Between The Lines

"It's good to read between the lines,

You never know what you may find.

Although it's often just white space,

I always check there, just in case"

~ Brian Bilston

Remember when I blogged recently about my gorgeous new Kitri sweater (here), and I'd mentioned having trouble choosing between the two different colourways available? Well, it was the new year, there was a sale, and I am weak, so of course I ended up getting the second jumper.

Also called 'Karla', and also made from the softest mohair, this one comes in a striking violet and palest pink colourway, with a bright azure blue detail to one sleeve. Featuring the same contrasting, somewhat skewed stripe print of my black and white 'Karla', this is the kind of statement knit that will look great however it's worn. I will pair it with midi skirts, mini skirts, and all styles of jeans, be they skinny, boyfriend, or cropped. The styling potential is endless, so investing in a second 'Karla' really was a no brainer. Honestly.

Here, I paired my jumper with pale denim skinny jeans and a fantastic pair of Aquazzura heels. These 'Blossom' mules, handcrafted from white, croc-effect leather, can dress up the most casual of outfits. Interesting fact: To ensure their shoes are as comfortable as they are beautiful, Aquazzura's designs are padded at the soles and have a specially developed silhouette to ensure weight is evenly distributed and the arch is supported. They are as comfortable as a pair of slippers!

I finished my look off with a white, vintage Judith Leiber bag (from the 70s I believe). It has a detachable strap so can be used as a cross-body bag for a laid-back daytime look, or as a clutch for a more dressed up evening look.

I wore this outfit for a lovely Sunday lunch in the Scottish Borders with my gorgeous man. Can you tell from the pics that it was a little blustery that day? It was unbelievably windy, and you should all know that I had just spent an hour... a whole hour... washing, blow drying, and straightening my hair for our outing. An hour. To be fair though, the gale force winds made for the funniest photoshoot ever, I literally thought we would both die laughing trying to get a decent photograph, and who doesn't love a tousled hair look!

Get The Look:

Jumper: KITRI 'Karla' Mohair Striped Jumper in violet

Jeans: J Brand 9326 Low-Rise Cropped Skinny Jeans in remnant (similar here)

Shoes: Aquazzura 'Blossom' croc-effect leather mules in white

Bag: Judith Leiber Karung Frame Clutch in Ivory (similar here)

Sunglasses: Tom Ford 'Carola' Round Frame Sunglasses in Black

Photos: Jason Connery ©

Thing To Wear

"Fashion is what you're offered four times a year by designers. And style is what you choose."

~ Lauren Hutton

Remember the olden days on this blog, when my favourite brand was the now defunct Winter Kate by Nicole Richie? Their hero piece every season was a vintage silk Kimono jacket or dress and I just couldn't get enough of them (see here and here). I never believed I would ever find a brand to compete with, never mind match, those gorgeous vintage inspired pieces that are still a huge part of my wardrobe. But I have found that brand, and they are fabulous! They are also Irish, always a bonus to me as I love to support great Irish design.

Squirrel Versus Magpie was founded by Gillie and Sarah Casey. The great name reflects the ethos and the challenges that face the brand. "Like the squirrel", they say, "it is our goal to be prudent and responsible with the environmental and human resources we use, while also satisfying the inner Magpie that wants beautiful, covet-able things".

Their collections are full of stunning dresses, printed tees with matching trousers (I want, I want!), silky shirts and great coats, but it was the beautiful silk kimonos that first caught my eye. Kimono literally translates as 'thing to wear' and their 'Amelia' thing to wear is a contemporary take on a centuries old design. The Kimono is designed, printed and made in Dublin. Every effort has been made to reduce waste at all points of production, so its carbon footprint is minimal.

I will wear this soft, silky, sensuous piece forever; it will look equally great with jeans and a t-shirt for a casual look, or with a little black dress for a very glamorous evening look.

Get The Look:

Kimono: Squirrel versus Magpie 'Amelia' Cropped Kimono in black

Tee: Jared Leto Classic V-Neck Tee in black (similar here and here)

Jeans: J Brand 9326 Low Rise Crop Skinny Jeans in silencia (similar here and here)

Boots: Christian Louboutin 'Ariella' Studded Boots (similar here)

Bag: Zara Evening Patchwork Pouch Bag

Photos: Jason Connery ©

Earning My Style Stripes

"Driving fast on the highway

I just want success to come my way

In that manner

But life isn't that simple

If it was, everything would feel reasonless

We have to earn our stripes to become zebras"

~ Peter Robert Hamilton

Some people hate to see summer come to an end, while some people long for the onset of cosy knitwear season. I love sweater weather, and I don't believe you can ever have too many great sweaters in your closet.

