nolla andrean

Over here...

The recent Anthropologie store opening got That's Not My Age thinking about other fabulous American shops that would be welcomed, with open arms and an over-extended credit card, on our shores. We already have Theory, the grown-up store on Marylebone High Street may not as gorgeous as the one in the Meatpacking District, but it's a start. So how about Vince? The lady Madonna is a fan, and the lovely jersey separates and neat leather jackets have a timeless (ageless?) appeal. Available from net-a-porter and Liberty has a small range , but surely it's time for a whole store full? A pair of fantastic black ski pants, have already made their way onto the Christmas wishlist, can't wait for the shoes and handbags.

If you like the idea of specialist shops - no,no, no, not organic butcher's and bakers - fine knit t-shirts! West Coast designer, James Perse is the jersey supremo. His signature cotton tees, classic shirts and shirtdresses are available from Net-a-Porter but once you've visited the store on Bleeker Street, NY, you'll be convinced that London needs it's own haven of pared-down chic. Westbourne Grove anyone?

Once inside the gorgeous John Derian store on East 2nd Street, it's hard to drag yourself away - OK, not so hard if you're just popping to his other store, two doors down. This emporium of homewares, clothing and ephemera, is home to Derian's world-famous paperweights and decoupage, plus various bits and pieces collected on his travels. Classic books from the likes of Thomas Hardy and Vita Sackville West with beautiful hand-painted covers, stationery, furniture, table linen and sumptuous loungewear. Everything you need for stylish living.

Rag & Bone has just opened on Mercer Street. Marcus Wainwright and David Neville set up their business in 2002, the name is an homage to the rag and bone man of old, 'to pioneering ingenuity and conservation.' This is the place to go for top quality jeans and trousers, That's Not My Age bought a lovely pair of navy cigarette pants a couple of years ago and they're still going strong (Mr TNMA has a pair of jeans). And the founders are British - so come on boys, what are you waiting for?

What That's Not My Age will be wearing when the Americans have landed:

Asymmetric leather jacket, Vince
Ribbed poncho tunic, James Perse
Gaberdine and leather pant, Rag & Bone
And the American flag paperweight by John Derian (top) will help keep those Visa bills in a neat and orderly pile.

Shop photos:
(From the top)
John Derian
Vince
Rag & Bone (from A Continous Lean)

Why Should The Kids Have All The Fun?

I was shopping (for my mum!) in Gap the other day and noticed the postcards on the side advertising Stella McCartney's upcoming collection for Gap Kids and Gap Baby. I was instantly hooked by the tutu that the little girl is wearing in the picture (see below).

I got to thinking, when did kids clothing get quite so stylish? I personally think it is unfair. I don't remember clothes being anywhere near as stylish as Stella McCartney when I was little. In fact, my enduring memory of being dressed as a child is of navy. I don't remember much of what I wore but I just remember a lot of navy. I think, however, it is a rite of passage to be dressed badly as a child and to be given the chance as a teenager and young adult to develop your own sense of style as you discover the world of fashion. What does the little girl dressed in the Stella McCartney tutu have to look forward to as they grow up?

And that brings me to another thing; who made the rule that it is perfectly ok for little girls to go around in a gorgeous dusky pink tutu but not for big girls (of 25!)?! I would get some seriously strange looks if I went out for a coffee with my girlfriends or to the shops with the boyf in a tutu but someone of, say, seven wouldn't draw any attention! Jealous. Well, I have decided that my mission is to make acceptable the wearing of tutus by grown up girls. I just have to find a lovely one first.

More soon. Love, SG

LUST LIST: The Most Perfect Closet In The World

I have been a fan of Sex and the City for years. I love Carrie's style and the girls' chats and fun. But more than that, I love Carrie's closets; the one in her apartment and the one that Big builds for her in their "heaven on Fifth penthouse"! These are the closets that dreams are made of. If I had a closet, even the size of the one she has in her apartment, I would never have to complain that I had too little room. But do they actually exist?? One of my friends turned her boyfriend's spare room into a walk-in closet one week when he was away! She got a carpenter in and had it all done. Good work, I say.

Whilst the closet that Big builds is obviously bigger, more luxurious it is also more clinical and less characterful. I think I prefer her original one. Which do you like best?

