Crystalline Sunshine

--EXPLANATIONS--

2011-08-15T22:46:00.000+01:00

Hello again. It's been a very long time since I last posted, and I apologise that it's been without explanation. School this year has been a lot more intense as I prepare for university entrance and I've somehow fallen out of touch with the whole fashion/blogging arena which used to absorb me. Real life is a lot more interesting at the moment.

I'm leaving this blog up in case I ever want to come back to it, and because it's a nice testament to the days when life was a lot less stressful. If you're someone who's reading this from the future (weird thought), do take the time to look through. There are a lot of photos and thoughts on here which won't date. And thank you to all the people who did read this blog in its more active days-it was so nice to know that people read (and, even better, were interested in!) what I had to say.

As I picked and chose the blogs I liked best, I found that my favourites were the ones with good photography, fashion-orientated or otherwise, and those with good writing. I am now exploring good writing in slightly more literary areas (though I still return to the old favourites-look at the blogroll to the right of the page), while pursuing photography through Tumblr. I thought it would be good to post some more of my own stuff as an incentive to get the camera out a bit more often. If you're interested, do take a look at http://crystallinesunshine.tumblr.com/.

I think that's all from me. Thank you to everyone who's reading this-it was a nice ride. xo

--SPRING IS SPRINGING IN--

2011-02-25T16:56:00.000Z

Today I was outside and it was sunny and warm and there were daffodils coming out along the river and it felt like spring was coming for the first time in a long time. This winter has gone on far too long; all I want to do is leave the house in jeans and a t-shirt and not have to worry about tactical-packing an umbrella and 5 extra layers. Sadly it's not quite the season yet for shorts and flip flops, but I reckon it's time to bust out the shorts-and-tights combo again.

(alltheprettybirds.blogspot.com; altamiranyc.blogspot.com; carolinesmode.com; elleuk.com)

--APOLOGIES--

2011-02-22T18:42:00.000Z

First and foremost, apologies for my unexplained absence of almost a month. (How did that happen?!). Nothing life-threatening or life-changing has come my way; just a killer combination of school, French exchange, rowing, life in general which has served to disconnect me somewhat from the fashion world.

But I'm not sure that wasn't a good thing. Sometimes the way fashion is constantly moving ononon is a bit tiring, to be honest; I know it's the nature of the beast, but I'm just starting to enjoy winter and wearing my new boots, and suddenly they want us to start thinking about spring-and even next winter! Wait-what? I've still got couture to look at! And pre-fall! Gah!

So having a little break from the blogsphere has been quite nice, really. Now I feel like I can start looking at the A/W '11 collections at my own pace, without getting snippets and pre-formed opinions from other people's posts-and generally just reigniting my interest in fashion as and when I feel like it.

Just two more things to say, peeps:

1. Vogue UK was really quite good this month (see below)

2. Bloglovin has a sneaky method of deleting posts which I can't work out, but which is most mysterious. I've been absent for 3 weeks, and my number of unread posts has decreased. Strange eh?

Anything else I should know about? Some crazy new subversive trend? Evil eyes between Carine and Emmanuelle at NYFW? Let me know!

(portraitsofelegance.net)

--ZARA DOES IT AGAIN--

2011-01-29T18:26:00.000Z

Dear Zara,

Why is your stuff so perfect? Please transfer your minimalist magic from your clothing to me and I will have to make an effort in life ever again. Cheers. Also, I need that leather skirt. And the black trousers. Aaand the brown coat. And theparkathejeanstheshortsthetshirtthedresses. See, only four things! I'm so undemanding.

(zara.com)

--COUTURE SPRING 2011: ELIE SAAB--

2011-01-27T18:52:00.000Z

What can I say; words fail me.

Well, not really-how uncharacteristic would that be? But it has been a long, long time since a fashion show captured my imagination and gave me butterflies like this. (I just deleted a whole section because honestly my thoughts are not yet calm enough to make coherent sense. I'm not sure that sentence even made sense).

I'm sure everyone has seen the standard face-on style.com shots already (why do they not take photos from behind? Seeing a dress from the front only allows you to see half of its total worth; even the measly torso shots below add a wealth of extra detail and dimension to the already-amazing front-on view), but the ones below are rather mysterious with the black background and the enigmatic back view, so I thought they were worth a repost.

Apologies for this drivel-I wanted to write something while my reactions to this show were still fresh. I know I haven't posted much recently (I lost a follower-awkward...)-partly because of work, but I also don't think it's worth posting random photos for the sake of it, rather than because they're things I'm interested in and want to share. And then something like Elie Saab's genius comes along and reminds you all over again why we all love fashion.

(style.com)

--CLEMENCE POESY--

2011-01-21T21:55:00.000Z

This is the first time in my life that I've blogged photos more than once (the Kai Z Feng ones from Vogue UK April 2010) but if anyone deserves it it's Clemence. I think you are either a Chloe Sevigny or a Clemence Poesy kind of person, and I fall firmly in the latter category. The word insousiance might have been invented for her-nobody is meant to have hair that looks so good tousled; it's just not fair. Yet she also looks amazing in a sexy secretary outfit. Gah, why do I not share her genes...yeah basics why am I not her full stop.

Happy weekend y'all!

(imagebam.com; knighttcat.com; thefashionspot.com; fashiongonerogue.com; styleexchange.wordpress.com; isuggestyoutryvichy.tumblr; thefashionspot.com)

--OCEANS--

2011-01-20T21:39:00.000Z

I should apologise for my sporadic posting this past fortnight; my grandfather passed away recently, and yesterday was his funeral. While I wasn't especially close to him, any death affects the family to a certain extent and so I've had other things to think about than blogging. I doubt he even knew what the internet was, let alone blogging, but nevertheless I would like to briefly mention him here, for I loved him in the way everyone loves their grandparents, even if now after his death I feel there was so much more I should have asked him.

Philosophical musings are perhaps not what people read this here blog for; but of course there are certain events which make you stop and take stock now and again. For me, the sea is emblematic of such periods. Not only do I find water fascinating (not in a scientific way-in a 'whenever we went to a park I would always spend the whole time by the water features' way!) but to me its depth, mystery-we know more about space than we do about some parts of our oceans-and limitless possibilites are awe inspiring and comforting in their wildness. I take solace in the sea, even if it's just by looking at photos, and whenever I'm on the coast I can spend hours wandering around beaches, no matter what the conditions are.

I sometimes think that to have lived in a Pirates of the Caribbean era, when you never knew what you might find over the next horizon, must have been one of the most exciting times in human history. There's a scene in the second one when Tom Hollander's character (I wrote that because I couldn't bring myself to write 'Lord Cutler Beckett' while still retaining a shred of self-esteem...but then again I'm already talking about a pirate film sooo...) is having a mural of the world painted on his wall, and he remarks that the world is growing smaller and smaller; soon there will be no unknowns to explore. I have an almost constant nostalgia for sort of Lord of the Rings/Arthurian quests, and it saddens me that we live in a world where any remote place can be explored by Google Maps. Perhaps the ocean holds such an allure because it is one place yet unexplored; where anything we care to imagine might really happen.

(fashiontoast.com; hardtoexplain79.blogspot.com; unknown; photodiarist.typepad.com; ren-rox.com; sandmer.se; souvenirsofagirl.blogspot.com)

--TRAIN OF THOUGHT #2--

2011-01-16T16:26:00.001Z

Whilst perusing various blogs in a spate of internet-induced procrastination, I came across the first photo below, taken by an enterprising blogger using a stool and photoshop. And thus my encyclopaedic (real word? You decide.) mind was off and away on a pleasant ramble...

First stop: this photo which was part of a campaign for flmbljmbl, the well-known clothes retailer...

...which looked like someone floating on the surface of a swimming pool...

...and again...

...which reminded me of Keira Knightley's death scene in Atonement where the tube station floods and she floats away into the darkness (Google would only yield a behind-the-scenes photo I'm afraid...on the upside, it's an amusingly extreme version of photobombing)...

...which looks like these spectacular underwater shots I found on Google aeons ago when I was searching for photos of mermaids. Caj...

...which looks like the rather enigmatic trailer for the new series of Skins! (There is a more conventional (it took me about 30 seconds to think of that word, for some reason) one up now...things aren't looking good. Come back series 1 cast!).

I think you'll agree that these photos prove I am a pretty cool person.

(thyaudaciousness.blogspot.com; fashiongonerogue.com; inafractionofasecond.blogspot.com; tobaccoandleather.blogspot.com; dailymail.co.uk; google.com; e4.com)

-WINTER GLOOM--

2011-01-15T11:23:00.000Z

With the wind howling outside and the sky cast in a perpetual 5pm gloom, with Black Swan haunting my dreams (I can't wait to see it: ballet+thriller=literally my dream film), mysteriously ambiguous black-and-white photos seem very appropriate for the weekend ahead. Each of these photos seems to pose a question, to leave hanging in the air some vital untold part of their story to entrance and compel us. We can only imagine the answers-if indeed they exist.

