A Dose of Style: Zooey Deschanel

I have had a crush on Zooey Deschanel for a long, long time. Long enough that I remember watching movies with her in them with my almost-boyfriend in high school & tossing up whether to be jealous that he thought she was so gorgeous, or be proud that he had such good taste in women. Zooey is an American actress, musician & singer-songwriter. She plays the keyboard, percussion, banjo & ukulele, and records along with M. Ward under the moniker of She & Him. Zooey appeared in a host of films such as Almost Famous, The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, Elf & (500) Days of Summer, and along the way became a poster girl for the "manic pixie dream girl" character. Plus, her style is so adorable that it gives me adorableness-related heart palpitations.

This dress is absolutely gorgeous. It reminds me of lemon meringue pie, but in a good way. A little bit edgy, a little bit princess & all-over awesome.

Notice how I sneaked another singing picture into this post? I could probably write a post on it's own about how much I love pictures of other people singing, but instead I think I'll just mention how I love this beautiful white lace dress paired with tights & slouchy boots.

This is one of my favourite red-carpet ensembles of all time. It's quirky without sacrificing elegance, and despite the unique style it still manages to look a little bit timeless. The lack of accessories directs all your attention to the incredible dress, as does the understated makeup.

Orange & yellow together? Brights on brights? Yes freakin' please! I think yellow & orange are two of the most underrated colours on the spectrum. Seeing someone wearing them at all is incredible - pairing them is just pure brilliance!

This dress reminds me of Sarah Misfit's triple polka-dot outfit, which is probably why I feel such all-encompassing love for it. I'd probably be tempted to carry around a vintage phone just because it looks so cute. I wonder if there is any way I could make a handbag out of one?

I have nothing but love for this nautical-themed outfit. The blouse is adorable, and this skirt is the perfect mix of cute & sexy. I actually think Blair Waldorf might be a little bit jealous of this one - but that might just be because I want someone besides myself to be a little bit jealous! If you're looking to work some Zooey-inspired whimsy into your wardrobe, here's a few ideas:

Zooey by missperegrin featuring wedge boots

Delve into your wardrobe and bring to the foreground anything with lace, ruffles, polka-dots, or oversized bows involved. Team cute day dresses with tights, kitsch accessories & brogues, wedges or adorable boots. Mix pussybow blouses & bright sweaters with high-waisted shorts, a-line skirts & a tailored blazer. Experiment with rompers, headbands, crochet dresses & embellished flats. For a knock-out nighttime look pare back the accessories & let your most unique pieces speak for themselves - with a good pair of heels by their side, of course. Deliver your most sarcastic diatribes with your most deadpan expression & then as you walk away break into a rendition of this number:

What do you think of Zooey? And who are you style-crushing on this week?

Until next time, xo.

Baby It's Cold Outside Pt 1

Hello there lovelies,

If you've been stalking me for a while you might know that my favourite season is in fact Winter. I love the cold weather. I'm already counting down the days, and relishing that little bit of a cool twinge in the air. I'm quite ecstatic that I've already had to pull out my blankets for nighttime (even if the temperature is still hitting the mid-thirties during the day). I'm already living in anticipation of days spent wrapped up in blankets on the couch reading books with a cup of hot chocolate in hand. And so, I spend the days dreaming of my Winter wardrobe that is packed away & of all the wonderous Winter things I am yet to find. This is the first part of my Winter wishlist.

Winter Wishlist: Patterned Sweaters by missperegrin featuring a cropped cashmere sweater

I do love a good sweater. Good sweaters are the stuff that warm, snuggly dreams are made of. I love big, thick, chunky cableknit sweaters. I love kitsch printed sweaters, preferably handknitted by some eccentric member of the family. I love cute cropped sweaters. I love huge, oversized sweaters that hang to my knees & eclipse my hands with their long arms. I love scratchy sweaters, and sweaters that are so soft that you stand still in the shops to run them through your hands. This year must finally be the one where I come across the perfect "ugly", old man sweater - preferably with some kind of demonic teddy bear, squirrel or owl print.

