rolling

The respect I have for people who keep up to date with editing and posting whilst on holidays is pretty big right now. With the excuse of 3 children under my care I am going to save time on writing out my excuses coughcough skip through a whole 2 weeks of pure, beautiful, powdery snow and land you here with me in New York, New York.

We landed at 2am - got to our Chelsea apartment at 5am, didn't get to sleep til 7am and I was up at 9am so as hard as I try, I truly don't remember too much of how I got to 11th Street Cafe but I do remember the sweet satisfaction of making the effort as soon as I was gobbling down the tastiest (well, equal tastiest with youeni provides) scrambled eggs I have ever eaten. Swiss cheese, tomato, avocado, hold on the chives. They didn't even come with toast and yes before you vomit at the thought of eggs without toast you would need to try them. In saying that, the friendly owner - seen above in the hat - who calls every woman in the shop darling or sweetheart did bring me some fresh baguette close to when I had already finished which I think I heard him saying they bake themselves...but don't quote me on that.
The cafe and never ending line seemed to be filled with West Village locals who come to get what they want on a Sunday morning; food, coffee, a read of the paper and a cosy seat in the sunshine if you happen to get lucky and walk through the door just as someones getting up. I kept hearing about the 'scene' of Sunday brunch in New York but I appreciated, especially with the dark circles under my eyes and dirty hair hidden under a beanie, that this little place was lacking in scene but making up for it in understated charm and character.






I have been eating and walking and looking in the occasional shop and got to oh so casually meet up with Hannah Rose and do some nice things that I know you'll find nice too, so more on that in my next post.

Photos: Rachel Kara

see

It was a rather chilly Vancouver day and I was on a jet lagged fueled mission - coffee, the good stuff. None of this Blenz or Starbucks shiz that I must say was very conveniently on every corner looking warm and accessible, no, definitely not. DON'T SETTLE FOR CONVENIENCE PEOPLE. A quick "best cafe Vancouver" Google search and a longish walk later I found myself in Revolver on Cambie Street. Exposed brick walls, bench tables for friends and making friends, boutique beans perfectly selected for a mellow drip or punchy espresso, precisely & beautifully brewed tea. I was home!
It's funny how we go away to see new countries & cultures only to find ourselves drawn into what feels most familiar and similar to what we already know.
I sat and wrote and sipped then made friends with a local who works for "nerd company" Mozilla and gave me a sip of his coffee. Friendly bunch these Canadians.
Whilst offering some nice looking baked goods at Revolver I was in need of something a little more substantial and a glowing sign promising meat & bread at aptly named Meat & Bread, right across the road, lured me in for a delicious slow roast lamb roll with some sort of tzatziki coleslaw thing I can't really remember because I was too busy devouring it.
Hurried back to the apartment after stopping in at Seares to make a thrilling purchase of socks (x 5, gloves and a beanie) happy and ready for the next days drive along the Sea to Sky Highway to see what else Canada could offer.

Photos: Rachel Kara

classic

Almost better than dancing at Oxford Art Faxtory on a Friday night is getting photo booth at Oxford Art on a Friday night. These people make family a non biological term. Love

wear else

It has been recomended I don't share publicly how much I cried during Bill Cunningham New York...so I won't - but I did. He is such a treasure...and I like his voice and his laugh so have been obsessing over these videos. Darling!




My goose down is packed and I'm roaring to go!

lover.

I want to start posting outfit photos again but frick I get awkward. Think I'll have to get into the selfies. Feel a lot more comfortable with just me, my 5D and a remote.
We decided he looks like a weathered old photographer who's just come back from a jungle safari in this photo...but that's totally ok, babe.



Dinner involved a grass fed black angus 250gram tenderloin and a poorly matched but very tasty Mai Tai. Happy Birthday to meee! Getting dressed involved what is quickly becoming my go-to Lover dress where I swapped the usual nude slip for a black one and added Mum's black belt instead of the fabric tie just for a bit of kick. Some features include; the ability to be worn with flats, some modesty length at the back, a no iron floaty fabric, stand out colour (I irrevocably will associate that magical red with this years S/S White Serpent collection), no special strategical undergarment requirements, button up, or down, depending on occasion and it's is suitable for seasonal layering...this really does tick my boxes of a more-than-one-wear investment 'occasions' dress.

birthday suit

My biological clock flips over to start my 24th year on Thursday and I haven't been particularly supportive of the retail environment lately but I broke the cycle in honour of my birthday and have bought myself a minxy little number to wear out for Friday night drinks!
I picked them up delighted to finally find a pair of summery, fresh, high waist, wide leg jeans at a bargain price - only to discover as I investigated further what looked somewhat like an extra bib of denim firmly secured to the top. Ermmm ok not quite what I had in mind (nor on my 'classics only' investment list) but before I knew it I was wiggling myself in and am now head over heels for my new, banging 70's denim halter jumpsuit. Me-ow.








I think Wrangler has made a very well informed decision taking on Boo George as their latest asset, the last 3 campaign images gaining lots of love & attention web wide. I particularly love the choices he makes in models. How can something come across as being so deliberately orchestrated yet so organic at the same time?

Photos: Boo George

imagein

Apologies for the exposed lump of uneccesary thigh flesh peeps.




More? Ok. Cute babies & flowers gooooo













Just getting you up to speed with my film shooting adventures which are still new and novelty to me so I will apologise if every time I post photos that have been shot this way I feel the need to mention it.

PS hey guys I'm going to New York next week...just found out yesterday. Heard some bloggers will be in town? HOLA!

x

Photos: Kodak Porta 400 Pentax 67 by Rachel Kara

hello

I have missed blogging. Sharing, connecting, venting, challenging, discovering. I have seen a lot but I haven't shared. I have had time for people, but I have kept to myself. I have too many thoughts and let them go round and round my head. I have had ideas, but haven't implemented them.

I have learnt that for me, more emotion -or at least emotion that brings action- comes from my heartbreak & trials than love & stability. My loneliest days last year brought the most viewed, commented, frequent and real posts. I forged ahead with work and was given new opportunities that I took on boldly. I wrote and noticed things about myself and how I relate to the world around me. I took time to dream a dream for my future. Something that seemed like a far off fantasy...that I can't even seem to remember now.

And then I stopped. Or slowed down at least.

I aim to get this back not this year, or this month - NOW, tomorrow, the day after....and the one after that. Not the heartbreak part but the activating bettering part of me that gets switched on with it.

Oh and I like the 'personal' section of photographers website the best. I mean, why not get personal?

Photos: Sofia Sanchez & Mauro Mongiello