More soon. Love, SG

Grayson Perry, Alan Measles and The Walthamstow Tapestry

Grayson Perry is 49 years-old, his female alter-ego Claire is 34 on the 5th November and teddy bear, Alan Measles (named after the boy next door and a bout of measles in winter 1963), is 45 years-old. Making their average age 42 and a half, perfect subject matter for That's Not My Age.

So, the 'transvestite potter' is having a bit of a moment. An appearance last week on Have I got News For You, a collection of scarves for Liberty (beautifully modelled by Waldemar Januszczak in The Sunday Times Culture supplement,see below), a brilliant new book by Jacky Klein and his largest show to date at Victoria Miro

As well as the trademark pots, Perry has turned his hand to tapestry. Paying tribute to Alan Measles (the bear who ruled an imaginary kingdom when GP was a boy) with a nifty piece of handiwork. The fabulous Walthamstow Tapestry runs the whole length of the opposite wall, and wittily depicts modern, everyday life. From birth at one end, to old age and death at the other, with Grayson Perry and Claire in the middle. And a generous scattering of brand names, from Lidl to Louis Vuitton, dotted all around.

And there's a lovely outdoor space at the back of the gallery, which has some polka dot sculptures by Japanese artist, Yayoi Kusama. She's 80 by the way.

The Walthamstow Tapestry exhibition continues until 7 November 2009, at Victoria Miro

Photographs:
Grayson Perry (at the Liberty store) from The Guardian.
Waldemar Januszczak from The Sunday Times.

Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice

Currently loving: Freshly squeezed orange juice every morning, Guatemala - incredible country, so friendly, such beautiful places and great crafts that I need to stock up on, freedom to go where and when I please, the sun, 'The Woman in White' - I've just finished it, you've got to read it, and denim cut-offs.

Currently missing: hot showers, English newspapers, high heels - I've been having so many dreams about them, X-Factor (I'm ashamed to say), my magazine subscriptions, and cous-cous!!!

Gig chic II

This is my gig outfit from last night, I am wearing leggings from Topshop, Office shoes, an open backed tee from Dorothy Perkins (a girft from a friend), a bangle (also a gift from a friend) and earrings from a market in Italy.

Jimmy Choo for H&M: what will you be buying?

Courtesy of Grazia - this is the Jimmy Choo for H&M collection to be launched in just over two weeks time (17 days to be precise!). Enjoy!

Tuesday Morning Pic-Me-Up

I realise that I didn't post a Monday morning pic-me-up yesterday, so here is something that made me smile this morning when I found it in my pigeon hole at work!! My Jimmy Choo at H&M launch invite! Sorry for the poor quality scan.

How to... dress chic for a gig (revisited!)

The boyf and I are off to a gig in Bristol tonight. Before the boyf, I had been to concerts before but not really gigs. I would define concerts as those musical occasions where you are in an auditorium, sitting down and generally the audience in either under 15 or over 50!!! A gig is usually in a more relaxed venue with a bar close at hand and a sticky floor!! This is my experience, anyway. But everytime it always begs the question, what do I wear?

1. First things first: shoes. I'd recommend wearing a pair that you don't mind a pint ending up all over, i.e. not your favourites. Converse usually work well I find. Or an old pair of pumps or even boots.

2. Wear: something you feel comfortable in. Jeans and a band tee always go down well. But again, as these venues tend to be pretty relaxed, you can go as dressed up or as dressed down as you fancy. A dress with tights and brogues or Converse can look just as good.

3. Tie hair back. This is adviseable as it can get quite hot when the band gets playing and everyone is dancing around.

4. Make-up: go wild. I don't think there are any rules for make-up at a gig. Little, none, Amy Winehouse-esque eyeliner and false eyelashes. Quite literally, anything goes.

5. Jewellery: pile it on! Layer necklaces, stack bangles, load fingers up with rings. Whatever takes your fancy.

6. Make sure that if you take a bag, it can go across your body so that it is secure and you don't have to hold it all night.

7. Remember: your ticket. Very important. Ask my boyf if you don't believe me!!

For me, Fearne Cotton always does great 'gig chic'.

Fearne is always rocking a band tee with shorts or jeans, or a lovely vintage dress at a festival with leggings and boots. Perfect every time.

I promise to post a pic of what I wear later. Love, SG

Because I'm worth it...!!

