Category Archives: Currently Coveting

Currently Coveting #9: My Scent for Fall

Posted in Beauty, Currently Coveting by

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Some of you may remember my enthusing posts about Marc Jacobs’ new fragrance Honey (here and here). I have worn MJ’s scents (Daisy for daytime and Lola for nighttime) for the last two or three years and felt it was time for a change. Well, dear reader, there is no doubt that Honey is a gorgeous perfume but despite circling around it for weeks and having a cheeky spray every time I ventured into a department store, I never actually bought a bottle.

To me, it is very much a Spring/Summer scent and had it been launched in April or May there is no doubt that I would have snapped it up. But by the time it was released last month, mentally I had already moved on to Fall and wanted a slightly heavier, more sultry fragrance. After much deliberation and sniffing my way around pretty much the entire beauty department I found The One. Flowerbomb by Viktor & Rolf has been around for a while but for some reason it hadn’t registered on my radar – until now.

With notes of jasmine, orchid, rose, freesia and patchouli it is the perfect scent for Fall and, even better, manages to bridge that tricky divide between day and night by being neither too light nor too overbearing. In the words of Viktor & Rolf themselves: Flowerbomb provides an opportunity to “escape reality and heal the world… It’s about transforming negative into positive”. Sounds like a good motto for Fall/Winter 2013 to me!

with notes of Jasmine, Orchid, Rose, Freesia and Patchouli (but I like to describe it as the most beautiful, feminine smell ever). – See more at: http://www.beautezine.com/db-flowerbomb/#sthash.yQGn7ueN.dpufW
with notes of Jasmine, Orchid, Rose, Freesia and Patchouli (but I like to describe it as the most beautiful, feminine smell ever). – See more at: http://www.beautezine.com/db-flowerbomb/#sthash.yQGn7ueN.dpuf
with notes of Jasmine, Orchid, Rose, Freesia and Patchouli (but I like to describe it as the most beautiful, feminine smell ever). – See more at: http://www.beautezine.com/db-flowerbomb/#sthash.yQGn7ueN.dpuf

Currently Coveting #8: The Perfect Autumn Knit

Posted in Currently Coveting, Fashion by

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Anthropologie is hands down my favourite store to visit and have a browse around. It’s like a treasure trove full of lovely clothes, accessories and homeware, all beautifully displayed in an old building where every nook and cranny reveals more hidden gems. At the moment, however, as I don’t relish a shopping trip into town with three children in tow, the online store will have to suffice.

This lightweight sweater by Knitted & Knotted is perfect for early Autumn days when a chill is just starting to creep into the air. The cream colour makes it wonderfully versatile while the cute ruffles stop it from being another boring basic. Add a statement necklace (as in the picture above) and it’s smart enough to wear for evenings out. What’s not to like? And yes, I have already ‘clicked to buy’ so I will let you know if the real thing lives up to the online promise.

Currently Coveting #7

Posted in Currently Coveting, Fashion by

Michael Kors

I know we’re still in the middle of summer, but the Naomi clutch by Michael Kors is definitely on my wish list for this fall. The zipper detailing adds a tough edge to the sleek leather bag and stops it from looking too dainty. The perfect accessory for both day and night time, it is big enough to hold all your essentials. Find it here.

Currently Coveting #6

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Despite often seeing its trend-led pieces on the fashion pages of various magazines, River Island is not a store that I normally frequent. When I shop on the high street (which I have to admit is not that often, I much prefer the ‘click to buy’ approach from the comfort of my sofa) I tend to stick to department stores where all the brands are in close proximity to each other. But on a trip into town today I ventured all the way down to Primark and on the way back I decided on a whim to pop into River Island.

Like most other stores it was at the tail-end of the summer Sale and not necessarily looking its best, but at the back of the shop I managed to locate some real gems including these jackets. While it may be too hot to wear them at the moment, I think any of them would look great teamed with a simple T-shirt and skinny jeans on the cooler days that are no doubt coming our way soon.

 

River Island Collage

Clockwise from top left: Pink and orange tweed jacket, £60; Cream marl contrast trim biker jacket, £45; Orange embossed peplum jacket, £35; Beige structured cropped jacket, £50.

