Look, Know

Solo

 

I'm obviously really sad, that I'm not going to be sharing this blog with my best mate Ashiya anymore, for the foreseeable future, as we started this together as a join venture, and we really loved the conversation it created between us. Getting to see what each other was wearing on the days we didn't meet up, and also when I was still in Manchester, and Ashiya in London, it was an ace way of sharing outfits with each other. But I know that not everyone can feel totally comfortable with "putting yourself" out there. This is an age of information overload, and in the constant shrieking of web noise vying for your attention, it's hard to forget that it's not always the best idea to bare all on a public page, and to realise how easily your personal becomes the public. So I totally respect and understand Ashiya's decision. I'll keep on blogging, as I really do love it, and I'd like to carry on the conversation as it were...  I feel this blog has always been about the outfits, and I will continue to do the same, as we've always done; an appreciation of clothes, personal style, and expression. Hope it's not too fluffy. But I'll leave the hard core stuff for other platforms. 

Shirt: H&M

Dress: Vintage

Tights: Topshop

Shoes: Office

 

Big Bird

I couldn't resist putting the turquoise shoes on... does anyone just wear high heels at home for pure pleasure? I can't abide wearing heels when I've got to travel etc anymore. I used to be so heels savvy; I've been wearing high heels since I was 14, my first pair were an 80's style, horrific mixture of tangerine, yellow and turquoise, three inch high courts and I Loved them. I got used to wearing heels out often, and in the day time as well. I could run for the bus, I could dance, I could clip-clop about,  I wore them without any real thought. 

But because of all this heel wearing, I had bunions aged 18, it began to hurt to walk without some degree of a heel on a shoe, as my Achilles tendon was shortened aged 19, it was difficult going down stairs as my knees didn't bend fully by the time I was 20, and I was in denial about the permanent damage in my feet, that remained from my arthritis in my ball joints (not to mention breaking my foot last year) which puts me in the position at the grand age of (a mere) 22, where for a sustained period I'm not really able to wear a shoe higher than three inches anymore  — I can do it if I really want to, but I'm just not prepared to deal with it anymore — one and a half inch heels are my friend, as flat shoes are just as painful. My sister used to cycle everywhere in her five inch stilettos, and she's a respectable 5'7", because practically she couldn't walk very far. I need my mobility, and my freedom to run for the bus. If I ever have children, he/she will never be allowed to wear high heels or go anywhere near them until they're old enough to buy them themselves, and hopefully he/she won't have a height complex and think he/she has to look taller in order to be taken seriously. So my solution is to end up with as many low heeled/flat shoes in as many colours, as my high heel collection, as I am a self confessed shoe addict. But anyway I won't last long today in these five inch platforms, as comfy as they may be, and I'll soon kick them off... and put my boots on to go out...High heels look nice, but freedom to move is much more sexy.

Uni work is coming to a head. But I am sans model, (our chosen model has dropped out) and I reckon it will end up having to be me walking down the catwalk, amongst the longer taller thinner people who tend to pluck up to model for a college show. I am terrified, but somehow I feel it will be a buck against the trend, and two fingers up to the status quo. Still terrified, I've not been on a stage since I was 13. My god that was nine years ago. Anyway back to work. And good luck to all those marching today against the cuts on the public sector in London today (my boyfriend being one of them) I sadly have to stay in and stitch stuff.

Top: H&M (which is just inspired by Big Bird I reckon!)

Skirt: Zara

Shoes: Office

Tights: River Island

The Sacrifice

Not much make up on today.. I've been up early and finishing work that badly needed attention. Just had a break, and settled down to watch The Piano with my flatmate Helena, who'd not seen it before. I am now feeling that wonderful chilled out sensation, of where you've just watched something beautiful, and it calms everything around you? Anyway hope you are all having great weekends, it's been a glorious day today in London!

Wearing my new favourite boots (that I got in November and have only just managed to start wearing now)

Boots: Office

Skirt: Ebay

Shirt: Topshop

Belt: Mother's

One of the best things about Jane Campion's film, besides her cinematography, is the score by Michael Nyman... I'm probably going to end up listening to the soundtrack all evening now...

