saturday goodies

Woke up early this morning to a completely blue sky - a rare thing in February in London. Although feeling a bit under the weather, I was determined to shirk academic responsibility, ignore my sniffly nose and fuzzy head and go outside. So I went for a stroll to buy stamps, which led to a tube ride, which led to another stroll which lead to cupcakes. What can I say...it was a happy accident? Anyway, when in the convenience store to get stamps, I spied the new Lula (issue #10) which I didn't even know was out, as well as Apartmento issue #4. Those being quickly snapped up, my fuzzy head began to feel fuzzier and so I headed home. Now I lay in bed, a little worse for wear, prepared to nap. But when I awake, I'll have a Red Velvet cupcake and some good reading to keep me company as I battle what feels like the beginnings of the flu. Work will have to wait until tomorrow. Happy Saturday!

ps. The cupcakes are from Hummingbird bakery. They just opened a branch in Soho which is very good in terms of accessibility (no longer a 35 minute trip for cupcakes!) but very bad in terms of health. Today, we got Red Velvet (a classic) and Malt Chocolate, which has Maltesers on top, making it ten times more appealing since they are my absolute favorite. It's almost too good to be true... I want to savour this moment.

On Nails and Abby Lee

The post where I write slightly excessively about nails:

I am a bit funny when it comes to nail polish. I used to be an avid nail biter, and then after years of new years resolutions and ragged nails, I simply stopped. Now my nails can grow to a nice healthy length happily, and when they do so, I leave them bare. But whenever a nail or two chips, I cut them all down, and paint them. I have a thing about short nails -- at least my own -- where I can't stand them unless they are painted. I think its because I find that my fingers are bit short, and short nails make them look stumpier (for lack of a better word). So I have a ritual: grow nails, nails break, trim nails, paint nails, grow nails, etc. Rinse and repeat.

When I do paint them, I also almost solely paint them in dark colours: navy blue, burgundy, dark purple, slate blue, dark gray... these are all on constant rotation. But, last summer, when at the local CVS with my 12 year old sister, I picked up a bottle of Revlon's orangey-red 'Red Hot Tamale' and her little wide eyes lit up; she wanted me to buy it so she could try it. So I did. I tried it, but thought it a bit too orange [looks a bit less bright in my shitty webcam pic, that's lazyness folks]. But I'm giving it another go recently and now I kind of love it. Plus it makes me think of the surf colour palette of the new Abby Lee Kershaw editorial in the current Australian Vogue that has me all in a tizzy. Could an editorial breathe any more summer in it with her fantastic dip-dye hair and orange lips? I think not. See the rest here...

Late Night Habitual

When I can't sleep, sometimes I read, sometimes I watch a movie, but a lot of the time I wander around the internet. Sitting in the dark in my living room, under the harsh glare of the screen, and squinting my eyes in the light, I go from link to link. Sometimes these bouts of sleeplessness result in unwise decisions, like a rather unfortunate hat. Other times, it results in delightful finds. Tonight is such a night, and I can go to bed secure in the happy thought that this slim photobook by Jeff Luker shall be reaching me soon.

An Approximation

I've had bag lust ever since seeing these Chloé crocodile bags on the runway and photographed by Tommy Ton outside the show way back when...So when I happened upon this little fella in a vintage shop in East London, despite the fact that I was there for a haircut and was supposed to be spending money on that, it reminded me too much of those beauts not to buy. And at 15 quid, it's not like I was breaking the bank. Course it's not croc, and it's not Chloé, but this little simulacrum is my new best friend.

small comforts

I think I might be under house arrest. Informally, of course, but the combination of fucking cold rainy weather and the burden of deadlines has made venturing outside a rare occasion. But there are little things, small indulgences that are getting me through the increasingly shorter days. I'll make it through by staring idly at my new you-study-so-hard-you-deserve-them boots, consuming dubious amounts of coffee and homemade fudge (that travelled all the way across the Atlantic just for me), and adding some Christmas cheer to the house in the form of a mini poinsettia, the lovely poisonous plant of the holiday season. No cabin fever here...as long as I don't confuse the flower for the fudge, I'll be all set.

like, whatever

Um, yes, so is it bad that I just purchased this vintage shirt from Nasty Gal? Probably. I've been pretty wary of the whole 90s revival thing, but, I am a bit of a child of the 90s (child, not adolescent, mind you) and watched Clueless on constant rerun despite the fact that I was 9 and didn't get most of jokes (Tai: "I could really use some herbal refreshment" - I really did think she meant tea). Anyway, 'whatever' was (and unfortunately still is, but without that intonation) a regular part of my vocabulary and though its more graphic-y and colorful than I am used to, the tee just called to me. Hello 90s bandwagon, do you mind if I jump on for a little bit?

