1 day - 4 lessons

Wow - what a day. Today's been one of those days where as I sit here to write about it I really have to think hard to remember anything! This morning seems like a life time ago (having said that, we've actually just crossed over into a new day to be fair)!

Today started out with a bit of a manic prep for another Charlotte Church shoot. Manic because we were only told about the shoot the day before - which didn't really leave much time for the whole calling-in/appointment/edit thing!!! Anyway, Tamara's a total pro, and Charlotte's lovely and v chilled, so the shoot itself was absolutely fantastic and no-drama as ever. Phew.

They always say you learn (or should learn) something new every day. Well, today I've exceeded myself, and learnt not one, but 4 things.

Lesson 1: I'm crap at party-hopping

To be fair I've known this since I was about 16. I don't know why, but I'm just not the party hopping type. Well actually, it's probably just because I'm a bit lazy. Tonight, as I'm sure you all know was Vogue's Fashion Night Out. I didn't go last year (as I was working for a competing title it didn't seem right), however this year I planned to hit at least 3 parties - Harvey Nic's, Louis Vuitton and Agent Provocateur.

I decided to start of at Louis Vuitton. They sent me an invite. I like invites - they make me feel special and important. I went, I mingled, I bumped into a few familiar faces....and before I new it it was home time! Major fail on the party hopping front.

Lesson 2: Do what's in your heart

Now - truth be told I shouldn't have been partying at all tonight. Tonight was Erev Rosh Hashanah (i.e. Jewish New Year's eve). Unlike British NY, Jewish NY is all about spending time with family and spiritual renewal - not getting pissed on a river boat and watching fireworks. I've never not spent Rosh Hashanah at synagogue and with my family, but what with this whole freelancing thing I really felt I should be out there. Dilemma. After much toing and froing I decided to go out and Vogue-it-up. On reflection/ arriving home, I'm not sure that was the right decision. Work's important, but family first always. Lesson learnt.

Lesson 3: Don't not eat all day and then eat a whole roast dinner and cake at 11.30pm

Not eating all day was never in the plan (I'm really not vain enough for all that) - it really was just one of those days when it didn't happen. The roast - well it had to be eaten - it was my Rosh Hashanah dinner after all. I maybe didn't need to mainline the whole thing in 3 minutes though and then polish it off with a slice (and a bit) or apple cake and a cup of tea. Feel sick.

Lesson 4: Stop resisting the technological revolution!

I've been off email all day, and have just discovered 136 new emails. I think this is my cue to get an upgrade to something a bit more technologically advanced than an old small Nokia!

P.S. Check back for pictures and lots more fun and gossip from Vogue fashion night out tomorrow....for now I'm off to bed!

Confessions of a former cycling shorts connoisseur

After weeks of mercilessly slagging cycling shorts and their wearers off, I’m……well……let’s just say considering a change of heart and mind. You see, truth be known in my younger years I was a rather fervent cycling shorts wearer. From neon lycra to grey cotton; on their own or under skirts and denim shorts – I wore my vast collection of cycling shorts frequently and with pride. Then I got older, grew some hips…oh, and the ‘90’s ended, and with the rest of the civilised world my cycling shorts were sent to the back of my cupboard of fashion regrets and shame.

However this weekend after not one, but two positive encounters with cycling shorts (see images below), and one rather frustrating encounter with a vest (too short as dress, but too long/ loose to wear with denim shorts or a skirt) I’m seriously considering rehabilitating them.


Random girl
On Friday night, inbetween drowning sorrows in vodka, and stalking Anne Hathaway, I spotted this girl – my first real life cycling shorts sighting. I liked.

My friend Zoe
Then on Saturday night my good friend Zoe text me to say she was wearing a pair! I obvs insisted on a pic, and her boyf promptly whizzed this over. Good work Zo – top fash points I say! Also like her reasoning - surely cycling shorts are just summer leggings? Good point well made, no?


Inspiration (aka. Totally out of my crappy budget!)

Louis Vuitton
Yes, I know I slated these/ the image of me in them the other day, but hell to it – I want them, I’d rock them, and what’s more I’d get a massive blonde afro to match, so there!

Chanel
What can you say, I mean Karl has even managed to make cycling shorts look chic and stylish – nothing compares….


