PSYNOPSIS

Perpetual Blur

2012-02-09T19:00:00.003Z

When it snows there's no getting out of our tiny lane which means I'm stuck with me, myself and Photoshop – and over 100 shows to watch over the weekend in New York. Continous immobility might even lead to amateurish running commentary. Alas, until we finally get port keys lets all hail the internet. ♥ ♥ ♥

bloglovin • google friend connect • tumblr • twitter

Green Monster

2012-02-08T19:00:00.002Z

With the bloody cold being so bloody harsh on my skin (and me losing my bl.... language) the serums don't work anymore – so I went on a quest to find a cheap alternative... Et voilà, let me introduce you to the best serum ever: lemon juice and olive oil. Just fill in a pretty bottle, shake and squeeze. (And if you run out of salad dressing... you know where to go). Wonder if homemade skincare is the future... ♥ ♥ ♥

*It's true, the title makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. Sometimes I think I should just do away with them altogether and use numbers instead.

bloglovin • google friend connect • tumblr • twitter

Carte Blanche

2012-02-07T18:59:00.002Z

Found my gran's old leather gloves, which I think go well with double-denim and snow. ♥ ♥ ♥

denim blazer: 2nd hand, trousers: jean-paul gaultier for la redoute, scarf: diy, boots: zign c/o zalando

bloglovin • google friend connect • tumblr • twitter

Blur

2012-02-06T19:00:00.003Z

No fashion today, just one hyperexcited bundle of red fur... 'twas Henry's 1st snow experience and I just had to share these. ♥ ♥ ♥

bloglovin • google friend connect • tumblr • twitter

Dots & Houndstooth

2012-02-04T19:00:00.003Z

It's très très cold, and (because I must refrain from investing in more heating oil) what I'm really wearing is 3 layers of wool sweater and the good old cashmere leggings. So I'm dreaming of days when sheer dotty blouses and these Dolce & Gabbana heels (which I got from the lovely, yet-to-meet Emma for styling purposes. Thank you, Emma!) will be possible again. ♥ ♥ ♥

blouse: new look, skirt: diy, tights: pamela mann, shoes: dolce & gabbana vintage

bloglovin • google friend connect • tumblr • twitter

Qu'est-ce Que C'est? La Solution...

2012-02-03T19:00:00.001Z

It's a memory stick! Clever eeh? It's not much, but if you fancy it just tell me in your comment until Sunday, the 5th (and leave your email, please) and you're in with an ice-cream chance… ♥ ♥ ♥

bloglovin • google friend connect • tumblr • twitter

Qu'est-ce Que C'est ?

2012-02-02T19:00:00.001Z

As I'm now an official and very important ice-cream ambassador (how could I have said no to the possibility of becoming a Häagen Dazs flavour tester? This surely must be on the level of being Julius Caesar’s personal taster - though likely less deadly and more calorific) I received this. It took Sarah and me a while to figure out what's behind the cute design (or rather in it). Any ideas? Have a closer look…

(I’ll post the solution tomorrow.)

bloglovin • google friend connect • tumblr • twitter

Sorority Slut – and Beyond

2012-02-01T19:00:00.001Z

My original idea was to use these Uggs from Whooga for my next styling shoot with Harriet, but since the article 'Scale of Whoredom'* I feel I can't do this without seriously tainting her reputation… So I'll just come out myself: My name is Sabine and I wear Uggs. Have been wearing them for years... Actually, I live in them! Not in public (only once... or twice) and never beyond 'Sorority Slut' (honestly, you've got to read this thing, it is not funny*). Until now I kept it all hush-hush, but I'm starting to think that such a constantly maligned (but never defeated) item surely must have some rebel potential (beyond the I-charge-per-hour)?! Wrong? Quite tempted to go straight to 'nuclear meltdown' now.

