you're the honey and the moon

Have been listening to this song on repeat. The last couple of weeks have been a blur spent frantically trying to get my life back together and reign in the chaos. Searching for a house, a new job, work experience, blog and website. Deciding whether to hit the bottle (bleach not alcohol! black is too harsh for the coming summer months.) Another birthday, this time my best friend from university. I've known him ever since our first term. He's one of those people who makes you laugh till it hurts. I mean really hurts, when your cheekbones are in pain and you can barely breath. Apart from the year he went to teach English in Japan, we've lived and breathed each other for the last 7. We graduated, lived and now in London, worked together. But as with most good things, the daily interaction must come to an end, and as of next month we'll finally go our separate ways. Its the end of an era. Im hoping we'll still meet up for a coffee and choreographing of the odd dance or two, a pass time that has ceased to exist since leaving our Exeter roots.

Every year I provide a hand made greeting card, so the afternoon was spent creating my 7th to add to his collection. For the only boy to share my love for dirty bass lines, Haribo so sour itll give you jaw lock, Vogue main fashion and not too afraid to tell me that I hit my peak Halloween 2005. Charming child ;) Happy Birthday David.

My peak. Apparently.

if I had you here, i'd clip your wings

Saturday, focussed on my new fashion editorial post for Drivelikeawoman.com - a New York based website that has decided to branch out and expand its fashion following. After heading to China Town for gossip and dimsum - I did some vital research into motocross pants. After researching though, I'm wondering why I dont have a pair yet.

Oh to own a pair of Balmain....

Sunday, being the undeniable queen of big hair, I took my backcombing and styling skills to a friend's shoot for music publicity shots. We shot in a converted turkish baths which is now the aptly named club/restaurant The Bath House, East London. An underground treasure filled with giant bird cages, Jesus figurines and moody atmospheric lighting. After giving Sophie the perfect 'bed hair', Alexander Wang style bra and body con skirt, we met with the French photographer Michel. He was keen to hear my input, but apparently most of my ideas were too editorial for what he was after :( I took that as a compliment.

The little girls room was the venue's hidden gem - ceiling to floor completely covered in black and white photos - Im kicking myself for not getting a cheeky shot in there...next time :)

truffle catwalk show

Hectic non stop week. Thursday eve was spent rushing across London from my fashion PR job to the Hay Hill Gallery in Mayfair, assisting backstage at the Truffle catwalk show. The up and coming designer, Sofia Strazzanti, specialises in Saville Row bespoke womenswear. The name comes from the marrying of Sofia's 2 loves, food and fashion, and what more luxurious food is there other than the truffle - both the chocolate and the shroom! Being the assigned dresser for the model who failed to show up, I had to forefit my role backstage for the priviledge of sitting pole position at the head of the runway. You could see how Sofia takes inspiration from raw materials such as earth and precious stones, echoing the textures and colours throughout her pieces, it was a truly stunning show.

At the end of the night we all mucked in to break down the event. It was a huge success but with everyone more keen to crawl into their pyjamas than get their dancing shoes on, pre-conceptions of after partying were scuppered. Note to self - sky scraper wedges might be comfortable and stop your 5ft frame from disappearing backstage amongst 6ft models, but at the end of a 15 hour day - your feet will not be your friends.

Unfortunately due to copyright reasons I'm not able to post any photos from the show, but click on the link below to view the stunning collection.

http://www.truffledesign.com/latest-news/

If you weren't real, I would make you up

Anja Rubik, Lily Donaldson and Kate Moss.

Personifications of how to emulate elegance whilst maintaining their untouchable aura of attitude.

I could google these ethereal creatures for hours. My best friend and I used to lie on the living room floor of our Hammersmith flat, going through mugs of hot chocolate, raspberries and rice cakes, studying tear sheets we'd collected for the week. Sometimes we are so on the same wavelength we would end up with the same pages. We'd lust after Anja's lithe limbs, the cheekbones of Moss and respect Lily's ability to wear a microscopic mini and carry it off without looking like a tart! I miss living with my best friend Cherry. She has impeccible style, like noone else I have ever met. Being 5ft 4" with a tiny frame, she's like a miniature model (she'll kill me for saying that.) I have been meaning to do a shoot with her for a while now. Coming soon.

If we ever meet again

Ever since my first year at university when a close friend gave me the nickname Pocahontas ive had an obsession with red indians - feathers, dream catchers, tassles etc, hence the holding photo for my blog. On looking for all my red indian pieces I found my favourite perfumes by Narcisco Rodriguez. Its funny how a smell or fragrance can bring back a hundred memories in a second.

Lit some candles, burnt some incense and streamed for updates on the AW10 NY and London fashion shows so far. Favourite shows to be posted shortly.

