just one look

If I had to pick one all time classic-with-a-twist look in a guy, to take on a desert island with, this would be it. It's so gosh darn Leave it to Beaver, Americana circa 1960, with just the slightest hint of edgy British punk.

This song instantly popped into my head. I'm thinking that you might be back at work, or school, and hope you had an absolutely perfectly wonderfully festive holiday season. But if you're feeling a bit down, this song by the Hollies might cheer you up (and yes, I believe that is indeed Graham Nash).




However, if you want a better version, musically - altho chocked full of so many Glamour Don't's I've lost count - there's nothing that beats that queen of 70s pop music, Linda Rondstadt. Altho I must admit there's a bit of aggressive, slightly bunny boiler in this version. I'd hate to see what happens to the guy that turns her down!



SO: whose one look would YOU take with you to a desert island? If you could only have one? ; )

jaks girls

Was a week or so before Christmas, and I was hanging out at Jaks, on Walton Street in Knightsbridge, one of my favourite places to eat, meet a friend for a coffee & a chat, or just be alone and read & people watch. Walton Street is a funny street: it's narrow and seemingly a back road, but it's well trafficked and there are some cool shops on it. And it's a great place to street shoot: not the edgy wackiness of Camden or Hoxton, but still modern, cool... Euro style.



Case in point, Donata (left), from Lithuania originally, and her friend - totally blanking on her name! - from Rio. I love how Donata's turquoise top brings out the amazing blue of her eyes. This is just ordinary, classic day style: black riding type boots, jeans - but they've each got something luxurious to soften the look: a bit of fur on the collar, or in her friend's case, a blue fur scarf. Actually, maybe this close up will help, and you can see the ballerina necklace she's got on:



Donata Hanson is a fashion designer: this is her website. Her friend isn't, but as Donata said 'she wears my dresses!' And they're gorgeous, check them out. As are these girls. We left a few minutes later, kiss kiss, old friends.

polka dot's tip top tip: ankle belts

No, you haven't read it wrong, and it wasn't a typo: I didn't mean ankle boots.

I've been wearing the same Blue Velvet plain black riding boots from last year, day in & day out (okay, granted, no one was putting a gun to my head: I do have other boots) but I was really in the mood for something more butch: more motorcycle. I went as far as actually shopping (not online). But nothing seemed worth the price, especially since I'm really loyal to my boots.

So I wrapped a belt around one of them.

No one noticed. I tried this a few times, have been walking all over London in them, met friends for lunch & coffee & things, but no one said a word. Either they thought it was too daft to mention, or they assumed the detailing were part of the boots.

But now that I've got the taste for it, I'm thinking of branching out in other directions. Gold chains, perhaps. I mean, let's face it: if shoes are the new bag (well, we've always loved shoes), if all the focus is on the foot, then why can't our ankles wear bracelets?