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