Hello There Mr Beckham

I know for a fact I'm not the only lady who found David Beckham looking sexy and smouldering on her doormat this week... the arrival of July Elle through my letter box had me lusting over the divine man with his down to earth personality and super-star good looks.

These beautiful shots of David Beckham make me think of off-duty movie stars relaxing around their pools in Hollywood back in the 1950's like James Dean and Marlon Brando...

...and the lyrics to the tortured song all about unattainable love are scrawled across the pages reflecting what all of us are thinking...

'I'm feeling quite insane and young again
And all because I'm mad about the boy'

David Beckham we are mad about you!

Love

Lorraine

Lacroix x

Gypsy Style- What I Wore on a Sunny Day

Orange Slouchy Tee, Black Jersey Maxi Dress, sunglasses and white bracelets (Primark)

Brown Leather Bag (Hand-crafted and bought in Cuba)

Beads & friendship bracelets (selection from Dorothy Perkins & gifts from Barcelona)

Brown Leather Sandals (H&M)

Nail Varnish in Red Tango (Miss Sporty)

Love

Lorraine

Lacroix x

I Want Dainty Feet This Summer

I love a wedge for summer, I think most girls will agree with me that they are so comfortable to walk in and versatile that you can practically throw a pair on with anything you like. Wedges also lend themselves superbly well to the tribal/African style prints and styles we all love year in, year out.

This summer feels different, with all these delicate florals and pretty pastel shades floating beautifully down runways it seems churlish to be clomping around in our usual fail safe wedges. This year I'm craving something different... a sandal with a little more finesse than the staple chunk of reliable, dependable wedge.

I'm inspired by these gorgeous Kid Nappa & Suede Sandals from Salvatore Ferragamo but with a price tag of £415.00 they are sadly over my budget. Here are some high-street beauties I've got my eye on instead...

Wide Strap Sandal (Zara) £59.99

January Vintage Peep Shoes-Mint (Topshop) £50

High Heel Sandal (Zara) £49.99

Sandal With Laminated Straps (Zara) £29.99

Harlot Stiletto Leather Sandals (ASOS) £75

Crossover Sandal (Zara) £39.99

Sandal With Methacrylate Heel (Zara) £69.99

As for walking in these stunningly delicate shoes... well I'm no expert but these tips work for me:

• It's so tempting to bend those knees but don't do it! You won't last as long on your heels and it just does not look elegant being all crouched over like a crab.
• Put your heel down first and not your toes (the first tip helps with this too)...I know the big flat sole of your sandal is the first part you want to put down but if you never try to balance on that slender heel you'll never master it.
• If you're new to heels then don't try to dive in at the deep end, try wedges first then move on to a sandal with an ankle strap...eliminate the danger of them flying off your feet mid stride!
• Pavements are not always perfect and if you come across a particularly uneven patch and you think you're heading for a fall it's okay to put your sole down first! 
• and finally, walk tall with your head up and hopefully you'll be gliding gracefully in your heels like these lovely ladies...



Rosie Huntington-Whiteley



Olivia Palermo

Miranda Kerr

Love
Lorraine
Lacroix x

Lots of sunshine and tasty food

I had a bit of midweek Primark spree and picked up a few pretty items including this gorgeous, French Riviera style dress.

With its flamingo and palm tree print this is the perfect little dress for summer and I wore it to go for drinks at Bem Brazil Liverpool on Friday evening with grey suede platforms (New Look) gold glitter box bag (Next) tortoise-shell necklace & flower ring (gifts) and Katy Perry Oh My eyelashes.

What better way to start the weekend than with a delicious Maple Pecan Twist and some juicy strawberries on a beautiful Saturday morning...

Then It was off to the garden centre to buy fresh herb plants ready for when our back yard is transformed into a Mediterranean-with-hints-of-India-style kitchen garden (well that's my vision anyway!)



Then I spent the entire afternoon giving myself a manicure & pedicure in the sunshine in our back garden which at the moment is far from picturesque but is such a little sun trap!