Work has been so busy recently and I had my little trip to hospital and I really am trying my very best to write my dissertation, so I decided to treat myself to The September Issue on DVD when I was ordering a present for my sister's birthday. It arrived on Friday and I am now looking forward to an evening, when X Factor isn't on, to sit down and watch it.

And then today, after a full day in front of the computer trying to do research for said dissertation I got side-tracked slightly and came across the book below - My Wonderful World of Fashion. It's tag line is, a book for drawing, creating and dreaming! Sounds perfect. I can't wait for it to arrive now.

Do hope you've all had a lovely weekend.

More soon. Love, SG

Are you intelligent shopping?

For 15 weeks I have been on a self-imposed shopping ban – no new clothes, shoes or accessories. The aim is to refrain for 6 months. So far, I am succeeding.

The main driving force behind the ban when it started was money; a lack of it due to my over-indulgence in shops like Topshop and a desire to pay off my student overdraft and to maybe start putting together some meaningful savings.

However, while my bank balance at the end of each month is looking decidedly healthier, the ban has also made me think about why and how I shop in the first place. It is certainly true that shopping can be a form of therapy; there have been countless occasions when, after a bad day at work or a difficult test at university, I have found myself trudging home from town hours later with a few shopping bags in tow. And I would be lying if I said that I hadn’t felt compelled to dash to the shops after a long and stressful day in the office in the past 15 weeks and make myself feel better. But I have resisted. Nearly always, after such a trip in the past, something, if not all of what, I have bought has been taken back once I have felt better anyway.

The ban has also made me question the way in which I shop.

In recent years cheaper and cheaper clothes available on the high street have fuelled a trend for “throw-away fashion”. Despite the obvious ethical questions behind how a t-shirt can possibly only cost £2 or a pair of shoes only £5, the price tag is often too tempting for many people to dwell on these for too long. But who wants a wardrobe full of cheap clothes that will not only age quickly but likely fall apart after just a few wears. It might be boring to hear it, but spending more on essentials and basics that you will return to again and again really does pay off. With no new clothes to inject something fresh into my looks for over 3 months now I have had to really stretch my wardrobe to stop my outfits looking tired too quickly and I have found that it is those items on which I spent a little more that continue to look good.

Likewise, I have also begun to realise that I shouldn’t always buy something just because I love it; it needs to be able to fill a gap in my wardrobe. There is no point in buying a skirt for which I know I have no shoes and, in the same vain, there is no point in buying items which are essentially the same as others I already own; unless to replace something. This is particularly true of accessories; I have discovered an absolute treasure trove of earrings and necklaces, most forgotten and bags for every occasion. Sure, it is always nice to have something new for a special occasion but going without means that you appreciate it so much more.

As the recession has hit and people are thinking more carefully about what they spend their money on, so-called “intelligent shopping” certainly seems to be a trend that has come to stay. Fashion lovers everywhere are more conscious and well informed of where their clothes come from and so have sparked a trend of greener, wallet-friendlier and more intelligent shopping.

Make-do-and-mend – of the post-war era – has made a comeback. Indeed, the credit crunch has made some people look to new ways to acquire a new outfit without spending too much money. Swap parties have become THE place to “shop”, while many women are learning to customise old or tired or charity shop finds.

Tell me how your shopping habits have changed – or not – as a result of the credit crunch?

Happy shopping ladies. More soon. Love, SG

Baby, it's cold outside

It seems to have gone from autumn to winter in the last week and so I have rediscovered my beautiful Zara cape. I'm wearing it here with H&M gloves, Topshop leggings, black leg warmers from an Italian market and those New Look mustard shoes again! Lovely and warm.

Coffee Break

Sorry for the delay in updates it has been a busy week of bus journeys, late nights and jungle treks. I am currently in Antiqua, Guatemala which is beautiful and surrounded by four volcanoes - of which I shall be climbing one this afternoon! At the moment I am sampling a delicious Guatemalan coffee and enjoying reading 'The Woman in White' which I can't put down. This is the life...

A blog-free weekend (well, almost)

Whilst the rest of the blogosphere went into overdrive about the opening of the Anthropologie store in London, That's Not My Age was in exile up north. No computer, no internet, no blog. So, I had to talk to Mr TNMA instead. And the blog widower took this opportunity to point out:

1. We've stopped watching The Wire - the fourth series is shaping up nicely but we've come to a bit of a standstill. (Note to Mr TNMA: this is not a programme to watch when suffering from blog-related exhaustion).

