I know it’s a little bit wrong to be browsing A/W12 lookbooks already, I should be knee-deep in bikinis and sunhats, but these cosy knits have been filtering into my inbox, and my personal shopping list, this week. I’m loving the burnt oranges and forest greens for a splash of…
Style
Buying gifts for men: a CF guide
So next week is the OH’s 30th AND his first ever Father’s Day. No pressure in the present department then. We are going down to Cornwall for the big event, but I figured he needs a few things to open on the day. So here’s my shortlist of ideas for…
Grown-up friendship bracelets: a CF edit
I’m sure I’m not the only one that, ever summer of our youth, dutifully brought back colourful pieces of string, masquerading as friendship bracelets for our BFFs at home. They were worn solemnly as a signifier to our undying friendship, until the stroppy house master made us chop them off…
Object of desire: Love Brand & Co. swimming trunks
When we discovered Country Bebe was on his way, and that ‘it’ was a he – my immediate thought was this: Daddys and their mini mes in matching trunks. Surely the best reason to have a boy? The launch of Love Brand & Co. brings me a step closer to…
Object of Desire: Aspinal of London
I will admit, I am more than a teeny bit in love with Aspinal of London. I remember defecting from my ardent Smythson habit back in 2009 after one too many ‘Pretty Woman’ moments in Smythson’s Bond Street store. It’s a diary people, how elitist can a shop girl…
Object of desire: Roost Living
I did a shoot and interview with Laura Binns, owner of online interiors boutique Roost Living, at her stunning Dartmouth Park house early last year. Her family home acts as the perfect canvas for her style finds, ergo stock and I found myself drifting off to covert every cushion, lamp…
On… hammocks
One of my main loves when it comes to country living is an early evening swing in a hammock. Preferably accompanied by my trusty Roberts wireless and a G&T. My parents have the perfect pair of apple trees to string a hammock between, offering dappled shade in the summer and…
Lulu Guinness for Uniqlo
I will be setting the alarm to get online on the 16th and hopefully snap up the second from bottom trio of t-shirts from Lulu Guinness’ collection for Uniqlo. I usually avoid a graphic tee like the plague (big boobs don’t need adverts), but these bold iconic Lulu designs really…
Object of Desire: Art.co.uk
Hi. My name’s Lydia. I’m a picture addict. I can’t stop buying photos/prints/artwork. Yes, it’s an affliction. They are stacked around the house, lined up along the skirting board as we have literally run out of wall space. And yet I keep buying. The only rule is thick, matt black…
Object of Desire: Beware the moon
So, this company has been on my ‘interior design tear sheet pile of dreams’ for a while. Even since the immaculately tasteful Judith Wilson wrote about it for me at The Resident back in 2009. Beware the moon is a father/daughter wallpaper company that really tickles my fancy. I love…
Festive sweaters – the sequel
I never thought I’d be hankering after a festive sweater but then I met this beauty from J Crew. I admired it from afar for a while, mulling over buying it for a casual Valentine’s date (all dates are casual with an 11 week in tow). I’d even mentally styled…
Autumn boots
CF.com is by no means a fashion blog, but what with the rain whipping at the windows, a soothing butternut squash risotto on the stove and the advent of the Brora sale (nothing says ‘goodbye summer’ more than cashmere cardis), this afternoon my mind has begun to wander to thoughts…