SITTING ON A DOCK BY THE BAY...

This is just a quick hello from Sweden...

This past week I've been hanging out on a boat and swimming in a lake. I feel pretty un-fashion and I love it. I'm currently glued to this vintage Laura Ashley dress that I stole from my mom. It originally reached down to my ankles - I had a big chunk of fabric cut off to make it a bit more wearable. I also finally found two new swimsuits. Both are strapless, one is from Seafolly and is black and the other is cream with gold hardware and from Varley. I'd been looking for simple swimsuits for aaages and I'm so glad I finally found two to add to my collection.

Wearing Laura Ashley dress and Emm Kuo clutch.

THE VIEW FROM STOCKHOLM...

Sweden is unbelievably quiet and relaxed.

I spent the weekend in Stockholm at the Rival Hotel and it was absolutely gorgeous. It's located just next to a park and has a delicious cafe and flower shop outside. I spent most of the time eating candy and wandering into shops. Not a bad way to spend a holiday.

Wearing: Paul & Joe Sister jacket, Weekday shirt/trousers and Converse.

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

THE IMPORTANCE OF BUILDING ON STRONG FOUNDATIONS...

I have been attempting a closet clear out for over a year...

You might remember when it all started. It was a rather embarrassing situation. I've slowly been selling pieces and giving things to charity but I still feel like I have way more stuff than I need. Obviously it's an ongoing project but I hate that feeling of 'having nothing to wear'. You know it, you're standing in front of your wardrobe wondering where that one perfect T-shirt is that hangs just so. When you can't find it anywhere all hell breaks loose because 'it's the only thing that looks good right now.' I know I'm not alone in having these mini-emotional breakdowns... I've seen some of you getting ready to go out (evil eyes Charlie and Shini).

Anyway, things are changing. I'm pairing down.

I think I've been inspired by Ivania - she's the absolute queen of minimalism. As much as I love having loads of options I actually much prefer things to be simple. I've picked out a handful of items that make up pretty much what I've been wearing the last few weeks. They are as follows: a Paul & Joe Sister leather biker jacket, a Cabbages & Roses striped Breton top, skinny jeans from 7 for all Mankind, a white shirt from MiH and a cotton dress from Laura Ashley which used to be my moms (I had about 4 feet of fabric cut off the length). For accessories I've been sticking to a cotton floral tote I got at Banana Republic about five years ago, a pair of Dolce & Gabbana sunglasses and an old baseball hat because, you know, they're so trendy. For shoes I've just been switching between my black and white Converse. That's it. That's what I've honestly been wearing. It doesn't make for very interesting outfit posts but it's real life.

My goal over the next few months is to start investing in key pieces to help expand this little mini-summer wardrobe. My goal is to only spend money on things that fit with the paired back attitude... so no spur of the moment crazy purchases. My goal is to have a working wardrobe that is easy to navigate and style. Let's see what happens. I've got my fingers crossed for my restraint.

COMING UP FOR AIR...

Having a blog can be slightly suffocating at times...

The Style Crusader is rolling towards it's three-year birthday (August 15th) and, at the moment, I'm not planning it a party. It's not because I don't think it deserves a party (trust me, I've found way less significant reasons to throw a party). The truth is that it's getting on my nerves a bit - it's like a little annoying toddler that keeps constantly pulling on the edge of my cashmere jumper. It wants all of my attention. It never stops making noise. I want it to grow up to be big and strong. But sometimes I wish it would just leave me alone and let me get on with other things.

Hmmm. *big smile* With that said, let's get on with things. Speaking of cashmere... did you happen to notice the gorgeous Muriee knit that I'm wearing in the above photo? It is literally the softest thing in the entire world. It's basically two ma-hoosive square pieces of cashmere sewn together. It's big, shapeless and is absolute perfection. Every time I wear it my husband sort of rolls his eyes at me. But I can't help it... it's just so soft. Anyway, I'm also addicted to these little denim/linen shorts from Aubin & Wills and a pair of Dolce & Gabbana sunglasses which I've indefinitely borrowed from Charlie. (Mwaaahahhaha). I'm a strong believer in making friends with people who have better wardrobes then you. If you can't steal from their closet then what are they good for, right?

Wearing: Cashmere sweater c/o Muriee, Aubin & Wills shorts, leopard clutch from Lilifi, Bertie espadrilles and Dolce & Gabbana sunglasses.