2. The whole family will be venue-less for Christmas if he can't get onto the computer to book one of the two uninhabitable cottages that are left, in the entire country.

3. Constant obsessive checking of the blog is not healthy.

4. He is not interested in my new virtual friends.

5. It is not raining in London.

Anyway, before I turn into Liz Jones, let's get back to important retail matters. So what if the brand spanking new Anthropologie store full of gorgeous globally-sourced products opened in my absence - obviously the invitation to the launch party earlier in the week got caught up in the postal strike. As a regular visitor to New York (the younger-but-still-over-forty brother lives there - sorry bro, it was only a matter of time before you were outed online), That's Not My Age has long been aware of the lure of Anthropologie Oh yes, on days when the West Broadway store is too much of a hike, a little trip round the corner to the 5th Ave branch always provides a quick fix of fashion and homewares, swiftly followed by some hot apple cider at the Union Square farmer's market.

Cry into my lovely old, floral Anthropologie napkins? Me? Never.

We're off to see... the new St David's 2 shopping centre!!!

As soon as I get out of the office tonight I am off to check out the new St David's 2 shopping centre in Cardiff. Obviously I will not be spending, except maybe on a celebratory dinner for the very clever boyf who has had a shiny promotion (well done to him!).

But, of course, I will let you all know what I think!

More soon. Love, SG

David Byrne: Bicycle Diaries

For a lifelong cyclist - not a faddish fixed-wheeler, David Byrne's book has instant appeal. The lovely tactile cover, tasteful black and white photos and the thought of being able to cycle, wherever, had me running for the cash till.

The Bicycle Diaries follows Mr Talking Head as he tours the world, from New York to Buenos Aires , with folding bike packed neatly into a large suitcase. Each chapter focuses on a different city; Berlin is civilized, with cycle lanes and traffic lights for bikes, Manila is 'not the most bike friendly city in the world' and San Francisco has steep hills and smart maps that tell cyclists the gradient of each street. It starts slowly in American towns, such as Columbus, Ohio and Sweetwater, Texas but once Byrne's off on tour, then we're freewheeling.

Essentially this is the art-rocker's diary, as he tours the world playing global music, to anyone who'll listen, and meeting various artists and musicians along the way. More a collection of Byrne's observations on politics, music, architecture than a book about cycling. But as the 57 year-old points out, in some places, cycling is not part of the culture - or it implies poverty. In Las Vegas, he's told that the only people who cycle are 'the ones who've lost everything, probably through gambling.' It's an enjoyable read with regular bike rides thrown in, and just like on holiday when you spend time searching for the real people and places, Byrne manages to get behind a city. But for a two-wheel fanatic, there just aren't enough pictures of bicycles - and you don't even get to see Byrne on a bike, which feels like a missed opportunity. Though I like the chapter with practical tips on what to wear, bicycle security and the best folding bikes (big wheels are better than small, but I knew that anyway). And Byrne's bike rack designs for New York City (see above) are fun.

So as compensation for the lack of bicycle photos, here are a few of my own. Including the best bike rack in the world, found in Valletta, Malta. David Byrne, if you're reading, please take note.

Photos from the top:
1. Maltese bike rack, Valletta
2. Outside a bike shop, Lecce, Italy
3. Jack Spade bike shop, New York (enough said)
4. Chained up bikes, NoLita, New York
5. Man on bike (and it's not David Byrne), Lecce, Italy.

Because it costs less than a cup of coffee!!!

Whilst browsing another blog the other day (I forget which one now, sorry!), I came across a student-run charity issue magazine called Lipstick Royalty. The magazine is an online enterprise run and written by a group of high school students and this month they have produced a special issue which is available for £1.50. I'm not going to try to sell it to you but I did ask Lipstick Royalty's Fashion Editor, Amy Thompson to answer a few questions and very kindly, she did! So here is the interview!

What is Lipstick Royalty?

Lipstick Royalty Magazine is an online fashion and lifestyle magazine, which publishes as a .PDF document bimonthly, now, as it's run by students who juggle the magazine, school work, part time jobs, blogs, and actual lives. We're all passinate about what we do - and we think that you should definfitly check the magazine out! (We're considerate like that, you see - we wouldn't want you to miss out!)

How did it start?

Once upon a time, a long long time ago (2007), there was a very bored fourteen year old girl at boarding school in Kent. Her name was Rachel Phipps, and she loved fashion. So, she decided to start a fashion magazine online.

