Jumper - Boden / Jeans - Uniqlo / sandals - Carvela

Shirt - Abercrombie / Skirt - Zara old / Shoes - Topshop

Boo the pup via UrbanOutfitters

Jumper - Boden / Double strap leather flats - Mango / Petit Standard Jeans - APC / Breton - Aubin&Wills

Shoes - Topshop (as above) / Shirt - jack Wills / Cardi - Zara

APC jeans

New frangrance

Summer wishlist : BB Repetto flats (NAP) / Mulberry Lily (Mulberry.com) / Sailor tee - APC (apc.fr)

The white jeans seem to have 'grown' a size since I purchased them, which is such a shame because the quality and (initial) fit are quite lovely. The rise is also a tad higher than I would prefer, too. Not quite sure if I should commit to searching for the perfect pair of white jeans, simply because I may not wear them as often as their blue/indigo counterparts. Uniqlo sizing yet another minefield - my jeans actually measured up completely differently to the item measurements listed on the website. Depressing stuff, but what's new? Not a great deal of opportunity to wear the sandals here just yet...despite having reached the merry month of May, the spring season has yet to catch up with us here in the UK. Still having to wear a warm coat to nip to the local shop - how I long to just throw on a thin cardigan or better still a short sleeved tee!

Boden jumper a little expensive for what it is, but it wears well, feels soft against the skin and washes beautifully. A little lighter than my winter knits, so perfect for seasonal transitions.

Obsessed with baby pink and small checks. The Jack Wills shirt in particular has become a firm favourite (if you are over 25 and a little wary of venturing into JW, I promise that the shirts are worth sampling...and the socks/cashmere mix knitwear).

Still attempting to break in the APC jeans, although I admit to not wearing them daily like I ought, if only for a couple of hours (life is too short, surely, haha!), and they still manage to stand up without assistance, as if an invisible body inhabits them, which is quite hilarious.... and terrifies my cat.

No new clothing purchases planned for the coming season (if it ever arrives), as I imagine that my current, transitional pieces should suffice for the time being, although the idea of a lovely silk camisole or vest serves as a recurrent - if unnessecary - temptation (has anyone seen the APC versions? They seem a bit large/boxy to me...would love opinions if you have seen them offline!).

Very much need to update several accessories (have my eye on a Liberty scarf via Barbour, and the Mulberry Lily/Repetto flats above). The decision to purchase a new bag being the most notable. I had been unable to decide between the Mulberry and a leather duffle bag from Jaeger, but the Lily fits so many of my requirements and has been dancing around in my mind for many months, and as I tend not to obsess over handbags (I currently own one decent leather shopper and a little high street PU thing on a chain) I am sure that the Lily will see me well for many years to come. Basically, I need a smart, more compact, smaller addition to my Jaeger tote (pictured below) to see me well and truly complete in the handbag department.

Off I go, back to the drawing board. Apologies for the sporadic postings/fractured paragraphs. My mind refuses to run in a straight line when I am working. Blogging makes for a very welcome distraction.

xxx

Having fun with my ipod! Makes a pleasant alternative to lugging the dslr around, although I can see the potential for overdoing it - indeed, I've already begun to whip it out in random coffee shops, travelling on trains, mundane shopping trips - but hey, the kitty doesn't mind me hovering in front of him with that strange, oblong gadget, even if friends & family remain dubious. Above are a selection taken around the house, of random art prints and....stuff. No macarons or coffee cups just yet :-)

Experiencing a bit of confusion with the online software (not sure what the difference is between statigram and followgram or whatever), so each time I share a link to my own collection I'm not even sure if it is the correct one. I am also unable to work out how to follow other people, so any advice would be appreciated.

My profile name is dansedelune...... & if you are happy to share your own, please leave a link!

