Stone Cold Fox

Stone Cold Fox. You had me with your howl of a name.
Really, i actually went and looked through their lookbook just cuz i thought "Now, that's a cool name"
So, really, whoever said don't judge a label by its name probably had a shit moniker that people laughed at :).

But Stone Cold Fox is more than a clever name. No, sireeeeeee it has some pretty clothes to go with that.
It's very frilly, flowy, girly, off-the shoulder ish and vintage; everything i am not really.
Okay, i guess i can be girly and vintagy, but i freaking hate frills. Frills make me want to reach for the kitchen scissors and cut the damn things off. Frills remind me of country music. I actually love country music, mainly for the dramatic lyrics.. but i can't stand the outfits! Frills are a no.

But Stone Cold Fox is still awesome,; they have good quality pieces and it's done in a fresh way. Also, the Gypsy decay collection has some pretty nice shorts. As we all know, i would live in shorts if i could.

And the best thing about their name: the inspiration s from" The Virgin Suicides’. Remember that scene between Josh Hartnett and Kirsten Dunst ( way before she leaves the car running in the garage and , well, dies). ”He puts his arm around her and says, ‘You’re a stone cold fox,’
Personally, i think a stone cold fox should wear a leather jacket, shorts and some killa wedges!

Tavi and Joni

Okay, so i have been obsessed with Joni Mitchell for about 25 days and a couple of hours. Miss Mitchell has some serious vocal chords and some pretty damn good lyrics.
I am even considering becoming a bonafide hippy just for Joni. I have started collection parsley-printed blouses, and i might blowdry my fro straight just for like a day so i can have like a crown of daisies around two pigtails. Of course i will get one of those guitar things as well, must get one of those. :)

Anyways. When the blogsphere reported that Tavi, le fashion tween extraordinaire can sing! I was like yah whatever, my fish can sing too yoh. But then when i heard that she sang one of my all time favourite Joni Mitchell songs " A Case Of You" i had to listen.
First of, WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BLUE HAIR TAVI? I mean, i hated it personally, but i was surprised. I guess you are growing up. You sound awesome Tavi. Just what can't you do! Sigh. Awesome kid who now knows blue hair is a no no :) I want an awesome kid like you.

Death of Distant Friends

It's been awhile since i read the "Death of distant friends", a short story by John Updike. In true Updike fashion, the main character is a middle-aged white man on his second wife, after a series of "indiscretions" smothered the first.
I have this discussion with a lot of my friends about my relationship with Updike; i am not white, disillusioned, middle-aged, never been to New England and don't cheat on my boyfriends. I have thought about it, been tempted, but i didn't have the stomach for it really. Infidelity is just so messy, what with so many lies to keep straight. Maybe when i get older i will have more of an appetite for it, like Updike's characters :)

Yet, even though i can't necessarily relate to his characters on the surface, there is something there that i always felt drawn to. I just find it fascinating this unravelling effect age seems to have on your ideals of love and everything you once believed; it's like watching a storm slowly beat down a house. I am fascinated. Like i am fascinated with people and what makes them do things. And, i like that none of the characters are clear cut; you see fidelity and the lack of it from so many angles.

Also, it beautiful prose, i like beautiful things :)

Anyways, In the " Death of Distant Friends" the protagonist relays the effects of the death of three friends, one of which his dog

The essence of the story is captured in the last paragraph:

"The truth-how terrible to acknowledge- all three of these deaths make me happy, in a way. Witness to my disgrace is being removed. The world is growing lighter. Eventually there be none to remember me as I was I those embarrassing, disarrayed years when I scuttled without a shell, between houses and wives, a snake between skins a monster of selfishness, my grotesque needs naked and pink, my social presence beggarly and vulnerable. The deaths of others carry us off bit by bit, until there will be nothing left, and this, too, will be, in a way, a mercy.

And there in lies the risk of this thing we call friendship isn't it, at least the ones we consider "true". Those who are privy to our " grotesque needs naked and pink…….. our social presence beggarly and vulnerable" their knowing are reminders of our flaws, our humanity, however unpleasant; we can hide from our reflections in the mirror but the contortions on another face is different matter.

So, anyways, you can read the story on the New Yorker's website, where it was first published.
enjoy!

The Book of Laughter and Forgiving

I like to revisit old books. You know, just to say hi, see if everyone is still as i left them :). I am thinking of buying more books at the moment, but i think it's best i just borrow them from the library. Buying means i am committing to a "library" of my own. Which will mean, i can't fit all my stuff in my one suitcase and split should i want to. I am not saying i want to... I know, get a kindle. I freaking hate kindles. That's the last we shall speak of Kindles. .. I am sure Kindles are awesome, my dad has one, he loves it. My sister loves hers. I just want a real book you know. PLEASE NEVER GET ME A KINDLE.

