Christmas: For your Mum who always seems to have the right advice and makes the tastiest mince pies

- luxury PJs for cold winter nights and new sheepskin slippers to go with them

- a gorgeous log stand to go next to the new log fire she's always wanted

- high quality brushes for her chalk paint obsession

- a sweet calendar for her desk

- a statement necklace to wear on Christmas day

- new Yoga wear for her weekly session

Christmas: For your sister who has the same daft sense of humour and taste in festive films

- A gorgeous cake stand and bell jar for displaying her cupcakes {for as long as they last}
- Flowers delivered in the post to cheer her up
- Glitter hair ties so when she's at work she still feels nice
- Simple gold jewellery for when she wants to mix it up
- Leather gloves because we live in Scotland
- an initial catch all tray and pretty earrings to drop in it
- a blarf {blanket scarf} because who doesn't need a giant blanket that you can wear outside
- art for her house

Autumn update

autumn update by bridget-s featuring a topshop top

The leaves are falling off trees, there is a distinct chill in the air and today, a rather ominous amount of mist. And I have to say...I love it. I love when Autumn rolls around. As much as I love sunshine and long days outdoors, there's something about the {romantic] notion of Autumn in my head. Cooler days, crunchy leaves and ever darkening nights. Cozying up by the fire, drinking red wine and layering up. Chunky knits, tights and boots. I'm much more at home dressing for Autumn and definitely have my eye on these items come payday. That coat and bag in particular are calling my name...

Love B x

Summer days

Ooo, it's been a little bit of a break from blogging - happened a lot this year! Guess that's what happens when you're busy busy! Anyway, looking forwards, we have finally booked our summer holiday and I could not be more excited to get away for a week in the sunshine. These are a few bits and pieces on my wishlist as my summer wardrobe is pretty non-existant {I never feel it's justifiable given the 5 days of sunshine we get in Scotland...}. We'll only have hand luggage so I'll be trying to keep everything interchangeable and well matched to make dressing up or down nice and simple! That said, there is always room for a killer red dress. Plus, how cute are these pjs? No harm in trying to look nice when we sit out on the balcony for breakfast in the morning! The bikini too - probably slightly out of my budget but you can't go wrong with a simple black bikini.

Oh I am so ridiculously excited!

B

x

Back to School

Perhaps not the most 'wow' of wish lists but heading back to university has me packing my bag up again and preparing for another 5 week stretch of lectures and tutorials. There is still that vague back to school feeling, though its wearing thin over here. Home stretch though, and my thoughts still turn to how I could make the every day just a little bit brighter - even if it's just thanks to the polka dots on my shoes or a bright orange notebook!

This flask would be perfect for the endless amount of tea I need to get me through a day and anyone who knows me would vouch for my love of lists {I think I need to purchase this notebook by Happy Jackson}. The handbag would be a huge downsize for my usual everything-but-the-kitchen-sink numbers but I'm still on a decluttering kick which is even extending to my accessories - it would be good to not need a map to navigate through the contents of my bag!

The glasses, devoid of lenses and from H&M, are a simple reminded to update the frames I've now had for a couple of years and the padded coat? Well that is simply because I live in Scotland. It's nothing fancy but daily jaunts into the playground make it an absolute necessity.

Love B x

Outfit Swap: Whistles

jumper//tshirt//jeans or options//shoes

I absolutely adore this outfit from Whistles. The colour combination is lovely - perfect for lazy summer days - and the shoes are to die for. I'd love to be able to afford the whole thing but it's just not going to happen. So instead, I've played around and put together a look that I think is pretty similar. It was just about as close as I could get without using any of the original clothes. It'll more than do! AND I can afford all of it - double hurrah!

What do you think?

Love B

x

Jubilation!

Diamond Jubilee ½ Pint Mug//Trooping The Colour Tray//i love liz' jubilee edition tea towel|//God Save the Queen cushion//Fortnum and Mason - Jubilee Tea//PIMM'S//British Jubilee Ribbon//Rounders//Diamond Jubilee egg cup

I had hoped to still be in a blissful state of snoozing at this time on Saturday morning but seeing as my brain refuses to switch off, I may as well blog. It is finally half term - hurrah - and I'm looking forward to a week of relaxation {and doing all the jobs that I never seem to have the time for otherwise!}. Before the little jobs take over, however, it's jubilee weekend! 

I love any excuse to make a cake and celebrate so the Jubilee weekend is right up my street. Plus I think the Queen is quite sweet really. In fact, if the K Mid thing didn't give it away, I quite like the royals. There is something so quintessentially British about it all. I refuse to be drawn into debates about "the spending of tax payers money yada yada yada" and instead I'd rather focus on some other, lovely, quintessentially British things. Like Victoria sponge cake and afternoon tea. Or Rounders {which I have now spent more hours of my life on than I can count}.

