Sometimes I feel like throwing my hands up in the air

If you follow me on Twitter, you may have heard me mention a 'secret' project I was working on. That perhaps might have made it sound a little more exciting than it was - it was merely a secret as it was a wedding present. Mainly it was an act of self control not post a photographic step by step on Instagram. (Ok ok, I did do that last weekend - but the wedding had been the week before, so I would hope any chance of ruining the surprise had already past!)

Generally, I'm pretty awful when it comes to wedding lists. I don't really like to be told what I should buy, especially if I like the people involved which I would wager you normally do, if you're invited to their wedding. I had been thinking about what to get Lizzie and Danny for some time; the ideas ranging from an OCD Chopping Board and gingham knife to personalised pencils imprinted with Lizzie Loves Danny and Danny Loves Lizzie (it would have been cool. And not at all cheesy. Not at all... Lizzie's would have been yellow and Dan's a natural wood. I did genuinely spend too much time thinking about it) - Then I happened upon one of my favourite books, The Gentle Art of Quilt Making. I was given this beautiful book a few years ago and am yet to make my first quilt. So naturally I became obsessed with the idea of making them one - it really would have been the perfect present. I even have a 'secret' pinterest board dedicated to the notion. Unfortunately, the more I thought about it, the more time went past and I realised that I had very little time left to try and learn a completely new skill and make something bed sized! Rather than causing myself to have a miniature mental break down - I would have been up until 5am in the morning for a month prior to the wedding and still probably would have stitched the thing to myself - I decided to instead scale right down and make them a cushion. 

Yes, compared to a quilt, it's a  bit of an anticlimax, however, when I think how long the hand stitching took - I'm really quite pleased I didn't start a quilt. I would never have completed it in time. No one wants to turn up to a wedding with the promise of a present that might make an appearance in the next 6 to 12 months. So without further ado, may I present my first foray into quilted cushion making!

 

The fabrics were chosen to tone with a liberty fabric, Fitzgerald. I wanted to mix florals and geometric shapes, hopefully without being too girly.

 

I should point out my colleagues genuinely thought I was bizarre, hand stitching this at work in my lunch break.

TADA!

The zip and some of the stitching was a little bit on the un-straight/ dodgy side of things, but actually I was really pleased with the cushion once I'd finished it - I wasn't entirely sure I wanted to give it away! I'm definitely fired up to make myself one, or perhaps actually starting to make a quilt. If you fancy some inspiration, definitely check out The Gentle Art of Quilt Making, the photos alone are worth it.

(NB You've got the love was their first dance)

Passion For Fashion

When perusing the lovely What Olivia Did blog (one of my favourites) I came across the Passion For Fashion Competition, for which Olivia is actually judging. The Money Supermarket competition requires you to create an outfit for the following categories, Casual, Party and Holiday, each costing less than £200. A true sucker for pinterest and beautiful things I can't afford, I considered the gauntlet well and truly thrown and lost the next couple of hours of my life to fantasy shopping and photoshop.

Jumper: £68.50 Top: £15 Jeans: £40 Mary Janes: £30 Necklace: £35 Lipstick: £8 = £196.50

Step In To My Office, Baby

Nothing says casual to me like a pair of skinny jeans, stripes and a good knit. Teamed with these oh so lovely Mary Janes, a coral lipstick and an elegant statement necklace and you've pretty much got my dream outfit! I do sadly seem to lean heavily towards being comfortable in my old age, but the shapes and textures (boxy tee, geometric shoes, knitted necklace) in this outfit just give it that edge that push it away from dull. Plus the YMC blush sweater is swoon worthy!

Dress: £95 Boots: £60 Necklace: £45 = £200

Beauty and The Buckle

I am simply smitten with this dress.

The lace detailing is lovely and in a way, is quite unusual in comparison to the majority of lace dresses prevalent on the high street. The low back is elegant and the length is just perfect. For a party look, the lace would be nicely contrasted with more masculine biker buckle boots and this delicate white porcelain bird necklace. Hello monochrome, my old friend.

Cardigan: £98.50 Shorts: £25 Vest: £6 Bikini: £32 Sandals: £24 Blush: £10 = £195.50

Cold Harbour Road

Holiday. Beach. Cornwall. 

That's where my mind went and that's why I've featured knitwear in my holiday look! If you've ever been to Cornwall you'll know you spend one or six days of your holiday sheltered in a quaint, sea front cafe eating scones and drinking hot chocolate hiding from the rain or recovering from a slightly unwise dip in the sea. And for that, I want this outfit. The perfect 1950's pinup bikini for when the sun does put in an appearance, a simple vest and cut offs for romping across the rock pools and a pretty, not to mention warm, cardigan and elegant leather sandals that allow for a practical day of fun to be maintained without wanting to run back to your bed and huddle from the cold! 

Unfortunately I think the only thing this activity has actually achieved is my desperate need for £600 (I'll take the lot!) and a much needed holiday to Cornwall. Who's with me?!

If you've also entered the Passion For Fashion competition, please leave me the link - I'd love to see other's takes on the categories.

Meteorite

These are the first few pieces from my new collection, Meteorite!

