Table Manners

Oh how I love playing hostess, and not only because I get to spend time with my nearest and dearest, but because of all the fun you can have with the prep! From planning a menu to decorating the house, the enjoyment starts well before the guests arrive. Seeing as dinner parties can last long into the night, why sit at a plain, boring table when you can adorn your setting with beautiful things?

{This setting is quite wedding-y, but pink and gold are so pretty for a birthday tea party}

{So I don't have a pool, but you could still enjoy these blue hues in your kitchen for a Sunday morning breakfast}

{Why use a vase when you can enjoy your flowers in vintage jam jars? I'd hit up vintage fairs to get some, although I found these online}

{Instead of half-heartedly scattering a few tea lights around, try creating a beautiful display by lining up jam-jarred candles along the centre of your table}

{I've long been a fan of bunting (in fact I blogged about it a few weeks ago in my Dressing Rooms post) so I firmly believe it should be brought out for other occasions than just street parties and royal weddings}

All photos via Pinterest

Sequin Season

Today is the first day of November and with 53 days until Christmas (this is now bookmarked on my Google Chrome) I am officially in countdown mode. For me, the run up to Christmas means many things - shopping for others, making plans with family and friends, large consumption of mulled wine - and high up on my festive preparation list is donning a hell of a load of sequins. Sequins in April? Not so much. Sequins in June? Still not convinced. Sequins in November? Why would you not?! Here are my picks for a sequinned season.

{Zara Ballerinas, £49.99}

{Rare at ASOS Bandeau Dress, £75}

{Topshop T-Shirt, £45}

{ASOS Gold Collar, £15}

{Zara Oversized Zip Wallet, £29.99}

Maroon Five

I think I've always subconsciously avoided the colour maroon because of being forced to wear it as school uniform when I was growing up. But now there's more and more of it in the shops I can see its potential as an autumn wardrobe staple. Mixed with black, denim, dark greens and browns, of which I already own a lot, it's even more appealing if think of it as Bordeaux, Berry or Conker (thanks to Mulberry for that last one). And whilst I dream of buying high-end fashion, like most people it's unattainable at such prices, so here I have paired some pieces I covet with more affordable versions. 

{Brian Atwood Fringed Suede Platform Courts, £485 / Topshop Platform Suede Courts, £90}

{Current/Elliott Skinny Low Rise jeans, £180 / Topshop Baxter jeans, £40}

{Mulberry Oversized Alexa in Conker, £925 / ASOS Buckle Satchel, £70}

{Chanel Rouge Noir nail polish, £17.50 / Topshop's Ruthless, £5 (having bought both of these, I actually think that when used with a topcoat the Topshop version is just as good as the Chanel)}

{Jonathan Saunders Wool and Silk Skirt, £610 / Zara Sheath Zip Skirt, £25.99}

Note: Not all to be worn at once!

Fanciful flutter

You know when you're looking to buy a birthday present for a friend and the standard make-up/jewellery/perfume options just won't cut it? Well I have discovered an amazing (and sometimes macabre) website called Luna and Curious that sells everything from lobster hats to bronze bird skulls - needless to say, the potential for gifts is incredible. They currently stock a collection of false lashes which are so inspired that to wear them would be like displaying delicate pieces of art on your eyelids. Plus, at £12 a pop they're an affordable and original gift for friends to flutter their lashes.

{Bird}

{Deer and Butterfly}

{Horses}

{Clown}

{Peacock}

Courgette + Ricotta Galette

One comfort that comes from declining temperatures is hearty food to warm you up. Since October has actually been very mild and pleasant compared to normal British weather for this time of year, I don't quite feel ready for huge, sleep-inducing pies, so this weekend I made this courgette and ricotta galette. It combines light, golden pastry with sweetly roasted courgettes laid on a bed of ricotta, mozzarella and cheddar (*the recipe calls for parmesan but I didn't have any so used a finely grated strong cheddar instead). We devoured it in about 5 minutes, but luckily I have some pastry left-over so am thinking of what other combinations I can create. 

{Shingle the courgettes in concentric circles, then carefully pleat the pastry over the edge before the egg wash}

{The sweetness of the courgettes against the salty cheeses and buttery pastry is the perfect accompaniment to a glass of crisp white wine in the autumn sun}

Dressing Rooms

For the past few weeks I've been house hunting, something I fast realised is one of my least favourite things to do. Just when it was getting to the point where I thought we'd be searching for months, miraculously, we had an offer accepted on a lovely place that I cannot wait to move into. It's a few weeks until we get the keys, so I'm biding my time by planning how I'm going to decorate the new space. Here are some ideas I've had.

