soul-lee stirring moments

Daphne Guinness in her ensemble entering St Paul's cathedral for the designer’s memorial service in London last week.

every man's memory is his private literature

Everybody always goes on about the Carine's and Anna's of the fashion-sphere. In the midst of fashion week, I am also wanting to draw attention to the men who have also reached the same stratospheric status as their female counterparts. These few men have been singled out for their individual sense of style and for always knowing how to up the ante.

three steps forward and two steps back

I always keep on coming back to this tapas place. Cannot resist of course the Pimientos de Padrón! Great on a hot summer's day with a very cold beer. And when wintertime beckons, it transforms and becomes moorish pickings away from the chill. Food can be trans-seasonal too. Tsssk tsssk. Now... where to next to be fed before my next fashion week onslaught?? Mmmm.....

How to:

Ingredients:
125ml (1/2 cup) olive oil
250g or roughly 30 Pimientos de Padrón
Sea or rock salt to taste

Wash the peppers and dry them thoroughly
In a medium skillet, heat olive oil over a medium flame
Add peppers and fry, stirring well, until they blister and begin to turn brown (2 to 3 min)
Remove the peppers and pat them dry on a sheet of kitchen towel
Sprinkle with salt and serve
Enjoy!

pared down fabulosity

singing to the same beat

I have been meaning to take a photo of this Banksy mural for the longest time ever! The original has been defaced slightly. Three's a crowd here as I join these 2 guys (or try to) at what they're doing... singing, pledging...?

The weather has been a bit messy lately. If not gale force winds, its showery rain, or a perfect sunny day..... or all three!! How to dress to accommodate all sorts of changing weather? Well, there is no real answer to this. Most days, I opt for something sleeved and the rest, just by winging it or my latest crushes. This top and scarf has kind of a optical illusion look to it. I like the red/black combination; plus my latest crush - my distressed gold cuff and red lips.

(Top & skirt from Whistles, ballet pumps from Topshop, Scarf vintage H&M, cuff from Mango)

home ideals

As I get around to settling in to my new pad, I have been looking, scrounging around and thrifting for pieces to put my home together. I am currently taking inspiration from my favourite blog desiretoinspire. I love these chairs. The details. Same with this dining table. I am dreaming and planning and imagining how it will all look when I finish decorating...... will keep you posted... x

the capacity to feel deeply, to enjoy simply, to think freely

I came across this really cool and informative blog about textiles and patterns. It's called the The Textile Blog - do check it out. The design and decorative work shown here are from Camus Idees portfolio. This was an inspirational produced by Camus for decoration and ornamentation of the decorative arts. Am feeling inspired by the colours, tone and mood of these patterns for SS11. Pretty, light, fun and organic!

what's the big deal about the shoes???

And you would say the same! What is the big deal about shoes? Well, not sure, but the day I choose to turn up to one of the shows, the lenses were all over my shoes. I thought they were super fun. The neon pink. Very next SS11 season. The leopard print - very SS11 season. Basically the details were spot on. I looooovvve them. I could buy another pair! I love them so much!!

The rest of the outfit was pretty laid back and paired down. The Brazilian photographer who was working on site complimented me. You can see the photo (same as the first one above) on their site MODA.IG. It was all very fun.

My dear friend Clifford was also working that day and very kindly took some detailed shots of my outfit as shared with you here. Feel free to visit his site.

Photos courtesy of Pascal Images

(Top & shorts - vintage GAP, Cuff from Mango, Spotted tights & rings from H&M, Swarovski bracelet by FE, Shoes from River Island)

shoe in / shoe out

Hurrah!!! Thank goodness for e-stores. This is such brainstorm-tastic idea! As well as looking chic, because when you travel, your shoes come with you (all of them! Naturally...). It doesn't matter if it's a multi-week vacation or a weekend jaunt, you need to have all your options constantly available. This pebbled leather and canvas bag holds up to six pairs of shoes, keeping them pristine and separated from your wardrobe...because they OBVIOUSLY deserve the same respect.

Available at Nordstrom and www.bodhibags.net

a this, c that, i this, d that

for every day of the week and more

You may not be a knicks fan, but FAMB Post bets you'll be a fan of these Stella McCartney knickers. The boxed set includes seven pairs of dainty panties, each embroidered with their respective day of the week. What to do with that odd extra box? In true Brit-chic form, Stella dubs it a compartment for "bits and bobs." Clever girl!
PS: There are also postcard boxes of panties with your favourite cities emblazoned across the back like " From London with LOVE" or go for your favourite cities like Paris, New York or L.A. Great for gifts or just for you.

a page in paramount history

A brief history lesson: Photographer Bob Willoughby was first called in to shoot Audrey Hepburn one morning shortly after her arrival to Hollywood in 1953, and he was completely enraptured with the iconic beauty ever since. Taschen Books has published a collector's edition hardback featuring Willoughby's photographs of Hepburn from 1953-1966, and each of the 1,000 copies is numbered and signed by Willoughby. I am thinking a day like today is perfect for an Audrey movie marathon in homage to the icon, non?

simple and simpler pleasures

Totally awesome!! Or as they say in French - tres jolie!
You can count on Sonia Rykiel to transform even a simple everyday tote bag into a sleek, Parisian cool carry-all. Black shines brightly with eight silk embroidered chic Sonia girls all lined up ready to can-can or catch the bus. This almost makes me wish I was going back to school. (Gnatch!) Alas, I can still shop as if I were.... only more chic-ly.
Bisous! X

happy birthday!!!

