Wanderlust Weekends - part 3

Partying is what I do best! 

This mood board for Weekenderlife, the third in the series is about homemade decorations and styling for intimate soirees and gatherings. Why not take the indoors outdoors for maximum impact and atmosphere - sofas under trees, makeshift marquees for small dinner parties. Go crazy and fill a room with balloons or use bold multi colours for table dressings and flowers to create the wow factor.


Happy weekend! x

For picture credits please click here

Wanderlust Weekends part 2

The second part of the Weekenderlife moodboards focus on getting out and feasting your eyes on something new or old treasures from the past.

Explore shows a range of images such as flea markets and vintage postcards and a romantic simple trip on a rowing boat. So stick your vintage sunnies on and go dig about at a car boot for some bargain treasures or nose around a county manor house.

Wanderlust Weekends - first post (slightly out of sync!)

Apologies this post was supposed to pop up last week but a gremlin in my computer stopped it!

I was contacted by a dear friend of mine who is also in the process of releasing her inner passions and making money from what makes her heart sing. Her latest brain wave involves giving those with little time to plan, a condensed informative inspirational blog that has all sorts of tips on how to get the most of your weekend. Weekenderlife asked me to put together some mood boards to inspire dreams for the weekend. The first in the launch 3 part series, is Retreat.

Retreat is all about serene and peaceful hideaways. Create a simple hideaway like you did as a child, by hanging soft sheets over string to create a homemade tent and grabbing loads of pillows from inside, along with a glass of wine and a good book…or a good snog.

For picture credits please click here

Tempting tables - Moroccan Style

What with this hot weather of late it got me thinking about the gorgeous exotic Tempting Table design that I styled on a shoot with Liesl Cheney, the design the brain child of Emily of the hugely successful Tempting Cake. If you didn't catch it on some of the wedding blogs and Liesl and Emily's, here for your viewing pleasure are some of the best shots.

The warmth of the vibrant oranges and reds really sets off the rustic chocolate colours. I used props at different levels to display the different types of deserts and sweet treats to give heaps of visual interest but keeping it balanced.

The flowers were arranged simply and put to the centre to draw the eye in. These were chosen by Emily and were suitably exotic but also eclectic when used with good old tulips. Tulips are (when in season) very available and reasonably priced and can add a splash of colour and fun to any table design, so use in abundance!.

I love the idea of using a multi rainbow colour scheme for any event, but make sure you stick to colours of the same tonal family for example like the vibrant warm jewel colours here. Or you could use soft pastel calm colours, like vintage duck egg blue teamed with pretty light yellow, fresh lilac, a soft apple green and balanced with a creamy neutral colour palette.

High Street Style

Good morning!

Sorry to be elusive of late, I am trying to get my head stuck deep into my study books if I have any hope of qualifying before the end of next year!

I have been doing some sourcing work this morning and I couldn't help but gather all the latest finds from the high street and online that would make lovely centrepieces or styling props at a wedding or little soiree. My favourite pick are the galvanised steel vases from Ikea, just £2.99, what a bargain. Shame you cannot order them online and save yourself the obligatory argument with the husband (you don't know why you fight but you can't help it! There must be something in the hot dogs)

Top left to right: Heart picture frame Matalan, Ribbed vase Ikea, Coloured vases Ikea, Large lion head wine cooler Sweetpea&Willow. Galvanised vases Ikea, Cutwork candle, Sweetpea&Willow. Flower stem collection vase Graham&Green. Posey patterned vase Matalan, Large glass jar candle Anthropologie, Bird vases Graham&Green. 

Tempting tables

I had the privilege of styling a photo shoot yesterday with a distinctively sweet, melt in the mouth theme. The brain child of the talented Emily at Temptingcake.com, yesterday, along with the mighty creative powers of photographer Liesl Cheney we spent a day in the sunshine setting up and photographing a range of desert table themes that will be released in due course for your viewing pleasure.

To whet your appetite I am posting my top 3 favourite desert table designs, these are from some of my heroes, Amy Atlas , Green Wedding Shoes and Somewhere Splendid. 

What lovely long legs you have.....

If you want to put the finishing touches to a vintage inspired outfit, either yourself or perhaps you have different coloured bridesmaid dresses and want to give them a consistent look, you could do worse than look at some back seamed tights; a stylish alternative to traditional bridal hosiery.


  I'm a massive fan of details like this that hark back to glam days gone by (when some women would draw the seam on to their legs!). They are fantastically flattering as they make your legs appear longer, and they are a little bit saucy but so sophisticated at the same time.


They are so widely available these days at lots of different price points so even if you want to try a different look one weekend it is much more affordable to do so these days.

For a modern twist I got my hands on some of these Wolford 'Marlene' tights from Tights Please


Or you could try teaming pretty lacy or silk girlie bra and knicker sets with thicker, tan coloured back seam hold ups, to give a pretty vintage look to your bedroom get up. Think Fleur of England or Mimi Holiday Prudence range below....