(carlesrodrigo.es; chelseashirley.blogspot.com; coldam.com; seaofshoes.typepad.com; photodiarist.com; ren-rox.com; sandmer.se)

--RAWR TALENT--

2011-01-14T16:28:00.000Z

Have you ever noticed how all titles are puns? Like, literally all of them?

Apologies for such a long gap between posts-I had to hit the ground running with coursework and whatnot, but the last thing's due on Monday so hopefully I'll be back to normal after that. My quest for the perfect sheer blouse with a pocket still continues, any help would be much appreciated. Well done for reaching the end of the week-baby steps, as they say.

It's accidental that so many of the photos below are from more clement seasons than the current one-I think the rise in temperatures (I was outside today in only a t-shirt-for about 2 minutes, but still) has rekindled my yearning for the summer months-although I think this is the first year that I've really appreciated winter, clothing-wise. I'm still not a huge fan of having to wear 7 layers everywhere, but having a nice winter coat/boots/jeans has made a difference. Still, I can't wait for spring.

(alltheprettybirds.blogspot.com; fashiontoast.com; style.com; mrnewton.net; nast-magazine.fr; songofstyle.blogspot.com; carolinesmode.com; streetfsn.blogspot.com; studdedhearts.blogspot.com; style.com; stylescrapbook.com; vanessajackman.blogspot.com)

--MULBERRY--

2011-01-06T20:41:00.000Z

I have a friend at school who I browse the Mulberry website with when we're both a bit bored/depressed. OH MY GOD THEIR NEW BAGS. And their new campaign-Tim Walker, Lindsey, Nimue...what's not to like? (Apart from the fact that I can't afford any of it.) They have a whole host of new bags (see oh-so-pro collage below-ohh check out those rhyming skills!) which have persuaded me that I really really need to go and see the new Bond Street flagship store pronto. (Apaz they have exclusive bags there, I'm so keen). But seriously-talk about buying British...

(mulberry.com; fashionista.com)

--REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE--

2011-01-05T18:04:00.000Z

I am sick and tired of being ill (I've had a cold since Boxing Day-how is that even possible?!)-everything sounds permanently distant, like I've got earplugs in, and I feel tired 5 seconds after waking up. Grrr. But school starts tomorrow, wahey! There's something to cheer me up!

...Har har, who am I kidding.

I have noticed of late a slight resurgence of 90s grunge in my photo files. Well, like 90s grunge insofar as the flat shoes and baggy clothes are concerned, but, as these are the...'10s? Teenies? there is of course more polish and thought invested in the artfully ripped tights and tousled hair. Call it grunge 2.0.

(own scan-please credit; fashiongonerogue.com; knighttcat.com; beyondinsp.blogspot.com; fashiongonerogue.com; carolinesmode.com; fashiongonerogue.com; inafractionofasecond.blogspot.com; ilovewildfox.com; fashiongonerogue.com; studdedhearts.blogspot.com; theones2watch.com; knighttcat.com; pastafrola.net; fashiongonerogue.com; studdedhearts.blogspot.com; tobaccoandleather.blogspot.com)

--I LOVE MARC--

2011-01-04T20:20:00.000Z

Rebecca from See You In Sweden came up with a genius way of kicking my trackies habit-by taking photos of my outfits, i.e. being motivated by shame. She is so clever. (And also very sweet, look at her blog). So! Although I have an aversion to photos of my own face (hence the downwards stare and crossed arms, also my house is very cold), my clothes from today:

Shirt-mum's cupboard

T-shirt-Uniqlo

Trousers-Primark

Boots-River Island

Scarf-some shop in China (my dad bought it)

But onwards to very much more important things. Look at my very late birthday present!! I found it on impulse in the Harrods sale. (My family still has a tradition of going to visit Father Christmas there every year; it has moved beyond embarrassing and has now got to the stage where all 10 of us (my family and another-the youngest child is now 10) openly take the piss. It's amazing.)

I've never been very keen on satchels before, imagining that having a bag bumping against the back of your thigh would be almost annoying as having a small child attached to your leg, but actually it's not at all impeding and allows you to use both hands when you're out and about. Plus, it was £400 cheaper than the Bayswater, which has been my dream bag since forever, but which has recently risen to an extortionate £650 for no apparent reason (probably because they realised that their brand was becoming more popular). Although you can find it for £550 in Heathrow Terminal 5-ssssssh!

(The orange/pink blur below is not a weird feature of the bag, but an empty cookie packet from Sainsbury's. They have colourful packaging.)

(own photos-please credit)

--NEW YEAR NEW START--

2011-01-03T18:21:00.000Z

I didn't spend much time reflecting on the past year, or the upcoming one-my New Year's Eve was spent in St Mark's Square dodging creepy Italian men who were after a midnight kiss. (Apparently in Italy this is the main point of NYE-the fireworks were only an afterthought, coming behind even the free alcohol, and going off at about 5 past midnight. If you were setting your clock by them you'd have been 5 minutes out for the whole year.)

But coming back to England, and my friends, and the blogsphere, I did slightly regret not having spent a few minutes to think of some good intentions for the next 12 months. To a certain extent I think a New Year is a fresh start, just as every Monday morning is another chance to change things a bit-human nature needs a fulcrum about which to hang their hopes; we can't just change without an impetus. (Or am I just projecting onto the rest of the human race...?). But I think the idea of creating a whole new set of principles-I will go to the gym every day, I will give up chocolate, I will not argue with my siblings/parents/partner ever again-is silly and a waste of time. Of course you're never going to do that-the change of one digit in the calendar isn't going to drastically alter your nature in such a way that you won't beat yourself up every time you choose to watch Friends reruns instead of schlepping out into the cold to hit the treadmill.

Still, it's nice to think of a few superficial aims to guide you through the inevitable low points. I think one of mine should be to stop being so lazy about my clothes, and start dressing in the way I know I would if I could actually be bothered. (Har har, she says this while wearing trackies and a dressing gown at 6pm). But seriously-I like simple dressing, and I know my style because on good days I wear it and feel perfect, so it's just laziness which prevents me from wearing it in. (Geddit? Geddit? Oh the hilarity). So, inspired by this post, I hereby promise to make more of an effort to expand my collection of plain tees, loose-fitting jerseys and skinny trousers, while reducing the amount of time I spend in my beloved trackies/pjs. Amen.

And what about you? How were your New Years? Have you made any resolutions, stylistic or otherwise?

(ifyouseekstyle.blogspot.com; modedamour.com; pastafrola.net; streetfsn.blogspot.com)

--TIPS FOR THE NEW YEAR--

2010-12-27T11:06:00.000Z

Back! I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and is suitably bloated in time for the sales. I'm popping in briefly, but tomorrow I'm off to Venice for a few days-so this is in fact my last post of 2010! It's too close to Christmas for thoughful reminiscing about the year, so I thought I would bestow upon you, as a late seasonal present, an illustrated guide to making your holiday-and 2011-even more fun and interesting than it already is. Enjoy, and I wish you all a very happy and prosperous new year!

1. Hang a rope from the chandelier and swing beneath your gold-leaf ceiling.

2. Dye your hair an unnatural colour.

3. Have a 2-hour-long bath and use up some of those generic Christmas soaps and bubblies.

4. Go shopping in your underwear.

5. Steal a child's bike and cycle it inside.

6. Put a smile on men's faces. Go topless.

7. Climb a tree.

8. Learn a musical instrument.

9. Get cruuuunk..oh wait, that's Coca Cola...

10. Have a picnic on the roof.

11. Go swimming at night. Even better, skinny-dip.

12. Hitchike.

13. Act like a crazy child with your friends.

14. Ride a horse inside.

15. Spend all day in bed.

16. Have a food fight.

17. Have sex on the beach. Just make sure it's not Dubai, you don't want to get arrested.

So that's it kidz. Have fun, be safe, and see you in 2011!

(fashiongonerogue.com; tobaccoandleather.blogspot.com; beyondinsp.blogspot.com; tobaccoandleather.blogspot.com; knighttcat.com; hivennn.blogspot.com; garypeppervintage.com; fashiongonerogue.com; ilovewildfox.com; flickr.com; thefashionspot.com; souvenirsofagirl.blogspot.com; own scan (please credit); fashiongonerogue.com; ilovewildfox.com; youngshields.blogspot.com)

--WINTER WONDERLAND--

2010-12-21T20:46:00.000Z

I'm a bit sick of the snow now that it's turned to a slippery slush which prevents me from wearing my lovely new heels while looking really ugly, but I managed to go on a lovely walk a few days ago when everything was still pretty. Took a few photos-hope you enjoy. London can be so beautiful sometimes.

(own photos-please credit)

--CHECK OUT THE PLAID--

2010-12-20T18:30:00.000Z

WHO WATCHED MISFITS YESTERDAY? All I have to say.

