Trust Toast

Ah, Toast. You never fail to make me feel better that it's the end of summer. If only I could afford your clothes. Even so, bring on autumn!

On the other hand, this article in the Telegraph about 'catalogue lifestyle anxiety' made me laugh.

All images from Toast.

Pheasant pattern

Here's a new pattern I designed today, with a pair of pheasants in a repeat that took far too long to work out. It's not yet available for sale on Spoonflower, because I haven't approved the test swatch yet, but here's the link to it, and some colour variations too. The toile from before is now available to purchase, though.

I think, depending on how my swatches turn out, I would like to use the pheasant print for some clothes - maybe a dress or something. I lack pattern in my wardrobe, and wearing my own would be fun!

currently loving...

The new collection at Whistles, especially this dress.


The new collection at Zara. This dress caught my eye.


For the husband, grandad shirts by Magee of Donegal. Even contemplating altering and wearing one of their men's nightshirts as a dress. Too weird? Probably.

See more of what I'm liking on Pinterest.

The husband has bought loads of stuff, including a car

So I've been thinking about what I would splurge some money on, if I could bear it. A new bag and casual jacket for summer, a new pair of sandals, swimwear, something light to wear, and a bit of bling (my goodness, do I like that little grey-diamond bit of bling!)

Here is a link to the set at Polyvore.

Chemise Dress from Plumo, £95
Urban Outfitters - Quilted Jacket, 48 GBP
Somercotes Bandeau, 39 GBP
Haskayne Pant, 29 GBP
Bembrook Leather Sandals at Jack Wills, 59 GBP
Vaneli "Poseidon" grey suede pumps, $85
UO Canvas Carryall Satchel, $48
Shrubherd Bag, $134
0.50ct Round Rose Cut Grey Diamond Ring, 18K | Conroy & Wilcox, $1,740
Urban Outfitters - Ecote 3/4 Sleeve Moto Jacket, 45 GBP
Labour and Wait - canvas fishing bag £145
UPLA bag

London

Oh dear. I really shouldn't be let loose in London. Not only did I buy a lovely grey coat for the husband but my hand, uh, slipped in Urban Outfitters and I ended up with these trousers in navy. Oops! They are just the thing I've been looking for, though, that's what I'm telling myself.


I also had a close encounter with these shoes at the Faith sale (Faith are in administration so everything is 20% off right now) but I walked away at the last minute. Seriously, I could have done a lot of damage to our bank balance yesterday if I'd let myself. Thankfully I only got the trousers, although I could have bought up half of Urban Outfitters, including these super-impractical suede booties. Dangerous.


OK, enough with the clothes! I'll be back with some drawing later this afternoon.

peg leg trousers and a blouse

I am away in London today running a few errands and seeing old colleagues for lunch. I might even go and draw somewhere interesting in the afternoon. Alternatively I could go on the hunt for that elusive spring/summer jacket that I've been looking for ever since I consigned the last one, faded and ragged, to the bin. Or I could go to Gap and get the husband the coat that he has been eyeing up but which he hasn't found in the right size yet. He, like me, is a pretty average-sized person so whenever something is popular, it always runs out in our sizes first. Annoying!

I thought I'd bite the bullet and show you a couple of things I've mentioned before, namely the sewing project from last week and those pesky peg leg trousers that I keep prattling about but never photograph. Well, here they both are in all their combined peculiar/androgynous glory. Sorry about the rubbish photos - I am not brave enough yet to get the husband to take pictures of me whilst I prat around in silly clothing so I'm doing it on a timer or in the rather dusty bedroom mirror.


The blouse is the sewing project from last week, and was inspired by the one from Jackson, Johnston and Roe that I blogged here. I haven't decided yet if I will sew tiny opaque white buttons to the placket or leave it as is. Amateurishly, I made the pattern up myself, so the fit around the shoulders isn't perfect (it's a bit funnel-necky on someone as square as me) and it's a b***** to take off! Oop! Maybe I'll get better with practice :-) But it was fun to make. I have never made a garment with sleeves before so at least I've learned something!



