Kitten fetish

When it transpired that kitten heels were making a come back I honestly winced. They remind me of my first year at university, clip clopping around campus in kitten heels - before I got a clue and realised Exeter didnt have paths to lectures called Cardiac Hill for no reason. So I threw out all kitten heels, vowed to never say hello again, and invested in ballet pumps and flats like the rest of the sane student population.

As usual, fashion always comes around again to bite you in the ass and kick yourself for throwing out all your old investments. Following the ladylike trend takeover in SS11 and the return of a feminine touch, the catwalks twisted my arm and I decided it was time to make peace with the mini heel. With the right outfit and the appropriate situation they can work.. Besides, sometimes you need a bit of clip clop in your life, to release your inner sex kitten. Miaow.

D.I.Y

Considering All Saints is a brand I absolutely adore, it is also one of which I have very little of. 

These jeans were in the sale, and I bought them solely for the colour of the denim. However, left as they were, they were actually verging on boring, despite the drop crotch. With Neil Buchanan being a childhood hero of mine: tippex, gold leaf and superglue later and 'boring' no longer features in their list of ingredients.

They definitely do not receive a thumbs up from the opposite sex, in fact I had a friend who insisted I looked like I was about to choreograph a routine for So You Think You Can Dance whenever I wore them. 

Regardless, perhaps they are tomboy-esque; have the potential to make you look like a painter/decorator minus the white van; make munchkin legs look even shorter. They still get the thumbs up from me - and as an added bonus, you don't have to worry if you ever sit on wet paint.

Now there's majesty, in a burnt out caravan

Festival season is fast approaching. Never short of a flower or two, the collection of hair flowers continues to grow. Reckon I've got enough stocked up for the season.

 Midsummer nights dream meets Navaho Fairytale will be the general idea. Any excuse to wear a garden on my head. Please excuse the cheesy grin.

You came in with the breeze, on Sunday morning

If Sundays and picnics in the park had a uniform - this would be my chosen set of threads. 

HOW.

Style Crush

My style crushes flick back and forth between the Olsen twins, Alexa Chung, Rumi Neely (aka Fashiontoast) and Emmanuelle Alt. All posess that thrown together, slightly imperfect, tousled quality that makes them so achingly fascinating to Google, but each with their style niches. The Olsen twins seem to have the bag lady chic down to a T, ideal for when you want inspiration for layering up to the max so it verges on the riduculous. Alexa Chung for vinatage old lady-come-librarian style, Rumi Neely for oversize tops, tiny bottoms and slouchy heaven, and Emmanuelle Alt for uber simplistic punchy ensembles.

Lately though, I seem to be hitting the search engine more often than not for pics of Ms Alt. With her Balmain addiction and Isabel Marant Fall AW10 pumps, everything she throws together is so simple yet so effective. It's as though she has drafted a fashion mathematics formula to abide by : keep silhouette simple and streamlined, make the most of gazelle like limbs (skinny leather trousers/opaques and tiny shorts) plain slouch Tshirt, shoulder enhanced jacket. Mantra : never stray from the path of the black and white spectrum, (grey and zebra print is therefore allowed) colour is not an option - apart from blue, and perhaps a spattering of embellishment to spice things up a bit.

Side step into the shade

I'm not a big fan of sunglasses. On other people yes. On me, not so much. Having always been of the school of thought that I am NOT a hat person, I also dont really think I'm a 'sunglasses' person either. The inability to ever really be able to see what you look like in a pair of shades, (the tinted lens will always distort your reflection in the mirror, and to peak over the lens defeats the object of trying to see what they look like on) frustrates me. Maybe that doesn't make sense. I guess you could overcome the dilemma by taking a photo, but those have only ever certified my belief that on me, sunglasses just dont work.
However, the same way that my affection for hats grew over the last year, im determined to find a pair that suit. Sunglasses offer the option of hiding a multitude of sins the morning-after-the-night-before, for which YSL's Touche Eclat would never cut the mustard. They can also rev up an outfit and take a plain 'so so' look to 'bite me.' And who better to demonstrate this than the Olsens, queens of the super-sized saucer shades. They make me want to BE a sunglasses person.

Laughing in the open air, have yourself another dream

Peachy keen nails and mink coloured sequins. The cardigan was actually on sale, so as I'd wanted it ever since it hit the shop floor, the fact that the only size left was an 18 wasnt going to stop me investing my penies. It manages to pass as a gently oversized option - with the help of some cleverly placed safety pins to minimize the sheer width of the shoulders. To be honest, I whole heartedly prefer this offering, rather than the snug little cardigan it must have been designed to be. There are some things in life that need to be bought in the correct size - bras, trousers, shorts... However, something I started doing a long time ago, on realising sales are predominantly made up of plus sized product - was to buy and then alter their wardrobe destiny. XL camisoles become floaty slouchy slips, plus size tops become dresses, little cardigans become oversized versions. Sometimes it works, sometimes it really doesnt and you just look like a tramp. No harm in testing them out though. The worst that can happen is, you'll find yourself walking away with a very nice little bargain!

