Casual Pencil Skirt?

So I saw Friends with Benefits this weekend.  The highlight for me was Mila Kunis' makeup and wardrobe.  I really loved that she did a lot of cute, casual outfits around jersey pencil skirts.  As much as I wish I could be the girl in the flippy a-line skirt, a pencil skirt works a lot better for my figure.  Sometimes they can come across as stiff and formal, but dressed down with some drapery and a cute little tee like this one, they can actually be really cute.  So I put together an outfit that I'd wear in out and about that's based around a jersey pencil skirt.

Drapey Bubbled Tee, $58 at anthropologie.com, Lily White Banded Skirt, $22 at nordstrom.com: A friend of mine has this pencil skirt.  I assumed it was like a $50 piece from Banana Republic or something, because it's a nice thick stretchy jersey, but it's $22 for Nordstrom.  Total steal!  This piece works because it has enough stretch to be comfy but not to lose its shape, the black is versatile and neutral, and the high-waisted shape is very flattering.  I'd pair it with this blue draped tee.  The softness of the tee works nicely with the clean lines of the skirt and gives it a bit of a casual, low-key twist, and the blue pops nicely against the black.

CC Skye Upper East Side Satchel, $650 at shopbop.com, Lauren by Ralph Lauren Astrid Gladiator Sandal, $37.49 at ralphlauren.com: Then I'd add this shoulder bag.  The warm brown and textured leathers add a visual richness, but since it's brown it's still a neutral and doesn't fight with the blue top.  What I love about this bag is that it has a vintage doctor's/camera bag feel, but it's still easy to use and convenient with it's cross-body strap and zip top.  In theory I'd do heels with this outfit, but since I want it to be casual and practical, I'd do a pair of flat sandals.  These are simple and understated, but with the twisted detail they manage not to be boring.  The dark brown ties in with the bag and gives the whole ensemble a cohesive feel.

Images via flisted.com, anthropologie.com, shopbop.com, nordstrom.com,

Cute Sundress for Less than $20?

I love weekends.  I really love three-day weekends.  I slept till 11 today.  It was beautiful.  Anyways, here are some pretty things:



Forever 21 Summer Tiki Dress, $17.80 at forever21.com, Frye Kara Trapunto T-Strap, $136.80 at zappos.com: I picked up this dress a week or so ago at Forever 21, and I love it.  First off, it's less than $20.  That's a win in my book.  It's not the sturdiest dress in the world, but it costs less than going out to dinner, so I've accepted it.  The cut is adorable, a flattering sweetheart neckline, fitted to the waist, a-line skirt.  The print is a little on the funky/tribal side, but I think it's really fun and festive.  Plus, since the print has so many colors, it makes the dress easy to accessorize.  I like to pull out the brown in the print with a brown leather belt and a pair of brown heels like these.  It feels very summery and easygoing, but at the same time it looks very polished and chic.

 Mod Cloth Object of Confection Dress, $94.99 at modcloth.com: Last night I was telling a friend about how I'm making pumpkin spice cupcakes today, and mentioned how I'm really a closet '50s housewife.  And then she turns to me and goes, "sweetie, you've been out of the closet on that one for a while."  So, in keeping with my repressed retro tendencies, how cute is this polka dot dress?  I love the shape, with the sweet little neckline and the slight a-line skirt.  The polka dots and layers on the skirt make it look like a little wedding cake, but the red hue keeps it from feeling to formal and bridal.

Images via forever21.com, zappos.com,

What I'd Like to be Wearing to Work

I am the worst with dressing for work.  In theory, I have all these adorable outfits that I'd wear, but in reality, I just wear what I already have, which is lots of cardigans and sundresses.  Gah.  But people at my office wear JEANS.  It's so weird to me.  Anyways, here's one of those theoretical outfits I'd wear to work.  I really like slightly '50s, retro work ensembles (Joan Holloway = my icon) with a slightly modern twist.


J. Crew Ruthie Shirtdress, $118 at jcrew.com, J. Crew Skinny Patent Belt, $34.50 at jcrew.com: This J. Crew shirtdress is ADORABLE.  It's a lovely camel color, which is very of the moment but also flattering and versatile.  The cut works well for a lot of body types--it's fitted through the smallest part of your torso, and glides over the lower body.  The elbow-length sleeves add a hint of sweetness to the utilitarian feel of a shirtdress.  To add even more emphasis to the waist, I'd do a skinny patent leather belt.  The patent gives it a bit of an urban edge, and a cinched-in waist is always a good look.

GUESS Osten Heels, $99 at zappos.com, J. Crew Oval Heirloom Locket Necklace, $50 at jcrew.com: For a bit of modern sass, I'd do a suede platform heel in this lovely ruby red.  The rich visual texture of the suede adds a sense of warmth and luxury that livens up the shirtdress, and the pop of color from the red is just so fun and girly.  To top it all off, I like this vintage-y locket necklace.  It works with the general '50s feel, and adds a personal touch (since generally you put adorable family/pet pictures in lockets.  I would totally have my dog and my pony).

