Kat Von D Style Steal!

The other day something weired went on in cyberspace and inside my inbox, Kat Von D's camp/ people (could of it really been Von herself?I will never know, if you do read my 'ickle fashion rambling blog Kat then hello!Confession time, hands up I'm partial to style stalking you every once in a while but in a non creepy way may I just stress Okay I'll shut up now),shot me an email apparently they read one of my features from many posts ago (the post where I go into detail as to why Kat Von D must, must launch a fashion collection one day, the same post where I'm like blatantly gushing over her threads.How I'd ink myself up to my eyeballs despite being scared of all things sharp and needleish if it resulted in me gaining all access areas to Kat Von D's wardrobe inc her platform shoe collection.The same post where I thought, 'sod it' I'm going to create a moodboard of Kat's fierce style and insert text which read - style crush. Not at all creepy, or odd huh?No, no perfectly normal behavior.*Cringe what possessed me to do that? Bloody hell embarrassing isn't the word!).When I first began reading the email my first reaction was to throw it into the junk box 'this has got to be some sick prank, nobody reads this blog thing of mine'.How I'm glad I decided to continue reading the email as it lead me towards some intriguing attachment...only images of Kat Von D's frigging first ever fashion collection 2011.








images bing, and ink magazine



Breath, slow breathing I need to calm my ecstatic self down.Eekk I've been awaiting this moment for so long, the moment where I could at long last obtain a small piece of Kat's wardrobe.Kat Von D has been one of my style icons for years, I only stumbled upon her by pure accident when my friend who ran a tattoo shop flicked through my scrap book he said,"you could be doing this working as a tattoo artist- do it be the next Kat Von D!" Baffled my reaction was,"the next what who?"
I followed instructions set out for me by my artist friend to turn the box on, watch more TV and tune into a show called Miami Ink...instructions followed and cue my girl style crush.A style crush which some magazine types found comical at many intern interviews with my inspiration/icon mood board snubbed.Anywho's Kats debut fashion range is not one to be snubbed nor dismissed as just another celeb trying to be a fashion designer.Kat's debut collection is everything you'd expect and more from the gal who bought us High Voltage.The designs are brave, fierce with clean sharp structures which have an distinctive Kat Von D edge to them, the range also consists of stand out statement pieces which feature subtle and sophisticated mature rock & roll twists that prevents it from becoming too Avril Lavigne.You don't have to be a fan or give a hoot about Kat Von D to appreciate and heart this fine collection of designs. The only let down to this collection being it doesn't include a selection of shoes *sob, an idea for next time perhaps Kat?









images courtesy of Kat Von D


P.S...TOMORROWS POST-LOULOU LOVES YOU

On the cheap

Change to scheduled Kat Von D style steal post, see I've decided to brag about my bargain buys instead.What? It's been months since I tripped upon a vintage thrift treat, the charity shops in my local area have officially redeemed them rotten selves. Believe me inserting the word rotten isn't no harsh exaggeration, as one charity shop has not only vintage garments but a rather vintage odour that whifts around beneath the nose and dominates the air-urrgh p-e-g pleassse.I was uncertain whether to drag myself through that ordeal all over again after I failed last time leaving with only a nasty stubborn smell that refused to fade off my clothes and in my hair (vom)not exactly what I had in mind.After much should I, should I nots and reliving my last thrift nightmare I thought 'one more last time sod it.Be brave don't just take the easy option and opt for the nearest DP's' give it ago, get your thrift thinking hat on' so I adopted my own advice and did just that-am I mad?

One hour in why on earth did I swap today's highstreet shopping plans for charity shops again?No really please someone remind me?So far I've dragged myself around all the familiar charity shops, and picked up a glorious yellow pop art alarm clock which obviously I can't wear,or could I? Hmm what would Lady Ga Ga do?
Time for a break, oohh DP's is calling me I become distracted by a ditsy bird print blouse,red boat print dress, bright orange lace crop top and khaki military trousers (£5.00)...yes is in not either a skirt or dress wtf is wrong with me today?I only own two pairs of trousers and they are part of my work uniform!Did I really just bypass the boat dress, oh my days am I now really standing at the till waiting to purchase these trouser things (complete alien concept to me), Okay did I really just make trousers part of my wardrobe?Yikes I really did, didn't I? Two hours in to my failure of a shopping date,now regretting my random khaki military mistake I decide to make Sue Ryder
my last and final thrift stop of the day,(only because I was swayed by a fruit salad print tea pot in the window display and a set of sticks for my drum kit)before I head home no doubt shall be feeling very much deflated.
Wrong I exited the charity shop feeling smug and very much smitten with my Sue Ryder fashion goodies vintage shoulder bag-tick,floral tapestry needlepoint clutch/purse handmade by a granny somewhere-tick,cream chiffon mix Pussybow blouse-tick,charming feather necklace-tick.Tick, tick and tick again man I done good on the cheap (insert even more smuger face here), I have faith in thrifty fashion once again hoorays for that!











