animal instincts-- your feral feline fall lookbook with some equine thrown in


Today I spent some time trawling through my hard drive for photos of my cat, feeling in dire need of anything-feline. The first round of house-hunting that I did saw me more in love with the two black-and-white cats than the house, a behaviour I won't attempt to justify. Moving means that rather than have time to sort out my fall wardrobe (my second autumn ever!), I will be packing everything into boxes for Godknowshowlong. Bad idea. Whilst trying to sort out my visa and looking at a million and one interior design blogs, sketching out concepts on paper and in my head, drooling at scarlet sofas and damask chaise lounges. I'm one step closer to securing the cosy little place of my dreams, complete with an attic bedroom, even if it might be a little small. I think the housing agent was slightly amused as I was contemplating out loud where I'd keep my coats, shoes and books. "There's loads of space in the wardrobe" he said. "But you see, I have a lot of clothes", I replied. Pointing to some low-level shelving, he went, "That's ample space for shoes". "But you see, I have about 50 pairs over in England" (if you exclude the 2.5 and 3-inch boots meant for negotiating the Cambridge cobbles). And then I think he got even more amused listening to my phone conversation with D regarding head-bumping on a low ceiling and noise levels. I have to learn to stop being free entertainment to everyone. Once in a while, I envision myself as ladylike, feminine, calm and well-behaved like my cousins, and then it all comes to naught. How is it that we were all raised together and I turned out like that. Just the other day I had a huge spirited debate with D over how I am nothing demure (I hate that word-- it conjures up images of the epitome of subservient, mute and boring), although being ladylike and proper might be a different thing. Anyhows, fall. What better than animal print! I.e. my second skin. These shots of my cat sum it all up. She wriggled under my leopard-printed cape one day, and her ball was nearby. So I picked up a pair of zebra-print booties and my navy pumps, and voila. Your Feral Feline Fall Lookbook. With a little hint of pink.

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The above pictures were taken at a relatively recent masked ball. It was a charity event. I'd woken up and groggily read a mail from my friend Julia about a masquerade in Cambridge, and so I called June. "But I have no masks!" she said. "Nevermind, I have three". "Why do you have masks!?", she quipped. Well, I have an emergency mask stash of nonsense. They're really great for PJ parties and what-nots. Anyhows, people always come to me when they need to borrow props, shoes, clothes and more. You get the picture; anyway we all must have a reputation for something. So I pulled out my zebra jumpsuit that I knew I would wear someday (the theme was Murder Mystery-- what better than a deranged zebra murderer in dyed snakeskin heels?) plus I'd spent my Honours Year at the zoo doing up a thesis on zebras and evolutionary psychology-- this look would celebrate them. The masks sold at the door were £2 and beyond hideous, so we were breathing a sigh of relief when we used mine. Except that they weren't compulsory (note to self: get gorgeous Venetian masks. Now, that would be the real deal) so we ended up not wearing them. That was the night when J met J-- one my college friend, the other my coursemate. They hit it off really well, and we spent the night fending off annoying buggers who tried to wind us up but ended up being wound up instead (and a particular one will probably spend the rest of his life looking into the mirror hauntedly) and reveling in girl talk. Now all my friends have flown back to their home countries, and Julia's my only friend left here, whilst I am crossing my place that June gets a PhD place here so she'll come back to the UK. Today it was announced that Cambridge has topped the world university ranking and again I fight with myself whether I should accept my doctorate place here. It's a bloody dilemma and 70121024 people have told me I am stupid to reject it. They would tell me after today that I am even stupider but I want to go back to clinical psychology. IF that course for international students even opens as planned. Sometimes the superficiality of society over the 'brand' you are stamped with extends beyond the label of the bag you tote around and the car you drive. It is a disgusting 'Open Sesame' incantation, but I guess that's just the way the world goes. Best not to think about it too much before one gets driven crazy. These six-inches are awesome to dance in (shocker!). Oh, and the ugly fluorescent yellow tag around my wrists really look like a hospital tag. Sometimes I think that events could do with more aesthetically-friendly forms of identification.


BySi zebra pantsuit; vintage red leather belt; Guess? satin clutch; Prada snakeskin heels; Warehouse cuff; Topshop earrings; Diva rings.