ON STRUGGLING TO FIND INSPIRATION...

Please tell me I'm not the only one that feels in a bit of a funk.

Normally I have no lack of inspiration. In fact, the problem I face is that I'm inspired by too much. There is beauty everywhere - even in the most unlikely of places. Online there is inspiration catapulting around at a million miles a second. I think what I'm suffering from is over saturation.

Lately I don't want to be online. I'm sort of disenchanted with looking at blogs and scrolling through Pinterest. I want to sit outside with a beautiful magazine and flick through the pages with my fingers. I want to sit with people in real life and talk to them in person rather than on Twitter. I want to bake cookies. I want to be in the sun. I don't want to click and I don't want to re-pin. I don't want to sit in front of a computer screen. I want to devour a magazine, rip out the pages and tape them into a notebook. So that's what I've been doing...

This nostalgia is spreading like wildfire into all aspects of my life. I suddenly want to get a sewing machine so that I can make Jil Sander inspired clutch bags. I also want to get my hands on some old school looking running shoes. This pair by Converse are mega adorable. Anything with a late '80s/early '90s vibe is working for me right now... bring on the Spice Girls and resurrect the pog.

THE STYLE CRUSADER ON TOUR [SUMMER DATES]...

London, I love you always and forever.

My recent trip to England was #insane. So many wonderful things happened and every day felt like a total whirlwind. Highlights included: staying with Charlie May and Lexxie, meeting the people behind Tank Magazine (Kim and Caroline are amaaazing. Yes, Caroline ISSA, she told me I was gorgeous and I pretty much died. I've adopted her as my mentor even though she doesn't know it yet). I discovered Shini has WAY too many shoes, went to the Nelly party, ate lots of burgers and milkshakes and managed to catch up with some of my favorite PR people including Susie at Trace, Harriet at HPR, Rachel at Shine and the stuffed bear at Varg (we had a little cuddle). I had so much fun. I got to ride a Boris Bike and roam around east London like it was nobody's business. I got lost every day. I FINALLY did some summer shopping (at Aubin & Wills) and I got to spend an afternoon with VV Brown and Nik Thakkar. Love. That was all in one week... no wonder I came back home exhausted.

This coming summer I'm doing a bit of a traveling tour. For simplicity's sake I'll keep my plans updated on this blog post. Things always tend to change last minute but at the moment this is what my summer is looking like. Also, for the record, I work freelance and have time to take on new projects... so if you want me for anything please holler this way (stylecrusderBOOKINGS at gmail.com). Merci. xx

p.s. long term plans for the blog include a book (which I've recently started writing) and a mentorship program. If you'd like to talk to me about either of these two things or support the cause please let me know. I'm looking for sponsors and people to work with. Kiss kiss.

June 14-24th: Zurich

June 25-30th: London

July 1-10th: Zurich

July 11-27th: Sweden

July 28-August 23rd: Zurich

August 24-28th: Copenhagen

August 29-September 12th: USA

September 13-19th: London

September 20-25th: Milan

September 26-October 3rd: Paris

THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVOURITE THINGS...

Hey there. It's the weekend. Yey.

I've spent my Saturday doing things that I love most. Lounging and shopping and planning and organizing. I bought a desk from Ikea (hooray). I finally have my own office space. Seriously, I'm so happy about this I cannot tell you. We're going to swap the top that we got for a bigger one. It's basically two easels with a plank of wood on top. So good. I got the idea from Ms Shini Park (thank you). I also lit this Happiness aromatherapy candle for the first time. I got it from Target when I was in the US at Christmas and was waiting for a slightly symbolic moment to light it. The formation of my 'office' seemed a fitting occasion. I'm super excited to relaunch a more work/organizational lifestyle now that I have officially taken on a role at HPR London as their in-house digital consultant (cracks open champagne). I'm so excited because I love Harriet (the founder) and I cannot wait to work with her alongside brands I adore like Paul and Joe, Kyle Hopkins and (wait for it...) Charlie May.

Okay that's all from me. Hope you're having an awesome weekend. xx

p.s. how cool was my Grandfather (bottom photo posing next to his car)? Love. 

Featured: River Island wedges and sunglasses, Iconemesis iPhone case and Kafka Metamorphosis by Tank Books. Desk and chair from Ikea.

