Lady of scarves

I am a lady of scarves - it is not often that you will see me without - I call it my French touch ! :)


I discovered this video a long time ago, and it has probably has been around quite a few times on quite a few blogs by now, but I absolutely love it and for those of you who have not watched it yet, it is 4.5 minutes very well spent! 


All the thinking, the efforts and of course all the time spent making it is really quite dramatic! 


You can find out more about how the video was produced on Wendy's Lookbook's here.


Enjoy!

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I am off to China for about ten days, will show and tell all when I come back ! In the meantime, you can always have a look at the new Collectibles bracelets and the sale on the website! xo

A fun day at Bicester Village

So when I woke up this morning, I decided to go to Bicester Village. It was either Bicester or Cambridge, and as much as I love Cambridge, I thought that under the rain, being inside shops would be the safer option!

As it turned out, other than a few mini showers, it was a rain-free and very sunny day!

My primary aim of course was not actually to go shopping, it was to go driving - as odd as this sounds. Yes, for a work-related reason, i had a hire-car which I needed to get some driving practice on (only passed my test a few months ago and haven't driven since!)

So I thought I would share my dos and don'ts on how to have a fabulous day driving!

1. Before getting there: Look the part - wear some feel good clothes... in my case my new raspberry dress and my new black wedges!

2. On your way there: Get lost! Definitely the highlight of my day - excellent for driving practice... miss your motorway exit and end up rather closer to London than expected (or that you had wanted!)

(2. So I'll give a kind alternative to the first number '2' - buy a map... or a sat nav!)

3. That's also another wonderful excuse to drive in Oxfordshire and enjoy its beautiful countryside!


4. Bring yummy apricots to keep you going on the way there... do  not bring cookies - they will melt!

5. As you get there: park well... totally uncalled for - that person was just mean to me (and had left me no room to manoeuvre) - I just laughed!

6. When you are there: enjoy...

Get some yumminess from Carluccio's 

Buy yourself a few treats to make up for all the driving (lovely skirt and rather high heels!)

Enjoy the shop displays (Cath Kidston)

Think about the last time you were here and that key moment in your life, how everything is different now

Get into the spirit and into the Bicester "lifestyle" (Brooks Brothers)

Do a bit (a lot!) of people watching

Dream about one day owning one of your favourite designer's dress (Valentino)

And finish your day with an Amaretto ice cream!

Get home with just enough time to write this post and get an (well deserved!) early night's sleep :)

   

   

It's the little things...

I have been a little overworked lately, and so to keep my sanity, I decided to have a look around me and find pretty things, relaxing sounds and gorgeous smells that make me forget my worries and make me smile every day. So here they are...

Wearing my new glamorous shoes

The smell of fresh lilies in my flat


New pieces of jewellery which I am very proud of

Spraying my Miller Harris perfume that makes me feel so lush

Listening to Cerys on BBC 6 Music on Sunday mornings

Eating some super-yummy Tesco Finest Nut Granola

Wearing my computer-screen-only glasses that make me look studious

Planning future holidays

Listening to uplifting music and soothing sounds

Enjoy! :)

New range of *Collectibles* bracelets!

Just thought I'd update you on new additions to the *Paris in a bottle* website! 

So many people love my *Collectibles* bracelets, so I decided to extend the range a little, to give more choice of design, ribbons and charms!

They are all made to order with a Liberty fabric and are super cute and super trendy!

Which one will you choose? :)

You can have a look at the full range on the website here

DIY #1

As surprising at this may sound, I am by far not the craftiest person there is. In fact I would almost say that, apart from crafting beautiful jewellery (yes, yes...) I craft near to nothing!

When I was younger, I learnt knitting for a while, tried a bit of sewing, was always making cards... but somehow I lost the enthusiasm and/or never made time for it!

I must be in a rebellious phase, because all I can think of at the moment is what to make next! 

I attended an amazing workshop at the weekend where I learned how to make corsages... see below my work of art... and I got really excited about it, so much so that you can expect similar pieces in my Autumn Winter collection...

After that though, I started gathering up all the various pieces of fabric, felt, ribbon, buttons that were hiding in my apartment and starting had a roam around looking for inspiration on what to make next!

So here is my very first selection of DIY projects I am dying to try out, and I hope these will inspire you too!

Project 1: Peter Pan collars nails

by The Beauty Department

If you are  a fan of peter pan collars, or of nail-painting, and especially if you are both, this project is for you! This is completely adorable and looks very easy to do too!

Photos by Kristin Ess

Check out The Beauty Department's blog here to view the full tutorial

Project 2: A doily lace skirt

by A Matter of Style

I discovered A Matter Of Style's blog only a few days ago, and already I have spent hours longing through the many projects that are available and day-dreaming about them... it is like a new Aladdin's Cave for crafty people!

This tutorial is to make a really lovely skirt, ideal if you have been looking for that perfect skirt but can't quite find it!

Photos: A Matter of Style

View the full tutorial here

Project 3: Paper peonies

by l'Atelier Douceur

This project shows you how to transform basic Ikea napkins into beautiful peonies, perfect to decorate your home!

This website is in French but the how-to-do-it photos are self-explanatory!

Photos: L'Atelier Douceur

Check out the full tutorial here

Project 5: Miu Miu glitter shoes-looalike

by A matter of Style

I thought I would finish off this first DIY post with another tutorial by A Matter of Style... no other than the AW11/12 Miu Miu glitter shoes!

These will without question by my first project (ok it might take me some time to make them as perfect as the 'real' ones... but it will happen!) - I simply love them!

View the full tutorial and be dazzled here.

Happy DIY-ing! and don't hesitate to share your own DIY projects or photos of your finished items! :)

And the winners are....

Thank you so so much to everybody who entered the

*Paris in a bottle* competition to win a piece of your choice! 

I am absolutely thrilled and overwhelmed by the response; 

I am so flattered that so many of you

would love to own a piece of my jewellery!

(or maybe next time I will have to make it more difficult to enter! ;-) )

So without further ado, here are the winners!

Facebook winner for the necklace of your choice is: 

Iwona Szpak

https://www.facebook.com/Iwona46

                                   Twitter winner for the pair of earrings

of your choice is:

Lisa Jenkins @lisaannejenkins

Simply contact me with your choice of jewel and address, and you will receive a pretty parcel very soon!

**Stay tuned for the Diamond Jubilee Flash Sale

starting tomorrow!**