2012 in Review
Wh-whaat? Where did 2012 go?
Lying in my bed on the eve of 2013, I'm scrolling through a years worth of blog posts. Nostalgia is setting in. Pass the tissues. Highlights definitely include fashion week and twirling in the teacups at EuroDisney with Shini. A trip to Jamaica also ranks high on the best moments from the year. My favourite post I did this past year has got to be 'A letter to my fellow bloggers', wherein I write a letter addressing the misconceptions and lies that surround being a blogger. I loved reading everyone's comments and thoughts in response to the post. Thanks so much for sticking with me through 2012. I can't wait to see what's in store for the year ahead.
Happy New Year. Here's to it being a great one. *clinks glass*
xx
Yellow & Fluffy
With the weather turning slightly more chilly I've started pulling out the thick knits. I love this yellow fluffy jumper by Acne. The only problem? It sheds fluorescent fuzz onto everything and everyone that makes contact with it. I still love it though.
With the weather turning slightly more chilly I've started pulling out the thick knits. I love this yellow fluffy jumper by Acne. The only problem? It sheds fluorescent fuzz onto everything and everyone that makes contact with it. I still love it though.
Wearing: Acne knit, Helmut Lang skirt, MCM bag and Converse.
Photos by Kit
Leather & Flares
Brown leather. White linen cropped top. Bell bottom jeans. If you asked me a month ago, I'd laugh in \ at the mere mention of these items. Surely they are outdated and totally uncool. Well, wide legs have started creeping into my life. It's scary but I'm having the desire to swap out my skinnies for trousers with a looser fit. Uh-oh.
Fashion is a strange thing.
Brown leather. White linen cropped top. Bell bottom jeans. If you asked me a month ago, I'd laugh in your face at the mere mention of these items. Surely they are outdated and totally uncool. Well, wide legs have started creeping into my life. It's scary but I've started having the desire to swap out my skinnies for trousers with a looser fit. Uh-oh. The tectonic plates of fashion are shifting... and I'm mildly scared. Errr... anyway. I love this white linen top. It has an elasticated waist and sits right at my belly button. Yeah, technically it's belly baring but if you wear it with something high-waisted it looks like an ordinary top. I like. I'm still uncertain how I feel about baring my belly... it just doesn't seem very lady like.
p.s. I'm mega addicted to my little collection of Tank Books. They are adora-bable and are operating as my go-to accessory... until I get a puppy.
Wearing: Paul & Joe Sister jacket, Koto Bolofo white linen top from Anthropologie, J Brand jeans, Moheda Toffeln clogs, Bottletop Luciana bag, Tank books Kafka edition and random friendship bracelet found at a market.
Photos by Fredrik
LET ME LIVE IN A FLOWER MARKET PLEASE...
Please can we arrange for me to live inside a flower market?
There is nothing I love more than being in London on a sunny Sunday. Why? Because I love Columbia Road Flower Market (so much). When I was last in town I spent an unusually warm day lazing about the market. It was so crowded but I loved every minute. I wore a double printed look from Aubin & Wills which I love. It's super soft and silky. Perfect for feeling easy and breezy but looking a bit put together.
p.s. yes, posing with a potted flower plant was essential (although highly cliche).
Wearing: Everard skirt and Willington vest with white Converse. Props: flowers and yellow SIGG bottle.
Massive thanks to the Cat for keeping me company and taking my outfit shot.
White Leather
Last week I got to spend the day with my love Charlie May in East London. We rode Boris Bikes, which I thought would be horrifying, but actually were so much fun. If you're in London get your booty onto one. You'll be glad you did.
It's the weekend and I'm itching to get outside.
So let's just keep this sweet and simple. Last week I got to spend the day with my love Charlie May in East London. We rode Boris Bikes, which I thought would be horrifying, but actually were so much fun. If you're in London get your booty onto one. You'll be glad you did. Just ride responsibly, ok? Make sure you look over your shoulder, signal, and all that good safety shizz.
By the way, how freaking awesome is the leather jacket? Charlie let me wear it only after I promised to run my entire house off the generated energy of a group of people cycling. Uhhh... sorry Charlie, I lied, I'm not going to do that.
p.s. watch out, I will run you down and I take no prisoners....
Photos by Charie May
Wearing: Charlie May AW12 jacket, Aubin & Wills shorts, American Apparel tri-blend tank top, Converse, Bottletop purse and clear/lace clutch by Kit Lee.