*******

More shots of the amazing Ms K:


1. When I was accumulating a stash of coats for England last year. I'd keep telling my mother 'this is the last one'. Well, and then I got even more 'last-ones' when I arrived. I still don't have a white brocade coat, a black fuzzy faux-fur one, and a tan leather coat. One night The Cat suddenly jumped up onto the shelf to investigate something-- it amazes me how deft cats are. Despite how fat this one is.
2. Black and white shoes. Black and white cat. I have four family cats back in Singers. This is my absolute favourite, not because of her colour or the fact that her facial and hind markings are perfectly symmetrical (I'd only realised months after adopting her, which makes it even sweeter, kinda like how happy I was when I realised D is actually a cordon-bleu chef masquerading as a designer) but because there was that something in her. I met her on the first day of volunteer duties at the SPCA and I knew she would be my cat. But, my father is vehemently anti-cats. Week by week, every other cat got adopted, but magically, this cat somehow never got chosen. Which was rather mysterious because she was the best-looking cat there (seriously! and there were loads of ugly cats). 13 months later, I finally convinced The Mother to engage in a smuggling mission with me (needed her to sign the papers because I was underaged). Execute first, face the music later-- 先斩后奏. And one stormy Monday morning on the 27th September 2004, Ms K went home with us in a taxi, to the backdrop of howling winds and merciless rains. And beyond everything else of what a wonderful (sometimes snobbish, sometimes loving) cat she is, She Who Looks More Soft Toy Than A Soft Toy has a crazy knack for shoes that I find both amusing and endearing. When I walk in with a new paperbag nestling a box of shoes, she will wake up and charge towards me, knocking things over (she never does that normally) and paw the bag. She'll sniff the shoes with glazed eyes and look a little high as she marks her territory (and brands her seal of approval) on them. I've never met cats like that before. So sometimes I miss her reaction whenever I buy new shoes here. Luckily for me, D shares in my shoexcitement too.




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60 comments:

  1. Look at you go girl!!! You look fantabulistic!!!


    Statements in Fashion

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  2. Hahah your cat has some serious style! As do you..love the jumpsuit! Fierce!!

    -Samantha
    http://sincerelysamantha.com

    Ps- Thanks for stopping by my blog! I appreciate the sweet comment : )

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  3. Great photos -- the cat is so adorable!

    xoxo ~ Courtney
    http://sartorialsidelines.blogspot.com

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  4. love that eye mask!

    http://www.benchesandchandeliers.com

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  5. I'm definitely lusting over animal print these days!

    Sally
    http://ursaminor-sally.blogspot.com/

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  6. your zebra pantsuit is so rocking!
    i am now your new follower.

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  7. your cat is ADORABLE! and i love this jumpsuit you pull it off so well :)

    http://dressedupallligators.blogspot.com/

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  8. wow i love that zebra print

    xoxo, jaz
    fashionstatement101.blogspot.com

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  9. I love the ring you were rocking and the photos. All good stuff.

    windowshop78.blogspot.com

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  10. I see you had a great time! It looks fabulous!
    Your outfit is gorgeous! :)

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  11. Awww...such a sweet cat!! I love your jumpsuit too! It's beautiful! xoxoxoxoxoo

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  12. i love the outfit!!! thanks for commenting on my blog by the way. come visit me again and hope you follow if you like my blog, thanks hun!

    http://barestudy.blogspot.com

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  13. aaaah loving that jumpsuit and your shoes!
    great blog!
    loving the posts
    stop by some time xx

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  14. Answer: Yes she is amazing, she have so many great videos up on youtube ;D

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  15. i love your jumpsuit! and yor cat is so cute :))

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  16. that zebra jumpsuit is adorable!i would kill for it <3 tnx foor checking my blog and i hope you`ll be back soon and follow it!kisses,Manuella

    http://manuellal.blogspot.com

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  17. I never thought I would be saying this, but that zebra jumpsuit is just about the most fantastic thing I've ever seen! You paired it so well with all those red accessories, and the whole outfit just looks smashing on you! I bet people at the event were blown away!


    tacosandfreecandy.blogspot.com

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  18. Love to see how your cat inspires you, after all cats KNOW they look good so who are we to argue;)? I love, love, love your jumpsuit and shoes, plus the mask is insanely gorgeous! Thanks so much for your lovely comment sweetie! xo

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  19. Wow, that jumpsuit is sick! You look really good in them.

    xoxo, http://heelsandwedges.blogspot.com

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  20. yeah love your outfit and your cat : )

    very sexy...



    grrrrr from Paris

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  21. Your kitty is the cutest thing, she also looks like a devilish little creature - more the reasons to love cats in the first place!

