A Lovely Life

Champagne for everybody !

2009-05-20T06:06:00.000-07:00

From the train this morning I spotted several elderflower trees in full beautiful bloom. I am desperate to make elderflower Champagne like my auntie used to. Off to Cornwall on Monday for two weeks so am planning to do it then, using this recipe from Hugh F.W. Apparently it makes about 24 bottles, so I'll be able to be generous with them! Can't wait!

I never knew vases could be so cute....

2009-04-27T09:18:00.000-07:00

These cheeky chaps and their clashing coloured ranuncular hats really caught my eye on pretty blog Oh Joy. I love the difference in their heights and the fact they seem to have such distinct personalities. The vases are from Etsy shop Pretty Random Objects. Love!

Mmmm, succulents!

2009-04-22T03:01:00.000-07:00

I have just booked tickets for Chelsea Flower Show. My husband is a landscaper and he gets seriously excited about this event. He takes 100's of photos and even took a step ladder one year so he could see the gardens better over the crowds (!). This picture was taken 2 years ago and was the first time I'd seen such a clever use of succulent plants. I was never a fan before, but this little shed with it's pretty green roof is amazing. I can't wait to see what cleverness we spot this year.

My new bike

2009-04-20T06:15:00.000-07:00

Isn't she lovely? Her name is Emmelle and she has been locked in a garage in Guildford since 1989. Soon she will be here with me in sunny London, with a new basket on her front. Can't wait.

I still really love Care Bears

2009-04-18T05:41:00.000-07:00

Bag love 2

2009-04-14T05:16:00.000-07:00

If I could have any designer bag this spring, it would be the Bowery from Anya Hindmarch. Love the woven colours and ladylike shape. There's a competition to win one of these beauties at Sheerluxe. Oh let it be me!

Dream bikini

2009-04-14T04:50:00.000-07:00

This is my favourite bikini ever ever ever. From Frances May as spotted at A Cup of Jo

Have you ever seen a more beautiful Easter egg?

2009-03-31T02:51:00.001-07:00

Hand Painted Egg from Rococo Chocolates, via Wee Birdy.

Lemony memory

2009-03-30T14:43:00.000-07:00

This picture reminded me of my honeymoon last July in beautiful Italy. We bought knobbly imperfect lemons and sliced them for our picnic water jug. They were fizzy fresh and totally delicious. The summeriest flavour ever.

Picture by Amanda Pratt

Bag love

2009-03-30T05:42:00.000-07:00

Spotted on the ASOS mens site....the perfect summer shopper/beach/laptop/magazine/everything bag from Bill Amberg. AND it comes with a leather stencil kit so you can do your own DIY monogram!? Not sure about that element but love it so much.

Fruity beauty

2009-03-25T05:43:00.000-07:00

I like the idea of getting my beauty essentials from the same places as the pros do, so was excited to stumble upon The Pro Make-up Shop. I love the look of this cutely packaged, multi purpose Pawpaw ointment from Australia, not to mention the huge choice of single use mascara wands (just the thing for separating lashes).

My favourite summer heels....so far

2009-03-25T04:39:00.000-07:00

Loving these beauties from Oasis of all places. Not somewhere I'd usually associate with shoes of joy. Think they'd work a treat with a rolled up jean OR a dress. Oooh I'm a sucker for navy...I really am.

Flower theft?

2009-03-19T10:17:00.000-07:00

There's a house down the road that has the most beautiful Camelia bush in front of it. It is HUGE (6ft high/5ft wide). It is so unbelievably pretty I stop and stare at it everyday. I'm pretty sure the house is occupied by students. And I'm pretty sure they wouldn't mind if I cut a few pale blooms off.....to put in a vase in my sitting room.....from an inconspicuous area of the bush....maybe later when it gets dark? Would a balaclava be too much?

