totally rad maddy

I don't know about the rest of the world, but the ubiquitous leopard print phenomenon is spreading faster than swine flu. (Hey: it's December. Weren't we all meant to be dead by October?) My Great Motel Rocks Challenge is coming to an end: they were really kind about loaning it to me, but I've held onto it way too long, mostly because it's rained so much. So Mr. Dot & I are off to the V&A today for one last Challenge, and then, sadly, it's goodbye to The Coat that has become a warm and cherished cuddly friend.



Here is Maddy Ford, who rose to the challenge. We were in Green & Stone & I was choosing coloured pencils when suddenly Mr. Dot pulled me out of the store to meet someone 'perfect for you.' I'm wondering if our marriage is getting a bit weird if my husband is now scouting out beautiful blondes. Maddy is a Celebrity Fashion Stylist, as it says on her card, and altho as you know I only post people's first names, I'm including her surname because it's got such a great sound - Maddy Ford - and this way, if you're a celebrity, you'll know how to find her. She's totally rad. And very, very sweet.



She wasn't sure The Coat would work with her outfit (note: the polka dots on her leggings are evenly spaced sequins, and her blackberry has a matching silver sequin covered case) but that's the point of my experiment: I've yet to find a look that doesn't work with this coat. And yet, come tomorrow, it's goodbye. I just hope the next lucky girl loves it as much as I have.

Maddy's tee by McQueen, bag by Louis Vuitton, but jacket 'only Zara'. Leopard print coat, stylist's own.

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