"Don't it make your brown eyes blue?" Carly Simon, Brown Eyes Blue

Bonjour darlings, hope you had a good day whever in the world you are. In Londontown today it rained. A lot. Quelle suprise. And when I got up this morning it was all horrible and dark and uninspiring and just ugh. I want summer now s'il vous plait. Don't get me wrong whilst I infinitely prefer the sun, I don't mind winter, I like wrapping up warm and hot chocolates but I only like it as long as it is proper winter if you know what I mean? All it does in English winters is rain bucketloads, no snow, no frost, just tons and tons of rain and because it's cold its the worst kind of rain that makes you get hypothermia and soaks you frozen to the skin and technically its not even winter yet. And I hate the dark mornings and nights, you just want to hibernate and stay in bed all day until winter is over. Being a squirrell has never looked so good lol.

"Hurry up and get on with the post!" I hear you fabulous people cry and far be it from me to deny my super stylish public what they want. I was tagged by the fabulous Imogen at tia-cherie who asked me to find seven blue things in my room. I admit this was a bit of a challenge. I have whites, purples and pinks in abundance but not too much blue. But somehow I managed it (I may have cheated a bit) and had so much fun rumaging, here goes:

Radio

Jewellery Holder

Hat Box

Electric Guitar

Jewellery Box

Painting

Books (The Great Gatsby, Wuthering Heights, Les Miserables)














So now it's my turn, I'm tagging the following incredibly awesome people to find seven purple things in their rooms, you don't have to do it darlings but it might be fun:

Erika
Caroline
Phoebe Rose
Chloe
Delmy
J'aime
Tarryn
Daisy Chain

Stay safe and chic.
English Rose x

"Secret crowds rise up and gather, hear your voices sing back louder..." Angels & Airwaves - Secret Crowds

Bonjour darlings, hope my American readers all had a lovely Thanksgiving and that you are all having a good weekend. Today, I stupidly went to Oxford Street (the busiest street in the whole of London) to try and begin Xmas Shopping (27 days, 0 purchases). Mistake. Je deteste crowds - I get claustrophobic and stressed and its awful. Why on earth I thought that it was a good idea to go on London's busiest street, just over 3 weeks before Christmas on the middle of a Saturday I do not know, if I could slap myself this morning and tell myself not to be so stupid I would. It was carnage.Complete chaos. Checkout queues were literally going outside of the shop and onto the street, people were elbowing each other for the last purchase, there was mucho pushing and shoving and toe stomping. Simply awful. You couldn't even see anything in the shop and people were just frantically grabbing anything and everything.

I like to take my time shopping. I see it as therapy. I know it sounds ridiculous to most people but being in a shop genuinely calms me down. I don't have to buy anything, but admiring beautiful things, picturing how I would wear them, how they would look on someone else or putting pieces together for an imaginary editorial campaign can sort out the most stressed out of feelings. As i'm sure some of you will agree, us fashion-types aren't like "most people" - its both a blessing and a curse. Anyway, I digress - I like to spend hours browsing, going through rails, walking around the shop in a logical fashion, feeling items, (much to the annoyance of boyfriends and friends - off topic: why do guys just want to go in and out as quickly as possible?!) and I don't think its too much to expect to be able to breathe as well. All of the sacred joy of shopping was taken away from me today and quite frankly I feel violated. It was an ordeal and a half. And I still didn't buy anything!! Its only going to get worse the closer it gets to Christmas so I better get started although maybe I should try a less busy street?

At least I got to try out my new comfy sweater which I bought from H&M a couple of days ago. I got it from the guys section - I absolutely adore wearing guys clothes - there is just something so cool about girls wearing guys clothes and I regularly check out the girls as well as the guys section whilst shopping for myself. I'm currently single and am longing for a boyfriend mainly so I can steal all of his clothes. When I saw it, I knew it was for me - it reminds me of some super preppy English cricket club jumper and its so bloody cosy - totally glad I bought it.
What are you guys like with crowds? Has anyone done their Christmas shopping?

Stay safe and chic.
English Rose x

"She's more than a star or a face on the walk of fame..." Paul Alan - She's The Reason

Bonjour darlings, i'm lovely and rested so here is your more interesting post  as promised. One of the things that struck me on my visit to NYC was that they have their own Fashion District  (très cool).

Most of my family is American (which reminds me that its Thanksgiving tommorow) so i've been to New York a zillion times but never been old enough or fashion-obssessed enough to truly appreciate the awesomeness of the Fashion District and places like Soho (its literally like someone took the best and coolest, most stylish, quirky parts of London and condensed it all into a district).

