DAKS AW14
It seems like months ago that I was sitting in Somerset House watching the Daks show.
Ugh, actually, now that I think about it, it was five months ago. No wonder it feels like such a long time, nearly half a year has passed. But regardless, the show packed just as big of a punch then as it does now. Daks is celebrating their 120th anniversary and so it isn't any wonder that their creative director, Filippo Scuffi, pulled out the big punches.
Heritage was the name of the game. Camel coloured pieces were in abundance and were accented by army green and navy. The brand's house check popped up on looks throughout the show - namely on lapels and on one slinky glittery knit. Leather gloves crept up to elbows and a trench coat was reconfigured into a strapless gown.
The collection closed with a massive bell shaped knit dress - a show stopping piece that was worthy of the house's milestone year.
Bubblegum Pink
Lately I've taken to tying my hair up in silk scarves. There's something decidedly retro about it, plus it's the easiest way to add a dash of something bright to an otherwise colorless look. I've also taken to this bubblegum pink bomber jacket.
Lately I've taken to tying my hair up in silk scarves.
There's something decidedly retro about it, plus it's the easiest way to add a dash of something bright to an otherwise colorless look. I've also taken to this bubblegum pink bomber jacket. It's knit and so is the perfect lightweight fabric for summer nights. Worn with a pair of distressed skinny jeans and my highest heels, this is my current go-to outfit of choice.
Wearing: Supremebeing jacket, Wåven jeans, Zara top and shoes, Super sunglasses, Lilifi bag.
Infectious pink
Knees went a little weak as soon as I clicked onto the forty-second look from the Giambattista Valli Fall 2014 couture collection. Could it possibly be any more beautiful? Without a doubt this is my favourite look from the shows so far.
Knees went a little weak as soon as I clicked onto the forty-second look from the Giambattista Valli Fall 2014 couture collection.
Could it possibly be any more beautiful? Without a doubt this is my favourite look from the shows so far. The red silk shirt with white piping looks like it ought to have a matching pair of shorts to go with it (pajama dressing sorted) but instead attached is a massive, larger-than-life, pink frilly skirt. The gradient in colour is brilliant and looks as if someone dipped the model into a bucket of bleach, slowly letting the colour seep out of the fabric. The retro sunglasses and floppy white scarf tied up in the model's hair zaps every bit of traditional glamour out of the look. It couldn't be more perfect.
Photos via style.com
Cut above
Absolutely obsessed with this editorial from Vogue UK. The crisp cream and black colour palette along with the ultra slouchy shapes has got my heart melting. I love the tailored blazers with the too long trousers. Sasha's fierce stare only intensifies the whole matter.
Absolutely obsessed with this editorial from Vogue UK. The crisp cream and black colour palette along with the ultra slouchy shapes has got my heart melting.
I love the tailored blazers with the too long trousers. Sasha's fierce stare only intensifies the whole matter. The final photo, with the stark white skirt layered over matching trousers, feels like a departure from the rest but still somehow works alongside the more relaxed silhouettes. If this is what fall looks like, bring it on.
Photos via Vogue.co.uk
Instead of Packing
Instead of packing a suitcase full of clothes for my trip to England tomorrow, I ordered a range of basics from the Zara sale and had them sent to the place where I'll be staying. I'm bringing my carry on half empty so that I can fit all the new pieces in. I'm pretty sure this is the best idea ever because I'm thinking it will be super nice to receive a new little mini wardrobe upon arriving at my destination.
Instead of packing a suitcase full of clothes for my trip to England tomorrow, I ordered a range of basics from the Zara sale and had them sent to the place where I'll be staying.
I'm bringing my carry on half empty so that I can fit all the new pieces in. I'm pretty sure this is the best idea ever because I'm thinking it will be super nice to receive a new little mini wardrobe upon arriving at my destination.
