Forget the runway; I almost always need to shop after I pore through images of fashion VIPs:

OK, YOU GOT ME GUYS!! I’M SOLD!! HOW DID YOU KNOW I NEEDED EVERYTHING YOU’RE CURRENTLY WEARING?? IT’S LIKE WE HAVE SOME KIND OF SPOOKY-RAD MIND CONNECTION!!! … One word three syllables, world: MA-GI-CAL.

And I really don’t mean to sound creepy or obsessive, but NEW YORK, YOU’RE MY STYLE MECCA AND I LOVE YOU!!!

Pashli bag, be mine.

xo, minty

And you’re in luck today Readers, because I have thoughtfully dissected her Formula for Cool and compiled them into a comprehensive list for you, which I am 50% sure you will find beneficial at some point in your life.

… I know.

You’re welcome.

HELP! I MUST BECOME A RACHEL ZOE GIRL: A GIRL’S GUIDE TO BEING FABULOUS

1. Clearly, the SEXY-WORKING-GIRL look can be done with modest hems and impeccable tailoring. Purchase classic pieces in unexpected materials that are littered with accents, because a Rachel Zoe girl would never be caught dead in a boring corporate outfit. Spot: the leather suit, velvet dress, black piping on le classic white button-up, and frilly hems, for inspiration.

2. SEQUINS. I’ve been telling you guys this for a year: sequins are epic.. See how they do all the work for you as you ascend lazily through the style ranks? Just promise me you’ll keep it in the same colour palette and never expose more than one feature at a time when utilising the sequin trend. For additional cool factor, add a giant fur hat, or see #3.

3. Emulate a DISPROPORTIONAL YETI by swaddling your top half in a long-haired fur coat (preferably faux, but who am I to judge?). If the idea of going straight from human to half-Yeti is a little too much for you, look into purchasing removable furry lapels. Asos & Topshop usually have some sweet choices that promise not to break your bank. (See also: #5; Marianne Faithful & Mick Jagger in the 60′s)

4. DRAMA. Add this element to your look immediately by donning a maxi-length cardigan or dress and cinching it in at the waist. Flamboyance is essential to anyone who desires to be a Rachel Zoe girl (as is a skinny pant-suit), although she usually tries to keep it down to one dramatic piece per outfit. The maxi trend can ALWAYS be worked into a Rachel Zoe girl’s wardrobe. So, make it happen. (See also: #5)

5. MORE UNEXPECTED DETAILING & DRAMA! A true Rachel Zoe girl cannot get enough of detailing & drama! Other ways to add these to an outfit: Ginormously flared leather bellbottoms, calf-grazing scarves, giant fur hats that would make the Queen’s Guard die of envy, thigh-high boots, elbow-length gloves, and a furry hood that completes your transformation into a trendy Yeti.

6. HAIR & MAKEUP.

- Have your hair either pin-straight or inundated with slight, imperfect waves and parted down the middle. For a touch of boho, loosely braid a lock of hair and secure with an invisible hairtie.

- Makeup is heavy on the eye (practice drawing in that eye-liner, girls!), and fairly soft on the cheeks and lip. Look into sheer pastel peachy and pink colours for the appearance of a healthy complexion.

x

I am suitably convinced I’d wear everything. EV-ERY-THING.

What did you think of the collection?

xo, minty

Seeing Cambridge Satchel Company satchels used down the runway at Basso & Brooke!

The Basso & Brooke collection was full of geometrical bright prints, and what better way to complement it with a matching accessory in a satchel?! How cool is that print satchel by Cambridge Satchel Company? I wonder when it’ll be out…!

Accompanying the print satchel are the limited edition White and classic Red satchels. Love it!

Smita from Hogger & Co. was telling us that she’s been seeing a lot of Neon CSC satchels at the NYFW, and it reminded her of us! Aww, too sweet! It looks like the CSC satchels are still rocking the fashion runways and streets

How are you styling your satchel?

♥ P E A C H E S

Was mocktailed and fine dined in the beautiful Tower Restaurant by the significant other for Valentine’s. I’ve to say I’m not much of a fine dining person myself, but the Doctor partner wanted to celebrate in a fancy place so of course, I couldn’t turn it down!

We went all out, and were so stuffed by the end of the night that dessert was quite difficult to swallow! The food was delicious (you have to try the Tower Venison Wellington), service was great and overall a relaxing ambience.

