KARL WHO?

KARL by Karl Lagerfeld at Net a Porter... Why? Because it's the most perfect collection ever and I can't stop obsessing about it. Actuals.

These bits in particular...

I mean, it's REDONK good, right? And sure, the dresses and jackets are over a grand, but some of the other bits n pieces are surprisingly affordable, like that iPhone case is only £35 yo (BUYING) and those leather fingerless gloves are £85 (BOUGHT). As for the insane bikini, who DOESN'T want Karl Lagerfeld's cameo on their boobs n butt? That's a redundant question, surely.

By the way, y'all may have been expecting a Halloweeny type post but NAW! I was working lates over the weekend and on actual Halloween night too, so, ALAS, yet another year spent jealously "liking" pals costume pics on Deathbook whilst chugging tea and watching The Sixth Sense (why is it on every single year?). But thanks to this collection and this awesome wee dude on google images, I'm ALL SET for my costume for next year...

IT'S HAPPENING.

SALE! MARC JACOBS COAT FOR £250

Yo guys, sorry about the lack of quality posts at the moment. I've been busy with work and not been feeling hugely inspired fashion wise recently. I DID go slightly crazy in the sales and pick myself up some goodies from Urban Outfitters, Jeffrey Campbell, Mulberry and Toppers amongst others, but I've seen loads of sale posts around recently so I figured you guys probably wouldn't give a tiny rats ass about my swag.

I promise to be back with a vengeance in the next few weeks. I've been doing some really exciting things this past wee while - including working on a lookbook shoot, expect awesome photos soon - and I'm back in at the Herald this week so hopefully that will kickstart my fashion mojo again.

IN THE MEANTIME, I wanted to let y'all know, in case anyone's interested, I'm going to be having a bit of a clearout. I've accumulated SO MUCH SHIT this last year and yes I know, it's a hilarious running joke with my pals, but I have GOT to stop spending as much cash on clothes and start saving if I ever want to move out/do anything of real value. It's deep, guys. It's deep.

SO, to that end I present my first offering for sale - my gorgeous, and now totally SOLD OUT Marc by Marc Jacobs boucle-wool cardi coat:

It features a comfy, slouchy fit, notched over-sized lapels, long sleeves with cuffs that turn up to reveal striped lining (but you can keep them turned down too if you want), two gold buttons to fasten and flap pockets at front.

This coat is beautiful, super soft and comfy, but I've only had it on twice and feel like it deserves to be worn much more. I won it as part of my Net a Porter prize back at the end of 2010 and it was £555. In the Net a Porter sale it went down to £388 BUT I'm selling it now for £250. A considerable markdown for a virtually BRAND NEW designer coat!

Believe me, I DO love this and wouldn't part with it were it not for the fact that it's just a little too long/big in general. I have it in the small size but it would comfortably fit sizes 10-14+ since it's over-sized and stretchy/slouchy wool (not massively structured). I'm 5"2 however, and find it fits a bit long on me. Shame to have to sell it but c'est la vie.

I'd prefer to sell it on here than Ebay since the last time I tried that it was big ole mess and I got WAY confused. SO, if you want it, leave a comment or e-mail me at k-mclaren@hotmail.com. I'll only be accepting PayPal and I can discuss sending you it out when you contact me.

First come first serve. If no-one wants it it'll be going on ebay!

Just for fun, here's a cool Asian chick rocking it...

You GO wit you're bad self!

I'll more than likely be selling other stuff on here in the weeks to come, including a vintage mohair tartan cape and possibly some more designer threadz.

Keep em peeled!

Gray bouclé-wool cardi-coat with two gold button fastenings at double-breasted front. 61% wool, 35% alpaca, 4% other; sleeve lining: 100% acetate. Dry clean. Designer color: Waking Night.

IN LOVE WITH ETRO

It's official - Italy has taken over my brain!

With only 2 weeks to go before I jet off to Venice, I'm constantly finding myself googling gondolas, planning days out to Verona and Lake Garda, fantasising about bagging myself a bargain at all the flea markets and generally living in a wondrous Italian bubble! BELLA, BELLA!

Sorry, am I making you sick?! Aaaaaanyway I've also recently been perusing the Italian big dogs on Net a Porter for some sartorial inspiration and guess what? I LOVE ETRO!

Known for their bright patterns, bold colours and sleek tailoring, these lovelies are pressing a particular button with me right now. I'd love a few fabo dresses for taking away with me but sadly they range from £800 to over £2,000! Guess I'll have to make do with some vintage imposters instead.

Literally dreaming about this coat...

Belissimo!

Oh, and in OTHER Itallian-themed news, my friend David Vallance's graduate collection (which I talked about here) is featured in the September issue of Itallian Vogue - grab it if you can!

GET OAN MA BACK

My jaw hit the deck this evening, whilst perusing the New In section of Topshop like I do most nights...cos I'm cool like that and by no means have too much time on my hands.

The reason?

..be warned, can you handle this level of sexy leather at tea time on a Monday? OK fine. You asked for it.

Behold, and cue the angelic choir:

This, my friends, is Topshop's take on Phillip Lim's iconic contrast-sleeved leather jacket from last season. Oh, and it is GOOD!

Though it lacks the trench cuffs and washed leather/battered effect, and it's a bit shorter and decidedly more biker than the original, this is by no means a shoddy interpretation. Had I not just blown £700 of my Net-a-Porter win on an Acne Rita I would be tempted to save up and buy this badboy like, um, NOW.

