Anthropologie Drawn

I so loved the floral print of this dress from the Anthropologie look book I did a little watercolour of it.

I can see myself getting carried away with design again.

Baripada Necklace in Blue £58
Scattered Stellata Dress £98
Ever-Orange Bracelet £116

Anthropologie

Love Me Tender

Yup, it's getting close to the middle of February. You either love it, or hate it.

I used to loathe it. I genuinely felt that it was so cheesy and, well, naff. Then I had an hilarious time, completely unexpectedly about five years ago when I was taken to a really rank looking Portuguese Sporting Club in North Kensington. Inside, everything was pink and so unbelievably naff that it was wonderful. There was a Portugese guy in a DJ booth singing James Blunt covers (mostly in Portuguese) to an empty dance floor, pink heart helium balloons bobbing about our table, and the most delicious set menu. So kitsch, and too funny.

Since then, it's been increasingly fun. I also believe in exchanging gifts as often as possible. I know it's expensive, but is there anything more wonderful than knowing you've got an ace present for someone? Also, getting a present's pretty ace too, let's be honest.

In that vein, I've earmarked some corkers (some slightly unrealistic!) that might get your heart racing and in the mood for luuurve.

Damaris Kamikaze bra £52 & knickers £36.50 - love it

Myla Cherie Halter Neck bra £110 & Myla Isabella bra £110

Solange Azagury-Partridge Love Written Ring & Finn Love Knot Ring £535

Solange Azagury-Partridge Black Cherry Hotlips Ring

A couple of years ago I was given Rob Ryan's 'This Is For You'. The images and words together are utterly beautiful, and I've a mega crush on his work. I had the most heavenly day when I went to his shop Ryantown on Columbia Road on a cold Spring Sunday morning, just at the beginning of the daffodil season. I bought lots of lovely presents and then had a wonderful lunch at The Hoxton Grill.
Magical.

Rob Ryan 'Believe In Goodness' limited edition print £160 

I think my heart would burst with joy if I was ever given flowers so beautiful.
These nod to the pastel trend that I am loving. Perhaps controversially, but I think flowers are better when they're unexpected, or picked on a walk in the Spring. However, if you were being super spoilt, you could always have them for the year... swoon.

The Real Flower Company
Pastel Pink Roses & Hyacinths £55

The Real Flower Company
Blush Pink & Lavender £45

Rosamosario Rosebud Bathing Suit & Pitture D'Arte lace appliquéd silk chemise £1,065

Liberty's John Derian Love Crystal Dome Paperweight & Brooke Gregson Libra Necklace £1,010

❤ Liberty Turquiose Strawberry Thief Silk Scarf £95 ❤
❤ this is almost too pretty ❤

Years ago I was staying with friends in Yorkshire and they had put one of these wonderfully toasty Oka faux fur throws on my bed. It would be perfect for snuggling up in front of a fire with your squeeze, keeping the February chill out. Terrible chic too.

Oka Faux Fur Throw £135

Treat ❤ Your ❤ Self

Buying yourself a Valentine present isn't the same as sending yourself flowers. 
Oh, and it isn't ok to allow your beau to slack off (Rosie for Agent Provocateur).

❤
Damaris
Myla
Solange Azagury-Partridge
Finn
avenue32.com
Rob Ryan
The Real Flower Company
Rosamosario
Net-a-Porter
Liberty
Brooke Gregson
Oka
Hoxton Grill
❤

Grown-Up Friendship

Dear Santa,

Every year I leave you mince pies and whisky.

Every year you sweetly deliver me presents.

I'd say ours was a life-long friendship.

These bracelets would be a perfect way of showing it.

love from Leonora x

Lucy Folk gold Taco bracelet
£70

lucyfolk.com

matches.com

Tina Time

I'm back in my fantasy-lottery-winning world... It's for my friend Tina and I'd give her one of these brilliant pieces. I don't know anyone who can carry off colour quite like her.

