Big Changes

I started this blog at a rather lackluster time in my life. I was being creatively choked at my job,  a bad relationship (or two) had zapped my mojo and a generally lazy air had settled about me like a comfortable cushion. This blog was going to be my creative wake-up call. A place to inspire my cooking, sense of style and photography. All of which it did, for a time, until late last summer when I realized an element of narcissism had crept into the process. Gradually my urge to post became less about self-expression and more about how good I looked in the photos and how my outfits compared with other bloggers'. And so I stopped blogging.

A lot has changed since then. I started a new job that challenges me creatively every day and I take pride in the work I do. I met the love of my life, a man who energizes and inspires me. We bought a house that we've been fixing up. Oh, and we got engaged, so I have a wedding to plan too.

So here I am, stuffed to the brim with creativity and more than enough outlets for it. And yet I had the urge to come back to the blog, not for the injection of inspiration or the affirmation of a decent self-portrait, but because I genuinely fancied sharing what I was up to. That and the fact that I need a good place to collect all of these ideas (sometimes Pinterest just won't suffice).

So even though it's called The Wardrobe Diaries, you'll be seeing a lot more than clothes. You'll see the new house take shape, a wedding come together, and my epicurean efforts at staying in shape over the age of 30 while in a happy relationship (no small fete).

Thanks for sticking around, here's a quick catch up on the last 10 months:

Showed off my ring and tried to choose the perfect shade of grey.

Spent Christmas with his family and built an ice rink at work.

Ate, a lot, and continued to volunteer at the art museum.

Picked out a tree to be our breakfast bar and went to Palm Springs.

Went to Vegas and tried to break the world record for Pilates.

Moved house and organized a pillow fight.

Combined our stuff, realized we had too much stuff then got rid of a bunch of stuff.

 Clearly I enjoy Instagram: @wardrobediaries

White & Gold

It's always around this time in the summer that the constant, oppressive sun starts getting the better of me. The dry heat and glaring rays inspire a need to wear only white and gold.....

Photos by Alexander Neumann via Fashion Gone Rogue

My House

I love seeing how personal style translates to the home. It's completely fascinating (and a little voyeuristic) to see the things people choose to surround themselves with. I find that my environment has a huge effect on me, my mood, my creativity, so I'm very particular about how my home looks and feels. I love my space to be filled with a mixture of old of new, serious and tongue-and-cheek pieces. There should always be something a little unexpected in the mix. So here is a sneaky peek at where I live.....

The blue painting is by my sister, it helps to have an artist in the family.

Floor to ceiling windows for perfect soft light.

A well stocked bar and plenty of room at the dining table for entertaining.

Records and a turntable, lots of magazines and a reading nook.

A nod the southwest with cacti, native rugs and a cow skull. Oh, and a nod to my homeland with a rather ironic painting of the queen and a few union jacks.

Lana Del Ray

Obsessed with this girl at the moment, I've been listening to Video Games and Blue Jeans on repeat for the last 3 weeks.

Fall Wardrobe Inspiration

This editorial is everything I love about fall dressing; glamour, rich colors, elaborate pattern mixing, layering and accessorizing to the hilt.

Photos by Yossi Michaeli for 125 Magazine via Fashion Gone Rogue.

Urban Madness

Urban Outfitters used to be the mecca of my fashion sensibilities. I'd pour over the catalogue pages of cute but quirky girls in all their indie rock glory. 90% of my wardrobe used to be Urban goodness and a perfect Saturday would always include a trip to ye olde Outfitters. But as the years have passed (not that many of them) and I've aged (hardly at all, you could even say backwards) the UO look has become less and less desirable to me. Don't get me wrong, I still listen to indie rock and dress on the quirkier side of the fashion spectrum, but when I received the most recent Urban catalogue in the mail I was appalled. Is this really what they're pimping to us? Drab, unflattering, 90's flashback that even my grungiest friends wouldn't wear? Please someone give that model a brush and some blush.
Now, I pride myself on my open mindedness when it comes to alternative fashion. I cherish an original mind, a woman who isn't afraid to stand out from the crowd and I never knock a gal who's willing to play with her style, but no-one should be telling those impressionable teenage girls to dress like this. Please, stop the madness.

Beach Bound

Photos by Markus Zeigler for Elle Mexico

I'm off to the sunny California shores for a little r and r. I intend on doing as little as possible so posting will be sparse, but be sure to follow me on twitter if you want to hear me gloat about the delicious food I'm cooking or the degree of sunburn I'll be nursing.

This Weekend

You can find me by the pool.

Photos by Koray Birand for Harper's Bazaar Turkey.

Lindsey Thornburg

Love everything about this line. Watch the video here. Buy here.