Winter Wishlist: Colors & Prints by missperegrin featuring slim fit jeans

A new addition to the Winter must-have list this year - brightly coloured & printed pants. It makes me incredibly excited that colour doesn't seem to be disappearing from stores as Winter approaches this year! Black & grey year after year gets incredibly boring, and I for one, am embracing the multitude of colours & prints gracing Winter clothing this year. First on my list to accquire is a pair of mustard/yellow pants. Obviously, a mustard beanie & mustard coloured tights just aren't enough. Runners up in the colour/print race include floral pants, leopard print, jewel tones, red & anything in a rusty-orange colour.

Winter Wishlist: Beanies Galore by missperegrin featuring ski hats

Oh, I'm so glad that I finally got my beanie collection out of storage! Beanies & knitted hats are probably my no-shopping kryptonite. I can never resist an adorable knit hat, no matter how large my collection is. I swear that they are also capable of multiplying - I give them away, and somehow the amount that I have never seems to decrease. I don't mind too much though, because I tend to wear beanies with everything, all of the time, until the middle of Summer when I risk dying of heatstroke if I wear them. Is it possible to have too many beanies? My answer is a resounding no.

Also, if it's not to much to ask, I'd love this pair to serenade me for the whole duration of Winter.

What's on your Winter wishlist this year?

Until next time, xo.

Eye Candy: Yang Du AW12 Collection

Images from here & here.

It's been a while since I featured the work of any designers on my blog, and honestly I think that's because designer collections don't blow me away very often. Yang Du's AW12 collection completely freakin' blew me away. Bright colours & owl prints combined with bold crazy makeup & cute hair? Yes please. I'm even ok with the nude pumps, because they don't detract from the amazing dresses.

"Yang Du’s collection for AW12 featured quirky designs inspired by the animal kingdom, seen through the colourful eyes of a child. Apart from the drawings of animals the collection featured different styles of dresses; short and tight and loose with wide sleeves. Black and white owls, flamingos with blue beeks, green-eyed owls, giraffe or hippopotamus backpacks, purple red and yellow tigers, colourful zebras, crocodile-faced scarf, and blue hippopotamus beanie, were some outfits shown in Du’s playful show." - FASHION156

I know that some of you are probably sitting there thinking "But, what would you wear them with?", and my answer is simple - everything! You could wear these dresses exactly as they are, or you could wear them with colourful tights & a pair of bright Dr Martens. You could wear them as tunics over leggings, or jeans. You could wear the floatier designs as cover-ups at the beach, or layer the slim-fitted versions under skirts. I think these pieces would be amazing dressed up or down, understated, or totally out there, casual or formal.

I think it's safe to say that if I could get my hands on one of these Yang Du designs, it would never come off. I would probably sleep in it, and refuse to remove it until the entire town started to complain about the smell & threaten to have me committed. What do you think of these unique designs?

Fictional Style Icon: Serena Van Der Woodsen

It wouldn't be a Gossip Girl week without a post mentioning Serena van der Woodsen. Serena is the "It Girl" of the Upper East Side, a character who always appears to get whatever she wants because of her looks, charisma, and charm. I have to admit that, although Serena has all of the gentlemen falling all over her, and seemingly everyone singing her praises, I actually think Blair has the better style (sorry Serena!). I do think this leggy blonde is still deserving of her own style post though.
I am a big fan of this casual look of Serena's, although it is pretty unsual. Yellow, shorts, flats - what did you do with Serena van der Woodsen? So cute though. Yellow always wins extra points.
Now, here's a casual outfit that I love, and that is more Serena's usual style. Heels, check, cool hat, check, statement necklace, check, pastel wide-legged pants, check! I would seriously consider marrying these pants, they look that awesome and comfortable.
Gorgeous dress alert! Serena wears some of the most amazing dresses on the show. Her style seems to be more bold, and trend-driven than Blair's. She is more often seen in the mini dresses, bodycon dresses, cut-out style dresses, or unsual cuts & shapes. This is relatively simple for her, but I still love it!
Another good example of glam casual Serena. Loving the strong shoulders, and the cobalt pants. Of course, accessorised with a brooding stare, because everyone on this show is always brooding about something, no matter the occasion.

