Good Toe, Naughty Toe...

There are few things in the world more beautiful and graceful than ballerinas. I still want to be a ballet dancer when I grow up, despite the fact that I gave up lessons when I was 5 years old... The photographs from The Ballerina Project mixes the elegance and poise of ballerinas with the harsh and dramatic landscape of New York City - I love the contradiction, it makes for beautifully striking images.

'Ravish Me!' Hair

So I had this horrifying hair cut. Since then, and actually since time began, I have been dreaming of better hair. I have not yet discovered my ‘hair happy place’, and I probably won’t until I can afford to go to a Creative Director and get some expert advice. However, while I’m waiting for these absurd layers to grow out, I’m dreaming of long, grab-me, tousle-me, RAVISH-me locks, exactly like this…

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Mothers of the Web Unite...

One of the (many) things that stayed with me from reading ‘Living Dolls’ was the sexualisation of girls while they’re still children. Natasha Walters is so right in pointing out that the ‘girly’ way we’re brought up is incredibly damaging to our sense of being strong women, not to mention remaining physically youthful! Pink and sparkles and Barbie and ponies and all that crap… I mean it isn’t exactly an attitude to take to the boardroom, is it? "Sales are plummeting? It's ok, my Care Bear will kissing it better!" What’s more, Bratz dolls in their fishnets and Taylor Momsen-eyeshadow are not the image to be holding up as ideal to girls aged 4-plus…

Bratz

The amazing women at Mumsnet have begun the 'Let Girls be Girls’ campaign to try and combat the little-girl-prostitute image that is rife on the high street, and in society generally. What a fantastic issue for them to put their weight behind, and the list of brands and stores backing the push is incredibly impressive. I will certainly be watching closely to see what happens next…

A Little Elegance on a Thursday Morning

I came across these illustrations, I’m not sure how, but thought they were fabulous. I apologise for the lack of blogging, we’ve been having some broadband issues. Anyway, thank you Edith Head for these gorgeous drawings, they remind me of Lulu Guinness’ aesthetic…

Wowey...

The beautiful blogger, Alix, from The Cherry Blossom Girl, (one of my ol’faithful blogs) got married over the weekend. From the look of the two photographs she has teased us with, the dress is, as you would expect, no less than stunning couture. So, I’m sharing them with you in turn. I haven’t made up my mind up about the institution of marriage, but I DO love a good wedding. Absolutely beautiful.

Full Belly, Happy Mind...

I hope you all had wonderful weekends! Mine was certainly delicious. It involved...

...Hummingbird cupcakes…

...It disappeared pretty quickly…

I saw beautiful hydrangeas at the flower stall beneath the Conran Shop…

I went to Byron Burger on the Kings Road, which, I swear to you, makes the best hamburger you’ve ever tasted. According to my fellow diner, I looked a great deal like a toddler struggling to locate their mouth. It was not elegant...

Luckily, I can illustrate this quite well with a picture of myself as a child, accurately locating my mouth, and looking pretty happy about it...

I also had my first kitchen triumph making Betty Crocker’s oatmeal and chocolate chip cookies. Betty must be a genius to have come up with a recipe SO foolproof that even I could make them edible…

Sigh... Can it be Monday already?

Hats Off To Her Majesty

Yesterday, The Cut asked the question “Should more women cover up in New York's heat for the sake of decorum, or should the Queen loosen up in the summertime?”

I love fashion in all its different shapes and sizes, from the crazy Gaga-style to the more demure, but we could do much worse for style inspiration than HRH. Trends come and go, but dressing like a lady will never go out of style. It’s difficult in this heat, but there’s a lot to be said for owning pieces that fall into the ‘classic, and lady-like’ category. This spread seemed like a good example of how to keep old-style glamour, fresh and modern. It reminds me a little of Blair Wardorf's style...

A Way to Get Your Thoughts, Without Cracking Your Skull

Blogger, in its infinite capacity for creating widgets, now allows you to tell me whether you think a post is ‘funny’, ‘interesting’ and/or ‘cool’! So, let me know what you think by clicking the boxes below! And while you’re at it, feel free to comment!