1.1.11

*New year's resolutions*

Be spontaneous, it'll give your eyes a reason to sparkle.

Following the spread in Elle featuring Clemence Poesy looking effortlessly chic in her fedora, i've decided to :

Wear more hats. They make for great talking points for striking up conversations with strangers ;-)

Seas between us broad have roared



The lyrics to Auld Lang Syne? Does anyone actually know them? Pretty much every NYE at the stroke of midnight, ive attempted that song - and every year vow to Google the lyrics in time for the next. Heads up: there's no point. 5 verses. I swear no one knows any more than the first. Who knew the title of this blog was even a line from the song. Well you wouldnt, it's third verse, third line down. By midnight and under the influence... I dont think so.

Smokey eyes and sequins mood board. Moss personifies the look perfectly. I feel like I should rename this blog the glitter perfectionist, the last few posts have mentioned some form of glitter abuse. Yes, my name is Emma, and I'm a glitter addict.

Even though the occasion is hyped up every year, part of you still always hopes that 'this' year it will live up to expectations. But, as with every year, sequins were adorned and my best friend and I set off into the night hoping for a miracle ;-)

Come to sparkle the dark up



Christmas day - that magical day, regardless of how old I am, I still wake up excited.
Wake up, open the presents avec famille, my mother will then run off to start prepping the turkey - (requiring a lot of time - it must be taken out to relax for at least an hour once it has cooked. Yes, her words not mine. A relaxing turkey is far more delicious than one that was just left to rest.) Dressing for Xmas lunch involved covering my face in glitter, and a sensibly loose outfit to allow for a dinner plate piled as high as humanly possible.I once read an article by Nigela Lawson who stated that Xmas was the one time of year when you can be openly outrageously greedy without anyone batting an eyelid - the day of welcomed over indulgence. The rest is spent dozing in and out of consciousness, whilst watching a variety of Xmas tv/films, ending with a multicoloured dance floor of quality street wrappers. It's 3am and im in denial that it's over for another year.Watching Shakin' Stevens on TOTP 2. The only man to ever make a Xmas knit look cool. Till next year x

Voulez-vous couche avec moi - a midi?

Oh the weather outside is frightful...but when there's food, music, dancefloor and a handful of girlfriends, who cares! Went to the infamous Love Brunch at Supperclub, Notting Hill - the only dilemma being : what's a girl supposed to wear to an event turned on it's head and offering all the fun of an after dark soiree held at midday. Brilliant concept, and for some reason, with the seating arrangement based on bedroom reclining -I opted for a silk kimono-come-dressing gown top. The ideal daytime boudoir attire. Leather look leggings and ankle boots made it possible to look like I hadnt just rolled straight out of my own bed, although the shoes came off pretty sharpish after a brief repremanding from the wait staff .

"Well you wouldnt put your shoes on your bed at home would you!" Slap on the wrist. Bad girl.

White city, she is so beautiful

Snow days make way for plenty of time to conjure up a mood board, and with Kate Bush's December will be magic again on repeat - the winter weather calls for snow queens and ice maiden inspiration. White faux fur, shearling lined bits and pieces, scattered with diamente trims and body jewels make the perfect go to kit for last minute additions to winter fancy dress... The image of fresh snow at 5am in the morning - Silent Night never rang so true. A beautiful but eerie ghost town - i've neven  seen the world so still.

Animal instinct

Ok, so I've made quite apparent my addiction to animal print, so this post is pretty much ground hog day. I still find it hard to comprehend my love for something that I only ever used to associate with old tarts featured on Coronation St, yet see no problem with wearing animal print trousers in broad daylight these days..
My wardrobe now consists of animal print sunnies, harem pants, blouses, body con dresses, skirts, coat (not of the cheetah faux fur variety that's been done by every high street store -it's an old grey leopard wool jacket from about 5 yrs ago) peep toe kitten heels, flat pumps, scarves - all in a variety of shades of 'animal'. Yet still, I just cant get enough - lacking mainly in the form of a chain cross body bag a la Chung, and a pair of leopard print pointed stilettos. I've been carrying two tear sheets around in my bag for a month now. After those additions I reckon I will have quelled my animal print cravings!

all the pretty things

1st december.

We have now entered the season of mandatory sparkle, winter wonderland and all things pretty

for.one.whole.month.

The first of December not only signifies the start of the advent calender (26 and still indulging in the ritual calender chocolate - tastes completely different to a bar of dairy milk - fact) but also the start of a month long excuse to dress as if every day is a party. Wearing glitter and sequins during the day seems to have become more acceptible over the last year, but im talking about a full on asault of the treasure chest. Anything that twinkles. When you are confronted by tinsel and fairy lights, xmas baubles and glitter frosted candy canes at the turn of every corner - it all makes me want to get involved from head to toe. The one time of year when I dont care how ridiculous I look. I refuse to grow out of my childhood adoration for xmas, the time of year when anything can happen. Christ, a fat man can fit through your radiator pipes to deliver presents..if that's not proof enough that miracles do happen, I dont know what is ;-) Let the party season begin.