I'd had my eye on the violet version of this Kitri jumper of dreams for a while, but when push came to shove, I opted for the black, more pared-back version, as I knew it would go with absolutely everything. A mohair/wool blend knit, it features a contrasting, somewhat skewed stripe print that is a very modern take on the classic Breton style. Add to that an unexpected splash of violet at the cuff, a super-soft fluffy texture, an oversized fit, and you have a very cool sweater that takes cosy to a whole new level.

In keeping with the monotone colour, I styled my statement knit with black skinny jeans, and then dressed it all up with a sequinned patchwork pouch bag (glitzy drawstring pouches are the chicest bags for the upcoming Christmas party season, you'll see them everywhere) and the coolest black studded boots in Christendom. The end result is a simple, stylish look that can take me from day to night with absolute ease.

Get The Look:

Jumper: KITRI 'Karla' black mohair striped jumper

Jeans: J Brand 9326 Low Rise Crop Skinny Jeans in silencia (similar here and here)

Boots: Christian Louboutin 'Ariella' Studded Boots (similar here)

Bag: Zara Evening Sequin Patchwork Pouch Bag

Photos: Jason Connery ©

Orange Is The New Black

“Hill-tops like hot iron glitter bright in the sun,

And the rivers we're eyeing burn to gold as they run;

Burning hot is the ground, liquid gold is the air;

Whoever looks round sees Eternity there.”

~ John Clare

Autumn is coming, and with it comes cooler, crisper weather, and longer, darker nights. Gold, scarlet, and deep brown leaves tumble and pirouette from trees, to be crunched beneath our feet, and there is a sudden riot of colour everywhere.

As the October chill creeps into the air, it’s time for us to muffle up, and to think cosy and comfortable in terms of fashion; it’s time to wrap ourselves up in silky cashmeres and soft wools. It’s time to embrace sweater weather in style.

This boldly coloured sweater from Debenhams H! by Henry Holland range ticks all the boxes this season. In a soft cable knit, it is cut to an oversized silhouette, with balloon sleeves and ribbed trims. It will keep you toasty and warm throughout the Autumn/Winter months, and add a playful twist to muted looks. Orange really is the new black.

Get The Look:

Jumper: H! by Henry Holland Chunky Cable Knit Jumper in orange

Jeans: J Brand 9326 Low-Rise Cropped Skinny Jeans in remnant

Shoes: Golden Goose Sneakers in grey

Sunglasses: Cutler And Gross 0811 Oversized Sunglasses in Black

Photos: Photos: Jason Connery ©

California Dreamin'

“All the leaves are brown,

And the sky is grey.

I've been for a walk

On a winter's day,

I'd be safe and warm

If I was in LA.

California dreamin'

On such a winter's day”

~ The Mamas & The Papas

Stoned Immaculate Vintage is one of the best loved online vintage stores. Filled to the brim with hugely covetable pieces from the 1960s and 1970s, it is a treasure trove of fashion’s very groovy past.

It came as no surprise in 2015 when, off the back of such success, founder Chloe Chippendale partnered with designer Elliot Hans to create her own ready-to-wear collection of retro-inspired pieces. Called Stoned Immaculate: The Label, the line was created in the canyons of Los Angeles, and echoes California's golden era. Drawing inspiration from old photographs, books, and films, the Brand creates designs that will undoubtedly become future vintage treasures.

The hero piece from their latest collection is this retro, 1970s style sweater. Reminiscent of a beautiful California sunrise, it gives a playful nod to the decade’s effortless glamour, and is the perfect remedy for those lingering Winter blues.

Get The Look:

Sweater: Stoned Immaculate ‘California Dreamin’ Rainbow Sweater

Jeans: J Brand Hipster Low-Rise Straight Leg Jeans in jasper

Shoes: Golden Goose Superstar Leather Sneakers in grey (similar here and here)

Photos: Jason Connery ©