Black & White
Completely obsessed with this simple slouchy silk dress. Love the oversized arm holes and elongated back. Thank god I put on a pair of shorts underneath - the wind was acting like a nasty mother. Marilyn Monroe might be chic but no one needs to see my (heart print) pants.
Chilling in a window sill...
Hiiiii from London. Yes, I'm still here. I'm writing to you from the sofa of Charlie and Lexxie's house where I've been staying. Thankfully they haven't thrown me to the streets yet. The UK's bipolar weather patterns are starting to wear on me. Clear skies are a massive rarity. When they hit people go mental with excitement and sweaty men decide it's acceptable to walk around with their shirts off (eww). The weekend was awesome because it was el scorchio which meant I could go bare legged. Nothing makes me happier. Now it's freaking freezing again. Boo. The misery.
Completely obsessed with this simple slouchy silk dress. Love the oversized arm holes and elongated back. Thank god I put on a pair of shorts underneath - the wind was acting like a nasty mother. Marilyn Monroe might be chic but no one needs to see my (heart print) pants.
p.s. flowers are officially my favorite accessory for spring.
Wearing: Topshop Boutique dress, Dolce & Gabbana sunglasses, Converse and clutch by Style Slicker.
Photos by Kit Lee
FASHION TARGETS BREAST CANCER WITH RIVER ISLAND...
For fifteen consecutive years River Island have teamed up with Breakthrough Breast Cancer to support the Fashion Targets Breast Cancer campaign. This year they've designed two T-shirts - 30% of all sales go directly to the charity. Now, that's something worth supporting.
I was asked to put together a little outfit from the brand's current collection that features the Fabulous T-shirt. I don't normally shop at River Island but I was pretty into a few of the pieces on the website - these silky printed shorts were a stand out piece. They got me compared to MC Hammer on a number of occasions, which means they are now officially my favorite shorts. I was also pretty excited to try out these faux Isabel Marant hidden wedge sneakers. Oh my, I love them and (sadly) now my craving for the original pair has only been elevated to a whole new level of obsession.
The heatwave means every spare minute of my time will now be spent outside soaking up the sunshine. I discovered an awesome new area on the west side of the lake in Zurich... the water is still a bit too cold for swimming but lounging in the grass and eating ice-cream works just fine for me at the moment. There are freaking spectacular views of the alps and lots of graffiti artists to watch if you're after a bit of live entertainment.
All items from River Island: FTBC fabulous tank, Pacha shorts, Bomber jacket, Wedge high tops, Straw clutch, Engraved ring.
France
Although leather baseball hats are currently all the rage, I'd just like to say that are actually really stupid. If it's hot the last thing you want to wear is a black freaking leather hat... when I stood in the sun my head was boiling. England, this trend was made for you.
There's nothing I love more than being swept off to a far away city...
Errr, I say that from my sofa where I've spent the last four days sitting on my tush nibbling on random bits of chocolate bunnies and staring at a TV. Did anyone else fall for the wonderfulness that is where me keys? Please, tell me I'm not alone. The most exciting thing I'd planned for this long holiday weekend was painting my nails and I haven't even managed to get that done. I promise, I'm not always quite this useless. The weather went all wintery a couple of day ago and I had no choice but to throw myself head-first into hibernation mode as soon as snow starting falling.
A couple of weeks ago I went to Paris to help celebrate the 20th anniversary of Disneyland Paris. As a total Disney nut I naturally jumped at the opportunity. Vienna International Hotels were the most wonderful hosts and I was super excited to go because my husband got to come along for the ride and Shini also came from London. We all stayed at the Dream Castle Hotel and, when we weren't spinning around on the teacups, saw a cabaret show, watched the Eiffel Tower glitter at midnight and spent a morning at Chateau Fontainebleau jumping on Marie Antoinette's bed (just kidding.. it was roped off). We got in earlier than anyone else and before lunch I managed to sneak in a run, a swim and spent half an hour in the sauna.
At Chateau Fontainebleau I just about keeled over - incredible beauty burst out of every bit of the building. The rooms were the epitome of anti-minimalism. Decadence and lavish embellishment were in mighty abundance... my white walls look grossly inadequate now.
This outfit is basically what I've been wearing non-stop recently. It has all my favorite things: Patouf jumper, 7 for all Mankind jeans, Mykita sunglasses, white Converse, Muriee cashmere scarf and Shini's leather hat (that I snuck out of her suitcase). Although leather baseball hats are currently all the rage, I'd just like to say that are actually really stupid. If it's hot the last thing you want to wear is a black freaking leather hat... when I stood in the sun my head was boiling. England, this trend was made for you.