P.S...TOMORROWS POST - KAT VON D STYLE STEALING

Should be sleeping

...but I'm wide awake instead so figured might as well do a wee quick post as wireless connection failed me big time earlier today (by-the-by I saw your comments much love thanks I always forget anyone reads this so I'm still surprised when I see they/you do!)despite me waving around the laptop above my head in different corners of the house,'wait, I've got it I'll try the attic room, it has to work up there!' Wrong.But heyho the invisible magic that is wireless has once again returned, and on time for me to show off this kooky little purse by Nicky Snow...me needs!



P.S...TOMORROWS POST KAT VON D STYLE STEAL

Star gazing

As promised an outfit post, I feel I should have put more effort into my hair/make up and strike a stylish pose like all the cool kids do, except it's Saturday and I'm far too lazy to fuss about.So a dress and tight combo it is. With hair scoped back in a bun as in all honesty its due a wash! I went star gazing late last night (it's what I do when I'm not stalking fashion, stalking stars instead),and it seems to of had an instant domino effect on today's wardrobe choice.This dress is quite old probably vintage in fashion magazine terms?I picked it up from Primark many moons ago when I was a bake bean broke student it was in the dump bin near the till point I saw the star print peaking out from underneath a bunch of old Xmas novelty socks. Before I could grab the star dress my friend beat me to it and sarcastically told me "I'll get that for you that way when you go looking up at the night sky you can at least geek it up in true star style." So that's the little story behind this £2 dress, which I'm never ever saying goodbye to.Happy weekend my loves...mwa!

Tough Whimsical Girl

I've been inspired by my friends blog posts to play wardrobe catch up and dedicate an hour (or two, or indeed three)to crack on and do some serious clothes shopping. I'm not the spontaneous shopper,I can't just go and hit h&m and randomly browse through rails buying whatever jumps out at me. Because I know that this method of shopping simply clogs up my wardrobe with items that are only destined for the fashion recycling bin that is e to the bay.I do envy those who can just dive straight in for a Primark basket and pile it up high.It's sad that I fail to function without the company of my lists,and I mean lists. Lists for everything,plan, plan,plan striving away for impossible perfection.It can become quite a migraine from time to time hence why often I go clothes shopping alone!Or of course get my click on and fire up the computer for online shopping, no need to play elbow wars then with fellow shoppers, which is definitely for me the big attraction with online shopping- you escape bruise free!No need to risk your life and limb, no need to tolerate standing underneath an armpit for a roof on the packed out train (yesterdays commute is still very much annoying me.Is it obvious?) instead you can sit down eat ginger cake and click-click way until your mouse actually begins to squeak from all the scrolling.

Whether I'm shopping on the highstreet or in cyberspace the reality is I still require two things before I get started a) big mood boards and b)lists with all the items I'm looking for grouped correctly together i.e bag options grouped together, dress options grouped together. There is a method to my compulsive madness it prevents from straying and spending money on crap I don't need such as yet more coloured/patterned tights and chiffon pleated skirts (that's another post altogether) thus leaving me with more change for cafes and coffee which admittedly I'm suppose to avoid but hell gotta live on the edge!I thought I'd stopped with all the rambling? Seems not.Ah yes so online shopping my list is complete after much research I've finally found a poor mans version of THEM Miu Miu platforms by Fearne Cotton for Very who's collections I always develop a crazy crush on, despite my default hatred for most celebrity 'fashion collections' Cottons clothes always have such brilliant little touches and details.Good example being the peter pan bead collar Toile de juoy print dress which just so happens to match a charming little teapot I own. Nice I can blend into the surroundings of my kitchen.Another Fearne dress I've added to my list is the tomboyish dungaree denim dress which reminds me of a very similar denim dress I lived in every summer down the local park getting dizzy on roundabouts and dripping ice cream on me ...don't worry I was four years old, it isn't recently.It's going to be a challenge opting for just the one Ferane Cotton frock. Hmm I'm swaying more towards the one that matches my teapot, I'm lurrrvin the whimsical design though whether that peter pan collar will do me any favours I'm not entirely convinced?I've had problems with 'em peter pan collars: peter can have them back me thinks?! Moving on and away from teapots, peter pan and all charming whimsical dresses, the other item on my shopping list is a fierce I'm talking Kat Von D fierce
pair of Iron Fist lace ups, contrast to the delicate, pretty Fearne frock I guess underneath this grown up twenty something exterior remains the inner twelve/thirteen year old emo-goth partial to heavy black khol pencils and skulls.Tough, whimsical girl?







images very.co.uk

So there you have it my Saturday is sorted I can't even recall the last time I had a Saturday all to myself?I'll probably swan around the house be vain and do a little outfit post tomorrow.Are any of you doing some Saturday clothes shopping? Do spill...

