Things of beauty...

Hello there. Returned with a shock to normal life; it's incredible how quickly those holiday vibes fade in the place of normal. I like normal, there is a regularity to it that feels right. The adjustment for the Boos is harder though; they have to get back into home mode and particularly school mode - starting the middle of next week. We must all get ourselves together and do the September 'starting fresh' season. I like this time of year...bouquets of sharpened pencils at the ready.

I feel, after all of my soul-searching, that I have the makings of a plan. I needed a plan. It heralds me getting back to normality in a wider sense; work, family, schooling, friends. I am reaching the conclusion that whilst times have been hard and I have felt decidedly without direction, it's been necessary for me to get where I am now.

via pretty stuff

Blake Lively in US Glamour

via 100 layer cake

via dust jacket attic

via 100 layer cake

via Dust Jacket Attic

Have a lovely relaxing weekend!

Things of beauty...a royal wedding!

At time of writing, the royal wedding remains an unknown of tomorrow. The nation (world) on tenterhooks ready to see our young Prince wed. All week on television, the images of William as a child, with his mother, making our hearts ache in the knowledge that she will not be there to see him marry Kate. But we are all ready to watch, to share in this lovely, romantic national spectacle. For all that is said and written about our monarchy, this event makes me feel so patriotic; I can't wait for my children to see the display, much like I did in 1981 when Charles and Diana wed.

So we will be there, bright and early with a full English breakfast of sausages and bacon! Then champagne and scones with jam for afters!

photograph by Mario Testino

Come rain or shine, you know she's going to look fabulous...

...a gorgeous Burberry trench...

Another brunette beauty...

Penelope Cruz in Spanish Vogue

via coffee and cognac

Here's hoping the happy couple can steady their nerves...

via here

Pink champagne anyone?

via 79 ideas photograph by Suzanne Hansen and Mike Ofeldt

Or strawberry milk smoothie?

via what katie ate

What will THE dress be like?!

from emerson made

via hollyhocks and tulips

via bhldn

union jacks via British Cream Tea

photograph by Jamie Beck from me to you

After all of the excitement I might just have to lie down...

via toast

I'm hoping for a wonderful, utterly British, long weekend...

LBD...

There is something about this time of year that gets me all-a-flutter about the party season. And I turn to the quintessential little black dress. Is this iconic item of clothing a must in every woman's wardrobe? I love the drama of it, captured in these wonderful images of some of my favourite ladies. It's no wonder we feel we fall short when compared to media images - so much beauty it makes my heart hurt.

Kate Moss

...lace dress by Prada...

Emily Blunt getting the accessories right...

Gisele in Harper's Bazaar

Kate Hudson

by Olivia Graham

Anne Hathaway

Penelope Cruz...can't even see the dress but you know it's going to be black and little...

Olivia P

Gwyneth Paltrow

Helena Christensen

Angelina Jolie

Or break tradition and go tuxedo like Kirsten Scott-Thomas...