I've never been that drawn to France but after this trip I'm aching to go back, even if it's just to visit L'ATMO again for lunch...
Massive thank you to Sabine and Vienna International Hotels for inviting me on the best press trip ever.
p.s. view more photos over on Facebook.
WE ARE HANDSOME
As I wiggled my way into this dress I felt myself being transported to another place altogether... to that world where life is bathed in golden sunshine. You can't help but feel a little wonderful with all that elasticated sex-appeal sucking you in from every angle.
I was considering whether I ought to start this post with a melodramatic story about beaches, mojitos and bronzed skin. It was to be set in a land where everyone is flawless and dripped in unending sunshine. People named Sven and Tiffany lounge by glistening pools and live off bubblegum, they have nothing to do and nowhere to go. In my mind, this is the world that the We Are Handsome customer belongs to.
I was wondering if the brand, that's become synonymous with edgy videos and growling animals, could be transported into real life. It's all skin-tight stretchy fabric... surely this isn't meant for city streets or real people? Rihanna might be able to pull it off but that doesn't mean anyone else can. Each piece seems to encapsulate the allure of summer, making the mind-blowing body conscious pieces just too good to resist.
WAHOutfit
As I wiggled my way into this dress I felt myself being transported to another place altogether... to that world where life is bathed in golden sunshine. You can't help but feel a little wonderful with all that elasticated sex-appeal sucking you in from every angle. Yeah, I might have just been walking down the grey streets of London but I felt like, if I could just skip through the right alley, I'd wind up being transported somewhere exotic.
I wore this floral print dress with a slouchy black cardigan and Converse for a bit of balance. In my world tight and short always require a bit of de-sexifying and nothing does that quite as well as a bunch of fresh flowers pushed into a brown leather bag. Yumm. I wish I had flowers on standby to carry with me everyday... they make the perfect accessory (potentially even better than a puppy).
I also tried a swimsuit with a mega low dipped back. It was gorgeous and I loved it under a pair of jeans. If your swimsuit is this crazy beautiful then it deserves to be worn during the day. I'm now a little obsessed with the dreamy prints and skin-tight fits that We Are Handsome does so well. These are definitely the sort of pieces that could easily migrate into my daily life, they don't just have to be worn on yachts or music videos.
Wearing: We Are Handsome dress and swimsuit (via Pfeffer PR), Stylein jumper, Swedish Hasbeens bag, Lucy Folk bracelets, and Mykita sunglasses.
Photos by Kit
FLORAL LEGS...
Man, I failed on my vow to wear only black until hot weather came. Oh well, please forgive me... I guess I bore quickly. Plus, the lure of spring is just too strong. Instead of baring my legs I've decided to cover them in floral prints. I'm probably guilty of wearing skinny jeans far too often but at least these make the standard shape feel somewhat new. I like wearing them with this Muriee T-shirt that has a faint pink polka dot pattern on it. Perfect for doing a bit of print clashing but discreetly.
Wearing: 7 for all Mankind Garden Party jeans, Muriee T-shirt and cashmere scarf, Sambag tote, Bottletop Luciana purse, Moxham pink clutch, Rayban aviators, Topshop ring, Madewell jacket and Zara shoes.
Disneyland, Paris
Cover me in bubble wrap and stick me in a box… I want to be shipped back to Disney. Some people like to launch into a philosophical discussion at the mere mention of Disney’s descent onto Europe. Would France have been a better place had Mickey and his theme park stuck to the sunny shores of the US?
Cover me in bubble wrap and stick me in a box... I want to be shipped back to Disney.
Some people like to launch into a philosophical discussion at the mere mention of Disney's descent onto Europe. Would France have been a better place had Mickey and his theme park stuck to the sunny shores of the US? Personally, I'd rather wear Minnie Mouse ears, eat pink food and ride on the teacups all day long than worry about those things. I literally could have stayed in that sunny park forever.
Riyka top
Thanks again to Vienna International Hotels for inviting me on the best press trip ever.
p.s. I wore a Riyka top, 7 for all Mankind jeans, Moxham taba bracelet and Converse... perfect for running between rides with Shini.
Lady in red
Red is so not my colour. That's what I thought, at least, before I wore this jacket. It's the embodiment of all things wonderful and wearable about fashion. Throw it on over anything and you instantly look mega chic.
Red is so not my colour.