Titania's garden

Never underestimate the addition of a pair of knee high socks.

For something so basic, they can completely transform and revamp a look. The key is to try and play them down as much as possible - subtract the sex factor/britney spears oops I did it again, and instead use them to add a quirky point of difference to a potentially plain/safe ensemble. Key rules to abide by : dont combine with body con, team with floaty, loose fitting skirts or dresses to play down the socks as best you can. Warning, they are attention seeking. Just today, provoked a white van to slow down at a pelican crossing, and inform me that I had just made the driver's day. This is exactly the reaction you want to try and avoid. But to be fair, white van drivers will hollar at pretty much anything that has a hemline higher than the knee...

Anyway, winter insists wearing knee high socks over 10 denier tights - thus keeping the illusion of bare legs without branding you insane. Then again, who am I kidding - the amount of warmth retained by a pair of 10 denier tights is highly questionable - if anything it purely conceals the corn beef effect of legs gone blue!

Wear with oversize knitwear, a granny cardi owned by my mun in the 70s  provided the perfect ratio of warmth to tomboy, whilst the addition of harsh black accessories - cut off gloves/snood/tassle 'Dougal from magic roundabout' bag kept the look from becoming too country bumpkin, Land Girls-esque.

And for no reason at all but to highlight it's beauty - out of nowhere on the way home, I came across a gorgeous little florist, lit up like a mirage from a fairytale. Marylebone's equivalent to the cupboard entrance to Narnia perhaps. Well..a knee high socked up schoolgirl can dream.

Snug

Since my last post the weather has plummeted to freezing - but anyone who has followed my blog in the past knows - I adore any reasons to layer up - tis the season to be jolly! I think my loves still focus on pretty much the similar concepts to last winter - with the addition of more snoods - (ultimate travel pillows that make falling asleep on the tube a much more pleasiurable experience) chunky knitwear - oversize with tassels hanging off them where possible, plus huge wooden buttons, oversize gilets in any texture to layer over little leather jackets. Colour palette is black, white, leather look - matte and shiny, gunmetal grey, faux furs and LOTS of leopard print.

My book has more book marks than pages

Just realised it is almost a year to the day that I started The Messy Perfectionist - although then it was called Kiyomi Style -cannot believe how quickly this year has flown. I remember sitting in Shoreditch House courtesy of Patrick, devouring yet another egg white and spinach omellette and trying to come up with a name for this blog. I had no idea about blogs back then, and we spent ages trying to think up something suitable. I then popped to the ladies to powder my nose; by the time I came back, Patrick had set up the domain Kiyomi Style and it was good to go.

So recently - Guy Fawkes & Halloween took place. Both a legitimate excuse to wear ridiculous amounts of glitter. Bonfire night I managed to create the look of a human sparkler - molting glitter on anyone who came within a 12 inch radius of my head (some unfortunate men will have had some explaining to do to their other halves when they got home, the queue to get into the display meant a lot of awkward unwanted close contact) I also had to remind myself not to stand too close to any bonfires - backcombing and hairspray make for a highly flammable barnet.

Fingerless gloves are still a necessity, although clip in coloured hair extensions, as Cherry models in the last photo - (finishing touches in the cab on our way to Supperclub, Notting Hill) are the new source of experimentation.

Wrapped in white sheets, like an angel from a bedtime story

Sometimes when you least expect it, signs are sent out the blue to remind you the universe is on your side.
 Dont waste time wondering what could have, should have, would have been.
 Life's too short and everything happens for a reason.

Came home to an unexpected parcel, including a collection of pictures - the kind you imagine dreams to be made of as seen through a soft focus camera lens. It is true, some things are better said with pictures.
Pictures and heavily beaded All Saints accessories that is. Cannot wait to incorporate these into my life.
 This post is dedicated to Josie Brown - for all your inspirational food for thought over the past few weeks. Your parcel was like a little ray of sunshine x

I cant let you be, because your beauty wont allow it

As previously mentioned, slogan vests and tees are my nemesis. I adore them, but they seem almost impossible to find of the right cut. I've had to wear an elasticated belt to tuck the lengths of excess vest into for this look. Stuck to off whites, stone and dove grey with nails of cement. After having a weekend of issues, my father took me for a long drive. There's nothing like riding shotgun alongside your dad with windows wound down, blasting soundtracks that remind you of your childhood and watching the sun set to put everything back into persective.

The sentiment of coloured mirrored ornaments

Have simplified accessories down to the bare minimum, diluting necklaces to the plainest in the collection, and bracelets cut down to a single bangle. No rings today.

Clothing has also been simplified to loose layers, hues limited to black, white and varying tones of the mink spectrum.

 Barry M's mushroom polish, Zara tassled wedged hooves, and leather leggings. Personally I think it's always necessary to wear taupe with white, in order to lift the palette and keep it from looking drab.

Sometimes simplicity is best. Perhaps a current reflection of a much needed feng shui of the mind and soul at present.