Because the weather was so unusually pleasant I had an urge to dine al fresco so I set up a little table and chairs and covered it with this fabulous mustard polka dot fabric (which I got cheap from a fabric shop as it was the last of the roll!) and enjoyed some nice wine and spaghetti bolognese.

Saturday was a lovely relaxing day and Sunday has been quite the opposite, getting stuck into the garden transformation with pebbles, planting and laying paving. My body is aching!!

Hope everyone else had a lovely weekend

Love

Lorraine

Lacroix x

Instagram shots of Chez Moi

I'm still as addicted to Instagram as ever and I love to share pics of my humble abode and some of the lovely things we've collected so here are a few of them. If you're on Instagram check out my other pictures by searching for ShotsThroughTheHeart.

Dining Table (left) Upcycled Beer Bottle Vases (right)

Blogging, writing and chatting

Stylist Magazine with Fragrances (left) Dressmaking Dummy with Jewellery (centre) Elle Magazine Collection (right)

Love
Lorraine
Lacroix x

I Heart Americana!

With almost everyone raving about the new Avengers film (which I am yet to see) I've come over all super-hero/patriotic Captain America and find myself yearning stars and stripes like a 4th July Carnival reveller! It helps that the gorgeous Scarlet Johansson stars in the film (ultimate girl crush, oh my those lips) as The Black Widow, all leather clad and fierce.

So are you ready to unleash your inner super-girl this summer? Here's my pick of the High Street super items!

(left) American Flag Hotpants (Topshop) £34 (Right)Muubaa Leather Lilas Trousers (ASOS) £195

I am in love with the Jeffrey Campbell Lita American Flag boots but cannot find them anywhere, these lookalikeys from BooHoo.com are great at just £30!

 (Left) Mizumi American Flag Maxi (New Look) £22.99 (Right) Renewal Re-Made Leather Pencil Skirt (Urban Outfitters) £45

Do leggings get any better than these?? Star Printed Leggings (American Apparel) £36

Avengers Assemble!

Love

Lorraine

Lacroix x

Transformation from Old Fashioned to Fabulous!

A few weeks ago I did a post about my bedroom makeover and I promised to put up pictures of how I transformed our beside cabinets, so here they are...


These dated bed side tables had certainly seen better days but there was huge potential with the shape, the lid has an elegant curve to the front and the legs are beautifully slender.

The handles and wood had lost their lustre and were looking tired after years of good use.

Midway through the transformation process I had removed the old handles, sanded all the surfaces of the cabinets and gave them three coats of this paint...

Crown Ultimate Matt White Dark

Then I added some delicate and extravagant crystal ball handles (B&Q) to really give them a fancy feel.
Here is one of the finished bedside cabinets in situ in our boudoir, j'adore!

(Summer Palace Wallpaper & Amity Lamp both Laura Ashley)

Love
Lorraine
Lacroix x

Zara I Love Your Handbags

Bag With Tacks £39.99

I absolutely adore the beautiful range of handbags in Zara at the moment and If I had the cash I'd snap every one of them up and parade them in the crook of my arm all summer, here are my favourites.

Die-Cast Pleated Shopper £79.99

Leather Beaded Clutch £49.99

Mini Shopper £25.99

Studded Clutch With Clasp Fastening £69.99

Studded Evening Box Bag £59.99

Vinyl Messenger Bag £49.99

Love
Lorraine
Lacroix x

Sunday Relaxing in Ormskirk

L'Homme and I spent our Sunday relaxing in pretty Ormskirk where we stopped by Source Deli Kitchen for a tasty cup of tea with real sugar-lumps and a delicious full Lancashire Breakfast.

A continental market had set up in the town centre and we had a stroll through while a french chef (complete with Beret!) charmed the locals.

Leopard Print Skinny Trousers (New Look) Handbag (Zara) Wonder Woman Pumps (Converse)

Grey Blazer (Topshop) Feather-Print Tee (H&M)

Love

Lorraine

Lacroix x