stylist for a day

Talk about procrastination: I've just whiled away the better part of the afternoon going through the Topshop 'high summer' look book. I set myself three style challenges. While I don't like everything in the collection - the red stuff, for example - I was really inspired by what's on offer, especially the peasant shirt: I had one just like it. I wish I still had it. I've got my sister's, tho: her name tag from Camp Birchwood is still sewn inside, with care, by our mom. Hers (now mine) is white with blue, but mine was almost identical to this one.

I don't like everything matchy matchy, so there's always something in my outfits that is a bit.. off. Wrong. And last but not least: two looks as done by the Topshop stylists. I don't know if the items shown here are available in stores and online just yet, but they will be soon. Okay: NOW I can go out and write! Enough faux styling for one day.

orange you glad, dorothy

More from the Dorothy Perkins press day, in keeping with today's orange theme. Did you know that Dot Perkins is not an actual person, but rather, a rambler rose? According to wikipedia, Dorothy Perkins was founded in 1909 under the name H.P. Newman, and changed it to the rose in 1919. I really love the whole wikipedia story. I love that there is no actual Dorothy, or Dot.



So smitten was I from the rainbow look of the DP floor on press day, but not wanting to wait til next fall, I checked out the options online and really: it's extraordinary. Seriously. These two dresses are available now, for £26 and £28 pounds, and gosh darn if that purple lace number couldn't give Issa a run for its money.

I considered calling this post 'a rose by any other name' but after no one noticed my 'elle red' (get it? Well Read? See what I mean) I thought I should just give up.

Anyway, I'm in an orange kind of mood today. And I must say: I'm STILL not seeing colour blocking on the street, (apart from me, but I've always alternated solid neutrals with solid brights: I've been around the colour block, let's just say). If anyone is wearing bright colours please send me photos! I'll do a post. And Happy Friday.

orange you glad: paperwallet

Like most of you who have a fashion blog, I get a lot of emails. I don't have a system per se, and while I don't delete everything (I'm a hoarder, even with digital information) I do sometimes see something that catches my eye. It was back before Christmas, I think, that I received something from a guy named Steve, who represents PAPERWALLET. Such a simple concept: wallets, made from paper. Exactly what it says on the tin.

He wanted to know if I could mention it on my blog. I replied that if he sent me one, I'd go a step further and photograph it AND mention it on my blog. I don't know about you guys but I am constantly amazed that anyone gets paid for their blog, or gets free stuff. The few times I've deal with fashion brands for fees - like when I ran the ad for American Apparel - it was taking forever to get paid, and not paid much, and in the end it just wasn't worth it. I prefer to just promote what I like, not what I'm getting paid to like.

But bless his cotton socks if Steve didn't send me the wallet! AND one for Mr. Dot. He asked me to choose a colour or pattern and I chose a kind of Chanel-Vague pale aqua, my favourite colour, (click here to see it) but that wasn't available at the time, so I chose ORANGE. Back then, I wasn't wearing orange. This wallet has started my spring combination that I've worn for years - it's such a great warm weather combo - of hot pink, orange, and some brown, tan, nude, or black - just to bounce the colour off of. Sometimes even a little lime green.

Mr. Dot got his in plain old BROWN, and it's ageing like fine old leather. These wallets are sturdy, and strong, and I love the simplicity of it. I customised mine with a few drops of hot pink nail varnish, which my niece Scarlett who's just visited London to see her dad, my brother (we spent the whole week staying up late going back stage - literally on the stage - for his show) greatly admired. She left for NY the other day, he's left this morning to continue touring, and I really miss them both. It was a fun visit.

Oh and you can't beat the price: the solids are £9.99. With free shipping worldwide. I love it. And shame on me for not talking about it sooner. But better late than never.