Take-out in Couture

KAT MACONIE

 

 

I really like these Kat Maconie sandals.  Don't they look as if they would be super comfortable too?  They'd look just as good with skinny jeans as they would with skirts and dresses. I should probably branch out to other colors (I just counted and 1/2 of my shoe collection is composed of black shoes, especially of the ankle boot variety.)

For those of you who may not be familiar, Kat Maconie is a London-based designer and she launched her label in July, 2009.  I really like the understated chic vibe of a lot of her pieces and they are fairly affordable as well (most retail in the £150 - £300 range.)

I know that it's been a little quiet over here lately.  I'm actually in the process of rethinking the blog a little bit.  This doesn't mean that I'm going to necessarily stop blogging, of course, but I might.  Or I might try to post more about lifestyle and design rather than just personal style and fashion.  I might bring a little Anthropology in too. This is probably a good thing, come to think about it, because my summer wardrobe is super boring.  Do we really need to see pictures of me in slouchy tees and skinny jeans all of the time?  Probably not!

 

MAX MARA

 

 

Pictured:  Tamara bead necklace, Bobbio crocodile-print leather bag, Enovem reversible coat, Valeria dress.

 

I am really loving these classic pieces from Italian luxury fashion house MaxMara, all available at Matches. The chunky yellow statement necklace would look great paired with a white dress, the grey handbag (want!) and a pair of strappy sandals. The necklace would really smarten up a simple basic tee too.

The quilted coat is a classic wardrobe staple.  It's also in my favorite color nevertheless - blue!  I could live in that coat all summer long here in Scotland.  Unfortunately, we never fully abandon "coat season" here, but a cute coat collection is certainly a great way to make up for it.

I really adore this color block dress too. Isn't it so sweet?  I've been trying to work more color into my wardrobe lately, besides white, black (not *technically* a color, I know), grey, navy and denim.  My closet is overflowing with items in those colors.  It's time to make way for some more vibrant hues, I think.

I hope that you all have a great weekend.  Can you believe that the weekend is almost upon us? This week went by so fast!

 

 

 

BOHO BAG EDIT

 

 

How great are these pieces by Dolce & Gabbana and Antik Batik?  I love their boho-rock vibe.  I'm not sure that I can pick a favorite, but I think that I am leaning towards the studded black Antik Batik bag.  You might see that making an appearance in a forthcoming post. It would look great paired with some skinny jeans, a Kain tank, and some ankle boots (easily my favorite kinds of shoes).  I've also been looking for a new keychain to organize my set of keys, because the one that I am using right now is falling apart.  I am really into tassels right now and I think that this one is the perfect size.  I need something fairly large, so that when I am rifling through my bag I can actually find them quickly. I can never find my keys when I need them!

The sun is finally coming out, the days are getting longer, and I'd like to think that the weather is getting a little warmer here too.  My favorite thing about summer in Scotland, hands down, are the super long days.  On the longest days, which are in late June and early July, the sun won't set until 10 pm.  I absolutely love it. 

 

 

LIVING SPACES

 

 

I really like the pink sofa in the first image.  First: it is pink.  Second: it's the perfect size to cuddle up with a good book (or, in my case, my laptop as I write my thesis).  I am really drawn to spaces that are neutral overall, but have vibrant little pops of color.  And of those little pops of color, well, lately I've been gravitating towards any and all shades of pink. 

The kitchen table in the second image reminds me a bit of a scene in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Do you know the one? Jim Carrey's character is revisiting his childhood home.  He's olding a giant cookie, while sitting under the kitchen table and arguing with Kate Winslet's character. I love the idea of an oversized table like this one in a kitchen - it adds such a wonderful, whimsical little touch.

Both of these images are from the Fashion for Home lookbook, which I came across recently.  They have a lot of great bargains over there and I have my eye on a few of them, especially the rugs and the modern office chairs.   I really love the idea of an ultra modern desk chair paired with an antique desk.  Let's add that to the wishlist! 

 

 

MISSONI

 

 

I'm really loving these Missoni leather and cloth handbags.  Aren't they great? I can't even decide which one that I like the best. They'd look so cute with a lot of my summer staples.  I normally live in skinny jeans and slouchy tees during the summer, with a cool pair of sunglasses.  Don't get me wrong, I love dresses too, but I'm still a jeans girl at heart. I always feel really comfortable in them, most "myself". (The best jeans buying tip by the way: buy the pair a size smaller than you normally wear.  After a wash or two, they stretch out and fit perfectly.  This, of course, only works with jeans that have a little stretch in them to begin with, so don't try this with the really thick, rigid type.) 

But yes, this summer I'll be living in comfy Alexander Wang tees, skinny white jeans and my new Chloe sandals, which have fast become my favorite shoes.  If you don't have the budget for Alexander Wang, H&M makes some pretty good alternatives too. (Or you can always search on The Outnet for some good bargains).  I like to buy some of them a size bigger and slightly roll up the sleeves, you know, for those extra slouchy days.

