What I Have Learned From... Pippi Longstockings

Pippi Longstockings was always an idol of mine growing up. Strong, brave and independent... what's not to love?

So it's no wonder that some of her fashion tastes also seeped into my mind during those long hours spent watching "Pippi on the Run" and "Pippi in the South Seas". Her influence has led to the bright eclecticism in my style today.

Therefore I think it's time to pay homage to Pippi and her influence on me with this set, showing

all her fashion staples: odd knee-high stockings (the green striped ones can be found at

jackwills.com and the red at jigsaw-online.com), shapelessly cute t-shirts (T by Alexander Wang), Swedish-style rompers (Modcloth), big, old oxfords (best when too large and very shabby- these are Purplow) and one big, woolly scarf for when it gets cold (found on Amazon).

Of course, I emit one of her most constant accessories: Mr. Nilsson, the monkey. However, this is obviously not a feasible fashion venture and, I have to admit, I'm a wee bit afraid of monkeys.

Also, I have found, I do not Pippi's excessive amounts of strength- I cannot lift a horse. It's harder than you think. The horse gets pretty testy after one or two tries.

Ah well. I may never be able to fully emulate my idol, but I can still wear my odd socks, put my hair in braids, and happily reminisce about those sunny hours spent in Sweden with Pippi, Tommy and Anika.

*Click here to see a School of Style post on another Scandinavian children's lit icon: Moomintroll!

My Eighties Babes.

I don't know WHY I can't fathom why I feel such a loving, tender connection to the eighties. Yes, I was born in 1992 and grew up well after the eighties, but let's get real- the reason I feel the eighties just as much as any early-thirty something or mid-twenty something is all down to one tall, tan and blonde influence who always stood on tip-toe and had no belly-button: BARBIE.

Yes, Ol' Barb and all her peers were a big influence in my life back in the day (alright so 'the day' only reaches back about five years to when I was twelve, so what?) I ran a commune of about twenty-five, with five men at it's peak, though I always aspired to ultimate equality (I hated the unrealistic, slightly polygamist aspect of having a majority female community, but the girls were so much more fun to buy and dress up). There was, of course, a lot of drama in that situation. The girls could get mean- especially when it came to a good man like Ken, or Aladin. However, at the end of the day, the ritual fashion show made everyone feel better, and they always realized just what a tight-knit and loving community they were, through the sharing of clothes.

It's a beautiful story, isn't it? I've always believed in the healing power of fashion.

Anyhoo, in a sporadic anniversary event, I grabbed my old favourites (now part of my sister's collection) and threw a wee eighties-inspired fashion shoot.

This is my neon style heritage you're viewing. Enjoy.

Nathan J.Will Make Your Day!

This is my first installment of 'citizen style'- real style mavens off the streets (in this case, off the street of my facebook- I have never actually met Nathan but know him through a friend who- lucky girl- lives in Florida). Nathan's style has so much CHARACTER and UNIQUENESS I cannot believe he is real. In fact, I refuse to get my hopes up. If one day, he turns out to be real, it will be a pleasant surprise, but for now, I just watch his profile, scanning his fresh takes on classic British style, mixed with some funky '60s inspiration. Nathan J., I salute you.

P.S. Who's taking all the pictures of him in the washroom? I do not know, and let's please just let it be. The boy just likes bathroom lighting! Don't we all? Leave him alone... he's Nathan J. Robinson, for God's sake!

Valentino-rino fit for a King or Queen-o!

What are these you may or may not be wondering? Why just some gorgeous Valentine's Day inspired "sets" I have made on my new friend Polyvore (http://polyvore.com/) which is an amazing fashion site that allows one to make their very own fashion inspiration collages and share them with their fellow fancy-pantses. It's great! I began, as you can see, by making three different Valentine's themed sets to show everyone just how diverse you can get with V-day style!

The first I call Pretty Precious Petal: The Classic V-Day Stand-by. It's got that pastel, ballet, sweet feel to it, which I know is something that not everybody can stand, however, look at it. It's a stand-by for a reason: it's very feminine and attractive.