 

Headache

Ok, this week in all has been a bit rubbish, I'm not going to lie... I've not even bothered to wash my hair.. but who cares who know? Hence head scarf... great little way to tie up your greasy locks if you can't be arsed to dry shampoo/back comb/hair spray (it's a magic formula for shampoo dodgers like me).. I usually cover my hair with a scarf tied under the neck or wrap it around the head and shoulders....though I'm enjoying this cute way to tie a turban, I really like that it becomes a hair style almost. I'm writing an essay about the politics of covering one's hair, and tonight I'm going to a panel discussion about women and secularism, debating whether the state has the right to tell women whether they should cover their hair or not, and making it illegal to do so in public. Might be a little risky turning up with my head covered, but you know!

 

This is a very perfect 1950's dress, it's the right length and has a lovely pattern in unusual colours.. plus it fits all my measurements to a T. Sometimes I do feel, that by wearing curve flattering clothes, it draws too much attention to my sexuality and puts it on display — as in the very 1950's ideal of the eye candy female. I feel like its always a brave step to show off my figure, like I almost don't understand it fully or have control of what it does, as my figure is so stereotypically feminine. But it is a very pretty dress indeed, and fits like a dream, and I would want to do no less than celebrate who I am, and what I look like. I'm looking forward to being in my 30's as I somehow think it'll get easier and I'll feel more at ease in general... Who knows!

Have lovely weekends!

Dress: Vintage

Tights: H&M

Shoes: Kurt Geiger 

Scarf: Second hand.

A few notes

Tuesdays always seem to be filled with email writing/replying and general weekly organising. I had a really lazy weekend of doing nice things, eating and drinking and exploring, which felt almost guilty —  as the horrific events in Japan unfolded in the past few days. Nonetheless, I've given money to charity, as I don't know what other reaction you might have when you see that level of devastation occur. I'd like to think if the UK was suddenly ripped apart by nature, other people would at least think like wise (perhaps not).

I picked up this skirt in Beyond Retro, which is beyond full of shite by the way, (all their good stock probably gets sent to stylists straight away or something, as it's awfully dry in there. Good on your pocket though!) for a tenner, and I just really liked the colour, end of. After a day perusing the rubbish vintage shops in the East (we didn't buy anything else, but it was nice to have a rifle round) we walked right down to White Chapel, had a pint some where along the way, and then sat down to a marvellous curry at Tayyabs, I'm getting hungry just writing about it! Then an evening of dancing and cider in Brixton at the Hootenanny which is a great bustling venue inside and outside full of people talking and dancing and having a good time, I'd never been before but I'd really recommend it, it's got a fantastic atmosphere, and full of so many interesting people. It was really fun going somewhere different. Well, south of the river for a start!

 

Seeing as I'm going to be showing in a project in Brixton at the end of this month, it's quite good to have an explore of the area.. Anyway back to work of said pieces, being shown!

Shirt: H&M

Skirt: Vintage

Tights: River Island

Shoes: Office

Down in the Park

Hey! Shit morning, but I've cheered myself up by swanning around in these peach delights. I bought them for a tenner off ebay (including postage, I think they were £4 as the winning bid!) in the summer last year, they really were that perfect vintage find. The funny thing is, the vogue for palazzo pants has gone a bit viral now this summer, and they all seem to be in this gorgeous dusky colour (a nod the the 70s trend no doubt) and pleated polyester on the high street. Vintage trumps all around I say. Very chuffed. Cheered me no end today. Sorry for amount of photos, I just wanted to convey all the swishy-ness!

I've found some really beautiful mint green, chiffon silk, in my fabric stash, I think a blouse or top made from it would look lovely with these trousers. I might get creative, but that would be classed as procrastinating, and not concentrating on the job at hand — leather leather rubbish weird things out of leather — something for another day perhaps? 

Weekend is nearly here, and my boo is coming up, for curry in nice places and pints in lovely pubs, and maybe some vintage hunting for good measure. 

Top: Whistles

Head band: present from Ashiya

Trousers: Vintage

Shoes: Office

 

Happy International Women's Day!

Just wanted to say happy International Women's day! There's a few things going down in London, so if I muster any extra energy, I might just rock up to one, and join in.... but other than that, texturising leather is my purpose at the moment!

Bought this dress as filler for Topshop online, as I hate paying postage, and I'd rather pop in to the post office by my bus stop, and return things for free than pay £6 or something. This cute little dress was one that got sent back. It's a bit dull, and the material is on the thin side, and not worth the price tag I reckon. You could find something better on Ebay or failing that, run one up yourself.

As for today, I'm rocking a 70's  Russian folky, in velvet and (faux) furs vibe at the moment. An outfit post soon.

