SS13 On My Mind: Katie Grand x Hogan - Three Floor - Nelly.com's Issue 3.1 Posted by Unknown |

On my mind this week. 1. These pink oval sunglasses by Katie Grand for Hogan How cute does Cara D. look in them and why are they not for sale on the Hogan website?

2. Did I read online somewhere that Three Floor are opening a London store? I can't find the link now. Anyway, most affordable and just look how insanely cool the photography and styling is. Top marks to that shirt with the contrast pockets.

3. The mountainous and rocky desert backdrop setting of Nelly.com's new Issue 3.1 SS13 collection – where was this shot?? Plus loving the femi-masculine look quite hard.

Interview: Fashion Blogger Ella Gregory From Coco's Tea Party Posted by Unknown |

Photo credits: Top left: Street Peeper Top right: Abi Marvel  Bottom left & right: Coco's Tea Party

stylonylon interviews Ella Gregory

One of the UK's top fashion blogs, Coco's Tea Party was launched in 2006 by stylist and fashion journalist Ella Gregory. Ella blogs an intoxicating mix of daily celebrity news, magazine covers, catwalk collections and shopping. Plus, of course, a scattering of the ever popular What I Wore outfit posts. In 2012, Ella was featured in the Independent's "Twitter 100" feature and collaborated with River Island on a Coco's Tea Party accessories collection. Here, she tells us a bit about blogging and her style.

1. What are the key things that have contributed to your blogging success?
Hard work. But beyond that I have a real passion for blogging, so that obviously makes it easier to dedicate so much time to making Coco's Tea Party a success. I also try to read as much as possible, as it's impossible to constantly have new story ideas if you're not up-to-date with the latest fashion/celebrity news.

2. What key pieces of clothing and accessories can't you live without?
Skinny jeans are my number one. I wear them year round. J Brand and James Jeans are my favourite designer labels, and on the high street I like Topshop. In winter I live in oversized knits – this season I'm crazy about my Elizabeth and James knit – and in summer it's all about tank tops and lightweight jackets.

3. What is on your shopping wish list right now? Have you bought anything in the January sales?
I haven't actually bought anything in the sales. At the moment I'm searching for the perfect pair of leather leggings (I'm not sure they even exist!) and stocking up on printed shirts for Spring 2013.

Follow Coco's Tea Party on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Images c/o Coco's Tea Party

Printed shirt // Tank top // Leather leggings
(NB. These three items are my choices – not Ella's. I just took a guess at what she might like. :)
Do you think they match Ella's style?)

What I'm Wearing: How To Wear A Denim Skirt - Part 4 Posted by Unknown |

Kina skirt SS13 - Riyka* // Olsen brogues - Hudson* // Silk blouse - Topshop (similar here) 
// Aurum Fortuna earrings  & rings - Comfort Station*

The fourth and final part of my How To Wear A Denim Skirt series – see Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3. I really have tried doing the collar buttoned right up to the top, but it just doesn't work on me. Neck probably too short, I'm thinking. Luckily this cafe latte coloured silk blouse from Topshop (long sleeved black version here) has a second button pretty close to the top so I think I'm still managing the preppy hipster vibe. Sort of. Anyway, the skirt you've seen before, part of the fabulous Riyka SS13 collection and the delicious mint coloured brogues are Hudson. Earrings (recently spotted on Kimberly from Girls Aloud) and rings by my favourite Brick Lane jewellery boutique Comfort Station. I've also included some close-ups in this post. Hope you like them, I totally meant to do this before.

THE CLOSE UPS

Net-a-Porter Sale Edit - Further Reductions - Up To 70% Off Posted by Unknown |

SHOP NOW >

Net-a-Porter's sale continues, now with up to 70% off. I had a quick trawl this morning under a cloud of sales anxiety – things get snapped up SO quickly. My heart's beating too fast just at the thought of it, already a gorgeous pair of K Jacques sandals in black have disappeared from the sale page. Gulp. Anyway, here's my edit. For me, sales are all about smart shopping, picking out those pieces you know are going to stand the test of time. I'm talking luxe tees, denim staples, chunky knits and forever flats and bags. Good luck! And if you snap anything up be sure to let me know. I'm weighing up between a couple of Kain tees or the aforementioned K Jacques gladiators, in orange.

Stylonylon Is Blog of the Month on We Heart Home! Posted by Unknown |

I'm thrilled to be featured as Blog of the Month on new interiors blog We Heart Home. Holly and Trisha asked me all sorts of questions about journalism, blogging and style and I divulged all. Well, nearly. :) Read the full interview here. 