Talking of red indians and happy memories, this photo was taken a year or two ago, when I admit that I reached for the bleach and was a strawberry blonde. Ive been toying with the idea of going back to lighter roots with summer on the way, but wondering if some things are best left in the past? As of yet im not convinced blonde is the way forward, but knowing how quickly I get bored of the same look, a revamp is surely on the horizon. Ill keep you posted..

Artificial Intelligence

Had a creative outburst and remembered how much I used to love making all my birthday cards. With all my materials currently held hostage in storage, I hunted down some hand made fine gauaze, glitter, skeleton leaves, and refreshed my memory on the Japanese art of folding paper. Just as the flowers have become the signature feature in my hair, origami birds used to be a signature feature on the cards I made.

The afternoon saw an old favourite tartan oversize blanket scarf and hooded jersey pea coat that makes me look like little navy riding hood keep me warm. Went searching for a birthday present in Spitalfields and came across the most beautiful flower stall, adorned with aged antique pink and vintage ivory roses, it looked like a scene misplaced from a fairytale.

In between frozen yoghurts and discovering I was a day late for the antique market I had wanted to visit to find some vintage chopsticks (turns out they are harder to find than you think) I picked up a pair of intelligent glasses. I know I am a few seasons late in jumping on this bandwagon, but to be honest, I hate wearing anything in the height of its popularity. I prefer to wear something either before it has become main stream, or much later on when the hype has died down. That way you run a lesser risk of bumping into someone wearing the same thing as you! Anyway, back to the glasses , its funny how fashion has the inexplicable knack to reinvent. How an industry could take an item once the source of playground ridicule and turn it into a must have accessory (albeit a couple of seasons ago) worn by men and women alike never ceases to astonish me. Bring on the four eyed boffin.

Got your lipstick mark, still on my coffee cup

Saturday afternoons are perfect for catching up on 'me' time, wandering aimlessly, sipping Starbucks with stupid names - (personal favourite "grande coffee frapuccino light with sugar free hazlenut syrup double blended) writing love letters/thank you letters, flicking through the latest edition of Harper's/Vogue, messing around with the settings on my camera and catching the sky in the lens as it changes from daylight to twilight at frightening speed.

Even though now 26, my English grandmother still sends me money for Christmas and birthdays, so I opted to thank her the old fashioned way and send a hand written letter, sealed with a kiss. Old school.

All that glitters

Three of my favourite clutch bags, all for their own little reasons.

The vintage diamante clutch has immense sentimental value. My mother gave it to me on my 25th birthday whilst in Japan packing up my grandfather's house following his passing away. It was a very sad time and not the reason we had hoped to return to Japan after ten years. Whilst packing everything away we found the bag (untouched, still with the original tissue paper inside) that my grandparents had bought for her when she had been about my age - authentic vintage at its stunning best. But with so much sentimental value I am terrified of losing it, so it doesnt get a chance to make many guest appearances.

A 'favourite of mine but probably shouldn't be because it's not mine' is the oversized jewelled clutch. I bought it as a Christmas present for my sister a few years ago and then adopted it as my own. The leather is butter soft, but has had so many outings its managed to collect some unfortunate coffee, wine and biro stains - such is the price you pay for being a favourite (that you're not too scared to use!)

Its Complicated...

Oversized cropped tops teamed with skin tight bottoms or body con skirts give the perfect balance to a voluminous vs streamlined silhouette. Also in keeping with my love for anything monochrome at the moment, I adore graphic text such as this top - 'its complicated' (which is pretty apt right now.)

I cant wait for summer to return, cropped tops worn how they used to be in the 90s - Miami style - with little shorts, bare legs, ballet pumps, aviators and hopefully a sun kissed sliver of toned tummy... this winter seems to be lasting forever. Roll on sunshine. Contemplating booking a holiday, I desperately need to get away and my best friend has just emailed a few ideas. I can almost feel the suns rays on my skin. At least the nights have stopped getting dark at 4pm. Played with my reflection and the street lamps to create ghost like pictures before caking my eyes in make up and heading out into the frosty night. Crop tops with tights, a fur coat and mittens just doesnt seem right, but for now it will have to do.

Cause if you're not really here, then i dont want to be either

Its funny how you can always find things to do to fill the time whilst waiting for a train.

I decided to mess around with the 'mind the gap' sign and focus on the the 'Black and Gold' (hence the post title) accessories chosen to sport that day, much to the distress of those travelling home from the city during peak time... Playing with a camera on the platform when people are desperate to get home at the end of the day is perhaps a naive idea, almost falling into the gap myself amidst the hustle and bustle.

Since dying my hair, ive taken to wearing plainer clothes and less and less colour, fused with tougher accessories, to compliment and perhaps distract from the severity of the hair. The shoes, armlets and bracelets worn in this post have all quickly become firm favourites in my wardrobe. And animal print seems to be a common thread in the last couple of posts. What can I say....miaow ;)

Curiouser and curiouser...

