WISH LIST: FRESH THINKING

With Spring in the air, I'm lusting after the same sorts of things I always end up hankering for at this time of year. All things fresh, floral, crisp and clean! 

New pjs sets (all perfectly folded neatly in the drawer of course), watercolour florals and jacquard with neon trim? Yes please. Fresh scents come courtesy of Creed's wonderfully hopeful Spring Flower, Diptyque's Menthe Verte candle and a lavender scented oval. 

My attention is also moving towards upcoming trips abroad, starting with Morocco next month! 

So I'm hoping to snare these printed trousers for trips to the souks, a floppy hat (for lounging by the pool) and these cool (yet walkable) chunky heeled sandals would be such a welcome addition to my wardrobe! They'll work with midi dresses and cuffed jeans alike. 

From L to R, Topshop floral pjs, Accessorize sun hat, Topshop jacquard pjs, Diptyqye Menthe Verte candle, Creed Spring Flower, Diptyque Lavender scented oval, Topshop floral trousers, Topshop sandals. 

X

THE 1ST OF DECEMBER CAN MEAN ONLY ONE THING

The start of advent must means it is officially acceptable to air ones Christmas wish list. 

I have been tinkering with mine, adding and subtracting little bits and pieces for ooo... about a month now. It is quite possibly the best distraction there is.

So here she is, a happily endless work in progress:

Topshop dress,  Zara sequined ballet pumps, APC sweater, Topshop angora striped sweater, Mulberry Lily, Diptyque Baies oval, Anya Hindmarch wash bag, Aesop Fabulous Facial Oil, Diptyque spiced plum candle, Jo Malone soaps, Jo Malone bath oil, James Heeley perfume, The West Wing Season 2, Trashy novel, The Lion King Musical tickets, an Au Maison quilt, Mini Uggs

Of course it is a mix of the desperately-hoped-for and the never-going-to-happen (Mulberry Lily that's you I'm afraid). 

But I always love the idea of amassing beautiful new toiletries, pretty dresses, cozy knits, a brilliant box set and a trip to the theatre (my boyfriend has a penchant for musicals...). 

I'm very much hoping for a beautiful floral quilt to appear under the tree this year - I love the vintage look of Au Maison's quilts - they're an affordable investment and look like the kind of thing you would have in your family for years. 

Of course no festive season is complete without a few sequins, (this year they might come in the shape of Zara's brilliant gold ballet pump) and a new season scent - courtesy of Paris based James Heeley's Menthe Fraiche.

This entry will most likely mark me out as something of a brat - but never fear, despite my long list I'm mostly looking forward to The Muppets' Christmas Carol, turkey, stuffing, Christmas pudding and cake, The Rat Pack's jazz CD, champagne and tying everything within reach in gingham ribbon. 

What is on your Christmas list this year? I assure you it isn't too early. :)

WHAT I WOULD BE WEARING

North Face jacket, Saint James tees,  J brand Agnes trousers, Diptyque Baies candle and L'Ombre dans L'eau perfume, Hunter wellies

Cooped up in the office today whilst the sun shone outside, I was desperate to be out and about in the great outdoors, far away from London town.

The exact place I wanted to be, and had in my mind's eye, was at the Lake District cottage my boyfriend and I discovered in November.

It was (without any exaggeration) just the most absolutely lovely place to spend a week, and one of my favourite holidays (stay-cations if you will).

The cottage surpassed our expectations born from the photographs provided online and it was just utterly idyllic. Long walks followed by pub meals by an open fire, before scuttling back to the cottage and lighting another fire and settling down to a film from the huge dvd library at our disposal. Simple and pretty darn perfect.

So, if I could - this is what I'd be wearing today. A mix of city-dweller takes to the countryside essentials, and luxurious extras from Diptyque. And this is where I'd wear it:

Wren Cottage: heartofthelakes.co.uk
Where is your perfect office day-dream getaway?

(p.s. Very keen to try the Saint James breton tops - does anyone know if they are as perfect as they look?)

IN MY BAG

My 3.1 Phillip Lim Edie Bow bag

I'm afraid that I, unlike so many others who do posts of this sort, have not been urged by others to divulge the inner workings of my bag - I just thought I would. 

Above is my bag, that I have had now for about a year I think. I bought it after stalking it around the globe - decorating the shoulders of Rachel Bilson and Diane Kruger. 

The leather is absolutely beautiful, thick yet very supple. Having worn it nearly every day since buying it, it still looks as perfect as the day it emerged out of it's Net-a-Porter black box. 

I must admit I did edit out about a gazillion crumpled receipts, that were lingering in and around every corner, and pulled out just the normal things. 

