crazy for coats

Both coats from NICO DIDONNA

If you know me, you know I love myself a good coat (demonstrated here). When fall/winter (more fall than winter) I like to go around the stores, see the latest trend and either buy myself something similar with a twist or if all else fails...a classic.

Coats are a primary in Canada. We have had ourselves some true veterans in the business, like Mackage who have never failed to keep me warm and other European brands like Moncler to transform you into a typical Italian. For me, I like a mix of everything. Above are two examples. The first is a sheepskin coat/cape. Quite short in length but Nico put on two buttons so I could close it during the windier months. Originally I had tried on one of the Burberry Prorsum shearlings but they seem to run small because a size 36 was a little snug for me (mind you I was only wearing a tshirt at the time) and unfortunately they have sold out pretty quickly here in London. Nevertheless, I think the above suits me quite perfectly. Definitely something for years to come.

The second is a fantastic variation of both work wear and casual/semi-formal evening out wear. Crazy warm and an insane colour, it is made from two circular pieces and a sash.

I'll post each of these in turn...though having already shot the first one, it doesn't seem like it was done its justice.

Sorry for the text heavy post but I just have one more thing to say: this blog was created as an outlet to inspire and be inspired by others. The blogging world is jam packed with countless motivating people (fashion and un-fashion related alike). However I think what visitors should take from my and every other blog they read is inspiration to not necessarily copy the look bootleg version (because you'll never succeed like the original) but to transform what you see into your own creative masterpiece.

I know they say imitation is the highest form of flattery...but I encourage you to try your own style inspired by what you see rather than mirroring it piece by piece. Just a thought.

tea pot, short and stout

TALULA dress/skirt, THEORY blazer, ADIDAS vest, MIU MIU bag, FRATELLI ROSETTI boots, CLUB MONACO gloves, STOLEN FROM BF scarf

Last minute decision for afternoon tea on a Saturday in London is probably the worst idea you could create because its almost bound to not materialise (at least not by any form of proper execution). Exhibit A: us. We were desperately trying to call up hotels/tea houses at 2pm on a Saturday for a stroke of luck cancellation and of course were disappointed. Instead we trotted on over to the Renaissance Hotel in hopes of finding a hidden high tea treasure. We were wrong.

I'm definitely not a high tea expert but this was bad. It was on the brink of horrible. Won't go into details, just save you the trouble and settle on brunch or dim sum instead.

Re the outfit: I wasn't quite in the mood for dressing up nor was I in the mood for dressing down, so I went somewhere in the middle.

Apologies...

LISA: QUEENS WARDROBE jacket, AA plaid shirt, CURRENT ELLIOT jeans, BURBERRY bag, CUSTOM frames, HK scarf, ASOS shoes

MASS: NICO DIDONNA trousers/jacket, PAUL SMITH beanie, DUCHAMP pocket square, JOHN VARVATOS leather vest

I feel really guilty for neglecting this blog for over a week...consistently for the past few weeks. Huge apologies. I guess I feel so bad I had to post on a Saturday night at 12am (in reality I don't go out as often as I should and dinner just ended half hr ago).

Some photos from last Sunday when Mass told me he had booked roast at the Duke and silly me wore the most comfy clothes I had in closet. Oops. At least they didn't make me wear a men's suit jacket on top. Recommend their Sunday roast - especially now where they have a toptable deal on. For £24 per person you can have the roast with starter and champers. Always a fan of champers for Sunday brunch.

I know its a week later...but I love lazy Sundays. Hopefully tomorrow will be much of the same. (And I promise to kick this bad blogging habit in the butt....starting now.)

FUR and WINTER

LISA: DANIER rabbit fur shawl, NICO DIDONNA vest, STEFANEL trousers, INDEPENDENT STORE shirt from HK, TOPSHOP shoes, AA belt (stolen from sister)

MASS: NICO DIDONNA coat

I love fur. I can't help it. I know some of you will go all animal-cruelty on me and I completely agree with you on most points but fur is warm. Even though I come from Canada where we have one distinct season relatively longer than the rest, London is also cold - a wet cold. And I walk...a lot. So I need something to keep me warm and fur does the trick (so does goose down...but can you wear that to work? Arguably you shouldn't wear fur to work either but let's not get off base here). Anyway, the point is, I grow more and more like my mother everyday and she brought me up wearing fur coats (she also got paint thrown on her by activists in dt TO during the late 80's...but again, different story).

Wednesday in London is 7 degrees. Time for fur, a super soft one like above.

the long and short of it

QUEENS WARDROBE jacket, AA hoodie, ASOS dress/skirt, SARDINIA STREET VENDOR bracelet

Pics taken from a few weeks ago when I first got this jacket in. I don't usually promote specific websites but I highly recommend Queens Wardrobe. Though as you can expect, the above jacket is synthetic leather but for the price you pay, the value is highly regarded. They ship from Korea and even put gift on your package to avoid customs. Website is not fantastic and neither is their English, but who cares when they have such great stuff at such a great value on their site.

where's your horse?

FRATELLI ROSETTI riding boots, THEORY blazer, GAP boys sweater, Zara jodhpurs, CUSTOM glasses

I literally searched high and low through London and Italy for these boots. When the associate finally called me three weeks later, I didn't skip a heartbeat before I was over there and trying them on.

Fratelli Rosetti is a lesser known genius creation of hand-made Italian leather goods. Mostly donning classic pieces, it's construction and structure is unbeatable. As always, I truly feel shoes are the one thing you can't do vintage.

Oh, I almost forgot to mention, the top part of these boots are removable, revealing an ankle boot underneath. GENIUS.