First off, apologies for the worst title pun I have come up with yet...it's a Monday, what can I say?

Not just any Monday either, tonight was my much dreaded bi-monthly haircut. I’m not sure why it is...I love to go to C.O. Bigelow or Kiehl’s and load up with smelly, gunky treats...but the thought of getting my hair cut is about as appealing as a visit to the dentist. The time had come though and I was starting to resemble one of those shaggy Old English Sheepdogs so I dutifully made the appointment and braved the cold weather.

I should say that my feelings have nothing to do with the hairdresser. My current cutter is Italian, realizes that my lack of conversation isn’t personal, and kisses my head when he’s done...things could be worse. Side note – I’m not a chatty person during all this...when someone’s wielding scissors or standing behind a blowdryer I just don’t feel the urge to strike up a conversation...I just close my eyes (hope for the best) and move my head whichever direction it is nudged...this silence can be too successful though, a former hairdresser told a friend of mine that I was the only person she’d ever known who fell asleep in the chair...

But back to this evening, the snipping and drying was over...I opened my eyes...looked in the mirror...and realized, I look like a blonde Emily Strange but, you know, things could be worse...

Everything inside me is screaming that I should hate these looks…too contrived, too many designers it too small a space, one “it” item over the edge…and yet…

Maybe it’s because their clothes and hair are so simple that they’re acting as a backdrop for the accessories. Maybe I’m just an accessories addict. Maybe I’m just jealous that someone could actually walk in those Balenciaga boots…

Bag fiend I may be but I came to the staggering realization that when it comes to evening bags I am sadly lacking. Much as I love it the only bag that I own which falls into this category is a fringed wool, punk bag by Junya Watanabe which obviously doesn't go with everything.

So now, the quest? To find a bag that I can wear to all the upcoming holiday parties but can also work into daytime outfits after the last martini has been shaken.

This navy blue clutch from Marni is a great option. The tortoiseshell clasp and diamante detailing on the brooches have an evening element but would be just as good with jeans. Plus, the fact that the brooches are detachable is an added bonus...I can remove them and wear them on a sweater or jacket...thrifty little me.
I love the subtle luxury of this black, woven leather wristlet from Bottega Veneta but, like the Watanabe this has a punk feel, so it's probably out of the running...there's no point in getting a new bag if it doesn't broaden the possibilities.
The final contender (and the least expensive by far) is this yellow leather mini-messenger bag. Not only would it give an outfit a punch of color but it would free my hands...necessary when you have to hold a glass and try to eat something.

A leak in the ceiling of one of our closets caused near panic yesterday morning. Luckily no clothes were damaged, though the closet isn’t doing too well, but it did raise a question that I continuously go back to…is it shallow of me to care so much about inanimate objects? And, even if it is shallow, do I care or should I just wallow in my shallowness like a hippo in a mud bath?

Personally, I think this is one of those things that society conditions into you and then you spend a lifetime feeling guilty about. It’s the twin-sister to those nagging pangs of guilt that sometimes appear when I buy something expensive…though I do believe that fashion can be an investment. True, I don’t think that something from H&M is going to go up in value but interesting designer pieces have the potential to. That’s a side issue though, as I’m not buying clothing as an investment strategy but because each specific item appeals to me and becomes a part of me…the me that I choose to be each day as I face the world. Surely that is something that is beyond price…

Is there anything that you can't get at Topshop? Is there? Okay, we all know about the clothes and the shoes and the accessories and I love the pick-and-mix candy selection but, Christmas cards? And with artwork by Julie Verhoeven...

50p each...how can something this chic be so cheap?

And the mantra is..."saving for NY, saving for NY" ...will...not...buy...things...on...sale... So, a curse on the people at Net-a-Porter for the e-mail I received about their 40-60% off sale (open only if you are currently registered to and shopping from the U.S. website). It's taking every ounce of willpower I possess but I am turning my back on...

Vivienne Westwood Anglomania Dunbar flecked wool coat, a charcoal single-breasted flecked wool coat with a wide button down lapel, epaulettes on shoulders and button fastening flap pockets on front. The coat has a waist panel on back, button fastening cuffs and a pleat on back - down from $850 to $510
Chloe zip fastening cardigan, taupe cropped knit cardigan with a silver zip fastening on the front. The cardigan has four zip fastening pockets on the front, zip fastening at cuffs and wide ribbed waistband - down from $505 to $303

And the "wow" dress...

Alexander McQueen cowl-neck tweed dress, brown tweed below knee length dress with a cowl neck. The dress has long, fitted sleeves, is gathered at the side at the waist (which is fastened with a brass brooch) and a zip fastening on back - down from $1,075 to $430

Repeat after me, "saving for NY, saving for NY"...