Anyways.
"The Book of Laughter and Forgetting" By Milan Kundera.
Awesome chap.
Awesome book. Not much laughing when i come to think of it.
awesome paragraph.
Funny thing is, i think i liked this paragraph the first time i read it.

"Every man has two erotic biographies. The first is the one people mainly talk about, the one consisting of a list of affairs and passing amours. The other is undoubtedly more interesting: the procession of women we wanted to have but who eluded us, the painful history of unrealised possibilities. But there is the third, a mysterious and disturbing category of women. these are the women we liked and were liked by, but women we quickly saw we would never have, because in relation to them we we were on the other side of the border."

i feel like i have number 2 s and 3s a lot. with men that is. not women.
so here is to you all my number 2s and 3s. i raise my cider to you

I want.

I WANT THAT COAT! i know can't have it. I am too small for that long of a coat, it swallows me up and i look even smaller. But i am going to close my eyes and see myself at 5ft 7 wearing that coat. It feels good. I look good in this visualisation. love the collar.

Fee- fi-fo-fur

I once wrote a rather scalding article about the evils of Fur. I was deep, or should i say it was deeply critical of the fur industry. It was a school paper, we didn't have ad revenues to worry about so i could be as honest as i wanted to be :)
I am still very much against fur. It's not necessary to put an animal through all that just for something pretty when faux fur is just as pretty.
So ode to le faux fur. Saw this styling in ASOS latest magazine which i got in the mail today. Love everything about the outfit. Well, i don't like the denim that much and i wouldn't have included the bag in the styling. And the jewellery is amazing. I will dress like this tomorrow to go to the gym or the grocery store.

Shoemint meets Rachel Bilson

Sigh. All those wedges, in so many colours and with studs and stuff; i am in love. Also, i am a whole inch taller than Rachel Bilson. Just wanted to throw that in there. She is so bitsy and cute.a whole 5ft 2 inches worth of cuteness.

Of the Days

I don't normally blog about music. Which is very weird because music is like my life; i am always listening to something. It got so bad that at some point i decided to consciously spend time away from my playlists especially when i am outside, so my interactions with people wouldn't be muted. I can now leave my house without my headphones which is awesome!

Today, i was listening to Grey Reverend. Actually, his name is Larry Brown. He is a black folk artist/singer song writer. Which is weird for this day and age. Come on, it is.
i love him cuz: He is a very good writer; He is quite good-looking, He lives in Brooklyn (whoot whoot) and he is a bad-ass(he suffers from focal dystonia, a neurological condition which cost him 2 of his fingers but he kept playing his guitar and all )
His debut album is called "Of the Days", recorded in his Brooklyn apartment.
My fav track is "of the days" but i can't find an online recording on youtube of it... itunes!

it's mellow, and it's tonight lullaby. Doing a good job of getting to bed before 11pm this week. High Five me!.

Top 5 Designer-High Street Collaboration I Would Camp out for... kinda

Images from House of Dagmar collection

In celebration of all that is the Versace and H&M collaboration, and the fact that i feel better about procrastinating when i attend to my blog..... because my blog gets me jobs too ? really?!!?
Here is my list of TOP 5 Designer/ High-Street Collaborations for H&M to consider. These are submissions i would camp out for... if i believed and had the tenacity to camp out. I am just horrible with lines yoh!


Numero UNO! Costello Tagliapietra.
I have made no secret of my obsession with the New York-based designers who recently tied the knot. sigh. And i know they already did a collaboration with Uniqlo. But i want more for them. I want people to line up at crazy hours of the night for their clothes. I want H&M to open their hearts to C&T. Open your heart H&M. Drapery at its best.

image of 2010 collection for Uniqlo

2) Vanessa Bruno.
She is french and quirky. End of story. You need more convincing? Oh yeah, Kate Bosworth digs her too! For those not as impressionable: Her clothes are fresh, subtle and just gorgeous!! Did i mention that she is french?


3)Marc Jacobs. Because he loves his abs so much, he talks shit like no body's business (flashback to like back in 2007 when he was all mad about how people were complaining he was late to showcase his collection and threatened to leave for Paris lol) and his clothes are awesome!
Wine and dine him H&M! Be sure to tell him how fab his body is, i am pretty sure he will respond to that. Jokes aside. Mark is AMAZING and has the big personality you need to make a collaboration work.


4) Rick Owens. Mainly cuz i want a freaking awesome leather-inspired collection and who does leather better than Rick Owens... . Leather is my current crush. So sorry animal activists. i mean reclaimed leather. Really. I am totally not about buying super new leather.