There is something so inspiring about New York - or as my good friend Frank Sinatra said "if I can make it there, i'll make it anywhere" and you really do get that feeling everywhere you look. Its like an unspoken understanding between every single person there. They're all just trying to make a better life for themselves and their families. Its mutual respect and understanding that doesn't need words.

From high powered business men and women on Wall Street trying to become the next Donald Trump (seriously, how many buildings can a guy name after himself, I counted 4) to pretzel store vendors who you can just tell believe their fortunes may change at any minute.  New York is a city for the dreamers, the chancers, the risk takers. Yes, the dreams may not come true and the risks may not pay off but the simple fact that they were willing to try makes New Yorkers different to most people. You move to New York to better your life - simple as that. The hope is exciting, its contageous. Its the city where dreams are made - full of hope, potential, promise. Anything is possible. You can go from nobody to somebody overnight. Your whole life can literally change in a 'New York Minute'. New York doesn't promise you success but she teases you, hints at it, lets you know its a definite possibility - no dream is too great or too unrealisitic. New York, unlike other cities does not tell you "no"and I think its that "Just Maybe" that makes New York such an inspirational place and why people have flocked for centuries to 'make it' there.

I don't know if any of you have been to the Fashion District but they have a 'Walk of Fame' similar to that of the one in Hollywood except all of these are not movie stars but famous fashion designers who may not have been born in New York or even America but made their fortunes there. New York doesn't care where you came from, it only cares that you are there now and it rewards your loyalty hundred-fold. What really stood out for me, walking along the Fashion Walk of Fame was just how many of the designers I adore such as Marc Jacobs (if he wasn't gay I would marry him), Besty Johnson (fantastically quirky) and Oscar de la Renta (actually from Dominican Republic) who made it in New York and trust me, there are alot:

Oscar de La Renta

Ralph Lauren:

Calvin Klien:

Diane Von Furtstenburg:

 



Marc Jacobs:

Betsy Johnson:

There were like a gazillion others but those are the ones that inspired and surprised me. Being young and close to entering 'adulthood', i'm full of that excitement about the future - I can do, have and become anyone I want. No one knows what their future holds  - and no one knows this more than New Yorkers. But they can hope. And they do with all their hearts that "just maybe" their destiny is to become something great, that "just maybe" today will be the day that their fortune changes, that "just maybe" the person who has just bought a pretzel or jumped in the cab will change their lives for the better. Just maybe.

Stay safe and chic.
English Rose x

"These streets will make you feel brand new, the bright lights will inspire you..." Jay-Z - Empire State of Mind

 












Bonsoir dearies, just a quick one aujord'hui - such an exhausting day, I shall be far more vibrant, interesting and creative tommorrow I promise. I decided to just post a few pics of my summer in NYC which was an absolute blast. There are a zillion pics which shall take up numerous future blogs but the really good photographs deserve a  proper post to discuss, as does my vacation so i'll just give you a little taster until then:

 Je suis très désolé for being so boring,

Stay safe and chic. 

English Rose x

NDU3MK7P2BDT

"If you're thinking about being my baby it don't matter if you're black or white..." Michael Jackson - Black Or White

Bonsoir lovelies, it is my genuine belief that a person's shoes are a window into their soul. You can tell a lot from a person about what they choose to put on their feet - their personal style, current mood, attitude to life, whether they prefer comfort over style or vice versa. I have a friend (who shall remain nameless) who before she even loks at a guys face to see if he's worth dating, will look at his shoes. I used to think she was being ridiculous (I am an eyes, smile and style girl myself) but now i'm starting to think she has a point.

So it got me thinking, what do my shoes say about me? My shoe collection is extensive, and quite literally enough to last me a lifetime (it won't, im only in my teens), way over 50 pairs (now I know where all my money goes) Im a self confessed, completely unashamed shoe addict and I always will be. Rather than shoecase (sorry, couldn't resist) my whole shoe collection - I thought I would just give a tiny snapshot that sums up who I am.

I used to be obsessed with converses, like obsessed. I thought I was Avril Lavigne (before the blonde hair and skirts, purlease Avril, we all remember) and my huge converse collection of all patterns and colours still remains. I'm an incredible girly girl but there are some days when I just cannot be bothered. Where I just want to blend in rather than stand out. When I want to be comfortable more than I want to be stylish (those days are admittedly rare, I have the blisters to prove it) and no matter how hard I try, I just can't break up with Chuck Taylor. I will love him forever.