Shourouk Pink Miami necklace                                                                                                      Bex Rox Fluoro Art Deco Matchbox Cuff

$610                                                                                                                                                                              £243

  

Tom Binns Fauve hand-painted Swarovski crystal necklace & drop earrings

 £805                                                                   £185

Gypset Style by Julia Chaplin, Assouline

   Asos Patchwork Stitch Dial Watch                                            Aspinal leopard print candy case         

                           £20                                                                                           £795

Salty Lime silver-plated diamanté bib necklace Venessa Arizaga

£360

The Bindu Cow Head Graham & Green
£195

Beaded Skull by Bitching & Junkfood

In reality I gave her a couple of beautiful little shell bracelets from the utterly idyllic Ngapali Beach in Myanmar, where Rudyard Kipling wrote his first draft of The Jungle Book, one of my all time favourite films.

shourouk.fr

bexrox.com

tombinns.com

amazon.co.uk
aspinal.com
asos.com
venessaarizaga.com
grahamandgreen.co.uk
bitchingandjunkfood.com

Gorgeous Ms Gage

On holiday in Sri Lanka, I was lucky enough to spend a day in Galle. It's an extraordinary town, and I loved it. I especially loved all of the beautiful jewellery shops, obviously. Pure happiness.

When I made it to Mr Ibrahim's shop I went weak at the knees. His entire collection was 'based on' Elizabeth Gage's pieces who is my sister's favourite jeweler. A flurry of texts ensued, from me in Sri Lanka, and my sister, in Liberia and I bought her a stunning blue sapphire ring not unlike the one below, with a couple of white sapphires either side.

It was a leap of faith on her part as it was terribly spenny but, thank the Lord, she loves it.

Tapered Templar Ring
aquamarines & diamonds with yellow gold on white gold
£6,000

Mabé Pearl Ring                                                                                     Heliotrope Ring

pearl & diamonds on gold                                                                  sapphire & enamel on gold

£4,560                                                                                                         £17,400

Fire Opal Earrings                                                                                       Valois Earrings

fire opals & enamel in gold                                                   aquamarines, diamonds & pearls

£12,000                                                                                                           P.O.A

Elizabeth Gage's collection is gorgeous, & insane. I picked out a couple of pairs of earrings that I took a shine to... very chic.

elizabeth-gage.com

Santa's Little Gems

Pippa Small jewellery... swoon. On the wish list. Infact, on any list... sigh. 

Mexican Oyster Shell Large Single Drop Earrings
£1,100

Amethyst Large Greek Ring£1,900

Opal Greek Ring
£8,900

Rough Aqua Pendants with Faceted Bead Necklace
£4,800

I mean, I say these pieces, but really, how can you choose? They're all so delicious.

If clever husbands and boyfriends have beaten you to it and she's all sold out, I've always admired the Yves Saint Laurent design. Last year at Westfield I tried on such a beautiful necklace. My credit card must have smelt trouble and went on strike. But, just to give you some inspiration...

                                                        Arty Enamel Ring £165                               Arty Dots Ring w/ White Glass Beads £165

Large Arty Brass Cuff with Blue detail £345

all Yves Saint Laurent

HOWEVER, my sister gave me the prettiest Ottoman Hands earrings last year. Beautiful smoky quartz and jade. They've an outlet in Topshop in Oxford Circus and the rings are gorgeous (and lots less pricey).

Harem 1 £38 Ottoman Hands

Harem 4 £38 Ottoman Hands

www.ysl.com

www.pippasmallshop.com

     www.ottomanhands.com

Santa Baby... deja Lan vu

I was living abroad when Lanvin for H&M fever hit London (not a mistake I will endure again for the Marni collaboration in March 2012). As a result I missed out on the ruby red chandelier necklace and have lusted since. It is therefore on day 3 of my Christmas wish list please Santa dearest. 

Pretty please, with a ruby red necklace on the top.

I might have 'won' it on ebay last night...!

www.hennes.com

www.ebay.com