Packing, Jubilee snippets and more Lowie lovin'

I'm calling this a 3-in-1 post, as I've lots to tell in one go. Firstly, I'm off to Spain today! As much as it pains me to wave goodbye to the shockingly good weather we've been having in London, I'm looking forward to spending time in my hometown with the fam and friends (I've heard it's going to be raining over there though!). Which also means that sadly I won't be blogging for a week - fear not though, my mom will be having a busy week being my personal photographer. So here's a sneak preview of what you'll be seeing when I get back...

Yep, I'm taking light tops in all shapes, colours and sizes (because it will be hot even if it rains), going very easy on the bottoms (in fact I've ultimately decided not to take the black skirt with the pearl details on the sides), letting loose with jewellery (it's small after all and doesn't take up much space) and bringing a go-with-everything cardigan - I promise the end results will be reasonably successful.

Moving on, I'll be back just before the big Jubilee madness on June 5th (should I lock myself at home?). But forget the Queen, it's really all about these fluffy creatures. Corgi is definitely having its 15 minutes of fame - is Tatler's June cover to blame? Because many shops are having a Corgi frenzy...

Mulberry actually had this swanky mag cover in their window displays...

It was only natural that Selfridges' super British window display would include cute Corgis - these are my favourite in terms of adorableness.

River Island is loving Corgis too, although these are slightly more minimalistic.

Ted Baker is quintessentially a very English brand, so it comes as no surprise that their recent window displays are all about Britain - their Corgis might not be 3D but that doesn't stop them from being loud, proud and super cute. I also spotted 2D Corgis at French Connection (no photo, sorry).

Finally, if you're up for all this Jubilee frenzy but prefer clothes over Corgis, I suggest you treat yourself to some Lowie this weekend and/or up until the 5th of June. One of my favourite brands (which I first talked about here), Lowie are offering 15% discount to Brit lovers - actually, no patriotism necessary, all you need to do is use the discount code JUBILEE at checkout to enjoy some very British and very lovely pieces. Here are some of my Lowie bits (and the collection might just have to grow a little more...).

Black knitted shorts, which I'm in love with mainly because of the adorable anchor-themed pocket on the back; brown leather belt, which is perfect because it goes with everything, black and white scarf with crochet bow, which makes me feel very chic every time I wear it; and black beanie hat, which I've probably worn every single day this past winter and has therefore been my saviour.

Sorry about the small image but no need to get your specs out as I've given you all the vital info - that's all from me, I'm leaving the island and off to speak Spanish for a week. ¡Adios!

xxx

More florals and jewellery bits & bobs

Top, H&M. Skirt, present. Loafers, Zara. Necklace, watch, and bracelet, ASOS. Ring, I-am. Bag, French Connection.

Another outfit from my quick getaway to Italy that I didn't get around to posting... in my head, it was a very Italian outfit - in reality, it's just me in a floral skirt, and a very in-between seasons look. I've still got the black tights but I've finally ditched the boots and the knitwear for loafers and a jersey top. Plus, I even get to walk around without a jacket and not freeze. Up until recently this was not the case in London though, outerwear was mandatory - so it was nice to go jacket-less in Italy!

This is the skirt that changed everything - my friend got me this skirt two years ago (which I blogged about here) and all of a sudden florals did not seem so bad after all. It's not a style that I would have gone for, but it's got tremendous sentimental value and I love it. Also, it feels pretty relevant right now since pleated, flowy skirts have taken over. It's actually one of the few non body-con skirts in my wardrobe, and now that fashion is slowly but steadily moving away from the body-con look, I can't help but ask myself: will my fitted skirts survive this new era?

Ta-dah! Do you like my new lipstick necklace from ASOS? It was love at first sight and makes me happy every time I wear it. If only it really was a lipstick...

I bought this ring from an Italian high-street store, the brand is called I-am and unfortunately they're not available in the UK (sad face). Oh well, I'm sure they'll jump over here sooner or later. I took some pictures of the bracelet with the previous look, here are the close-ups...

It's one of those pieces that make me smile every time I wear it - and that people generally find quite odd. I don't blame them, as there are very few objects that they have not seen on my jewellery. Plugs, lipstick, glasses... It seems like any normal, every-day object that gets turned into a piece of jewellery makes me a happy bunny. Well, there's nothing wrong with finding happiness in the absurdities of today's world, non?

Photographs taken in Pisa, Italy on April 16th 2012.

Selfridges' Great British Bang

All I've been hearing here in London for the past few weeks months are the words 'Olympics' and 'Jubilee'. The latter word is especially 'in' these days, popping up everywhere I turn my head to. So, like about 90 per cent of shops in London and/or the rest of Britain, the luxury department store Selfridges has gone, only naturally and inevitably, for a quintessentially British theme for their window displays this month - and whilst I may not be the most patriotic person out there, I have to say that the big yellow shop's display is my favourite. It's playful and fun, taking all the British clichees and merging them into one big spectacle.

