blanc: juxtaposition

Perhaps because I'm feeling pretty content these days, I'm going through another white phase. In what I wear, and in what I like to surround myself with.

But that's nothing new: I always go through stages of being really into white, especially as a strong contrast to black, with nude. And often, I'm realising, when summer ends, and dark wintry days start kicking in: white feels so fresh. I've rediscovered a great thick white cable cropped turtleneck with extra long, belled sleeves, which I'm pairing with everything: today it was tight, high waisted black riding trousers and my black Chelsea boots. Simple, clean, crisp. And (she feels compelled to say) this isn't a sponsored post, but I was recently gifted a bottle of white geranium & juniper BLANC moisturising hand cream, in a simple white dispenser, by The White Company. Which now resides on my (white) night table in our (mostly white) bedroom. And which I'm constantly applying, wafting off such delicious fresh floral scents it's actually giving my husband hay fever in November.

So while assembling a some white images for this post, I accidentally clicked on a shot I must have pulled offline: the second shot isn't by me. I think it's actually part of the series of Maison Martin Margiella for H&M. And the bag isn't even white. But I like the composition juxtaposition. And the coincidence, because the third shot IS by me, and it's also, coincidentally, MMM.

That's another thing about white: wearing white, being surrounded by white - especially with winter looming.. it's so calming, so meditative. In fact, I'm feeling so blissed out, as I type this, that I really do have absolutely nothing to say.

All photos by me, apart from the second one. From top: Rosalind, of Clothes, Cameras and Coffee, shot in Ludlow. Sandra's feet, (of 5 inch & up), in paper Maison Martin Margiella boots and shoes, Somerset House. Swan, Hyde Park, nature's own.

oh so churchill

Holding my breath that all goes peacefully in Cairo today - Natayla's uncle was waiting all night in Tahrir square for the sun to rise and start the march. But she of all people would be the first to say that life goes on and I'm editing photos for a shoot Jen and Shini did on Saturday for Next (more about that later) - after all, Nat's the editor of Its Fashion Week, Egypt's main online fashion magazine, and she's such a professional, she'll do whatever it takes to make her deadlines. So while I can understand her not being able to do hers today, what with there being no internet in the country and all, still it would be pretty pathetic if I just threw up my hands and got all verklepmpt and started boycotting my own blog on behalf of the Egyptian people.

And yesterday I got back on the street style horse! Yay! I first surreptitiously shot Jess and her dog, crossing Pont Street after a lovely coffee and chat with my friend Maria. The sun was out and no one else was around and she saw me and smiled so I thought, what the hell. Can't hurt to ask.






Jess's dog's name is Winston Churchill and when she scooped him up to pose she said 'He doesn't like being told what to do.' I'd guess his namesake felt the same way. I love Jess's style, I can never get tired of black white and camel, love her creamy white cable knit jumper which looks expensive and possibly cashmere. When I asked where she got her jacket she told me but you wouldn't believe it. 'It's so Martin Margiela, don't you think?' she asked. I do.

Fingers on buzzers who made it. Answers in the next post.

Praying it stays peaceful in Cairo. The first thing I heard when I turned on the BBC was a reporter saying 'it's a bit like a party' and we all love a good party.

on trend: snorkel leggings

You have to hand it to the girls at London Fashion Week: they really suffered for their art. It was a heat wave, and yet there were trends that had to be worn: fur, and leather, and specifically, black leather leggings (or, 'wet look' leggings: to me they look like scuba or snorkeling gear). Some were faux, some, no doubt, were the real deal. Two different looks: which would you lean towards?

It baffles me beyond belief to see the cost range for this one simple trend. The Saks Fifth Avenue site lists a range that includes Fendi for $1,850.00 USD (or, for a hundred bucks more, you can opt for the Maison Martin Margiela version, altho I can't see the difference from the shots).

Alice + Olivia has a pair, a bargain at $698.00, but if you don't mind faux, go for the Romeo & Juliet Couture pair which will set up back a mere $35.00. And leave it to Topshop, they've got 'wetlook' black leggings for £18, or $28.60 on today's exchange rate. (I'm not assuming everyone reading this is a Yank or a Brit, so use the XE conversion to figure it out in your currency).

Unless you're absolutely sure this trend will become a classic, I know which one I'd pick.

(By the way: I didn't ask either girl where they got theirs, but the top girl's bag is Valentino. Still, that doesn't mean she hasn't gone for the faux).