Isabella Blow

As it’s British tradition to wear grand headpieces to a wedding, those at the Royal Wedding over the weekend certainly did not disappoint. Some were exceptional, (a la Victoria Beckham) and some were exceptionally bad (yes, I'm talking about you Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie or, as I will now refer to you as, Cinderella's ugly step sisters), the common factor being that the unorthodox milliner, Philip Treacy, crafted most. While I was watching this, I could help but think it was all very reminiscent of Treacy's muse and original Princess of extravagant hats, Isabella Blow.

Interestingly, realising Treacy's talent after he created her wedding headdress, Blow offered to establish him in her London flat where he worked on his creations, later becoming a signature part of Isabella's flamboyant style. During Isabella's career she worked as Anna Wintour and Andre Leon Talley's assistant, a fashion director of Tatler and the Sunday Times Style magazine and shortly before her death in 2007 she worked as a creative director and stylist. She had also discovered the likes of Sophie Dahl and Alexander McQueen to name but a few. Isabella's life was certainly a mix of tragedy and inspiration and for many (myself included), she embodied English eccentricity at its best.

“If you don’t wear lipstick, I can’t talk to you.”

-       Isabella Blow

Sourced : Daily Mail, Candy Cane Ladies

Ode to London

My first night in Marrakesh and I’m sitting in my Riad knowing I should really be exploring all the treats that make this city so great; the Souqs, being entertained by the local snake charmers, the Spice Market, all-you-can-eat couscous and tagine, getting henna tattoos and just generally emerging myself in the labyrinth that is Marrakesh. However, all this can wait until tomorrow, tonight I’m reminiscing about my two years that I’ve spent in London. There are so many things that I will miss about the city; watching how the vibe changes from winter to summer and suddenly feeling it for yourself, the buzz, the park on a warm summer’s day, meeting people, who without you realising soon become life-long friends, pear cider, dress-up house parties, Brick Lane, cheap Vietnamese dinner and the sense that, no matter how lonely it gets in London, we’re all there for one another when it really counts. Of course, not every single moment has been a joyous one, I’ve definitely felt some of my lowest days living in London however, it’s those lows that make you truly appreciate all the highs that will inevitability come, and trust me, if you stick with it and really work at it, those highs are what keeps you going though those long winter months. I feel that I will always look back at my time spent in London and remember it with such fondness that it almost feels “ok” to be leaving, as I know that I will always want to someday return. And as my mum has said “you always want to leave a party while you’re still having fun.”  I am a firm believer of “what will be, will be” so, I’m now closing the London door and waiting eagerly for a new window to open.

PS. There are WAY more photos to come, the internet connection in the riad isn't that great! x

My Birthday at Rosa's

Mexican House Party

Vintage Store and Coffee Shop on Brick Lane

Apres Ski Party

New Years Eve

First Summer BBQ of 2011

Tropicana Beach Luau

Altitude 360, Millbank Tower

As I’m trying to squeeze as much of London as I can before I go, my friend and I went on a very romantic date to Altitude 360, Millbank Tower for a cheese and wine tasting. We got to sample Chile’s finest wines, both red and white and learnt how to utilise all five of our tastebud’s taste perceptions (salty, sour, bitter, sweet and umami or savoury) so that we could fully appreciate the effort and love that goes into making wine. It was one of the most beautiful afternoon’s I’ve had, slurping our delicious wine looking out on to the incredible view that is London, followed by a lovely summer's stroll along the Thames . 

Outfit : Black bandage dress by Whistles

Photos taken by Jessica Rabbit

Wicked

Firstly, I feel like I need to apologise for the lack of posts this week, basically I’ve been sorting my life out and preparing myself to leave London and go off travelling around Europe for two months, before returning home to Australia in July. Whilst, I am excited about travelling I have to say that I’m devastated that I have to leave London, which has been my home for the last two years. Although I will be posting so much more about London and my time here in the next few days, I want to share with you what I’ve been doing this week starting with going to the theatre to see Wicked. Now, I have to admit that I didn't really do much research into the plot but anything that involves incorporating the Wizard of Oz into the theme I knew would be a winner. I also have to say, Rachel Tucker who plays Elphaba the Wicked Witch of the West, has the most amazing voice I think I've ever heard (big call, I know). When she sang Defying Gravity it gave me goosebumps. Simply magical. 

Outfit : White 70s pleated palazzo trousers, black mid-length top from Topshop a vintage black leather jacket and tan mimco bag. 

Photos taken by Jessica Rabbit

Outfit Post : Newquay Day 2

Day two, saw me go a little more summery as it was bordering on “warm” while we ate our delicious breakfast at Café Irie. I wore my H&M high-waisted jeans, topshop mid-length black vest (singlet) and another of my long-line waistcoats but this time in a white and caramel crochet. I also had my camel coat for when the sun disappeared behind the clouds. 

Photos taken by Jessica Rabbit

Get my look :

Topshop Baxter Jeans in Cornflour blue, Dion Lee Chiffon Top, Topshop Ivory waistcoat, Shoes - Lana by Jeffrey Campbell at solestruck Alexander Wang Sunglasses via net-a-porter