Queuing for Britain: OK, so this one is my least favourite, I just find it a bit nondescript in comparison to all the others. I'm not even 100 per cent sure what it's about, I'm guessing it refers to all the music festivals this country has to offer?

Britain by the sea: This is where it begins to get interesting - or maybe it's because there's a giant ice cream. And sea stuff. We all like a bit of the sea, don't we? And just look at that dolly in the stripey bathing suit - who wouldn't like to rock screen goddess-like waves and a Bardot-esque pout on the beach?

A Builder's tea party: Ah yes, I don't think it matters what nationality you are - builders are everywhere and we've all come across a builder's bum at some point or other in our lives. Maybe more so if you live in Britain?

Traditional British weather: I almost cracked up when I saw this - so horribly true at times!

High streets of Great Britain: This window was my favourite, there's just something so alluring about doll houses (or should I say doll shops?). They've got that instant, almost sentimental connection with childhood - what girl hasn't wished for a doll house, full of little furniture and with a story of its own, at some point in her life?

I almost died when I saw this - these kinds of puns make my day. Isn't it kind of an acknowledgment, perhaps a way of showing respect the 'enemy'? Or is it a complete and unashamed piss-take? Take your pick, I've gone for the nice option.

This, for me, was amazing, as many a time I have noticed that Selfridges could easily be mistaken for Sell fridges. Thanks for this, guys.

This is killing me because I have been trying to figure out if Rod's Hair is a pun for something - it's been over a week and it's still not clicking. I would be eternally grateful if someone could clarify this mystery for me.

Pun or no pun, isn't the inside of Rod's Hair adorable? It almost makes me want to be a kid again...

The Queen arrives at Royal Ascot: Whilst the child mannequins were cute yet borderline creepy, I was very amused by the simple yet effective paper masks used to represent the Queen and her hubby.

Great British drive: Yes, it really is all about bunting and the British Union flag, isn't it.

The height of cultivation

British indoor pursuits

Summer of British style: Ah, you can no longer mention Britain without referring to the nation's flair, love and nack for fashion... I love this dolly, and I can't believe she was awarded with the 3rd prize - how is that possible when you're wearing a shirt like that?

The food of royalty: I loved this display, I found the rather bizarre menu highly engaging.

The changing of the guard: Finally, the last set of the front window displays, with two very sexy men in a very sexy moment and two cute Harajuku girls. I'm not too sure what's going on here either, maybe it's free interpretation? Gay pride? Racial diversity? Is it simply a metaphor of the changes in society and Britain? Is it going for a slightly non p.c. vibe, having a guard flirt with a punk? Whatever it is, it makes an interesting display.

Excuse the picture/info overload, but I really wanted to share the pics in order to show the whole concept. Like I said, I really do like what Selfridges have done this time around. It is not the most original idea out there (and I definitely prefer Harvey Nichol's April/May window display), and yet it was necessary - this year is a pretty big deal for Britain and most Brits seem fond of their royal family. If I were British I think I would find the displays endearing in a way, since as well as being an homage to the British way of life, they're also poking fun at everything - not without large doses of humour though. Because when it comes to humour, you can't really beat the Brits at that.

Chapter 41: The floral print blouse (on florals)

Oh God, what is happening to me? How on earth did it come to this? Dare I say it even? Well, I can no longer deny the clear evidence that I have indeed become a floral lover.

Blouse, Primark. Skirt, H&M. Tights, Hobbs. Satchel, French Connection. Loafers, Zara.

As far as I can recall - it's all a bit blurry, considering I feel rather differently now - I used to dislike florals with a passion. In theory, there was no reason as to why I should dislike them - after all, floral prints are feminine, pretty, delicate, colourful... So what true girlie girl would not like florals? Well, I refused to like them. Perhaps it was the predictability factor - is there any spring in which they haven't been in? It's also down to personal taste - I've never been a huge fan of any sort of print that wasn't leopard, and isn't it fair to say that florals can easily look cheap?

It's hard to explain my discomfort about florals, maybe because it was never a deep-rooted hate (such as the profound, irreversible hate I feel for paisley). Now that I'm slowly warming up to them, the trick for me is to stick to a simple, not too fussy print - like the one on this blouse. I feel this blouse works in every single way - the gold buttons, the tie detail on the neck, the soft, lightweight fabric and yes, the lovely, simple and sophisticated florals that have a barely-there watercolour effect. Top marks, really.

And because I'm probably going to start a Navy Appreciation Society, I teamed it up with a basic tube skirt form H&M and some grayish tights from Hobbs - there's something extremely satisfying about colour coordination...

Bracelet and watch (seen here), ASOS. Ring, I-am.

Conclusion: don't be surprised if you see more florals popping up on the blog, as this top from Topshop is currently on my wish list. Also, here's a little sneak peak of some new jewellery bits - these babies will be getting their own special mention soon though!

Photographs taken in Florence, Italy on April 15 2012.

xxx