Fall Wishlists to SMILE about

Tomorrow is the first day of October. That means that the next four weeks hold promises of firey red leaves covering the ground, matching scarf and glove sets, little lace up granny boots, big wooly socks, cups of apple cinnamon tea, frazzled-all-night-study-session hair and far too many baked good to be healthy!
Things are cooling down around Montreal, and I couldn't be more excited about it! And while my (still unemployed) bank account is not letting me enjoy Fall shopping as much as I'm used to, I can still imaginary shop! Isn't that the best part of online shopping afterall? So I've compiled for you here a little list of my current Etsy wishlist. I think I could probably post 72 more just like it, but maybe I'll make it a weekly feature or something instead (how many times have I said that before?)...We'll see! Without further ado - my Autumn 2009 Etsy Wishlist ladies!

Vintage Sailor jacket from here; Black platform Sandals from here

I am imagining this little number with a black dress and some knee high socks!
Probably not the most practical of fall outfits, but practicality never did play a big role in my imaginary shopping sprees.



black velvet wedges from here; sparkly sandals from here; dreamy white dress from here

This little dress with a pair of my dream tights (white with little black polka dots) and those black velvet wedges actually hurts my heart a little bit it's so perfect. I think it's fairly obvious the outfit is inspired by yesterday's Lula post...none the less, it would be just as cute - I think - with some black opaque tights and those dreamy silver sparkly sandals - once again, I don't like practicality when it comes to my imagination...



paisley print mini tent dress from here; vintage riding boots from here

Ahhh there is the practical side of my brain! This paisley print mini tent dress would, imho be just about perfect paired with some tights, cozy knee highs and these vintage rubber riding boots! And maybe a little brown hat...I'm thinking sort of Edge of Love inspired...something perfect for trekking out into the woods for a picnic type of thing...


perfect dress from here; perfect granny boots from here

And while we're at it, I might as well end on a practical note! This perfect, perfect dress was one I was actually contemplating buying for real, but then it slipped out of sight just before I had the money in my paypal! I think it would be just dreamy with some sort of sheerish black tights and those wonderful wonderful lace up granny boots, which also sold just before I had a chance to snatch 'em up! Sigh, I gotta be quicker on my game! Of course the girl in the dress also makes me want to go drastic and dye my hair brown for the Fall. Do you think it would make me look more studious?? I'm always too chicken to do daring things like drastic hair color changes...

On a whole other note entirely...I received a super, duper flattering award from Maria at LuluLetty just the other day! I think the thing that got me smiling the most about it, was that she tagged me along side a very special lady who happens to be quickly growing on me as a close lifelong pal! I am so, so honored to be tagged with you sweet Quincy! And thank you Maria for choosing me! You're super duper sweet and I love, love, love your blog!

Here are the rules:
1. You have to post a song that makes you happy.
2. You can tag as many people as you want, there is no limit.
3. Say at least one thing about each blog you tag, that will make them smile, something nice about their blog that makes you smile when you read it!

1. I only discovered this song recently, but I can't listen to it without shimmying my shoulders and mouthing the words with a big goofy grin on my face. I even got Mike hooked on it! Thanks Pee Wee King! *smile smile smile smile*



2. I will keep with the trend of tagging two bloggers, since that seems to be the direction Maria and Quincy have both taken...and I'm going to tag Reilly from Cici Speaks and Alice Pleasance from The Cupcake Diary. Although if anyone else feels like doing this - it's actually kind of fun choosing a song that makes you smile - then please feel free!

3. Reilly's blog is one I only discovered recently, but quickly became completely addicted to! This girl is teeming with creativity and talent and I guarantee if you haven't started reading her blog yet, that one little visit to it will convince you to follow! She also has an Etsy shop worth keeping your eye on, because her eye for great vintage is up there with the best of 'em!

Alice's blog I've been reading for quite a while and aside from her wonderful wardrobe and sweet, sweet self, she's also incredibly talented! She recently started making the most wonderful hats and hair accessories that she is selling on Etsy and you should definitely make a point of checking it out! They could make absolutely lovely gifts for the holidays!!!