2013 New Year Blogging Resolutions Posted by Unknown |

It's taken me a few days into 2013 to clear my head and figure out the specifics of what I've got planned for my blog this year – raising my profile and increasing traffic aside :) – but now we're back home there are so many things I want to do. The above are the blogging related ones that floated to the surface tonight.

1. You may have noticed 99% of my outfit posts are taken inside. This is for two reasons – I take the photos myself and am too self-conscious to shoot outside with my tripod with people passing by. However, outdoor light and different locations both make for much better results, so I'm going to have to start pushing out of my comfort zone.
2. Somehow listening to new music has fallen out of my life in the last few months. I'm going to force myself to rectify that by adding a 'I'm listening to...' at the end of each blog post. Can't wait to start doing this. In fact, I already did! See previous post.
3. I need to work on shutter speed and exposures and experiment more in Photoshop.
4. My Canon G11 is sitting practically unused at the moment, so I think eBaying it to replace with the new Canon M might be a good solution.
5. Obviously I'd love to keep working with new brands but I also think it might be fun to start shooting other people on a more regular basis. In fact, I already have someone in mind, a rather beautiful actress friend. Watch this space.
6. As a freelance journalist, interviewing is one of my favourite activities. It's been great introducing interviews to the blog and I want to keep them coming.
7. I joined both Pose and Lookbook in 2012 and now I need to get posting.
8. Life feels busier than ever but I do love a bit of craft and DIY, so I really want to make time for abit of knitting, crochet and sewing.

So, that's about as far as I got. What about you? What are your resolutions, blogging or other, for 2013?

Stylonylon Interviewed For XOJane's Beauty Snoop Posted by Unknown |

A few snaps of my dressing table taken by XOJane's Fashion & Beauty Editor for the Beauty Snoop interview. It's the first of the series and really in-depth – Phoebe the editor really got down to the nitty gritty! Read the interview here.

**Today I'm listening to Superfishality by Fallulah**

(New year's resolution - posting music!)

What I'm Wearing: Blue Denim & Round The World All Stars Posted by Unknown |

Some outfits are the equivalent of a bowl of heartwarming chicken soup. Blue jeans, navy jumper and white All Stars is mine. I pretty much lived in jeans, jumper and sneakers over the holiday period. It's easy living fashion for taking it easy when you've got nothing on other than hanging out with family and friends, eating, present opening and taking the little cookie for a walk in the sling. The jumper (A.P.C. – see Net-a-Porter's A.P.C. sale sweaters here and below) I bought last winter in a fit of Sarah Lund homage, the jeans are a recent Zara purchase (bit too tight if you must know) and the All Stars have been with me everywhere – to clubs in Paris, Madrid and Tokyo, music festivals in Dublin, Vilnius and Budapest and an unforgettable California trip taking in LA, Joshua Tree and Big Bear Mountain. What's your most comforting outfit? And your best travelled item of clothing?

Christmas Travel – What's In My Washbag Posted by Unknown |

It feels strangely intimate posting the contents of my washbag. But I do love looking at these kind of posts myself so I thought I'd give it a go. As you can see it's a pretty pared down collection of products that  travelled up to Edinburgh and Skye with me this Christmas (apart from the three lipbalms, but I don't like to skimp on those). Generally, though, I love simplifying my travel requirements as much as possible – this time I dispensed with normally vital items; Elnet hairspray and Bodyshop face powder paper booklets. Also as we were checking bags in (seems to be a necessary evil when travelling with a little one) I had the luxury of packing big containers of facewash and cleansing lotion and not decant them. If you'd like to know more about my beauty routines then check out this pretty in-depth interview I did with xojane.co.uk – the fashion & beauty editor Phoebe Frangoul popped round to investigate my beauty regime and products just before Christmas: Beauty Snoop: Rummaging Around Julia's Dressing Table.

1. I always use a facewash in the shower. This has been a brilliant discovery, organic, super cheap (only £5.99) and leaves skin feeling clean and fresh. Plus it's a two-in-one cleanser and toner. I couldn't ask for more. Laidbare DIY! Two In One Cleanser & Toner

2. A really light foundation. I apply it straight on top of my moisturiser mainly around my eyes. Not cheap, but as I use it sparingly lasts ages. Dr Hauschka Translucent Make-Up

3. YSL Touche Eclat Radiant Touche – the stalwart in every girl's make-up bag. For an extra smooth look I dot around my eyes and nose on top of moisturiser and smooth in. I use No. 1.

