Keep It Colourful

My apologies for the absence of late!
  Today, I had a few ideas for a post rattling round in my head, but then I did my customary sweep over The Sartorialist (among the other amazing blogs I peruse with coffee in hand every morning), and the latest photo, which I've just seen now, has a small book in the hand of the stylish person. A journal I think, in the most beautiful pattern. Made me think of the intricate tile work you see in places like Jerusalem, or on walls in the old parts of Lisbon in Portugal. This in turn got me thinking about eye-catching patterns. So today I'm wishing for a handful of items covered in colorful designs. And as I've had a couple of requests from readers, I'll be including prices wherever I can in case anyone else wishes they had these as well.





 To me (and generally to everyone), Missoni reigns when it comes to patterned knits. The eye loves repetition,and the skin loves comfort, so right now I'm wishing for their SS12 strapless dress in sea green and lapis. It's gorgeous, and it has a built in strapless bra, so it's practical too! Net-a-porter, £1,210.


















In keeping with the massive 20's trend going on, I would snap up this little number from Etro. Always intricate, this flapper-inspired dress really grabbed me. The added dimension of the big beads gives it a really playful, cut-and-paste feel that I love. Net-a-porter, £2,695.










  I'm really in a kick for bright wedges this spring, and I wish I had both of these, as I really can't choose between them. Firstly, from Burberry, these hypnotic sunburst prints, $1,150 CDN, which I love because the huge pattern and great heel are balanced by a very prim toe. And secondly, these strappy orange leather platforms by Tory Burch, £325, which are a great example of that flat platform look that dominated several runways for SS12. Both pairs would definitely brighten up my day the moment I slipped them on.

 


















Any questions on where to find items, please let me know!

Louche Layers

Bright and early tomorrow morning I'm off visiting, with a four hour coach trip to my northerly destination. It got me thinking about all the travel I've been doing lately (including a marathon 32 hours in the air from Australia to Canada via Dubai), and how sad it is that modern travel has lost so much of its glamour.

If you're cramped and squeezed into a cabin of some kind, you should at least work towards being comfortable. And if you can be comfy and cute at the same time, why not? These are some things I wish I had for tomorrow morning...








Now, layering is key when you travel, because you never know if that air-con will be jammed in the on or off position. To start, I'd wear Chinti & Parker's organic cotton T, in teal. Soft and earth friendly!








Of course, cashmere makes a great addition to an on the move outfit, keeping you warm and eternally stylish. I'm going for the double-shot here, layering on a Tomas Maier cashmere wrap, and a pair of Duffy arm warmers, both in charcoal grey.

Below the waist, I'd do a pair of dark grey stretchy leggings from American Apparel, and a pair of leather boots like these riding-inspired Burberry's. Gotta make sure you get them well before hand though, because there's nothing like worn in boots. 

Wish me well on my travels (even if it is only four hours)!
Stay comfy ;)

Rain, Rain, Don't Go Away

I awoke this morning to torrential rain (so much for the sunshine of yesterday!), and found myself forlorn over my lack of stylish rain protection (other than those great Burberry Gumboots I wished I had earlier this month).
So my focus today is some of the bright and cheerful downpour gear that several designers have come out with for this spring.

First thing I will add to my imaginary closet is a purple paisley print umbrella from Etro. I love the color, and I can't help but feel that the light purple would cause the light inside the umbrella to be a bit violet, which would be lovely on a wet walk!
                                               










To keep warm, I obviously need a shower-proof coat. I am a total anglophile when it comes to clothes, and for wet weather my first choice is always Burberry. To keep spirits up, I'm wishing for this bright blue belted trench.








I know I've already featured gumboots this month, but it's March, you really can't have too many pairs (as long as they're pretty). There is a store in Vancouver called GumDrops, and it has a boggling array of adorable waterproof gear. My faves at the moment are these Betsey Johnson wellies. So cute!

And since clashing patterns, florals, and paisley are all on trend this season, I think it's a winner ;)

Distant Sunshine

I spotted sunshine off on the horizon today (after two days of snow), and suddenly my mind is on Spring. Since it's still a tad crisp, the thing I want most today is this sky blue Christopher Kane brocade jacket.

<--- I love the sheer trim!

Like the combination of delicate pattern and strong shoulders. He's one of my favorite things coming out of Scotland, second only to Walkers Shortbread. ;)      

With it I wish I could wear this Michael Michael Kors zebra-jacquard dress, the rippled, matte texture would look great against the slight sheen of the brocade.

And to finish the look, I'd rock a pair of slightly sparkly, strappy sandals like these Valentino's, and a white Alaia handbag I've been swooning over for a while.       

The whole outfit is clean and fresh, and that eye-popping blue is a color I love to wear up top. Perfect ;)

Baby It's Cold Outside

Ha! Somehow five people managed to stumble across this page last night! (And they weren't even me, I remembered to un-track myself.)
This morning, it's super cold. Like, "don't really want to walk the dog because I might lose some digits to frost-bite" cold. Now, I have a nice coat. It's black, with a puff skirt and an exaggerated lapel, and it nips in perfectly at the waist.

BUT...I couldn't help but think that I would be way warmer in this wicked, almost-military jacket from Dries Van Noten's AW12/13 collection, which showed yesterday in Paris.

If I'm honest with myself though, I'd just end up with a kink in my neck from walking around trying to bury my face in the fur on the shoulders...

After some wishful online window shopping, Net-a-Porter teased me with this: 

Super soft rabbit fur on one side, and bad-ass leather on the other. And I used to think reversible was so lame. And by McQ too! Depressingly, all sold out now.And since it's raining I would totally wear it with jeans and these kick-ass Burberry gum-boots. (Both from Net-a-Porter)