TROUSERS

I have decided to defy winter this year, whilst still enjoying the cosy wintry treats of mulled wine and log fires. One of the ways I intend to do this is as simple as this: BRIGHT clothes, and quite possibly the odd floral pattern. Above are two ladies who are doing just this, perfectly. Both trousers are H&M (score!).

Image credits: 1. Fashionerdic, 2. The Haute Pursuit

RUMMAGE SALE

Here are a few shots I took of the American Apparel Rummage Sale in Amsterdam. The location was incredible, shop was set up in part of the Westergasfabriek; a large modernised former gas works built in 1883. The contents of the sale, however, not so incredible. Everything was more expensive than at the London sale (even with the current exchange rate taken into consideration) and prices fluctuated from day to day, some being a euro or two cheaper the next day and some more than doubling in price for the last few days. Most items were damaged, some severely, and no extra discount was marked off, as was the case in London. After the first day for the general public, the Facebook event page for the sale was inundated with negative feedback about the pricing and the extent of the damage on the clothes for sale. All feedback had mysteriously vanished by the second day, and the ability to comment was removed.

Having said that, the organisation was excellent and everyone was visibly working hard to keep new stock constantly coming out and in the right place. The staff were really lovely and helpful, and freshly baked croissants were handed out to the morning queue before the doors opened. 

So I may have bought myself a little something. Or a few little somethings. Ok ok, three whole outfits, and I was very happy with everything I picked up. Nothing I bought was damaged and would have cost me a lot more had I gone to the store.

SS12 FAVOURITES

Here is the result of one foggy afternoon spent trawling through the catwalk images from all the Ready-to-Wear Spring 2012 collections from my favourite designers. High sheen, metallics, pastels, two strap sandals, delicate fabrics, chiffon, cut outs, and structured yet flowing shapes are all inspiring me for the upcoming seasons. Winter hasn't even kicked in yet and already the summer of 2012 is fast becoming old news in the fashion sphere, even before any of it is available in stores. Having said that, there's just something so cosy about wrapping up warm for winter, and the lust for those long leather COS gloves persists. For these looks to trickle down to the high street and more affordable prices, I can be patient.

Head over to my Facebook page to see my top three catwalk looks.

Image credits: Style.com

COLUMBINE

Columbine Smille

Columbine is a Swedish fashion editor, freelance stylist, and fashion blogger who is currently working alongside the ultimate blogging entrepreneur Elin Kling at Kling’s own creation: the magazine STYLEBY. Kling and Smille have a working past; Smille worked as Kling’s assistant during her time as a presenter on Swedish TV. The two befriended and have worked together ever since. Columbine blogs about her outfits, work, and travels. We often get to see what goes on in the studio at STYLEBY and what is landing on her desk. 

When it comes to pairing designer with high street, this girl knows what she’s doing. She wears Zara with Chloé, H&M with YSL, and Topshop with Proenza Schouler, pulling it all off and then some (helped, of course, by the incredible pair of pins she has going on). She has been featured in Grazia UK and Vogue UK after her hit pattern-clashing ensemble was snapped at the most recent LFW. Here are some of my top picks of her outfits.

Check out her blog here.

THE WINTER EDIT

It's turning cold here in Amsterdam and my search for a perfect winter coat continues. This will probably continue to continue, as my overparticular attempts at this will leave me slowly freezing. However, here's what I've been lusting over recently.

1. Coat: Topshop Boutique | Velvet Headband: Monki | Gloves: Cos

2. Coat: Isabel Marant | Twist Head Scarf: American Apparel | Silk Scarf: Versace

3. Coat: Chicy.se | Hat: H&M | Gloves: Monki

AMERICAN APPAREL LIP GLOSS

Here are some images of the new lip gloss range from American Apparel. Now, I need some of these in my life and make up bag. The finish seems perfect; highly pigmented and almost melted looking. I have only started experimenting with bright colours on my lips over the past year, but now I'm all for it. Wearing with natural-to-little make up with your normal daytime outfit can really lift your mood. I'm favouring the reds here, with the deeper Legalize L.A. shade on the top of my list. Hear that Santa.

AMSTERDAM

Today I'm off to Amsterdam to see some friends and attend the American Apparel warehouse sale at the Westergasfabriek. I'm packing light for the outbound journey, with the idea to pack heavy for the return.

LUSTLIST

We can all dream, can't we? Especially that coat. I want that coat.

1. Karen Walker Number Six sunglasses

2. American Apparel coin purse

3. American Apparel nail lacquer in The Valley

4. Nowhere Isis coat

5. Maison Martin Margiela shoes

6. Nowhere Draco shirt

7. Eddie Borgo cone necklace

8. H&M trousers

TRANSPARENT

I swear I had a pencil case just like the Christopher Kane aqua gel-filled PVC clutch, circa 1995. His whole SS12 collection (see here) has now made it acceptable for us to relive our school days. A trip to Staples for an oversized transparent pencil case and floral stickers now seems overly necessary. Perfect for the nosy and the show offs (yes darling, I’m rocking a Chanel bronzer and a Blackberry), this current trend turns even your everyday items into fashion statements.

Image credits: 1. STREETFSN, 2. Tommy Ton for Style.com, 3. Style by Kling, 4. Stine Mo on Lookbook.nu

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THE PRINTED BOOK

The printed book: dead in 5 years? 


Well, no is the answer. 

As a renowned book aficionado, I am often asked what I think on the future of the printed book. It doesn’t really look that great for the little guys; their former glory will be shadowed, as the future is certainly digital. All e-readers, from tablets to smart phones, have gained their popularity incredibly fast and continue to grow in the market. Let’s not look to the music industry for an example; books surely won’t suffer the same fate as, say, tapes or MiniDiscs. To say they will die is more than a little harsh. 

I am among many who find this difficult to accept, I love books and take great pleasure in surrounding myself with them as sort of trophies of an achievement in having read them and having read so many. There’s a comfort for me in holding a book, in owning it as a household object, and in having something tangible I can pass on to others. This does not mean I’m not excited for the future of reading, and how we choose to read in different situations. I do confess to having read the whole of Jane Eyre on my iPhone.

SPIKES

I loved my oversized black headband, but could never get it to work with any outfit I put it with. It always seemed too bland and never lent any embellishment, which was the desired effect, so it stayed pushed to the back and unworn. 

After seeing the Givenchy headband and the similar Topshop version on a few of my favourite style blogs, I found my old headband and some leftover spiked studs I bought on ebay for a previous project, and put two and two together - yes, literally.