The New Year. For many of us it brings the opportunity for a “New You.” I haven’t made any official resolutions this year but I have made some realisations; I am getting older and physically the signs are starting to show. I read a really interesting article in Sunday Times’ Style supplement today entitled – look good, look better, look younger. It talked about the different tribes that are formed as the aging process kicks in; the naturals vs the plastics. The article must be read to be fully appreciated but it encompasses my gripe on where the bar is set on aging. In a world where “procedures,” injections and fillers are the norm, what does “good for her age” actually mean any more? So many Hollywood starlets look nowhere near their actual age but are never forthcoming about the amount of effort that allows them to remain ageless. This gives us mere mortals very little hope and unrealistic, false expectations. Then, once a certain, unknown age is passed and the same amount of monthly treatments continues, the freak factor sets in. So what can I do as the wrinkles start to appear? I have chosen to utilise a little more of a cover-up tactic that will begin in my beauty regime (that doesn’t currently exist except for some over-use of vaseline.) The now ubiquitous Shu Uemura eyelash curlers are first on my shopping list, followed closely by some of their lashes; if I get some longer, more feathered examples they will surely cover the creeping crows’ feet! So as age catches up with me, I shall try my best to embrace the changes, safe in the knowledge that the facade of the celebrity world can be as false as the characters portrayed.

I am not so great when it comes to New Year celebrations. I shall be having a quiet one at home, Swiss style, with some 70’s fondue, avec de la viande et du fromage! I do love the fact that a New Year brings with it an opportunity for fresh starts and resolutions. Mine are yet to be finalised but I like the fact that anything (potentially!) can begin with a new digit.

Enjoy the gluttonous joy that comes with Christmas. R x

Vintage is a buzzword of modern fashion. To describe an outfit as, “vintage” holds a kudos, a certain air of cool and uniqueness. What does this word actually mean? One definition is Second-Hand (although that doesn’t sound remotely appealing compared to vintage.) Another is Well Worn/Used, which vintage often is. The only word that comes close to the cool that the word “vintage” evokes is Antique, as that sounds expensive as well as original! I am an unlucky hunter of all that is vintage. My grandmother has a wardrobe full of amazing clothing but she is almost a foot shorter than me, plus she adores and covets her clothes, still ironing and airing items that are decades old and unworn. A wardrobe raid by me is something I don’t feel she would welcome, although I am still plucking up the courage to ask. Searching through vintage shops, I often find fab pieces but they don’t fit – unique + original, often = one size. My favourite online vintage stores often have items that really excite me…but then I scroll down to see the off-limits phrase, “sold out.” So vintage look seems my only option. Orla Kiely has produced a range that is exactly that, slightly out of my price range but definitely “modern vintage” in look. The 60’s inspired collection features some amazing key pieces – chunky knits, amazing platform heels and authentic prints. Some items are currently on sale, so they may slip on to my affordability radar! We’ve all got friends with ridiculously cool wardrobes that when you ask, “Where did you get that from?” the reply, “Oh, a little vintage shop in…” comes back. Search out some fake vintage pieces…maybe Orla Kiely could save you.

The coolest fringe in music today + girl crush potential = The Asteroids Galaxy Tour. Aside from lead singer Mette Lindberg’s obvious appeal, The Asteroids Galaxy Tour are producing an eclectic mix of 70’s-00’s pop/electro in psychedelic technicolour, all in the vein of Burt Bacharach on acid. This combined with their intrinsic sense of style and cool, make for a very appealing band. Publicity is not something The Asteroids will need – they have been championed by Apple and have featured as the soundtrack artist in the iPod Touch add, so stardom beckons. Now all I have to ask myself, is why I can’t get away with such a cool fringe! Listen on MySpace and check out their website here. If you have any doubts about the Asteroids, take a look on iTunes at their fly-on-the-wall video – not only are they cool but they’re super nice too.

In the digital age we are all amateur photographers, sometimes too intent on capturing the moment, rather than truly experiencing it. Mr. Things of Random Coolness and I often snap away together but find the resulting photographs can represent the same event in a different light. The photographer can discover, pick out so much detail and in the days of airbrushing and touch-ups, I often wonder what I am truly seeing. A photograph by Mario Testino never feels that way. The relationship formed with his subjects seems genuine, allowing a true insight into their character. No more so is this evident than in his photographs of Kate Moss – for me it’s all in the eyes; she seems so at ease, so natural, offering us a true glimpse of her real self. The most interesting element of the photographs I have chosen above is disguise. Kate is hidden behind a mask, behind thick, haphazard face-paints…yet for me, these pictures provide a sincere and natural portrait. Mario Testino’s website is currently under construction but you can sign up to his newsletter here.

The Monday to Friday drudgery of “real life” is always tough but especially so in the winter. As you can see, the time and motivation to post has recently escaped me. Life seems a little bit more grey, your world seems seeped in darkness….and then the weekend arrives. You are given a ration of light that you are normally deprived of between 9 and 5 and a weight seems lifted off your shoulders. Colours seem more rich and visible (as unfortunately is the dust that accumulates in the darkness while you are at work.) My thoughts turn to macaroons on these cold but sunny winter days. In my mind: Sunlight + Crisp cold air + Colour = Parisian macaroons. I suddenly feel I need to dress a little more brightly and Chloé’s Spring 2009 collection comes to mind. I will never be able to afford any of the pieces from the collection but from it, I can take inspiration and be reminded of my favourite Parisian treat and feel that even in the darkest hours of winter, brightness is on the horizon. My personal favourites are Laudrée’s cassis violette macaroons, purple wonders! So if the winter obscurity is dragging you down, look on Style.com at Chloé’s vibrant upcoming palette and seek out a macaroon, of the purple variety if possible.

I am not a frequent celebrity blogger. You won’t find many, “loving what she wore” posts here. But today I felt compelled to post on, of all things, a celebrity dominoes tournament! The Hollywood Domino Tournament in NYC, held last night, brought out a certain style that I adore – 1920’s old school Hollywood glamour. I am not enamoured with the Hollywood of today; there is no sense of mystery, intrigue or inherent style. However, this charity event brought a glimpse of the Hollywood we have lost, with a sense of unadulterated elegance. Be whisked away in an air of nostalgia on Popsugar. Celeb posting endeth here. (for now anyway!)

Feathers on animals are functional – they aid in flight, thermal insulation and waterproofing. As a human being, the most appealing attribute of feathers is their colouration. In the animal kingdom, the hue helps in communication and protection. In my world, the varied palette offers unlimited hair possibilities. Feathers are everywhere at the moment; on clothing and capes but particularly in the hair. Etsy have some fantastic pieces but I have been particularly taken by ban.do. Each piece is handmade and one of a kind, described as, “Not perfect but fantastic and sometimes fantastic is better than perfect.” I LOVE this ethic – imperfections make everything so much more interesting. See the huge variety of slight imperfect perfection here. P.S. My only concern, can feathers really be called cruelty-free? I feel I need to educate myself a little more.

It’s a well known fact that American Apparel do good basics. What tends to wow me the most about the U.S. uber-brand is their Ways to Wear It feature. So many of their items are multi-purpose/unisex and the way in which they’re displayed and showcased makes them seem more of an essential buy than they probably actually are! Two that have hit my purchase radar of late are the Le Sac dress and the Unisex Circular Scarf. Their multipurpose usage is so well explained, however I’m sure I’ll struggle with some of the possible incarnations! As far as marketing tools go, American Apparel have plenty at their disposal; see their website for their full arsenal.