Wood you? Yes I wood!

One of Angie Johnson's fringtastic chain necklaces has been on my wardrobe wish list now since oohh lets say FOREVER, maybe not the most practical choice of accessory for someone as accident prone as I am? What with all those glorious layers of swishing,swaying, swooshing dancing strands of multi-coloured fringe another "my scarf is trapped in the train door, ekk . Help!" will surely be a repeat episode if I were to opt for a Norwegian Wood item. However its a risk I'm willing to take and indeed put my life on the line for (bloody train doors)if it means I can get my fringing flick on then so be it.I can no longer deny myself a piece of wood I've had a weak spot for all things fringed since '09.Flirting with fringed bags, fringed leather skirts, fringed tops,fringed jewellery:pretty safe to say this is no fickle fashion phase unlike all the other fashion phases that I've fell in and out of love with faster than you can flick a fringed necklace at...hmm my fashion phases where to begin?'07 was my summer (and winter)of neon's and nudes,'08 was my six months of mono mayhem mocked by many who I know (mono will return yes a giant mono monster shall gate crash your a/w wardrobe this year)'09 was my space journey through the universe bypassing red giants, nebula's and vast milkyways via my even more vast collection of psychedelic space inspired print tee's by spring '09 I began gravitating towards fringing especially suede, fringed suede skirts which I collided and clashed with my futuristic space tee's(What? Flapper meets space cadet seemed like a brilliant idea?Come on I bet you tried it too? Didn't you, huh?Nope Okay just me then?)Convinced this was nothing except another phase in which I become fixated on and wear out until I can no longer tolerate the sight of anything remotely flapper-esque I made the very wrong decision not to invest in an Norwegian Wood statement fringed necklace. Did I mention this was a very wrong decision?
After much consideration and despite those near death experiences I discover myself in whenever I wear long layers of necklaces, I'm going to do it. I'm going to commit and at long, long, long last and God damn it get my frigging fringe on...err if this blog goes silent all of a sudden I've been trapped in a train door, or indeed bus door, either way doors shall mostly be involved if not a hundred percent guaranteed?

Faking it

Once upon a time as all you long term readers may already be aware of I was an hardcore vintage addict always rummaging around my local shops sniffing out for my next funny smelling pre-loved vintage fix.And whether it took me minutes, hours or complete three day weekends I'd be dead set on snagging something, anything a bit old, a bit dated, a bit granny,a bit dusty, a bit ugly to everyone yet extremely beautiful in my eyes.When your lucky enough to live in such close distance to cool thrift shops, and vintage boutiques you take it for granted: just like one takes their Topshops, Primarks and Newlooks for granted. Its easy shopping that you become accustomed to and think nothing more of it, simply rails buckling underneath the weight of glorious garments.
Well I'm beginning to learn the hard way not to take thrift/ vintage shops for granted, as I now live an area which is surrounded by mind boggling, busy, dizzy shopping centres and a city that on every corner has a cool trendy buzzing H&M, Riverisland,French Connection and Zara etc - etc.No thrift stores or vintage hang outs (wait a minute I just need to dry my eyes*) and try as they might these highstreet giants to create vintage look-a-like collections the majority fail to get it and understand what makes vintage vintage. I've not yet found one single convincing vintage inspired piece in any highstreet store, because they fail to capture the essence of vintage by making silly design detail errors.Such as using the wrong fabric and incorrect colourways that say a vintage Sixties dress would of never consisted of.Being a complete fuss pot, and Sixties obsessive I can't help but spot these silly little design hick ups which with all my might I cannot shrug off or ignore.Which is a real pity because I'm beginning to experience cold turkey withdrawn symptoms,until I find a local vintage treasure gem of a shop I've made the bold decision to ...fake it.

I know, and yes I do remember me preaching about how very much I detest fake vintage, how much of a joke a mass produced highstreet garment dressed up as vintage can be, how over my dead body I'll never be seen faking it how vintage must be the real genuine McCoy or you risk looking like your about to attend an Austin Powers themed costume party.In my defense these extreme vintage beliefs of mine were before I was made aware of fashion designer Kylie Malcolm. This girl gets vintage!Kylie's very pretty dresses are constructed using a mixture soft recycled and found vintage fabrics, ric-rac, ruffles and lace make Kylie Malcolm's vintage inspired dresses, skirts and accessories genuine more genuine compared to the highstreets failed attempt at vintage.Faking it is easy when wearing Kylie's garments now all you need to do is start scouring and digging around for a pair of fabulous vintage shoes.





P.S...TOMORROWS POST NORWEGIAN WOOD ACCESSORIES