It's Sunny in London...

...and we can finally get out of the house pretty wearing ONE layer. No coats, cardigans, long-sleeved anything. GREAT for everyone who actually NEEDS to get out of the house and go to work. But what if you work from home, like me now? Yeah. Pyjamas, pretty much.

But since I've put a ban on my shopping habits this month (my brithday month, oh the irony), I've decided to get more wear of what I already have, even if I'm working from home now. No pyjamas. Looking at my rails, I realised I have LOADS of pieces I've carrying around with me for who knows how many years, and I NEVER wear. Like this French Connection kimono-style top. Or the vintage striped dress. I must have them for at least 6 years, wearing maybe...twice a year? Insane. So, to prove I'll be exploring my wardrobe in more depth, I decided to post picture of an outfit a day at my flickr account - which will indeed force me to make an effort. We'll see how long it lasts.

Shopping Heaven: STRUT, Stoke Newington

When it comes to shopping for vintage/2nd hand in London, I bet most fashionistas know that Brick Lane is the destination in the East. But not many people can claim to have found proper designer stuff amongst the heaps of shops and markets and charities shop on a regular basis, let alone for an okay price (around the £100-less price mark). Well, I think I just found it. A knew boutique called Strut in Church Street, Stoke Newington. They're a mix of vintage shop + second-hand concession store + designer dress agency with middle-class prices on the lower end of the scale. It may as well be called Shopping Heaven.

On my last visit (I need to pass by them on my way to the gym... god, give me strenght), I spotted a Fendi bondage cut-out dress for £80, an Alaïa jacket for £150, Thierry Mugler, Vivienne Westwood, Dior Cahsmere, Hermés... Some amazing fringed coats from the 60s, and a Prada sneakskin platform that sadly didn't fit me. I haven't bought anything yet (the guilt is playing hard here), but the Boyfriend found some Yohji Yamamoto black plimsolls for £40 ... and then, on seeing a little damage on the sole, shamelessly haggled the price down and paid £25. That's my boy.

*images: www.yelp.co.uk

Missing out

So last night I missed out on both F.M.S. party and the IFB Dress Up Soirée (gutted! see 3 posts below) because of ... safety. How very São Paulo. How very NYC in the early 90s. I live in a relatively safe neighbourhood, full of jewish families and their countless children, but the other night coming home I was followed by a street gang - which NEVER happened before, and I lived in much rougher areas - and was lucky to be rescued by my neighbour, who drives like a F1 racer. So having no one to come down to the parties with me, no driver's license, and no spare money to pay for cab rides, the Boyfriend forbade me to jump on the 149.

What the deuce is going on with London? Should I start assembling a Blade Runner wardrobe and practising somersaults a la Daryl Hannah?


Anyway.

Still, I've managed to stop by The Hospice to see Maria's Grachvogel AW09 show. The order of the day was "feminine and chic but comfortable pieces", which to me translated as "ladies-who-lunch-having-a-70s-themed-tea-party". Or something like it. Lots of ruffles and silk and peonies, and although the collection was a little too conservative for my taste, I could find some use for this fab ruffled jumpsuit (it IS a jumpsuit).

Then, on my way home I stumbled upon Drury Lane's Oxfam - must be faith - and being the thrifting sucker I am (that doesn't sound right, but you get the picture), I went IN. And came OUT £17 poorer, but with these FAB Westwood-esque platform T-bar Mary-Janes, a black wool poncho-meets-cardigan-meets-sofa-throw and a fabulously tacky pink harem pants embroidered with Hawaiian dancers. It kind of compensated for missing out on the parties - I just need to find another ones to wear all this.



There's lots of other things going on still, and I feel a little guilty for not dragging my ever-expanding bottom to such places, but energy here is running low. I'll come back tomorrow, folks.