Tonight I'm going to be attending my very first fashion show ever in my little life!! I'm nervous and excited and anxious and jittery and all those things that cool people aren't before a fashion show I'm sure! But it doesn't matter, and I'm sure you'll all be hearing about it soon!

ghosts and lovers

photography by Kyle Cook

Tim & Puma Mimi

After the fashion show and the aftersale Tim & Puma Mimi will be in concert. Check out their myspace page here. 

Their concert starts about at 21.00 right next to the woodbridge where the fashion show will be. 

Pensively Punk Rock

I found this woman's style an interesting mix of modern sophistication with aesthetic elements of punk rock . Her round tortoise shell glasses paired with a simple and elegant cape creates a clean and understated visage. She appears youthful with her shaggy mo hawk and tapered jeans worn with red Dr. Martens, and still retains an overall refined and distinguished appearance. She wears the look with confidence, heightened by her pensive gaze.

Clare Bickford-Smith

Amazing new designer

This is her graduation collection (Ba Fashion design/marketing St Martins)


CLARE BICKFORD-SMITH


Photography and post production - me
Concept - me and Mario Mendez
Photography assistant and makeup - Mario Mendez
Model Julia S mnp models

I'm-Gonna-Kick-Your-Ass-Boots

Shit. Ali Stephens in Bon Magazine, shot by David Vasiljevic. All I can think while loving this editorial is that stylist Sarah Ellison is having a major kick-ass boot moment. Can't really blame her. Can't get enough of my own lace-up booties right now. They seem to make every outfit better... especially when paired with something dare I say a little... pretty?! Adore.

Fashion Show by Kimandra & Frau Meise

On saturday Kimandra has it's debut on the catwalk and we hope many of you will come and join us for the show and of course for a drink or two afterwards! For you who have been waiting for new Kimandra items, you now have the opportunity to see our new selection of clothes not only on the catwalk but also our vintage collection will be available for purchase.

Together with Kimandra we will also present a selection of brands from Frau Meises boutique. Here is a taste of what you will see in the show:

Aleksandra Wisniewska

"Aleksandra Wisniewska Collection expresses the elegant, feminine and self-confident woman with a touch of extravagance."

Laend Phuengkit

Olivia Estermann

to see more click here

Behind the scenes of Nadinoo shoot..

Behind the scenes of Nadinoo Looks shoot, 

Photography by Nadinoo

Sunday we had another successful Nadinoo shoot, we shot the Autumn/Winter 09  Look book. Really excited to see and show you the final result and also launch the new season. But until then I would like to share with you some backstage pics taken by my cutie assistant Hien.
As I was styling the shoot you can see a few shots of my back (shoulder length blonde) and some lovely pics of Marlies the talented photographer at work (red short pixie hair) and not to forget dear Conny the hair and makeup artist making sure every hair is in place (red hair with cute fringe). The gourgeous model is Sara T from Sweden, she was just the cutest with an even sweeter personality. Really wanted to put her in my pocket and take her home with me.

I also had some portrait pics taken for the about page on the new website, was an interesting experience being in front of the camera with all those lights... Will have to wait and see the end pics before I give up my day job!

We Love: Pandahead Mag

I am eternally impressed with the talent and hard work of fellow D.C. fash blogger Morgan, who just debuted the first anniversary issue of her indie-cool online fashion/arts/all things hip webzine Pandahead Mag. The photo shoots are clever and creative, but my favorite part was the music video of four local bands, shot during a camping trip. Love the grainy, sun-dappled pictures, love the catchy song, love the cheerful, 70s-ish feel. It made me feel happy. Happy birthday, Pandahead Mag.

In Memory of Mimi Weddell

My dear friend Mimi Weddell passed away last week at the age of 94.She was a great inspiration to me and I will cherish my memories of her. I first met Mimi at a screening for the documentary Hat's Off, in San Diego. This was just about a year and a half ago, just as I was planning to move to New York. Seeing Mimi living with so much grace and elegance, walking around in her grand hats and wonderful costumes, made the idea of moving to New York even more exciting. I looked at Mimi with awe, mesmerized by her exquisite taste and witty remarks. I told her and "Hat's Off" film maker Jyll Johnstone, that I would look them up when I moved to the city and help spread the word about her wonderful documentary.

