Look, Know

Mrs Bossa's Shirt on a rainy freezing day

Today, I locked myself out, I missed my doctor's appointment, and nearly forgot entirely I had a meeting today. Plus it was fucking freezing, and I've only gone and lost my leopard print ear bags. Feeling rather disorganised! Well after going for a lovely little lunch with Ashiya and Helena before their practice today, I headed home to pull on an extra jumper or something, but found I had left my keys in the flat. Damn! Then it proceeded to hail, and rain, and blow a bitter wind. Great.

Safe to say, after getting on with the day's errands, I went to pick up Helena's keys, rushed home, whacked the heating on, put the kettle to boil, and got changed into something to cheer myself up! I haven't felt so bitterly cold, well since winter! My poor frozen feet.

Anyway, I got Mrs Bossa's shirt yesterday through the post, and I really wanted to do a post on how I'd wear it! 

Did I do it justice??

It's all H&M apart from the shoes, which I bought in Zara a couple of years ago, and they must be the comfiest lightest heels ever, they just feel like an extension of your feet. They were the perfect summer heels in 2009. Since braving the High Street, I've noticed that Zara have resurrected them, due to cobalt blue being a big colour this summer. I still like mine better, the heel is more flattering on my pair, as the new ones have a shorter heel positioned lower down the foot.

Here's some Joy Division to cheer you (me) up from the cold..... (I'm not fond of being cold)

 

Look what the cat brought in...

Ok so I went shopping, for the first time properly in a what seems like a long time (it probably hasn't been) but I can't remember the last time I went purposely into a shop, determined to buy clothes — accidental high street exposure and spontaneous purchases don't count. This is what I wore today, and the new things are the shirt and skirt; I'm loving the shirt as I've been wanting a silk(y) navy shirt for about over a year now, and this one seems perfect. The colour combination of navy, orange and purple is something that seems really familiar — like I've certainly seen it before and it's influenced me along the way. (Found it! It's this dress that's been in my mind by Richard Nicoll SS09, also it's plainly obvious my pink and white silk dress bought at M&S, was certainly inspired by this or this (both Richard Nicoll SS09 dresses), which is the same season I bought it, when colour blocking first emerged as a summer trend.

I know being inspired by something that was two years ago might seem mad, but these colours just feel right....and  basically everything we see and view, influences us in some way or another, subliminally or either being outwardly conscious of it. I find it quite funny and crazy, that I can pin point an image from a time when I looked at a magazine, and that only now it has compelled me to try these colours together. Just as we view images all the time that inspire us, I've found that a lot of my painting has been pink and orange, (and orange and green) recently, hence me being drawn to buy pink and orange items and wanting wear them. I was happily confronted with so much colour in the shops — the high street has really taken to colour blocking I see — and mainly orange, a colour that hasn't been in vogue since 2003. And I remember that time too, because I was really into orange and was at an age where I got hacked off that it was the autumn colour of that year, and that Donna Karan made an orange hued coat with gold buttons, that was basically an exact copy of my favourite item of clothing I owned at the time! 14 year old logic for you. So if you're into colour, and want to buy new things, and not secondhand colourful vintage, this is time to stock up. Note to self obviously. Ha.

Shirt: Zara

Skirt: Zara

Tights: M&S

Shoes: Topshop

Look at all the pink and orange!! What I wore for a day at the museums in London spent with little niece and nephew...

Hot Under The Collar

I'm buttoned up to the hills... and I don't care. It doesn't look all that bad. Some days you feel self conscious, some days you don't, and I haven't had one of these days in a while! I know pointing out your faults on a blog isn't the best idea, but I'm documenting how I dress, and what I like to wear, and how it makes me feel I guess. What excites me, the most about this outfit is the shoes, I've been dying to wear them... and they look a fine pair with this dress and shirt combo but alas, it's pissing down. I can't type very well, today, the arthritis in my hands and wrists, is fucking up.

I love this shirt, it has a pussy bow tie to go with it, but I don't know where that is...and it wouldn't go with dress anyway. I got it in Barcelona a few years back, and I fell so hard for it, the frills up the top, the peter pan collar, the slightly bishop style sleeves, the chiffon and the colours of the paisley fabric, all just perfect. You can see it more clearly here.

Back to work!

