All You Need Is Love...

Lately my days off and free time have been a bit of a rarity. I'm working all sorts of crazy hours and therefore when a day off does show its face I can't help but feel completely torn in knowing how to make the most of it!

Do I rest my weary bones (and my incredibly sore feet!) and have a long lie in, followed by a nap, a sandwich and a snooze? Or do I run around this beautiful city with a crazed determination to see and experience as much as possible?

I tend to settle somewhere in between the two.

These photos were taken on a beautiful sunny day, which I spent with my dear friend Sam, and later once she'd finished work, my flat mate Becca. 

I'm wearing my new favourite trousers from Beyond Retro - they fit like a dream! Nipped in waist, and cropped at ankle length - not bad for £8 eh?! They also have a crazy 80's woven pattern in them too which I love!

My illustrated t-shirt is really old and comfortable! I bought it years ago at Camden market and at some point I chopped the sleeves off a little too low (hence wearing with a t-shirt underneath!)

I love John and Yoko and this illustration certainly does that affection justice!

I'm also wearing one of my trusty H&M mustard cardigans, and dug out this old Topshop bag from the top of my wardrobe. It's really cute but a tad impractical!

Patent shoes and pasty legs...Perfect combination! I have absolutely zero interest in being tanned!

It would be worth interjecting at this point, that my friend Sam is a ridiculously great photographer (you can see some of his work here or follow him on instagram) and has a cheeky habit of slyly snapping away when you're not really expecting it or paying attention! Some evidence of which is below!

Becca and I debating what sea food to purchase...Cockles? Prawns? Jellied Eels? (Certainly not!)

Getting stuck in with our choices! I opted for king prawns and Becca went for crayfish tails...Tasty stuff!

Engrossed in conversation and looking embarrassingly similar on Brighton beach... 

It was then of course time to turn the tables! Here is Sam! 

He's put up with me for ten years now, so clearly as well as being a talented photographer he also possesses the patience of a saint!

We have some exciting collaborations in the pipeline...isn't it great to be creative with friends?

I still have a heap of back-logged posts to get up on here! I also have exciting projects and ideas up my sleeve I can't wait to share with you all!

Hope you're all well!

Love Yours Truly, x

Ps. A huge thank you to Sam Luck for these lovely photos!

Pedalling in Pastels...

The sun came to Brighton! For a few glorious day we were sun soaked (if not a little wind beaten!) and I was determined to make the most of the (inevitable) fleeting blues skies.

After a tasty breakfast, Becca and I dusted off our bicycles (I haven't ridden mine for about a month despite riding it throughout the entire winter!) and took them for a spin along the Brighton seafront for what turned out to be a five mile ride (some very sore bottoms in the flat that night!)

How could we resist not stopping for a few snaps along the way?!

Urgh...First of all let me get over how much I love my bicycle! Swoon! 

Perhaps in tribute to it's gorgeous iris-blue colour, I'm wearing a surprisingly co-ordinated outfit!

The grey velvet t-shirt and blue playsuit (worn as shorts) I  borrowed from Becca (living with girls doubles your wardrobe!) 

I've been feeling a bit 'stuck in a rut' lately so it's been lovely to borrow (and lend!) some pieces to bring a breath of fresh air to my own wardrobe.

This cute little mac was an eBay find, which I'm wearing with a vintage mustard scarf for a splash of colour! It matched beautifully with the pastel-loveliness of the huts!

And my tights are layered up of a Topshop cornflower blue pair, and these greyish-nude H&M patterned pair. I love the effect!

The shoes are old Topshop...As if I wasn't going to be first in line for a pair of glittery mary-janes!

The bubble ring I'm wearing is a mini glitter snow-globe I bought when I was 16 at the V&A Museum in London. It never fails to cheer me up!

I'm also wearing (though you can't really see it because the pesky wind was blowing my hair in all directions!) a homemade lace collar which a reader sent me last year. I have trawled trying to find the email to credit her but to no avail! So if you read this and recognise the collar do let me know! 

And because she looked so amazing, I had to feature my ever-obliging photographer flat mate again!

Just how Orla Kiely is Beccas outfit?! 

