My favourite baubles and my mannequin got some skates M X

IT'S CHRISTMAS

Dug out some old Christmas cards to get me in the mood. Best time of the year. M X
P.S Having major trouble saying "It's Christmas" without saying it like the Slade song, it's too much fun to avoid! Also pretty much watching the whole video just to hear it at the end...HAPPY HAPPY CHRISTMAS

Got my picture taken by Anne Bernecker in the street yesterday and she gave me her card, so I checked out her blog. She takes pictures of people she sees on the street all over the place, but seems to spend most of her time hanging out around Hackney. She's got an amazing collection of photos, and it was funny being able to recognise exact street corners and walls in the background. M X

The last photo is my most recent outfit inspiration. I love the pretty pastel skirts with biker leather. I paired a pink Victorian underskirt with my biker boots and felt great. I can't remember who took this but I tore it out of Vogue ages ago, from a story where they got people to choose there favourite photo of all time, I think it;s one of mine. I'd love to stick it to my wall with all my other inspiring pictures but I like the photo on it's reverse too much! M X

Dreaming away the winter

Still love those Juicy ads. M X

Alexa Chung

I loved 'The Accidental Stylist' story in Elle. Everything looks so fresh. The leather Carven shorts and navy Stella M dress are amazing M X






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I've been so lazy about blogging recently, and it's getting me down. My blog's been verging away from fashion for months and months and that's what I'm really interested in. So I've found myself matching my dog's jumpers with my clothes, subconsciously of course. I don't feel as guilty buying clothes for him as I do for myself. So far this winter, he's been bought a cable knit grey jumper and a waxed cotton, sheepskin lined coat. He's such a babe.

I mostly can't get him to stay still enough when he's out and about but I managed to catch this on my iPhone. He definitely needs a more stylish lead and collar though, waiting til he's old enough to not chew everything up...M X
P.S. I've been obsessing over our beautiful sunsets these last few weeks

Whoopie Pies and Leopard Eyes

Last night I went to Violet for the launch of Claire's new book - The Whoopie Pie Book - you can buy it in store (definitely worth it) or from Amazon. The book looks amazing, with great pictures and the most delicious recipes; I know because I've tried them. YUM. The pumpkin one was particularly spectacular but my mum swears by the quince. Anyway distracting me from my stomach full of whoopie pies and homemade pizzas, were my sister's eyes. Tabby is 13 and full of weird and wonderful little surprises...When I arrived last night she'd painted her eyelids leopard print. I thought my mum must have done it for her, but she'd like to point out she designed and drew them completely of her own accord. It looked really cool and especially striking because she has two different coloured eyes: one blue, one brown. She's keen for me to explain the steps -
1 - She covered her eyelids in her darkest foundation
2 - She painted leopard print on top using a black liquid eyeliner
3 - She dabbed a bit of darker brown sparkle to each mark
So here they are, M X

Gelupo

This isn't any old ice cream place, Gelupo do all the flavours your subconscious knows are delicious. With granita flavours you haven't even heard of, especially if (like me) you'd never heard of a granita at all...and the most obscure combinations of ingredients you wouldn't expect to work, this really is a gelateria you do not want to miss. I don't even like ice cream that much. And to top it off, there's a wee grocers at the back with pesto to die for. I love the fact the woman serving me had a matching tee - here's my rasberry sorbet and blood orange granita. YUM! M X





P.S - Burned Almond granita also a winner

Make, Do and Mend

I've been making loads of lavender bags recently. Started off in Norfolk when I couldn't find much else to do inside on the rainy days. I've been making them from a linen bean bag cover and putting pretty ribbons on, they're all a bit samey but I'm hoping I can sell a few near Christmas and make a little bit of money. I'm finding sewing so relaxing, should make more time for it - and it's so satisfying to finish one. M X

Puppy Love

I have this little puppy, Timmy. He's small and very sweet. And every morning (that he's not already in my bed with me) when he's let out of his cage, he runs upstairs and rests his paws on the edge of my bed, waiting to be lifted in. Nothing could make me not want to have him - even when he chews my hand till I want to scream, or cry - he's like my baby and I feel a little maternal towards him. I work out when he needs his food and cook up bits of meat, I worry when he's not jumping up at me all the time that he might be unwell, and when he sleeps I can't stop looking at him and I sometimes worry he's stopped breathing because he's so still. I also, like a mother, spent nights sleepless because he cried, woke at 5am to let him out and still upset myself when I tell him off or find him annoying.
As naff as it sounds, I'm finding it hard to remember Timmyless life - we spoil him beyond anything - and I know for a fact more than my parents EVER spoiled me, Everything revolves around Timmy - trips out, days in and everyone's capacity of attention-giving must be carefully planned or Timmy ends up getting it all.
If he was my brother I'd be fiercely jealous, but being a dog (especially being a puppy) gives him some leeway, and the ability to be mothered by everyone in the family, not just the parents. He gets more attention being walked down the street than any baby ever could, and I make sure to factor in extra time for every walk for when I get stopped to talk to people about him. The key to having a puppy is definitely patience: they take up more time than I could ever have anticipated, but also give more love. And maybe more importantly than patience is a smile to beam at passers-by (and mothers whose children scream in terror at his curiosity) - especially old ladies, they love a bit of him! M X

UNIQLO's Latest Collaboration

And one to be really excited about. UNIQLO are teaming up with none other than Paul & Joe. Paul & Joe make-up always has the most adorable packaging and is something to be treasured because of it. There are always lots of kittens and flowers and things that are meant to make you want to buy it (and do). The collection basically involves t-shirts printed with the same little illustrations as the make-up containers but bigger and better. And Paul & Joe is so tasteful it can't really go wrong. T-shirts will be about £10-15 which is pretty reasonable and a great deal cheaper then Topshop etc. Here's one design from a P&J lipstick

My Best Buy Ever

Yesterday, cycling into town, I came across a stall raising money for the local church. I always love things like that because they always have something you want. They did. This old trunk. When I asked the man how much he wanted for it he said a pound - he was worried he wouldn't be able to get rid of it. So I paid him £1.50 for the trunk and a CD and went off to pick it up later. I did feel a little guilty for accepting such a cheap offer, £20 would have been a bargain. When I got back later the same man kind of said what I'd been thinking - I'd got off a lightly - and there were polite hints that I should give a bigger donation. He'd had many other offers which he'd turned down because he'd already sold it to me. So this morning I went back with a tenner and brought the trunk home. I'm so pleased with it and can't wait to tidy my utter warzone of a bedroom so I can give it a proper home. The cuttings it's covered in are brilliant - pictures from Audrey Hepburn to the Fawlty Towers cast. I need to reglue some before they come off completely...that can be next week's project.
Audrey, Fawlty and some Sci-Fi

Planet of the Apes, Emily Lloyd and Dastardly and Muttley

"EML"

Perfected with checked lining, like Clarks Desert boots

Withnail, more Audrey, Ladykillers and The Deer Hunter

Do I dare add my own cuttings, provided they're old?