That's what I thought, at least, before I wore this jacket. It's the embodiment of all things wonderful and wearable about fashion. Throw it on over anything and you instantly look mega chic - it is a miracle worker. I love that it has a sort of über glam Parisienne (Balmain-esque - with the exaggerated shoulders) flare but also packs a nitty-gritty punch. The imperfections are what make it so perfect. Frazzled edges and strips that look as though you've taken a razor blade to the fabric - so yummy. Destruction is hottt, especially when it's faux and comes in the form of Iro.
Wearing: Iro jacket (My Wardrobe), American Apparel tri-blend racerback tank, 7 for all Mankind skinny jeans, Lucy Folk bracelets (Pfeffer PR), Maison Scotch clutch (Sane), Muriee cashmere scarf, Versace sunglasses and Balenciaga boots.
Photos by Shini
ON TEXTURE, ADAM AND CHARLIE...
Brace yourself, we're about to embark on a journey of epic time travel.
Flash back to Day 3 of LFW: it was early and I was tired. I'd just arrived at Somerset House and was in a bit of a daze. The sun was really bright and, of course, I had forgotten my sunglasses. Up comes a bloke who asks to take my photo. 'I just love your coat,' he says. 'The fabric is incredible. The sleeves look awesome - you don't tend to see this colour coat with leather very often.' Did he even, possibly, reach out and touch my shoulder? What can I say - the leather, it's irresistible. I can't remember. He'd made an impression though by pointing out exactly what I loved about the inky coloured coat from Charlie May's AW12 collection. I agreed, it was freaking awesome. Please.snap.away.sir.
Flash forward to the last day of LFW: it's pouring with rain and I'm standing under a black umbrella watching a men's show on the screen outside the BFC tent, waiting for Louisa to exit an exhibition. 'Would you mind if I took a photo of your sweater and clutch?' I look over. It's the same guy from a few days earlier. 'Yeah, of course.' Again, it seems to be the texture and colour that has lured him in... like a moth to flame.
We start talking: 'Are you American?' We both are. 'Are you on Twitter?' Of course. 'What's your name?' I ask. '@Le21ème,' he replies... 'Wait, as in Le 21ème Arrondissement blog!?'... 'You've heard of it?' So begins the time-tested conversation where I try to convey how much I freaking love his work only to have him continue to act shocked that I'd ever seen it. Ummm... yeah I'd seen it. It's only one of my favorite street style blogs ever.
Fast forward two weeks: we're now in Paris. It's fashion week. Outside every show I bump into my new friend, Adam. Like most people, Paris is the last leg of his mammoth fashion month adventure - it's the only thing standing in the way of going home to New York and his girlfriend. I find out he shoots for all sorts of snazzy publications and brands: Elle US, Grazia IT, Marie Claire and Vogue Russia - to name just a few.
Adam is also really nice. The sort of nice that makes you want to bundle him up into a little package and force him into being your best friend. He's got a heck-of-a-lotta ambition too but doesn't want to do anything that would suck the fun out of what he's doing. I can relate. Keep it light, keep it frothy... that's what I always like to say. The thing I love about Adam's blog, Le 21ème Arrondissement, is that he focuses on incredible details and unique off-the-radar people. Adam's aesthetic is seriously kick butt: it's fierce and often goes against the grain. Whenever I see his photos I feel a little challenged. He sees things differently and I like that... I never feel like I'm looking at 'just another street style blog.'
Alright, now flash forward five months- right past summer and all that jazz: it's September 2012 and you're starting to think about your fall wardrobe. Oh, you're into supporting new talent? You like embracing young British designers? You want something original and fresh that everyone else won't be wearing? A-ha! Behold, I have the answer to what you've been looking for: Charlie May.
Charlie's collection is stuffed full of wearable basics. There were a pair of wide legged super soft high-waisted cord trousers that have my name written all over them. Do you know when I last wore corduroy trousers?! It was a long freaking time ago. There are also amazing silk separates - long dresses and shirts with gorgeous flowing wrist details. Oooo, and the leather. I've already started saving up for one of Charlie's leather jackets. They. are. stunning. I love the colour palette, the simple silhouettes and the delicate unexpected details that make all the difference. Cue incessant swooning.
p.s. if you can't handle waiting until the autumn, Charlie's SS12 collection will be available on Bengt from May. Elbows at the ready.
First three photos taken by Adam. Look book images courtesy of Charlie May.
