We're all mad here.

I love this t shirt - a bargain in the sale at Orphans Arms, who are my favourite unusual-slogan quoting outfit, because their clothes contain lots of literary allusions that I love - and definitely think there should be more of! Even better, I got this one in the sale, and the skirt was an H&M buy from Ebay that was only a few pound. So a brilliant way to dream of chasing white rabbits for next to nothing. And that's all I've been doing today - reading, dreaming, clearing out old things, rediscovering old books. Perfect. Now time for a cup of tea to go with that teapot...

Ice and fireworks

Now, it's an ironic fact about my brain that in the dead of winter I'm always complaining that I haven't seen sun for months, and in the summer I long for huge jumpers, autumn frosts, chestnuts, scarves, and curling up on the sofa with my DVD of Tess of the D'Urbervilles (that lovely series with Gemma Arterton that was on the TV a few years ago).

So, the previews of the autumn/winter fashions that are emerging have got me longing for burgundy wool jumpers, purple tweed pencil skirts, scarves, enormous coats, mustard coloured tights, and frozen fingertips far too impatiently. It is lovely to see some colour on the winter runway...

These photos are from Topshop and Primark - I usually hate to jump on the Topshop bandwagon, as I usually don't see what all the fuss is about and generally think that the clothes are overpriced because of the label. Having said that, I might make an exception for those silver shoes and that purple hat. But as Primark's styles look like a country secretary on acid too, I have high hopes for the season in general! Think I might need to start saving now - sigh...

I'm back, after a crazy spring, you'll have noticed. Hope to do a lot more with this blog now. I missed it...

The kings and queens of England

Now, I really want some of these, and the voice that says big pants may not be the easiest thing to wear for most occasions does not seem to quite be winning over the one that says, I just want them. To buy and love or to admire from afar?

As a student of history and a bit of a feminist, I do love Elizabeth the First!

Sweet nightmare

I'll have my lace with the dark dreams of the forest captured in the web. I'll float with spring blossom in the breeze, but my eyes are sharp and my grip strong. I don't want your fairytales if I can't run with the wolf in the forest and follow the axe-man to a seedy motel. I want ice and a cold bite, a dress made of moonlight that casts its own spell. True heroines are only part sugar, and the rest is sharp spikes.

(Dolce and Gabbana, Marchesa, Marios Schwab, Coco de Coeur, Alice Kipps, Australian Vogue).

Futuristic cyber love.

That white ensemble = the best outfit ever, full stop. I can't even say how much I want that orange hair... I love the look of the whole thing.

Why do people not dress this fun in reality?!

Why I spent all my Christmas money in one shop...

I blame River Island for my new addiction to all things black, gold and leopard print. Haven't bought anything there in years, and now I want the whole shop! Shiny and with an edge - what a great combination, like a royal punk! I can't wait for Christmas.

(leopard skirt photo from Strutt La Mode blog, they've sold out so I couldn't find another one!)

The Solitary Walker

In the streets and in society I am almost invariably cheap and dissipated, my life is unspeakably mean... But alone in the distant woods or fields, in unpretending sprout-lands or pastures tracked by rabbits, even in a bleak and, to most, cheerless day like this, when a villager would be thinking of his inn, I come to myself, I once more feel myself grandly related, and that cold and solitude are friends of mine. I come home to my solitary woodland walk as the homesick go home'. - Thoreau

(lissy elle, art.com, marie hochhaus)