{Black frames on white walls are so elegant, especially when aligned like these Getty images in a new gallery collection at John Lewis. From Sophia Loren to Paul Newman, I love how there's a story behind each picture. See below for what I'll be displaying in my own black frames}

{Francesca Waddell is my absolute favourite fashion illustrator. She draws for a number of magazines including Vogue and Tatler, and I plan on framing some of her prints for my walls}

{I've just discovered an amazing online party supplies shop called Paper Mash. Along with fun stationary and gift ideas, they stock this Joie de Vivre banner which I've just ordered. Seeing as I don't have a headboard, I plan to hang it on the wall above my bed- but not before spray painting it a less-obtrusive gold}

{Whether on a sofa or a bed, cushions are an easy way to add colour and texture to a room. These are a few designs that caught my eye in John Lewis and Heal's- the hypnotic black and white one is my favourite}

{Pretty lights such as these create a cosy vibe when the weather out side is blustery and cold. Folie garland (left) £35 and Bonsai (right) £30, both from Habitat}

{I think you're meant to use this Heal's gold milk carton as servewear, but I much prefer the idea of using it as a vase with a few long stemmed flowers inside}

{These concealed shelves - which are a bargain at £15 from Heal's - make books look as though they're floating, when in fact it's a fake book that serves as the shelf. As well as being a quirky design, it's a great talking point}

Texture Equations

With temperatures in London slowly falling as we head towards winter, I'm increasingly thinking about what I'll wear when the ice starts to form and the winds pick up. Although it's tempting to wear tracksuit bottoms, thick woollen socks and a fleece hooded sports top, it's fair to say you probably won't feel like your most stylish self. For me, the weather should not compromise your style, so this winter I'll be combining some of my favourite textures - leather, faux fur, wool, lace and tweed, for example - to make sure I still feel good and stay cosy in the process. Here are a few equations I've put together.

{Tweed Faux Fur Collar Coat, £110, Topshop + Faux Leather Leggings, £40, River Island}

{Knitted Coat with Leather Pockets, £32.99, Zara + Leather Pleated Skirt, £75, River Island}

{Leather Jacket, £325, French Connection + Metallic Tweed Shorts, £60, Sister Jane}

{Leopard Faux Fur Coat, £90, Warehouse + Leather Shorts, £191, Twenty8Twelve}

{Lace Dress, £95, Sister Jane + Leather Biker Jacket, £325, Biba}

Midas Touch

For me, there is no other colour in the spectrum that can add a finishing touch like gold can. Whether it's a top-to-toe black outfit given that final flourish with a pretty pair of gold earrings, or an eye-catching sequinned top worn with jeans, gold is my saving grace. Here are some pieces I spotted this week.

{Triceratops gold pendant, Origami Jewellery, £93}

{Gold Portfolio Clutch, Asos, £20}

{Gold Block Heel Boots, Topshop, £60}

{Glimmer nail polish, Topshop, £6}

{Gold Sequin Mini Skirt, Asos Revive, £75}

Have a great weekend!

Perfect Paris

Last week I was lucky enough to spend a few days in beautiful Paris. We travelled there on the Eurostar, and with no checking-in and baggage collection involved, it's much more straightforward than getting a flight. It was my third time visiting the French capital, and this time we did it really well with just the right balance between sight-seeing and relaxing. (I've been on city breaks before where we've rushed from place to place and by the end of the trip everyone is exhausted.) Luckily, Paris is fairly small which means that getting around on foot - and powered by pit-stops at all the gorgeous cafés - is the perfect way to see the city. Here are a few of my highlights.

{Crazily good coffee + a perfect people-watching position at Les Deux Magots in Saint-Germain-des-Prés}

{Hours were spent exploring the little shops selling everything from bright green macaroons to delicate pain-au-chocolat}

{Many years ago my parents went to Restaurant Chartier whilst on their honeymoon, so it's a very special place for me to visit. Whether stopping by for lunch or dinner, the typically French menu features everything from snails, steaks and bottles of brilliant wine for 5€, and together with its history, makes this one of my favourite restaurants in the world}

{This was our charming waiter at Chartier. Nothing has changed here for decades; you're sat next to other diners and the waiters write orders on the table cloths}

{The iconic Eiffel Tower peeping through the trees}

{There's beauty on every corner as we peruse a flower market on our walk to the Île Saint-Louis}

{Even simple strawberries look delectable when displayed on a fruit stall near the Sacre Coeur. They served as a great snack for us whilst strolling through the sights}

{This neon sign en Francais would make great wall-art in my hallway at home}

Midi Mavens

Sometimes a trend comes along that makes me think, 'OK, this one isn't for me' and I'll let it pass by. Believe it or not that's what I first thought about skinny jeans, and now you won't find any other style in my wardrobe. The midi skirt is all the rage this season, but the concept isn't what I would imagine to be flattering with its awkward length cutting across the shin so abruptly. However, the more I see girls wearing their floaty, soft versions around London, the more I'm coming around to the idea. I'm on the look out for a midi I can pair with a fitted denim jacket, tucked-in white t-shirt, colourful printed scarf and wedge courts (such as these). Here are some of my favourites:

{Topshop Embellished Hem Sheer Midi Skirt, £38}

{Miss Selfridge Red Crepe Midi Skirt, £34}

{Miss Selfridge Ginger Drop Back Skirt, £35}

{Topshop Waterfall Midi Skirt, £40}

{Warehouse Pleated Wrap Front Midi Skirt, £50}