I have been obsessing about a yellow velvet sofa for our lounge ever since John Lewis brought out their Mr Bright chair. I love the contrasting covered buttons and am really drawn to the colour, which is some where between an egg yolk and mustard.

These beautiful images are inspiring me by the day and my very talented upholsterer friend jenny is on standby for the transformation of our sofa. Watch this space for the before and after shots, coming soon(hopefully!)

Mr Bright Chair

http://www.johnlewis.com/

http://www.anthropologie.eu/uk/page/home

Beautiful boiled wool cushions from Wales by Damson & Slate

http://www.damsonandslate.co.uk/

The new collection for Marks & Spencer by Sir Terence Conran

http://www.marksandspencer.com/

As a Manchester lass I am fascinated with mills, their transformation in the 21st century to apartments and galleries and how they make our Northern landscape unique.

Flicking through the latest edition of Selvedge magazine I came across these pictures of a dilapidated silk mill in Baltimore, USA in which time has stood still since the 1970’s when it finally closed it’s doors, and I just had to share them with you. Can you imagine the treasures that are in there from the brown luggage labels, to the old calendars and the wooden silk bobbins? I could spend hours in there finding salvage to take home, it’s like an Aladdin’s cave.

http://www.selvedge.org/default.aspx

Another Manchester landmark celebrates it’s 10th Anniversary this year, Islington Mill in Salford first opened in 2001 and continues to be a successful venue for artists and musicians to showcase their work, as well as a great community space for events and workshops.

As part of the anniversary celebrations, the artist Susie MacMurray will be reinstalling her seminal piece, Stratum, which was first shown in 2001, when the mills attic will be filled with 80kg of white feather down. This serene installation looks as though a piece of heaven has settled in Salford. The exhibition will run throughout the rest of the year.

For Manchester and Salford residents it’s definitely worth subscribing to the mills newsletter which keeps you updated on all the events held, of which there are many.

http://www.islingtonmill.com/

I have been going to Simple in the Northern Quarter probably for as long as their doors have been open for business and it’s food and atmosphere are consistently good. Our son used to skateboard and Mr B and myself spent many a Saturday afternoon drinking coffee in Simple while George changed the wheels on his deck at Note next door.

Well to celebrate 10 years in business, which is well worth celebrating these days, Simple are holding an American style fair this Sunday 25/9/11 between 12.00pm and 8.00pm. Tib Street in The Northern Quarter of Manchester will be closed to traffic and the street will be transformed with rides, stalls, games, cheerleading and lindy hopping.There will also be a BBQ, with Simple serving up their famous burgers and ribs and to make the event even better all the money raised from the fair rides and games will be donated to North West charities. Here’s to another successful 10 years for Simple!

http://www.simplebar.co.uk/

I’ve just been reading a fantastic blog called Tomboy Style which is going to be one to follow. The blogger, Lizzie Garrett, has been commissioned to write a book, with the same title which will be published soon by Rizzoli and I can’t wait. It is a style I’ve loved and followed ever since I first saw Lauren Hutton in the Charlie perfume commercials when I was a little girl and I knew then she was the woman I wanted to be when I grew up. My mum bought me a bottle of Charlie that Christmas and the deal was sealed.

http://tomboystyle.blogspot.com/

I’m a big girl now but I still love to look at what Alexa Chung and Sofia Coppola are wearing for my inspiration. Any girl that can wear a boys jacket and jeans and still look that stylish without trying too hard has got to be cooler than any of the TOWIE tribe don’t you think? Let me know if you’re as obsessed with Tomboy style as I am, I’d love to know what you think?

The beautiful Lauren Hutton

Alexa doing what she does best

Miss Moss & Mosshart, that Mr Hince has got taste!

Lou Dillon who learned everything she knows from her mum Jane Birkin