the ups the downs

Patent leather brogues: Office @ Topshop.  Platform sandals: Report Signature (on sale).  Like a 70s tan versions of the Pradas

Newbies. 

Both with contrasting pale wood heels - lightening up for the summer. 

Secret garden

Went to the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens yesterday for the first time.   Talk about Alice in Wonderland?

Click below to see what I mean.  Absolutely bloody gorgeous  >>>

CLICK FOR MORE PICTURES >>>

I want these - cut off cowboy boots

For summer I love sandals but love boots more.  

Right now I'm looking at vintage inspired western shoe boots.  Bonus: They won't cut your leg in half since they stop around your ankle instead of around your calf. 

These are my favourites (so far).  If you have any recs, share please?

1.  Frye Billy (runs 1 sz large)

2.  Dolce Vita Stance

3.  Charles David Rally

4.  Dolce Vita Raj

Topshop bird dress  + Ray Ban Clubmasters 

ray ban rethink

Shades: Ray Ban (available June 1 exclusively at Sunglass Hut)

Sunglass Hut sent me Ray Ban's soon to be released aviators.  These ones come with an unexpected twist. 

I'll show you what I mean soon!

Until then, summer is finally here so I'll be playing around with them for a while (plus it's a switch up to the rounds). 

Ok - I'm off to get lunch.

weathered

Coat: Zara (thrift shop).  Faux leather skinnies: Trash & Vaudeville (found another version ). Boots: All Saints (still gets compliments after 2+ years wearing them!).  Hat & shirt: ASOS. Leather shopper: Zara. Skull & bones necklace: Britannia Antiques @ Bk flea market (similar look here). Large stone ring: Mania Mania. Double ring: Made her Think

Last week was the worst. Honestly I was wearing jackets or a light ish coat so much I couldn't stand it.

When it's like this I wear a side braid to protect my hair from frizzing.  Soon as I get home, I let it out. Seems to work (or until I find THE miracle of all miracle hair serums. Morrocan Oil isn't working - any more recs or am I doomed to stay frizzy in summer?). Ok enough ranting Karen.

Here's the Zara leather bag I posted a few days ago.  Love how basic it is and because it's a pop it goes with anything! 

shop love - daha vintage

Here's a vintage shop I pop into whenever I am in the lower east side.

Click below to take a peak inside >>>>

CLICK FOR MORE PICTURES >>>

pink

Dress: Shareen vintage. Chuck Taylor: Zappos (I want black with white laces next).  Rings from left to right: Anantara. Large red stone: Vintage. (similar long ring here).  Double spear head: Anantara. Talon ring: Leviticus. Band: Gift. Stacked with Bulgari. Brass 'peace' bracelet (vintage) Found a similar one here + red silly band

Got the dress from Shareen Vintage the other day - I love that place. 

I faded the chucks in the sun the last time I was in St Lucia.  The strong sun accelerated the natural fade process to get them to this shade.  Definitely try this on a good hot day if you want to lighten yours. 

A couple of extra shots (including with Sir Oliver) on FB.

Edited to add: I JUST noticed that I did a blog post before with the exact same title here! I need to watch that :-)

wishful thinking

Dress: DVF (my other dream maxi .  Found a simple take on long coloured dresses). Boots: Vintage mens (these brown Fryes work too). Shades: Ray Ban.  Hat: Vintage. Ring: Bulgari

Extra pics from the Bulgari post.

The day I wore this dress was one of the warmest that New York has had so far.  I cannot wait for more like this stretched out back to back.  Fingers crossed the warmth really starts soon.  

Does it really feel like summer where you are yet?

K x

sailing

T-shirt: Uniqlo.  Trousers: Zara (found similar ones if you don't have Zara access).  Pointed toe creepers: Underground Originals via Trash & Vaudeville. Bag: Thrift DIY studded. Necklace: Vintage.  Shades: Ray Ban (these are bigger versions). Battered top hat: Trash & Vaudeville. Spear ring: Anatara. 

I wore these trousers a few days ago (before it poured every day) and God do I love them. Definitely the widest pair I've found which is cool because it looks like you are wearing a floor length skirt a lot of the time.   You know I love maxi's so this strikes that in between balance. 

I teamed them with a DIY slashed Uniqlo Tshirt in the softest drapey material.  Definitely buy thin T's if you can - much more flattering and cutting off the sleeves takes the prep out of them. 

Surplus pics on facebook. 

zara basics

Celine

I love Zara's take right now on minimalism.

I bought two simple pieces:

Cobalt blue skimmers to run around the city with skinnies or dresses like these and a very soft Celine esq peach/orange leather shopper.  Devoid of all unnecessary detailing. No hardware.  No zips.  No logos.  Just soft leather.

I took the last picture of the three Celine bags at Barneys to show a quick comparison  (yes - they are lovely in real life too).

At the end of the day, when styled correctly you can so easily work the lower priced version if you can't afford Celine. 

wdugt - black and white

Photo: Karen Blanchard

I took the above picture in Brooklyn and asked the girl where did she get her jacket.  It's from a boutique in the Lower East Side.  I didn't quite catch the name of it but loved her look enough to want to repeat it. 

To me, simple black and white is a classic.  A version of her look:

1. Topshop Grandad shirt

2. All Saints studded biker jacket

3. Citizens of Humanity skinnies in Epic or Ebony

4.  BADgal black eye pencil

5.  Love Quotes linen scarf (I have this in black)

6.  Lauren Moshi canvas bag

7. True Religion motor boots

summer bells

Floral bells: Shopcuff. (but these are my dream pair).  Top: H&M. A top more oversized like this would work. 

Old boots: Mens thrift. (if your not into thrift, these are a similar feel). Bag: LF. (fringe alternative or this). Hat: ASOS. Turquoise ring:  Brooklyn flea market.  Necklace: Urban Outfitters. Large silver talon ring: Studded & Stoned. Shades: Ray Ban

I've been looking at floral bell bottoms lately.  They're light and less expected than denim flares (which I still love though).   These were cheap enough to road test till I find my favourites. 

Floral bells are perfect for summer festivals - must go to one or two this season. Anyone got any favourites in or around New York??

dilemas

Picture taken with iPhone

I should have known the day would come when the Chloe docs would be copied.

Less the white stitching (which can easily be dyed dark by a cobbler), these are an excellent version of the original.

My Chloes are black. 

One guess where this copy literally just popped up.  Would you get them?

cornflower

Dress: Vintage ( long sleeve mini found here too).  Hat: ASOS. Bag: Forever 21. Shoes: London Underground Creepers at T&V or buy similar online here.  Starfish ring: Random NY shop. This one is close. 

I found this dress over two years ago at a vintage shop and it's still a favourite.  I remember when I pulled it off the clothing rail, the sheer material and long sleeves with circular patterned cuffs sold it - I still remember that moment. God - the things that stick in my head... (I wear a slip under it and cycling shorts since it's not lined). 

I wear it now with bare legs and with tights in winter (like this older post).

Sooooo glad I dyed the creepers all black.  Endless possibilities now....

(Surplus pics on FB)