lily smiles in motel

I'm wondering if this recentl bug (which my medical friend Linda has diagnosed as the big S, altho both my mom & my husband, Mr. Dot, beg to differ - my mom's logic being, if I was well enough to post, how sick could I be?) has perhaps aged me to the point where all 'kids' are starting to look alike. I met Lily recently - she's a friend of Emma Allen, more about her later - and - is it just me? She just reminds me a lot of that other Lily. Especially her Smile.

Lily's cardigan by Motel, who have just coincidentally sent me something today about their Christmas collection. In a bizarre twist of fate, this is excerpted from what they sent: "... Their speciality is the conspicuous, quirky dress, so naturally their audience is the conspicuous, quirky girl; LILY ALLEN, Florence and the Machine, Duffy, Little Boots, Peaches Geldof, Marina and the Diamonds and Alexandra Burke have all been snapped wearing Motel’s iconic pieces, recognisable for their super flattering, supremely modish feel."



I must say, I do like the look of their stuff, especially these two FAUX fur coats (Their 'Husky Coat', at £110, left, is just what I had in mind the day I ended up buying my chocolate brown 50/60s vintage jacket instead, and the unfortunately named 'Foxy Loxy', for £90)



And I like a lot of their dresses. Especially their 'bowtastic' dress in 'baroque', below. (Who makes up these names??? I mean, do they sit around a table after a liquid lunch & just start bandying names about?) It's so not me in every way: I don't generally do patterns, and you know how I feel about red, but I'd make an exception for this. I've seen some other bloggers wearing great stuff from Motel, but haven't actually tried anything on. Anyone else a Motel girl out there? Besides all those celebrities, I mean? If you'd like, please email me a JPG of you in something Motel. Smiling, of course ; )

cardigan: Motel • tights: Asos • striped dress: Topshop • boots: Uggs online

min

This isn't what I meant to post today, but I've been thinking about Min. I had spotted her on Portobello Road, looking very serene and sophisticated, with this wacky combo of stripes plaid, motorcycle jacket, and breton striped cardigan sticking way out of her jacket. I asked to take a quick shot, barely caught her name, tossed my card at her, and continued on my way.

A day later, an email arrived that was almost like haiku. It was from Min. She's from Korea, studying here, and was feeling very lonely that day, homesick, missing her family and friends. It really touched me. Especially since, earlier that day, I had been reminded of when we first moved here, years ago, because it was also a grey day. I'd gone alone to Notting HIll because it was meant to be such fun, and instead was wandering, cold and lonely, wondering what the hell I was doing here, newly married to a British man who was busy with his career. And here I was, years later, meeting one friend for coffee and bumping into another on the street, alone yet not alone, if you know what I mean.

And I promised Min that, in time, London will become her home away from home.

I wonder how many people reading this right now are in a new place, and are missing home. Or perhaps where you are now, is becoming home, as well. Where is home to you?