LET ME LIVE IN A FLOWER MARKET PLEASE...

Please can we arrange for me to live inside a flower market?

There is nothing I love more than being in London on a sunny Sunday. Why? Because I love Columbia Road Flower Market (so much). When I was last in town I spent an unusually warm day lazing about the market. It was so crowded but I loved every minute. I wore a double printed look from Aubin & Wills which I love. It's super soft and silky. Perfect for feeling easy and breezy but looking a bit put together.

p.s. yes, posing with a potted flower plant was essential (although highly cliche).

Wearing: Everard skirt and Willington vest with white Converse. Props: flowers and yellow SIGG bottle. 

Massive thanks to the Cat for keeping me company and taking my outfit shot.

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

LET'S GET UP IN DETAIL...

Last week I had the absolute pleasure of meeting up with In Detail to shoot a little story and talk jewelry. It was so fun as I went with Louisa who has the most outrageous collection of jewelry. Beanie, the creator of the site is such a total babe. She was so sleek and sophisticated with her tight pulled back ponytail and multiple ear cuffs. Harry, who shoots for the site (and designed it?!) is amazing too. We'd been e-mailing about making some changes to the layout of my blog (I'm USELESS when it comes to html) so it was awesome to finally meet in real life and discover they are as incredible as I'd hoped they would be. Plus, I discovered how amazing eggs royale are. I'm now obsessed.

How awesome is Louisa's pink Judy Blame safety pin necklace? I expected it to be crazy heavy but it's actually light as a feather. Yummy.

The full feature is now up on In Detail - featuring a short interview and lots of photos.

Massive thank you to Beanie and Harry for featuring me on the site! xx

Wearing: Paul & Joe sister jacket, Dagmar knit, Muriee scarf.

SUNDAYS WERE MADE FOR CAKE...

There is definitely a little anti-social bug nestled deep within me. I love spending the weekend inside wearing cashmere jumpers and silk shorts. It's a little odd but baking feels like a miniature luxury... eating the cake afterwards is obviously the best part. I've yet to perfect the appearance of my baked goods. They always come out a little wonky - they're often lopsided and the frosting never seems to go on quite right. Oh well, I console myself with the fact that they always taste delicious... surely that's what really matters?

p.s. I learnt a little trick: sprinkle fanta on your cake once it's cooled to make it extra-super-duper moist.

Wearing: LUCZA cashmere jumper and silk shorts.

A FROTHY HERMIT...

I'm currently all about latte macchiatos with lots of frothy foam from Henrici, my favorite Zurich cafe. Because the weather is so rubbish I feel the epitome of anti-fashion. I'm mourning the loss of spring and have made an oath to only wear black until it gets warm again. Lame weather can't stop my fingers from pretending it's hot outside though... minty green nails are my way of sticking it to the weather man. Booyakasha.

Wearing: mint green nail polish from Barry M and Topshop ring.

SECHSELÄUTEN: THE BURNING SNOWMAN...

Everything is better when you add fresh flowers...

On Monday afternoon the streets of central Zurich were taken over by a parade of the guilds - complete with old-fashioned outfits, marching bands, lots of beer, plus old men throwing candy and fish (?!). Apparently it's the sort of cheesy traditional event that you should only go to once but, quite honestly, I love it. The weather has been RUBBISH recently and, even though it was freezing and raining, it was totally inspirational to see the entire city covered in flowers. There's a strange exchange of flowers between people in the parade and people watching... it eventually ends with handfuls of gorgeous floral arrangements being handed out to any kid that shouts loud enough at the person passing by - next year I'm bringing a fog horn.

They might be old-fashioned costumes but I loved seeing all the outfits in the parade. There were some amazing hats and the shoes with buckles reminded me of the Miu Miu AW12 collection (yumm - buckle bows). Loads of people wore necklaces with big pretzels attached to the end... I'm thinking this is something I should start including in my daily look.

Ah yes, that's some Swiss beer with a flower and next to it is the böögg. The böögg is a snowman that's been stuffed with explosives. Bizarre, right? Everyone gathers around and watches as a fire gradually moves up towards the snowman, waiting for the head to explode. #TotesBizarre - the faster it explodes the better the summer is meant to be. This year it took 12 minutes and 7 seconds - not too bad.

Come on summer, I'm ready for you.