14 Ways To Accessorise Your Classic Home.

I'm having a bit of a homeware moment lately.

I've a little heapling of items (currently lay to the wayside in the guest bedroom) I've collected over the last few months that I just haven't had time to curate into anything, like this this super pretty gilded botanical frame - but I can always add more to my wishlist! ;)

I like looking at inspo/shopping for the stuff at the best of times (Pinterest anyone? ;) but my friend is renovating a large portion of her house and I think it has me especially hot to jump onto my keyboard and have a root around.

And frankly I've found some great bargains!

A very pretty rug for under £30 and some nice storage solutions that are hardly pricey, some faux peonies that actually look real for a change, as well as some investment pieces (still not breaking the bank) that'll last you forever. Let me know what takes your fancy!

Simple, Sunkissed Makeup Without The Sun.

After my obligatory stage of applying heaps of fake tan during college (oh to be 17..), I found myself eschewing all things 'bronze' as soon as I hit university - recoiling at ever immortalised images of my own brown-tinged palms and my friends' glittery, bronze cheeks..

Come 2019, and with the help of vastly improved products, I'm dipping back into some bronzed, summer goodness. Because as much as I've tried to stay out of the sun for the last few years (the best anti-aging tip I can give you!), I can't deny I do feel better in myself with a bit of colour.

So in step the new arsenal of beautiful, glowy, dare I say it bronzey summer favourites - I hope you enjoy!

10 Things That've Made Me Happy Lately #22

one. // This gorgeous poppy field F and I found.

two. // Tiered maxi dresses. Easy-breezy for summer, perfect to hide food babies. Some favourites below!

three. // The CookingTree Youtube channel. So quiet/calm, aethestically pleasing and a show of support for my brethren! ;)

four. // Silly things like the the Pillsbury Doughboy giggle (happy little chappy) and dancing about to the Exposed song.

five. // Ponchiki's. A russian, custard-filled doughnut. Not only the most adorable name, but super tasty too.

six. // I've been into recipes that involve piping lately. Because English strawberries are in season, Eton Mess has had a near constant presence in case BTB and homemade meringue kisses have been just the ticket! I've ordered a bunch of new piping tips too to try my hand at 'flower tarts' - excited!

seven. // Not chasing the numbers on Instagram. I've also been loving more 'real' Instagram feeds than 'aspirational' ones. Photos of empty, well-known attractions or fake flower walls and extravagant prom dresses are one thing, but a little posy of peonies or some real trailing roses would do me! Plus I dread to think how long these poor girls have to wait to get an empty shot..!

eight. // How lush and green the garden looks. One of our dahlias has started to bloom and it's just the most gorgeous pink ombre. Oh and the peas are about ready to harvest too!

nine. // We're house sitting for F's parents whilst they're away this week, so getting my hands on their giant kitchen and baking fresh bread everyday ;)

ten. // F got a new car yesterday too! A Honda Civic for anyone wondering - they have hugeee boots, which I shall be intending to fill with shopping! ;)

xx

29 Accessories To Transform Any Summer Outfit.

I think I'd describe my style as fairly classic. I generally like to collect well-cut pieces that have longevity in my wardrobe - although that's not to say I don't occasionally get sucked in by the latest trend ;)

I think where I like to experiment the most, is with accessories (although I never used to wear accessories full stop in my teens - oh how things have a-changed ;). To me, they're a fun, easy and affordable (although admittedly can sometimes cost an arm and a leg..) way to alter your outfit and add personality to an otherwise entirely simple ensemble.

Whether that's a statement earring, an embellished headband, a simple straw bag or something intricately beaded and altogether wonderful.

Here are a collection of accessories that I think will add pep to any summer outfit you're sporting this year. Enjoy!

1. Raffia half moon clutch // 2. Woven circular box bag (under £25) // 3. Woven bucket bag

4. Embroidered tassel tote // 5. Woven raffia tote // 6. Circle raffia bag

7. Embroidered clutch bag // 8. Woven tote with beaded handle // 9. Flower-embellished bucket bag

10. Woven flamingo tote // 11. Embellished floral clutch // 12. Leather + raffia bag

13. Pale blue floral earrings // 14. Raffia bauble earrings // 15. Blue beaded shell earrings

16. Pink floral statement earrings (currently on sale) // 17. Gold vermeil twinkle ring

18. Crystal + pearl statement earrings // 19. Shell statement earrings

20. Rose quartz + amazonite earrings // 21. Pansy studs // 22. Tortoiseshell sunglasses

23. Pearl sunglasses // 24. Coin necklace // 25. Straw hat (under £10) // 26. Raw edge straw hat

27. Coral beaded headband // 28. Pink floral headband (under £20) // 29. Organza floral headband

What accessories are you loving for the summer?

xx

Petersham Nurseries In Summer.

We recently visited Mottisfont (that'll be one of my favourite posts of the year I can already tell), and decided to carry on the theme with another spot for enthusiasts of flora.

I've never been to Petersham in June (aka prime rose-season) so thought this ought to be the year to amend that.

The Natural Beauty Brand I'm Enamoured With.

