Things of beauty...

What a week...moments of greatness and moments of mundane all rolled into one. My youngest has been ill so we have spent a fair few days holed up at home, passing the time with DVDs and baking. Tough for my eldest who has had to sit it out with him some of the time, but entertained herself with puppy obstacle courses; that puppy can really learn! So cute to see them out in the garden together - she and the dog. I get these moments when, despite the additional work of having a puppy and the walks that are required each day, I see her and remember this is why we did it. He has rocked her world.

Can I just say...the dress...was after all not fate! There was one left and it was damaged so I received a very apologetic email (even more apologetic when I directed the lovely people at Purple Haze Couture to my blog post!). They are trying to source another but so far, no news. Ah well, maybe it wasn't meant to be!

I have thought about your comments on natural beauty and taken stock; we have to make role models if they don't readily present themselves. I think this is just the adjustment for me from raising a young girl to raising a young woman; it's a shift of thinking but I love that there are a host of friends out there who have advice for me. Thank you.

This weekend we are seeing friends and laying low; embracing the autumnal season, carving pumpkins and eating (more) apple crumble...the detox starts next week :-)

photograph by stephanie rausser

photograph by jamie beck

Ralph Lauren show...photograph by jamie beck

...beauty...

via young blood

Oh Olivia P...

painted by Jessica Cooper

Diane Kruger

impossibly lovely chocolate bisque via canelle et vanille

...vintage Molly Ringwald...oh the 80s, I heart you.

...ever gorgeous Giovanna Battaglia, editor of Italian Vogue

...I like the utility and the antique together...

...couldn't resist...aren't greyhounds just so...calming?

Things of beauty...

Hello blogworld. So here we are - a Friday again and this week I have been spending my time, errr, well...thinking!! I have never thought so much in my life (and that is saying something for me). The product of having more time on your hands? Time to think. In amongst that head time, I also did the most punishing circuit training session ever and now can barely walk unaided. But it's a good ache; the one that comes with well-used muscles. I have seen friends and been walking by the sea. I have lovingly attended school events that would have normally caused me a logistical headache. I have read a book. I have run up my phone bill as there have been a few dark moments where friendly intervention was needed. All in all I am hanging in there. Staying upbeat as afterall, it's all about having a positive mental attitude...

The weekend ahead will be good. Time with family, wishing the weather would pick up. What is with the rain? Come on sun...make an appearance!

from Atlantic Pacific

Oh Olivia P...

photograph by Brent Darby

via home from so cute things

How sweet is this? Pride...

Diane Kruger in Calvin Klein at Cannes

photograph by Elizabeth Messina

I think this boat looks just majestic...and I don't even like sailing. I wish I did...

via a ladys findings from country homes and interiors

via pretty stuff

by Selina Lake

via toast

Trying to smile every day...

Monday style...

Monday, Monday, rise and shine! It turns out I am delinquent in acknowledging a flurry of blog awards that I have been bestowed...a total of FOUR Stylish Blogger Awards from the following kind people:

Charlotta who writes the blog 'Space for Inspiration'. Charlotta gave me a lovely mention, singling out 'Lou, Boos and Shoes' as one of her faves. Very sweet!
Rali who writes the blog 'Styles 'n Cream'.
Paloma who writes the blog 'Paper Garland'.
Julie who writes the blog 'The Fantasy Decorator'.

So thank you very much; that's a whole lot of style! With this award I am meant to divulge seven things about myself that you may not know. Well I hate to say it but my life is an open book and I struggled to think of seven secrets (that I would be willing to post anyway.) So I have applied some mild interpretation, I hope you don't mind...

What is style? Here are seven things about my style...

One
I like really simple, classic dressing...which at the moment makes me want to wear jeans, boots and a blazer. Come to think of it, I like grosgrain ribbons, ballet flats, navy stripes, crisp white shirts, alice bands, funnel-neck coats, LBDs and surprising quirks in an outfit like a studded belt.

Two
I have a string of pearls that my husband gave me and despite being unsure of them to start with, now I love them so much; they improve any outfit, any day.

