It's about bathrooms!

I don't tend to write about bathrooms, have you noticed? But there are some amazing ones out there and while perusing Pinterest I thought it was about time I share some of my favourite ones! Ours is tiny tiny, very retro, with white tiles. If I was dreaming: big modern bathrooms, with lots of storage (maybe oak bathroom furniture?) or carrera marble sinks? So sleek and luxurious. I have been seeing a lot of art in bathrooms lately, like this first image here or Bailey's Chicago master bathroom. That was pretty awesome. I won't deny it, there are so many incredible options that if I had to pick my dream bathroom I would definitely struggle!

Via: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

Sunday Outfit

As in magic, winter has "finally" properly arrived in England. It has been cold these last days even though my outfit doesn't reflect it! I bought this new season Topshop dress and had to have it, the print is fun and I love the shape, I'm pretty sure it would flatter pretty much anyone. A definite winner for me and a dress I'll wear all summer long! That doesn't mean though that I can't enjoy it with tights and booties when the weather is cold (but not freezing like this week, they say it will snow in London!) 

Dress: Topshop | Jacket: Zara | Boots: Ash

Shopping: Dalani

I forgot to mention that you will get £10 (£20 in February!!) off your purchase when you register through this link below! (minimum spend £30)
Before Christmas when Lauren and I where organising the Blogger Event she mentioned Dalani, a new online "club" for home and lifestyle products. Since then I have been checking it out daily and finally today I made my first purchase. A super fun block of knives at a really good price. The concept is well known, flash sales and prices up to 70% off RRPP, not bad! right now there's some great deals, with Le Creuset, Alessi and Gaggia amongst the featured brands. Don't miss out, click HERE to become a member for free!

   

Go register, seriously, it's THAT good!! Have a great weekend lovelies!

Ideal Closet

Well isn't that funny, more blue outfits! I don't only wear it, I also dream of it. This time paired with a handful of other colors, I really love these silver slippers, they are from Topshop for REALLY cheap. I tried them on and they seem actually really comfy so if you have been thinking about them, I would get them, heck! I am going to get them as soon as I get paid!

Dress: Kelly Wearstler, £309 | Shoes: Vectra3 Topshop, $56 | Tote: Kate Spade, $248 | Sunglasses: Madewell, $145 | Watch: River Island

Wedding Wednesday: long tables

Last week I said it, I'm loving the long communal tables at weddings. Im bored of round 10 a table settings. This is fresh, fun, maybe not super original but still kind of exciting! I love the idea of a big communal dinner under the star where even though you might to be able to speak to more than 10 people anyway it feels more approachable. Would you go for this kind of setting, for the married ladies out there, did you do it?

Via: 1|2|3|4|5|6

Living in the Barbican

Since we moved to the Barbican some years ago I have seen many photographic features. I have seen engagements, weddings, general shoots but hardly ever interiors. So when I find any I always get caught by the fantastic structure and many times lovely interiors. I came across this photos through the Barbican residents forum (funny how you find inspiration!). I contacted Kristy Noble, the photographer behind Memory and Bone to ask permission to share and here they are. I love her beautiful way to capture this really eclectic flat. The entry phone and toilet remain intact and are original features of the Barbican (we have the same in our flat!).

Blog | Site

Sunday Outfit

Hello lovelies, how are you? The weekend, as usual, has flown by, and I'm not going to lie, I'm quite looking forward for January to go by. It ha been a long month! I have been wearing blue very often lately, I have a couple of dresses, the blue spotted trousers and the blue coat, that is quite a lot for me as I was never a blue hue lover. Might be the January blues? What is the color you wear a lot and never thought you would?

Dress: Asos | Coat: H&M | Boots: Ash | Watch: Michael Kors | Faux Fur stole: Asos 

Alexa Chung for Vero Moda

Vero Moda has grown to become a lovely brand and they picked Alexa Chung to be their image for the new spring collection. Check out the video, so very adorable.

The collection is really pretty, flirty and feminine and you know that if Alexa likes it, it must be good. Lovely peter pan and princess collars, super cute prints and airy dresses. Really gorgeous and very versatile for the warmer months.

Some of my faves of the new spring collection are this midi tulle like skirt and this super versatile 2 in 1 polka dot green dress. I want! 
Enjoy the weekend lovelies! 

Ideal Closet: Under £100

Second under £100 outfits and the total of this one came to £98. Not bad huh?! I actually have these trousers and absolutely adore them. Last season Topshop did them in green and they sold out before I had the chance to grab them so as soon as I saw this version I knew I had to have them! They can be worn up and down easily, with flats, booties or heels, add a nice cozy cardigan for a comfort look or a fab blouse for a more polished one and off you go! 

Trousers: Topshop (new season) £38 | Jumper: Warehouse (on sale) £17 | Shoes: Topshop (new): £28 | Necklace: Forever 21 (new): £7 | Lipstick: Topshop Nevada (new) £8

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I won't be including bags and coats in these more budget (and less dreamy) outfits as I believe these are pieces most of us have as closet staples and don't change as often. 

Wedding Wednesday: in the Barn

Last week I saw this video. Stunning and utterly romantic. I knew immediately I had to track down the pictures and here they are, by Tyler Branch Photo. This rainy wedding was held at the groom's sister lovely house and when the rain came pouring down was moved to the incredible barn. I absolutely adore the whole lighting and the long communal tables, an idea I'm liking everyday more and more. And what do you think about the Kate Spade shoes? Make sure you seat down and enjoy the whole video, you will not be disappointed I promise.

