Last week I got the chance to write up a post for the Steven Alan blog, which I was beyond thrilled about. Any regular reader probably knows that Steven Alan is one of my favorite brands; its clothes are always popping up in my pretend outfit posts, and Steven Alan lookbooks get featured on the regular here. Anyhow, my little post is all about the current fall collection, which just might be the collection that’s inspiring me most at the moment, maybe because it in turn was inspired by ’60s/’70s California. Next month I’m going to Big Sur for the first time, and I pretty much just want to dress like the girl in the Steven Alan lookbook. Which means lots of wool, a perfect felt hat, cozy sweaters to wear on hikes, and shoes that are sensible without being too sensible.
We passed by Big Sur on our last trip to California, and I remember thinking that it was the best-looking place along Highway 1 by far. Since then I’ve been seeing Big Sur everywhere—in the Mulleavy sister guest-edited issue of Lula, on Jeana Sohn’s blog, and in these Polaroids above and below, taken by the amazing Amanda Marsalis . . . .
1. Steven Alan Robin Dress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2. Madewell Deco Burst Pendant . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3. A.P.C. Knee Socks . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4. No. 6 Kiltie Slingback.
1. Rag & Bone Montgomery Crop Sweater . . . . . . . . . . . 2. Monki Ina Skirt . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3. Madewell Pointelle 1937 Socks . . . . . . 4. No. 6 High Heel Buckle Boot. Polaroids by Amanda Marsalis; collages by Drew.
Juliette Hogan’s fall collection was hands-down one of my favorites at New Zealand Fashion Week. As soon as I saw thumbnails of the runway photos I got excited and tried to track them down, but runway photos never do justice to good collections, and this one was extra good and deserved a proper post full of proper lookbook pictures. The number one reason I like it? It makes me think of the Mitford sisters, which might be just because I’m reading Debo’s memoirs right now. There’s a lot of the ’30s and ’40s in these clothes . . . slinky ’30s style party dresses with art deco details and flutter sleeves, ’40s-ish tea dresses, tailored blazers, and Debo Mitford-goes-hunting knit cardigans and sweaters. I also love how light and cheerful the collection is, considering that it’s a winter one. Mind you, I’m only showing my favorites, which usually tend to be light and cheerful (the collection is called “Bitter Sweet Memories” but I mostly love the sweet). There are lots of great coats and pants in the collection, but I guess I gravitate towards traditional Juliette Hogan pastels and pleats and the kind of clothes that have made me a big fan over the last few years.
Photos from Showroom 22.
Photos by Drew
1960s sweater and ’90s skirt: thrift stores
Boots: vintage, via Etsy
Bag: vintage, via Ebay
Necklaces: Madewell and Forever 21
Sunglasses: Karen Walker
For the last three years we’ve been going up to the north Georgia mountains to go apple picking, and this year we went a little early. Usually we wait until it really feels like fall and the leaves start to change, but this weekend Drew had to go to the mountains to pick up some things for a bike race, and the idea of a relaxing day up north sounded pretty good. Well, it was fairly relaxing–the place is a lot more crowded in September than it is in November when we usually go. There were a lot more people, but then again there were a lot more apples on the trees, so we wound up bringing a lot more home. We also got pumpkins and had apple donuts and cider, and apple donuts just might be the best kinds of donuts there are. Maybe.
This weekend was lazy–I baked (pumpkin scones and my first ever batch of bagels) and ran. I read lots of the Deborah Mitford book I got from the library (thanks for reminding me, Andrea!), and took naps and did a whole lot of nothing, on purpose. This weekend was the last lazy one in a while. Next week we have a wedding to go to in Athens that I’m excited about (the couple getting married are a lot of fun, and there are rumors that Of Montreal is playing at the reception?). I have two shoots coming up the week after that, and the following weekend is our own wedding. Which I’m nervous about . . . It’s funny how far away it seemed when we were planning it earlier this year. The wedding seemed years away, but now all of a sudden it’s fall, and sometimes it even feels like fall, and I know I’m going to be in a big rush to fix up all the things I waited ’till the last minute to do. Anyhow I’ll try not to talk about it too much here; I know that not everyone is interested in wedding stuff (me included) so I won’t bore you with silly details. I’m going to try my best to stay calm and get things done and run and read as much as I can to stay sane.
Photographer: Jamie Hopper
Model: Haley at MMT
Hair: Rodney Banks
Graphic: Drew Tyndell
When we shot our batch of summer vintage for Silent Sundays back in July, Jamie and I saved the best stuff for last so we could do a little extra editorial with Haley. We had extra time, and she was so good on the other shoot we worked on with her that we had to shoot a little something before she had to go. By that time we were all pretty tired from shooting all day (especially Haley after modeling 60 some outfits) but fortunately we had our friend and sort-of intern, Rodney, to entertain us. He’s the kind of person who is good at just about everything–he raps, acts, dances, and can do a mean fishtail braid. We’re hoping he’ll be there on our next shoot.
Anyhow this is our very last batch of summer things. Everything in the lookbook is now up and available in the store . . . .
1. Sheer White Anastasia Lace Top and Emily Denim Wrap Skirt . . . . . . . 2. Lily Floral Tie Dress . . . . . . . . . . . . 3. 1970s White Joni Dress . . . . . . . . . . 4. 1990s Melissa Cropped Wool Sweater and Floral Georgia Skirt.
Photos by Drew
Dress: Digital Plumbago Shirt Dress, gift from Secret Squirrel
Boots and necklace: Madewell
Bag: vintage, Ebay
Sunglasses: Karen Walker
For all the posting I do on them, I’m sure you guys know by now that Secret Squirrel is one of my favorite brands. For one thing they are located out of Australia, which is always a bonus. Bri and Andrew, the couple behind Secret Squirrel, are some of the nicest fashion people you could meet (or internet meet, in my case). And then there are the clothes, which I like better and better each season. Their collection I’m Not Like Them summed up just about everything I was into last spring (little white dresses, grunge influences, perfect floral prints), and their newest one, Botanica, is weirdly in tune with how I’ve been wanting to dress lately. Which is a little more modern and experimental (at least as far as colors and prints go), with lots of silk and some subtle ’30s influences (or am I just seeing ’30s influences because I want to see ’30s influences right now?).
Anyhow the Secret Squirrel giveaway I got to host a few months ago was definitely my favorite giveaway yet, so I’m excited to be doing another one with them that’s even better. Up for grabs is a $400 AUD voucher to spend at the Secret Squirrel online store on anything you’d like. Like last time it doesn’t matter where you live, though you do need to have a Facebook account to enter.
The gist of the contest is that two other bloggers and I have each styled a piece from Botanica and have taken photos of our outfits, which are up and posted on the Secret Squirrel Facebook page. To enter you just need to pick one favorite (it doesn’t have to be mine–whichever you like best!), “like” the photo, and leave a comment under it. In past giveaways I’ve always encourage nonsense comments because they make me laugh, but this time around try to keep your comments related to the photo and outfit.
It’s not really a contest for the bloggers involved, but the one who gets the most likes for their outfit will end up picking the winner based on the comment, so think of something good. (note: if I choose the winner I’ll probably pick a funny one anyway, but maybe you can kind of tailor it to whichever blogger you pick?). Secret Squirrel will announce the results on Facebook and will send the winner the voucher.
Best of luck! The giveaway will be going on for two weeks, so you have plenty of time for picking a favorite and leaving your best comment.