I moved to New York in May of last year and began to work and intern for several fashion designers and showrooms, including Abgail Lorick. When I showed Abigail a clip of Mimi speaking about the importance of illusion, she was immediately struck by this profound and kindred spirit. We knew we had to get Mimi to appear in Lorick's upcoming fashion week presentation, and it was my mission to do so. This was my great opportunity to call Mimi on the phone. I looked her up in the yellow pages, dialed her number, and to my great surprise, that wonderful almost aristocratic voice called out from an answering machine, " This is Mimi Weddell, please leave a message and I will call you back." Mimi had been receiving a lot of phone calls for work and was very selective about who she called back. After a few days with no response and several emails to Jyll Johnstone, I was put into contact with Mimi. I met her at her at her apartment uptown. Her place was filled from floor to ceiling with glorious hats. There were books and paintings, and newspaper clippings in every nook and cranny. Sayings like "Rise above it" were neatly scribbled on scraps of paper, stuck to the refrigerator. I entered the apartment with as much wonder and excitement as I would a cave full of crystals or an Egyptian tomb. Mimi, cigarette in hand,offered me Brandy and cookies.

Mimi was a fantastic storyteller . She would animate her tales with glorious glances and expressive hand motions, almost as if she was performing a grand part in a Broadway play. The world truly was her stage. After appearing in Abigail's presentation and stealing the show, I began to receive inquiries into who this fabulous older woman was. Mimi appeared in major print ads for Burberry, Juicy Couture and Louis Vuitton, and had several small acting roles in shows and films including Sex and The City and Hitch, but was never fully recognized for her outstanding talent as a serious actress and performer. To me she was an icon, both for her style and her inherent wisdom and elegance.

Mimi and I got together several more times over last year. I planned a hat party for the release of Hat's Off to DVD and organized some photo shoots and interviews for foreign press interested in Mimi's wonderful style and vibrant character. Just a few weeks ago I sat with Mimi at a nursing home. She was as beautiful and sharp as ever. She always encouraged me to be creative and told me that I could do great things. Mimi was one of the first people I met in New York and she will remain a cherished part of my memories. Her strength and determination had a profound impact on how I look at life. I feel extremely honored to have spent time and worked with such an incredible woman.

Love and Strength to her family.

some inspiration from Lula Issue #9

When the Dark Spell video from the Lula website took the blog world by storm a little while back, I was consumed with giddy excitement to see the 9th issue in print! Ordinarily I try and avoid the scans that start to pop up everywhere before seeing the magazine for myself first. There's something about sitting in my bedroom with a cup of coffee, not knowing what to expect once I crack the cover, that is just too good to ruin with scanned images first. Well, I caved this time, and headed right over to the magazine forums at the Fashion spot, knowing full well some lucky European girlies would have scanned in some of their favourite editorials by now. I'm still not sure yet if I'm glad I did or not, but now that I have, I might as well post about them!

I'm absolutely smitten with this black and white, creepy silent film-ish editorial photographed by Yelena Yemchuk and brought to life by none other than this issue's cover girl - Karen Elson! I've got all kinds of ideas for inspired blog posts running around in my head now.

As far as outfit inspiration goes, it doesn't get much better than these two right here! I have a feeling that this Fall and Winter I'll be breaking the old "no-white-after-labour-day-rule" on nearly a daily basis! As if I needed any more reasons to keep my eyes peeled for lovely little white mini dresses to pair with polka dot tights and little velvet wedges or perfect little pixie boots...these two images have somehow managed to add to the roster of Ivory themed ideas I've got floating around up there in my noggin!

I hope I haven't ruined the magazine for anyone else, I think every time an issue is due to come out, the whole "blogosphere" goes a little crazy! Well here I am, right on that bandwagon! It's just too good not to join in the fun!

(all images found here)

indian summer.

this weekend the weather was incredibly warm and sunny. perfect for a ten-mile (!) walk in kent, double birthdays, publish and be damned, and showing a bit of leg for what may be the last time for a long while.