I have to start off by saying that I am not a J Crew fan, mostly everything is way too preppy for my tastes. Having said that, I received a J Crew catalog in the mail and I was surprised by some of the pieces. They had definite possibilities...

Tartan Tuxedo shirt	Wool-cashmere mitten gloves
Felted wool skirt	Cabochon charm bracelet

My urge to romanticize travel is once again taking hold and a trip to New York in February has turned into a mini-version of one of the “Grand Tours” so popular with gentlemen of the 18th Century. Though I know it would be faster and cheaper to fly I will, once again, be spending the 18 hours or so (each way) necessary to do the trip by train.

And why? Well, apart from my fear of flying and the fact that the current state of airport security makes me feel paranoid rather than secure, the train is rather a nice way to make the trip. A cabin for two with chairs that turn into bunk beds…”provisions” for the journey (bottle of wine or portable bar, snacks, backgammon set, and a good book)…and the constantly changing view from the window. It’s like an extension of the vacation rather than just a way of getting from A to B.

Okay, it’s a long way from the stylish train travel in North by Northwest or one of the Thin Man movies but it does have a certain charm. Plus, as an added bonus, I don’t have to check any purchases that I make in New York…they can stay safe and sound in the cabin with me on the return journey…try that on an aeroplane.

I was waiting for a bus recently and noticed a new ad on the side of one as it passed by. A bright pink background with a black lace overlay the ad was for...La Perla. Now I can't help but notice a dichotomy here...the other advertisments are for McDonalds, or car insurance, or requests for volunteers to test new experimental drugs...but La Perla? A store where you can easily spend a few thousand dollars on lingerie and nightgowns.

What group of people are these ads marketing?

a) Businessmen who need to buy gifts and are desperate for any suggestion
b) Random heiresses who can't decide between a cheeseburger or a push-up bra
c) Katie Cruise nee Holmes

Answers on a postcard, please.

I love a good, smelly, bath product and had to share about Kiehl's limited edition (through Christmas) body cleansers. The five scents are Pear Tree Corner, Amber, Cherry-Almond, Forest Rain, and Wisteria. I'm not sure how these fragrances tie in with the festive period...the only link I could think of was for the pear...Partridge in a Pear Tree (Corner)...but I'm probably just missing something with the others.

The Cherry-Almond is lovely though a little too sweet and sugary for my tastes but the Wisteria is gorgeous...green, floral, clean-smelling. At $15 this is a great stocking-stuffer...or treat for yourself to help unwind after battling through the Christmas crowds.

I admit it, I'm a terrible person to shop for. I tend to know what I want and I hate anyone to waste their money so surprise gifts rarely work. Don't get me wrong, I love the idea of surprises...unfortunately the reality is usually a let-down. So, each holiday I put together a wish list. After all, it may be better to give than to receive but isn't it also nice to receive something you actually want?

So here, in no particular order, are my current fancies:

Repetto Paris - Metallic Bow 'Chignon' Ballerina
Repetto Paris - 'Bardo' Ballerina
Macrame tote - knotted cotton lined in black canvas and outfitted with three inner pockets
Buckled ankle-wrap sandals
Fred Perry - ruffle placket collarless shirt

This picture of Kate Moss chav-ing it up in the name of comedy got me thinking about so called "comfort dressing". Everytime I go out on the weekends I see numerous women in brightly colored, shapeless, tracksuits and I just cannot understand the appeal. Personally I haven't worn either half of a tracksuit since I was in school. I thought it was a hideous piece of clothing then and I was wearing it somewhat for the purpose it was originally designed (I've never been an athlete so I can't say I was giving it my all but I was jogging round a playing field and that has to count for something).

But enough of my reminisences, the question is...why choose something so uniquely unflattering? Bad in its basic form, even worse with wording on the derriere. There are plenty of clothing options that are comfortable and look good...jeans, cords, skirts, dresses...so many choices.

Just say no to the Juicy!

I seem to have a recurring issue...coats that I love but that happen to only be available in another continent. The latest is this funnel necked, mohair, punk princess number from Topshop. I think this would look wonderful if everything else in the outfit was very "dressed up" and this was the one louche element - the necessary twist.



When there’s no future
How can there be sin
We’re the flowers in the dustbin
We’re the poison in your human machine
We’re the future
Your future
God Save the Queen

The Sex Pistols, “God Save the Queen,” (1977).

Yes, this post is yet another suggestion for "things to do with magazines"...maybe I should just throw them away but...these things are expensive and, in the main, inspirational so how could I be so cruel?

The backstory is that I have been toying with the idea of making our Christmas cards this year (though I have yet to think of an idea that I actually want to use and time is ticking by). I found this kit at Paper Source...

