Faux Fur

This year for my winter coat I'm looking at buying a fur one. Not much around at the moment but these are my top 3 so far.       

Topshop

River Island

Warehouse

               I tried on the one from River Island and                 
               it was so cosy, perfect for bracing the cold in  
               in the winter months. I really like the fur too - 
               quite unusual!


               Which is your favourite? 


              
               

Finally the Fish Skirt in all it's Glory

Hoorah! I finished making the fish skirt I mentioned here. Bad news though it's too big. Yes I should have tried it on before sewing the waistband. Maybe I'll try and alter it . . . .but summer is about over and I realy wanted to show you my efforts. Thankfully Jude not only agreed to model it but also for me to dress her up in how I envisaged 'Tribal Tie Dye'.

Street Style 3 - Girl with Umbrella

Did a double take in Kings Heath yesterday when spotted this girl who reminded me so much of Louise of Pandora fame. Perfect ensemble for a dreary rainy Monday - nothing beats a belted mac. Thank you for letting me take a photo!

Other news . . . looking at buying a new camera to improve the quality of photos. Bear with me and watch this space . . .

Street Style 2

I am a sucker for a peep toe and I love these cut out shoe boots. The loose fitting blouse tucked into the skirt provides an elegant silhouette. I didn't catch her name or clothes details as I was dressed as a bee and having too much fun (if you think I'm joking look at Danger Mouse and She-Ra from the rest of the party in the background). I'm trying to get better at providing some Brummy street style on the blog but I am rather shy and concerned people might think I'm some weirdo . . . I'm getting over that though . . . .

So then lady with the pretty shoes. If you do check in on the blog and want to leave the outfit details then that would be super. Thank you for letting me take the photo!

Russian Dolls

Yesterday was areally fun day. Sara and I went shopping round the Custard Factory in Birmingham. We popped into the Creative Open Workshop and I got to meet Francine (I hope I've spelt that right) who runs it. She has a great style and hopefully, I'll be able to take some snaps and show you because I really couldn't describe it.

After we went into The Birmingham Bead Shop just to browse . . .ahem buy several beads to make a necklace. I saw these Russian doll ceramic beads and just had to have one in each colour. 

 Close up of a doll.

There were some other enamel looking beads that didn't escape either . . .

Serge

Tonight I went to see the recently released film about Serge Gainsbourg. It was amazing. I knew very little about his life other than the bits with Brigitte Bardot and Jane Birkin. The film had a surreal and dark edge to it. At times I was completely seduced by him and then at others I was feeling a mix of pity and sadness. If I haven't sold it to you have a look at this . . .

Ah such style. Really I don't think much can beat a man in a suit. I don't mean London bankers: I mean suave, sophisticated and a rock'n'roll edge. And yes smoking is bad for you but who's going to argue against the fact that Serge makes it look cool in the way that French people can.

It was noted also later in the film that 'Serge' was sporting double denim. Did he pull it off? Well what do you think? Bien sur, bien sur.

Of course I couldn't write about Serge and not put in the iconic song that caused such a scandal at the time. Here's one to finish.

The Pleated Skirt, favourite belt and scalloped footwear

 

The best of a bad bunch of photos I'm afraid. Found it difficult to keep my eyes open it seems . . .Eugh anyway, I wanted to show you my new pleated skirt. I've wanted a black pleated skirt for a while and picked up this beauty in a vintage shop around Brick Lane. The pose is weird because the belt is too big for my waist and so I had to hold it in place.

Close up of the belt. I've had this belt for about 8 years and it sits on my hips. I wish I had bought a size smaller to fit at my waist (sigh ). It's from H&M and they are normally quite good at bringing out similar versions of things but I've never seen anything like it since. If you ever see a belt like it please let me know!

Close up of the blouse from Spitalfields Market with a nothing spectacular belt - pah!

Bargain shoe boots of the century. I have wanted a twist on the Victorian ankle boots for over a year and I found these in New Look marked down to £10. They were the only pair left and in my size - it was obviously meant to be! I adore the scalloped edges.

"These are a few of my favourite things . . ."