So what do y'all wear to work?  Jeans? (just kidding)

Images via jcrew.com, zappos.com.

Outfit of the Day (In My Head)

Sorry for not blogging yesterday, y'all.  It was my birthday!  I'm 20.  I feel old.  It's freaking me out not to be a teenager anymore.  Ack.  Anyways, here's what I wish I was wearing today (and what I actually wore at the bottom):

 Cool as Icing Dress, $79.99 at modcloth.com, Ray-Ban Modern Wayfarers, $139 at shopbop.com: Ahhh this is dress is so cute.  It reminds me of a Taylor Swift music video, but less corny.  The cut is extremely flattering--anything fitted through the torso and waist like that will emphasize the smallest part of you, and the slightly flared skirt creates an hourglass silhouette without overemphasizing what's already there.  And then you have the adorable detailing, with the cutout geometric and lace shapes.  It's a bit like those paper Day of the Dead garlands, but wearable.  I'd do a cute little sundress like that one with sassy, big sunglasses.  I actually just got these for myself for my birthday (they should be here in a day or two!  Yipee).  The soft brown of the shades works nicely with the sweetness of the dress.  I really love the shape of these glasses.  It's a little retro-cat-eye/sassy, and has the same classic but modern feel as the original Wayfarers, but the shape isn't as round, so they'll work better on rounder faces.  I have a squareish-oval (squoval?) face, so round sunglasses just make my face look rounder, whereas more rectangular frames like these are more flattering.  The inverse works if you have a really angular face, rounder sunglasses can soften that up.

Club Monaco Harper Braided Belt, $79.99 at shopbop.com, Frye Kara Trapunto T Strap, $159.60 at zappos.com: I belt everything.  I'd add a belt here for some visual contrast.  The skinny belt works because it doesn't detract from or cover-up the intricate detailing at the waist, and the warm brown and homey vibe of the braid go perfectly with the rustic, simple feel of the dress.  Ahhh I also want these shoes.  I can't justify buying them, but aren't they so sweet?  I love the idea of daytime heels.  These feel so sweet and retro with the t-straps and the soft brown leather, but the platform and chunky heel add a bit of sass.  All in all these heels would add a little height and glamour, but still keep the overall vibe down-to-earth.

And here's what I actually wore today: the shirt is from H&M, the skirt is Ann Taylor Loft, the belt is vintage, the necklace is Forever21, and the sandals are Franco Sarto.  Yayyy for work-appropriate outfits.

Images via shopbop.com, zappos.com, modcloth.com.

Channeling Mad Men

I came to the realization today that I need more big girl work clothes.  Like sheath dresses and pencil skirts.  Those things scare me.  But it had to be done.  So I went into Anne Taylor Loft today (I know, I know, but they have cute work clothes) and picked up a pencil skirt and some other basics.  I felt very old.  It was weird.

Anne Taylor Loft Sateen Straight Skirt, $49.50 at loft.com, Schutz Open Toe Nubuck Pumps, $152.60 at shopbop.com: So I picked up this skirt today.  It's really much cuter in person.  It's a medium grey with a little bit of a sheen, it has a little stretch, it's a nice length, and it's comfy.  My only issue with it is that it's built for someone with a little boy's torso.  Seriously.  Straight up and down.  I dropped it off at the tailor today to get almost 6 inches taken out of the waist.  Yeesh.  Anyways, I've been thinking of cute little outfits to wear around this skirt.  I'd add these mauve platforms.  They're neutral enough to be work appropriate, but the color is still a little offbeat, and the platform makes them comfy.  Plus the suede texture adds visual interest.

Anne Taylor Loft 3/4 Sleeve Crew Neck Cardigan, $39.50 at loft.com, Anne Taylor Loft Rib Tank, $7.25 at loft.com: Obviously if you're going the retro, pencil skirt, Mad Men route, you have to have a little cropped cardigan.  I picked this up today too, and I really like it.  The sleeves are nice and fitted, and it actually hits me at the waist, which makes for a much more flattering cut.  The black and the slate from the skirt play together nicely.  For a pop of color, I'd do this coral tank.  It's fitted and simple, so it'll fall cleanly under the cardigan, and the pretty pink is sweet and feminine, but not too much to wear to the office.

Anne Taylor Loft Braided Jeans Belt, $39.50 at loft.com, Adia Kibur Jumbo Pretzel Necklace, $48 at shopbop.com: To highlight the waist even more (can you ever do that enough?), I like this braided belt.  The black keeps it from being too over the top, and the rustic, braided texture adds a slightly earthy twist to the ensemble.  Lastly, I'd finish it off with a piece of statement jewelry.  This twisted, knotted necklace gives the outfit a quirky vibe.  It's a little offbeat, but not so much that you can't wear it to work, and the gold would be lovely with the pink tank.

