we heart these bridesmaids dresses from Boden. x

I know that I might be ever so slightly biased, but I'm so excited about the latest range of Boden party dresses.  They're perfect wedding attire whether you're a guest or a bridesmaid and priced pretty reasonably for the quality and detail..


This beautiful cream broderie shift dress is my 'on-a-budget' bridal option.  I would definitely consider this at a registry ceremony.

I think the whole world has had a slight Zooey Deschanel obsession of late, me included (I've had a Zooey-inspired fringe cut in!) and the below dress reminds me of the one she wore in 500 Days Of Summer, right down to the pale blue shade.

Do you agree?  It also comes in this rose colour:

If you're a fan of the ruched front detailing but minus the sleeves, then I think this below dress is perfect:
I actually spotted an extremely similar version in D&G on Bond Street which had a cream grosgrain sash.  This would be my personal choice for summer wedding bridesmaids- it can be worn with straps or without...

and it comes in orchid pink and this fresh leaf green:

My absolute favourite is this 50s floral print prom dress...
I don't have any weddings to go to this year (sadly- can someone I know please sort that out?!) otherwise this would have been perfect!  I also think it's a very pretty option for bridesmaids in an English country wedding...

And for an evening 'do' this navy sequin dress could be great to dance the night away in...
It's not so over the top that you would upstage the bride, but there's just enough dazzling 'wow' about it that you'd turn heads!  It's a little on the expensive side but I think that this is a wardrobe staple.  It could work now with tights, on a summers evening and later in the year for those Christmas parties- costs per wear means that it's actually pretty reasonable!  And as it's from Boden's Limited range you'll be less likely to find anyone else wearing the same!

we heart some new years sample sales! x

It's a new year and there's some fab new sample sales on the horizon! Put these in your diaries girls!

gorgeous designer gowns from £900 as well as accessories- too good to miss

from this Saturday to 20th January

10am-6pm

at:

48 Fulham Road,

London, SW3 6HH

020 7590 9771

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The Royal bridal designer is selling her samples at up to 75% off!

from this Saturday to 21st January

Mon & Thurs - Sat 10am-6pm

Tues & Wed 12pm-8pm

at:

74 Fulham Road

London, SW3 6HH

020 7584 1532

*****************************************************

elegant gowns from just £500- this is one to run to!

from this Saturday to 21st January

10am-7pm

BY APPOINTMENT ONLY (so call ahead..)

at:

11 Beauchamp Place, 1st Fl.

London, SW3 1NQ

020 7584 8322

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this really is the grande dame of all bridal stores so it's best to be there at least an hour early- believe me, there'll be a queue!

And especially with up to 70% off labels such as Oscar de la Renta!

Sunday 22nd January

11am-5pm

at:

12 Hinde St.

London, W1U 3BE

020 7514 0056

we heart gorgeous French bridal gowns. x

On these greyest of January mornings I'm already finding myself dreaming of warm summers days when I can back into leather sandals and floaty white dresses.. Ah, to see the warm sun again..!
I found the French label Laure De Sagazan on A Cup of Jo just before Christmas and had to share this perfect selection of laid-back bridal gowns with you..

I think that these really are effortlessly cool and chic, in that way that only the French do.  The one below would be my ideal for a destination ceremony.  Perhaps on a Greek Island..?

It always makes me a little bit sad (and very envious) when I discover new brands after my wedding has already gone by..  But actually all these clothes do look as though you could wear them anyway.  Just not at a summer wedding- there's a high chance of upstaging the bride in one of these delicious dresses! x

To make an appointment at the Montmartre studio in Paris, email:

laure@lauredesagazan.fr

Happy new to you all! x

HAPPY NEW YEAR FRIENDS!

How were your new years celebrations?

I was lucky enough to spend the last evening of 2011 with friends and family- we ate, drank and toasted marshmallows!  It was the perfect low-key evening!

And for a few days between Christmas and New Year we headed down to the very picturesque Polruan in Cornwall to spend some time with my lovely in-laws..

We're very lucky to have such a gorgeous place to stay:

Just stunning isn't it?

But being down in the peaceful tranquillity of Cornwall gave Mr A and me some time to think about what we are looking forward to and what we would like to achieve in 2012.  New Years resolutions aren't usually something I think too much about- I just think you're setting yourself up for failure..  But thinking about the things we would like to achieve in our future is a much easier way to think about it...

So this year I would like to

• be a better blogger!
• get a better 'work/out of work/spending time with Mr A' life and being consistent with this
• worry less about what other people think of me
• find my way back to NYC
• make the time to cook more
• get back into a fitness routine (and stick to it although I would imagine that this forms the basis of 90% of the world's new years resolutions..)

perhaps more randomly:

• jump out of a plane.  I wanted to do this as it's my 30th year and it's on my bucket list!

and ideally (perhaps dreaming..):

• manage to sell our current place (is anyone in the market for a lovely flat in Gloucestershire) and buy an actual proper grown-up house.

what's on your to-do list this for 2012?

Seasons greetings from Inspired Winter! x

SEASONS GREETINGS TO ALL!


I hope that you've all had a joyful and relaxing break over the Christmas weekend?  How has everyone been able to spend it?
As much as I promised a posting before the holiday, my blogging was sadly oushed to one side in an effort to finish up my day job in time! So although it's late, I thought I would share a few gifting images with you..


