Route 66

"Well if you ever plan to motor west

Just take my way that's the highway that's the best

Get your kicks on Route 66

Well it winds from Chicago to L.A.

More than 2000 miles all the way

Get your kicks on Route 66"

~ The Rolling Stones

This is quite literally my dream Summer outfit; a little bit 70s, a little bit hippy, a little bit cowgirl. The shirt and shorts, by cool Aussie brand Spell & The Gypsy, were a gift last Winter and I've had to wait months to wear them; up to now I've only been able to try them on, gaze longingly at them, and dream of summer days when I would finally be able to wear them out!

The gorgeous tailored shirt, made from the softest, lightweight denim, features beautiful vintage inspired floral embroidery on the front, pockets and shoulders. The matching shorts, with a gently frayed hem are the sexiest shorts I've ever seen.

Styled with a great pair of ankle boots, this is the perfect Western meets boho look. The shirt also looks great worn with a short, flirty summer skirt and it is screaming out to be styled with a pair of cool suede shorts; I'm on the lookout for a pair so watch this space! 

Get The Look:

Shirt: Spell & The Gypsy 'Route 66' Chambray shirt

Shorts: Spell & The Gypsy 'Route 66' Chambray shorts (similar)

Boots: Ash 'Jalouse' Ankle Boots in taupe 
Photos: Kate Carpenter Photography ©

Dina

"There is a lady out east

Named Dina, well at least

She is the mistress of beasts"

~ Aztlanquill

Ganni, a cool Danish label founded in 2000, describes itself as a brand that "mixes the best of past icons but tweaked for the modern everyday girls of today".

Their beautiful Pre-Spring/Summer 2015 collection was inspired by one of the most influential and iconic photographers of our times, Corrine Day. Kate and I have long been admirers of her raw, exposed work that changed fashion photography forever. Corinne's photographs were unexpected; they were edgy, unadorned, and had a vulnerability and a roughness about them. She could put something beautiful into an ordinary space and make it look interesting and exciting. It shouldn't work but it does and that was a huge inspiration when we photographed this dress for the blog.

Ganni's gorgeous 'Dina' dress; I fell in love with it the moment I saw it. I fell in love with the colour, the shape, the soft, sensuous velvety material. I love that it looks like it could have stepped out of a 1970s episode of Charlie's Angels or a 1990s episode of Sex And The City. In a delicious pink colour-way, it features a draped wrapped front, a deep V-neckline, a stretch waistband and elasticated cuffs.

I styled it with cool studded heels and a tiny gold clutch bag for a grungily beautiful look.

Get The Look:

Dress: Ganni 'Dina' Dress in pink

Shoes: Christian Louboutin 'Mad Mary' Shoes in cream (similar)

Bag: Reiss 1971 'Selvi' Gold Box Clutch Bag (similar)

Photos: Kate Carpenter Photography ©

A Something In A Summer's Day

“A something in a summer’s Day

As slow her flambeaux burn away

Which solemnises me.

A something in a summer’s noon

A depth — an Azure — a perfume

Transcending ecstasy”

~ Emily Dickinson

The sun is shining so I'm living in shorts; the same old, much loved, well worn, irreplaceable denim shorts that appear, reappear and then appear again in this blog. I have to try hard to shake it up and style them with very special pieces so that I don't bore you all witless when you see them here time after time! No fear of that though with this gorgeous Étoile Isabel Marant Summer top.

The 'Cole' top features a round neck, frill trim, short sleeves, crochet panels and a ruffled hem. It is available to buy in white, blue and black but I couldn't resist this pretty, raspberry pink version.

It looks great with my old denim shorts but it works equally well styled with cute Summery skirts (a matching skirt is available here. I want it so much it hurts!), skinny jeans, a laid back pair of denim culottes or, while the weather is so glorious, a pristine pair of white shorts. Lush lush lush!

Get The Look:

Top: Étoile Isabel Marant 'Cole' Top in pink

Shorts: Zara Denim Shorts

Shoes: H by Hudson 'Mirar' Ankle Boots in beige (similar)

Easily Suede

"Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak."

~ Rachel Zoe

Suede is everywhere this season. The catwalks have featured it as a huge story for SS15; dresses, jeans, jackets, shorts, colourful accessories, suede will soon find its way into all our wardrobes in some form or other.

Soft suede feels great against the skin and this very cool, navy, suede tshirt by Emma Manley is a simple, easy-to-wear take on the trend. The bottom panels of this tee are made from soft perforated leather that moves like fabric. The top panels are not perforated and therefore sit slightly more firmly. A visible zip runs all the way down the back, the sleeves feature a soft, feminine gathering at the shoulder, and the neckline, hem & sleeves are hand cut with a decorative scalloped edge.

For a cute, off-duty look I paired my cool tee with my go-to denim shorts and a great pair of Summer ankle boots. 

As soon as I can afford it, I want to treat myself to one of Emma Manley's ah-may-zing leather necklaces (see here); it will look so cool with my lovely tshirt, immediately dressing it up for a great night out. Look out for it in a blog post soon!

Get The Look:

Top: Manley 'Mila' Suede Tee

Shorts: Zara Denim Shorts 

Shoes: H by Hudson 'Mirar' Ankle Boots in beige (similar)