Illamasqua in Fragile, for Spring.
Base coat of Orly Bonder, 2 coats of polish, another coat of Orly Bonder then sealed with a coat of Sally Hansen Diamond Flash (better than Seche Vite, IMO – doesn’t smell as strong and there’s very little shrinkage at the tips).
(Guest appearance by my lovely Rifle Paper Co telephone message pad – purchased in Paperchase but I’ve since spied them cheaper – grr – in Waterstones)
I wandered into Heals at lunchtime, seduced by the sale signs and the lure of a bargain. I am an idiot. They’re selling Penhaligon’s in there now, and I made the mistake of spraying a little Juniper Sling on my wrists. CALAMITY! I don’t think I’ve ever loved a fragrance so much – I’ve been sniffing my wrists all afternoon (attracting some odd looks from my colleagues, no doubt), whilst despairing at the fact that I can’t afford it (it’s £78 ouch ouch ouch).
Just look at that packaging! It’s so beautiful. The description on the website makes me laugh a bit, but it does give you the gist:
“Introducing Juniper Sling, an intoxicating new fragrance inspired by the most iconic and atmospheric of spirits: London Dry Gin.
For enigmatic boys and girls, Juniper Sling is a crisp cocktail shot of gin with the freshness of juniper, cool measures of angelica and brandy and a beating libertine heart of black pepper, cardamom, soft leather and orris. A gourmand base of brown sugar, black cherry and amber add sensuality to the scent. Apply liberally and drink in.”
I can’t bear the taste of gin but I’ve always liked the smell – both Mike* and my dad love a G&T, so it’s familiar and comforting. Juniper Sling doesn’t smell exactly like a glass of Gordon’s – it’s spicier (I guess that’s the pepper and cardamom), and softer (the leather?).
It smells exactly right on me. DAMN.
*Do you think if I tell Mike there’s a perfume that smells of gin he’ll buy it for me? 😉
Feeling inexplicably grumpy today, so I’m putting these things here in an effort to cheer myself up:
Caine’s arcade. I’m sure most of you will have seen this by now, but if you haven’t it’s just so lovely – do watch:
{via the entire internet}
Dancing Bucharest, wonderful pictures by Dani Ionita:
{via tumblr}
My new owl print top from Next (so pleasing, I may have to get the navy version too):
Spring blossom:
The article With Friends Like These in the May issue of Vanity Fair is well worth a read (I rarely buy VF as I find it annoying to read but I made an exception for this):
There, that’s better 🙂
These:
And also this:
The lens at Dungeness lighthouse, taken last summer.
{pic}
{pic}
{pic}
{pic}
{pic}
……of our new kitchen! Before the exciting bit, here’s a reminder of it in its former UNglory:
*drumroll* TA DA!
Pretty gorgeous, innit?
Oh look, an extractor fan light that actually works!
Shelves! That will need dusting….oh.
Cookery book corner! And yes, after all that moaning about the battleship grey tiles of despair in the old kitchen, I have painted the end wall, um, grey. It looks great though, and will look even better once we’ve hung a load of pictures.
Worktop of loveliness and tiles of supreme beauty (that I’ve just realised look a bit wonky in the picture but they’re really not)!
So, apparently, my Mum is fed up with looking at the Empire State Building every time she checks my blog (hi Mum!). How about these, taken on our jaunt to Firle in Sussex two weeks ago, for a change of scene?
{source}
Well I’m quite worn out from all that writing yesterday, so here’s a picture of my dream kitchen. God knows when we’ll be able to afford to do anything to our kitchen (highlight: battleship grey tiles), but when we do this will be my inspiration.
trifles 