This dress is just pure Serena. Bold colour, crazy patterns, built-in statement necklace, awesome cleavage and cut-out detail! It's probably good that the cat-fight she gets in whilst wearing this dress turns out to be fake - it doesn't look practical for cat-fighting, and I would hate for it to get ruined.

At this moment I feel I really need to mention Serena's (or, Blake Lively's) hair. It is magnificent. Although I don't want to go blonde - never again - this is pretty much how I want my hair to be when it grows. Her hair is like a character on it's own. Anyway, if you want to get a little bit of that Serena glow into your life, here's a few ideas:

Serena by missperegrin featuring a tailored jacket

For a casual look keep things on trend - sharp shoulders, statement pieces, bold colour - with a little bit of boho - crochet vests, slouchy fringed boots, floppy straw hats, feathers - thrown in for good measure. Disregard all rules about the wearing of sequins in the daytime. Roll out of bed, consider brushing your hair, and then decide against it. Remember to bring a large bag, presumably for holding your textbooks & college supplies, although you never seem to attend class. For a more formal occasion, throw on your highest, most bad-ass pair of heels. If they are colourful, super-stiletto, or studded, all the better. Keep your dresses either super-short, bodycon & backless, or maxi-length with cut-outs, crazy colours, and eye-catching details. Accessorise with a fitted blazer, trench coat or leather jacket & a large, large statement clutch. Pack a mask in your purse, just in case you encounter a masquerade ball on your way to your destination.

You know you love me, xoxo.

P.S. If you're in need of more Gossip Girl for your style fix, check out Fictional Style Icon: Vanessa Abrams, from May last year.

Fictional Style Icon: Blair Waldorf

So, lets get this out in the open: Blair Waldorf is probably the main reason that I watch Gossip Girl. The shows creators describe her as "the queen at the center of their chess game", the author of the book series says she is "a girl of extremes", and her wikipedia article paints her as "a comical overachiever who possesses both snobbish & sensitive sides." Blair is gorgeous, and terrifying, arrogant and insecure, ferocious and vulnerable all at the same time. Plus, she is impeccably styled.
This is possibly the best dress that I have ever seen, and I've seen a lot of dresses in my day. I thought I had died & gone to fashion heaven when I saw it, with the gorgeous skirt detail, massive shoulder fuck-off bow, and matching gloves.
I love that Blair isn't a girl to shy away from a bold colour - or all of them at once. Her closet is full of beautiful, colourful outerwear and tights that I would gladly take off her hands. Particularly this yellow trench.
Sigh, what can I possibly say about Blair's prom dress? It looks how a prom dress should - elegant, intricate, and slightly over the top. The matching Nathaniel Archibald handbag doesn't go astray either, although I do prefer the Chuck model myself.
What did I say about Blair, and her bold colours? I am all over this green coat/cape, and the bright yellow accessories. Plus, this is my favourite picture of Blair. Isn't she adorable?
Did I say Blair's debutante dress was the best dress I have ever seen? Yeah, I did. Well, I think it's pretty closely rivaled by this sexy sailor number. I love everything about it, right down to the adorable matching shoes. Blair is matchy-matchy with an edge!