xxx

A&F Gemma shirt / Zara jeans (old) / Topshop shoes

Topshop hooded jacket / Zara jeans

Massimo Dutti cardigan / old brandless jeans / Converse

A handful of recent outfits. There appears to be a pattern here: comfort/casual, not quite my usual style. I seem to be gravitating towards wearing jeans more frequently, rather than my more typical uniform of skirt & shirt. Perhaps it is the weather....such chilly winds and low temperatures for April, almost feels like January all over again, but I won't lose hope! I fought with myself over the TS hoodie for about three months prior to giving in and purchasing it....and still, I feel terribly awkward about it. I have experienced quite a bit of confusion and disillusionment regarding 'luxury' brands recently and haven't felt inclined to even browse many of the stores which held me somewhat spellbound previously. Although the high street typically depresses me (concerning trends, ethics, quality, etc), I'm not sure where to turn... I have not quite settled upon that elusive, affordable middle ground just yet - will I ever? - so continue to shop with caution. In many ways, I have become a little less concerned with building the 'perfect wardrobe' whilst growing more inclined to conserve and simply enjoy what I already possess. I think that I began this process of streamlining my wardrobe in an attempt to purge past mistakes, to become more mindful of how my clothing was created (oh damn that hoodie!), and whilst this has ultimately turned out to be quite rewarding, I have found that mistakes still occurr no matter how informed we strive to become, and the prevalence of ambiguous sourcing/policy information only adds to the confusion, regardless the presige, quality and exclusivity of so many highly coveted brands.

Oh, and my very first pair of Converse: a much loved gift from my parents...I haven't wanted to take them off since unboxing them!

xxx

Not particularly fashion or style related, but it ought to make for a pleasant enough change. The images were taken yesterday in Blackpool - such a curious, old fashioned place where you can still purchase candy floss, sticks of toffee rock, colourful kitsch ornaments and naughty postcards. This, of course, may turn out to be our only experience of summer (it often appears unseasonably early... then never returns), so we decided to make the most of it by jumping on random trains and just...going somewhere. This was also the first Lapin de Lune bare leg sighting in the space of 24 months. Oh god. Haha. xxx

Chanel Le Vernis (new favourite colours) / Daisy scent / Calvin Klein bra

plants / vintage crochet / candle holders / cress in a cup!!

A little overexposed - but hopefully you can still discern the embroidery detail on the blouse. It has become one of those much loved items which I am almost too nervous to wear in case I snag, stain or accidentally destroy it (I have a track record, just so you know). I love the subtle yet pretty detailing, the simple shape, the versatility of this little blouse, and it is such a pleasure to have found one that fits just right, too. And I have only just remembered the little-ish birthmark at the nape of my neck, which is quite surprising because I used to make such a fuss about it when I was a child. It's funny how we change over time, how ridiculous this seems in comparison to so many of the more urgent things in life.

Also, some obligatory photo's of some of my favourite things around the house. A new houseplant - I have no idea what it is for I lost the little card in transit (it's the tall one sitting in a bucket on the table) so if you have a clue, do let me know so that I shall know how take care of it properly. I am also on a mission to grow my own cress!

x

Night time webcam images, which explains the horrendously lit fuzzy.

Having finally got the chance to try these on in person, I am incredibly glad that I did, for I had initially been poised to order two sizes larger...online. They are unfathomably tight and unyielding, but after three days of wear I can finally close the top button, and there is already a little bit of space between myself and the waistband, even though the blood flow to my feet cries for mercy whenever I attempt to sit cross legged on the floor. We'll get there! The denim is exquisite, the exact colour that I had been searching for, and the unisex length hasn't caused too many problems (I roll them three times, so should probably prefer to have them shortened at some point, perhaps after re-discovering how to sit..). I am very pleased with them so far, and after so many years of searching for a decent pair of jeans that do not contain elastane or polyester - and actually fit well - this feels something close to a mini epiphany.

If you are interested in the jeans, I would strongly recommend trying them on prior to purchasing, or at least devoting yourself to a lot of online research. Sizing down is always going to feel a little bit scary, but I would advise at least one size less than your usual, unless you prefer a very loose fit. I wanted my own to fit something like this, as opposed to this.

And thankyou, Fleurette, for steering me in the right direction! x

click for source

I try not to rush to purchase coveted items, even if they are a necessary addition to my wardrobe. I tend to believe that it is sensible to wait a little, to leave it sitting in the basket (or store) just in case the desire or necessity wanes or wanders to some degree whilst I am mulling over the purchase. Unfortunately, stores sell out of my size extremely quickly, often within 24 hours of a new arrival going live. A depressing fact, and one which creates a certain tension when shopping online - which most of the time I simply have to do. A recent JCrew purchase in a US size 2 turned out to bury me, although the sizing table promised that it should fit my proportions perfectly, and was the equivalent to a UK6 (I am a UK8). Following this disaster, I decided to do a little bit of online research into the issue of 'vanity sizing', and stumbled upon a fascinating blog (as far as I know, it is written by an industry insider) which offers a less hysterical and rather interesting explanation for the current issues surrounding brand sizing. Her thoughts make quite a bit of sense to me, for if a size 'medium' is based upon the size of the average consumer - the size which the manufacturer will create more of - then this explains why stores only stock so few examples of sizes S and XS (and sizes XL, XXL accordingly). But if the average waistline of the medium (depending upon the brand) equates to a UK12 or 14, then those who require smaller sizes will either have to rush to catch the smaller items before they run out of stock or take the risk of purchasing when even the XS may run a little too large.