 

RAINY MORNING, CROUCH END

 

 

After a couple of days running around in heels, today was definitely a day for more sensible shoes.  I'm so glad that I packed my Superga!  These navy ones are my favorites, although I really want a grey pair too. They're really comfortable and I think they're a really great classic shoe.  I much prefer them to Converse.

This morning we went for a lazy brunch at Sable d'Or, which is a delightful patisserie and one of my favorite places to go for all-day breakfast in Crouch End.  The croissants are really good and I love the detox juice too.  While I was photographing the baked goods in the window, I lamented to one of the staff that I wish I could bake like that.  "We'll teach you," he said.  Yep, I'll take you up on that offer!

I've been having a really great time in London so far.  Yesterday, I had my regular appointment for cut and highlights at Percy and Reed, which is why my hair looks a little better than normal today. (I'll post pictures of that later.) Amy is the best! I also caught a great photography exhibit at Somerset House (my friend was in town from LA for the awards ceremony), and went to see Foster the People in Brixton.

I hope that all of you are having a great weekend!

 

 

SHOES, SHOES, SHOES

 

Sources: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

 

For the first four years I lived in the UK, I wore flats everywhere. More specifically, ballet flats and during the first year here, an an ocassional Ugg boot (don't judge....okay, fine, I just did a little bit too.)  I don't know if I have mentioned this here before, but when I started my fieldwork, I owned only five pairs of shoes... and this includes trainers for the gym.  A year later, my shoe count is close to thirty and most of them are heels.  It's funny, when you get used to wearing them, it's so hard to go back to flats.  Flats just somehow seem uncomfortable... do you know what I mean?

Speaking of shoes... As I am packing my things for my trip to London, I've realized that I am planning on bringing five pairs of shoes.  Five pairs of shoes for a six day trip...Is that excessive?  Probably - but I can't help it.  Whenever, I go on the trip, it always seems as if I have packed everything but the one thing that I really want to wear at the time.  (I also have a tendency of forgetting something really essential - like all of my socks, or all of my make-up... good thing I'm much more of a list-maker now!)

 

 

DAY DRESSES

 

 

 

Pictured: Day Tilly dress, Day Chloe dress, Day Martini dress, Day Peak dress

 

I'm going to pretend for a moment that summer weather has finally reached St. Andrews and  I'm not still trekking around in a faux fur coat half of the time.  Or perhaps I don't have to pretend... I've learned that a pair of opaque tights and a good chunky knit sweater can transform any summer dress into something suitable for chillier days.   Either way, I've been spending a good amount of time searching for some new summer party dresses to add to my wardrobe. ( Maybe even some dresses that would look cute under said faux fur coat, come to think of it, because that's what summer in Scotland sometimes calls for!)

I really love these Day Birger et Mikkelsen dresses (available at House of Fraser.)  I think that the polka dot dress might be my favorite. I think it would look very cute paired with my new Chloe sandals (which you might remember from an earlier post) and a blazer or one of the slouchy jackets that I have hanging around.

I know that it's been a little quiet over here recently.  That's because I've been without a computer for a week.  It's back though and I'll be returning to regular posting - hooray!  It was nice to have a little break from blogging, but in all honesty, I kind of missed it too.  Hope that you're all having a great week!

 

WEEKENDER

 

 

I have been looking for a good leather weekend bag for ages and finally came across this one by Danish brand Pieces.  While the website describes it as "beige," I am going to say that I think it's a bit more "apricot" in person.  (Plus, "apricot" is a much more interesting descriptor, don't you think?)  Due to the whole "renewing the visa" thing, I've had to surrender my passport for a while so I won't be able to leave the country for the next few months.  Fortunately, I'm still able to move around and about in UK whenever I feel the urge to leave the sleepy little town where I am currently living and writing away at my thesis.  This bag will be a perfect accompaniment for these quick little trips.  Plus, I have a feeling that over time the leather will look even more beautiful as it ages. 

The only thing I am a little worried about is how heavy it will be.  I tend to have difficulty packing lightly.  I should probably work on that. I think that the last time I went to London for four days, I ended up bringing along four different pairs of shoes... oops!

 

 

TURQUOISE

 

 

I know that my Bensimon collection is a little excessive, but they are still my favorite kind of beachy spring/summer shoes.  Absolutely perfect for long walks through the forest or the beach with Bogart in tow.  The turqoise ones are new and they're my favorites. I am trying to convince myself that if I wear them today, it will bring me one step closer to summer.  (No pun intended...well, maybe I did..whoops.) It's wishful thinking, perhaps, but I am really in a summer mood.   I'm tired of cashmere sweaters, chunky knit scarves and ankle boots. I'm craving sunny days and I can't wait to replace my "Scottish glow" with a slight summery tan.  Bogart definitely prefers these warmer months too, that's no question:  for a Scottish dog, he hates the cold and especially the rain... never thought I would own a dog that actually puddle jumps like a champ!

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Before I forget, it's time to announce the Crown & Glory competition winner: Congrats to Gigi! Be on the lookout for an email to you from me.  If you didn't win this time around, don't fret.  There's still time to enter my competition to win an Astrid & Miyu puppy love ring.   You can enter here.