Keeping the winter at bay

Ah it's the last day of January, which means that we are that much closer to the end of winter. But until that glorious occasion arrives, I will just have to continue bundling myself up in layer upon layer of camel coloured attire. For a visual of what this might look like, please refer to the photos below taken from madame figaro greece.

It is extremely appropriate that I found these photos today whilst browsing on LeFashion, because I just finished sewing a lovely suede camel skirt. Now I'm really on my way to morphing into an actual camel - Black Swan style, but maybe without the whole mental illness thing.

Old brown shoe

Can you guess what I did on the way home from school today?...

That's right! I bought leopard print Mary Janes.

They were very moderately priced at the Town Shoes outlet store. I thought they might serve me well during NYFW. But having never purchased a pair of leopard print shoes before, I'm a little skeptical.

Ladies, any thoughts on these babies? Yea or nay?

And if you are thinking "well that's all well and good Kendra, but what the heck do they look like with a striped sock and a cuffed jean?". Well look no further!

Also, please note, that it is tricky taking pictures of your own feet. I had to put my computer on the floor... on the floor!

Well, I don't believe in double vision

Mixing patterns and textures! A little fur on floral on stripe.

Me wearing my mother's vintage mink fur, thrifted floral and striped shirts and boots from Aldo.

Me wearing that same outfit AND a death stare. I think this is the face that I make as my attempt at a "neutral" face when walking around by myself. Which may explain why I have very few friends... hmmm.

But I digress.

Anyway, after writing this post I did a little blog browsing. Turns out mixing as many patterns as you possibly can, is a hot topic at the moment. Man Repeller did a tutorial on it in her most recent post and Strangersinthepages features it as well. God that Man Repeller is good. Obviously I am not quite at the level of mixing 5 different brightly coloured patterns. But I'm getting there. In fact I recently bought an Aztec printed blazer from Value Village that is just dying to be worn with a plaid shirt (and maybe a floral scarf and striped socks if I'm feeling really daring). I just have to finish taking out the shoulder pads performing various other alterations. So stay tuned for that one!

Are we killing time?

FACT: My friend Jill is super hot and stylish.

PROOF: These photos from our last photo shoot. She is wearing her new shorts from Jonathan & Olivia (I can't remember if they are TopShop or not) two different ways. The shorts are sort of lingerie inspired, but I have it on good authority that it is now totally acceptable to wear underwear as outerwear (refer to previous posts regarding sheer shirts and skirts). And shorts that pretty are meant to be shared with the world!

With the dark blazer it makes a really great winter outfit, in fact that is what she wore on new years, and she looked good. And I think that the bright orange oversized blazer will be so appropriate for Spring 2011.

Look at that smile? Doesn't she just melt your heart?

You're a shining star, no matter who you are

Two more magazine spreads, Clémence Poésy for Marie Claire US February 2011, and Chantal le Fevre for Style Singapore January 2011. There is definitely a retro, 70's inspired look to the styling in these shoots. This is something I have been seeing a lot more of lately. Bright prints, hair parted down the centre, and even some good ol' bell-bottoms.

I am really liking a lot of these elements, although I'm not sure I'm ready to give up my skinny jeans and revert back to my 13 year old self, who wanted the widest bell-bottoms known to mankind. But lord knows I'm always up for a printed shirt and some high-waisted shorts... I can't wait for spring!

We like the same things and I like your style

I am quite liking this spread from Elle UK's February issue. Chanel Iman is looking beautiful as always.

Tangent... I watched the Victoria's Secret Fashion show and saw her get her angel wings and she was so excited that she cried. How cute. It's a special day for any Victoria's Secret Angel, right ladies? Can't WAIT till I get my wings!

Anyway, Chanel is wearing pieces from Gucci, Ralph Lauren, D&G, Prada, Yves Saint Laurent, Chloe, Armani and other Spring 2011 collections. These are a few of the photos, if you want to see the rest check them out at Fashion Gone Rogue. I really love the soft flowy pieces, paired with the bright structured pieces.

I'm going to head straight to my local shopping mall and get me a bubble gum pink maxi skirt, and crisp white t-shirt!

Everything emptying into white

From wheresmorgan

IS SHE FOR REAL!? If I see her at NY fashion week I might try to kidnap her.

Warm sun pours over me

Another pic from the early morning shoot at Jill's loft. I'm wearing a Rita Liefhebber shirt, Naked and Famous jeans, and (although you can't really see them) Frye boots. This is pretty much my go-to outfit of the moment. I would wear it every day if I could... But then what would I blog about?

Tangled up in blue

Do you ever take pictures of yourself on photobooth just to see how your outfit looks?

....

Nah, me neither. That's why the following photos were taken by a professional photographer on a high quality SLR. That's just the way I roll.

Alright, I used photobooth. But I am NOT happy about.

Ok fine, I am slightly happy about it. But mostly I am happy because I have been searching for boyfriend jeans forever. You'd think they wouldn't be too hard to find because they are supposed to fit baggy and be moderately unflattering. But boy was it a challenge. And where did I find this pair you ask... from my boyfriend? No. From my mom.

The future reflected, it felt familiar but new

Well folks, it's that time of year when we should start to think about what we will be wearing next fall! Why can't we be thinking about what we want to wear today, you ask? Because you should have been thinking about that last spring. Obviously.

So I've been taking a browse through the pre-fall collections on Style.com and I have to say, some of it looks pretty simple, wearable, and achievable for commoners such as myself.

Phillip Lim 3.1

Stella McCartney

Cropped trousers, button-ups (which are buttoned up to the very top), and blazers seem to still be in style, which is great news for me because my closet contains an abundance of these 3 items.

Phillip Lim 3.1

Phillip Lim 3.1

Pleated skirts of a modest length. I have been looking for the perfect one for the past month, and have yet to find it. But when I do, you better believe I will be wearing next fall (and probably up until then as well).

Also fur arm-warmers have arrived, I know a ton of people who are going to be really excited about that.

Stella McCartney

Stella McCartney

Proenza Schouler

Oversized coats. Check! My mother has a particularly enormous one hanging in her closet at the moment. It looks a lot like the navy Stella McCartney one above, only it has shoulder pads the size of couch cushions. I'm sure I can fix that minor obstacle.

Rag and Bone

Stella McCartney

Proenza Schouler

Awkward length skirts and dresses. This is perfect for me, at 5'10.5, most skirts that are meant to be long fit me slightly short and very awkward anyway. Huzzah!

And lastly, there are some really delightful shorter dresses to look forward too!


Nina Ricci

Phillip Lim 3.1

Proenza Schouler

Rag and Bone

(also Brooding attitudes, such as the one that this Nina Ricci model is displaying, remain fashionable).

So that's that; a little glimpse into pre-fall 2011. Trust me, you will thank me in 8 months.

I remain, you desire

Just saw this on Fashion Television. Photographer Gabrielle Revere shot Lindsey Wixson during her first fashion week when she was just 15. This girl has one of the most interesting faces in modeling, and these photos are stunning.