Make friends not debts...

I certainly could not avoid retail in NY so I decided to treat it like visiting a gallery. I suggest you try this too, especially visit the best of the best. So what if you can’t afford the $8,000 dress or the $6,000 dinner set, if you’re not buying you can certainly look, admire and appreciate.

Bergdorf Goodman was my first stop. Instead of scouting out the latest fashion on the floors below I tripped up to the 7th floor to admire the home collection. There in front of me stood a divine individual dressed impeccably in his Italian wool check suit - introducing Joseph. Joseph and I began conversing in fashion passion jargon of all the things we loved. I had so much fun and I don’t even feel sad not to have bought anything. I have a new friend instead!!

Joseph tags his suit an investment piece, not doubting for a second that the initial outlay had not paid for itself. I can’t recall how often Joseph has donned his suit but I know for sure that the lovely crafted shoes are five years old, with one resole job they are still going strong. Joseph loves his shoes so much that he is proud to tell their five year tale.

On a non fashion note Joseph introduced me to a talented photographer and heirloom jewellery designer, Monica Rich Kosann. I am in awe of her family photography, it’s so engaging and charming. http://www.monicarichkosann.com/photography/

Newww Yooorrorororokkkk!!! daa daa dadadad daaa daddddddddddd ...

I’m in New York and what a slap in the face not being able to make a purchase from one of the many luscious boutiques dotted throughout the city. Ouch!!

On a more positive note, not spending so much time swiping the credit card allowed my eyes to readjust away from clothing and shoes to other wonders of NY. What an amazing city, here are a few NY moments I took captive.

Wondering the Highline I was fortunate to meet Douglas McRobb a photographer using film to capture unexpected New York subjects. Douglas sees beauty in the most interesting subjects that are really not obvious until his photos captivate you.  Check out www.douglasmcrobb.com.  Here is my favouite:

I need your help, yelp!

Today I felt the need to revamp a dress and to my despair this revamp task has turned to a floozy disaster.
 I was a little hasty and in the excitement of learning (after a flick through Grazia) that this Charlotte Goldenblatt number required as little as a hem- lift to create a whole new look. Now look, I got a little carried away and damn it, forgot the seam allowance? Who does that!!! Arrrrhhhhhh.

This is where you come in. I need your help with this one.
 So help me out and tell me if this is still wearable. I am known to be a little kooky sometimes and as my mum knows I wouldn’t ever listen to anyone who had an opinion on what I wear. But when it comes to low cuts and shorts skirts and what is accepted or frowned upon by folk such as yourself I do listen. Tell me truthfully, would you bat an eyelid in the street if you saw this hem line crossing your path???


P.S. As I write this I am wearing the dress – pins and all waiting for you to tell me if it's a keeper :)

xx Nao

Wanted! One pair of women's sunglasses

Packing for Morocco I realised I was deprived of a pair of sunglasses. Nup, not a single pair. The last pair I owned I carelessly left in Mum’s car just before leaving the country – not cool. I couldn’t possibly venture to Morocco during the height of summer plus trekking the Atlas Mountains without sun protection for my eyes. I am already anti wrinkle and crow’s feet conscious. At this stage I didn’t care for what style of glasses, I just needed them in desperation.

I called in a favour from my chic accessory buyer friend but unlucky for me she was sunning herself in Turkey and dry of samples.


I was then rocking back and forth in a frenzy thinking how I could possibly obtain a single pair of sunnies without resorting to retail. With only 32 hours remaining, I considered heading to Top Shop and shamefully revealing that I had not been successful in fulfilling this one year promise. BUT WAIT...I’VE GOT IT, I’VE GOT IT...


I had an idea...see my bill poster pictured below. This ‘wanted sign’ with much background thought was displayed to fellow residents. After only 12 hours guess how many pairs of sunglasses I packed into my Moroccan suitcase??? THREE!!! So very chuffed and so proud that I am still humbly engaged in my promise.