Options (more in my current budget - sob wail)

ToSho
Comfortable, practical, and simple; I’m thinking these might be a good first step back on the cycling short ladder…..or are they just a really boring cop-out?

Costume Dept, ASOS
So you have to imagine that you’ll only really be seeing the bottoms of them….obviously no crouch exposure in these (as it would be full exposure, and I’m not crazy/ stupid/ Britters)….


Friends, family, strangers and people who clicked onto the blog by mistake - all help/ opinions/ advice kindly received…..Danke xxx

Best day ever: Part 2

So….you’d think that a Christian Louboutin sample sale would be enough excitement for one day…..maybe even for one lifetime, but not for me. Last night (after the work/ office bit we’re not thinking about) I headed off for a spot more (window) shopping. This time it was all about the sunnies, and not just any sunnies, but exciting new Austrailian ones which have just landed in the UK, thanks to two lovely (and really very clever) ladies called Rebecca and Marie-Claire (introduced to me by my dear friend Jane, aka. Squirrel). Now, I’ve never been to Oz, but I’ve heard rumours that it gets rather warm down under (ahem), and that they know a thing or two about summer gear, so I was super-excited to see what they had to offer. I wasn’t disappointed. There were three brands on display (one was men’s though, so I’m afraid I didn’t pay it much attention – sorry boys). For us lovely ladies there were the spontaneous-purchase-priced Le Specs and the let-me-sleep-on-them Karen Walker’s. I obviously fell head-over-heels (or should I say frames, boom boom) for the Karen Walker’s. Well I would wouldn’t I! More than just sleep on it I thought I’d ask for some expert advice from you guys on which, if any, I should purchase. Ooh, and bare in mind they’re approx. £170 ouch….sorry I mean each!

p.s. all donations welcome!

p.p.s. for those of you who want in on the action both brands will be stocked at Tosho, Urban Outfitters, and asos.com soon - handy andy!


Numero uno: Righteous
These jumped out at me straight away, and I was sure they were going to be perfect for me. Round, gold frames, tortoise shell arms – they had my name all over them. Once on my face I wasn’t so sure though…..


Numero dos: Rover
So, not a fan of the name, but these are actually my personal favourites. I’ve convinced myself that fluoro orange goes with….you guessed it, ev-er-y-thing! Please tell me I’m not being totally crazy – these are hot, right?


Numero tres: Number Six
Probably the most sensible and safest option. I do like these, don’t get me wrong, but…..I don’t know, they’re just, like, black. I really do like the thickness of the frame though, and these really would go with a lot I guess. Hhhmmmm…

So, please help me. Be good people, and post your comments/ advice below. Cheers xx

Gimme an L....

...Gimme an F, Gimme a W...a press pass, a trizillion glasses of champers, and a month long hangover! Yes it's that time again, LFW is here…let the fun and games commence!

To think that this time last week I was sipping Mosi under the starry African sky, and now I’m in Dalston discussing the merits of Tosho shoes over Rupert Sanderson boots, and playing show ticket Top Trumps with Julia my Fashion Assistant housemate. Gotta say I’m mucho excited this season though (despite the fact it’s like -30 outside and I’m probably gonna catch pneumonia because I can’t afford cabs); I have my blog, my tailor-made Zambian outfits, and an awesome new fringe - so bring it on! I’m planning to hit fashion week hard, so keep tuned for lots of gossip and bitching….sorry, I mean Insider facts and show reports!

I am having a bit of a dilemma re my schedule tomorrow though....well a pair of problems really…

1. The first show I have a ticket for is Charles Anastase show at 10am. To be honest I’m really thinking I can't be fucked. I know I should go, but It's been a beyond long week, I’ve hardly slept through stress and general post-holiday disorientation, and I think I could do with a bit of a lie-in. BUT then feel like a bit of a shit for not going, and Julia's getting up for Daks at 9! They’ve only given me a standing ticket though, so I’m kinda thinking bugger it....

2. I have tickets for the official Alice in Wonderland screening - I’m desperate to see it - it's 3D, Johnny Depp (dreamy dreamy, mmm mmm mmm) is the Mad Hatter, and I think it's just what I need to take my mind of what a ghastly week I’ve just had! The problem is the screenings at 6.15, and it means I’ll miss the Ann-Sofie Back show at 7, which I also really wanna see!

Eek - decisions decisions, what to do - advice, please, now!