Kingdom Of Style

Suggestion Box

To mix things up a wee, as per a couple of suggestions, as of next week the posting schedule will change a tiny little bit - Queen Marie will take over posting on a Thursday and Friday and I'll be taking over on Saturdays.

Currently you get the bulk of the posts from me, running consecutively, which is boring and somewhat predictable. Whilst there is no doubt some people who have preferences as to which days they visit - those not into the kind of things I post will probably only visit at the weekend and vice versa - but hopefully the little change will bring some diversion for during the week, as five days of the same person could prove a little dull and possibly is already.

I am also attempting to think of ways to incorporate more outfits into the blog - but I am struggling, really struggling, to find an 'angle'. I'm really not into superfluous 'here's what I wear drinking coffee' kind of post, as it's not that kind of blog, but we do take on board suggestions and more outfits in general was the main comment. I usually post new or cool things I've gotten, but what you see on a Monday is pretty much it.

So, my question to you is - can you suggest a clever or unusual way to feature more outfits? It could be a theme Friday, or an 'inspired by' kind of post...I'm open to any ideas! So if you have one, tweet or comment.

Queen Michelle

Yes! Yes! Yes, Master!

It's been a wee while since my last lingerie feature as there hasn't been much around that has really piqued my interest. But the latest SS12 collection from London label, Yes Master, has done exactly that.

It's a label I've been aware of, primarily due to little bits here and there being stocked in Urban Outfitters online, but I have never really delved into the label properly but always meant to. Well, yesterday I got off my arse and got them to send me their newest lookbook, and I'm so glad I did as I now feel there is a new label which needs to find it's way into my knicker drawer.

The collection is beautifully colourful and is inspired by "Latin American magical realism" or, more precisely, films like Like Water For Chocolate and House of Spirits.

The colours are vibrant and celebratory but offset perfectly with several white demure white pieces. I am really not into white lingerie, but I can honestly say the white quilted balconette bra is calling me and, when this becomes available, I will be introducing it to my collection.

Everything feels youthful but womanly, which I think is key to good lingerie.

Queen Michelle

70's Preppy

Istanbul based label, Eternal Child, which I have featured before, always manage to create collections with an easy kind of femininity. Even when designer, Gül Gürdamar, is showing us a myriad of bright, mixed and clashing patterns, it always looks luxe rather than ill-conceived.

For SS11 the Central Saint Martin’s educated designer presented a kind of 70's preppy look with nods to the geometric prints of Missoni and Amercan varsity style cardigans.

Graphic motifs like anchors and US college jacket style numbers pepper soft knitwear, while lush silks are emblazoned with fiery digital prints in warm, summer hues.

The 70's prints and the preppy elements really ought not to go together so well, yet the collection looks coherent and wearable, everything unified by a common colour palette.

Queen Michelle

Spoonier

Ocassionally the ingenuity of some people is so puzzling as to make me raise an eyebrow and simply think "bloody genius".

When we received an email from jewellery makers Spoonier, it didn't click that I'd see jewellery literally made of spoons. But that's exactly what it was. Or, more specifically, rings made of antique spoons.

I remember my first ever visit to Glasgow, which I went I on as part of a school trip when I was six years old, to the Transport Museum. It was actually the first time I'd ever even been out of my hometown. My mum gave me £1 to spend on the day (it was 1979, so that was quite a lot), and as we went round the museum looking at trams, buses, motorbikes and every other vehicle imaginable, at the end of the visit I decided to buy her a gift with my £1. So I bought a beautiful ornate spoon. I thought it was the best thing ever.

Sadly the spoon is long gone (the Queen Mum wasn't the sentimental kind), but I wish she'd have kept it because how wonderful it would have been for it to be made into a ring.

The spoons Spoonier have found are so decorative they make absolutely stunning rings. Some of the imagery on the rings, like nymphs and florals, are just perfect as they curl and wrap around the finger so elegantly.

Queen Michelle

Star Turn

I'm all about the 80's classic The Lost Boys right now.

I loved this film when I was young and my girl crush was Star. I loved her outfit combo of long floaty skirt and bustier top.

I took to dressing like this for a whole summer. I wafted around in wispy maxi skirts and bared my youthful, tanned midriff in a vintage black bustier. I thought I looked shit hot but I don't think my boyfriend at the time even noticed my ethereal outfit! Such is the way with teenage boys. None the less, the love of a lace bustier stayed with me and is as strong now as it was in 1987.

It's a whole look I'd like to revisit, and do some version that didn't involve a bare midriff.

Queen Michelle

World At War

In and around St Georges Square in Glasgow has been transformed into Philadelphia for the filming of zombie film, World War Z, which will star Brad Pitt. I have zero interest in Mr Pitt, but much interest in the plentiful crashed cars and lorries dramatically piled up in the square.

