The Small Things

Two things that never fail to bring a smile to my face in recent weeks are this gold bracelet and new Bobbi Brown lipstick in Guava. On a trip to London I took a minor detour to the John Lewis beauty counter, with the intentions of treating myself to something a little bit special and different to my normal style. Numerous friends had started to rave none stop about Bobbi Brown products in the weeks leading up to my trip, so it seemed like the obvious place to start. As I never normally wear lipstick (I've always been a lip balm lady) I decided to invest in something bright and fresh, that wouldn't fail to make me feel that extra bit special and glammed up from the moment I applied it. Guava does just that.
This gold bracelet was an love at first sight item. I love the fact that it looks like an item you would find at a little Spanish market, and has that summer, holiday vibe to it. Yet, at the same time there is something quite subtle and elegant about it - most likely because it is a thin rather than chunky chain. It does often get mistaken by friends and family as a watch, but hey, that's all part of the charm.

A bit of Vintage

For absolutely ages I have been searching for a magazine rack. I knew exactly what I wanted and was hesitant to stray far from the image in my mind’s eye. Black, metal, wire curling and spiralling to create a vintage style look.

I’m thrilled to say that after months of searching, and having to put up with piles of Marie Claire and InStyle cluttering my floor, I have finally found the perfect one.

Originally I'd planned to paint this black when it arrived. I thought it would give me an opportunity to be a bit creative, and I always like the idea that I have a piece that is a little bit different. However, within moments of opening the parcel I decided I loved the rack in the slightly chipped, rustic white shade. It adds a little bit of vintage, romantic styling to the room.

A conversation starter

On a trip to a Spanish market in the old capital of Teguise, my friends and I came across a stall full of quirky and original clocks. The gentleman who ran it used old wine and spirit bottles (everything from Martini to Gordan's Gin to Absolut Vodka), flattened them and added a clock battery and hands to create a modern, statement piece. My friends and I ummed and arghed over which to buy, and I ended up purchasing one Jack Daniels bottle, as a gift to my brother, and the last of the pink champagne bottles as a gift to myself. I stood and watched as the bottles became clocks, and was even given the option of the colour hands I wanted (I opted for silver). I’m particularly pleased with the outcome – the clock looks great on the wall and is entirely different to any clock I’ve seen before.

Book Club - The Crimson Rooms by Katharine McMahon

A little bit eerie, unconventional characters, perceptive descriptions, authentic settings and elaborate plot twists; I give you The Crimson Rooms by Katharine McMahon.

This novel follows Evelyn, one of Britain's first female solicitors, in the years after the first World War. Evelyn is still struggling to come to terms with the death of her younger and much beloved brother James, and her world is thrown into further disarray when Meredith arrives at her home claiming to have been James' lover and the mother of his child. Things are not straight-forward in her professional life either. Evelyn is constantly battling against the disapproval of male judges and finds herself caught up in two complicated cases.

This novel is thoroughly impressive. It deals with serious themes from shell shock and feminism to justice and truth. I see no reason why it could not end up on a course list for study purposes. Yet, it never loses the suspense and edge of mystery that keeps a reader intrigued throughout a good detective novel (which in-sorts this is).

Intelligently written, the narrative voice is quite unlike one I have read before; strong, confiding, captivating, but in no way an effortless read.

There are various twists and turns that make this a fascinating story, and leave me keen to read more of McMahon's work. If it is anything like this novel, it will be original and intelligently written. Intriguing and thought provoking.