Month: October 2014
The Love List: Brown Design Group
Brown Design Group are a Los Angeles based interior design firm and their work is nothing short of fabulous. They create contemporary spaces but incorporate a rustic touch, in keeping with that classic Californian style. Here’s our Top Ten of their work, loving how crisp yet homely they are (if that makes sense… we know what we mean).
To see more of their work check out their website.
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Food for thought Friday
The Love List: Oscar de la Renta
This week Oscar de la Renta sadly passed away at the age of 82. He had designed for everyone from first ladies to the now Mrs Clooney.
In celebration of his life and beautiful designs this week’s Love List is in memory of him and his ten most fabulous pieces.
We’ve put together even more of Oscar’s gorgeous creations, check it out on Pinterest.
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Throwback Thursday
It’s Thursday! So a perfect excuse for a fashion throwback, and this week we are heading back to the 90’s. From double denim to dungarees, the decade blessed us with many fashion faux pas & phenomenons, but nothing quite as fantastic as tartan being on point.
I have always adored a good plaid. Who knows if it’s my distant Scottish roots or the nostalgia of my first school uniform, a little red kilt (I will find a photo for everyones amusement), but to this day I’m still completely in love with the idea of it. There’s no better time of year than to pull off a cute tartan skirt (summer and spring you would only look silly, and winters a wee too nippy to have those pins out). Here’s some must haves I plan on snapping up.
“Clueless” fashion
1. Scarf In Grey Tartan Check, £16, ASOS | 2. Tartan Asymmetric Zip Mini Skirt, £25, £12, River Island | 3. Mamie Boyfriend Tartan Shirt, £25, Missguided | 4. Plaid dress, £35, Mango | 5. Tartan Print Hair Bow, £6, ASOS | 6. Jill Tartan Tailored Blazer, £35, Missguided | 7. Tube Trousers in Tartan Check, £28, ASOS | 8. Checked wool mini skirt, £330, McQ Alexander McQueen (okay so it’s a tad pricey but it is SO cute. It can also be justified as an “investment” as tartan is timeless…right?)
P.s. As co-ords are back in why not go all out and match those checks up top to bottom. There’s no judging here.
For more inspiration check out the Pinterest board here.
Now where’s that Clueless DVD…
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“Wear it Pink”
Jennifer Garner co-hosted The Pink Party in Santa Monica last Saturday (looking as divine as ever in Dior). It is a fantastic event set up to raise money for women’s cancer programs in the States, in nine years they’ve made over $9.5 million. Lots of lovely Hollywood ladies came out to show their support for the cause.
Giuliana Rancic, Brenda Song & Marcia Cross rocked black court shoes and gorgeous outfits on the pink carpet.
Here in the UK it’s Breast Cancer Awareness month this October and there’s lots and lots of wonderful things going on to raise money and awareness. This Friday, 24th October, it’s Wear it Pink day. More details and how to sign up are here & here are some fabulous bits to inspire your Wear it Pink day.
“Pinkspiration”
1. Oriental Jacquard Midi Skirt, £50, £25, Oasis | 2. Bonded Crepe T-shirt Dress, £58, Warehouse | 3. Straight Leg Trousers in Sateen, £30, ASOS | 4. Ribbed-knit cotton sweater, £270, Tibi | 5. Liberty textured-leather tote, £1100, Victoria Beckham | 6. Jaguars Dorsay Point, £65, Office
What a lovely idea combining fashion, Fridays and charity. Whether you’re at work, school or home it’s so easy to get involved & have some fun with it- All for a great cause!
Don’t forget to donate, we definitely will be.
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Blush & Copper
We’re totally loving the blush and copper combo at the moment.
The blush pink gives a room a warm and demure feel, but adding copper spices things up and can make any old room look edgy and interesting. And the two together- well it’s divine. It’s so easy to bring these accents into your home and with a bit of looking around it’s definitely not going to break the bank either. Here’s some gorgeous must haves we found which would look great within this chic colour scheme.
Blush & Copper must haves
1. Copper Davey Lighting Factory Ceiling Light, £385, John Lewis | 2. Koppel Copper Large Wall Clock, £260, Mulberry Hall | 3. Alegre Rose Beverage Glass, £8, Crate & Barrel | 4. Cameo Champagne Glass, £12, Crate & Barrel | 5. Russet Measuring Cups, £24, Anthropologie | 6.Fragrance Collection Candle, £38, Tory Burch | 7. Wispy Pink paint, Benjamin Moore | 8. Loretta Caponi Flamingo Embroidered Linen Pillow, £202, Luisaviaroma
Get more inspiration here.
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L.A. loving
How gorgeous is this Bel Air house?! I’ve completely fallen in love with it, all of that natural light just flooding through combined with that incredible view over the canyon- Oh my it’s to die for. 
I’m such a sucker for quirky details like that little circular window that really has no practicalities but looks so cute. And the corner fireplace adds character to the room but doesn’t take the eye from that beautiful view and doesn’t throw the symmetry of the room off.
Combining an open living space with access to a surrounding outside area always makes a home feel light, spacious and cool. The neutral colour scheme adds to that fresh look. but keeping the original ceiling beams ensures there is still a cosy feel to this home.
Look at that window! It’s set back into the view which makes the room feel even more at one with the exterior scenery. Personally, I think that dining set is an eyesore and completely out of sync with the feel of the rest of the living area but the kitchen furniture totally makes up for it. So spacious and traditional to fit in with the structure of the room, yet still has a clean contemporary edge. Washing up really wouldn’t be all too bad gazing out of that window.
I do love these little wall details and the alternative serving hatch really ties the rooms in together, making the space feel bigger, yet still providing some privacy between the living and separate kitchen/ dining area. The best of both.
And now to leave you with the pièce de résistance. The main outdoor area is a fabulous suntrap and the style is totally in keeping with that of the living room. From the neutral colour scheme, to the wood deck and furniture- you just feel at one with nature. This house just “flows”, it’s a blank canvas with bags of potential and I’m totally in love with it. Now I’ve just got to get together that $2,000,000 I have lying around…
Check the rest out here.
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Let’s get cosy
So word on the street is that Autumn has arrived, I don’t wish to believe it myself. I feel like I only just pulled together a relatively stylish summer wardrobe (it only took four months). So with the weather changing drastically I’ve been frantically looking for some kind of inspiration for a warmer, more practical wardrobe and just like last year I go straight to the staple oversized jumper. In my book it’s something you can’t go wrong with- dress it up, dress it down, wear with trousers, or a cute skirt, accessorize or keep it simple. You’re still going to look fabulous and best of all feel super cosy. Me being boring old me, I always tend to play it safe, buy jumpers I can wear with the majority of jeans, trousers and skirts I already have knocking around and my knits range from different shades of grey, and then I stumbled upon this gorgeous look and my plain arsed knit world was turned upside down…
All wrapped up in mustard.
Mustard, it’s mustard! And as much as my mother detests the colour and I’ve somehow been brainwashed into believing the same but I LOVE IT! It’s a perfect autumnal colour, wear with a darker colour on the bottom half, a dash of red lipstick and you’re good to go [and be snug ]. Now for where you can get yours… 
1. £42 from Topshop | 2. £35.99 from Zara | And for those big spenders… Jumper 3. £455 from Gucci
Get more inspiration here.
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House of Madison 