*The article has been taken down, but you can still read it here.

uggs: c/o whooga, leggings: cos, sweater: topshop, peplum underneath: diy

bloglovin • google friend connect • tumblr • twitter

Me and my Phoebe

2012-01-28T19:00:00.001Z

By now I think it was utter madness to buy a Céline dress – just because during the sales I happened to stumble upon one from the fall 2010 collection (which I adored)… But then, with Phoebe Philo deciding to not do a show this season (is it a big publicity stunt? is she showing us how successful women can find a work-life balance?? is she pushing the label to new iconic levels???*) it feels double-special to own a piece of her designs, and I just love it so. The easy solution is that I've just spent my entire 2012 clothing budget on one dress - and that is that.
♥ ♥ ♥

*Keeping in mind that Azzedine Alaïa also prefers to do private exclusive showing instead of joining the big fashion hu-ha.

dress: céline, shoes: zara, clutch: 2nd hand

bloglovin • google friend connect • tumblr • twitter

Cloud 23*

2012-01-24T19:17:00.001Z

For all kind of family reasons I've been toing and throughing a bit lately, enjoying some good cloud shapes where the sun does shine. Back to earth soon. ♥ ♥ ♥

*Nope, I've not been to the Hilton bar in Manchester. But I do like the name.

bloglovin • google friend connect • tumblr • twitter

Take 10 #19 - Zign Boots by Zalando

2012-01-18T07:00:00.007Z

Maaan, I LOVE these boots. Besides a pair of Uggs and some old Converses they are probably the only shoes I can comfortably walk in for hours. And I do think they go well with long, tight dresses… The only irritating thing is that they've incentivised Sarah's new mantra "Your lieutnant would approve" - which she mumbles repeatedly every time she sees me cleaning the boots after my (now possible) long ramblings. So to keep her mentally sane I decided to immediately refrain from all cleansing aspirations.

As this is one of the Take 10 actions where we all got to chose our own don't forget to check out (in colour) Sherin's, Sarah's, MJ's, Vicki's, Susie's, Ellie's, Paula's, Harriet's and Jen's favourites.

boots: zign c/o zalando, dress: kaliko (2nd hand), scarf: self-made, parka: KS Klaus Steilmann Selection (vintage)

bloglovin • google friend connect • tumblr • twitter

The World of Anndra Neen

2012-01-15T19:00:00.001Z

Inviting me to a jewellery show is a bit like asking a cat to review a vegetarian restaurant – I'm utterly naïve when it comes to metal adornment, just about managing to wear the same old pair of earrings every other day. But meeting Annette and Phoebe Stephens of Anndra Neen – the Mexican/American-sisters-coming-from-a-long-line-of-artists-sculptors-and-jewellery designers and the winners of the Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize 2011 – was quite the eye-opening experience. I mean, just look at the beautiful choker Annette is wearing (yeah, yeah who doesn't own a metal collar by now? Me, but that's because, as said, I'm lame)... There just is something about Anndra Neen's creations (they do bags, too - in metal)... They're THERE. They're beautiful and strong. (I'm really trying hard here to get around the dreaded term 'statement pieces').

And I did fall a little bit in love with the Stephens sisters. Actually I totally fell in love with them. They are so enthusiastic about their work and so easy to talk to. With that amount of energy and creativity I can't see any limits to what these two could do… and limpy me might finally have discovered the magic of metal.

For more information and background there is an interview with Phoebe and Annette on stylelikeu.

Anndra Neen is available at avenue 32 and couturelab.

Big Thanks to Peretti Communications for inviting me to the private viewing.

bloglovin • google friend connect • tumblr • twitter

The Alexis

2012-01-11T19:00:00.001Z

Found these dressy wool trousers in a 2nd hand shop and have strangely fallen in love with them. Maybe it's just nice to feel all dressed up and have a waist… Just call me Alexis Colby. ♥ ♥ ♥

trousers: seventy, blouse: cos, jacket: edun

bloglovin • google friend connect • tumblr • twitter

Pastel Infection

2012-01-09T19:00:00.001Z

Ya-aha, I think I caught the pastel virus, too. ♥ ♥ ♥

skirt: rené lezard, t-shirt: gap, sweater: antonio berardi, lace garter: topshop, shirt: next for men (old), sandals: chloe

bloglovin • google friend connect • tumblr • twitter

Nearly Mary

2012-01-06T14:00:00.004Z

I might in some deluded past have claimed that I don't like prints , but these times are SO OVER. Especially when Topshop is taken its cues from Mary Katrantzou.

