sisters: a composition in black and white

As per previous post ('the girl with the converse sneakers') here she is with her sister, wearing black.

My sister is blonde, I am brunette.

I love my sister, and she loves me, but we are opposite in nature. There were times when my mom dressed us in matching clothes (I remember especially a gorgeous white silk material with huge purple flowers with greenery - my mom somehow had a dress in it, too - we called it our 'purple people eater' dresses). But somehow, the general rule was that blondes wore shades of blue, and brunettes the red/pink area. I'm fine on the pink front, but I 'don't do red'. I also remember one time - we were teenagers - she wanted to borrow a sweater and I didn't want her to because her bosoms were bigger than mine (still are, by a cup size), and I didn't want her to stretch it out. Floods of tears ensued.

Actually, come to think of it: a lot of my favourite clothes now are hand me downs from my kid sister. A pale pink 'poorboy' turtle neck, for example - which I might just wear today! It's cold enough.

If all goes according to plan, we'll all be together in one week's time. Can't wait!

Must run. Off to see a dear dear Italian friend who is visiting from Rome - a virtual sister. Have a lovely Friday, sisters. Shot - as before - at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

dot's inverse shoe proportion theory

There was a time - certainly during my first year of this blog as 'StreetStyle London' - that I'd risk getting run over to catch someone for a photo. Now, like a cat that is no longer a kitten, I'm happier to sleep all day, yawn, bathe myself, and yeah, once in a while, chase a mouse.

Metaphorically speaking. Not literally. I don't chase mice.

But when I saw these two crossing the street.. I don't know whether I'm slowing down cause I'm two years older than when I started my blog, or if that day, I was just feeling a bit shy (it happens). In any case - I only got this one shot.



Have you noticed, in your neck of the woods, that there's a kind of inverse proportion with shoes? It used to be - back in 2009 - that the shoes were the most expensive item - huge platform Acne-esque statement shoes. Drama drama drama, and everything from the ankle up could be pretty bland, or casual. Now, the looks I'm loving the most are dresses, or skirts, with bare legs and Converse. And I'm loving this kind of skirt - it's oh so fifties, so La Dolce Vita. I've got a lovely beige silk striped skirt that I've had forEVER - I so want to wear it now, with converse and a blouse, tucked in and belted. Or, a tee.



I was wearing some of my custom made Jackie O dresses for a few days in a row, with bare legs and my cream coloured Convesre, until I developed huge blisters in my heels. I'd been going sans socks, and Mr. Dot said why don't you wear tennis socks? I thought I wasn't allowed - until on closer inspection, I realised this girl got away with it.

Which was my alternative title choice: The Girl Who Got Away.

the girl with the converse sneakers

She was with her sister (coming up as part of the sequential series). She is Chinese, and a student here. They told me their names, and where she's going to school, and we had a lovely visit in the pool on the hottest day of the year so far, but of course, we were actually in water at the time - without pens. I didn't give them my card and the chances of her remembering my name to find me are slim but she - AND her sister - were just so delightful.

Speaking of 'the girl with..' have read an article about the long term girlfriend of Steig Larsson, and the issues with royalties/money.. there's definitely a book or two, and a film, in that real life story!

Doing a self style shoot outside with Mr. D now, for two unrelated sources (will explain). He's been getting antsy to go get it done since 8:00. Got my props all set up but trust me: it will end in tears (i.e., mine).

Shot at the V&A, where I'm headed soon, to see & shoot the catwalk show for the Yohji Yamamoto exhibit, which ends in nine days: if you're in London, definitely check it out before it's too late! (closes 10th July). I'm cutting it close..

the converse is true

It really is true: happiness, I totally believe, is a question of expectations vs. outcomes. Lately my experiences seem to far surpass my expectations, perhaps because I'm not placing my happiness at any given moment on the outcome making me happy.

Say WHAT??

Trying to quickly post some of the many shots I took at the Converse press party last.. what day was it? Wednesday? Something I had no particular expectation for - I was honoured and pleased to be invited, of course, but it ran from 5:00-8:00 and it had been a full day and I'd told my husband I'd just show up @ 5:00 sharp and stay a few minutes. That's was my plan.

But as they say: when you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans.






Some really good friends were there, some were people I'd met here & there, some I was getting to know.. the waiters were great, one or two we'd even met at other events.. fabulous mini bacon cheeseburgers, and cartons of macaroni & cheese and little grilled NY style reubens with HOME MADE NY style rye bread.. not to mention people were getting smashed on 'Long Island Iced Tea' served in gold rimmed tea cups and saucers.. let's just say, we closed the place down. They literally had to throw us all out. They even gave us little striped paper bags of popcorn: for the road.







Thank you to Amy and Becky and the fabulous Converse UK people: what a great place to work, you lucky ducks.

This is such a lovely Bank Holiday Weekend so far - and it's only half over! And I've got more to say- and to show - about this event but hey, I know most people are somewhere else, away. We're off to see friends at the seaside tomorrow and quite frankly, are having the most wonderful staycation. I'm happy as a clam, swimming every day. Hope you are, too, wherever you are.

all stars

Last Friday, Shini and I met at the V&A (and yes, for those of you who have asked if I live there: I do. I've got a small room on the third floor with a hot plate and a cot), and Jen, the Style Crusader, bounded in from a grueling exam, all colt like with bare legs, floral dress (from.. H&M? I must ask!) and the same navy Keds Converse All Stars I've got. Mine were vintage when I bought them, and that was ages ago, in NY.



It's such a simple, quintessential summer look. (Her bag btw is her gorgeous genuine Alexander McQueen). Oh and she's wearing my Ray Bans - also vintage, as in, I've had them forever. I've just sent her a bunch of shots and we're going to do an experiment and not tell each other which we're choosing, or what we're posting about. Just a little blog-game. I'm not even sure I've chosen her best shots here: just randomly picked two that I liked. She's oh so photogenic, our Jenny Jen!



Betsan, who you might have seen in a previous post ('lit chic') @ the Hay Festival, also wore her Keds with bare legs and flowered skirt: hers from Topshop. My other pair are a few years old, from Office, and also in cream. Sorry, nude! ALSO, come to think of it, her sunglasses are Ray Bans. Such American classics.

More about Betsan later, and her fabulous boyfriend Tom. They've got such great style.

new girl in town

Inma, Gloucester Road. She's just moved here from Spain. It's funny how every time I think someone is too cool to shoot, they turn out to be the nicest ones.
Welcome to the neighbourhood, Inma. We've got the same Converse, by the way!

schoolgirl chic, tilly style

Ran into my friend Claire on the street with her & Ian's daughter, Tilly. Love Tilly's outfit. 

I've been seeing a lot of black tights & white sneakers (plimsoles) recently - anyone know where that started? - but I think it works a lot better on Tilly, with the white socks/cropped black tights under cut-off jeans. And the black cardigan over the bib-style pleat shirt. Offset, of course, with the red school bag - and she's not being ironic. Form, for once, is actually following function. Oh and by the way, I've got the same pair of cream coloured Converse sneakers. 

I might just tear a leaf from Tilly's book.