In order NOT to look like a bloke, perhaps some heels might be in order, but I'm in socks here. Never mind if I look like some random from the 1920s or 30s - I love these pictures of girls in menswear and workwear, from Wikipedia and The Selvedge Yard.

J.Crew in the UK

I hear that big American brand, J.Crew, will be launching in the UK on Net-a-Porter some time soon. I really like the look of their Fall/Winter'10 collection, so I'm looking forward to seeing what will be available here. That green coat above makes me wish it were autumn already! I must be crazy.




Sorry I've not been doing drawings this week. Distracted.

I can't wait...

until next Friday when the husband and I are running off to Wales for a few days. We will be scouting around for places to buy a house, having a peek at a couple of properties we've been eyeing up, and the rest of the time we will be doing a lot of walking.

So today I was wondering what to write about and came up with a blank. But as I like to say: when in doubt (and with time on your hands), turn to Polyvore! What clothes would I like to wear on a short break in springtime Wales? (OK, the shorts are a bit optimistic...)


This is the set that I randomly put together just now. Comparing this one to the others I've done, there is definitely a theme going on here - very simple, lots of neutrals, shorts worn with long sleeves, a snip of blue and a pop of colour in the accessories... but it's not even as if I dress like this - I hate my legs so shorts are a bit of an issue! I need to get over that...

Items in this set: Grey cardigan, Jack Wills, $170; Embly Racer Back Tee, 39 GBP; Vanessa Bruno Athe Wool cargo shorts, $105; Carraville Walking Socks, 24 GBP; Moccasin Boots, $240; Toast Elsie Satchel, 325 GBP; Bordfield Belt, 79 GBP. Other items - Barbour Beaufort wax jacket, Stanley food flask, necklace from Eclectic Eccentricity, squirrel necklace, blue scarf and Toast blanket - click here for the full list of items.

Of all of those things I only own the Barbour jacket and Stanley flask. Well, I suppose I could put together a vest, shorts and cardigan combo too, plus long socks and lace-up boots. I'm almost there! Bring on next Friday!

I'm so sad

I am at a loss. I am bored to tears with work right now (animating tiny figures warming up for a game of cricket is soul destroying). But at the same time I appear to have vacated all interesting thoughts from my head. Perhaps I shouted a bit too hard last night and my brain fell out or something. Anyhoo, with nothing particular to tell you, I thought I'd have a play on Polyvore and collate a few bits of clothing you might wear on the hallowed terraces of White Hart Lane if, unlike me, you don't want to look like a fledgling thug in your Spurs scarf and shirt, wax jacket and lace-up black boots. OK, maybe a skirt is a bit soft for football - after all, I think you should go dressed like you want to karate kick someone in the chest. Your choice!

I had to, however, include an obligatory piece of chav bling (the SINGLE earring - I mean, really? Is that for a man to wear?), just to lower the tone to the right level. After all, part of the experience is eating dodgy fish and chips whilst watching the ticket touts and apprentice hooligans pass by. It wouldn't do to be too well turned-out. And of course the whole thing needs a pop of canary yellow to reinforce the message. My god, I'm sad (and bored).


I even gave it the title Come on you Spurs just to make things worse.

Items in this set (as usual with no regard for whether or not one can buy them): Stripe Jersey Dress by Rare**, $90, Handbe-T Navy Vest, 40 GBP, Gemma button-down cotton skirt, $170, Striped cotton skirt, $165, Shoes - Forever21.com, $20.

Now I'm going to bury my head in the garden for shame.

a little shoe-loving

I love love love these new grey suede shoes from Ruche ($84.99). Lord, I might even love them enough to pay the $20 P&P to the UK. Or maybe not.


Have you seen Ruche before? It's an online boutique dedicated to selling affordable clothing and accessories with a vintage touch. Simple as that. It is all beautiful. Go and have a look! The shoes above are here but they are sold out unless you have enormous feet! Gorgeous and quirky.

Wrangler Blue Bell Website

Check out this website for the Wrangler Blue Bell Spring Summer Collection. It's great fun. Seriously, go there and play. NOW.

Happy happy weekend! I am entertaining my mad family at home on Saturday and then working my arse off on Sunday. Hooray!