Wearining: Outfit 1 - DAGMAR Pre-Fall AW12 cardigan (Varg), American Apparel tri-blend T-shirt, LiLiFi leopard clutch, Muriee cashmere scarf. Outfit 2 - Charlie May AW12 coat and silk shirt, Tibi leather front top (My Wardrobe), Maison Scotch clutch, 7FAM jeans, and Balenciaga boots.
Bare that belly
I decided to rock this Patouf cropped top with a little white t-shirt underneath because I'm just not ready to embrace the midriff full on. I love this top, by the way. It's a little sci-fi crazy with its silver sheen and structured shape. I like that. It means I can pretend to be on the Starship Enterprise.
Looking out over Zurich...
Weeee! Spring is here.
Spring in Zurich is the best thing ever. It's sunny and warm. The trees and flowers are blooming. It's calm. You can't help but get a tan. After weeks and weeks of it being -15 degrees the shift in temperature is heavenly. Let's not talk about the weather though, let's talk midriffs. What do we think people? Are they best saved for the catwalk? Can they work on real streets with real people? Honestly, I'm not entirely sure. The thing is, regardless of how razor-sharp your abs might be (and trust me, I know we all have abs that could cut glass) it takes a lot of confidence to rock a belly baring top. Depending on how cropped you go they can start to resemble a bra top and I'm just not sure how that will go down in the city. Maybe it's a look best saved for weekend breaks away... hmmm. What do you reckon?
I decided to rock this Patouf cropped top with a little white t-shirt underneath because I'm just not ready to embrace the midriff full on. I love this top, by the way. It's a little sci-fi crazy with its silver sheen and structured shape. I like that. It means I can pretend to be on the Starship Enterprise while I walk around town (much to my husband's distaste). I want to wear it with something seriously fierce (read: a patent black shiny high-waisted pencil skirt and some kick-butt heels) but jeans and Converse fit a bit more with my everyday needs... for now at least.
Wearing: Patouf Jade Top, Mih Paris Jeans, Mykita Joanie Sunglasses, Bottletop Luciana Clutch and Converse.
EMBRACE THE CHANGES...
Why, hello there...
You might have already noticed (or heard the incessant grumbling) but let's just get it out in the open. Yes, the are rumors true. After two and a half years the Style Crusader has finally landed peacefully onto a dot-com home. Please, please, hold your applause. Who would have thought it would be so difficult?! This baby started out on blogspot in August 2009. Then, in July 2010, was moved to wordpress. You know, because it gives you more flexibility in design (yada-yada-yada). That was fine, albiet slightly traumatic as I lost all my blogger followers. I bought the dot-com domain on the same day that I got my first DSLR camera (a second-hand Canon 450). Some techy glitches meant I wound up hosting on dot-org, a site which got so badly hacked/spammed that it reached the point of no return. Phew. So, here we are...
I'd like to take this opportunity to formally welcome you to my new home. Curtsey
This was the first day I was at Paris Fashion Week. I decided to bring my bright orange beanie with me, you know, for warmth and stuff. I got this hat for $2 at Walmart when I was in the US at Christmas. My family was not impressed with it and my sister refused to stand next to me when I wore it. Imagine my jubilation when NYFW rolled around and I saw this. Mwaahaha. See family, I told you orange was the right decision. I have to admit though I feel like a bit of a turd when I wear this hat... it's so bright. People honestly give me funny looks and say strange things when I wear it. I mean, really, it's just a hat people. Come-the-freak-on.
Anyway, clearly I wasn't the only person at PFW that thought an orange beanie was a good idea...
This was outside the Stella McCartney show by the way. It was literally freezing. I felt a fool and was SO PAINFULLY COLD that I literally couldn't take any photos. I got a tall latte with an extra shot from Starbucks (so American) and tried to use it to keep my hands warm. Resistance was futile. Shini and I admitted defeat and went in search of gloves (we found some in an Adidas store - they were 10 euros and oh-so-stylish). After going home to regroup (i.e. change clothes) we headed back out into the city to try to catch some street style action - in flats and as many layers as we could pile on.
Yes, that's the story of my first day at Paris Fashion Week.
Wearing: [Part 1] Walmart hat, Muriee cashmere scarf (which is literally glued to my neck - ok, not literally... that would be disturbing), Jigsaw sheer jersey T-shirt, Madewell jacket, J Brand Bette jeans from Anthropologie (found in the sale for $19?!) and Balenciaga boots. [Part 2] 7 for all Mankind skinny jeans (old version), Dagmar knit jacket, Converse and Varg canvas bag.
p.s. any questions on the blog change and/or how to follow please post in the comments.