STARING INTO OBLIVION...
Wandering around Stockholm in head-to-toe Swedish brands makes me feel happy in my heart. I wish everyday could include late wake ups and latte fueled walks through the snow. I'm currently obsessed with this pleated back coat from Patouf. It's so unique and perfect for wrapping up in.
Wearing: Patouf Anouschka coat and Edith shoes, Acne jeans.
2012 in Review
Wh-whaat? Where did 2012 go?
Lying in my bed on the eve of 2013, I'm scrolling through a years worth of blog posts. Nostalgia is setting in. Pass the tissues. Highlights definitely include fashion week and twirling in the teacups at EuroDisney with Shini. A trip to Jamaica also ranks high on the best moments from the year. My favourite post I did this past year has got to be 'A letter to my fellow bloggers', wherein I write a letter addressing the misconceptions and lies that surround being a blogger. I loved reading everyone's comments and thoughts in response to the post. Thanks so much for sticking with me through 2012. I can't wait to see what's in store for the year ahead.
Happy New Year. Here's to it being a great one. *clinks glass*
xx
AN AMERICAN PHOTO DIARY...
I spent three weeks in the US recently. It was awesome. I ate a lot of food and got to spend lots of quality time with my family who I've sorely missed this past year. My parents bought a new house which we played in and I became best friends with their new miniature dog named Minnie. It was board games every night and early mornings, thanks to my sister's four kids and their early starts. I already can't wait for the summer when we get to go back again.
p.s. wherever you are I hope you're still feeling the holiday cheer.
HI FROM SWEDEN...
After spending three great weeks in the US I've just arrived to Sweden for Christmas. I spent the day wandering around Uppsala, shivering in the cold. It's minus 5 here and apparently it's 'not that bad'. While my hosts assure me that some years it's really cold (minus 25), I'll be spending the next two weeks in so many layers that I can hardly move.
I've been having loads of fun lately playing with a new little toy I got for my iPhone. It's an attachment that does fisheye and wide angle shots. I was afraid the quality would be rubbish but it actually works really well. It's perfect for capturing colder than cold environments.
I hope wherever you are your getting into the Christmas feeling! xx
FALLING BETWEEN THE GAP...
While driving over to downtown St Louis to scout graffiti walls it occurred to me that blogging is a very strange thing indeed. Do I spend my days lazily leaning against paint splattered walls? No. Am I willing to drive across town in search for one to take a picture by? Yes.
When Gap asked me to pick out my favourite items from their current collection to be put into a Christmas wish list I jumped at the opportunity. The brand has long been one of my favourites. Whenever I'm back in the US I make a beeline for their shop to stock up on basics - as I'm sure you already know, they're the best.
Wearing: Colorblock stripe sweater, 1969 always skinny jeans, shrunken leather moto jacket, cable twist cowlneck.
Photos by Stephanie Bannon
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.
CURRENTLY OBSESSED WITH RED...
I'm usually really not into red. I think it's a bit brash and doesn't really suit me. Lately though I've taken a liking to it. Next to pale skin it brings a burst of colour that makes winter skin feel a bit more lively. I'm currently obsessed with this YSL rouge volupte lipstick. Whack it on with even the dullest of outfits and suddenly everything feels a bit more fabulous. I've also pulled out this old buffalo checked red flannel shirt from the bottom of my wardrobe - it's perfect for chilly days.
Hope you're enjoying the transition into winter. xx
CHARLIE MAY SS13...
During London Fashion Week one of the shows I was most looking forward to was Charlie Mays. This was the first season that Charlie put on a catwalk show and I was so excited to see her collection saunter down the runway. On the day I got to shoot some of the action backstage before the show. Everything was so organized and well run. You wouldn't at all expect that this was just Charlie's third season showing.