Phillip Lim's original:

One of my major contenders in my Net a Porter win, the Phillip Lim jacket still haunts me wherever I go.

Whenever I see it online, for example here on the gorgeous Rumi Neely of Fashion Toast, my heart does a wee somersault of regret at the fact I didn't blow the full £5,000 of the win on leather jackets. Excessive? Nah... Worth it. I mean LOOK at it!

Uhhhhft. My heart breaks.

Get the Toppers one NOW for winter. Contrast sleeves/leather sleeves are going to be humongous.

FAVOURITE

Happy Easter, bloggies!

I'm afraid Easter doesn't really mean much to me (sept a monster sugar coma DUH) and I've been working all day instead of out and about enjoying the relatively mild/dry weather SO I'm in a bit of a spring grump.

To cheer myself up I've been taking yet another evening to appreciate this stunning collection. Why? Cos it makes me happy and cos I CAN. SIGH. Indulge me...

Christopher Kane AW10

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Pics from Tumblr

Uhhhhft! I CANNOT understand why the highstreet didn't pick up on this trend/print.

Aaaaaanyway, soon as I saw this badboy back in December on Net a Porter, I knew I had to have it:

Christopher Kane galaxy print modal tshirt

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Excuse the crappy toilet shot - I don't have a tripod or a white wall or the BALLS to take full outfit shots... Anyway, yeah, pretty much my most favourite tshirt in the entire world now :)

I know I go on and on about this galaxy/nebula print but I seriously think that the highstreet has missed a massive opportunity to make a killing by replicating the Kane AW10 look. I mean come on, I don't know about you but... I would do heinous, unspeakable things to own this badboy:

LUST.

 Over and out for tonight bloggies.

LABRADORITE LOVE

In a desperate attempt to put off a heinous court report assignment, I thought I'd share with you my recent penchant for a particular gemstone - Labradorite.

No, weirdly nothing to do with labradors, this is actually a translucent feldspar (aka cool-looking gemstone) which originates from the Labrador region of Canada, but variations are found in Finland and Madagascar - and even in some meteorites too. Check it out:

Raw properties of Labradorite

With its shimmering array of colours, Labradorite has traditionally symbolised fantasy and creativity.

According to an Eskimo legend, the Northern Lights were once imprisoned in the rocks along the coast of Labrador.  It is told that a wandering Eskimo warrior found them and was able to free most of the lights with a mighty blow of his spear. Some of the lights were still trapped within the stone, and VOILA = Labradorite!

Labradorite is said to provide quick relief from anxiety, hopelessness and depression, replacing them with enthusiasm, self-confidence and inspiration. It is said to dispel negativity and to bring clear understanding by enhancing clarity of thought and improving one's ability to cooperate with others in harmony.

So far so good, but this bit get a little freeekay:
A sister to moonstone, labradorite links to the "darker" Crone aspects of the Goddess, and grants inner knowing of mystery. It enhances intuition and psychic perception; just like the cord-cutting Crone, it helps the bearer to release judgment, and understand their destiny.

Um... OKAAAAAY...?

But look how pretty it is! 

I actually first became aware of Labradorite when I spotted this Vivienne Westwood beauty on Hervia:

I was all like, whaaaa IS THAT STONE?! Pretty, no? Sadly it's more than a little out of my price range, but when I was trawling through Net a Porter looking for one of my last treats from my win, I spotted this Monica Vinader small nugget silver and Labradorite ring and snaffled it up toot sweet:

Gorgeous, right? It's actually a much warmer sort of smoky colour in real life, but the way it reflects light is just stunning. I want MORE!

I yet again took to Etsy and did a generic search. Look at what treasures I found:

Huge raw Labradorite teardrop ring. Yes please!

Faceted Labradorite teardrop pendant on gold chain.

Gorgeous orb pendant - does anyone else think the second shot looks like a wee mini universe or star nebula?

Tiny Labradorite orb silver stacking ring.

I'd be happy with any of these. Love it. What are some of your favourite gemstones?

LUSTING FOR SUNNIES

I can't stop trawling the Net a Porter site for new delights - it's a form of self harm, SERIOUSLY!

I only actually have £60 left to spend of my £5,000 win, and I am reeeeeely struggling to find something I actually want for that. I had decided that I could be doing with some new accessories, but I'm afraid a Marc Jacobs iPhone cover (practically the only thing for £60 on the entire site) just DOESN'T get me going the same way that bags/shoes/jewellery/sunglasses do.

Ah sunglasses. When it comes to sunnies, I like mine BIG and BLACK...

*AHEM*

Here, Abbey, geeze yer specs?

Check out my favourites from Net a Porter - don't they make you lust hard after a beer garden in the sunshine?

 The Row - favourites. Everything about these is right.

Persol

Alexander Wang - OK, so not black but whatevs. Still effin cool.

Linda Farrow - croc skin. Mutha-luvin croc skin!

Right summer, I'm ready for ya. Hurry up and arrive already!

OH, AND ALSO, my very talented photographer friend Nadine Yardley wants me to model for her tomorrow... LOLOCAUST! If you know me, you'll know my extreme discomfort at having my photo taken in any kind of posed manner (remember I tried doing outfit posts? Yeah, that went well.........).

However, hopefully with loads of editing it won't even really look like me. This is the sort of thing she's going for:

Photo byVictoria Zeoli for Dazed and Confused

I'll let you guys know how it goes, and possibly post the result in due course. Wish me luck trying to pose for her - I'm thinking a cheeky mid-afternoon zinfandel will help...

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