A things of beauty retrospective...

Who would have thought? Almost a year since I delved into the world of blog and here I am. This post as we end the year is a retrospective of some of my favourite images and everything that is 'Lou, Boos and Shoes'...

Here's to a wonderful New Year.

...my girl on the beach; meet Boo...

Me looking at you, looking at me; the strange but sweet voyeurism of the blogging world...P.S. this is not me but kinda wish it was!

It's all about a picture that speaks to me...whether it's a kitchen sink...

Or a hairdo...

Dresses, dresses and more dresses...Vogue style...

...Lara Stone...

Pants of the rumba variety - courtesy of my lovely friend Simone...one of the best, unanticipated gifts of blogging is friendship.

Houses that take your breath away...

Beautiful, graceful, ballet girls...

The sentimental art; 'Brothers and Sisters' painted by Jessie Wilcox Smith. This reminds me completely of my older brother and I.

A nice cuppa tea...earl grey?

My shoe fascination...

Running for fun...

Stoical beauty...

...Carolyn Besette-Kennedy...

George Clooney; OH YES...

My slight preoccupation with Vegas...

Ooops there he is again...you don't mind do you?

My love of photos of people leaving...

Eames rockers...I want I want I want...in 2011 maybe?

Quotes to ponder; my mind like a sponge...

Love and life and life and love...

My friend Alexa...

My friend Olivia...

My friend Sarah...

A healthy dose of 1980's nostalgia...

...'Tootsie'...

Musings in Danish blue...

My straight-forward, face-on, 'here is what I think' blog posts...

Pictures of impossible beauty...

Handbags to die for...

And that lovely 'see you next time' feeling...

I've had an absolute ball...and you have been lovely and stylish and kind and thought-provoking...

Lots and lots of love, Lou Lou xxx

P.S. Come back next week for giveaway fun! It's just like shopping...but free ;-)

Things of beauty...

On more or less the first day of my University life I met a group of girls and an enduring set of friendships emerged. Now, some 18 years later, we try to meet up when life allows a gap of time, once a year to catch up. This weekend is that gap. We are down on our number by one; E who has had a baby in recent weeks and so is in the bubble of new motherhood. She will be sorely missed! The rest of us make the pilgrimage tomorrow to our University town of Bristol. The agenda: lunch, chat, walk, chat, shop, chat, dinner chat. I am limbering up for a marathon chat! Nothing like old friends. When I started University my Dad had bought me a new coat with a fur collar and so even in those student days of sparse living; I still loved my luxe look! My girls will remember will fondness my 'beaver coat' (faux of course) so this post features some fur loving, in memorium of that!

I did an experiment this week of working from home all week, I did not leave my house except to do the school run. My conclusion: rather odd. I am solitary soul much of the time, happy with my own thoughts, but going into the office is some human contact that I like and need. The weather has turned seriously cold so as I sat ay my desk at home, I was accompanied by a hot water bottle - OK so there are some advantages of home-working!

Had a parent's evening with Boo's teachers; turns out the girl is abit of a star! I always secretly knew (hoped) for this but to have it confirmed in droves is nothing short of wonderful. Seems her future is brighter than even we imagined. And guess what? The girl is a writer...

Kate, Cate and Uma in Vanity Fair

Despite its connotations I love fur; just looks so stylish to me. I love her whole outfit.

via pretty girl tumblr

Our wedding anniversary is coming up - I love a winter wedding. I knew beyond all doubt that I wanted to get married in the winter...love the chestnuts on the table here...

via 100 Layer Cake

Whilst on the winter wedding topic - love this ice queen look. I was only 25 when I married so was not quite brave enough to sport this. If it were now I would so go to town on the whole thing, as if I was in Narnia...

via Dust Jacket Attic

An iconic Tiffanys ad...and some more here at Haute Design...

Alexa Chung - too cool for school.

The Maxmara cube - my obsession continues...

Beautiful roses and a fur stole...

Have a lovely, happy weekend...

Things of beauty...

Thankfully Friday. This week was a week of the new job (his, not mine), economy-driving, batch-cooking, homework-doing. My children break up for two week's half term today so I am planning some entertainment and some down time. I predict walks on the beach, hot chocolate in cafes and a fair amount of TV/Nintendo thrown in for good measure! I am in a 'make do and mend' phase and have had lots of old clothes dry-cleaned; I am pretending they are new...

Thank you for some lovely comments this week...it's heartening that you all 'get' the fine line... :-)

Marion Cotillard via Coffee and Cognac

Tree-lined loveliness...

by Olivia Graham

Alexa Chung looking positively sultry...when does she ever look anything else?

Country Living

Still love this dress...the belt...the bag...inspired.

My friend E's rabbit has had a litter of eleven babies! Eeek...but lovely.

Love this 'Bonnie and Clyde' look...

A Gorgeous palette in wool...

Lavender, stripes and a whicker bag...

I think this model, Cintia Dicker is just stunning.

via Brown eyed Belle

JFK with his daughter - such an iconic Kennedy profile.

This is my friend Rhiannon who writes Hey Gorgeous and I hope she won't mind me showing this...one of the coolest honeymoon shots ever. How happy and beautiful does she look?  Just married and with the BIGGEST smile :-)

via Hey Gorgeous

Enjoy the weekend...!