We're off to catch up with Sandy's family and some friends. Can't wait. Fingers crossed for some nice weather so the tea and cake can be enjoyed outdoors!

Love B x

Something on a Sunday..

Converse cap toe shoes, $70 // Zara ankle booties, £50 // J Crew j crew jewelry, $85 // Purist Bird Vases, £20 // Cambridge Satchel Company Exclusive To Asos 13" Neon Coral Satchel, $191 // Vintage Label Decorative Stickers - Gifts For Her - Gifts, £13 // Monsoon Oval Glass Flower Tray, £18 // Design*Sponge At Home Exclusive Edition, £20

It has been a long couple of weeks over here. A 12 day solid working week punctuated by some rather sad events has left me floored. It was, however, rounded off with a much needed and enjoyed visit back to the North East to see some much, much loved friends and family. People I always wish were closer. Anyway, as fun filled as it was {I reupholstered a chair! - amongst other things} I am still floored and about to embark on another working week. How did that happen?! Roll on the Jubilee and a much anticipated half term.

With that in mind, the only things I felt like sharing this afternoon were pretty things. Things that make you go 'oooooo. want.' Shallow? Kinda. Materialistic? Maybe. True? Yup.

That coral satchel in particular? I love it. I never thought I'd be a satchel kind of person but the colour is just so pretty. Though having just mentioned the satchel in particular, I now want to talk about every individual item 'in particular' too.

Brain is fried clearly. Look at the pretty things. Enjoy. I'll see you next week.

Love B

x

Lets get physical...

adidas by Stella McCartneyRun performance 7/8 tights | leggings |...

£70 - sweatybetty.com

Athletic shoes

$140 - nike.com

Nike Store. Nike C72 Legend (Large) Bag

$45 - nike.com

Fleece Earwarmer | ski accessories | Sweaty Betty

£15 - sweatybetty.com

Excuse the awful pun for a title but, like many of you I'm sure, January was meant to be the time for me to kick my ass into shape and get moving again. Now, I've been for the odd run and played a bit of badminton but quite frankly, I've done nowhere near as much exercise as I should have. I blame this entirely on the fact I'm a fair weather runner and the weather in Edinburgh right now is far far FAR too cold to tempt me away from the warmth of the indoors. I reckon, I need to find an active sport/exercise that I love, is maybe indoors and is one that will make me forget I'm playing sport {badminton might just be this...}. Until then, I can at least plan how I could look really attractive when I'm out going for a run. Ahem. Though, in reality, this is probably more accurate.

Do you have an exercise that you love?

Love B

x

Olivia Palermo - or rather, a post that was meant to be about her but turned out to be about personal style...

So January has been quite intensively crafty in terms of posts so I thought I'd diversify a bit and think about some of my other resolutions. One of which is to be consistent in the ways I present myself - both in terms of style {making more of an effort, more of the time - rather than stumbling from high effort to schlomp pants} and looking after myself more with regards to {granted, vacuous} things such as haircuts, eyebrow waxes, nails. I am aware how vain and inconsequential this comes across but I recently stumbled across an interview on Vogue.com with Olivia Palermo in which she talked about personal style and some of the things she said really resonated with me.

She talked about how you can't wear the same clothes at 24 as you did at 18. As I grow up and find myself using my time differently - working full time being the main change - I find I the clothes I wear and love must adapt accordingly.  It's not to say I have had a complete style overhaul, infact I'd say my tastes have been fairly consistent since my late teens, but I am certainly more and more confident in finding pieces that I love and actually reflect my tastes. and my wardrobe is finally beginning to reflect that. A large portion of my clothes need to reflect my personality whilst still be practical for me to carry out my job well. I'm on my feet all day and working with children in a school so I need to maintain some air of authority but formal office wear isn't really appropriate. Nor are high end or trend led pieces. As such, whilst working in a school gives me more freedom than working in a corporate environment, for example, my clothes are still required to be smart and practical enough for me to do my job and show a bit of personality.

Not that that should cause much issue. My style has grown and evolved as I have: I have no desire to dress like I did at 18 nor should I really be presenting myself in the same way I did at 18. I want my outward appearance to reflect who I am as well as where I am hoping to be headed in my future. Perhaps I'm taking clothes a bit too seriously here but I certainly believe that the clothing you wear helps paint a picture of you to those around you. Working with children, I think this is particularly evident as they pick up on visual clues so well - the kooky art teacher isn't going to wear a sharp Tom Ford suit everyday. Equally, the head of a school isn't going to turn up in ragged jeans every afternoon. Especially in a work environment, I think your clothing needs to be consistent with your personality and approach to work. So, as a teaching assistant/hopefully a trainee teacher, and with youth as perhaps a barrier rather than a help, I need to dress in a way that encourages the children to interact with me and that shows a hint of personality, but that also reinforces my role and position in the classroom.