(altamiranyc.blogspot.com; carolinesmode.com; citizencouture.com; fashionista.com; garancedore.fr; style.com; modedamour.com; pastafrola.net; carolinesmode.com; vanessajackman.blogspot.com)

--NEW BEST FRIENDS--

2010-12-19T09:43:00.000Z

On Thursday I increased my heels collection by 100%. Oh yes. I practically stimulated the retail market all by myself, and God knows it needs some stimulation right now. As do all markets at this point in time, really. Apart from the Hammersmith Christmas market, that's big enough by now. Man who always tries to sell me cake by shouting at me, "You look like a girl who loves cake," that is not the way to sell food to a woman. I do not appreciate being called a fatty. (Although it's the bitter truth-I have such a sweet tooth that I don't even get that tingly feeling any more when I eat too much processed icing sugar. I have never had a sugar high in my life. Cross my heart.)

Ahem, aaanyway. Actually I guess my mahussive expenditure of 40 pounds wasn't that beneficial to the British retail market-having previously owned one pair of heels, increasing that collection to a whole 2 pairs wasn't much of an effort...But look how pretty they are-please make appropriate oohs and ahs as I don't want my lovely Givenchy-esque shoes to feel inadequate for not pumping enough cash into River Island's profits through their being purchased.

(own photos-please credit)

--STOP PRESS--

2010-12-17T17:13:00.000Z

ZOMG. Look what popped into my unsuspecting inbox this beautifully snowy Friday afternoon! Yes, you did read it correctly. Carine Roitfeld is resigning. ( Et oui, I did link that twice, in case you were too lazy to click on the link the first time).

Er, woah. Can we just stop right there? And focus on the fact that when I read this my jaw genuinely did drop? Like...like...[I make weird gaping actions at the computer screen in an attempt to convey my brain-damaged-style facial expressions (hey, brain damaged is all the rage since Nathan got internally strangled by cheese on Misfits last night) before realising that oh, that's right, you can't see my through your computer screen...I hope]...like really ugly versions of these:

But seriously. This news surprises me. Everyone always harps on about Anna Wintour resigning, not Carine. OH MY GOD. A fiendish thought just occured to me: Perhaps Carine has resigned so that Anna can then be fired and Carine can take Anna's place...(We're so tight we're on first name terms now, obvs. Lusm bbzs.)...Only I'm not sure why such an elaborate plan would be necessary...

But soft, who are we to second-guess the minor gods who are the Conde Nast senior management? Suppose us mere mortals will just have to wait and see. Even though I have the patience of a small child and will be reduced to a nervous wreck this time next year when waiting for University offers...Imma be that caffeine-fuelled freak who sits rocking in the corner of the Sixth Form common room, occasionally emerging from her foetal position to check, yet again, her UCAS form update, which has taken Google's place as homepage on her BB internet. (Even though I don't have a BB, and I stay away from coffee like it's poison, because I know I would only plummet into a spiral of exponentially-worsening addiction from the very first sip). Happy images for a happy season, kidz.

(theones2watch.com; wonderlandlondon.blogspot.com)

--HOLIDAYS AT LAST--

2010-12-16T18:24:00.000Z

These photos have nothing to do with the fact that today I finally broke up for the Christmas holidays!! So so relieved, the past 2 weeks have been like a race between me and my exhaustion, with me trying desperately to stay just half a step ahead. A few more days and I reckon my tiredness would have overtaken me completely! But now I have...ooh, let's see, a whole day to relax before I start working (both for school and in a shop) right up until the 24th. Life-it never stops, does it?

(fashiongonerogue.com; knighttcat.com; mode.feber.se)

--QUESTION TIME--

2010-12-14T21:12:00.002Z

This questionnaire was published in its full form on Fashionista (I deleted some questions because they were boring or I didn't know the things they were talking about). It's invented by the Mulleavy sisters, apaz, and is featured in the current issue of Lula (which I really really need to buy). If you want the most boring read of your life you could go through and read every single answer, for which I will give you a mental handclap and dance a metaphysical Irish jig to make you laugh. Or you could just skip around and find out random stuff which will change your life. Obvs.

Oh, and if you choose to fill it out yourself, link it in the comments so I can be nosy in return!

Favorite play?
That I've seen performed, probably Billy Elliot. Counting ones I've read, it's gotta be Romeo and Juliet. I'm a sucker for lurve.

What was your first love?
(Note the what). Probably mermaids, after seeing The Little Mermaid (a.k.a. best film ever) aged very young.

Favorite language?
English. Because I can speak it. Also, it has the largest number of words in common use-apparently English is the only language with a thesaurus.

Who is your most loved character in literature?
Impossible question. I'm quite a fan of Dumbledore...

Favorite room?
Bedroom

Favorite place to read a book?
Tucked up in bed with a hot water bottle and food.

Favorite color?
Depends in what context. For clothes, probably royal/navy blue, or grey. In general, the colour of sunsets.

Favorite painter/painting?
Turner. Because of his sunsets (see above).

Favorite thing to collect?
Postcards

Favorite mystery?
What exactly happens att the end of Tom Stoppard's Arcadia.

Favorite flower?
Rose.

Favorite sea creature?
Mermaids. Try telling me they don't exist, I was one for a number of years as a matter of fact.

Favorite smell?
The person you're attracted to. (That sounds a bit creepy...but you know how some people just smell really good generally? No? Well, do it doggy-style and sniff people out a bit more...)

If I gave you a medal right now, what would it be for?
Competing at Junior Worlds for rowing (this is my 2-year aim, and is why I spend so much time in lycra training).

Favorite texture?
Bubble wrap. Also popping it. (That made no grammatical sense).

Favorite flavour?
('FLAVOUR' HAS A 'U' IN IT YOU IGNORANT AMERICANS!!)(Oh my God, I just insulted the Rodarte sisters, I feel like I've sinned...) Vanilla or caramel.

What’s the first thing you think of when I say red?
Anger, Louboutins and love, sort of at the same time...

Night or day?
Day

Favorite villain?
Second hardest question so far. Does Snape count as a villain? (And yes, I realise that both of the hardest questions have been answered with Harry Potter characters. That's how it should be).

C.S. Lewis or Freud?
C.S. Lewis, fo sho.

Tents or motels?
Tents. You don't get motels in the Namib desert...

Favorite musical instrument?
Voice...does that count?

Thunder or lightning?
Lightning.

Monday or Friday?
Friday.

February or December?
December.

Christmas or Halloween?
Christmas.

J.D. Salinger or Jack Kerouac?
Jack Kerouac. I am in fact doing my IB Extended Essay on him and Cormac McCarthy. It's gonna ~~taste~~ be great!

Julie Christie or Vanessa Redgrave?
Vanessa Redgrave

Marilyn Monroe or Elizabeth Taylor?
Marilyn Monroe

Rain or sun?
Sun. What kind of depressing person likes rain?

Spiderman or Superman?
Now if Batman had been in there, this would be an easy question. (CHRISTIAN BALE I LOVE YOU) Sorry, what? Er yes, probs Spiderman...

Cats or dogs?
Dogs. Cats are so condescending and evil, you know they only stay with you because you feed them, and they scratch you for no reason at all and moult all over your clothes. Dogs just love you unconditionally and are cheerful the whole time.

Ice cream or sorbet?
Lemon sorbet, mmmm.

Beatles or Rolling Stones?
Beatles. I could go on a massive rant about how The Beatles are the most innovative popular musicians of the twentieth century...or you could just nod along at how amazing they are.

Favorite sidekick?
Watson (as in Sherlock Holmes). He's like a constant third wheel between the Great Man and his intelligence.

What are the initials of the last person you kissed?
R.A.B. ...no, I joke, sadly my life isn't actually Harry Potter. R.H., if you must know.

What characteristics do you most envy in others?
Confidence and seemingly effortless charisma.

If you could fly, where is the first place you would go?
A nice warm beach popped into my head.

Have you ever won a medal or a prize–if so, what?
Various rowing ones.

Favorite season?
SUMMER! (See my 173856 summer-themed editorial posts).

Favorite currency?
Pound sterling. Down with the Euro! (Even if it means Europe's whole economy collapses...whoops...)

Favorite city?
Gotta be London-I don't think I know NYC well enough to call it my favourite.

Favorite imaginary place?
Would say Hogwarts...but it's real people. Probably Narnia, in that case.

Favorite children’s book?
Hardest question of all! I spent my childhood reading so I actually can't say.

Favorite candy?
Mint imperials (Tesco's are the best) or M&S's fruit sherberts.

--TWO'S COMPANY--

2010-12-13T19:30:00.000Z

All the photos in this post are taken by double teams of photographers (right click on the photos and click save as to see individual photographers and sources in the file name-that's how I always do it, in case you were wondering. So much easier than writing them all out at the bottom)-Mert & Marcus etc. It's always slightly confused me how two people can take credit for one photo-at the end of the day, only one person presses the shutter to take the picture, right? Unless they do some ridiculously childish 'one, two, THREE!' and press their fingers down together on top of each other...no, don't think so...although that is a slightly hilarious image, isn't it? (It's ok, you can ignore me, I'm just delirious from tiredness and literally counting the hours till school ends). But what do you think, is this just a Lennon/McCartney-style fight for credit/money? Or in some cases are two people really equally responsible for the composition and execution of a photo?

