PSYNOPSIS

Getting Inked

2012-02-27T19:00:00.004Z

I remember back in the 90s holding hands in dingy back rooms while my more daring friends were getting tattoed – it was all rather rough, unhygienic and exciting then… But that has all so changed. These days most tattoo parlours make sure you're are 18 years old, not drunk and of halfway sane mind (although I'm still not quite convinced if subscribing to a process of self-harm and permanent body decoration can ever be considered a 100% sane decision)... But what the heck! After all these years of yes-no-yes-no and after some weeks of research and sketching and contemplating what really means something to me I went for it. Did it hurt? Yes, it did. Do I love it? YES, I do. Do I want another one? Absolutely.

Thank you Laura for doing an amazing job and Sarah for coming along, holding my sweaty hand and documenting the process.

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Emma in Mary

2012-02-22T19:00:00.003Z

So you take your girl to a party and she looks real pretty, wearing this colourful printed dress she bought earlier today and there's free drinks and great music and loads of people and it's gonna be fun… except for the fact that the whole evening she gets pestered by every other girl in the room: "Oh WOW, HOW did you manage to get a Mary Katrantzou for Topshop dress??? They were sold out in miiiiiinutes!" And the whole evening she's got to explain her secret (which I'm not going to share here, but in Germany it's called 'vitamin B')…
Okay, I actually didn't ask him, but if I had been Emma’s +1 I would have been very tempted to shush all the chickens away... And yes, naturally I was one of the pestering hens. But hey, she just looked so stunning (and I was curious, too). ♥ ♥ ♥

dress: mary katrantzou for topshop

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Partéééééé

2012-02-20T19:00:00.009Z

When someone asks me: 'Would you like to come to our party to take some pictures; we'll send you a driver?' I'm not one to say No, although these days I have to remind myself that neither being chauffered around nor limitless access to vodka concoctions pay the rent… nonetheless the party for the 'Best of British' exhibition (a collaboration of The Shop at Bluebird and O:By Tank magazine showing images of 'pivotal moments in British fashion history') was well worth it – brimming with good looking fashion week people, and after my third drink I fear I've asked Caroline Issa to marry me over twitter… Aaah, lets just not talk about the melon that was my head the next day. ♥ ♥ ♥

The 'Best of British' exhibition is shown at the The Shop at Bluebird, 350 Kings Rd, London, SW3 5UU until March, 12th.

Big Thanks to ThisIsMission for inviting me.

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Willkommen, Bienvenue, Welcome

2012-02-17T14:00:00.002Z

Well Hello London Fashion Week! Bonjours stylish street style photographers, beautiful models and fashion connaisseurs of the world. Seems my invitation to the Burberry show got lost in the post… hmph.

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Valentine

2012-02-14T19:00:00.006Z

Really, I totally suck at this fashion reporting thing... After 48 hours I got sooo tired of trying to analyse every NYFW show I gave up. Instead we went for some I'm-extremely-bored-and-waiting-for-spring associations.

As it's V-Day... double ♥ for you today! ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Big Thanks to Harriet for modelling and to Sarah for styling.

blazer: moschino cheap & chic, velvet shorts: vintage, bra and jewellery: model’s own

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NY Fashion Week - Cheese Cracker #1

2012-02-12T19:00:00.007Z

Since times immemorial my sister and I discussed the new fashion trends like 2 pros (which in her case lead to writing books about the influence of clothes on political movements, and in my case… well, not so much). In the ye ol' times we debated the coming trends tea-drunkenly over Vogue magazines; these days we'll just watch everything (6 months earlier) via life-stream or on style.com. So to keep the tradition alive I've done exactly that – and the first thing I noticed was: A plethora of trouser shapes. Wide, slim, ankle-hugging, floor-sweeping, hip-hangers, le jogging, culottes, waist-cinchers… you name it. The slightly higher waisted, pleated ones do look ever so elegant (not on me though, they'd make me look like a swamped dwarf) and the plaid overall might finally give me a chance with Sheldon Cooper (move over Amy Farrah Fowler!) – but my absolute favourite ensemble is the Helmut Lang suit (yeap, once a 90s girl always a 90s girl). And the slouchy red velvets could be a winner too, no?

P.S. As not too many of you were in dire need of a new memory stick (albeit an ice-cream one) I rolled the dice to find the winner which landed on #3: Dancing Branflakes. Congratulations, Tiffany! Non-calorific sweetness will be yours! ♥ ♥ ♥

source of all photos: style.com

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Perpetual Blur

2012-02-09T19:00:00.005Z

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. ♥ ♥ ♥

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Green Monster

2012-02-08T19:00:00.003Z

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.

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Carte Blanche

2012-02-07T18:59:00.004Z

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

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Blur

2012-02-06T19:00:00.006Z

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

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Dots & Houndstooth

2012-02-04T19:00:00.005Z

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

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

2012-02-03T19:00:00.003Z

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… ♥ ♥ ♥

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Qu'est-ce Que C'est ?

2012-02-02T19:00:00.002Z

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.)

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Sorority Slut – and Beyond

2012-02-01T19:00:00.003Z

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

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Me and my Phoebe

2012-01-28T19:00:00.003Z

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

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Cloud 23*

2012-01-24T19:17:00.003Z

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.

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Take 10 #19 - Zign Boots by Zalando

2012-01-18T07:00:00.008Z

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)

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The World of Anndra Neen

2012-01-15T19:00:00.003Z

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.

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The Alexis

2012-01-11T19:00:00.002Z

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

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Pastel Infection

2012-01-09T19:00:00.002Z

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

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Nearly Mary

2012-01-06T14:00:00.006Z

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.

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Runaway Bride #1

2012-01-02T20:09:00.005Z

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!

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Merry Times

2011-12-28T23:28:00.003Z

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.

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State of Compliance

2011-12-18T19:00:00.016Z

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

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Take 10 #18 – House of Fraser Dress

2011-12-12T19:13:00.009Z

'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

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