Insta Favourites

It's been a crazy few weeks since Venice, with lots of new projects and challenges keeping me on the frantic side of busy. One of said projects is the transformation of the blog with a new URl and site design currently in the final stages. But don't worry, it won't be scarily radical - I know how annoying it is when a blog you love changes it's entire format. But I hope you'll love the new look as much as I do and can't wait to share it - stay tuned is pretty much the message here!

But, in the meantime, I thought I'd share some current favourite things that those of you who follow me on instagram might already be familiar with.... 

This HnM lace skirt is making me count down the days till bare leg season (and not (sartorially) dread wedding season quite so much). 

Working weekends aren't so bad when they look like this. 

Guilty of sometimes taking it for granted that I live near one of the most famous streets in the world - but occasionally even I can't help bu play tourist.

Sure you'll be seeing a lot more of these MiH Phoebe jeans and HnM platform trainers. I'm kind of obsessed.

Winter is coming and I for one can't wait... Wearing my new Sleep Shirt that was kindly sent to me. Planning on wearing it outside of bed too for maximum sloth-like behaviour. 

Bought this vintage cross on Portobello market a few weekends ago - worn with my Orelia spike necklace. Still cold enough for my Wool and the Gang jumper too (one small perk of this extended winter). 

Personalised birth chart from Anya Hindmarch. Scarily accurate I tell you... Plus, I am only 3.5 in dog years (read spring chicken).

A few Spring favourites I'm wearing whenever there's a hint of blue sky.

 Pringle of Scotland ladder stitch top, vintage Urban Outfitters Levis, Manebi ponyskin espadrilles, Larsson & Jennings watch and Aesop and Jurlique potions. 

 
Think I've finally managed to break in the surprisingly uncomfortable Adidas gazelles. But it was worth battling those spiky tongues (seriously, they are like tiny little razors) cos I love them - and they're just about loving me back now too.

Trying on every single coat in the MiH showroom.... And taking selfies while at it.



All images via my instagram @lucywilliams02


 

Slide Weather

Thank you Venice for the blue-skies and warm sun that meant I could finally wear my beloved Isabel Marant slides (aside from shuffling around my flat that is).  House slippers no longer, these guys are going to get some serious wear this Spring. Another great thing about this in-between time of year; coats over t-shirts. This camel coat that I've quite literally lived in over winter, feels somehow new again when loose and breezy over a simple, oversized men's tee. 

Slides, Isabel Marant (similar here) | Jeans, Frame Denim | T-shirt, J Crew menswear | Coat, Bash Paris via Vestiaire Collective (similar here) | Bag, Gucci | Sunglasses, Rayban 


ph. by James Wright

Bittersweet

If you follow me on instagram, I apologise. The last 5 days have been an endless stream on glittering canals, blue skies, opulent mosaics, brightly-coloured gelato and general heavenly pursuits in Venice. I couldn't have fallen for this city more if I tried and am far from ready to come home. But go home I must, and one of the great things about my job is I get to re-live it all when I'm back on here. Really can't wait to go through all our photos and share them with you asap.... 

 
Now, time to catch a plane and sob into my last cup of Italian ice cream. In the meantime, I'll leave you with THE view of Venice taken from the Academia bridge. Told you; heaven.

Ph. by me and James Wright

Weekend Update

 New recipes, work lunches and faithful knitwear were all key components of this busier than busy weekend. Even more of you have been asking for recipes on here from my Instagram and I promise to get stuck in soon - these are just a few teasers right now but there are plans in motion to get some properly to you soon.... 

I ate | Homemade raw chocolate mousse (above) topped with crunchie bar and fruit was the first thing I tried out on Friday evening. Adapted from a Deliciously Ella recipe (I use cocoa powder rather than cacao powder for sweetness - its good enough already in my eyes), it's delicious, easy and I defy even the sweetest of teeth to turn their nose up at this guilt-free pudding. 2 bananas, 1 avocado, 6 medjool dates, 2 teaspoons of almond butter, 2 teaspoons of cocoa/cacao powder and a little water blended together (I use my Nutribullet) and that's it... You can add a little agave for sweetness or various milled seeds for some protein. Personally I'm not massively into protein in my pudding but whatever floats your boat.

I went | For a much need cut and colour with the talented Donald at Neville hair and beauty in Chelsea.  I had a good 3 inches chopped off which I know is the best thing for my hair but will take a little getting used to.... Donald, dubbed the 'king of blonde' in the beauty world, put some lighter, fresher tones through my hair which has been feeling a bit warm and brassy in colour of late. Now all I need is some UV rays to whiten-up the ends.... 

 The end result

I watched | Heard lots about Prisoners of late so we gave it a whirl. It had the makings of being a really great film, but ended up just a good film because of all the misleading plot twists that never tied up. If anyone can clear up the snakes in boxes with children's clothes I'd be very grateful...!