(theones2watch.com; fashiongonerogue.com; theones2watch.com; tobaccoandleather.blogspot.com; fashiongonerogue.com; theones2watch.com; fashiongonerogue.com)

--OVERSIZED JUMPERS--

2010-12-11T14:26:00.000Z

The oldest of these have been fermenting in my 'to blog' folder for over a year-no joke, that is how skilled I am at procrastination. I was going to blog about the pre-fall 2011 collections, but my heart just sank when I opened style.com. I know that is not what a girl should feel when she looks at Chanel, but really, I already feel like my life is whizzing by too fast-why should I feel obligated to be constantly looking forward just so that I'll know a couple of months ahead of the rest of the Vogue-reading population that thigh-highs/neon knits/wimples will be in this time next year? To be honest, I don't follow trends massively anyway-I know what I like and what suits me, even if I can't afford any of it-so clicking mindlessly through online slideshows just because it's what everyone else is doing feels like a bit of a waste of time.

So! Instead, here are my long overdue photos of nice, oversized, cosy knits-perfect for this time of year, when you want to feel like you're wrapped up in a duvet even when you're out and about. My mum just bequeathed me her 3 Christmas jumpers, which are amazing, so maybe I'll take some photos of them later.

(afterdrk.com; annabelrachaeltaylor.blogspot.com; garancedore.com; thesartorialist.blogspot.com; thestylishwanderer.com; whatisrealityanyway.blogspot.com; studdedhearts.blogspot.com)

--DEETS--

2010-12-09T19:03:00.000Z

As far as styling goes, the devil is most certainly in the details. I really need to invest in some proper accessories! Anyone know where I can get some nice, cheap belts?

(vogue.ru; easyfashion.blogspot.com; style.com; jakandjil.com; style.com; jackandjil.com; style.com; lefashionimage.blogspot.com; carolinesmode.com)

--MONKI ME PLEASE--

2010-12-07T21:00:00.000Z

Got January's Vogue today, which was no worse than usual, except for the ridiculous amount of in-your-face silk blouses. Seriously, it's like they decided to kick-start the shirt economy all by themselves or something. So of course I then went onto Monki, as that is hands down the best online, cheap site for amazing blouses, and now I'm really frustrated at the total lack of nice clothes on the British high street, and the mahussive superiority of Scandinavian (i.e. Monki) shops. No joke, I just sent an email to info@monki or whatever the address is, asking them how I can get their clothes from England. If you live in England, you should do the same. Bringing Monki to our island shores one blogger at a time!

(Actually, you should email them regardless of your location. Citizens of the world unite, lalala. Also, you'd be doing a philanthropic action for British people in general, and would save me from late night sobbing over my computer keyboard. And other depression-causing actions like that. Just saying, you know. If you want a clear conscience...)

(monki.com)

--DREAMY--

2010-12-06T20:29:00.000Z

I have crazy dreams. I always remember them, and they're always really vivid and really, really weird. It's a family joke. So today I decided to start reading Freud's Interpretations of Dreams, or whatever the title is-maybe I'll find out I have deep-rooted psychiatric problems or something...wahey, fun times! Does anyone else get strrrange dreams sometimes?

Anyway, these photos were ones I thought were, in some way, slightly unusual-trippy, if you will-for many reasons, be it the subject matter, the lighting, or the double-exposure. Difficult at first to label definitely and explain in clear cut words-like dreams.

(theones2watch.com; fashionising.com; fashiongonerogue.com; coldam.com; fashiongonerogue.com; froufrouu.com; graceives.blogspot.com; ilovewildfox.com; fashiongonerogue.com; own scan (please credit); fashiongonerogue.com)

--SUNNY AFTERNOON--

2010-12-05T16:19:00.000Z

I took these before the snow came and the sky shrugged on its cloak of clouds for a week straight. These winter afternoons are my favourite type of weather-the light stays the same from about 9 to 4 (it's so disorientating!) and is so clear and bright, yet never blinding. The cold offsets the sun, and the sun the cold, so that you're never too chilly, but nor are you ever too hot in your multiple layers. The frost makes patterns which you wouldn't believe were possible until you saw it. And the sky is so blue-not the washed-out blue of summer heatwaves, but an intense, deep blue reminiscent of the bottom of swimming pools. The world is so still it feels like it's holding its breath.

(own photos-please credit)

--MISTAKE #2--

2010-12-04T22:21:00.000Z

NOOO I JUST DID IT AGAIN!!! STOOPID BLOGLOVIN!!

--SCRUFFY--

2010-12-04T17:48:00.000Z

In French they call this style 'déshabillée'. In English we call it 'caj'. Why are the French naturally about 12340 times more elegant than the rest of the world?

Personally I'm a big fan of the relaxed look when dressing myself. (Is that laziness coming through there? Why, of course not. It's obviously my massively pre-considered style ponderings which lead me to chuck on some leggings and a nice baggy jumper with blah hair (I don't chuck on my hair...that would be weird. I mean, I chuck them on and accompany them with blah hair.)(Still doesn't quite sound right does it? I'll get workin' on the whole 'self-expression' thing) as opposed to a desire for comfort and ease...) The world seems that bit more bearable seen from the safety of a snuggly jumper.

Still, you gotta have a bit of attichude to carry it off without looking like a lazy-ass slob. I fear that is where I fail, but I'm practising my pout and Little-J dishevelled eyeliner. (LOL jk, I do IB, clearly I don't have time for actual leisure activities. But when I eventually buy myself a new eyeliner pencil I might start amending my temporary aversion to any make up. At all. Even powder.)

(fashiongonerogue.com; studdedhearts.blogspot.com; benny-horne.com; fashiongonerogue.com; knighttcat.com; theones2watch.com; fashiongonerogue.com; harperandharley.com; fashiongonerogue.com; inafractionofasecond.blogspot.com; fashiongonerogue.com)

--ANOTHER ENDING--

2010-12-03T16:26:00.000Z

And another week draws to an end. It snowed here (finally), although I haven't even had one single snowball fight yet! The trials of growing up...Hope everyone has a great weekend! I for one am planning to pig out on cookies and Haribo while reading 'Freedom', which my mum hid from me to prevent me from reading it late into the night. But I finally got it, haha!

(thecherryblossomgirl.com; fashiontoast.com; kthanksbye.blogspot.com; sandmer.se)

--ALEXA--

2010-12-02T21:36:00.000Z

Just saw this video with Alexa Chung on style.com-what a gem. (Makes a change from the usual heavily accented backstage, "Zis season I woz teenking of laik a vairy byootiful wooman..."-Dolce and Gabbana, I love you, but just stick to Italian.) "Is he in MGMT, isn't he in MGMT? That's the sort of shit that goes down in Brooklyn." I've always idly liked her style, but her sense of humour is just such classic English self-deprecation, I love it. Guess who's stalking youtube for Alexa Chung tv shows? (If you can't get the answer to that one, well, just go home. You need some special time.)

--ON THE SHOULDER--

2010-12-01T23:05:00.000Z

Garance wrote about this the other day. I keep meaning to wear my coat this way-slung over my shoulders (it's a great substitute for a cape)-but I keep forgetting because it's so cold I can't bear to do anything other than clutch my coat around myself and fold my arms against the wind. But I like the way it instantly makes you look sophisticated, yet effortless-so maybe when the temperatures rise a bit I'll road test my new style!

(carolinesmode.com; style.com; nast-magazine.fr; photodiarist.typepad.com; carolinesmode.com; vogue.co.uk; waynetippetts.com)

--SO CLOSE--

2010-11-30T21:00:00.000Z

I did make that shopping trip in the end (at my own folly, as all I bought was a black t-shirt and some underwear, while losing 5 hours which could have been spent reducing some of my enormous pile of work. And that is no mere saying. I literally have a pile of books, files and loose sheets of paper stacked on my bedroom floor. I was woken from a distracted sleep at 3:41am by the whole thing collapsing, and spent 5 minutes grubbing around on the floor in the dark trying to stack everything back up again before realising, oh no wait, sleep is more important than a tidy room. Glad we got that sorted out.)

Anyway, I mention this shopping trip (yes, I did mention it way back at the start before that massive parenthesis) because I actually came across the perfect pair of faux-leather trousers . They were on a mannequin in the window of H & M (I did an embarrassing cartoon double take when I saw them), and inside the shop they were being advertised, larger than life, in the campaign shot below. Perfect, I thought, with double exposure they're sure to have the trousers in stock.

Apparently not.

This, my friends, is why you don't shop on a Sunday afternoon. I can't find them online either. Now, I feel that my life is incomplete without this specific pair of trousers.Help?

(dailymail.co.uk)

--FROM MY WINDOW--

2010-11-28T22:11:00.000Z

I don't kid myself into thinking that I'm any sort of great photographer. Still, there are often times when I'm out and about and see something that I wish I could photograph-only, as I don't lug my camera with me to school every day, I rarely have the opportunity to actually cement the image onto my memory card. Things I've noticed over the past week or two are: a weather vane illuminated by golden evening sunlight against iron-grey clouds; a building-sized Beatles iTunes advert, with the sunlight falling just over Lennon's face; the sun setting on a freezing cold day, gradating from blue to pink in a cloudless sky. I can see these things in my mind even if I can't display them in photos.

