The Monthly Round-Up: October

What I'm loving, buying, reading, listening to, watching, wearing, smelling, wish-listing... Plus a chance to win a beautiful Faune dress from their just-launched new collection....

Oct 04, 2024

Hi! How are you? How has your week been? We made it to Friday! Phew. And if you’re new around here - the warmest of welcomes to The Monthly Round-Up.
Let’s get into this month’s favourites - as always, there are quite a few. I really love compiling the monthly newsletter - it’s the perfect place for sharing a little bit of everything, all in one place. And the thing they all have in common? They’re all things I love/like/am interested in, and think you will/be too.
So let’s go…

Loving…

The just-launched Autumn/Winter 24 collection from Faune, one of my all-time favourite independent brands. I first discovered them and their beautiful nightdresses for girls (which they still do by the way) when my daughter, Tabitha was small. Nicola and Delia who own the brand (and design everything) are just the loveliest, most talented, and warmest women you could ever meet. We clicked instantly. In fact, back in February 2020, we were in the middle of planning a gorgeous dinner, which I was going to host, to launch their first womenswear collection. Then lockdown hit in March and that was that. Well, the collection still launched, but sadly our lovely event that we had carefully planned, did not. I’m still a little bit sad about it actually.
Anyway, I have worn almost all of their nightdresses (which double up as dresses for day) since then, and they are some of the favourites pieces in my wardrobe (Tabitha and I used to twin sometimes, which I loved).
Fast-forward to last Monday, and the launch of the latest collection, and possibly their most beautiful to date. Nicola and Delia kindly shared the lookbook (their imagery is also always gorgeous - very editorial, with a very strong brand handwriting, which I love) ahead of the launch, and asked me to choose a piece as a gift. Without hesitation, I was drawn to the Dita dress (above) - I will be sharing it on Insta very soon, so look out for that if you want to see how it looks on me). My second favourite piece was the Starlette dress, and they have very kindly agreed to give away, to one of you lovely subscribers. All you need to do to be in with a chance of owning this cotton-lace beauty (available in sizes XS-XL) is to make sure you’re subscribing (you don’t have to be a paid subscriber, as long as you’re subscribed) to Douceur Diaries, and leave a comment under this post. The giveaway will end on Thursday 10th October at midnight. I will then notify the winner on Friday 11th. Good luck!

Oh, and if you’re looking for the prettiest, most whimsical bridesmaids/flower girls dresses, look no further.

Chic Affordable Jute Rugs…

From left: H&M | La Redoute | M&S | John Lewis ANYDAY | La Redoute

Wearing…

Find all the outfit details here

I’ve also been living in my M&S trench (never have I need a trench more!). As well as jumpsuits and jeans, I’m actually really loving it with little dresses, tights and flat boots. I’m wearing this and these as I’m writing this (on Thursday).

Watching…

In Vogue: The 90s
I had read and heard a few negative reviews of this documentary, but wanted to see for myself (I try not to be influenced by reviews, but it’s hard isn’t it?). I have to say, I loved it. I started my career in fashion in the nineties (I know), so it was a really fun trip down memory lane for me. It’s super-slick, informative, and so watchable. Also, the best talking heads in a fashion documentary ever. Ok, with the exception of Kim Kardashian - sorry, but I just don’t get what she contributed, beyond the perspective of a rich teenager. No added value for me. But it didn’t mean I enjoyed it any less.

Watch it on Disney

Al-Fayed, Predator at Harrods
Sorry for the very clumsy segue, but my TV consumption is, for the most part, eclectic.
Not an easy watch by any means, but I wanted to understand in more depth what I had seen and read about on/in the news. For anyone wondering why this hadn’t come to light sooner, or why these women didn't speak up, you need to watch. Uncomfortable viewing for sure, but I am so glad I stuck with it (it’s quite long). And as a mother of a ‘nearly' fifteen year old, it has definitely left its mark.

Watch it on BBC iPlayer

Nobody Wants This
I’m only two episodes in, but am FULLY invested. The kind of TV show I love when I just want to wind down, completely switch off, and not have to think too hard (at all). Laugh-out-loud funny too. Any fans of The O.C (guilty!) who loved Seth (guilty again), Adam Brody’s character is basically a slightly evolved Seth Cohen, who also happens to be a rabbi.
Coincidentally, my daughter, Tabitha has been watching The O.C (on my recommendation after inhaling Gilmour Girls and Gossip Girl) and loving it. I scored a few mum points when I told her I’d flown to L.A to style Mischa Barton (she was lovely, and looked like a young Julie Christie) for a cover when I was at Glamour. I have rather enjoyed re-watching it too.

