le weekend #01
This post contains affiliate linksA blog post series inspired by a T-shirt I wear to bed… and also harping back to the Online Stylist blog days when weekend round-ups of the good stuff were one of my favourite things to compile. So, in joyous weekend mode, here’s No. 1 in a series of hopefully many. I ordered said T-shirt last year and it now forms one half of my weekend jammies get up. I like to set the tone and ensure there’s plenty of coffee and one croissant at the very least. And speaking of jammies - this linen stripe set are in my basket but am leaving them there for now just to be sure I’m sure. Which probably means I’ll go back, my size will be gone and my bank balance will breathe a sigh of relief that fate intervened. Ditto these olive satin ballet flats that I didn’t know I needed until I did.
Hands up who else watched the entire Netflix series of Dream Home Makeover from Studio McGee back to back every night? It became our goto show last summer and I’m as obsessed with Shea and Syd as much as I am with the interiors they create and the home decor they sell. It’s a good thing that there is no UK based warehouse or the bank balance would have more to worry about than a pair of linen PJs right now. But it was when Shea’s new book - Around The Table - popped up on my feed this week, that I ended up browsing their new summer collection and came across an image with an oriental ceramic stool as a side table. Inspiration strikes! I would love one of these to go at the end of the new sofa when it arrives. I’ve found a reasonably priced one here on eBay but will wait for the sofa arrival before making any decisions. Get me being all cautious and not instantly leaping to interiors decisions,
When I started talking about my beginners gardening journey on Instagram, a follower kindly sent me links to a couple of episodes of the Why Women Grow podcast by Alice Vincent. Alice also has a book of the same name which has been added to my book list. This podcast episode was an interview with India Knight about how she began gardening as a complete novice and I found it to be such a great listen. No surprise as I loved India’s book HOME and devoured it in one weekend - she’s very much into the concept of being surrounded by the things you love and that hold meaning… something I’m here for in a big way. At the end of each section she also shares her resources for home, food and generally useful life stuff which is brilliant. Speaking of things I love - this wicker scallop vase was a big hit when I shared it on Stories this week so I’m sharing it here too. M&S homeware is really good at the moment! I’ve styled myself a coffee corner this week, taking things from around the house and making the most of my favourite spot to be in the kitchen come the morning. The one thing I didn’t have was a ceramic jar for the Nespresso capsules - up stepped M&S with this for £10. I celebrated with an extra coffee.
When it comes to the home, the one person I will always allow myself to be influenced by is Nancy Meyers. I love how, especially in her movie set kitchens, even the everyday use items have the feeling of being elevated. If you can’t make the most out of the mundane then really, what is the point of it all? I’ll start with storage - glass containers and jars in particular - preferrably with a bamboo or wooden lid. A couple of years ago I treated myself to a few glass food containers and I experience weirdly abnormal levels of joy when it comes to putting berries and fruit in them whilst packing away the weekly shop. Same goes for seeds, nuts, pasta and grains… and give me a jar with a spoon attached and I’ll have reached nirvana. And if you’re not sure how to elevate a few everyday kitchen objects, try hanging utensils, pans or mugs on a brass rail (still trying to convince P on this one), or gather bowls, potted herbs and a jug, put them on a footed tray and before you know it you’re Diane Keaton in a Hamptons beach house offering Jack Nicolson “… pancakes, pasta, leftover coq au vin… grilled cheese?” I absolutely love this reclaimed teak tray with steel handles or there’s a couple of smaller budget friendly options here and here.
In last weekend’s email I promised that in the next one, I’ll include a few of my favourite Instagram accounts for the kind of cosy, layered inspiration I love… and I promise to deliver on that! But for now, if this is your jam too then try @mandyenohome, @ninageeathome and Hanna at @ourhebehome. It was Hanna who inspired me to style the aforementioned coffee corner when I saw we had the same book and a very similar ginger jar… I’ll post my iteration on Instagram soon.
Last weekend I walked with a friend from the village (and her adorable Lab Bernie) down to Hengistbury Head beach - a place I’ve been to a gazillion times. Where I’ve never been is Beach House Mudeford - the cutest on-the-sand cafe/pizza place/cocktail bar that is positioned towards the end of the sand spit. Having stood outside with Bernie whilst we awaited takeaway tea, I kept asking myself “WHY?? Why have you not been here before??” It was giving me very strong New England vibes on a sunny spring afternoon and the fact that you can either walk there or hop on the Mudeford Quay ferry to arrive on the jetty almost directly outside made me think I need to rectify this huge mistake forthwith. So if you’re heading to Dorset anytime soon, please go and report back. Though I would hurry before the summer season begins… for me it wouldn’t feel quite the same when crawling with tourists on a blistering hot day. Apologies to tourists - its not you, it’s me - I don’t do crowds.
And speaking of Dorset, we’re soon off to our first Brocante Fair… I know… je suis tellement Française! Seeing as I have a birthday coming up next month, we’re heading to The Larmer Tree on Bank Holiday Monday and I will be spending ALL my birthday money (in advance) on blueware china, vintage framed prints and everything made of seagrass! Kidding… but I am after a few vintage teaspoons for my coffee corner. And maybe a bud vase or two. If you’re in the area, there are two more fairs to come this year so keep an eye on the dates… I’ll race you to the first stack of chinoiserie past the gates!
Oh and p.s. if anyone wants to buy me a birthday present, I’ll take this Cire Trudon candle. It’s filed under one of those things I keep saying I’ll treat myself to one day but when it comes down to parting with the cash, I just can’t do it. Maybe this Christmas…
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