Over time, her baby grew and grew - writers and designers came and went, but she always loved it very, very much (well, almost always - it's stressful at times, I tell ya!), and so it came about. In December 2008, it was reborn and Lipstick Royalty Magazine, and that's about that, really.

How did you get involved?

Well, that's another long story... but I'll tell it boringly, I'm afraid. Third person narrative hurts my brain.

Basically, I'd always loved writing, and I used to publish my stories online. On one site I used, I found a link to Rachel and the magazine, then named Inside Out, and I asked for a position. When I signed up, I said I'd do anything but fashion writing... and four months later, I went from Editor's Assistant to Fashion Editor - and honestly, I've never looked back!

How long has it been going?

As Lipstick Royalty, since December 2008 - with breaks here and there, due to the pressures of exams and stuff!

What is special about the October issue?

The October Issue, "Think Pink" 2009, is the first one that we've ever charged for, and all of the profits are going to charity!

It's also special because it's the most stressful issue we've (ok, Rachel's) ever completed, and so we're very very very proud of it!

Why the Laura Crane Trust?

Oh, for about 87 000 reasons!

Firstly, Rachel and I are in a writers' group called Literary Den (www.literaryden.wordpress.com), and we were both published in their charity anthology last year - with the profits going to LCT... secondly... well, cancer is an illness that will affect almost all of us at some point in our lives, and both of us have already been affected in that friends and family have suffered.

But mostly, it's because the Laura Crane Trust is a teenage and youth cancer charity - our readership is mostly within the age group that they help - and for people to be that badly affected at such a young age is tragic, really. It's a drop in the ocean, but we wanted to do something about it.

Why should people buy this month's issue?

In memory of someone they've lost.

Because they want to help.

Because, one day, they may be grateful that people like LCT exist.

Because it costs less than a cup of coffee.

And because we worked our socks off to bring it to them...

Are all issues for sale?

No; all except this one are free. Some back issues are free to download on the website - but please, please, pleaseeeeee don't let that stop you buying this issue!

What articles are there this month?

There's obviously all the usual; "Ask Amy", "In The Spotlight", "How to be a..." (this time it's "How to be a Model"), and "Hot Young Talent" - but we also have an exclusive sweepstake featuring C.TA Glam Couture, Haydria Perfumery, and FashionVictime.Fr, as well as an interview with Nylon Pink, and a special guest blog by Magda Knight, of Mookychick.co.uk.

And, of course, there's a report about Laura Crane Trust, proving to you that your £1.50 was well spent!

I will be purchasing my copy from http://www.lipstickroyalty.com/ later today, I hope as many of you as possible will do the same.

More soon. Love, SG

Help! I need your opinion ladies!

So I am relying on you lovely ladies (and any men folk out there too!) to help me with a dilemma!

It concerns my shopping ban.

I have just sold two pairs of lovely boots that were completely unworn on eBay and made £50 on the sales. Now, I am thinking that as I am two pairs of shoes down I could possibly use this eBay money to buy another pair of shoes. As technically it's like swapping one pair for another. Actually, I suppose, technically it is shopping and therefore breaking my ban but I think I deserve it?!

Let me know what you think. Please!

Street Style

Jarvis Cocker isn't the only dad with a stylish son to show off. Set designer, Rick van der Heul, 50, and son, Max nearly 15, show us that the best way to wear a lean single-breasted jacket is with a pair of easy denim jeans.

Jane Young, 48, in subtle shades of grey, knows how to do chic and understated. We love her fabulous DVF cardi, vintage Liberty scarf and Gucci loafers. Her jewellery is from the hippy market in Ibiza.

Eelke Jan Bles, 43, has a certain town meets country vibe. The tweed jacket is from Portobello market, the flat cap fron New York. And have you noticed he's matched his vintage Ralph Lauren shirt to his tan leather Trickers? Attention to detail - that's what we like.

Photos: Dvora

Art and Photography: Week 4

These are some of the photos that I took during my class last week. We used models again but at the beginning we were given the opportunity to photgraph exhibits from the studio's recent exhibition. I particularly like these brown paper roses. They have a sort of mythical quality to them and they are all alone in a little low ceiling-ed back room with little light which is a challenge for photographing. So here are a few of the photos of them that I took. I love them.