstyle.net
I have a weakness for both Diptyque and Red Valentino, and can confirm that both items are just gorgeous in real life!
B xx
obsessed with that pink sweater and I hardly like pink things! thanks for sharing this. great wishlist. xx. gigi. http://www.gigikkitchen.com
I can’t get enough of pink this year (no matter how hard I try to resist); it just feels so right for this winter!
B xx
New Orleans! I lived just outside New Orleans as a child. You have to go to Acme Oyster Bar, Mister B’s, and Cafe Du Monde. Top three places for the best food in the city.
Sadly I didn’t get to Acme, but I can confirm that the biegnets at Du Monde were scrumptious!
B xx
Do post lots of recommendations from New Orleans, I’m going for Mardi Gras next year for the first time! Can’t wait!
Ooh, how fun! And stay tunes for my favourite things and tips in an upcoming post
B xx
Loving this collection of goodies, especially the Diptyque candle! I picked myself up one of their fragrances on a recent visit to Paris and am already saving my pennies to add to my collection!
Quick question: What website/program/app do you use to make your gorgeous collages? I’m looking to do my own for my travel blog, as well as a new blogospheric venture but am such a tech. design amateur!
Keep up the beautiful posts! Xx
Thank you so much! I bought my first Diptyque candle in Paris years ago and still treasure every new one I add to my collection.
Of course! I use PicMonkey to make my monthly Instagram collages and Polyvore to make these monthly ‘loves’ collages (both are so easy and free to use). You can find a few more of my favourite apps, programmes and tips here: http://agirlastyle.com/2012/11/how-to-my-favourite-apps-and-gadgets/
I hope that helps!
B xx
OMG what an AWESOME post:) your blog is one of my favs. now
Check out my new post….How to make your own Gallery wall:)
Have a great week pretty
LOVE Maria at inredningsvis – The Swedish home decor blog
Thank you so much, lovely to have you around.
B xx
Amazing post as always! But can you help me with the italien sizes.. would like to buy the red valentino dress also on netaporter.com, but in what size? Which size do you have chosen?
xo HC
It’s tricky to say without knowing your size, but in my experience they always tend to run a little large to size (I tend to go down either a half or full size). Hope that helps!
B xx
I can’t wait for Scandal to come back on February! My Thursday nights have been so lonely since the start of the mid season break.