THE IRRESISTIBLE CHARM OF ENGLISH ROSES.

English roses are perhaps the perfect compliment to any garden thanks to their rustic charm    reminding of romantic cottage style. The success of this kind of roses, which were bred by the British rose breeder David Austin (they are also called David Austin Roses) in his garden in Shropshire, England, is in their combining the positive re-blooming attribute and wide colour range of modern hybrid teas and floribundas with the vigour, form, and intense fragrance of the old garden roses. Most noteworthy are their romantic and soft cupped blooms with many nuanced petals and arguably the most intoxicating fragrance anywhere in a garden. Moreover, it is easier to learn how to grow English roses than traditional tea roses, consequently they are more of a landscape shrub rather than a finicky rose with more definite colouring. 

English roses are also a fabulous choice for cutting. Personally, I've always been a huge fan  of the pink, cream and yellow varieties and love using them for informal tablescapes or combined to other rustic flowers in a small cluster on my bedside table. Their abundant and incredibly beautiful blossoms, coupled with their delightful fragrance, make them real favourites to enjoy indoors or give to loved ones. And since it's always a special pleasure to cut flowers, fresh from your own garden, if you're so lucky to have one, you'll find that, thanks to their repeat flowering qualities, English roses produce exquisite blooms time and again, so that you'll always find a few perfect blooms that beg to be brought indoors. And when the rose bush you cut your flowers from is covered in blooms from early summer till frost, this pleasure can be happily renewed... 
So, dear readers, here are the varieties chosen for our garden. I'm sure you'll love them...

Wildeve: Soft blush blooms with a pretty apricot hue, the outer petals paling to almost white, produced on long arching branches forming a bushy, mounding shrub. Named after the character in Thomas Hardy's "The Return of the Native". David Austin, 2003.

William Morris: Apricot/pink double flowers with strong, exquisite fragrance,  blooming in small clusters forming a shrub throughout the season. This variety commemorates the University of East London's centenary year, David Austin, 1987. 

Graham Thomas: bears medium-sized, cupped blooms of an unusually rich, pure yellow. there is a light Tea fragrance, with a cool violet character. It forms a bushy, vigorous shrub, with smooth, green foliage. David Austin, 1983.

Cottage Rose: bears medium to large pink blooms in large clusters and with a mild fragrance. It forms a bushy, medium-tall shrub, with smooth, green foliage. David Austin, 1991.

✈ HOW TO TOTALLY NAIL THE JETSETTER AIRPORT STYLE. ✈

Have you ever wondered what is it about the airport that strikes so many of as a fashion opportunity? Perhaps it's the romantic and actually very unlikely notion that we might be seated in either a comfy lounge or executive class seat by a sparkly-eyed, conversational, intelligently layered, fellow traveler. In a similar vein, maybe it’s the opportunist inside, urging us to consider the potential contacts and the networking possibilities that may be enhanced by impressive dress. Or could it be the challenge and pride in entering a place, bustling with people, wearing an impossibly balanced look of comfort and chic. Whatever the motive, this illusion of the effortless, polished, utilitarian look is an undoubtedly ambitious pursuit. That said, here are some examples of celebs that fit the bill and show that the combination is rather common: 
- a leather jacket, a blazer or coat + jeans/large maxi-skirt or maxi-dress + boots/trainers/flats +  + handy and elegant luggage/handbag.
So, the cue is remember that if comfort is key, but that certainly doesn't mean you can't look smart and fashion-forward too. 

So, Honey how do you get so fly?

 ⭐EASTER-EGG SURPRISE: THE STAR-THEMED BRACELET.⭐

How would it be Easter without Easter eggs, flowers and bunnies? A small decorated Easter-egg-box as a place card holder for a wonderful springtime table setting, on a sunny Easter morning brunch was a most pleasant surprise, and the gift I found inside mine was so amazing!

A wonderful golden-plated cuff with themed decoration and letters in yellow golden-plated set with strass of the highest quality, bearing the most beautiful and enchanting of all symbols, the STAR, with its inspiring spiritual meaning of aspiration, imagination, creative brilliance and Divine Guidance. 