Naturally the real thing would be even better… but sadly that SO would blow my clothes budget. ♥ ♥ ♥

Picture source: topshop shorts and shirt. Mary Katrantzou dress available at lyst.com.

bloglovin • google friend connect • tumblr • twitter

Mud Fest

2012-01-02T20:09:00.003Z

The wonderful thing about flying under the radar for a few days (okay, it's been weeks by now) is that the mind is free to roam – which led to dreaming of long dresses, sheer fabrics and muddy feet. So Morgaine and I pulled out the old wedding dress (which I bought 10 years before the event on a market deep in the Australian hinterland, telling little Sarah excitedly that IF the day ever came this would be the thing to wear) and off we went into the woods.

dress: katz, dress worn as blouse: c/o max c. Thank you Morgaine for modelling!

bloglovin • google friend connect • tumblr • twitter

Merry Times

2011-12-28T23:28:00.001Z

There was...

Yeap, it might be a bit early for a Happy New Year. But this was my concerted end-of-year effort and I doubt I'll raise my head again before 2012 has started. So BIG HUG, muah muah & ♥ ♥ ♥

earrings: monica vinader, sweater: zara, trousers: diy, bag content: to be revealed.

bloglovin • google friend connect • tumblr • twitter

State of Compliance

2011-12-18T19:00:00.014Z

My 2 best winter buys must be the cashmere leggings I got in the COS sale (and have taken off so rarely that I fear they might have become a fluffy 2nd skin – meh meh) and the silk bathrobe I found in a jumbled vintage shop on my last trip to Berlin (together with a fur cape, but that's for another time)… All in all the perfect combination for starting a routine of playing cards, watching Harry Potter 1-7 and getting intoxicated on a cookies-turkey-tea-alcohol diet, ending the year in a flurry of resolutions – get lots of tattoos, be more sporty, sell 90% of my belongings, stop trying to paint my nails… which might see the light of reality, or not.

But before I sign off I want to say a BIG BIG Thank You to everyone who bothers to stop by. Whatever your plans for 2012… Wishing you a good one! ♥ ♥ ♥

silk bathrobe: yorn boutique (2nd hand), cashmere leggings: cos, body and bra: wolford

bloglovin • google friend connect • twitter

Take 10 #18 – House of Fraser Dress

2011-12-12T19:13:00.008Z

'twas a bit like a premature Christmas when the parcel arrived, because I love everything about this winter dress: the architectural 60s cut, the pure wool fabric, the oxblood colour, the sweatshirt pockets, the impeccable finish – and that it leaves space for the soon bound-to-bulge-because-of-eating-masses-of-cookies midriff area.

So I've been wearing it a lot already – mostly just with a black turtleneck, opaque tights and the ol' Givenchy boots, but with Christmas around the corner I thought I'd lounge around and merry it up a bit with high heels and satin trousers.

With everyone receiving different dresses the organisation proved quite a challenge – for most of us the dresses worked out fine, but poor Ellie had a real struggle – which she explains on her blog. Also, don't miss to check out how the other Take Tenners Sarah, MJ, Sherin, Vicki, Susie, Paula, Harriet and Jen have decorated their Christmas dresses.

Big Thanks to House of Fraser for sponsoring the challenge.

dress: pied-a-terre, c/o house of fraser, sweater: diy, trousers: costume national, shoes: cesare paciotti

bloglovin • google friend connect • tumblr • twitter

Neck in the Woods

2011-12-08T18:48:00.000Z

Winter comes with some big questions.

Like...
How many turtleneck sweaters can you wear on top of each other?
Boots - ankle or knee-high?
& spotty tights - big dots or small ones?