Three
One of the most stylish and desirable things for me is healthy, glowing skin. Getting it is like chasing the elixir of life...

Four
I can't abide scuffed shoes and raggedy handbags; I am big on polishing and looking after leather ware.

...oh Olivia...the life you lead...

Five
I often get dressed up then take off half the accessories; I try not to have too much 'going on' in one outfit. I have to tell myself: the dress is enough.

Six
Only wear what you love. If in your heart you think it's a so-so item, ditch it.

Seven
Like so many things in life; less is more...

...Diane Kruger...and lots of gorgeous images via for chic sake

And I thank you!

I now award the Stylish Blogger Award to these lovely bloggers:

Jeanne who writes the blog 'Cashmerejeans'.
Alison who writes the blog 'Cowparsley'.
Jennifer who writes the blog 'Keswick and Country'.
Deborah who writes the blog 'Metropolitan Mum'.

Tell me more...

OK, so I couldn't resist...I have had so many lovely new people come say 'hello' this past week that now I am curious...what are you all like? The best way to find out is to ask some probing questions...answer up, buttercup. If you do, I will...

via pretty stuff

If you had to choose one answer:

Diane Kruger or Katie Holmes?

Lipstick or mascara?

Colin Firth or Robert Downey Jnr?

Elizabeth Bennett or Emma Woodhouse?

Diligent homemaker or get hired help?

Weekend in Vegas or a weekend in New York?

Orla Kiely or Cath Kidston?

Charlotte York or Samantha Jones?

Classic elegance or quirky and interesting?

Ski or snowboard?

Chestnut brunette or platinum blonde?

Mac or PC?

Shotgun wedding or long engagement?

Superstitious or couldn't care less?

Vegetarian or carnivore?

Spender or saver?

'Friends' or 'ER'?

Tulips or daffodils? Oh, how I dream of Spring...

Tell me your answers and I will share mine...

Things of beauty...

Friday; happy day! This weekend calls for all sorts of Christmas preparations; 'feeding' brandy to the Christmas cake we made, sourcing and decorating the tree, searching for those presents that have so far alluded me. The tree is a BIG deal for me - it's got to be real, it's got to have that unmistakable fresh nordic pine smell, it's got to feature all the years of decorations and baubles from the time my husband and I first lived together, to now.

This week I saw my daughter sing in her school choir in a Cathedral; it was just spine-tinglingly lovely. But as the weeks wear on, I am ready now for them to finish school and try to ease into the Christmas 'proper'.

For me it's been a reflective week as I ask myself yet again - what's it all for? I mean this in a good way...but it's telling to me that this question arises in my mind so much. I find myself thinking a lot about the past. I understand that this preoccupation with the past and with nostalgic thoughts is prevalent in my generation as we struggle to reconcile the massive changes in everyday life since we were young. Before mobile phones and home computing and when on winter's evenings my friends and I would ride our bikes around the neighbourhood, breathing in that cold air as we peddled. It all seemed so simple then! But no matter how much I look back, I have to say, I would rather be here than there...so time to embrace the future - with whatever it holds.

Rachel Weisz

This would be my kind of Christmas decorating - simple, traditional and to be done in front of a roaring fire.

Lovely, contemplative image of Kirsten Dunst...

Emerson Made

There are those Eames chairs again...what a beautiful, simple, white setting. Love this.

Elie Saab

The very lucky Diane Kruger...

Santa Claus - if you wouldn't mind, these would be very welcome underneath the Christmas tree... ;-)

via the bottom of the ironing basket

I unexpectedly won a Vogue subscription this week from The Bottom of the Ironing Basket! Thank you!! In the words of Carrie:

"When I first moved to New York and I was totally broke, sometimes I bought Vogue instead of dinner. I found it fed me more."

More simple decorations...here from Country Living.

Twinkly lights; they are magical...wherever this is (the corner of nowhere?); it's got that special Christmas feel.

Picture the scene: it's 1983, I am 9, I get roller skates for Christmas! This image brought that all back! Oh the excitement of that first roll!

via crush cul de sac

Here's to a wonderful, excitment-building weekend!