Apartment 711

So, little over a month ago I went on holiday to Portugal, we stayed in a place called Praia da Rocha in the  Portimao area. I went with very few expectations. Of course there were the typical tourist beaches, shops and restaurants, but what I really enjoyed was when we ventured away from the main tourist drag and went into the suburban town. The mix of old and new, affluent and impoverished was really interesting to explore and photograph. Some of these broken down buildings had such beautiful garden areas with little barbeque's cooking up lunch, and dogs running around unleashed.
 There were also a lot of high-rise flats, each one was unique to its owner and with window boxes and vibrant colours. They had much more character than any other the modern buildings which all looked the same, too clean and angular and ostentatious.

Whilst we were there it was also extremely hot (so warm in fact, that there was a series of forest fires in other areas of the country), this was incredibly limiting when it came to comfortable dressing, it was easier and cooler to wear as little as possible while still remaining decent. I mainly stuck to cotton dresses and shorts with bikini's (of which there are no pictures, thank god, I hate typical holiday bikini shots). It didn't even get cooler at night (which made sleeping in a non air conditioned room unbearable), pretty much rendered any of the evening wear I took useless. It was comforting to return to England, and cardigan wearing. I think I like sleeves too much.

Dress: H&M
Shoes: New Look
Bag: Vintage leather, from a shop in Portugal
Sunglasses: RayBan Wayfarers
Belt: Vintage
Photos: MM & L3

Lasts up to six weeks

An old shoe is better than no shoe.

T-Shirt: Sonic Youth American import
Skirt: Topshop
Belt: Vintage tooled leather
Bag: Cambridge Satchel Company (Skeleton charm from an old necklace)
Shoes: Vintage, Claire II T-bars
Jacket: New Look, with Vintage fur collar added by me.

I am looking forward to Fall (I have decided I like the word Fall better than Autumn) I like it when it gets a bit colder at night and I need to wear a cardigan when I go out for walks through the woods. There is something magical about the colours of the trees and the feel of the air. I think September is my favourite month. I love the transition the seasons go through and the expectation of winter mixed in with the rush to make the most of the last of the summer. I am also looking forward to Fall because I feel strangely comfortable dressing like a granny. I love chunky knitwear, mumsy skirts and practical boots with socks. I am DESPERATE to find a nice midi length dress (this might be it, but I am unsure of the hemline detail) I like it when it feels like a season is made for you, it makes getting dressed all that more exciting.

I am also looking forward to Fall because for me it means change it more ways than one. I have recently given up my job to concentrate on my degree and  the more creative endeavours which actually excite me. I'm lucky enough to be in the position where I can survive without a steady income for a couple of months and I plan to spend the time wisely; reading, writing and rediscovering the things I love to do. I am also going to take a photography course, so, finally I will actually understand my camera properly.

P.s The Perfect dress turned out to be this one, the hemline is just the right length, what with me being so short and all.
Photos: MM & Lthree

Big Yellow Taxi

Wide Leg Trousers: Topshop Petite
Clog Sandals: Topshop
T Shirt: H&M
Waistcoat: Kate Moss Topshop, First season drop.
Sunglasses: Vintage
Ring: Accessorize
Necklaces: Short: Vintage (from my mum), long: Vintage (gifted)
Belt: Vintage

Joni Mitchell listening, and hot weather make me want to dress like I've come from the 1970's. The urge to be in wide open spaces, lying under trees and watching the birds makes it difficult to drag myself to work or do much else to be honest. The tree these pictures are taken under contained the most incredible bird nests I've ever seen, it was like a small town, each was so established and so precise in it placement, the picture above really doesn't capture the magnitude of it.
    I really don't think there is anything better then being outside when the sun shines, surrounded by nature and not doing much else. The colours of the summer are so inspiring, the greens mixed with the bright explosions of the colour from the wild flowers make me want to fore go black and grey and wear brighter and more varied shades like these trousers.
 These Topshop wide leg trousers are pretty much the best item of clothing I have bought this year, I seem to wear them all the time. They are so comfortable and cool in the heat and they give you more freedom then a skirt.

Photos: M.M