"action is character. i think that means that if you never do anything you'll never be anybody."

So after a few months of obsessively following the photography on my favorite blogs of late (song of style & late afternoon) and being bitter that their boyfriends took their lovely pictures every day, while I was stuck with a self timer camera and my front door, I finally struck up a deal with my boyfriend. I do the dishes - his absolute least favorite chore - and he wakes up an hour earlier and takes my blog pictures before I go to work at 8. I figured it was a fair trade, an hour of sleep for 10 minute of dishes every day....in the long run, I really think I made out well, but don't tell ; )

Today's weather was sort of hilariously bipolar: 40 degrees when I woke up, 65 by lunchtime, 70 this afternoon, and down to 50 again by nightfull, hence the fur vest, cardigan, scarf, and t-shirt I layered up.

wearing: fur vest-ebay, oatmeal cardigan-dkny, tshirt-trulymadlydeeply, chinos-americaneagle, scarf-nightmarketinchina, booties-forever21

"Maybe if they all could be combined - art, rock and fashion. Those were always my favorite things."-Stephen Sprouse

Allure & Warmth

Was there ever a more alluring piece of outerwear than a cape? Sure, coats are lovely, but capes are so elegant. Coats make me think of nothing but cold, while capes inspire images of Russian spies a la Bond girls, their intentions hidden behind their dark hoods, a satchel hanging from a leather gloved hand.

My favorite affirmation from the day I wore it? An older (well...much older) co-worker of mine said as I passed by "I love a cape. I had a cape when I was a girl.." in a wistful, reminiscent way, as though she was picturing herself in the early 50s, probably in something quite similar to the one I had on. I had to suppress a giggle, but not a smile.

wearing: cape-asos, jeans-gap1969, boots-gojane, bag-chinese night market

"Maybe if they all could be combined - art, rock and fashion. Those were always my favorite things."-Stephen Sprouse

Fads are the kiss of death. When the fad goes away, you go with it.

Wonder of wonders, I actually managed to sleep through my jet lag haze last night and get dressed like a human being this morning! Most of the outfit is comprised of clothes that I got while on my trip to China. My favorite newly acquired piece would definitely be this jacket. A camel coat is something I'd been contemplating for a while, and when I saw this version in the window display at H&M in Hong Kong I literally marched in, tried it on, and got in the checkout line!

The booties are my low-budget answer to the perfect shearling Burberry booties everyone's been obsessing over. Honestly, they're as comfortable as my Litas, and have a rugged quality that's perfect for marching around in the cold.

I realize this outfit is a little bit of a trend overload, but in my opinion, all the 'trends' that are so in style this season aren't really so "un-classic." Camel? Regardless of its ubiquity at the moment, it's not like camel won't be cool ever again. Military? It's popped up so often that I hardly think it's fair to say it'll soon be "out." A shearling aviator jacket is arguably a completely classic style

As for this Mulberry Alexa look-a-like? Well, let's just say that I hope someday it WILL be timeless. I love the style that much.

wearing: coat,dress-h&m, boots-gojane, bag-night market, scarf-f21

"Maybe if they all could be combined - art, rock and fashion. Those were always my favorite things."-Stephen Sprouse

The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.

So tomorrow morning at 3:30 am I'm heading off to the airport for a LONG flight to Shanghai. From there - Yiwu, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, and back again, and to say that I had a hard time packing into a carry-on sized bag would be an understatement. My dad thought lugging my giant suitcase from trains to airports to cabs would be a pain (and he was probably right). Even with my lack of clothes, I'm so excited, China was the most amazing place to visit the first time around, and I get to go even more places with more of my family (and my boyfriend) this time around. Sadly, I had to leave my new coat behind - too much tropical weather and not enough suitcase space. But when I get back to the November cold I doubt you'll even see many of my actual clothes through the fuzzy, leather exterior.

Penny Lane eat your heart out...

jacket-nastygalvintage, plaid shirt-f21, jeans-gap1969, pumps-stevemadden

(PS : the winner of the giveaway was Tiffany Christie - expect an email from CSN Stores' marketing department with your gift code)

"Maybe if they all could be combined - art, rock and fashion. Those were always my favorite things."-Stephen Sprouse

Glamour & Giveaways

photo source: the vogue diaries

If there ever was a girl who embodied the spirit of Audrey Hepburn in a modern way, I'd think it would have to be Olivia Palermo. Her impeccable style is more inspirational to me than anyone else's, and I'm trying to recreate a few of these looks in my China packing plan.

One more thing I'd love to have to finish off my wish for glamorous travel wear is a certain DVF weekender I've had my eye on from Luxe by CSN, and one lucky reader could be well on their way to owning it, since the lovely people at CSN stores have gotten in touch with me to do a giveaway for one of my readers.

CSN Stores has over 200 online stores where you can find anything you need, whether it be a chic bar stool, a stylish handbag (like the one I'm coveting HERE) or even cute cookware!

Just leave a comment on the post with your e-mail address, and CSN will send the winner (picked at random by me) a $35 gift card code that works at any of their online stores.

"Maybe if they all could be combined - art, rock and fashion. Those were always my favorite things."-Stephen Sprouse