A gorgeous dress for an equally gorgeous scene. I giggle every time I see her try to walk away from Louis with one high-heel on. Does it make me a bad Chuck/Blair fan that one of my favourite moments for their relationship was when Chuck says he'll let her go with Louis because she'll never have a happy life with him? If you want to work a little bit of Blair charm into your wardrobe, here's a few ideas:

Blair by missperegrin featuring a floral print dress

Invest in gaudy headwear - lots of it, and all kinds: hats, headbands, headdresses, fascinators - and work them into every outfit. Wear timeless dresses, keeping the length flattering but modest. Go for styles with a retro, nautical or elegant feel to them. Pair your gorgeous dresses with matchy-matchy accessories - tights, belts, handbags, gloves, corsages, clutches - and don't forget to match them with your fab headwear. Keep your heels colour-coordinated, classic and high. Never walk out the door without your phone in your hand, and a scheme in your head - you never know what the day might bring.

You know you love me, xoxo.

If you're looking for some more Gossip Girl styling, back in June 2010 I wrote Fictional Style Icon: Chuck Bass. You're totally welcome.

DIY Friday: How To Remix The Same Dress Five Times

Remixing, or wearing the same items of clothing in a variety of different ways, is a favourite sport of mine. It's way to combine my love of creative dressing, with my desire to stop buying so many clothing items & be thriftier. In my wardrobe I always notice that there are particular items that I come back to, over and over again. Remixing isn't hard - it just takes a little imagination & creativity to get you started. If you're having trouble getting the remixing ball going, here are a few ways to make it easier:

Acessorise Like A Maniac. An outfit, or an item of clothing can be completely changed if you wear it with different accessories. My favourite floral dress (pictured above) has probably been worn with every different accessory I own. I wear it belted at the waist, with scarves tied around it, with no belt, with leggings & tights, or bare legged, with Doc Martens, with sandals, with knee-high boots, with ankle boots, with long necklaces, short necklaces, no necklaces, with black, with brown, with red, with yellow, and over jeans as a tunic top. Get crazy with your accessories, and you can have a completely different look every time you wear an item of clothing.

Layers, Layers, Layers. Layers change the look of a piece of clothing in an instant. Try looking at your favourite t-shirt in the mirror with different types of vests, jackets, cardigans or knits over the top. Layer up shorts with funky tights or leggings. Dresses can even be layered! Whack a skirt over a short dress & you've got a whole new top. Put a top on over a maxi-dress, and everyone will wonder where you got your new maxi-skirt. Wear your jeans & pants with boots over the top, and underneath, or with varying lengths of tops for a different look. Just pile your shit on, and see how it turns out. I promise, you'll find a look you like!

Identify & Shop For Workhorses. Whether you're a thrifter, or a chain store queen, there are always items waiting to be found that will slot perfectly into your wardrobe. First you need to think about the things that you feel are missing from your wardrobe. Do you always think your outfits would be better with a blazer, but you don't have one? Do you constantly bemoan not having a pair of fire-engine red tights? These are the things that it is a good idea to spend your money on, because you are obviously going to remix them! When I put on some extra weight around my hips recently, I noticed that I was really mourning having a pair of jeans that fit me nicely. It took me a few months to find a really good pair, but I kept on looking. Now I only need to have two pairs of jeans in my wardrobe - a pair of skinnies, and a pair of boyfriend jeans - because they work so well with everything else that I own. Once upon a time I had trouble culling my jeans down to the paltry amount of 10, because each pair worked so well with particular things, and looked terrible with everything else.

Remixing doesn't have to be boring. Articles about remixing often tell you to invest in lots of basics, in neutral colours - black t-shirt, a white button-up, black dress pants etc. - so that everything you have matches. I don't think clothing items need to be neutral to be remixed. The most remixed items in my closet are a thrifted owl print blouse (pictured above), a polka-dot dress (pictured above), colourful pants, and a floral bow-back dress (pictured at top). Items with personality, and a bit of a "wow" factor are still totally remixable. Once again, you just need to get creative. Try these items in combination with lots of different things - things that you don't even think will look good together, because sometimes they work even more splendidly than what your mind immediately jumps too. Put together colours that "don't work", mix up those patterns & get totally wild up in there!