The view from my window is something I take photos of often, even though it's really not very exciting. It's something that I always have time to snap a shot of before I get dressed; I like how something so familiar can still be new and interesting if you take a step back and really see it, instead of just looking.

(own photos-please credit)

--THE LEATHER LOOK--

2010-11-27T18:39:00.000Z

I don't own any leather trousers/leggings (mostly because fake leather leggings look uncannily like the rowing lycra in which I spend an unhealthy amount of my time), but I'm thinking they might be yet another thing to add to my growing list of essentials which I feel that my life is incomplete without. (I didn't manage to go shopping this weekend-it's far too cold to contemplate going outside for anything not absolutely necessary). They seem to be a nice compromise between the warmth of thicker jeans and the tightness of normal cotton leggings. Plus they have that bad-ass edge which your favourite pair of skinnies just don't quite attain. (I bet all those indeh rockers were bummed when skinny jeans hit the mainstream-guys in tight jeans just don't quite pack the same punch any more).

(altamiranyc.blogspot.com; carolinesmode.com; ifyouseekstyle.blogspot.com; knighttcat.com; meijias.blogbus.com; carolinesmode.com; vanessajackman.blogspot.com; nyheter24.se; vintagemavens.com)

--ZARA'S LATEST--

2010-11-26T19:26:00.000Z

These are my kind of evening outfits! Zara is outdoing Topshop in my opinion at the moment-their styling is impeccable. (I just wrote 'their' like 'they're', then realised my horrendous, despicably illiterate error and began berating myself out loud. I need this weekend so badly!). Hope you guys all have a great weekend!

(zara.com)

--AUTUMN SPIRIT--

2010-11-25T20:05:00.000Z

Temperatures are plummeting here in London, and I'm finally getting into the autumn frame of mind! (Took long enough). Got a lot of work tonight (haven't been home before 8 on any day this week) so just a quick post of photos which capture the atmosphere I'm feeling right now. Almost the weekend now! I'm planning to head out and buy some essential items which my wardrobe's been lacking for all too long-anyone else have anything exciting prospects for this weekend?

(hivennn.blogspot.com; fashiongonerogue.com; coldam.com; fashiongonerogue.com; therewasrain.com; fashiongonerogue.com; inafractionofasecond.blogspot.com; fashiongonerogue.com; therewasrain.com; linadimoda.freshnet.se; pastafrola.net; sandmer.se; etc-alltherest.blogspot.com; fashiongonerogue.com)

--EASY EVENING DRESSING--

2010-11-24T21:09:00.000Z

My overall dressing style is definitely more towards the casual end of the spectrum. When I go out of an evening, unless it's a special occasion I'll just stick to some leggings or jeans, maybe heels, usually just a normal top because, as I realised just the other day, the only formal tops I own are white shirts. (Note to self: invest in much black clothing and some nice vest tops). So, although in my heart I hanker after floor length wonders, my idea of evening dressing is more like the outfits below. Net-a-porter kindly decided to drop a whole host of monochromatic clothing items in my inbox this morning-see, it is possible to wear black and white without looking like a waitress or concert performer!

Left:
Top-Jason Wu
Skirt-Miu Miu
Clutch-Miu Miu

Middle:
Top-Miu Miu
Shorts-Jil Sander
Pumps-Lanvin

Right:
Top-Aubin & Wills
Shorts-Aubin & Wills
Clutch-Bottega Veneta

(net-a-porter.com)

--BLUSTERY BEACHES--

2010-11-20T22:33:00.000Z

I think it's a combination of my British upbringing and my parents' love of the outdoors, but I absolutely adore going to the beach during the off season, when it's cold and windy and the wind cuts right through you like a sheet of ice. A few years ago we were in Devon in October, and we went to a beach which lies straight as an arrow for a good 3km or so, with a long ridge of sand dunes running all the way along parallel to the sea. Even at high tide there's a band of flat, perfect sand between the sea and the foot of the dunes. You can only access the beach by car right at the far end; otherwise you have to walk about 2km through sand dunes and grass to get to the beach. When we went it was deserted because of the low clouds that skulked low over the sea, and the wind blew sand everywhere and whipped your hair in your face and stung your eyes.

Beautiful.

(fashiongonerogue.com; models.com; fashiontoast.com; lefashionimage.blogspot.com; turnedout.tv; fashiongonerogue)

--IN TANDEM--

2010-11-19T21:23:00.000Z

Some streetstyle photography is right up there alongside genuine editorial work with regards to execution and ideas. While it must look a bit weird to see someone crouching down in the middle of the street with a camera stuck to their face, the images that are produced as a result of spontaneity and an eye for detail are often beautiful and brilliant. It just so happened that I had a few photos in the same vein stacked up in one of my many picture folders.

HARRY POTTER IN LESS THAN 24 HOURS WOOO!

(thecherryblossomgirl.com; jakandjil.com; streetfsn.blogspot.com)

--GO THE ALL BLACKS--

2010-11-17T18:45:00.000Z

I need to stock up on black tees and cardigans from H and M so I can work this look into my everyday style. My lack of a black leather jacket suddenly seems like a massive flaw in my attempt to sophisticatise my wardrobe. (I've worn trackies to school 2 days out of 3 this week...).

(altamiranyc.blogspot.com; carolinesmode.com; ifyouseekstyle.blogspot.com; mrnewton.net; carolinesmode.com; streetfsn.blogspot.com; vanillascented.freshnet.se; nyheter24.freshnet.se; vogue.co.uk)

--STYLIN' IT UP--

2010-11-16T20:38:00.000Z

I don't do internet shopping. The only thing I've ever bought online has been my River Island aviator jacket, and that was because they only had massive sizes left in the shops. I've never browsed online, found something I like the look of and idly purchased it in the hope it'll fit/look nice on someone who isn't 7 feet tall and thin as a whippet. (Especially shoes-shoes are so important to get right, and you just can't tell by looking if they'll be comfy or not! (Or maybe that's just me and my massively fat feet).

BUT, I still like perusing online fashion sites when I occasionally have the time, just because the styling is so genius. Net-a-porter, Asos, Zara (especially Zara!)...if you're ever stuck in a style rut, 5 minutes online will get you out guaranteed. Below, I'm loving the hats/shorts-for-winter/long-short combinations going on courtesy of Asos. And what are your must-visit sites for impeccable styling?

(asos.com)

--NIPPED IN--

2010-11-15T17:58:00.000Z

In some cases it's possible to read too much into things (4 months studying Death of a Salesman, anyone?), but I really think it would be hard to overestimate the effect Mad Men/Lara Stone have had on clothing styles of late. Obviously, despite the publishing world's best efforts, women are not walking around with 50s-style prom-dress skirts a la Louis Vuitton/Prada. But I think there has been a real resurgence lately of a more sophisticated dressing-one which is flattering for people over the age of 25. It explains the rise in editorials such as the ones pictures below-sexy secretary styles all over the shop-and it's why, when we saw all the heavily studded S/S '11 catwalks (Burberry, why? Just why?) our hearts sank just a little. Or maybe that was just me...?

(fashiongonerogue.com)

--UNSUNG HERO--

2010-11-14T16:29:00.000Z

With all this talk of camel coats, I find it unspeakable (except here I am, speaking it) that no-one has cited Tintin as the ultimate camel-sporting icon. The colour may vary slightly from book to book, but the Stella McCartney-esque 'look, no buttons!' style remains constant. As do the uber-attractive brown pantaloons.

(3.bp.blogspot.com; forbiddenplanet.co.uk)

--FRIDA--

2010-11-13T19:28:00.000Z

Frida is one of those models who you want to be bezzies with. She exudes energy and charm in all the photos you see of her, and it comes across in her editorials. Third photo down just makes me laugh so much-she looks like a pen gremlin. (Plus she gets major OCD points for a) owning one of those rainbow pen sets, which I've always wanted but have never got round to buying and b) keeping them all in colour order. If people have pen sets which aren't in the right order I will take all the pens out and replace them as they should be).

(gobackstage.blogspot.com; streetfsn.blogspot.com)

--BOY MEETS GIRL--

2010-11-12T20:12:00.000Z

Sorry I haven't posted this week-I've been rather busy with work, attempting to sleep and narrowly avoiding paralysis/death, so blogging has had to take a little step back.

I thought I would take a moment to appreciate the co-ed editorial. Why is it that editorials are so often single-sex? Fashion is all about selling sex (according to those cynical commentators who tut-tut about every slippage of side boob-Goddd, people, it's, like, aaaart?) so from a purely theoretical standpoint, why do combinations such as the ones seen below not appear in print more often? Plus, from an aesthetic point of view, you can achieve a lot more in terms of storyline, silhouette, variety, contrast/similarity etc.-things which every photographer should be striving to achieve in one way or another.