There is time for everything

Thomas Edison

I cannot believe time has flown by so quickly. Anniversary-ing on a day like yesterday was absolutely amazing! The journey itself for the past year has been an amazing experience.

When we are doing what we love, we don't care about time. For at least at that moment, time doesn't exist and we are truly free.

Thank you for all the support and the love!
Bisous! X

the most timeless things in life are.......

Keep the old, one is silver the other is gold... or so goes the saying. These Hermes bracelets in gold and silver are our new best friends and I’ll keep both, thank you very much! (when get them? tssk!!) Sleek studs add the perfect dose of edge to luxe calfskin.. yummmm....

the night the flashbulbs bursts into a million glittering stars

The divine looking Alex Box

Theatre galore at the party

Spob (Fairy Godmother to all Illamasqua makeup elves) & me
Claire & me
Iain (in hood & feather mask) - lovely guy, huge talent! Look out for his editorial in the Telegraph magazine soon!

Oliver Robb(designer & artist) & me - Good luck for your show today!

Mika (resident makeup guru)

Scenes from the party and the cool double decker bus

What a fantasticly glittery night!

DON'T BE AFRAID TO SHOW YOUR ALTER EGO!!!

i went to a party with a dapper little racoon

Doing this was sooooooo much fun. Having your face made up so dramatically and the feather lashes!!! WOW!! Is all I can truly say. It was an amazing experience from the start. Meeting Matthew, who very kindly did my makeup (he also does a lot of other work too, the latest being Britain's Next Top Model!). I am so humbled by the experience and learnt a lot. The outfit was inspired to be the opposite of the normal black garb that Illamasqua subscribes to. But nonetheless, the theatre of it was not compromised - I hope. So, dapper Mr. Racoon, was my date to this launch party which took place last night in the heart of Soho. The experience was totally awesome including all the people I met and came across. Amy, who was my chaperone was absolutely amazing and made sure I really had a blast. Thank you Amy!!

And last but not least, the master who wound his magic Illamasqua wand on me - Matthew. Thank you so so much!

All makeup by Illamasqua available at Illamasqua, Beak Street, London.
Makeup by: Matthew Pimm

(Dress from Topshop Unique, Open toe boots from Zara,Cuff from Mango, Rings from various high street finds)

i want more where this came from, hope fills my closet with a hint of spring

a good night out in vogue

last gentleman standing at liberty

Some very candid and quick shots of the windows at Liberty during Vogue Night Out last Wednesday. I thought they were beautiful - the illustrations. The queue to meet Mr Blahnik was snaking around the building. What an atmosphere!

through the lens of ze kaiser

Today, an exhibition of Uncle Karl's work opens at the Maison Européenne de la Photographie in Paris. Around 300 pieces will be displayed, all shot by The fashion Kaiser. WWD reports that Lagerfeld shot his first picture in 1987 after becoming frustrated with the quality of photographs coming back for the Chanel press kit.

Since that fateful day Uncle Karl has shot for nearly every major glossy magazine you can spout out as well as shooting campaigns for his own lines. He now employs a team of six who work full time in his photo studio in Paris. He could well be the eight wonder of the world? Maybe a statue should be erected in his honour. Hint.

“KARL LAGERFELD : PARCOURS DE TRAVAIL”

September 15 – October 31
Maison Européenne de la Photographie
5-7, rue de Fourcy
75004 Paris

it is going to be a bright rite summer

A great departure from not using black. In Wang's eyes, he was creating something very optimistic and pure.

beauty can be coaxed out of ugliness

That is what I read recently. That beauty can be coaxed out of ugliness. In a way I do believe in the phrase. This old Zara waistcoat may be a good example. On it's own, it doesn't carry very much weight or attraction. But as part of an outfit. Yes. I got a lot of comments on this outfit the day I wore it. This waistcoat has since been some kind of a throw on staple to complete most outfits for me on most days. Quite addictive.

trippy elegance

sleepy leopard

Here's me surrounded by a mountain of boxes in my new pad...... feeling kinda sleepy after all the unpacking.... then I found this dress and decided to distract myself by putting it on and putting off the packing. At least for now.

marc jacobs way

Yes really! This is on Bleecker St. Heaven....I want to be there. Pile on the books, a cosy blanket and a cup of cocoa. Winter snuggling and reading has begun!

blackwhiteblackwhite

Leigh Lezark by German artist Robert Knoke

gorgeously grungy

I just bought this super gorgeous nail shade. Nowadays, Illamasqua seems to be at the edge of my tongue - can't get enough of this stuff. I also love the false lashes that come in this collection. Can't wait for FW to come so that I can put them to the test! This intense olive shade is super gorgeously grungy. X!