This year I've been into personalising my gifts as much as possible.  I always like to make an effort so my wrapping is as much as a part of the gift as what's inside but this year I went a little further...
our very chic best friends shared their first family Christmas with their beautiful baby daughter.
As their home is all neutral whites and greys, I coordinated their gifts to fit in under the tree..

and  for our closest friends and family I made felt initial tags which can be used next year as tree ornaments.  They seemed to go down well!

my good friend (gorgeous) Julie loves a bit of sparkle so I handmade this paper with simple white spots and a good amount of glitter.  This glitter is now embedded in my carpet much to Mr A's annoyance..  and although it's very simple, I liked the effect!  I might wrap all of my gifts next year like this.  And maybe put down some old newspaper first..


but as Mr A and I have been spending our Christmas at my family's home I coordinated our main gifts with my parents traditional red, gold and green tree..

my nordic-look red and white paper was an Ikea purchase (!! I was surprised too!) and I added brown paper, Merci-purchased white tags and green twine with felt initials.

And inspired by Merci in Paris, I tore strips of printed Liberty fabric to use as ribbon for smaller gifts like this one for Mr A:

We have quite a lot of leftover coffee bags (purchased from Monmouth Coffee for our wedding) so I found these a useful way of wrapping tricky gifts..  I guess paper and fabric bags could also work in this way too!


I hope you all enjoyed some quiet (possibly?!) family time and are looking forward to ringing the new year in. x x x

we heart this Christmas inspiration... x

It's at this time of year when I get super excited and inspired by some of my favourite online magazines and retailers.  I just have to share some of their fabulous work with you- hopefully it will inspire your holiday season!

Toast:

 

rustic perfection.  This is how I dream of spending Christmas...

Anthology magazine:

A fabulous diy advent calander!  Much nicer than sugary bland chocolate shapes!  What a cute idea to surprise your loved one during December! (Mr A take note...)

Sweet Paul:

I love the dark, warm cosy backdrops of the above images in Sweet Paul, but icy, sugary blues contrast nicely and remind me of Donna Hays gorgeous style.

Heart Home Magazine:

Cute highlights of pink tape around vintage labelling and paper:

Neet:

 

and a bit of traditional Christmas red-and-white..

I love the simplicity of the card boxes and bakers twine.  Simple, perfect and it just totally sums up Christmas for me!

And, I can't wait to try crushed peppermint candy canes to sweeten some winter hot chocolate. Love. x

In the next week I'll share some Christmas ideas which might hopefully give you some alternative Christmas decoration and gift wrapping inspiration! x

we heart the newest online magazine- DASHING MAG! x

I am so excited for the release of Dashing Magazine this week!

The digital publication is the perfect blend of inspired craft ideas, stylish fashion direction and spectacular wedding creativity!  Three of the UK's most talented bloggers have collaborated to share their ideas and images with us girls!

Gorgeous contributions include a photography project by talented photog Lisa Brown at Lisa Jane Photography and I felt very honoured to be asked to be a part of this!

I was asked to pick a favourite place of mine to spend time and find inspiration so (no surprises) I chose Petersham Nurseries!  I had a lovely morning with Lisa chatting on our visit and getting to know her over a cup of tea!  Check out Lisa's blog here.

Congratulations to Charley (London Bride) Josie (Savoir Weddings) and Fanni (Fubumedia) for the success of Dashing's maiden edition- I can't wait for the next! x

We heart Apartment B. x

In a slight break away from my regular posts, I have to introduce you to Apartment B, the fabulous brainchild of Ohio native Adam Hawkey.
A few years ago, Adam spotted a gap in the interiors market for some interesting blinds for his new apartment (apartment B, just in case you were wondering...!) rather than opt for the plain Ikea ones most of his friends had.  With this in mind, Adam spent his spare time over the last few years with his girlfriend (my sister!) Laura developing a super cute vintage-inspired range of rollers all now available to order via their website and on Etsy.
http://www.apartment-b.com/index.php/

I have no doubt that the venture will be a huge success both in the US and here in the UK so I'm hugely excited to share this with you!



check out some of my favourite:

Our home village even gets a mention in one print!:

and kittens Kevin and Lionel get their model groove on.
Here's Big Kev posing against the Trellis Floral print:

What a proud big sister-in-law I am!  I placed my order straight away and I'm waiting on a NYC map for our glass interior door in light grey.  I can't wait to see it!
I'll share this with you once it's up!


Although the Apartment B website states that they do not ship outside of the US, shipping to the UK and Europe can be arranged so please contact Adam at: customerservice@apartment-b.com

We heart a Jenny Packham sample sale! x

Get your running shoes on (with heels in your handbag of course!)

because tomorrow morning is the latest Jenny Packham sample sale!!  Run girls, run!!

reductions of up to 70% across their gorgeous dresses, accessories, jewellery and underwear.

If you're looking for the perfect party dress for the season ahead or an alternative gown for your big day, make sure you don't miss out! x

Jenny Packham sample sale

Thursday 17th November

8.30am - 8pm

3a Carlos Place, Mount Street,

London

W1K 3AN

020 7493 6295

* * * * * *

Also coming up this weekend is the Gina sample sale:

Saturday 19th November

10am - 6pm

The Music Room, 26 South Molton Lane

London

W1K 5AB