Thank you for sticking around over a blog barren month. I don’t take it for granted that anyone reads my musings and I feel like i've reneged on a Sunday promise lately. So in way of apology I've rounded up lots of aesthetically lovely or helpful things that have floated past me and i've grabbed hold while i've been falling down a rabbit hole for the past few months. Some through my day job, some not. Some fashion, some not so much. All capable however of bringing fashion-ish joy which is what life is surely all about when the going gets tough and Summer isn't proving very Summery. Shallow: Yes. Important: Definitely.
The striped trouser. Never knowingly passed by.
Some Lovely Jewels.
Jewellery is ALWAYS a good fix. Lately a few stand outs from gorgeous independents are Loel & Co's exceptionally cute ribbon earrings and The Wild Tigris ring collection. ( Is it wrong to enjoy the website placement on statues nearly as much as the jewellery) On a high street note I have worn a pair of sold out wiggle hoops on a loop lately- Anthropologie do a very good similar pair.
2. Striped trousers
I have been low level obsessed with stripy trousers since I missed out on a vintage pair of dreams at a car boot sale (note to self: do not employ the look around and come back method at a carboot) There are some gooduns out there this season. Boden has just dropped an excellent option ( I already own their emerald green palazzo pair from last summer) Tip: If they come with a coord top do not hesitate. PS Good striped trousers sell out fast so look to preloved sites.
3. Flowers from the garden
This month i've finally realised that I can bring the garden indoors rather than endlessly buying extortionate Eucalyptus from flower sellers. I recently cut back some yew bushes and put the trimmings in the centre of my kitchen island, and give two friends bunches of home cut hydrangeas from a hardy bush ofa previous owner, that manages to stay alive regardless of my neglect. I now consider myself a winner at Good Life style utopia
My inherited hydrangea. Colour is giving 'retro' vibes (kind version)s
4. Denim Bermuda Shorts.
Disclaimer: My children are appalled at the H&M pair Ive been wearing lately. I ignore them. However my approach to the long short is they MUST cover the knee cap to avoid feeling like a mum on a hike and they MUST be worn with a more delicate sandal (or even a little heel) to feel 'fashion.' ( Side note I worked on a newspaper in the 2000's and my 'uniform' was skinny over the knee shorts and a kitten heel. Nostalgia level: high.)
5. Excellent wallpaper brands
Ignore anyone who suggests a professional is needed to wallpaper. I have two never ending bathroom projects on the go and have recently upskilled in both wallpaper knowledge and expertise in DIY wallpapering ( pillaged from my sister Lisa Dawson's brilliant substack account.) Cue mass excitement about wiggly stripes and one wall of entire house that isn't white. PS. Lick do lovely paints to match their wallpape, but may be sacriledge but I went straight to B&Q and did a colour match at a fraction of the the price.
6. Dreamy Cashmere
I first discovered Tabitha Webb via her previous (gorgeous) bag brand Tabitha, and she later created bespoke dresses for me when I styled Tess Daly on Strictly Come Dancing. These days we've rekindled our relationship through her celebrity endorsed cashmere knits: The bombers are another level. Also: Zoe Ball wore a TW while interviewing Ryan Reynolds this week which surely catapaults it to mega stardom via osmosis.
7. A Good Treatment
We all have different treatments that 'do it' for us, whether it's an entire day spa-ing or just a trip the hairdresser (For me a cause of anxiety but whatever works). I had absolutely forgotton the life affirmingness of stepping out of regular life ( ie relaxing) until i had a ridiculously good 90 minute massage session plus hypnotherapy this week. Yes it took me two days for my muscles to recover but now I feel reborn. NB Me and my husband went to a local lido with steam room and sauna for my birthday last month. Heady state of relaxation achieved over lunchtime.
The joy of a good spot of relaxation. And a cold flannel
8. A summer event dress
I recently had a lovely evening on a boat wearing the now viral spotty dress from the latest Monsoon collection. I do not believe we need a plethora of dress options and generally my event dressing attitude is wear what you already own and love. However I know i'll wear this forever: polka dots with more than a touch of a D&G vibe. Two other wear on repeat event dresses I own are from Tallulah and Hope and Ganni: Common theme: structured shape, strong colour and repeat print.
9. Stylish Activewear brands
My activewear discovery has been through my day job rather than my own kit ( I am still wearing my 13 year old daughters cast off tshirts and the one pair of leggings in bought for a yoga retreat 8 years ago) HOWEVER I have now examined three activewear brand’s up close for work and feel I can vigorously promote/ add to my purchase list: Varley, Adanola and 4tharq . All excellent options and way more stylish than an acid yellow Stranger Things tee.
10. Other Peoples Birthdays
In my life this has been a summer of other peoples big birthdays. Surely the ultimate opportunity to have all the fun and none of the party givers anxiety: the 40's edition of the Summer Wedding and the perfect opportunity to wear the dresses outlined above. Last month my old friend Lara's party allowed a whole day at the seaside doing mini break style activities. Nb. Photographic evidence of such excursions essential.
Have you even been on a day trip if you dont have a wall selfie as evidence
11. Good tiles
when I finally finish my two bathrooms I'll write up what I did but in the meantime an independent bathroom company that will stop you ever looking at high street tile companies again. Claybrook Studio: Boutique; Italian; should cost the earth but doesnt; gorgeous. Plus came with the lovely discovery that the company's clever founder is my old university pal. Win Win.
My new bathroom tiles in 'Big Chunk' terazzo 2/3 other lovely things from Claybrook
12. Head Bands
It's probably clear by now that most fashion 'trends' I buy into are items that bring back memories and the oversized alice band is giving me serious flashbacks to a decade of wearing enormous bow versions in my 20's. I have since transferred loyalties to the headscarf, but a raffia alice band called to me this month at the Arket till. (Cue family hilarity that I'm channelling Elizabethan Royalty) It's now out of stock but here are some alternatives.
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