Orla Kiely

I'm so sorry to any of those readers who are getting fed up with my clothing obsession. I can't stop myself from looking, it's like a disease. I will write about other things too some time! I promise. However...

I was browsing through Orla Kiely's new Spring/Summer lookbook and thought I'd post up some of the cute outfits. The inspiration behind the collection is the traditional English seaside holiday, with boat prints and sweet blazers, all in a palette of soft grey-blues and navy, brightened up with my favourite mustard yellow amongst other colours. Lovely!






OK, so I'd not go as far as wearing a dickie bow, I am not an English redhead and I most certainly DO NOT have legs like that, but it doesn't harm to look, right?

Swallows and Amazons

When I was a child I was an avid fan of the Swallows and Amazons books by Arthur Ransome. I wanted to run wild around the countryside making maps, sleeping in tents, eating tinned beef and calling it pemmican, prancing around in my swimwear whilst daubed in mud; I wanted to swim in lakes, sail boats, and plan expeditions all whilst hanging around in shorts and thick fisherman's jumpers and leather brogues with socks. It all sounded like such fun, a fantasy with few adults but lots of fire and knives. OK, that didn't come out quite right, but you know what I mean.

These days I'm a bit more self-conscious in swimwear, but all of the other things I would still definitely do. And what would I wear? Well, I was pratting about on Polyvore yesterday and came up with this slightly monochromatic and unintentionally expensive selection.



Alcina Sweater, $395
Shirred Boyfriend Shirt, $275
Corsham Duffle, 180 GBP
Old Navy Womens Perfect Khaki Shorts (3), $20
Brown Leather Brogue Shoe, 40 GBP


The anchor brooch is actually a monstrous 15cm thing from Topshop US, the beige cashmere socks (I know this is all a bit expensive!) are sold out, and the bag is a military surplus bag from Hungary. The belt is £40 from All Saints - happily I have an almost identical one from years ago that I bought for £5 in a Topshop sale :-) Maybe a proper raincoat and an old fashioned sou'wester would also be essential in our rainy summers. I would add a red beret or woolly hat - indeed I already own one(!) - but I think that would probably take things a bit too far.

Tomorrow I will find some good things for a vintage, Swallows and Amazons style camping trip. See you then!

Jackson, Johnston & Roe

I spotted the new collection at Jackson, Johnston & Roe last Friday. I love the styling and colours and the great footwear - I've been ogling shoe-boot-sandal things all weekend on eBay wondering if I should wear more heels. Those brown sandals in the last shot? Want! That balance of androgynous styling against feminine details and accessories gets me every time.

My peg leg trousers arrived on Saturday and they are amazing! I will wait for the weather to brighten up (it is snowing AGAIN) before I take a photo. If I'm also feeling brave enough, that is. Now, a pair of teetering platform chunky shoe boot sandally thingies would finish off the look perfectly.

happy Friday!

for most of you anyway. I have barely started the weekend's work. I need SERIOUS pressure and horrifying time limits in order to get into gear. So far I have taken some screen grabs, saved some reference pictures of tractors, wheelbarrows and honeybees, watched some old television adverts on Youtube, puttered around looking at inappropriate footwear on eBay, eaten a chocolate bar, made coffee... and I'm going out to dinner tonight so NOW I'm wondering what to wear. You see, it's a big thing for someone who doesn't leave the house a lot - it's a chance to wear something proper and for someone other than myself to SEE it. Poor me, I know.


If I had the money and were feeling brave, how about these fabulous Luxury Trousers from Nadinoo?! A real statement. Take a look at all the other Liberty-print clothing that they make.

I also posted up the soup recipe that I mentioned yesterday. It was amazing. You should try it although you might need a strong constitution to survive the corrosive stench that your body might make afterwards. Have a good weekend!

peg leg trousers

Sorry I keep writing about clothes... but on an impulse last night I bought a pair of 1980s checked peg leg trousers for £6.98 on eBay. Daft? For someone who is 5'6 and not in the possession of the world's longest legs, it's probably disastrous. I was messing around with some pairs in Topshop at the weekend and thought, with some heels and a bit of imagination, they could be OK. However, I wasn't prepared to pay £35 for the privilege of finding out they are NOT OK, so I've been scouring eBay, where you can pick up some great vintage pairs (velvet pair below from this seller), or new ones made by Gap, All Saints, Topshop etc. for a lot less than full retail price. If like me you're not sure if a look will really suit you, I think getting some on the cheap is a good idea (probably something that some other poor mug has discarded because this look DOESN'T SUIT ANYONE under 5'11). OK, so the pair I got were probably not the best, but then I like to be a little bit off-centre when it comes to fashion. It will never do to be too slavish.


