Top of the Tops

A couple of Christmas treats to myself (my rule is one present for me for every 3 that I buy for other people), a perfectly bohemian bag and wide knit cardigan, both from H&M.


It's that time of year again, time for year end lists, I had contemplated doing a list of my favorite lists but instead I'm opting for something a little less cynical. So here are a few of my favorite things from 2010.

My best dressed goes to Marina Munoz, stylist extrodinaire and a girl so confident she can pull off mens wear with a sex appeal I only dream of.

My favorite album without a doubt is Teen Dream by Beach House, Victoria's husky voice and those melancholy melodies kill me every time.

My most worn outfit has to be this little Butter Toast dress with my Aldo boots, it's my go-to brunch/work/Saturday/Sunday/shopping/lunch/Monday/drinks outfit.

My can't stop watching TV show of the year goes to Top Chef All Stars, only a few episodes in and it's clearly amazing.

My new blogger crush obsession is the divine and quirky Frou Frou.

This time tomorrow I'll be ringing in the New Year with some dear friends, hope you will be too, so until 2011, toodaloo.

Studded Christmas

I know it's a little late but here's a gander at my Christmas outfit. The studs felt equal parts glitz and rock and the flat boots were a practical decision based on the amount of time I'd be spending in the kitchen. I had a divine long weekend with all the British trappings, turkey, paper crowns, mince pies, copious amounts of booze and a snooze in front of the tele. Hope you all had a brilliant holiday :)

• Dress : Joie
• Boots : Forever21

It's All About Me

I tend not to divulge too much information about myself on this blog, or anywhere for that matter, so I was a little hesitant when the lovely Chelsea of Tea Talk asked to interview me for her blog. Chelsea is a Phoenix gal and I'm all for supporting local, not to mention she's adorable so....
Read all about me, on someone else's blog.

• Dress : H&M
• Lace Shirt : Nordstrom
• Boots : Forever21
• Belt : Thrifted

Sheer Maxi

Upon the advice of Cracking Good I bounded off to Cheap Thrills last weekend for a look at their vintage bounty, and boy was it bountiful. I found a couple of maxi dresses, one of the lace variety and this sheer one, both of which fall into my current 'be the Free People catalogue' look that I'm channeling. In an effort to keep it PG for work I wore a slip underneath and popped on this boyfriend sweater (which was never my boyfriend's). Apologies for not making the effort to pull a brush through my hair or slapping on some makeup for the photos, I was (as usual) running late.

• Dress : Vintage
• Sweater : Target
• Belt : Zara
• Shoes : Seychelles

Man Repelling

MAN·RE·PELL·ER¹  [MAHN-REE-PELLER]

–noun

outfitting oneself in a sartorially offensive way that will result in repelling members of the opposite sex. Such garments include but are not limited to harem pants, boyfriend jeans, overalls (see: human repelling), shoulder pads, full length jumpsuits, jewelry that resembles violent weaponry and clogs.

–verb (used without object),-pell·ing, -pell·ed.

to commit the act of repelling men:

Girl 1: What are you wearing tonight?

Girl 2: My sweet lime green drop crotch utility pants

Girl 1: Oh, so we're man repelling tonight?

Taken from the genius that is The Man Repeller blog.

So many of my fashion choices could be described as man repellers and, really, it doesn't bother me. I dress to please myself first and foremost but I'd be lying if I didn't acknowledge the women in my life who I seek to impress, most of whom I don't even talk to. I don't know which is worse, dressing to appeal to the male gaze or dressing to dazzle that stylish girl in the coffee shop whose name you don't even know.

So I decided to jump on the sandals-with-socks bandwagon. Pretty sure most men would find this outfit tantamount to castration in the sexiness department but what the hell, it kept my feet warm and I got to bust out the Zara platforms again. For added unsexappeal I should mention that the jacket has Howard Moon-tastic elbow patches.

• Jacket : Vintage
• Blouse : H&M
• Skirt : Forever21
• Platforms : Zara

A Serious Coat

Your outfit doesn't have to be up to much if you've got a coat like this to wear over it.

• Coat : Ted Baker
• Jeans : Earnest Sewn
• Blouse : H&M
• Necklace : Banana Republic
• Shoes : Forever21

Holiday Frivolity

Every year my most glamorous friends throw a fabulous holiday party where there is no room for under-dressing and sequins abound. I'd like to look like this gal please (via Purple Diary).

I found this copycat outfit at BCBG, what do you think?

The Skinny on Slovenly

I wouldn't say I've mastered the art of casual dressing yet. Stick me in the middle of a cocktail party or a museum function and I can dress to impress, but Saturday morning brunch or at work on a photo shoot and I'm always dismally inappropriate. So imagine my joy when I managed to put this little number together. To anyone else it would be their easiest, dare I say mundane outfit, but to me this was like winning the bloody lottery. You see, it took me 2 try's to find the perfect pair of skinny military pants (the first pair will no doubt languish in the my closet, a sorry attempt at being this pair), the sweater, a blindingly good find at Target having soured thrift stores for months prior looking for the perfect boyfriend fit and the jacket, that dynamite little vintage piece that was just waiting for the right outfit to feel wearable. So there you see, it's not so easy to look that perfect amount of devil may care and still be chic.

• Jacket & Necklace : Vintage
• Sweater : Target
• Pants : H&M
• Booties : Seychelles