above us only sky

As you might have noticed on some of my South Beach posts, nearly all the girls are wearing faded blue jean shorts and white lacey linen tops. It's clear to see why this is the uniform: one is always just steps away from the beach, and while the weather changes, it's all about sand, sea, and sky. The light makes you just want to wear white, and your softest, most faded, blue jeans.









So, as with my Leopard in London series, I'm finding that I'm enjoying shooting variations on a theme.



This couple, who I didn't have time to stop and introduce myself to, had a kind of celebrity vibe to them. (Watch: it turns out they are, and once again, I'm clueless).* It made me think how easy it is to read thing into a photo taken out of context: in reality, they looked really happy & compatible. I caught a shot of them a few feet apart. If they were, say, Brad and Angelina, could we come to the conclusion they were Splitsville?

Speaking of: do you think the rumours are true? Are you an Angelina girl, or a Jen? Do you care? I haven't met either of them (nor, Brad), but I do hope that Brad & Jen get back together. I love a good fairy tale, and am such a softy for a Happily Ever After Ending.

I'm playing Imagine as I'm posting this. We leave Florida tomorrow and I don't want to leave: it's been so lovely.



It's cold today here in Palm Beach County, but it's our last full day of holiday, the skies are blue blue blue (after stormy weather yesterday) and no matter what, I'm gonna swim. We've had a perfect holiday, and I always feel so close to my father here, and happy childhood memories of visiting friends and family, and a connection with something so simple, and universal.

So here's my little thank you gift today, dear blog-friends, for your visits, comments, and support: click here. Have a happy day.



*Unbelievable! Sure enough: they are. Or at least, she is. Possibly. I've got this fabulous Anonymous Source (see comments) - someone always Anonymously tells me things. I don't think it's a real person: I think it's some kind of fairy godmother/angel/Goddess that watches over me, guiding me on. In this case, She informs me that the blonde in the photo is Lauren McAvoy, winner of Britian's Next Top Model.

You live & learn.

serendipity: ashley

Posting this from stormy Florida, so we've nixed our planned trip to Miami today. AND one of my best childhood friends just flew down from NY: her mom had emergency surgery (she's miraculously doing well). They're minutes away. She & I are like that all the time: the weirdest coincidences, like running into each other in the Hamptons by chance. And we've discovered that yesterday - without knowing either one was in the state of Florida - we went to our beloved re-located childhood bakery Flakowitz, at the same time. Literally missed each other by a minute. And were served by the same guy!



What does this have to do with Ashley, who I met on Lincoln Road in South Beach, Miami? Nothing. Apart from a bit of serendipity (or coincidence). I love her look, and while I was shooting her, right on cue, a little dog got into the shoot. And as I snapped, I asked where she got that great bustier & skirt & she said 'American Apparel: I work there' - and indicated a branch across the street. Which is ironic, considering I'm running their ad (more on this in yesterday's posts comments, if you're interested).



I love her style: her use of colour is so subtle. Can you see the red in her bustier, and the purple-ish tones in her lace up 'brogues' (in British, or 'Oxfords', in American speak)? And the subtle sophistication of pattern mix-up: you'll be seeing a lot more of this trend, I predict. If we get down to South Beach tomorrow, I hope to catch her again, see what else she's got up her sleeve. But of course, only if it's meant to be.

And I love coincidence (or, serendipity): to me it's proof of something bigger at work than just me. It's like that old line: if you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans.

Have you had any incidents of serendipity in your life recently?

. . . . update:

I didn't realise at the time, but just heard from Ashley again, who just mentioned she took photos on a recent trip to India. She's a fabulous photographer, take a look here. Why am I not surprised: a good eye for style is usually connected to creativity in other areas. And she's so so nice!

leigh @ la provence: miami style

We stumbled on a great place on Collins Avenue, near the Delano called La Provence for the best little brunch, which is where I met Leigh, a photographer from NY, who was on a coffee break from shooting her boyfriend kite surfing at the beach. Lovely, lovely girl, and so tall, I had to back way back, practically onto the street. She said she was a bit embarrassed to be photographed so scruffily, which only makes me wonder how great she'd look when she 'scrubs up', as they say in London. Sourcing (in her words):

Homeade cut-offs-Rock & Republic
Painter's Tee-JCrew
Hoodie-Merona (Target)
Scarf-Sir....something
Sunglasses-Burberry
Flops-Havianas
Camera-Nikon D60 ;)



I love her colours - blue and white and turquoise with the tans and browns of skin and hair are my favourite, most relaxing, happy colours ever. Which is part of why I love the Delano so much. I've got so many shots of various chair groupings, and I realise this blog is called 'street style london', not Hotel Lobbies I Have Known and Loved, but, still.. it's just so hard to pick one or two.



And of course, I've got to leave you with another shot of the reluctant Mr. Dot. When we were young, my dad, who had a great photographic eye, would put my sister and I in photos. Like Mr. Dot, we'd be all 'oh, dad, not another shot' but he'd say he needed us in 'for scale'.

south beach style: brionna outside the delano

Yesterday Mr. Dot & I drove down to Miami (South Beach) for the day. I can't believe all these years we've stayed up in the Palm Beach area when we visited. I love love love South Beach. I knew it had changed since I hung out there as a teenager when we'd visit family friends in Key Biscayne, but man oh man.. it's just like what I've been longing for about LA: that wonderful mix of old/new rich/poor, the Cuban influence, the architecture.. well those of you in the real world know what I'm talking about. I've basically just landed on this planet, so I'm like the last to know.

I swam in the glorious, turquoise sea: the wind was so strong we were getting stung by the sand, and the surf was just pounding me to bits. Even after a swim in the pool later on, AND a shower, I still had sand caked in my ear. My idea of heaven!

Met Brionna, who's so lucky to live there, outside my new favourite hotel, the Delano. I love the flashes of purple, the accents of diamonds & beads adding a bit of femininity to balance that clean, now classic look of white ribbed 'vest' and skinny blue jeans. She is a warm, delightful girl. I wish you could see the little tattoos on her neck, they're so subtle, and cool.



Her sunglasses remind me of a chair inside the Delano.



She can't recall who made her shoes but she bought them at Nordstrom. A nice feminine touch, like a bit of lace peeking out of a Victorian lady's hem.

More South Beach (& Palm Beach) shots to come. Sorry I'm not commenting as much, sweet blog friends, but I am visiting when I can, and so happy for your comments. Wish you were here!

p.s. Thank you, Lolitta, for the tip off on Brionna's shoes (she forgot the make, too): she said they're by Steve Madden, cause she has the same pair in black.



And to Butterfield, who asked what the deal was with the sparkly beads, I'm adding another shot so you can see what she's done: it's brilliant, actually. Just tossed a beaded necklace over her shoulder like a shoulder bag. I don't know if you can make out, but she's also got some really sweet tattoos on her neck & shoulders. Very subtle.