STYLE TWENTY ONE

NYFW: my pick

2011-09-21T20:24:00.000+01:00

3.1 Phillip Lim

Rarely do I get as excited about a collection as I have with Phillip Lim SS12. It's simplistic, chic, pastel perfection and all I want to be wearing next summer (if I can wait that long)! I love how Lim's palette of pastels is punctuated by bold black pieces and the occasional pop of bright colour in the accessories. The collection reminds me of those sherbert flying saucers I used to eat as a kid with a different colour on the front and back. The grown up version.

Band of Outsiders

Whilst there's nothing ground-breaking or unique about Scott Sternberg's collection, I like the overall aesthetic and I'd wear most of it in a heartbeat. Monochrome is always appealing to me because of the simplicity, and because a lot of the collection is made up of separates, mixing and matching is made all that much easier.

Rodarte

A mixture of The King and I costumes and Van Gough paintings shouldn't really work. Yet Rodarte's SS12 collection seems to combine the two ideas to beautiful effect. I adore love with the topaz blue that featured throughout and the rusty gold it was paired with. And don't get me started on the crossover tops with those shoulders- fabulous!

Banoffee Cupcakes

2011-09-14T23:04:00.001+01:00

I thought it was about time that I dipped back into my favourite baking recipe book, Cake Days by Hummingbird Bakery and so today I tried my hand at their banoffee cupcake recipe.

Rather stupidly I didn't thoroughly check the recipe before I began and assumed that the topping would be a variation of their usual yummy frosting. However, the topping is in fact a homemade caramel custard mixed with whipped cream which is completely delicious but a little time consuming. (Don't get me wrong, it's utterly worth it but I was restricted with time!) I'd never made custard from scratch before so I wasn't at all confident but it's much easier than I thought.

Here is the finished product! I have to say I'm rather proud.

The recipe makes around 16 but I halved it because there are only two of us in the house this week and my cake intake is far too high!

You can find the recipe in Cake Days which can be bought here. Happy baking!

x

London: Round 1

2011-09-14T00:47:00.002+01:00

You may have seen from my tweets that I spent a couple of days in London this week. I had an interview to intern for the British Fashion Council at London Fashion Weekend and I got it!

When I heard that I'd been offered an interview I was mainly just excited to be going to the BFC offices in Somerset House and I was every bit as excited when I got there! The elevator doors opened and I walked out into a long corridor lined with huge prints of shows on the walls (it's such a blur that the only one I truly remember is one of Lara Stone). During the interview I tried so hard to focus and not get distracted by people rushing around- as LFW starts this week it was completely manic. Obviously I impressed them somehow and was offered a position later that day! Fingers crossed that my time there next week is just as amazing as yesterday was.

After much debating, this is what I wore:

I really wanted to keep my look simple and classic- it pretty much sums up my personal style whilst looking smart but with a bit of a twist.

After my interview I had a whole day free to enjoy the city, so headed straight over to Selfridges to see what Monki had to offer (see my Swedophilia post). The selection in store isn't very big and truth be told I was a little disappointed, but that didn't stop me wandering around the rest of the store and purchasing a treat for myself (must learn some self-control).

In the afternoon I found myself at the V&A for the Power of Making exhibition. In the mad panic of packing, I forgot my camera so I only took a few photos with my iPhone, but here are some of my favourite things from the exhibition which is well worth a visit!

I was far too distracted to make a note of who created the beauties in the photos above. Who knew you could do such things with needles?! Incredible.

We all recognise and love these famous Armadillo shoes by the late, great Alexander McQueen. I remember watching the show these were featured in streamed live from Paris (SS10 if I remember correctly) and even then I don't think I quite grasped the beauty, height and angle of these! Seeing them in person was a real treat.

After my cultural experience I headed over to the Shoreditch Pizza East for a quick bite with a friend. Seems like Henry Holland had a similar idea as he was also there with some pals looking quite relaxed considering he's showing at LFW next week!

And that was that for this week's London visit. I'm back next week for my interning and hopefully more fun tales.

(Just to make you all jealous, I'm enjoying a red velvet cupcake that I picked up from the Old Brompton Road Hummingbird Bakery in bed right now)

x

AW11 fantasy shopping list

2011-09-07T23:56:00.002+01:00

A girl can dream...

Alexander Wang Zoro angular-frame acetate sunglasses

Alexander Wang Kristen multi-strap suede shoulder bag

Burberry London wool-blend double-breasted coat

Acne Evans asymmetric crepe dress

Acne romantic wool-felt A-line skirt

Acne twisted wool-knit sweater

Valentino Plisse lace dress

Gucci coated cotton-blend biker jacket

Miu Miu glitter and suede peep-toe ankle boots

All available at net-a-porter

(except for those phenomenal Miu Miu boots which are sold out EVERYWHERE!)