I also started Game of Thrones (late on this one I know) and am hooked already. Waving goodbye to my social life as we speak...

I went | I was treated to a delicious lunch at the home of Mandy Watkins, founder of Hush homewear. If you're already familiar with Hush, you probably know it for super comfortable loungewear and pyjamas, but their ready-to-wear collection is ever-expanding and more wearable than ever. And as an Australian, Mandy is a walking lesson in light layers and easy transeasonal dressing (even in February). Think ruched jersey skirts, linen t-shirts and open stitch sweaters....

I wore | Poloneck after poloneck to fight yet another cold snap, namely the Blake LDN Redfern sweater (below) that's been saving me from frost nip for months. It's on sale now so get there before it goes. You'll thank me I promise.

I bought | Nada. But I was given these beautiful hand-beaded Peyote bowls by Jamie. He picked them up from one of my favourite L.A stores Mohawk General Store whilst there last week. I'm one of those boring people who automatically goes for grey and white round the house so these are a bright departure for me and proving the perfect home for discarded trinkets and chains.

Don't forget to keep checking my blog store - I'm adding new pieces all the time right now as I try to keep my very small wardrobe in check. 

 Plus my Facebook page is where you can get first dibs on posts, sales and finds...

All photos from my instagram @lucywilliams02

Resolutions

New Year Resolutions. They're pretty much made to be broken for anyone who's as weak willed as me. But still, it's always good to start the year with good intentions. From the frivolous to the somewhat more pious, I thought I'd put mine on here in an attempt to make them stick. They say it takes 30 days to form a habit, so here goes.... 

1. Read more. Less TV in bed and Instagram browsing on the tube, more page turning needs to happen.

2. Do Yoga at least twice a week. I love yoga, I feel great after it, so why am I so bad at keeping at it consistently? 2014 needs to be the year it becomes something I fit other stuff around rather than just slotting in. 

3. Remember this more.... 

4. And this..... 

5. Wear dresses more often. Dresses often make me feel like a 5 year old and are normally solely reserved for the beach. But I love the idea of them and seeing them on other people and recently I've started to forget why I don't wear them more often.... If there's one person who gives a good lesson in the adaptability of dresses, its Alexandra Spencer. I'm using this babe as my starting point for rediscovering the dress.

6. Travel more. O.K, lots of you might be thinking I already travel quite a lot. And while yes, I'm very lucky being able to go to the places I've been over the last few years, there's no harm in trying to do even more of what you love most. Just a few of the places I'm keen to tick off the bucket list over the next few years are New York, Sri Lanka, Scandinavia, Paxos, Pondicherry, Venice, Provence, Burma, the Amalfi coast, Brazil, Palm Springs and both L.A and Tulum (again). This little eco place in Portugal looks pretty lovely too..... Better get saving.

7. Cook more. I already cook quite a lot so i guess this is more about trying new things and experimenting rather than sticking to the tried and tested. 

8. And bake more.

9. Go to bed earlier. I've always gone to bed pretty late and often don't end up turning the light out till 1 A.M all week. When you have to get up at 7 its not all that sustainable, so I'm going to attempt an earlier lights out policy during the week. Rock and roll. 

10. Drink more of this.... 

11. Buy a juicer/blender and actually use it.

12. Find a good colourist and stick to it. No more ombre but yet to find the right person to take me back to blonde.... This will be the year I find my go-to. Superficial but important for someone scarred by the perils of bleach.

13. Use this motto as my rule of thumb for shopping. Sabrina from After DRK has been doing something similar with her 5 piece French wardrobe mantra and has been inspiring me to do the same.... 

14. And don't forget the basics. Simplicity will always win. Jeans, t-shirts and sweaters are always the best if you get them just right. 

15. Learn to make a mean cocktail or three.

16. Wear nicer things to bed.  I pretty much wear tracksuit bottoms and baggy t-shirts to bed. Most of which now have holes in them. Wouldn't mind upping the ante with proper PJs for once. Erin shows us how its done.

17. Less new, more old. Some of my favourite pieces in my wardrobe that I wear over and over are from the likes of eBay, Vestiare Collective, The Outnet and vintage stores. Be it vintage, past season or second-hand, it pays to take time and shop the old as well as the new.

18. Buy, frame and make more art. 

19. Love more. That sounds kind of intense at first glance but it can really mean everything from replying to friend's texts and e-mails faster, seeing family more, being more self-confident and giving more to the person you're with. It's an idea that stems from a really insightful book I've just read called Loveability. No New Year is complete without at least one vow to be generally better to yourself and loved ones.

20. And last but not least, remember this, especially when failing at one or all of the above.....

images via Pinterest, After DRK, Delciiously Ella, Columbine, 4th and Bleeker, Studded Hearts