Falling for Odd Molly’s new collection

Posted in Fashion by A Spoonful of Style

Despite the sun beating down outside I’m already getting excited about the fall collections that are starting to hit the shops, both on the high street and online. Today it is the new AW 13 collection from Swedish brand Odd Molly that is throwing temptation in my way.

Here is a selection of my favourite new arrivals. Unbelievably, the Absentee dress in Almost Black has already sold out on the Odd Molly website but I managed to snap one up in my size from online boutique Get my Fashion. The Canna cardigan (in either Indigo or Almost Black) and the Shane saddle bag are also high up on my wishlist.

From top: Lovely Knit jacket, Absentee dress, Shane saddle bag, Canna cardigan (x2) and Teatime blouse. To see the full collection go to the Odd Molly website (link)

1Aug2013

About the return of the heatwave and the trauma of a leaking pipe…

Posted in Family Life, Interior by A Spoonful of Style

From this…

Wearing our wellies to take the boys to tennis camp on Tuesday

to this in just a couple of days:

Cooling down with some water play

Seeking shade in the playhouse at the bottom of the garden

Today saw the return of the heatwave after a few days of rain and thank goodness for that! At least Clemmie and I can spend time in the garden as our house is taken over by builders and covered in dust and debris. And there won’t even be a lovely shiny new kitchen or extension at the end of it, as they’re here to fix a leaking pipe buried deep in the wall of our downstairs cloakroom.

We need to get it fixed before we go on holiday as the consequences if it ruptured even more while we were away do not bear thinking about. Once the leak has been repaired all the walls and the ceiling have to dry out which will necessitate moving our fridge freezer and two large kitchen cupboards into the dining area (as that wall backs onto the cloakroom) which is not ideal when you have three kids and an already cramped kitchen…

But every cloud, as they say, has a silver lining. At least the downstairs loo was on the list of rooms we hadn’t decorated since moving here six years ago, so I’m trying very hard to see this as an opportunity to replace the wood-effect laminate floor and pink walls with something more tasteful.

From this…

to something like this in a couple of months if we’re lucky

31Jul2013

Currently Coveting #7

Posted in Currently Coveting, Fashion by A Spoonful of Style

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.

30Jul2013

If money was no object…

Posted in Interior by A Spoonful of Style

…my dream home would be furnished with these items.

Vivienne Westwood Squiggles rug

Louis Ghost chair by Philippe Starck

Super Elliptical table by Fritz Hansen

Eames rocking chair and Liv tulle lamp by Jonas Bohlin;

All pictures from my Pintrest board My Dream Abode

29Jul2013

The Fashion Clinic #5: Red Hot Details

Posted in Fashion by A Spoonful of Style

I’ve been slightly obsessed with this picture since I first saw it on the ever-so-stylish Emily Schuman’s blog, Cupcakes and Cashmere (original image from here). I love the idea of using accessories to add a pop of red to an otherwise neutral or monochrome outfit. It’s an easy way for colour-phobics like myself to brighten up their wardrobe.

If money was no object, this would be my pick of the best red hot accessories out there:

Clockwise from top left: Miu Miu leather tote £690; Alexander McQueen scarf £165; Saint Laurent ankle boots £600; Victoria Beckham clutch £450; Repetto ballet flats £190; Alexander McQueen scarf £165. All items available from Net a Porter.

For now though, I’m content to add a splash a red to my toes with Headline Colors nail polish in Catwalk.

28Jul2013

This Week’s Favourites

Posted in Family Life by A Spoonful of Style

Cameron made me a lovely bracelet at school and I was very touched by his thoughtfulness.

Some summer reading to bring with me when we go on holiday in ten days’ time. I saw The Great Gatsby at the cinema a few weeks ago but have never actually read the book while the other two are easy chick-lit books that you can dip in and out of.

On Wednesday the boys’ schools finished for the summer and they are definitely ready for some time off. It’s been hard for them going to school in the very hot weather but, of course, now that the summer holiday has started the temperatures have dropped.

I was a very brave mummy and went out for lunch with all three children who actually surprised me by behaving remarkably well.

A trip to the cinema to see Monsters University.

This weekend we headed off to Bristol to visit one of my best friends and her family. We stayed up until almost 2am (not great when you have small kids who like to get up by 6.30…), drinking wine and chatting for hours as you do when you’re with friends who you love dearly but don’t see enough of. Large mugs of strong coffee and fry ups all around this morning, and we were ready to spend a few hours at Bristol Zoo.

Exhausted after too little sleep and the long drive home, we ordered an Indian takeaway and flopped on the sofa. Home sweet home!

26Jul2013

Issa launches High Street version of Duchess dress

Posted in Fashion by A Spoonful of Style

You may not be able to get your hands on the custom-made Jenny Packham dress that Kate Middleton wore to debut Prince George, but another of the Duchess’ headline grabbing outfits is hitting the high street next month.

Issa London is reissuing a new version of Kate’s engagement dress in its forthcoming collaboration with US clothing chain Banana Republic. The British brand has created a daywear version of the blue wrap dress, which sold out after the Duchess wore it at the announcement of her engagement to Prince William in November 2010.

The new version, which has a wrap waist and ruched detailing, is made from jersey and comes in both blue and plum, while another similar style features short sleeves and a deep V-neck. Best of all, you don’t need a Royal budget to snap one up, as prices range from £65 to £75 – far less than Issa’s original price of £565. The 40-piece collection also includes light knits, tops and accessories, with prices starting at a purse-friendly £30. Destined to be a sell-out, the capsule range will launch online and in 700 Banana Republic stores across the globe on August 8.

Elbows at the ready ladies!

There are several versions of the sell out engagement dress in the collection including a £75 sleeveless style (left) and a £65 short plum piece (right)

24Jul2013

School’s out for Summer!

Posted in Family Life by A Spoonful of Style

All images from Pintrest

The boys finished school today and we had a great afternoon in the park together with friends from both their classes. We have two weeks left until we go on holiday and I’m keeping my fingers and toes crossed that this sunny weather continues until then.

I’m looking forward to six weeks of no school run, homework or after school activities!

23Jul2013

Recipe: Salmon with butter and chive sauce

Posted in Food & Recipes by A Spoonful of Style

I love salmon (tasty, easy to cook and boosts your brain power – what’s not to like?) and this is hands down my favourite recipe. You have to try it, the sauce is out of this world but beware, it tastes good enough to eat straight out of the saucepan!

This dish tastes great with rice or any kind of potatoes – last night we ate it with boiled new potatoes and green beans, simple but yummy. I squeezed some lemon over the salmon fillets and seasoned them with sea salt with garlic and chilli from The Garlic Farm, before cooking in the oven at 180 degrees for around 15-20 minutes.

Here’s how to make the sauce:

Serves 4

2 finely chopped shallots
1 tbsp olive oil
150 ml white wine
1 fish stock cube
300 ml double cream
1 tbsp lemon juice
75 butter, cubed
3-4 tbsp finely chopped chives
50 ml crème fraiche

Saute the shallots in the oil for approximately 2 minutes. Add the wine, fish stock and double cream and simmer uncovered for around 20 minutes. Strain the sauce through a fine sieve and pour it back into a clean saucepan. Stir in the lemon juice and gradually add the butter cubes, whisking the sauce while the butter melts. Finally, add the chives and crème fraiche.

22Jul2013

Currently Coveting #6

Posted in Currently Coveting by A Spoonful of Style

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.

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.