Am I making any sense? I think what I am trying to say {in a rather wordy manner} is that I want my clothing to reflect my professional ambitions, my professional position and my personal approach. Equally I want off duty clothing that reflects me as I am now, at nearly 24, rather than the clothes I wore at 18. Phew.

This new sense of "clarity" {and verbosity, apparently} isn't to say that I don't have days where I hate everything I own and believe it makes me look hideous; there are far too many pieces in my wardrobe that I have spent far too much money on only to realise I like them considerably less than I thought or that they simply don't fit with my lifestyle. Looking at Olivia Palermo and her personal sense of style, I certainly find her tastes have an affinity with mine. She always looks effortlessly polished and pulled together - something that I'd like to emulate more in 2012. Reading this back, this seems like such a vacuous thing to be pontificating on {and pontificate I have} but I know I feel so much better if outwardly I present myself in a way that exudes confidence, poise and a bit of grace. Clothes that express my personality and present myself in the way I want to seen.

Oh hell. This has turned in to a far more epic and wordy post than I had ever anticipated. Sorry. Now for some pretty pictures.

{all images via pinterest}

What do you think? Does your dress sense reflect your personality well? Or present you as you would like? Have I just chatted absolute tripe for the entirety of this post and you've wished I would just shut up?!

Love B x

Working twice as hard...

Sorry for the radio silence - I had a week off last week and it didn't really instill me with productive vibes in between eating, seeing festival shows and enjoying days out.  Equally, this week I can honestly say I started my new full time job that will keep me busy for the next year - and if this week is anything to go by I am going to be super busy. This is the first time all week I've really sat down and had time to read, let alone write, any blog posts. I'll try not to be sporadic in my posts but I don't think they'll be as frequent as they have been to date, though hopefully I can write a bunch over the weekend {there is so much I want to write about!}. I can't really complain though - I'm so excited at the prospects of my new job.

One of my oldest, loveliest friends sent me a card that simply said "a new job means new accessories" and I couldn't agree more - I was so excited at the prospect of buying work wear! The environment I'm working in, whilst not corporate, isn't one in which I'd be comfortable pushing fashion boundaries. I'm a big fan of classic silhouettes and ensembles {in case that isn't apparent in my post on fashion to date} so I don't exactly feel hard done by. Plus, all the more reason to dress up at weekends. With that in mind, I pulled together a couple of inspiration boards - one for work, one for the weekend - both featuring a beautiful trench from Reiss that I am lusting after and some pieces that can do double duty for work or play depending on how you dress them up.  And I can't lie, I took a teensy tiny bit of inspiration from this image too.

Work...

Play...

Granted, not the most interesting outfits I have ever put together but to be totally honest, this week I've already worn a pencil skirt & an a cream top, and this weekend I will probably throw on a chiffon top, skinny jeans and heels. So whilst it isn't all that original, it is true to life - give me that at least!

What will you be wearing this weekend? And what are your work staples? I'm currently trying to establish mine {in case you can't tell!}.

Love B x

I've realised as well I haven't told you where any of these pieces are from - it's a mix of Topshop, Zara, Reiss & H&M. I'll add that in when I'm a tiny bit less shattered...

Rainbow bright

For all my good intentions to branch out, jeans are {and will most likely remain} in pretty solid rotation in my wardrobe.  I recently dipped my toe into the water with coloured jeans, and now? Well now I want them in every colour I can lay my hands on. Slippery slope my friends, slippery slope. 

 

{via asos, Topshop, Dorothy Perkins & Zara}

My current favourite pair are bright and pillarbox red {ankle length with a gold zip - I wore them the other day}.I've definitely got my eye on the same pair in bright green from Zara, or this green pair from Dorothy Perkins. I can only imagine how this is going to end up for me - much like my love of stripes, I can see coloured jeans taking over my wardrobe.