Dress: Miss Selfridge

Shirt: Blanco (Spanish high street chain)

Shoes: Office sale

Death Letter

Not much to say today, apart from the fact that I'm looking forward to seeing Ashiya and Helena play tonight.. That I managed to do half of the things on my list, I've sorted three potential artists for violence on trial, so the emailing all day seems to have paid off. Though Shepards Bush market will have to wait, and charity shopping for garment deconstructing can be delayed till tomorrow... (is there such a thing as cheap charity shops is London, I'm a fish out of water on that front? I'm going to check out the scary looking one down the road on my street)

I really wanted to wear the blue heels (just spotted) for a flash of vibrant blue, as I've moved from obsessing over navy and red — though still present obviously — to orange with pretty much everything, but namely with a vibrant bright blue, is what I'm hankering to wear right now. Anyway I'm still rubbish in heels (I nearly died walking in my little black peep-toes yesterday) I opted for the yellow belt that I rescued from the bottom of some of my drawers instead. I'd been looking for that belt for a while too!

Shirt: Vintage

Skirt: H&M

Tights: H&M

Belt: M&S

Shoes: Office

(blue court shoes not worn are from Zara)

 

Headless Chicken

Ah well I've been up early, running around, trying to stay organised,  and even managed to snap these photos earlier in the morning. I have lists and lists streaming out of my notebook. In six weeks time, I'm supposed to have designed something clothing-like, out of fabric I will have made myself, and it's supposed to look good, because we're doing a show. It's frightening the pom poms out of me... But there is no time to be frightened, and we've all just got to get on with it, yes? Yes indeed. 

Why look here, what's that covering my collar bone!? Yes, I love this shirt, it's probably the most flattering I own, as it's darkly coloured, but with those emerald polka dots, it's importantly not all plain black. Though I am wearing a dress over it, so you can't see the slimming/disappearing-bust properties of the shirt, in this outfit. I really love the green with the hot pink tights, I've never worn these colours together, and I reckon it's a happy accident indeed. I also think that I have to credit this outfit to Ashiya, as we both own this dress — we bought it within a week of each other without the other knowing when we were 16/17! — but wear it to different levels of effect. I remember she always used to wear a lovely pink, pussy bow blouse under this dress, and that has definitely influenced this outfit without a doubt! Whereas I would wear a t-shirt and lots of scarves and necklaces (or just a bra sometimes, gosh I don't want to think about being 16) with grey tights and pixie boots and a beret. I think v-neck dresses look great with shirts worn underneath, as it's much more flattering, than say if it were layered with a round necked, sleeveless dress. My black lace dress is another good example.

Well I'm off to a meeting in Farringdon, to discuss the organisation and content of violence on trial, the upcoming event in two months time.... which should be exciting. I'm hoping to get violence in the home, and homophobic violence, on the agenda... I'm going to be curating the art work that ends up in the show, which has performance, alternative debate, theatre, poetry, and pub table-esque discussion at part of the night.

If we could all have more spare time!!!

Dress: H&M

Shirt: Second hand

Tights: Tk Maxx

Shoes: Office 

More than a hint of spring

I did as Ashiya  suggested me to, and looked through past posts to get me a little bit more inspired. And I've noticed that pretty much every single piece of clothing that is on the blog, is with me down in London, bar a few coats and the odd dress.  But I did note that I've not worn this bright silk dress since the summer, (someone scathingly told me it was a bit of a rubbish dress last time I wore it, when it's ever so lovely) But anyway, I thought I'd give myself a little challenge to wear this underused dress today.

Also, I've never worn these tights before, they are a shade of Lego blue that has never seemed to go with anything in the past, so I thought I'd give them a try out too. So that's a first, and look - I'm still sticking to my collar bone rule...! 

EDIT: I have worn the blue tights once here and now I've been reminded, I must find those shoes in that post!

On the way home, from Holborn, I popped into the local shop to try and buy some food, and as it's polish, I discovered they sell periogi in the freezer!! Ah gluttonous delights for tonight's tea! So ever excited, not had those delightful heart attacks since Krakow......

Dress: M&S

T-shirt: H&M

Blue top: ancient Zara boob tube that I've had since I was 16

Tights: River island

Brogues: Office

An ode to colour...

