LFW Street Style: Day 1, Part 2

Stay tuned for yet more London Fashion Week coverage.

xox Catherine

LFW Street Style: Day 1, Part 1

...I might have gone a little overboard with street style snaps yesterday. I have another batch to post, as well!

xox Catherine

London Fashion Week S/S 2012: Caroline Charles

My first show during LFW was Caroline Charles, in the BFC show space at Somerset House. Entering the tent gave me quite a rush! Unfortunately, the lighting was a tad poor, so my photos all turned out blurry.

The summer collection from Caroline Charles is ladylike, but not too fussy. It's not for girls - Caroline Charles designs for women. As smooth jazz music played in the background, models strutted wearing retro-inspired silhouettes. Though not very bold in color, there's definitely quite a bit of it - predominantly coral and navy blue.



Blue makes an appearance in a few distinct shades, including a deep cobalt and navy. A few models are topped with adorable boater hats, adding a retro vibe.



Floral prints are limited to two shades - white and navy or coral and navy. The silhouettes are relatively simple, and sunglasses adorn faces. These looks make me think of lunch on a yacht - sophisticated, but not too prim or overdone.



There's also a few more suited options - a spotty print appears on pants as well as a shirt, and simple white blouses are tucked into classic black trousers.



Perhaps my favorite part of the collection were the beaded pieces - gorgeous! Definitely more formal than the rest of the show, these tops add a dose of glamour and elegance to the black bottoms. Paired with ribbon chokers, these are just lovely.

What are your thoughts on the collection?

xox Catherine

All images via Elleuk.com

NYFW S/S 2012: Steven Alan

Steven Alan, already making me long for summer days spent outside in the grass, preferably frolicking and/or picnicking. The characteristically preppy brand sends out pieces that are happy and simple without being too saccharine.



Always taking a lightweight approach to fashion, these garments are for everyday wear and tear. Perhaps not so much tear, one would hope. There's a youthful yet clean vibe to the collection, evocative of summers past.

All images via style.com

xox Catherine

NYFW S/S 2012: Suno

Normally showcasing bold colors and prints, the designers behind Suno eschewed color in exchange for something a bit more reserved than usual. There's still reds and yellows appearing, but it's an interesting turn for the label. Granted, the print combinations are still present, adding a dose of quirkiness.



The silhouettes become noticeably more feminine. Perhaps this collection is simply more wearable, head to toe.



Different can be a good thing, but in this case, it's merely not a bad thing.

All images via style.com

xox Catherine

NYFW S/S 2012: Rachel Comey

I'm sure I've mentioned my love for Rachel Comey's designs many a time on this blog, but usually my fascination focuses on her footwear creations. This time around, I'm still lusting over the shoes while giving equal attention to her garments. Never one too be frilly or twee, Comey's design aesthetic is always very "cool," for lack of better words.



We see a variety of prints, as usual, including digitalized cable knits and a multitude of stripes. Color does show up and the colorblocking is done well, but the monochromatic pieces steal the show - there's quite a bit of dimension to be seen.



Of course, none of this is to say an orange sandal isn't perfectly welcome. Rachel Comey, you've done it again.

All images via style.com

xox Catherine

PS Expect more belated NYFW review posts - my cold is getting worse and has left me holed up in my flat as opposed to constantly out and about.

Windsor Castle

Hello there! I suppose it's been approximately a week since my last post, but please forgive me - I've been out and about nonstop. All of this seems to have left me susceptible to a cold, which I'll have to fight my way through by Friday, aka the start of London Fashion Week.




This past weekend I went on a home stay about an hour out of the city. It was delightful. The family was so sweet and I felt very welcome in their home. On Saturday, I took a trip up to Windsor Castle. What a sight! It's everything you'd imagine a castle to be. I found myself particularly enthralled with the collection of art - paintings, photographs, and other relics. I cannot even fathom the construction and design process of buildings so elaborate and extravagant. It's quite breathtaking.




It's definitely a required visit in the UK, in my opinion.

I hope all is well with you.

xox Catherine

PS Delayed weekly favorites post - I'm in between photo-editing programs.

Sun is in the sky, oh why, oh why would I want to be anywhere else?

Cardigan - H&M, necklace - antique, dress - Camden Market, boots - Doc Martens

I picked this dress up at Camden Market the other day for 12 pounds... roughly equivalent to $18. It's adorable and has already garnered a few compliments. Of course, I'm not too sure that it's of the highest quality, but the print was too cool too pass up.

Evidently, London weather and my hair have become enemies. Note to self: must buy a blow dryer and/or hair straightener. I'm used to battling humidity, but not sporadic rain while walking without an umbrella.



These photos were taken at a park behind my house. There's no indication that I'm in London, but I thought the location was photogenic enough as well as secluded enough to prevent a multitude of stares. This will probably be a go-to spot... for now, at least.



Today I have a scheduled walk, apparently focusing on artists and writers in London. I'm pretty excited about it!

On another note, London's weather has made me rethink whether everything I packed is actually practical. I need more sweaters, or jumpers, I suppose I should say. I also wouldn't mind the addition of proper pants... trousers and other more tailored styles. It's already a bit too chilly to wear bare legs, and I don't want to resort to tights just yet.

Here's to a good day!

xox Catherine

PS Expect a ton of London-centric lyrics as post titles until the novelty of living here wears off. That may or may not happen.

(Bi-) Weekly Favorites, v. 26: 8/21 to 9/3

Clockwise from top left: Aha Shake Heartbreaker, The Flower Girl, Hand It Over, Vanessa Jackman


Clockwise from top left: RASPBERRY AND RED, variacje, The Style Voyager, STYLEDIGGER

England's heavily varying weather has led me to warm up to looks of all sorts - even those appropriate for... autumn, gasp. The past few days the sun has made an appearance, although today did mark my first experience of London in the rain. One of very many, I can assume.

The rain did dampen plans I had for a picnic, but I did take outfit photos in a little park behind the house. Not surprisingly, people in the UK also look at me funny when I run back and forth to my camera! Oh well.

From what I've seen these past few days, my peers in London dress infinitely better than their American counterparts. I've seen several young men wearing button ups, yet only two people wearing sweatpants in public. Raises the bar a little bit, no?

xox Catherine

London: Part One of very many

Not a week has passed since I arrived in London, but it feels like I've been here for so much longer. Perhaps it's because I've been rushing around, essentially nonstop, over the past few days. This weekend has provided me some downtime to sleep in, and explore without any agenda. I headed to Camden Market with a few flatmates, stumbled upon a vegan cafe called inSpiral, lost the group, and took the tube to Oxford Street just as shops were closing for the evening.

Aside from constant occupation, my mind has been in a different place as well - home. So many sights and sounds remind me of someone, something from home. I saw a girl with hair similar to my friend Tracey's in a store today, so I became excited until it clicked that it was not her.

I will not lie - I am homesick. Being in a huge city with no true friends is tough. Instead of mingling with flatmates at night, I've been either curled up in my bed or on Skype with my mom or sister.

I know this feeling will lessen during the upcoming weeks, as I meet more people, become better acquainted with the city, and start classes.

I obviously have not done an outfit post in some time, partially due to stress and partially due to a lack of tripod/person-free place to go or someone to take photos. I haven't really taken my camera out much yet, but I expect to tomorrow post-farmers' market browsing.

I hope all is well in your lives, and that your summer is ending on a good note.

xox Catherine

PS Sorting through 850+ posts on my feed is no easy task, but I am confident that the Weekly Favorites feature will return tomorrow.