As soon as the Zara sale began I was on their website scrolling through the hundreds of items that had been discounted. There was so much to pick from but in the end I settled on a few tank tops, a grey skirt and a striped dress. Perfect little additions to my wardrobe!
Photos via Zara
J JS Lee aw14
For her autumn/winter collection, J JS Lee was inspired by camping. The collection was crisp and formal, anything but what you'd expect to wear on a trip where you stay in a tent. But there were traces of her inspiration throughout - cue coats with tire treds embossed across them and a colour palette taken straight from trees, their leaves and the sky.
For her autumn/winter collection, J JS Lee was inspired by camping. The collection was crisp and formal, anything but what you'd expect to wear on a trip where you stay in a tent.
But there were traces of her inspiration throughout - cue coats with tire treds embossed across them and a colour palette taken straight from trees, their leaves and the sky. One of my favorite looks was a cream and navy roll neck with the collar pulled up so high that it concealed part of the models face as well as a tartan coat that came paired with a matching clutch.
There wasn't a piece in sight that wasn't easy to wear - exactly the sort of collection that gets me weak in the knees.
Bare legs & boots
The last few days the weather has been hovering right around 40 degrees. This has led to a mass migration in Zurich to the river. Just about everyone in town is lying out on the planks in their swimsuits soaking up the sunshine (thong bikini bottoms seem to be all the rage this year much to my dislike - don't worry I'm not partaking in the trend).
The last few days the weather has been hovering right around 40 degrees.
This has led to a mass migration in Zurich to the river. Just about everyone in town is lying out on the planks in their swimsuits soaking up the sunshine (thong bikini bottoms seem to be all the rage this year much to my dislike - don't worry I'm not partaking in the trend).
I decided to bust out this little dress that I bought in the US a couple of weeks ago at Forever 21. It's perfect for letting a nice cool breeze blow up the inside and even more perfect at making you flash everyone around. Luckily I thought ahead and wore a pair of little black shorts underneath (no panty flashing for me). I also rediscovered this old hat and resurrected my Balenciaga boots - they've been sitting at the back of my closet for months gathering dust because my feet have been glued to my Birkenstocks since March.
This week I'll be welcoming in a bit of a relief from the heat which is supposed to come in a couple of days. Until then, you'll find me sweating in my flat with a fan blowing full speed at my face. It feels as if there aren't enough rocket lollies in the world to cool me down.
Wearing: F21 dress, Laird & Co Hatters hat, Balenciaga boots and AA bag.
Knitwear dropping
We have barely made our start with June, yet, when I started browsing the Acne new arrivals section on the brand's site I was bombarded with a vast array of fluffy knitwear. These mohair and wool blend sweaters aren't the sort of thing you're likely to wear this summer. Why then are they dropping in shops now?
We have barely made our start with June, yet, when I started browsing the Acne new arrivals section on the brand's site I was bombarded with a vast array of fluffy knitwear.
These mohair and wool blend sweaters aren't the sort of thing you're likely to wear this summer. Why then are they dropping in shops now? Surely pre-fall isn't supposed to hit the shelves until after we've at least made our start with summer. I don't like this new development. Summer clothes should come in the form of barely there dresses and soft t-shirts. Acne, I'm disappointed with you. Put away the mohair until September please.
On a side note: despite the fact that these jumpers shouldn't be in store at the moment, I'm massively in love with how soft and delicious they look. The ultra long sleeves and oversized shapes have got my heart melting.
Photos via Acne.
Summer 2014
Currently I'm sitting at my desk listening to the rain pound down against the windows. It's hitting at a monumental speed and sounds as if it's going to break down my roof. Tomorrow the forecast says it's going to be hot and sunny. At the moment I can't believe it's true.
Currently I'm sitting at my desk listening to the rain pound down against the windows. It's hitting at a monumental speed and sounds as if it's going to break down my roof.
Tomorrow the forecast says it's going to be hot and sunny. At the moment I can't believe it's true. If it is, then I'm going down to the river to spend my Saturday swimming and reading magazines in the heat. I've got my fingers and toes crossed that the forecast is correct.
