Show me your kitten heel...

Kitten heels: Zara

Some love' em, some hate 'em, some couldn't care less!

I always thought that I was averse to a heel lower than 4 inches (being from a city where you practically walk out of the womb in stilettos will do that to a gal)

But my feet have paid the price. Hours of walking, running and even on some occasions hurdling- cobbles are a bitch! Have all led me to hold a warmer reception toward this vertigo defiant stiletto.

The reasons are three fold:

1. You instantly feel classier in a lower heel, don't ask me why- it's the same logic as sunglasses giving  you that 'instant cool' 

2. If they're good enough for Hepburn and the Olsen's they're good enough for me.

3. They're the perfect day to night shoe, you don't feel like a dirty stop out at work and don't feel too underdressed in the bar after (both equally important).

4. (I know I said three, but it's my list so I will add one more) The high street is absolutely nailing this trend- see picture for point and case.

Don't get me wrong, I still love my statement skyscrapers, but I think I will keep them big ol' blocks for when I need to dodge the snow! 

Viva la kitten!

Blonde Ambition?

That age old question of, "Do Gentlemen prefer blondes?" is one that has plagued the mind of this Brunette's head for some time- not in the occupying my life kind of way.
More an enquiring mind wanting to know.

There are a plethora of cliches regarding blondes, "blondes have more fun" being one such example- but few that relate to Brunettes, apart from: "Men have fun with blondes and settle down with brunettes" (Something I am suspicious was fabricated by the latter in order to make herself feel better.)

The whole idea that a hair colour can define your character seems ludicrous, but that is exactly what many Hollywood icon's based their entire career on:

Marilyn Monroe- Dumb blonde

Grace Kelly- Angelic virgin Blonde

Sophia Loren- Smouldering dark siren

Audrey Hepburn- Classy and demure brunette

It would also seem that things haven't changed much in 60 years. We still have the ethereal, nymph like beauty's and Bombshell ideals of forgoing fair headed beauties.

If you happen to have a spare 40 minutes ( I know it seemed like I was going to say four there... yeah, sorry about that!) and are not bored by this whole subject (quite likely)

Take a listen to this radio 4 story by Lois Banner (author of Marilyn's best selling biography) about Marilyn herself and how she was forever trying to escape the very ideal she is best known for... it seems brains AND beauty are the most covetable shade (is it strange that I automatically want to write 'of Grey' after that? Damn book.) Regardless of your hair colour.


www.bbc4.com/notsodumbblonde

Summer cut...

Hair: my own

Sunglasses: H&M

Changes of season always bring about feelings of fresh starts and fresh looks.

With this in mind I Periodically have two inches cut off my hair every few months to save it from
A. The remains of my over bleached Do
and
B. The self inflicted monotony/ torture of trying to grow it and kid myself that I have lustrous locks.

This is my new Do for the next few months.
I always feel empowered when I have a few inches off, like I am no longer a slave to the stereotype or  something to that effect- kind of a "F*ck you system, if I want to have glorified curtains, a la Beckham 1998, then I will, goddamit!

Short, blunt and just a bit flirty (rather like yours truly non?)

English Rose...

Model: Sophie Tamara Nattrass

Photographer: Chris Davis of Specular

Stylist: Madeleine Bowden

MUA: Carly Musleh

Publication: CHASE Magazine

The latest editorial I styled for CHASE magazine.

A quintessentially British looking model (who I'm kind of obsessed with) a patriotic themed issue and a wonderfully talented team made for some great shots.
I went for a more ethereal English Rose feel; nymph like and chaste... sort of Queen Mary-esk.
Using netting and silk ribbon from a market stall to make the skirts I coupled them with with vintage slips and copious amount of jewellery (The queen loves her some bling).

Double denim...

Sunglasses: H&M 

Top: Vintage

Jeans: Zara

Bag: Zara

Shoes: Topshop

Rockin' a bit of double denim on a drizzly Monday. 

This is an old fail safe of mine, I love the double D...Traditionally reserved for extra's in Footloose and 80's builders, I find solace in the simplicity of the smart/casual bi-tonal garms.

The search for the perfect ripped jean has been a battle of mine for quite some time (many a pair of jean have perished in my bid to perfect the ripped/ denim ratio in a DIY fashion)

In the midst of all the searching I bypassed an old faithful... Zara! She has never let me down before so quite why she was not top of my list I will never know!

The shoes; a little gem I spotted in the sale which, after some teething problems in the way of an offensive blister, have now become my new most comfortable pair of flats.

Yellow bag... standard.

Karlie Kloss W magazine...

Karlie Kloss shot by Nick Knight W magazine

The stuff dreams are made of (albeit slightly muted dreams featuring a geisha/ ballerina/ flower wearing highbred, but that's normal right?!) Karlie Kloss photographed by Nick Knight in W magazine is the type of editorial that sparks a thousand inspirational mood boards the world over.

Chanel, Ellie Saab and floral head pieces; the only thing missing is a unicorn... not a completely ridiculous notion considering the impossible levels of beauty in this shoot. Aaaand swoon.

Summer lace...

Coat: Warehouse

Dress: Zara

Shoes: Dune

Bag: Kurt Geiger

Earrings: H&M

Sunglasses: H&M

I was out and about on my lunch break when I was accosted by the street style team at ELLEuk (lovely girls they are) I was wearing my favourite summer lace dress, fantasy coat and new orthopaedic-esk sandals- these babies are not only ridiculously comfortable but they harbour a snakeskin heel to die for! 

Both pieces tick all of my summer boxes at the moment - I use the word 'summer' very loosely.

By way of detail. I'm all about the details when it comes to city summer dressing, it often makes all the difference in an outfit!

Topped off with neon accessories *shock* and some round plastic sunnies (wishful thinking).

 You can read the whole 'summer dresses' feature here