The SS13 collection is absolutely stunning. The first look that came down the catwalk was a top and trouser velvet combo in a shade of icy blue. It was my favourite look from the entire collection and I can just imagine myself wearing it now (perfection). There's also a nude coloured biker jacket, asymmetric shorts and classic white silk shirts that would be incredibly useful in anyone's wardrobe. Charlie's collections just keep getting better and better each season as she hones in what her design aesthetic is. I already can't wait to see what see what's in store for next season.
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.
Blogging on the-go for Company Magazine
A couple of months ago I took some photos for a feature in Company magazine. The article was about where you blog from and my position was blogging on the go. Since I travel quite a lot it's super important to be mobile. I was featured alongside Isabelle, Charlie and Ivania. Along with the photos I also answered a few questions for the article:
Tell us a bit about yourself: I'm a digital and fashion consultant. I live in Zurich but work mostly in London. I started The Style Crusader almost three years ago- it started out as just a bit of fun but quickly turned into something I loved. I blog about all my adventures - from fashion week to coffee dates.
What are your essential blogging companions? My camera and laptop. I use a Canon 550D and a MacBook Air; both are perfect because their super convenient when traveling.
Explain a little about your space: My space is pretty minimal - I don't like having lots of clutter around me.
What makes your location good for blogging? My location changes constantly. I travel a lot for work, which means I always have new locations to capture and I find them all really inspiring.
Why do you blog on the go? I'm constantly on the move so have t blog from random places - trains, stations, cafes, hotels rooms. I blog from wherever I happen to be.
Name three things you can't blog without: Photoshop, coffee and an idea.
Recent inspirations? I'm addicted to Pinterest and Tumblr. I also find daily life pretty inspirational - there's beauty everywhere, you just have to slow down to see it.
Three tracks you're blogging to: Meet Me Halfway by the Futureheads, Ayo Technology by Milow and Doo Wop by Lauryn Hill.
Wearing: Laura Ashley dress, Paul & Joe Sister jacket and Converse.
ASOS AFRICA...
I love this season's Asos Africa collection. The bold prints, grey marled tops and slouchy shapes are straight up my street. The black and white houndstooth outfit is my absolute favourite. I love the peplum shaped jacket and the flared out shorts.
The collection has definitely got me craving a bit of an Asos shopping spree.
A JAMAICAN PHOTO DIARY...
I'm sitting in a cafe in Zurich watching the rain come pelting down. It's cold and winter is clearly on its way. Despite the frosty weather I've been thinking back to the trip I took to Jamaica a couple of months ago. I couldn't resist reliving it through this post. I had such an incredible time - lying on the beach all day reading books and drinking strawberry daiquiris. It was absolute perfection.
LITTLE PINK BUNNY EARS...
This time last week I was in Berlin shooting the look book for German based cashmere brand Muriee. We had loads of fun, ate tons of cookies and spent one day walking around the city taking street style type photos. This is my favourite outfit that I wore on the day. Just a simple outfit with wide legged jeans and a super cuddly tan coloured cashmere jumper. The best part of the look though was the pink beanie that had cute little ears. I love the idea of taking something as classic as a cashmere hat and making it youthful and fun.
Wearing: Muriee jumper and hat, Paul & Joe Sister jacket, J.Brand jeans and Topshop ring.
Photos bz Kris Vandamme
A LITTLE VISUAL DIARY FROM BERLIN...
I can't wait to show you some of the photos from my weekend in Berlin with Muriee but until I get them here's a little visual diary. We stayed in an incredible loft, ate lots of food and played dress up with all the cashmere pieces from the brands new collection. It was loads of fun and I'm already excited for next season when we can do it again!
HI FROM BERLIN...
I've just spent the entire day walking around Berlin with the lovely people behind cashmere brand Muriee. We're here in Germany shooting the look book and doing street style photography for their autumn/winter campaign. It's absolutely freezing and the whole city looks incredibly autumnal with red and yellow leaves covering the streets.
I hope wherever you are you're having a beautiful weekend. xx