Love B x

Today's outfit: Leopard + Red

Red Zara ankle length slim fit trousers, Office leopard print ballet pumps, Mulberry Somerset Shopper handbag {'xcuse the rubbish BB photo!}

Love B x

Whistles

If money were no object, a large chunk of my wardrobe would most definitely be provided by Whistles.  As it is, I spend plenty of time in there browsing and looking lustfully at the clothing. They manage to mix chic and stylish in a manner that makes all their collections current without being overly trend led. Until I win the lottery, or get a full time job {pleeeeeeeease} I have to stick to window shopping. Not exactly a bad thing, considering the window currently looks like this:

They manage to cover all the bases, whether it is effortlessly chic daytime dressing, clothes that will carry you through from day to evening or gorgeous evening wear. My personal favourite outfit idea is the black dress, straw hat and orange shoes: easy, chic summer dressing at its best. I will definitely be adding that ensemble to my wardrobe.  Now to find it in budget...

What do you think? Any favourites?

Love B x

Sale shopping

As much as I love a bargain, I generally abhor sale shopping.  I don't really have the patience to deal with hoards of other shoppers or the clothes that seem to end up on every surface {I know this isn't true of all sales, but we're talking standard high street here}.  However, faced with a very quiet Thursday morning in town, shopping for a girlfriend's birthday, I nipped into a couple of shops en route. Now these purchases aren't exactly ground breaking {and actually, technically 50% weren't in the sale but were a bargain!}.

First up, a ring from the Orelia range in Topshop. I love this range - it does delicate jewellery {think pretty cocktail rings, long delicate chains and whisper thin bracelets} that I'd happily adorn myself in.  I try and restrain myself from going near it, knowing fine well that I could easily spend a fortune there {compared to Topshop's own line, it's a bit pricier}.  Anyway, they just happened to have some stock on mega sale, and after snooping around a bit I came across this beauty:

'scuse the Photobooth photo.  It looks more delicate than that in real life with a delicate, hammered gold effect and a lovely reflective gunmetal grey stone. She was marked down quite heavily too so I picked one up for me and my little sis {who is joining me for graduation on Monday, yay!}.

Next on my bargain hunt was these lovelies from New Look. I had seen them on one of the little ads alongside blogs and, having assumed they were leather, had planned on buying the tan pair and dying them black {so I would have a pair of wooden block heel black pumps, a la this post}.  I have to say, only seeing a tiny picture in an ad was probably a good thing - I'm not sure the images of them on the NewLook website do them justice. As it is, in real life, they're a kind of faux suede so my original dying idea was out of the question.  The tan had a matching tan heel, which I wasn't keen on and the black had a black wooden heel, which wasn't what I was after.  Then, like the Goldilocks of shoes, I came across these that were just right. The uppers are a deep rust/burnt red colour that contrasts perfectly with the tan heel and I think the particular colour makes them a little bit more interesting.  I can imagine wearing them with skinny jeans and a blouse for drinks and dinner.  Plus the heel height is 'right'.  I don't know if that makes sense to you, but I often find with cheaper shoes that the proportions of the heel to the shoe style don't seem quite right: a block heel will often not be high enough to lift it from clunky to stylish, if you see what I mean? Maybe I'm just too fussy...

Anyway, these were already under £20 but with my student discount they came to a fab £17-something so considering I think they're lovely, as so far they seem pretty comfortable, I can't really complain.

Like I said, not quite a sale bargain, but a bargain none the less. Guess the title of this post was perhaps a smidge misleading eh?

Love B x

9to5

I stumbled across a new blog over the weekend and it is safe to say, I am a little bit obsessed with it.  The beautiful Anh from 9to5Chic makes stylish dressing look effortless, whether during the working week or on an off duty weekend.  I'm currently trying to reconfigure my wardrobe {though I feel like I am on an endless quest to do that} and as well as needing to add key working pieces to my wardrobe, I would love to overhaul my weekend wardrobe too.  I feel that with my graduation in less than 2 weeks, I need to start building a real world wardrobe {does such a thing exist?}. I do currently try, and I feel like I have a reasonably clear idea of my style, but some days {probably far more than I care to acknowledge} it is just too easy {thank you freezing/rainy/windy Edinburgh} to throw on my jeans, UGGs and a jumper. Anyway, if the number of images I have just pinned is anything to go by, 9to5Chic is certainly going to become a solid source of inspiration.

Want to see what I'm talking about? Whether it's working style,

 Or off duty chic,

She has it totally nailed. And the wooden heeled YSL beauties? Want.

I feel like I spend a lot of time talking about home decor on here, whilst my interest in style doesn't get much of a look in.  Hopefully that's going to change!

Love B x

Rosie

{via}

This lady is far too pretty. And the outfit? Amazing. If I had legs that I would definitely be rocking skin tight leather trousers.  As it is, I don't, and I still probably would. I love the fedora too but I don't think you'll catch me copying that look around Edinburgh any time soon.

We got back from our holiday yesterday evening so I feel like I have a whole lot of catching up to do - both here and in real life.

Love B x