What do you say? ♥ ♥ ♥

dress: next, bag: 2nd hand from beyond retro, turtleneck sweaters: zara, tights: pamela mann, shoes: jil sander

bloglovin • google friend connect • twitter

Stripes & Errors

2011-12-06T19:02:00.001Z

I could get myself some knitting patterns, but that would make life easy and deprive me of some strangely shaped sweaters… Still working on the perfect raglan sleeve, and created some stripy costumes along the way. ♥ ♥ ♥

skirt & sweater: diy, leggings: c/o matalan

bloglovin • google friend connect • twitter

The Dita Teese

2011-12-04T19:00:00.005Z

When the invitations to take part in an intimate cocktail making class with Dita von Teese were sent out I bet the RSVPs came back quicker than you can say 'Cointreau Privé' – which is the newest, time-limited, members only cocktail lounge* in London, styled after the art deco home and ambassadored by the owner of what must be the slimmest waist (22in, can be laced down to 16.5in!) in the world.

Meeting Dita was pretty cool. Not only does she look as perfect in real life as in pictures – tiny, dream proportions, expertly make-uped and dressed (Dolce and Gabbana, I asked her) – but she's also funny, soft spoken and relaxed, talking us (with the help of a flashy bartender) through the in and outs of preparing the Citrus & Spice cocktail** which was so delicious that I just kept drinking… becoming happier and chattier by the minute, leaving a perfect evening... (& now hoping there isn't a secret 'bloggers who cannot cope with alcohol' list created somewhere.)

1. Sarah 4. Jen from a A Little Bird Told Me 5. Dita's pretty heavy corset dance dress 7. oh look, Dita and I, chatting like good old pals

*Cointreau Privé, 215 Piccadilly, London. Open 29th November to 17th December 2011. Guestlist only. Bookings possible through the Cointreau Privé website.

**Fresh ginger, a very generous amount of cointreau, fresh orange juice and a squeeze of lemon.

Big Thanks to House PR for the invitation.

bloglovin • google friend connect • twitter

Navigating the Dark

2011-11-30T19:00:00.004Z

The other day we stumbled into the 'Navigating in the Dark' exhibition in the crypt of St Pankras church. As I'm feeling lazy with words these days I'll just say the sculptures of Kalliopi Lemos... blow my mind.

Yeap, dress sense and hair has gone into hibernation, too (so need a cut). ♥ ♥ ♥

bagpack: maledetti toscani, brown sweater: heldmann, blue sweater: uniqlo, skirt & scarf: diy

bloglovin • google friend connect • twitter

Flying High

2011-11-29T07:00:00.012Z

I love me some uniform these days - and blame Pan Am... It's only just started here in the UK, but aren't you also already feeling the style impact? So sleek, so chic... so perfect for long wintery sofa nights.

As seen on the Simply Yours press breakfast… Aiyaa, there was some stewardess-worthy underwear, too.

Big Thanks to Chase PR for inviting me.

bloglovin • google friend connect • twitter

Chemical Sisters

2011-11-25T07:00:00.014Z

Face creams, I truly trust they can perform miracles*… smoothing, buffing, adding radiance, taking away wrinkles, providing eternal happiness (which probably explains my latest addiction: Ole Henriksen. The pots and bottles come in popping colours, the serum smells like a fruit bowl on steroids and the gel… lets just say you can feel the bad top skin layers being etched away).

But I never quite understood why one would spend a fortune on a cleanser. Sure thing, I love Aesop's Parsley Seed Cleansing Oil like anyone – but, hey, it's recession and I'm a DIY devotée, and Christmas is around the corner (and Black Friday shopping madness is happening as we speak)… So here goes my super simple Parsley Lavender Cleansing Oil:

Just throw
1 handful of parsley seeds
1 handful of lavender seeds
1 spoon of lemon juice
1 cup of olive oil
in a blender and mix-mix-mix until you've got a smooth paste.** Fill into a pretty bottle (and keep the rest in the fridge or freezer). Et voilà!, your own cleansing oil. No nasties and so cheap!***
Now, do you have a skin care product you swear on?

& To all who celebrate it… Happy Thanksgiving weekend!

*And pleeeaaase don't tell me Anti-Aging creams don't work. I heard it all, but some hopes I'm not prepared to let die.
**You could let the oil run through a sieve to take out the seedy bits, but personally I think they add some nice scrubbing action.
***You don't have handfuls of parsley and lavender seeds?!? Lets start planting.

bloglovin • google friend connect • twitter