I have experienced this particular problem with several of the more expensive brands: JCrew having been the most cosmic miscalculation to date. Often, unless the garment is supposed to be tightly fitted to the body, even a size UK6 will swamp me, regardless the website's measurements declaring otherwise. For example, one particular, high quality online store may inform me that their size UK6 is designed to fit a 30-31 inch chest (my own is 33/34), yet the garment will still leave room for three more LapindeLune's when I come to try it on. Obviously, this will vary between brands, and each and every brand has its own intended customer base, but where does this leave the more petite or narrow framed customer? So many popular stores have almost sized me out completely, particularly those which do not create their 'average' for the teenage customer bracket. Enlightened after reading, I realise that garments are created with a much looser fit for the over 25/30's, which is to presume that we all miraculously expand or balloon after a certain age - except in my own experience (my own and friends' alike) this simply does not always hold true. Some people gain weight as they grow older, some do not...and some actually become slimmer, regardless the so called 'great metabolic shift' (which I always thought occurred, if it was going to, after the menopause in women). Perhaps the 'average' woman does grow larger by the decade (lifestyle, metabolism, changes after pregnancy, etc), but if so, where does this leave the not-so-average? And there are few alternatives, unless I opt to shop the high street (which generally always makes garments small enough for me, just not particularly in my prefered 'style').

Most importantly of all, I don't wish to rush through the checkout in fear of my size selling out, which it inevitably will, regardless. This was especially noticeable at Aubin&Wills, where their recent additions to the website have sold out the majority of size 6's already - within days of the stock appearing onsite. If the average A&W consumer is sized at the lower end of the scale, then why not create more stock? I suppose I shall have to remain baffled. Confused. Kinda weary.

If only most stores could provide individual garment measurements like NAP, and perhaps the addition of catwalk videos like both NAP and Asos. These ambiguous body dimension charts are incredibly misleading, and often just downright incorrect. Combining actual garment measurements with a moving image would make online shopping so much easier, and a lot less terrifying. Stores could quite probably experience a drop in returns (just a guess), and customer satisfaction would certainly improve, in turn fostering a rise in faithfulness/loyalty towards favoured brands.

And regardless the explanations outlined at the Fashion Incubator blog, I am still bamboozled by Topshop's jeans sizing insanity. You can actually discover up to 4 different sizes within the same line of jeans marked as a size UK10. I once measured the waist-bands of up to six pairs of size 10's in store, and found discrepancies of up to three inches between all of them. Not fun for those leaving confused and frustrated reviews at the site. Surely nothing excuses this? Where will the madness end?

x

Silk scarf - Margaret Howell / Tee - Toast / Skirt - Warehouse / Shoes - Topshop

Image sourceThe scarf and the topknot. Delighted by the former, despair at the latter. I cut a long-ish, wispy fringe at the front which I now regret, so the topknot is an attempt to tidy up the damage. Again. I never, ever learn. I would generally wear the topknot somewhat looser, with the fringe released to frame my face. However, I woke this morning with one side of the fringe stood on end, exhibiting a boastful defiance of gravity, and I simply couldn't be bothered trying to reason with it.

The skirt and shoes were birthdays gifts (almost 2 weeks ago), which I chose myself, locally. I doubt that I should have chosen either if I hadn't been able to try them on first, for my previous high street disaster purchases still haunt me in their own sweet way - but it is nice to discover the exceptions for a change. The skirt is quite well made and beautifully structured, with a flat, wide waistband which creates a smoother silhouette, kind of preferable when you are somewhat high waisted like myself (gathered waistbands are not my friend). It is also black, although these images are lit rather badly so the navy (tee/scarf) and black seem to have merged. Sadly, I didn't manage to photograph the scarf very well, at least not with this outfit, so shall try again at a later date.

I love navy and black, hahaa!

x

 Listening to: Air's Le Voyage dans la Lune

Reading: Thomas Mann

Somewhat obsessed with candle jars.

My hair has finally reached the length required to wear a top knot once again (I am still surprised by how much I had missed this!), which inspired me to create a new, themed tumblr in homage to the bun/chignon. For some reason, this particular style feels far more like 'me', regardless the curious self induced pressure to wear it loose. I wonder why we feel such contradictory urges?

x

Details/around the house.

Watch (Citizen) & rings were birthday gifts.

x