Currently Coveting # 5

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makeup bag collage

I’m a complete sucker for anything ‘limited edition’ or ‘exclusive’, and if it’s for a good cause then so much the better. This beauty bag designed by make-up maestro Charlotte Tilbury features lipstick kisses by, among others, Kate Moss, Sienna Miller and Stella McCartney. Sold exclusively at Selfridges, it’s a steal at £15 and all profits go to the charity Kids Company which supports vulnerable children in London.

And, of course, while I was on the Selfridges website I couldn’t resist having a little click-around (although I did restrict myself to the beauty section). I’m a big fan of Laura Mercier’s make-up range and I’ve been using her tinted moisturiser for over 15 years now, while more recent additions to my beauty arsenal include the cream blusher, Secret Camouflage concealer and Caviar eyeliner. Her new Dark Spell Collection has just launched  (again, exclusively at Selfridges) and I love the limited edition nail polishes in Bewitched – a deep forest green with flecks of golden shimmer, which (dare I say it) will be spot on for autumn – and Forbidden, a silky silver taupe suitable for all occasions. The Spellbound face illuminator – a fine milled powder with a soft rose gold shimmer that is perfect for highlighting – also caught my eye and, after reading a few online reviews, I think it could easily become a ‘Can’t Live Without’ beauty staple.

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Currently Coveting #4

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Free PeopleCollage

This season’s collection from the US-based label Free People has got my name written all over it. The pieces are distinctive without being outrageous and have a laid-back, easy feel with a slight hippy vibe running through the whole collection.

The brand, which hails from the same stable as two other favourites of mine, Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters, is sold through the Free People website and selected stockists including Urban Outfitters’ UK stores.

In the picture above (left to right):Candies Sweet Tee; Novella Top; Dandelion Top.

Currently Coveting # 3

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AVF Vanity Tray Clear Front Pefume

I love these trays by California based designer Alexandra Von Furstenberg (daughter-in-law of wrap dress queen Diane von Furstenberg). Made from high quality acrylic, they come in two sizes and are perfect for displaying perfume bottles or as a kitsch bar tray filled with tumblers and beautiful decanters. My favourites are the mirrored tray in the picture above and the Zebra one below. I would like one on my dressing table for perfumes and make-up tools and another one on the coffee table in the sitting room for candles, small vases filled with flowers and perhaps a magazine or two.

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Currently Coveting # 2

Posted in Currently Coveting, Fashion by

Coveting 2Collage

Hmm, I really thought that by now my wish list would have moved on to summer dresses and sandals but unfortunately the weather here in England is still more akin to October than May. And late May at that – in just over a week it will officially be summer! Anyway, enough about the depressing weather and onto the pieces that have caught my eye this week.

First up is a gorgeous blazer from Whistles which, because it’s made from a heavy jersey fabric, manages to straddle that tricky divide between smart and casual. The Jimmy Jimmy boyfriend skinny jeans by my fave denim brand Paige (available from Shopbop) are a must-have this season and can be teamed with the Breton striped T-shirt by Saint James for J. Crew for a crisp summer look with a touch of French chic. I am slightly obsessed with brightly coloured shoes at the moment and while yellow is a colour I would never wear near my face (unless it is in the palest lemon shade), on a pair of shoes it is perfect. This pair are from Whistles, which also has the same style in a more demure salmon pink or beige. Rose gold makes a change from my usual silver jewellery and the friendship bracelets from Monica Vinader are among the cutest accessories I’ve seen this season.

Currently Coveting: Let there be Light

Posted in Currently Coveting, Interior, Products I love by

lampan

A light bulb might seem like a strange thing to lust after but Diamond Lights is no ordinary halogen bulb. Scandinavian product designer Eric Therner wanted to create a light bulb that was both functional and looked like a beautiful sculpture. When Diamond Lights  is combined with the textile cord by Frama (with a choice of four different sockets) the result is a stylish lamp with an industrial feel that looks good both on its own or in a cluster of several bulbs.

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I would love to have this light bulb hanging above one of our living room sofas to create a cosy reading corner but was struggling to think of a way to attach it to the wall until I came across this picture of a similar lamp draped around a simple shelf bracket.

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The Diamond Lights is available from Rocket St George.

I can’t seem to find the Frama cord anywhere in the UK but it is available from Swedish website Lanna Mobler which ships internationally.