The items in the collage? Earrings: Betsey Johnson Lipstick: Candyfuture Opaque in Great Pink Planet Cardi: H&M Top: 3.1 Phillip Lim Shorts: 3.1 Phillip Lim (Old Limmy got in there twice, but he IS a genius.)

The second look is what I call Sheena is a Valentine: The Bold, Punky Look of a Rebellious Valentine. I know, I know, it's very colourful for punkiness, however, it is alternative with studs and some tough-girl stuff. Plus, I think the fact that I was able to make a Valentine's outfit without ANY pink or red, very, very impressive and outstandingly original.

Items- Sunglasses: Fred Flare Necklace: Swarovski Brooch: Susan Caplan Vintage Jacket: Pucci Skirt: Tripp Boots: SKINT Bag: Miu Miu

The third set is Red Hot Chili Pepper Mama: Everyone Secretly Wants to be a Latina. Here's your chance, 'nuff said. And you get to retro it up, get your pin-up onnnn, which is awlays fun.

Items- Coral Make-up Pad: Lancome Chili Pepper Bracelet: Topshop Rouge: Bobbi Brown Sandals: H&M Dress: Dolce & Gabbana Leggings: H&M

If you'd like to see the sets in even larger techni-colour detail, just hop on to polyvore and look at my profile: http://www.polyvore.com/profile?id=1325443

The reason why I've named myself PoppyDada is one for another day, and another inspiration chart, but while you're there, make an account for yourself and get crackin' at becoming your own online fashion sensation- it's that easy, it really, really is.

What a Rebellious Young Cur I Am!

...I'm late two days. Surely that constitutes being a cur? I don't know what that means, I won't lie. But I WILL tell you that throughout my period of studying and completing exams, I have been stockpiling rich deposits of inspiration in my head-space, and am now ready to unleash them upon you all.

Because I myself have TOO many things inside my head right now, dancing around like little fire-monkeys, I'll write down a wee itinerary:

Nathan J. Robinson Profile: No he isn't famous, but he sounds like he is, doesn't he? A modern-day Floridian fashionisto with a sense of style that will wow the masses, he is a true original, which is difficult to find sometimes in the world of fashion. His style? A colourful, put-together mix of fitted prep-style clothing with old-fashioned dandy-ism mixed in. He is truly an inspiration.

Valentine's Day Style and Some Samplings of Valentines That You Can Give to Friends, Co-Workers, Family, People You Know, People You Don't Know:

Strangely, I believe Valentine's Day to be one of the greatest chances for amazing theme-outfits ALL YEAR. So everyone stop your sulking and pouting and whining "Ooh i don't like Valentine's Day it's not a real holiday bah bahh bahhh!" Valentine's Day is about lovin', not hatin', and it is also a great chance to soften yourself up style-wise and get a little cutesy. Even if you're a bit of a smart-ass punk, like myself.

Fashion Inspo: Where to find the best fashion advice and interaction places on the web, pros, cons, etc. Also a little sampling of the contests out there.

Get ready for it boyos and girlos!

But for today I have a different focus, and that focus is cardigans, and cardigan accessories. Now, I know what you're thinking. You're thinking, "Oh God, she's lost her edge, she's going to start being that girl who uses Bob Dylan quotes in her Post Titles and claims that she's into a "Romantic" look including muted beiges and nudes."

Well, I'm not. The times, they're not a-changin'. Not a-changin' that much, anyway.

Hoooowever, cardigans ARE for all of us, they're for me, and for you. You think you can't find a cardigan that suits you? You're wrong. They come in a wide range of styles from hipster to prep(well, maybe that's a bad example the two sort of being the same these days, but you understand my point about diversity).

As well, it gets cold sometimes, for fuck's sake, and you just want something to throw over without ruining the full-effect of the outfit. In fact, sometimes the cardi enhances the overall effect!

The neo-nerd look, as I've mentioned is well and full in trend right now, so something as kitsch as a sweater-guard is going to make or break you. You can't expect to get full fashionista/o status with no sweater guard while everyone else is looking suave with one clipped on their charming knit cardi. Below I show some examples, enjoy!