I'm actually really looking forward to sharing this post with you today.

Beauty has been.. 'less on my radar' more recently - dresses, pretty earrings and anything homeware seems to be much more my thing! - but what has interested me is clean and natural products that are a little more skin friendly.

I've been transitioning my routine to feature more clean beauty products that still work. And Evolve Beauty is one such brand that deliver this in abundance. They've kindly gifted me all of the products in this post but it's not sponsored - I just want to share what I think is a really fabulous brand, with superlative products. If, by chance, you've missed my lengthy beauty posts, then happy reading! ;)

Broderie And Roses.

Ooh look, another post featuring broderie.. am I getting predictable?! Don't worry though, I've got a bucket-load of photos of roses to share, so enjoy ;)

(If you didn't catch my recent post re. broderie then I'd recommend a look if you're after some inspo)

10 Things That've Made Me Happy Lately #21

one. // A couple of really good meals - venison and lemon sole (ergh lemon sole really is my favourite) at one of our favourite restaurants, Clayton's Kitchen, and a little treat c/o Caley's Brasserie in Windsor - I had a slow-cooked pork in masterstock main and it was stickily unctious and divine.

two. // The vegetables and herbs in the garden are flourishing! The lemon verbena and oregano are veracious. I can't wait to harvest some sweet, baby peas and pea shoots and toss them into some pasta with amalfi lemons.

three. // Any sort of salsa-verde-style sauce, and Waitrose's frozen tarte tatin - really wasn't expecting it to be as florally fragrant and delicious as it was.

four. // Everything at Evolve Beauty. Really.

five. // Eliza - Livid and Alone & Unafraid.

six. // Queer Eye - feels slightly contrived but nevertheless upbeat and life-affirming. F and I are late to Season 3. Bobby and Antoni are my favourites - who are yours?

seven. // Farm shop shopping and produce. I picked up about as many rhubarb stalks as I could get two greedy hands around for about.. £3 the other day. Made rhubarb and rosemary jelly to go with some roast pork and BOY. Spring really is the best. In fact, here's the recipe:

- a bunch of rhubarb (around 350g)
- a granny smith apple, unpeeled, chopped
- 1 lemon, the juice and seeds of
- 200g sugar
- 1 generous tbsp (probably closer to 2 level) sherry vinegar (or red wine or cider vinegar)
- 2 big rosemary sprigs
- 750ml water

- Bring the rhubarb, apples, lemon and water to a boil. Simmer for roughly an hour.
- Strain through a fine sieve into a clean pan. Add sugar and rosemary sprigs. Simmer for an hour.
- Remove from heat, stir in vinegar and decant into sterilised jars. Apparently keeps for around 3 months.

eight. // Booking  a holiday?! In the most spontaneous fashion - F literally rang me up and asked, "where would you like to go next?" I said, "I've no idea.. maybe Porto?", we had a little look online and the flights were booked.. eek!

nine. // This Samoyed and Millie. I want a Millie. She looks like the roly-poly-est dog ever.

ten. // Loving Lucy Wood's videos at the moment.

What has been making you happy lately?

xx

13 Must-Have Items On My Spring-Summer Wishlist.

I can't stop with the shopping at the minute, it's terrible.

My friend and I were having a chat over Whatsapp, sharing our latest internet fashion finds and loves, and essentially I came away from the conversation with a whole new wishlist...

F's away tonight so I've been sitting in bed oogling at embellished earrings, blue and white dresses and anything rattan, bookmarking and adding things to my cart as I go. So here's a Spring-Summer wishlist for your own oogling - I hope you find something you love!

1. Blue and white dress (comes in red and white too) // 2. Navy broderie dress (currently on sale)

3. Finally! A simple, very affordable, plain, straight leg jean // 4. Affordable silk scarf

5. Floral tiered dress // 6. Floral hoop earrings // 7. Woven heels // 8. Rattan block heels

9. Lemon earrings (so cute, so affordable) // 10. White eyelet dress

11. Pinky-peachy embellished earrings // 12. Navy sun dress (the fit looks perfect on this guy)

13. Rattan knot headband (rattan: more is more)

xx

My Classic Closet: Broderie

Ah my love for broderie anglaise is both obvious and undeniable.

It's the quintessential summerwear in my eyes. I love how intricate and detailed the fabric can be, breathable, most often cotton. It's the lace for the practical - not so sugary and whimsical.

I've seen so many beautiful pieces that really would break the bank (why is £1.5K+ for a cotton dress necessary?!) but the good news is that there are plenty of options on the high street.

I picked up this classic broderie shirt dress which I adore - the shape and cut is just perfect, it's a must have for any classic closet. The pattern on this broderie blouse is unique, I've not seen anything else like it, and the quality is top notch. I also picked up this scalloped-neckline dress - the midi length and scalloped detailing is gorgeous. For those on a budget, I'd recommend this affordable broderie blouse and this detailed, strappy dress, which comes in a beautiful pale blue as well as black and white.

In case you're looking to add a few more broderie options to your wardrobe, here are some of my picks:

What's your favourite broderie piece?

xx