This just goes to show how creative one can be with minimal options and how people are willing to give and help out. Might I add, alongside this process I met three of my neighbours whom I can now call ‘friends with sugar benefits’.


I have pledged 20 pounds to charity for what it would have cost if I had to make the purchase.

 I have to say, not having a choice allowed me to step outside the norm 'safe' options and have some fun.  However for longevity and as a believer in classic shapes, here are a few of my picks:

From top to bottom:Top Shop (metal sunglasses by Le Specs 45.00GBP), Sportsgirl (39.95AUD) and for a splurge and no way leaving these babies lying around Tom Ford (Sabrina 230.00GBP)   xx NAO

Fashion's Night Out

How does one enjoy Fashion's Night Out on a ‘No-Spend’ budget? Hmmmmm.  IT WASN”T EASY!!! Nevertheless after a few deep breathes, free champagne and cup cakes I managed to enjoy a retail fashion event and come home with an empty shopping bag full of guilt free fashion inspiration!!!

Selfridge’s introduced me to Designer label Peter Pillotto. This creative duo gave a talk on their new-fangled printing technique as part of their latest collection. My favourite piece was this bomb pictured right, the spontaneous splash of orange leather and the heavy embellishment just made me salivate – mm mmm, it is divine – Yeap, that’s what I would have purchased if I could (if I wasn’t on this no-purchase-pledge and if I had a spare 2000 big ones).

And as for my Reiss finds – I adored the sweet pod clutch, this baby would be an all-time wardrobe keeper. So versatile, bring it out for those formal occasions and take it for a spin on a posh shopping day teamed effortlessly with jeans, heels and a blazer.

Loving the lace up wedge, mainly because it is an update of a pair of shoes I purchased two years ago and have worn nearly every second day since, through summer AND winter – that’s what I call thrifty! This one from Reiss is neutrally black, an easy to walk in wedge, ankle support, can be worn in summer with a dress and in winter over tights.

As for the hat, this shape is definitely not for this current day only, the sytle has been around for donkey's, I bet your bottom dollar you could find one just like it in Poppa’s wardrobe.

Collette Lace up wedge £179

Lena Gold Clutch £129

Fabio Grey wool hat £45

Suitcase Essentials

I knew it! I knew that a pair of white cotton trousers for my holiday was ‘the’ essential suitcase item. I donned my new sheet-trousers almost every day and the best thing was they were so light that at the end of each day I washed them out, all set for the next day - too easy!

 

Another suitcase essential proved to be my flip flops (embarrassingly called ‘thongs’ to those folk down-under). I have always been a little hostile to the Havianna phenomenon – I know, I know, I’m totally on my own here but I have never appreciated the ultra casual appeal and I prefer my foot to be strapped in and secure, oh and in addition I hate the loud clip-clop sounds that echo in your footsteps (especially walking down stairs).

I have owned my one pair of brown Havis for over 6 years, historically stored handy at the front door for quick runs to the car, painting the house and for the avoidance of tinea and germs in public showers.

I will eat my words – these common rubber planks that feed the Brazilian economy with an unbelievable mark up of 400%, were the only thing that resembled anything like a summer sandal in my existing wardrobe collection, so logically with this challenge-thing I am undertaking I proudly accepted that they were going to be the star footwear item of the holiday. And yes, it turned out, I wore them every day!!

My, my – I would have never imagined that I of all people would take my brown, paint splattered Havis out to a lovely Moroccan restaurant.

The one gross thing I must add is when wearing footwear that exposures so much of your bare foot there is so little protection from the puddles of grossness that splash up onto your skin and leave you desperately wanting to wash.

One thing leads to another

Whilst cutting the elastic off of the side of the sheet I started to admire what was unravelling before my scissors – the frilly white ruffle elastic. I fondled it and stretched it, then got myself in front of the mirror and started playing around with the scraps.

Introducing my new head bands worn 3-ways