Actually, this model of bracelet can be customised also with other inspirational words, or with one's first name, and is perfect for fashionistas who like to have it stacked with other pieces. As for me this inspirational message comes on the verge of important professional changes, so I'll do my best to get positive energy form such a nice messenger of a new beginning, for my future business plans... 

CHIC AND AFFORDABLE EASTER DECORATING IDEAS.

Easter is just around the corner, and we're ready to celebrate Spring in all pastel and floral glory. Whether you're throwing a last-minute Easter party, or planning a large gathering in advance, my Easter decorating ideas can be your solutions. Choose among a gorgeous Spring tablescape with bulbs and elegant ribbons, or go egg-centric and add a baby's breath or fragrant florals to a wicker basket. Today I've got a fresh batch of chic and affordable easter decorating ideas for every home's style ahead. 

1) Ribbons with a message: tie your napkins with customised ribbons that say "Happy easter" on them, then add a subtle touch of sophistication with marble eggs.

2) Bulbs: daffodils, muscari, tulips or hyacinths are always the perfect springtime flowers for an easter centerpiece, so use them profusely for your tablescapes, since they're simple, pretty, and on-theme, especially when surrounded by colourfule egg candy and décor, or put them into a vase to welcome your guests with a touch of colour... deck out your table with matching pastel-coloured linens. 


3) Themed decorations as place cards: egg holders, bunnies and small nests add the perfect Easter touch to plain linens and plates in setting your tables.


4) Elevated outdoor picnic: if you're having guests ocver for Easter, take the party outside either in your own backyard or on a terrace. set up a cozy picnic and make the lawn or benches look more festive with layers of plush throws and blankets for seating to make things so much cosier and in Easter-friendly colours.

5) Matching drinks and flowers: this brings some contrast to your Easter flower arrangement with moodier deep purple flowers and curate a drink menu that matches the colour scheme, or stick to water, but opt for colourful glassware.

6) Bunny dessert stand: it doesn't get cuter than this. topped with pastel-coloured macarons, a rabbit-shaped platter takes your Easter party to the next level.


7) Chocolate-filled wreath: a wreath with colourful dried flowers is perfect for Easter. This one looks like a beautiful bird's nest, but it's even better, since these robin's eggs are actually made of chocolate.

8) Flower-power dessert: don't limit your blooms to vases. Put them on your dessert as a a decoration. Opt for real flowers, or practice your baking skills by making them out of frosting.



9) Baby's breath bouquet: the bouquet sidekick goes solo in an arrangement trimmed with pastel eggs.

10) Instant door décor: make your own wreath to be shown off on either your front door or mantelpiece, by just intertwining an egg garland with a grapevine frame.



11) Small Easter-themed decorations: put some smaller egg decorations on side tables and window-sills throughout the house to add to the easter-party atmosphere, or in the garden to invite the youngest guests to take part in egg-hunting games.

Happy Easter, dear readers! 🌷🌸

SPRING/SUMMER TRENDS TO TRY: SHELL JEWELRY.

When the shell jewelry trend reached its peak momentum last Summer, I was uncertain about following it, since it was already late July 2018, and purchasing something that I thought would surely run its course by September seemed impractical to me. However, by the time the Fashion Month rolled around in September, it was clear that there was a new take on the shell jewelry trend — it definitely wasn’t going anywhere just yet. 
During Spring/Summer 2019 runway shows, the trend got an upgrade thanks to golden re-iterations, as well as crystal and pearl embellishments. What at first seemed like a touristy beach trend, could now be easily incorporated into anyone's everyday wardrobe in an elevated way. The fashion crowd undoubtedly took notice of this trend, too. While scrolling through Instagram in the cold weeks of December, I can recall seeing shell anklets paired with sparkly holiday heels. Seemingly season-averse, it was clear the trend would only take further hold in 2019. Instead of proclaiming that the shell jewelry trend is back and better than ever, more accurately, I'd say that it’s now opened up to offer something to everyone, since shell  jewelry are the accessories that undoubtedly scream Summertime. So, gold and pearl iterations are perfectly suited for someone with more of a classic style, while playful, neon hues are great for younger ones who are looking to explore Spring’s eclectic colour trends. For those who lean more minimal, a simple cowrie bracelet will do the trick. Personally, I love them all, since they channel my inner "California Girl". Now that I'm getting more and more nostalgia of sunny beaches and azure sea waves, the shells on my wrist serve as a gentle reminder of the urgency of organising my next seaside holidays. 
Meanhile, keep scrolling to see some of my saved pieces that I keep coming back to.

