happy friday!

What are you doing this weekend? We are off to an early fireworks/ halloween fancy dress open air event just outside Henley. Can't wait!

I've bought this lovely parka this week from Ted Baker, I love the way it fits and comes in at the waist making it feel more fitted. It's also super warm so I will be feeling all toasty out in the cold night air!

Whether you are indoor or outdoor - have a great one!

Fashion Thursday

via

LOVE this snuggly buggly knitted long line waistcoat with fake fur front section from H&M - perfect for layering up and only £19.99!
I can feel a shopping spree coming on....! x

Monday Brights - Caitlin Wilson Textile Launch

I love Caitlin Wilson's style and so have obviously been rather impatiently waiting for her textiles and pillow range to launch. Well today's the day!

I've just been over to her website and am now in a quandry - I love it all! I'm really in need of new cushions for our living room so I think I'm going to be sitting here trying to make a decision on which combo to pick. I love the bright and fresh colours and prints and the way they have been carefully thought out to compliment each other is very clever.

Here are a few of my favourites...

all via caitlin wilson textiles

Wallpaper Wednesday

I think the fact that we are renting means I am forever obessed with wallpaper (what you can't have and all that), however for some projects I have going on I've just received some samples that scratch that itch for me! 

I have a particular penchant at the moment for anything slightly metallic, or with a hand painted look... so pretty and give such a richness to a room. Here are a few of my faves...

Designers Guild - Darly - I adore the grey background against the pink and gold.

Designers Guild (again!), this is Ajanta shown here in pewter...

 ... And here in lavender. It gives a plaster effect but the colour has a metallic sheen to it. It would be stunning in a room with some dramatic furniture.

Bird in a Bush from Anna French - an all time fav but even more pretty in person with that super shiny background. My dream dressing room wallpaper! One day!

Another all time fav is Nina Campbell's Perroquet in black. A work of art in wallpaper form.

Another overblown bloom, this one is Radiance in rose gold from Prestigious. A great price at £30 for the quality of the wallpaper and the richness of the colours which doesn't come across on screen. Yum yum!

All available from Wallpaper Direct x

Absent Without Leave

Wow I've been AOL for nearly a month! Shocking behaviour, I know and am looking forward to catching up with over due blog reading. The only excuse I have is that Mr C has been away for three weeks which left me just a tad frazzled...

I have been busy in any spare moments making up moodboards for my assignments and also for a good friend, Katy. 

Katy is married to Lee and juggles work with two small boys so she came to me asking for ideas to turn their master bedroom into a boutique hotel style haven. They both love classic, tailored style but I know Katy would also like something a bit more feminine in their testosterone fueled house! 

So I came up with two moodboards - one smart, one more romantic - and they loved them both which is great. I'm looking forward to seeing what they do and will be posting the before and after photos when they do it! x

Coco's First Hair Cut...

Had to share with you Coco's first haircut today! In true blog style I will do a before and after...

Before... (non-distinguishable fluffball with flower accessory)

After! I can see! I can see!

When she came out of the dog groomers, Joe asked 'Are you sure that is our doggy mummy?' As she had four inches of hair clipped off! x

Thankful For Friday + Gorgeous Jewels...

Black Agate Druzy Earrings

Wow we've had one of those weeks this week and I for one am looking forward to the weekend!  As well as some ongoing extended family issues (you can't choose your extended family!)

• Jackson has been ill with flu and then somehow FELL into a wasp nest in the garden and ended up in hospital!
• Had the funeral of my best friend's father
• A tyre blew on my car on the first school run!

All in four days. Luke's also going away for nearly three weeks so we are getting ready for that too, let's hope those three weeks aren't quite as eventful!

To get me back in the swing of things I had a little browse on Etsy (they don't call it retail therapy for nothing!) and came across this unspeakably gorgeous shop that had me like a little girl in a sweet shop. Friedasophie is based San Francisco and specialises in nature based gemstone jewellery.

I literally love everything about each piece, the colours, the textures yum yum yum - I am started my Christmas List NOW! How to choose? What would be your favourite?

Fuchsia Druzy Gold Necklace 

Black Tourmaline Gold Necklace

Vanilla Spirit Quartz Drusy Gold Dipped Necklace

Lilac Amethyst Gold Necklace - Limited Edition

Multi Sapphire Rondelle Necklace 14K Gold

Onyx Ametyst Cluster Earrings 14k teardrop lilac green hoops

Summer Holidays!

Ahh the stressful economy airline delays, the cries of 'are we there yet?', my children (and I) only taking sandals and it pouring with rain for two days - it must be our summer holiday to france!

Seriously though, we had a lovely time staying with mon mere and mon pere en france. It was the first time I have seen their 'project'  - a gite that was pretty dilapidated a year ago and now just plain pretty.

Last year we went 5* in Mauritius but it matters not to my little monkeys - sitting on the back of a sit down lawnmower late in the evening in rural france tops the charts for them which says a great deal.

 And they adored swimming in the overground pool with views over the farmland...

And exploring outside as boys do...

But we all enjoyed roaming around the weekly market and the resulting lunch so much that I won't dwell too long on the four hour delay due to lightening striking the plane and will instead look into ferry crossings...

Leanne xx

Tuesday Take Two

This adorable china bunny nightlight would create a warm glow in any child's bedroom...

John Lewis Bunny £59

...more plastic than china but just as cute (and less chance of getting broken) this bunny nightlight from dotcomgifts is just £4.95!

Dot Com Gift Shop Bunny £4.95

xx

Monday Brights - Red White & Blue

I don't know if it's my current obsession with all things nautical or the fact that I'm off to france in ten days but I love this red white & blue silk cushion made by London Kills Me from Rockett St George.
In the sale for £19!

Happy Monday xx

via