What to wear them with? Damned if I know. A jersey vest tucked in and a big smile are probably my safest bets. I'm wondering, though, if a cropped and gently tapered version like these at Urban Outfitters would have been more flattering...


It's not a huge step from the tapered trouser look, but this season there is a new trend for a certain kind of sweat pant. Yes, trackie bottoms, joggers whatever - they were all over the catwalks. Not any kind of sweat pant, mind. They have to be tapered to the ankle with/without a cuff, be the right kind of colour (read grey or black), and MUST be worn with the right thing on top otherwise you're going to look like you just crawled out of bed to buy milk on some council estate in Manchester. Comfortable, easy on the eye, versatile... God knows, this could be a fashion hit. Topshop has some in light and darker grey, or find them at ASOS here, here, and here, or Urban Outfitters here amongst many others. Or we could all realize that these can make our arses look huge and the whole thing could die.


Image from here.

EDIT (May 2010): see how I wore these trousers here.

Tokyo Street Style

I was randomly clicking blog links yesterday and came across this website, which is an ongoing collection of photographs taken on the streets of Tokyo, not only in super-trendy Harajuku but other districts too. I've picked out some pretty understated outfits to post up here but do have a click around over on the website, especially in the Harajuku section, to see some really fabulous and whimsical looks. I've been fascinated by this ever since I saw Fruits, a wonderful book of the most flamboyant outfits, all seen on the streets of Tokyo. This website isn't quite as extreme but it's good fun to look at if you like this sort of thing. Would I dress like this? Probably in bits, but there are some weird looks going on that would make me feel like a proper fool. They are brave, some of these kids, but certainly inspiring.


Aren't these shoes just the right side of sweet?


I like the oddball geek look. However I don't think the husband will go as far as this. Shame.

Looking at all of this makes me want to reassess how I get dressed. I go through phases of how I want to look. A lot of the time I am boring as hell (skinny black jeans, vest, cardigan, flats), other times I go a bit grungy/indie with angry, pointy shoes; other times I'm prim and girly, and then there's the unhinged country thing. I often feel like I haven't got any kind of real sartorial identity, but perhaps that rustic, got-dressed-in-the-dark look that I sport when I want to look like an eccentric is the real 'me' if such a thing exists.

I am often halted by my problematic self-consciousness. I wish I didn't care what other people think of me but I can't help it. I don't always like standing out, but there is a small part of me that revels in the feeling when I do. I should try it more often rather than blending in - life's too short to be shy, right?




I was amazed by the range of ideas and stuff in Japan, from the odd 'mori girl' movement to some sweet clothing lines that you might never see over here. I adore those little brown gaiter-topped boots on the last picture. Now I want to go away and dress like a girl who lives in a forest...

Images above from Japanese brands Yab-Yum and Felissimo.

When in doubt

try a belt! On a whim I bought this beautiful but odd German/Swiss button-back blouse on eBay a while back and have been struggling to work out how to wear it. On the one hand it can make me look like I'm 60 years old and on the other, like a man. Not in a fashionably androgynous way, but just like a bloke, even with the lovely pattern.


But I think I've made it work now - layer something bright underneath, wear with skinny black jeans, roll sleeves up above the elbow and, most crucially, cinch it with a long belt wrapped a couple of times round. Wear with a top-knot, silly yellow reindeer pendant and lashings of irony - now I look like a scary German spinster, right? Good.


Our house is gloomily dark apart from the kitchen and I feel very stupid taking photos of myself dressing up for no reason other than work-procrastination (I have two jobs to do and I've barely started either). But applaud me for my bravery in putting up half a photo of myself!

REALLY need to do some work now!