4. I'm still looking for a really great mascara. Black, I always use black. This one is good, applies well and doesn't clump, but it does rub off on my skin at the mere hint of damp leaving trashy can't-be- bothered-to-take-off-my-make up eyes. Dr Hauschka Volume Mascara.

5. I like to have a lip balm always to hand. This one lives on my bedside table for middle of the night emergencies. Burt's Bees 100% Natural Lip Balm.

6. During the winter, I use a face oil under my night cream and I love the smell of rose. Neal's Yard Organic Rose Facial Oil.

7. Dr Bronner's Naked Organic Lip Balm. This one lives in my coat pocket for on the road application.

8. As I don't wash my hair that often (see the xojane Beauty Snoop interview for more details on that) dry shampoo is a godsend. I like Batiste the best and it sure does mix up well with Elnet hairspray giving that perfect mix of scruffy but styled. Batiste Mini Dry Shampoo

9. Before bed I cleanse with something mild and cotton wool – I love the way the fragrance lingers on your skin. Neal's Yard Starflower Cleansing Milk

10. I've been using this anti-ageing cream as a night cream. Laidbare Guess My Age Anti-Ageing Cream

11. I'm a big fan of eyelash curling and these are the best ones I've ever used. Shu Uemura eyelash curlers.

12. Never skimp on decent tweezers. Nabbed these from Mummy Stylonylon this Christmas and they are brilliant. Laura Mercier Tweezers

13. A little calming travel essence. Neal's Yard Remedies To Roll – Travel

14. God, I love this shea night cream. It just smells and feels so good. A'kin Rosehip & Shea Intensive Face Cream

15. This one lives in my washbag for after teeth brushing. The Bakewell Soap Company Natural Lip Balm

Canon EOS M – The Fashion Blogger's New Best Friend? Posted by Unknown |

Image credit Style Scrapbook

New camera obsessions have become a huge part of my photography habit. The perfect camera package – ie. one that is small and light and takes fabulous photographs – is the holy grail, right? My first attempt was the Canon G11, but we never clicked. The ergonomics didn't sit right with me, I never liked how it felt in my hands, I hated the ineffectual viewfinder and I found it clunky taking it out and about. I then developed a serious obsession with the Fuji X100 that was released last year, but though an object of design beauty and by all accounts an outstanding camera I knew it was still too big and clunky. Every now and then I'd let myself drool over Leica models and eventually a bit of research into the Leica X1 – the brand's upper end digital compact built around a lovely big sensor – and a hal price bargain listing on eBay convinced me this model was the answer to (most) of my prayers. Excellent image quality in a superbly light and beautifully designed case has meant this camera has travelled with me all over. It's not an action camera, the autofocus is slow, and the fixed lens is both a creative stimulant and constrictive. Lack of viewfinder and no interchangeable lens capacity aside, this camera has pretty much assuaged my camera lust. Until, that is, the appearance of Canon's new mirrorless interchangeable lens compact this autumn. With a lovely big sensor (the biggest of any compact and same as the one on the Canon DSLR 650d), interchangeable lenses with an adapter for EFS & EF lenses, and at half the size of a DSLR weighing 255g, this model could possibly make redundant my Canon G11 (for sure!) and possibly my 400d body (which I only ever use at home).



What's interesting is how the Canon M has been targeted at creatives and specifically fashion bloggers by way of Andy Torres of Style Scrapbook, who features in one of the five Power to Generation M with Vice campaign videos (see above – lovely video with two inspiring still photography ideas) and is one of three used in the billboard and editorial campaign. I've scanned a few reviews and the upshot seems to be that the image quality is excellent, even as good as the 650d – you can achieve fantastic bokeh and depth of field and the world's your oyster depending on your lens –, and of course nice and portable. The downside seems to be slow autofocus and the weight imbalance when you attach longer lenses to the body. And no viewfinder, but to be honest I think this is just something we will have to learn to live with if we want compactness. My feeling is that the image quality will win out over over the downsides and be extremely appealing to a whole range of photography types. Especially the fashion blogger, who is obsessed with attaining top image quality with as portable a camera as possible. I've noticed Susie Bubble is a creative ambassador for the camera and is sporting one as well as Fashion Bits and Bobs who gives an overview of the camera here. I know for me, having splashed out on a 50mm 1.4 Canon lens which I only use at home, the temptation is huge. I can quite easily see myself chucking my 50mm and a Canon M in a bag for both short and long trips. What about you? Does the Canon M appeal to you? Have you gone ahead and bought one? Do you know any fashion bloggers using one, creative ambassadors aside? I'd love to know!

Canon M EOS £769.95 at Selfridges
Canon M EOS £499 at Jessops