Zara Accessory Love

With the end of the summer months comes a new season, a new school year and for many, a new wardrobe.  For me, the beginning of October signifies the beginning of my first year at university, and for the poverty-stricken masses (moi included): university + becoming an adult (i.e paying for everything) + buying student necessities = NO MONEY LEFT FOR CLOTHES (things that actually matter).  Although, to be honest, I would rather shop than eat...  Only joking.  I think.

Anyway, seeing as I can't buy any of the things that i do actually want, I thought I would share with you my virtual wishlist and right now, I'm totally feeling Zara.  Even as one of my favourite shops of all time, Zara have definitely exceeded my expectations for their Fall/Winter collection.  Here are some of my favourite accessories from their website - enjoy!

I love these booties - they're so high street Marant!

CAT MARNELL: "The Worst Beauty Editor in the World"

You know that thing with the "deep internet".  The thing where you find one website and that leads you to another and then another and before you know it, you've spent your whole evening and a bottle of wine, finding the weirdest websites and creepiest YouTube videos ever?  Here, watch Edarem's version of "Pretty Woman". 

OMG, HOW SCARY.
See what I mean?!

One good thing that has come out of my late-night internet cruising is my discovery of Cat Marnell, xojane's infamous prescription-drug addicted beauty editor. That was until she quit her job there because she couldn't face spending another summer meeting deadlines and decided instead to spend her nights "on the rooftop of Le Bain, looking for shooting stars and smoking angel dust". She has since relocated to Vice where she writes about her life and experiences in the column 'Amphetamine Logic'.  

Cat's name was a buzz word over the internet this summer and as much as she has divided opinions and caused huuuuge controversy over her extreme honesty over such a taboo subject and her so called drug-glamorising, I can't help but like her.  She writes about her life as an active addict, as opposed to the ever-present recovery stories that the public are conditioned to.  

Blogger Andrea Coates wrote that "Hundreds of thousands of young girls are reading this and using it as the basis for what they see as cool", and while I disagree, I do believe that she has hit a nerve with teenage girls - no young, successful woman has ever written this frankly about active drug use.  I personally love her column and look forward to every new piece that she writes.  This one about Li-Lo is one of my faves. 

Cat is not claiming to be a role model; she instead is offering an insight into the logic and lifestyle involved in a world that few are privy to, and I find her work compelling reading.

Sooo..... go to Vice right now and read her stufffff - tell me what you think. You'll thank me later.

Old School

These NYC ladies are proof that good style never dies.  Ranging in ages up to 100, their life mottos include 'be curious and never stop having fun', 'celebrate every day and don't look at the calendar' and 'if everyone is wearing it, then it's not for me.'  Their elegance and class is timeless and is testament to the fact that personal style only grows with age.

These photos, shot by Ari Seth Cohen remind me of the poem 'I Shall Wear Purple' by Jenny Joseph and they really display a zest for life and a nonchalance that is so often lacking in the youth of today.

Lana Del Rey

LDR, one of the biggest stars to be born from the age of technology - bar my fave J Biebz, obvs.  She's nostalgic, she's americano and her voice is smoooooth like honey.

And that is all - no more words, just sweet music.

j

The Basics: White Shirt

I love these two looks so much.  A white shirt is the most perfect item of clothing ever invented.  Dressed up, dressed down, dressed all around (another rhyme?) - it can be worn with anything and goes with everything!

Sun Time

I love love love these chilled summer looks.  Even though they're not really summer, the clothes can be worn in any season, I just love the vibes of these photos.  Enjoy!

Terryfying

Sky Ferreira and Terry Richardson

COOLSPIRATION

Leandra Medine, aka The Man Repeller is literally style incarnate.  I would give my first-born child to procure her wardrobe, or even just her PS1 Mochila - my fave bag in the whole wide world.

She has this amazing ability to look like she just stepped out of the pages of Vogue, and for that I salute her.  Because no-one can compare, she also has really cool hair, I want to be her, she is a clothes connoisseur.  Or whatever, get rid of my rhyme, just check out these looks 'impeccable'. (said in French accent because I'm cool like that).

WISHLIST

There is only one thing on my wish list today, and that is this b-e-a-utiful piece of perfection by CC Skye.
Anybody got a spare $500?
Anyone??!

Flower Legs

Summer is here in name, but not quite in weather, so until we are graced with the burnt-back, strap-mark, maxi dress inducing summer heat, we need to find that balance of warm clothes with a summery feel.
Hence flower trousers/ palazzo pants/ leggings/ jeans - anything with a patterned leg.

 Voila some of my personal faves:
Proenza Schouler (on sale!!!),  Miss Selfridge and Stella Mccartney