Summer Satchel

Have you ever had one of those nights where you are online-window-shopping, i.e. adding things into your cart just for the pure pleasure of imagining that you can buy said things, and you are kind of bleary-eyed and all of a sudden find yourself clicking check-out, and then typing in your credit card number and in this automaton state, clicking place order, only to wake up the next morning and realize that you just bought a cart-load of shit you don't need, can't afford and probably don't actually want? Anyone?

Well, this happened very recently on a cybertrip to Topshop.com, where I ended up buying three shirts and a bag without really thinking about it. Buyer's remorse was immediate. But then I received the items. I quickly dismissed the shirts as too expensive for the quality (which I probably already knew) and they are ready to be returned, but the bag. Oh the bag. It's a satchel actually, which is something that has been on my wish list for, oh I dunno, FOREVER. I've been scouring local vintage haunts for ages to no avail, either the ones I found were too big, too small, not the right colour brown...can't complain when you are as picky as I am. Buying this bag on a whim, I fully expected to return it, but now cannot take it off. So, it's not brown, but grey is one of my favorite colours and it is just the right size to sling all my crap around all summer long. I have a love/hate relationship with Topshop, in terms of price, quality and the way they lure me in, but this bag is pure love.

Fashion Arithmetic

Gingham + Chambray + Straw = summer wardrobe falling into place.

sometimes Bullets are all that will do

This outfit incorporates all of my favorite things at the moment, to be told in bullet form to avoid run-on sentences (I'm feeling a bit long-winded today, and apologize in advance):

• My white rabbit brooch: nicknamed so because it reminds of the White Rabbit, who constantly has to check the time, and while my boyfriend has his signature pocket watch, I have my brooch.
  
• My new secondhand striped dress: my newest etsy purchase acquired from one of the loveliest sellers out there, Harbour District Vintage
  
• My secondhand Laredos that have been patiently waiting in a box back in Massachusetts since I bought them in February off of eBay for $10. It took me a while to convince my mother to send heavy boots all the way to London (something the seller would not do) but she caved and even threw in a whole ziploc bag of Splenda (my white stuff). I've been wearing them nonstop since getting them last week. (ps. I have to thank one of my favorite bloggers, Ringo, for posting on her own search for Justin Roper boots a bit ago...I only had an idea of what I wanted but didn't know any brands to search for, and had been constantly searching for "toe-fringe boots", which didn't end up too well. A week after her post, I found my boots! Although I didn't end up with Justins, I am very happy with my find)
• Last but not least, my floppy hat! Something that I wear constantly inside, a little too afraid to wear outside, but venture outside I did (if only for a moment, the wind, made it impossible to wear).
  

Phew! That was quite the outfit round-up! A little exhausting (and exhaustive) but there you go...

New Old Gadgets

I've been having a streak of good luck on eBay recently. I finally found an old toy camera, bought some 120 film but now I am afraid to even try to load it. What if I break it?! So for now, it is sitting pretty on my mantle.

The other gadget...my glorious Imperial typewriter from the 60s is getting plenty of use. I love the clickty-clackty sound it makes. And for only £2, it was a steal. I am a bit terrible at typing and going to have to invest in some whiteout...but still, prreettty.

Hi guys!

It's been awhile since I've done any outfit posts. Mostly because I have a tendency to wake up and dash to class without a thought about it, but today was a lazy Saturday spent at a cafe, studying and salivating over the banana bread on offer...so an outfit shot could easily be squeezed in to the hectic schedule. Nothing special, but this is my 'potato sack' dress that I kind of love despite the nickname. Sometimes all a girl wants is a nice little smock. I bought it with plans of wearing it during the summer, if and when, a tan sets in and it is less the color of my skin...but I just couldn't wait.

Love Lula/Lula Love

eep!

I ever so innocently went to Borders today to be productive and study but while making my way upstairs to buckle down with a latte and some serious work, I took a cursory glance at the magazine section and staring me smack dab in the face were the brand new Lula and the first issue of Love. I was surprised because a) I though Love came out tomorrow and b) I didn't know when Lula was coming out. I scooped up the two and they now lay on my coffee table waiting to be read. I know! I haven't cracked them open yet except for the quick flip through. I like to take my time with a special few magazines (I didn't finish Lula 7 till a couple of weeks ago) because I find them too precious to finish in a hurry. Impractical, but true. But with these two beauties just lying there, I may be tempted to break the habit...

You down with OTT?

I found this vintage slip on eBay a while back when I was on a hunt for those '50s dressing gowns, a consequence of watching L.A. Confidential. This is nothing of the kind, but it had the perfect amount of sheerness so as not to offend propriety yet still seem delicate. Going out in something so light meant the need for some heavy-duty outerwear, enter this faux-fur delight from topshop. I topped it with my cloche, and felt a little bit like one of those eccentric old ladies you see on Advanced Style. A little over-the-top, but appropriately so.

I Stand. Corrected.

