Over the last few months I experienced something I never expected I needed to face.  My longest, oldest friend who has been beside me since we were at Primary School, died unexpectedly from a cardiac arrest.  

It's been a testing time and as I looked at quotes on Pinterest, I found one in particular caught my eye. It read how "sometimes you need to spend time in a beautiful place alone to clear your head".  I decided to take its advice and allow myself one of the few luxuries of being freelance and left work and London for a month to spend the entirety at home in the Cotswold's. 

Since I started my freelance life I have worked regularly to un-sociable hours, edging past 4am, and also work 7 days a week, including many bank holidays.   My fellow freelancers and business owners will understand the responsibility and stress you face when you have to rely on yourself to bring in work.  However the death of my beautiful friend, forced me to see a new perspective, one I wished I had learned for myself long before Jemma's passing, as she would always tell me to stop working so hard and that she missed me as I was "always here, there, and everywhere".

I don't regret working myself so hard as I have always had a strong work ethic and I fortunate to have the most wonderfully satisfying career. However a part of me will always regret the times I chose to work over coming home and seeing her and my other friends.  I will not make the same mistakes again. I want to invest more time into living life and this is something I think Jemma would be very happy to have attributed to her, knowing that I can't change the past however many seconds of the day I try to in my mind.

Being at home I felt comforted to be in the most beautiful place, where we have so many happy memories. Being in the open countryside and allowing myself time to slow down was an important stage in my grief.  It also gave me the perspective to realise that allowing myself to be present in every moment rather than thinking ahead was something I needed more than ever.

I hope everyone enjoyed a lovely Easter holiday. I left the city for a while and headed home to the Cotswolds to soak in the fresh countryside air.  While relaxing I was able to immerse myself into researching for this latest #shwishlist post. This week I bring you exclusive brands which you will find special to own and also the ideal presents for your friends and family. 

Soru, meaning sisters in Sicilian, is a unique semi-precious and chic jewellery brand. Designed by sisters Francesca and Marianna, the collection features stunning handmade pieces which are perfect for everyday wear including special occasions.  I became smitten by the brands instagram page and once I checked the website it was love.  I adore this striking Chalcedony Quartz necklace surrounded by Swarovski crystals. At Soru Jewellery there is so much to see and something for everyone to covet.

I have been a fan of London-based fashion brand, Three Floor, since it began in 2011. Founded by CSM graduates, Han Chong and Yvonne Hoang, this chic fashion forward label create garments which expertly balance minimal lines with an array of colourful fabrics and patterns. In this label you are guaranteed to stand out and what's more you will want to!

I love love love new underwear label Cheek Frills. A friend of mine bought me a set by the underwear brand when I was setting off for fashion weeks. It took me a few seconds to work out what she had gifted me, then I opened the box and all was revealed. Each knicker  in the set featured the name of the individual capital cities I was visiting and made from 100% Italian cotton. It was a fun gift and they are super comfortable. The ethically-produced range consists of bras, vests and knickers in an array of colours.

Fashion forward jewellery brand Now Seen is the new label to know. With stylish pieces at affordable prices, few could not love their collections.  It was difficult to choose a favourite piece for my wishlist but I settled on these stacking rings, the multi gemstone rings in gold plated sterling silver would look fabulous on any hand. 

Ready-to-wear and lifestyle label Yolke create entirely desirable pieces.  Founded by friends, Ella Ringner and Anna Williamson, the british brand design pieces for the home and your wardrobe. My heart fell for the silk pyjama set in powder blue, perfect for the warmer summer evenings to come. 

To allow you a closer view of these covetable pieces, I have pinned everything I have featured to my #shwishlist pinterest board. If you would like to recommend a brand or item, email: moi@sarahhayleyfreelance.com or tweet me with the hashtag #shwishlist.

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Three Floor

Yolke

Williams Handmade

This Works

Welton London at Amara

Zapita

Now Seen

My Perfect T

Soru Jewellery

&Daughter

Bex Rox

Cheek Frills at Mimi Noor

Sara Smith

This weeks #shwishlist is inspired by the communication I have received over the last few months. Due to the amount of emails I receive daily I aim to spend one day per weekend collating information, downloading the relevant look book's and evaluating if a brand is suitable for any upcoming work with the day job, writing or styling, and subsequently if I really love them I like to share them here.

A few of the brands I have featured I discovered for the first time, namely Claire Gaudion's beautiful kaleidoscopic scarves, beauty brand Katherine Daniels Cosmetics and the exciting collections from womenswear brand Alexandra King.

For #shwishlist I try to feature a variety of products and this list is definitely one of my favourites.  It's rare to find stylish pet accessories but that is exactly what you find at Mungo & Maud, the luxury dog and cat accessories brand. I was once bought a collar for my cat a few Christmas ago and since then have kept the brand on my radar. I love this luxe cat basket, not only for the shape but also the colour as it would work wonderfully with the interior in my utility room.

