A man in a skirt can be a very good look. I'm not sure how a man comes to wear his first skirt though... is it a monumental life changing moment? A friend of mine wore a skirt on a trip to Antwerp once and I remember him telling me that people were literally scowling at him on the street. Surely some cities are more willing to embrace the look than others. All this to say, I pretty much love everything about this guys look.
// MARIE MYRHOJ JENSEN //
This morning, I spotted Marie around Somerset House. I absolutely love her outfit – the simple little printed dress, the leather jacket draped over her shoulders, the socks with her masculine shoes. I adore her bright red lips and her fair skin is making me detest my tan. Most of all though, her look won me over because of the cheeky little way she’s got her hat twisted to the side. It should be a bit cliche but somehow she totally pulls it off.
Apsleys
Usually when I go to London I stay in the same place (Covent Garden) and eat at the same place (Byron). So, I thought maybe it was about time that I branch out a bit and try something different. You know, maybe venture east and take on the London Overground (I always thought it was the black hole of death but it turns out it's not so bad). This new adventure brought me to Dalston where I rested my head at the Avo Hotel. This unpretentious little gem was established in 2011, before which it was a post office, and is spread out over three floors. The rooms are compact and offer everything you could need, including dreamy views over the city's most iconic buildings. The best bit though has got to be the rainfall shower - I never wanted to step out of it. The walls are decked out in photographs by local artists and you can borrow DVD's for the hotel's ample collection. Most boutique hotels come with a hefty price tag but this isn't so with the Avo Hotel. Rooms start at just £79, so if you're looking for a well priced place to stay in London... well, look no further.
While in town I had the absolute joy of trying out Apsleys, a Heinz Beck restaurant that boasts its own Michelin Star. It's located at the grand Lanesborough Hotel in Knightsbridge and was well worth the trek across town. We had a (wait for it) seven course menu with wine for each chosen by the sommelier. To say we rolled out would be an understatement. You'd expect, with so many courses, for each to be tiny but this wasn't the case at all. Go to Apsleys and order the Carbonara Fagotelli, it will literally blow your mind. Each little piece of pasta is filled with a liquid concoction that oozes out as soon as you bite into it. When you receive it the waiter warms you against cutting each piece open with your knife because the contents will spill out. Instead, pop it into your mouth as one piece and enjoy as it bursts open. So delicious. I would go back simply for that single course alone, although all the others were delicious as well.
IT'S SO FLUFFY...
Meet one of my favourite cardigans. By Swedish brand DAGMAR, it's super fluffy and soft with a multicoloured pattern from the waist down. It's so warm that when I was in London I could wear it without a coat or a jacket. Love.
Wearing: DAGMAR cardigan, Joseph trousers, Aila bag, Muriee scarf and Ash shoes.
Yellow & Fluffy
With the weather turning slightly more chilly I've started pulling out the thick knits. I love this yellow fluffy jumper by Acne. The only problem? It sheds fluorescent fuzz onto everything and everyone that makes contact with it. I still love it though.
POUNDING THE PAVEMENT WITH LAST SEASON...
Vintage lace-ups versus second-hand Celine wedges.
Daniella found her shoes at a shop in Canada and Charlie got her yummy Celine wedges on eBay. It goes to show that sometimes it's best to avoid regular shops altogether. The autumn/winter collections are starting to hit stores and it's really easy to get super excited about all the brand new pieces that are in. But, just because something is new it doesn't mean it's good. I'm headed to Sweden tonight an I can't wait to go to the Acne Archive store. I'm desperate to get my hands on some discounted Acne. Weeeee!! Wish me luck. I hope I find something good.
WE ARE HANDSOME
As I wiggled my way into this dress I felt myself being transported to another place altogether... to that world where life is bathed in golden sunshine. You can't help but feel a little wonderful with all that elasticated sex-appeal sucking you in from every angle.
A letter to my fellow bloggers
I've thought a lot about what it means to be a blogger. There's an increasing amount of shame associated with having a blog, especially at industry events where there are real press and other people who actually deserve their invitations. I'd like to share my thoughts on this and find out how you feel.
MY LITTLE YEAR IN REVIEW...
Bizarrely, nothing quite sends me over the bliss-edge quite like a good 'Year in Review.' From Reuters to Gawker, Float Fast Hummingbird and Style.com... they all stir up warm feelings of nostalgia and make me excited for the things that are to come.
2011 was a pretty big year full of lots of changes and exciting things. Here's a little peek into a some of my favourite bits...
December's uniform...
Since getting my hands on this jacket I've struggled not to wear it everyday. It's so fluffy I'm gonna die. With long leather patches along the front of the arms and holes for your thumbs to stick through - it's like a woolen irresistible dream. I keep getting told that it's too cold for it, surely I should be wearing a real coat seeing as it's nearly freezing outside. But I'd gladly be a little chilly if it means I get to wear this jacket.
Wearing: DAGMAR jacket (the Shop at Bluebird), Sambag tote, 7 for all Mankind jeans and Topshop Ambush boots.