5) Dagmar.
They are Swedish. H&M is swedish, i mean if that isn't a match made in Scandinavian heaven you tell me? Okay, aside from the Swedish connection, i think they would made great bedfellows.
Firstly, H&M needs to change the whole landscape of their designer collaborations. Yes, big names are all so nice and shiny but they aren't really carving out an identity.
Par example, Dagmar is small up-and-coming brand with a lot of "hip" associations H&M can tap into: arty, comfort, quality, quirky etc etc. So far, the whole guest designer collaboration has been missing a real partnership and sustainable element, it terms of brand development.
It's just always "yah look at this cool designer we got" It should be more like look at this designer, look at us, see what we have in common, when you buy brand x , even when unassociated to H&M, you will think of H&M. H&M is cool. H&M is awesome like Dagmar. Not H&M can have pay for big names and have your interest for like 2-3 weeks out of the year!
Why i reckon Dagmar would be great for H&M to step it up. I know, no one asked for my opinion. H&M does fine without my two cents. But i really think they are missing out on that and other brands such as Zara are totally way ahead of them.

anyhooooooes top5 yoh!
out for desert now with ma soeur. ICE FREAKING CREAM!

Versace For H&M Collection

Even if you threatened to shred my awesome leather jacket or throw away all of my beloved wedges if i didn't come up with nice words about Versace, i would have to pause, take a minute or 10, or maybe 100... Then i think i would say: the animal print can be nice? and they always have awesome styling.... That's as nice as i could get

I am too minimalist of a dresser to really be fond of Versace. I totally respect the brand and Donatella is like a hurricane to be reckoned with; I wouldn't mess with her, she means business! I like her. I wouldn't want to dress like her, but i like her business acumen!

The thing is, i am not even that much of a minimalist, really! i just don't see the point to be that loud with every single piece of item of clothing or accessory you have on. It's like being in a conversation with everyone talking at the same time. Take turns people, just take turns! So you can actually understand what the hell is going on!.

But versace's aesthetics is loud and way too constricting for my liking. I always feel a wee bit dazed when i looked at the collection; I never really know what to focus on. So, it goes to say i didn't go line up in front of Regent Street to bag myself one of Versace's pieces for H&M .

Also, as Donatella explained while defending the brand's inability to use "real women as models" reality isn't want the brand is about. Like, who is going to be draped in shimmery tight pants, leopard print blouse and sky-high stilettoes every day? I am not a trophy wife yoh, while that seems like a riveting job and all...

But in le end, i must say, i don't hate everything. and, hey, it's affordable!
I am going to see if i can get that nice leather studded dress. Come on Santa, i have been really good :)

Julia's Hair.

Isn't her hair gorgeous.
Almost time to take out my braids.
i think maybe after my interview on Monday... or maybe like in 2 weeks. I love my hair and all but it's a wee bit of work when it's out and i can be lazy.
But Julia Sarr Jamois's hair makes me wanna be less lazy. Former model, Julia is the very fashionable Fashion Editor of Wonderland Magazine. So young. so creative. such hot hair!

Lucy Chadwick · A Selby film for ZARA

What does this have to with Zara, you may ask? Well, good question. I believe, jack all. Association? But does it matter? Buy Zara and you will have a fabulous life and awesome house like Lucy. And i believe she is also wearing a number of items from Zara's current collection! Which, might i add, i love. It's gorgeous! uber cozy!
I also want Lucy's glasses. i need them in my life!
Also, how amazing is that coffee maker, i DIE!

Shorts and the Blouse, go together like a horse and carriage with a hat

Image from Elle .com

In the famous words of Rachael Zoe " I DIE"
This girl is reading my mind and drinking from the same fountain i drink from.. Per chance are we twins separated at birth?. Okay, we don't really look alike. But she has my shoes.. ish.. i reckon we could be BFFs.
See it works. shorts and a blouse+ wedges.
I just have to find the perfect tights, ones warm enough. Cuz i don't suffer for fashion yoh. I don't have it in me, the cold always knocks me down; i am weak like that
and i wouldn't wear the hat, my fro is to big now. sad. and hats don't necessarily work for me.

Manic Monday

image from stockholmstreetstyle

It's not really a Manic Monday. Actually, i have a little bit of time off, off meaning i get to work on my own stuff rather than expending energy on other people's projects.
But i like that song. and it's in my head!
It is more of a cold and gloomy MondayThat's autumn in LONDON for you ladies and gentlemen).
Since i am not in New England or NY enjoying golden foliage, i have taken to looking at style blogs to cheer myself up.
How hot.
so simple.
no blouse, but blazer. Her legs are amazing. i want those skinny jeans. Well, that's the former denim addict in me speaking.

Lady and the Blouse

I returned from New York with a bit of excess luggage: an obsession with dressing like a lady. Did the whole blazer thing, it's alright, i liked it. I still like it.. but i have now moved on to blouses, especially numbers with prints. On major eBay alert; i am currently living and breathing ebay. I am even prepared to buy somewhat fugly version and put my very horrible sewing skills to the test. I will be a lady that "lunches" even if it means developing a hardcore ebay habit that might require intervention. Albeit one that lunches at the local cafe in blouses paired with shorts.