embrace the specs

Tom Ford

Vogue Eyewear campaign

Johnny Depp sporting a pair.

Alexa Chung rocking geek chic.

Glasses have never been more fashionable. Through designer campaigns endorsed by huge celebrities, every model wearing them down the catwalk this year and an increasing number of celebrities wearing them in everyday life- glasses have never looked this good. I admit I wear contact lenses but I now have the confidence to embrace the specs!

A quick guide to choosing your glasses shape:

An oval face: Most frames work with this shape but square and rectangle shapes add angles to soft curves. And avoid frames that are too large for your features at all costs!

A round face: Angular frames sharpen facial features and rectanguler shapes make the face appear longer and thinner and avoid short frames!

A heart face: Try bottom heavy frames that add width to your lower face and narrow round frames that soften the forehead and avoid top heavy styles that draw the attention upwards!

Hope this helps!

Much love

Danie B

outfit du jour

It's hard to know what to wear when the heat is stifling and you feel like you are going to melt into a puddle on the floor. The day began in the jacket with the best intentions, but I had to take it off by about midday. It's my dad's birthday today so we treated him to a lovely lunch outside in the gardens of his favourite restaurant (and even though it is not my birthday I still managed to wolf down a lemon tart that was to die for!) I can see the clouds are starting to roll in so I'm going to make the most of the sun while I can!

Much love

Danie B

weekend-ing it

 I have been absent for the past few days but I hope this photo-diary of my weekend makes up for it! A delicious BBQ and a walk along the beach are the best ways to exploit the recent sunshine- now I'm settling down to watch the BAFTA's, never mind the awards, what is everyone going to be wearing?!

Hope you had a good weekend!

Much love

Danie B

sunning oneself

I just love the sun so much! It just makes everything more beautiful and brightens everyone's mood. It would be the perfect summer's day, aside from the fact I have to revise, something I'm sure a lot of people can identify with. To help resolve this issue, I have dragged furniture from my living room into my back garden to revise in comfort. Summer dress on (with that cute bow detail on the shoulder), hair in a bun to prevent me over-heating and my ray bans on- it almost makes revising bearable. I also just love the smell of sun cream, it makes me think of warm sunny beaches and childhood memories. For all of you revising out there- keep it up and eat plenty of ice-cream!

Much love

Danie B 

denim for dinner

New Look denim dress and brogues, Accessorize necklace and a necklace I found in my mum's jewellery box.

This outfit was for my french teacher's retirement dinner we planned- so emotional! I thought I'd try something a little different with this ballerina bun and for my make-up I played up my eyes with smoky eyeshadow and kept my lips natural. I love the embroidery detail on this dress, and it is the first time the weather has been warm enough to go without tights- let's hope it stays like that!

Much love

Danie B

weekend antics

A bit of retail therapy and Topshop necklace lust.

Sifting through my own jewellery box and rediscovering these beautiful rings.

A healthy lunch...

Followed by dinner with a view.

 Too many delicious options- which to choose?

So after an indulgent Saturday, the stress began as my French oral loomed closer. I don't remember the last time I was so nervous but it's all over now! Tonight was spent relaxing in the bath with a book and a fix of my favourite programme on television "Made in Chelsea". Let the drama begin!

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

Much love

Danie B



Collars

Neon collar

Studded collar

Beaded collar

Pearl and diamond collar

Sequined collar

I am in love with these detachable collars. I have a pearl one and it totally changes the look of a t-shirt or jumper. People have actually asked me was the top new and I'll let you in on a secret, I told them it was- but shhhhhh. It just shows what a £10 necklace from Topshop can do for your wardrobe.

Much love

Danie B

rules of summer

I shouldn't strictly be writing this right now due to my enormous workload and ever looming exams. But being the procrastinator that I am, I find that quite often my mind wanders and I end up fantasizing about summer. So here is a quick (and provisional!) list of things that have JUST occured to me that I want to do this summer...

1. Hold a tea party using china cups and saucers.

2. Go and see a french film- I'll probably not understand much despite my six years of french, but just think of the french actors! Tres beau!

3. Eat sushi. Possibly the easiest but takes the most courage.

4. Re-do my bedroom. I love the black and white but the pink I thought was good at the time...

5. Create a summer playlist. The soundtrack to my summer memories!

6. Eat smores at a campfire on the beach- slightly cliche but something I have never done.

7. String fairy lights in my garden for impromptu al fresco dining.

8. Finish writing my book. Ok, this one isn't really that realistic, but at least get 150 pages done)

These are just some of my musings that I am determinded to accomplish in the warm days and long nights of summer. My word of the season will be "spontaneous" because sometimes the things we don't plan for make the best memories.

Much love

Danie B

graphic print tees are so serge



This post is about my love of printed t--shirts. Kind of bizarre maybe, but they are one of the most versatile pieces you can have in your wardrobe. Worn casually with jeans looks just are good as when paired with a more structured skirt. My newest find and latest lust worthy brand is

 Serge DeNimes

Caggie Dunlop from Made in Chelsea wearing a Serge DeNimes T-shirt.

The brand Serge DeNimes is owned by Oliver Proudlock from the show Made in Chelsea. I watch the show religiously and it may came as a surprise to you that some of it's stars DO actually do some work, but he has proved he has a lot more to offer by designing these AMAZING t-shirts. (AND he retweeted me the other day-shows his good taste ;)

In an interview (the pictures above of Proudlock and the model are also found at that link) I read he talks about the brand: "“Since a young age I have always printed my art onto t-shirts for exhibitions and to give my friends a cheaper option to invest in my artworks, and therefore t-shirts for me seemed the perfect and most natural place to start. I feel there is a niche in the market right now for cool, original and affordable t-shirts.”

Inspired by photographs taken in 1978 by photographers Lena Proudlock & Douglas Villiers, he has launched 9 limited edition t-shirts.

I would be living the dream if I could got hold of one of these bad boys t-shirts!

They are sold in Harrods, Wolf and Badger and is about to move into Joseph on Sloane Avenue. Here's a link to the website: Serge DeNimes -happy browsing!

Much love

Danie B

simple french snack

For my birthday I recieved a wonderful cookbook written by Rachel Khoo entitled "The Little Paris Kitchen" and was inspired this weekend to make a simple gourmet french lunch of "Tartines".

Tartines are a french snack and can be eaten with savoury or sweet toppings. This one is pear and manchengo cheese. To make: thinly slice half a pear, then top the bread with the pear and a few slices of cheese and heat under the grill until the cheese is bubbling and golden.

And my favourite one: caramalized apples. Butter the bread and thinly slice half an apple. Arrange the apple on the bread, sprinkle with sugar and place under the grill under the apple has caramilized. Plus the whole room smelt like candy floss afterwards!

So quick and simple to make yet so delicious!

Much love

Danie B