IF YOU'RE EVER IN ZURICH...
Henrici cafe in Niederdorf Zurich
If you're ever in Zurich you must do two things. #1: Tweet at me so we can hang out. #2: Skip over to Henricis in Niederdorf for a caffeine injection. Cafe Henrici is my favourite - they have the best coffee around and the most amazing frappes ever. Frappes are like frappuccinos only without all the sugar and added flavours. They are heavenly and you'll be addicted to them after your first sip. Trust.
Henrici2
Whenever I am at Henrici I am happy.
Henrici4
Henrici5
After you're done, wander through Niederdorf and down to the lake. While there you can dangle your feet above the water and tempt fate by seeing how close you can get your toes to the swans.
Wearing my all time favourite Laura Ashley dress, Converse and J.Crew x Timex Andros watch.
xx
SOMEWHERE BETWEEN HERE AND THERE...
I love new pieces of technology. Ever since I received this Samsung Galaxy Note it has been glued to my side. I use it mostly for just browsing the web. It's a great little companion and looks super cute tucked inside this Nicholas Kirkwood graphic leather case.
These photos were taken on a rainy day last week in Zurich. I'm currently in the US on holiday with my family and it feels like these photos are from a million miles away. I'm out here for the next few weeks so expect lots of cheesy American themed photo shoots coming up.
Wearing: Gap coat, 7 for all Mankind jeans and Topshop boots.
SMOOTHIES WITH HATS FOR THE BIG KNIT...
Every year Innocent smoothies hold the Big Knit where they pop little wooly hats on their bottles to raise money to help keep old people warm in winter. So far they've raised over a million pounds for Age UK. This year they asked me if I'd design a hat to go on one of the bottles and I jumped at the opportunity. I made a little bear with a mustache and a read bandana over it's eyes. The hats hit shelves in stores next Wednesday so if you see one be sure to snatch it up. 25p from each bottle sold go directly to Age UK.
SUMMER LOVE'N...
Summer is my favorite season. I love bare legs and the feeling of the sun on my skin. I've been spending as much time as possible lying by the pool. Zurich is awesome in the summer. Everything feels clean and fresh plus we've been having the most insane thunder storms. I love waking up to find my balcony covered in golf-ball-sized pieces of hail. This week I'm off to London and then to Sweden. Cannot wait.
Hope you're having a great weekend! xx
Why I finally got Instagram
Shhhhh...
I know what you're thinking ('I told you so'). Let's just call this one a draw and pretend like my feeble attempt to stick it to the Instagram gods never actually took place. I'm on it now, okay? Are you happy now? Follow me: @stylecrusader K? Alright. Let's all get back to our day now.
Love you all. Kissy kiss. xx
p.s. OBSESSED with a buttery brown leather Paul & Joe Sister leather jacket at the moment. #swoon
KEEP IT LIGHT, KEEP IT FROTHY...
Keeping it light n' frothy with some photos I took today in Zurich with my new iPhone (#bootydance). Don't even get me started on how great it is. My life. has been transformed.. The case I'm getting is going to be the best part. But shhh, I'm keeping it a secret for now.
I'm not normally into doing interviews but when I received an e-mail from Karolina in Poland asking if I'd answer a few short questions I couldn't resist. I love that we have so much in common and that she clearly gets what my blog is about. Check out the interview below:
A mini-interview with yours truly
- You said starting a blog was kind of distraction for you - was the decision really spontaneous? Can you point out one particular moment when it was set: OK, I'm about to start a blog? I actually remember the exact moment when the idea came to me. I was sitting in the backyard of my sister's house in St Louis with my family and randomly blurted out, 'I'm going to start a blog.' It was sort of a joke and we all laughed about it. It was August 2009, the summer after I finished my undergraduate degree.
- Reading your blog and a short "about" paragraph I can see some similarity between us: I often search for distractions (during a degree in political theory also), I love beautiful things and I love to write. Starting a blog, however, is one of the things that are put in the "maybe later" drawer. Can you convince me in very few words that this idea is really worthy accomplishing? A blog gives you the platform to express yourself in whatever way you want - you don't need to be held back or restrained by anything. It will change you. The freedom that comes with blogging is what makes it worth accomplishing.
- Has your personal style changed since you are a well known blogger? No. To be honest I've never felt like I have a strong sense of personal style. Some people have a very distinct and memorable style. I don't think I have that. I just wear what I like and it's always pretty low key. My personal style is always evolving. Working with PR agencies and designers means that now I have access to products I never thought I'd even see in real life. There are temptations that come along with that and I always try to ask my-self before walking out the door... do I really like this? It's easy to get sucked into the feeling that you should follow the big trends or wear certain things but I try to avoid that.