To us, everyday is Valentine’s but it’s always nice to go out and celebrate The significant other and I have been together for more than three years now but it still feels like we only just got together. To many more happy days together!

Dress by ASOS; Kimono cardigan by H&M; Bag by Cambridge Satchel Company; Suede wedges by Mary x Clarks

I’ve been wearing my 11″ metallic silver satchel to death these days because it’s such a great sized handbag/clutch! A lady complimented the bag in the lift after dinner – you can’t go wrong with leather satchels

I am currently on my Reading Week (which means no classes, and we’re supposed to ‘study’) at the moment, and away from Newcastle! I’m now spending a few days in Edinburgh (my home away from home) and found a great bargain in Clarks with these amazingly comfortable and sexy suede wedges on sale at £59.99 from £120! Who knew Clarks did sexy and comfortable shoes? I love a good bargain!

How did you spend your Valentine’s Day?

♥ P E A C H E S

2012 is shaping up to be a stupidly morose affair.

Finding hilarity in every single, minute thing has become almost a life mission of mine, which may or may not speak to a deeper struggle with the emotional sandstorm that’s been building up inside my chest since last week.

But that’s okay, guys, really!

In fact, I think it’s almost preferable.

Flouncing around in monochromatic colours reminds me of a simpler time, though if I allow myself to stick my feet into the freezing waters of reality it quickly reverts to its original purpose as the traditional colour palette of the bereaved.

And really, as a general rule, I try to steer clear of immersing any limbs in cold water.

As you do.

…

Anyway, just a note to God’s recent stock acquisition (clearly, ‘eerily life-like robot’ is a big part of my personality profile) – and because he always understood it better in his native tongue, Google translate had to do the job for me… which, by my own rudimentary skills tells me it is probably 70% grammatically incorrect.

爷爷，我每天都想念你。我们都很好，希望你好好休息。直到我们再次见面，也许上帝让你在他的手臂永远。

xo, minty

Like many others, I can’t wait for Spring and Summer to arrive! One of the trends I am absolutely loving is the print trend because it’s so versatile and so easily worn on anyone!

So here’s my interpretation of the Spring/Summer 2012 Total Print trend in Black & White:

Dress: New Look; Silk cardigan: ThePopLook; Bag: Cambridge Satchel

I like the clash of prints, and textures in this. Aztec print, silk cardigan, spikes & studs, metallic leather and suede pumps. Power shoulders? Damn, yes.

Perfect to celebrate a draining week!

♥ P E A C H E S

Thank you for featuring one of my outfits!

Besides reading my post on those layering pearls here, you can also view this outfit posted on WIWT here! If you are a fellow WIWT-er, do let us know

What Poppy Dinsey said about my outfit?

How chic is this? Inspired by a look that Rihanna rocked at the 2009 premiere of Inglorious Basterds, we just love how cool these layered ASOS pearls look with a black statement outfit and Police sunglasses. Diva power.

Aww thank you Poppy! What a great end to the weekend!

I’ve another mock exam on Wednesday and full week of classes before a week of rest (Reading Week). Can’t wait!

♥ P E A C H E S

L-R: DIY yellow, gold and silver studded bracelets; Diamanté tassel bracelets from Urban Outfitters; thrifted gold bangle; ASOS; Kitson   

My arm party for the day! I was feeling a bit stressy, and decided to embark on a little DIY on Thursday so I came up with a neon yellow charm bracelet + gold finishings, and a silver studded bracelet! Quite pleased as it took my mind off studying for a while.

I had a mock exam yesterday which lasted 3 hours but as we were to begin our lecturer says: Keep your MCQ answer sheets with you, as you will be self-marking them.

Did I hear her wrongly?

I turned around and everyone’s face was in disbelief. What then, is the point of this exam if it won’t be marked! Therefore, why would we need 3 hours to finish 4 short answer questions?!

FML.

P.S: I was good and finished within 3 hours – because I did the bloody MCQ questions.

Wore this lovely shrug cardigan I found while shopping in my closet. It’s never been worn! Poor thing.

2-finger rings are amazing as well – it’s like having 2 cupcakes for the price of 1!

Okay, that probably didn’t make sense but I just had a red velvet so you’ll have to excuse me…

Also, you can follow my fashion updates on WIWT (What I Wore Today) here! Besides the normal upload mechanism, the site has a very simple-to-use iPhone app which is free, for those iPhone users out there.