{Picture by Danske}

No nonsense

2009-03-11T04:38:00.001-07:00

There's something so reassuringly solid and classic about all the products sold by Labour and Wait in Cheshire Street. Everything is useful and sensible, but has a certain stylishness too. Observe these measuring spoons...no they won't make you swoon with their prettiness but you're never going to get tired of them either. Made to last. With spending on fripperies a thing of the past this is guilt free shopping I can embrace.

Jealousy is a terrible emotion

2009-03-04T05:17:00.000-08:00

My good friend and office mate got this amazing Jigsaw Miami Clutch Bag for free from the Jigsaw PR. For free. And I'm not even sure she loves it as much as I do. It's something I'm going to have to deal with I suppose.

Literary blooms

2009-03-02T03:46:00.000-08:00

Wow! I absolutely love this springtime papercut sculpture by Su Blackwell, via pretty blog Wee Birdy. Wouldn't it be an amazing thing to have on a coffee table, among other books? So beautiful.

Hair camelia

2009-03-02T03:36:00.000-08:00

This alice band from Anna Lou of London is a cute statement accessory that would work brilliantly instead of a hat for a wedding or a day at the races. Very Chanel-ish I think. It comes in white too, so might be just the thing for a stylish bride or her bridesmaids.

Happy weekend to you

2009-02-27T08:33:00.000-08:00

Breakfast at one of my favourite weekend places to be. The wonderful Monmouth Coffee Company, (Borough Market branch) by Lottie.

Mini-break joy!

2009-02-27T04:39:00.000-08:00

At last I've booked a three night trip for spring. We decided on Lisbon. It's Europe's sunniest and cheapest capital apparently! We go at the end of April and I can't wait. It looks like a seriously beautiful and exciting city, with thousands of cafes. Heaven!

Lisbon street photo from Isolano with thanks.

Polaroid blue sky

2009-02-25T08:47:00.000-08:00

Pretty pink sun brolly by Matt Hamilton

I love the way blue skies look on polaroid pictures. And I would love a sun umbrella this colour. However I think a shade this pretty can only be achieved through years of fading during long days at the beach...

My favourite A/W 09 dress so far...

2009-02-25T08:00:00.000-08:00

is this navy satin lovely at Erdem. Sigh...

Sweet treats

2009-02-24T02:39:00.000-08:00

{Sweetie picture from Rebecca Thuss}

All the ridiculously pretty pale spring colours in the shops are killing me. It's all I can do not to go and binge-buy about 10 dresses that I've seen and loved. Not sure how they'd look on a drizzly grey London day with a winter coat and tights though.... As far as I can see the solution is to try and mix a bit of pastel prettiness in with my winter clothes to see me through until it warms up. These lovelies would work particularly well with this grey dress I've just ordered from ASOS.

Pale blue Marc Bag
Pink Topshop belt
Anna Lou of London yellow cuff
Pretty Ballerina green pumps
Little Venice nail colour (part of the Cruise Collection) from Nails Inc

Prestige pancakes

2009-02-23T07:02:00.000-08:00

Take your pancakes to a whole new level this year. Get advice from the best with The Guardian's brilliant How to serve Michelin starred pancakes, or alternatively just grab a can't fail, top secret ingredient. Charbonnel et Walker Truffle Sauce is basically joy in a jar. Make sure there's some left after today though.... this is useful stuff. It's amazingly good as a cake filler, smoothed on top of cupcakes, with ice cream, as a dip for strawberries, out of the jar with a spoon late at night.....you get the idea.

Brown paper packages...

2009-02-23T06:19:00.000-08:00

The accessories on ASOS at the moment are a slight obsession of mine. They must have some brilliant bag and jewellery designers. Cute colours and unusual ideas, for not much at all. There is pretty much always something I am coveting. I've just ordered this green soft leather clutch, so am excited to hear the doorbell ring in the next couple of days indicating it's arrival.

What a pretty pattern

2009-02-23T03:15:00.000-08:00

I love this print pattern designed by Brie Harrison, spied at decor8. Brie is a London designer who's worked on projects for Accessorize and Anthropology. This one features on card and wrapping made by lovely stationers Art Angels. I just wish there was a fabric to make curtains out of. Maybe one day.