- Are you really The Style Crusader? What, in style and fashion, are you fighting for? I love this question. The 'crusade' has changed and developed. There was a fighting element even in the first post I did which was titled 'Mission Statement'. As I say in that post from August 2009, I can't help but scrutinize the world around me. That's definitely still true today. Now, I think the 'crusade' is really just for authenticity and quality. Whether that's in the way you put together an outfit, a magazine's content, or the behavior of a major brand.
If you have any other burning questions for me (from what underwear I like to which philosophical doctrine I most adhere to) ask in the comments below. I hate answering the same question more than once, so we can use this as a gathering ground of enquiries. Good plan?
HEART BALLOONS AND CAPOEIRA...
Mmmmm... [long pause]
That was me exhaling a gigantic breath of relief. London is wonderful but whenever I step off a plane at Zurich airport and head towards my bed I feel like I'm entering into some quasi-therapuetic post-psychotic dream. I'm pretty much in heaven because it's so chilled out here. I managed to score a couple new wardrobe staples while I was away so I'm feeling slightly less distraught over my less-than-capable wardrobe. In other news: today I chased down a red heart balloon, watched crazy capoeira boys in the park and thought that public toilets in Zurich came with complimentary showers and hair dryers. Apparently not, but there are little holes to dispose of your needles. How very thoughtful of you Eveline.
Hope you're having a wonderful weekend! xx
HIPPITY HOP INTO SPRING...
Wahoo! March has been a very good month indeed. The flowers are blooming and the sun is shining. Getting to leave the house without a coat has felt like an absolute dream. Applying sunscreen (oh, the luxury), drooling over the bright colors at the grocery store (mmm, strawberries) and highlighting my tanned feetsies by wearing brighter-than-bright pink toe-nail polish... ah, yes. Spring, your arrival is warmly welcomed. Please, never leave.
Hope you're having a wonderful weekend. xx
Bare that belly
I decided to rock this Patouf cropped top with a little white t-shirt underneath because I'm just not ready to embrace the midriff full on. I love this top, by the way. It's a little sci-fi crazy with its silver sheen and structured shape. I like that. It means I can pretend to be on the Starship Enterprise.
Looking out over Zurich...
Weeee! Spring is here.
Spring in Zurich is the best thing ever. It's sunny and warm. The trees and flowers are blooming. It's calm. You can't help but get a tan. After weeks and weeks of it being -15 degrees the shift in temperature is heavenly. Let's not talk about the weather though, let's talk midriffs. What do we think people? Are they best saved for the catwalk? Can they work on real streets with real people? Honestly, I'm not entirely sure. The thing is, regardless of how razor-sharp your abs might be (and trust me, I know we all have abs that could cut glass) it takes a lot of confidence to rock a belly baring top. Depending on how cropped you go they can start to resemble a bra top and I'm just not sure how that will go down in the city. Maybe it's a look best saved for weekend breaks away... hmmm. What do you reckon?
I decided to rock this Patouf cropped top with a little white t-shirt underneath because I'm just not ready to embrace the midriff full on. I love this top, by the way. It's a little sci-fi crazy with its silver sheen and structured shape. I like that. It means I can pretend to be on the Starship Enterprise while I walk around town (much to my husband's distaste). I want to wear it with something seriously fierce (read: a patent black shiny high-waisted pencil skirt and some kick-butt heels) but jeans and Converse fit a bit more with my everyday needs... for now at least.
Wearing: Patouf Jade Top, Mih Paris Jeans, Mykita Joanie Sunglasses, Bottletop Luciana Clutch and Converse.
SNOW ANGEL...
Brrrr... I'm starting to wonder whether the temperature will ever get above zero degrees. In my delirious dreams for Spring I seem to be grasping at anything that isn't black or grey. The fact that I've spent the last two weeks resembling a multi-layered arctic explorer is getting old - as much as I do love wandering around the house with a duvet glued to my back the thought of being in London tomorrow, where the weather is supposed to get up to 11, is making me feel positively balmy. For now though, here's a little introduction to my new neighborhood. This weekend we moved into a new flat that's situated just opposite a cemetery and old crematorium - pretty beautiful to explore when it's all covered in snow.
Wearing: Mykita Aritana sunglasses, Dagmar jacket, Cabbages & Roses top, Jigsaw t-shirt, H&M shoes, Topshop ring and J. Lindberg jeans
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FOGGED UP AND FROZEN...