(I realise the above paragraph contained a few too many rhetorical questions. What can I say, it makes me sound intellectual and meaningful. In the same intellectual and meaningful vein-how excited are you guys for Harry Potter?!?! Like it's not even funny, I can't wait. I actually can't. A friend (well, she used to be my friend, before jealousy ruined our relationship for ever. LOL jk...actually, thinking about it...) went to the premiere yesterday and apparently it was amazing and how do they expect us to wait? (Haha, another rhetorical question, wow I need my weekend). Meanwhile let's all lol over this genius video.)

This was such a jokes editorial. Frida seems like a total babe.

(fashiongonerogue.com)

--CARAMEL CAMEL--

2010-11-07T19:48:00.000Z

It's funny how camel coats, which have always been the domain of the wealthy and middle-aged, representing something of an exclusive demographic, are suddenly on-trend. Something of a paradox, no? I haven't actually seen that many people wearing them around London-probably because it seems slightly strange to be buying something that is so clearly a classic piece, when, as a fashionable 25-year-old, you're much more into following seasonal trends.

(elleuk.com; jakandjil.com; modedamour.com; mrnewton.net; carolinesmode.com; thesartorialist.blogspot.com; trendycrew.com; vanessajackman.blogspot.com; vogue.co.uk)

--TRAIN OF THOUGHT--

2010-11-05T20:06:00.000Z

It was a happy coincidence that I watched the new Rihanna video today, on Guy Fawkes' Night. (A day which is not celebrated as it should be. I hanker for the Just William days, when kiddies would make guys and wheel them around in pushchairs for charity). I actually liked it a lot-it makes such a change to see a music video where, instead of smouldering at the camera while performing ridiculously snappy dance moves which give you sympathetic neck-crick, the singer actually smiles and looks like they're having a nice whimsy bit of fun. The flowers and the swing and her outfit and the tree with the lanterns all reminded me of Tim Walker a lot-and the location was otherworldly! Basically, a thumbs up from me.

The cool firework bit made me meander off on a mental tangent...

...to saved photos of fireworks...

...to the Peter Pilotto x Kipling bags...

...to the Erdem A/W '10 show. There, that's how my mind works!

(youtube.com; pastafrola.net; kipling.com; style.com)

--KHAKI TRANSITIONING--

2010-11-04T19:23:00.000Z

I'm surprised how resilient khaki has been in resisting the relentless march of fashion onwards from popular trends. Granted, much of the summer neutral rush has faded now, but I still see plenty of parkas and fatigue-style top layers out on the street even though the season has definitely turned for the worse (i.e., to winter). I now regret not buying one in Topshop's end-of-summer sale, as I thought it would be a trend that wouldn't outlast the summer! Fail predicting on my part there.

I think olive looks better with black tights or jeans underneath it than blue denim shorts and bare legs, and combined with the fact that parkas tend to be at least slightly waterproof, this actually looks like being a practical trend as well as an aesthetically pleasing one-two out of two, when often I end up looking at Vogue's predictions for the upcoming season and finding items which score zero. Maybe I should be thinking about buying up some khaki after all...

(alltheprettybirds.blogspot.com; altamiranyc.blogspot.com; carolinesmode.com; elleuk.com; fashionsquad.com; fashiontoast.com; style.com; carolinesmode.com; streetfsn.blogspot.com; thesartorialist.blogspot.com)

--FASHION x ART--

2010-11-03T21:13:00.000Z

I personally consider fashion photography-or some of it at least-to be art. Not your average Vogue Nippon over-edited studio shot, perhaps, but certainly some of the editorials out there are serious stuff. Many of the foremost artists of the last century were, at least in part, photographers: Richard Avedon, Irving Penn, Helmut Newton...you get the gist. Anyway, this isn't a digression into the 'fashion as art' debate-instead, it's a combination of fashion and art-or fashion and sculpture, more specifically.

Got to dash-the Apprentice this week is about fashion (buying from up-and-coming designers, or something? My dad just popped in to give me his scrambled version of the truth) so can't miss it! (I've realised this blog makes it sound like I do nothing but watch tv-which isn't true. I spend a fair amount of time watching it, but not as much as your average teenager, I'd say. Anyway, we all need time to unwind...Standard excuse for the parents every time!

(fashiongonerogue.com)

--WHERE TO BUY--

2010-11-02T19:44:00.000Z

Think I know what I'll be asking for for Christmas! And now stop reading this blog and go and watch this week's Gossip Girl. Featured Rachel Zoe and Joe Zee-what more could you want? Oh yes, the fact that it's probably the lollest episode ever, AND has the best closing minute of any tv show, ever. GO children, go forth and marvel!

Top row: Monki, American Apparel, Weekday?
Bottom row: Zara, H & M

--BLOUSE, NOT BUTTON DOWN--

2010-11-01T19:51:00.000Z

I don't know where this tidal wave of beautifully simple, perfectly draped blouses came from. Where was the earthquake that caused it? It seems to be a trend on the streets which has risen in tandem with, or even in isolation from, the runway shows, which is just how I like it. You know, Sticking It To The Man-haha, we commoners can also have ideas of our own! Only thing is, like every good trend it has now been appropriated by the expensive places so that now I can't actually afford the simple, easy-breezy blouse/shirt of my dreams. (NOT button down! That is such an illogical name for an item of clothing. I button down my coat and my jeans (old Levis, anyway-not that I own any, but you know, if I did), but they are not referred to as button-downs. Anyway, sometimes you leave shirts unbuttoned. HA.)

Nevertheless, tomorrow I shall be posting my internet haul. Would do it tonight, but ya know, laziness and that. And the new Vogue (looks goooood this month). And work. In that order.

Hope everyone had a good Halloween! Drop a link in the comments if you had a good costume. I like to marvel at other people's energy levels and creativity.

(alltheprettybirds.blogspot.com; altamiranyc.blogspot.com; be-aoi.blogspot.com; hanneli.com; jakandjil.com; style.com; linadimoda.freshnet.se; modedamour.com; mrnewton.net; shinebythree.blogspot.com; carolinesmode.com; thesartorialist.blogspot.com; vanessajackman.blogspot.com; nyheter24.se/modette/victoriatornegren; youngshields.blogspot.com)

--FRIGHT LIFE--

2010-10-31T18:31:00.000Z

What makes a photo 'scary'-or creepy at least? Is it the lighting, the pose, the location? A combination of the three? Or something else entirely?

(fashiongonerogue.com; hivennn.blogspot.com; fashiongonerogue.com; tobaccoandleather.blogspot.com; coldam.com; fashiongonerogue.com; inafractionofasecond.blogspot.com; fashiongonerogue.com; theones2watch.com; ilovewildfox.com; fashiongonerogue.com; lefashionimage.blogspot.com; fashiongonerogue.com)

--HALLOWEEN COSTUME--

2010-10-30T15:56:00.000+01:00

It saddens me greatly to say that I'm not actually 'doing' Hallowe'en this year. Well, I didn't really 'do' it last year either. Why is it always on a Sunday? What is that? Is it to deliberately ruin the lives of all those little kiddies (and not-so-little teenagers) whose parents are all, "No no, Bob, no going out late on a school night," etc etc? Those calendar gods are meean.

Anyway, if I was going as something, because I am inherently lazy and because people in England always stick to really traditional costume ideas, I would use dressing up as Little Red Riding Hood as an excuse to get my hands on this cute duffle cape from Topshop. Kind of like Paddington Bear's coat, but not in blue.

(If you noticed the awkwardly empty bottom right corner, then you are annoying. I couldn't make everything fit in a perfect rectangle, and then I tried to cover up my lack of skill with a vaguely related background, and now I'm exhausted from the effort and am typing nonsense instead. Gotta love Saturday afternoons.)

Cape-Topshop

Leggings-Topshop

Boots-Zara

Basket-candigifts.co.uk

(topshop.com; zara.com; munkeboelinens.com; candigifts.co.uk)

--CHANDELIERS--

2010-10-29T15:27:00.000+01:00

It's Hallowe'en on Saturday...so, along with watching Vampire Diaries (oh my god, I want to live in Mystic Falls. Seems like you need to be good looking to own a house there), here are a few olde mansion-style photos to get us all in the mood a little...(Plus the obligatory Prada S/S '10 photo, without which a chandelier-themed post would not be complete).

(carlesrodrigo.es; garancedore.fr; studdedhearts.blogspot.com; carlesrodrigo.es; fashionising.com; stylebubble.co.uk)

--ZARA--

2010-10-28T17:42:00.000+01:00

Photos from their October lookbooks. Dayum, Zara have such great stylists. I have to say, out of the major high street chains, Zara gets my vote this season: walking into their shop on Regent Street back in late August was like entering a minimalist heaven: they channeled Celine like nobody's business, and I love it.Too bad I don't have an office job so I could justify buying all the amazing, sleek blouses and tailored trousers.

Also, I've decided I need to buy some heels. I only have one pair, which are black stilettos for occasional smart evening occasions. I'm thinking some black ankle boots. Anyone has a fairly cheap, purchaseable-in-Britain pair, please hit me up with a link.