May has been a serious disappointment in terms of weather. All this rain has got me craving summer and as a result I've been trolling the internet in search of inspiration. Think lots of palm trees, bikinis, bare legs and surfers. I've got my hope set on June being a scorcher!
Photos via Pinterest.
Yosemite National Park
Absolutely did not mind waking up at the crack of dawn this morning to drive over to Yosemite National Park.
The views were so stunning that I had my nose pushed up against the car window as I peered out across the epic valleys. The constant twists in the road had my stomach doing flip flops but the discomfort was a small price to pay for exploring the area. I've now officially managed to cross visiting the park off my bucket list. It was grand and awe inspiring. If you ever have the chance to visit make sure you snatch it up.
The temperature dropped about thirty degrees on the drive up. As a result, I instantly regretted my choice to wear shorts as soon as I stepped out of the car. Thankfully I grabbed this sweater as I walked out the door. I found it in the Urban Outfitters sale the day before yesterday for five dollars. Seeing as it was such a good price, I got it in two colors. Clothes that cost the same price as coffee are officially winners in my book.
Wearing: Urban Outfitters knit, Forever 21 shorts, Dooney & Bourke bag and Birkenstocks.
// INSPIRED BY LAUREL DAILEY //
Some people view the world in a unique and beautiful way. Laurel Dailey is, undoubtedly, one of those people. We met for the first time back in 2010 at a photo shoot for Quiksilver in London. Strangely, it turned out that we had both lived in the same part of California a few years earlier when she went to a university that was a five minute drive from my old flat. Afterwards I started following her blog of essays (it's witty beyond belief) and got hooked on her clever insights and honest writing style. We were reunited a few years later when she flew to Oxford to shoot one of my friend's weddings.
Laurel's a photographer and lives in Long Beach, California. She never seems to stay in one place for too long though. If you look at her pictures you'll instantly see that she's hugely inspired by her friends. Following her visual diary on Instagram is like tapping into a world that's effortlessly cool. Her pictures never look like random snapshots, instead they portray moments of sheer beauty and simplicity. There's a nonchalant grace to her work. She takes basic moments, like someone sticking their hand out a car window, and captures them in a way that makes them appear achingly beautiful. When I asked Laurel what inspires her most the first thing she mentioned were blogs. She then went on to talk about her unconditional love for California, a state she's lived in for the past thirteen years, and a place that continues to inspire her work.
Books: East of Eden, Travels with Charley in Search of America, The Fountainhead, The Corrections.
Music: The War on Drugs, Courtney Barnett, Foxygen, Mac DeMarco, King Krule, Haim.
Photos c/o Laurel Dailey's Instagram account. Click to enlarge.
YOLKE
There is a serious soft spot in my heart for pajamas. I'm a big fan of spending the whole day in them and, since I work from home, it's perfectly acceptable to do so. For this reason it seems only natural that I ought to be investing in good quality pajama sets as they are sort of like my version of a suit. When I stumbled across Yolke recently I was instantly sold. Not only do they have silk eye masks (need!) they also have majorly adorable pajama sets. Dare I say this blue matching one is even more desirable than Alexander Wang's recent version? They are absolutely yummy. I love the frosty colour and that they have contrasting black piping. The shorts have an elasticated waist and both pieces could be paired with other outfit basics to be worn outside the house as acceptable day wear attire.
Call me a chicken, but I don't think I've got the guts to wear the matching set out and about. I'm pretty sure if I had this pair in my closet though I'd be reaching for them everyday - they're luxe personified.
Photos via Yolke.
Spring uniform
Lately, I've been wearing slight variations of this outfit pretty much everyday. Depending on the weather (it's rubbish at the moment), I might throw on a jumper but otherwise this is my standard uniform. Skinny jeans, slouchy t-shirt, leather jacket, backpack and my Birkenstocks.