    Love the party photos!

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  22. I love how the cat matched thos shoes puuurfectly! I really like that jumpsuit, it looks fab, i've never managed to find one that I feel comfortable in but that one looks gorgeous
    Rianna xxx

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  23. great pictures! loving all the animal-inspired looks!

    x
    http://tantrummagazine.blogspot.com/

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  24. You look fantastic.. as always..
    love your cat too
    LOx

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  25. Love your look with the mask. So sexy.xx

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  26. wow, love that jumpsuit! It looks AMAZING on you!

    xo

    Lucy

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  27. Such a great look, you're amazing! I love your cat. xxx

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  28. the zebra print really gives the chic look!you look so fab and ur kitten is so cute ^^ xx

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  29. Hi there-fabulous pics, you look gorgeous in the zebra jumpsuit and your cat is so cute!!

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  30. such a cute cat! sadly my family has allergies so we will never have a house cat. so lovely to find your blog. thanks for your comment on mine.

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  31. Soo cute! I love both of those dresses!

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  32. love your stunning zebra jumpsuit! and you have a nice blog :)



    Jess from Taiwan.

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  33. Ooh, you look incredibly glam; and I adore your kitty - so adorbs!! :)

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  34. aww your kitty cat is too too cute!
    xo tash

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  35. great outfit and you kitty is too cute!

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  36. I love your jumpsuit, and your cat looks so cute!

    xoxo Sootjeelina <3

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  37. you look amazing! chic & fabulous!

    lovely kitty too =D

    oxoox http://www.sweetfancytreat.com

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  38. Great photo's and your cats are so in style I love them :P Oh a masked ball how fun, I love what you were wearing and your heels are just lush. Love the blog too BTW xxxx

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  39. Cute cat...but I adore your jumpsuit, you look so awesome!

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  40. Ms. K is so cute! Love the leopard pieces and your feathered mask. xo style, she wrote

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  41. Wow, your jumpsuit is amazing! you work it so well! And Ms. K is quite adorable, too!

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  42. love that jumpsuit! and ms. k is soooo cute!

    stayfabulous,
    zarna
    http://zarnasrunway.blogspot.com

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  43. So cute!
    I Love the jumpsuit!!!

    xx Black Adder
    http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/1840556/black-adder-fashion

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  44. you look so nice with that pattern! love the shoes :)

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  45. You look gorgeous! The jumpsuit is soooo cool!

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  46. Aww, great cat pictures! So cute.:) Loving the outfit, you are working it!! :)SarahD

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  47. your cat is so cute!!! and that jumpsuit is fierce!!

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  48. i guess your cat really like your shoes!<3

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  49. such nice photos- looks like youre having a wonderful time ! love cats -yours is so cute.
    i want to steal that mask btw. ;)
    have a wonderful weekend

    xxx

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  50. Love leopard too - great animal print jumpsuit - good for you going to a masquerade in keeping with the spirit!

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  51. Oh. My. Gah. That jumpsuit is absolutely the opposite of demure and I love it!

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  52. OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!
    LOVE THIS PANTSUIT!!!!

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  53. Thanks for your lovely comments, your cat is soo cute and looks like it has a healthy respect for shoes! PS fabulous pantsuit xx

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  54. Wow all I can say is that you are a great writer! Where can I contact you if I want to hire you?

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  55. Wondеrful blog! I fοund it ωhile ѕеагсhіng on Yаhοo News.
    Dо you haνe anу suggеstions on how to get listed in Yahoo News?
    I've been trying for a while but I never seem to get there! Thanks

    My homepage - http://megasuert.com

    ReplyDelete

thank you for visiting devilishly pleasurable. would love to hear from you & drop by your sites too. do 'follow', add to blogroll-- would love to return that favour too x

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