Forget "Occasions". If you have it set in your mind that a certain clothing item is only appropriate for a certain occasion then you won't wear it as often as you could! Here's a story to illustrate my point: Jane bought a beautiful dress to wear to a wedding. Everyone at the wedding loved the dress, and it made Jane feel fabulous. But Jane felt like she could only wear a dress that special to a wedding, so she kept it hidden in her wardrobe waiting in vain for more friends to get married. When someone else finally did get hitched, she went looking for her perfect dress & found that it had been eaten by radioactive mice living in the back of her wardrobe. The end. You don't want that to happen to you, do you?

How do you feel about remixing? Would you rather have new clothes for every day of the week, or do you like the challenge of crafting new outfits from the same pieces? If you do love to remix, tell me all about it!

Until next time, xo.

Style Inspiration: Russh Magazine

Hello there lovelies,

I went to the Clermont newsagency this week looking for a copy of Frankie. Alas, no Frankie magazine could be found. I hate to leave a newsagency empty-handed (especially when I'm looking forward to a magazine fix), so I ended up picking up a copy of Russh. I had never read this particular magazine before, so I wasn't too sure what to expect. Luckily I picked a winner - the mag was full of thoughtful articles, and drool-worthy fashion. Plus, I found out Russh is an Australian magazine. This gorgeous fashion shoot made me really lust for matching paisley clothing.

What do you think?

Until next time, xo.

Style Inspiration - Glee

Hello there lovelies,

I've been suffering in a little bit of a style rut since I've gotten to Clermont. It's a very typical laid-back country town, and I've been pretty much exhausted ever since I got here, what with moving & then immediately starting a new line of work & getting sick. Luckily though, I ordered the second season of Glee on DVD, and it arrived about two weeks ago. I may or may not have been watching obsessively ever since. Not only do I love a soppy musical/drama/comedy as much as (if not much more so than) anyone else, I'm also finding it rather stylistically inspiring. After all, I haven't seen another show lately that does bright colours & frantic energy quite like Glee.

My favourite item of clothing from the entire season is that rainbow-striped coat. If I ran into Rachel Berry in New York, wearing that coat, I'd 100% turn into a mugger. You laugh because you think I'm joking, but I'm actually dead serious. Alright, I'm going to run away before I become too damn creepy.

Until next time, xo.

P.S. Totally not joking.

Style Inspiration: The Other Boleyn Girl

Hello there lovelies,

While The Boyfriend is away, I have been taking the time to watch (and re-watch) some of the "girly" movies & TV series' that he doesn't really like. Or, watch them on the big TV that is. Usually I just pop them on in my laptop, put on my headphones and make The Boyfriend think I'm a weirdo who randomly laughs at invisible people.

One of my girly watchings this week was The Other Boleyn Girl. According to my good friend Wikipedia, it is "a romanticized account of the lives of 16th-century aristocrats Mary Boleyn, one-time mistress of King Henry VIII, and her sister, Queen Anne, who became the monarch's ill-fated second wife, though much history is distorted." Despite the historical inaccuracy, I really loved the movie. Natalie Portman & Scarlett Johansson were both fantastic, but as usual, I mainly fell in love with the gowns. Take a look:






The costumes for the two leading actresses were absolutely superb. I loved the way that the colours of the gowns tied into the portrayal of the characters. Anne Boleyn, who is imagined as a cold, manipulative person is almost always wearing cool colours. Mary Boleyn, played as a kind-hearted, if somewhat naive, girl is always clothed in warm colours. Either it really tied everything in nicely, or I am over-exaggerating the significance of the costumes colours. Hey, either way, I still loved it. I am also left with a sudden pressing desire to wear fantastic head gear.

Until next time, xo.

P.S. For all you saucy minxes, here's a shot of Eric Bana as King Henry VIII. You're welcome.