How Tao, Brown Cow

"Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don’t resist them - that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like." ~ Lao-Tzu

Feeling a bit overwhelmed by everything at the moment. End of school malaise, gray sky weather and all that. Bah humbug.

And on a slightly less dour note, I quite like this editorial from the new Russh (which I won't see for another two months, knowing my local mag shop). Got that whole feral beauty thing going on, wilderness, eyebrows run amok and all that. It makes me smile.

Not Quite There

Though I've been hearing reports of glorious weather on the other side of the ocean, it's still not-quite-spring here...It's that annoying transitional weather, where one false move, one layer too many, could lead to uncomfortable sweatiness but layer removed and the chill sets in. Very annoying. Doesn't make too much of a difference to me anyhow as I am holed up inside writing. Supposedly academically, though clearly currently not the case ... rather been playing, dreaming up an imaginary world where I could afford everything from Weekday. It's a world of simple transitional outfits for awkward weather: lighter sweaters, shorter skirts, pastel pants or scrunched up socks while risking the bare leg...simplicity for studying. (Apparently in this imaginary world, I still study).

Though to be honest, my fantasy world would actually involve no studying and no need for transition: summer would be Now. Straight to minimal dressing: throw on dresses, shorts and slinky blouses, and the same shoes and an iced coffee every damn day. Ah summer, you are so far away. Come back soon.

5 Franken will get you

This picture by Stil in Berlin made me inhale a little sharply when it first popped in my Reader. Her hair is lovely. And that dress is simply stunning. Apparently it was purchased for 5 Franken (which is around 4 Euros they say) at a Zürich fleamarket...dang. Jealousy abounds.

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On another note, I am still alive, simply immersed in dissertation writing, exam prepping, life prepping. Two months till the very end of my law degree. It's all a bit scary and I haven't had much time or desire to blog. No word on when the winds will change, but if you don't mind bearing with me, I don't mind.

it's not spring

For two days it felt like what I'm pretty sure, if I can remember, spring feels like. The sky was blue - BLUE blue - nary a cloud in sight. I had dust off my sunglasses. I had to remove layers while walking. I could actually feel the warmth of the sun. Oh boy, that was nice. Yes it was.

But today, life goes on, gray skies abound and London goes back to being London. Winter has not left yet. Course it's a bit naive to hope such extreme synchronicity between the change of month and the change of weather. Ah well, all that means is that I can still turn for comfort to a trifecta of knitted wonders that have kept me company most of the winter.

When I went back home for Christmas, all that time ago, I got my dear mother to knit me not one, not two, but three scarves. Well, technically I think one may have been crocheted, but whatevs. Anyway, they're chunky, and soft, and most importantly ridiculously warm. If winter has to stay for a little bit longer (though I really wish it wouldn't), then I suppose I can survive, bundled up til the first signs of real spring (which I may or may not be idealizing anyway, since spring here essentially just means more rain.)

Eye Candy

A stack of fairisle is all that's needed to make my heart skip a beat. Or two.

That is all. Have a lovely (rest of the) weekend!

ps. Those pretty babies are stacked high at the Vintage Showroom in Covent Garden. Discovered via for me, for you

Topshop Unique

It's official - the first show of the season that has left me scheming on ways to make it all mine. Topshop Unique tends to be a little too much for me generally, but this collection, which screams of the wilderness and eccentric rusticity (with a lil' bit of military) is just right. I've mentioned my strange affectation for 'The Country' before, and with all the thick knits over diaphanous dresses, woodland creature prints and furry outerwear...sigh.

It's actually all the coats that have got me counting pennies. All that fur (a bit Opening Ceremony x Where the Wild Things Are collab, no?) and shearling (I'm still pining over my mother's real one) are now permanently inked in my mind. I cannot wait until September to consume unabashedly...

Well, clearly I can and will wait, and hopefully my consumption will be mild and reasonable but a girl can hyperbolize can't she?

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.