Via:  Tyler Branch Photography

Video: Paperback Weddings

Let's Talk Beauty

One of my favourite beauty blogs is Into the Gloss. Thinking about it, it actually might be the only beauty blog I read. Not because I don't like beauty or anything like that, au contraire. What i love most about Into the Gloss is the The Topshelf section, where people in the known share their beauty products and secrets. I have learnt a lot I'm not going to lie. As I haven't done a beauty post in a while I thought it would be fun to share my (not that interesting but still) top shelf. 

Until not long I used Creme de la Mer as my moisturizer, and while I really want to go back t it soon I am now completely and utterly hooked to Rodin Olio Lusso (who isn't right? Thanks Caitlin for the intro). I love the feeling of it and the subtle smell, and even though it doesn't promise miracles I think it's an absolute must. 
I also use a toner by Aesop, it has Parsley Seed and it an anti-oxidant and while I'm not 100% what the purpose is, it removes any makeup leftovers after washing my face with Shu Uemura oil. I know some people don't like it because it has mineral oils (or so I read) but I absolutely swear by it, I have been using it for 10 years now and I'm not planning to give up. Once a week I try to use a mask by Ren, it smells really nicely and I like how the skin feels after.
When it comes to makeup I have added a coupe of new stuff into my daily routine, added some, changed some other. I use Benefit's Bo-ing concealer and Bare Minerals' classic foundation, this is another product I swear by, don't make me change cause you will fail. I love it to bits. 
My new addition is the Laguna bronzer and Orgasm blush, both by Nars (I've had a Nars crush for a while now). Before I used Chanel's Rose blush, really nice too. I curl my lashes with the Shu Uemura curler and apply a bit of mascara, either one by Susan Posnick or the Benefit They're Real mascara for a more dramatic look, it's really good. 

I'm not loyal to shampoos, well maybe I'm more than some other people but I tend to change it two, three times a year.
Lately I have been using Yes to Carrots, it's all natural without parabens, and cleans and smells nicely. I don't shampoo my hair everyday (finally! it has taken me years to be able to say and do that) but I use dry shampoo for the second day, usually the cheap Batiste one. 
I'm into my scrubs too, I love the salt Sanctuary one, BEST one ever, honestly and for the face the St Yves is keeping me happy. 
Longest post ever! What are your beauty products? I would love to hear especially about eye creams as I haven't been lucky so far! Which one do you use?

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Sunday Outfit

I love how I have been wearing lots of bright hues lately, have you noticed, between last week wearing my electric blue dress and today sporting this bright orange skirt I think I can be forgiven for wearing so many dark colours in other posts! The weather has been very chilly in my neck of the woods this weekend but also very sunny and bright. I know many of you have a long weekend, what are your plans? Anything exciting, do share so I can live vicariously through you while I go to work this Monday. 
I also wanted to thank you all for your continuous support, I feel I don't thank my lovely readers enough and I'm going to try and do it more often. Thanks! 

Skirt: Zara (similar) | Pullover: Zara: (similar) | Shoes: c/o Sarenza | Watch: Michael Kors

Rugs USA giveaway - Closed

***Closed***
It's been a while since the last giveaway I hosted! And I love LOVE this one. The fantastic people at Rugs USA is offering a lovely sisal area rug to one of you lovelies! I absolutely love sisal and they have an absolute fantastic selection of area rugs to pick from! They let me pick my favourite from their extensive selection and I hope you all enter for a chance to win!

An 5x8 Serendipity Sisal Herringbone Beige Rug can be yours ! How? See below:

- Leave a comment below
For extra entries

- Follow A Diary of Lovely on Bloglovin or Google Friend Connect

- Follow A Diary of Lovely on Twitter or/and Facebook

- Follow Rugs USA on Twitter or Facebook
(Open to US residents only - Giveaway ends on Friday 20th January, 11.59pm GMT)
Good Luck and happy weekend!! xo

Ideal Closet: Under £100

Just before the New Year Shayne Renee left a comment on the Ideal Closet post of that week asking if I could put a less than $100 outfit. I am more familiar with the British High Street so here is my first (of a series) of "in-budget" outfits. 

The total of this outfit is bang on £100 and I love how colorful and joyful it is. Those pin tuck trousers will be a closet saviour and can be worn up or down non stop, and by just adding some fun accessories a completely different look can be created every time. And at that price it's a bargain, wish they had my size!

What do you think? Is this something you would be interested in seeing more often?

Trousers: French Connection (on sale) £33 | Shirt: Topshop £36 | Belt: Asos £6 | Ring: Asos £9 | Shoes: New Look £16

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I won't be including bags and coats in these more budget (and less dreamy) outfits as I believe these are pieces most of us have as closet staples and don't change as often.

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A Wedding in Bloom

I have been following Heather Taylor's blog, LA in Bloom, for quite a while now. I really liked it when she talked about her upcoming wedding, back then. So when I saw the pictures of her wedding published on Martha Stewart I really wanted to share in case you missed it. Photos are  by Nancy Neil and they are gorgeous like pretty much everthing that surrounds Heather. 

Via: Martha Stewart Weddings