INSPIRATION: Barbie, Barbra and Cara.

My hair is in desperate need of a trim, so I’ve exiled my curling wand in order to avoid any further damage. I can’t leave my hair to dry naturally when I’m working, so I’ve been scouting for inspiration for styles I can accomplish with only a hairdryer and some velcro rollers.

Sources: 1, 2, 3.

Born to be wild,

Hetty

SHOPPING LIST: Creeper booties, lipstick kisses, and Minnie Mouse nails.

These beauties arrived in my work last week and I was immediately drawn to them. I tried them on straight away and was sold as soon as I saw how cute they looked with black tights and the not-exactly-flattering navy tulip dress I wear for uniform. I can’t wait wear them with black drainpipe jeans and my never-fail 2007 New Look trenchcoat. Linda, KG by Kurt Geiger, £150

I already own a couple of skirts and one top with a cutesy and totally-not-me lipstick print motif on them, but they are definitely in the going-out section of my wardrobe. I love wearing blouses, and imagine this would work with Lana Del Rey starlet-hair, skinny blue jeans, white plimsolls and lots of tanned ankle. Carrie Shirt in Print Perfection, Monki, €35

I know this would be a total nightmare to apply (Step 2 The Beat of My ♥ from Justin Bieber’s Nicole for O.P.I collection, anyone? Maybelline Clearly In Love?) but despite that, it’s a must for my collection. Who cares about actually using it on my nails, when it looks this pretty in the bottle? Nothin’ Mouse About It, O.P.I Minnie Mouse Collection, £11

Born to be wild,

Hetty

NOTD: Unicorn

As soon as I saw Model’s Own Indian Ocean on one of my friends, I knew I had to have it.

I really only wear reds, pinks and oranges (everything else gives me boy-hands), so it’s quite a departure for me. It’s just so pretty though; I ended up ordering it from the Model’s Own website because it kept selling out as soon as Boots restocked it. I layered Revlon Sparkling over the top to add an extra layer of dreamy unicorn prettiness.

Model’s Own Indian Ocean (NP133) from the Beetlejuice collection, and Revlon 261 Sparkling:

Born this way,

Hetty

INSPIRATION: The Delicious Miss Dahl and her camel coat.

I got so excited when I saw that Sophie Dahl is face of the new Aubin & Wills lookbook. I never thought I’d get excited about anything Jack Wills-related, but the barrage of A/W lookbooks about to descend signals one thing: Autumn is just around the corner. 

Each year, when September rolls round, people of Aberdeen are finally able to shrug off the pretense of being warm, and pull on a nice thick coat, without anyone making remarks about how it’s “summer”. Discounting a few gloriously sunny days, the thermometer has barely peaked 14º all season. 

I want to go on a damp woodland walk in a perfect double-breasted camel coat. 

Born this way,

Hetty

MOUTH: Earl Grey and Lemon-Infused Fruit Loaf

I wanted an easy bake where I wouldn’t be temped to sample the batter before baking; I’m terrible for eating chocolate cake batter or raw cookie dough and then having no appetite for tasting the finished product. I also wanted something that I could divide up among the various pockets of family, and that would keep well. I was going to make scones, but then found this recipe for a tea-infused loaf that is served at Fortnum & Mason’s Jubilee tea salon.

I loved the idea, but the recipe sounded a touch more Christmassy than I fancied, with the mixed fruit, marmalade and cinnamon. So, I only used raisins and cranberries, which I soaked over night in strong Earl Grey with some lemon peel. I substituted the marmalade in the batter for lemon curd, which I also used for the glaze, and did away with the cinnamon completely. The result was a light, crumbly loaf, with a sweet lemon tang and a wonderfully aromatic hint of bergamot from the tea.

Enjoy plain or accompanied by the spread of your choice, but I personally couldn’t resist gilding the lily with some salted Jersey butter.

Born to be wild,

Hetty

Thank you very much! If you have a blog, please do pop the address in my ask. I’d love to read about what you get up to with your little girl!

Hetty

INSPIRATION: Tents and Tenenbaums

It’s official: the Greatest Tent in all the world is yellow and can be found in the ballroom of 111 Archer Avenue. There’s a pretty little light-up globe in it, and the Rolling Stones on the turntable. The second greatest tent in the world is more like a teepee constructed from duvet covers, and features in some rubbish Diaz/Law/Winslet affair.

Violet and I made a tent this week; the old clotheshorse-and-blanket method, of course. She was delighted with it despite its rudimentary, unimaginative construction, and I can’t wait for the little creative touches she can add to a tent as she gets older, if one were to become a more permanent installation.

Sources: 1, 2, 3.

Born to be wild,

Hetty

EARS: Cat Power, “Cherokee”

I got goosebumps within five seconds, and my eyes welled up at about 1:15. Happy comeback, Chan. I love you so much.

Chan Marshall’s first original material in over six years… Please, please, let the rest of the album be like this and as good as this.

Born this way,

Hetty

It’s Hot Chilli by 17 at Boots. Come back in a few days for a full review!

Hetty

I’m a UK 6-8 (a curvy one rather than a skinny one)’ so I wear XS disco pants. Hope that helps you, and thanks!

Hetty