Here she is with her own co-ordinating bicycle!

Beccas dress was a recent purchase from Primark of all places! She's wearing it with a vintage silk blouse and my old Topshop white brogues (it works both ways after all!)

One more before we hit the road...

And off we go!

Apologies for the lack of blogging - I actually have a back log of posts all ready to go, but have been too busy working to put any of them up!

So expect a huge surge of posts soon!

Love Yours Truly, x

On Courage...

'No one can make you feel inferior without your consent'

I'm lucky enough to have a Mum who reminds me of this wonderful Eleanor Roosevelt quotation whenever a day has proved too hard, or people too cruel. 

In ten words it completely surmises the respect and pride you should have in yourself, and to not let the seeds of doubt planted by others grow in your mind.

The last few weeks have been a bit of a roller-coaster (when does life not have it's ups and downs I know!) and a lot of circumstance that I have found myself dealing with, has been unexpected, draining and not so good for personal morale!

I've sat here for about twenty minutes deliberating what to write, what to divulge and what I shouldn't include, and I guess essentially it's not entirely relevant for the overall point I want to get across.

Suffice to say, that I have had a huge learning curve the last month, and through the highs and lows, I have realised that adversities are much better handled with a smile. Hardships can be laughable with a good friend, and that every now and then, even if it is logically the very last thing you should be doing...you can go and get horrendously drunk and dance to 90's RnB at three in the morning (thankfully no photos of that to show!)

It's hard writing this in a way that doesn't come across as pompous, or preachy - or even (heaven forbid!)...Cheesy! 

But I just think we all need reminding of our own value sometimes - like in 'It's a Wonderful Life' when George realises how different the lives around him would have been had he not existed. You never know when you're someones ray of sunshine, or when a quick phone call or kind word makes someone feel a hundred times better.

Before I continue, I'll take a moment to explain that these photos were obviously taken on Brighton beach, on a cold but bright afternoon walk. 

The pillars that I am standing by are part of the remains of the West Pier, built in the 1860's, after all these years they have stood the test of time!

Also, I'm wearing a very comfy, very non-blog-worthy outfit! The smart shirt is a recent purchase from New Look - tres Annie Hall! My gorgeous antique coat was a gift from Margaux and Alec of The Splendid Suitcase - it's so gorgeous!

My skinny jeans are an old Topshop pair, and my favourite sunglasses (more for wind protection than sun!) were from H&M.

And these little beauties were a gift from Modcloth last year! I adore them!

Someone who definitely deserves a tip of the hat for being my own (as afore mentioned) ray of sunshine, is Becca my flat mate! After finding ourselves in a very similar situation it's been so lovely to have someone to not only seek comfort and hope from, but to provide for to! 

From cooking ourselves nice meals (especially breakfast  - conquer that and the rest of the day will sort itself out!) to decorating the flat (photos soon!) movie marathons, heart to hearts and a few too many cointreau's!

It's the little things that make a difference I suppose!

And whilst I can thank her for her emotional support...

Her physical support (ie. me not ending up on the floor!)

Leaves a lot to be desired! Ha!

So I guess in conclusion, I'm putting the 'look inwards for strength' myth to bed. Sure finding strength in yourself is a rewarding and a worthwhile pursuit. But in contrast, it is no easy task to seek help and support in others to get you through troubling times.

You don't have to have all the answers, and you don't have to be happy all the time.

What matters is that you assert yourself on dealing with whatever adversities you find yourself facing, and enlist the help of the ones you love to pull through.

You'd do the same for them after all!  

And above all, be kind to yourself.

I need to keep reminding myself of that one.

Love Yours Truly, x

You've Got To Hide Your Love Away...

This week I was lucky enough to collaborate with my wonderful photographer friend Emma Speight again. Since she shot these photos  for me, she has had her website completed and launched, so be sure to have a look! Her work is so beautiful, and entirely film based - something always worth noting in this digital age!

That being said, the following photos were taken on my Nikon D40 - I like to throw Emma out of her comfort zone! 

We had just been planning to snap a couple near my home in the late evening sunlight, but as we chased the retreating amber glow, we ended up further and further away...All the time there I was clutching my glass of milk! 

