Haute Casual

Outfit: Etoile Isabel Marant Kady leather jacket (similar here or here), Asos jumper, The Kooples sweatpants (similar here or here), ankle boots (similar here) and Barbour canvas shopping tote.


Vogue's Sarah Harris coined the term haute casual to describe super-luxe anti-fuss separates. This is taking normal wearable everyday pieces to the next level where more attention is paid to the construction and fabrics. I couldn't be happier now that the very idea of sweatpants are actually considered chic and not relegated to the ranks of PJs. Gone are the days of slouchy and baggy sweatpants. These days, they resemble skinny jeans along with pockets and zips albeit ones that come with elastic bands (faaaabulous if you're gorging or you're having a fat day) and super soft fabric. I know....I know..... I'm darn good at justifying the reasons why I wear sweatpants out in the public.





The weekends leading up to Christmas are always frantically busy with pop up stores, fairs and Christmas markets all happening simultaneously. We headed over to check out my friend, Tiphaine's stall at the craft fair. She's made these adorable bracelets from Liberty fabrics.




The vintage Baloo brought back memories of watching Disney's Jungle Book cartoon. The rocking horse is a throwback to the days where it was a must have toy in the nursery. The slightly shabby coat and the worn wooden base reminded me of the conversation between the wise Skin Horse and the Rabbit from one of the most beloved storybook, The Velveteen Rabbit.

"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real."

"Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit.

"Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt."


"Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?"


"It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in your joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand." 

 (excerpt from the Velveteen Rabbit)









We did a bit of window shopping. I love the old apothecary type bottles, so rarely found these days. The shelves held some of my favorite scented candles and skin care range.




It was a magical feeling walking past the 1000 year old church which was once part of the castle and the canopy of lights as the sun set. Lil L pointed out the nests on the trees as we watched a plane flew past with a trail of smoke behind it. How was your weekend?