Lately, I've been wearing slight variations of this outfit pretty much everyday.
Depending on the weather (it's rubbish at the moment), I might throw on a jumper but otherwise this is my standard uniform. Skinny jeans, slouchy t-shirt, leather jacket, backpack and my Birkenstocks.
Yeah yeah, I know it's not rocket science but sometimes it's the most basic of outfits that make us feel our best. I love rediscovering pieces that are hidden within my own wardrobe. It has been months (years?) since I've worn these sunglasses and jeans. For some reason I had the urge to pull them out from the depths of my closet the other day though. I'm so glad I did because both are little forgotten gems.
On the day I took these photos I borrowed a 50mm 1.2 lens from Canon. Oh my gosh, it was so good. I'm a little in love with the bokeh on these photos and now I'm desperately wishing that I had a spare grand lying around so that I could buy the little baby.
Wearing: Paul & Joe jacket, Zara t-shirt, Rag & Bone jeans, Birkenstocks, Super sunglasses, Stephen Einhorn necklace and backpack from Big Bazaar.
// KNIT ENVY //
It would seem that summer has decided to play hookie. Since the weather is acting hormonal I've found myself drawn to Sister by Sibling's AW14 collection. Chocked full of knits, it's exactly what I want to be wearing. One piece in particular, a red jumper with a massive heart emblem, has caught my eye.
The whole collection was rather dreamy though. Some of my favorite items were the deconstructed ones. Knits were literally pulled apart and put back together by crochet. The result is a spiderwebby finish that looks most appealing when layered over bare skin. There was a white turtleneck that was torn apart in just a few places. It perfectly blends beautiful construction with age. It's like a traditional knit you might find up in the attic of your grandmother's house. At first you're put off by the holes but then you realize they are exactly what makes it so special. I'm all for this, seeing as half of my knits have been eaten by moths. Instead of throwing them away I'm going to try to fray them up in the way Sibling has done. Hear hear for revitalizing items that should technically be thrown in the bin.
Click the photos to enlarge.
// THE LIST OF MY DESIRES //
Lately I’ve been trying to disconnect from the online world. Sometimes I find myself constantly glued to a screen - whether it’s the TV, my laptop or cell phone. There is so much inspiration online that it can be overwhelming. Scrolling through Pinterest, looking at blogs, stalking Instagram, or watching films... it’s all so fast and so all encompassing.
This past week has provided the perfect excuse to take a step back. It was Easter weekend and then my birthday on the 22nd. We had my husband's family visiting from Sweden and so made the most of the long weekend. Instead of sitting on my sofa in front of Friends, I was out exploring Zurich. I love it when people come to visit because it gives you the excuse to be a tourist in your own town. I was totally reminded of how beautiful Zurich is and how lucky I am to live here.
For my birthday I was given 'the list of my desires' by Grégoire Delacourt. I just finished it today and, I've got to say, it really got me thinking about what I want from life and how to go about getting it.
Something I've always loved is hearing about what inspires people. I'm a firm believer in the idea that inspiration is everywhere and that you just have to open your eyes to see it - whether it's food, traveling, books, art or just buying a new striped romper at American Apparel. Sometimes the littlest things can be the most inspiring. I'm trying to get back in touch with what originally made me love blogging. The spontaneity of it and the ability to put across how you're feeling without having anyone edit your work is what I loved so much about it when I started this bad boy back in 2009. When I started blogging I never thought twice about who was reading what I wrote and I just posted about whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. I want to get that spontaneity back but I also want to have some structure. To give some regularity to my posts I'm going to start a new feature that focuses on individual people and what they find inspiring. I want to look at all sorts of sources like books, magazines, food, culture, the outdoors and art. I also want to ask people what's on their list of desires. Whether it's something little like a new swimsuit or something big like starting a charity. In order to accomplish what you want you've first got to admit to yourself that you want to achieve it.
All photos taken with iPhone 5c. Click to enlarge.