Sixies Dreamgirl

2011-09-07T22:30:00.000+01:00

I love a good themed editorial and Harper's Bazaar's latest offering featuring Alexa Chung in various sixties-inspired looks is divine.

Harper's Bazaar UK

Adore

2011-09-05T22:55:00.001+01:00

This photo has been the background on my iPhone for so long. I can't remember where I found it or who to give credit to, but it's too fabulous to not share!

Update: this was shot by Camerone Krone for Viva! Mode magazine in Poland.

Swedophilia

2011-09-05T17:24:00.002+01:00

For a while now I have been completely infatuated by the idea of visiting Sweden. My mother is adamant that the abundance of 'lovely blond men' explains my enthusiasm for the place but I like to think that I'm a little less superficial than that.

I may be waiting a few years to fulfil my Swedish fantasy, so in the meantime I am having to make do with treats from Sweden that have reached our shores.

Here are just a few of my favourite Swedish exports:

1. Monki

I first discovered H&M's quirky sister Monki about a year ago and have since been yearning for a store in the UK or at least somewhere to buy online. This week my prayers were answered and Monki is now stocked at Selfridges in London. Hurrah! Must get myself down to London pronto (as if I need an excuse).

Monki website

Monki at Selfridges

2. Stockholm Street Style (blog)

A bit of fellow blog promotion now. For me it's the perfect street style blog- a focus on the style of people on the streets of Stockholm (obviously) and travelling frequently to cover fashion weeks around the world. Models, editors and regular folk are all showcased on the blog but it's the modern, laid-back look that ties all of the subjects together and demonstrates its true Swedish roots.

Stockholm Street Style

3. Robyn

Dancing On My Own. Be Mine. Indestructible. Cry When You Get Older.

Do I really need to say much more? This electro pop genius can make me dance or cry just from pressing play. And from the Dancing On My Own video it's safe to say that she's an Alexander Wang fan too. A girl after my own heart.

Robyn Official Website

4. Ikea

Not long ago, I declared that the Ikea catalogue was my favourite book. Yes this may have been a slight exaggeration but there is something about that weighty book that gets me going. I can sit for hours flicking through the pages fantasising about my future home.

You think that's sad? Imagine me in the actual store. Whilst the catalogue may not actually be my favourite book, visiting the store is definitely in my Top 5 Days Out. I can spend literally hours in the marketplace. And do not get me started on the restaurant! Meatballs, Daim cake and that yummy red lingonberry juice they have on tap...it's what dreams are made of. Tasty Swedish dreams.

Ikea website

5. Acne

Hands down one of my favourite clothing designers. Their brand of urban minimal chic is both distinctive and understated, and unmistakably Swedish. If I had to only ever wear one brand of clothing for the rest of my life, this would be it. There's not much else I can say really, except that it is simplistic perfection.

Acne Studios

My workspace

2011-09-05T15:56:00.001+01:00

Just a little glimpse into my world, where I do all my writing and do my best thinking. Note the bottle of Bombay Sapphire which deserves much credit for my bright ideas (it's tea in the mug, don't worry).

I'm on Twitter!

2011-09-05T12:29:00.000+01:00

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Goodbye Summer

2011-09-05T00:35:00.001+01:00

As Autumn fast approaches I've been thinking about this past Summer, and for me personally, the entire past season can be summed up in two words: Jil Sander (or I guess if we're being picky, Raf Simons).

It's been impossible to avoid the colourful impact of the Jil Sander SS11 collection, particularly on the British high street. Zara especially latched onto the colour blocking phenomenon, and I have to say, I've bloody loved it!

Whilst I've been a little too afraid to try full-on Sander-style colour blocking, I have indulged in a number of tangerine items and a cobalt blue pleated mini skirt that I adore. And although they may not traditionally be the most transitional items, it seems that a bright palate is being welcomed this Autumn, so I guess we'll see......

Blog Lovin'

2011-09-05T00:13:00.000+01:00

It seems that this is the done thing. I promise I will be follow worthy!

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Welcome!

2011-09-05T00:00:00.000+01:00

I thought it was high time I found somewhere to spew out my musings on all that I love.

This mainly emcompasses clothes that I cannot afford, fabulous people whom I dare to admire, places that I dream of and cakes that I eat too many of.

September has long represented new beginnings. This is just another one of them.

Peace.