Two of my favourite things were actually presents from close friends. I've had them for years but I still love them.

Vivienne Westwood silver orb pendant.

My gold coin purse is what I down size to when I'm going out. It has been badly abused over the years being stuffed with money, cards etc. as I'm always lazy about moving my money back into my big purse so it tends to build up. However, when it's not being used it sits at home in my trinket tray.

Lastly, my new addition is my snake bangle which I found in a charity shop for £2. I have rarely gone a day without wearing it since I bought it. 

Depth of Field

I've been reading up on photography in order to try and take better pictures. My camera is very basic and I wanted to vary the depth of field so my subject was in focus and the background not. I managed to do it on this teazel, but unfortunately cannot remeber how I did it. Not one to be put off though . . . watch this space and see what happens. Hopefully better photography . . .

Philip Glass and Trippy Animation

As I've said before, I enjoy the music of Philip Glass. Since I'm having a crazy and wild night in on a Saturday, I decided to google 'Philip Glass animation' . I once saw a ballet to some of his music so I was sure I would find something. Lo and behold I found such a gem! Did you know he composed this piece of music, specifically for a Sesame Street animation on shapes in 1979?? So cool.

This in turn led me to find this really trippy animation for kids on the alphabet . . . man to be a kid in the 70's.

This blog is rapidly becoming less and less to do with style and more and more random . . .

For kicks and more psychedelic images search for kaleidoscope in google images or just look here. I used to love my kaeidoscopes when I was little.

Expressive, Moving and Beautiful

I'll let the video speak for itself. Winner of the 'Ukraine's Got Talent' 2009.

Sir Ken Robinson - Schools Kill Creativity

Sir Ken Robinson is my hero. He has amazing style in how he delivers his talks. Great sense of humour! This talk is particularly poignant. I always watch it when I need some inspiration.

1990's

I spent most of the 90's wearing baggy jeans, studded belts, lots of bangles and eye make up. I loved anything eastern, bohemian or retro. This is a few of the things that inspired me in that time . . .

Sleater Kinney were one of my more obscure favourites. Unusual sound, great hair.

Then of course Gwen Stefani.

Add the Smashing Pumpkings

Of course it was D'arcy for the style inspiration.

And lastly REM.

Heels

I have a pair of beautiful gold shoes. One problem - they make my feet numb. The result is that I have given myself a heel height rule. I will not buy a shoe with heels higher than 4 inches (unless there is a platform of course). I have a theory that if you have larger feet it is easier to wear high heels because the angle of the foot is less extreme than if you had smaller feet. You follow me?

I love wearing heels but beyond detest kitten heels . . .  bleugh. However because of my recent 'ruling' I have been exploring other options. Office have some great options and always have something away from 'on trend' pieces. These are the ones I have my eye on . . .  

The first is very much like a 1960's shoe with the block heel. Very Chanel or Ferragamo don't you think?

The second reminds me of a 1920's shoe. I prefer it in black myself.

So there you have it a little look at little heels. Do you have a heel height limit? What is your ideal heel height? Vote in the latest poll! 

Now I have just uploaded the picture of my gold heels. I love them I really do. Maybe I'll just wear them for going out for dinner. No standing just sitting . . . .  haha

Amish dress, dynasty belt and grandma shoes

Had geat fun yesterday looking through some of Chloe's new purchases before going next door to a house party.

The vintage 60's  'Amish'  dress paired with the TK Maxx granny shoes. I like to tease Chloe about these shoes as they are the kind of shoes that are advertised in magazines like 'People's Friend' but secretly I'm just jealous she can pull them off . . .

Very nice Chloe - please don't cut off the sleeves.

Jude's new maxi dress (lovely animal/ geometric print, such a nice change from floral). I think maxi dresses only work if you are tall (unless you are Kylie). What do you think? Luckily Jude is tall -  me being short is yet to find one that works. Jude is wearing Chloe's latest Ebay puchase of Dynasty style belt of two cheetahs, gold chains and black suede. Sounds trashy, is trashy,  but really works. Such a gem - must get a close up photo at some point.

Thanks Ladies!