GUESS WHAT? NEW SHOES

New shoes from the last of the Poste Mistress sale. Based on this evidence I have both an Instagram and a foot fetish. 

1, 2, 3 - Paul Smith Men Only floral loafers (with the most beautiful insole ever)

4, 5 - F Troupe clogs 

LATE AGAIN

These shoes are so distinctive it seems a shame to distract from them, hence the simple attire. I don't always dress from the ground up but I'll frequently scrap an entire outfit if the shoes don't work with it. I would say clothes and shoe worries are probably my only cause of lateness in the morning - a minor wibble can send me into a girlie tail spin. 

Jumper - Topshop 

T shirt - Topshop 

Jeans - Uniqlo 

Shoes - Church's

LARISSA HADJIO CRAB BAG

It's a bag. In the shape of a crab! What's not to like? Needless to say, I really want one. 

Crab bag and all images from Larissa Hadjio 

WHEN I DON'T FALL IN LOVE WITH COMPLEX GEOMETRIES

This outfit is very unlike me. But to be fair, when I wore it I was feeling very unlike me and I just wanted something simple and loose fitting. That was the plan...it turned out to be a very uncomfortable ensemble that lasted no more than a few hours. 

I've been hearing bloggers rave about Complex Geometries for a couple of years now, so when The Outnet had a sale I bought this t shirt so I could try the label out. I can't say I'm sold. I've always found that because I'm not a skinny girl elaborately constructed clothes tend to look weird on me - folds, layers and sharp cuts look great on a flat surface - but when you add boobs and such to the mix the essence of the garment suddenly disappears. Am I the only person that finds this to be the case?

Anyhow, let's get to the specifics...the problem with this Complex Geometries top is that the 'clever' construction makes it annoying to wear. The off set arm holes, meant to aid the artistic gathering of material, in reality just restrict your arm movements and make you feel like you're wearing a straight jacket. I can't help but think that there's a reason for the common design elements we embrace today and why all t shirts, jeans and dresses follow a basic pattern, because y'know, we all have a head, arms and legs in pretty much the same place and want to be able to move them. 

Needless to say, this top will be going to a charity shop near me very soon. 

Top - Complex Geometries 

Belt - Primark 

Leggings - Sass & Bide

Shoes - Sigerson Morrison 

THE WEEK IN PICTURES

1. Sign taped to the Royal Opera House wall 

2. DIY metallic nails 

3. Mum's blackberry and apple crumble 

4. New J Brand Jodhpurs (fresh from Barneys Coop)

5. Giant Kerplunk on a work night out

All pictures taken with Instagram 

MARTIN MARGIELA WEDGES

My new Martin Margiela wedges, thanks to my brother and sister in law. They found them in Century 21. I was all set to wear them to work but of course the rain came and spoiled that plan and it was back on with the boots and socks. Ah, the joys of late summer in London. 

Jumper - Whistles 

Necklace - Thrift store in NY 

Trousers - Zara

Wedges - MM6 

Socks - Tabio 

Botts - Topshop

RED

Red faced yet again. It's these early morning personal training sessions. I'm not even doing cardio, rather strength training (I'm getting actual arm muscles) and somehow I still go the colour of beetroot. 

Jacket - ASOS 

Top - Cos 

Jeans - Topshop 

Socks - Tabio 

Shoes - New Look 

CLOWNING

I never get the obsession over seasons when it comes to the High Street. I get the designer season thing but when I hear people say things like "I could never shop at T.K.Maxx because it's all last season" I just think, WTF? What does it matter if jeans, a white t shirt or a cardie are this season or last? What does it matter what season anything is as long as you like it? 

I only bought this top because it reminded me of clowns. Simple as that. I doubt it was ever 'in fashion' nor of a particular moment and I couldn't give a hoot if it was last, this or next season's look. Sometimes I just want to dress like a children's entertainer.

Top - H&M

Trousers - J Brand 

Boots - Giuseppe Zanotti 

Necklace - Forever 21

Bag - Balenciaga

LEATHER TROUSERS - A USERS GUIDE. PLEASE.

Who here has experience wearing leather trousers? 

I am a novice leather trouser wearer. Rock chick I am not. It's not even THAT hot in London, but every time I pull on a pair of leather trousers I almost have heat stroke. I last an hour tops on them. It's like have an sauna from the waist down. Seriously, can someone who wears them tell me what conditions are suitable for leather pants? Or am I missing the point with my utterly wussy ways?

Cardigan - Whistles 

T shirt - Topshop

Leather joggers - ASOS

Studded loafers - Topshop 

Elephant bangle - Forever 21

4 fingered ring - Forever 21

SPOTS, STRIPES, SQUIGGLES & SKULLS

Jacket - ASOS

Top - American Apparel 

Necklace - Pamela Love 

Chunky ring - YSL 

Bangles - Topshop & Kenneth Jay Lane

Jeans - Topshop 

Boots - Vivienne Westwood

CURRENT ELLIOTT LEOPARD PRINT JEANS

I know, I know. They're the latest 'it' jean and I shouldn't succumb...but I can't help myself. I love me some leopard print. 

T shirt - Rodarte 

Jeans - Current/ Elliott

Shoes - Sigerson Morrison 

Home mani & pedi 

GRANDMA

My Grandma died last month. Today she would have been 90. I still have her birthday programmed into my iPhone diary and the family were planning a little together up in Newcastle. As it happened the get together was earlier than planned but with one vital person missing. 

One of the odd things about a person dying is that you suddenly find out so many things about them, as relatives come out of the woodwork and keepsakes get sorted through. I had never seen this picture of my Grandma before. My Mum thinks she must have been in her late teens because she's not wearing her engagement ring yet. I love everything about this photo, from her jaunty pose to the beautiful floral dress and the effort she's gone to in order to find a background full of greenery. I wish I could show her this photo and get her tell me about that day - what she was thinking, whether the dress was a favourite, who took the photo - but that will have to remain in the past. 

SUMMER IS GONE

It doesn't feel like Summer at all in London these days. I haven't worn even 1/10th of my Summer dresses (working in a basement doesn't help put you in the mood, it must be said) and it doesn't look they'll get an airing this year - unless I run away to Australia or Fiji. Which I won't be doing because I'm contracted until December. I do like Autumn and Winter clothes, I just don't like short days and cold feet. 

Cardigan - Jil Sander x Uniqlo 

Scarf - Urban Outfitters

T shirt - Topshop 

Jeans - Topshop 

Socks - Topshop 

Boots - Topshop

Bangle - ASOS