(zara.com)

--FASHION ILLUSTRATION--

2010-10-27T18:32:00.000+01:00

For a long time, illustration was the prime medium through which fashion was communicated to the general public, gracing major magazine covers and billboards as a matter of course. In Vogue, for example, the illustrator was given the power to integrate the magazine title into the cover as he chose, which is a telling example of how much power was invested in the creativity of illustration: a familiar logo is now considered one of the key assets of any brand, especially in the publishing world, where it must be picked out on a newsstand among dozens of other similar glossies.

(American Vogue 1937 and 1920)

For reasons chronicled better elsewhere than here, however, fashion illustration underwent a steady decline throughout the 20th Century, exactly opposing the stratospheric rise of photography which was soon the only way to depict clothes and the models wearing them. But recently there's been a sudden rush of articles in weekend culture magazines, and monthly fashion glossies, and even the 'what's on' sections of free London dailies, about fashion illustration and its resurgence. And now (if you live in London) there's a load of illustration-related stuff to see.

1. René Gruau at Somerset House

2. Drawing Fashion at the Design Museum

3. Fashion Illustration Gallery (you can see a load of their prints here-for some reason parts of their site didn't load on my computer, but maybe that's just my internet malfunctioning).

Alternatively, if you don't live in London or have a busy busy life, you can stalk the internet.

1. David Downton, who kick-started all these articles earlier in the year with his new book, has a naice site. He's one of the most well-known illustrators of the moment: he draws the Fenwick adverts, and W H Smith sell cards with his drawings on. (Oh yes, I'm that cool).

2. Garance Dore, who is now more well-known for her photography and nifty videos, started out as an illustrator. While I've never actually seen any of her drawings in print, there's no doubt that she'll have gained exposure via her blog.

3. Random post on Dorothea Barth Jorgensen's blog which was what prompted me to do this rather lengthy post in the first place. She interviewed an illustrator in her sweet way-always love reading her slightly broken English.

(aejmcmagazine.bsu.edu; bloggoggles.blogspot.com; somersethouse.org.uk; designmuseum.org; vogue.co.uk; todayandtomorrow.net; garancedore.fr; displacedbones.blogspot.com)

--ON TOP OF THE WORLD--

2010-10-26T10:00:00.000+01:00

Sometimes, when I can't get to sleep or I'm bored in a lesson, I daydream about the fantasy home in which I'll one day live. Obviously this varies from day to day, but one of the recurring scenarios is a Manhattan apartment with a nice accessible rooftop up above. Sizing isn't so important-anything bigger than a walk-in wardrobe apparently costs the earth, and anyway, how much space does a person need? It only becomes a stuff receptacle-but for some reason the idea of an urban eyrie is so appealing. Think of all those classic cliches: lying on tatty blankets with friends, playing music from a stereo (never iPod speakers; how terribly un-grunge would that be?), sunbathing in your underwear...All with a panoramic view of one of the world's most famous cities.

Incidentally, my ex-boyfriend had a house with an accessible roof. Admittedly, it was only two stories high in south-west London, but even being able to see rows of terraced houses from a high vantage point was weirdly cool. His house is kind of a general rendezvous point for all our friends, and we did the whole blanket/food/music/sunbathing thing. I suppose it all plays into that whole 'starving garrett artist' thing, like Jo March in Little Women. Fun times, and one day I'll be living this specific dream.

(fashiongonerogue.com; ilovewildfox.com; fashiongonerogue.com)

--COTTON WOOL CANDYFLOSS SKIES--

2010-10-24T22:23:00.000+01:00

Blogger was messed up today and kept freezing my internet every time I opened a new post, right up until now. And it's Sunday evening so, in typical lazy fashion, all I can be bothered to do now is post these filler photos which I uploaded eons ago. Soz peeps.

(While writing my, er, incredibly arty and indeh title, I for some reason was reminded of The Beatles classic, Lucy in the sky with diamonds. Lyrics and video, if you live in a hole and have never heard the song before. I don't pretend to understand what the words mean, having never taken LSD, but I discovered once that if you do the auditory equivalent of letting your eyes go blurry before listening, it's quite cool. Or, you know, if that doesn't really make sense (don't know why it wouldn't, seems like a perfectly reasonable suggestion to me), then just listen when you're really tired and dozy.)

Ok, enough Sunday evening craziness for this week. I love The Beatles. Hope y'all had a good weekend.

(hardtoexplain79.blogspot.com; fashiongonerogue.com; sandmer.se)

--HOLD ON TIGHT--

2010-10-23T14:59:00.000+01:00

Clutches fall into the category of things I like the idea of, but find hard to incorporate into my daily life. Like day heels and healthy eating. For me, going out should be a fun experience, and I find that the experience is impinged on somewhat if one of my hands is constantly occupied in holding a small bag. For evening they take on a more useful role, as you only ever need a few things for a night out (phone, iPod, keys, Oyster card), although this usually causes me to swing the other day and walk out with my few necessities stuffed into my pockets, allowing me to use my hands for other things. (That sounded really creepy-not sure how to phrase it in a way which avoids creepiness. (How depressing-am I just naturally sinister?). But be assured, I'm not some born-again Sweeny Todd.)

Anyway, I've decided that clutches have only two uses:
1) As a red carpet accessory
2) If you're a fashion editor/general successful person who doesn't actually organise their own life, but has slaves who carry their keys etc. with them

The more eagle-eyed of you may have noticed that neither of the above categories really applies to me. Heigh ho, guess it's just voluminous shoulder bags/grotty coat pockets for me...But we can still nod and smile in satisfaction at pretty clutches carried by other, less weirdly OCD people.

(vogue.ru; jakandjil.com; style.com; carolinesmode.com; karlascloset.com; meijias.blogbus.com; nast-magazine.ft; carolinesmode.com; vogue.co.uk; waynetippetts.com)

--IS THIS SOME KIND OF JOKE--

2010-10-22T11:25:00.000+01:00

I was sorely tempted to post this photo alone, as a lone example of human stupidity. No, sorry, I mean INSANITY.

Seriously, what?! Just look! They're Uggs...but all pimped out with studs and fringing (urgh, I'm close to retching. Studs and fringing should be reserved for cowboy boots ONLY), and not in a good way. I agree that, sometimes, discovering that something is designer can alter your perception slightly. Maybe because of snobbery-we all know that anything by Jimmy Choo is automatically superior to, say, New Look. Or Ugg. (But apparently not any more). Maybe because, like me, you can't admit anything high-fashion is bad, anything at all, because your sceptical family will immediately start ripping you to shreds, while ranting about about how hypocritical and ridiculous the fashion industry is. Maybe because you defer to the high minds of fashion genii, thinking Well, if x made it then there must be some redeeming quality I just don't get.

But it would be humanly impossible to see any redeeming qualities in these shoes. Just look at them.

I mean, the fashion industry is always going to be slightly contradictory, by default. If opinions were always the same, there would be no change and therefore no basis for the shows and for designers and for 'fashion' at all. So occasional glitches in consistency are acceptable. Suddenly declaring sparkly shoulders and neon colours as inconsiderate to the current global situation, when the previous season they were heralded as a daring defiance of economic depression, can be excused. That, after all, is what fashion is about-mercurial swings of preference in order to add drive to the consumers' actions.

Printing in a magazine that clogs are suddenly acceptable-forget anything we've said before about them-is a bit more dodgy, but still passable. Clogs have been on the catwalk. They can, in a few situations, look fairly cool. Your average prole nods and makes a mental note to hit Clarkes, not Topshop, next time they want a new pair of shoes.

But a collaboration between a vastly successful, highly revered shoe brand which has entered pop culture (that's Jimmy Choo, just in case you were unsure) and a company so controversial that some magazines ban staff from wearing their products (true fact-I read it in Elle) is just so bizarre that, frankly, I'm baffled. Does net-a-porter seriously think that fashionistas from across the globe are suddenly going to be rushing to buy a pair of shoes which are practically fashion suicide to wear, just because they're associated with Jimmy Choo?

I think, if this crazy collaboration is a success, something inside me will die forever.

(net-a-porter.com)

--STEP UP--

2010-10-21T13:50:00.000+01:00

Yay times for you, it's half term and I'm ill so it's a return to themed photo posts!

!!!

Yeah, not that exciting really, but I thought I'd at least try. It's not even as if the so-called 'theme' is relevant at all, but it causes me almost physical pain to post tumblr-esque random photos, going against my slightly OCD nature as it does. SO. Photos of people on steps. Enjoy!

(I promise, promisepromisepromise, that there will be something which resembles a mildly intellectual, intelligent post coming soon. I remember the time when I intended this blog to be about writing. Ha! The eternal hope of the innocent.)

(fashiongonerogue.com; tobaccoandleather.blogspot.com; fashiongonerogue.com; models.com; studdedhearts.blogspot.com; linadimoda.freshnet.se; fashiongonerogue.com; studdedhearts.blogspot.com; fashiongonerogue.com; ilovewildfox.com)

--LIVING IN HISTORY--

2010-10-20T10:51:00.000+01:00

So peeps, last weekend I stayed in a temple. Caj.

No, but actually. Last weekend I stayed here.

