Lust Have - Jo Malone Roses Cologne

It's all coming up roses for Jo Malone's new take on the classic rose fragrance that came out in 1996.  Made from seven exquisite roses, with a hint of violet and lemon Charlotte Stockdale has reinvented it for the 21st century with a visual makeover.  This Limited Edition by Charlotte Stockdale is one of only 300 bottles, handpainted and numbered as part of the limited collection. 

They are available exclusively from Selfridges London, Selfridges Manchester Exchange and Selfridges.com for £120. 

Lust-Have - Osborne and Little and Penguin Wallpaper

When I saw this wallpaper recently I immediately began planning where I could put it.  It's a MUST for me; not least because I used to work for Penguin Books and I have a very large soft spot for them!  The 'Library' wallpaper is a collaboration between Osborne and Little and Penguin and the collage design features the vintage covers of literary classics by the Bronte sisters, Orwell and DH Lawrence.  So if you can't find the real things, these would be a great substitute! 

Where would you hang it?

image source:  here

beauty lust-haves

At the start of a new year I'm always keen to begin new beauty regimes and try out some different products; unfortunately post-christmas penury usually puts pay to that little notion, but it doesn't stop me looking and lusting.  These are a few items currently on my 'to have' list.

I've used Laura Mercier products for a while now; mainly her tinted moisturisers which are a dream to wear and cover imperfections whilst imparting a healthy glow.  My latest obsession tho' is her bath collection in almond coconut.  For Christmas I was given the shower-gel, scrub and body souffle and it is like sinking into heaven.  The smell!  Divine.  Now I'm after the bath cream and handcream to round off my bathroom collection.

Okay.  Now I'm getting to the stage where when I pass a mirror I occasionally find myself 'practising' a face lift.  Do you ever do that?  You know, pull the skin back and see what you'd look like with a bit of work done by an extremely good surgeon!  Hmmn.  Maybe it's just me...anyway, this product has had rave reviews for delivering a younger looking skin without the surgery.  This product claims to deliver a complete skin makeover. What makes this next generation microdelivery peel so revolutionary is, that unlike peels of the past that only exfoliated, this peel delivers vitamin c into the skin as it's being rapidly exfoliated. It is resurfacing and replenishing the skin at the same time which is a new approach to skin rejuvenation. and best of all, it involves absolutely no downtime.

 I do love my Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser, but I'm nearly at the end of my tube and just fancy trying something different.  BB creams have been around a while now, but this particular one from Estee Lauder wasn't available in the UK until the end of last year. Currently only available in two shades, it delivers anti-oxidant properties with an SPF of 35, whilst also giving radiant coverage.

 this works skin deep dry leg oil. is an award winning product that deeply moisturises, transforming and rehydrating dry skin.  I need this.  Seriously, some days I wonder if actually my inner lizard is trying to escape.  There's nothing more aging than dry skin, so this is definitely on my hit list.

What products are you currently hankering after?  Any recommendations?

Party-time

After all the introspection of the last few weeks, it's definitely time for some frivolous frippery.  As Christmas rapidly approaches and party season pokes it's head round the festive mantel, the perennial question "what am I going to wear" is overheard in almost every gathering where there is more than one woman present.  I've had my eye on a few things and here are some that I'm currently coveting...

Heels from Dune (I've had my eye on these for a while!)

Two-tone rose bracelet from Michael Kors

LBD with lace sleeves from LK Bennett

Beaded box clutch from Zara

What's on your list for party season?

Mulberry Lust Haves

I've been eying up the new Mulberry collection and two things have especially caught my eye...

Fabulous wedge bootie; great to wear with skinnies, maxi skirts or jeans £665



This gorgeous Flame snakeskin Alexa - a minted £1100, but would finish off an autumnal outfit with class and style



What's on your wish list for Autumn?

Blowing the Whistle

When I came across this piece of tongue-in-cheek jewellery by Stella McCartney I was practically jumping for joy.  I like a visual joke and this hits the spot for me perfectly as it's only two weeks until school starts back and like any good teacher I'm thinking about my back-to-school wardrobe!

This gold-tone necklace will set off an all-black outfit perfectly; as well as being a sartorial statement it will also be a talking point.  The question is Stella - does it actually work and whistle too?  Get yours here.

Mulberry New Season

It's no secret that I hanker after just about every Mulberry bag they've ever brought out and their new season bags are no exception.  My latest lust-have is black with an ostrich effect leather.  May I present you with Hetty Hobo...

Mulberry have taken the idea of a simple tote and made it elegant with it's jewellery inspired handles.  The looped handle fits snugly over the shoulder, or can be removed to create the classic slouchy silhouette.  It doesn't come in cheap at £3000, however, it's an heirloom, a classic, and I know I'd get hours of pleasure just from looking at it!  I want, I want, I want!!!!

Topshop Shoe Porn

A recent shopping trip saw me killing time in Topshop in Westfield, London.  It's been getting a whole lot more attention recently with the launch of Chloe Green's new range of  shoes.  Vertiginously high, with a green sole (hmmm, wonder who did this first!!!!) they have a prominent position in the stores.  However, it wasn't the green bottoms that attracted me, but the glitzy gilt and glitter of some of their latest lines.  I have to confess to a weakness for both heels and glitter and when they're combined, I'm in heaven...these are some of my favs..what do you think?

Full on reflective foot porn

Jazz hands glitter peep shoes £60

I love this pink neon mural in the changing rooms...