Yay, I was finally able to whip out my favorite (and only) sale purchase from this December...an A.P.C. plaid dress complete with peter pan collar and the essential pockets, all the better to shove my hands in and keep warm my dears... (I rarely find myself liking a dress without them nowadays).

Now if only I could do something about my posture...I tend to stand feet inverted, and while attempting to stand straight, almost toppled over, finishing with a cheeky grin. Graceful, I am not.

The Penniless Loafer

So all the snow has melted, and it kind of looks like late fall outside...but turns out, outside is freezing - as I learned when I took a little walk down my street with very little on. I was taking my new (old) penny loafers out for their first jaunt, but didn't make it very far. Though, I do live in a cul-de-sac, so really I wouldn't have gone that far anyway.

I got my shoes off of etsy -- a lucky find, since most online vintage shoe purchases end in tears and depression , but these are practically perfect in every way...all they need is some pennies, which I am strangely bereft of. Penniless, in shoe and in life, is how it will have to be for now.

Meatballs & Polar Bears

It's my reading week (fall break), meaning I should be reading and writing up a storm. Rather, I decided that it was imperative that I reorganize my closet (sort of) and had to get to Ikea to buy a) a clothing rack, b) my new favorite lamp, the LJUSÅS SALBO and c) the warmest blanket that will not leave my side this winter. (oh and tea light candles).

It was a Scandinavian day to say the least... not only because of the delish Swedish meatballs and diy furniture but also...


Although I returned that Peter Jensen fox sweater, I managed to find a more suitable replacement, at a (slightly) more affordable price tag from the Danish designer. I have been wearing this sweater for like 4 days in a row. While the fox sweater holds a special place in my heart, I knew deep down that it fit me funny and was slightly off, and was an unwise (i.e. "daniela, you could not afford it why did you buy it") purchase...but now my mild depression over the lack of an animal-sweater has been tempered. It shall be an heirloom. So I declare it, so it shall be.

I heart you Scandinavia for yummy food, assemble-able furniture and cozy knits. (And so much more...)

Restless spirit on an endless flight

Click to enlarge

I am in love with this coat. It is black and asymmetrical and everything I could want it to be. I bought it at Zara a couple of days ago while there to find my mother a sweater for her birthday. Whoops!

The coat combined with the tights yesterday did make me feel a little witchy...

ps. a pinch and a punch for the first day of the month to all

the madness must come to an end

All these goodies are floating in the mail for me somewhere...mostly from ebay.

I've been searching for spectator flats for quite sometime now...seems every single pair I find are either too big or too small. Darn my 6.5-7 feet...So, these are not quite spectator but they are two-toned, and that's good enough for me!
Red stacked boots in preparation for fall/winter...luscious red leather. basically, all i could ever want.
So this is not from ebay, it's from forever21...I've never actually shopped there; it became big after I left the States for college (in Montreal, woot!), and I wasn't really dying to explore it anyhow. But, I have also been wanting a simple little jumper for awhile...I was going to ask my mom to make me one for christmas (and will probably still ask...) but I couldn't wait that long and this was so cheap! (for a reason, i know, i know.)

This cardigan is my dream...mainly because of the ugly mustard color of it rather than the lacoste-ness of it. That's incidental.

The moral of the story: ebay -- she's a subtle and sly temptress.

but after this...no mas!

Rompin' 'round

To be honest, I never thought I'd see the day that I'd be wanderin' round town in a romper/play-suit/onesie (terms abound for such a simple thing). I noted the proliferation of them this summer on street style blogs, and also on the streets themselves, but didn't really think that I could, nor wanted to, pull that look off. But, I saw this lil vintage fellow and had to snap it up (purple fronds? how could I not?)... figured, what the hell, I'll give it a go. I actually really kind of love it. Supercomfy; cutesy and oh so PLAY-ful. if they had pockets, they would be perfect! tee-hee.

ERM... an etsy shop

Sometimes I like to lie in bed for an inordinate amount of time, watch old episodes of Project Runway on youtube, drink tea and intermittently browse etsy. Yesterday was such a lazy day, and while browsing I discovered, and subsequently purchased three pieces in a mad fit from the lovely jewelry shop, ERM Originals. (Etsy always makes me into a nervous/compulsive shopper -- what if somebody scoops up what I just favorite-d? At least on eBay, I can watch for 7 days before deciding to purchase. Normally I slowly come to the realization that I can neither afford/need the coveted item in question by the end of the watch period...) Anyway, back to ERM. First of all, I think she may have the best initials ever. Mine are DFW -- which always just sounds like BMW, and really, that's not saying much. More importantly, she creates the most lovely pieces of jewelry (123 pieces in the shop as I type) -- they are so quaint, and charming, very romantic and vintage in feeling (and all for a reasonable price). Go! Browse! Support the handmade craft!

A sampling of some of the (many) things I wanted, but refrained from getting...









All images via ERM Original's etsy shop