KERRRCHING

My ASOS discount has arrived. Bring on the shopping...

H.O.M.E.

I was lucky enough to score a gift voucher to celebrate the launch of H&M's home collection last week. I stocked up on white linen napkins and tea towels, bath mats and the laundry bag, above, emblazoned with retro text. I was a sucker for the whole range of old-school printed numbers but avoided the glitzer pieces on offer (frills and sequins? way too jazzy!). My new monochrome accoutrements have inspired me to freshen up my bathroom with a splash of paint... which I planned to do today. Umm, that was until I spent the morning in bed with a pot of coffee and a crisp new Vogue. My new job has made me cherish weekends, and I am just not sure painter's overalls are going to be donned today after all... Que sera!

COMFORT ME

Also on my weekend agenda - this sticky coffee toffee heavenly stodge courtesy of Design*Sponge. I will certainly embark on an icy jog over Blackheath to justify this indulgence. But, let's face it, it's oh so worth it!

P.S. I am coveting this adorable loopy plate too.

WANT IT, NEED IT...

...have to have it. That's how I feel when I open any fashion mag, but my new job has left me no time to shop. It's actually left me no time to do anything, which is why I must apologise for my posts which have been few and far between. I am afraid sporadic is going to be the way forward at the moment, until I stop being the new girl, discover where the water cooler is and find time to surf the net for moments of inspiration again.

Until then my blog and my wardrobe are suffering (my lovely chap is also suffering a tired, grumpy and sluggish fiancee - half nervous energy, half hopelessly exhausted). Back to the clothes. For a start it's suddenly got seriously cold here and I am not good with tights (weirdly itchy - I'll do bare legs until they go blue) or layering (curvy suddenly becomes chunky under all that wool), secondly I'm in a new gig where statement ensembles just don't cut it. Heels seem optional, shorts unacceptable, red lips non existent and decolletages nowhere to be seen. I'm like a fish out of water - all my snazzy outfits are OTT, especially while I'm still finding my feet.

BUT we all know a fashionista doesn't change her spots (or Breton stripes), so I'm determined a spree will get me back into sartorial serenity. I'm thinking ankle boots, sharp trousers, some sleek sweaters and a few outfit changing scarves. Watch this space...

DEAR SANTA

It's a little early for Christmas shopping (I know there are sparkly lights lining the streets and shops are blasting out yuletide songs, but I refuse to get into the festive spirit until December 1st. I LOVE Christmas, but I can't get on board before bonfire night - you can have too much of a good thing). Anyway, I still wanted to share a little project I worked on just before leaving GLAMOUR. This is a page of the gift guide I concieved (and my chap snapped), for the December issue. I chose everything on it, because I'd like all of it for Christmas. Just a hint!

MERINGUE GANG

I'm currently the tiniest bit obsessed with oversize meringues. We're planning our wedding menu and I can't get these giant beauties out of my head. Everywhere I turn they seem to bounce out at me, reminding me they'd be quite delicious piled high on a platter and served with strawberries and a jug of cream, Eton Mess style. My new office is perched on the edge of Kensington High Street and in the past two days I have spotted the unctuous beauties at Ottolenghi and Whole Foods. A sign if ever there was one...

A STATEMENT CARDI...

... makes even the most simple ensemble look special. I have about 20 cardigans - for me they're the perfect layer, not too chunky, a little bit more warmth, dressy but simple. I always go for cashmere and usually a superfine knit. but until now mine have always been a simple basic. thank to these, all that's about to change...

THE ONE

I found it. The one. The dress. (Not this incredible gown above, as captured by Tim Walker for Vogue, dream on!). My pursuit for the ultimate wedding gown felt pressured for many reasons - the obvious desire to look my most beautiful ever, combined with the determination that I wasn't going to blow a fortune on a frock I'd wear for less then twelve hours, plus the intention to do something a little different. As the last in my close group of girlfriends to walk down the aisle, I hope that I can still pull it off with some sartorial originality.

On top of this I wanted to discover a dress that would include both the Jackie and the Marilyn sides of my personality. It had to be demure but a little daring too...

I started with a marathon day with my mum a few weeks back - we did the classic bridal shops, where a litter of mothers-of-the-brides sat expectantly on cream leather banquets, all cooing with delight as assorted girls swept out of matching changing rooms in assorted dresses. Mum fell in love with gowns that I deemed way too classic and traditional.

Then we did vintage shops - but what I considered to be lovingly worn, mum deemed decidedly forlorn. The greying lace and wonky hems I thought of as charming just didn't tick her bridal fantasies (and let's face it, it really does matter that your mother loves it too).

I had another vintage experience with two of my most stylish friends, but their enthusiasm and the pretty old-school surroundings had me trying on dresses that weren't right at all and left me even more defeated and less sure of going the retro route.

Finally, after a little online perusing, I came across a current American designer who ticks all the boxes. Inspired by another era, yet with a modern twist - unusual, yet still timeless enough that I won't look back on the photos and shudder with horror. I instantly spotted a dress that felt weirdly perfect and stuck in my mind while I drifted off to sleep each night. When I tried it on a few days later, I knew it was my Goldilocks dress - neither too meringue nor too mermaid, too simple nor too ostentatious, too quirky nor too classic. Simply, it was just right.

My mum got teary eyed and we both beamed at my reflection while I twirled around the shop. I felt like Grace Kelly - with a dash of Jayne Mansfield.

I wish I could tell you more, but my chap is a loyal reader. I can't wait to share pictures, only six months to go...

KATE DOES LONDON

I know she's seriously preppy and rainbow bright, but I do adore dipping into a bit of Kate Spaderie, and I couldn't think of anything that could add a bit of colour to a grey London day than a visit to her current pop-up apartment in Covent Garden. Filled with tons of her signature colours, quirky accessories, charming home accents and splashy paraphernalia, it's a great place to while away an hour and stock up on pressies for very deserving friends (preppy, rich one - if you have such a thing!)

PRINTS PLEASE

Okay, I know it's been forever. An entire week in fact. I've been basking in the world of ladies who lunch, girls who shop, mums who pile into a Cafe Rouge with a crowd of toddlers, and attempt to make small talk over cappuccinos and tables strewn with smushed chips, baby veg and ice cream sundaes. It's been a blast.
I have had a week off between leaving Glamour and starting my new gig, so i've stepped away from the computer and instead filled my hours with friends, wedding dress shopping (more on that!) and basking in a lavender steam room and rose scented sauna with my beloved.
Now I'm back at the helm and counting down the days until i become the new girl, I have been flitting through the net to find my favourite new things. here's one of them - fabulous cushions from Madeline Weinrib Atelier. She's US-based but her selection of stylish soft furnishings have universal appeal. best are her pieces made with vintage Pucci and Hermes scarves. They're expensive, naturally, but show stoppers.