Well at least the scarf is! The bulk of todays outfit is black clothing.... But back to the scarf, it was my birthday present from my mother, and it is simply the breath of fresh colour I've been craving all winter. It's designed by Mia Zia, who are really inspired by colours and travel, and are based in Marrakech. All their products are handmade, and each one is unique with different sizes of stripes, and balance of colour. I especially love the big bright orange section, and the knitting is so fine, you would struggle to realise it's actually wool, but the main point is the level of beautiful colour design, that you would just never find on the high street.

I got this scarf in the sale at John Lewis, which had a few lovely scarves, but the stuff on their website, sadly, hasn't got a great selection of  knits and scarves in terms of colour and stripes. 

I know I've got to buy new clothes, and I think I'm going to have to set a weekend for it, online shopping is great and all, but I need to get rummaging in actual shops — the high street, vintage, and charity variety — to set me up for the rest of the year. I know I have clothes, but I literally can't seem to wear any if it any longer; the issues of rips (which I've mentioned before) my embracing of my silhouette, and not really wanting to wear mini skirts anymore, (everything I have is short short short, because I'm short short short!) are pretty much the main culprits. I used to really enjoy shopping a couple of years ago, possibly because I had money at the time, worked in the city near House of Fraser, and didn't have the internet for a year — so no online shopping — but over the years I've got into the habit of acquiring a few bits here and there, online or by chance if I had a spare half an hour in Manchester City centre or  Oldham Street or something. I have never made it my mission to go out and SHOP, and find new things all the time to please my eyes. But in this case I really do need to just go for it, and no faffing on ebay (that takes longer and much more effort I say than doing a rummaging trip) I'm going to at least make a start, and buy some basics in nice colours and shapes, you know the boring stuff which means you can wear clothes. God I hate shopping, but needs must!

Scarf: Mia Zia

Top, Skirt and Tights: All H&M

Shoes: Office

 

Love

No posts from me for  two weeks - I've been looking like rope. And in no way I am arrogant enough to post pictures of myself looking rope, without being a tiny self conscious. It was my birthday last week, and the weekend just gone, my boo came down to see me... so for two weekends I've been very hungover, and the week bit in middle was spent rocking back and forth trying to finish everything that's been due in. Hence me looking like rope - no sleep, lots of alcohol, busy weekends and week days. 

So here are the lovely tulips I bought for my lovely housemate Helena for Valentines day....

Spread the love

 

Love sent from Sydney

This dress is an early birthday present, from the Boyfriend, who after a month in Australia, came back bearing gifts. Vintage gifts at that too! I think he's done well, no?

It's a 1950's handmade dress, probably made for a prom I suspect, and has the most delightful appliqued embroidered flowers. I love the colours in the skirt.

It harks from Zoo Emporium in Sydney, (I can't find a link) which is supposed to be a great vintage haven. He also had a lot of help from the sales assistants in there too; apparently he spent ages trying to find the "perfect" dress, (bless him) and they all thought he was dead cute for it. So I would like to thank them, for helping him to choose a dress, that is pretty unique and full of charm and suits my aesthetic quite well. 

 

Also, isn't it nice to be bought something with you in mind, but with a fresh perspective? For instance, I wouldn't have bought this dress if I was personally shopping. I would have liked the dress and loved the colours, but I wouldn't have been able to justify it, and I would have kept on searching for that great bargain, or interesting design/detail/specific colour — as I don't have the money to buy every dress I think looks pretty. So, it is very pleasant, and very surprising, to be given a dress like this for a change. Lovely lovely.

It fits ok too, but I think I'm going to alter the darts to accommodate my chest a bit more, and perhaps cut into the neck line — as it is a bit high... 

Dress: Vintage

Shoes: Office

Scarf: Erfurt

 

Fragile

I wore this shirt a lot in the last two years, (I was going to say last year, but then that would only mean 2010, and we are in 2011 now!) it's my mums, so it's a size 14/16 or something, but it is a comforting item of clothing to wear. Feeling a bit fragile today, the sort of day when you just want to be scooped up. I feel extra tiny today, and acutely aware of my 4'8" frame. I feel smaller than that even.

This is not the right platform to elaborate, but that's how I'm feeling, and this is what I chose to wear, to accommodate how I feel right now. Funny eh? And by a happy accident, I'm wearing double animal print, but as one editor put it, it's just another colour now, it's so ubiquitous! I've got so much work to do, but I am serially skiving. Not good. 

The dress and tights are very old H&M and the socks are Gap again. Hope you are all having better days!