HOW COOL? There's a company in the UK called the Landmark Trust which restores historic buildings and rents them out to people in order to pay for their upkeep. This particular gem is part of Stowe Landscape Gardens, also home to Stowe School (so yes, I did get to do a bit of public-school-boy-spotting while I was there. Little pleasures, as they say). An amazing building, and the only downsides of staying there were the fairly nippy temperatures at night, and the attempts by members of the public to storm the place after seeing me sitting inside. (Joke, I think they were probably just after the architechture...although who knows with pensioners).

The weather was pretty amazing almost throughout, and the trees were just turning from green to gold-best part of autumn, I think. The colours at this time of year always make me want to go to New England.

You can look it up elsewhere, but in short, the gardens (which we were allowed to wander through freely after hours) were Capability Brown's first venture and are full of all these Classical temples and follies etc. (The Gothic Temple, where we stayed, is the only anomaly in an otherwise Arcadia-like eden). Every time you turned a corner there would be something else to catch your eye. English gardens at their finest; I was so lucky to be there and have the chance to 'recharge my batteries' (as my mother always puts it, subsequently making me cringe at her ad exec-style turn of phrase) in such amazing surroundings.

(own photos-please credit)

--BACK IN THE SADDLE--

2010-10-19T17:33:00.000+01:00

Sorry for the unexplained absence-went away with the fam for a few well-needed days in the country, which luckily were blessed by beautiful weather. Photos up later, but here is a sneaky peek of where we were lucky enough to stay!

I think there was something in the water there, because I had crazy dreams-one of which was that I, along with some people from school, was invited to sit front-row at Chanel's next pre-collection show. After being mortified by the misbehaviour of my fellow classmates, who clearly didn't understand the gravity-nay, holiness-of such a situation, everyone was shocked to see that the bowing designer at the end of the show was not Karl, but his surprise successor! (Sadly, the water was not prophetic, and I don't think this usurper was actually a bona fide fashion face). I then got into chats with Michael Kors about Karl's unexpected departure, and the merits of this new collection in spite of it.

Weird.

These photos are dredged from my computer at the back end of last week, when I was lacking in any inspiration and decided to lump a few unusual photos together and call it a themed photo post. (Blogger then decided to malfunction, so I went and watched tv instead and never came back to post them!).

(be-aoi.blogspot.com; fashiongonerogue.com)

--A FRIEND IN NEED--

2010-10-13T22:02:00.000+01:00

I'm well aware that my posts haven't been particularly inspired or fascinating of late, but it's just everything catching up with me towards the end of half term! And not even in a bad way, I just find that there's so much more I want to do outside the bare bones of homework now that I'm not forced to study boring and pointless subjects which sap me of all enthusiasm. (*cough* PHYSICS *cough*-sorry, say what?). Did consider not posting at all, but it's nice to keep the good old photos flowing...

My love for all things behind-the-scenes has already been well documented on this here blog. Elaborating on that well-worn theme, I'd say it's nice to see some camraderie in an industry which is notorious for its bitchiness. Plus, always seeing models in isolation on the runway or in editorials makes you forget that some of them are actually friends in real life...And it's nice to see them smile occasionally, too.

This photo makes me lol so much. Can you say scrape?! I'm intrigued as to why he's randomly holding a broken umbrella over their heads when it doesn't even seem to be raining...Who is this guy? He made my fashion month.

(alltheprettybirds.blogspot.com; altamiranyc.blogspot.com; gobackstage.blogspot.com; hanneli.com; jakandjil.com; stockholmstreetstyle.feber.se; streetfsn.blogspot.com; vogue.co.uk)

--WORKING IT--

2010-10-12T22:09:00.000+01:00

Only a few more days till half term...I'm so ready for sleeping in, catching up on my 1000+ Bloglovin posts (which I've managed to keep from deleting, touch wood!), watching loads of random tv online and indulging in a bid of cultcha. Nice.

(In passing: glute bridges-2nd, 3rd and 4th photos-actually work. Fashion editorials and work out tips in one! Bingo).

(fashiongonerogue.com; inafractionofasecond.blogspot.com)

--LOOKALIKES--

2010-10-10T17:08:00.000+01:00

Just a short post-I'm enjoying lazing on a sunny (Sunday) afternoon. Why this weather has to come right at the end of the weekend, once I've done all my rowing, I just don't know. Still, better late than never, I guess.

Prompted by an editorial in the Sunday Telegraph magazine, which I thought featured Caroline Trentini but it fact featured Lydia Hearst, I mused (briefly, very briefly) on the topic of models who look like each other. Doppelgangers, wie man in Deutsch sagt. I came up with these two as obvious-anyone got any others? I reckon looking like another successful model can be useful to a newcomer, but they also risk being stereotyped as a mini-me of their lookalike, which in the long run could be more of a hindrance than a help...

Caroline Trentini//Lydia Hearst

Cindy Crawford//Kendra Spears

(nymag.com; thebeatardsnyc.com; w-skincare.com; images.huffingtonpost.com)

--BEHIND STREETSTYLE--

2010-10-09T11:43:00.000+01:00

I love streetstyle blogs whose photos observe the fashion week process rather than just taking photos of people in nice clothes. It makes for more interesting pictures, as well as giving us poor mortals an insight into the crazy circus of the shows.

Hope everyone has a good weekend!

(altamiranyc.blogspot.com; carolinesmode.com; streetfsn.blogspot.com; style.com)

--TWO MORE--

2010-10-07T19:59:00.000+01:00

You know it's bad when you start crying at Glee. Although this was a good episode. I have a big time crush on Kurt now. 'I'm liking everyone's Sunday best. Very Christ-chic'.

The second part of this.

(own photos-please credit)

--IT'S ALL WHITE (AND BLACK)--

2010-10-06T19:51:00.000+01:00

It kills me a little inside to post such unrelated photos, but heigh ho, joy in diversity etc etc. And I've chosen a purely monochromatic selection in an attempt to link everything, kind of, not really...

Anyway, onto happier things. You may have noticed a remarkable lack of S/S '11 reportage going on-that would be because I'm very behind on all the shows as the style.com slideshows go really slowly on my computer so it takes me ages to get through even two shows a day. With that in mind, any recommendations of ones I really can't miss? (I'll catch up eventually, of course, but there's no point in delaying the best till the end).

I watched a short summary video of the Chanel show just now-how amazing is the set? They painted most of the Grand Palais green, for God's sake! And to be part of the orchestra...I mean, wow. That must have been the most amazing thing ever. Can you imagine? You're some underpaid third violinist, or whatever, and suddenly you get a call going, "Oh, by the way, we've got a booking to play CHANEL next week." You know, standard, just play a bit of classical fare while models stomp around wearing amazingly gorgeous clothes and all of fashion's biggest players (har har, get the pun there?) share breathing space with you...Crazy eh?

(fashiongonerogue.com; be-aoi.blogspot.com; beyondinsp.blogspot.com; studdedhearts.blogspot.com; fashiongonerogue.com; studdedhearts.blogspot.com; fashiongonerogue.com; lefashionimage.blogspot.com; fashiongonerogue.com; naad-naad-naad.blogspot.com; fashiongonerogue.com; studdedhearts.blogspot.com; fashiongonerogue.com)

--DAY IN THE LIFE--

2010-10-05T19:51:00.000+01:00

I have a folder of random photos which aren't editorials or model pics, but are just lovely examples of good photography. These are images I thought someone in fashion week might see-getting up, going to a fitting, walking in a show and then making their way home through a beautiful New York sunset. Idealistic much? Maybe. More fun than homework? Definitely!

(jakandjil.com; thecherryblossomgirl.com; inafractionofasecond.blogspot.com; thecherryblossomgirl.com; souvenirsofagirl.blogspot.com; linadimoda.freshnet.se; thephotodiarist.com)

--GETTING LOW--

2010-10-03T17:08:00.000+01:00

Long skirts have been all over the internet recently-proper long skirts, not the mid-calf-length 50s-style ones shown on last season's catwalks. It's a more flattering shape by far, but I'm still not sure whether to invest in one for myself or not. Zara and Topshop have some nice ones (and I haven't even been actively looking), but they seem really impractical for winter (like the 'trackies in the puddles' problem, only worse), and you kind of have to wear them with heels, of which I only own one pair-London teenagers don't really go for the day heels look. However, I love simplicity and jersey, so staying away from an item which combines both could well prove impossible...We'll see how my finances are looking once I've bought this month's round of magazines!

(I still haven't got the latest Pop-been saving it for a rainy day. I wanted to get it today, actually, as the weather seems suitably miserable, but after the worst rowing session of my life I wasn't feeling too motivated to leave the house again).

(altamiranyc.blogspot.com; stockholmstreetstyle.feber.se; altamiranyc.blogspot.com; christeric.blogspot.com; citizencouture.com; garypeppervintage.blogspot.com; jesslovesfred.com; mrnewton.net; stockholmstreetstyle.feber.se; nast-magazine.fr; thephotodiarist.com; stockholmstreetstyle.feber.se; thesartorialist.blogspot.com; thestreethearts.com; vanessajackman.blogspot.com; vogue.co.uk; mrnewton.net; stockholmstreetstyle.feber.se; stylescrapbook.com)