I must admit, when I first heard that the film was being partly filmed here I wasn't entirely sure they'd make Glasgow look convincingly like Philly, but with the addition of some US traffic lights, signage and vehicles, St. Georges Square did suddenly feel a little like the States.

On Saturday they were filming the SWAT team decend upon the Embassy building (George House normally, which is just a plain old office block), and there was lots of soldiers and gunfire. Very exciting!

Brad Pitt's character drives round in this amazing old camper van, but it was even really cool seeing the US cabs and the mix of British and US street signage.

Queen Michelle

Grey Day

The weekend was cold, wet and grey. Autumn appears to arrived with full force in the Kingdom.

On Sunday it was a wrap up warm day with lots of assymetric details, the impetus of which was my Babooshka Boutique grey tail spin skirt, which is short at the front and drapes low at the back. I wore is sideways to compliment my coat which drapes longer on the right. It also compliments my StyleStalker shirt which, reflecting the skirt, hangs lower at the back.

The grey hues of my outfit seemed fitting for the dull weather too. Weather camouflage.

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em, as they say.

Antonio Marras coat; StyleStalker shirt; Babooshka Boutique skirt; Martin Margiela boots; Topshop leather leggings gifted bag and necklace

Queen Michelle

oh no nina...

Just like everything else in The Palace just now, my central heating is broken.

As a result I am freezing my arse off and all I can think about is snuggly winter coats.

But all thoughts of warmth and practicality went straight out of the window when I came across the most wonderful coat in the whole wide world.

Like an evening opera coat designed for 1950's film star, this coat is a dream come true.

However sadly for me, the price tag of £2,108.00 (yikes!!!) is a complete nightmare.

NINA RICCI WOOL SEQUINED COAT £2,108.00  from the marvelous matches

 

Just thinking how happy I would be in this coat, makes me feel warm inside.

Then I remember that I am as poor as a church mouse, and a cold chill chases across my poor aching heart.

*sigh*

 

Queen Marie

The sound of summer...

Have you ever wondered what summer sounds like?

Remember, I'm talking about a Scottish summer.

As I type I can hear it very clearly outside my window - thunder, lightning and crashing hailstones.

Oh joy.

I'm a little worried that my brain has become a bit waterlogged because I have found myself looking at these waterproof Aspen Boots on and off all day, while the voice in my head says "they would be perfect for puddles"

ASOS ASPEN Lace Up Duck Boot £35.00

(Ankle boots, featuring a lace fasten closure to the front, silver-tone d ring eyelets, a shearling lining, a contrast vamp, a rounded toe with a web detail to the front, and a contrasting flat crepe sole.)

They also come in a rather fetching 'techno green'

I'm certain the rain has damaged my brain, because I also find myself rather smitten by this rather strange creation...

ASOS AFRICA Oversized Pocket Detail Cape Coat £75.00

Maybe it's the angle or the way the model is standing here, but all the black detailing looks hugely squint and out of position.

You will however be relieved to hear, that even in my deranged state, I would never wear these items together for fear of looking like some kind of half assed eco warrior or swamp donkey.

 

Queen Marie

 

Beside the seaside, beside the sea...

I can think of nothing that would make me happier than to live by the sea.

To look out at the water every day and walk on blustery beaches, breathing in the cold sea air would be like a dream come true. In Scotland, it is pretty safe to say that our seaside has sod all to do with sunshine, even in the height of summer. It is more to do with cold damp sand, freezing water and bracing winds, and that suits me just fine.

Less than an hours drive and you are at the coast. Growing up, that coast was always the West Coast. But on Tuesday, this West Coast Queen went East Coast, all the way to the ancient Royal Burgh of North Berwick

Unlike me, my cousinFrannie has lived and worked on the East Coast and has always described it as a more gentle place with a totally different feeling and quality of light. Truth to tell, I always thought she was probably talking bolloks. But blow me down, if everything she said was true and more.

It was warmer, brighter and the water was crystal clear...

Of course it was still freakin' freezing, it is the North Sea after all!

The harbour was built around 1150 but it wasn't until the 19th century that it became a fashionable seaside resort. Then as now, it is extremely prosperous, with a bustling main street and a wonderful range of independent shops. Not a card shop or mobile phone shop in sight. Although I have to say I was slightly shocked by the number of English accents everywhere. They far outnumbered all others accents.

 

The spectral white shape you see below is The Bass Rock,now a protected bird sanctuary. A volcanic land mass it glows white far out in the water and is captivating and slightly alarming at the same time.

Now that I have found my way East, I an eager to return...

Queen Marie

x

ps - Our own Queen Michelle grew up beside the sea and I have always meant to ask her, if she misses it and dreams of returning to live beside it again. I am curious to hear what she says, so tell us Queenie, how do you feel about the seaside?