Pictured: Deborah Lippmann nail polish in ‘Blue Orchid‘ // Alex Monroe ring
Honestly, this week flew by in a complete blur and I didn’t do anything aside from work, so I’m looking forward to the long weekend and having a few days off with my family in London before an even busier week ahead. Next Thursday I’m off to The Hague for work (it will be my first time there and I can’t wait to see the Binnenhof and visit the Girl With a Pearl Earing at the Maurithuis gallery), and then will have a few hours to myself in Amsterdam before my flight home Friday night (I haven’t been since I was small, so all tips and suggestions for things to see and do in Amsterdam or The Hague gratefully received).
1. Whether you celebrate Easter or not, it’s the perfect time to indulge in the traditions of the season; buy a big bunch of spring flowers (I love pink hyacinths and perfumed white narcissi), paint your nails a pretty easter pastel hue, and eat all the chocolate eggs and hot cross buns (Marks & Spencer’s toffee & belgian chocolate chip buns are a revelation) you can manage. And then work it off with a long walk somewhere beautiful.
2. I am a huge fan of London label Self Portrait. I bought two of their dresses last year and they’re both so beautiful and of such great quality (without being wildly expensive) that I just added another two to my wardrobe for spring/summer: this black one (I love midi-length and the ribbon ties), and also the blue version of this white one I bought last summer (it also comes in blush, yellow and mint).
3. It’s going to be raining all long weekend in England, so I’m taking my Aunt and Cousin to see the garden exhibit at the Royal Academy (I tried to go with my friend Grace while she was in town last month, but it was completely booked out), followed by tea at Laduree or Fortnum & Mason afterwards. The French Impressionists are my favourite, so I can’t wait to see all those works by Monet, Renoir and Matisse.
4. After sitting in my cart for months, I finally pulled the trigger and bought these GHD tongs (before I’d just try to curl my hair with my straighteners, but the style would never last all day). It’s completely changed my morning routine and it looks like I’ve had a blow-dry every day (even though I really need to get to the salon).
5. I nearly completely burned myself out when I turned 30 – mostly under the weight of my own expectations for myself – so this article definitely resonated: ‘Why Millennial Women Are Burning Out‘ (can you relate?)
6. I have a weakness for anything monogrammed and which looks like it might belong in a Parisian apartment, so just bought a set of these cute little coasters for our coffee table.
7. I’ve been making a point of reading for half an hour before bed (instead of just coming home late from work, working through an enormous to-do list and then falling into bed exhausted) and it has made such a difference to my stress levels. Whenever I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed by my schedule, commitments or just ‘stuff’ in general, I re-read this rather excellent book and it reminds me to take charge of my own happiness. Does the trick every time!
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As always, please do let me know what you’re buying, doing or enjoying this week in the comments below (I always love reading your favourites). I hope you all have a wonderful long weekend!
Love, Miss B xx
I bought three new books this week (not super surprising but I am having trouble convincing my husband that, no, our bookshelves hold the same amount of books as they did yesterday…)
~~ Women in Clothes by Sheila Hetl, Heidi Julavits and Leanne Shapton (a really interesting style of ‘book’ all about women, clothes and how and why we wear them.)
~~~ At Liberty by Ed Burstell (managing director of Liberty of London who I had the extreme pleasure of having a coffee and Q&A session with this week with my women’s group).
~~~ It by Alexa Chung (I’m picking this up tomorrow to read on holiday next week. I love her videos for British Vogue.)
Woman after my own heart (we can’t stop buying books in our house, even though we’ve completely run out of bookshelf space!).
And thank you so much for the wonderful suggestions!
B xx
i love that nail polish colour! so pretty
http://www.carolinapinglo.com/
Thank you; Deborah Lippmann is my favourite and she always does the best new colours each season.
B xx
I’ve had Gretchen Rubin’s The Happiness Project for years and love to dip in and out of it. She’s also written another great one which I’d recommend, if you haven’t read it already, Happiness At Home, which is very much a continuation of the first book: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Happier-Home-Experiments-Practice-Everyday/dp/1444757784
Hope you’re having a lovely Easter weekend.
Katie x
TheEclecticity.org
Ooh yes I love Gretchen Rubin and her books/blog and have actually had that and her latest book (‘Better Than Before’) sitting in my Amazon wishlist for at least a year; so thank you for reminding me to finally buy them!
B xx
The dresses from Self Portrait are so beautiful!
Cheers,
T.
I completely agree!
B xx
I hope you’re having an awesome weekend, happy Easter! So happy to have stumbled upon your blog, it’s absolutely beautiful xx
Oh thank you so much!
B xx
I’ve not been doing much the past couple of weeks, honestly. I’m in a bit of a funk – so all my concentration is on getting through it, over it, etc. I’m also trying to figure out ways to make the next funk a little less….lengthy, stressful, etc. I’m hoping that I can get back to my usual optimistic, upbeat self sooner than later.
I’ve definitely had those moments, so can relate. Sometimes you just need some quality time to yourself away from everything (and there’s nothing wrong with that). When you’re ready to face the world, I recommend going to your favourite neighbourhood and having your perfect day (whether it’s a gallery, a show, your favourite little bookstore or a cafe) and buying yourself a little something to make you smile. Sometimes you just need sunshine and a great date with yourself.
Hope you feel better soon!
B xx