Watch it on Netflix

Smelling…

**Beauty Pie Le Smash Santal eau du parfum**

As I explained in last week’s post, I have worn the same perfume since I was 18 (that’s a looooooong time), almost exclusively. But I do dabble from time to time, and this is one of those times. I am VERY particular about smells, hence I actually like very few perfumes. This one is gorgeous - it smells a little like men’s aftershave, which I love (I loathe any kind of ‘sweet’ fragrances).

A Little Bit Of Leopard…

Also Smelling…

**The White Company large candle, £65.00**

As the nights start drawing in (sorry, but I’m not mad about it), I like to mark the shift with cosier scents at home. I’m not ready for the full-on winter candle (those are for December as they literally smell like Christmas - lovely, but not yet thank you), but I love the woodier, earthier scents. I particularly love any kind of fire smells (Diptique’s Feu de Bois is a firm favourite), and I plan to try The White Company’s Fireside too. I also love their Oak Moss candle, but it doesn’t seem to be on line currently. You might be able to get it in store though.

Chic Affordable Lamps…

From left: H&M Home | Zara Home | Etsy | La Redoute

Wish Listing…

How good are these camo trousers? And I love them with the simple white tee and ballet flats. Outfit perfection.

Reading…

Looking forward to reading and flicking through. The perfect addition to my coffee table blend.

Fair Isle Knits…

From left: Herd | The White Company | Frame | Next

Always loved a fair isle knit, and probably always will. One of my favourite go-to winter outfits is a chunky fair isle knit (sometimes with a frill collar blouse layered under), jeans and boots.

Tween/Teen Skincare…

indu
If you have a tween/teen in your life, chances are they’re obsessed with skincare. They’re also probably being constantly bombarded (via TikTok mostly) by brands that aren’t necessarily suitable for their ever-changing, hormonal skin. As my friend, Jess Diner, Global Beauty & Wellness Director at Vogue told me, most of those brands are simply too ‘active’ for tweens/teens. Indu is a breakthrough beauty brand, developing all of its gentle yet effective formulas specifically for teen skin. Their skincare, makeup and innovative “colourless” collections are teen-approved and parent-trusted. From light-as-air moisturisers and clear makeup, to customisable makeup kits and palettes, every product is vegan, cruelty free and dermatologically tested. indu is safe and suitable for every teen skin type.
Tabitha has been trialing it for a while now - so far, so good (and she loves the packaging), but I’ll share an update next month.

New Home Collaboration I’m Loving…

Smock London x Edit.58 Handsmocked Lampshade Skirts
edit58 x Smock London (two of my favourites) have just launched their A/W 24 collection of beautiful ready-to-wear, hand-smocked lampshade skirts. The latest collection features six new limited edition skirts (each of the three designs come in two sizes - mini and maxi), combining rich Autumnal fabrics with a new range of intricate hand smocked stitch motifs. Cleverly, they come with interchangeable lamp/pendant (dual fitting supplied) so you can move them around your home as you wish. Love this - such considered design. Each lampshade skirt comes with a (optional) plain base shade (think of this as the petticoat to your skirt!).
The perfect autumnal update to your home.

Discover the collection here

Bows…

Arket bow | Sister Jane blouse | Free People dress | Free people bag | Zara cardigan

My love of bows runs deep, and is showing no signs of abating anytime soon. So here’s five (ok eight) that I love.

That’s a wrap. See you next time!

ps: another dress that has seriously caught my attention is this one from Never Fully Dressed. It has just come back in stock again after selling out twice. I first saw it on my friend Charlotte Jacklin (look how fab she looks in it) a few weeks ago. I have one in my ‘basket’ - just waiting to pull the trigger.

pps: oh and of course, this chiffon beauty from our John Lewis edit. I’m still waiting on the email alert. Anyone else?

ppps: other day I popped to the supermarket, and when I got back in the car I realised I had a tea towel on my shoulder. So I had walked around the supermarket like that, completely oblivious. Just in case that makes anyone else feel a little less ‘crazy’. Happy to help.

pppps: if you enjoyed this post, please do ‘like’ with a heart, comment or share - it’s hugely appreciated and really does help with my posts being seen on Substack. Thank you so much. Oh, and if you do want to be in with a chance of winning that gorgeous Faune dress, remember you’ll need to comment below to enter. xx