Hats in all shapes and sizes came together last week to celebrate my turning 26. Previous posts make no secret that im a sucker for fancy dress, so we conjured up the Mad Hatter Tea Party theme - no hat no entry. 20 girlfriends, courtesy of Patrick - had an amazing sit down dinner followed by drinks and dancing into the wee hours of the morning.Invitations specified guests wear something fabulous, accessorized by hat of their choice - the too cool for school wore trilbys and oversized floppys J-Lo style, the wary dipped their toe in the hat theme and wore fascinators and oversized bows, whilst the brave opted for indian headresses and hats from the forces. There was even a pair of Louis Vuitton bunny ears in the mix - tres chic. Being the 'belle of the ball' and not wanting to be outhatted I took the theme literally and decided to fashion my head gear on the Mad Hatter himself, or rather Gwen Steffani's interpretation - a black top hat sprayed silver with fabric snow leopard print flowers (yes, after a xmas vacation the girl with flowers in her hair is back)

The club scene doesnt usually warrant a toe skimming dress, however birthdays come but once a year. Hunting high and low I finally found a black satin nightie I could work with, following a stern warning from the shop assistant whilst standing half naked - that you are NOT allowed to try clothing on, on the shop floor (NB. It was ten minutes till closing time on the penultimate day of my party, I did not have time to go in search of a fitting room!) This repremanding was quickly forgotten at the till when I found out the dress had been reduced to nine pounds. Happy Birthday to me.

Never one to leave things as they are, when I got home I ripped the straps to transform into a halter neck, cut a deep v to create a backless finish and felt tipped the red and cream floral embroidery for a completely noir ensemble. Et voila, customising is clearly the way forward when you're late, you're late, for a very important date!

Played you like a toy - sometimes I wish I could act like a boy

Have spent sunday afternoon watching the snow fall and doing little else apart from tasting the rainbow and picking at Skittles and a temporary watch swap. Unfortunatley Patrick got the raw end of the deal having to wear my metal ten pound bargain, whilst I gave birth to a newly found obsession with his Panerai diving watch...

Ive always preferred men's accessory departments, H&M, All Saints and Diesel in particular. They make their sunglasses, jewellery and hats that little bit bigger (ideal for encompassing my excessive mane) or simpler which are definitely more suited to my style. There's something quietly sexy about a girl wearing boy toys. Take for example the Panerai, I adore how the chunky face and tough oversize black strap highlight and accentuate the daintiness and fragility of a girl's wrist. The contrasting elements complete a fierce look that can either be played up with other androgynous pieces or dressed down with a girly floral number.

After visiting the Chanel head offices whilst in Paris I fell in love with the white ceramic J12 but this love has now been replaced by my quest to find a watch as cool as the Panerai at a fraction of the £3k plus price tag... suggestions on a postcard more than welcome ;)

So far Fossil and Aldo seem to be coming up with the goods and im currently trying to decide between the three below to add to my wishlist.

However I have a sneaky suspiscion that with the Aldo watches priced at £25.00, one of the latter two will most likely make the cut.

I've got love for you, if you were born in the '80s

5, 4, 3, 2, 1

And so we enter a new decade. It was the perfect start when literally on the stroke of midnight it started to snow. Most people were too busy attempting to link arms and sing Auld Lang Syne - I discovered I still don't know the lyrics. Equipped with my long lost polaroid camera (left at a friend's house 8 months ago following a cowboys and indians party,) it was the ideal accessory for some retro 80s snap shots.

The sailor's hat didn't make an appearance. Last minute change of plans meant if i'd had more time I probably would have worked some magic with a cocktail dress and shoulder pads. Instead I stayed with the monochrome and went for a fusion of Madonna circa 'Like a Virgin' and Winona Ryder in ultimate bitch fest Heathers. Body con skirt, red lipstick, batwing tee, lace cut off gloves and pearl necklaces, finished off with a pair of wayfarers and leopard print bangles.

After a lot of champagne, home made punch and the Flash Dance soundtrack, it was time to head home. Tubes were running all night, and we managed to source a 24 hour Wasabi for 6am sushi. Good times. As much as I love my new boots, after 11 hours standing/stumbling they had to come off, somewhere between Victoria and West Ken, hence the addition of a little glass to my foot. Sad times. But I was too high on life (aka tipsy) to care!

Happy New Year everyone.

Day dreaming in black and white

Sometimes I suffer from insomnia, tonight is one of those nights... I've been exploring in the storage room of my parents house (where I am staying for the holidays) and came across a mood board that I put together a couple of years ago of my favourite tear sheets...

It has reinforced my decision to opt for a black and white monochrome movie get up to see in the new year...perhaps with a touch of sin city red lipstick. That is unless I change my mind before leaving the house for a last minute costume swap. What I do know for sure is I will be paying homage to NYE 2006 and donning my sailor's hat. Just for the hell of it ;)

Accessorized with...

My favourite pendants I wear with everything - H&M men's dogtag, H&M rings on chain, Diesel 'Only the Brave' pendant with elephant