Buns

I am longing for longer hair right now. The kind that people seems to fall effortlessly into thick waves. Sadly, my hair seems to go rather thin and flat when I grow it too long, despite my best efforts to combat this {any product tips would be greatly appreciated!}. Instead my hair and I have reached a compromise - it's long enough to play around with and style yet short enough to be thick and smart/grown up enough. In particular it's the perfect length to throw up on top of my head in a bun.

I love the simplicity of it all and how chic and classic they can look in all their guises - from messy and plonked on top of your head, to fashioned around a foam donut {such a good investment!}. I love all these images - doesn't the girl in the second picture just look so chic? With the volume at the crown and the bun fastened close and low to the nape of her neck. Perfect. I love the first image too - the kind of the bun that I'd feel more comfortable wearing to work {though on non-hair washing days by the end of the day, my hair is often in a bun. Who am I kidding?!}. Isn't the colour of her hair simply stunning too?

{pinterest}

Love B x

Glitter...

Wow. Apologies for the radio silence. These past couple of weeks have been a whirlwind of birthday celebrations for my lovely boyfriend and various other family members, visits to family and working lots of long hours. All things I should have taken photos for but completely forgot! Definite shame because I made an insane chocolate cake and birthday bunting for the boy's birthday. Ah well! Coupled with that, I've been feeling a little bit uninspired for topics: I've been crafting away like a loon but they're all Christmas gifts for people so I can't show you just yet {patience!} and I'm on a self inflicted shopping hiatus during November so post topics have felt a bit thin on the ground. That said, I finally feel back into the swing of things so hopefully we can just pick up where we left off!

Moving on...

Now that Halloween is over, I can't help but slip into a more festive frame of mind. I love dressing for this season - cozy knits, layers and boots - and I equally love the glitz and glamour that comes with winter. I've got glitter on the brain at the mo. From eyeshadow, to nail polish and clothing, I'm obsessed. I love the sparkle it can add to an outfit  - even those cozy, chunky, simple knits. I've pulled together some of my glittery inspiration images. As soon as this shopping hiatus is over, I fancy getting my mitts on a new glitter eyeshadow. Does anyone have any suggestions? I've got plenty of shimmery numbers but I'd love a true glitter {maybe MAC is the way forward?}. I especially love how sticking glitter on nails, eyes or even the back of your shoes adds an understated and unexpected bit of glamour to an outfit!

{all images via pinterest}

Love B x

Oh Whistles...

Is there any need for me to want nearly every piece of clothing you make? Every one of these would fit seamlessly into my current wardrobe...

What do you think?

Love B x

Elie Saab

I don't think Elie Saab's Spring 2012 Ready to Wear Collection could be anymore beautiful. I love the gorgeous jewel colours and the sequins get me every time. Now if only I could afford his creations. That and the fact I don't really have anywhere to wear a floor length silk, chiffon and sequin gown. They are absolutely stunning though.

{all images via style.com}

Love B x

Jenna Lyons & UK Vogue

How is it the weekend again already?! Not that I am complaining but I truly had all these good intentions and to do lists this week and before I knew it, it had flown by. I'll be spending my weekend working through some of that list, including catching up on this blog!

I may as well start with something beautiful, and Jenna Lyon's Brooklyn home is just that. Shot for UK Vogue by Todd Selby, I'm desperately hoping I'll come across some more photos soon. I would love, love, love my home to look like this. Definitely going in the inspiration folders. That chandelier in particular is to die for!

{photos from UK Vogue via A Lovely Being}

I hope you have a lovely weekend planned!

Love B x

Paper Crown

I've always rather liked Lauren Conrad's personal style so it came as no real surprise to me that I loved the lookbook for her Autumn collection for Paper Crown.  Billed as a "modern take on classic style" the collection is the definition of "understated elegance" and I love the muted colour palette and choice of textures. I'd quite happily wear any of the outfits I've pulled out here - from the shoes to the accessories it fits my personal style down to a T. This top image, with the grey chiffon maxi & black leather jacket is my absolute favourite but I could see all these pieces fitting in with the rest of my wardrobe. Now to get round the little issue of it not being available in the UK...

I've just realised as well that this is my 100th post. I just want to say a little thank you to those of you who have stuck your heads above the parapets to comment on my posts or have started following this blog. Thanks you, thank you, thank you - it means so much to me that you took the time to do that. I hope you enjoy reading as much as I am enjoying writing it!

Love B x

Today's Outfit: Summer Dressing

I wore this, rather ambitiously, for Friday night drinks to mark the start of the Edinburgh Festival.  As it happens, I got dressed when it was still gorgeously sunny outside obviously not considering sitting outside all evening. Oh well! At least I thought to throw on a jacket! This necklace is one of my new favourite pieces of jewellery. It was £10 from Next and I love how it sparkles when it catches the light. It's definitely the kind of piece I would've paid considerably more for in Accessorize or the like. The skirt, though you can't clearly see, has the sweetest tiny four leaf clover print all over it. I would love to pretend I just threw this together but last night was one of those nights where I didn't really like any of the clothes in my wardrobe {ever feel like that? Or do I need help?!} and so I took inspiration from one of my favourites, Rachel Bilson:

Blazer: Topshop, Silk Top: Topshop, Necklace: Next, Skirt: Urban Outfitters, Belt: from a New Look dress, Sandals: Newlook, Handbag: Zara, Watch: Asos

Love B x

NB: I've just noticed that I look about 12 years old in this photo. le sigh

Mason Jar Sewing Kit

{here}

This is one of the sweetest ideas I have seen in a while - wouldn't it make a lovely gift for any of your friends who were into sewing? I love the little pin cushion on top! I, for one, can think of several people I could give it to. Considering the price however, I'm sure it would be possible to put together your own set on a budget. Or a variation on that theme. It's certainly something I'll be keeping up my sleeve for gift giving later in the year. I love thoughtful gifts so this is right up my alley. I'm even tempted to make one for myself to store my own sewing kit {which is currently hidden away in a drawer in a mishmash of containers}.

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