Images via shopbop.com, loft.com.

My current favourite shoes

Apart from my sequin Fitflops!  I know lots of people don't like them but I love mine.  It must be an age thing but I'm thinking of comfort first these days.
The Actor bought me these raffia and suede wedges in the Office sale for £25

I tried to use the timer on my camera by balancing it on the low window sill
The light's coming straight in making my legs look  like a couple of milk bottles!  

Dinner with the de Havilland's

Yesterday I interviewed the fabulous Terry de Havilland and his gorgeous wife Liz.  What a wonderful couple they are.
Terry's shoes are works of art.  There's a jaw dropping collection of new and vintage de Havilland's at his studio.  I was like a kid in a sweet shop!  I could go absolutely mental in there!
It's going to take a while to put the interview together as I plan to use a lot of images

Finding new shoes I actually like

Some of my shoes
I'm really fussy about shoes.  I don't care about what make they are and I don't follow fashion.  I just buy what I like.  All my life I've been the same.  Getting me into school shoes was a nightmare.  It was alright when I was really young, my mum dressed me like a doll in little patent ankle strap wedges of various colours.  Later it got more difficult, they would be trying

Dressing up for staying in

Lucille Ball in a stunning marabou wrap
Readers of my blog will know I love anything over the top and glamorous.  I was delighted to be asked to write a guest post for the delightful Tish at A Femme D'Un Certain Age.  The subject was seduction wear, loungewear and sleepwear.  
I love silk, cashmere, velvet, marabou but as with all my clothes everything of mine has been bought on a shoestring

{pleats & ruffles}

{mary janes}

{prada fall 2011 via moodboard}

New boots in the sale

I have a lot of shoes but hardly any boots.  I'm in desperate need of something I can wear in the daytime.  They can't be flat, they have to be comfortable and I have to be able to walk a bit of a distance in them.  I'm terrible for getting taxis because I'm wearing the wrong shoes... any excuse!  I love the boots I have but they're hardly practical.  Not that practicality is something I think

Reorganising my wardrobe and finding things I'd forgotten about

Terry de Havilland Margaux Wave in silver
Inspired by a post Kate at Make Do Style did on re-organising your wardrobe I embarked on a huge sort out a few months back.  I know it's shocking but I still haven't finished yet!!  I'm making it my mission to get it totally done in January, along with a list of things I haven't completed.
When I moved in I made a downstairs hallway into a walk-in

New shoes

What a dreary old day!  I've cheered up slightly as I bought some new shoes.  These Christian Louboutin peep toe court shoes  have been used for shoots (technically they're secondhand) so they were £200.  I can't actually afford them so the overdue water rates bill will now have to get knocked back for another month.  Ooops.

There's the small matter of the fact that I can only walk about

Flower power

Photography by Miles AldridgeShannan Click

Photography by Camilla AkransMariacarla Boscono


Photography by Camilla AkransMariacarla Boscono
I love these pictures.  The flower make-up in the first one is gorgeous.  The other two are from a shoot for Italian Vogue.  The flowers are fabulous and so are the outfits.  Mariacarla is wearing my Giles for Christian Louboutin shoes from last year.

The World of Manolo

Smokin'
I've had this invitation for ages.  An email from Harper's Bazaar and an email from Liberty and I still managed to put it in the WRONG day!!  What a scatterbrain I am.  I'm a huge fan of anything to do with Harper's or my favourite store, Liberty who know I love to blog a night out.  So, a big apology to Natmags and Liberty who I shall be emailing now.  I'm so sorry I missed it, I'll be

A big thank you... and lots of shoes!

I had a telephone call from my friend Ruth from Life, the universe and all that's in it last week asking me what size my feet are.  I used to be a five and a half, I'm not sure whether it's due to excessive wearing of Ugg boots in the winter but my feet seem to have grown. Depending on the make of shoe and the height of the heel my feet can be anything from a five and a half to a six and a

Brian Atwood chain-back over the knee boots

Brian Atwood chain-back over the knee boots, $2900
Details: "Recalling the seam of a stocking, a metal chain runs all the way down the back of this stunner - from the thigh to the tip of the stiletto heel."  Sueded calfskins sculpts formfitting design, featuring simply stitched seam down the front.  Round toe conceals lofty platform.  Partial side zip pull on style.  5.5 inch covered heel.

Or

Buying some Fitflops

I've never been one for a "sensible" shoe but I realise I can't totter about in unsuitable footwear forever.  I've found myself increasingly drawn to the Fitflop which I'm assured really work.
I went into ahem Clarks on Upper Street last week and tried some on.  I was amazed how comfortable they are and the high t bar really supports your foot.  They only had a size six in white or pink leather