Reim skinny strap sandals

What's your take on shoe addiction - pleasure and pain, or functional and fulsome?

Lust Have - Diane Von Furstenburg

Famous for her universally flattering wrap dresses, DVF has wiggled her way into the affections of many women, myself included.  I spent a happy hour in her shop in Wimbledon Village recently, trying on a series of gorgeous dresses and some fab sunnies.  I've got my holiday in Antibes in mind when I show you these...

Lindsay Sunglasses - tortoiseshell and gold accents for effortless chic

Diane Hanky Band Dress - a gorgeous cocktail dress in a sheer print with a detachable slip, so this could also double up as a round-the-pool cover-up for instant poolside glamour.

What are you hankering after for the summer?

French Pharmacy

A friend has generously just booked us a holiday to the South of France (whoop, whoop!) and one of the things I'm really looking forward to is browsing in their pharmacies.  They have the appearance of a clinical surgery with shelves piled high with products that look official.  That is, they don't have pretty pictures on them, they don't market them with visuals, instead they just name the product and the product speaks for itself.  The thing is, the products work.  Admittedly, you can now buy some of these products here now in our specialist chemists, but there's something extra special about getting the French product in France.  It almost seems as if the alchemy works better!  Here are some of my favourites:

As those who know me know...I'm addicted to lip balms and can't resist buying new ones.  This one is a German product but you can get it practically anywhere in Europe.  It's quite thick so good for the winter as it stays put!

These are beautifully packaged liquid soaps (they do handcream and household products too).  In order to be have the title 'Marseille' this soap needs to be mainly organic oils - they take their savon very seriously!  You can find these products in the UK now much more easily.

This is a great spritzer for the face - refreshing and cooling.

This is a great creamy product for taking off makeup and daily grime, leaving you with silky soft skin.

Good basic exfoliator to use after the gym/shower/bath and then slather on this...

- a gorgeous treat for your body that makes your skin feel super supple and smooth and smells totally divine due to its aromatherapy oils.  Guaranteed to soothe and relax all your muscles after a hard day.

a fabulous body oil that you can use all over, face included

Top your home facial off with a spritz of this calming toner; Caudalie also have the pretty packaging to go with the hard-working ingredients.

What's your favourite French pharmacie product?

Bag it

My obsession with bags is well documented.  Now Spring is well and truly here, there is sunshine and a little warmth to the rays, and everywhere I look are new and covetable bags!  Here are a few from Mulberry (the gorgeous Lana del Rey bag) and Prada clutches in assorted sweetie colours - which one do you want?

I'm loving the studded effect and the structured shape

Just one word - GORGEOUS!

Easter Bunny

                               happy easter...

dark chocolate, salted caramel.. heaven!

Lust Have

                                                        Love, Love, Love; What's not to like?

A spring clean!

When the sun is shining and Spring is very definitely in the air I start thinking about turning out my makeup bag and finding lighter products for my skin.  Usually this involves pink of some description when it comes to nails and lips, and a tinted moisturiser rather than foundation.  Chanel has just brought out it's Spring collection which is full of must-haves, here are some of my favourites, old and new:

Highlighting powder

Rouge Coco Baume (hydrating lip care)

Mica Rose Nail polish

I'm currently using a Lancome foundation...

this!

and this!

and their primer makes my skin feel unbelievably soft and really does make a difference to the look of the 'finished face'; however, when it gets warmer I prefer something much lighter and will turn to Laura Mercier for her sheer and natural face products.  My favourite is..



Tinted illuminating moisturiser

and of course, those of you who know me, know that my life would not be complete without something citrusy and sharp - namely Jo Malone's Lime, Basil and Mandarin which really smells so unbelievably amazing and gives you a zing that gets you through the worst day!

Scented candle for summer evening drinks

the most luxurious body creme I've ever used!

So, there you have it, my lust-have's in all their glory.  What's in your Spring makeup bag?

Serendipity

I love the film (Clip above); I love how the word sounds and the patterns it makes with your lips as you say it and I love what it means - a talent for making fortunate discoveries whilst in search of something else.  I think we could all say that there have been serendipitous moments in our lives from time to time; I know I can think of quite a few, including a very recent one.

A few days ago I was browsing in Wimbledon Village and made my way into a lovely shop called 'Two Sisters' on Church Road.

 It's a real treasure trove of beautiful things, china, glass, gifts, linens and ornate bits and pieces of wire made into things that you never knew you wanted but suddenly can't live without them! It feels very 'shabby, chic French', so right up my design street.  Anyway, as I was browsing I came across this beautiful piece of 'art':

It is a truly exquisite piece of metal work, with a romantic vignette inside it that had me mentally placing it in my living room - until I saw the price - a dream it will have to stay.  So where's the serendipity I hear you ask?  Well, less than 24 hours later I was reading a favourite blog of mine when I happened to catch sight of the above piece of art and a name to go with it!  Coincidence?  I don't think so..Serendipity.  These beautiful creations are made in Avignon by Pascal Palun and sold in her shop Vox Populi in the same town.  It was no surprise for me to read that her creations are used by many shops including one of my own favourite Stores Anthropologie to create and add charm and intrigue to their boutiques.  Here is a glimpse into Pascal's world and some of her other stunning creations.

Photos by Milan photography company 'Living Inside'

Aren't they just gorgeous?  What do you think?