Sparkling London skyline

Tessa and Molly at Sushi Samba this week, looking fab against London sparkling beyond

Fuerteventura

Last week Tessa and I went on our first ever all inclusive package holiday. There was lots of sunshine, swimming and German Nudists, much to our delight. It also offered the great opportunity of digging out my summer wardrobe and smugly putting it on before everyone else back home had donned theirs.... 

 

An inch or so above the bed

My birthday present from West Polar, embroidered by her own fair hand.

Winter Essentials

Last weekend I hopped on a train with Tessa and spent a couple of days on the Isle of Wight. It was very wintery weather and the coastline looked dramatic as we watched the rain blow in.

Of course Tessa and I debated high brow topics all weekend, but in between and especially on the platform at Southampton station we discussed what items we most need (want) in our wardrobes this winter. This discussion was prompted by my favourite jeans which basically fell apart as I was wearing them over the weekend, and are now sadly too embarrassing to wear due to a rather large rip in an unfortunate place.

Jeans shopping is never fun in my book, and now sadly I am forced to seek some out. R.I.P £12 Primark jeans I have worn for 3 years.
 We agreed on the notion that jeans were an essential winter purchase. We also discussed boots, trainers, coats...
We decided this was not an essential:

 But for me, these definitely are and have been for many years running now:

Another great winter comfort is my massive fleece lined parka that I got a couple of years ago in Manchester. It really means business.

I tend to think the things to spend money on over the winter months are on pieces that you wear on the outside, i.e shoes, boots, coats etc... Everything else seems to be covered up the rest of the time. There's a lot of talk about knitwear at the moment. I've been a jumper lover for years and years. You can read my knitwear musings here, here and as well as an attempt to save a beloved knit here.

Hide Out

Tessa in her new camo coat.

Chilly?

Not in this weather but I really love Tessa's chilli print skirt, especially with her electric blue suede platforms.

Beaded Breakfast

Last week Tessa and Rosa took me to see the new Liza Lou exhibition at White Cube, Hoxton Square. Tessa had done a good job getting me interested in Liza Lou's work prior to the visit. It was a bit disappointing as what was exhibited differed such a lot to her earlier work, some of which I think is incredible - a beaded kitchen!!  Instead it was a lot more reserved:

Untitled #8, 2011

Untitled #1, 2011-12

Zulu Love Letter No.2, 2011-12

I do actually quite like these particular pieces and enjoyed seeing them at the show, but wasn't blown away by the exhibition at all. The intensity of her earlier works such as 'Kitchen' (below) had eased and the beads no longer seemed to make the statement that they could rival paint, but instead simply mimicked it.

Breakfast is my favourite meal of the day, and I generally love anything breakfast related... This probably explains why Liza Lou's 'Kitchen' is such a hit with me, it comes complete with fried eggs

 

Kitchen, 1995 

For anyone who wants to know a bit more, here is an enjoyable read in the form of W Magazine's feature on Lou a few years back. And just for good measure, here is another beaded post from Bethnal Green Road last summer.

More Ice

In relation to the ice post below:

Tessa with new ring from Shepherd's Bush pawn shop, and necklace from me for her birthday. (Pope Julius would be proud.) This outfit was thrown together in 5 minutes before rushing out the door for lunch, and after a very late night celebrating her birthday, I was in awe.

 

(Quite enjoying 'The Killing' box set - yet to be watched - propped up outside Tessa's room)

7 days of Style

 

Daisy Boyd

Tessa Griffith

 

Rosa Curtain

 

Frances Costelloe

 

Hannah T-W

For those who missed these lovely ladies showcasing their amazing wardrobes... Here are 7 days of outfits from each, just click on their picture to see more.

Tequila Sunrise

It might be getting slightly boring how regularly I mention that I love Shepherd's Bush, but... I only went out to buy a battery (for this amazing watch, no luck sadly), when I spotted:

Tequila sunrise air freshener... Ironically I think air freshener is typically used to remove the smell of spilled tequila.
I was reminded of Tessa's lighter post by these

Granted, Tessa's lighters had some cultural context - I was just bowled over by the variety on offer here. There was even fuego for the more intellectual type:

 

Bright spark, Einstein. (sorry).

Blast from the Past

Tessa's CD's are famous, but stopped being made sadly a few years ago.....UNTIL NOW:

It was a merry Christmas indeed with some new music from West Polar.

(Googled 'polar bear with heaphones on')

Collage

I wrote a post about Tessa's collage skills earlier this summer, with her CD cases. Her talent doesn't stop there - here is the card she made me for my 21st birthday

 Its looking quite shrine like in my room at the moment.

Tessa in 7days

A lot of what I wear is stolen/inspired by Tessa, especially because we live together. I am waiting for the day when Tessa creeps into my room after I've left for work, and steals something of mine (like I do to her all the time), it would be a big compliment. Here are her 7 days:
Tuesday 11th October

Army Jacket - Portobello (have worn it solidly for about five years)
Jumper - H&M
Jeans and socks - Topshop
Necklace - Topshop
Bag - Louise Gray Show
DMs - Second hand
Wednesday 12th October

Fluffy Jumper - H&M. I spent the whole day in a world of fluff and my eyes got really itchy
Dress worn as skirt - H&M
DMs - as before
Necklace - Parts collected by Tessa - Shiva and baby Jesus. There used to be a policeman and Shakespeare too but they've fallen off :-(
Thursday 13th October

Jeans - Topshop
Stripey top - H&M
Knitted jumper - Charity shop
Black and white gingham socks - H&M
Lousie Gray bag - as before. I bought the black ghoul from the co-op but it fell off within two days.
Friday 14th October

Skirt - H&M

Tshirt - from Venice, turned inside out

Necklace - Topshop

DMs - as before

Saturday 15th October

Nirvana Tshirt - old ebay

Jeans - Topshop

Rucksack - H&M

Jacket - Portobello

Union Jack socks

DMs - as before, polished in Brighton!

Sunday 16th October

Oatmeal roll-neck jumper - Charity shop

Black Tshirt and Jeans - Topshop

Red velvet DM boots - Gumtree

Watch - Casio

Rucksack - Kipling

Necklace - Shiva and baby Jesus (as before)

Monday 17th October

Shirt - A friend

Jeans - Topshop

Red suede DM Boots - as before

Tuesday 18th October

Oatmeal roll-neck jumper -Charity shop

Tie-dye striped dress - Peacocks

Loafers - Russell & Bromley

Coat with leather arms - Zara

Bag - Grandpa's

Necklace - as before

Thank you Tessa!

For More 7days:

Rosa: http://whatisshelike.blogspot.com/2011/09/rosa-in-7-days.html 
Fran: http://whatisshelike.blogspot.com/2011/09/fran-in-7days.html
Hannah: http://whatisshelike.blogspot.com/2011/10/hannah-in-7days.html
Daisy: http://whatisshelike.blogspot.com/2011/11/daisy-in-7days.html