They feature rose quartz and aquamarine gemstones on sterling silver chains. Available in two lengths - 18 inches and 30 inches. I love wearing them with collars and knits, which I currently seem to live in due to the chilly weather. I've spent the majority of the wet weekend inside, though I did take a little excursion yesterday to Hampstead, daydreaming about owning one of the incredible house there - that place is even pretty in the rain! I can't believe it's Monday tomorrow and back to work - I don't know where the time goes.

These Folk

Why hello there! I wanted to introduce you to a new brand - These Folk. Recently started by my good friend and all round lovely lady, Alexa, These Folk features hand painted clothing inspired by folklore, Pocahontas and the cosmos. What more could you ask for?!

 

Full Moon Jumper and Lunar Triangle Tee

The collection of jumpers, tees and beanies are perfect for lazy weekends. I really love geometric shapes at the moment and this is a great subtle way of wearing the galaxy trend without being covered head to toe in an expanding cosmos print - some of us just don't have the figure for it. (I'm looking at you, galaxy leggings.)

I keep debating which to get, the Luna Triangle Tee or the Full Moon Jumper, however as luck would have it, Alexa is very open to creating custom orders. So I could in fact have the triangle print on a sweatshirt... problem solved! But then I would actually have to decide on the colour of sweatshirt...The burgundy is sorely tempting....

If you are, however, slightly more decisive than I am, do contact These Folk with your custom requests.

All items are hand painted, very affordable and the shop is offering a 10% discount this weekend in honour of payday! Just enter PAIDFOLK at the checkout. If you would like to see a little more of These Folk, jump over to the following pages: Facebook, Twitter, Etsy and their Blog.

As a little aside, I'm not sure which is more swoon-worthy, the Topshop t-bar sandals and Hudson boots or the model Ashleigh's hair!

But chilly, chilly is the evening time Waterloo sunsets fine

Stay cosy this Christmas!

 

New WINTER BEA sweaters now available. 

(In Sailor Navy, Hunter Green, Cranberry and Ink)

x

I FEEL SMUG

I can't quite believe it, but tomorrow is my last day at SMUG. I've worked in the independent shop in Angel for the last year and a half and I'm so very sad to be leaving. It's been wonderful working with such a lovely, small team of people and I'm going to miss them greatly. I've had the great pleasure of being involved with the development and launch of the new website, the Pop Up Print Shop, going to trade fairs, birthday arrangements and more. 

As an small ode to Smug, to mark my impending departure, I felt it was time I shared some of my favourite products with you - my ultimate wish list, if you will.

1. Bora Da Willow Cushions

The square Bora Da Willow cushion is without a doubt my most coveted Smug product. The cushions are designed by Donna Wilson and produced by SCP. They always make me think of old train seat patterns, but in attractive colour combinations.

2. Crochet Animals

They're wonderful, need I say more? They're all made by hand and not only make me want to give them all new homes, but to learn how to crochet. I think I missed my calling as a toy maker. (Look at the fox's tail!!) After studying all the toys in great detail (I spent a lot of time with them...we had so many varieties, but they sold so quickly we now only have one lone bear), I concluded that the above two are my favourite. And I will be straight back to Smug as soon as more are available!

3. Made by Me Me Me - Little Birdie Necklace

Beautiful small porcelain bird on a gold filled chain. Perfect.

4. Alex Monroe - Juicy Pear Necklace

Swooon. Though my favourite Alex Monroe piece has to this foxy number, which I'm sure will soon be available at Smug. I'm going to have to save up!

5. Is That Plastic Butter Dish - Mint

Such a lovely colour - it would look so pretty in my kitchen. Though surely you would need both the mint and yellow dish... for salted and unsalted butter - no?

6. Thornback and Peel Guinea Pig Tea Towel - EXCLUSIVE

The infamous Smug Guinea Pig - this tea towel was designed for us by Thornback & Peel for Smug's second birthday - it was an adapted version of a drawing by Smug's own Danny. It has since had a navy partner in crime created and also adorns an apron and our exclusive hankie's for Smug's third birthday.

7. Alas - Mint Tee

Beautiful sleep/ lounge wear by Australian ALAS. I would wear this just as a top - no sleeping required.

8. Donna Wilson Log Cabin Cushion

Super soft lambswool cushion.

9. Wooden Desk

Vintage dark wooden desk with green metal frame and ink well. I'd love this as a sewing desk.

10. James Brown Viking Print

King of the screen print. Sits perfectly next to Beaufort.

11. Vintage Jumper Polar Bears

When asked at my interview which one item I would most like to own, a vintage jumper polar bear was my answer! They're just wonderful. I own one of the large rabbits (Dylan), but I still very much yearn for a polar bear.

And that's my Smug round up! We also have some beautiful vintage Eiderdowns and blankets, but you'll need to come in store to see them!

If you do happen to be near Angel tomorrow, you should definitely pop in, say hi and celebrate my last day with me! And as if you need any more encouragement, there's a little vintage market opposite Smug that runs all the way along Camden Passage - so you can make an afternoon of it. (Not to mention a whole host of amazing places for breakfast!)

And finally? A massive thank you to Lizzie, who makes Smug everything it is. It's been a blast working for you. x

Newness

New in store today and coming soon! x