I feel I should at this point explain the milk. For a long time Emma and I have discussed collaborating on a very 'working class' 60's shoot - which I'm sure we will eventually get round to!
I always seem to reference the milk bottles on a door step, cute milk moustaches, striped paper straws - you get the idea...I love the kitchness of vintage dairy! Ha!

So (perhaps to shut me up!) Emma encouraged me to bring a glass with me!



My (extremely short - eep!) mini dress was an eBay find. It's incredible clingy which can be a bit bothersome, but I like the cute ditsy print and roll-neck. It definitely has that classic 60's shape - so of course I styled it with my beloved (but increasingly rare - must try harder!) beehive!

My faux fur coat is from a clothes barn I used to frequent when I was at University - you would walk round grabbing piles of second-hand goodness, which were then priced at til-point in a very offhand manner ('Ummm...fiver for the lot?')

Oh how I miss it!

I'm currently loving wearing 15 denier tights - completely impractical and not exactly the best for the chilly sea-winds, but they make everything look instantly more lady-like and chic!

My cream heels are an old Topshop pair that have danced many a night away with me!

Desperately trying to incorporate this old Granville Road sign in to the photo! If only there had been rows of 60's cars around too! (Modern cars just aren't the same aesthetically!) 

Also, I believe this is the first time I ever posted only black and white photos! Which is a pity in some ways, as the image below was flooded with brilliant oranges and pink hues. 

However I love the retro feel that B&W gives sometimes, and it definitely helped these images flow a bit better!

Thank you to Emma for taking some beautiful shots for me, and for once again allowing me to edit to my hearts content! Be sure to check out her website or tumblr if you want to see more of her work!

More soon! I'm currently having a huge Spring clean  - which I'm sure some of you can guess, will result in another eBay sale soon! I'll keep you posted!

Have a lovely weekend,

Love Yours Truly, x

Painted Ponies...

Good evening my lovelies! Apologies for my slight internet-absence, it's been a mad fortnight!

I have lots of bring you up to speed on, but unfortunately lack the energy to do so, due to a rotten cold I've caught! So instead I thought I would share these lovely photos that my flat-mate Becca took on a finger-numbingly cold afternoon on the Brighton Pier.

Seriously...I can't remember the last time I felt this cold! When is Spring going to show up? Talk about fashionably late!

After sweet talking one of the pier workers, we managed to climb aboard the abandoned carousel (because seriously...Who in their right mind would be on the pier for rides on a day this icy?!)

I'm wearing my new Beyond Retro skirt - another negligee find to add to my 'vintage-granny-nightwear-as-acceptable-daytime-attire' collection! I love the dusty pink colour, and the pleated trim is very similar to this night-dress, which incidentally was also from Beyond Retro.

The soft gold top is borrowed from Becca (originally H&M) and is worn with a new 'Rose Gold' belt I picked up in the H&M sale last week. The fur stole is vintage, and the shell charm necklace is made up from left-overs in my jewellery box!

Detailed with a little 'K'! How gorgeous are these colours together?

I'm also a very lucky girl, as Becca kindly did this incredible french braid halo hairstyle for me! Seriously haven't got a clue how to do this myself, but I love it! It felt so nice to have my hair all tucked up out of the way! Becca wants to practice so she can learn to do it on herself...Of course I've kindly volunteered to allow her to develop her skills on me! 

Who knows, perhaps we can eventually persuade her to give a tutorial for Yours Truly!

Also worth a mention are my blinging gold brogues! I have to say every time I look at my feet I imagine an 80 year old sun-loving grandma wearing them (perhaps like this style icon) but isn't that half the fun?!

Ever wondered what a freezing blogger looks like? Look no further...

I also thought I'd share some of my recent instagrams. For those of you who don't follow me (kerryofyourstrulyx)I try to document as much as I can from everyday life, including DIY, adorable puppies and toddlers, car boot finds, tasty grub and pretty interior decor....

I'll be back in touch soon - I've recently been informed about the closure of Google Friend Connect, which I'm a bit panicked about, because about two thousand of you follow me via that web tool!

But worry not, I'll do a bit of investigating and come back with some suggestions for you all!