I love my ballet flats until it gets far too cold to wear them. Those black and white ones are my absolute favourite and remind me of Chanel Cambon shoes, except mine were a lot cheaper (£20/$40 if I remember correctly)

Finally I live in heels, many have wondered if I was born in them. I'm ashamed to say that i'm one of those annoying tall people who insists on wearing heels and towering above everyone. I'm about 5"8 in flats, 5"10 in my heels and I loveee it. I love the clippedy clackety-ness of them on the ground.  I love towering over people. What I don't love is the pain but i'm willing to bare it. Beauty comes at a price. I literally cannot turn my back on a beautiful pair of heels. I can't wait until I am working and will buy myself a pair of Louboutins every month. Louboutin dreams, Primark (kind of like Walmart) budget. I've often considered painting the bottom of my shoes red but I know it would be a disaster and would ruin a beautiful pair of shoes. A girl can dream. I wear them to school, to the supermarket, quite literally anywhere and everywhere. Until the pain is too unbearable and I have to resort to converses or flats. But before you can say "Jimmy Choo" i'm back in those heels again. I'm my own worst enemy really.

I love bags, but you don't need one. Everyone has to wear a pair of shoes (please do not get me started on Crocs - I refuse to acknowledge them) and thats what makes me love them more. Its also what makes them so interesting, everyone has to wear them, but everyone is different. Next time you see someone, take a look at their shoes. It will not only make them feel super uncomfortable and self conscious, but will give you an insight into their mind and how they think and feel.


Stay safe and chic,
English Rose x

"Im in a phonebooth baby, number scratched up on the wall..." Robert Cray - Phonebooth

Bonsoir darlings, hope you all had a lovely weekend. Just a quick post today, I'm completely exhausted. Spent the whole day in Covent Garden (one of the best places in the whole of London) where they have a black (yes black) phonebooth:

 


I am usually incredibly mature, but there is something about the Calvin Klein Shops and ad campaigns that makes me laugh like a five year old




 As you will come to see, I have a thing for posing outside phoneboxes, it wouldn't be an understatement to call it a trademark. The traditional ones we have over here are usually red so to see a black one was uber cool and I just had to have a pic.

Mainly shopping of the window variety, no new purchases to report, I really should be saving my money for Xmas shopping (only 34 days - ahh!) and for the first time ever I am completely unprepared, usually I have it all done by now as I hate the mad rush and busy crowds.

How were all your weekends? Super stylish and fabulous I hope, have any of you clever people already done your Christmas shopping or do you leave it all to the last minute?

Stay safe and chic.
English Rose x

"I blame Coco, I always do..." Coco Sumner - I Blame Coco

Bonjour darlings, apologies for not blogging yesterday had homework to do which I had put off due to blogging (never ending cycle). My final homage is to the indescribably fantastic Mademoiselle Coco Chanel:

She was quite simply a legend, a pioneer who redifined the feminine, hourglass silhouette. It is thanks to Coco Chanel that monochrome is fashionable, pearls work wonders for an outfit, simplicity is timelessly elegant and dresses have sinced in waists which accentuate curves. She had a vision which she followed and ignored what everyone else said and somewhere in the process she not only liberated females the world over but created a multi-billion dollar industry that is stronger than ever. All of this is made even better by her humble begginings as anyone who has seen the film Coco avant Chanel (Coco before Chanel) with the stunning (and scarily similar) Audrey Tautou will know:

My homage is not so much to the label as it currently is (although for the record Karl Largerfeld - who took over from Coco is an absolute legend in my eyes and the brand is one of, if not my all time favourite design house) but to the lady the started it all off. Even if you don't wear, own or like (get off this page) Chanel, Coco chanel has impacted your style. Fact. 
Even if you are the biggest tomboy going, some part of your outfit has been influenced  by her. I could spend hours telling you why and what I love about Chanel, and I probably will in the future but that isn't really what this particular blog is about.

In addition to her style, my favourite thing about Coco was undoubtedly her life philosophy. She is as famous for her legendary quotes as she is for her sense of style and any fashionista (I seriously hate this word - please give me another one) should just compile a Coco-Bible and live by her words. So with this in mind, I shall leave you with some of her best quotes in my opinion (far too many to choose from)


Coco Quotes:

• A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous. 
• A woman has the age she deserves. 
• A women who doesn't wear perfume has no future. 
• A fashion that does not reach the streets is not a fashion.
  
• Dress shabbily and they remember the dress; dress impeccably and they remember the woman.
  
• Don't spend time beating on a wall, hoping to transform it into a door. 
• Elegance does not consist in putting on a new dress. 
• Elegance is not the prerogative of those who have just escaped from adolescence, but of those who have already taken possession of their future.
• Elegance is refusal.
  