It's really cold. Like minus 15 degrees celsius in the middle of the day cold. I'm from California. I don't know how to deal with this kind of weather. There are two options: embrace hermit mode and refuse to leave the house or channel my inner yeti. The second option involves Ugg boots and a scarf wrapped around my face so many times that I can't see or breathe. Neither are good. But, this week I have enjoyed running around my flat in shorts and a tank top, giggling at people outside slipping around on the ice.
Today I branched out and decided to venture onto my roof to take some photos. Only, after two minutes my lens had fogged up and was starting to form little ice crystals. Hence photo three. Blurry washed out nothingness, I learnt, is what my camera gives me in minus 15 degree weather.
Wearing: Jigsaw coat, Jaeger cashmere sweater (stolen from my husband), 7 for all Mankind skinny jeans, Converse and Celine bag.
Thank you Freddy for taking these. xx
LITTLE SURPRISES AROUND EVERY CORNER...
It all began just before Christmas... I was on the hunt for a cute little somethin-somethin to take with me to the US for my nieces and nephew. You see, I've learned I must come prepared with little gifts to give them at the airport because how sad would it be to have to say 'no' when they eagerly ask, 'did you bring me something?!' And, while chocolate always work well - toys work better.
"A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men."
The wise words of Willy Wonka rung in my ears as I explored Einzigart. Upon entering I knew I had hit the mother of all jackpots. You're immediately greeted by a wall lined with tubs, each filled with old-fashioned wind up toys. Enter further and you'll find shelves of little toys - slinkies, robots, and rockets abound. It's like stepping into the toyshop of your childhood dreams. That is, if your kid-self knew what sort of toys were good for them. No plastic crap here but you will find temporary monster tattoos that instantly transform your hand into a puppet. They're cool for adults too.
Don't let me misrepresent the place though because it's full of pretty awesome design-led knick knacks for grown ups too. Hello! Did you spot the Jil Sander lookalike paper lunch bag? Third photo from the bottom on the right, incase you missed it. Plus, there are tons of fancy light fixtures, candles, chairs and stationary. Oh, they even have erasers shaped like all your favorite animals. What's not to love? The icing on the cake: the prices are totally reasonable. Trust me, in Switzerland that's saying a lot.
p.s. Not sure what it is about Zurich but have been finding interior design shops way more interesting than the fashion ones.
DOUBLE JACKETS & TRIPLE DENIM
I think it's a continuation of the January blues but I've been feeling hugely uninspired about getting dressed lately. In my head I've already moved onto Spring but sadly the weather isn't on the same time frame. It's absolutely freezing in Zurich at the moment.
When I came across this look on the Sartorialist this morning I thought it was too good not to emulate. The only problem, though, is that when wearing a long sleeve shirt, thick knit, denim jacket and a coat you instantly start to look and feel like this (not familiar with A Christmas Story? See here.) It's worth it though, despite being almost incapable of putting my arms down.
Wearing: J.Crew peacoat, Gap denim jacket, J.Crew chambray shirt, 7 for all Mankind jeans, Balenciaga boots, Laird & Co crushable fedora, Sambag tote, J.Crew fisherman sweater, Bottletop clutch and vintage earrings.
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January Blues
Seriously, what is it with January? I'm finding it to be the most difficult month to get through. It starts with a theatrical bang (champagne corks flying, fireworks exploding) but simmers stagnantly when resolutions prove more difficult to achieve than write and grand plans trickle out. There's still two weeks left though, maybe it will pick itself up.
Seriously, what is it with January? I'm finding it to be the most difficult month to get through. It starts with a theatrical bang (champagne corks flying, fireworks exploding) but simmers stagnantly when resolutions prove more difficult to achieve than write and grand plans trickle out. There's still two weeks left though, maybe it will pick itself up.
My wardrobe dreams have drifted to spring, pastel shades and bright acidic hues. The reality though is that my closet is filled with mostly blacks and greys. So I've brought in the big guns - the all powerful mood shifters: rainbow nails. Multi-coloured pastel nails seem the easiest way to nod to spring while staying frugal and bundled up. I also decided to pile on a selection of ridiculous things: two jackets, a leopard print clutch, studded heels and a headache inducing hat. But hey, it's Sunday... so why not.
Wearing: WalMart hat, vintage earrings, Patouf jumper, LiLiFi clutch, Moda in Pelle shoes, Gap denim jacket, Quiksilver parka and trousers.
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...
