shiny rainbows

I love the Christmas holidays - lounging about, TV, films, eating, drinking - and maybe, in between all that, wearing something other than pyjamas. I do though always like to wear something nice on Christmas day, something a bit shiny, a bit OTT, something fun. I got this dress in H&M a while back and love it. It's definitely shiny, very 80s..yes, it has some kind of peaked/padded shoulders..and it's rainbow..ker-ching! Now, the rainbow element is note - worthy. Although, I have a friend..if she's reading this, hey!...who really embraces the whole rainbow spectrum, I, on the otherhand, am not prone to too much colour wearing. Unfortunate, perhaps, but certainly true. Although, I'm definitely not one of those constant, infinitely chic all black wearers either, I never really wear too many different colours together. This dress, although mainly a burgundy - plum - gold palette, is interesting in that respect - new colour to my closet.

Hope everyone had a lovely Christmas.

images: flickr

why don't you..

layer..cos it's super cold out.

be dapper..and carry a Chanel brief case.

dress up..and be super stylish like old Hollywood movie stars.

party..hard and dance like a crazy thing.

smile..it's all most Christmas.

new thinking

With the new year only a breath away, it's the perfect time to throw out the old and welcome the new. Longer lengths have been playing on my mind with months now. I have tried it out but alas I think I would need a few more inches to truly pull it off. That won't stop me admiring the beautifully chic nature of a long skirt though. There's the simple minimalism of a long sleeved long dress, or the witchy, cloaked in mystery style complete with ethereal goddess train, or maybe even, the simple ol' hippy style. Point is, longer lengths have so much possibility other than possessors of the 'yuck!, too conservative, my mother wouldn't even wear that' label. I'm hoping that the new year will herald a new beginning for longer dresses/skirts, that it will be acceptable for 'young ones' such as yours truly (hmm well, actually I have height issues..) to wear something a bit longer and not get the dreaded 'what the hell are you wearing, you wannabe old woman?' stare.. yes, all clothes items should be for everyone not pigeon holed just because the mainstream says so. OK, rant over.

spread some cheer

Baking: the most stylish thing to do when you have Christmas holidays!

chocolate shortbread cookies with white chocolate and sprinkles

many a good time

We all have our own wardrobe staples. For some it may be the trusty pair of skinny jeans, or the black pencil skirt, or Breton top, but for me it's the full skirt. I have a few. A black polka dot one and a grey lace, princess style for college, a huge black tulle one for only super special party occasions, indeed, it could be my most beloved clothing article for its sheer volume and excessive frivolity. And finally, far more sedate in comparison, a dull pink tweed style. I have had this skirt with exactly three years now, and my god has it served me well! Back in the day, I was all Russo - Princess - said skirt's first outfits consisted of pearls, dusty Ashes of Roses pink, lace and furs. In the years that followed it was all forties by day, red lips and shirts and berets. This evolved into a more mix and match aesthetic. One of my favourite ever outfits that I have worn involved this skirt teamed with a cropped gold jacket with a corsage, a graphic t - shirt, white peep toe flats and the skirt worn high - waisted with a skinny gold belt. That outfit sticks out because it is the perfect example of my style - old lady - ish feminine with a modern even boyish detail. And it is precisely the old - lady factor that I love about this skirt. I really love looking at well dressed elderly women, the chic pearls and hats and skirts, something so nice about seeing people being so diligent about putting pieces together. Truth be told it's a pretty regular even boring skirt but somehow it just manages to be fail safe and provides for some seriously fun mixing and matching.

not exactly squeaky clean..

Leopard print, black, 60s, glitzy jewellery, eyeliner, blonde hair with the roots showing, party dresses

Anne Bancroft as Mrs. Robinson, Edie, Brigitte Bardot

black velvet bow

My favourite item at the moment is this velvet bow hairband found in the kiddies section in H&M. It's love. Every outfit begins and ends with her. Quite liking my new black winter coat too. Nothing too exciting, but its got ruched, puff, dare I say slightly 80s' shoulders. My sober winter look prior to the upcoming sequin - party dress gluttony.

try again?

I know hats are not often the best idea, but Brigitte Bardot in cloche hats and winter furs and checks me want to try again with the difficult item.

images: the fashion spot

flowers, beads and...newspaper..

And yes so it continues..yet another post relating to hair accessorising..or in this case, sticking a whole pile of random stuff on your head. Maybe, it's the hidden hippy in me or the flapper trying to get out, or my mere desire to recreate a pre - Raphaelite look in the modern world, but regardless there's no stopping this love affair. With funds at an all time low for almost everyone, I'm determined, or at least it will feature on one of my numerous 'To do' lists, to make a proper piece of wearable, underline wearable, hair craft. Not sure quite what I mean when I say hair craft, sounds horribly cheesy, but lets just say if I had more money to my name, I would splurge on brilliant, glistening, foolishly ostentatious thingamajigs for my hair..silly, but it's very true. I will let you know, if this actually ever materialises into something more than a vison of flowers, leaves and sparklyness in my hair. In the meantime, there's always lovely hippy - dippy, 'Boho' flowers, like Kate Bush's above, or perhaps, the more sophisticated could take inspiration from Billie Holiday. Even better throw some beads in there too, and even a lone feather to dance in the evening breeze. Stud your hair with diamonds, what ever you think of really ala John Galliano..bar Christmas tree lights..could be dangerous..

yet more wallis simpson..i do tend to repeat myself!

florence welch (left), i love you!

i always love john galliano's collections, so much more fun in comparison to dior. brilliant, off his head stuff. he is pure fashion either way though.

mrs. simpson

I have wanted to post about Wallis Simpson, the Duchess of Windsor's style with months. Simpson was, of course, the American socialite divorcee whose love affair with the King Edward VIII of England forced him to abandon the throne in the hugely contemptuous Abdication Crisis of 1936. Beyond, such controversial issues the Duchess had immense style and impeccable taste. Her immaculately well chosen wardrobe was often significantly ahead of its time in details - charm bracelets and sequins, even a bold shoe - and always beautifully composed with her hair in lovely, Nordic coils with dressy hair pieces, brooches and regal pearls. Casual draped scarves, a siren fur stole and perfectly cut jackets - all hall marks of this remarkably interesting lady's style.

Sometimes I think how nice it would be nowadays if elegance was admired and sought after just as much as looking 'cool', indie and effortless was..

Do check out her fashion spot thread here.