Started by Poppy Dinsey from the UK whose 2010 new years resolution was to wear more of what she had in her closet, she started a blog to document her daily wear (even when she was in hospital!). It gained so much popularity that WIWT was formed! It’s interesting to see what everyone else is wearing on a daily basis, and if your outfit looks fab it gets picked by Poppy herself as part of the daily “Editor’s Choice”! You should totally check out some crazy nail art in there as well, amazing!

Have a great weekend, all! It’s the start of the cold freeze, Newcastle and the rest of England has started snowing today!

♥ P E A C H E S

And you get to stuff my nostrils with celery stalks if they ever stop reminding you of it, too.

I mean, in all seriousness, did any of you ever think we’d see the day when the likes of Stella McCartney, Jonathan Saunders and Richard Nicholl (among many, MANY others, I assure you) would send entire collections of re-worked sleepwear down their runways?

Stella McCartney

Jonathan Saunders

Richard Nicholl

In hindsight, it was probably inevitable. They’ve re-invented everything from the 20′s to the 90′s to lingerie and swimsuits (my parents still refuse to believe it’s all happened) – pyjamas were simply the next logical step forward.

Right?

Ultimately though, here’s the million-dollar question: Would I ever actually wear my pyjamas out in public without being double-doggy-dared?

Look, probably not ever in the light of day.

But I like to know there’s a viable option for me if I ever feel hip enough to show the waking world my fluffy unicorn pyjama pant suit.

xo, minty

“Freedom is not worth having if it does not connote freedom to err. It passes my comprehension how human beings, be they ever so experienced and able, can delight in depriving other human beings of that precious right.”

- Mahatma Gandhi

I really hate it when people tell me what to do.

Like, I really, really hate it. A lot.

So much so, in fact, that I completely lost my mind in ’02 when my parents unceremoniously told me to pack all my shit up and move 3,952 miles south, against my will.

… I didn’t manage to regain a sense of normalcy again until the day I graduated.

On that note, it’s been a long-standing point of contention for me how people have systematically enjoyed ordering me around like some sort of human puppy. They don’t even try to hide it.

Stupid Dictator 1: SIT.

Minty:  Sure! Where? (I hate you.)

Even worse is the fact that I have, for the most part, been begrudgingly functioning as a human doormat, completely ripe for self-righteous bi-peds to prance into my life and order me around as they please (although this doesn’t necessarily become clear until a moment of retrospection arises, which happens only as often as it takes for my patience to crumble).

Stupid Dictator 2: EW. WHAT ARE YOU WEARING?

Minty: …Uh. Durno. Should I change? (What are YOU wearing, you ridiculous FOOL.) What about this top? Better? Yes, no? (JUST DIE!!!)

I blame my conformist, Asian upbringing, I really do.

I also hate how in the end, it really is just all my own fault for being such an unintentionally spineless pushover.

Stupid Dictator 3: DON’T (insert verb here)!!

Minty: (STAYING SILENT. There is no appropriate response I can ever hope to formulate that will not hurt your feelings.)

BEYOND APPALLING.

Well, that’s it, I’ve had enough. After a quarter of a century I am finally throwing in the towel, and kneeing my patience in the back FOREVER.

Yes, that is correct, you heard me!

TODAY, I HAVE FINALLY HAD ENOUGH OF THIS CRUEL, JUDGMENTAL, AUTHORITARIAN WORLD I LIVE IN!!

Guess what?

If I want to dress like a clown princess on crack, I’M GOING TO DRESS LIKE A CLOWN PRINCESS ON CRACK.

You there, with your yappy flap: Silence! I’m fabulous.

If I want to paint my face like a nut-job, I’M GOING TO PAINT MY FACE LIKE A NUT-JOB.

It’s my face, and I’ll draw on it if I want to.

If I want to wear a pizza on my head, I AM GOING TO COMMIT TO WEARING A PIZZA ON MY HEAD.

What can I say? I love pizza, and it functions as a hat better than you’d ever have imagined.

If I want to buy that $10,000 dust bunny in the shape of Johnny Depp’s silhouette, YOU BEST BELIEVE I WILL OWN THAT SEVERELY OVERPRICED BALL OF DEAD HUMAN SKIN ART, SOONER RATHER THAN LATER!!

Durno. Could be anybody.

I feel liberated already.

Here’s to 2012!

xo, Minty