Thursday

Styleeast goes west

Amorous pigeons, posing squirrels, baffled tourists, scones with cream and jam and - most importantly of all - 10, 12 (or was it 100?!) fashion bloggers.  Mixed together, it's the recipe for a perfect afternoon.  It's not often I venture west so I have to thank the amazing Jen, the Style Crusader , for inviting moi, a totally random and very new blogger, to join in the fun.  We gathered, many of us having never met before, at the gorgeous Orangery at Kensington Palace in honour of the Platform Princess 's birthday. 

To say it was a surreal experience at first would be an understatement - when else with complete strangers would you feel comfortable launching immediately into a run-down of who's wearing what, where did they get such and such and lots of 'stand there, let me take your photo'.  I felt like I was in front of the paparazzi - my worst nightmare! - but then for the next 4 hours it was some of the best fun I'd ever had. 


Every single girl round the table was lovely, so friendly, stylish (duh) and utterly unique - everyone had a blog that gave them an outlet for their (often-secret) passion for fashion, but each had their own twist, their own particular identity and all were bursting with the personality of their owner.  I've discovered so many interesting blogs and, I hope, made some new friends.  I thought you'd like to meet some of them here...

First up, the instigator and, clearly, a talented organiser, Jen.  Her blog has always been one of my favourites for its down to earth approach to fashion commentary and the general exuberance that comes across in her writing and photos.  It was great to find her as down to earth and exuberant in real life, not to mention beautiful (and tall!), brimming with intelligence and, to use a word that was applied to her often that afternoon, generosity.  The whole time we were there at least someone was talking about how great she is.  Thank you Jen for organising such a fantastic day...



Next, Jill of Street Style London.  I love her blog, it was one of the ones that inspired me to go into blogging in the first place.  Her photos have always been a cut above, showing not just a snapshot of someone's outfit, but an insight into their personality.  The pictures always look like they've captured a moment, sometimes something secret, and they make you want to know more.  Jill herself was a revelation, I've rarely in my life met someone so easy to talk to, so warm and so vibrant.  I took loads of photos but for Jill I thought these ones, of her performing an impromtu dance on the grass for the line-up of bloggers, pretty much summed her up...



And so to the birthday girl, Jackie , a statuesque beauty and a fantastic blogger.  I had major dress/poise/general envy when she turned up.  And then add to that the fact she's the type of girl who happily invites a bunch of total strangers to her birthday party and you know you've met a real gem....


You might recognise Nicole, from an earlier post  about us snapping each other on a style scouting mission in Spitalfields.  Her blog The Power of Beauty remains the best street style documentation i've ever seen and she's just had books printed of her photos from around London, which I can't wait to see (and not just because I'm apparently in one!).  She's ridiculously photogenic and a lovely girl too, not to mention my first blogger friend...


The rest of the gang I knew nothing about until yesterday and I could go on all day about each and every one and how nice they were, how welcoming and how much fun.  But I think the photos speak for themselves, and their blogs even more so...please take some time to check them out, you won't be disappointed....








Thanks for a great afternoon everyone...may the next one come soon.

Tuesday

Summer socks

Last weekend, the sun came out, and so did the socks!  I'm a massive fan of the ankle sock/brogue or loafer combo but it never seems to be appropriate weather to wear it - either too cold for bare legs or too hot for socks.  Not that it stopped any of this week's street spots who all look great, and completely different, in their fabulous footwear.

First up, I should have asked this girl if she was a model, everyone who's seen the photo has wondered.  In any case, she's quirked-up a summer staple stripy dress with her loafers and socks.  I saw her out my flat window as I was preparing to leave to go blogging and was chuffed to catch her up a bit later and get this shot...


Next, I caught this girl having a cheeky break from her stall, enjoying the sunshine just off Brick Lane.  She looked the picture of contentment and I took the photo exactly where she sat, with her crackers next to her and her shoes and socks peeking from that great purple maxi skirt...


By the time I got round to this picture the sun was playing havoc with the photographing, but it still captures this perfect little outfit.  I like the slightly longer socks - playful and girly, but still casual enough for a stroll in the sun...


And finally, just before the heat got the better of me and I headed for shade, I spotted this girl on the way home.  Love love love this outfit.  She looks amazing, and cute as a button.  Expect to see me in a replica outfit soon (looking far less cute sadly), I already own the necessary components!

Sunday

Mother and daughter

How's this for a perfect mother/daughter floral combination?  I was drawn initially to this girl's gorgous floral jumpsuit but then I noticed how amazingly stylish her Mum was too, in her Cath Kidston-esque print and pink sunglasses, so just had to snap them both...

Wednesday

Still got love for the streets

Not long after I started the blog, one of my two friends who know about it commented "it's very east London!".  He said it in jest but, the clue being in the title, this is a blog about the style in the east; hopefully not in a pretentious way but in a way that shows my genuine passion for my neighbourhood.  I've lived here for nearly 7 years now and blogging for the last few months has led to a new appreciation of all the things that drew me to it in the first place. The extent to which the photos I've taken are "east London" didn't really occur to me until I took this one (below) at the weekend.  My eye was caught by her brogue/white ankle sock/high waisted combo as she emerged from a doorway on Brick Lane, and the way she'd paired them with the hat and some glamorous red lippy. 

But what struck me afterwards was how she complemented the background and how this photo pretty much sums up everything that is great about my stomping ground...it's colourful, it has style, it has character and most of all it has its own identity.  So - in a slight departure from the norm - I've included a few other photos of the sights I see every weekend but that always make me smile; just a few more reasons why I love east London...