Pink dream

2009-02-22T05:35:00.000-08:00

I am sad to hear that Domino Magazine has closed. I would always buy it when in the US and loved practically every room they featured. Looking through the galleries on their website I found this beautiful pink sitting room. The bare wood floor and white means it isn't at all sickly sweet. It's made me want to decorate my bedroom in these colours. SO pretty and fresh.

Cushion cuteness

2009-02-21T04:10:00.000-08:00

Every now and then NEXT do a homes item that everyone wants. I think this cosy little wool cushion, priced at a tiny £10, might just be one of them. A perfect birthday present for a friend - wrap it right and you can pretend you got it from a bijous boutique whilst weekending somewhere fabulous.

Chilly weather pie

2009-02-20T08:23:00.000-08:00

Hmmm, it was spring on Wednesday. Now it's cold again. So I think I'll make a pie for Sunday. Queen Delia has a recipe for Root Vegetable, cheese and onion pot pie that looks really good....although maybe I'll sneak a couple of sausages in too. This plain but pretty white pie dish from Cox and Cox is perfect.

Have a beautiful weekend

2009-02-20T07:00:00.000-08:00

The perfect way to get a splash of colour into a monochrome bathroom....! Beautiful.

Photograph from PICTURES, by Tim Walker via Oh Joy!

Superior showering

2009-02-20T04:49:00.000-08:00

I absolutely love shower gels. I mean really good quality ones naturally scented with flowers, herbs or plants. In fact, I see having a constant supply as a beauty priority. Here are the three that currently vie for space on the shelf chez moi. OK they're not that cheap.....but I think it's a way of sneaking a little loveliness into your work day. Don't you?

1. Korres Basil and Lemon Showergel, £7. This has a zingy fresh smell, obviously. But the basil reminds me of summer salads, and makes the whole experience more than a little bit holidayish. It's a treat.

2. JASON Lavender Body Wash, £9.99. OK I admit, so the packaging isn't exactly what you dream of for your bathroom. But the excellent thing with Jason products is that the formulas are amazing, (this one's packed with relaxing provence lavender and aloe vera) so they smell incredible (just as lovely as way pricier brands). The biggest plus for me though is the absolutely huge sizes. This pump bottle is a giant 840ml. Thats easily three months supply.

3. REN Grapefruit and Neroli Shower Wash, £14. Now this is special. It's a bit pricey, so I save it for pre-party situations, or if I'm feeling a bit mis. Neroli, from orange blossom is a powerful happy maker, and I really think it works. Mix it up with juicy grapefruit and wow....who knew a lowly shower gel could be so heavenly?

Spring please come...

2009-02-20T03:31:00.000-08:00

...so I can start wearing and filling the house with the pretty pale colours that are EVERYWEAR! This little fella would be perfect as a centrepiece for my seasonal stepladder come March.

Key love

2009-02-18T08:57:00.000-08:00

It's not often I love something enough to want to actually make it, but this project on the creative and always clever design*sponge had me straight onto Ebay to see if anyone sells old keys (they do). There's not much art I really like, so I'm going to give it a go. SO cute and original. I'll let you know how it goes....

A seasonal stepladder

2009-02-18T08:41:00.000-08:00

This floral display of loveliness was created by London florists Scarlet and Violet whose work is as beautiful as it gets. It made me think that I'd like to get an old step ladder like this one and use it as a kind of seasonal changing display. I'm thinking unusual pumpkins in autumn, roses and peonies in the summer and daffodils, hyacinths and fluffy chicks (fake obviously) in Spring.

Plain sailing

2009-02-18T07:19:00.000-08:00

It's a few degrees warmer, and it feels like the right time to start looking around for things to wear this spring/summer. Boat prints are so sweet and still fairly unusual. My dream daytime frock on a seaside theme would be this one from Chloe...

But I think I'd learn to love the pretty New Look version just the same...