Photos by Kit
Just cut it off...
I've never been one to readily embrace change so when I walked into Taylor Taylor a couple of weeks ago my grandiose plans to chop it all off quickly turned rather sheepish. I whipped out a photo of Jayne and said, 'like this' - only to then backtrack and reveal my uncertainty over cutting off the hair I'd spent the last two years growing out. Cue ten minutes of deliberation, during which both the hair stylist and colorist talked me through my hair type plus the pros and cons of going shorter. In the end I shoved my face into my hands and garbled an incoherent 'just do it.'
A couple hours later I emerged a blonder perkier version of my past self. Introduced to the wonders of a round brush and hair products (hello mousse) I'm never looking back. In fact, I'm already making mental plans to go back so that I can go even shorter.
Massive thank you to Taylor Taylor for the most wonderful cut and colour. There's nothing more upsetting than leaving a hair appointment feeling that you didn't receive what you asked for and the amount of time they spent, before even getting started, ensured that didn't happen. I couldn't recommend the place enough. Also, huge thank you to Kit, who trekked across London to keep me company and take these photos. Thank you, Kit.
Wearing: DAGMAR Flisa silk chiffon top, 7 for all Mankind skinny jeans, Topshop ambush boots and SAMBAG tote.
Old Shoreditch Station...
On my last day in London I had breakfast with Charlie at the Old Shoreditch Station where we were serenaded by a barista boy and watched a psychedelic surreal mural being painted onto the wall. The whole experience was only made better by the warm coffee-house vibe and the fact that you could skip right next door into No-One, a shop stocked with loads of awesome Scandinavian brands (Dagmar, Won Hundred, Cheap Monday etc etc). This was my final meal with long hair. Straight after I hopped over to Taylor Taylor where I had 9 inches cut off my manky mane. But, more on that later...
Hope you're having a great weekend! xx
Being thankful...
My Thanksgiving didn't quite go the way the way it was meant to: there were no turkeys to be found (I failed at even getting my hands on a replacement chicken) so I made Greek salad instead. Normally I'd watch Planes, Trains and Automobiles but decided to go for the Sopranos. It all felt decidedly un-festive. There wasn't a big meal, no Macy's parade or football to watch and I couldn't even get revved up for Black Friday madness... it felt a bit like any other day. That was until I came across this post. It made me want to sit around a table and indulge in that cringe-worthy tradition of having to say what you're thankful for. And, if I did the things that would top my list would of course be friends and family. Despite them being spread across countless cities and countries it's always the best when you're reunited. Also, I'm pretty darn thankful for this little here blog and for the people (ehem, that you) that keep coming back to it . Unexpectedly, this has given me the opportunity to pursue all sorts of things I never thought possible.
Okay, enough with the sentimentals because I have something very important to say. I'm seriously obsessed with these boots - they have become the Converse of my winter. I wear them pretty much everyday and they are only getting better and softer and more wonderful. That is all.
Wearing: Zara jumper, Topshop Ambush boots, Moto leigh burgundy jeans, Sambag black snakeskin tote and black scarf borrowed from Charlie. Photos by Shini. p.s. Congratulations to the winner of the Cooee Designs giveaway - Emily from Wardrobe Block.
It's all changing
Autumn and I tend to bump heads. It always comes a bit too early and unpleasantly fast. Snatching away the last bits of warmth, it strips the trees of their leaves and slowly sucks away my tan. But, I suppose it's not so bad. When it's cold meals tend to get longer, drinks warmer, and bellies a little pudgier. I've already started spending my evenings on the couch with hot chocolate and Christmas movies... hah, I know I'm a bit early but what the heck - it's hard to resist.
When I was last in London I spent an afternoon with Charlie and Lexxie at the Albion. It's one of my favourite places to go whenever I'm in town. Despite there being a big selection of delicious sounding things on the menu I always always order the breakfast bap. It totally sums up English breakfast for me and you can't get anything like it in Switzerland.
Outfit photos by Lexxie. Wearing: Charlie's Burberry mac and hat. Topshop jumper, boots, and burgundy jeans. American Apparel bag.
p.s. I've been trying to make some changes to the blog (font/slider etc) if you have any thoughts (positive or negative) please let me know.
Lessons in levitation
It was a chilly afternoon a few weeks ago in London and the perfect opportunity to try out a bit of levitation. It's a tricky thing to do. You've got to concentrate really hard, think light thoughts, imagine yourself floating above the ground... but most importantly jump high, be still, and try to snap the photo while you're headed up rather than when you're crashing back towards the ground.
It was Shini that introduced me to the wonderful world of Natsumi Hayashi and her levitating antics. Seriously, how does she get so high? Does she have an invisible trampoline underneath her? Is she actually a life sized puppet held up by strings? I'm not sure but I'm hooked and I have a long way to go in learning how to levitate.
Photos taken by Shini. Reflection also includes Miss Kit Lee. Wearing: Vivetta CrisCris coat, Seven for all Mankind skinny jeans, SAMBAG tote, Laird & Co Hatters crushable fedora and Converse.