...with decorative paper, cards, and a reusable plastique envelope template!

So, I'm thinking, wouldn't it be great to send a friend a letter in a Vogue envelope? Or pay your bills in a shoot from I-D? The possibilities are endless.

I have long been a fan of Vivienne Westwood clothes and bags (ever since my mother took me to the World's End store when I was a young girl). I respect her intelligence, her anarchistic spirit, and the whimsy that she puts into her designs.

The other night I was picking up some take out food and saw an older woman with one of the most gorgeous VW bags that I've seen...a large shoulder bag in a white tartan...she was wearing it with a grey tweed coat and the combination was so beautiful that I did something I rarely do and spoke to her about her bag (I always feel like a stalker if I go up to strangers like this, but in this instance I couldn't resist)...my worst fears were confirmed, she'd bought the bag a while ago in London.

So much for that, until I visited Viv's site and found the same bag in a different plaid. With the current exchange rate I am trying to talk myself down from the ledge but we shall see...especially as it would be a perfect addition to my current collection of Westwood bags.

This black leather clutch was actually my mother's. The hardware on the zip isn't the best quality but this is a great way to add a punk element to even the most conservative outfits.
The plaid Derby bag holds a surprising amount for a smaller bag, makes me feel like Alice in Wonderland, and is showerproof...I know this isn't the first thing that comes to mind when buying bags but I have a couple of bags that fall into this category and it's nice to have a fashionable, good-looking bag that you can carry when it's raining without having a nervous breakdown.
My final Viv bag is one of the Treasure Island bags from the F/W 05 collection. I love Liberty fabrics, so the combination of two of their prints and a Westwood bag was too hard to resist. Unfortunately this bag isn't one that can be used every day...the pale fabric attracts stains like a magnet...

The French magazine Jalouse is one of my favorite magazines, actually it may be my favorite...which makes it all the more frustrating that it is the most difficult magazine for me to actually buy. Today I was finally able to purchase the October edition. Normally a delay such as this in the world of fashion would be deadly but Jalouse manages to overcome all obstacles...articles on Katie Grand and Camille Miceli, a photobook by Sonja Kinski and a shoot featuring Alisson Mosshart of The Kills.

And the icing on the cake? A spread on accessories which includes a kissing-boy-and-girl pendant by Paul & Joe...suspiciously like the one I got from Urban Outfitters a month or so ago.



No wonder I danced with joy when I saw it on the shelves (sighting confirmed by an independant observer...I did, in fact, "dance...with joy").

About a week ago I posted about a Belstaff jacket that was being sold as part of an auction of the effects of Steve McQueen. Well, the auction results are in and they are astounding.

A pair of Persol sunglasses that were believed to have been worn by McQueen during the opening scenes of the Thomas Crown Affair sold for $60,000 (the estimate was $2-3,000).

The Belstaff jacket that I mentioned in my other post went for $28,000 and a denim baseball cap with a patch which read "Farming is everybody's bread & butter" sold for $2,500.

The problem with these "celebrity" auctions is that all common-sense goes out of the window. Items that were once owned by the famous and infamous can be found at antique dealers', from specialized dealers, even from eBay (though judgement and caution should be applied). Yet give someone a numbered paddle and add them to a throng of people similarly armed and caution is thrown to the winds. Admittedly you are buying something with a good provenance but, even so, will you ever be able to re-coup your investment?

Perhaps the clothing was bought to be worn. In that case, if they had the money, I say good for them..."real" clothes, bought to be worn...it seems like something Steve may have approved of.

In 1936 Salvador Dali created his iconic lips sofa, based upon Mae West's similar attributes. For Christmas, Shu Uemura is offering its "Lips Unlimited Lip Set". Admittedly it is a little tacky...and does bring to mind a Robert Palmer video...but what's Christmas without a tacky element? Why else do I drag out my Best of Elvis CD housed in a pop-up Graceland? Please tell me...why?

The $65 set includes the bag, lipstick, liner, and gloss and is available at Shu Uemura.

The other day I was in Cost Plus and I saw these enamelled, articulated koi keychains and charms. My first thought was...wouldn't these make great pendants? Just remove the keychain ring or red cord, hang on a chain or ribbon and voila! Easiest "craft" project ever...

Then, today, I bought the December edition of US Elle and came across this article...

Don't you love it when this kind of thing happens? And I'm guessing Scarlett's jewelry costs a lot more than the $4.99-$6.99 I got mine for.

Many posts ago I mentioned the state of walking disintegration that is my trenchcoat. If it was still available in my exact size...or being sold in a store in the same country as I am (which would make returns easier in case of "sizing issues")...this would be the perfect replacement.


How cool is this Sonia by Sonia Rykiel trench? Even Peter Falk would be jealous...