I first found LiliYang when I attended their launch party soiree two years ago and also used their Isadora clutch as my accessory at Cheltenham Ladies Day. My current favourite is the Mini Lina, completely covetable due to the LiliYang trademark 'double bag' style, featuring two individual compartments, allowing optimum space for all your necessary items. The Lina is made from calf and suede leather. I prefer the dusty pink colourway which is perfectly on trend for SS14.

Although I have only tried one fragrance by Ormonde Jayne, the Casablanca Lily which is divine I always prefer to buy candles in mini's, where possible, as I like to blend scents from room to room. Within the set you receive Osmanthus, Sampaquita, Ta'if including the candle I have tried, Casablanca Lily. The sophisticated fragrance has key notes of Lily and Ylang-Ylang, infused with bergamont. It's a relaxing fragrance and I burn minutes after cooking as it helps to remove the cooking smells and creates an overall indulgent ambiance.

All of my #shwishlist products are pinned to the #shwishlish pinterest board to allow a closer view. If you would like to recommend a brand or item for #shwishlist, email: moi@sarahhayleyfreelance.com or tweet me with the hashtag #shwishlist.

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 360 Sweater at Jules B
Bourne at Psyche
Alexandra King
Josephine Home
Mungo & Maud
Ormonde Jayne
Bonbi Forest
Daniella Draper
LiliYang
Katherine Daniels Cosmetics
Claire Gaudion
Katie Rowland
Janvier London at The Box Boutique.
Dlux London

A few months ago I made my regular visit to Floris London in Jermyn Street and amongst my fragrance purchases I bought a set of three Lily of the Valley luxury soaps.

Not only is the fragrance addictive but the creamy consistency leaves my hands silky soft.  I was then surprised when it wasn't only me who became obsessed with the soap, when friends visited they all wanted the details.

At Christmas I bought the soap for family and friends and once again received many compliments. It has now become my favourite gift for any occasion.

Due to popular demand Floris, a charming family owned business, have welcomed back the Cinnamon and Tangerine Scented Candle and Room Fragrance, newly packaged and perfect for the festive season.

Floris home fragrances date back to the 1800s where in a catalogue of 1851 a range entitled “For Perfuming Apartments” could be found. Celebrating their 280th anniversary last year, Floris continue to go from strength to strength, advancing on the family expertise handed down to the eighth and ninth generations now at the helm.

This limited edition scent is a rich oriental citrus fragrance with a juicy cocktail of orange and tangerine, infused with a warm blend of rich spices, cinnamon, clove and nutmeg with a dusting of crushed black peppers. The base comprises of sweet vanilla enriched with amber, sandalwood, patchouli and a tot of brandy to warm the heart.

I can just imagine lighting the scented candle or spritzing the room fragrance before a quiet, cosy night in front of a roaring fire.

Naturally curious about the company, I decided to undertake a little background research and within minutes I had purchased a little cashmere.

Charlotte & Co provide absolutely everything a woman and her household desires, from accessories and bedding for the home to luxurious lounge-wear, outerwear and a fabulous collection of nightwear. 

Charlotte Semler, a previous City Corporate Finance Analyst and Co-founder/Creative Director of Myla, started her adventure with Charlotte & Co after leaving Myla in 2005 in order to spend time with her twins. A year later Charlotte had set up shop and her home in none other than my beloved Cotswolds.

Swapping London life for her Cotswold retreat, Charlotte spends her days designing for the home while looking after her young family.

Above you will find my favourite pieces from the Charlotte & Co collection, from button-through cotton print PJ's to Cashmere Socks, Dressing gowns and Shawls. 

For Autumn/Winter dressing every wardrobe should contain The Down Gilet and Coat which are chic yet practical for Countryside and City pursuits.
Charlotte & Co also stock an enviable amount of gifts, I would love to receive this Silk Eye Mask to aid a perfect nights sleep.

In all, Charlotte & Co personifies relaxation and comfort, creating an online shop which doesn't only provide products but inspires a way of living.

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 Aspinal  
  Debrett's Diary at Papernation 
 Hermés 
 Liberty  
 Mulberry 
 Smythson 

Hello, hello hello! We are super excited that after many hours of deliberating, planning and non stop 'blog' conversations we have finally arrived!  It is however a working progress, so we do hope you stick with us and we can begin this adventure together!

Over the coming weeks, months and years, Sarah-Hayley, Holly and Daisy aim to bring you fashion, beauty and lifestyle news as it happens, straight to your laptop, mobile or ultra smart iPad. Let the fun begin!