1) Earrings are an easy way to dip your hand into the trend. You can swap your everyday studs for a pair of simple shell hoops, or dress up a casual look with a pair of crystal-clad statement earrings. 

2) Cowrie chokers feel like an evolved version of the Puka shell necklace you longed for as a kid, retaining just the right amount of 90's nostalgia. the short length is also perfect for layering, since it hangs just above the other necklaces you wear on a daily basis.


3) Long necklaces are the chicest version of the trend, and suitable to mix-and-match with other pieces.

4) Bracelets are certainly the most obvious choice, but how not to mention them, since no fashion-girl can resist to the temptation of stacking them on her sun-tanned arms with either other colourful summery pieces or golden bangles.

5) Anklets are what the youngest readers will be most excited about, among all the Summer trends. If you can't resist to wear them right now, you can pair yours with either sneakers or loafers for a Boho touch, but once the weather warms up, you can add some pair of sandals to the series.

SPRING ESSENTIALS: THE DOUBLE-BREASTED NAVY BLUE BLAZER.

I love this time of the year, when it's too cold to go without a jacket, but too hot to wear our full winter gear. Perfect for the perfect blazer! Nothing says timeless chic and stylish like a blazer that fits you like a glove, so this is a piece a woman should always invest in to have in her wardrobe. A great blazer is one that's versatile and classic and not just any blazer, such as the famous double-breasted wool twill Balmain one or the Pucci model. Are you among those who have long lusted after these pieces, which are also favourites among celebrities: who can forget Jennifer Aniston or Rosie Huntington Whiteley in their wonderful travel attires with Balmain blazer + white tee + jeans? Or the Duchess of Cambridge in her Pucci navy blazer + Team GB scarf + navy pencil skirt on her first medal ceremony at the Paralympics in 2012? ). Thanks to their formal but at the same time edgy features such as the peaked lapels, two side flap pockets, eighties-style padded shoulders and gold-coloured metal buttons, they're ideal to be worn with denim, leather leggings, slim-fit trousers, or paired with a maxi skirt + graphic tee. The navy tone, is an evergreen, so if you can only buy one, it's best to buy a navy (or at least black) piece, but above all else, it's the fit that matters, to have it perfect for Spring of many years to come. My advice is, of course, if you can afford to splurge for a luxury version, I don't think you'll regret it, but if you can't, for staples like this, you should always buy the nicest one you can afford...

SPRING MUST-HAVE SHOES: THE VALENTINO ROCKSTUD COLLECTION.

Today it's officially Spring and it's finally starting the "slingback season"! Dreaming about wearing Spring outfits is undeniably linked to the longing for rocking my Valentino Rockstud pumps again, with bare  legs, aha! Even if I have bought myself my first pair of these famous, iconic caged pumps two yaers ago, I find that they are still trendy, chic, comfortable, and I literally love them, feeling so at ease when I wear them, even if the heel height is 100 mm/4 in. 
Surely, these shoes are not on the cheap side, but even if they are rather expensive, they became iconic enough to be bought without regrets. Since their debut in 2011, thanks to the new design duo Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli, these pointy toed shoes with pyramid studs caught everyone's attention and quickly became a hit, so famous that the brand started to produce also alternative models over the years such as flats, slingbacks, sandals and mules. It is always hard to choose one from the gorgeous collection, since Rockstuds are sold in many colours and in different kinds of leather, but in my selection of a first pair, I went for the bicolour black patent leather and powder-colour nappa leather straps and trims + platinum-finish-studs, with light gold studs, probably the most classic pair, then the following year, I bought another classic version in powder-colour nappa leather and nude piping and ankle straps + platinum-finish studs. 
The Rockstuds have a staying power that few shoes enjoy and they're just as in-demand as the day they landed, since they're versatile and can elevate any outfit - elegant with formal dresses and edgy with a pair of jeans - and I definitely feel they won't be my last pair, since I'd like to buy also either powder-colour mules or tan caged sandals for next Summer, or perhaps a very up-to-date pair of slingbacks...