Hope you're all wrapped up warm!

Love Yours Truly, x

International Women's Day

To all my female readers...Happy International Women's Day! Three cheers for being a girl!

Obviously I am aware that I'll never know what it's like to be a man, or to operate in an 'XY' kind of way, but for the record, let me state - I love being a female!

I am fortunate enough to live in a country where I have freedom to be whatever kind of woman I want from one day to the next. I can express myself verbally and creatively in any way I choose, and I suppose if there was any day to count your lucky stars then today would be it.

Hat - Borrowed from Becca, Pintuck White Shirt - eBay, Taupe Mac - eBay

Tan Leather Belt - H&M, Stripe Necktie - Car Boot Sale

Gold Iris Brooch - My Nannas, Vintage Black Wool Trousers - Beyond Retro

Without being entirely aware that International Women's Day was approaching (I had a vague memory of its date!) I coincidentally spent some of my free hours this week reading about some of the atrocities forced upon women and girls around the world, provoked by a link to this article.

The nature of these articles can quite literally make your heart ache, leaving you overwhelmingly sad for the mindless pain and torture inflicted upon girls as young as six.

My own memories of that age are nothing but sun-infused snapshots of happiness, with the knowledge I was safe and loved, content to play outside with my siblings.

Becca has convinced me - I'm definitely getting one of the hats for myself!

A campaign I have long supported and been moved by is 'It's a Girl'  a documentary film and thought-provoking organisation that highlights the female 'gendercide' occurring in India, China and other parts of the world. 

It never occurred to me, and I doubt it has to many people, that simply due to the geographical location of my birth, and laws and society I was born into - my parents were filled with nothing but joy when their baby girl was born.

Not once was I considered a burden, or a costly mistake - there was no dowry lurking in my future, and I would have the same rights to an education, a job, a house, and any lifestyle choice I desired in my life as my elder brother.

That awkward moment it starts to rain quite heavily during your outfit photos...

Last year I took part in a photographic project by the very talented film-photographer Sophie Davidson. She created a zine called 'Girls' featuring nineteen young women (including myself) talking very openly, honestly and sometimes explicitly about how it feels to be a female. 

The pleasures and hardships, the pros and cons, the biological idiosyncrasies that separate us (sometimes dramatically!) from the opposite sex.

The magazine is available for PDF download here. I really recommend giving it a read - it's pretty inspiring stuff and I'm so proud to have been a part of it.

Channeling a bit of Annie Hall perhaps? I love the pin-tuck bib on this shirt!

For what it's worth, my own views on what it's like to be a woman (as I mention in 'Girls') is based primarily on the women that I consider inspirational to me. 

Writer Maya Angelou, artist Frida Kahlo, singer and activist Joan Baez, actress and activist Mia Farrow - just some of the famous women who I feel an affinity with.

My incredible Mum, who provides me with unquestioning, unequivocal love, support and friendship, and has done the whole of my life. My little sister who in the face of adversities she faced last year, remained strong, elegant and so beautiful, with a ready smile and her unyielding capacity to care for others.

In determining who they were, I found they all had a common feature - their strength.

I painted on false eyelashes with my liquid eyeliner, a little more subtle that the full 60's look! The lipstick is Rimmel 110 from the Kate Moss range.

I adore the female capacity of strength. The strength of love, courage and tenderness. The strength of power, both physical and mental. The strength of character, integrity and justice.

The strength that every Mother in this world has had to push another human into the world - I mean seriously! As someone who has yet to experience childbirth first hand...I'm in awe!

The full outfit - I am living in these trousers right now! They fit so well!

My white brogues are old ones from Topshop.

I'll leave this post with the closing paragraph I wrote in Sophies zine. 

'My personal definition of being a girl is the ability to be a completely unique, multi-faceted person from one day to the next. Being a girl brings a magnitude of abilities which I think are so delicate and inexplicable. There are so many personalities and fractions of characters that I don't think the modern girl could be described very easily at all.

And I suppose I rather like that.'

Now ladies, won't you join me in a dance around the bedroom to this...!

Love Yours Truly, x

Ps. Photo credit - Becca Field