Sunday

The prettiest shop in town


Still wandering on a wave of new camera-related excitement, I stumbled upon The Vintage Emporium and Cafe, which has just opened on Bacon Street off Brick Lane.  And I am in love - I've never seen such a beautiful shop.  Everywhere you look there are antique decorations, gorgeous displays and an amazing selection of top-quality vintage clothing, from Victoriana through to the 50s and 60s.  It's such an antidote to the usual jumble sale-style vintage experience round these parts, and you can tell it's a shop which is a labour of love. 




The shop is downstairs in a surprisingly sunny basement and upstairs is dedicated to a large and homely cafe, offering teas and cakes to peckish shoppers (and bloggers) and you can take your pick from a range of lustworthy furniture upon which to enjoy your snacks.  




The staff that I met there were lovely, friendly and clearly had a passionate philosophy behind their shop and a real desire to offer something different.  They told me there will be a program of evening classes run in the shop - from knitting to ballet (details to follow).  Forget this just being the sweetest shop you'll ever see, it could become the place to be for pretty much whatever you fancy doing! 


(note to self: must remember not to take photos in front of mirrors)

Good luck, Vintage Emporium, I think you're fantastic and no doubt everyone else will too...

Friday

Styleeast has a new toy

I'm very excited!  I have a new camera, a proper, grown-up one and it is, after only one day's use, the best thing ever.  And I don't know if I was simply inspired by its presence or whether today was just a really, really good day for street style spotting, but I've found some gems for you.

First up, the girl who has the dubious privilege of being the first street spot with my new camera (i.e. she had to stand around while I worked out how to zoom/see through viewfinder/press button etc.).  I loved her outfit, ticking several trend boxes with the brogue boots, harems, broderie anglaise blouse and hair in top-knot  - which is, incidentally, my new favourite look that I can't wear (must grow hair)...


Secondly, I couldn't resist this gorgeous tapestry cape jacket, further reason why it's ok that it's not proper summer yet...


Next in my path was this delightful picture, just waiting to be taken.  The girl in the photo told me she'd been having a moment, and I could tell.  I don't know where to start with the reasons why I love it (you're sensing my high level of new camera-related excitement!) - the amazing hair, purple platforms with pink socks, actually pulling off dungarees...


And finally, on the way home, out of the corner of my eye, I spotted this red feather bobbing down Brick Lane and actually ran after the girl.  She's wearing a very interesting preppy luxe look and topped off with this jaunty hat, it pretty much summed up my day...


So there you have it, my new camera has brought joy to my life and styleeast is firmly back in business.  Look out stylish people of East London, I'm coming for you...........

Sunday

The glad hatter

You may recall from an earlier post ('I don't do weddings') that I have discovered the best hats in London, courtesy of Orizu.  Well, they're soon to be launching their new website http://www.orizu.com/ (possibly to feature yours truly - watch this space!) and I popped by the Spitalfields stall today to see the latest selection.   There's a great variety of cloche and fabric hats and mini headpieces but my favourites are still the range of straw boaters; big or small, black or natural, plain or adorned, they're all fabulous.  Pop down for a look and keep your eye out for the website launch...




Saturday

This weekend I am mostly coveting

The last 2 weekends I've not felt the best, not to mention that the weather has been crummy, so street style shots are sadly lacking at the moment.  Therefore, I'm turning my attention to building my fantasy summer shopping list, and top of the list are these 2 covetable beauties:  some not-too-cloggy clogs from Swedish Hasbeens (found as a result of intensive research after seeing someone wearing them on another street style blog!) and a gorgeous delicate lace number from the ever-ubiquitous American Apparel.




Thursday

Daily style dose

Everyone has their favourite blogs and I love all the ones I've listed on here (see the right hand side of page).  But the best blogs of all are those in which super stylish people show us their daily outfits - and these are the two I never miss.  These girls have style I can only aspire to but it's great inspiration for my own fashion failsafes - hats, shorts, stripes, high waists, ankle socks, with perhaps just a dash of leopard.  Check them out and, if you're obsessed like me, save your favourite looks...








Tuesday

Short and sweet

The weather this weekend has meant there's been slighty schizophrenic style on the streets, with some girls in fur coats and others in shorts; cold one moment, boiling the next.  These two, however, got it just right, pairing their tights with light summery layers.  I especially love the contrast between the prim blouse and brogues and the sweet playsuit, but the short lengths and high belts on both.


I keep thinking I recognise these girls from somewhere, if I know you and didn't realise then sorry - how rude of me!

Monday

Midnight street style

Well, Sunday was nearly a total washout, with the torrential rain not exactly conducive to taking photos.  I gave up early and went to the pub, hence why, several gins down, when I spotted these friends, I had to ask for their picture.  The lighting isn't great but you can see why I loved it - the way they're perched together on the bench, the glasses, the matching boots, the jacket.  Perhaps the only good thing about it still being winter in May is the continued use of the flying jacket, I was certainly wishing as I was walking home in the cold that I hadn't packed mine away prematurely.  Anyway, thank you, this totally saved my rainy Sunday...


I can also thank the girl in this photo for introducing me to http://www.hipstershavetopee.tumblr.com/
...absolutely hilarious, particularly for a serial leg-crosser like me. And I'm sorry for using the turned-in-feet photo when I promised not to but it came out the best (blame my tipsy photography) and it honestly doesn't look like it belongs on the above website!