('tis the season) to hit the slopes

A week tomorrow, I'll be flying out to California for ten days on the slopes with my boy and I cannot wait. We will mainly be in Yosemite but we have also scheduled a night in San Francisco and I'm also hoping to squeeze in a trip to Lake Tahoe but that might be wishful thinking.

Having skied in both America and Europe before I find the fashion on the slopes very different; Europe is very chic and slimline, often with a hint of fur (my personal preference). Whilst America is 'cooler' and a lot baggier, with little-to-no fur. Tyler is a really keen snowboarder and would definitely fall in to the latter style. Where as I, if money were no object, would be dressed in something similar to the above.

Do you ski/snowboard? What is your personal style preference on the slopes?

(Design to Inspire) Charlotte Olympia

I really do love most things from Charlotte Olympia but I'm particularly loving her festive Christmas Shop this season. I would take those Jingle Bell Dolly heels, paired with the Christmas Pudding clutch and the Frostie coin holder for our drinks on Christmas Eve and then the gorgeous Holly pumps for Christmas Day. Ahh how perfect that would be!

What do you wear on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day? Do you get dressed up or spend the day in your pyjamas?

(Life Through My Lens) Christmas Markets

[Father Christmas on top of the Town Hall • A cute Christmas decoration stall • New decoration for my tree • European windmill • Mulled wine • Best Friends are the best :) • Pretty lights]

I had such a great weekend and I can't believe that it's Monday already! But I have a busy week ahead and I'm off to Scotland on Friday, which I'm really excited about! and it is very, very nearly Christmas!!

Happy Monday everyone; let's make it a great week! :)

(Something for the Weekend) Christmas Sparkle

I would absolutely LOVE to be getting my Christmas sparkle on this weekend with this amazing dress from Reiss and these unbelievable Valentino shoes but unfortunately, my budget won't stretch this far!

This weekend, I have a Christmassy get together with four of my very best girlfriends from my university days and I cannot wait. Even thought I won't be donning this dress or these shoes (sob), 

I definitely intend to sparkle in other ways :)

Wishing you all a wonderfully, sparkly weekend!

[Linked with the lovely {AV}]

(Interior Inspiration) Läderfabriken

Ok, whilst I definitely don't want to just blog about Scandinavian interior design, there is likely to be an abundance of it on this site because i.love.it!!

This amazing penthouse apartment forms part of an old Leather Factory, which has been a landmark building on Järla lake, in Sweden, since 1888.

I really love how this old building has been lovingly restored to create beautiful, modern homes, with views right across the lake.

The decor is minimal and really works with the building's original features; the huge windows flood the rooms with natural light and the exposed steel girders give a really rustic feel.

As regular readers will know, I am an English girl with an American boyfriend and, whilst he is moving across the pond in the New Year to live with me, we still haven't agreed on a location to settle in the future. His dream is to have a house on Lake Tahoe in California and, if he was to build me a lake house like this one, I might be persuaded to have that exact dream ;)

[Source thanks]

('tis the season) Girlie Glamour

In my opinion, it is always the season for some girlie glamour!!

The pale pink might not be particularly festive but I'm loving the pops of berry and those shoes!! I would be an extremely happy girl if they were under my tree on Christmas day *hint hint* ;)

(Design to Inspire) Orla Reynolds

This rather Scandinavian looking furniture, aptly named As if from nowhere... was designed by interior & furniture designer Orla Reynolds and I think it is genius!

Currently living in a not tiny but slightly space challenged flat, one of the main problems I had to solve before moving in was where we were going to eat. My living room and kitchen are combined and being one who does not agree with eating on knees in front of the tele, I had to come up with a solution to my problem, and quickly. In the end, I went with an island, which gave me more storage and a bar to sit at to eat and I am really happy with the result. That is until I have friends round for dinner and then the island becomes a bit of a problem!

Orla Reynolds really has come up with an amazing solution for people living in small spaces. And, whilst I do like bright, primary colours, they definitely wouldn't suite the rest of my decor, so I think I'd like to see them in slightly paler, more neutral tones and then I'd be sold!

Daily Inspiration

Happy Monday!

I felt like starting the week off with a dose of inspiration and love.

Christmas is in full swing around here and it is just over 3 weeks until I touch down in San Francisco and start a brand new chapter in my life. Things are sweet and I'm very excited!

(Something for the Weekend) Pretty in Plaid

I am a big fan of plaid; especially plaid shirts. I think they give a fun, pulled-together look, when paired with jeans, whilst remaining casual enough for the weekend; which is exactly what this post is about, of course! And you can guarantee that, if my budget stretched, I would definitely be rocking this look over the weekend.

Talking about the weekend, this is going to be a busy one. Tonight, I have a best friend coming round for a good old fashioned sleepover and tomorrow, I am meeting an old school friend for mulled wine at lunchtime and another old school friend for dinner in the evening. It is going to be a weekend with plenty of catching up and I cannot wait.

Whatever you get up to this weekend, I hope it's a good one!

[Linked. as always, with {av}]

(Interiors) Naturally Terraced

What a beauty!!

I absolutely love pretty much everything about this amazing house, which nestles perfectly into its naturally terraced location, giving every inside room a corresponding 'outside' room/space - how cool is that?!

The large windows flood every room with the most wonderful amount of natural light and the tall ceilings give the appearance of so much space.

I also love how the architects have used the stone and wood throughout; it gives such a rustic feel, whilst remaining extremely modern and somewhat chic at the same time.

And can you imagine taking a bath with a view?! With a view like that, I definitely can!

[Image thanks]

('tis the season) Stocking Fillers

[iPhone Case • Gloves • Hat • Scarf • Ear Warmers • Fluffy Socks • Skincare Kit]

Last week we had designer stockings and this week, I'm very excited to bring you a selection of fun stocking fillers from Joules. These colourful items are sure to raise a smile on Christmas day and will keep you snug and warm during those festive family walks.

Winter really arrived this past week. It has been freezing here and I always find that as the temperature drops outside and the heating goes up inside, my skin suffers most. So, to combat horrible dry skin, I have been treating myself daily to a body scrub and some seriously moisturising body butter. It seems to be doing the trick and is keeping my skin soft and smooth.

I have a pair of these fluffy socks and I promise that they are a dream. They are warm and really thick, which gives a cushioned feeling and they are on my feet from the moment I get home until the moment I go to bed!

This hat and scarf set are at the top of my christmas wish list and I'm loving the preppiness of this striped iPhone case.

What is on your Christmas wish list this year?

(Design Love) Mylene Poisson

I've been thinking about branding a lot recently. Over the weekend, I was working on a project to rebrand a country and I've also been giving a lot of thought to my own brand, which I hope to be launching early in 2013!

Branding is probably the most important aspect of any business (or blog for that matter). It is the heart and soul; the personality, and this is what people buy in to. This is what catches an individual's imagination and makes them want to connect with you or your business.

I really love the simplicity of this branding. I particularly like the use of the sans serif font and I think the wine mark adds a unique twist to an otherwise rather plain design. Very sweet and simple; just the way life should be :)

[Source thanks to]

(Life Through my Lens) Christmas is Coming!

A cheeky decoration | English countryside | Morning tea with a design magazine | One of my favourite Christmas smells | A crisp Winter day | Christmas has arrived in my flat

My weekend was relaxed and Christmassy. My flat is decorated and ready for Christmas, I had dinner with my family and went to my first Christmas party of the season, which was a lot of fun. All in all, it was a pretty perfect weekend; I absolutely love this time of the year!

What did you get up to this weekend?