Hope you all had a good International women's day!

Sesame Street

Today is a comfy day, post office errands, making birthday cards, collage drawings, and doing the laundry. This is my Sesame Street Ernie top. It's got this vaguely 70's kids top whiff about it, stripy orange and brown anyone? My sisters grew up in the seventies as little girls, and one of them commented once when I wore this,"No way, we all used to get put in velour tops like that when we were all 7yrs old!" It gets pulled out for pajama days. The gas has run out, and the boiler's therefore conked and unlit. I'm just going to wait for Helena to get back and fix it (last time I touched the boiler it broke and we were left with no gas (hot water, heating, cooker) whatsoever for four days) Staying snuggly is my best bet.

It's a glorious day outside. Which means sunshine pours into my living room, but the rays of sunshine fall on my book case, making for very dark streaky contrasty photos. So I've cleared some space and taken photos on this side instead today. I've had 6music on nearly everyday last week, working from home, it keeps me going, I don't know about anyone else, but I find just having a constant radio sound keeps you working, as you don't know what's coming next (unlike your itunes or spotify, where you'll have a playlist or know your own music line up pretty well) Anyway, getting back to it.

Stripy Top: H&M

Orange Skirt: Zara

Navy Tights: M&S

Shoes: Office

 

Show us your collar bone

I've not given up entirely on the idea, I'm still vaguely committed to wearing clothes that don't button up. But I never said I wouldn't wear them again, mind! Anyway, I'm wearing this navy velvet skirt I've not worn in ages, and I really like it with the yellow tights. I've done a bit of a spree recently, to just get me excited about the stuff already in my wardrobe. Things like new tights, and easy staples... but the big splurge was the matching crop top and cropped palazzo pants. Right now, no more shopping for me! That's summer covered for me.

EDIT: Well I was getting a bit stressed about a presentation I had to give on Friday, and didn't really have time to write anything with this post, but I've just found out that it's been cancelled. (whoop!) So here's the calm before the storm. Yesterday, Ashiya and I had the loveliest dinner at Cafe Espana in Soho.. We really did have a wonderful evening filling ourselves with food, sangria and lots of talking, like good old friends do. It's so nice to take the time out to do one to one special things with our friends, as we all get increasingly busy and commitments build up, nothing beats just having a good chat and enjoying the company of someone you love, and giving each other a bit of your undivided attention. As increasingly, I've found I'm the sort of person, who will be on the phone, and at the same time, writing an email, or on skype and still trying to research what I was looking for. Sometimes, you just need to slow down, and appreciate your friends properly. And to top it off, the lovely guys at Cafe Espana gave us a shot each of cointreau, on the house! It was my first time trying it, it's pretty divine (but strong) stuff! Distilled bitter oranges indeed.

Shirt is new from H&M

Navy velvet skirt: H&M

Tights: Topshop

 

Here's some PJ Harvey for you... Helena and I went to see her on Monday at the Troxy, she was utterly ethereal, her presence just filled the theatre, it was haunting. I've been listening to the new album non stop since.

  

Matching again

Yes. Matching separates again, I couldn't resist the matching opportunities of this waist tie shirt and flowery printed pair of culottes, which are a nice ankle length on me.. I regret buying the same H&M shirt Ashiya has, by mistake, as the prints are so damn similar in colouring...(it's still a great shove on shirt though) I could do with just one red and blue flowery top. Ah well, I have a feeling the H&M shirt will last more washes, as it's cotton and not viscose.

But I don't wash clothes anyway. Well, not often or unless I really have to. I wouldn't have admitted this, till I saw Dame Viv in an interview saying, you shouldn't over wash your clothes, it ruins them, and sometimes she just puts talc under the arms so she can wear it again... Amazing! Yeah I'm a messy scruff, I admit it hands down. Ha.

The way I see it, this is a custom made jumpsuit, the top is a size 12, and the bottoms are a size 10... Happy bunnies for most people like me, who are different sizes on top and bottom. Although this outfit is very deceptive looking, as it could look like a dress, rather than a definite trousers and top...I'm still searching for that perfect suit.

Err it's all Topshop I'm afraid! I hope my trousers don't fall apart like Ashiya's threatened to!

The red shoes are vintage, in fact the strap's just broken now... so I won't be wearing these it seems.

If I were going out where I didn't have to walk much, and it was warm out, I'd wear the blue heels!