To Market, To Market...

Yes, I spent my lunch hour (plus, ahem, a little extra) yesterday browsing the strange and wonderful treasures of the Spitalfields vintage and antiques market. You can buy everything from a '50s barber's chair to old military uniform, to costume jewelry and absurd knickknacks from the corner of a cockney geeza’s attic.

After browsing with a much more hurried eye than I would have liked, I added to my collection of junk a fabulous costume necklace (possibly from the 50s), two black and white ‘prints’ (which are really pages pulled from art books, and cost a single British pound each) and the most stupendous black satchel bag from Blondie.

Today, I discovered something even more fabulous (impossible to believe, I know) Blondie’s sister store, Absolute Vintage. Which is an enormous collection of vintage clothes, and I picked up this cerise dress. The belt needs replacing with some wide velvet ribbon, I think. But mainly, I love the cuffs. Pearl buttons? Delightful...

I have fallen completely in love with Spitalfields. Every day there is something new and different to discover, all colourful, all fascinating and all utterly fabulous! If you’re in London, this is a must-visit.

Pin them here, Pin them there...

More Dash than Cash is my favourite Vogue feature. I have had whole months ruined by a sub-par 'More Dash' section. Obviously, it being the only spread in the magazine that I can afford makes it appealing, but it's the creativity that I love. Bringing together high street, vintage stores and tips to customize, they let the styling speak for itself by always shooting in a white studio. One of the things I remember seeing was a look that involved several vintage brooches, which I have been looking for. This spread, found here, might be the one I was thinking of. At any rate, last Thursday I walked through the Spitalfields Market and discovered the most wonderful antique and vintage market, with an especially impressive array of vintage brooches! You’d better believe, on Thursday, I will return to the market and bankrupt myself on vintage brooches. Vogue shows me that they can make for very striking detailing on an outfit.

Here’s another cool way to wear brooches.

A Gift To You This Monday Morning...

Check it out! I now have a ‘blog roll’ so as to share the wonderful blogs that fill my G Reader every day! I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

Haircut Heartbreak

A few weeks ago, I had the most heart-breaking, soul-destroying haircut. If I learned anything from the experience, I would say, do NOT, under any circumstance take a book to the hairdresser. I was so engrossed in The Living Doll that I paid no attention to what was going on behind me. It was a mistake that resulted in a style resembling ‘The Rachel’ circa 1995… I am ashamed to say that I sobbed for the loss of my locks. Like Sampson, unmanned by Delilah, so was I robbed of my power by some ‘bubbly’, Australian wench.

Each time I look at it, crassly layered and unruly, I get depressed, and thus am considering going short. I was desperate to grow it long again, but if there was every a good reason to have the chop, here she is…

Flame-haired Maiden and Lion Cubs...

I’m just in love with Julianne Moore. She is the most beautiful woman. Red headed women, I have long believed, are the most beautiful. Something about their bone structure, that cream-coloured skin… If I could have anyone’s looks, well Julianne would be high on my list. Stunning.

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Dance, Dance, Dance

On Sunday, I went to my first yoga class (more on that later), but it took place in a dance studio, and now I want to do everything! Salsa? Yes! Latin? Yes! Ballet? Well… Maybe I’ll work up to that one… So You Think You Can Dance? Yes, I do!

Enjoy this, my favourite routine from the show… A beautiful start to Tuesday morning!

Beautiful Bump...

I'm fairly sure this is Miro, but whoever it is, it's a very stylish bump!

Teeny, Tiny Tats

I can’t help but love these. They’re so adorable. Especially the bow and the umbrella…

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Knit One, Purl One

I am dreading the Edinburgh winter, but I am also LOVING these big, statement knits. Chunky knitwear and boots are the only good thing about bad weather!

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Heartbreaking...

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Thank Goodness for You...

I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, and I should - in fact – say it every day, but thank you.

Thank you for being the Ashley to my Mary-Kate…

Without you, I don’t know where I’d be…

Bird of Paradise

Alex Wek for Dutch Glamour. I just think this is so beautiful – I wish we could all walk around decorated in rainbow colours. Too, too stunning.

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