• Fashion fades, only style remains the same.
• Fashion is architecture: it is a matter of proportions.
• Fashion is made to become unfashionable. 
• Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening. 
• Great loves too must be endured.
• How many cares one loses when one decides not to be something but to be someone. 
• I don't know why women want any of the things men have when one the things that women have is men. 
• I invented my life by taking for granted that everything I did not like would have an opposite, which I would like. 
• I've never done anything by halves.
  
• In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different. 
• I don't understand how a woman can leave the house without fixing herself up a little - if only out of politeness. And then, you never know, maybe that's the day she has a date with destiny. And it's best to be as pretty as possible for destiny.
  
• Jump out the window if you are the object of passion. Flee it if you feel it. Passion goes, boredom remains.
  
• Look for the woman in the dress. If there is no woman, there is no dress.
  
• When accessorising, always take the last item you put on, off.
• Luxury must be comfortable, otherwise it is not luxury. 
• Nature gives you the face you have at twenty; it is up to you to merit the face you have at fifty. 
• Since everything is in our heads, we had better not lose them.
  
• Some people think luxury is the opposite of poverty. It is not. It is the opposite of vulgarity. 
• Success is often achieved by those who don't know that failure is inevitable. 
• The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud. 
• The best color in the whole world, is the one that looks good, on you! 
  
• There are people who have money and people who are rich.
  
• There is no time for cut-and-dried monotony. There is time for work. And time for love. That leaves no other time!
• Those who create are rare; those who cannot are numerous. Therefore, the latter are stronger.
• "Where should one use perfume?" a young woman asked. "Wherever one wants to be kissed," I said.

Merci pour tout Mademoiselle, je t'aimerai toujours.
Stay safe and chic.

English Rose x

"On how to be lovely..." Audrey Hepburn - On How To Be Lovely

Bonjour mes belles et beaux, following on from my Blair Waldorf love, im continuing the inspiration theme with perhaps my personal greatest style icon of all time, the Irreplacable Audrey Hepburn. She looked flawless and effortless off and on screen and her lifelong partnership with Hubert de Givenchy didn't hurt but here are just a few of my favourite of her film looks:
Sabrina:

So simple but really chic - shows you don't need to go over-the-top to be stylish

Simply Stunning.

LBD before Tiffany's - bien sûr c'est Givenchy - I love the shoulders

Charade

Hate the film - love the outfit





 Roman Holiday

Love the neckerchief 

The ballet pumps are so cute

Funny Face

One of the best films for Audrey fashion as bookworm librarian Jo Stockon is transformed into a model and belle du jour

If I look half as beautiful on my wedding day, i'll be a very happy girl indeed

The balloons only compliment an already gorgeous outfit

             Breakfast At Tiffanys

 THE LBD

J'adore the hat 

My take on it in NYC this summer







There will never be another Audrey Hepburn and unlike Blair Waldorf she was a real human not a fictional creation of several people. Audrey just was. She proved you don't need to over-style, over-accessorize, over do anything to be stylish - Audrey like Mademoiselle Chanel understood that to be truly stylish, simplicity is key - an outfit should show off who you are and not hide it. Hubert de Givenchy said that when Audrey walked into a room, people would notice her first and what she was wearing second and I think we can all try and follow her lead. We may never have that extra something Audrey had but we can give it a damn good try. Breakfast At Tiffanys anyone?

Stay safe and chic.
ER x

"You know you love me...xoxo"

Bonsoir you fashionable darlings, I decided to stick with the unitentional theme of 'inspiration' this week and rant about the people who I admire. As you all know I am a huge Gossip Girl fan, expecially of Blair Waldorf so I thought it would be cool to document my favourite Blair outfits so far:
 Season 1

First up this really cute, simple white dress, not sure about the tights though, would have prefered them if they were plain black.

I love this look especially the dress, tights and shoes (Chuck Bass and the diamonds don't hurt either)

This gorgeous Valentino number is perhaps one of my faves - I just love it

If only normal school uniforms looked this good

I love how this pretty LBD was accessorized with just simple pearls and a white hairband - so chic
















Season 2

Ah Marc Jacobs je t'aime

J'adore this dress

I love the gloves and the skirt


















Season 3

Her style has been not so consistent this season but I love this dress and the shoes

I lovee the hat














Even though she's had a few 'misses', Blair is still by far the best dressed character on the show IMO and remains a total inspiration for preppy wannabees everywhere. It helps of course that Leighton Meester is beautiful and that she has Chuck Bass as an accessory. Which looks do you guys like best and who's your best dressed character on any show? Hope you all had un bon jour.
Stay safe and chic.
ER x