So were you to raid my bag tomorrow you would find:

- My iPod - I have yet to use the iPod function on my iPhone - I tend to be a bit behind with these things! 

- My iPhone - with it's pink polka dot Cath Kidston cover on. What can I say, it's a stylish so and so and demands its own stylish threads.

- Travel card

- Champagne cork - I'm not sure if other people do this, but in my family on a special occasion we keep the champagne cork and push a coin into it. I'm not sure if it is supposed to be lucky, or simply serve as a momento, but I like it. This one is from my last birthday and has for some reason found a home in my handbag, which I also rather like.

- Diptyque solid perfume in Eau Duelle - such a handy size for a handbag! And a lovely vanilla fragrance.

- My current read - Risotto with Nettles: A Memoir with Food by Anna Del Conte. I love food based books and sought this one out after Nigella Lawson mentioned it on one of her early programmes. It's a lovely book peppered with recipes throughout. I'm about half way through now and find it such a calming, interesting read. 

- Chanel Rouge Coco lipstick in Cambon and Nars lipstick in Red Lizard - I rarely touch up my make-up during the day, except if I'm wearing lipstick. I'm rather new to lipsticks and these are the only two shades I own at the moment. I'm taking them everywhere currently!

- Mason Pearson hairbrush - a mini version of the bigger one I have at home. Without a doubt the best hairbrushes around. 

- Creme de la Mer lip balm - I rediscovered this recently. I originally bought in on a rare 'feeling flush' day whilst at university and found it lurking in an ankle boot in my wardrobe a few weeks ago. Most strange, but a very happy rediscovery - it's a brilliant balm and a great base for lipsticks. 

- Chewing gum - just because!

- Miu Miu wallet - I bought this in the Spring/Summer sales. I knew it wasn't going to last very long and it has already begun to show signs of wear at the corners (and I can't really fit coins in it) but it was love at first sight and until it falls apart entirely I'm sure we will be very happy together. 

- My keys - this mini Bayswater key ring came free when I bought my Alexa and funnily enough it's stuck around longer than the bag! (I sold my Alexa recently).

- Tom Ford Cary sunglasses - Spring seems to have been periodically popping its head around of late, so after months of dark and dreary weather, my shades have taken their rightful place back in my bag. They're a lovely shape - a sort of more cat-eyed version of the ubiquitous Wayfarer. I sought them out after spying them on Kate Bosworth (yes I do gravitate to everything Bosworth-related!)

What's in your bag?

WHAT I'D LIKE TO BE WEARING

I am being a bit of a dullard I admit, not posting my actual outfit photo from today and instead putting together a much better one that I'd have worn if only such things were possible.

The good thing about this though is it's not complete fantasy. I own 4 items in this wonderous selection and so have built around them - maintaing a very vague hint of realism. Calm yourself, I haven't managed to get the PS11 in my clutches yet; such a feat would warrant more than a casual collage I assure you. The pieces of this particular puzzle I already have in my wardrobe are: the Topshop leather leggings and Alex Monroe pea pod gold bracelet and on my dressing table (read in my bathroom cupboard) - Nars Red Lizard lipstick and Diptyque Eau Duelle solid perfume.

But it is the jumper that is really the beating heart of this whole outfit. It is a cashmere mix waffle knit by Theory. It may look deceptively simple, but don't be fooled. See the careful cut - lower around the back, higher at the front? Seams that ensure a certain nonchalance by falling after the natural line of the shoulder? And lastly, the narrow arms, nipping in cleanly at the wrist? Oh it is a basics masterpiece. 

It is rare that I look at something on the hanger and think - you're pretty perfect, utterly understated, and would be unfailingly hard working. We all know how strong basics can create and maintain a wardrobe for years and years, yet sometimes I find myself unwilling to spend money on them because, I suppose, they just aren't exciting enough to part with the pounds. 

I find myself pouring over blogs that focus on the necessity of basics, luxe or otherwise - and they speak to me in a way trend-led blogs simply don't anymore, and have undoubtedly encouraged me to shop in a more considered way. This jumper speaks to me in the same way. 

I appear to be hearing Fashion Voices. :) 

When I pass a rail the 'must have' item warrants less talk time - the quiet, classic ones earn repeat visits and careful consideration. I'm not immune to hype - far from it, but hype or not, I spend more time considering these days, and, more often that not, the momentary hyperventilation quickly passes.

How do you feel about the basics-debate? Do they form the heart of your wardrobe? Do you always focus more on luxury basics to last a lifetime or fall hard and fast for those seasonal trend-led items? ...Or... can there be a happy medium?