Quote of the week

"cus some of us judge without knowin' a man's inner"
Chali 2na

Desire to Inspir(ed) - thanks girls!

Seeing as I officially moved in today (running-round-the-house-screaming happy) I thought I would share a few of the images that inspired the renovation of my flat. (There are about 1000 more - I might bore you with them later!) Although the finishing touches are yet to be made - I am still missing a door or two - I am so inspired by the modern looks that can be created using vintage, antique and second hand finds. As my entire flat is white and wood I am uber excited to get creative with colour. Will post the results.

(Source: Mostly desire to inspire (best blog), style.com and personal scans)

Lina Rennell "Sheepskins"

I'm funny about fur and as a strict meat avoider have often found myself in a fuddle over whether the two vintage sheepskins on my floor are acceptable (I also have leather shoes and accessories - it's a toughie). I have always believed that vintage or antique furs and leathers are o.k. and that if an animal is killed for food then nothing should be wasted thus rendering leather o.k. for me to wear. I also have nothing against people eating meat who have raised and killed an animal themselves and make use of every part of the animal. So yes, the debate continues in my head. Anyway the whole point of all this animal-talk is that I have found the perfect compromise to my sheepskin dilemma.

Bring on Beklina who directed my attention to Lina Rennell's ingenious invention. Her faux sheepskin throws - which fuse undyed organic wool onto an organic cotton backing - are a dead ringer for the real deal. Seeing as I'm finally moving into my flat tomorrow (hurrah!!!) one of these (the largest one please!) is definitely making its way onto my birthday/Christmas list.

More on Lina here.

Quote of the week

"Beauty must be defined as what we are,
or else the concept itself is our enemy."

Unknown

Tonight I ...

...have a well-deserved date with the couch, my cat, (a cold) and an open jar of peanut butter.

Happy Saturday everyone!

Lizzie Thomas

Went to an Open House last night where Brighton based artists display/sell their work out of some generous person's home. Last night was the first one (yes, Christmas is here again) and I have fallen in love. I'm about to move into my newly renovated flat (thank god - it's been two months sleeping on a friends floor!) and have dreamt of a large black and white piece of art to go above my bed. Never thought I'd find one in my budget and now that I have I am bloody umming and ahhing about it! What is wrong with me?!?

Anyway, the piece in question is by the lovely Lizzie Thomas a recent graduate in Wood, Metal, Ceramics and Plastics, from Brighton University. Her work has been featured in Harper's Bazaar and on (one of my fav blogs) Design* Sponge among others and she recently exhibited at London's Flow Gallery. We're expecting big things from her and here I am worrying about parting with my money!

I tried to take sneaky phone pics but my camera is rubbish. The piece is a giant forest of intricate white pine trees - which Lizzie craftily created by cutting through her sketch book with a band saw (love it!) - mounted on a black background, in a white frame. My reservation - my new flat is white - white walls, white sheets, white tiles, white kitchen, white bathroom, just decided to paint my wooden bed white today. it's all white and i'm scared my first ever art purchase will get lost in the whiteness! Will let you know what I decide!

There weren't any pics of 'my' piece on her website but her are some examples of her work.

Those that entered the house found themselves in the thick of a forest. I - Drypoint and Aquatint Etching Print. Limited edition.

They said a king once ruled the forest

To view more from Lizzie click here.

Blogger of the moment

If you haven't already hop over to my top blog of the moment Bliss a Porter. Her post WTF...Me + Crocs is laugh-out-loud funny (farking hilarious as Bliss would say) - nice to see a fashion blogger who doesn't take sh*t too seriously.

Inna Minna

Minna Hepburn, mummy mastermind behind boutique label Minna, creatively combines beautiful textiles, intricate detailing, antique market finds and lace (she loves lace!) to create timeless yet contemporary pieces. Working only with Fairtrade, organic or vintage fabrics, her whimsical wonders will win you over in a heartbeat. And I'm not the only one who thinks so, the British Fashion Council has just selected Minna to take part in their mentoring programme - her mentor? Fashion genius Yasmine Sewell, Creative Director of Liberty of London. Apologise to your bank balance in advance - here's the link to her online boutique.

Below are a few of my favourite pieces from A/W 2009 and soon to be released S/S 2010.

Maria Dress in vintage florals (above) and organic cotton and Scottish lace (below). A/W 2009.

S/S 2010.

Her S/S 2010 isn't available to buy online until January (and that's early for S/S) - view the full collection here and seriously start saving!

Told you it was gorgeous!

Good things come to those who wait ...

When I said 'watch this space' I really didn't mean for you to be watching it for two months. Lots of exciting things going on at the moment and I am finally able to take the time to share them with you! So yeah, keep watching this space I guess!

Making a comeback

I took a self-imposed hiatus from blogging because i felt that my blog was void of any real substance. The net is saturated with fashion blogs and I started to feel like a fake and a copycat. I didn't represent who I am and what I believe in to any extent. So time for that to change. If i can't be myself online then what hope do I have? Now I'll be documenting my real life, my real passions and my real self. Watch this space.

Dries

Wouldn't mind these to go with my red dresses with kimono/bell sleeves:

(Source: Sea of Shoes - how DOES she afford all these! So young!)

Obsessions

Red dresses with kimono/bell sleeves. Yes I know, I'm obsessed.

(Source: ?)

Cate

So they haven't sent me the pics yet but thought I'd post Cate Blanchette looking gorgeous in my favourite style of dress at Vogue Australia's 50th Anniversary party.

I'm back

I've been bored ... and I couldn't post because I was bored. BUT went buying for my shop today ... finding fair trade fashion is hard but found a couple of gems. An amazing new fair trade shoe label called Where, i think you'll go nuts for it. Waiting to get some pics sent through tonight and then I will post tomorrow ... I am SO excited!

"Cost per wear" shopping

This was an interesting article on ethicalstyle.com considering I use this to justify well, most things! Click here to read.

Natasha

Natasha Poly after the Paris Couture shows.

(Source: style.com)

If I could wear stilletos ...

... I'd wear these! Boutique 9 Thomsina Stiletto Sandals - probably in black knowing me.
If only they were vegan.

The Shoe Maketh the Woman

These photos illustrate perfectly how a shoe pulls a look together.

As an aside ... I nearly bought those sequin hareems from Zara but they didn't have a small, very bummed ... and I am thinking of DIYing a loose ankle-grazing dress as above.

(Source: garance dore)